Russia Strikes Odessa 24/7 Reaches Kramatorsk; Zelensky Panics Sacks Syrsky; EU Short Of Winter Gas

Putin Hardens Terms on Territory as Ukraine's Top General Is Fired. Hegseth Senate Trainwreck

Secret Russia-German Meeting. West Weighs Taurus Missiles and Seizing Russian Assets

The Duran: Episode 961
France's Marine Le Pen Acquitted in Case Over Violating Hate Speech Laws
https://sputniknews.com/europe/202105041082797685-frances-marine-le-pen-acquitted-in-case-over-violating-hate-speech-laws/

I am afraid I am again unwell, with an infection that has blocked my nose and which has left my throat very dry. I have also had bouts of fever during the day, though these thankfully abate quickly.

I caught this infection from one of my daughters, and it has being going through my family ever since, but I seem to be the worst affected.

I hate missing work because of illness and have struggled through a programme with Neill Oliver. However getting the video done for my own channel today has been an exhausting battle and I am afraid my voice would not hold out for a whole Live Stream.

This is bitterly disappointing and I can only apologise.

I began to fall ill over the weekend and I hope that by later this week I will be better. If so, I will aim to do today's Live Stream on Friday.

The Rio Times Africa Intelligence

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

By Matthias Camenzind, Publisher

West Africa just set a date to leave the CFA franc.

At their July summit in Sierra Leone, ECOWAS leaders reaffirmed that the ECO — a single currency for the bloc's 15 nations — will launch in 2027, with Nigeria, Ghana and a handful of others in the first wave. It's the long-promised step out from under the French-backed CFA franc. The catch: as of 2024, only two members met all four convergence criteria, which makes 2027 look less like a deadline than an ambition.

Africa overtakes Asia as the world's hunger hot spot — 307 million undernourished

Chad moves to drop entry visas for all Africans from 2027

Kenyan startup funding cools as investors pivot to quality over quantity

A Saudi-led fleet moves to shield the Bab el-Mandeb oil route

The FX board: the naira firms and Egypt's pound slips back under 51

Good morning from the Africa desk. Today is about sovereignty — over a currency, over a border, and over the basics of a full plate.

The headline is monetary: ...

There are a whole bunch of anti Islamic propaganda posts by @Grandpa_Toms here. Ignorance of culture and religion can cause a great deal of violence, and I would kindly request that you desist from demonising. It is harmful.