Trump extends Iran ceasefire amid diplomatic efforts
via The Namibian3 min read
President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, which was initially set to expire, to allow more time for a "unified proposal" to end the conflict. This decision came after a day of diplomatic activity, including the postponement of Vice President JD Vance's planned trip to Islamabad for peace talks. The US negotiating team, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, returned to Washington, and Vance held "policy meetings" at the White House. Trump communicated the ceasefire extension on Truth Social, stating it was at the request of Pakistan, a mediator in the talks. Unlike a previous two-week ceasefire, Trump did not specify the duration of this extension. Experts like James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador, noted that US presidents have historically combined threats of escalation with offers of negotiation. Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute suggested Trump's decision might be a pragmatic response to internal divisions within the Iranian government and aimed at addressing economic and political pressures at home. However, Katulis also highlighted that the move creates uncertainty about the war's duration and doesn't resolve key issues like the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz or Iran's nuclear program and support for proxy groups.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is experiencing significant pressure on its housing market due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and a limited housing supply. The shortage is particularly acute in the residential rental market, where demand for affordable and middle-income housing far exceeds availability. This has led to increased competition among tenants and rising rental prices, making housing less affordable for many Namibians. Challenges include limited serviced land, high development costs, and slow expansion of housing. An example is the Otjomuise Extension 10 Mass Housing Development Project, where 362 units remained unoccupied due to delays and disputes, highlighting issues with traditional government-led housing models. A potential solution lies in developing a stronger market for residential-real estate investment trusts R-reits. R-reits pool capital from investors to fund income-generating real estate assets, offering a way to expand housing supply and create investment opportunities. While Reits are established globally, Namibia's market is underdeveloped and primarily focused on commercial properties. Expanding into residential-focused R-reits could mobilize capital from institutional investors, pension funds, and private investors for rental housing development. South Africa's Reit market, one of Africa's largest, demonstrates how a well-regulated framework can support property market development. Namibia currently has only two listed Reits, presenting an
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