In a dramatic turn of events, Guinea-Bissau has plunged into political chaos as General Horta N’Tam was sworn in as the transitional head of state on Thursday, following an apparent military coup. The brief and subdued ceremony took place at the army headquarters, marking the beginning of a one-year transitional period. This development comes just a day after the military suspended the electoral process and blocked the release of the presidential election results, which were initially expected on the same day. The election, held on Sunday, saw both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his closest rival, Fernando Dias, claiming victory. Civil society groups have accused Embaló of orchestrating a ‘simulated coup’ with military backing to prevent the election results from being published, should he lose. Embaló, who has not responded to these allegations, has previously claimed to have survived multiple coup attempts during his tenure. Critics, however, argue that he has fabricated crises to suppress dissent. Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation sandwiched between Senegal and Guinea, has a tumultuous history marked by nine coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The country, known as a notorious drug-trafficking hub, has struggled with political instability and economic challenges. On Wednesday, military officers announced they had seized control of the country, following reports of Embaló’s arrest. Gunshots were heard in the capital, Bissau, though details about the shooting and potential casualties remain unclear. The officers appeared on state TV, declaring the suspension of the electoral process and accusing unnamed politicians, allegedly supported by a drug baron, of plotting to destabilize the country. They also announced the closure of borders and imposed a night-time curfew. Embaló, in a phone call to France 24, confirmed his deposition. Government sources revealed that Dias, former Prime Minister Domingos Pereira, and Interior Minister Botché Candé were also detained. The coup leaders took army chief General Biague Na Ntan and his deputy, General Mamadou Touré, into custody. The African Union and the West African bloc Ecowas expressed ‘deep concern’ over the coup, emphasizing that the country had been prepared for the announcement of election results after an ‘orderly and peaceful’ process. Portugal, the former colonial ruler, called for a return to constitutional order, urging all parties to refrain from violence. As of Thursday, Guinea-Bissau’s borders have reportedly reopened. Embaló, 53, had aimed to secure a second consecutive mandate, a feat not achieved in the last 30 years. His legitimacy was questioned by the opposition, who argued his term should have ended in February 2025. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations with a population of over two million, faces significant challenges, including its role as a key transit point for cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe.
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Hong Kong fire may speed up moves to end use of iconic bamboo scaffolding
A devastating fire that engulfed a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has left at least 55 people dead, raising critical questions about the safety of bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old construction technique still prevalent in the city. While the exact cause of the inferno remains under investigation, flammable materials such as plastic netting and Styrofoam panels used in renovations have been identified as key contributors to the fire’s rapid spread. The blaze, which began in one of Wang Fuk Court’s eight 32-story towers, quickly consumed seven buildings, incinerating much of the bamboo scaffolding enveloping the structures. Authorities have arrested three individuals—directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company—on suspicion of manslaughter, citing potential non-compliance with fire resistance standards. Bamboo scaffolding, a lightweight and cost-effective method imported primarily from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Guilin provinces, has long been favored in Hong Kong’s densely packed urban environment. However, the city is gradually shifting toward metal scaffolding, as highlighted in a March memo from Hong Kong’s secretary for development. Despite its historical significance, bamboo scaffolding has been linked to 23 fatalities since 2018, prompting calls for its phase-out. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and modernization in construction practices.
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Video shows speed fire spreads in Hong Kong tower block
A dramatic video has surfaced, revealing the alarming speed at which a fire engulfed Wang Cheong House, a residential tower block in Hong Kong. The footage, meticulously geolocated and verified by BBC Verify, captures the moment the blaze rapidly intensified, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. The incident has raised significant concerns about fire safety measures in high-rise buildings, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, while residents and local officials are calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such disasters in the future. The video serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by fires in high-rise structures and the importance of preparedness and swift emergency response.
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Bulgaria withdraws 2026 budget proposal following street protests
In a surprising turn of events, Bulgaria’s government has decided to withdraw its 2026 draft budget following widespread domestic protests and international concerns. The announcement was made on Thursday by Boyko Borissov, leader of the ruling center-right GERB party, who emphasized the need for renewed dialogue with employers and labor unions to achieve consensus on state finances. This decision comes as Bulgaria prepares to join the euro currency union next year, adding urgency to the fiscal discussions.
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France brings back limited military service with 3,000 volunteers next year
In a significant shift in national defense policy, France is set to reintroduce a limited form of military service, more than 25 years after conscription was phased out. President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative, describing it as an ‘act of trust in our youth’ and a necessary step to prepare for potential threats in an increasingly uncertain world. The voluntary service, open to both young men and women aged 18 and 19, will involve 10 months of paid military training, with participants receiving at least €800 (£700) per month. The program will be implemented gradually, starting with 3,000 volunteers next year and expanding to 50,000 by 2035. Macron emphasized the importance of national mobilization, stating, ‘The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it.’ The move aligns France with other European nations, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, which have also introduced or are planning similar voluntary military service schemes in response to fears of Russian aggression. The new ‘national service’ aims to create a hybrid military structure, combining professional soldiers, reservists, and volunteers. French military leaders have welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a way to bolster the armed forces and ensure a reserve of trained personnel. However, the plan has sparked mixed reactions among the public, with some praising it as a patriotic endeavor and others criticizing it as a distraction from pressing issues like youth mental health and financial stability. The reintroduction of military service marks a departure from the post-Cold War era, when France, under then-President Jacques Chirac, ended conscription as part of the peace dividend following the fall of the Soviet Union. The new scheme reflects a broader European trend of rearming and preparing for potential conflicts, as tensions with Russia continue to escalate.
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US suspends all immigration requests for Afghans after Washington shooting
In response to a targeted shooting near the White House, the United States has indefinitely suspended all immigration requests for Afghan nationals. The decision, announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Thursday, follows a critical incident on Wednesday where two National Guard soldiers were ambushed and severely injured. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national from Washington State, is currently in custody after sustaining gunshot wounds during the attack. Authorities are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era initiative to resettle Afghans who aided US efforts during the Afghanistan war. He was granted asylum in April 2025. The US government emphasized that the suspension aims to reassess security and vetting protocols to ensure national safety. Former President Donald Trump condemned the attack as an act of terror and vowed to re-examine Afghan resettlement policies from the Biden administration.
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Guinea-Bissau marks another coup in Africa. Here is a look at other military takeovers
LAGOS, Nigeria — Guinea-Bissau has become the newest addition to Africa’s expanding roster of military takeovers, marking the latest erosion of democratic governance across the continent. The political upheaval unfolded when sustained gunfire erupted near presidential offices on Wednesday, culminating in uniformed officers commandeering state television to declare their seizure of power.
The deposed leader, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, found himself detained following the putsch amid an ongoing bitter power struggle with opposition forces. Both factions had previously asserted victory in recent presidential elections, creating the political vacuum exploited by military elements.
This coastal West African nation of 2.2 million inhabitants exemplifies a troubling regional pattern characterized by electoral disputes, constitutional instability, widespread youth dissatisfaction, and increasing military intervention in civilian governance.
A comprehensive analysis of recent African coups reveals concerning trends:
Mali (August 2020 & May 2021): Experienced consecutive military interventions, with Colonel Assimi Goita ultimately consolidating power and postponing elections until 2077. Mali has since joined with Burkina Faso and Niger to form a breakaway alliance explicitly rejecting democratic restoration.
Chad (April 2021): Witnessed General Mahamat Idris Deby extending his family’s thirty-year dominion following his father’s death, subsequently holding elections widely criticized as fraudulent.
Guinea (September 2021): Saw Colonel Mamady Doumbouya oust President Alpha Condé, who had previously manipulated constitutional term limits. Doumbouya now prepares to contest December elections under revised rules favoring military candidates.
Sudan (October 2021): General Abdel-Fattah Burhan’s takeover eventually triggered catastrophic civil conflict when power-sharing arrangements with paramilitary leaders collapsed in April 2023.
Burkina Faso (January & September 2022): Endured two successive coups within eight months, with Captain Ibrahim Traoré ultimately dissolving the electoral commission and consolidating military rule.
Niger (July 2023): General Abdourahamane Tchiani’s deposition of Mohamed Bazoum created regional fractures within ECOWAS and prompted the formation of the Sahel States Alliance.
Gabon (August 2023): Brice Oligui Nguema, cousin of ousted president Ali Bongo, assumed control after military intervention nullified election results and dissolved government institutions.
Madagascar (October 2025): Military forces capitalized on popular discontent over infrastructure failures to remove President Andry Rajoelina.
Guinea-Bissau’s intervention continues this pattern, preventing what might have been the nation’s first democratically reelected president from completing his term.
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Canadian University Dubai: A downtown engine for innovation, creativity and knowledge exchange
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has solidified its position as a premier innovation hub in the heart of Dubai’s urban landscape, demonstrating remarkable achievements across entrepreneurial ventures, sustainable design, and global partnerships. The institution’s business incubator has yielded its first groundbreaking venture: TrustPaper, a blockchain-powered enterprise developed with ZipTrust technology that revolutionizes document verification through secure, instantaneous processing.
The university’s architecture students have partnered with UAE lifestyle giant Majid Al Futtaim to pioneer climate-responsive urban design solutions, setting new benchmarks for sustainable living through an innovative competition. Additionally, design students collaborated with Dubai Holding and ImInclusive to create an installation for Dubai Design Week 2025, symbolizing shared visions of inclusion and creativity through experiential learning.
CUD’s student and alumni network continues to achieve extraordinary recognition. Accounting and Finance student Rashed Mohammed Atiq Almehairi recently claimed victory at the FEI Endurance World Championships in Romania, while graduate Mohammed Al Hakim became the first GCC national appointed as President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com. Public Health alumna Nadine Audi, founder of sustainable femtech brand Diva’Me, earned recognition in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 after securing $1 million in seed funding.
Strategic knowledge partnerships form a cornerstone of CUD’s mission, with active participation in the Knowledge Summit dedicated to sustainable development and the Forbes Middle East Health Leaders Summit. The university recently hosted the Brand Me Summit 2025, the world’s largest personal branding summit, which featured a startup competition awarding AED 3000 in funding to student ventures.
A landmark collaboration with FINTECH.TV, broadcasting from the New York Stock Exchange, positions CUD as a cross-continental media innovation hub. This partnership creates unprecedented opportunities for students through exclusive internships and professional placements in storytelling, content creation, and fintech sectors. The university now serves as both an educational institution and global representative of Dubai’s innovation ecosystem, with admissions open for Spring 2026.
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UAE pledges $1 billion investment in electricity for government-held Yemen
The United Arab Emirates has announced a major $1 billion investment initiative to revitalize the electricity infrastructure in government-controlled areas of Yemen, marking a significant development in the war-torn nation’s recovery efforts. The commitment was formally declared by Emirati ambassador Mohammed Hamad al-Zaabi during an energy forum in Aden, the interim capital where Yemen’s internationally recognized government is based.
The comprehensive investment package will fund the construction of diverse power generation facilities, incorporating solar and wind renewable energy sources alongside traditional oil-fired power stations. This strategic diversification aims to create a more resilient energy grid capable of meeting the substantial power deficits that have plagued Yemen for years.
Yemeni Prime Minister Salem ben Brik confirmed the substantial support from the UAE, characterizing electricity supply as ‘a chronic problem accumulated over many years’ that requires immediate addressing. The energy crisis has been particularly severe in Aden, where residents frequently endure prolonged blackouts that force them to rely on candlelight for both living and working conditions.
Separately, Ali Alshimmari, representing Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities, announced parallel projects valued at $1 billion, emphasizing that the investment strategy encompasses not merely energy production but also critical transmission and distribution infrastructure. This announcement was made through channels associated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which participates in Yemen’s power-sharing government.
The current administration in Aden was established in late 2020 through Saudi-brokered negotiations that unified ministers loyal to former president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and the STC. Yemen’s infrastructure, including hospitals and power facilities, has suffered catastrophic damage during the prolonged conflict between government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa and most major population centers.
Even before the conflict began in 2014, Yemen’s energy infrastructure was inadequate, with only approximately two-thirds of the population having access to the public electricity grid. The civil war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, though hostilities have largely been frozen since a 2022 ceasefire took effect.
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Army officers say they have seized power in Guinea-Bissau
In a dramatic turn of events, a group of army officers in Guinea-Bissau announced they had seized power on Wednesday, just a day before the scheduled release of results from a highly contested presidential election. The officers declared they had ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended the electoral process, closed the nation’s borders, and imposed a curfew. The announcement was made on state television by spokesperson Diniz N’Tchama, who stated that the military had formed ‘The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order’ to govern the West African nation indefinitely.