World Affairs Correspondent
David Okafor
David has reported from more than thirty countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. He covers the slower-moving stories — fragile states, sanctions regimes, the long arc of post-conflict recovery — and the breaking ones, when they matter. He joined Obsidian in 2024 to build out a global affairs desk that takes the same care with a coup as it does with a quarterly earnings beat.
Joined Obsidian 2024
More posts by David Okafor
Iranians gather in Tehran to support team in critical draw against Belgium
Iranian fans in Tehran watched their team secure a 0-0 draw against Belgium at the World Cup in Los Angeles.
Iran war live: First day of US talks covers Lebanon, Hormuz, frozen assets
Trump threatens to hit Iran 'very hard' amid talks, prompting Ghalibaf to warn the US to take care with its rhetoric.
Football fans in Gaza gather to watch Spain-Saudi Arabia match
Palestinians in Gaza gathered to watch Spain's World Cup victory over Saudi Arabia.
Police name teenage spectator killed after crash at car rally
A teenager killed during a rally crash in Ireland has been named as Tadhg Callaghan Carter.
Sweat, tears and camaraderie as 20,000 runners take on world’s largest ultramarathon
For one day every June, South Africa’s searing racial inequality seems to melt away at Comrades race In the early morning dark, thousands of runners waited, jostling with anticipation. South Africa’s national anthem rang out. Then the haunting swell of Shosholoza, first sung by Zimbabwean migrant workers in South Afri
Ex-Olympian denies vandalising Trump's $14m reflective pool project
Donald Trump has claimed vandals are responsible for issues with the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC following a refurbishment costing more than $14m (£10.5m).
Iranian delegation arrives in Switzerland for US peace talks
Iranian delegation arrives in Switzerland for US peace talks
Ukraine gives Belarus ultimatum over Russian drone equipment
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given Belarus's leader a week to remove equipment from his country used in Russian drone attacks on Ukraine.
Opinion: Algae doesn't care about our party lines
President Trump's beautification project of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has become plagued with a robust algae bloom, despite a $14 million investment and a coating of "American flag blue."
Trump-Meloni row intensifies as leaders trade barbs
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has called out US President Donald Trump for "senseless", "constant, unprovoked attacks", as a row triggered by his claim she begged him for a picture escalates.
Alcohol bans as Europe swelters - with temperatures of up to 44C forecast
An ongoing heatwave has triggered weather warnings across Europe, with several nations - including the UK - bracing for what could be one of the hottest June days on record.
Iran war live: Tehran says US must ensure Israel ends attacks on Lebanon
Iranian deputy foreign minister says Iran 'ready to move forward' on diplomacy with US, but war must end on all fronts.
Thirty dead at DRC displacement camp as Ebola threat grows
At least 30 people have died since May in the Kigonze displacement camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
'Completely made up': Italy's PM on Trump's comments she begged him for photo
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused Donald Trump of making up a story about her, after the US president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a picture with her at the G7 summit in France.
Producer who worked with Travis Scott, Drake and Beyonce dies aged 29
Grammy-nominated rap producer Tay Keith, who worked with artists including Beyonce, Travis Scott and Future, has died aged 29.
At least 24 killed in Kashmir as protests spark shutdown
At least 24 people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have been killed in nearly two weeks of protests that have sparked a territory-wide shutdown.
Iran war live: JD Vance defends Iran deal as US says naval blockade lifted
US vice president says 60-day negotiating period between Washington and Tehran has begun after deal to end war signed.
Vote counting begins in high-stakes UK by-election
Ballots are being counted in the UK’s closely watched Makerfield by-election.
CDC to tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola response in DRC and Uganda
Number of people infected now tops 1,000 though health officials say the global risk remains low Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) and Ugan
South African men sentenced in ‘world’s largest’ rhino horn trafficking case
‘Mastermind’ Dawie Groenewald given fine of 2m rand or four-year jail term almost 16 years after arrest Two traffickers of rhino horns have been sentenced by a South African court in what police said was the world’s largest such case, partly bringing to an end an almost two-decade legal saga. Dawie Groenewald and Tielm
Explosions and sustained gunfire reported at Niger airport
Soldiers have been searching for militants around the main airport and military airbase in Niger's capital Niamey.
Iran war live: Trump, Pezeshkian sign MoU to end fighting, reopen Hormuz
Both sides say the deal is in effect and includes an end to war in Lebanon and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump to Netanyahu: Use a ‘softer’ touch on Lebanon
US President Donald Trump has encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to use a ‘softer touch’ in Lebanon.
A stain on America: Trump's war with Iran has been a tragic and expensive waste of time
In covering Trump, the past day has been one of the wildest days.
US and Iran sign deal aimed at ending war - here's what's in it
Donald Trump has signed a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran.
Trump says 'nobody' attacked Iranian girls' school 'on purpose'
Donald Trump has said "nobody" purposefully attacked an Iranian girls' school where scores of people were killed in a strike on the first day of the war.
An inside look at President Trump's campaign to acquire Greenland
New Yorker writer Ben Taub says while the idea of acquiring Greenland is out of the headlines, it hasn't been dropped. Taub describes how Trump's ongoing efforts have broken the trust of our allies.
Somaliland president visits Israeli Knesset on tour
Somaliland’s President is on a ‘historic’ tour of Israel, where he’s opened an embassy and visited the Knesset.
Iraqi soccer fans celebrate end of 40-year World Cup drought
The Iraq national men's team hasn't played a World Cup in 40 years; a drought that ends Tuesday night, to the excitement of soccer fans in Dearborn, Michigan, home to a large Iraqi diaspora.
British couple describe 'scary' moment Russian ship fired warning shots near their yacht - here's what we know
A Russia warship fired warning shots at a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel in an incident that has intensified national security concerns.
In Albania, anger grows against the government for supporting a Kushner-linked luxury resort
Albania's government has given preliminary approval to plans for the luxury resort along a stretch of coastline, prompting daily protests and legal challenges by environmental groups.
Trump further guts Education Dept. by shifting oversight of special ed, civil rights
The moves to the federal departments of Health and Human Services and Justice, respectively, would further dismantle an agency that President Donald Trump has vowed to close.
US Air Force B-52 crashes in California
Eight people are believed to have died after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff
Gavin Newsom says he’s being investigated by Trump
California’s Democratic Governor claims President Donald Trump has launched a criminal investigation against him.
Largest ever outbreak of rare Ebola strain 'likely even greater' – and the 'first line of defence' has collapsed
The number of Ebola infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is likely far higher than official figures, Oxfam has warned, due to lack of clean water and sanitation.
Journalist hit by Israeli strike while reporting in Lebanon
A journalist for Press TV has been hit by shrapnel while filming a report on Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.
Trump's Iran deal is an admission of defeat
The Iran "deal" is a tacit admission of strategic defeat by the Trump administration and of a failure to achieve nearly all of his war aims.
Stepson of Norway's crown prince jailed for two rapes
The stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has been jailed for two rapes - including one in the basement of his family's home.
BREAKING: US, Iran announce ceasefire agreement
US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire agreement with Iran.
Fate of historic slavery exhibit targeted by Trump hangs in the balance
A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump's order to remove some exhibits at national parks. One historic site targeted by that order faces an uncertain future.
US musician Oliver Tree believed to have died in helicopter crash that killed six
US musician Oliver Tree is believed to be among six people dead after a mid-air collision between two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro.
Geneva police clash with anti-G7 protesters ahead of summit
Police in Geneva have fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters who set fire to a Tesla vehicle and smashed windows at a UN agency in protests ahead of tomorrow's G7 summit in neighbouring France.
British 1-2-3 at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - first since 1968
Sir Lewis Hamilton has won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory with Ferrari, while George Russell and defending champion Lando Norris made it the first all-British podium since 1968.
Brazil and Morocco kickoff amid electric atmosphere
Brazil and Morocco supporters sang, danced and chanted their way to one of the most anticipated group-stage matches.
A Lebanon town's grief in the aftermath of a deadly Israeli airstrike
More than 3,700 people in Lebanon have died in the war between Israel and Hezbollah. In a village in southern Lebanon, one airstrike last month killed 14 people, including 10 women and children.
Anger over planned luxury resorts in Albania, including one linked to Trump's son-in-law
Around 200 protesters have torn down fencing surrounding a controversial luxury development in Albania, as demonstrations continue over another planned resort linked to Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Woman seriously injured in latest Australia shark attack
A woman has been seriously injured in a shark attack off a Sydney beach in the fourth incident of its kind in recent weeks.
Trump says US strike has killed leader of Venezuelan gang
President Donald Trump has said a "swift and lethal kinetic" US military strike has killed "the infamous leader" of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang.
Leader of Venezuelan gang killed in US strike, Trump says
President Donald Trump has said a "swift and lethal kinetic" US military strike has killed "the infamous leader" of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua street gang.
Iran war live: US, Tehran signal peace deal within reach but not signed yet
Four activists from Palestine Action jailed by a British court over protest raid on Israeli arms firm in UK.
Paramount-Warner Brothers merger gets Justice Department approval
The Justice Department closed its investigation into the proposed $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery, saying it found no threat to competition or consumers.
Ukraine's strikes on Crimea refineries and pipelines spark worst fuel crisis on peninsula since 2014
Ukraine's continued strikes on fuel supplies to Crimea have sparked the worst fuel crisis on the Russian-held peninsula since it was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Thai princess dies aged 47
Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha has died after nearly four years in a coma, aged 47.
Trump says US and Iran have reached a ‘great settlement’
US President Donald Trump claims Washington and Tehran have reached a ‘great settlement’ and are finalising documents
Trump now says a peace deal will be announced 'soon,' cancels further strikes
President Trump had previously been amping up his rhetoric against Iran.
Trump names Jay Clayton to serve as director of national intelligence
The announcement follows Trump's decision to nominate an ally and political attack dog to serve as acting director. The pick sparked a backlash that doomed efforts to renew a key intelligence tool.
Ebola testing has improved in DRC, but still isn't nearly enough
The DRC has improved testing capacity for Ebola, with two facilities operating in or near the epicenter. But this still may not be enough to keep up with a rapidly expanding disease.
London council seizes social housing flat rented by Sierra Leone first lady
Fatima Jabbe-Bio kept tenancy in Southwark despite living for much of year at presidential lodge in Freetown A social housing flat rented by Sierra Leone’s first lady has been seized by a London council. Southwark council confirmed it had repossessed the two-bedroom home in Walworth previously occupied by Fatima Jabbe-
Five claims from former Palestinian prime minister - and why they matter
We spent an hour talking to former Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who is one of the most influential voices in the West Bank.
Risk of 'very strong' El Nino raising global temperatures, scientists warn
Forecasters say there is a risk of a "very strong" El Nino, which typically leads to higher global temperatures and drought in some areas, but heavy rainfall in others.