In a week marked by both international cooperation and devastating tragedies, several key events have unfolded across the globe. From security initiatives in Nigeria to renewed energy prospects in Libya and heartbreaking losses in Ukraine and Canada, here’s a concise overview.

The United States is expanding its military presence in Nigeria, with plans to deploy about 200 troops to train the Nigerian military in combating Islamist militants. This deployment, confirmed by a U.S. official on Tuesday, follows airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump against alleged Islamic State targets. This new contingent will add to a small U.S. team already on the ground, marking the first confirmed American military presence in Nigeria since Christmas Day strikes. Surveillance flights from Ghana have also reportedly been conducted since late November. President Trump has indicated that further military action remains a possibility.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Republican Representative Thomas Massie accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of withholding the names of powerful associates of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein during a tense congressional hearing. Massie questioned why billionaire Leslie Wexner’s name had been redacted in FBI documents listing potential co-conspirators. Bondi stated the redaction was corrected within 40 minutes of being identified, but Massie called it a “massive failure” by the Justice Department.

Tragedy struck Ukraine’s Kharkiv region as a Russian drone strike killed two-year-old twins, their one-year-old sister, and their 34-year-old father. Their pregnant mother survived with minor burns. Oleh Synegubov, Regional head described the attack as “brutal,” noting the family had just relocated from a border town to escape shelling. Bohodukhiv has faced near-daily strikes in recent days.

Despite reported tensions, United States president Donald Trump stated that he insisted that nuclear negotiations with Iran continue during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Netanyahu reportedly pressed for broader restrictions, including limits on Iran’s missile programme and support for proxy groups. Tehran has signalled willingness to curb uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief but rejected wider demands.

Africa

Kenya’s central bank is set to diversify its foreign exchange reserves by purchasing gold, according to Governor Kamau Thugge. This move aligns with similar actions by other African nations. Kenya’s reserves currently stand at $12.46 billion, equivalent to 5.4 months of import cover. The announcement followed the bank's decision to cut its benchmark lending rate to 8.75.

In other news from Kenya, self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and seven associates have been charged in connection with the deaths of at least 52 people linked to an alleged extremist cult in Kilifi County. Prosecutors accused the group of organised criminal activity, radicalisation, and facilitating terrorist acts. The defendants pleaded not guilty. Mackenzie already faces murder and terrorism-related charges tied to mass graves discovered in Shakahola Forest.

Madagascar is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Gezani, which has claimed at least 31 lives. The cyclone struck Toamasina with winds reaching 250 km/h (155 mph), causing widespread destruction. Authorities reported approximately 75 percent of the city damaged, with power outages, collapsed homes, and uprooted trees prompting the government to appeal for international assistance.

Libya has awarded new oil exploration and production licenses for the first time in 17 years, in a bid to stabilise its energy sector. Companies receiving licenses include Chevron, Nigeria’s Aiteo, Spain’s Repsol, BP, MOLGroup, Eni North Africa, and QatarEnergy. Libya aims to increase daily oil production by 850,000 barrels over the next 25 years. The country currently produces around 1.5 million barrels per day.

In Sudan, a drone strike attributed to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 12 others in El-Rahad, southern Kordofan, according to medical sources. The region remains a central battleground in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s army, which began in April 2023. The conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced around 11 million people.