Silicon Valley CEOs and UBI-advocates and others have warned us for a while now that artificial intelligence would soon be part of work. But only recently has it come into clearer focus how and to what scale. 

Reading my colleague Renée Onque’s article, I learned of a new way that AI is being utilized at hospitals like Tampa General: to take notes in doctors offices. So-called “ambient AI” records and transcribes what’s said and then compiles an organized report for the physician. 

Practitioners won’t have to frantically type notes during your next visit or update medical charts into the wee hours of the morning, says Nishit Patel, the vice president and chief medical informatics officer at TGH. “If we can mitigate the risks thoughtfully, this will be one of the most important, transformative moments from a health-care delivery perspective,” says Patel.

But not all doctors are enthused. AI can have “hallucinations,” notes Nathaniel DeNicola, a board-certified OB-GYN in southern California who runs his own private practice. “In my experience, it seems to make up references sometimes,” he says. “Like it’ll say something about a study, and then I go to check it, and the study doesn’t exist.”

I have many questions about the process myself. How would the doctor’s office ensure accuracy? Are human physician assistants going to be obsolete soon? 

People expect a certain amount of confidentiality at the doctor. Would ambient AI break that agreement? 

I’m not sure how I feel about AI yet. The swift implementation of products like this make it clear that artificial intelligence will likely be a staple of everyday life, though. It might not matter so much that I'm comfortable with it as much as that I get used to it.

CNBC

A Brazilian woman who dedicated her life to catching her father‘s killer managed to finally bring her family peace by catching the runaway criminal to justice 25 years after the murder.

On February 16, 1999, Givaldo José Vicente de Deus was shot and killed after a heated argument at a bar in the Brazilian city of Boa Vista. He had got into an argument with one Raimundo Alves Gomes over a debt of 150 Brazilian reals (the equivalent of $29 in 1999) that Givaldo reportedly owed Gomes. At one point, the latter walked out of the bar for a few minutes, then came back in with a gun and shot the father-of-five in the head at point-blank range. Gomes fled the scene and although an arrest warrant was issued in his name, he was never caught. Givaldo’s grieving family never gave up hope of bringing his killer to justice, and his eldest daughter, who was only nine at the time of his death, dedicated her life to catching Gomes.

[Gomes] left behind a broken family, with five children, and our mothers had to fight hard to raise us. This event could have led us down other paths, but our mothers always taught us to follow the right path,” Gislayne Silva de Deus told Brazilian news outlet Nova1.

As the eldest of five children, Gislayne had to help her mother take care of her younger siblings and also do chores around the house, but she never neglected her studies. Her father had always encouraged her to study hard and was always ready to help her with her homework, and she didn’t want to disappoint him. She put in the work and dreamed of one day bringing closure to her entire family by catching her father’s killer.

At age 18, after graduating high school, Gislayne was accepted into law school and became a licensed lawyer seven years later. However, in 2022, she gave up on her law career in order to become a police officer, and two years later, on July 19, 2024, she passed the exam and was officially appointed as a State Police investigator. She immediately requested a position in the Homicide Division, which gave her an opportunity to pursue Raimundo Alves Gomes.

In 2013, Gomes was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the killing of Givaldo José Vicente de Deus, but since he had never been apprehended after the crime, the sentence was never carried out. His lawyers appealed the decision in 2014 and 2015, but both appeals were rejected by the High Court of Justice. The most recent arrest warrant for Gomez was issued in 2019, so the statute of limitations runs out in 2031, meaning that the faster Gislayne could find Gomes, the more time he would have to spend behind bars.

On September 25, just two months into her career as a police officer, Gislayne Silva de Deus fulfilled her dream of bringing her father’s killer to justice, after a long 25 years. She and her team found him hiding on a farm in the Nova Cidade region near Boa Vista and arrested him.

“When I saw him at the police station, I made a point of telling him who I was and that I had been responsible for carrying out the arrest warrant,” Silva de Deus said. “I shared the news with my family, and everyone felt a great sense of peace and justice. We waited a long time, and even though we were in disbelief, we managed to reach this moment. I cried with relief because after so long, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.”

Gislayne’s story and her dedication to honoring her father and bringing her family peace touched the hearts of millions in Brazil and the whole of South America since the news was first reported last month.

Oddity Central

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, mocked President Bola Tinubu over the president’s handling of the fuel subsidy removal.

Atiku, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who lost to Tinubu in the 2023 election called Tinubu “T-Pain”, a veiled reference to the pain Nigerians are going through as a result of the president’s economic policies.

The nickname, coined by a China-based schoolteacher and social media critic, Dan Bello, is used to mock the president for some of the hardships caused by his administration’s policies.

In the past couple of months, Bello has released several parody videos to mock the president, using derogatory names such as “Tulumbu, T-Pain” and others.

The names have become very popular, particularly on X.

However, there is a possibility that Tinubu, who claims not to check social media, has not seen the names given to him.

Atiku, in a post on his verified X account, has now popularised the use of the president’s nickname.

In the post, Atiku criticised the president for what he called a “haphazard and disingenuous approach” to managing the subsidy removal.

“The haphazard and disingenuous approach of the current administration to fuel subsidy management has been the reason we are in this current economic crisis.

“As things stand, there will be no let-up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians. It is even more worrying that T-Pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country,” the post read.

Fuel Subsidy Removal

During the presidential campaign last year, Atiku also promised to remove the petroleum subsidy regime if elected. Similarly, Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, pledged to remove the scheme if elected.

However, Tinubu has faced criticism over how he announced the end of the petroleum subsidy, declaring “fuel subsidy is gone” at his inauguration as president on 29 May 2023.

Since the announcement, the cost of petrol has risen from less than N200 per litre to over N1,000 per litre, leading to high inflation, which has significantly increased the cost of living.

Tinubu, currently in the UK on vacation, also faces criticism over his government’s extravagant spending amid the economic hardship in the country.

The government’s decisions to spend $150 million on a new presidential jet, N21 billion on the construction of a residential building for the vice president, and the purchase of luxury vehicles for government officials have been described by many as insensitive.

However, the president, officials of his administration and some members of the National Assembly repeatedly tell Nigerians to be patient, saying the reforms would yield positive results in the end.

PT

Oluremi Tinubu has said her husband, President Bola Tinubu, should not be blamed for the current economic hardship in Nigeria.

Nigerians have been groaning under economic hardship since the removal of fuel subsidy which pushed the pump price of petrol from N198 to N1,030.

Tinubu announced an end to subsidy during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, saying the policy was standing in the way of Nigeria’s progress.

But while speaking at the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, the First Lady said the Tinubu administration is still very young.

The wife of the President was in Ife to inaugurate hostel and a 2.7 kilometer road donated to Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ University, (OAU), Ile Ife, by the Ooni of Ife and named after her.

She said, “We are just 18 months into our administration; we are not the cause of the current situation; we are trying to fix it and secure the future.

“We know that subsidy has been removed, but with God on our side, in the next two years, Nigeria will be greater than this. Those who attempted removing subsidy before could not see it through. But with your prayers in the next two years, we will build a nation for the future.”

The president’s wife added that her husband is not greedy, thanking God for making him to emerge as Nigeria’s number one citizen.

“We give glory to God for our status, myself and my husband, we are not greedy but we thank God for what God has done for us. It is not common for rich people to get to this seat but I am grateful to God, we can not disappoint Nigeria and with the help of God, we are getting to the promised land in no distant time,” she said.

The First Lady who disclosed that she graduated from OAU 41 years ago donated N1 billion to the university for its development and advancement.

While speaking, the Ooni of Ife lauded the Wife of the President for serving as role model to young ones since her days as First Lady of Lagos State.

The traditional ruler said, “I have been a keen admirer of Mrs Oluremi Tinubu as a young man eking out a living in Lagos. One of my major attractions was the New Era Initiative especially as it concerns the One Day Governor in Lagos that is totally detribalised and provided opportunities to young secondary school boys and girls to become Governor in Lagos State. This has been a milestone and major inspiration for the younger ones to aspire and prosper.”

PT

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has condemned what it describes as the growing abuse of federal power in Rivers State, specifically targeting the ongoing political crisis surrounding local government elections in the state. In a press release issued by the group’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and its national publicity secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere warned that the actions of the federal government and its key institutions threaten the very foundation of democracy in Nigeria.

Afenifere expressed dismay at the federal government’s involvement in Rivers State’s political affairs, particularly accusing the government of disrupting the local government elections. “We condemn this deliberate effort to destroy democracy in Nigeria,” the statement read. The organization pointed out that President Bola Tinubu has failed to rein in federal forces that have allegedly undermined state governance in Rivers.

Afenifere criticized both the judiciary and the Nigeria Police Force for their roles in exacerbating the crisis. The statement accused the judiciary of interfering in the electoral process and the police of neglecting their duty to protect the peace. “The two institutions are complicit in the crisis in that state,” the group declared, emphasizing the dangers of this federal overreach.

Nyesom Wike’s Influence and Power Play

The socio-political group also linked the turmoil in Rivers State to former governor Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to Afenifere, Wike has manipulated federal power to sabotage the current Rivers State Governor by attempting to control local governments, a strategy the group called “undemocratic.” Afenifere claimed that Wike, backed by federal resources, has used his loyalists to set local government offices on fire across the state in pursuit of his personal ambitions.

The group condemned Wike’s alleged threat to “burn down any state that doesn’t conform to his personal dictates,” stating that his actions were made possible by the federal government’s support. Afenifere called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop lending the police force to what they termed a “sabotage of the country’s democratic process” by federal actors.

Federal Overreach in Local Government Administration

Afenifere further alleged that the federal government’s involvement in Rivers State’s local elections was part of a broader agenda to centralize power and undermine federalism. The organization criticized the Tinubu administration’s attempts to take over local government finance and electoral administration, calling it a veiled strategy for “state capture.”

“The local governments are the pillars of the states, which if taken over will render state governors irrelevant,” Afenifere warned. They compared this federal overreach to foreign colonial powers taking over Nigerian states under the guise of better governance. The group added that while state governors may be criticized for mismanagement, control over local governments should remain within the states’ purview, as dictated by federalism.

Call to Reject the Local Government Autonomy Bill

Afenifere urged citizens, particularly state assemblies, to reject the Local Autonomy Independent Electoral Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which is currently being pushed through the National Assembly. The organization warned that passing the bill would allow the federal government to impose local government chairmen, leading to the establishment of a one-party state controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This bill is a blueprint for state capture,” the statement read, alleging that Tinubu’s actions in Rivers State are a preview of his plans to dominate all 774 local governments across Nigeria, as he has done in Lagos State over the past 25 years.

In conclusion, Afenifere reiterated its call for the decentralization of power from the federal government, arguing that only such a restructuring can guarantee true democracy and efficient governance in Nigeria. The group emphasized that the current centralization of power threatens the nation’s democratic fabric, and urged all Nigerians to resist any move toward a one-party dictatorship.

The statement underscored that the protection of Nigeria’s democracy lies in preserving the autonomy of state governments and their local administrative units, as envisioned in the country’s federal structure.

Oil prices jumped about 4% on Thursday on a spike in U.S. fuel use before Hurricane Milton barrelled across Florida, Middle East supply risks and signs that demand for energy could grow in the U.S. and China.

Brent <LCOc1> futures rose $2.82, or 3.7%, to settle at $79.40 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $2.61, or 3.6%, to settle at $75.85.

In the U.S., the world's largest oil producer and consumer, Hurricane Miltonbarrelled across Florida, where about a quarter of fuel stations sold out of gasoline and where the storm also knocked out power to more than 3.4 million homes and businesses.

"Closures of several product terminals, delayed tanker truck deliveries and disrupted pipeline movement will likely be affecting supplies well into next week given broad based power outages," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

"This vast uncertainty across Florida petroleum infrastructure generally has supported gasoline values," Ritterbusch said. U.S. gasoline futures were leading the energy complex higher, closing up about 4.1% on Thursday.

Crude benchmarks spiked earlier this month after Iran launched more than 180 missiles against Israel on Oct. 1, raising the prospect of retaliationagainst Iranian oil facilities. With Israel yet to respond, crude benchmarks have eased once more and remained relatively flat through the week.

But investors remained wary, given Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant promised that any strike against Iran would be "lethal, precise and surprising."

Iran is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and produced about 4.0 million barrels per day of fuel in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Iran is backing several groups fighting Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on central Beirut on Thursday night killed 11 people and wounded at least 48, Lebanon's health ministry said, as a Lebanese security source said at least one senior Hezbollah figure was targeted in the attacks.

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In Yemen, the Houthis said they targeted vessels in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The Houthis have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since last November in solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Gulf states, meanwhile, are lobbying Washington to stop Israel from attacking Iran's oil sites because they are concerned their own oil facilities could come under fire from Tehran's allies if the conflict escalates.

DEMAND IN THE U.S. AND CHINA

In a move that could boost oil demand in the world's second biggest oil consumer, China published a draft law aimed at promoting the development of the private sector, the country's latest step to boost investor confidence amid an economic slowdown.

In the U.S., markets grew more confident the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates in November after data showed an increase in weekly jobless claims and an annual rise in inflation that was the lowest since February 2021.

"The battle between the U.S. jobs numbers and the inflation data with regards to the outlook for Fed policy remains unresolved ... our base case remains 25 (basis point) rate cuts in November and December," analysts at ING, a bank, said in a note.

After hiking rates aggressively in 2022 and 2023 to tame a surge in inflation, the Fed started to lower interest rates in September.

Lower interest rates decrease borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, which can increase economic growth and demand for oil.

Reuters

Senior Hezbollah official survives Israeli assassination attempt, sources say

A senior Hezbollah official eluded an Israeli assassination attempt on Thursday in Beirut, three security sources said, as Israeli strikes there killed 22 people and the U.N. said its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon were in growing danger.

Wafiq Safa, who heads Hezbollah's liaison and coordination unit responsible for working with Lebanese security agencies, was targeted by Israel on Thursday night but survived, the security sources said.

Earlier on Thursday, a Lebanese security source told Reuters that Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut targeted at least one senior official in Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Israeli strikes hit a densely packed residential neighbourhood of apartment buildings and small shops in the heart of Beirut. Israel had not previously struck the area, which is removed from Beirut's southern suburbs where Hezbollah's headquarters have been repeatedly bombed by Israel.

Israel did not issue evacuation warnings ahead of the strikes on Thursday, which were the deadliest attack on central Beirut since the beginning of the hostilities.

The number of casualties rose quickly, and as midnight approached the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 22 people killed and 117 wounded. Among the dead was a family of eight, including three children, who had evacuated from the south, according to a security source.

Reuters witnesses said at least one strike hit near a gas station and a thick column of smoke was visible. A large fire blazed in the background as rescue workers searched the rubble for survivors, according to video broadcast by Hezbollah’s al-Manar television.

There was no immediate comment on the incident by Israel.

After Israel killed a series of high-ranking Hezbollah officials in recent weeks, including top leader Hassan Nasrallah, Safa was among the few surviving senior figures as the group's upper echelons struggled to reorganise.

The attempt to kill Safa, whose role merges security and political affairs, marked a widening of Israel's targets among Hezbollah officials, which previously focused on the group’s military commanders and top leaders.

Safa, whom Middle East media reports said was born in 1960, oversaw negotiations that led to a 2008 deal in which Hezbollah exchanged the bodies of Israeli soldiers captured in 2006 for Lebanese prisoners in Israel. The 2006 incident triggered a 34-day war with Israel.

Reuters also reported that in 2021 Safa warned the judge investigating Beirut's catastrophic 2020 port explosion, who sought to question several politicians allied with Hezbollah, that Hezbollah would remove him from the probe.

The Israeli military issued a new evacuation warning on Thursday night for Beirut's southern suburbs including specific buildings. Earlier in the day, Israel warned Lebanese civilians not to return to homes in the south to avoid harm from fighting.

PEACEKEEPERS 'IN JEOPARDY'

The United Nations' peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said two of its personnel were injured when an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower on Thursday at the force's main headquarters in Ras al-Naqoura, hitting the tower and causing the peacekeepers to fall. There were no casualties in two other incidents, a U.N. source said.

The two peacekeepers were from Indonesia's contingent and were in good condition after being treated for light injuries, Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement.

The safety of more than 10,400 U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon is "increasingly in jeopardy" and operations have virtually halted since late September, U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Security Council. That coincides with Israel's escalation of its conflict with Lebanon.

UNIFIL called attacks on peacekeepers "a grave violation of international humanitarian law."

The White House said the U.S. was deeply concerned by reports that Israeli forces fired on U.N. positions and was pressing Israel for details.

Israel's military said in a statement its troops operated in the Naqoura area, "next to a UNIFIL base."

"Accordingly, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area," Israel's statement said, adding it maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.

The peacekeepers are determined to remain at their posts despite Israeli attacks and orders by Israel's military to leave, the force's spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said.

Hezbollah said it had fired a missile salvo at Israeli forces on Thursday as they were trying to pull casualties out of the Ras al-Naqoura area, and they were directly hit.

In New York, Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said Israel recommends UNIFIL relocate 5 km (3 miles) north "to avoid danger as fighting intensifies".

Danon said attacking Hezbollah was necessary so 70,000 displaced Israelis could return to homes in northern Israel.

The conflict erupted one year ago when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas at the start of the Gaza war. It has intensified dramatically in recent weeks, with Israel bombing Beirut's southern suburbs, the south and the Bekaa Valley, before sending in ground forces.

The Middle East remains on high alert for further escalation in the region, awaiting Israel's response to an Iranian missile strike on Oct. 1.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,169 people in Lebanon over the last year, the Lebanese government said in its daily update. The majority have been killed since Sept. 27, when Israel expanded its military campaign. The toll does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Hezbollah cross-border fire at Israel has killed 53 people over the same period, more than half of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russia strikes US-made Patriot battery – MOD

Russian forces have destroyed elements of a US-made Patriot long-range air defense system in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported on Wednesday.

The Russian military released footage of the purported strike, showing a Patriot battery it claims was stationed near the settlement of Pashena Balka, roughly 20km southwest of the regional capital, Dnepr. The battery included four missile launchers, the associated radar set, and an engagement control station, according to the ministry.

Footage shows the deployment of two interceptor missiles by the launchers, which the report said had been fired by Ukrainian forces in response to incoming Russian Iskander missiles.

Explosions are then seen in the location of the radar and control stations, and one of the launchers. The ministry claimed that all three were fully destroyed, while another launcher was damaged.

Patriot weapon systems are highly expensive, reportedly costing over $1 billion per battery, and roughly $4 million per missile. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that his nation needs as many as 25 batteries for protection.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian journalist dies in Russian detention, officials say

A Ukrainian journalist who wrote first-hand accounts of life under Russian occupation has died in Russian detention, officials said on Thursday.

Viktoria Roshchyna, who turned 28 this month, provided freelance reports for Ukrainian media outlets Ukrainska Pravda and Hromadske Radio and for U.S.-funded Radio Liberty.

Roshchyna wrote vivid accounts of life in Crimea after Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and areas of eastern Ukraine seized by Russian-funded separatists.

She also documented the nearly three-month defence of the port of Mariupol after Moscow launched its February 2022 full-scale invasion.

At least 17 journalists have been killed while reporting on the war, according to international organisations.

Roshchyna was initially held for 10 days in southern Ukraine after the invasion and had embarked on a new trip into occupied regions when she disappeared in August 2023. Russian officials acknowledged last May that she was being held.

Her death was announced on television by Petro Yatsenko, press officer for the body serving the interests of prisoners of war. The circumstances of her death were not yet known, he said.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's HUR Intelligence Directorate, Andriy Yusov, told public broadcaster Suspilne that Roshchyna had been on a list of prisoners due to be exchanged. She had been due to be transferred to Moscow from detention in the southern city of Taganrog, he said.

RT/Reuters

When the Israeli-Hamas war started one year ago, it didn’t look like it would last long. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise to avenge the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis killed and dozens taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 at a music concert left little doubt it was going to be a bloody phase. But how long, ugly or bloody, it would take for Netanyahu to kill the last Hamas, which was his minimum condition for peace, was hard to tell.

Unfortunately, with over 42,000 killed in Gaza, including women, children, UN workers and journalists, over 1500 Israelis killed and the fate of 101 hostages unknown, the last Hamas is still at large. The war has spread to Lebanon, and Iran is enmeshed.

War coming?

The regional conflict the world had tried to prevent is upon us, and with less restraint and increasing provocation, talk about another world war that sounded farfetched only months ago now seems probable. 

The war may not yet be on Africa’s doorstep, but the continent has not been an onlooker. There have been widespread pro-Palestinian protests in South Africa, increasing domestic pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government. Art was weaponised in Cape Town flats, with some residents deploying murals and graffiti in Palestinian flag colours. 

South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been perhaps one of the most audacious jurisprudential efforts to hold Israel to account. Since South Africa dragged Israel to the ICJ last December and obtained a ruling to stop Israel from potentially genocidal acts, Africa’s involvement in the war by other means has become more salient.

By deciding to drag Israel, South Africa risked bilateral relations of R876 billion in trade. Still, it counted it as a fair price not just to assuage domestic pressure but also as a matter of conviction for ties that run deep and to honour its own historical experience.

Beyond South Africa

Israel has managed to ignore the court and taken advantage of the U.S., blindsided by weak leadership and the November 5 presidential election, to ramp up attacks in the region. With no let-up in the Russia-Ukraine war and the supply chain problems it has created, the escalation in the Israel-Hamas war has forced African countries to brace up.

Egypt has been on edge because of the impact refugee spillover and possible military action could have on its fragile economy, never mind the potential influx of militant Palestinian jihadists. It has resisted suggestions for refugees to camp in Sinai. 

In August, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune promised to send troops to Gaza. Yet, the president and Hamas leaders knew that was only a political statement – Cairo would never grant passage that could potentially bring the war home.

In Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Kenya, the sentiment is pro-Israel, particularly in Kenya. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, President William Ruto tweeted that Kenya stood side by side with Israel and condemned the October 7 attack outright. 

One year later, Kenya’s position has not changed, which some have argued is partly informed by the robust economic ties with Tel Aviv, especially in agriculture and the security challenge that al-Shabaab poses to Kenya. 

The authorities believe whatever weakens Hamas weakens al-Shabaab, a terror group that staged more than 10 attacks last June/July alone in eastern Kenya, killing 30 security officers. In Israel’s pursuit of the last Hamas, Kenya feels obliged to take more than a passing interest because a defeated Hamas means less oxygen for its radical sympathisers elsewhere, including al-Shabaab.  

Giant asleep

Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy and its most populous, has offered a muted, somewhat confused response to the Israeli-Hamas war. The official line, worn for use after decades of lip service and repeated at this year’s UNGA, is a two-state solution. That’s also the official position of the African Union (AU). However, the precarious, almost 50-50 Muslim-Christian population leaves the Nigerian government walking on eggshells in Israeli-Palestinian matters. 

It is cautious not to offend the predominantly Muslim North and potentially spark deadly pro-Palestinian sectarian protests. It is also careful not to offend Christian sensibilities in the South, especially a growing evangelical population that considers itself a part of New Testament Israel. 

Over the years, Nigeria has cooled from a radical supporter of liberation struggles on the continent and elsewhere to a somewhat insular patron. It has been subdued by its internal problems of insecurity and economic hardship.

It’s not certain how the Nigerian government would respond to Israel’s current two-pronged war in pursuit of Hamas and Hezbollah, with Iran in the mix. But an escalation might, among other things, affect oil prices, Nigeria’s mainstay, and complicate the already fraught domestic petrol product market. 

Experts have said a repeat of the oil market chaos caused by the Middle East crisis of 1973-74 is unlikely. However, with a far larger population and a barely competitive economy, today’s Nigeria is far from the conditions that made it benefit from the Middle East chaos five decades ago. 

More migration headache

Yet, the price Africa is paying is beyond the reading of its vital economic signs. Of the thousands caught up in Lebanon, the new epicentre of the conflict, many are African migrant workers. Following the escalation of the conflict, the Kenyan government has asked approximately 26,000 nationals in Lebanon to get help if they need to evacuate. 

The governments of Ethiopia (another African country with a significant migrant population in Lebanon), Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa are watching closely in a phase that may worsen the already complicated global migration and humanitarian crisis.

What started as the hunt for the last Hamas a year ago has grown into the pursuit of the last Hezbollah, and now, it seems, to their last supporters as well. However, as I wrote in a previous article, history teaches that war against an idea is unwinnable. Israel’s existence is proof enough if Netanyahu and the remnant hardliners in his cabinet cared to learn.

Untested leverage

Unlike in the 1970s, when few African countries had diplomatic ties with Israel, the country’s footprint on the continent has grown to the point where 44 of 54 countries have recognised Israel’s statehood. 

It’s fair to argue that Netanyahu only listens to Netanyahu. Yet, for whatever it is worth, the continent does not have to wait to pay a much higher price for this war before closing ranks and leveraging its closer ties to pressure Israel to accept a ceasefire. Except, of course, if the closer relationship means nothing. 

** Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book Writing for Media and Monetising It.

Benjamin Laker

Leaders who demonstrate high emotional intelligence (EI) are often praised for their ability to empathize, communicate, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. But like any powerful tool, emotional intelligence can be misused.

While EI can foster trust, collaboration, and a positive work environment, it can also be weaponized to manipulate, control, and exploit teams. When wielded by the wrong hands, emotional intelligence turns toxic, creating an environment where manipulation masquerades as care and control hides behind the guise of connection. The question is: how do you tell the difference between authentic leadership and emotional exploitation?

Emotional Intelligence as a Double-Edged Sword

At its core, emotional intelligence involves the ability to understand, manage, and influence emotions—both one’s own and those of others. It includes empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships. When used ethically, emotional intelligence helps leaders connect with their teams, foster collaboration, and create an environment of psychological safety.

However, the same skills that make emotionally intelligent leaders effective can also make them dangerous if they are used to manipulate rather than uplift. Leaders who are skilled in reading emotions and social dynamics can exploit these abilities to gain power, suppress dissent, and manipulate outcomes to their advantage. By appearing caring and supportive, these leaders can disarm their teams, making it difficult for employees to recognize the toxic behavior until the damage is already done.

When emotional intelligence is used unethically, it becomes a tool for control rather than empowerment. Instead of fostering open dialogue and mutual trust, these leaders manipulate emotions to serve their own interests, creating a work environment that feels suffocating rather than supportive.

The Manipulation Behind the Mask

Toxic leaders who misuse emotional intelligence often hide their manipulation behind a façade of empathy and concern. They may seem approachable, ask probing questions about employees’ personal lives, and appear invested in their well-being. But underneath the surface, this concern is often self-serving. These leaders use emotional intelligence as a way to gather personal information that they can later exploit, or to create a false sense of intimacy that keeps employees loyal and compliant.

A common tactic is to use empathy to gain leverage over employees. Toxic leaders may feign understanding or sympathy, only to weaponize the emotions of their team members for their own benefit. For example, a leader might use an employee’s personal struggles or vulnerabilities against them, manipulating their fears or insecurities to ensure they don’t speak up or challenge authority. This kind of emotional manipulation erodes trust over time, leaving employees feeling confused, isolated, and trapped.

These leaders are also skilled at controlling team dynamics through emotional cues. They may shift their tone from warm and supportive to cold and distant as a way of punishing employees who don’t meet their expectations or question their authority. By controlling access to their approval, toxic leaders create a power imbalance, forcing employees to work harder to earn favor or avoid disapproval.

The Fine Line Between Authentic and Toxic Leadership

Spotting the difference between authentic emotional intelligence and its toxic counterpart can be difficult, especially when manipulative leaders are skilled at hiding their true intentions. However, there are several red flags that can help employees distinguish between genuine leadership and emotionally exploitative behavior.

1. Inconsistent Behavior: Authentic leaders are consistent in their behavior, demonstrating empathy and support regardless of the circumstances. In contrast, toxic leaders often display erratic emotional responses, offering support only when it serves their purpose and withdrawing it when it doesn’t. If a leader seems caring one moment and manipulative the next, this inconsistency is a warning sign.

2. Emotional Weaponization: Authentic leaders use emotional intelligence to create an environment where employees feel safe, respected, and valued. Toxic leaders, on the other hand, use emotions as a weapon—exploiting vulnerabilities, guilt-tripping, or emotionally blackmailing employees into compliance. If you notice that your emotions are being manipulated to serve someone else’s agenda, it’s a sign of toxic leadership.

3. Controlling Relationships: Authentic leaders build relationships based on trust and mutual respect. They empower their teams to take ownership of their work and feel confident in their abilities. Toxic leaders, by contrast, use emotional intelligence to control relationships, keeping employees dependent on their approval and maintaining power over them. If a leader’s approval feels conditional or manipulative, this is a red flag.

4. Lack of Transparency: Authentic leaders are transparent and open in their communication. They encourage dialogue, admit mistakes, and value honest feedback. In contrast, toxic leaders often hide behind vague emotional cues, making it difficult for employees to understand where they stand. If your leader avoids direct communication and instead relies on emotional manipulation, this is a sign of toxic behavior.

5. The Absence of Psychological Safety: One of the hallmarks of authentic leadership is the creation of psychological safety—an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment or retribution. Toxic leaders use emotional intelligence to create the opposite environment, where employees are afraid to speak up or challenge authority. If you feel anxious about expressing your thoughts or concerns, this lack of safety is a clear indicator of toxic leadership.

The Impact of Toxic Emotional Intelligence

When leaders misuse emotional intelligence to manipulate and control their teams, the effects can be devastating. Toxic emotional intelligence erodes trust, stifles creativity, and damages employee morale. Over time, employees may begin to feel emotionally exhausted, confused, and disconnected from their work. This can lead to burnout, high turnover, and a toxic workplace culture where fear and manipulation replace collaboration and innovation.

In addition to the personal impact on employees, toxic emotional intelligence can harm the organization as a whole. When leaders prioritize control over empowerment, the team’s ability to innovate and adapt is compromised. Employees become more focused on managing their leader’s emotions than on doing their best work, leading to decreased productivity and creativity. Over time, this creates a stagnant environment where growth and development are stifled.

How to Protect Yourself from Toxic Leadership

If you suspect that your leader is using emotional intelligence to manipulate or control you, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. The first step is recognizing the behavior for what it is—manipulation, not genuine care. Once you’ve identified the toxic behavior, set clear boundaries around your emotional and professional interactions with the leader. Limit the personal information you share, and focus on keeping your interactions professional and direct.

It’s also essential to seek support from colleagues or mentors who can provide perspective and help you navigate the situation. Toxic leaders often isolate their employees, so finding a trusted support system can help you regain clarity and confidence. If the manipulation continues, it may be necessary to escalate the issue to HR or higher management, especially if the toxic behavior is affecting your well-being or performance.

Striking the Balance: Emotional Intelligence with Integrity

Emotional intelligence is a powerful tool, but like any tool, its value depends on how it’s used. Authentic leaders use EI to build trust, foster collaboration, and empower their teams. They are genuinely invested in the well-being of their employees and lead with integrity, using their emotional skills to create a positive, supportive work environment.

The difference between authentic leadership and toxic behavior comes down to intent. Authentic leaders use emotional intelligence to uplift others, while toxic leaders use it to manipulate and control. By recognizing the red flags and setting boundaries, employees can protect themselves from toxic leadership and seek out environments where emotional intelligence is used ethically and responsibly.

Forbes