“Sadness is caused by intelligence. The more you understand certain things, the more you wish you didn't understand them.” (Charles Bukowski) A certain level of sadness is often a byproduct of empathy and understanding; the deeper our comprehension of the world's complexities, the more acutely we may feel its suffering. This poignant awareness of life's inherent fragility and the pain experienced by ourselves and others can lead to moments of sorrow. However, this capacity for profound understanding is also a source of great strength and compassion. It fuels our desire to make a positive impact, to alleviate suffering, and to build a more compassionate world. The very intelligence that allows us to feel sadness also empowers us to find meaning, purpose, and ultimately, hope, in the face of life's challenges. 📸cttro

3️⃣ *Conservative Friedrich Merz is the strong favourite to become Germany's next chancellor* after a bitterly fought campaign roiled by the rise of the AfD, a far-right party backed by Team Trump. 🇩🇪 🗳️ Barring a last-minute upset in Sunday's election, *Merz's CDU/CSU bloc is leading the polls and on course to defeat Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD)* to make the 69-year-old former investment lawyer the next leader of Europe's biggest economy. *His victory would cap months of political turmoil* since *Scholz's troubled three-party coalition imploded in November* -- but grave challenges loom for Merz and his *pledge to fix Germany's ailing economy* and rebuild its international stature. The *election comes at a time of rapid and unsettling change for Germany and Europe,* after US President Donald *Trump reached out over their heads to Russia* to try to end the Ukraine war, sparking grave fears for future transatlantic ties.

2️⃣ *The US national security advisor has warned Ukraine's president* to stop hurling _"insults"_ at Donald Trump, as *pressure builds on Volodymyr Zelensky to sign away mineral rights* in exchange for Washington's help defending against Russia. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 🇷🇺 *Tensions between the US president and Zelensky over the proposed rare earths deal* -- which Kyiv has rejected -- and Washington's outreach to Moscow *exploded this week in a series of barbs.* *Zelensky has said Trump has succumbed to Russian _"disinformation"_,* while the US leader accused his counterpart of starting the war and *branded him a _"dictator without elections"._* *US national security advisor Mike Waltz said Thursday* that _"some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and *insults to President Trump were unacceptable."*_ *The US is a vital financial and military supporter of Ukraine,* but Trump has *rattled Kyiv and its European backers by opening talks with Moscow* they fear could end the war on terms that reward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

3️⃣ *Conservative Friedrich Merz is the strong favourite to become Germany's next chancellor* after a bitterly fought campaign roiled by the rise of the AfD, a far-right party backed by Team Trump. 🇩🇪 🗳️ Barring a last-minute upset in Sunday's election, *Merz's CDU/CSU bloc is leading the polls and on course to defeat Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD)* to make the 69-year-old former investment lawyer the next leader of Europe's biggest economy. *His victory would cap months of political turmoil* since *Scholz's troubled three-party coalition imploded in November* -- but grave challenges loom for Merz and his *pledge to fix Germany's ailing economy* and rebuild its international stature. The *election comes at a time of rapid and unsettling change for Germany and Europe,* after US President Donald *Trump reached out over their heads to Russia* to try to end the Ukraine war, sparking grave fears for future transatlantic ties.

2️⃣ *The US national security advisor has warned Ukraine's president* to stop hurling _"insults"_ at Donald Trump, as *pressure builds on Volodymyr Zelensky to sign away mineral rights* in exchange for Washington's help defending against Russia. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 🇷🇺 *Tensions between the US president and Zelensky over the proposed rare earths deal* -- which Kyiv has rejected -- and Washington's outreach to Moscow *exploded this week in a series of barbs.* *Zelensky has said Trump has succumbed to Russian _"disinformation"_,* while the US leader accused his counterpart of starting the war and *branded him a _"dictator without elections"._* *US national security advisor Mike Waltz said Thursday* that _"some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and *insults to President Trump were unacceptable."*_ *The US is a vital financial and military supporter of Ukraine,* but Trump has *rattled Kyiv and its European backers by opening talks with Moscow* they fear could end the war on terms that reward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

*The US national security advisor has warned Ukraine's president* to stop hurling _"insults"_ at Donald Trump, as *pressure builds on Volodymyr Zelensky to sign away mineral rights* in exchange for Washington's help defending against Russia. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 🇷🇺 *Tensions between the US president and Zelensky over the proposed rare earths deal* -- which Kyiv has rejected -- and Washington's outreach to Moscow *exploded this week in a series of barbs.* *Zelensky has said Trump has succumbed to Russian _"disinformation"_,* while the US leader accused his counterpart of starting the war and *branded him a _"dictator without elections"._* *US national security advisor Mike Waltz said Thursday* that _"some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and *insults to President Trump were unacceptable."*_ *The US is a vital financial and military supporter of Ukraine,* but Trump has *rattled Kyiv and its European backers by opening talks with Moscow* they fear could end the war on terms that reward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

#insidethe8thassembly Abridged Profile – Rt. Hon. Iniobong Edward Ekong Rt. Hon. Iniobong Edward Ekong, born on September 12, 1966, hails from Ikot Akpafuk-Ndiya in Nsit Ubium LGA, Akwa Ibom State. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics from the Nigerian Defence Academy, an M.A. in History & International Relations, and a Master's in Peace & Conflict Resolution from the University of Uyo, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. A distinguished professional, Ekong has served in various military and security roles, including positions in the Nigerian Army and international peacekeeping missions. His public service career includes being Chairman of Nsit Ubium LGA, Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and Special Services (2008-2022), and Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources (2022-2023). His contributions have earned him several awards, including the Silver Jubilee Medal of Nigeria, Liberty Medal (Liberia), and Akwa Ibom Icon Award for Local Government Administration. Nsikak Akpan Principal Information Officer AKHA

Kasa ta rikice fa An 'Ya Mutsa Gashin Baki A Zauren Majalisar Dattawan Nigeria Tsakanin Sanata Natasha Akpoti Da Shugaban Majalisar Goodwin Akpabio Sanata Natasha Akpoti mai wakiltar kogi ta kudu ta bayyana cewa, bata tsoron Shugaban Majalisar "Am not Afraid of you" ta kara da cewa, duk wata matsala da take faruwa a zauren majalisar shi yake kawo ta" inji ta. Ko meye zafi haka ? Daga Muhammad Kwairi Waziri

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