The Peoples Democratic Party has launched its campaign for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election with a bold declaration to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, describing the contest as a people-driven movement for change. The campaign flag-off, held at a packed rally in the heart of the constituency, drew thousands of supporters, with party leaders hailing it as a “clear signal” that the PDP remains the party to beat in Kaduna. Speaking at the rally on Wednesday, the Kaduna State PDP Deputy Chairman, Nuhu Kayarda, declared that the party was poised to reclaim the seat with Barrister Esther Ashivelli Dawaki as its candidate, dismissing the power of incumbency as “no match for the will of the people.” “This is our time. You’ve seen the crowd, you’ve heard the voices. Our candidate is not only popular but deeply rooted in the grassroots. Esther knows the pains of our people, and she has the courage to speak and fight for them. This election is not about power; it is about the people—and the people are with us,” Kayarda told supporters. The PDP candidate, Esther Dawaki, a lawyer and youth advocate, electrified the gathering with a speech that combined passion, empathy, and a call to action. She pledged to provide responsible, inclusive representation anchored on education, youth development, and women’s empowerment. “As a woman and as a youth, I carry the aspirations of millions of people who feel forgotten. When you empower a woman, you uplift a household. When you support a youth, you are investing in the future. I am here to be the voice of our people in Abuja—not to be silent or sidelined,” she said. She criticised the APC’s handling of insecurity and poverty in the constituency, insisting that under its leadership, families in Chikun and Kajuru had suffered neglect. “Our families are tired of promises without progress. The insecurity, the poor roads, the joblessness—it must end. We are bringing new energy and fresh ideas to Abuja. This is the era of people-first representation,” she added. The PDP campaign team said its legislative agenda would focus on tackling security challenges in the area, expanding access to quality education, and securing federal attention for infrastructure projects long overdue in the constituency. Also addressing the crowd, a former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the party, Mark Jacob, warned that the people would resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process. “This time, we are prepared. The votes will count. Esther represents competence, compassion, and commitment. The APC should be ready for a serious political battle,” he said. The by-election, which was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, has set the stage for a heated contest between the PDP and the APC, as both parties scramble to win the strategic federal seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The midterm elections are set to serve as a referendum on President Milei's economic policy. But will scandals scuttle his goals? By Josefina Salomon Share Save Buenos Aires, Argentina – A string of high-level scandals, coupled with a stalling economy and eroding approval ratings, are threatening President Javier Milei’s hopes for Argentina's midterm elections. On October 26, Argentina will head to the polls to elect half of its Chamber of Deputies and a third of its upper house, the Senate. Currently, both chambers are controlled by the left-wing and centrist opposition to Milei's far-right party, La Libertad Avanza. But the midterms offer a critical opportunity for Milei's allies to gain ground in Congress. “The government is looking to get a third of Congress to build a ‘legislative shield,'" said Andres Malamud, a senior research fellow at the University of Lisbon's Institute of Social Sciences. That number of seats, Malamud explained, will prevent the opposition from forming a supermajority to override Milei's vetoes. It would also allow for Milei "to govern without a majority, for his decrees not to be challenged, and protect him from a potential impeachment in the future". Experts say the midterms will serve as a de facto referendum on the first half of Milei’s four-year term, which has seen Argentina's sky-high inflation stabilise at the expense of public spending. But success for Milei is far from guaranteed. According to Malamud, voters have yet to see the economic recovery Milei promised in his 2023 bid for the presidency. “So far, he has been able to govern thanks to the public’s support, from people who were struggling but believed he could change things — that the future was going to be better," Malamud said. "But the challenge now is that things are not better, so the question is whether those who supported him before will go and vote for his candidates.” It is not uncommon for a president's party not to have a congressional majority. But Malamud explained that the challenge for Milei is that he has been unable to form strong coalitions. A self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist and an economist by profession, Milei had campaigned on his status as an outsider, denouncing career politicians as a "caste" of thieves. He had only served a single term in the Chamber of Deputies before becoming president. But since winning the presidential run-off in November 2023, Milei has transformed into a rising star on the far right. United States President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk count themselves among his supporters. He has also made good on his pledge to take a "chainsaw" to the federal government. As president, he has cut spending on healthcare, education, social services and public infrastructure in order to achieve a fiscal surplus. While his administration has managed to lower inflation, his economic plan saw the Argentinian peso appreciate, which has stalled salary growth. That has led to a sharp fall in the purchasing power of large sectors of the population. Against this backdrop, the race to amass seats in Congress has been challenging for Milei, even when faced with Argentina's fractured left. Malamud believes that, if Milei delivers on his promises of economic recovery, other elements of his platform, including his austerity measures, might seem more palatable. “If Milei manages to keep inflation low — and for that, he needs money — he will have the space to push forward on other aspects of his political agenda," Malamud said. "But if prices and the dollar go up, he will not be able to do this." But gaining support has proven difficult, as a series of high-level scandals has taken a toll on the approval ratings for both Milei and his party. On October 6, for instance, a leading Milei-backed candidate, Jose Luis Espert, suspended his campaign after he was charged with money laundering. Prosecutors say Espert accepted at least $200,000 from Federico Andres Machado, an Argentinian businessman who is being extradited to the US on drug trafficking and fraud charges. Until those allegations came to light, Espert had been a leading contender to represent the province of Buenos Aires in the Chamber of Deputies. Milei has denounced the accusations as a "malicious operation" to "smear" the candidate, and Espert himself has denied any wrongdoing. But Espert is not the only figure in Milei's inner circle to face controversy. A few weeks earlier, leaked audio captured Diego Spagnuolo, the former head of Argentina’s National Disability Agency, accusing the president's sister, Karina Milei, of requesting kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies. Milei, who appointed his sister as secretary-general to the presidency, has likewise rejected those accusations. He called the leaked audio part of an “orchestrated and planned disinformation campaign” aimed at “maliciously influencing the electoral process”. In the wake of the scandal, however, Argentina's Congress delivered high-profile rebukes to Milei's platform. It overrode Milei's veto for the first time in September to defend disability spending. Then, in October, it rejected Milei's veto again to preserve increases to education and healthcare funding. The controversies and legislative hurdles have slowed La Libertad Avanza's momentum going into the midterms, according to Carolina Barry, a political science researcher and co-editor of the Historical Dictionary of Peronism. She sees the road ahead for the party as a rocky one. “The government is facing this race in a state of considerable uncertainty, thanks to the many setbacks it has suffered in Congress and the accusations affecting the party,” Barry said. Just this month, the research firm Nueva Comunicacion found the centre-left political party Fuerza Patria leading Milei's La Libertad Avanza by 15 points ahead of the vote. Experts also point to last month's provincial-level elections in Buenos Aires as a bellwether for the midterms: La Fuerza Patria came out ahead in that race as well. But despite the election-season challenges, Milei has found a powerful ally in President Trump. The US president endorsed Milei on September 23, and a day later, the US Treasury announced it was pursuing a $20bn currency swap with Argentina to stabilise the value of its peso. Those efforts were aimed at giving Milei a boost ahead of the midterm race, a fact Trump himself admitted. But in doing so, Trump warned that the economic lifeline was contingent upon Milei's success at the ballot box. Trump's threat sent the value of the Argentinian peso tumbling, after a brief rally following the news of the currency swap. “Trump is supporting Milei, but then he says something else, and that is generating a lot of questions and uncertainty,” said Barry. "None of that is helping Milei at home." She believes it is likely that La Libertad Avanza will pick up some seats in the midterm election, but not enough to push through Milei's reforms without coalition-building. Mariana Heredia, a researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), acknowledged that Trump's support for Milei has generated controversy, with some perceiving it as election interference. But, she said, Trump is unlikely to have the same influence over voters as the biggest factor in the race: the economy. “The government is heading into the election weakened because, unlike last year when it managed to combine stabilisation with a modest economic rebound, this year the effects of the austerity measures are being felt much more strongly across a range of sectors," Heredia said. "The economy is stagnant, and the only sectors showing any momentum or dynamism are mining and oil — which have very little spillover effect on urban populations, who make up the majority of voters.” Malamud likewise expects the success of Milei's party to hinge upon the economy — and market fluctuations could spell disappointment. "His support base is fragile. It is based on expectations of the future," he said. “In the end, everything is about the economy and money." Follow Al Jazeera English:...

The PKK’s dissolution marks a uniquely Turkish path to peace, strengthening energy security and regional cooperation. By Murat Cahid Cıngı Member of Parliament for Kayseri, Republic of Türkiye. Share Save For nearly half a century, terrorism has cast a shadow over Turkiye’s political, social and economic life. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its affiliates in Syria, Iraq and Iran have destabilised the region through separatist violence. The PKK’s dissolution in May 2025 marks a defining moment, not only ending armed conflict but also opening a transformation with the potential to reshape the region’s future. As unresolved conflicts, rising migration pressures and energy rivalries heighten global uncertainty, Turkiye’s decisive steps offer the prospect of lasting peace, secure energy corridors and sustainable prosperity for Turkiye and the wider region. The human and economic toll of terrorism was staggering. Nearly 50,000 lives were lost, and 1.1 million people were displaced during the decades-long campaign of violence from the early 1980s to the 2020s. Terrorism was not only a security issue but also an economic and social burden for the country. Beyond the human tragedy, the economic cost was equally devastating. Official assessments estimate $1.8 trillion in direct counterterrorism spending and more than $3 trillion when lost growth, investment, tourism and infrastructure damage are taken into account. Peace, on the other hand, promises a reversal. Analyses show that eliminating terrorism-related costs could trigger a substantial rise in per capita income in the southeast over the medium term. In addition, a $14bn programme of 198 projects through 2028 aims to create around 570,000 jobs, focusing on agriculture, tourism and private investment. What sets Turkiye’s conflict settlement apart is its focus on inclusive and participatory citizenship. Rather than relying on external mediation, this is the first peacebuilding effort conducted entirely through a nation’s democratic institutions, with the parliament leading the initiative. Historically, following the emergence of nation-states in the 20th century, many countries confronted secessionist movements that often evolved into terrorism over time. For example, the Good Friday Agreement, which ended “the Troubles,” was achieved through cooperation between the British and Irish governments, with mediation by the United States and Canada, and was finalised within seven years. In Spain’s case, the peace process with ETA was overseen by the International Contact Group and prominent figures such as Kofi Annan, supported by Norway, Switzerland, and France, and concluded within six years. Similarly, Colombia’s peace accord with FARC, reached in four years, was facilitated by Norway and Cuba as guarantor states. In contrast, the period between President Erdogan’s initial call in late 2024 and the PKK’s dissolution announcement in May 2025 – symbolised by the organisation’s burning of weapons to demonstrate its goodwill – spanned less than a year, a pace unmatched in the modern history of peace processes. As Professor Ira William Zartman noted in his “ripeness theory,” peacemaking becomes possible at the “ripe moment”. Turkiye’s rapid progress is remarkable; yet the real test lies in how comprehensively the settlement is implemented. Turkiye’s geographic position at the intersection of Europe, Asia and the Middle East makes its stability crucial for global energy security. Turkiye today stands at the centre of a broader geopolitical arc stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean through the Middle East to the Caucasus and the Black Sea, serving as a unique bridge of connectivity and power. The region surrounding Turkiye contains about 65 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves and 45 percent of its natural gas reserves. Key energy corridors through Turkiye include the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP, delivering 16 billion cubic metres annually to Europe), TurkStream (31.5 billion cubic metres to southeastern Europe), and the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline (carrying 1.2 million barrels per day). This strategic position has also made these corridors prime targets for terrorist attacks. Since the 1980s, the PKK has conducted over 60 major attacks on Turkiye’s critical energy infrastructure, causing multibillion-dollar losses and directly threatening European energy security. The Kirkuk–Ceyhan oil pipeline was sabotaged in 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2015, repeatedly disrupting crude oil flows to Mediterranean markets. In 2008, an attack on the BTC pipeline forced a complete shutdown for weeks, suspending a key Caspian oil corridor to Europe. The Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum gas pipeline was hit in 2012 and 2015, exposing vulnerabilities in Europe’s natural gas supply. Even NATO’s fuel pipeline network was attacked in 2012 and 2017, demonstrating the strategic scale of the threat. As Europe works to secure energy routes, a terror-free Turkiye has become essential for European energy independence, requiring active cooperation from European and NATO allies. Beyond energy, Turkiye continues to advance major projects that strengthen its position as a transportation corridor. The Development Road project, expected to carry 40 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2050, will link the Gulf to Europe through Turkiye and provide a faster, more cost-effective alternative to the Suez Canal. Moreover, the Middle Corridor already serves as a reliable land bridge, delivering 4.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2024 and projected to exceed 6 million in 2025. Beyond efficiency, stability along these routes enhances investor confidence, strengthens Europe’s diversification strategy, and consolidates Turkiye’s role as a reliable energy and transportation hub uniting East and West. Consequently, a stable and terror-free Turkiye is pivotal not only for the regional economy but also for the global order. The European Union welcomed the PKK’s dissolution as a significant opportunity, expressing its readiness to support the peace process. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, called it “one of the rare pieces of good news from the region,” while the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkiye, Nacho Sanchez Amor, described the peace call as a “historic step”. The disbandment of the PKK – recognised as a terrorist organisation by both the EU and the United States – along with its proxies in Syria, namely the YPG and SDF, is expected to strengthen Turkiye’s democracy, help meet EU expectations, and accelerate the country’s accession process. For NATO, of which Turkiye is a longstanding southeastern anchor, acting in the spirit of alliance and upholding the principle of pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept) is essential. The broader international community should support this initiative and refrain from backing proxy structures that undermine it. The foremost challenge is ensuring that all PKK members and affiliated groups fully comply with the dissolution process, especially by adhering to the March 10, 2025 agreement, under which YPG/SDF groups agreed to integrate into the Syrian Armed Forces and operate under Damascus’s authority. It is evident that failure to disarm and integrate would seriously undermine regional security, with direct consequences for Europe’s stability. Another destabilising factor is Israel. Its continued support for the YPG/SDF jeopardises the dissolution process and fuels armed separatism along Turkiye’s borders. Beyond that, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has shaken regional stability, while Israel has intensified its military actions in Syria and Lebanon, carried out operations in Iran, and launched strikes on targets in Tunisia, Yemen and even Qatar during ceasefire talks. These actions breach international law and threaten the fragile balance that is only now being restored. Israel’s continued aggression thus represents a major threat to the security of both the political and energy order. Decades of chronic fear, pain and division could now give way to solidarity and prosperity. The road ahead will not be free of challenges, yet political unity, social cohesion, and international cooperation can turn this moment into a truly historic opportunity. A terror-free Turkiye safeguards vital energy and trade routes while offering a vision of regional confidence and shared progress. This transformation carries profound implications for the region stretching from Europe to the Caucasus and the Middle East. By removing the threat of terror, disruption, and new waves of migration, Turkiye strengthens the reliability of the critical supply corridors on which Europe depends, attracts greater international investment in energy and logistics projects, and creates the conditions for its neighbours to build on stability rather than conflict. If pursued with determination, this path will pave the way for a future defined by a sustainable security architecture and lasting peace grounded in mutual benefit. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

While PSA screening is controversial, experts advise men to discuss the test with their health provider. Who should be tested, and what do the results mean?

PSA testing: Screening for prostate cancer

What is an abnormal PSA result?

What are next steps after an abnormal result?

Variations on the PSA test

Free PSA testing looks for PSA that isn’t bound to other proteins. Low percentages of free PSA are associated with higher cancer risk.

PSA density divides the total PSA level in ng/mL by the volume of the prostate gland in milliliters. A PSA density of 0.15 ng/mL or higher may be associated with prostate cancer.

PSA velocity tracks how fast PSA levels increase from test to test.

Prostate Health Index combines total PSA, free PSA, and a type of PSA called proPSA. Some evidence suggests it diagnoses prostate cancer more accurately than PSA by itself.