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 PokerWizard 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 PokerWizard 2024
More posts by David Okafor
Ex-Premier League footballer run over by pitch roller
Ex-Premier League player Andros Townsend has laughed off an incident that saw him run over by a pitch roller.
Police clash with hundreds of far-right protesters in The Hague
Police clashed with several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague who pelted them with fireworks and other projectiles.
Houthis claim drone attack on Saudi Arabia's capital after smoke seen rising near airport
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting "sensitive" sites in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh - hours after flames and smoke were seen near the city's main airport.
Google's Gemini AI hacks three other companies during security test
Google says its Gemini AI hacked three other companies during a test of its cybersecurity capabilities – in the first known example of the system autonomously committing such an act.
Denmark deal gives US 'permanent control over security' of Greenland - as NATO welcomes deal
Donald Trump has said the US has agreed a deal with Denmark giving America "permanent control over security" in Greenland.
At least 31 killed in car bomb at mosque near police compound in Pakistan
At least 31 people have been killed in Pakistan after a vehicle carrying explosives rammed into a police compound and a gunfight broke out.
Police dispersal order in place after hundreds of protesters gather in Portsmouth
A police dispersal order is in place after hundreds of protesters gathered in Portsmouth.
At least 25 dead after bus plunges into steep ravine on Cape Verde island
At least 25 people - mostly schoolchildren and teenagers - have died after a bus plunged into a ravine on one of Cape Verde's islands.
Nepal: China confirms number of dead and missing following floods
China has confirmed that 43 people are dead and 519 still missing after flash floods hit Nepal and Tibet over a week ago.
Seven killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon
Seven people, including two women, have been killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry has said.
Anak Krakatau: Volcano eruption disrupts hundreds of flights
Hundreds of flights have been suspended after the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Anak Krakatau.
US envoys meet Putin in Moscow for Ukraine talks
Footage shows Vladimir Putin greeting Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, before saying the current situation "is not so easy".
Prince William to represent Charles at funeral of Norway's King Harald
Prince William will represent his father King Charles at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway, Buckingham Palace announced.
Two pilots die in Greek military jet crash
Two pilots have died after a Greek military jet crashed during an air show.
Lindsay Clancy trial: What happens next after jury deadlock?
On Friday evening, Judge William Sullivan formally declared a mistrial in the case of Lindsay Clancy.
Explosion kills at least two at military base in Bolivia with 14 missing
At least two people have been killed with 14 missing after an explosion at a military barracks in Bolivia, officials said.
Three hurricanes in Pacific show the power of El Nino
Three hurricanes that are churning in the Pacific represent a level of elevated activity consistent with El Nino.
New world map that shows Africa's true size backed by UN
Over 160 countries have voted at the United Nations to move away from a traditional global map that is nearly 500 years old towards a newer one that more accurately reflects Africa's true size.
Trump says US envoys bringing 'proposal to end war' to Russia and Ukraine
Donald Trump says US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow and Kyiv with a "proposal to end the war".
Dozens die in Nigeria after inhaling toxic fumes in 'oil theft attempt'
At least 37 people have died in Nigeria while attempting to steal oil, according to an environmental group.
Romanian prosecutors indict Andrew Tate for trafficking minors
Social media influencer Andrew Tate has been indicted by Romanian prosecutors for allegedly trafficking minors.
Boy dies after car hit by train
A 12-year-old boy has died after a car he was travelling in collided with a train in Co Mayo, Ireland.
Two people arrested by German police over alleged arson attack on defence firm
Germany is investigating a suspected arson attack outside a defence firm in Munich, days after two sabotage attempts on the country's power grid.
Trump avoids backing UK over Falklands, saying Britain 'not there to help' in Iran
Donald Trump failed to commit to helping the UK in a potential Falkland Islands conflict - saying it was "not there to help me" in the Iran war.
FIFA accuses UEFA of launching 'smear campaign' against Gianni Infantino
FIFA has accused European football's governing body of launching a "smear campaign" against Gianni Infantino in a challenge to legal action over the aborted attempt to sell part of the World Cup to private investors.
About 80 dead in migrant boat tragedy
About 80 people are confirmed to have died after a migrant boat got into difficulty off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain's Maritime Rescue organisation has said.
Uber shuts operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect
Uber has stopped its operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect – citing "a thorough review of our business" as its reason for shutting down in the former.
Maltese businessman cleared over murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
A Maltese businessman accused of being the mastermind of the 2017 car bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has been acquitted.
British woman, 34, stabbed to death in hotel corridor in Portugal
A 34-year-old British woman has been stabbed to death in a hotel corridor in Portugal.
Discovery of explosive devices at substation leads to sabotage probe
Two incidents which targeted power distribution systems in Germany are being investigated as possible acts of sabotage, authorities have said.
Nationwide migrant protests prompt appeals for calm in Spain's North African territory
People living in Ceuta have appealed for calm ahead of migrant protests planned across Spain on Wednesday evening.
Current El Nino extreme weather phenomenon will be 'exceptional', say forecasters
Forecasters have warned it is almost certain that this year's El Nino will intensify into a very strong event in the coming months and last until February next year.
Pistol in lake could be linked to unsolved killings of British family
A pistol found in a lake in France is being analysed for possible links to the unsolved killings of three British family members and a French cyclist in the Alps, prosecutors have said.
Tiger Woods gets five-year driving ban and fine after entering car crash plea deal
Tiger Woods has entered a plea agreement to charges stemming from a car crash in Florida.
Sixteen people killed in bus crash in Egyptian area popular with divers
Sixteen people have been killed and 28 more injured after a bus crash in the south Sinai area of Egypt, authorities have said.
22 people killed in bus crash in Egypt
At least 22 people have been killed after a bus crash in the south Sinai area of Egypt, authorities have said.
Joshua Wong pleads guilty under Hong Kong's security law
Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to a charge that could see him sentenced to life in prison.
Stop doing memes and throwing shade, Carney tells Trump
"Stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, and stop trying to be tough."
Bank of America vice president killed in Times Square stabbing
A Bank of America vice president has been fatally stabbed in New York City's Times Square in a seemingly random and unprovoked attack.
Attempted drone attack at German airport blamed on Russia
Germany has blamed Russia for an attempted attack using an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport last month.
Former gang leader found guilty of Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder
A Las Vegas jury has found former gang leader Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis guilty of Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder.
Jared Kushner's brother breaks silence on World Cup sell-off plans
The brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law has expressed regret at becoming involved in Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plans, saying his investment group failed to "appreciate the political dynamics of global football".
Italy and Spain extend tit-for-tat border controls after Ceuta migrant surge
Italy is suspending its open-border arrangements with Spain for another 15 days, extending restrictions it imposed after a mass rush of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta a month ago.
Suspect arrested after deadly shooting at rave in Switzerland
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting at a rave in Switzerland over the weekend, Swiss police have said.
Suspect in fatal stabbing of British woman in Germany detained in psychiatric hospital
A suspect in the fatal stabbing of a British woman in Germany has been detained in a psychiatric hospital, police have said.
Capsized ferry disaster kills at least eight, as search for survivors continues
An anxious wait for news continues in northern Cyprus with nearly 20 people still missing after a ferry capsized.
Grand Canyon flash floods leave one dead and 15 missing
One person has died, and around 15 people are missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood at the Grand Canyon.
'Gambling lives': Low flypast over packed stadium divides opinion
A low-level flypast over the roof of a packed stadium has divided opinion - with some calling it a dangerous stunt and others praising the skill of the pilots.
Google renames Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' after Trump order
Google has updated its maps application to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" for users in the US.
Global football summit proposed to shape post-Infantino FIFA before picking election challenger
The Netherlands want to host an emergency summit of global football leaders to form plans to clean up the governing body, including reducing the president's powers, before a candidate is picked to try to unseat Gianni Infantino.
British woman dies after stabbing at train station in Germany
A 31-year-old British woman has died after being stabbed at a train station in Germany, police say.
Two missing after fishing boat sinks in Channel
Two people are missing and three others have been rescued after a French-registered fishing boat sank in the English Channel.
Iceland rejects government proposal to resume EU membership talks
Iceland has voted against a government proposal to resume talks to join the European Union, according to a public broadcaster.
Manhunt under way after deadly shooting at rave in Switzerland
A manhunt is under way after a 22-year-old woman was killed and five other people were injured in a shooting at an event in Switzerland, police say.
Inside Jenin, where life is hard for displaced Palestinians - and the pain keeps getting worse
Randa welcomes us into her home with a smile that is laced with desperate sadness. Once she lived in a large house - a reflection of her success as an entrepreneur.
Bernie Sanders, AOC join marchers in Washington to ‘defend the vote’
Thousands of people marched on Washington DC, invoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy on the 63rd anniversary.
What’s in the US-Venezuela ‘biggest oil deal in world history?’
US President Donald Trump has claimed the US and Venezuela have reached the ‘biggest oil deal in world history’.
Trump says US is taking partial control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves
Donald Trump has said the US has entered into an agreement with Venezuela to take control of a fifth of the country's oil reserves.
World's youngest reigning monarch dies age 34
The world's youngest reigning monarch has died aged 34.
Gang leader threatens to execute more than 50 hostages as US deports professional boxer to Haiti
A gang leader in Haiti has threatened to execute more than 50 hostages days after 47 people from a once-peaceful farming community were killed.