According to Voice of Lofa, a community radio station in Lofa County, the incident occurred on Wednesday when Guinean troops reportedly discharged firearms during a confrontation near the contested boundary.

Reports gathered by the station indicate that a Liberian man was struck in the thigh during the shooting. He was quickly transported to Foya Hospital, where medical staff are providing treatment for his injuries.

Voice of Lofa also reported that following the gunfire, the Guinean soldiers advanced into the disputed location and raised their national flag, an action that has increased tension among residents living in the border community.

Community sources told the radio station that the confrontation began when Guinean troops escorted a group of civilians from Guinea toward the disputed land. 

The civilians were reportedly heading to the area following allegations that Guinean soldiers had earlier been mistreated by some individuals on the Liberian side.

According to the reports, Liberian youths attempted to block the civilians and the accompanying soldiers from entering the territory claimed by Liberia. The situation quickly escalated, leading the Guinean troops to fire several shots, one of which injured the Liberian resident.

Voice of Lofa further indicated that the latest development may be connected to a previous dispute in which Guinean soldiers had been asked to remove a flag they earlier erected in the same contested area.

Residents of Sorlumba Clan are said to be concerned about the growing tension, while local authorities continue to observe the situation closely as calls increase for diplomatic intervention to prevent further escalation along the Liberia–Guinea border.

Although Kansas has no active volcanoes today, the quake occurred in a region shaped by the Midcontinent Rift System, a massive tectonic event from hundreds of millions of years ago that nearly split North America. Magma from that distant period left behind hardened igneous rock and deep fractures thousands of feet below the surface, which can still influence seismic activity today.

The earthquake was linked to the Humboldt Fault Zone, a major structural feature stretching across eastern Kansas. Geologists describe the fault as a network of fractures and buried faults formed long ago, capable of producing small to moderate earthquakes when stress builds along hidden fractures.

“Even minor shifts along these ancient faults can be felt at the surface, especially in areas where they intersect layers of ancient volcanic rock,” a USGS scientist said.

Residents reported noticeable shaking, describing the tremor as sounding like “a huge clap of thunder.” Several said their homes and cars shook briefly, though no injuries or damage have been reported. Since the event, the USGS has received 16 reports of shaking from locals.

Scientists note that the North American plate is under constant slow-moving stress, which tends to concentrate along pre-existing weaknesses in the crust. When enough strain builds, rocks can suddenly slip, releasing energy as seismic waves. While Kansas’s extinct volcanoes no longer pose a direct threat, the structural weaknesses they left behind, combined with the Humboldt Fault, still influence where earthquakes occur.

The Humboldt Fault Zone has the potential to produce moderate to potentially damaging earthquakes. The largest historical earthquake along the fault, in 1867, is estimated at magnitude 5.0 to 5.5. While less active than other U.S. seismic zones, it is connected to the Nemaha Ridge, a major structural feature capable of generating significant tremors.

Scientists caution that, though recent activity has been relatively minor, the fault could theoretically produce an earthquake as strong as magnitude 6.5 to 6.7. Some small modern tremors have even been linked to human activity, including wastewater injection.

For now, Assaria residents are left with a reminder that even the quiet Kansas plains can harbor echoes of Earth’s ancient upheavals.

International reports say the U.S. exit leaves about US$260 million in unpaid dues, triggering a major budget gap for the WHO and raising concerns about the future of global disease surveillance and emergency response.

The withdrawal follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in 2025, directing the U.S. to cut ties with the WHO.

The U.S. had been the largest single contributor to the agency, funding nearly 18% of its total budget.

Legal experts, however, argue the move may violate U.S. law, which requires a one-year notice and settlement of outstanding contributions before final withdrawal.

This development is expected to intensify debate over global health cooperation and the WHO’s capacity to operate effectively without its former top donor.

According to the Department of State, the review is aimed at enforcing existing public charge rules, which require visa applicants to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency before being granted permanent residency in the United States.

U.S. officials say the pause was prompted by concerns that immigrants from certain countries classified as high-risk could become dependent on government welfare or public assistance, placing additional pressure on American taxpayers.

The temporary suspension will allow authorities to reassess financial sponsorship requirements, visa eligibility standards, and enforcement mechanisms within the immigration system.

The Department of State said the decision is intended to protect U.S. taxpayers, uphold the integrity of the immigration process, and ensure consistent application of immigration laws.

Officials clarified that the pause applies only to immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas, including tourist, student, and business visas, are not affected. No timeline has been provided for the completion of the review or the resumption of immigrant visa processing.

Liberia was not included in the latest expansion, a notable exclusion given the policy’s sweeping regional impact.

Under the expanded policy, applicants from designated countries seeking B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas may be required to post a refundable bond ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000 at the time of their visa interview.

U.S. authorities say the measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays and strengthening immigration compliance. Critics, however, argue that the policy creates a steep financial barrier for legitimate travelers.

• The number of affected countries has risen to 38.

• A majority of the newly added countries are in Africa, with others in Asia and Latin America.

• The expanded requirements are scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.

The bond is refundable only if the visa is denied or the traveler fully complies with visa conditions, including departing the United States on time. Payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval.

The updated list spans West, East, Central, and Southern Africa. Countries now subject to the visa bond requirement include:

• Nigeria

• Senegal

• Uganda

• Angola

• Gabon

• Côte d’Ivoire

• Togo

• Zambia

• Namibia

• The Gambia

• Guinea

• Guinea-Bissau

• Central African Republic

• Tanzania

• São Tomé and Príncipe

• Mauritania

• Malawi

• and others

Nationals of these countries seeking short-term travel to the U.S. whether for family visits, tourism, or business will now face additional financial conditions.

The policy also affects non-African countries, including Cuba, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Venezuela.

The expanded visa bond requirement is expected to have far-reaching consequences:

• Travel becomes less accessible: In many affected countries, a US$15,000 bond exceeds average annual income, making travel financially unrealistic for many applicants.

• Diaspora ties may weaken: Frequent short-term travel between Africa and the U.S. is common for family, religious, and community reasons. High upfront costs could disrupt these connections.

• Business and investment travel may slow: Entrepreneurs, trade delegations, and small businesses may divert travel to countries with fewer entry barriers.

While U.S. officials describe the policy as a compliance tool, immigration advocates warn it could strain diplomatic relations and limit people-to-people engagement.

Liberia is not among the countries subject to the visa bond requirement in the latest expansion.

As a result, Liberian nationals applying for U.S. visas will not be required to post the new financial deposits at least under the current policy framework.

Given the regional scope of the restrictions, Liberia’s exclusion is significant and places the country in a more favorable position compared to many of its neighbors.

The visa bond program began as a limited pilot in 2025 and has expanded rapidly. Analysts note that:

• The U.S. could further expand the list based on visa overstay data and security assessments.

• Some affected countries are already considering or implementing reciprocal visa measures against U.S. travelers.

For governments, travelers, and businesses, close monitoring of the policy remains critical as implementation details and country lists continue to evolve.

The data, updated on November 25, 2025, shows Nigeria ranked ninth among the most deported nationalities during the period, reflecting an aggressive immigration enforcement push by Canadian authorities.

Beyond those already removed, the CBSA statistics reveal that 974 Nigerians are currently listed under “removal in progress,” meaning they are awaiting deportation from Canada. This places Nigeria fifth among nationalities with pending removal cases.

Deportation Figures Show Sharp Rebound in 2025

• 2019: 339 Nigerians deported
• 2020: 302
• 2021: 242
• 2022: 199
• 2023–2024: Nigeria absent from top 10
• 2025 (Jan–Oct): 366 deportations

The 2025 figure represents an eight percent increase compared to 2019, despite covering only ten months.

The surge comes amid Canada’s most aggressive immigration crackdown in over a decade. The CBSA is now removing nearly 400 foreign nationals per week, the highest pace recorded in more than ten years.

In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Canada deported 18,048 people, spending approximately $78 million on removals.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA is legally required to remove any foreign national with an enforceable removal order.

Individuals may be declared inadmissible for reasons including:

• Security concerns
• Human or international rights violations
• Criminality or organised crime
• Health or financial grounds
• Misrepresentation
• Non-compliance with immigration rules

About 83 percent of those removed are failed refugee claimants, while criminality accounts for roughly four percent of deportations.

Types of Removal Orders Under Canadian Law

• Departure Orders: Require individuals to leave within 30 days
• Exclusion Orders: Bar re-entry for one to five years
• Deportation Orders: Permanently bar re-entry unless special authorization is granted

The Canadian government says the intensified deportations are part of efforts to meet stricter immigration targets and respond to housing shortages, labour market pressures, and border security concerns.

To support this, Canada has allocated an additional $30.5 million over three years to strengthen removal operations, alongside a $1.3 billion investment in border security.

The President of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, Aisling Bondy, has warned that deportations could increase further if Bill C-12, also known as the “border bill,” is passed.

“One of the clauses in that bill is that a lot of people will be permanently banned from filing a refugee claim in Canada,” Bondy said.

CBSA data shows Nigeria is the only African country featured in Canada’s top 10 nationalities deported in 2025. Other African countries were grouped under “remaining nationals,” which accounted for 6,233 removals during the year.

Top 10 Nationalities Deported from Canada in 2025:

1. Mexico – 3,972
2. India – 2,831
3. Haiti – 2,012
4. Colombia – 737
5. Romania – 672
6. United States – 656
7. Venezuela – 562
8. China – 385
9. Nigeria – 366
10. Pakistan – 359

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr. Trump said the operation was ordered directly by him in his role as Commander in Chief. He described the targets as ISIS militants who, according to his claims, have been responsible for widespread killings, particularly of Christian civilians.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Mr. Trump wrote. He alleged that these groups had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” at levels not seen for decades, and possibly even centuries.

Mr. Trump said he had previously issued warnings to the militants, stating that continued violence against Christians would result in severe consequences. “If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay,” he wrote, adding that the strikes carried out Thursday night fulfilled that warning.

However, the president did not disclose operational specifics. He did not say how many militants were killed, which facilities or individuals were targeted, or how many strikes were conducted. He only characterized the operation as involving “numerous perfect strikes.”

Defense Secretary Confirms Operation and Nigerian Cooperation

Shortly after the president’s announcement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a statement on X confirming the operation and reiterating the administration’s stance on religiously motivated violence.

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote. He added that the Department of Defense referred to by the Trump administration as the “Department of War” was prepared to act, and that ISIS militants “found out tonight  on Christmas.”

Hegseth also emphasized that the strikes were conducted with the cooperation of the Nigerian government. “Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” he wrote, signaling coordination rather than unilateral action.

The Defense Department later shared an unclassified, nine-second video on its official X account that appeared to show a missile launch from a military vessel, though no additional operational details were provided.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the airstrikes took place and indicated that Nigerian authorities were notified in advance. In an official statement, the ministry said Nigeria remains actively engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States.

The ministry noted that this cooperation has led to “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” framing the operation as part of an ongoing joint effort to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

The strikes follow statements made by Mr. Trump in early November, when he said he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria. At the time, he accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately protect Christians from persecution and violence.

“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious and sweet,” Mr. Trump wrote on Nov. 1, comparing potential U.S. action to the brutality he attributed to terrorist groups. He also issued a warning to Nigeria’s government, saying it “better move fast.”

In response to those comments, Hegseth stated publicly that the Department of War was already “preparing for action,” signaling that military options were under active consideration well before Thursday’s strikes.

The Nigeria operation comes roughly a week after U.S. forces carried out a separate series of airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria. Those strikes were conducted in response to the killing of two U.S. soldiers and an interpreter, highlighting a broader U.S. campaign against ISIS across multiple regions.

In November, Trump also said he intended to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. This designation is an executive action typically based on recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the State Department.

Such a designation authorizes the U.S. government to impose penalties, though it does not automatically result in sanctions. These determinations can be made at any time and are not strictly tied to the State Department’s annual Report on International Religious Freedom, which is usually released in the spring and has not yet been published this year.

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected Mr. Trump’s claims that it is failing to protect Christians. Officials and analysts have noted that while Christians are among those targeted by armed groups, the majority of victims in Nigeria’s conflict zones are Muslims, particularly in the country’s predominantly Muslim northern regions where most attacks occur.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has previously addressed the issue directly, disputing the portrayal of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation.

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu said in a social media post. He added that Nigeria does not support religious persecution and maintains constitutional protections for citizens of all faiths.

Nigeria was first placed on the U.S. “country of particular concern” list in 2020, after the State Department cited what it described as systematic violations of religious freedom. That designation did not specifically single out violence against Christians.

The designation was lifted in 2023, a move widely interpreted as an effort to improve diplomatic relations between Washington and Abuja ahead of a visit by then Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The UN reports that by September 2025, countries owed the organization about $1.59 billion. This shortage of money is forcing the UN to take tough decisions.

• The 2026 budget will be $3.24 billion, which is 15% less than last year.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres said many of the jobs being removed can be done more efficiently or handled by others.

• About 18% of UN jobs were already empty because the UN did not have money to fill them.

• Many UN departments will face cuts, and some political missions will get over 20% less money next year.

• The UN will not cut funding for the agency that supports Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and programs that support Africa’s development.

• The UN will also close or reduce some offices to save more money. For example, ending two office leases in New York could save over $24 million a year starting from 2029.

The UN says its financial situation is very weak and may remain difficult even after these cuts.

Some diplomats worry that junior and lower-level staff are losing more jobs than senior officials.

Others warn that development programs  especially in poorer countries  could suffer.

The cuts are part of a larger plan called UN80, which aims to make the organization work faster, smarter, and with less waste.

The UN’s member countries still need to approve the 2026 budget and job cuts.

But for now, it is clear that the UN is entering a period of serious cost-saving after years of financial pressure.

The U.S. Department of State said the decision was made to protect the country and keep Americans safe. The move also fulfills former President Donald Trump’s promise to put America’s security first.

According to the statement, many of the cancelled visas were linked to people involved in assault, theft, and drunk driving. In 2025 alone, 16,000 people were punished for drunk driving, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft.

Other reasons include connections to terrorism, overstaying visas, and public safety concerns.

Monrovia, Liberia: UN Women Country Representative, Madam Comfort Lamptey, has lauded the Government of Liberia for its sustained commitment to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, pledging continued UN Women support toward achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country.

Madam Lamptey made the remarks on Friday at a high-level Gender Roundtable hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and UN Women Liberia, to commemorate 25 years of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

The event, held at the C. Cecil Dennis Jr. Auditorium in Monrovia, brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and women’s rights advocates to reflect on progress made in promoting women’s leadership and participation in peace and security processes.

Celebrating 25 Years of Progress and Advocacy

In her inspiring address, Madam Lamptey paid tribute to Liberia’s women leaders, activists, and peacebuilders whose tireless efforts have shaped the country’s post-war recovery and contributed to global peacebuilding initiatives.

“This is a moment to celebrate, even though we know we still have much work to do,” Madam Lamptey said. “Twenty-five years ago, women including Liberian women fought to make the world understand that the issues affecting women in conflict are indeed matters for the UN Security Council.”

She praised the historical leadership of African nations, noting that the landmark UNSCR 1325 which recognizes the vital role of women in peace and security was adopted under the presidency of Namibia, an African country.

Reflecting on Liberia’s own journey, Madam Lamptey described it as “a full circle,” citing examples of women who played significant roles during and after the civil conflict. She mentioned the late Madam Mary Brownell, Madam Elizabeth Malba, Madam Medina Wesseh, and others who documented and led initiatives to engage warring parties, advocate for peace, and support community recovery.

Madam Lamptey highlighted that Liberia now stands at a pivotal moment as it prepares to take a seat on the United Nations Security Council, positioning the nation to help shape future discussions on women, peace, and security.

“Liberia stands in a good position to help shape the conversation and the agenda on women, peace, and security for the future,” she emphasized.

She also commended Liberia’s growing contributions to international peacekeeping, noting that Liberian women now serve as peacekeepers globally, symbolizing the nation’s progress and leadership in gender and peacebuilding.

Looking ahead, Madam Lamptey underscored the importance of developing Liberia’s third National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security, describing it as a vital tool for sustaining peace and preventing conflict.

“This meeting marks the foundation for our third National Action Plan. It is time to strategize how we want to move forward empowering more young women, expanding mentorship, and strengthening research to support our peace efforts,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cllr. Deweh E. Gray, reaffirmed Liberia’s leadership in gender-responsive governance and stressed that women’s voices must remain central to peacebuilding and national development.

Cllr. Gray emphasized that Liberia’s experience serves as a model for how inclusive leadership can sustain peace and drive national progress.

Adopted in 2000, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 underscores the importance of women’s participation in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, humanitarian response, and post-conflict reconstruction. It remains a cornerstone of the global Women, Peace, and Security agenda.