UN General Assembly Endorses a New World Map that Shows More Accurately Africa’s Size

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

7:35 PM EDT, September 4, 2026

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday endorsed a new world map that represents Africa more accurately in its larger size, a culmination of a recent campaign led by African countries and advocacy groups.

Friday’s resolution, which was sponsored by Togo and backed by members of the African Union, was passed with 164 member states voting in favor. Only the U.S. voted against it while six other countries — Serbia, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine — abstained.

The vote encourages governments and institutions around the world to replace the traditional Mercator map, commonly used since the 16th Century, with the Equal Earth projection that advocates and geographers say shows locations more accurately.

The Mercator projection shows Greenland and Africa as appearing to be about the same size whereas in the Equal Earth projection that shows continents in their true proportions, Africa is 14 times larger than Greenland.

Friday’s resolution does not ban the Mercator projection or impose a replacement, but only encourages the use of the Equal Earth projection, the U.N. said in its report.

“Maps shape our understanding of the world,” the global body quoted Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey as saying before the vote. “They guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions.”

Africa No Filter, one of the lead campaigners for the adoption of the new map, hailed the resolution, adding: “We want to see accurate maps in schools, textbooks, newsrooms, businesses and on the digital platforms billions of people use every day.”

Several countries hailed the adoption and urged the adoption of the Equal Earth map. “Changing the map obviously doesn’t change the world. But correcting a representation that distorts it is already an act of truth,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on X after the vote.

The Mercator map was designed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator to help European navigators at sea, but advocates say it distorted landmasses by enlarging regions near the poles such as North America and Greenland while shrinking Africa and South America.

The 2018 Equal Earth projection, on the other hand, follows the Earth’s curvature and shows continents in their true proportions.

Geographers say the traditional map is only useful for navigation.

“Outside of that very narrow navigation application, there is no point in using it,” according to Mark Monmonier, a Syracuse University professor of geography.

Former RFI Journalist Disappears in Niger After Attempted Coup

Moussa Kaka, a Nigerien journalist, director of the media group Radio Télévision Saraounia (RTS) and former correspondent for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has been missing since 31 August.

3 September 2026

Radio France Internationale

By RFI

Reporters Without Borders has called for an investigation into the disappearance of Moussa Kaka, the director of a television station in Niger and a former correspondent for Radio France International, days after a failed coup in the country.

Kaka, who worked for many years as an RFI correspondent in Niger and now directs private broadcaster Radio Télévision Saraounia, left his office in Niamey on Monday evening and never arrived home.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), his relatives and colleagues have been unable to contact him.

"The disappearance of Moussa Kaka, a well-known journalist, is particularly concerning at a time when Niger is going through a period of heightened political and security tensions," Sadibou Marong, director of RSF's sub-Saharan Africa bureau, said in a statement.

"RSF is following the situation closely and calls on Nigerien authorities to immediately open an investigation in order to find him and establish the circumstances of his disappearance without delay."

Attempted coup

Kaka's disappearance comes after an attempted coup over the weekend that Niger said it shut down with military support from Russia.

Authorities have accused several foreign countries, including France, of being behind the unrest, without providing evidence.

RSF editorial director Anne Bocandé told RFI the lack of information about Kaka's disappearance was particularly worrying.

"At this point we have no information about the circumstances, the context or where Moussa Kaka could be today. And given the context of political instability in Niger in recent days, this is clearly an additional source of concern for us," she said.

Growing pressure

Journalists in Niger, as well as activists and civil society figures, have come under increasing pressure since a military junta seized power in July 2023.

Kaka was one of six journalists arrested in October 2025 and accused of "complicity in distributing documents likely to disturb public order" - believed to be an invitation to a press briefing by the Solidarity Fund, a body Niger's military government set up to seek donations from the public.

After the junta used the briefing to announce workers would have to make new, mandatory contributions to the fund, critics shared the invite widely on social media.

Kaka was later released provisionally, while the last journalist still detained in the case was freed on Friday.

Relations between Niger and former colonial power France have deteriorated since the military took power.

In May, Niger suspended all access to RFI as part of a broader crackdown on French media. RFI's FM radio broadcasts were suspended days after the 2023 coup.

Clashes in Southern Sudan Leave at Least 21 Dead, Medical Group Says

This is a locator map for Sudan with its capital, Khartoum. (AP Photo)

By FATMA KHALED

8:21 AM EDT, September 4, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — Clashes in southern Sudan have killed at least 21 people, including women and children, a doctors’ group said Friday.

Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks violence throughout the war in Sudan, said that the rebel group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, or SPLM-N, launched an attack on Thursday in the areas of Debi and Luweri in the town of Kauda in South Kordofan.

Rebel leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu has aligned his fighters with the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has been battling the Sudanese military since 2023. The war killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed parts of the country into famine.

Al-Hilu’s group has been active in South Kordofan and joined a local government set up by the RSF. The group is a breakaway faction of the SPLM, the ruling party of neighboring South Sudan.

Thursday’s attack was part of clashes that erupted between SPLM-N and the Otoro tribe, a minority group in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan.

The fighting came despite a ceasefire initiative backed by the RSF last month. The medical group said the attacks by al-Hilu’s forces “constitute a clear violation of the agreement, a resumption of hostilities, and the targeting of civilians on an ethnic basis.”

Al-Hilu didn’t commit to the ceasefire agreement, and his forces launched attacks on 10 Otoro villages, displacing hundreds of civilians between Aug. 20 and 26, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, a think tank, said in an analysis last week. It added that SPLM-N claimed in a video that it took control of Kauda.

Ali Mahmoud Ali, the group’s Sudan analyst, said that the latest clashes risk bringing in more Nuba clans into the fight and could increase divisions across South Kordofan, where communities are facing an already dire humanitarian situation.

The group said it has recorded the killings of at least 158 people since violence erupted in March over land disputes.

5 EU Nations Agree on Model to Send Rejected Migrants to ‘Return Hubs’ as Early as 2027

By CLAUDIA CIOBANU and RENATA BRITO

1:57 PM EDT, September 4, 2026

Denmark and four other European Union countries agreed Friday on a model for “return hubs” in non-EU nations and hope to begin sending migrants to the facilities as early as 2027, an official said Friday.

The announcement, made after a one-day meeting in Copenhagen, is the latest development in an effort by EU states to send people whose asylum requests have been rejected to third countries outside the bloc.

“We are moving forward toward what is actually a fundamental transformation of the common European migration and asylum system,” said Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s minister of immigration and integration.

He briefed reporters alongside counterparts from Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece. The five countries have been negotiating with governments mainly in Africa over potential sites, pioneering the initiative for the whole of the EU.

Human rights groups have criticized plans to deport migrants to centers or prisons in third countries, arguing that European nations cannot guarantee their rights will be respected there.

Bødskov rejected the idea that “return hubs” were a euphemism for detention and deportation centers and said the International Organization for Migration and the U.N. Refugee Agency would monitor the centers.

“We are not talking about camps, we are talking about opportunities, for a new chance for irregular migrants who cannot return to their own country today and who have no legal grounds to be in our countries,” Bødskov said.

The UNHCR told The Associated Press that it “has not been approached with details of such a proposal,” and therefore “cannot comment on the specific arrangements being discussed or on what any potential role for UNHCR might entail.”

IOM told AP that no decision had been made on IOM’s potential role in “return hubs.” “Discussions remain exploratory,” and IOM had provided only “technical advice to some EU Member States on safeguards and operational considerations.”

“We have consistently underscored that any such initiative must comply with EU regulatory and legal frameworks, protect migrants’ rights, respect partner countries’ interests, and ensure individuals’ access to meaningful, sustainable solutions,” an IOM spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

‘Return hubs’ abroad would be first for EU migration policy

Although the ministers did not specify which third countries were being considered, Bødskov said they expect to reach their first deal by early 2027.

He acknowledged that the concept of “return hubs” was mocked only a few years ago and deemed incompatible with EU and international law.

EU laws, however, have changed due to public and political pressure for tougher measures against irregular migration.

European lawmakers voted in June to allow member states to set up centers outside the EU on their own or in small coalitions, and send rejected asylum seekers there instead of to their home countries.

“This is something new and it’s groundbreaking,” said Bart van den Brink, the Netherlands’ minister of asylum and migration.

Rwanda in negotiations with European nations

In early August, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government said it “was natural” for her government to negotiate with European countries and others to potentially host asylum seekers who are not allowed to live elsewhere.

Speaking to Royal FM Kigali, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo cited an emergency transit mechanism established in Gashora in 2018 for people evacuated from Libya, who could stay there until they were resettled in third countries.

Makolo said one of the ideas discussed was to offer a “safe place” where people who have nowhere else to go could get medical care, training and rest while their asylum applications were processed, until they could go back home if safe or get resettled to yet another country.

“We want to be part of a solution to a big global problem,” Makolo said.

It remained unclear what countries in negotiations with EU nations would gain in return for taking Europe’s rejected migrants.

Rights groups concerned about enforcement of law outside EU

Migrant rights groups have criticized European efforts to set up migrant centers abroad where it may be difficult to monitor and enforce human rights.

In an emailed statement, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, said “vague assurances of compliance with human rights law are not enough.”

“States need to commit to the guardrails necessary to prevent setting up human rights black holes,” he said.

The European ministers in Copenhagen emphasized the new hubs would abide by European and international law.

Van den Brink, the Dutch immigration minister, said technical talks and missions to potential partner countries would be used “to gain more insight into the human rights situation and the living conditions of the refugees.”

“Because we want to do this in a European way, in line with our values and international law and human rights at its core,” he said.

Brussels-based rights group PICUM condemned the meeting in Copenhagen.

“EU leaders may call these centers an ‘innovative solution,’ but outsourcing migration control is an old tactic to simply move people out of sight and evade human rights obligations,” director Michele LeVoy said. ___

Ciobanu reported from Warsaw, Poland, and Brito reported from Barcelona, Spain. Philipp Jenne in Vienna and Sam McNeil in Brussels contributed to this report.

Tunisia’s Top Court Upholds Opposition Convictions in a State Security Case

11:12 AM EDT, September 4, 2026

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s highest court has upheld the convictions of dozens of prominent opposition figures, lawyers and human rights defenders in a high-profile conspiracy case against state security.

The Court of Cassation rejected the defendants’ appeals, upholding prison sentences of up to 45 years handed down by an appeals court last year, Tunisia’s state-owned news agency TAP reported late Thursday, quoting judicial sources.

The case has drawn international criticism and further deepened concerns over judicial independence and political freedoms in Tunisia. It’s part of a broader crackdown that has seen opposition activists, journalists and lawyers arrested or prosecuted since President Kais Saied consolidated power in July 2021, when he suspended parliament, sacked the government and began ruling by decree.

Faiza Rahem, the wife of detained opposition activist Issam Chebbi, said in a news conference on Friday that the families’ legal battle would now become political.

“After four years of harassment and persecution, we will continue defending the detainees. We will not tire or give up,” she said, adding that repression had only strengthened the families’ resolve. “Our numbers have grown as authoritarianism has become more brutal, and our voices grow louder every time they try to silence us.”

The charges included conspiracy against the internal and external security of the state, forming or joining a terrorist organization and offenses related to attempts to change the form of the state.

The defendants have denied the allegations and their lawyers have repeatedly challenged the proceedings and the charges.

The president backed the charges

Saied has defended the prosecutions as part of efforts to protect national security and hold accountable those he accuses of conspiring against the state. He has previously described some of his opponents as “traitors” and “terrorists” and accused those detained in the case of seeking to destabilize the country and fuel social unrest.

Saied, who was elected in 2019 on a promise to uproot a failing political system, has rejected accusations that he is seeking to suppress the opposition. He has repeatedly defended the measures as necessary to combat corruption and protect the country from foreign threats.

Lawyers representing the defendants had criticized the timing of the hearing, saying they were notified only three days before Thursday’s court hearing, arguing that the short notice was hasty and left them without time to prepare their defense.

Amnesty expresses concern for detainees’ conditions

Among those sentenced are prominent opposition figures Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, Chaima Issa, Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Ghazi Chaouachi, Ayachi Hammami, Khayam Turki and Abdelhamid Jelassi.

Several defendants had spent years in pretrial detention. Others had been released on bail while the case proceeded through the courts. They were later arrested to serve their sentences after the appeals court verdict.

Amnesty International had called on the Court of Cassation to overturn the convictions, describing the case as politically motivated and saying the trial was marred by due process and other violations.

Amnesty said many of those imprisoned were experiencing deteriorating health and that successive heat waves had worsened conditions inside poorly ventilated prison cells. The daughter of 82-year-old Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, lawyer Haifa Chebbi, said in August that her father had shortness of breath and severe fatigue and that prison officials were monitoring his condition.

Russian Presidential Adviser Speaks on Ukraine Facing Point of No Return, West at Dead End

Western countries have already provided $600 billion to Ukraine to continue the conflict, Anton Kobyakov said

Russian Presidential Adviser Anton Kobyakov Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

VLADIVOSTOK, September 4. /TASS/. Ukraine has passed the point of no return on its path to extinction due to the conflict, and only Russia can save the country, Russian Presidential Adviser and the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee Executive Secretary Anton Kobyakov said at a press briefing following the EEF.

He also pointed out that the West’s economic and ideological dead end is now clear to all.

TASS has compiled the key statements by the presidential adviser.

Eastern Economic Forum

The Eastern Economic Forum draws more than 9,300 participants: "More than 9,300 people are taking part, as of 1 p.m. local time [3 a.m. GMT]. The forum has 1,200 media representatives and more than 2,000 exhibitors from 78 countries, including 18 unfriendly countries."

"Everything discussed at the forum and all the tasks we set over these days serve one key objective: improving people’s lives. The Russian president spoke at length about this yesterday. We will also accomplish other national goals related to the Russian Far East based on the success we achieve in this area."

Russia’s shift toward the Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific countries should closely assess developments in Ukraine and the Middle East: "Asia-Pacific countries, the new global center, should now carefully assess what is happening not only in the Middle East but also in Ukraine. Everything there is moving toward a clear outcome at this stage of the West’s global adventure."

Ukraine’s point of no return

Ukraine has passed the point of no return on the path to extinction: "Ukraine has passed the point of no return. Extinction is the only outcome left. And only Russia can save this country."

The Kiev regime will never join NATO because the West will not allow it: "It is already clear to the world that the West will never accept Ukraine into NATO, if these structures even survive."

Funding for Ukraine

Western countries have already provided $600 billion to Ukraine to continue the conflict: "The West has spent $600 billion on the Ukrainian adventure. Of course, they will do everything they can to prolong this conflict. They will evade, intimidate, pressure, flatter, deceive and engage in intrigue."

Nationalism in Ukraine

Western Ukraine is a breeding ground for nationalism: "The Russian president noted that Ukraine will sooner or later lose its western territories. These territories belonged to Poland, Romania and Hungary before World War II and are a hotbed of evil and a place where Ukrainian nationalism is nurtured. <...> We fought the fascists together. How did it happen that they ended up leading the Ukroreich? We fought our way to Berlin together, and now Ukraine is the vanguard of European fascism. I want to stress that Kiev was and will remain the mother of Russian cities. And that is inevitable."

Zelensky is a ‘fascist with a grenade’ and a madman: "Some kind of madman has appeared in Ukraine today. Well, is Ukraine itself really unfriendly toward us? If he is a drug addict, what can we do about him? What can we do about him if he is a fascist with a grenade?"

US policy

People in other countries are losing trust in the former hegemonic powers: "Obviously, the main geopolitical events are unfolding in this part of Asia and these seas, and new trends are taking shape that are not good news for the former hegemons. Of course, they still consider themselves hegemons, but their hysteria over military coups around the world does not bode well for them. People around the world are losing trust in these hegemons, not to mention that they have practically lost the respect of the entire world."

The world would be different if US President Donald Trump had sent Zelensky to Guantanamo in 2024: "Of course, if Trump had listened to some of his advisers in 2024 and sent Zelensky to Guantanamo, <…> the world would be different now. And Trump might even have received the Nobel Prize."

US policy is aimed at creating conflict zones across Eurasia: "The plan is as follows: America is creating long-term conflict zones across Eurasia. Europe, through the poor judgment of its politicians, is already in conflict with Russia."

Monetary policy

Central Bank should bring current monetary policy back to common sense: "It is difficult to accomplish all the tasks we have outlined without a solid foundation. That foundation is usually sound fiscal and monetary policy. This requires the government to make fighting cost-push inflation a priority. <…> This cost-push inflation can and should be regulated, while the Central Bank should create conditions for growth. This is possible only by bringing current monetary policy back to common sense."

Ukraine Loses over 1,660 Troops in Battlegroup North Responsibility Area over Past Week

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that damage was inflicted on manpower and equipment of five mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, two airborne brigades, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian armed forces

© Alexander Polegenko/TASS

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. The Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 1,660 troops in the responsibility areas of Russia’s Battlegroup North over the past week, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Damage was inflicted on manpower and equipment of five mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, two airborne brigades, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian armed forces, three territorial defense brigades, and a National Guard brigade. In total, within the area of responsibility of the Battlegroup North, the enemy lost more than 1,660 military personnel, 13 armored fighting vehicles, 63 motor vehicles, 10 field artillery weapons, and nine electronic warfare and counter-battery stations," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts over 2,230 casualties on Ukrainian army in week

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 2,230 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week in the special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 2,230 personnel, six armored combat vehicles, and 50 motor vehicles in that frontline area over the week," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts over 1,415 casualties on Ukrainian army in week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,415 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 15 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week in the special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The enemy lost more than 1,415 personnel, 15 armored combat vehicles, 112 motor vehicles and 10 field artillery guns in that frontline area over the week," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts up to 2,700 casualties on Ukrainian army in week

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted up to 2,700 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the week in the special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Over the past week, Battlegroup Center units "inflicted losses on formations of four mechanized brigades, an airmobile brigade, an airborne brigade, an assault brigade, a jaeger brigade, three assault regiments of the Ukrainian army, two marine infantry brigades and three National Guard brigades," the ministry said in a statement.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 2,685 personnel, 18 armored combat vehicles, 80 motor vehicles, eight field artillery guns and six electronic warfare stations in that frontline area over the week, it specified.

Russian forces liberate 15 communities in past week

"Last week, units of Russia’s Battlegroup North carried out active operations, taking control of the settlements of Khrapovshchina, Sadki and Veliky Pomol in the Sumy Region, as well as Kazachya Lopan, Vasilyovka, Dolzhanka and Blagodatnoye in the Kharkov Region," Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement. <…> "Operations by Battlegroup West resulted in the liberation of Svyatogorsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic. <…> Units of Battlegroup South moved to more advantageous positions and liberated the settlement of Izhevka, followed by Nikanorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic on September 3," the statement reads.

Units of Battlegroup Center liberated the settlements of Rubezhnoye and Novoandreyevka over the past week, while Gruzskoye was liberated in the past day, it said.

Units of Battlegroup East continued advancing deeper into enemy defenses over the week, liberating Chervonaya Krinitsa in the Zaporozhye Region. Battlegroup Dnepr improved its tactical position and liberated Novopavlovka in the Zaporozhye Region, the ministry stated.

Russian forces carry out one massive strike, 17 group strikes over past week

Over the past week, the Russian Armed Forces carried out one massive strike and 17 group strikes, targeting, among other things, defense industry enterprises, logistics centers, and fuel, energy, and transport infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian military, the Defense Ministry reported.

"From August 29 through September 4, the Russian Armed Forces carried out one massive strike and 17 group strikes using high-precision ground-based and air-based weapons and long-range drones, resulting in the destruction of Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises, logistics centers, fuel, energy, and transport infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian military, production facilities and storage sites for UAVs and their components, ammunition depots, fuel depots, and supply depots, as well as temporary deployment sites for Ukrainian servicemen and foreign mercenaries," the statement said.

Russian air defenses intercept over 6,000 Ukrainian UAVs in past week

Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed over 6,000 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 19 rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and eight Flamingo cruise missiles over the week, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities shot down 49 guided aerial bombs, 19 rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, eight Flamingo long-range cruise missiles and 6,093 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said in a statement.

Battlegroup South wipes out over 1,365 Ukrainian troops over past week

Russia’s battlegroup South wiped out more than 1,365 Ukrainian servicemen over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported.

"Over the past week, the battlegroup South destroyed more than 1,365 Ukrainian servicemen, 20 armored fighting vehicles, 181 vehicles, and 17 field artillery guns," the statement said.

Kiev loses over 330 troops in area of operation of Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr in past week

Ukraine lost more than 330 troops in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr over the past week, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"More than 330 service members were eliminated in the past week, along with six armored combat vehicles, 120 motor vehicles, and 15 electronic warfare systems," the statement reads.

Russian Black Sea Fleet destroys 14 enemy drone boats over week

The Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet destroyed 14 Ukrainian drone boats over the week, the Defense Ministry reported.

"The Black Sea Fleet has destroyed 14 Ukrainian Navy drone boats in the Black Sea," the statement said.

Russian forces hit Novoodesskaya power substation in Odessa Region

Russian forces have struck the Novoodesskaya power substation in Mirnoye, Odessa Region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"During the night of September 4, high-precision air-launched weapons and attack drones hit the Novoodesskaya electrical substation in the Mirnoye settlement, Odessa Region," the ministry said in a statement.

Russian forces strike logistics center in Kiev Region

Russian forces struck the Eso-Autotechnics logistics center in the Kiev Region, which stored and distributed dual-use goods, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Overnight to Friday, air-launched precision weapons and attack drones struck the Eso-Autotechnics logistics center in Gatnoye, Kiev Region, which stored and distributed dual-use goods," the Defense Ministry said.

Russian Mission to UN Responds to General Assembly on Claims Over Crimea’s Status

Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya emphasized that these territories "are part of Russia, and have been part of Russia for centuries"

Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect

© ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect

UNITED NATIONS, September 4. /TASS/. The territories mentioned by several delegations during the discussion of the Equal Earth projection are part of Russia, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya said, commenting on the status of Crimea and other territories.

"These territories, which were mentioned by several delegations, are part of Russia, and have been part of Russia for centuries. Their peoples expressed their desire to return to Russia in free referendums," the diplomat said following the UN General Assembly vote on a resolution supporting the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately reflects the actual sizes of Africa and other regions of the world. Zabolotskaya noted that this process realized the right to self-determination, and the territories became part of Russia in full compliance with the UN Charter.

Russia Strikes Logistics Centers, Equipment, Cargo Ships in Ukraine

A dry cargo ship carrying military-technical equipment supplied to the army by Western countries was damaged in the port of Chernomorsk

© Russian Defense Ministry/TASS

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Russia continues to carry out coordinated strikes against Ukrainian logistics centers, port infrastructure, and vessels used in the interests of Kiev's military, according to the Defense Ministry.

TASS has compiled the details about the strikes.

Heavy-duty vehicles

- In the Odessa Region, in the settlement of Dachnoye, locations where heavy-duty vehicles were concentrated - vehicles used to transport ammunition and material resources to the Ukrainian army - were hit.

Attacks on ports

- In the Black Sea, east of Odessa, a dry cargo ship and a tanker carrying components for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition, and fuel for the army were damaged.

- In addition, a dry cargo ship carrying military-technical equipment supplied to the army by Western countries was damaged in the port of Chernomorsk.

Logistics centers

- Russia struck a logistics center in Nikolayev, which the Ukrainian army used to supply military-technical equipment.

- In the Kiev Region, in the settlement of Brovary, a logistics center was hit, on the territory of which dual-use goods, as well as military equipment were stored and distributed.

Situation in Ukraine

- A powerful explosion rocked the suburbs of the capital of Ukraine, the Ukrainian newspaper Insider reported in the morning.

- According to its information, the logistics terminal of Novaya Pochta may have been damaged.

- An explosion hit the Solomensky district of Kiev, where Zhulyany Airport is located, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.

- He said that the explosion took place in a non·residential building, but did not specify where.

- The publication Obshchestvennoye. Novosti and the city’s mayor Alexander Senkevich also reported two explosions in Nikolayev in southern Ukraine during the day.

Russian Forces Drive Ukrainian Army Out of Novogrishino in DPR — Expert

Andrey Marochko added that the settlement has turned into a grey zone

© Alexander Polegenko/TASS

LUGANSK, September 5. /TASS/. Russian forces have driven the Ukrainian army’s units out of Novogrishino in the Dobropolye sector in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS, adding that the settlement has turned into a grey zone.

"According to information I have, Ukrainian militants have been completely driven out of Novogrishino - the settlement has turned into a so-called grey zone," he said.

Iran Strikes US Bases Across West Asia in Retaliation for Violations of the Memorandum of Understanding

Trump orders the bombing of civilian locations killing four people at a wedding along with bombing operations on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday September 2, 2026

Geostrategic Analysis

A series of missile attacks by the Iranian military has targeted several Pentagon bases of operations throughout the Persian Gulf region and the Kingdom of Jordan.

The administration of President Donald Trump has been incapable of accepting the agreements signed months ago which resulted from indirect and direct talks between Tehran and Washington. 

Trump’s statements and policy decisions on Iran have swung from a willingness to reach a long- term agreement with the Islamic Republic to continuing to threaten the destruction of the entire country and civilization. The course of the war since the initial attacks on February 28 by the US and Israel which killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei to April 7, when there was a pause in the hostilities, has illustrated the lack of an overall strategic vision by Washington.

Within the Pentagon itself chaos has been the order of the day. Reports indicate that soldiers deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln are suffering as a result of unclear orders, substandard food and lack of medical attention. 

The carrier docked in Thailand on September 2 after 286 days at sea. Reports on the disembarking of the sailors said the USS Abraham Lincoln was in horrendous shape with the enlisted service personnel and officers obviously exhausted from the ordeal. 

Officially the US has reported 18 military deaths among its forces with hundreds of others injured and wounded. Property damage at Pentagon bases have been extensive which hampers the ability to wage war against Iran and its allies. 

The White House and Pentagon spokespersons consistently evade explaining what strategy the government is utilizing to achieve victory. Beyond efforts to decapitate the Iranian governmental leadership and overthrow the administration in Tehran, Trump and his advisors seem to have no clear path forward. 

Domestically prices for gasoline, food, rents, mortgages and other commodities are still increasing on a monthly basis. Jobs are being lost along with the closure of small and medium-sized businesses. Many of these economic problems can be traced directly to the unprovoked war against Iran as well as the imposition of tariffs against Canada and other states internationally.

The character of the military operations carried out by the US remain irrational. There is no consistent tactical approach to achieving victory over the Iranian government. 

Press TV pointed out in a report highlighting the war crimes being committed by the Pentagon over the last several months, noting:

“War is often described in the language of military objectives, strategic targets and precision weapons. But for civilians, war is experienced very differently. In Iran, that contrast has become painfully stark in the past six months since the US-Israeli war alliance launched an all-out, completely illegal military aggression against the Iranian people. On February 28, an elementary school in Minab, a small and sleepy town in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, became the scene of one of the 40-day war's most devastating tragedies. Months later, on the night of September 1, a wedding gathering in Kouhestak, in Sirik County, Hormozgan, was struck amid continuing American attacks on civilian targets in southern Iran. One was a place where children had gathered to learn; the other was a place where families had gathered to celebrate a marriage. Neither was supposed to be a battlefield but the unhinged enemy knows no rules and has no regard for international law and conventions.” (https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/09/02/775534/from-minab-schools-massacre-kouhestak-wedding-hall-us-war-machine-crimes-against-iranian-people)

The US government since March has refused to acknowledge the bombing of the primary school in Minab which killed over 175 people. This has also been the case with the bombing of the wedding on September 1. 

Pentagon and White House spokespersons continue to repeat that they do not target civilians in their unprovoked war on Iran. However, many civilians have been killed due to the war drive of US imperialism.

Extensive Damage Done to US Bases Across the Region

Although the US has sought to dominate the West Asia region through the sponsorship of the State of Israel and the construction of military bases among the monarchies from Jordan to the Persian Gulf, this strategic vision has become more of a liability to the imperialists. The close proximity of Iran and Yemen to the US allies in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Occupied Palestine make them vulnerable to ongoing attacks and consequent instability. 

These strikes by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) have been taking place periodically since early March. The drone and missile capacity of Iran has sustained them during the last six months.

An article published by Press TV on September 2 said of the situation in the region that:

“The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters confirmed that Iran's Armed Forces had responded to the attacks by targeting American outposts across the region with drone and missile strikes, inflicting extensive damage on infrastructure, facilities, weapons, and equipment at the bases, and killing and wounding a significant number of US commanders and troops. He emphasized that ‘these offensive operations against the Americans will continue to teach them a lesson until they regret their acts of aggression.’… The IRGC announced that its Aerospace Force also carried out a massive ballistic missile strike on the hangars housing RQ-4 and MQ-9 reconnaissance and strike drones at the US Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan. As a result of the retaliatory attack, several American drones were destroyed and a number of military pilots and technical aviation personnel were killed or injured.” (https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/09/02/775530/us-military-bases-across-west-asia-pounded-response-latesr-aggression-against-southern-iran)

Iran and its allies known popularly as the “Axis of Resistance” have weakened the imperialist and zionist strongholds throughout the region. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been struck by the Ansar Allah in Yemen damaging its overall position as a surrogate of US imperialism.

US Domestic Impact of the Iran War

These reports of renewed fighting between the US and Iran will only further the already declining political status of the Trump administration. There are growing ruptures within the MAGA grouping over the war against Iran and the ongoing unconditional support for Tel Aviv. 

As the war drags on and the number of US personnel wounded and killed continue to increase, it will only damage the Republican prospects for the midterm elections in early November. Several primary elections around the country have been won by left-oriented Democratic candidates. 

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which operates within the Democratic Party, have won several electoral campaigns in a number of states. The Senate race for the Democratic nomination in Michigan witnessed the failure of the American-Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) and other right-wing and pro-imperialists backed candidates to secure seats.

In Michigan it has been estimated that up to $70 million was spent on efforts to defeat Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in his campaign to win against Congresswoman Haley Stevens. El-Sayed is running against Trump ally Mike Rodgers, a former Republican member of Congress, who has told the pro-Israeli lobby not to openly campaign on his behalf in the state. (https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/americas/artc-mike-rogers-asks-aipac-to-stand-down-in-michigan-senate-race-analysis-2)

These statements by Rodgers are a clear indication of the rising consciousness surrounding the role of apartheid Israel in West Asia. The massacre of approximately 75,000 Palestinians by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) since October 2023 has aroused the awareness of people in the US and indeed around the world. 

Since October 2023 there have been mass demonstrations, boycotts, building occupations and other forms of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Even within the MAGA movement some key leaders have had second thoughts related to support for Tel Aviv.

The Iranian government has pledged to defend its territory and people against imperialism and zionism. A statement from the Iranian state pledged to continue their resistance against US aggression.

In another report released on September 2 by Press TV it emphasized that:

“Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Major General Mohsen Rezaei has warned the United States that its desperate attempts to salvage the ongoing imposed war will fail and a newly adopted Iranian strategy will dismantle its regional presence. In a statement posted on X, General Rezaei addressed the mounting panic in Washington and Tel Aviv as the war of aggression against Iran stretches into its seventh month without achieving any of its strategic objectives. ‘With this desperate flailing, not only will you fail to climb out of the depths of the hell you have created for yourselves, but you will soon witness how Iran’s new strategy in the battlefield, diplomacy, and countering the economic blockade will shatter your foundations.’ The statement signals a shift in Tehran’s posture, outlining a comprehensive, multi-domain approach designed to break the current stalemate and force Washington to capitulate.” (https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/09/02/775540/New-strategy-in-war-diplomacy-will-shatter-your-foundations-Iran-security-chief-to-US)

Unfortunately, it will be the people of the US who will continue to suffer the negative impact of the domestic and foreign policies of the existing administration. The workers and oppressed must organize independently to wage a future struggle for the transformation of the exploitative system to one based upon social equality and economic transformation.

Kenya Nurses Protest in Nairobi Over Work Conditions

Wearing white and carrying placards, dozens of nurses took to the streets of Nairobi, protesting over what they say is the government's failure to address long-standing labor grievances.

Seth Panayko, Secretary-General, Kenya National Union of Nurses, said, "for many years we have had, since 2017 up to now, push and pull back between SRC, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the Council of Governors. Today we are visiting SRC to tell us their story and to ask them to issue a letter of no objection on our CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement, ed.]."

With a strike having started late July, the president of Kenya's National Nurses Association has voiced concerns about the impact on patients.

Collins Otieno Ajwang said, "the nurses strike is today entering its 37th day. Public health facilities across the country are severely affected by this strike. Our concern as fellow health professionals is what this continuing delay is now costing patients and the healthcare system."

The secretary general for clinical officers associations insists that action needs to be taken immediately.

Joseph Chebii said, "it is time now that we are seeing moralities rising among our mothers and other citizens of this country that can be avoided. If we continue delaying, we will have many more losses. So our call is for the unions, for the SRC, national government, county government and other stakeholders to kindly go to the table and have discuss and resolve this issue."

Discussions between the union and the Council of Governors (CoG) have remained at an impasse, leading the nurses to intensify their protests alongside the strike.

China's Hunan, Mozambique Hold Economic, Trade Matchmaking Conference in Maputo

Source: Xinhua| 2026-09-02 20:25:15|Editor: huaxia

MAPUTO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The China (Hunan)-Mozambique Economic and Trade Matchmaking Conference was held in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on Tuesday, bringing together more than 180 representatives from over 110 enterprises and business associations, along with government officials and representatives of diplomatic institutions from both countries.

During the event, participants held in-depth discussions on cooperation in areas including cultural and media exchanges, sports, energy and infrastructure, and industrial parks. The two sides signed 11 key cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding covering four major areas, further advancing economic and trade cooperation between Hunan and Mozambique.

Wang Junshou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Hunan Provincial Committee and secretary-general of the committee, highlighted Hunan's strong economic performance and industrial foundation, noting that the province's gross domestic product reached 5.53 trillion yuan (about 822.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025.

He noted that the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has been permanently established in Hunan and that the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation has been approved for development. These national-level platforms, he said, provide new opportunities and stronger support for expanding practical cooperation between Hunan and African countries.

Wang called on Hunan and Mozambique to use the conference as an opportunity to establish regular exchange mechanisms, strengthen strategic alignment, accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects, and promote greater mutual understanding between their peoples.

He added that the two sides should combine Hunan's strengths in technology, equipment and capital with Mozambique's advantages in natural resources, market access and labor, creating a more stable, transparent and predictable business environment for enterprises from both sides and developing more landmark projects featuring mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

Fredson Bacar, Mozambique's secretary of state of tourism, said Mozambique is seeking to increase the level of local processing of its natural resources while attracting greater investment into manufacturing and digital transformation.

"Strengthening ties with Hunan has significant economic potential," Bacar said, noting that Mozambique's strategic location and transportation corridors could enable the country to serve as an important gateway to markets across Southern Africa.

He added that the country's energy and industrial transformation is also creating new investment opportunities.

Wu Jinjia, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Mozambique, encouraged enterprises from both sides to seize opportunities arising from China's zero-tariff policy for African countries and expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as smart agriculture and new energy.

Interview: China's Robotics Advances Present Significant Opportunities for Africa, Says South African Scholar

Source: Xinhua| 2026-09-01 21:58:30|Editor: huaxia

CAPE TOWN, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid advances in robotics are creating significant opportunities for Africa, particularly South Africa, across multiple areas, a Cape Town-based China-Africa expert has said.

"Robotics has enormous potential for Africa's development," Farhana Paruk, who has studied China and China-Africa relations for more than 20 years since she visited China in 2005, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Paruk said China's achievements in robotics have been "remarkable," noting that the country has evolved from a manufacturing powerhouse into a global leader in advanced technologies, including robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

Citing data from the International Federation of Robotics, Paruk noted that China installed approximately 295,000 industrial robots in 2024, accounting for 54 percent of global installations and bringing the country's operational stock of industrial robots to more than two million.

"What impresses me most is the speed at which China transforms innovation into practical applications," she said, adding that robotics is no longer confined to factories but is increasingly being used in healthcare, logistics, education, agriculture and everyday life.

The integration of robotics, AI and industrial digitalization was also showcased at the 2026 World Robot Conference and the second World Humanoid Robot Games, both held in Beijing in August.

According to Paruk, China's distinctive strength lies in its ability to combine research, manufacturing capacity and market demand, allowing new technologies to be scaled "quickly and effectively."

She said China's robotics development reflects a combination of "vision, policy consistency, investment, and talent development," while government support, a strong manufacturing base and investment in education, research and skills development have created an ecosystem conducive to technological advancement.

"For Africa and particularly South Africa, Chinese advances in robotics could help address chronic weaknesses in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, mining and skills development," Paruk said.

In agriculture, according to her, Chinese robotics and AI-powered systems could help African farmers respond to labor shortages, water constraints, poor logistics and unpredictable weather.

"Robotic systems linked to artificial intelligence could support precision planting, targeted irrigation, crop monitoring and the early detection of disease," Paruk said, adding that small agricultural drones and automated equipment could help farmers use fertilizer, pesticides and water more efficiently.

Healthcare is another area with major potential, particularly given shortages of doctors, nurses, technicians and specialized medical services in many African countries, Paruk said, noting that robotics "can extend the reach of limited professional capacity."

Remote diagnostic tools, automated laboratory equipment, rehabilitation devices and robotic systems for hospital logistics could reduce workloads and improve access to healthcare, while in rural areas, robotics integrated with telemedicine could help health workers collect and transmit information to specialists in urban centers, she said.

Paruk also highlighted the potential of Chinese robotics in Africa's mining industry, where automation could directly enhance occupational health and safety.

"Autonomous vehicles, remote-controlled drilling systems, robotic inspection equipment and underground sensing technologies could reduce workers' exposure to rockfalls, heat, dust and explosive conditions," she said.

South Africa, in particular, is well positioned to benefit from China's robotics advances because of its relatively advanced industrial base, established universities, mining expertise and substantial automotive sector, Paruk noted.

She said robotics could help South Africa modernize manufacturing, strengthen local component production and improve the competitiveness of its vehicle, minerals-processing and renewable-energy industries.

"Chinese technology partnerships could also assist South Africa in developing smart factories, machine-vision systems and automated maintenance capabilities," she said.

Paruk further said cooperation between China and African countries should extend beyond the purchase of machines to research, education, skills development and technology transfer.

"African universities and research institutions could work more closely with Chinese counterparts on joint research projects and innovation programs," she said, adding that partnerships could also focus on training engineers, technicians and young entrepreneurs.

Chinese and African companies could likewise work together to develop robotics solutions tailored to African needs, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure, Paruk said.

"Such cooperation would not only strengthen Africa's technological capabilities but also contribute to shared growth and mutually beneficial development between China and Africa," she added.

Kenya Looks to China to Boost Industrial Upgrade

Source: Xinhua| 2026-09-04 00:09:45|Editor: huaxia

Joseph Mutavi Kithu, national director of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivers a speech at the 9th Kenya International Industrial Expo, in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)

NAIROBI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will deepen collaboration with China to upgrade its manufacturing capacity, boost exports of value-added products, and create jobs for the youth, senior officials said Thursday at the 9th Kenya International Industrial Expo in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

Joseph Mutavi Kithu, national director of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), a trade lobby, stated that China offers strategic leverage for the East African nation's industrial revival.

Kithu observed that the advanced manufacturing capabilities of China, built on modern technology, skilled workforce, and reliable supply chains, can support Kenya's industrial development.

"We are going to bring more tools from China so that we can now start producing here in Kenya," Kithu said.

"We are also encouraging the Chinese people to establish businesses here because when you are producing here, it would be easier to reach the market," he added.

Kithu stressed that ordinary Kenyan citizens will benefit as the country strengthens industrial collaboration with China, leading to reduced prices for consumer goods.

He highlighted China's competitive edge in green energy, noting that increased access to Chinese solar equipment will boost power reliability and lower energy costs for regular households.

Deepening Kenya-China industrial ties is a central theme of the three-day Kenya International Industrial Expo, as the 2026 Kenya Investment and Trade Fair is concurrently held.

Organized by Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd and co-organized by the KNCCI and Kenya Investment Authority (Invest Kenya), the event features over 100 Chinese enterprises showcasing innovations in manufacturing, green mobility, healthcare, and construction.

Pius Rotich, director of manufacturing sector investments of Invest Kenya, said at the opening ceremony that the government has created conducive policy and regulatory environment to attract Chinese investments in local manufacturing, boost exports, and address the trade imbalance.

Rotich noted that industrial machinery imported from China has modernized production lines for local manufacturers, enhancing the competitiveness of Kenyan products in both regional and global markets.

"We want to see how we can cooperate more with China in our manufacturing sector, and achieve our long-term vision of growth and transformation," Rotich said.

The Kenya International Industrial Expo has evolved over the years from a conventional trade fair into a major platform for fostering industrial cooperation, cross-border investments, and technology exchange, according to Gao Wei, managing director of Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd.

"One of the most significant features of this year's exhibition will be the increased presence of industrial technologies, including laser engraving, laser cutting and advanced processing equipment," Gao said.

Muhamed Swaleh, a local entrepreneur, said he visited the exhibition to explore partnerships with Chinese firms specializing in modern industrial machinery.

He noted that Kenya is ripe for an industrial takeoff, as the country promoted the strong ties built between local entrepreneurs and their Chinese peers to facilitate technology and knowledge transfer.

Africa CDC Says Too Early to Declare DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Under Control

Source: Xinhua| 2026-09-04 00:33:15|Editor: huaxia

KINSHASA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Thursday it remains too early to say that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is under control, despite signs of stabilization in recent weeks.

"We're still early to say that we're controlling the whole outbreak," Africa CDC official Wessam Mankoula told an online press briefing, noting that the outbreak "is still evolving."

According to the latest government situation report published Thursday, the DRC had recorded 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths as of Sept. 1, with a case fatality rate of 48.6 percent. A total of 1,439 patients have recovered. The outbreak has affected 60 health zones across six provinces.

Four health zones have interrupted transmission after reporting no new cases for more than 42 days, while another five are in "control phase", which have gone between 21 and 42 days without a new case. Transmission, however, remains active in 51 health zones, Mankoula said.

"For the last two weeks, we are seeing a decline in the number of cases; we are almost at the plateau phase," Mankoula said, cautioning that "it's very early to say we have sustained decline in this outbreak."

Mankoula said the plateau could reflect stronger surveillance, earlier case detection, active case finding, infection prevention and control measures, and improved case management. "Hopefully, when we're following now the third week, we continue with this plateau, then we start seeing a decrease," he said.

But he cautioned against drawing conclusions too soon. "We saw this plateau previously in June, then later on it's followed by an increase. This is why we are cautiously interpreting those data," Mankoula said.

The current outbreak, declared in May, has since become the country's largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic on record and the second-largest globally, behind the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa.

Mankoula also noted that while Uganda recently declared its own Ebola outbreak over, the continued active transmission in DRC's eastern provinces bordering Uganda poses a persistent cross-border risk.

He stressed that strong surveillance systems must remain in place at points of entry and along border communities to detect any potential spillover cases early and prevent a new wave of cross-border transmission.

"This outbreak is still evolving," Mankoula said. "Incremental measures are no longer effective. This is the time for scaling up all different responses to control the situation on the ground."

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said Wednesday that Ebola in the DRC "remains extremely serious and continues to spread." "Despite the considerable efforts of the (DRC) government and partners, we are not yet where we need to be," said Kaseya.

With no approved vaccine or treatment specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus, the cause of the current outbreak, the international community is turning to experimental and repurposed medical tools.

As for vaccines, the Ervebo vaccine, the licensed shot against the Zaire ebolavirus, is currently being evaluated for cross-protection against the current Bundibugyo strain through an effectiveness study in the field.

Meanwhile, under protocol-governed compassionate use, which allows the use of unapproved or partially studied vaccines in an outbreak setting, vaccinations for frontline healthcare workers and at-risk populations began on Aug. 27.

As of Sept. 1, a total of 1,124 healthcare workers and frontline workers had been vaccinated, said Mankoula.

"So we think that very soon we'll be able to provide more detail and a precise answer regarding the level of cross-protection using the Ervebo vaccine," said Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Africa CDC's director for research, clinical trials and innovation at the briefing, noting that Ervebo's efficacy against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus has not been demonstrated yet. 

About 40 Killed by Suspected Toxic Fumes in Nigeria

Source: Xinhua| 2026-09-03 23:23:30|Editor: huaxia

ABUJA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- About 40 people were killed early Thursday after inhaling suspected toxic chemical fumes from a petroleum product in Nigeria's oil-rich Rivers State, local authorities said.

Blessing Agabe, spokesperson for the Rivers State police, told Xinhua by telephone that the incident occurred near a crude oil processing site in the Okrika Local Government Area, where the victims were suspected to have been exposed to high concentrations of hazardous gas.

The police, as well as local health and emergency authorities, have launched an investigation into the incident, while some victims were sent to a nearby hospital for treatment, Agabe said.

Citing community sources, The Nation Newspaper, a national daily in Nigeria, reported that about 200 young people arrived by locally made boats to load petroleum products from an illegally tapped point on a vessel anchored at the Okari jetty along the riverside early Thursday. During the loading, the pungent fumes from the product filled the air and choked the victims.

At least 37 bodies, identified as Okrika residents, were recovered from the scene, while many others remained missing, the newspaper reported, citing local sources.

6 Criminals Killed, Police Officer Injured in Egyptian Security Raids

Source: Xinhua| 2026-09-03 23:11:30|Editor: huaxia

CAIRO, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Six highly dangerous criminals were killed, and one police officer was injured during security raids in the Upper Egyptian governorates of Sohag and Aswan, Egypt's Interior Ministry said Thursday.

The six killed had been convicted in cases involving murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, possession of unlicensed weapons, and armed robbery, the ministry said in a statement.

Investigations found that criminal groups involving these individuals were trafficking quantities of drugs and unlicensed firearms, according to the ministry.

Following legal procedures, security forces targeted the groups in Sohag and Aswan, killing six and arresting the remaining members, the statement said.

Police seized nearly 850 kg of narcotics, about 4,000 narcotic and psychotropic pills, and 118 firearms of various types, estimated to be worth more than 128 million Egyptian pounds (about 2.5 million U.S. dollars), the ministry said.

Somalia Fighting Breaks Out on Outskirts of Baidoa

Somalia

Africa News

Fighting broke out in Baidoa early Thursday between Somali government forces and militia loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

Heavy gunfire rung out, with residents fleeing some neighbourhoods as a result. One doctor at the Bay Regional Hospital told journalists that his hospital received 24 people who were injured in the fighting, as well as one civilian who died.

According to Somalia’s defense ministry, its forces were responding to an attack on their positions by militias loyal to Laftagareen as well as Al-Shabab fighters.

It’s the latest episode in a political and security dispute between Somalia’s federal government and Laftagareen’s allies over control of South West State.

Late March, federal forces took control of Baidoa, after which Laftagareen stepped down. Baidoa is some 245 kilometres northwest of the capital Mogadishu; it hosts many people driven from their homes by conflict and drought.

Senegal Mother Turns Grief into a Fight for Missing Migrants

By AFP

After her 19-year-old son disappeared while attempting to cross the Atlantic to Europe, Aminata Boye turned her grief into a mission to help other families facing the same loss.

In Mbour’s Tefees neighbourhood, where many families have lost relatives to irregular migration, Boye helps search for missing migrants and supports their relatives.

Aminata Boye, President, Collective of Victims of Irregular Emigration in Senegal: "That’s how I drew on my own experience to understand research methods and track down those who had taken the boats. I got in touch with the Red Cross so they could help me with the investigations."

Boye founded the Collective of Victims of Irregular Migration in Senegal in 2020. The group now supports more than a hundred women, while working with organisations including the Red Cross to trace missing migrants.

Aminata Boye: "Young people don’t go to sea to kill themselves, nor to jeopardise their future. They want to earn a living and support their families."

For families like Ndeye Ndiaye’s, Boye has become a lifeline after the disappearance of her daughter.

"It’s thanks to Aminata that I’m still here talking to you, because I had almost lost my mind."

Boye says governments must do more to give young people opportunities at home and allow safer, legal routes to travel.

Cairo Hails Visit by China's Xi Jinping as Boost to Global Stability

Chinese President Xi Jinping, with his wife Peng Liyuan, is welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and his wife Entissar Amer, Cairo, Egypt, Sep. 1, 2026

World News

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's state visit to Cairo this week has been hailed as a much-needed boost to bilateral relations by Egyptian officials.

The two-day trip saw Xi and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi mark 70 years of diplomatic ties.

"Two countries that have many bonds through civilization dialogue and relations that exist between two civilizations, comprehensively add to the value of the principles of co-existence, non-interference in general, and enhancing international law and world order," Mohamed Hegazy, a former assistant to Egypt's Foreign Minister, said after the visit.

During the two-day trip, Xi and El-Sisi witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements.

But analysts say Xi's real mission was to present China as a stabilising force in the region, in contrast to the United States.

"Today, China is playing a very important role in introducing initiatives and ideas that bring us together in a time -- unprecedented time of disarray and war and conflicts," Hegazy said.

"China brings wisdom to the international relations through the many initiatives that have been announced."

Egypt has long been a key regional ally for the US. But Washington is at risk of losing ground to China as Beijing continues to build up its soft power.

Trade between Egypt and China is estimated at some $20 billion dollars a year. Trade between the US and Egypt was $15.7 billion in 2025.

Sao Tomé: Open-air Tchiloli Theatre Continues to Thrive

São Tomé and Príncipe

Sporting a range of outfits accessorised with beards, wigs and hats, actors on Sao Tomé perform a medieval European tragedy on the island off Africa's west coast. Brought to the archipelago nation more than 500 years ago by Portuguese colonialists, the tradition of open-air Tchiloli theatre continues to prove popular with residents and tourists to this day.

One of the troop's members believes its popularity comes from its championing of justice.

Marc Carvalho has been in the troop for 35 years, and says, "people love this culture because it speaks about something very real: justice. Justice does not distinguish between rich and poor. Whether one is poor or rich, man or woman, there must be justice. That’s exactly it."

The play's script is in Old Portuguese; it draws from the legends linked to the Carolingian dynasty, which ruled over the majority of western Europe from the eighth to the 10th centuries AD.

Spectators say the themes continue to resonate, which is what has preserved the tradition for so long.

"It conveys a very important message. Basically, it says that justice is something that, how shall I put it, concerns both the poor and the rich. No matter the religion, no matter the social class. In other words, wealth, that sort of thing. Everything has to be fair. Whoever sows evil reaps evil," says Maribel Borja.

It's intense work, with the troop spending several hours performing at a time. But member Jardel Moniz Fernandez says he finds it energising and hopes to one day include his children in the group.

"I have two children, and soon I’ll start teaching my oldest to play the character of Kata, a young boy who, in the play, has to deliver a letter. I’ll start getting him ready now so that he can also be part of the group," he says.

Open-air Tchiloli theatre is now a UNESCO-listed tradition

Former Zambian Minister Killed in Post-election Security Raid

At 49, Mutotwe Kafwaya served as a minister under the Patriotic Front government from 2016 to 2021 before joining the opposition.

By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies

Africa News

20/08 - 16:49

Zambia

A former Zambian cabinet minister was shot dead during a security operation at the home of opposition leader Brian Mundubile, police said Wednesday, days after President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term amid opposition claims of irregularities and intimidation.

Police said Mutotwe Kafwaya, 49, was killed during a joint security operation at Mundubile’s residence, a day after the August 13 presidential election.

According to police, security forces encountered gunfire and resistance from unidentified individuals during the raid and returned fire. An unidentified man was fatally wounded and a firearm was recovered.

Authorities later confirmed the dead man was Kafwaya, a former cabinet minister and opposition parliamentarian.

Raid followed election

The operation came after the election, which gave President Hakainde Hichilema about 60 percent of the vote, according to the electoral commission.

The government said the raid was aimed at dismantling a suspected militia that posed "a serious threat to State security". Eleven people were arrested during the operation, including three former commandos described by police as having extensive military experience.

Mundubile, who finished second with around 38 percent, said the operation took place at his home. He said Kafwaya had been struck by gunfire and that he was initially unable to establish what had happened to him.

Opposition rejects militia claims

Mundubile has rejected allegations that his alliance was involved in insurgency or militia activity.

He said those detained included members of his security team and opposition figures. After the raid, the opposition leader went into hiding.

The death of Kafwaya followed growing demands from his family for authorities to provide information about his whereabouts and condition.

Election result faces legal challenge

Mundubile said his campaign had identified "serious irregularities" during the election and intends to challenge the results in court.

International observers have also raised concerns about the conduct of the vote, citing opposition allegations of intimidation, arrests, abductions and violence.

Kafwaya served as a minister under the Patriotic Front government between 2016 and 2021 before becoming an opposition lawmaker during Hichilema’s first term.

UN urges respect for rights

The raid and subsequent death have drawn renewed scrutiny of the government's handling of opposition activity following the election.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called on the authorities to stop arbitrary arrests and fully respect the due process rights of detainees.

The incident adds to tensions in the aftermath of the vote, with questions remaining over the circumstances of Kafwaya’s death, the people arrested during the operation and the opposition’s planned legal challenge to the election result.

Kenya Standard Group Editor Alex Kiprotich Found Safe After Being Abducted By Armed Men

Standard Group Editor Alex Kiprotich

2 September 2026

Capital FM (Nairobi)

By Correspondent

Nairobi — Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich has been found safe after spending about nine hours in the hands of his alleged abductors.

Kiprotich was found dumped near Masinga Dam after he was allegedly seized by armed men along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road on Tuesday night.

"His recovery comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of journalists in Kenya."Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich found safe, dumped near Masinga Dam nine hours after he was abducted along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road by armed men," read a statement by the Standard Group.

The Standard Group had described the incident as a possible targeted attack, noting that Kiprotich had been involved in editorial coverage scrutinising the conduct of the State.

The company had also linked the latest incident to a June 27 attempt to seize Kiprotich in Nakuru.

It said investigations into the June incident traced the vehicle used by the alleged attackers to the National Police Service's Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, but no one had been held accountable.

With Kiprotich now safe, attention is likely to shift to establishing who abducted him, where he was taken and the motive behind the incident.

The Standard Group has called for a transparent and independent investigation into both incidents and guarantees for the safety of journalists.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Schools Reopen in Congo’s Ebola Epicenter Despite Concerns from Parents and Teachers

By CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA

9:14 PM EDT, September 1, 2026

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — A new academic year began Tuesday across Congo despite concerns by parents and teachers that the ongoing Ebola outbreak poses risks to children in the epicenter.

The resumption of classes comes in the middle of the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease ever, with 2,950 people killed among the 6,100 cases confirmed so far since mid-May.

The union representing teachers in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak, had called for a delay in restarting classes, but the government pressed ahead. UNICEF said it is supporting the authorities to prevent transmissions in schools.

Some schools in Ituri, especially those owned by the government, recorded low turnouts. Authorities in Ituri did not respond to a request for comment on measures to ensure a lack of transmission in classrooms.

Aimerance Vahweka, a parent in the Bunia, the capital of Ituri, said the school restart came as a surprise and she is keeping her child at home for now.

“I do not really see an increase in prevention measures,” she said.

Other education officials said they are equipping schools with noncontact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers and hand-washing basins.

“We also raise student awareness about adhering to hygiene protocols, particularly regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer,” said Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher in a Bunia private school.

Experts say major challenges still remain, as many schools lack access to clean water and funding remains below target.

“There are also significant logistical challenges, particularly in remote areas, where the delivery of equipment and learning materials may be delayed,” said Greg Ramm, director for Save the Children in Congo.

Children aged 4 and below have the highest case-fatality rate of any age group in the outbreak at 60%, according to available health data.

“The priority is both to protect the health of students, teachers, and communities, and to preserve, as much as possible, children’s right to learn,” Dounia Dekhili, UNICEF Emergency coordinator in DRC, said.

The latest outbreak, which is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, has spread to more than 60 health zones. Authorities believe it had been spreading undetected among communities since at least February. The World Health Organization said the outbreak is on track to beat the West Africa’s regional outbreak between 2014 and 2016.

Health workers in affected provinces have gone on several strikes to protest delays in payments, which has affected the response to the deadly outbreak.

Efforts to contain the disease have been hampered by a lack of an approved vaccine or treatment. Congolese authorities had started distributing thousands of Ervebo vaccine, which the WHO said might provide some protection.

Conflict between the government and rebel groups in the eastern region, attacks on health workers and an intense population movement also have worsened the outbreak.