U.S. Consulting Firm Quits Gaza Humanitarian Aid Effort Amid Criticism

Boston Consulting Group, which helped design and run the business operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, withdrew its team from the aid delivery program.

June 3, 2025 at 2:18 p.m. EDT

Palestinians on Thursday carry aid supplies from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation through an area known as the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip. (Haitham Imad/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

By Karen DeYoung and Cate Brown

A U.S.- and Israeli-backed initiative to feed starving Gazans has struggled during its first week of operations, with the resignation of two top executives, allegations that the Israeli military has shot into crowds of civilians rushing to pick up aid packages, and the ongoing refusal of the United Nations and humanitarian partners to join the effort.

On Friday, a leading U.S. management consulting firm hired last fall to help design the program and run its business operations withdrew its team operating on the ground in Tel Aviv. A spokesperson for the firm, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said the company had terminated its contract with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and placed one of the senior partners leading the project on leave, pending an internal review.

Three people closely connected to both the GHF and BCG, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, said it would be difficult for the foundation to continue to function without the consultants who helped create it. In addition to helping develop the initiative in close coordination with Israel, BCG set the prices for paying and equipping the array of contractors who built four distribution hubs in southern Gaza to deliver the aid.

“They are actually making the wheels turn,” said one of the people of BCG’s involvement.

A spokesperson for BCG stated that the firm had provided “pro bono” support to the humanitarian operation and will not get paid for any of the work it has done on behalf of the foundation. Another person familiar with its operations contradicted the firm’s account, saying that BCG had presented monthly invoices of more than $1 million.

The foundation said in an email early Tuesday that it had distributed more than 7 million meals during its first eight days of operations. “It proves our model is functional and is an effective means to deliver lifesaving assistance to the Gazan people under emergency conditions,” wrote John Acree, named last week as the GHF’s interim director.

Later Tuesday, the foundation announced a new executive director, Johnnie Moore, a Christian evangelical leader and public relations executive who is close to the Trump administration and was twice appointed during President Donald Trump’s first term as a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Since the war in Gaza began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 — which killed about 1,200 people and saw about 250 taken hostage — deliveries of lifesaving humanitarian assistance have been sporadic and woefully inadequate for the enclave’s more than 2 million inhabitants. Israel, which has tightly controlled humanitarian access through its border crossings, has charged — without evidence — that much of the distribution by the U.N. and other aid organizations in the past has been seized by Hamas.

The architects of the GHF plan, including the Israeli government, private entrepreneurs, consultants and some humanitarian actors, have said that the new aid mechanism was designed to protect against looting and seizures by the militant group. Armed U.S. contractors have been hired to secure the aid convoys and oversee the distribution hubs.

The start of distribution followed an 11-week blockade during which Israel prohibited any aid from entering Gaza. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to relocate virtually all of Gaza’s population to the southern part of the 141-square-mile enclave as it launches a new offensive in the north to eliminate Hamas’s remaining fighters. So far, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks in the 19-month war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatants.

Three out of four distribution hubs are now operating in the south, usually only for several hours in the morning until the day’s packaged food deliveries have been exhausted.

No violent incidents have been reported inside the distribution hubs themselves, although Gazan health workers have reported dozens of people shot nearby.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said that it was investigating an incident resulting in casualties, in which Israeli troops fired on “several suspects … deviating from the designated access routes” to the distribution sites. Gaza’s Health Ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross said that 27 people were killed and dozens more injured near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza.

Previously, IDF spokesmen have said soldiers fired above the heads of crowds to disperse them but denied shooting directly at civilians, and they charged that reports of dead and wounded were Hamas disinformation. The IDF has distributed its own videos that it says show Hamas militants shooting at civilians.

In a statement Tuesday, the GHF said that “while the aid distribution was conducted safely and without incident at our site today,” it was aware of the IDF investigation. The incident, the statement said, occurred in “an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area. We recognize the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our … sites.”

The U.N. and other aid professionals, as well as some foreign aid donors, have long expressed concerns about the viability, morality and safety of the GHF’s model, which confines food distribution to limited sites in the south and leaves Israel in control of how much aid enters the enclave.

Nearly all major humanitarian organizations have refused to participate on the grounds that it violates their rules of neutrality and appears designed to further Israel’s war aims. Even some senior Israeli defense officials have questioned the GHF model, anticipating that long lines could lead to stampedes, according to internal documents obtained by The Washington Post.

Calling the overall situation a “tragedy,” the World Food Program’s executive director, Cindy McCain, told ABC News on Sunday: “What we need right now is an immediate ceasefire, complete, unfettered access, along with the safe … roads, every gate open, to feed people and stop this catastrophe from happening.”

Although Israel has allowed a limited number of U.N. aid convoys to enter Israel in the past week, the World Food Program has reported that desperate Gazans have stopped and looted them before they could reach WFP distribution points.

“Whether we like it or not, Israel is calling the shots in Gaza right now. We can either posture and be outraged, or accept it: Aid will never be provided in a neutral manner because of the heavy hand of the Israelis,” said one aid professional who was approached to assume a leading role in the GHF but ultimately declined to join the foundation.

ICE Detains Family of Suspect in Colorado Attack

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency would be investigating whether Mohamed Sabry Soliman’s family had information about his plans.

By Hamed Aleaziz

Reporting from Washington

June 3, 2025, 3:45 p.m. ET

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on Tuesday arrested and detained the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian man who allegedly led a terror attack Sunday in Colorado, officials said.

“Today the Department of Homeland Security and ICE are taking the family of suspected Boulder, Colorado terrorist and illegal alien Mohamed Soliman into ICE custody,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a video message on social media on Tuesday.

Ms. Noem said that the agency would also be investigating what his family knew about the attack, which injured 12 people during an event in Boulder in support of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. The suspect allegedly threw homemade Molotov cocktails into the crowd.

The State Department revoked the visas of Mr. Soliman’s wife and five children after the attack, said Tricia McLaughlin, a D.H.S. spokeswoman. ICE officials arrested them on Tuesday, she said.

Mr. Soliman entered the United States in August 2022 on a tourist visa, which he later overstayed, D.H.S. officials said Monday. He applied for asylum in the fall of 2022 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, but his case was still pending, officials said. During his time waiting for his case to be processed, he was able to obtain a work permit, they said.

Trump administration officials have pointed to the attack as proof of what they say were lax immigration policies during the Biden administration.

“Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,” said Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, on social media Sunday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that his agency would be targeting other foreign nationals for potential revocation of visas.

“In light of yesterday’s horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you,” he wrote on social media on Monday.

Chinese Medical Team Offers Traditional Medicine Training in Senegal

Source: Xinhua| 2025-06-01 10:48:30|Editor: huaxia

This photo taken on May 23, 2025 shows a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) training program held by the 20th batch of the Chinese medical team to Senegal at the Fann National University Hospital Center in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. (The 20th batch of the Chinese medical team to Senegal/Handout via Xinhua)

DAKAR, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The 20th batch of the Chinese medical team to Senegal has lately launched a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) training program, which enrolled over 30 local health workers and medical students.

The training, held at the Fann National University Hospital Center in Dakar, consisted of 12 sessions covering fundamental TCM theories, clinical practice and demonstrations based on real cases. It emphasized both practicality and systematization, aiming not only to spread Chinese medical culture but also to promote TCM techniques suited to local healthcare needs, lead instructor Zhuang Chen told Xinhua.

"I had only read about TCM in academic papers before. This training gave me a firsthand experience of how TCM is practiced," said Ngor Side Diagne, professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar.

Fall Amet, a rehabilitation physician from northern Senegal, drove six hours to attend the training. "Learning authentic TCM techniques is well worth the effort. I want to bring this knowledge back to my hometown so more people can benefit from the wisdom of Chinese medicine," he said.

The Chinese medical team also introduced a special session on seasonal health preservation, based on the TCM philosophy of harmony between humans and nature. "This natural, preventive approach to health is very enlightening, especially for tackling seasonal diseases. It deserves wider promotion in Senegal," said participant Diouf Marie Francoise.

Yang Yiguo, head of the 20th batch of the Chinese medical team, noted that under the Belt and Road Initiative, TCM is becoming a new bridge connecting Chinese and African people.

In addition to providing medical services and supplies, the Chinese medical team will offer more TCM training programs in Senegal to bring the benefits of TCM to more local people, he said.

Escalating Tensions in Europe Will Not Facilitate Ukraine Negotiations — Lawmaker

According to Natalia Nikonorova, Germany stands at the forefront of this political camp

MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. Statements regarding militarization from the United Kingdom, Germany, and other European NATO countries are contributing to heightened tensions and cannot have a positive impact on negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukrainian conflict, Federation Council member and member of the Council’s Committee on International Affairs Natalia Nikonorova said in an interview with TASS.

"The United Kingdom and European NATO members are likely deeply concerned that Moscow and Washington are proceeding without them in efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. Judging by public statements, their main objective appears to be the escalation of tensions, which certainly cannot have a positive impact on the negotiation process. Threats are being made about deploying armed formations, supplying long-range weapons to Kiev, and authorizing their use against targets deep inside Russian territory," Nikonorova stated.

According to her, Germany stands at the forefront of this political camp. "The new government of this country is demonstrating its readiness to provide various forms of assistance to Ukraine. However, one must question whether the German people are enthusiastic about the Chancellor’s actions. Despite the collective West’s attempts to distort historical truth, I believe not everyone has forgotten where the targeting of German troops and weapons at Russia can lead," she noted.

On May 28, The Daily Telegraph, citing sources, reported that the United Kingdom might permanently station its forces in the Arctic due to Russia’s growing presence in the region. On the same day, the German Ministry of Defense, the second-largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine after the United States, announced that a new package of military support for Ukraine would amount to 5 bln euro. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov signed an agreement on Berlin’s financing of long-range weapons production in Ukraine. According to the ministry, a significant number of these long-range weapon systems are expected to be produced in 2025.

The Russian side has repeatedly emphasized that arming the Kiev regime only serves to prolong the conflict.

Russia Demands Withdrawal of Ukrainian Forces from DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye, Kherson Regions

Other parameters of the settlement also include Ukrainian neutrality, implying its renunciation of accession to military alliances and coalitions, along with a "prohibition of any military activities by third states on Ukrainian territory and the deployment of foreign military formations, military bases, and military infrastructure"

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

ISTANBUL, June 2. /TASS/. The Russian memorandum on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis envisions international recognition of Crimea, Donbass, and Novorossiya as parts of Russia, as well as the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from these territories.

"The [main parameters of the settlement envision] international legal recognition of the incorporation of Crimea, the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions into the Russian Federation; the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces and other Ukrainian military formations from these territories," the first section of Russia’s settlement proposals (memorandum) states. The document is available to TASS.

Other parameters of the settlement also include Ukrainian neutrality, implying its renunciation of accession to military alliances and coalitions, along with a "prohibition of any military activities by third states on Ukrainian territory and the deployment of foreign military formations, military bases, and military infrastructure." The Russian side also insists on Ukraine’s refusal to enter into future international treaties and agreements that are incompatible with the provisions of Paragraph 2 of the section dedicated to Ukraine’s neutral status.

"The [main parameters of the settlement envision] confirmation of Ukraine’s status as a state free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, with a direct ban on their acceptance, transit, and deployment on Ukrainian territory," the document states. "It also envisions setting maximum personnel levels for the Ukrainian armed forces and other military formations, limits on quantities and characteristics of weapons and military equipment, and the disbandment of Ukrainian nationalist formations within the armed forces and National Guard."

Moscow also expects full guarantees of the rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian and Russian-speaking populations, as well as the granting of official status to the Russian language. "The [main parameters of the settlement envision] a legislative ban on the glorification and promotion of Nazism and neo-Nazism, the disbandment of nationalist organizations and parties," the memorandum specifies. "The lifting of all existing and a refusal to introduce new economic sanctions, bans, and restrictive measures between Russia and Ukraine."

The document provides for the resolution of issues related to family reunification and displaced persons, mutual renunciation of claims for damages inflicted during the conflict, and the lifting of restrictions on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The final parameter in the section outlines a phased restoration of diplomatic and economic relations (including gas transit), transport, and other links, including those with third countries.

Ukraine's Neutrality, Recognition of Donbass, Novorossiya: Key Ideas of Russian Memorandum

The first section of the document contains the "basic parameters of the final settlement", the second section of the document, devoted to the terms of the ceasefire, contains two scenarios the events might follow

MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. The Russian memorandum on a future settlement, handed over to the Ukrainian delegation at the negotiations in Istanbul, implies Ukraine's neutrality and a ban on any military activity by third countries on its territory. Russia's proposals, set out in the document obtained by TASS, envisage elections in Ukraine, followed by the signing of a peace treaty.

The first section of the document contains the "basic parameters of the final settlement." The second section of the document, devoted to the terms of the ceasefire, contains two scenarios the events might follow. And the third section establishes the sequence of steps and the deadlines for their implementation.

TASS has reviewed the main provisions of the memorandum.

Terms of settlement

- As part of the ceasefire option, Kiev is offered to sign an agreement to implement the provisions for a final settlement.

- The document implies international recognition of Crimea, Donbass, and Novorossiya as part of Russia.

- For a final settlement in Ukraine, it is crucial to ensure the full rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian speakers.

- This includes granting Russian the status of an official language and a legislative ban on the glorification and propaganda of Nazism and neo-Nazism.

- Also, for a settlement in Ukraine, it is necessary to remove all restrictions on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

- The memorandum implies Ukraine's neutrality, which means its pledge not to join military alliances and coalitions, a ban on any military activity by third countries on the territory of Ukraine, and on the deployment of foreign military forces, military bases, and military infrastructure there.

- There is a direct ban on the acceptance, transit, and deployment of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

- The document provides for the establishment of caps on the strength of the armed forces, weapons, and military equipment.

- It provides for the lifting of all existing sanctions by Ukraine against Russia and the mandatory pledge not to impose new ones.

- The document implies the waiver of mutual claims with Ukraine in connection with damage caused by hostilities.

- The document provides for the phased restoration of diplomatic and economic relations with Ukraine, including gas transit.

Conditions for a ceasefire

- One ceasefire option for Kiev is the complete withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the DPR, LPR, and the Kherson, and Zaporozhye Regions.

- From the moment the Ukrainian military begins to withdraw from the territory of Russia, including Donbas and Novorossiya, a 30-day ceasefire will be established.

- The withdrawal must be completed within 30 days of the ceasefire.

- The other option for a ceasefire for Kiev involves a package of 10 points.

- A ceasefire in Ukraine, in particular, implies a ban on the redeployment of the Ukrainian armed forces, with the exception of movements for withdrawal to an agreed distance from the borders of Russia.

- For the ceasefire, all Western arms supplies to Ukraine shall be halted; the same applies to the provision of intelligence data.

- The military presence of third countries on the territory of Ukraine must be excluded, and the participation of foreign specialists in military operations on the side of Ukraine must be stopped.

- The ceasefire in Ukraine implies the cancellation of martial law by Kiev.

- A bilateral center for monitoring and controlling the ceasefire is to be established.

- In addition, mobilization is to be halted and demobilization begun in Ukraine in order to achieve a ceasefire.

- Furthermore, the document calls for the dissolution of nationalist formations in Ukraine.

- Kiev must grant amnesty to political prisoners and release detained military personnel and civilians.

Terms and procedure for signing the peace treaty

- In the third section of the document, which establishes the sequence of steps and the deadlines for their implementation, immediately after Russia transfers 6,000 bodies of deceased military personnel to Ukraine, there will be "the signing of a memorandum on a ceasefire with specific dates for the implementation of all its provisions and the determination of the date for the signing of a future treaty on a final settlement.

- That done, a 30-day ceasefire is to be established.

- Next comes "the holding of elections, the formation of authorities on the territory of Ukraine," followed by "the signing of the treaty."

- The Ukrainian authorities must announce the date of the presidential and parliamentary elections, due to take place no later than 100 days after the lifting of martial law.

- The peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine shall be approved by a legally binding resolution of the UN Security Council.

West’s Reaction to Attacks in Russia and New Moscow-Kiev Talks Confirmed

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 2nd

MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. Tragic railway incidents occur in Russia, Moscow and Kiev confirm participation in a new round of talks in Istanbul, and OPEC+ maintains accelerated oil output growth. These stories topped Monday's headlines across Russia.

Izvestia: Ukraine, West’s response to tragic incidents in Russia

Over the past day, railway emergencies occurred in two Russian regions at once with fatalities among passengers and dozens of people injured and taken to hospitals. However, the Western media is again ignoring the tragic events in Russia or even implicitly supporting them. That said, some US media outlets noted the activity of Ukrainian special services which previously eagerly took on responsibility for such actions. Another major issue is that these incidents occurred on the eve of the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry has already noted the Kiev regime’s morbid and gloating reaction to the tragedies. Experts polled by Izvestia do not rule out that this may alter the tonality of the upcoming dialogue.

As for the reaction of European political circles, no reconsideration of the events is seen, analyst Tigran Meloyan from the HSE Mediterranean Studies Center told Izvestia. As opposed to the US where the idea of strategically defeating Russia is gradually becoming less popular, in Europe, any attacks or emergencies in Russia are not being condemned but are rather perceived as acceptable, which, according to the expert, reflects the current policy course toward the utmost pressure on Russia.

Political scientist Denis Denisov is linking the silent approval of tragic events on Russian soil by Western countries and media outlets with the consistent double-standard policy. According to him, since 2014, any tragedy, including events in Donbass and during the special military operation have been either ignored or justified by the West. The "victim" and the "perpetrator" have been designated in advance, and, following this logic, the blame is always pinned on Russia.

"This policy course will be followed in the future as well, which means that any agreements with Ukraine must be strictly enshrined legally and accompanied by real, not symbolic, guarantees," the expert told Izvestia.

According to Ivan Loshkarev, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Theory at MGIMO University, the silence of foreign politicians and media in response to events in Russia is explainable.

"The West often deliberately ignores both incidents concerning Russian infrastructure and casualties among civilians in Russia because this disrupts their established narrative featuring Ukraine as the sole victim," the political scientist told the newspaper.

Media: Russia, Ukraine confirm participation in new round of negotiations in Istanbul

Moscow and Kiev are preparing for the second round of talks in Istanbul, proposing mutual initiatives while the actual prospects of de-escalation remain uncertain. Simultaneously with terrorist attacks on Russian airfields, Ukraine submitted to the media some "settlement plan" with patently unrealistic terms. Kiev attempted to demand a similar document from Moscow but was quickly informed that all Russian terms will be articulated to Ukrainian negotiators at the June 2 meeting.

The main agenda of the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul will be the submission and consideration of the written memoranda of the sides’ positions and an attempt to develop some common ground, Nikolay Silayev, senior researcher at Moscow State Institute of International Relations, told Vedomosti. The expert did not rule out the discussion of humanitarian issues at the upcoming meeting in Turkey.

"Moscow agreeing to send the text of its memorandum to the Ukrainian side before the face-to-face meeting of the delegations in Turkey would have patently placed Russia in the weaker spot," analyst Tigran Meloyan from the HSE Mediterranean Studies Center explained to Izvestia. "This would have made it look as if Moscow is sending a text for Kiev’s approval while it would determine whether it makes sense to meet on Monday or send the document back for amendments. This dilutes the effect of making the Ukrainian delegation face the facts which is normally done with the losing side," the expert added.

Against this background, the Russian side continued to promote its strategic course. On May 22, President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a "buffer zone" to ensure security of borderline regions, emphasizing that currently this task is being resolved by the armed forces.

"The creation of a buffer zone is one of the main guarantees of the stable situation in bordering territories. We see what’s going on today in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. These days, Ukraine is simply massively using drones, and for strikes on civilians at that," Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large in charge of overseeing the Kiev regime’s crimes, told Izvestia.

First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov in a commentary for Izvestia questioned the Ukrainian side’s readiness for a productive dialogue.

"There are concerns that Kiev could derail the talks or put forward clearly unacceptable terms. Still, I believe dialogue will move forward, as the West continues to steer Ukraine toward negotiations, and we remain open to talks. The key issue is that without steps to curb Western military support for Ukraine, this conflict could drag on for a long time," the senator told Izvestia.

Kommersant: OPEC+ continues boost in oil output for third consecutive month

A decision by OPEC+ to continue boosted production in July indicates the group’s resolve to return 2.5 million barrels per day to the market by September 2026, analysts believe. This move for a third month in a row was not unexpected for the market and is unlikely to significantly impact prices. OPEC+ high production rates are also anticipated in August amid seasonal demand but may be revised as early as September.

Kirill Bakhtin, senior analyst at BCS World of Investment, said that, given decisions made twice on the accelerated monthly OPEC+ production growth, the market expected the high probability of this move being repeated. Therefore, analysts of companies in the industry do not anticipate any sharp negative reaction in oil prices. OPEC+, which earlier lost a share of the market due to reduced production, is hastily implementing the strategy of returning 2.5 million barrels per day to the market by September 2026, Bakhtin noted.

Lecturer at the Financial University under the Russian Government Igor Yushkov believes that OPEC+ began to fight for the market because many participants may have been displeased that the alliance is lowering production volumes, pushing the prices up while other countries, for example, the US, are taking advantage of the situation. Apparently, the organization decided to completely reject any voluntary restrictions as early as this year, the Price Index Center said.

Bakhtin noted that, given the accelerated production recovery by OPEC+, Russia has the potential to maintain oil production in 2025 at 2024 level (516 million tons). Yet so far, given the high baseline of last year’s first half, the analyst anticipated the production declining by 1% year-on-year.

Izvestia: Sanctions against Russia hinder investigation of crimes in EU

Russia has identified channels for fighting financial crimes despite difficulties with working with Western financial intelligence amid sanctions, Yury Chikhanchin, head of Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring), told Izvestia. Moscow is conducting a large number of operations with CSTO countries. That said, financial intelligence services of a number of European countries still reject cooperation with Russia for political reasons, the agency noted. This negatively impacts the investigation of international financial crimes and harms the safety of their own population, the service believes.

Despite Rosfinmonitoring's repeated requests and proposals to share information and bring to justice those responsible, the European colleagues have refused to cooperate and the situation remains complicated to this moment.

"Certainly, we are concerned because frequently, even in those cases when precisely the citizens of European countries are the victims, and there are thousands of them, still, apparently, for political reasons, the agencies of these countries do not wish to interact. They are not earning their keep from taxpayers, so to say, harming, above all, the financial security of their countries, their citizens. Those are European countries. The situation has not changed in any meaningful way," Rosfinmonitoring's deputy head German Neglyad told the newspaper.

This is precisely why hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens are being attacked by phone scammers who feel themselves safe and secure in European countries, Ilya Vasilchuk, lawyer and public activist told Izvestia. As head of the Executive Committee of the All-Russia People’s Front Mikhail Kuznetsov said in March, almost 90% of Russians have encountered phone scammers while about 10 million Russians fell prey to them, losing money, even though the majority of attempts were prevented.

So far, it is obvious that the situation is getting worse and no noticeable improvements should be expected without any radical changes in global politics, Vasilchuk concluded. The current dynamics is indicative of the low level of trust and mutual respect between the sides which will trigger adverse long-term consequences, he believes.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US AI to reshape views of Russian officials

In 10 years, the market of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in Russia may grow to $55 billion with the optimistic scenario, researchers from the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEF RAS) forecast. For comparison, the same market in China has already reached almost $90 billion. The development of AI in Russia directly depends on state support and the use of AI programs by the Trump administration, Russian scientists believe.

"The Russian AI market is still relatively young even though it demonstrates rapid growth. Analysts and relevant associations anticipate that, given the current dynamics, the turnover may surpass one trillion by 2030, that is, the market will grow by double-digits every year," Mikhail Spitsyn, a cyber expert and analytical engineer at the Gazinformservice Strategic Development Laboratory noted.

Tatyana Butorina of Gazinformservice points out certain limiting factors, such as problems with supplies of modern equipment due to sanctions and the lack of processing capacities. "There is still an outflow of AI specialists to foreign countries," she added. "At this time, Russia is trailing the US, China and a number of other countries in terms of investment volumes, the scale of computing capacities, research of AI models and the development of AI technologies, even though there are both the potential and resources," the expert explained. According to her, in order to raise competitiveness, it is important to follow the national strategy of AI development, foster international collaboration, increase processing capacities, boost investment in this sphere and resolve staffing issues.

TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

The Displacement of 4536 Families from Dabibat and Al-Khoi

02/06/2025 18:09

Citizens on a journey of displacement from villages adjacent to Al-Nahud to Ghubish in West Kordofan-May 2025-Emergency and Construction Room in West Kordofan

Kordofan 

Monday, June 2, 2025 

Radio Dabanga

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed the displacement of 1,821 families from Dabaibat in Al Quoz locality in South Kordofan last Thursday following clashes between the armed forces and the Rapid Support in the city.

The RSF managed to retake the city of Dbeibat last week after more than a week of taking it by the army.

The organization said the families had been displaced to other areas in the locality of Al Quoz as well as the localities of Abu Zabad and al-Salam in West Kordofan.

In West Kordofan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said 2,715 families were displaced from the Khoi district of West Kordofan on Wednesday and Thursday due to heavy fighting between the army and the RSF.

The RSF was able to take control of the city a week after the army and the joint force took control of it.

Families were displaced to other localities in al-Khoi locality as well as West Bara and Shikan localities in North Kordofan.

Dead and wounded

On Sunday evening, the Rapid Support Forces launched an armed attack on the village of Dabaiba, located in the countryside of Kazqil in North Kordofan state, killing citizen Sharaf al-Din Omar Dhaifallah, and wounding two of his relatives, Essam Abdul Karim Dhaifallah and Hatem Abdul Karim Dhaifallah, at a time when a number of village residents are still missing.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack was carried out by armed elements riding in four-wheel drive cars and motorcycles, and stormed the village in the evening hours, which sparked a state of panic and panic among the residents, especially since the village was witnessing a gradual return of the people after a previous displacement to the areas of Alban Jadid and Al-Khor Al-Abyad following a previous attack.

Witnesses pointed out that the attack affected other nearby villages in the countryside of Kazqil, leading to a new wave of displacement among civilians in the absence of security protection and the lack of urgent intervention from local authorities or humanitarian organizations.

These developments come in the context of escalating fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Dabibat-Hammadi axes in South Kordofan and Kazqil in North Kordofan, areas that the RSF recently announced its control.

Observers fear that the humanitarian situation in the areas affected by the clashes will worsen as a result of the continued waves of displacement and the targeting of civilian areas.

The North Kordofan city of El Obeid is witnessing a cautious calm following RSF attacks with marches and artillery on Saturday.

Witnesses in El Obeid Radio Dabanga reported that the situation in the city is calm with a concentration of regular forces inside and outside the city. He pointed out that there are fears among citizens of renewed attacks on the city again.

Civil clashes

13 people were injured with varying injuries, some critically, in the village of Barakat rural um Rawaba in North Kordofan on Sunday. According to Radio Dabkna sources, a dispute broke out between citizens in the village of Barakat, east of the city of um Rawaba because of the theft of cattle on Sunday evening, and the sources explained that the dispute led to clashes with white weapons, which led to the injury of 13 people with varying injuries, some of which are serious, necessitated their transfer to um Rawaba Hospital for treatment, and the sources warned of tensions, which requires the intervention of a regular force to control the situation.

Cautious calm

The North Kordofan city of El Obeid is experiencing a cautious calm following RSF attacks with marches and artillery on Saturday.

Witnesses at El Obeid Radio Dabanga reported that conditions in the city are calm with crowds of regular forces inside and outside the city. He pointed to fears among citizens of renewed attacks on the city.

On the other hand, 601 displaced families left the city of El Obeid to return to Khartoum state on Monday. Radio Dabanga sources reported that the move comes within the voluntary return program for the return of displaced people.

UN Expresses Concern Over Shelling of Civilian Facilities in El Obeid and El Fasher

02/06/2025 19:51

Al Daman Hospital in El Obeid

Scenes from Al-Daman Hospital in El-Obeid after being bombed

30 May 2025

Amsterdam

June 2, 2025 

Radio Dabanga

The Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Christian Hambroke, has expressed concern over the recent wave of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan, which represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

Hambrook said in a statement seen by Radio Debanga that the International Daman Hospital in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, was attacked by a drone on Friday that killed at least six health workers and injured more than 15 others.

"Patients and medical staff were caught in the crossfire inside a facility dedicated to healing and hope. "Hospitals are not battlefields, they are protected under international law, and they must be respected in themselves."

A day before the attack on al-Daman hospital in El Obeid, WFP buildings in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, were repeatedly bombed, causing extensive damage to a key humanitarian centre.

The RSF reportedly carried out both attacks.

"These facilities are essential for the continuation of life in the face of a deepening humanitarian crisis. "Attacking humanitarian facilities puts millions of people at risk, depriving them of the basic assistance they depend on for survival."

"These attacks must stop immediately."

It called on all parties involved in the conflict to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian installations. "Humanitarian workers and facilities must never be targeted, and those who attack them must be held accountable," Hambrook said.

Justice and Equality Leader: Dissolving the Entire Government is a Clear Violation of the Juba Peace Agreement

02/06/2025 19:02

Minister of Finance Dr. Jibril Ibrahim

Sudan News Agency

Amsterdam

June 2, 2025

Radio Dabanga

Mutasim Ahmed Saleh, a leader of the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), said that the complete dissolution of the government, including the peace ministers, is a clear violation of the provisions of the Juba Agreement for Sudan's peace.

The newly appointed Prime Minister, Dr. Kamel Idris, announced the dissolution of the entire government and tasked the secretaries-general and undersecretaries of ministries to run the government until a new government is formed.

Dr. Jibril Ibrahim, head of the movement, was the minister of finance in the dissolved government, and Mohamed Bashir Abunmo, a leader in the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minawi, was the minister of minerals among other ministries.

Such a measure not only undermines the balance of power established by the agreement, but also threatens the credibility of commitments to the parties to the peace and weakens confidence in the political transition, which could affect the cohesion of the home front under a very complex circumstance.

He explained on his Facebook page that Article 8.3 of the Juba Agreement for the peace of Sudan constitutes a legal and political guarantee for the stability of the positions of the parties to the peace process within the institutions of government until the end of the transitional period. It expressly provided that those parties should retain the sites they had acquired under the Agreement and that no site would be vacant except for a replacement.

He stressed that the complete dissolution of the Government, including the Ministers of Peace, is a clear violation of this article, as it goes beyond the letter and internationally agreed guarantees.

This article also consolidates the principle of tripartite partnership during the transitional period (the military component, the peace parties, the forces of freedom and change), which has now become a bilateral partnership after the exit of one of its parties. Ignoring this arrangement weakens existing commitments and undermines the foundation of this partnership.

Dr. Mohamed Zakaria Farajallah, Secretary of Information, the official spokesman, reiterated yesterday in a statement the movement's support for Dr. Kamel Idris, Prime Minister to lead the stage.

117 Families Displaced from El Fasher and Abu Shouk Camp as a Result of Continued Shelling

02/06/2025 18:44

Displaced people from El Fasher to Tawila in North Darfur – 27 April 2025 – Source: Facebook page of the Coordination of IDPs and Refugees

El Fasher

June 2, 2025: 

Radio Dabanga

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that 117 families were displaced from Abu Shouk camp and the city of El Fasher from Wednesday to Sunday, while artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued on targets in the city on Monday.

The organization said in a report seen by Radio Dabanga that the displaced had moved to other areas within the locality of El Fasher, as well as the localities of Tawila, Kutum and al-Serif in North Darfur.

Citizens from El Fasher revealed that a number of civilians and military personnel were killed today as a result of renewed artillery shelling of several locations in El Fasher, including the vicinity of the command of the Sixth Infantry Division.

They pointed to the continuation of shelling yesterday morning and day, with suicide drones flying over the city without hitting any targets.

Daily victims

For its part, the Coordination of Resistance Committees El Fasher, in a statement seen by Radio Dabanga, said that hardly a day passes without casualties, indicating that the sounds of explosions have become part of the details of the day in El Fasher.

She described the humanitarian situation in al-Madani as collapsed due to the siege of the city for more than a year and a half, noting the lack of medical supplies, adequate food, safe corridors and clean water.

The Rapid Support Forces have been besieging the city of El Fasher for more than a year, while attacks have escalated since April, taking control of the Zamzam camp, displacing all its inhabitants.

The RSF accuses the joint force of armed movements of using camps for displaced people as military bases.

The Security Council issued a number of resolutions calling on the Rapid Support Forces to lift the siege on El Fasher.

Security Talks in Port Sudan, Addis Ababa Announces Intention to Help Sudan

02/06/2025 20:04

Sudanese intelligence director receives Ethiopian intelligence director in Port Sudan

Port Sudan

June 2, 2025

Radio Dabanga

Ethiopian intelligence chief Radoun Hussein arrived in Port Sudan on Sunday, accompanied by former Tigray governor and adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister for East African affairs, Getachew Rada.

Ethiopian intelligence chief Radwan Hussein said in a tweet on the X platform that they had conveyed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's message to General Burhan. Ethiopia expressed Ethiopia's firm determination to assist the Sudan in restoring peace and stability. They also shared Ethiopia's experience with Sudanese officials.

Sudanese state media ignored the visit of the Ethiopian security delegation to Sudan, while Ethiopian media published news of the visit.

Relations between Sudan and Ethiopia are witnessing silent tensions due to Sudan's support for Egypt's anti-Ethiopian positions regarding the Nile waters and the Entebbe Agreement. Addis Ababa has also hosted a number of meetings of entities deemed hostile to the government in Port Sudan. The Ethiopian prime minister met with Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo during his visit to Ethiopia.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions between the Tigray region, which borders Sudan, and Ethiopia's federal government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Fighting between Ethiopia's federal government and the Tigray regional government lasted for two years before the two sides reached a peace agreement in Pretoria in November 2022.

The visit also follows statements made by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki against the Ethiopian government. The Eritrean president described the Ethiopian government as a proxy for other parties in the region. He noted that the Ethiopian people have already made their decision and are preparing to strengthen their opposition against the Ethiopian government.

The leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces Eritrea is one of the first countries to support the military during the ongoing war.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Port Sudan in July, his first visit to Sudan since the war began. Analysts interpreted the visit as part of the search for Sudan's support in a number of outstanding files.

Analysts question the Sudanese government's expected reaction to Ethiopian outreach. They pointed to fears from Sudanese parties that any positive attitude towards Ethiopia would affect Sudan's relations with Egypt and Eritrea.

Sudan Fighting Intensifies in Kordofan Area As Drone Strikes Increase

1 June 2025

Ayin English (Nuba Mountains)

The pace of military battles between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is intensifying in the Kordofan region. Several recent advances in these states by the RSF were achieved through the increased use of drones, military sources told Ayin.

Recent clashes in the areas of Al-Khuwei and Al-Dibeibat in West and South Kordofan states have caused residents to flee toward the city of El-Obeid under dire humanitarian conditions. Dozens of families remain stranded along the roads, having lost contact with their relatives due to a telecommunications and internet blackout in the region.

According to local sources who spoke with Ayin, the RSF retook control of the towns of Al-Dibeibat and Al-Khuwei and advanced towards El-Obeid following fierce battles last Thursday and Friday.

Shifting frontlines: Army and RSF clash over strategic West Kordofan towns

In a press release, the RSF stated that it had taken control of the towns of Al-Khuwei and Umm Sumaymah in North and West Kordofan along the Western Salvation Road leading to El-Fasher. They also announced control over the towns of Al-Dibeibat, Al-Hammadi, and Kazgil in South Kordofan, along the asphalt road leading to the cities of Dilling and Al-Fula. The RSF published video footage showing its soldiers at landmarks in these towns. Meanwhile, the army has not issued any comment on the battles.

Drones

An RSF soldier told Ayin that their forces used drones during the battles in Al-Dibeibat and Al-Khuwei to strike the army's and joint force's fortifications.

The fighter, who requested anonymity, said the joint Darfur movements' force had initially gained the upper hand in previous battles due to their use of armoured combat vehicles, having entered Al-Khuwei with more than one armoured car. However, RSF forces were able to regain control after military reinforcements arrived from western regions, supported by drones.

Drones may have been a decisive factor in the recent Kordofan battles. According to military sources who spoke to Ayin, drone strikes likely killed the entire command team of the army's mobile convoys in the Kordofan region.

Ayin confirmed the death of the general commander of the army's mobile convoys in Kordofan, Major General Ihab Mohamed Youssef, and his deputy, Brigadier General Mohamed Bakhit, by a drone strike in the Al-Dibeibat axis at the end of this week.

The late major general had served as the deputy commander of the Signal Corps and had remained at its headquarters in Khartoum throughout most of the war until the siege was broken in January. He then moved on to lead the Kordofan mobile convoys. Ayin also verified the deaths of seven other officers in the mobile convoy's field command room.

Siege of El-Obeid

Retired Major General Badr Al-Deen Abdel-Hakim, a security expert, told Ayin that the advancement of the RSF is actually a desperate attempt to prevent any army advancement. "The RSF has collapsed, which is why it made a large mobilisation and brought all its troops from around El-Fasher to Al-Khuwei and Al-Debeibat," the retired security expert said. "This is their last attempt to stop the army's advance westward." Abdel-Hakim believes the core force behind the RSF has dissipated, and only young, inexperienced recruits remain.

As the RSF advanced in the Al-Khuwei and Al-Dibeibat axes, the city of El-Obeid--the capital of North Kordofan--has come under siege again from three directions: south, west, and north, with the RSF beginning long-range attacks.

On Friday, the RSF bombed the Eldaman Hospital in El-Obeid with a drone, killing six people and injuring 15 others, according to a statement by the Emergency Lawyers human rights group.

"Patients and medical personnel were caught in the line of fire inside a facility dedicated to healing and hope," said UN Humanitarian Coordinator Kristine Hambrouk in a statement. "Hospitals are not battlegrounds -- they are protected under international law and must be respected as such.

A volunteer in El-Obeid informed Ayin that the drone strike on the hospital caused panic among residents, and it is likely that a wave of displacement towards White Nile State will occur, especially now that the city is once again under siege.

Read the original article on Ayin English.

Sudan's New PM Dissolves Government One Day After Taking Office

Sudanese Kamil Idris, left, next to Christoph Blocher, right, Swiss Minister of Justice and Police, in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, January 29, 2007.

Africa News

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris has dissolved the country's caretaker government, according to reports from state news agency SUNA.

The news came late on Sunday, just one day after Idris took the oath of office as the country’s first prime minister since a military coup four years ago. 

In April 2023, Sudan plunged into civil war when tensions between the military and the breakaway group the Rapid Support Forces exploded into open warfare in the capital Khartoum and other parts of the country.

In a speech on Sunday, Idris urged countries supporting the RSF to cease “criminal operations”. 

He also vowed to "serve the nation and the Sudanese people with the utmost sincerity and dedication".

Idris did not say when a new government would be appointed. 

Devastation of war

At least 24,000 people have been reported killed, though the number is likely far higher.

More than 14 million have been displaced and forced from their homes, including over 4 million who streamed into neighboring countries.

The war has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in the western region of Darfur, according to the United Nations and international rights groups.

Famine was announced in at least five locations with the epicenter in the wrecked Darfur region.

China's Visa-free Policy for Five Latin American Countries Takes Effect

An immigration officer at West Kowloon Station, Hong Kong, June 2025

Africa News with AP

China

Latin American tourists have been flocking into China after Beijing’s unilateral visa-free policy came into effect on Sunday.

Ordinary passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay can now travel freely to the country.

"I think it's a great opportunity for South American people. China and South America have great relationships and this will help to grow both countries and both nations," said a Peruvian tourist.

He was entering Shenzhen from Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station, a terminus of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail in south China.

"I think it's amazing, because we can go back and forth. It makes both of the countries generate a better partnership together," said an Argentinian visitor.

"So I didn't need to apply for the visa. I'm really happy with this. I will come back sooner probably," echoed a Brazilian tourist.

The station serves as a vital transport hub connecting Hong Kong with China's mainland, allowing passengers to go through both border checks in one place.

Immigration data shows that about half a million foreigners passed through the station in the first five months of the year, a 33 per cent year-on-year growth.

"More than 115,000 visits made by foreigners are covered by the visa-free policy,” said Huang Chun, a China immigration officer at the Shenzhen side of the West Kowloon Station.

“Most of them come for tourism, business, or family visits, with travellers from the United States, Singapore, and Malaysia the top three nationalities."

Mali Army Foils Attack in Timbuktu, a Day After Jihadist Assault Killed 30 Soldiers

Africa News

The Malian army said it had foiled an attack on a military camp in Timbuktu on Monday morning. Local officials and eyewitnesses said a car bomb exploded in the city centre, followed by gunfire.

The Malian Armed Forces reported 13 deaths, all among the assailants. "The terrorists were quickly defeated by the swiftness of the soldiers' reaction", the army said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

They said they had seized weaponry and vehicles, and that the situation was under control.

Jihadist group Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, has claimed responsibility for the attack, its second in two days.

On Sunday, JNIM attacked a military base in Boulkessi in central Mali, near the border with Burkina Faso, killing more than 30 Malian soldiers, according to two security sources.

The Malian army said it had been forced to pull back but did not confirm the number of casualties.

JNIM has claimed responsibility for several recent attacks in the region.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group said it had killed 40 soldiers in an assault against a base in Dioura, in central Mali on 24 May 2025.

In total, more than 400 soldiers have reportedly been killed by insurgents since the start of May across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

The three countries are ruled by military juntas that took power between 2020 and 2023 and pledged to end jihadist violence.

The three regimes have since struggled to meet this commitment.

What is Sidi Ould Tah’s Vision for the AfDB?

Sidi Ould Tah

By Ndea Yoka

13/05 - 10:25

Mauritania

As the elections for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approach, scheduled for May 29 in Abidjan, one of the notable candidates is Sidi Ould Tah, former Mauritanian minister and former Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

With extensive experience in public finance and development, Ould Tah has presented a vision to strengthen the AfDB's role in the growth and development of the African continent.

A Career Dedicated to Africa’s Development

Sidi Ould Tah’s career has been built around several key roles in both African and international institutions. Holding a PhD in Economics from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, he has worked with the Islamic Development Bank, the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, and as Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance. In 2015, he was appointed Director General of BADEA, where he oversaw significant transformation, increasing the bank’s assets from $4 billion to nearly $7 billion.

His tenure at BADEA is marked by a special focus on Africa’s economic integration and long-term development strategies aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These experiences, he explains, give him a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities the continent faces.

Sidi Ould Tah’s Vision for the AfDB

In a recent interview, Ould Tah outlined his key priorities in the event of his election to the presidency of the African Development Bank. His vision is based on four main areas:

1. Increasing Funding Mobilization: Ould Tah emphasizes the importance of optimizing financial resources. His goal is to multiply the impact of every dollar invested, turning it into ten dollars for Africa’s development.

2. Reforming Africa’s Financial Architecture: He advocates for better coordination between African financial institutions to increase effectiveness and synergies in development efforts.

3. Harnessing Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Ould Tah sees the continent’s youth as a major asset. He believes that leveraging the potential of Africa’s young people will be a key driver of economic prosperity.

4. Building Resilient Infrastructure: A central element of his plan is to invest in sustainable infrastructure projects that can withstand the challenges of climate change while creating long-term economic value.

The Importance of Infrastructure and Economic Integration

Ould Tah also highlighted the crucial role of infrastructure development in facilitating economic integration across the continent. He referred to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key step toward reducing intra-African trade barriers but noted that infrastructure gaps, particularly in transportation and energy, continue to hinder the full realization of AfCFTA’s potential.

"Today, to move a container from Mombasa in Kenya to Dakar in Senegal, the only possible route is maritime. We need to develop land corridors and explore other forms of transport such as waterways," he said. He also advocated for increased electrification across the continent to support industrial growth.

Addressing Climate and Security Challenges

Climate change is also one of Ould Tah’s priorities. While some skeptics doubt the feasibility of green industrialization in Africa, Ould Tah believes that the continent can succeed by adopting an energy mix, combining renewable energy sources and conventional energy to meet its needs.

"We must use all available energy resources to support economic growth," he asserted, emphasizing that Africa is the continent contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, thus presenting a unique opportunity to reconcile industrialization and sustainable development.

Finally, Ould Tah considers security and development to be closely linked. He insists that the AfDB’s efforts must take into account the stability of fragile states and work to create conditions conducive to peace, in order to strengthen the foundations for sustainable development.

"Security and development are inseparable. To reduce the risks of conflict and instability, the AfDB must focus on creating solid foundations for sustainable development, especially in fragile countries," he explained.

A Decisive Election for the Future of the AfDB

With five candidates in the running for the presidency of the African Development Bank, the competition is expected to be particularly fierce this year. In addition to Sidi Ould Tah, the other candidates are: Amadou Hott, Senegal’s Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation, and former AfDB official; Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Zambian expert in development and infrastructure financing; Abbas Mahamat Tolli, Governor of the Central Bank of Chad; and finally, Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, a key figure in the South African financial sector and former Deputy Director-General of the African Development Bank.

The results of this election will mark a decisive step for the future of the African Development Bank, a key institution in the continent's development efforts.

Road Accident in Northern Nigeria Kills 22 Athletes Returning From a Sports Festival

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN

7:31 AM EDT, June 1, 2025

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A bus veered off a bridge in Nigeria’s northern state of Kano, killing at least 22 athletes returning home from a sports festival and leaving several other passengers injured, the state’s governor said.

The cause of the accident, which happened on Saturday, was not immediately known. The athletes had taken part in the Nigerian National Sports Festival in the southern state of Ogun over the last week.

The driver appeared to lose control of the bus and the vehicle, with over 30 passengers, plunged off the Chiromawa Bridge on the Kano-Zaria expressway, according to Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano.

Survivors of the crash were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Yusuf said the athletes, who were accompanied by their coaches and sporting officials, were representing Kano at the sports festival, a major multi-sports event that bringing together athletes from the country’s 35 states every two years.

The governor declared Monday a day of mourning for the state. The families of the victims are to receive 1 million naira (about $630) and food supplies as support, Kano’s deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo, said.

Road accidents are frequent in Africa’s most populous country, in part due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws.

In March, at least six people died near Nigeria’s capital of Abuja after a trailer crashed into parked vehicles and burst into flames. 

In Uganda, An Affordable Alternative to Dirt Floors is a Big Boost to Human Health

By DIANA TAREMWA KARAKIRE

10:17 PM EDT, June 1, 2025

JINJA, Uganda (AP) — Simon Tigawalana dreamed for years of doing something about the dirt floors in his small house, blaming them for making his family sick. But in a rural area in one of the world’s poorest countries, making them over with concrete was simply out of reach.

Then a company called EarthEnable approached him to offer an alternative: a clay-based earthen floor that could give him a durable, sealed floor for less than half the cost of concrete. Tigawalana now has the new floor in two rooms and hopes to add it soon in the last room.

“I’m happy that we now have a decent home and can also comfortably host visitors,” said Tigawalana, a 56-year-old father of 16. “Ever since we got a clay floor my kids no longer get cough and flu that used to come from the dust raised while sweeping the dirt floors.”

EarthEnable, which seeks to upgrade housing across Africa, has been promoting and installing the clay-based floors in Uganda since 2017. Besides eliminating dust that can irritate breathing, they’re credited with reducing infestations of jiggers — a parasitic flea that can burrow into the skin and lead to pain, itching and infection. Uganda’s health ministry says poor hygiene due to dirt floors contributes to such infestations.

“Our floors help to prevent pathogens and other illnesses linked to dust floors, since most of these families can’t afford hospital care,” said Noeline Mutesi, a sales and marketing manager for EarthEnable.

How the floors are built

The first step in building the floor is digging and leveling the surface. Then murram — local red soil rich in iron and aluminum oxides — is mixed with sand and water and then compacted. After two weeks of drying time, masons use wooden floats to smooth and further compact the surface. Next is pasting: applying a fine clay screed to further smooth the surface and prepare it for a final sealant, a flaxseed-based varnish that hardens into a durable plastic-like resin.

A typical floor costs around 240,000 Uganda shillings (about $65), which Earth Enable says is about 70% cheaper than concrete. Buyers can pay in installments. EarthEnable, a U.S.-based nonprofit, operates for-profit subsidiaries in Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, and says any profits are invested into startup costs in new markets as well as research and development.

EarthEnable said it’s installed about 5,000 floors in Uganda, more than 39,000 in Rwanda and more than 100 in Kenya. The company also does wall plastering to help reduce dust, moisture and insect infestations common in mud homes.

In Jinja, the company’s program employs more than 100 masons from within the community. Many are disadvantaged boys who have dropped out of school because they can’t afford fees, said Alex Wanda, a construction officer at the company.

“We focus on employing these young village boys that we train in skills to build these earthen floors, thus creating for them employment opportunities,” Wanda said in an interview.

About 42% of Ugandans live in extreme poverty. Its Bureau of Statistics says the country has a housing deficit of 2.6 million units, and it’s growing. The country needs to add 300,000 housing units per year to make up the deficit, mainly in rural areas, where many Ugandans live and where housing quality and availability remain pressing concerns.

A more sustainable floor than concrete

The company also touts the clay floors as a more sustainable alternative to concrete, which besides being more expensive generates major carbon emissions in production.

The cement industry is one of Uganda’s biggest contributors to carbon emissions, accounting for about 628,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2023, its highest recorded level. More broadly, building and construction accounts for 37% of global emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

Uganda, like much of the rest of the world, has seen a rise in extreme weather events made more likely by climate change, including flooding and prolonged drought.

“Initiatives like this are crucial in the global effort to decarbonize the construction sector,” said Penina Atwine, a program officer at the Uganda-based organization Environmental Alert. “Such innovative local solutions that address both climate change and social needs like EarthEnable’s model could inspire similar approaches across the globe.”

‘Living a better life’ with a cleaner floor

In the village of Budima, Rehema Namukose spent most of her family’s savings to build a house. She couldn’t afford a cleaner floor until she worked through EarthEnable to pay for a clay floor in installments. She lives there with her three children and credits the new floor for improving the health of a sickly daughter.

“This is affordable for my family and will help us maintain hygiene,” she says “We are now living a better life.”

Death Toll Reaches at Least 200 in Nigerian Town Submerged in Floods as Rescue Efforts Halted

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN and TAIWO ADEBAYO

3:31 PM EDT, June 1, 2025

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The death toll from devastating flooding in a market town in Nigeria’s north-central state of Niger rose to at least 200 on Sunday, a local official said.

Torrents of predawn rainfall early Thursday unleashed the devastating flood on Mokwa, nearly 380 kilometers (236 miles) west of Abuja and a major trading and transportation hub where northern Nigerian farmers sell beans, onions and other food to traders from the south.

The deputy chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Musa Kimboku, confirmed the updated fatality count to The Associated Press on Sunday. He said rescue operations have been called off, as authorities no longer believe there are any survivors.

To prevent the outbreak of disease, officials are currently exhuming bodies buried beneath the rubble, Kimboku added.

On Saturday, the spokesperson for the Niger State emergency service, Ibrahim Audu Husseini, said an additional 11 people were injured and more than 3,000 people were displaced.

At least 500 households across three communities were affected by the sudden and intense flood that built rapidly in about five hours, leaving roofs barely visible and surviving residents waist-deep in water, trying to salvage what they could and rescue others.

Husseini added that two roads were washed away and two bridges collapsed.

In a statement on Friday night, President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences and said he had directed the activation of an emergency response to support victims and “accelerate” recovery.

Flooding is common during Nigeria’s wet season. Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season. But this flood has been particularly deadly in Mokwa, a farming region near the banks of the River Niger.

Mokwa community leader Aliki Musa said the villagers are not used to such flooding.

The chairman of the Mokwa local government area, Jibril Muregi, told local news website Premium Times that construction of flood-control works was long overdue.

A New Natural Gas Project Off Senegal Makes Fishing Communities Feel Threatened

By WILSON MCMAKIN

1:25 AM EDT, June 1, 2025

GUET NDAR, Senegal (AP) — It’s impossible to miss the gas platform off the coast of northern Senegal. Its flare stack burns day and night above the rolling breakers.

The natural gas project, a joint venture between British energy giant BP and U.S.-based Kosmos Energy, started operations on the final day of 2024. It is meant to bring jobs to the densely populated fishing community of Guet Ndar, just outside the old colonial capital of Saint Louis.

The gas extraction plant, the deepest in Africa, is aimed at helping to transform Senegal’s stagnant economy after the discovery just over a decade ago of oil and gas off the country’s coast. The first offshore oil project also began last year.

Fishermen say the project is killing their livelihoods

Mariam Sow, one of the few remaining sellers in the once-thriving fish market, said the decline began in 2020 when the platform started rising from the sea.

“This market used to be full every day,” Sow said, gesturing at the barren lot. The nearby beach is now occupied by hundreds of unused boats.

Fishing is central to life in coastal Senegal. It employs over 600,000 people, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The country exported nearly half a billion dollars worth of fish in 2022, according to think tank Chatham House, citing international trade data.

What’s the gas project about?

The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project plans to extract gas off Senegal and neighboring Mauritania. According to BP, the field could produce 2.3 million tons of liquefied natural gas every year.

Last year, Senegal elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who ran on an anti-establishment platform. He pledged to maximize the country’s natural resources, including by renegotiating what he called unfair contracts with foreign firms and distributing revenues to the population.

“I will proceed with the disclosure of the effective ownership of extractive companies (and) with an audit of the mining, oil, and gas sector,” he said in his first address. It was not clear whether contract renegotiation efforts had begun, or whether they would include the gas project.

The fishermen of Guet Ndar say the benefits promised by both the project and Senegal’s government have not materialized. The cost of living remains high, and the price of natural gas, a major cooking source in Senegal, is still rising. Lower gas prices had been a major selling point for the gas project.

Mohamed Sow, a shopkeeper in Dakar, said his customers complain that a 12-liter gas canister has gone from 5,000 CFA ($8.50) to 8,000 CFA ($13.80) in the past few years.

“It’s impossible to keep raising the price,” he said.

Senegal’s government did not respond to requests for comment.

The fishing community near the project says it has noticed more signs of trouble.

A leak that took weeks to fix

Soon after the gas project’s production began, fishermen said they noticed a large number of bubbles in the sea. BP cited a temporary gas leak that “had no immediate impact on ongoing production activities from the remaining wells.”

The leak took weeks to fix. BP did not say how much gas — largely methane — leaked into the ocean, or what caused a leak so early in the new project.

In a response to written questions, BP said “the environmental impact of the release was assessed as negligible” considering the “low rate” of release.

The environmental charity Greenpeace, however, called the effects of such spills on the environment significant.

“The GTA field is home to the world’s largest deep-water coral reef, a unique ecosystem. A single spill can wipe out decades of marine biodiversity, contaminate food chains and destroy habitat,” it said in a statement.

Sitting outside a BP-built and branded fish refrigeration unit meant to help community relations, Mamadou Sarr, the president of the Saint Louis fishermen’s union, talked about the concerns.

Sarr asserted that fish have become more scarce as they are attracted to the platform and away from several reefs that the people of Guet Ndar had fished for centuries.

Drawing in the sand, he explained how the fish, drawn by the project’s lights and underwater support structures, no longer visit their old “homes.” Areas around the platforms are off-limits to fishermen.

Sarr also said an artificial reef that BP is building lies in the path of ships that regularly visit the structures, keeping the fish away.

A fisherman’s life

One fisherman, Abdou, showed off his catch after two days at sea: two insulated boxes full of fish, each about the size of an oil drum. A box of fish fetches 15,000 CFA, or $26.

Prior to the gas project, he said, he would get four or five boxes per two-day trip. Now, getting two is a win.

That worsens a problem already created by overfishing by foreign vessels.

BP stressed that face-to-face talks with members of the community about such issues are ongoing, and noted its community-facing projects such as microfinance and vocational training programs in the region.

Sarr said that despite its promises, the government failed to consider his community when agreeing to the gas project.

“This is our land and sea, why don’t we get a voice?” he asked.

He and others expressed irony that the refrigeration unit sitting next to them cannot be opened. The key is “somewhere in Dakar” Sarr said, and locals said they have never seen inside it.

UK Latest Country to Back Morocco’s Plan in Disputed Western Sahara

By AKRAM OUBACHIR

3:24 PM EDT, June 1, 2025

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — The United Kingdom on Sunday became the latest country to back Morocco’s position on the disputed Western Sahara, calling its plan to keep the territory under Moroccan control “the most credible, viable and pragmatic” way to resolve the decades-long conflict.

At a joint press conference in Morocco’s capital, British Foreign Minister David Lammy said the United Kingdom was changing its position to support Morocco’s plan to offer the area limited autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. He and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita lauded the two countries’ ties on security and trade, noting Morocco’s role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

“The time for a resolution and to move this issue forward is long-overdue, and would strengthen the stability of North Africa,” Lammy said.

He also reiterated support for the United Nations-led process and called on Morocco to “expand on details of what autonomy within the Moroccan State could entail for the region.”

Western Sahara is a strip of coastal desert rich in phosphates and fish that the United Nations has considered a “non-self-governing territory” throughout almost 50 years of dispute. It’s claimed by both Morocco and Polisario, a pro-independence group that operates out of refugee camps in southwestern Algeria.

The shift fulfills one of Morocco’s primary foreign policy objectives and makes the United Kingdom the third permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to back its position, following France and the United States. Since 1991, the United Nations has administered a peacekeeping mission designed to hold a referendum to determine the status of the disputed territory, all of which is under Morocco’s control except for a small sliver near the Algerian border.

After years of conflict, the area has recently emerged as a hotspot for investment, drawing European and American firms interested in fishing, agriculture and infrastructure projects that would allow for the transmission of wind and solar power. As negotiations have stalled, Morocco has invested heavily in the region and sought support from trade partners. Polisario has taken its fight to international courts, arguing that Morocco does not have the right to trade resources belonging to the Sahrawi people while the conflict remains unresolved.

The countries exchange billions of dollars worth of cars, fruits and vegetables. The two are partnering on XLinks, a renewable energy storage and transmission project whose backers hope will power millions of British homes.

The British shift angered Algeria, Morocco’s regional rival, which in a statement on Sunday blasted Morocco’s plan as “empty of content and incapable of contributing to a serious and credible settlement of the conflict.”

Polisario Front representatives didn’t respond to questions about the United Kingdom’s stance.