Former Colombian President, Álvaro Uribe, has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest after being found guilty of witness tampering and procedural fraud, according to a legal source who spoke to AFP.

The landmark verdict, expected to be officially announced later Friday, marks the first time in Colombia’s history that a former head of state has been convicted of a crime and sentenced.

Uribe, who governed Colombia from 2002 to 2010, played a dominant role in shaping the country’s politics for decades.

Despite the conviction, the 73-year-old continues to insist on his innocence and is expected to file an appeal.

A judge on Monday declared Uribe guilty of two key charges: interfering with witnesses and procedural fraud.

The former president was accused of asking right-wing paramilitaries to provide false testimony denying any links to him.

During his time in office, Uribe spearheaded a fierce military campaign against the FARC guerrilla insurgency and drug cartels, a strategy that earned him praise from some sectors and criticism from others.

He remains a polarizing figure in Colombia. Supporters hail him for improving national security, while critics allege he maintained covert ties to right-wing paramilitary groups intent on eliminating leftist rebels.

Uribe’s influence stretches beyond Colombia’s borders.

A law-and-order hardliner, he was known for his close alliance with the United States, particularly with conservatives in Washington.

Reacting to the verdict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the legal proceedings against Uribe, calling it an act of judicial overreach.

Rubio said the case represented “the weaponisation of Colombia’s judicial branch by radical judges,” though he offered no evidence to support his claims.

U.S President, Donald Trump, has ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to rising tensions with Russia, marking a significant escalation from a social media spat into strategic military posturing.

The move follows several days of online exchanges between Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, over the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions.

“Based on the highly provocative statements,” Trump announced via Truth Social, “I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”

“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances,” he added.

The dramatic action comes as Trump has set a deadline for Russia to take steps toward ending the war in Ukraine by next week, warning of new, unspecified sanctions if no progress is made.

Despite the pressure from Washington, Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine remains relentless.

According to AFP, July saw a record number of drone attacks by Russian forces, and in late July, a combined missile and drone assault on Kyiv killed 31 civilians, including five children.

President Vladimir Putin, while reiterating that he “wants peace,” said Russia’s conditions remain “unchanged.” These include Ukraine ceding territory and abandoning plans to join NATO.

While Trump did not clarify whether the submarines are nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, or where they are being deployed, his announcement breaks from the typically discreet nature of U.S nuclear operations.

The U.S maintains a nuclear triad land, sea, and air-based weapons with submarines permanently on patrol.

The online back-and-forth with Medvedev turned particularly aggressive.

Medvedev had mocked Trump’s stance on sanctions and referenced Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear retaliation system.

Trump, in turn, branded Medvedev “the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President,” and warned that he was “entering very dangerous territory.”

Medvedev, once seen as a moderate, has become a prominent hardliner and outspoken supporter of Putin’s war strategy, though his influence in Russian politics is now limited.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, residents observed a day of mourning for those killed in the most recent Russian attack. Among the victims were five children, the youngest just two years old.

One mourner, Iryna Drozd, a 28-year-old mother, laid flowers at the site.

“These are flowers because children died. We brought flowers because we have children. Our children live across the street from here,” she said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called for direct peace talks with Putin.

“The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness,” he posted on X.

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians living in Ghana, affirming that xenophobia has no place in the West African country.

He made this assurance while receiving Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra.

The meeting followed recent protests targeting Nigerian nationals residing in Ghana.

According to a statement by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister, President Mahama urged Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to be unduly worried by the demonstrations.

“There is no place for xenophobia in the country,” Mahama said, adding that his government is committed to protecting the lives, businesses, and properties of Nigerians in Ghana.

He emphasized his administration’s support for the ECOWAS Protocols, particularly the free movement of people and goods within the region, and acknowledged the shared history between Nigeria and Ghana.

Mahama also addressed the source of recent tensions, noting that the recirculation of a decade-old video recorded by a Nigerian resident in Ghana had caused unrest but was quickly contained.

“The Ghanaian president assured the envoy of the safety and protection of the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in Ghana.”

In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the warm reception from President Mahama and his government. She explained that the visit was primarily aimed at easing tensions triggered by the viral video.

“Every Nigerian back home was worried about the situation and concerned about the safety of Nigerian nationals in Ghana, their properties, and businesses,”
she said.

The minister further disclosed that discussions are ongoing to establish a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, which would help both countries address youth challenges and irregular migration driven by Nigeria’s large population of unemployed youths under 45.

“We are encouraging our youth to stay in Nigeria, and if it is necessary to migrate, they are to be great ambassadors,”
she said.

She also emphasized the importance of Nigerians in Ghana obeying the country’s laws and shared her impressions of the engagement on social media.

“The Ghanaian President is committed to promoting peaceful coexistence as had hitherto been the situation between Ghanaian citizens and the Nigerian community and to ensure that both citizens and non-citizens, including their properties and assets, are safe and secure,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted.

She was accompanied by Regina Ocheni, Director of the Africa Affairs Department; Innocent Iwejuo, Director in the Office of the Minister of State; and Ajuluchukwu Eze, Special Assistant (Administration) to the Minister.

“It was an engaging session with the President of Ghana H.E. John Dramani Mahama to convey the concerns of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the people of Nigeria over the recent protests against Nigerian nationals in Ghana,” she added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his government’s disappointment on Friday over the United States’ decision to raise tariffs on Canadian goods from 25 to 35 percent.

The tariff increase, announced in a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump, comes amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that Trump had earlier warned of potential trade consequences after Carney revealed plans to support the recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.

“The Canadian government is disappointed by this action,” Carney said in an official statement.

While some Canadian goods remain protected under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the broader increase will affect key sectors of Canada’s export economy.

Trump’s order cited multiple reasons for the new tariffs, including Canada’s alleged failure to help “curb the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs” into the US, and what the administration called “retaliation” against earlier U.S measures.

Carney, however, defended Canada’s efforts. “Canada accounts for only one percent of US fentanyl imports and has been working intensively to further reduce these volumes,” he said, adding that the country has also taken steps to boost border security.

Despite the growing tensions, the Canadian leader reaffirmed Ottawa’s commitment to the trilateral trade agreement.

“The US application of CUSMA means that the US average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest for all of its trading partners,” Carney noted.

Still, he acknowledged that several major sectors, including lumber, steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain vulnerable to the rising wave of US tariffs.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the country is engaged in “intensive negotiations” with the United States to avoid the looming 30-percent tariffs recently announced by President Donald Trump.

The tariffs, initially scheduled to take effect on August 1, have been delayed by one week, giving Pretoria time to push for a resolution.

“Within the window that’s still open, we’re hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter,” Ramaphosa told journalists.

“So intensive negotiations are now under way.”

South Africa is one of nearly 70 nations targeted by the new U.S. tariff regime, which threatens to hit its export economy hard.

The United States is the country’s second-largest trading partner after China, and the new measures could cost the local economy as many as 100,000 jobs, according to central bank governor Lesetja Kganyago.

“Our task is to negotiate as strongly and as hard as we can with the United States,” Ramaphosa added. “Our objective, really, is to save jobs.”

The sectors most at risk from the 30-percent tariff hike include agriculture and automotive manufacturing, both critical industries in a nation grappling with an unemployment rate above 30 percent.

While engaging with Washington, South Africa is also working to diversify its export destinations to reduce dependence on any single market.

“Because it is too risky just to focus on one,” the president explained.

According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, South Africa has proposed to import U.S. liquefied natural gas and agricultural goods as part of its offer to ease trade tensions.

Additionally, South African companies have pledged to invest in the U.S mining and metals recycling sectors, with further plans for joint ventures in pharmaceuticals, agri-machinery, and critical minerals development.

United States President, Donald Trump, has officially imposed a 15 percent tariff on Nigeria and other African countries.

Other countries affected by the new tariff regime include Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, Ghana, Malawi, Lesotho, and Madagascar.

The modified reciprocal tariff rates were announced by the White House on Thursday.
This Executive Order, titled “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates,” said “These modifications shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 am.”

The US also slammed different degrees of tariffs on South Africa (30 percent), Libya (30 percent), and Tunisia (25 percent).

The list of tariffs also contained the United Kingdom (10 percent), India (25 percent), Japan (15 percent), and other countries.

In April, Trump had slammed sweeping tariffs on global trading partners, imposing 14 percent on Nigeria.

The “reciprocal” tariffs were later postponed for 90 days to allow for time to negotiate individual trade deals, with the deadline moved to August 1.
See how the revised taxes were spread below:
10% – Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, and all other countries not listed in the executive order

15% – Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Costa Rica, Côte d`Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

18% – Nicaragua
19% – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines
20% – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam
25% – Brunei, India, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tunisia
30% – Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya, South Africa
35% – Iraq, Serbia
39% – Switzerland
40% – Laos, Myanmar (Burma)
41% – Syria