Daily Digest Online

A senior Israeli official has issued a blistering accusation against Qatar, alleging the Gulf state is engaged in a deliberate campaign to "destroy the relationship between Israel and the Trump administration from the ground up" . According to a report by The Times of Israel, the official went so far as to state that Qatar is engaged "in jihad," highlighting the extreme depth of distrust in a critical regional relationship . These explosive charges come at a moment of high tension and complex diplomacy. The U.S. is actively working to implement the second phase of President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, an effort that critically depends on coordination between Israel, Qatar, and the United States . The allegations suggest that beneath the surface of diplomatic talks, a fierce behind-the-scenes battle for influence is raging. The Flashpoint: A Shocking Strike in Doha The current crisis traces directly back to September 9, 2025, ...

Nigerian soldiers who were on board a military aircraft that made a forced landing in Burkina Faso last week remain in the West African country, according to Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. The incident occurred on Monday, December 8, when the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)—a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic—accused a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft of violating its airspace. The AES, which has broken away from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), authorized its members to "neutralize" any aircraft violating its territory. Conflicting Narratives and Regional Tensions The aircraft was carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers at the time. The Nigerian Air Force stated the plane was on a "ferry mission to Portugal" and suggested the landing was forced due to a technical issue. However, authorities from the AES, particularly Mali's junta leader Assimi Goita, described t...

In a significant shift, Saudi Arabia has reportedly begun easing its 70-year total prohibition on alcohol, allowing sales to a limited group of wealthy, non-Muslim foreigners for the first time. According to a report by The New York Times, a discreet liquor store in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, previously exclusive to diplomats, has quietly expanded access. Customers with a costly "premium residency" permit—typically granted to highly skilled professionals in sectors like healthcare or those working for government-linked entities—can now purchase spirits under a tightly controlled system. Historical Context and New Rules The ban was instituted in 1952 following a tragedy involving a member of the royal family. For decades, legal purchase was restricted to diplomats. Under the new arrangement, eligible residents and diplomats can enter the unmarked store, guarded for controlled access. Purchases are tied to government ID numbers and subj...

ABUJA, Nigeria — A United States Congressman has concluded high-level talks with Nigerian security officials, delivering a sobering assessment of the country's ongoing crisis and highlighting the issue as a priority for President Donald Trump. In a statement following meetings with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, U.S. Representative Riley Moore acknowledged progress but emphasized that "substantial work remains" to address persistent violence across Nigeria. The discussions, part of a U.S. Congressional delegation's fact-finding mission to Abuja, focused on the "widespread terrorism ravaging the North-East and the relentless killings occurring in the Middle Belt." Moore directly tied the urgency of the situation to President Trump's agenda, stating that stopping the violence, particularly the targeting of Christian communities, is a "top concern" and matter on which Trump is "obsessed." A Dual Focus: Ter...

LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has provided a detailed rationale for Nigeria's ongoing electricity supply to neighboring Niger Republic, framing it as a fulfillment of a crucial long-term agreement that protects Nigeria's own energy infrastructure. He also delivered a pointed critique of the regional response to Niger's 2023 military coup. Speaking during an interview, Obasanjo explained that the arrangement is not a discretionary favor but stems from a strategic pact. He revealed that Niger Republic agreed not to construct a dam on the River Niger upstream from Nigeria's Kainji Dam—a project that could have severely crippled Nigeria's primary hydroelectric power generation. In return, Nigeria committed to supplying Niger with electricity. "International agreements should not be abandoned due to domestic pressures," Obasanjo stated, emphasizing that the symbiotic deal, which safeguards Nigeria's en...