The Final Two! Egypt & Morocco Keep Africa’s Historic World Cup Journey Alive

Egypt and Morocco stand as the final two African nations in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, advancing to the Round of 16 after historic, high-stakes penalty shootout victories over Australia and the Netherlands.

July 4, 2026

By BellaNaija.com

Mohamed Salah smiling on the football field while wearing a black and gold Egyptian pharaoh headdress.

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah celebrates his national team’s historic 2026 World Cup run wearing a black and gold Egyptian pharaoh headdress. Photo Credit: CAF/Instagram

Ten African nations qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest ever African contingent at a World Cup. Nine of them made it out of the group stage. And now, after a breathless Round of 32, two remain: Egypt and Morocco. If the group stage was Africa’s statement of arrival, the knockout rounds are where the real story begins.

Every team that has gone home left something behind worth remembering. Tunisia gave it everything in a tough group. Algeria pushed Switzerland all the way. South Africa made their knockout stage debut and showed the world exactly why they belonged there. Ghana were competitive until Colombia edged them out at Kansas City. Ivory Coast took Norway to the wire before Erling Haaland‘s late winner ended their campaign. DR Congo led England and had the Leopards dreaming of one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, before Harry Kane turned the game on its head. Senegal led Belgium 2-0 with four minutes of normal time remaining and still somehow ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline in extra time. And Cabo Verde, in their very first World Cup, pushed defending champions Argentina all the way to extra time before going out 3-2, leaving the tournament as its most beloved story. Each exit stung, but each team made Africa proud in the process.

Cabo Verde player Sidny Lopes Cabral wearing the number 13 jersey celebrating near the stadium railings with fans and team staff.

Now, the baton passes to Egypt and Morocco.

Egypt’s story at this World Cup has been nothing short of historic. Arriving with Mohamed Salah leading the line at what many believe is his last World Cup, the Pharaohs were hunting for the one thing that had always eluded them: a World Cup knockout victory. They came through a competitive Group G that included Belgium and Iran, with Salah contributing throughout, and set up a Round of 32 clash against Australia in Dallas.

An emotional Mohamed Salah with tears in his eyes, holding his hand over his chest in his number 10 Egypt jersey after qualifying for the World Cup Round of 16.

Mohamed Salah reacts with tears of relief and joy following the penalty shootout victory over Australia that sealed Egypt’s historic qualification for the World Cup Round of 16. Photo Credit: CAF/Instagram

The match finished 1-1 after extra time, Emam Ashour giving Egypt the lead before Mohamed Hany‘s unfortunate own goal levelled things in the 55th minute. When it went to penalties, Egypt did not blink, winning the shootout 4-2 to seal their first ever knockout stage victory at a FIFA World Cup. An entire country erupted. Next up, they face defending champions Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July.

Egypt's Emam Ashour wearing the number 8 jersey celebrates scoring his second World Cup goal against Australia with teammates.

Egypt midfielder Emam Ashour celebrates his knockout stage goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match in Dallas. Photo Credit: Egypt National Team/Instagram

Morocco, meanwhile, have been making a very loud case for themselves as one of the tournament’s most complete teams. Under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui just months before the tournament, the Atlas Lions arrived ranked sixth in the world and have played like it from the first whistle. In Group C, they drew 1-1 with Brazil in a match Morocco largely controlled, with Ismael Saibari producing a brilliant lob over Alisson to give them the lead before Vinícius Júnior equalised. Back-to-back wins over Scotland and Haiti, the latter a commanding 4-2 victory, saw them finish second in the group on seven points.

Then came the Netherlands in the Round of 32, and Morocco won on penalties 3-2 after a 1-1 draw, keeping their composure when it mattered most. Ismael Saibari, who has since signed for Bayern Munich, has been Morocco’s most dangerous player, scoring in all three group games and then slotting in the winning penalty against the Dutch. Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou have been commanding throughout, with Bilal El Khannouss adding creative drive in midfield that has caused opponents real problems all tournament. The Atlas Lions now face Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston tomorrow, Sunday, 5 July, and they go into that game with an unbeaten run of 34 matches in normal time that nobody seems to want to be the one to end.

US AFRICOM Withdraws Troops from Nigeria After Another Failed Operation

Makuochi Okafor

West Africa reporter, Lagos

The United States has withdrawn most of the troops it deployed in Nigeria earlier this year in an effort to help fight Islamist militant groups.

In December, US and Nigerian forces launched a joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin area, which involved strikes against militants on Christmas Day, followed by the deployment of about 200 soldiers two months later.

Senior Islamic State (IS) leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed during the months-long mission.

On Thursday, the US said the operation had been a success, while Nigeria's military spokesperson told the BBC the withdrawal of US soldiers would "not affect our momentum in any way".

Despite the operations, jihadist groups continue to stage attacks, especially in north-eastern Nigeria.

Maj-Gen Michael Onoja said intelligence-sharing between the two countries would continue, which the US military also said in its briefing.

Military cooperation between Nigeria and the US increased after Washington accused Nigerian authorities of not doing enough to protect vulnerable groups against Islamist militants, and alleged there was a "Christian genocide" in the country.

Nigeria has firmly rejected this claim, saying the violence is complex and affects people from all communities.

Organisations monitoring political violence in Nigeria say most victims of the jihadist groups are Muslims because they mostly operate in the north of the country, where most people follow Islam.

Earlier this year, the US said it would deploy about 200 troops to support Nigeria's counter-insurgency efforts, while stressing that its forces would not take part in ground combat.

Announcing that most of these troops had now left, General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, said on Thursday that the operation had been successful and that IS' leadership in Nigeria had been "significantly degraded".

IS has radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa, analysts say. Its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active.

Anderson said that the group's local command structure and its wider global network had both been disrupted by the joint operation, limiting its ability to communicate.

Despite the withdrawal, US military personnel stationed in Nigeria before the Lake Chad Basin operation have remained in the country, military spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba told the BBC.

Nigeria faces multiple security challenges. Along with Islamist militants, banditry and criminal violence plague the country, having spread from the north into parts of central and southern Nigeria.

New International Land-sea Corridor Connects China's Xinjiang to Africa

China-Africa summit  

 03/07 - 22:00

China on Thursday officially opened its first intermodal rail-sea corridor connecting western China to Africa.

Cargo will arrive by sea at the Fangchenggang Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and then be transported by rail to industrial hubs in Xinjiang.

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor creates a maritime-railway artery for Belt and Road cooperation and China-Africa economic and trade ties.

A vessel carrying over 205,000 metric tonnes of non-ferrous metal raw materials made the first journey from Africa to Chinese port.

The route forms a closed-loop land-sea industrial chain that integrates overseas resource imports, coastal port distribution, and local industrial application.

Mali Rebels Target Army Bases, Prison in Fresh Attacks

Nik Martin with AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters

The army claimed it had regained control after the coordinated assaults on several towns and cities by Tuareg rebels and Islamists.

Insurgents attacked several towns in northern, central and southern Mali on Saturday, targeting army bases and a prison near the capital, Bamako.

The assaults involved the Tuareg separatist group FLA, which seeks an independent Azawad state in northern Mali and JNIM, which aims to impose strict Islamic rule.

The violence, along with attacks in April, reveals the huge security problem facing Mali’s military leaders, who staged coups in 2020 and 2021 promising to end what is now a more than decade-long uprising.

What do we know?

The army said attacks took place in Gao, a major city in the northeast, Aguelhoc and Anefis in the remote, far-north Kidal region and Sevare, a central town with a big army base. 

There was also fighting near Kenioroba prison, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Bamako.

Residents in Gao heard gunfire and rockets near a military camp. In Sevare, people reported hearing large explosions early in the morning. Aircraft flew overhead later, they said.

The FLA said its fighters entered Anefis and captured some army positions.

A resident said armed men were seen in town and that soldiers were still fighting.

By afternoon, an army statement said it had the nationwide situation "totally under control," and reported that more than 20 attackers were killed. Rebels said fighting continued in places.

Social media showed bodies of fighters and burned motorcycles at several sites.

Ongoing threat from Tuareg, Islamists

Saturday’s attacks followed a major coordinated offensive in late April by the same groups.

The rebels seized the northern city of Kidal and killed Defense Minister General Sadio Camara, a key figure in the military junta.

Camara died during a coordinated assault when attackers used a suicide car bomb on his residence in Kati, a garrison town near Bamako, which was followed by gunfire.

JNIM has also attacked fuel trucks going to Bamako, causing shortages around the capital.

The FLA and JNIM had previously clashed over large ideological differences, but set aside those rivalries around a year before the April joint attacks.

The repeated assaults have fueled concern that Mali's junta is struggling to fully control large parts of the country and that its forces are stretched.

Security has deteriorated since the coups, after which the junta turned away from French military support toward Russia and promised a return to stability.

But analysts say the recent attacks show the rebels are bolder and more coordinated than before.

Uprising stretches 14 years

Mali's insurgency surfaced in 2012 when Tuareg rebels and jihadists took large parts of the north.

The Tuareg (FLA) are nomadic people spread across the Sahel region who have long sought greater autonomy after complaints of marginalization by Bamako.

The jihadist groups, affiliated with al-Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), have exploited the resulting instability. They've established strongholds across northern and central Mali.

The insurgency has since spread to Burkina Faso and Niger. These neighbors also have military rulers and close links to Moscow.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery 

Mali’s Army Says Rebels Launch New Attacks on Towns and Cities

Tuareg-led armed ⁠group says it attacked northern town where Malian troops and Russian fighters are based.

A Malian soldier stands on a pick-up truck next to a damaged helicopter [File: AFP]

By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters

4 Jul 2026

Armed men have launched ⁠attacks in five ⁠locations across Mali, the army says, more than two months after gunmen attacked the capital and other parts of the country.

The attacks took place on Saturday in areas including ‌a northern town where government forces and Russian fighters are ⁠based, and ⁠a town south of ⁠the capital, ⁠Bamako, Mali’s military and security sources said.

The army said the attacks targeted Aguelhok, Anefis, and Gao in the north, Sevare in the central region, and Kenieroba in the south.

In a follow-up statement later in the day, it said 20 “terrorists” had been killed in Sevare and six in Gao, adding that the situation is now “totally under control”.

One pro-government fighter was also killed in Gao and four were injured, the army statement added.

The AFP news agency reported that a prison in Kenieroba, which is 74km (46 miles) from Bamako, was attacked, citing residents and security sources. It said the fighting in different locations started at about 5am local time (05:00 GMT).

A separatist Tuareg-led armed ⁠group confirmed that it had attacked one of the towns early on Saturday.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), told the Reuters news agency that fighters from the group ⁠attacked Anefis, which is ⁠in the northeastern Kidal region.

Government and Russian troops deployed in Anefis in the wake of attacks on April 25 and 26, in which the FLA and the regional al-Qaeda ⁠affiliate seized control of Kidal town.

Mali has previously faced rebellions by armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), as well as a separatist rebellion in the country’s north. The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali.

Violence is widespread, despite promises from military leaders to stamp out the rebellion.

‘Explosions rang out’

Earlier on Saturday, FLA’s Ramadane told AFP that “several positions have fallen, but fighting is still under way inside the city” of Anefis.

An Anefis resident contacted by AFP said “armed groups are in the town, but the army is still putting up resistance.”

Anefis and Aguelhok, both in the north, are reportedly the last locations where Mali’s army maintains a presence in the Kidal region following the April attacks, having previously been driven from Kidal town.

Meanwhile, in Gao, a local official told Reuters that gunfire and rockets had been launched at a military ‌camp since before dawn. It was not immediately clear which fighters were responsible.

In Sevare, a central town, “explosions rang out … around 5am, though their origin is not yet known. Shortly thereafter, several aircraft were spotted flying over the area,” a security source told AFP.

A Sevare resident told Reuters that early-morning gunfire was followed by four large explosions in the west of the city about 8am, with heavier detonations heard in the town about 10am.

In Kenieroba in the south, the major prison complex was also under attack, a prisoner in the facility told AFP. A diplomatic source and a security source told Reuters that security forces repelled the assailants. A government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

Saturday’s assault was the latest threat to the military-led government in the landlocked Sahel country, where rebels staged high-profile attacks in ‌April, hitting the airport in the capital, Bamako, killing the defence minister and seizing a string of army bases in the north. More recently, armed groups have also carried out a fuel blockade, starving the capital’s residents and businesses of power and supplies.

Mali Government Reports Rebel Attacks Targeting Northern Towns

An ariel view of Bamako, Mali, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo)

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

9:00 AM EDT, July 4, 2026

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — The Malian army said Saturday that several northern towns, including Gao and Sévaré, were targeted by rebels. The statement came as a rebel group announced a new offensive to capture a northern town.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), said in a Facebook post that the town of Anefis was being targeted by the separatists.

Mohamed Cissé, a resident of Gao, told The Associated Press that the army is going door to door searching for attackers who are still in the city.

“For the moment, the calm has returned. But I learned that the attackers are still in a part of the city, so I stay inside the house with the family,” said Ousmane Maiga, another resident.

In a later statement, the Malian army claimed that “the situation is completely under control.” It added that in Sévaré, “20 terrorists on motorcycles and equipped vehicles were neutralized.”

But Rawani Ahmed Bouya, a member of the FLA and head of the National Office of the Azawad diaspora, told the AP that Anefis was under FLA control and that the fighting was almost over. His claim could not independently verified.

In late April, a coordinated attack by the FLA and the regional al-Qaida affiliate JNIM killed the defense minister in his home and took control of several key towns in the north of the country.

Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, deputy project director for the International Crisis Group think tank, said that while the latest attacks are “nothing comparable” to those in April, reports of attacks across the border in Burkina Faso as well as across Mali could indicate an attempt to divert the attention of the army to secure more limited gains in northern Mali.

Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, said the targeting of Anefis was strategic because any Malian attempt to reverse the territorial gains from April would have been staged in Anefis.

Mali has previously faced insurgencies by militants affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the country’s north. The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali.

Along with Mali, neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso have also been battling al-Qaida and IS affiliates.

Following military coups, the juntas in the three countries turned from Western allies to Russia for help combating Islamic militants. But the security situation has worsened with a record number of militant attacks. Government forces have also been accused of killing civilians they suspect of collaborating with militants.

—-

Wilson McMakin reported from Dakar, Senegal

UN Human Rights Chief Sounds ‘Red Alert’ Over Violence Around Sudan’s el-Obeid City

FILE.- Sudanese families displaced from El-Fasher reach out as aid workers distribute food supplies at the newly established El-Afadh camp in Al Dabbah, in Sudan's Northern State, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali,File)

7:09 AM EDT, July 3, 2026

GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations human rights chief on Friday sounded a “red alert” about possible atrocity crimes in and near a strategic city in central Sudan, calling on world leaders to do more to help stop the bloodshed in the country’s ongoing war between the army and paramilitary forces.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council at the U.N. office in Geneva that signs from the city of el-Obeid were “clear and unmistakable: Another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan.”

The comments came as the council, the U.N.'s top human rights body, held an urgent debate on the situation in el-Obeid about concerns expressed by diplomats, advocacy groups and others that another wave of atrocities may loom against civilians in Sudan’s war, which is now in its fourth year.

“This is not a drill. It is a red alert that needs to land on the desks of heads of state and government around the world,” Türk said. “Their phones should be running hot in the coming days and weeks, with ideas on how to prevent atrocity crimes in el-Obeid and in other places in Kordofan.”

Civilians have faced siegelike conditions for 18 months, battered by “relentless drone strikes” as Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces battle for control of areas near the city, he said.

The council’s 47 member countries were considering a draft resolution — brought by Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway — that condemns the escalating violence by the RSF and its allies in and around el-Obeid, encourages greater financial and logistical support for countries hosting refugees from Sudan, and condemns “all forms of external interference” in the war, among other things.

The war erupted in April 2023 out of long-simmering tensions between the army and RSF forces. The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed many parts of Sudan into famine. More than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

In February 2025, the military broke a siege on el-Obeid that had lasted more than a year. Since then, the RSF has launched multiple offensives in attempts to reestablish the siege from several directions.

The U.N. and some countries expressed concerns over reports of reinforcements by the RSF around el-Obeid city, which is home to half-million people in North Kordofan.

Recent attacks on infrastructure have left civilians with scarce food, fuel, water, health services and transportation, Türk’s office has said.

UN Experts Report Widespread Peace Deal Violations in Eastern DR Congo

By WILSON MCMAKIN

1:02 PM EDT, July 2, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — All parties in eastern Congo’s worsening conflict are violating peace terms and committing abuses, U.N. experts said in a report seen by The Associated Press Thursday.

The Congolese army and the M23 rebel group, along with its Rwandan backers, have failed to implement a December peace agreement initiated by the Trump administration that aimed to end the decades-long conflict, the experts said.

They said that the Congolese army continued to cooperate with a Hutu rebel group, known by its acronym FDLR, which includes fighters who participated in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and escaped to Congo. The government in Kinshasa had promised to cease cooperation as part of the December agreement.

Rwanda has repeatedly sent troops and backed armed groups in eastern Congo, saying it was acting to neutralize Hutu fighters and protect its security. Congo and the U.S. government have accused Rwanda of using the rebels as a pretext to gain access to the region’s mineral wealth.

The report said that the Rwandan-backed M23 group, which seized Goma and other eastern cities in a lightning offensive early last year, had not withdrawn as promised but instead has tactically positioned and still maintains its goals to topple the government in Kinshasa.

It said M23 now controls significant swaths of territory in eastern Congo and is the leading perpetrator of conflict-related sexual violence.

Rwanda exercises significant control over M23, and in late 2025, Rwandan troops in Congo were “conservatively estimated at 8,000 to 10,000 elements in South Kivu and 6,000 to 8,000 in North Kivu, with no evidence of significant withdrawals thereafter,” in violation of the peace agreement, according to the panel of experts.

The U.N. has called the conflict in eastern Congo “one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.”

Last week, Congo said it filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, accusing its neighbor of bearing legal responsibility for the violence that has devastated eastern Congo.

The U.N. experts said that minerals from Rubaya and other mining sites in the Masisi region of eastern Congo continued to be smuggled to Rwanda by M23, which is building a parallel economy in areas it controls. This new economy is dominated by Rwandan-linked companies exporting minerals mined in Congo, it said.

The U.S. last week imposed sanctions on a Rwanda -based gold refinery, describing it as being part of “a network working in coordination” with M23 in eastern Congo. It said the sanctions against Gasabo Gold Refinery were in support of the U.S. and Qatari peace efforts.

Egypt Uncovers Lost Byzantine-era City in the Western Desert

By SAMY MAGDY

12:47 PM EDT, July 4, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — A well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the western desert is one of two major archaeological finds announced by Egypt on Saturday.

The recent discoveries at the Dakhla Oasis and at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, near Alexandria, are the latest findings which the Egyptian government hopes will boost the country’s vital tourism sector, partially driven by antiquities sightseeing.

Along with the strategic Suez Canal, tourism is a major source of foreign currency in the cash-strapped country.

The Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said that the first discovery reveals details of daily life, urban development and economic activities in the Dakhla Oasis in the fourth century, when Egypt was part of the Byzantine empire.

The unearthed quarters included north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, forming open squares and public spaces, said Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the supreme council of antiquities.

A basilica church dating back to the mid-fourth century stands at the settlement’s head, overlooking its main streets, along with remains of two watchtowers to safeguard the outskirts, said Mahmoud Massoud, who chairs the archaeological mission.

The oasis, located in Egypt’s western province of New Valley in the western desert, is on UNESCO ’s Tentative List, a step away from being added to the agency’s World Heritage List.

A heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls, and many houses consisting of reception halls and vaulted roofs were found in the area, Massoud said.

Among them were the house of Tisous, identified as a church deacon and dating to the second half of the fourth century, which archaeologists believe served as a house church before the construction of the city’s basilica.

Archaeologists also uncovered bread ovens, kitchens and stone grinding tools that had been apparently used to produce food. Also found were well-preserved bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions and Christian symbols, alongside a group of gold coins dating to the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II, who ruled between 337 and 361, the ministry statement said.

Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities department, said they found a collection of about 200 pottery fragments which would have been used as writing material. The fragments, known as octraca, have inscriptions detailing commercial transactions, correspondence and other details of daily life, Zahran said.

Separately, archaeologists have found 18 ancient tombs in the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, which is around 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

The findings included 11 rock-cut tombs, with an average depth of 8 meters, and seven surface limestone-built tombs, the ministry said. That has brought the total tombs found in the site to 48, ministry said.

In the site, archaeologists found pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars and limestone basins, it said.

Mission chief Eman Abdel-Khaliq said they found a 2.5-meter-long granite sarcophagus, with skeleton remains that were currently being studied. Close to the sarcophagus, they found the remains of a plaster sphinx statue, she said

Abdel-Khaliq said they also found 4 gold pieces placed inside the mouths of some of the deceased — known as “the golden tongue,” which had been a practice associated with funerary beliefs of that era.

Marina el-Alamein is an archaeological site close to the city of Alamein in Egypt’s Northern Coast. Unearthed in 1986, archaeologists believe that the site was the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis on the Mediterranean, which was built in the second century and thrived until the fourth century, the ministry said.

Egypt’s tourism has started to recover after years of years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 uprising, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

A record 19 million tourists visited Egypt last year, a 21% increase from 2024, according to official figures. The first four months of 2026 saw 6.1 million tourists, compared with 5.7 million during the same period in 2025, the figures showed.

Autism Remains Widely Misunderstood in Parts of Africa. A Mother in Guinea Fights for Her Child

By BOUBACAR DIALLO

1:00 AM EDT, July 4, 2026

FRIA, Guinea (AP) — Kazaliou Balde’s parents started worrying about him when as a small child he avoided eye contact and had difficulty communicating.

First, the family in the West African nation of Guinea turned to a traditional healer who suggested protective amulets. Then, as the boy dragged himself along the ground instead of walking, they took him to a hospital in the capital, Conakry, where he was diagnosed with autism — something the family had never heard of before.

Neither had their neighbors. Some of them made rude comments about the child.

“Some suggested that I take him to the bush and throw him away,” said his mother, Kadiatou Diallo, a 55-year-old trader.

Misconceptions are common around children with autism in parts of Africa that lack reliable data, awareness and government support. Some mistakenly attribute autism to evil spirits. Experts say the misconceptions have often delayed diagnosis and brought stigma for children and their families.

Autism is a complex developmental condition now known as autism spectrum disorder that affects people in different ways. It can include delays in language, learning or social and emotional skills. For some people, profound autism means being nonverbal and having intellectual disabilities, but the majority of people experience milder effects.

Guinea’s government does not keep records around autism. The World Health Organization says about one in 127 people worldwide had autism in 2021, but it notes that the prevalence in many low- and middle-income countries remains unknown.

Diallo decided to stand up for her son and seek better care. She said she has four children but loves him especially “because I’ve suffered so much with him.”

There is little support for autism in Guinea

In Guinea, a nation of about 15 million people, only a few schools cater to children with autism and they can cost up to $300 per month. Not many families can afford it in a country where the minimum wage is 550,000 Guinea francs ($63) a month, and where 43.7% of citizens live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

“In Guinea, the care for autism is very poor,” said Dr. Alhassane Cherif, a psychologist and clinician in Conakry. “Private organizations and nonprofits are the only ones addressing this disorder and training staff to try to identify children.”

Balde first attended both private and public schools, but none fit him. His teachers did not introduce him to writing and reading, his mother said, recalling their comments that her son “has no provision for school.”

“I refused to consider these negative judgments. I refused to take him out of school,” Diallo said.

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She said her late husband “went to every corner of the country” looking for assistance for their son before dying in a road accident.

The solution appeared in their own hometown.

In 2023, Balde enrolled in the newly opened Salim Foundation for Children with Autism, a rare free school for children with autism. The school’s authorities were conducting an outreach program when they learned of Balde and visited his family.

The school teaches him and 14 other students in a large house with three teachers. It has toys in bright colors and pictures of animals on the walls.

The school, registered with Guinea’s educational authorities but not receiving government funding, is the brainchild of Mariam Aisha Barry, a social worker and philanthropist who said her daughter with autism was her inspiration.

At the school, children are taught basic things like identifying objects and assembling toys as well as everyday skills such as operating a TV remote.

Last year, the school organized what it called the country’s first international seminar on autism.

“Our mission is to break the stigma surrounding autism through awareness-raising, family training and advocacy for better care. These children deserve acceptance, understanding, education and unconditional love,” Barry said.

Still, the now-15-year-old Balde has had to spend his life outside school away from many community members because they still attribute his condition to an unknown “evil” and want him shunned.

“I categorically refused,” his mother said.

A teacher says many other children are kept hidden

Studies on autism are often conducted in high-income countries, with less attention to places like Guinea. That makes it difficult to identify risk factors or plan effective intervention strategies, experts say.

Sub-Saharan Africa is “critically understudied” in autism research, according to a 2023 study in the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, which said the region’s “rich genetic diversity” could improve understanding of autism globally.

The gap has kept many parents from seeking help.

“We have 15 autistic children here, but there are several hundred in this city. Some parents hide them in their homes to avoid mockery and stigmatization,” said Hassanatou Diallo, advocacy officer at the Salim school.

Balde’s mother said that despite the challenges, she will not give up on her son’s education.

“My most ardent wish is that he knows how to read and write,” she said. ___

For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

Algeria Votes as Tebboune Hails 'New Constitutional Phase'

By Al Mayadeen English

2 Jul 2026 16:48

More than 24 million Algerians are eligible to vote for 407 parliamentary seats, with nearly 10,000 candidates competing under the country's proportional representation electoral system.

Polling stations opened across Algeria on Thursday for parliamentary elections, as President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said the country's parliament is free of suspicion and described it as a constitutional institution that keeps pace with the country's political and economic trajectory.

Tebboune said that, for the first time in the history of independent Algeria, parliament has proposed a law criminalizing colonialism, expressing hope that other initiatives would follow.

"We are launching parliamentary field investigation initiatives into irregularities," he stressed.

"We are on the right path, and we hope for the best for Algeria," Tebboune added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said the elections had been easier than previous ones and expressed optimism that citizens had understood the law and recognized what he described as the right direction.

"The era of directing citizens' votes, electoral fraud, and quotas has ended once and for all," he emphasized.

'A constitutional phase'

Tebboune said Algeria had entered "a new constitutional phase," adding that the outcome of the elections would determine whether the opposition secures a majority and appoints a prime minister from its ranks or whether the presidential majority prevails and forms the government.

"I feel that the spirit of patriotism has returned among our youth. Algeria has nothing to fear from foreign interference," he stressed.

On the economy, Tebboune said, "Economically, we are on the right path to strengthening purchasing power and ensuring the country's independence in the economic and energy sectors."

Algeria votes as 9,854 candidates compete for 407 parliamentary seats

Polling stations across Algeria opened at 8:00 am on Thursday, allowing more than 24 million voters to elect members of the National People's Assembly for a new five-year parliamentary term.

A total of 793 electoral lists, comprising 9,854 candidates, are competing for the 407 seats in the National People's Assembly. These include 613 lists sponsored by 32 political parties, one list sponsored by more than one political party as an alliance, and 125 independent lists.

For the overseas electoral district, 54 lists comprising 432 candidates are competing, including 47 lists sponsored by 16 political parties, one list presented as part of a party alliance, and six independent lists.

A total of 2,032 women are standing as candidates, representing 21% of all candidates. Meanwhile, 5,304 candidates are under the age of 40, accounting for 54% of the total, while 4,673 candidates hold university degrees.

Polling underway under proportional representation voting system

Voting is being conducted under a proportional representation system using open lists and preferential voting without panachage at polling stations across Algeria and abroad. Polling stations are scheduled to remain open from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm.

Voters may select only one list and may cast their vote for one or more candidates on that list, up to the number of seats allocated to their electoral district or, for overseas constituencies, the relevant geographical area.

In detail, a ballot is considered invalid if votes are cast for more candidates than the number of seats allocated to the electoral district or geographical area. However, a ballot remains valid and is counted in favor of the selected list if the voter does not indicate a preference among the candidates.

In accordance with the provisions of the Organic Law on the Electoral System, voting through mobile polling stations began 72 hours before polling day, with mobile stations serving remote areas and nomadic communities starting last Monday.

Members of the Algerian diaspora residing abroad began voting last Saturday.

Election campaign ends as Algeria's voter roll tops 24.7 million

It is worth noting that the election campaign ended last Sunday after 20 days of competition among political parties, officials, and independent candidates.

The campaign was conducted under the supervision and administration of the National Independent Election Authority, while the administration provided the material, human, and logistical support required for the electoral process in accordance with the latest amendments to the Organic Law on Elections, which grant the authority full oversight of the electoral process.

According to the latest exceptional revision of the electoral rolls, Algeria's electoral register comprises 24,727,041 voters, including 23,872,756 inside the country and 854,285 members of the Algerian diaspora residing abroad.

Belgium Eliminate Senegal After Controversial Late Penalty

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

2 Jul 2026 05:34

Belgium came from 2-0 down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time, with a controversial VAR-awarded penalty deciding the World Cup knockout clash.

Belgium produced the latest comeback from a two-goal deficit in FIFA World Cup history, overturning a 2-0 deficit against Senegal to claim a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory and book a place in the last 16.

Senegal appeared on course for qualification after first-half and second-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave the African side a commanding 2-0 lead with only four minutes of normal time remaining.

Belgium rally in closing minutes

Belgium began their comeback in the 86th minute when substitute Romelu Lukaku scored from Thomas Meunier's cross.

Just three minutes later, captain Youri Tielemans headed home from a Leandro Trossard delivery after Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with the cross, sending the match into extra time.

The result marked the latest point in regulation time that a team has trailed by two or more goals before avoiding defeat at a FIFA World Cup.

VAR decision dictates result

The decisive moment came deep into extra time when referee awarded Belgium a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review of Lamine Camara's challenge on Tielemans.

Tielemans converted the spot kick in the 125th minute, scoring what became the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history and sealing Belgium's place in the round of 16.

The penalty decision, however, proved highly controversial.

Pundits questioned whether the challenge warranted a penalty, while others criticized the lengthy VAR review before the referee pointed to the spot. The incident has become one of the defining talking points of the match, with debate continuing after the final whistle.

Senegal exit despite dominant display

For much of the match, Senegal had controlled proceedings and appeared the stronger side before Belgium's late comeback.

Speaking after the match, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged his team's disappointment after surrendering the lead, saying his players had given everything but were ultimately unable to hold on.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia praised his side's belief and the impact of his substitutes, saying the comeback reflected the depth of his squad.

The victory also saw Belgium become the first team since their own famous comeback against Japan at the 2018 World Cup to win a World Cup match after trailing by two or more goals. Germany had previously achieved the feat against Hungary in 1954 and England in 1970.

The Dutch Likely Enslaved Over 3mln, Not 600,000, New Book Finds

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: The Guardian

1 Jul 2026 22:12

A new book puts Dutch slavery victims at up to 5.3 million, far above the 600,000 figure cited in official apologies by the king and Rutte.

A newly published book argues that the number of people enslaved by the Netherlands during the transatlantic slave trade was more than five times higher than the figure the Dutch government has admitted in its official apologies.

Dutch investigative journalist Leendert van der Valk puts the true number of victims at somewhere between 3.3 and 5.3 million people, according to a report by The Guardian.

That range dwarfs the commonly cited estimate of 600,000, the same figure King Willem-Alexander referenced three years ago when he apologized for the country's role in the slave trade and the one former prime minister Mark Rutte used in his own 2022 apology for what he called the past actions of the Dutch state.

Why the old number falls short

Van der Valk's research, detailed in his book whose title translates to Forgotten Places, Forgotten People, An Atlas of the Dutch History of Slavery, argues that the 600,000 figure leaves out large parts of the picture.

It does not include every territory the Dutch colonized or traded people through, nor does it span the full length of Dutch involvement in slavery. It also excludes people who were born into enslavement rather than transported by ship, along with Indigenous populations who were enslaved after Dutch colonization took hold.

To correct this, Van der Valk factored in Dutch activity in South Africa, India, and Sri Lanka, as well as Caribbean territories, including Guyana and Tobago, which remained under Dutch control until England took over in 1814.

He also shifted the timeframe under study, starting the count in 1595 rather than 1630, and extending it to 1914, when Dutch enslavement in parts of Indonesia finally came to an end, rather than stopping at the 1863 abolition date used in previous estimates.

Researchers respond

Scholars at Radboud University, whose demographic research underpins much of the book, described the new estimate as significant though preliminary.

Colonialism professor Matthias van Rossum said the figures shift attention beyond long-distance slave trade numbers toward those enslaved locally or born into the system.

Meanwhile, Coen van Galen, an associate professor in colonial history at Radboud, said Van der Valk’s calculation was a “rough estimate” but “provides for the first time an indication of the total number of victims of slavery in all Dutch colonies combined” and suggested the same approach could be applied to calculate figures for the British Empire and other colonial powers.

A question of recognition

For Peggy Brandon, a Surinamese-born curator at the Netherlands' National Museum of Slavery, currently under development, the stakes go beyond statistics.

She told The Guardian that the debate has long ignored the generations who lived and died inside the system of enslavement, including parents who killed their own children rather than let them grow up enslaved. Brandon argued that accurate numbers are a step toward restoring the humanity of people Europeans worked to dehumanize.

The book's release adds pressure on current Prime Minister Rob Jetten to move beyond symbolic apologies toward concrete measures, and comes weeks after the United Nations adopted a resolution in March declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans the gravest crime against humanity.

Sudan Cholera Outbreak Kills 120 as Fighting Devastates Health System

By Al Mayadeen English

1 Jul 2026 19:16

A new cholera outbreak is spreading across Sudan’s conflict-affected regions, with health authorities warning of rising infections.

A cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed 120 people, with another 1,102 suspected cases recorded since May in remote war -affected areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

The spread comes as more than three years of fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have devastated the country’s health system.

The ongoing war has left much of Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure in disarray, with medical services severely limited or no longer operating across large parts of the country.

Three years into the war, which aid organizations estimate has killed more than 200,000 people, nearly all hospitals have been forced either fully or partially out of service.

Repeated waves of infection

This marks Sudan’s third cholera wave in as many years, arriving just two months after the previous outbreak was declared over in March.

Between July 2024 and March 2026, more than 124,400 people were infected, and 3,500 died during the last wave, according to government figures.

Cholera, which is endemic in the northeast African country, once occurred "in a cyclic manner every three years," WHO Sudan chief Dr Shible Sahbani told AFP reporters.

However, he said the country is now experiencing near-continuous outbreaks "due to the conflict, constraints in access and limited supplies."

Rainy season raises further risks

Authorities and aid officials warn that the approaching rainy season in Sudan is expected to worsen conditions, as cholera cases typically surge when millions lack access to clean water, and flooding further restricts humanitarian access.

The Sudanese government declared the latest outbreak this week in West Kordofan state, a flashpoint region that lies along the dividing line between army and paramilitary control zones.

Intensifying drone strikes by both sides have made commercial and humanitarian access to the Kordofan region increasingly dangerous, while also pushing hundreds of thousands of people toward the brink of starvation.

Spread to North Kordofan and warnings over El-Obeid

The WHO said the outbreak appears to be expanding, with nearly 300 suspected cases and three deaths reported in neighbouring North Kordofan.

The United Nations has warned that the Rapid Support Forces are preparing a possible ground assault on the state capital, El-Obeid.

Drone strikes on the city’s power stations are already "disrupting access to lifesaving drinking water and electricity," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said Tuesday, warning of the risk of mass atrocities.

Years of war have left Sudan’s health system critically weakened, with most facilities no longer fully operational.

"Forty percent of health facilities are non-functional at all, and the remaining almost 60 percent are only partially functioning, meaning they are providing only a few services, or not enough to patients in the area," Sahbani said.

Israeli Military Intel Shipment Sent to Somalia Under UN Cover: Exclusive

By Al Mayadeen English

1 Jul 2026 23:05

A military shipment linked to "Israel" has been routed through transit points and labeled as a UN consignment before reaching Mogadishu.

A military shipment originating from "Israel" was sent to Somalia under the designation of a United Nations office, senior regional strategic sources stated.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, the sources revealed that a 1,000-kilogram consignment reportedly departed Tel Aviv for Mogadishu via Nairobi, arriving on 21 June, and was registered as being destined for a UN office. 

The sources further stressed that the cargo consisted of an advanced communications system intended for military and intelligence use, revealing it was supplied by Mer Security and Communications, a company based in Or Yehuda in occupied Palestine.

The shipment was received by a United Nations office in Mogadishu, according to the sources.

We will not be idle against Israeli plans in Somalia: Sayyed al-Houthi

Meanwhile, Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said on June 25 that the movement will take the initiative at any time to thwart Israeli activities on Somali soil and will not stand idly by in the face of Israeli expansion in the Horn of Africa, vowing continued coordination with allies for any new round of regional escalation.

The Ansar Allah leader specifically addressed developments in Somalia, warning that "Israel" is seeking to establish a foothold there to control the strategic Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint through which much of the world's shipping traffic passes.

"We are monitoring with great concern the developments on the ground in Somalia and what the Israeli enemy is doing to take control of the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab," he said.

Sayyed al-Houthi urged nations bordering the Red Sea to adopt a unified stance against Israeli activity in the region, warning that the group would not remain idle.

"We will take the initiative at any time to target any Israeli activity on Somali soil," he asserted, calling on regional powers to support Somalia in facing the Israeli threat, stating it constitutes a violation of Somali sovereignty and a danger to the entire region.

Ghalibaf to Trump: Keep Your SNAP Advice. Mind Your Nutrition Rates.

By Al Mayadeen English

3 Jul 2026 23:59

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pushed back against US President Donald Trump's remarks on Iran, accusing the US president of projecting America's domestic challenges onto other countries.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a sharp response to US President Donald Trump on Friday, rejecting his recent remarks about Iran's economy and food security while urging him to focus on domestic challenges in the United States.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote, "Imagine having forty-something million of your own citizens on food stamps and calling another nation hungry. This is not a proclamation. This is a projection."

He continued, "Keep your SNAP advice. Our assets, our choices. Mind your malnutrition rates."

Ghalibaf's remarks came after Trump claimed that inflation in Iran had risen "from 5% to 300%" and alleged that Iranian funds expected to be unfrozen would be used to purchase food, adding that Iran would "buy its needs from the United States."

The Iranian parliament speaker rejected those assertions, arguing that Iran's economic decisions and national assets are matters for the country alone and criticizing Washington's portrayal of Iran's economic situation.

Trump's business empire fuels ethical concerns

A recent analysis by CNN examined the rapid growth of Trump's personal wealth during his second term, as economic pressures and affordability concerns continue to affect millions of Americans.

Drawing on Trump's latest annual financial disclosure, released this week, the report said the president earned billions of dollars last year through cryptocurrency ventures, licensing agreements, real estate investments, and sales of Trump-branded products.

According to the analysis, Trump received more than $526 million from cryptocurrency token sales linked to World Liberty Financial LLC, a company partly managed by his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The disclosure also listed $635 million from a licensing agreement tied to his meme coin, along with additional income from branded merchandise, including Trump Bibles, watches, fragrances, and sneakers.

The CNN analysis argued that Trump's financial activities represent a departure from the longstanding practice of US presidents distancing themselves from private business interests while in office, despite no legal requirement to do so. It cited former President Jimmy Carter's decision to place his family's peanut business into a blind trust before taking office as an example of previous presidential norms.

The report also highlighted concerns over potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding Trump's financial stake in the cryptocurrency sector while his administration oversees policies affecting the industry.

Danielle Caputo, senior counsel for ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, told CNN that such circumstances make it difficult to determine whether regulatory decisions are being made in the public interest or could benefit the president's personal holdings.

Trump dismissed those concerns, saying, "We're all profiting. I'm profiting because I have a lot of money and a lot of cash."

The analysis further pointed to the luxury aircraft gifted by Qatar and used as Air Force One as another issue drawing scrutiny, citing questions raised by critics over ethics and foreign influence.

CNN concluded that while Trump's wealth has long been viewed by supporters as evidence of his business success, continued financial gains during his presidency could become a political issue as the United States approaches the midterm elections, particularly amid persistent concerns over inflation and the cost of living.

US job growth slows amid economic concerns

Recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the US labor market cooled in June, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 57,000, well below expectations, while earlier employment figures for April and May were revised downward. Although the unemployment rate edged down to 4.2%, economists attributed the decline in part to a shrinking labor force participation rate, which fell to its lowest level since March 2021.

The weaker-than-expected jobs report has intensified concerns over slowing hiring, persistent inflation, and declining purchasing power as wage growth continues to trail rising prices. The figures have also drawn political attention ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, with critics arguing they reflect broader economic challenges despite the administration's insistence that the labor market remains resilient.

Huge Crowd Rally in Sanaa to Thank Iran for Breaking Yemen Airport Siege

Saturday, 04 July 2026 1:04 AM 

Thousands of Yemeni citizens pack Al-Sabeen Square in the capital on Friday evening, July 4, 2026, to express their gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for breaking the siege on Sanaa International Airport.

A huge crowd of Yemenis packed Al-Sabeen Square in the capital on Friday evening in a mass rally expressing profound gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for breaking the brutal 11‑year siege on Sanaa International Airport, as Yemeni air defenses successfully intercepted Saudi warplanes that attempted to block an Iranian civilian flight carrying over 200 sick and wounded passengers.

The rally, held in support of the Yemeni armed forces and their recent declaration on breaking the siege, saw participants chant slogans affirming their steadfastness with Gaza and Palestine and their full readiness to implement the directives of Ansarullah leader Sayyed Abdul‑Malik al‑Houthi.

The crowds expressed deep appreciation for Iran’s humanitarian initiative in facilitating the transfer of patients, the wounded and stranded civilians, reaffirming Islamic brotherhood within the axis of jihad and resistance.

“Today, Yemen’s skies witnessed two contrasting scenes,” said Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abdulwahid Abu Ras. “The first was a civilian aircraft carrying patients, wounded people, humanitarian cases, and official delegations. The second was warplanes carrying bombs and missiles to kill Yemenis and destroy infrastructure”.

He added that the event demonstrated Yemen’s “steadfastness, resilience, military capability, and high combat readiness, marking the beginning of a new phase of reclaiming rights”.

Iranian flight defies Saudi interception

The rally came hours after Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that at 5:20 AM on Friday, a formation of Saudi coalition warplanes violated Yemeni airspace in an attempt to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.

The plane was carrying more than 200 stranded, wounded and sick Yemeni citizens.

Yemeni air defense forces fired “a number of air defense missiles,” forcing the Saudi warplanes to leave Yemeni airspace.

Saree warned Saudi Arabia against repeating any violation of Yemeni airspace, threatening a “comprehensive response” that would target Saudi airports and vital interests on land and sea.

Saree declared that flights between Sanaa and Tehran “will continue, regardless of any consequences, to break the siege and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people”.

He stressed that Yemen’s armed forces “will not accept the continuation of the unjust Saudi‑American blockade indefinitely” and that all units are fully prepared to implement any decision made by the Ansarullah leadership.

Sanaa International Airport has been under a crippling Saudi‑American blockade for nearly 11 years.

The Iranian flight’s successful landing marked a major breach of that siege.

Iran’s initiative also enabled the transport of official and public delegations traveling to Tehran for the funeral ceremonies of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran Will Prevail Over US, Medvedev Says After Attending Martyred Iranian Leader’s Funeral

Friday, 03 July 2026 7:13 PM

Deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, attends ceremony in Tehran to pay tribute to martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on July 3, 2026. (Photo by Tasnim News Agency)

The visiting deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, has said Iran will prevail over the United States.

Medvedev, who heads the delegation attending Iran's martyred Leader’s funeral in Tehran, said in a video published on his Telegram channel after attending the funeral on Friday that the Iranian nation will emerge victorious in the struggle against the US.

Medvedev said Russia shares the grief of the Iranian people over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

The former Russian president, who is a close ally of Russian Leader Vladimir Putin, said the sorrow stemming from the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei has united the Iranian people.

Iran’s dignitaries, world leaders, delegations pay tribute to late Ayatollah Khamenei

Top Iranian officials and high-ranking delegations from across the world pay their respects to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The former president added that the Iranian nation will not yield to pressure from the US and other countries.

Medvedev said that on behalf of the leadership and people of the Russian Federation, he expresses the deepest condolences regarding the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei.

He added that they mourn alongside the Iranian people over this immense loss.

Mededev's remarks came as foreign delegations attended the funeral ceremonies honoring Ayatollah Khamenei, following a 40-day war that began with a US-Israeli aggression against Iran and ended with a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding after Tehran's strong military retaliation.

The Russian representative also held a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the ceremony.

Pezeshkian thanked the Russian government and people for their support and expressions of sympathy following the martyrdom of the Islamic Revolution Leader and the recent war.

He called for accelerating the implementation of strategic agreements between Tehran and Moscow, particularly in the economic, trade, energy and transit sectors.

"There is broad potential for expanding economic, commercial, energy and transit cooperation between the two countries, which must be implemented with greater determination within the existing agreements," he said.

He also pointed to the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor and called for closer cooperation through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and the Eurasian Economic Union to expand economic and political ties.

Medvedev conveyed condolences from President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government over the martyrdoms of the Leader, military commanders, officials, scientists and civilians, particularly children killed in the recent US-Israeli attacks.

 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meets with deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, in Tehran on July 3, 2026. (Photo by president.ir)

He condemned the recent US and Israeli aggression against Iran, calling it a violation of international law and the UN Charter that threatened regional and international peace and stability.

Referring to Iran's response to the aggression, Medvedev said, "The widespread support of the people for their establishment and country played a decisive role in preserving the stability and strength of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and this national unity is worthy of respect and admiration."

He reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to fully implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Iran and expanding cooperation across areas of mutual interest, including broader use of national currencies in bilateral and multilateral trade while reducing dependence on the US dollar-based financial system.

Attending Martyred Leader’s Funeral is as Vital as Fighting Zionists: Iraqi Resistance Leader

Friday, 03 July 2026 10:37 PM

Iraqi citizens gather in the capital to commemorate the martyrdom of Iran's late Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The Secretary-General of Iraq’s al-Nujaba resistance movement says that participating in the funeral of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution is no less important than fighting the Zionist enemy on the battlefield, as millions of mourners gathered in Tehran to bid farewell to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Akram al-Kaabi, who was among the resistance leaders attending the farewell ceremony at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla prayer complex on Saturday, said in a message that the historic turnout sends a powerful message to the “oppressive enemy”.

“Participation in the funeral of the martyred Leader, who was martyred at the hands of the Yazid of our time – America and the Israeli regime – is no less important than participation in the war against the Zionists on the battlefield,” al-Kaabi said.

He added that “your million-strong presence is a thorn in the eye of the oppressive enemy, and your chants of ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ are arrows of truth that target their conspiracies, lies and criminality.”

Millions of Iranians and guests from across the Muslim world have gathered in Tehran to pay tribute to Ayatollah Khamenei, who was assassinated on February 28 in a US-Israeli airstrike on the first day of the war of aggression against Iran.

The funeral, expected to draw up to 15‑20 million mourners in Tehran alone, has drawn delegations from dozens of countries, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and other nations.

Despite an intensive US pressure campaign to dissuade countries from attending, representatives from over 100 nations are present.

The funeral ceremonies, which will continue over several days, will culminate in burial at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, in accordance with the martyred Leader’s will.

Martyred Leader Sought a Dignified, Strong Iran: FM Araghchi

Friday, 03 July 2026 10:08 PM

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has identified the defining characteristic of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as his constant pursuit of dignity for Iran and the Iranian people.

Commenting on Ayatollah Khamenei's legacy on Friday, the top diplomat noted that the pursuit of such dignity was consistently guided by wisdom and expediency.

"The defining characteristic of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution was his unwavering pursuit of dignity, guided by wisdom and expediency," Araghchi said. "He always wished to see Iran and the Iranian people dignified, proud, exalted, and resolute."

The foreign minister said both supporters and opponents acknowledged the martyred Leader's emphasis on such dignity.

'Ayatollah Khamenei defined pillars of Iran's foreign policy'

According to the official, in line with that insight, the three principles of "dignity, wisdom, and expediency" turned into the guiding principles of the Islamic Republic's foreign policy.

"These principles, under the [martyred] Leader's guidance, became the roadmap for the country's diplomacy."

The remarks came as the Iranian nation is preparing for extended farewell and funeral ceremonies to be held in the capital Tehran over July 4 and 5 for Ayatollah Khamenei, who was martyred following the launch of the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

The aggression that also claimed the lives of senior officials and countless ordinary civilians, triggered Iran to respond by staging at least 100 decisive and successful retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets.

The reprisal prompted the United States to announce a unilateral ceasefire on April 7.

IRGC Aerospace Chief Says ‘Hard, Unexpected Blows’ Against Enemy Will Continue After Leader's Martyrdom

Friday, 03 July 2026 2:13 PM

Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, the commander of the IRGC aerospace division

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) aerospace division says the "hard and unexpected blows" inflicted on the enemy will continue, vowing to press ahead with the path of resistance following the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Brigadier General Majid Mousavi made the remarks in a message issued on Friday on the occasion of the start of funeral ceremonies for the late Ayatollah Khamenei.

"The hard and unexpected blows the enemy has received will never end, for the path of struggle between truth and falsehood has not ended and will not end," Mousavi said.

He added that the forces of the IRGC aerospace division would continue acting on behalf of the Iranian people against the country's adversaries.

"I announce to the noble Iranian nation that your devoted servicemen in the Aerospace Force have rained and will continue to rain your anger upon the enemy," the commander emphasized.

He reiterated that forces under his command will not rest for a moment until the lofty goals the late Leader has outlined for the country during his noble leadership are realized.

"Now that we bid farewell to our martyred Leader with grieving hearts, we pledge before God that we will not cease, even for a moment, until the lofty objectives he charted for the Islamic community are realized," Mousavi said.

The commander emphasized that Iran's path will remain steadfast under the guidelines of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

"Every member of the [Iranian] nation martyred by the enemy is itself a separate case for retaliation,” he pointed out.

Iran’s dignitaries, world leaders, delegations pay tribute to late Ayatollah Khamenei

Top Iranian officials and high-ranking delegations from across the world pay their respects to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The remarks came as senior Iranian officials and high-ranking foreign delegations from across the world gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Friday to pay their respects to the martyred Leader, following a 40-day war that began with a US-Israeli aggression against Iran and ended with a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding after Tehran's strong military retaliation.

Detroit People’s Tribunal Takes Mask Off ICE in the North End

Activists gathered from various areas of Michigan to report on the excesses and brutality of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Custom and Border Patrol (CBP) along with the local police and the complicity political officials. 

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Thursday July 2, 2026

Political Review

On Saturday June 27, the Detroit People’s Tribunal was convened at the Historic St. Matthew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in the North End.

This event had been in the making for more than five months prompted by a series of developments including the deployment of National Guard and Marine units in other cities such as Los Angeles, Memphis and Washington, D.C. during late 2025 and earlier this year.

Several organizations sponsored and endorsed the event with Detroit Will Breathe, People’s Assembly, Democratic Socialist of America Detroit Chapter among others taking the lead in mobilizing the people. Community groups such as the Moratorium NOW! Coalition, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights (MCHR) also co-sponsored the manifestation. 

The surge by ICE and CBP in Minneapolis provided lessons on how broad-based coalitions could be built in a major municipality targeted by the repressive apparatus of the administration of President Donald Trump. In the face of the massive deployment of thousands of government agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the people of this leading city in Minnesota organized and mobilized hundreds of thousands of workers, clergy, youth and community activists to resist repression.

Although the National Guard has not been sent into Detroit as of yet various organizations have been discussing potential responses in case the Trump administration authorizes their dispatchment. Nonetheless, ICE and CBP have been very active in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Communities have responded by establishing monitoring committees to alert neighbors when they are facing surprise attacks.

Detroit has a large population of immigrants and migrants from Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. These persons who were born outside the United States and do not have naturalized citizenship or permanent residency are under constant surveillance and threatened 

detention. Even those who are citizens and legal residents live in the same targeted communities and are therefore negatively affected by the ICE and CBP.

Michigan has a notorious detention facility which has been described as a “concentration camp” for detained migrants. Transcripts and recorded messages from inmates and former detainees were played at the Tribunal. The conditions of those trapped in these institutions, particularly the North Lake Detention Center located in Baldwin, Michigan described conditions as horrendous citing rotten food, deliberate denial of sleep, lack of adequate medical treatment and racist bigotry, resulting in verbal and physical abuse by guards. 

As a result of the awful conditions at North Lake, inmates are suffering from numerous ailments including dental problems, psychological distress stemming from the maltreatment by guards along with beatings carried out by staff. One account by telephone from the institution from an inmate alleged that Black detainees are subjected to racist name calling and beatings if they complain over the abuse. 

Despite efforts by several groups around the state to appeal to the Michigan Department of Health, no real positive responses have been enacted. There have been hunger strikes carried out by inmates aimed at bringing in better food and access to medical assistance. Although these are federally managed detention centers, the State of Michigan, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, could demand inspections of the living situations inside North Lake and other holding facilities. 

No Detention Centers in Michigan was present at the Tribunal and emphasized their mission of abolishing all of such institutions in the state. The organization firmly believes that no one should be subjected to the treatment being meted out across the United States against migrants whose fundamental human rights and due process are being violated daily. (https://nodetentioncentersmi.org/)

One recent victory for the people of Michigan was the cancellation of plans to create an ICE detention center in the city of Romulus which is near the Metropolitan Airport. The announcement that the center would not open was the direct outcome of mass demonstrations and coordinated political pressure by people in Romulus and others around the state.

Impact on Schools and Smaller Municipalities

A Detroit Public School teacher made a presentation on the way in which educators and their students are being affected. Oftentimes the ICE agents conduct surveillance and abduction operations outside schools.

At Western International school on the southwest side, a teacher reported about 46 abductions by ICE agents of students and parents. This community is heavily populated by people from the Latin America region including people from Mexico and Venezuela. 

In Pontiac, located in northern Oakland County, ICE has been very active in targeting and detaining people. The organization called Community Aid for Empowerment (CAFÉ) presented information on the number of those detained in Pontiac where 400 people have been counted. 

CAFÉ believes that Pontiac has become a focus due to the relatively small numbers of people living there in comparison to larger cities like Detroit. Although CAFÉ is a small group, they are making an impact by tracking the activities of ICE and following up on the conditions of those being targeted and detained. 

In Southfield, a suburb just across the northwest border of Detroit, an organization has surfaced which monitors the activities of ICE inside the city. The Southfield Neighbors Action Committee (SNAC) has held demonstrations against ICE while exposing the role of a real estate firm which provides office space to lawyers that offer legal support for detentions and deportations. (https://michiganadvance.com/2026/05/01/ice-out-jewish-activists-rally-in-southfield-over-federal-lease/)

A SNAC representative spoke at the Tribunal outlining their work which is putting political pressure on the One Town Square complex where the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor is housed. Southfield has many Jewish American residents and the progressive elements in the city are taking the lead in combatting the role of ICE in their community.

Violet Ikonomova, an investigative reporter for the Detroit Free Press, addressed the Tribunal revealing that the majority of people detained by federal agents had no criminal record and were legally pursuing permanent residency and naturalized citizenship in the U.S. These facts are rarely cited in the corporate media which regurgitates the stereotypical utterances of the Trump administration which seeks to demonize migrants as criminals. (https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/34343/free_press_many_immigrant_detainees_had_no_criminal_record_we_re_in_legal_process_of_staying_in_u_s)

Electronic Surveillance

In addition to human monitoring of migrants and their supporters, the increasing role of Flock license plate readers was discussed in detail.  Flock cameras are being utilized across Detroit as well as nationally. 

These devices are mounted to take images of license plate numbers and storing this information in cloud databases. In Michigan, due to the anti-migrant bias within the state legislature, driver licenses are not made available to undocumented people. 

Therefore, this is another reason provided to law-enforcement for the pulling over and detaining of undocumented persons using racial profiling. Speakers at the Tribunal attested to the fact that this is a major mechanism for the initial detention and deportation of migrants. 

Flock cameras have come under heavy criticism by concerned organizations and communities around the United States. In Colorado, the cameras were removed, not as a result of their inefficiency, there are issues related to protecting the privacy of individuals and communities. (https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/why-are-some-flock-cameras-being-removed-by-cities)

This technology is being utilized in Metro Detroit. There are concerns regarding who has access to the data collected. Although the company says it does not share data with firms such as Palantir, there remains serious concerns about privacy rights.  

Since the beginning of the second non-consecutive term for the Trump administration, private capitalists such as Elon Musk have been allowed access to information on rank-and-file residents of the U.S. Under the guise of “government efficiency”, the country is being plunged deeper into debt and economic insecurity.

Continuing the Legacy of People’s Tribunals

This was not the first People’s Tribunal held in Detroit. Just six years ago during the George Floyd uprising, there was a similar event sponsored by the Detroit Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountability (DCPTC) which was formed during the summer of 2020 in the aftermath of the law-enforcement execution of Hakim Littleton. 

Perhaps the first of such hearings was held on August 30, 1967, just one month after the Detroit Rebellion in late July of the same year. The gathering was convened in response to the police execution of three African American youth: Carl Cooper, 17; Fred Temple, 18; and Aubrey Pollard, 19; during the early morning hours of July 26 at the Algiers Motel located on Woodward Avenue. 

The police and National Guard entered the Motel Annex and falsely accused the youth of firing weapons. Their executions were carried out by three white police officers who were never held accountable for these brutal murders. 

Thousands attended the August 1967 Tribunal held at the Central United Church of Christ, later renamed the Shrine of the Black Madonna and the Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church. Deliberations among the participants declared the police guilty of premeditated murder. This event was considered one of the political highlights of this period in Detroit where the largest urban rebellion took place in the history of the U.S. up until that time.

Like the Tribunals of 1967 and 2020, the hired agents of the state were found guilty of crimes against humanity involving racism. The Detroit People’s Tribunal of June 2026 could serve as an important turning point aimed at building networks to end the reign of terror imposed by the state against migrants and the larger communities in Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan.