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African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Enters a New Phase of Regional Integration

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Enters a New Phase of Regional Integration

The Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) reached a significant milestone last Sunday, 19th of July 2026, when the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signed the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) governing the project's development during the 69th Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The agreement reflects the collective commitment of ECOWAS Member States to advance one of Africa's largest cross-border energy infrastructure projects. The initiative was launched by King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the late President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and continues to receive the support of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The project has gradually evolved from a bilateral initiative into a broader regional undertaking aimed at strengthening energy cooperation and economic integration across West Africa. Jointly developed by Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), the pipeline is expected to extend nearly 6,800 kilometres along Africa's Atlantic coast, crossing 13 West African countries before connecting to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline in northern Morocco and, ultimately, to the European gas network. With an estimated annual transport capacity of 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas, the pipeline is intended to improve access to energy, support electricity generation, encourage industrial development, and facilitate regional trade and investment. Estimated at approximately US25 billion, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline ranks among the continent's most ambitious infrastructure projects. Beyond its energy dimension, it is expected to contribute to the creation of a regional gas market, enhance connectivity between participating countries, and support broader objectives of economic diversification and sustainable development. The initiative also illustrates the increasing role of large-scale infrastructure in advancing regional integration under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Africa's long-term development agenda. The signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement marks the beginning of a new implementation phase. The next steps include the establishment of the Project Company, to be headquartered in Casablanca, and the Pipeline Higher Authority, the project's governance body, to be based in Abuja. These institutional arrangements will be followed by investor mobilization and preparations for the Final Investment Decision (FID), a key milestone before construction can commence. The legal framework will also be completed through the signature of a complementary agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. On the margins of the ECOWAS Summit, several African leaders and ministers welcomed the agreement, highlighting its expected contribution to regional energy security, infrastructure development, and economic growth. Officials from The Gambia, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone emphasized the project's potential to improve regional connectivity, facilitate access to energy, particularly for landlocked Sahel countries, and promote industrialization across West Africa. According to ONHYM and NNPC Ltd., the project's principal engineering, technical, environmental, and route studies have now been completed, allowing preparations to move progressively toward the operational phase. The Freetown agreement therefore represents an important institutional milestone for a project that has steadily gained regional support over the past decade. It also reflects the continuity of the vision promoted by King Mohammed VI, which places regional connectivity, South-South cooperation, and African integration at the center of Morocco's engagement on the continent. As implementation progresses, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is expected to become a key component of Africa's evolving energy architecture and an important driver of regional economic integration. Links: https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-industry/2107-57570-ecowas-approves-nigeria-morocco-gas-pipeline-as-funding-gap-persists https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/the-driving-force-behind-african-industrialisation-ecowas-diplomacy-unanimously-backs-the-energy-mega-project/20260720114252227837.html https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/africa-gas-pipeline-takes-shape-5533118 https://panafricanvisions.com/2026/07/sierra-leone-signs-landmark-african-atlantic-gas-pipeline-agreement-at-ecowas-summit/

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WC winner Spain overtake Argentina to reclaim top spot in FIFA rankings

WC winner Spain overtake Argentina to reclaim top spot in FIFA rankings

Spain returned to the top of the FIFA rankings on Monday after going unbeaten at the 2026 World Cup, where it won seven matches and drew one en route to its second world title, reported Xinhua. FIFA said Spain collected 1,995.88 points to reclaim the No. 1 position, replacing Argentina, which dropped to second after losing 1-0 to Spain in the final after extra time. Spain had previously held the top ranking before April. France and England remained third and fourth, respectively, despite England defeating France 6-4 in the third-place playoff at the World Cup. There was significant movement elsewhere in the top 10 following the tournament. Brazil climbed one place to fifth, while Morocco moved up one spot to sixth. Both benefited from Portugal's fall to seventh after the European side failed to reach the quarterfinals. Belgium moved above the Netherlands into eighth, while Mexico returned to the top 10 for the first time since March 2022. Germany dropped out of the top 10 to 12th, with Colombia moving up to 11th. Switzerland made the biggest jump among the leading teams, rising five places to 14th, while Japan remained Asia's highest-ranked team at 17th. A total of 105 matches were played during the latest ranking period, with 104 coming at the 2026 World Cup.

6 hours ago
12 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza Strip

12 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza Strip

At least 12 Palestinians, including children, were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to local sources and eyewitnesses, reported Xinhua. Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes since Tuesday morning, targeting apartments, residential buildings, and civilian vehicles in several areas. In the latest attack, Israeli warplanes struck the entrance to the Young Muslim Women's Association in central Gaza City, killing four people and wounding several others. Earlier, two members of a family were killed and four others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle near al-Zahra city, north of the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza. Separately, the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza said in a statement that its crews had recovered the bodies of six members of another family, including a father, his wife, and their four children, from their home in Gaza City, after an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the attacks. The strikes came despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025. Hamas condemned the attacks as a true embodiment of the occupation's brutality and a blatant war crime, calling on the international community to hold Israel accountable. Palestinian National Council Chairman Rawhi Fattouh accused Israel of violating ceasefire commitments and humanitarian obligations, while the Palestinian government urged mediators and the international community to press Israel to halt its aggression and violations, protect civilians and honor the ceasefire agreement. 4,000 miscarriages recorded in Gaza Strip in H1: medical official A medical official in the Gaza Strip expressed concern Tuesday over a sharp rise in miscarriages in the enclave, with 4,000 cases recorded in the first half of 2026. Bassam Zaqout, director of medical relief in the enclave, said in a radio interview that the unprecedented increase is driven by harsh living conditions, including pregnant women traveling on unpaved roads in overcrowded and unsafe transport, constant fear of Israeli bombardment, sleeping on the ground, and the lack of hot water and hygiene supplies, in addition to the spread of skin diseases and unsanitary conditions within displacement camps. Zaqout warned that the health crisis is worsening due to a severe shortage of medicines, equipment, and medical supplies, with the health sector operating in emergency mode due to the restrictions and blockade on the entry of essential resources, diagnostic equipment, and laboratory reagents. He also reported a widespread outbreak of epidemics and viral diseases, particularly among the displaced. Thousands of chickenpox cases are recorded weekly, alongside a rise in respiratory infections and watery diarrhea from contaminated water. Zaqout added that the reduced flow of relief aid, food supplies, and hygiene kits in recent months has further exacerbated conditions in overcrowded displacement camps.

13 hours ago

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Canada, US agree to intensify trade negotiations: Canadian PM

Canada, US agree to intensify trade negotiations: Canadian PM

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and the two sides had agreed to intensify trade negotiations, reported Xinhua. I spoke with President Trump earlier this morning. We agreed to intensify negotiations in the coming weeks and the team and myself look forward to doing that, Carney said. We will look at all options in terms of how we would respond if (the tariffs) do come into effect, Carney said. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump defended the administration's tariff policies, emphasizing Canada's dependence on the United States. They need us to survive. Without us there's no way they can survive, the U.S. president said. He also said that he is considering separate tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke, alleging a lack of proper forest management. A lot of damage has been done. They're not managing their forests properly, the U.S. president said, following last week's threats regarding cross-border wildfire smoke. Trump on Monday signed three proclamations to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on certain Canadian goods, saying Canada was discriminating against U.S. commerce. The additional 50 percent ad valorem duties on certain dairy products, alcoholic beverages, motor vehicles and related goods will take effect on Aug. 19, according to documents posted on the White House website. Energy products, potash, fish and critical minerals will be exempt from the tariff. In response, Carney on Monday described the new U.S. tariffs as the latest in a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.

13 hours ago
6 killed as wildfires sweep Algeria amid heat wave

6 killed as wildfires sweep Algeria amid heat wave

Six people have been killed in wildfires sweeping across northern Algeria as a prolonged heat wave continues to fuel forest and vegetation fires in several provinces, the Algerian Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities and Transports said Tuesday, reported Xinhua. Nassim Bernaoui, spokesperson for Algeria's Civil Protection Department, said 1,460 wildfires have been recorded nationwide since the beginning of July. Speaking to state radio, Bernaoui said Civil Protection teams have contained between 85 and 90 percent of the blazes through operations conducted in coordination with the army, the General Directorate of Forests, local authorities, other relevant institutions, and volunteers. Firefighting efforts are continuing to extinguish the remaining fires and prevent them from spreading in the provinces of Annaba, Bejaia, Guelma, El Tarf, Khenchela, Mila, Bouira, Medea and Mascara, he said. Bernaoui said Algeria has recorded a total of 3,719 wildfires since the beginning of May, compared with 1,501 during the same period last year. According to the General Directorate of Forests, the fires have destroyed more than 1,666 hectares of vegetation, up from 467 hectares burned during the same period in 2025.

14 hours ago

Ukrainian drone attacks kill 10, injure scores in Russia's Belgorod Region

Ten people were killed and 79 injured by Ukrainian drone attacks in the Belgorod Region, Russia, within 24 hours, said regional acting Governor Alexander Shuvaev on Tuesday, reported Xinhua. The attacks on three districts of the region killed one civilian and wounded two others, according to the regional operational headquarters. Shuvaev said that 183 drones were shot down over the region in the past day when Ukraine carried out seven shelling attacks using multiple launch rocket systems and artillery, and dropped explosives from drones twice. The region has been under intensifying Ukrainian drone attacks in the later stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to daily reports from local authorities, more than 90 drones were shot down over the region every day in the past week alone. The Russian defense ministry reported early Tuesday that 209 Ukrainian drones were shot down over multiple regions of Russia overnight.

14 hours ago
2 firefighters killed while battling blaze near Bordeaux airport

2 firefighters killed while battling blaze near Bordeaux airport

Two firefighters were killed Tuesday while battling a major fire near Bordeaux-Merignac Airport in southwestern France's Gironde Department, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, reported Xinhua. Nunez announced the deaths of the two firefighters during a government question session at the French National Assembly. The fire broke out at around 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) near the airport and had not yet been brought under control as of 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), French daily Le Figaro reported. All departing flights at the airport were put on hold while arriving flights continued to operate. Several roads were closed to facilitate access for emergency services, making it difficult for the public to reach the airport terminal, French regional daily Sud Ouest reported. Following weeks of heatwaves and dry conditions, Gironde Department was placed under the red alert for forest fires on Tuesday. More than 42,000 hectares have burned across France between January and mid-July, surpassing the previous record set in 2022, France Info reported Tuesday, citing satellite data from the European Forest Fire Information System.

14 hours ago

Iran warns US against attacking nuclear, sensitive sites

Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned early Wednesday that if the United States attacks Iran's nuclear and other sensitive sites, Tehran will expand its strikes and target U.S. and its allies' interests across the region, Iranian state media reported, said Xinhua. The warning came in a statement carried by Iranian media in response to a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the day, in which he said U.S. forces would pretty soon strike an Iranian nuclear facility reportedly located beneath a mountain in the central province of Isfahan. The headquarters said the United States had threatened to attack Iran's nuclear and sensitive centers, adding that if the U.S. Army enters such a phase, Iran will consider it as an expansion of the war in the West Asia region and launch a powerful attack against the interests of the United States, its allies and supporters. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced in a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News late Tuesday that its forces had destroyed an early warning radar system and a number of tactical radars around the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, as well as another radar system on Bubiyan Island earlier that day. The United States has launched several waves of strikes against Iran's southern provinces over the past few days, saying the attacks were in response to Iranian forces targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and were intended to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping. Iran has responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities across the region. The escalation comes despite a peace memorandum of understanding signed on June 18 under which the two countries were scheduled to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement.

14 hours ago
US defense secretary says Iran war cost $37.5b, seeking more funding

US defense secretary says Iran war cost $37.5b, seeking more funding

The Pentagon's latest estimate puts the cost of the U.S. war against Iran at 37.5 billion U.S. dollars so far, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday as the Trump administration seeks more funding for the conflict, reported Xinhua. Supplemental funding for the war with Iran is urgent, necessary, Hegseth testified during a Senate budget hearing. Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls, Hegseth asserted. His remarks came as Republican lawmakers sought congressional approval for U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 1.5-trillion-dollar defense budget. In June, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told lawmakers that the war with Iran cost U.S. taxpayers around 30 billion dollars. Hegseth was also pressed over reports that the Pentagon had delayed disclosing U.S. military injuries from recent fighting with Iran. Nearly 100 U.S. troops have been injured since July 7, according to the Pentagon.

14 hours ago•
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Suspect of stabbing woman in Sipoo found dead

Suspect of stabbing woman in Sipoo found dead

The suspect of stabbing a woman in Sipoo, a municipality in the capital region, was found dead on Monday, said police on Tuesday. The man had gone into hiding after stabbing the woman and her dog in an apartment at Söderkulla area on July 16. Police conducted extensive searches at the locality and found the body of the deceased at Taasjärvi area on Monday afternoon. Police, however, did not divulge the details identities of the deceased and the victim of the stabbing incident. The police are investigating into the incident to find out the reason behind the death.

14 hours ago
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