… The Nobel Institute awarded Machado the prize this year for “her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy” in Venezuela. …
… Venezuela’s government-controlled election council declared Maduro the winner, despite opposition tallies showing their candidate had won by a landslide. …
Donald Trump has played down the possibility of a US war with Venezuela, but suggested Nicolás Maduro’s days as the country’s president are numbered. …
US President Donald Trump has confirmed a report he authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, provoking outrage from the South American nation’s leaders. …
… Speaking at the 80th UN General Assembly, she urged the lifting of sanctions on Cuba, Zimbabwe and Venezuela, and described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. …
… The strikes in international waters have primarily focused on Colombia’s neighbour Venezuela, according to the Trump administration, but the US has provided little details about the targets and the individuals killed, and its reports that members of the Tren de Aragua gang were o …
… Late on Thursday, the defence department accused two Venezuelan military aircraft of flying near a US vessel in a “highly provocative move designed to interfere with our counter narco-terror operations”. …
… Ricardo Hausmann, a former minister of planning of Venezuela and former chief economist at the Inter-American Development Bank, is a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and director of the Harvard Growth Lab.– Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025; www.project-syndicate.org
An opinion piece by Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro endorses a "Namibians in Solidarity with the People of Cuba Campaign for Humanitarian Aid" launched by the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association, arguing that Namibians should provide moral and humanitarian support to Cuba given Cuba's role in Namibia's liberation struggle.
An opinion piece by Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro endorses a "Namibians in Solidarity with the People of Cuba Campaign for Humanitarian Aid" launched by the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association, arguing that Namibians should provide moral and humanitarian support to Cuba given Cuba's role in Namibia's liberation struggle.
Economist Almandro Jansen argues that Namibia's emerging oil, gas and mineral wealth could drive long-term economic transformation or deepen structural challenges depending on governance and institutional reform. Singapore transformed from a low-income economy (US$500 GDP per capita in 1965) into a high-income hub (exceeding US$100,000 by 2025), while Namibia has reached upper-middle-income status with roughly US$5,000 GNI per capita but remains constrained by high unemployment, limited diversification, and rising fiscal pressures.
Namibia's upcoming offshore oil, gas, and mineral wealth presents an opportunity or trap depending on management. An opinion piece contrasts Singapore's model of meritocracy and clean governance with South Africa's race-based empowerment and state patronage, positioning them as competing templates for Namibia's development path.
President Trump has issued an explicit ultimatum demanding Iran reach an acceptable agreement by Tuesday 20:00 Washington time or face new strikes that would "decimate" bridges and power plants, though Iran has so far rejected the ceasefire and made "maximalist" counter-demands, leaving unclear whether negotiations are progressing behind closed doors.
Russia's sanctioned tanker Anatoly Kolodkin carrying 730,000 barrels of crude has reached Cuba, the first oil shipment since January when the US removed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, depriving Cuba of its main energy supplier and triggering fuel shortages and blackouts on the island.
Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire as US President Trump signals possible military operations against Iran's oil infrastructure, sending global oil prices toward US$100–$117 per barrel. The Middle East conflict is disrupting global energy supplies, with analysts warning that further US or Iranian action could drive prices to historic highs.
Jordan Bos scored a late goal to give Australia a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in a friendly at Sydney's Stadium Australia, a confidence-boosting result ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Coach Tony Popovic used the match to assess new players, including two debutants, as Australia prepares for their Group D campaign.
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa called on Namibians, especially youth, to strive for a united, peaceful, and developed nation at the 36th independence anniversary celebrations, reflecting on historical sacrifices and expressing solidarity with regional partners against imperialism.
Armand Duplantis won his fourth world indoor pole vault title in Torun, Poland, with a championship record of 6.25 metres, while Josh Kerr triumphed in the 3,000m and Switzerland's Simon Ehammer set a new world record in the heptathlon.
Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade announced that an Intergovernmental Commission and Business Forum with Russia will be held in Windhoek on 16–17 March 2026, focusing on Russian expertise in geological exploration, agriculture, and energy infrastructure to support local value-addition in Namibia's mineral sector. The minister also outlined Namibia's broader diplomatic engagement with countries including South Africa, Angola, Brazil, Cuba, and Venezuela, as well as efforts to strengthen regional trade cooperation.
As global demand for minerals needed for clean energy and technology surges, countries are negotiating resource deals in secret, risking the same corruption and inequality that plagued past resource booms. The authors argue that transparency, public participation, and established accountability mechanisms like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative are essential to ensure mineral wealth benefits entire societies rather than enriching elites.
China has announced an annual economic growth target of 4.5–5%, the lowest since 1991, as it faces domestic challenges including weak consumption, a shrinking population, and property crisis, alongside global trade tensions and energy pressures. The target, released during China's "two sessions" political gathering, signals a shift to more flexible goals while Beijing pursues investments in innovation, green energy, and efforts to boost household consumption.
Reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to Middle East conflict threatens Namibia's fuel supply and could raise prices, as the country imports most refined petroleum from Gulf producers via the strait. Namibian economists warn that prolonged instability could force Namibia to seek alternative suppliers at higher shipping costs and impact inflation through transport and food prices.
The Sam Nujoma Foundation has described Cuba's worsening economic conditions as a "man-made humanitarian crisis" caused by intensified US sanctions that have morphed from a Cold War trade embargo into a complex web of financial and secondary sanctions. The crisis has deepened since Venezuela cut off oil supplies after January political changes, triggering rolling blackouts, medicine shortages and tourism decline that Cuban and regional officials warn threatens the island's survival and stability across the Caribbean.
A US-imposed oil blockade on Cuba, intensified after the fall of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro in January, has triggered severe fuel shortages and rolling blackouts, forcing workers to abandon cars and change jobs, with 96.4% of private businesses reporting severe or catastrophic impacts and food imports crippled by diesel shortages.
Delcy Rodríguez, the new Venezuelan leader, faces pressure from US President Trump while maintaining support from her socialist base. She has agreed to oil deals with the US while continuing anti-imperialist rhetoric to keep her Chavista coalition intact, though analysts say she retains some leverage over Trump through his need to present Maduro's removal as successful.
Reverend Jesse Jackson, a veteran civil rights activist and close associate of Martin Luther King Jr who for over six decades advocated for African Americans through activism, two presidential campaigns, and international mediation, died on Tuesday aged 84. His family said his unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions.
At Ethiopia's 39th African Union Summit, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah advocated for Africa to remain a sovereign partner rather than a battleground for competing global interests, and called for continental investment in water infrastructure and climate solutions. She reported that Namibia's youth unemployment programme has disbursed N$62.3 million to 140 projects creating about 722 jobs, though analysts cautioned that strong speeches must be accompanied by measurable policy implementation results.
Venezuela debated a landmark amnesty bill aimed at releasing political prisoners detained under Nicolas Maduro and Hugo Chavez, with interim president Delcy Rodriguez having already released over 400 prisoners and ordered closure of the notorious Helicoide prison. The attorney general said the amnesty should apply to both opposition and government figures and called for dialogue and peace.
The Kremlin accused the United States of using "suffocating measures" against Cuba as the island faces a worsening energy crisis following a US-ordered halt in oil shipments from Venezuela and new US tariffs threatening supplies from Mexico. Cuba has announced emergency measures including a four-day workweek and fuel restrictions as power plants struggle to maintain electricity.
Lawmakers have urged the government to negotiate stronger, value-driven deals as the US seeks to position Namibia as a strategic partner for uranium and offshore oil and gas resources. Parliamentarians stress that Namibia must prioritize national interests and negotiate from strength, with some citing Venezuela's institutional collapse as a cautionary lesson.
Venezuela's ambassador to Namibia has urged the country to learn from Venezuela's political crisis and develop mechanisms to protect its emerging oil and gas sector, cautioning that traditional international law and respect for sovereignty cannot be relied upon. The warning comes as Namibia positions itself as a key oil and gas frontier following major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin.
The National Youth Council met with Venezuela's ambassador to solidify bilateral relations, with focus on youth development programmes, education, skills training, and cultural exchange. Venezuela announced nine scholarships in petroleum and 50 additional scholarships in agriculture, science, engineering, and medicine for Namibian youth.
The National Youth Council's interim executive chairperson and Venezuela's ambassador to Namibia met to strengthen diplomatic ties and establish youth development programmes, with plans to expand cooperation in education, skills development, and cultural exchange.
An opinion piece argues that small resource-rich nations like Namibia face threats to sovereignty from great powers pursuing imperial interests, citing the US attack on Venezuela as evidence. The author calls for Global South countries to form strategic alliances based on shared principles to ensure collective security and protect their right to self-determination.
Cuba's ambassador to Colombia has accused the United States of "international piracy" and imposing a "marine siege" on the island by blocking Venezuelan oil shipments following a US military action against Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro. Cuba has sought alternative oil suppliers including Mexico, though analysts warn the already struggling economy could face a breaking point and potential humanitarian crisis without Venezuelan oil.
The Namibian publishes three opinion letters: one on setting realistic personal goals; one arguing free university tuition alone cannot solve Namibia's 44.4% youth unemployment without job creation and support for entrepreneurship; and one critiquing US intervention rhetoric in Venezuela as "weaponised aid" that undermines Global South sovereignty.
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez said the country would use US$300 million from a US-brokered oil sale to prop up the bolivar against the dollar, which has become Venezuela's de facto currency. The move aims to stabilize the foreign exchange market after a six-year US embargo on Venezuelan oil created a shortage of dollars.
Gold and silver prices reached all-time highs while stock markets declined as investors sought safety following US President Donald Trump's threat of up to 25% tariffs on European countries over his Greenland ambitions. European leaders, including Denmark, said they stand united against the threat, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that trade wars are in no one's interest.
Donald Trump has pledged to impose tariffs ranging from 10% to 25% on eight NATO countries, including the UK, Denmark, and others, in pursuit of his demand to purchase Greenland from Denmark. European leaders have rallied to defend Greenland's sovereignty, with Denmark's foreign minister stating that tariffs are "not the way forward" and the EU vowing to hold an emergency summit on Thursday to coordinate a response.