Egypt will be the largest global wheat importer in 2024/25 (July-June) as the country recovers from a foreign exchange reserve crisis and seeks to rebuild inventories, the US department of agriculture USDA said. Drought conditions will necessitate larger imports in other North African countries, most notably Morocco,” USDA said in a recent report. Algeria is expected to be the second largest wheat importer in Africa at 8.5 million tons, followed by Morocco with 7.5 million tons, while Nigeria will be the fourth largest importer at 4.8 million tons. Global wheat production for 2024/25 is forecast at 798.2 million tons, up 10.5 million from the previous year, it said. High wheat prices in Pakistan resulted in higher planted area, in turn yielding a larger crop, up 1.8 million tons.

In this final part of the Global Annual Defense Spending Snapshot series, Forecast International analysts examine defense spending trends in regions shaping 56% of the global landscape — Europe and the USA. EuropeEuropean defense spending has been on the rise since 2014, but many countries struggled to meet NATO’s goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense. In response to these efforts, Europe’s share of global defense spending reached 15 percent last year. It currently accounts for a whopping 41 percent of global defense spending. To further explore these insights and additional spending forecasts from Forecast International analysts, please download our Global Defense Spending Annual Snapshot series at www.forecastinternational.comShare this:TweetPrintEmail

Al-Awadhi: Cultural activities helpful to cement Kuwait-UK tiesLONDON: The State of Kuwait Ambassador to the United Kingdom Badr AlAwadhi has affirmed significance of cultural and artistic exhibitions for bolstering the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and the UK. Ambassador Al-Awadhi expressed gratitude to the two countries’ foreign departments, Al-Sadu Society, represented by Chairperson Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for supporting such a distinguished cultural event that promotes creative works of Kuwaiti citizens. Cultural activities contribute to diplomacy and constitute a substantial foundation for strengthening bonds and ties between the two countries, he said. AlSadu Society launched the exhibition as part of the International Crafts week event, which coincides with the 125th anniversary of the Kuwaiti-British partnership. Al-Sadu Society is a non-profit, self-sustained organization dedicated to preserving, documenting, and promoting Kuwait’s rich and diverse textile heritage.

Millions of users in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda complained of internet outage that operators blamed on undersea cable failures. Internet service in the region was disrupted after problems in the cable that connects the region with the rest of the world through a cable that crosses South Africa, the BBC reported citing experts. On Monday, internet was slow in Kenya where operators told clients they were still working on the issue. In March, a similar problem occurred leaving users in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, and Burkina Faso without internet due to undersea cable problems. The outages disrupted economic activity that rely on the internet, including international bank transfers.

Valdosta, GA (31601)TodayThunderstorms, accompanied by locally heavy rainfall at times. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..TonightScattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

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SKOPJE, North Macedonia — European Union candidate North Macedonia sought Monday to calm disputes with EU neighbors Greece and Bulgaria that flared up following the landslide election victory of a conservative-backed coalition and president. North Macedonia changed its name from Macedonia after a 2018 landmark agreement with Greece that ended a years-long quarrel over the name, which had been claimed by Greece for one of its regions. At a swearing in ceremony Sunday, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova referred to her country as “Macedonia,” prompting a heated response from Athens.

The departure of the French and American troops from Niger created an opportunity for the Russians to replace them. In Niger, the Russian presence is not as dense as it is in neighboring Mali, where Russia’s Wagner Group is actually an extension of the Malian military. On 4 May 2024, a third Russia cargo flight landed in Niger, loaded with military equipment and instructors. In early May, a strange transition took place when Russian troops entered into base 101 near the international airport where American soldiers were already settled. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov spoke of the development of Russia’s relations with several African countries, without confirming or denying the Russian presence in Niamey.

Dubai, UAE - A new survey launched by Heidrick & Struggles today has found that Middle East leaders are more concerned about leadership attraction , development, and retention , as well as leadership succession and turnover, compared to their global peers. Thegathered insights from 112 chief executive officers ( CEOs ) and board members in the Middle East on their most pertinent concerns and challenges.According to the World Bank, the Middle East and North African economies are expected to grow by 2.7% in 2024 – up from 1.9% in 2023. Unsurprisingly, Middle East leaders cited economic (56%), as well as geopolitical (56%) uncertainty and volatility as the most significant issues facing their organisations in 2024. Their global peers share the same sentiments, with the global average sitting at 63% and 39% respectively.Where Middle East leaders feel most differently from their global counterparts, however, is in the issues relating to leadership. 29% of Middle East CEOs and board members surveyed report leadership attraction, development and retention as their biggest challenge (24% as the global average), while 22% see leadership succession and turnover as their chief concern (17% as the global average).

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State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

Simone Hockett was born August 15, 1927, in Mogador, (now Essaouira) Morocco, North Africa to Joseph and Esther Knafo, and entered peacefully into the arms of Jesus May 1, 2024, while holding her daughter, Shirley’s, hand. She met James Stanley Hockett when he was with the U.S. Navy Seabees stationed in Casablanca, Morocco. In 2000, Stan and Simone returned to Montana to live closer to their daughter, Shirley, in Manhattan. Simone is survived by her children; Bill (Donna) Hockett, Steve (Melissa) Hockett, and Shirley (Bruce) Hein; sister Alice in Toulouse, France; twelve grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her loving husband, James Stanley Hockett; son, Karl Hockett; sisters, Marionette and Anette; and brothers, Hiam and David.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - Brera Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: BREA), a company specializing in the ownership and investment of football clubs, has announced a significant move in women's football by acquiring the rights and property of the North Macedonian women's football association. The North Macedonian women's football association has agreed to transfer all its assets to a joint stock company fully owned by Brera Strumica. This strategic decision allows Brera Holdings to claim ownership and make investments in the women's football sector in North Macedonia. By investing in the sport, Brera Holdings aims to enhance the quality of play and foster growth at the grassroots level. Brera Holdings PLC, known for its multi-club ownership (MCO) model, has been expanding its global portfolio of football clubs and other sports entities.

Tunisia’s regime, under the rule of Kais Saied, has been indulging in a xenophobic discourse blaming migrants for the country’s economic woes, as more Tunisians engage in clashes with migrants in different cities. In recent days, the government has intensified its crackdown arresting and throwing thousands of migrants in inhumane conditions on the borders with Algeria and Libya. President Saied, who warned of “great replacement” of Tunisians by Sub-Saharans, continues his hate speech spree saying traitors are conspiring to drown Tunisia with migrants. Mimicking him, Tunisian leaders and some media figures have been encouraging civilian Tunisians to join the witch hunt against Sub-Saharan migrants bound for Europe and most of whom qualify for refugee status. Tunisia is mired in an economic and financial crisis worsened by the backpedaling to autocracy as president Kais Saied intensifies his crackdown on critics, while picking migrants as scapegoats.

Hundreds of civilians gathered on the streets of Tunis, Tunisia’s capital, on Sunday to protest against the unjust imprisonment of people who criticized President Kais Saied’s government, including journalists, activists, lawyers, and opposition members. The protesters spoke against the government’s actions and called for a free and fair presidential election in the North African nation. SOURCE: REUTERS