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US defense chief to visit Germany to host Ukraine meeting

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 US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel Thursday to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany to host the Ukrainian defense contact group on Sept. 6, the Pentagon said Tuesday. “The Secretary and chairman (US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown) will join ministers of defense and senior military officials from nearly 50 nations to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the continued close coordination by the international community to deliver to Ukraine the support it needs to defend itself,” spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. It will be the 24th meeting of the Ukraine defense contact group since Austin formed the international body in April 2022, he said. Austin will have a chance to meet Ukrainian and international partners later this week at Ramstein, where the US will be “very focused” on Ukraine’s security assistance needs. “In terms of any changes to our policy, I’m not going to have anything to provide again. There has been no changes. And as it relates to potential Ukrainian operations, I’m just not going to speculate or talk about potential future ops,” said Ryder. The US remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and to protect its sovereign territory, as well as build its ability to deter against Russia, he reiterated. The Pentagon recently announced its latest package of security assistance for Ukraine at up to $125 million. It included key weapons and ammunition to meet Ukraine’s most urgent needs, including air-defense capabilities.

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China urges African countries to unite ‘Global South’

Africa /

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on African leaders to unite the “Global South” in advocating for international equity and justice amid major global changes. In meetings with African leaders attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, Xi stressed the importance of solidarity among developing nations. Xi highlighted new partnerships, including a “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership” with South Africa and proposed three types of collaboration with Kenya: mutual trust, win-win cooperation, and strategic alignment on international and regional issues. With Comoros, Xi emphasized cooperation as a model of equality and solidarity, offering support to combat poverty and utilize the country’s geographical advantages. He also invited Seychelles to join the China-Indian Ocean Development Cooperation Forum and urged faster sustainable use of marine resources. Regarding Eritrea, Xi proposed enhanced cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, noting shared views on international matters. In discussions with Guinea, Xi highlighted FOCAC’s role in boosting practical cooperation and supporting Guinea’s development. With Chad, Xi supported the country’s sovereignty and security, while Chad reaffirmed its adherence to the “One China” policy. In his meeting with Malawi, Xi discussed leveraging opportunities from China’s modernization and increasing cooperation in various fields. Xi reiterated Africa’s crucial role as a global power and China’s diplomatic focus, advocating for a multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization. The FOCAC’s ninth summit will take place in Beijing from September 4-6, with leaders from over 50 countries attending. Eswatini will not participate due to its diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

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161 Nigerian students denied entry at UK border

Africa /

Between 2021 and 2023, 1,425 international students were denied entry to the UK at airports. Among them were 161 Nigerians, as revealed by UK Home Office data obtained via the Freedom of Information Act. Indian students were the most affected, representing 45% of those turned away, with 644 removals. Nigerians made up 11.3%, while students from Ghana and Bangladesh accounted for 6.46% and 6.32%, respectively. The data, covering October 2021 to October 2023, only reflects students refused entry at the border and does not include those deported for visa violations. The Home Office did not provide specific reasons for these removals, but sources indicate issues such as failing to convince Border Force officers, presenting forged documents, or language barriers. Immigration lawyer Dele Olawanle criticized the practice, arguing that Border Force officers have overstepped by questioning students about their academic courses, which sometimes leads to visa cancellations. Data analyst Nelly Okechukwu recounted a similar experience, where he was questioned about his studies despite having graduated years earlier.

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Namibia culls 700 wild animals amid drought crisis

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In response to the severe drought, Namibia has begun culling 700 wild animals in its national parks. This drastic measure aims to alleviate food insecurity by providing meat to vulnerable populations and ensuring better water reserves in the parks. The decision, which includes targeting species like hippos, buffaloes, and elephants, has sparked controversy. While the government views it as essential, animal protection groups have protested and launched petitions against the culling. Namibia, which declared a state of emergency last May due to the drought impacting southern Africa, is grappling with acute food shortages affecting approximately 1.4 million people, nearly half of its population.

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Thousands protest in Israel to demand hostage swap deal with Hamas

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in Thousands of demonstrators protested Tuesday in cities across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, to demand a hostage exchange deal with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. Protesters blocked Begin Road in Tel Aviv and chanted slogans: “Whoever abandoned them (the hostages) should bring them back,” and “Netanyahu abandoned them and is unfit to govern,” as well as “We want them alive, not in coffins.”  Fighting broke out between police and protesters on Begin Road, with police arresting several demonstrators, the newspaper reported. Another large demonstration took place in Rehovot, near Tel Aviv, where about 1,000 people gathered to support the family of Nimrod Cohen, a soldier held captive in the Gaza Strip. Protesters demanded his release. hundreds in Herzliya gathered near the home of Knesset member Yuli Edelstein, who chairs the Knesset’s Security and Defense Committee. Protesters also gathered at the Ra’anana Junction on Route 4, where drivers stopped to show solidarity, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. The protests escalated following the Israeli army’s announcement about the recovery of six dead captives from Gaza. Israel saw mass protests blaming the government for not bringing them home alive through a prisoner swap deal with Palestinian factions. Israel estimates that more than 100 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza, some of whom are believed to have been already killed. The US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying for month to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and a cease-fire deal and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. But mediation efforts have been stalled due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’s demands to stop the war. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza following an attack on Oct. 7 by Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. The onslaught has resulted in more than 40,800 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and nearly 94,300 injuries, according to local health authorities. An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins. Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

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Charley, South Africa’s last captive elephant, begins new life

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Charley, the last captive elephant in South Africa, has begun a new chapter in a private game reserve after 40 years in captivity. Dr. Amir Khalil and his team, renowned for their expertise in elephant relocation, undertook the task of moving Charley. Khalil, known for the successful rescue of Kaavan, the “world’s loneliest elephant,” from a Pakistan zoo to a sanctuary in Cambodia in 2020, was well-suited for this challenge. Charley, a four-ton African elephant, had lived alone at a Pretoria zoo for over two decades, following the death of his companion Landa in 2020. The decision was made to move him to a private game reserve about 200 kilometers away, where he might find new companions. The relocation process was intricate. Instead of tranquilizing Charley, which could be harmful, Khalil and his team used a training approach to coax him into a large transport container. Over the course of two years, Charley was gradually introduced to the container using food rewards, such as pumpkins and papaya. Remarkably, he adapted quickly and entered the container in less than two weeks. After an extensive road trip, Charley arrived at the Shambala private game reserve in late August. Initially, he will be kept in a separate area to acclimate to his new environment before potentially joining the reserve’s wild elephant herds. Khalil and his team, including Dr. Marina Ivanova and Dr. Frank Göritz, who also worked on Kaavan’s relocation, praised the Pretoria zoo and South Africa’s environment ministry for their support in this rare and significant reintroduction of a captive elephant to a more natural setting.

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Putin arrives in ICC member Mongolia despite arrest warrant

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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived on Monday in Mongolia, his first visit to a country that is member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest in March 2023. “Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on an official visit at the invitation of President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, to attend celebrations of the 85th anniversary of the joint victory of the Soviet and Mongolian armed forces over the Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River,” the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin’s visit will last two days, and on Tuesday several bilateral meetings are scheduled, including with Khurelsukh, as well as signing some documents and laying flowers at the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov. “During their talks, the two leaders will discuss prospects for further developing Russian-Mongolian relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and will exchange views on current international and regional issues,” the Kremlin said. Mongolian authorities have shown no intention of arresting the Russian leader on the ICC warrant, and instead organized a welcome ceremony. Putin was greeted by a guard of honor at the Ulaanbaatar Airport in the capital. Putin is also expected to hold talks with Mongolia’s parliament speaker Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene. On March 17, 2023, the ICC in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin at the request of prosecutor Karim Khan. The Hague-based tribunal accused Putin of the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine after the launch of the “special military operation” in February 2022. Russia denies allegations, insisting that children were evacuated from the battle zone to save their lives, and that the warrant is not applicable as the country is not an ICC member state.

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A UN-sanctioned Libyan human trafficker has been killed in Tripoli

Africa /

One of Libya’s most wanted human traffickers, Abdel-Rahman Milad, was killed on Sunday in Tripoli, according to Libyan officials. Milad, a former coast guard commander in Zawiya and a UN-sanctioned individual, was shot by unknown assailants while in his vehicle in the Sayyad area. The details surrounding his death remain unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. Libyan media reported bullet marks on Milad’s white Toyota Land Cruiser. Libyan officials, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, have not commented on the incident, and the Tripoli-based government has yet to issue a statement. Milad’s death has sparked calls for an investigation, including from militia leader Moammar Dhawi, who expressed condolences and urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable. Libya has faced instability and division since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, becoming a major route for migrants from Africa and the Middle East attempting to reach Europe. In June 2018, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Milad and other leaders linked to migrant trafficking. Despite his denial of involvement in human smuggling, Milad had previously been jailed on related charges.

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Ghana to raise cocoa farmgate price

Africa /

Ghana’s cocoa regulator is considering a nearly 45% increase in the state-guaranteed price for cocoa farmers for the 2024/25 crop season, according to Reuters on September 2. If implemented, this would mark the second consecutive price hike. Earlier this year, Ghana raised the farmgate price by 58% to 33,120 Ghana cedis (approximately 2,499 U.S. dollars) per ton, following Côte d’Ivoire’s lead. This adjustment aims to improve farmers’ incomes and curb cocoa bean smuggling. The Ghana Civil Society platform has urged the regulator to set the minimum farmgate price for the 2024/25 season at 3,662 U.S. dollars per ton. The government announces new cocoa prices each September, which apply from the start of the cocoa season in September until August of the following year. This year’s price surge is attributed to increased demand and challenges with cocoa crops in West Africa, including plant diseases and weather-related issues.

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Africa has almost 4,000 new mpox cases in a week

Africa /

Africa is experiencing a sharp rise in mpox cases, with nearly 4,000 reported in the past week, according to the continent’s public health body. Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), shared this update during an online briefing on Tuesday. In the past week, Africa reported 81 mpox-related deaths, bringing the totals to 22,863 cases and 622 deaths. Despite promises of 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines from Western partners like the European Union and the United States, this amounts to less than 15% of what is needed to control the outbreaks, particularly in Congo, the epicenter of the global health emergency. The first batch of promised vaccines for Congo, including 50,000 doses from the U.S. and 15,000 from the GAVI vaccines alliance, is now expected to arrive on September 1 after delays related to documentation and emergency authorization. Congo has also requested at least 2 million additional doses from Japan, with negotiations reportedly advanced. The new mpox variant, first identified in Congo, is causing significant community transmission elsewhere, including nearly 800 cases in neighboring Burundi over the last month. The U.S. has donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria, marking the first known donation to Africa since the current outbreaks began. Nigeria has recorded 40 mpox cases this year. The Africa CDC is developing a unified response plan for the outbreaks, which will be presented to African heads of state in September. Meanwhile, health measures and hygiene practices are being promoted across Africa to slow the virus’s spread, though enforcing these measures is challenging in Congo’s displaced camps amidst ongoing humanitarian crises.

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