I WILL NOT LAG BEHIND

How many days will it take you to work to buy a new iPhone in your country?

Anant Ambani (son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, Asia's richest person) has publicly offered to relocate and house around 80 of Colombia's so-called "cocaine hippos" at his Vantara wildlife rescue and conservation centre in Gujarat, India. This comes in response to Colombia's recent decision to cull them as an invasive species. theguardian.com Here are the key Details: Background on the hippos: In the 1980s, Pablo Escobar imported hippos (starting with a few) for his private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles. After he died in 1993, they escaped, bred rapidly, and became an invasive population (now estimated at over 100–200, with projections exceeding 500 by 2030). They damage ecosystems, affect local rivers, and pose risks to people. bbc.com Colombia's plan: Officials recently approved euthanising about 80 hippos after other measures (sterilisation, contraceptives, and prior relocation attempts) proved insufficient or too slow. forbes.com Ambani's offer: He formally appealed to Colombia's environment ministry to suspend the cull and allow a "safe, scientifically-led translocation" to Vantara. This revives a prior interest from his organisation. He described the hippos as sentient beings worth saving humanely. cnn.com

I REFUSE TO BE LEFT BEHIND

Story Behind Hiroshima: Why the Atomic Bomb Was Dropped By mid-1945, World War II in the Pacific had become one of the most brutal campaigns in history. Japan had launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941, pulling the United States into a global war. Over the next three and a half years, fierce island-hopping battles (Iwo Jima, Okinawa) and relentless conventional firebombing of Japanese cities killed hundreds of thousands on both sides. By spring 1945, Japan was isolated, its navy and air force largely destroyed, and its cities devastated by conventional bombing yet its military leadership refused to surrender unconditionally. Meanwhile, the United States had been secretly developing the atomic bomb under the Manhattan Project since 1942. On July 16, 1945, the first successful test (Trinity) proved the weapon worked. President Harry S. Truman, who had only learned of the project after Roosevelt’s death, now faced a critical choice. At the Potsdam Conference (July 1945), the Allies issued the Potsdam Declaration on July 26. It demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction.” Japanese Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki responded with the word mokusatsu (“kill with silence” or “ignore”), which the Allies interpreted as outright rejection. online.ucpress.edu Truman and his advisors believed an invasion of Japan’s home islands (Operation Downfall) would cost up to 1 million Allied casualties and millions of Japanese lives. They chose to use the bomb to force a rapid end to the war and avoid that bloodbath. On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., the B-29 Enola Gay dropped “Little Boy” the uranium bomb over Hiroshima. The explosion instantly killed 70,000–80,000 people, with total deaths reaching 90,000–166,000 by year’s end. Three days later, a second bomb hit Nagasaki. On August 15, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender, formally signed on September 2. The Hiroshima bombing demonstrated the terrifying power of nuclear fission the entire explosive force of a 15-kiloton blast coming from the mass-energy conversion of roughly 0.5–0.7 grams of matter (the weight of a small butterfly). This remains one of history’s most debated decisions credited by many with ending the war quickly, while raising profound ethical questions about civilian casualties and the nuclear age that followed.

The Trump administration (via the State Department) has been using U.S. health aid primarily through PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) as leverage in negotiations with Zambia. nytimes.com Zambia has ~1.3 million people relying on U.S.-supported HIV treatment, plus TB and malaria meds. PEPFAR has historically been a major funder. eatg.org The U.S. wants greater access for American companies to Zambia’s critical minerals (copper, cobalt, lithium) to counter China’s strong position there. Zambia is a major producer. nytimes.com A leaked State Department memo (prepared for Secretary of State Marco Rubio) explicitly discusses withholding or significantly cutting aid as a “stick” to pressure Zambia into a broader deal. The memo states something like: “We will only secure our priorities by demonstrating willingness to publicly take support away from Zambia on a massive scale.” nytimes.com

Saudi Arabia & China: Deepening Strategic Partnership Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 (10th Anniversary this year). Xi Jinping and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks to further strengthen ties and regional stability. Saudi Arabia is also gradually advancing currency diversification in bilateral trade (including yuan usage).

Zambia’s Critical Minerals vs. Life-Saving HIV Treatment | April 2026 Update Zambia is one of Africa’s top copper producers with vast deposits of copper, cobalt, and other minerals essential for electric vehicles and the green energy transition. The Trump administration is currently using PEPFAR health aid as leverage to secure greater American access to Zambia’s mineral resources with a key negotiation deadline of April 30, 2026. Full details in the infographic below

Below is the summary of everything you need to know about OPEC OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a permanent intergovernmental organisation of 12 oil-producing countries that coordinates petroleum policies to stabilise global oil markets. Founding and History OPEC was established at the Baghdad Conference (September 10–14, 1960) by five founding members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. It was created in response to low oil prices set by major Western oil companies. Headquarters moved from Geneva to Vienna, Austria, in 1965. Key milestones include the 1973 oil crisis and the 2016 Declaration of Cooperation, which formed OPEC (OPEC plus non-OPEC producers like Russia) to manage global supply more effectively. Objectives OPEC’s mission is to: Coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries. Secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers. Ensure an efficient, economic, and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations. Provide a fair return on capital to investors in the industry. Current Membership (as of April 28, 2026) OPEC has 12 full members: Algeria (joined 1969), Congo (2018), Equatorial Guinea (2017), Gabon (1975; rejoined 2016), Iran (1960), Iraq (1960), Kuwait (1960), Libya (1962), Nigeria (1971), Saudi Arabia (1960), United Arab Emirates (1967), and Venezuela (1960). Angola withdrew in 2024. The UAE announced its intention to leave effective May 1, 2026. Structure and Leadership The Conference: Supreme authority (meets twice yearly). The Board of Governors and Secretariat handle day-to-day operations. Secretary General: H.E. Haitham Al Ghais (Kuwait), in office since August 2022 (reappointed 2024).

Iran has proposed a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Below is a full detail

Kenya to launch its oil drilling in South Lokichar. Read the full details below

By this time next year, I'll be in a far better place than I am presently. Words of affirmation.

ONGOING CONFLICT IN MALI – APRIL 26, 2026 UPDATE Major coordinated attacks by JNIM (Al-Qaeda affiliate) and Tuareg FLA rebels hit multiple cities including Bamako, Kati, Mopti, Gao, and Sévaré on April 25-26. Defence Minister General Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in Kati. The situation remains fluid with fighting still reported. This is one of the largest waves of attacks in recent years amid Mali’s long-running instability.

Just In: U.S. Crude Oil Reaches Japan avoiding the Strait of Hormuz

Shawarma is saving lives.

An aircraft from the Eisenhower era was reported to have bombed the world’s most advanced military in the ongoing conflict between Iran-US/Israel. Below is a full detail of the F-5 fighter jet.

Argentina has just called for renewed talks over Britain's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. Below are summarised details about the Falkland Islands.

Last man hanging. The winner will shock you.

😭😭 Imagine the anxiousness and excitement only to get a middle finger as a present.

Why is he beating the guy alone?