Speaking to Adom News, he said the inclusion of the Ghana flag in the widely viewed video presents a unique opportunity to showcase Ghana to millions of people worldwide and strengthen the country’s tourism drive.

“This is a great opportunity for Ghana. The visibility the country is receiving through IShowSpeed’s platform will contribute significantly to promoting Ghana and attracting more visitors,” he said.

According to him, the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, together with the Ministry of Tourism, is working to market Ghana internationally, and such exposure from global influencers complements those efforts.

His comments follow the release of IShowSpeed’s World Cup song and video, which prominently features the Ghana flag.

Abeiku Santana noted that since his visit to Ghana, IShowSpeed has continued to project a positive image of the country to his global audience.

“IShowSpeed has mentioned Ghana on several occasions since his visit. He even refers to himself as Barima Akufo, the Ghanaian name given to him. That shows the connection he has built with Ghana. He received a Ghanaian name and a Ghanaian passport during his visit, and he continues to promote the country wherever he goes,” he stated.

The GTA Deputy CEO also highlighted several initiatives introduced by the Ghana Tourism Authority to enhance tourism promotion, including the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS), the Ghana Tourism Marketplace, and the Ghana Tourism Development Company.

He further commended President Mahama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for efforts to position Ghana as a preferred destination for tourists and investors.

Touching on football, he urged Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars as preparations continue for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

“We must all support the Black Stars. Awareness and sensitisation campaigns are already ongoing, and we are confident Ghanaians will unite behind the national team,” he said.

He disclosed that a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Empowerment, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Office of the President has been set up to coordinate activities ahead of the tournament.

He added that Ghana plans to use the World Cup as a platform to showcase its culture and heritage globally, including food, music, dance, Kente, African prints, and other unique traditions.

“The World Cup is not only about football; it is also an opportunity to promote Ghana and everything that makes us special,” he added.

He encouraged Ghanaians to wear national jerseys and support the Black Stars as the country prepares for the tournament.

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In a post shared after the meeting, Mr Ablakwa said it was a privilege to co-chair the event alongside South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun.

“It has been an honour co-chairing the 2026 Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with my distinguished colleague host Foreign Minister, H.E. Cho Hyun in South Korea.”

According to him, Africa and South Korea share a common colonial history and are committed to building a stronger partnership focused on economic transformation and opportunities for their citizens.

“Africa and the Republic of Korea have a shared colonial history and are determined to forge a new mutually beneficial partnership which transforms nations and creates opportunities for the people we serve.”

Mr Ablakwa noted that African leaders are increasingly prioritising value addition, industrialisation, job creation and improved returns from trade and investment engagements.

“Africa’s new leaders insist on value addition, industrialization, job creation for the world’s youngest population and better returns on transactions. These are terms South Korea is happy to collaborate with Africa to achieve leveraging its reputation as a technology and manufacturing powerhouse.”

He further outlined ongoing bilateral cooperation between Ghana and South Korea in sectors including energy, agriculture, maritime affairs, education, shipbuilding, roads and healthcare.

“Ghana and South Korea have significant bilateral projects in the energy, agriculture, maritime, education, ship manufacturing, roads and health sectors.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister also announced several major initiatives expected to be rolled out this year.

“This year, our two countries will open a new university in Ghana; establish a West Africa Hyundai Automotive Manufacturing Plant in Ghana and launch new solar irrigation systems.”

He added that both countries had agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy and critical minerals.

“Additionally, we agreed to have collaboration in AI and new partnerships for energy and critical minerals.”

On travel and diplomatic relations, Mr Ablakwa revealed that discussions on a visa waiver agreement are advancing positively.

“Ghana and South Korea’s Visa Waiver Negotiations intended to cover all categories of passports are progressing very well with diplomatic and service passport holders already secured yesterday.”

The minister also used the platform to commend South Korea for supporting a Ghana-led United Nations resolution on the transatlantic slave trade.

“During my address, I commended South Korea for supporting the Ghana-led landmark UN resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.”

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the future of relations between the two countries as they prepare to mark a major diplomatic milestone.

“We look forward to commemorating 50 years of formal diplomatic relations next year.”

Mr Ablakwa concluded by reaffirming his commitment to stronger Africa-Korea relations.

“Long live this impactful and trusted Africa-Korea relations.”

“I don’t want so-called ‘artists’ that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “I only want to be surrounded by happy people, smart people, successful people and people who know how to win.”

The president instructed his “representatives” to look into making him the featured attraction of a planned 16-day “Great American State Fair” celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., later this month.

While it’s unclear whether the musicians will, in fact, be replaced by what Trump has called a “giant Make America Great Again Rally”, it would only be the latest, most pointed illustration of how the president has inserted himself directly into America’s Independence Day celebrations.

Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has frequently reflected on how his four-year break from the presidency means that he is now serving a second term during historic national events – including this year’s World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

The last of these, with its red-white-and-blue pageantry dripping with patriotic pride, seems to be of particular interest to the president.

While the US Congress established an “America 250” commission to oversee the celebrations a decade ago, Trump-backed groups formed a competing, privately funded “Freedom 250” committee to host their own events.

The current list includes the state fair on the National Mall, a UFC fight at the White House, a physical fitness competition in Orlando, Florida, an August Grand Prix race through the streets of Washington and what Trump is billing as the world’s largest fireworks display on the Fourth of July.

The president frequently boasts of these events on social media, including through AI-generated images of him waving a green flag to kick off the street race and standing in front of an octagon fighting ring by the White House, flanked by lightning.

America 250, by contrast, is decidedly smaller, sponsoring art exhibits and coordinated “block parties” across the country.

Trump also focused on “beautification” projects around Washington in preparation for months of events.

Fountains in Sheridan Circle, Meridian Park and Columbus Circle – among more than a dozen others – have been repaired. Lafayette Park, across from the White House, is currently closed for significant renovations.

A contractor is resurfacing the reflecting pool that stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument – albeit with some concern over funding and the methods used.

Four bronze horse statues that stand near Memorial Bridge are set to be coated with 23.75 karat gold leaf. Crews have repaved streets in downtown Washington and repainted lamp posts.

In talking about the renovations, Trump has at times sounded more like a municipal official than the leader of a global superpower – for example, devoting more than 20 minutes to the improvements during last week’s Cabinet meeting.

“I love construction,” the president, who spent much of his adult life as a real-estate developer, said. “DC is looking beautiful.”

Last month, the US Commission of Fine Arts also approved the construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial – although the project requires further approval and faces legal challenges from critics.

Independence Day celebration efforts have spanned Trump’s administration, as top aides and advisers have taken steps to directly tie the current president to the festivities.

In March, the US Treasury approved a commemorative gold coin featuring Trump standing at a desk. Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that his department was also working on a special $250 note with Trump’s face – although putting a living president on currency would require congressional approval.

That latest move prompted sharp condemnations from Democrats, who appear united in their opposition.

“Get over yourself,” Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, wrote on X. “The upcoming July 4th anniversary is not about a wannabe king. It is about celebrating the American journey.”

Trump and his officials deride such criticism as unpatriotic and claim the administration’s efforts befit a momentous occasion.

The result, however, is a celebration that, instead of being a unifying event, has become yet another partisan battleground, as Trump presides over a nation as sharply divided as ever.

The almost 50 U.S. embassies and consulates that are processing visa applications will be reduced to 20 in the coming weeks, according to three U.S. officials and an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. There is not yet a set date for the change, but it is expected in June, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on issuing both immigrant and non-immigrant visas as part of its broader aim to limit immigration to the U.S. and clamp down on those who travel on temporary visas but then overstay them. The administration also has scaled back personnel at embassies and consulates around the world.

On a conference call last Friday, U.S. diplomats, including consular chiefs, were told the U.S. would be scaling back its visa services across Africa, according to one of the officials who was on the call.

Under a directive approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, the State Department will reduce consular operations in all but 20 “hubs” in Africa, according to the officials and the memo.

Visa processing in Africa has already been affected by a travel ban on certain countries as well as a requirement for applicants to post up to $15,000 bond in order to apply and more recently by restrictions caused by the Ebola outbreak.

The new rules mean that a citizen of a non-hub country will have to travel to one of the 20 approved sites, which could pose formidable travel challenges and costs.

Consular sections in non-hub countries will stay open but be limited in the services they can offer. They will still be able to assist American citizens with passport renewals and emergency consular requests as well as special national interest cases and diplomatic visa applications.

The State Department did not address the specific issues in the memo but said it “is constantly evaluating its overseas operations in order to deploy taxpayer resources in a way that advances America’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

It said this “includes a visa process that maintains rigorous standards of security screening and vetting and aligns resources and operational capacity with America’s national interests.”

According to the memo, the 20 hubs to remain open for all processing are: Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Accra, Ghana; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Cape Town, South Africa; Dakar, Senegal; Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania; Djibouti, Djibouti; Johannesburg, South Africa; Kampala, Uganda; Kigali, Rwanda; Kinshasa, Congo; Lagos, Nigeria; Lome, Togo; Luanda, Angola; Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Monrovia, Liberia; Nairobi, Kenya; Port Louis, Mauritius; Praia, Cape Verde; and Yaounde, Cameroon.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Thursday at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, about 120km north-west of the capital, Nairobi, destroyed the upper floor of a dormitory that housed 135 bunk beds.

Following interviews with students and staff, as well as a forensic review of CCTV footage, the National Police Service said eight pupils were identified as “persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution” of the fire.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

Police said the students were detained for questioning after being traced to their homes and brought back to the school, while others who had remained in the area were also picked up for questioning. The eight were among 30 students initially recalled by detectives probing the deadly incident.

On the aftermath of the fire, Education Minister Julius Ogamba said preliminary findings pointed to multiple breaches of safety regulations at the school, including overcrowded dormitories and a locked exit door.

“In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory and one exit door was locked, contrary to the prescribed safety requirements,” he said.

He has since dissolved the school’s board of management and ordered action against the headteacher, adding that appropriate disciplinary and legal measures would be taken against anyone found culpable.

As investigators continued their work at the site, distraught parents and relatives searching for their loved ones were seen in tears. Security has been heightened around the school as growing crowds demand answers and accountability.

“I arrived at the school at 07:00, and three hours later I still don’t have any information,” Njuki Nthimba, who is looking for his niece, told the BBC on Friday morning.

“Some officers came from the school and asked the parents to group themselves into three categories. Group one is for parents whose children have been arrested in relation to the incident, group two is for parents whose children died, and group three is for parents who do not know where their children are.

“I handed them my niece’s name, and I am now waiting to be told information about her.”

Samuel Githua, who went to the school in search of his sister, also expressed distress over the uncertainty surrounding her whereabouts.

“I don’t know where my sister is. We’ve been told some children are in hospital, some in the mortuary… Our mother died when we were young, so I took care of her like both a father and a mother. She has been like my child,” he said.

As well as the fatalities, the fire resulted in injuries to 79 pupils – some as a consequence of jumping from the first floor.

Seven of those injured were transferred to Nairobi on Thursday for specialised medical care, while the rest have been treated and discharged.

The bodies of those who died have been taken to the nearby mortuary for preservation and DNA identification.

Kenya has had a long history of school fires – just two years ago at least 21 people died in a dormitory fire in central Kenya.

Many fires reported in boarding schools have been the result of arson, with disgruntled pupils – angry about the discipline and living conditions – accused of being responsible, while others were caused by accident.

Overcrowding in dormitories and the failure to follow safety guidelines, such as keeping exits clear and windows unlocked, have frequently been blamed for the high number of casualties.

According to a statement issued on June 1, 2026, the suspension takes effect from June 2, 2026.

The High Commission explained that the decision is intended to allow officials to process and screen the large number of applications already received under the programme.

It noted that more than 1,500 Ghanaians have so far registered, with verification and processing currently underway.

The Commission stressed that the temporary suspension does not signal the end of the repatriation exercise.

It assured applicants yet to register that another registration phase will be announced in due course.

“The date of the next phase for new registration will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.

It further indicated that the suspension will enable the Commission and relevant Home Affairs authorities to effectively manage submitted applications and ensure a smooth process.

The High Commission expressed appreciation to members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa for their cooperation, patience, and understanding throughout the exercise.

The voluntary repatriation programme was introduced to assist Ghanaians in South Africa who wish to return home, with authorities working to facilitate an orderly and structured process.

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He said the French Navy boarded the Tagor, which maritime authorities said had been flying a false flag when it was detained around 400 nautical miles west of Brittany in international waters.

“It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than four years,” Macron wrote on X.

The Kremlin said the “illegal” seizure was “bordering on international piracy”.

“Russia is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Moscow has been operating a so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers with obscure ownership structures to evade international sanctions imposed on its oil exports since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

It is the fourth such ship that France has boarded since September 2025.

Macron said the operation had been undertaken “in strict compliance with the law of the sea”.

“These vessels, which fail to adhere to the most basic rules of maritime navigation, also pose a threat to the environment and to everyone’s safety,” he said.

In a video shared by the French president, armed naval officers could be seen boarding the tanker via a helicopter. The BBC has not verified the footage.

Previously, French authorities had allowed these ships to continue operating after their owners paid fines but have since vowed to block them.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in March he similarly had granted permission for the UK military to board sanctioned Russian ships.

But almost 200 Russian “shadow fleet” vessels had entered UK waters as of 11 May since the prime minister threatened to intercept them in mid-March, BBC Verify analysis suggests.

The Ministry of Defence said at the time it was “disrupting and deterring” shadow fleet vessels, without providing specific details.

Speaking at the opening of the Ghana-UK Investment Summit, he said Ghana offers entry into the ECOWAS market of over 425 million people and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which represents more than 1.4 billion consumers.

He added that Ghana’s stable democratic system, predictable governance, and strong institutions make it an attractive investment destination.

“Our greatest competitive advantage is our people,” he said.

He further highlighted ongoing reforms to improve investment protection and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.

The President encouraged investors to take advantage of Ghana’s position as a regional trade hub.

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Benjamin Netanyahu said “terrorist targets” in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh would be struck in response to attacks on Israeli civilians and other violations of a US-brokered ceasefire announced in April that has failed to end the fighting.

A senior Lebanese government official told the BBC that it was relying on US mediation efforts to pressure Israel to end its own violations and prevent further civilian casualties.

On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

According to a US official, he proposed that, as a first step, Lebanese officials should pressure Hezbollah to stop its attacks on Israel and that, in return, Israel would refrain from escalation in Beirut.

The official said this would create space for gradual de-escalation and an effective cessation of hostilities.

It came after Israeli troops occupying southern Lebanon crossed the Litani river to seize the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle that sits on top of a strategically important ridge.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said their campaign was “not over” and that they were “determined to crush Hezbollah’s power”.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel on Saturday of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy and collective punishment”.

Lebanon was drawn into the war between the US, Israel and Iran on 2 March, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with an air campaign across Lebanon and a ground invasion.

At least 3,371 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the war, according to the country’s health ministry. Its figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Israel says 24 of its soldiers and four Israeli civilians have been killed over the same period on both sides of the border.

Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting in London on Sunday during his official visit to the United Kingdom, President Mahama said Africa’s transformation depends on deeper collaboration among nations and a renewed commitment to unity.

He noted that Ghana has consistently championed the cause of African integration and continues to support initiatives aimed at strengthening economic ties across the continent.

President Mahama highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key vehicle for boosting intra-African trade, attracting investment and removing barriers to the movement of people, goods and services.

“We have always pushed for Africa’s unity, so it is sad to see some of the things that are happening on the continent. There is no way that any African country can achieve the kind of progress that it needs without working with other countries; we cannot achieve it in isolation,” he said.

He added that the AfCFTA was designed to create opportunities for Africans to invest across borders and move freely within the continent.

“And that is why we passed the African Continental Free Trade Area, so that our people can invest and our people can move freely. Ghana is ushering this,” he stated.

The President also touted Ghana’s visa-free policy for holders of African passports, describing it as a practical measure to promote mobility, strengthen trade relations and deepen people-to-people connections across Africa.

“Recently, we have made visas to our country for all African passport holders free of charge, so any African travelling to Ghana does not have to pay for a visa. In doing that, we have introduced the e-Visa system, which makes it more convenient for our citizens living in the diaspora,” he explained.

According to President Mahama, such initiatives are critical to accelerating Africa’s development agenda and enhancing the continent’s competitiveness in the global economy.

He therefore urged African leaders to remain committed to integration efforts, stressing that unity, cooperation and collective action are essential for the continent’s long-term prosperity and shared future.

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“Cancel it,” he said in a post on Truth Social, calling the slated performers “overpriced” and “boring”.

As of Sunday, only a few musical acts were still scheduled to perform out of the nine featured artists originally announced on Wednesday. Martina McBride, The Commodores, Young MC and Bret Michaels dropped out.

Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli are still on for 26 June, as is Flo Rida on 2 July. Trump said he is now considering replacing the event with a “Make America Great Again rally”.

Freedom 250, the group behind the Great American State Fair concert series, was launched last year by the Trump administration and the president appointed its CEO – but it says the event is non-partisan.

The White House is partnering with Freedom 250 on the fair, part of a “series of once-in-a-generation events for America’s momentous anniversary”.

Freedom 250 announced on Saturday that the president will headline the fair’s opening ceremony.

“As the visionary behind the Great American State Fair, we are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration on Wednesday, June 24 in an opening ceremony celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez said.

Congress created an organisation a decade ago to arrange and oversee events commemorating the country’s 250th birthday, America250.

That group is led by appointees from both parties, Democrat and Republican, and has its own events. They include 4 July celebrations in New York City, Philadelphia and California, and block parties across the US.

Trump signed an executive order last year establishing his own taskforce “to provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence”. The taskforce created Freedom 250 “to achieve that ambitious mission”, the White House site states.

Freedom 250 unveiled the artists on Wednesday for the 16-day series of events planned on the National Mall in Washington DC between 25 June and 10 July.

Country singer McBride had been scheduled to perform the first night. Poison frontman Michaels was scheduled on 3 July, the eve of Independence Day. Both cancelled.

Young MC, best known for his 1989 hit Bust a Move, said on his social media that artists had not been told about any “political involvement with the event” and that he looked forward to performing in DC in the future at an event that was “not so politically charged”.

McBride said in a statement on X that she was “presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading”.

But Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert Matthew Van Winkle, said: “This is not a political platform. This is celebrating America’s birthday,” in a caption to a video post on his Instagram account.

One half of Milli Vanilli’s public-facing duo, Fab Morvan, said he will also perform as scheduled. The voices behind Milli Vanilli’s music said in a statement on X that they will not be performing.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he had heard artists were getting “the yips” – a term used in golf for involuntary spasms or freezes that impact a swing. He said he was thinking of appearing himself at the same time and location.

“I am ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, DC, same time, same location. Only Great Patriots invited,” he wrote, calling himself the “Number One Attraction anywhere in the World” and saying he “gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime”.

He later doubled down, saying he wanted to replace the planned fair altogether with a rally.

“We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” he said.

The White House is backing a number of events organised by Freedom 250 to mark the anniversary of US independence.

They include a UFC fight on its South Lawn, the Great American State Fair in June and July, and a Grand Prix race in the US capital in August.

The US will also release a limited number of commemorative passports that feature a portrait of Trump.

He warns that growing hostility toward foreign nationals is based on a false narrative that distracts from the real causes of South Africa’s economic challenges.

Speaking at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and AUDA-NEPAD Business Breakfast, Mbeki argued that undocumented African migrants are being unfairly blamed for unemployment and crime, while those responsible for the country’s economic decline escape scrutiny.

His remarks come days after nearly 300 Ghanaians voluntarily returned home from South Africa amid heightened fears following anti-immigrant protests and growing concerns about the safety of foreign nationals.

“We’ve got many problems here. The problem legitimately led to high levels of unemployment; that’s correct. High levels of crime, that’s correct. But the finger is being pointed at the wrong people,” Mbeki said.

He rejected suggestions that undocumented African migrants were responsible for South Africa’s unemployment crisis.

“The levels of high unemployment in this country are not due. They are not due to undocumented Africans. They are not,” he stressed.

Mbeki said South Africa’s economic difficulties were rooted in developments that long predated the current immigration debate.

“We know the history in detail of how South Africa, from 1994 to 2002, 2008, 2009, can’t go up like this. Growth rates reach 6% from 2009 onward, going in the opposite direction. It isn’t caused by undocumented immigrants.”

According to him, those truly responsible for the country’s economic decline have escaped public criticism because attention has been diverted elsewhere.

“The people who cause that will look at it, that decline, they are laughing in a corner there, because we’re pointing not at them, but we’re pointing somewhere else is wrong,” he said.

Mbeki predicted that migration into South Africa would continue regardless of political pressure or anti-immigrant sentiment.

“So, one prediction I will make is that the Africans will continue to come to South Africa. It doesn’t matter what you do,” he said.

He argued that South Africans must find practical ways of managing migration rather than turning migrants into scapegoats for broader structural problems.

“You are not going to solve the problem of unemployment here by shouting against undocumented Africans and leaving the culprit,” he said.

“The culprits are sitting here. I can even tell you their names, but we’re pointing fingers at the wrong people.”

In one of the strongest moments of his address, Mbeki accused anti-immigrant campaigners of pursuing the wrong targets.

“What are we doing to say to the South Africans, the positions you are taking on this and that are wrong? Here is the truth: you are busy chasing after ghosts, and you are leaving this devil.”

He urged South Africans to confront the real causes of unemployment and economic hardship rather than embrace what he described as fiction.

Mbeki also appealed for greater recognition of the historic bond between South Africans and the rest of the continent.

“People are beating drums about the wrong people and failing to understand an organic connection between these Africans on the continent and these Africans here, because we’re together in the same struggle, you can’t certainly turn against them,” he said.

The outspoken legal practitioner and policy analyst argued that the state should no longer single-handedly shoulder the massive fiscal burden of emergency repatriations while South African commercial entities comfortably repatriate billions of dollars in profits from the Ghanaian market.

According to Mr Bentil, forcing these businesses to contribute financially towards the evacuation exercise being undertaken by the government would serve as a tangible demonstration of their stance against the unfortunate developments in their country of origin.

He maintained that corporate organisations benefiting so heavily from integrated African markets have a non-negotiable moral and structural responsibility to publicly condemn violence against fellow Africans and actively support affected communities.

Singling out major South African retail, telecommunication, and financial giants operating in Ghana and across the continent, Mr Bentil stated, “Companies that make billions across Africa cannot remain silent when Africans are attacked in their home country. What the government is doing comes at a cost. They must bear part of the cost.”

He was speaking on TV3 on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

An Assault on the Sovereign State

Advocating a fundamental shift in Ghana’s traditional diplomatic engagement with Pretoria, Mr Bentil pushed for significantly tougher, uncompromising measures.

He insisted that when a foreign nation repeatedly fails to protect Ghanaian migrants, the state apparatus must elevate the crisis beyond a standard immigration dispute and treat the systemic violence as a direct, hostile infringement on the nation of Ghana itself.

Reflecting on the duty of care owed to citizens in the diaspora, he asserted:

“When citizens of a country are under attack, the country itself is under attack,” he said.

The policy analyst highly commended the Ghanaian government’s rapid efforts to evacuate affected citizens. He revealed that he had previously advised state authorities to swiftly organise emergency airlift flights to bring vulnerable Ghanaians home the moment their physical safety could no longer be guaranteed by host law enforcement.

He rallied the nation to cast aside internal partisan bickering, stating that moments of acute national crisis should transcend political divisions and unite all citizens behind the fierce protection of supreme national interests.

“There are times when a nation must assert itself, and one of those times is when its citizens are under attack,” Mr Bentil stated.

Rejecting the Illegal Migrant Narrative

Mr Bentil aggressively dismissed defensive arguments often put forward by South African commentators that seek to justify or rationalise the violence by focusing solely on the irregular immigration status of some of the victims.

He noted that international humanitarian law and basic human decency dictate that every single person within a sovereign country’s territory deserves total protection under the law, regardless of their documentation status.

“If anybody enters your territory, you have a responsibility to protect that person,” he argued.

The IMANI Vice President described the recurring, bloody nature of the pogroms as clear, undeniable evidence of a broader, systemic failure by South African authorities to definitively address xenophobia. He pointed out that decades of repeated incidents suggest the violence can no longer be swept under the carpet as isolated occurrences.

Invoking a well-known analytical principle to demand accountability from Pretoria, Mr Bentil remarked:

“When something happens once, it may be accidental. Twice may be a coincidence. By the third time, it becomes a pattern that demands accountability,” he noted.

AU Weakness and Economic Retaliation

The African Union (AU) also came under heavy fire from the policy chief, who criticised the continental body for its persistent inability to effectively respond to structural challenges affecting ordinary Africans on the ground.

He noted that continental institutions must evolve past issuing generic press releases and play a more active role in protecting citizens while boldly holding member states accountable when human rights breaches occur.

To force a change in behaviour, Mr Bentil suggested that Ghana should immediately begin a thorough reassessment of aspects of its economic relationship with South African businesses if meaningful, permanent action is not taken to stop the attacks.

While clarifying that he was absolutely not advocating for violence or unlawful retaliation against South African businesses or citizens located in Accra, he maintained that governments possess an array of completely legitimate economic, fiscal, and regulatory tools they can deploy to defend national interests.

He stressed that all future bilateral engagements and corporate licensing regimes granted to South African companies must take into account the treatment of Ghanaians and other Africans within South Africa.

“We must ensure that our citizens are respected wherever they are. There has to be accountability and there has to be consequences,” he concluded, calling for a coordinated response involving diplomacy, legal action, and strategic economic pressure to end the cycle of violence.

Yvonne Moynihan told the BBC the long delays getting through passport control at some European airports had caused some passengers to miss return or connecting flights.

Airports said queues were worsening under the Entry Exit System (EES) which requires travellers to register fingerprints.

But a European Commission spokesperson said EES was working well at “almost all border crossing points”.

ACI Europe, a trade body for airports, told the BBC that passengers should arrive at airports according to the time set out by their airline.

The EES requires travellers from outside the EU to register biometric information when entering many European countries, which is then checked when they leave.

Since October, almost 80 million entries and exits have been registered, with 35,000 refusals of entry recorded.

From 10 April, it is meant to be fully in use at borders of the Schengen free movement zone, including airports.

However, Greece has effectively suspended biometric checks at its borders for British citizens in order to prevent summer disruption.

‘Prepare for queues’

Wizz Air’s Moynihan said the impact of the new checks was “fragmented across Europe”.

While there has been some “seamless travel”, she said there had been long queues at “usual hotspots such as Spain, Portugal, France”.

When Moynihan travelled to Mallorca for half term, she encountered no queues, with extra staff on hand and “a significant amount of [EES] kiosks”.

However, she said in general her airline was advising passengers to prepare for long waits.

“When you land in the destination airport, there might be queues, so you should bring a portable charger or water,” she said.

Because EES information has to be verified when people leave, she also highlighted the risk of queues before flights back to the UK.

“Because there is another passport check…that’s where we see that people have, again, experienced longer waiting times than anticipated,” she said.

She said usual advice is to get to the airport two hours ahead of your flight – “but in these circumstances, we are advising three hours”.

Moynihan advised anyone taking a connecting flight to allow “a number of hours” between flights in case of border queues.

She said border officials were proactively suspending EES checks if long waits built up.

The European Commission says EES isn’t the only thing that can cause delays, and registering information usually only takes around a minute.

ACI Europe, a trade body for airports, said it surveyed 45 airports in 20 EU states earlier this week.

The results suggested EES was now causing queues of up to three and a half hours.

The group said more airports were now reporting excessive waiting times, despite the “extensive use of partial suspension of EES”.

It expected the situation “to deteriorate further” and “become unmanageable” as passenger volumes increased towards the summer peak.

ACI Europe wants any technical issues such as “instability of the central IT system and national interfaces” addressed, as well as border staffing levels.

The Commission said it was up to member states to ensure EES was properly implemented, and they should provide enough border guards.

Portugal, where very long waits have been reported, has announced 360 more border officers for airports in July.

Wizz Air’s Moynihan acknowledged improvements had been made after initial teething issues and glitches.

But she thought the higher number of people travelling over summer would test the system, and called for more countries to suspend the checks over the peak period.

The European Commission told the BBC that until September it was allowing biometric registration to be suspended “at specific border crossing points and for a limited amount of time in cases of exceptional circumstances that lead to excessive waiting times”.

‘Book with confidence’

With the summer holidays approaching, there has been speculation that the situation in the Middle East could spark jet fuel supply issues and cancellations.

Like other airlines, Wizz has seen a trend of late bookings.

This has led to “very affordable prices” to stimulate demand.

But Moynihan also insisted passengers “should feel confident booking”, echoing the words of other short-haul airline bosses such as EasyJet and Jet2.

However, the Wizz Air UK boss insisted its suppliers had adapted, no shortages were anticipated, and no cuts to its schedule were expected.

Fares are likely to go up in the future if oil prices remain high. However, Moynihan said in the short term, carriers like hers could save costs in other areas.

Bondi, who in April was removed from her post as America’s top law enforcement officer by US President Donald Trump, testified behind closed doors on Friday in Washington DC.

“We demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to transparency in the Department’s search for, collection, and review of the Epstein files, producing nearly 3 million pages of material,” she said in opening remarks to the US House Oversight Committee.

Bondi was formally summoned by the panel in March, just before Trump announced her ouster as his administration’s top prosecutor.

As attorney general, Bondi was tasked with implementing the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation signed into law by Trump that mandated the US Department of Justice publicly release unclassified records.

But Bondi and the US Justice Department have been widely criticised, with accusations that documents were withheld and files were published that made victims of Epstein’s crimes publicly identifiable.

“I am proud of the Department’s record and commitment to transparency under my leadership,” she said. “This was an enormously complicated and labor-intensive process. To the best of my knowledge, the Department produced everything required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”

The committee’s Republican chairman, James Comer, wrote in a subpoena letter that they are investigating the “possible mismanagement” of the Epstein investigation and compliance with the act.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Comer told reporters that successive governments had failed Epstein’s victims and that Bondi will be pressed about her handling of the release of the documents.

“We’re going to try to determine whether or not there could be more documents legally turned over,” Comer said. “I want every document. I don’t want anything held back, and I think the majority of the committee’s the same way.”

But three hours into the congressional interview, Democrats emerged accusing Bondi of being evasive in her answers, deferring responsibility to her former deputy, and said government lawyers stepped in to prevent her from answering questions.

“She said she would not speak or respond to any questions that had anything to do with President Trump,” said Robert Garcia, the committee’s leading Democrat.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, told the BBC the process was a cover-up and Republicans on the committee set the interview up with voluntary transcription and no video tape.

“She was simply not wanting to answer questions or wanting to not take any responsibility for how poorly she handled the entire situation,” Subramanyam said. “I believe a lot of it was because the president himself told her not to, but she refused to answer any questions about her conversations with the president or anyone else in the administration.”

Maria Farmer, an Epstein survivor, was also critical of Bondi’s appearance.

“At every turn, Bondi has ignored and disregarded the will of Epstein survivors who have waited for justice for decades and even now, as a private citizen, she refuses responsibility for her missteps and failures,” she said in a statement.

Bondi rebuffed accusations that during questioning she shifted blame to her former deputy, Todd Blanche, now the acting attorney general.

“NOT TRUE,” she posted online. “I praised Acting AG Blanche’s management of this Herculean task. I said his ethics are beyond reproach and that he is an incredible Attorney General.”

Bondi’s summons came weeks after Nancy Mace, a Republican lawmaker, accused the justice department of a “cover-up” and introduced a motion to subpoena Bondi.

The Trump administration has faced enormous bipartisan pressure to release all documents related to the probe of the sex-trafficking financier and faced criticism over its handling of the files, including the failure to redact the names of Epstein’s victims. Epstein died in prison while awaiting trial in 2019.

In February 2025, Bondi declared during a Fox News interview that she had a list of Epstein’s high-profile clients “sitting on my desk right now”, only to have the justice department walk back the statement that July when it said there was no “client list” and that Bondi had meant the overall case file was on her desk.

During her tenure as the country’s top law enforcement official, Bondi also came under fire from Democrats for weaponising the justice department after Trump called on her to more aggressively investigate his political adversaries.

She was replaced on an interim basis by Blanche, formerly Trump’s personal lawyer.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Bondi, 60, had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She told the BBC’s US media partner CBS News that she is undergoing treatment, which included surgery a few weeks ago.

Bondi is set to join the White House’s new advisory council on AI, the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

When she left the Department of Justice at the beginning of April, she said she was excited to be entering a role in the private sector. Bondi’s inclusion on the president’s council is the first news of her work beyond the department.

The congressional committee has previously interviewed former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, the current Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and the convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Philanthropist Bill Gates is set to make an appearance in the coming weeks, Comer said.

What could be regarded as the first season of this real-life inquiry into allegations made by a senior officer last July – that organised crime groups had infiltrated the police and government – ran from September to December. The revelations included details of an alleged drug cartel and named those at the heart of the alleged corruption.

The “second season” of this inquiry has just wrapped up -with another interim report on the proceedings handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.

Like the first interim report from the Madlanga Commission, it was not made public, though the contents are likely to be fairly explosive – if the public hearings are anything to go by.

Before the third and final phase gets under way next month – aka “season three” – here are some eye-catching moments from the last 64 days of hearings that saw 32 witnesses testifying.

Brazilian butt lift denial

In February, senior police officer Brig Rachel Matjeng appeared before the commission, which is named after retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga who is heading the inquiry.

She was there as she had overseen a tender awarded in 2024 to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company Medicare24 Tshwane District, which was meant to provide health services to the police.

The contract was cancelled a year later and since then a dozen senior police officers, including Matjeng, have been formally charged over their role in awarding the contract. None of them have yet been asked to plead in court.

In her testimony to the commission, Matjeng denied receiving kickbacks from Matlala – and instead alleged that the pair were in an on-off romantic relationship that lasted until his arrest last year and that he had lavished her with gifts.

One of these presents were shots of the weight-loss drug Ozempic, which she had asked her “boyfriend” to source for her.

Matjeng said she had not been bribed with a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), as had been alleged online, telling the commission: “So, for me, from my boyfriend [Matlala], I only ask for Ozempic, unlike those that ask for BBL (sic)”.

Matlala himself has yet to appear before the commission.

He was named in testimony last year from the police crime intelligence boss as one of the main figures in an alleged drug-trafficking and crime cartel, known as the Big Five, that allegedly also carried out contract killings, cross-border hijackings and kidnappings.

Matlala is currently in custody facing 25 criminal charges, among them attempted murder. He has denied all the charges against him.

It is believed that he will make a much-anticipated appearance – to respond to allegations made against him – during the final leg of the commission’s hearings.

Drug heist allegations

Another key focus of the Madlanga Commission has been the handling of two major drug operations that occurred just a month apart in 2021.

One was in the south of the port city of Durban in June that year and another occurred in Johannesburg a month later.

In the first, police intercepted 541kg of cocaine, hidden in a shipping container carrying animal bone meal, worth more than 200m rand ($12m; £9m). Five months later the confiscated drugs were stolen from a poorly secured building owned by the police’s elite unit, the Hawks, in what was believed to be an inside job.

Senior Hawks official Maj-Gen Hendrik Flynn detailed to the inquiry a series of missteps by officers in the lead-up to the theft.

These included a failure to collect DNA or fingerprint samples from the scene and the decision to store the drugs at a building that lacked proper security despite the availability of safer ones closer to police locations.

“I am of the view that it is no coincidence and that the sequence of events is indeed… by design,” Flynn said.

Another senior Hawks official, Lt Col Nkoana Sebola, told the commission that circumstances around the second seizure – 700kg of cocaine worth an estimated $17.3m – from a warehouse in an industrial suburb in southern Johannesburg in July 2021 were also suspicious.

The drugs had been hidden inside black bags among lorry parts being imported for a well-known transport company. The container had also come in via Durban’s harbour.

Sebola said he believed the first officers on the scene were carrying out a heist as they were working outside their jurisdiction.

One of them, Marumo Magane, an office-bound analytics officer with no experience in investigative work or handling drug busts, told the commission that he had been called to assist at the scene by a senior traffic officer – who was also unqualified to handle drug busts but said he had received a tip-off.

The commission heard how both officials entered the premises of a logistics company in the east of Johannesburg without a search warrant.

Accompanied by an alleged informant, Magane said they asked an employee to open the container so they could “verify the information”.

But they were told to wait until the container was delivered to its final destination in southern Johannesburg, where Magane then ordered the bags of drugs be unloaded on to the back of his lorry.

Suspicious staff at that warehouse called the local police and later the Hawks investigating officer arrived on the scene.

Magane, who did not call in the police unit responsible for processing crime scenes, repeated during his testimony that he had no intention of stealing the drugs. The traffic officer is yet to appear before the commission.

But Magane did admit to a series of blunders in his handling of the scene, including tampering with exhibits and evidence and loading the drugs on to his police-issued vehicle.

Madlanga put it to Magane: “You were clueless, and you knew that you were clueless.”

The hapless analytics officer replied: “That is correct, commissioner.”

He and several others were arrested for their role in the botched operation, but the charges were dropped in 2022 as prosecutors saw “no prospects of success”.

The inquiry also heard how the confiscated haul was taken to a forensic science laboratory to be stored and where it was discovered in February 2025 that 136kg of the cocaine had disappeared.

The reluctant witness

Alleged police informant and political fixer Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi first appeared before the inquiry in November as he is alleged to be one of the central figures who facilitated the infiltration of the police force by corrupt individuals. He denies the allegations.

Beforehand, Mogotsi, a businessman and former member of the African National Congress (ANC) party, said he had survived an assassination attempt.

“I ran for my life,” he told the commission during his first appearance, saying his car had come under fire in an area east of Johannesburg. Police opened an investigation into the case and seized the vehicle.

During his November testimony he went on to make dramatic claims, which he later retracted, that Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi – the police whistleblower whose explosive allegations led to President Ramaphosa setting up the Madlanga Commission – and the Zulu king were CIA spies.

The businessman was due to return to the commission in March, but this was postponed after saying he was too ill to appear.

Justice Madlanga stated that his sick note was “useless” and Mogotsi reluctantly returned for cross-examination in May.

However, he first tried to get Matthew Chaskalson, the lawyer responsible for presenting evidence to the commission, removed for perceived bias, saying he was trying to get him to implicate another witness.

When his bid was dismissed, Mogotsi was clearly furious and refused to answer many of the questions put to him over fears he might incriminate himself.

In an ironic twist of fate, shortly after giving his testimony he was arrested by a dedicated police unit set up earlier this year to investigate referrals and evidence arising from the inquiry.

Known as the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT), it has been responsible for five high-profile arrests over the last few months, though many of them have not been directly related to evidence from the inquiry.

Mogotsi appeared in court accused of faking the attempt on his life. Despite vehement denials that he staged the hit, he faces a litany of charges related to the incident – and is currently applying for bail.

The final Madlanga Commission report is due in August – and that one is expected to be made public.

He said Iran must agree to never have a nuclear weapon or bomb, that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened for “unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions”, and that any mines in the waterway are “destroyed”.

The meeting was held in the White House’s Situation Room, used for dealing with major crises. Iran earlier said it was not negotiating on its nuclear programme – which it insists is wholly for civilian purposes.

On Thursday, the two countries had agreed a framework of a deal – known as a memorandum of understanding – pending the approval of Trump and Iran’s leadership, according to US officials.

The deal would reportedly extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.

“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” a White House official told CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner.

Since the ceasefire came into effect on 8 April, Trump repeatedly has suggested that US and Iran are close to a deal and negotiations are progressing, but so far there have been no substantive results.

In a social media post earlier on Friday, Trump said he was prepared to lift the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, allowing ships caught in the waterway to “start the process of ‘heading home!'”

He also insisted that Iran allow the US to remove and destroy its enriched uranium.

“No money will be exchanged, until further notice,” he said. “Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to.”

Later, a White House official confirmed to the BBC that the meeting in the Situation Room had concluded. The official provided no further details.

Iran’s Fars news agency cited informed sources as saying that Trump’s latest comments were a “mixture of truth and lies”.

There was no provision to destroy nuclear materials in the memorandum of understanding, the agency reported.

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state TV it was “focused on ending the war, and there are no negotiations on the nuclear issue”.

The US has long demanded that Iran stop producing highly enriched uranium and dispose of its existing stockpile, which in theory could be used to create nuclear weapons.

Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and denies it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

The possibility of the US being able to “recommence” strikes in Iran was floated by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at a security summit in Singapore, he said “our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions,” and added: “so we’re in a very good place”.

The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, and effectively closed the strait, which has sent global oil prices soaring. In normal times about 20% of the world’s energy supplies gets shipped through the strait.

On Thursday, US Vice-President JD Vance said negotiators were “going back and forth on a couple of language points”, including the “question of enrichment”.

“We’re not there yet, but we’re very close and we’re going to keep on working at it,” he said.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said earlier on Friday that it has “no trust in guarantees or words”, only actions.

“No action will be taken before the other side acts,” he said in a social media post. “The winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war the day after.”

Both Iran and the US have accused each other of violating the ceasefire in recent days.

On Thursday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a US air base in Kuwait that was “the source” of earlier strikes on Bandar Abbas, a strategic Iranian port city near the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said the attack on Kuwait was an “egregious ceasefire violation”.

Hours before, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema stated in her order that “the welfare of the petitioners and the interests of justice are best served by allowing petitioners to return home immediately.”

Earlier, Brinkema told the US government Friday that the pregnant woman, who came to the United States from Ghana for a medical appointment for her child but also acknowledged to authorities she planned to seek asylum, must be released from the hold room at the airport before the end of the day.

“She cannot spend tonight at Dulles,” said Brinkema, a Clinton nominee to the federal bench, at a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. “One way or another, we’re going to get her out.”

Her attorneys argued she had been held at the airport illegally, while the government said her tourist visa was not valid because Gyasi “admitted under oath … her intent was not to leave the United States to return to Ghana.”

A federal judge heard arguments Friday in Anabella Gyasi’s case. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

After an immigration judge denied her asylum request on Wednesday, making it virtually impossible for Gyasi and her son to remain in the country, her legal team said its main concern was her well-being after what turned into an indefinite layover.

“We were very pleased that the judge recognized one fundamental principle, which is that human beings should not be detained under the conditions our client was being detained at Dulles Airport in a windowless room without access to appropriate food or medical care,” said Mary Bauer, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia.

Gyasi’s case is among the latest to be challenged in a federal court system struggling to keep up with the administration’s aggressive moves to maximize the number of immigrants removed from the US and increase vetting of visitors on nonimmigrant visas.

Woman and son came for a medical appointment, attorneys say

Gyasi, 38, came to the United States on a tourist visa after getting an appointment for her son at the Akron Children’s Hospital to be evaluated for possible surgery to address severe physical abnormalities affecting his fingers on both hands, the petition states. They’d traveled to the US for treatment two years earlier, but Gyasi was told her child was too young for surgery at the time. Their tourist visas expire in 2028, the petition states.

Instead of being able to board her connecting flight to Ohio, the Ghanaian citizen – who is four and a half months pregnant – and her son were “locked in a holding room” at the airport and “denied adequate food and medical care,” her petition said.

They were taken into custody after Gyasi “disclosed her fear of returning to Ghana based on the persecution she and her son faced,” when being questioned at US Customs, according to the allegations in the document.

Gyasi, who is a teacher, told authorities her mother “is a traditional priest and when she saw my child as a baby and his disability, she said I should kill him,” according to a government transcript of her statement to an immigration officer.

Gyasi “claimed a fear of returning to Ghana, received a credible fear interview from an asylum officer, and review of that negative credible fear determination by an Immigration Judge, who affirmed the asylum officer’s determination. And thus, her expedited removal order stands ready to be executed through her removal to Ghana,” the government wrote in the court filing.

The mother was hospitalized twice over the past week, initially for lightheadedness and then for vaginal bleeding, the petition said, which doctors said was due to high stress and high blood pressure. The medical staff was also “concerned that she was not eating enough and fed her. They even gave her food to take back with her,” her attorneys allege in the court document.

She told officials she and her son are not familiar with the food in the US, and it is making her sick and weak, according to a transcript in the court documents.

Four days after her arrival – and after repeated requests for more food – the petition said Gyasi agreed to be deported, “fearing that she might lose her unborn child.”

“Because I’m pregnant, I am getting weaker and weaker by the day,” she told a CBP officer, according to the official transcript.

Her son had “spent much of the day crying because of his hunger pains,” and CBP officers allegedly denied her request to purchase food, “saying she could only access the food they gave her,” the petition said.

But after she initially agreed to drop her asylum request, officers “offered to get her whatever food she wanted” and let her and her son shower for the first time since their detention,” according to her petition.

Gyasi’s attorneys said her agreement for self-deportation was prompted by “desperation for the health and well-being” of her son and her unborn child and that she did “not wish to relinquish their asylum claims.”

“These windowless rooms were never designed for long-term detention,” said Eden Heilman, Gyasi’s lead attorney with ACLU of Virginia.

The Department of Homeland Security said the allegations of mistreatment “are false.”

“Everyone in CBP custody, including this individual, has access to appropriate care, including medical evaluation by a doctor, medication, and food,” a DHS spokesperson told CNN Thursday. “The individual is currently in CBP custody at Washington Dulles International Airport and will remain in custody pending her immigration hearing.”

Gyasi planned to ask for asylum, the government alleges

Gyasi said in a statement to immigration authorities under oath she had been researching the possibility of claiming asylum “for the past 2 years” after officers examined her phone and found a history of searches on the topic, a CBP officer wrote, adding she had also considered asylum in Canada and Australia.

Her attorneys argue she is being punished for her honesty.

“If she did not disclose the fear that she was having about persecution in her country, she could have still entered on the tourist visas,” Heilman told CNN. “Unfortunately, because she was honest and shared her concerns, that’s what funneled her into this separate asylum-seeker category.”

The government’s response says an immigration judge has already denied Gyasi’s request for asylum, and the government “would begin the process of executing the order to remove Petitioners to Ghana,” but did not indicate how long that process might take.

Brinkema said in Friday’s hearing Gyasi and her son could leave Virginia and be deported only if the government could guarantee she would no longer be held at Dulles while that deportation is processed.

The judge gave the Trump administration a 2 p.m. deadline to show they had arranged for Gyasi and her son to have a nonstop flight back to Ghana before the end of the day, court records show.

Birthright citizenship debate adds to scrutiny

Gyasi’s attorneys say CBP agents seemed to be focused on the fact she was pregnant when they first took her into custody, and they believe it is in response to President Donald Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship, under which children born in the US are automatically American citizens.

“She is just one of a number of pregnant people who’ve been detained in shocking numbers in the wake of President Trump’s executive order trying to end birthright citizenship – and it has to stop,” ACLU attorney Sophia Gregg said in a statement Wednesday.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy dating back to the Obama administration says pregnant women should not be detained unless there are “extraordinary circumstances” requiring it.

That policy was rescinded a year ago by acting CBP commissioner Pete Flores, saying it and other policies regarding vulnerable detainees were “either obsolete or misaligned with current Agency guidance and immigration enforcement policies.” But the Trump administration has not changed a policy that says, “Detainees should generally not be held for longer than 72 hours in CBP hold rooms or holding facilities.”

“Ms. Gyasi is following all the rules she was given – but CBP is not,” Movasseghi said in a statement.

Although Gyasi’s hopes that she and her son could remain in the United States were dashed in the federal courthouse Friday morning, the judge insisted on one thing: no more nights in a windowless room.

“She’s not gonna spend tonight at Dulles,” Brinkema reiterated at the end of the hearing.

According to him, Ghana has begun documenting and registering businesses owned by its citizens in South Africa, including details of their legal ownership, as part of efforts to safeguard their investments.

“We’ve instituted measures to ensure that everybody who has business in this country is protected,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.

“And ensure that if the government of South Africa wants to take that business, there should be compensation to the owners of those businesses.”

Mr Quashie said Ghana would insist on what he described as “realistic compensation” for affected business owners who have spent years building their enterprises.

“We know what the businesses are, we know the legal documents that they have, and we intend to take it strongly up against the government of South Africa,” he added.

He further disclosed that Ghana plans to escalate the matter to the African Union level as part of efforts to address recurring xenophobic attacks against African nationals living in South Africa.

According to him, Ghana has already engaged South African authorities on the issue and expects urgent attention to prevent further diplomatic tensions.

“If not, then compensation and other things they will be paying to those people will be a matter determined by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he stated.

His comments come after Ghana petitioned the African Union to place xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda for its upcoming Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.

The petition is seeking stronger continental action, including monitoring mechanisms, fact-finding missions, and dialogue initiatives aimed at tackling recurring violence and protecting African nationals.

In recent weeks, Ghana also coordinated the evacuation of some of its citizens from South Africa following renewed tensions and reports of attacks on foreign nationals. The first batch of evacuees arrived in Ghana on Wednesday, May 27.

Officials say diplomatic engagements and protective measures remain ongoing as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

ALSO READ:

• Returnee recounts fearful life in South Africa after evacuation to Ghana

• Let’s not politicise South Africa evacuation; NPP would have done same – Mpraeso MP

Saskatoon police announced this week that a fraud investigation that began in January 2025 has revealed international connections, with a Land Rover stolen from a business on Faithfull Avenue eventually found in Ghana.

According to police, a man from Alberta visited the business on January 14, 2025 and purchased a Land Rover. It was later discovered that the vehicle was bought using identity fraud. Police investigation found the vehicle had been taken to British Columbia, and with help from Edmonton police and the Canada Border Services Agency, officers learned it was being shipped to Ghana.

Officers later confirmed the vehicle was in Ghana.

During the investigation, police received word that on 3rd February 2025, a BMW X5 was fraudulently purchased from another business on Faithfull Avenue. The suspect travelled from Alberta using a Quebec driver’s licence that had been altered after being reported lost in Quebec. The suspect was arrested in Edmonton.

Saskatoon police have charged a 21-year-old man with fraud over 5,000 Canadian dollars, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of an identity document belonging to another person, fraudulently impersonating another person, using a forged document and breaching court-imposed conditions.

Ghana Police task force impounding luxury vehicles

The development comes as Ghana’s Criminal Investigations Department has been actively working to intercept stolen vehicles arriving at the country’s ports. In August 2025, the CID formed a specialised task force to investigate and seize high-end vehicles reported stolen abroad but cleared through Ghana’s ports.

During a joint press conference in Accra on August 4, 2025, Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed that between January and July 2025, the task force impounded six luxury vehicles stolen from Canada. These included four Toyota Tundras, one Toyota RAV4, and one Range Rover.

COP Donkor explained that some suspects failed to complete rental agreements abroad, cutting off contact with the rental firms before shipping the vehicles. Others used fake or stolen credit card details to acquire vehicles through hire-purchase schemes, then disabled their tracking systems before exporting them.

She stressed that paying customs duties in Ghana does not make a stolen vehicle legal, and warned vehicle importers to conduct thorough checks before bringing in vehicles from abroad. Those who fail to do so risk losing their property and facing legal consequences.

The CID, working with Interpol Ghana, has recovered 43 stolen luxury vehicles between January and July last year. Eighteen of the vehicles have been marked for repatriation, with eight already returned to their countries of origin. The remaining ten are awaiting transfer.

The task force will continue to carry out intelligence-led operations and work with international agencies to tackle cross-border vehicle crime and protect Ghana’s ports, COP Donkor said.

ALSO READ:

• Ghana identified as destination for stolen vehicles in U.S. car theft ring

• Ghanaian among 20 arrested as 306 stolen vehicles recovered in Canada

The July OSP for flagship Arab Light crude may slide to a premium of $7.50 to $12.50 a barrel ​above the average Dubai and Oman quotes, five industry sources said in the survey, $3 to $8 a ​barrel lower than the OSP for June.

The expected cut follows a price decline and tepid ⁠trading in the spot market in May. The cash Dubai price’s premium to swaps has averaged $8.90 a ​barrel so far this month, down from April’s average of $13.92, Reuters data showed, with spot Oman premiums showing ​a similar trend.

Dubai’s premium rallied to a record high of over $60 per barrel in March after the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran disrupted supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. It then collapsed, along with global crude premiums, mainly because Chinese refiners slashed refining runs and reduced imports, while the U.S. exported more oil and fuel to global markets to help plug the supply gap from the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the possibility of a U.S.-Iran deal to end their war and reopen ‌the ⁠vital Strait of Hormuz has pushed Brent crude futures below $100 per barrel this week.

A number of crude oil tankers have left the Gulf this month, although energy flows through the key waterway remain far below pre-war levels.

Hence, a deep price cut for Saudi oil is needed to attract demand, said one survey respondent.

Buyers in China have been lifting less Saudi crude in May and June, given their refining losses at current high prices.

Saudi Aramco has been using the Red Sea port of Yanbu to export Arab Light crude ​after the war restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The survey respondents project ​that July OSPs for other Saudi grades will fall by the same extent. Saudi crude OSPs are usually released around the fifth day of each month. Saudi Aramco, which sets the prices, as a matter of policy, does not comment on them.

Below are ⁠expected ​Saudi prices for July (in $/bbl against the Oman/Dubai average):

According to him, retaliatory actions could escalate tensions across the continent and undermine African unity and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking to Citi News on Thursday, May 28, Most Rev. Gyamfi urged Ghanaians and Africans generally not to respond emotionally by targeting South Africans or their businesses.

“I believe that Ghanaians who have been repatriated, and indeed all Africans, should see this as a misunderstanding by some people in South Africa and should not react by repatriating South Africans back,” he stated.

He warned that such actions could trigger a chain reaction across the continent.

“Once you begin that, it will have a snowball effect all over Africa. We just want everybody to keep calm. Initially, people may want to act emotionally to settle scores, but that is not the proper way to handle these issues,” he added.

The Catholic Bishop stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among African countries, noting that citizens across the continent continue to live and do business in one another’s nations.

“Ghanaians will continue to live in South Africa and South Africans will also continue to live in Ghana. Ghanaians have businesses there and South Africans also have businesses here. Let us live in unity and love,” he appealed.

Most Rev. Gyamfi acknowledged that misunderstandings and isolated incidents may occur but cautioned against allowing them to define relations between African nations.

“There will always be some aberrations. You should not build on the deviations,” he said.

He further described it as unfortunate that Africans continue to divide themselves along colonial boundaries, instead of strengthening unity on the continent.

“It is very sad that Africans continue to build on the divisions created by Europeans instead of breaking away from them. We keep emphasising artificial boundaries and differences,” he lamented.

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Federal law bars printing US money featuring the image of a living person, but Trump allies in Congress have introduced legislation to make an exception.

A Treasury Department spokesperson told the BBC the agency “is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence” in response to the legislation.

The lawmakers behind it said the bill amount would symbolise the country’s 250th anniversary this year. If approved, it will be the latest example by Trump and his allies to put his face, name, and likeness on national institutions and symbols.

Artistic concepts of the $250 bill have not been publicly released, but designs have been requested by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), a sub-agency of the Treasury that develops and produces US currency. The Washington Post first reported the Treasury Department’s plans.

“Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognise the 250th Anniversary of our great nation,” the Treasury spokesperson said in a statement.

Trump’s signature is already set to appear on US paper notes as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations.

The new legislation was introduced last year by US House Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina. It would need approval from both the US House and Senate.

When asked about a possible new bill during a White House briefing on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said “it’s all in the hands” of Congress and that, while his department was preparing in case the legislation passes, the Treasury would follow the law.

He also said he did not “think there’s anything untoward” about including an image of the person in office on a bill marking the country’s 250th anniversary.

The move to create the $250 note could also break with a different federal law that specifies the denominations that can be produced. That law doesn’t include $250.

US Senator Mark Warner, who sits on the Senate Banking Committee, criticised the plans.

“As Americans struggle with the rising cost of gas, groceries, housing, and health care, President Trump’s priorities for taxpayer dollars are completely detached from the challenges families face every day,” Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, said in a statement.

“If this White House put even half as much energy into working to lower costs as it does into stoking the president’s ego, American families wouldn’t need that new $250 bill just to fill up their gas tanks.”

The $100 bill, featuring Benjamin Franklin, one of the US founding fathers, is the largest bill printed today. The US has previously issued larger notes including $500, $1000 and $10,000 notes but these were discontinued in 1969. They remain legal tender but not in circulation, as they are largely kept by private currency collectors.

New currency notes typically take years to develop and involve a range of agencies including the Federal Reserve Board and the US Secret Service. The designs are also held in secret.

“Note designs are typically made public six to eight months ahead of time for global public education and cash handler education purposes,” according to the BEP. “To do so earlier would aid counterfeiters and cause confusion in the marketplace, lowering confidence in U.S. currency.”

It is unclear if the notes could be printed in time for the 250th anniversary on 4 July.

Since taking office last year, Trump and his allies have worked to put his face, name, and likeness on public buildings and US symbols.

The Kennedy Centre was renamed to include Trump’s name, and his portrait will feature on US passports. The presidential jet Air Force One is also being repainted in Trump’s preferred colours.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said ​the ​effort ⁠aims to strengthen the laboratory ​network to ​deliver ⁠real-time data, rapidly identify confirmed ⁠cases ​and save ​lives.

His comments come in the wake of Ghana’s evacuation exercise, under which about 300 Ghanaian nationals have already been repatriated from South Africa following reported incidents of xenophobic attacks, intimidation, and rising insecurity affecting foreign communities.

The operation has been coordinated through Ghana’s diplomatic mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of efforts to safeguard citizens who opted to return home voluntarily.

Speaking to the press, Malema said Ghana’s reaction was not well timed and could unintentionally deepen divisions.

“The Ghana response was not necessary, and it now creates a perception that we are all like that,” he said, warning that such narratives could unfairly stigmatise communities and complicate ongoing efforts by authorities.

He stressed that diplomatic engagement would have been the better route, allowing South African institutions space to manage the situation internally.

“We don’t think Ghana responded in a manner that really enforces dialogue and diplomatic engagement. It actually creates a very bad, extreme situation,” he said.

Malema added that discussions were still ongoing with relevant stakeholders to stabilise the situation and protect affected foreign nationals, including Ghanaians.

“We are persuading government to still act on this, and we are saying they must give us time,” he stated.

He also emphasised that legally documented migrants should be able to seek protection from law enforcement without fear of further harm.

“Those that feel safe, especially the legally documented Ghanaians, should be able to run to the police station for safety, and they will be directed to rightful places where they will be secured,” he said.

Referencing accounts from affected individuals, including a Ghanaian woman who described alleged mistreatment and limited police response in some cases, Malema said the emotional toll of the situation was clear but urged restraint in diplomatic reactions.

“This is an emotional issue for many of them, and I understand that,” he noted.

WATCH | Julius Malema on migration issues says Ghana’s response was not necessary as it creates an impression that “we are all like that”. He adds that South Africa should not respond in the same way, saying Ghana’s approach does not reinforce dialogue and diplomatic engagement. pic.twitter.com/O3zpPyxfzp

— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 28, 2026

However, he insisted Ghana’s intervention should have been delayed to avoid escalating tensions.

“We think the reaction from the Ghana government should have been postponed a bit to give us the opportunity to deal with what is happening here in South Africa,” he added.

The debate continues alongside Ghana’s ongoing evacuation and reintegration programme for returnees, which includes reception support and plans for longer-term resettlement assistance for affected citizens.

• Let’s not politicise South Africa evacuation; NPP would have done same – Mpraeso MP

• 26 prisoners among first batch of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa — Ablakwa

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen following the arrival of 300 evacuated Ghanaians from South Africa on Wednesday, teh Bosome Freho said African leaders and the African Union must take decisive steps to address the recurring violence.

According to him, the attacks have become deeply troubling and should no longer be treated as ordinary diplomatic concerns.

“When this issue started, I was even calling for the closure of some of the embassies so that it demonstrates to South Africans that this thing is unbecoming,” he said.

He warned that the continued attacks against foreign nationals could escalate if firm action is not taken.

“I won’t be surprised if we wake up one day and they apprehend all foreign nationals, put them in a room and set ablaze,” he stated.

The lawmaker argued that African countries, including Ghana, played a major role in supporting South Africa during the apartheid struggle and therefore deserve better treatment.

“The freedom South Africa is enjoying, they didn’t get it alone. We all fought for it. Ghana just didn’t fight, we even supported with our money,” he stressed.

Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh further accused some local politicians in South Africa of exploiting anti-foreigner sentiments for political gain.

“The individual politicians involved are making political campaign promises with it to embolden their base, so they are not able to deal with it as they should,” he said.

He also expressed concern over videos showing alleged attacks taking place in the presence of police officers without intervention.

“You sometimes see videos with police present but doing nothing about the attacks. So it tells you clearly that the South African government itself cannot deal with the issue,” he added.

The MP believes African leaders must collectively impose tougher diplomatic measures to send a strong signal to South Africa.

“We must pick the venom and tell South Africa that we are not happy,” he stated.

He further urged the African Union to consider continental resolutions and possible legal action to seek justice for victims of the attacks.

“We can take this matter up as a country to get justice for our people who have suffered these brutalities,” he said.

According to him, Ghana should properly document cases involving affected citizens and pursue compensation and justice through international legal processes where necessary.

“If we are able to document our evidence well and put all the facts together, we can pursue this case at the international court,” he noted.

He stressed that victims who lost livelihoods and property deserve more than repatriation support.

“Any Ghanaian who suffered any loss and now has to start from ground zero reparation package alone is not enough for such a person. You must let him have justice beyond bringing me back home,” he added.

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• Let’s not politicise South Africa evacuation; NPP would have done same – Mpraeso MP

• 26 prisoners among first batch of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa — Ablakwa

Demonstrators led by unions and indigenous groups have set up roadblocks across Bolivia, causing serious shortages of basic goods and paralysing large parts of the nation.

Groups are calling for the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and a rollback of austerity measures, as well as Paz’s resignation.

But the US-backed leader, who took office six months ago during an economic crisis, said anyone “wanting to destroy the nation” would have to deal with him and the full force of the constitution.

Paz has been battling growing fury over his centre-right policies, with the protests originally triggered at the end of April by a land reform he proposed.

Some small-scale farmers were worried the measure would make it easier for large landowners to buy up small properties.

The government insisted any sale would have to be voluntary, but powerful organisations representing small-scale farmers were not convinced and blocked the country’s main highways in protest.

Paz has since scrapped the reform, but by then the farmers had been joined by other sectors of society venting their grievances.

The government has also scrapped long-standing fuel subsidies amid shortages and inflation, which in turn has raised living costs and enraged a large sector of the population.

Road blockades erected by angry protesters have further exacerbated fuel shortages, creating a vicious circle.

The Bolivian leader renewed his appeal for dialogue and insisted the country needs order, but has not ruled out using so-called “constitutional instruments” to end the blockades.

On Tuesday, Bolivia’s Congress voted to make it easier for the president to declare a state of emergency and use the military to regain control.

Lawmakers who backed the move said “violent” groups should not be able to dictate to the elected government, but those who voted against the measure warned it could heighten social tensions.

Paz has previously tried to quell the unrest by reshuffling his cabinet, slashing his salary and that of his ministers, and announcing the creation of a council to negotiate with sectors of society which feel isolated under his government.

But so far, these measures have not subdued the widespread anger.

It’s estimated that the protests are causing daily economic losses of more than $50m nationwide.

The lawsuit ‌is one of several that Trump has brought in his personal capacity against news organisations, part of what critics say is a wider pressure campaign against the media.

• Trump’s lawsuit said the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper tarnished his reputation with an article describing a birthday card to ​deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as bearing Trump’s signature. Trump and his lawyers said the card is ​fake, even after it was released by lawmakers investigating Epstein’s case.
• Trump is seeking at ⁠least $10 billion in damages, according to the amended lawsuit. He had previously sought the same amount.
• “At the time ​of publication, Defendants recklessly disregarded whether the Defamatory Statements were true and/or they purposefully avoided the discovery of the ​truth,” lawyers for Trump wrote in the amended complaint.
• The lawsuit filed in Miami federal court names Rupert Murdoch, Dow Jones, News Corp (NWSA.O) and its CEO Robert Thomson, along with two Wall Street Journal reporters, Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo, as defendants, saying they ​defamed Trump and caused him to suffer “overwhelming” financial and reputational harm.
• Dow Jones has said it has full confidence in ​the rigour and accuracy of the Journal’s reporting and will vigorously defend the lawsuit.
• Epstein, the disgraced financier and sex offender, died ‌in ⁠a New York jail cell in 2019. His case generated conspiracy theories that became popular among Trump’s base of supporters, who believed the government was covering up Epstein’s ties to the rich and powerful. Trump has said he parted ways with Epstein before the financier’s legal troubles became public in 2006.
• U.S. District Court Judge Darrin P. Gayles, ​an appointee of former President ​Barack Obama, threw out ⁠Trump’s first complaint in April. The judge found that Trump had not met the “actual malice” legal standard for public figures in defamation cases, which requires evidence that a defendant published a statement they knew or should have known was false.
• Trump has also ​filed defamation ⁠and other lawsuits against other media organisations, including the New York Times, the BBC and Iowa’s Des Moines Register. Those outlets have denied wrongdoing and are fighting the cases in court.
• Trump’s administration has acted to restrict press access to government ⁠agencies ​and threatened to use regulatory powers against critical outlets, drawing legal ​challenges by media organisations.
• The White House has described Trump as the most open and accessible U.S. president ever, saying his administration has broadened press ​access in unprecedented ways.

“I was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never,” Jill Biden told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.

“I don’t know what happened,” she said. “As I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.’ And it scared me to death.”

President Biden faced intense pressure from fellow Democrats to step down as their candidate after a poor debate performance against then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Biden ultimately dropped out of the race and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

The former first lady’s interview with CBS News Sunday Morning’s Rita Braver will air on Sunday.

Jill Biden has stood beside her husband throughout his decades-long career, from his time as a Delaware senator to his years as president.

She was considered to be one of his most influential advisers during his presidency, and among those who ultimately encouraged him to drop out of the 2024 race.

Following the June 2024 debate, months ahead of the presidential election, Democrats expressed unease at the president’s shaky debate performance.

Biden’s campaign at the time insisted the president would not step down as the Democratic candidate and that he would debate Donald Trump again.

During the debate in which both men sought a second term, Biden and Trump sparred on major topics including immigration, the economy and abortion rights.

Biden had a raspy voice, which his team said was due to illness, and a moment when he seemed to lose his train of thought.

At a post-debate rally in Atlanta, Jill Biden introduced her husband on stage and praised his performance against Trump.

“Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question. You knew all the facts,” she told the crowd.

But elsewhere, Democratic leaders and donors expressed concerns about the then-president’s performance. Kamala Harris, who rarely criticised Biden publicly, even admitted it was a “slow start” to the debate.

Voters’ concerns about Biden’s health, mental acuity and age – 81 at the time – already weighed heavily on the debate.

Analysts piled on the president across most major US media outlets, with concerns raised about Biden’s ability to do the job of president as well as his chances in the November 2024 election.

It was thought unlikely that Biden, the incumbent president, would be replaced as the Democratic Party’s nominee just a few months before the election. The difficult process of choosing another nominee was seen as having the potential to derail the party’s White House bid.

But his debate performance – along with gaffes during a Nato summit in the following weeks and a frail demeanour after a Covid diagnosis – ultimately led to him ending his candidacy.

Harris assumed the Democratic nomination about three months before the election and ultimately lost her bid to Trump.

In the aftermath of her election loss, Harris criticised her former boss, calling Biden’s decision to seek a second term “recklessness”.

“‘It’s Joe and Jill’s decision.’ We all said that, like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotised,” Harris wrote in her memoir. “Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness.”

The decision has prompted governments to step up travel-related containment ​measures. Here is a list of screening steps and travel restrictions announced by different countries.

Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here.

UNITED STATES

Last week, Washington banned non-citizens who had ‌travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in recent weeks from entering the United States. On Friday, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the ban to green card holders who have been in those countries in the past 21 days.

The CDC on Saturday added Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to its travel funnelling list, alongside Washington Dulles. U.S. passport holders returning from affected regions are escorted to designated screening areas for temperature checks, travel history verification, and CDC-led symptom tracking.

UGANDA

Uganda’s government said ​on Wednesday it closed its border with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, with immediate effect and for four weeks.

Ebola response teams, humanitarian and security operations, and food and cargo transport are exempt from the closure, senior health official Diana Atwine said at a press conference. Any person authorized ​to enter Uganda from Congo would be required to undergo mandatory self-isolation for 21 days, she added.

CANADA

The Canadian government said on Tuesday that residents from the DRC, Uganda ​and South Sudan will be banned from entering Canada for 90 days starting Wednesday.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have been in affected areas in recent weeks and do not have symptoms will have to quarantine for 21 days from May 30, according to a statement from Canada’s public health agency.

THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamian government said on Tuesday that a ban on ​residents from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan will take immediate effect and remain in place for 30 days.

The Bahamas also announced enhanced health screenings and ​possible quarantines for foreigners who were present in those countries within 30 days of arriving in the Caribbean country.

INDIA

India has launched screening and surveillance measures at airports and other entry points, issued advisories on precautions, and urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

JORDAN

On May 19, the Jordanian government suspended entry for travellers arriving from the DRC and Uganda, according to the Jordanian state agency.

BAHRAIN

Bahrain said on May 19 it was suspending for 30 days the entry of foreign travellers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

The Cayman Islands government said on May 20 it would implement enhanced screening measures as a precaution after a flight landed carrying two passengers with ​a recent travel history to the DRC.

THAILAND

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry said on Tuesday that passengers arriving from the DRC and Uganda will be allowed to enter the country only through Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they will undergo screening.

Travellers from or through those countries will be required to quarantine ​for at least 21 days if they do not have symptoms, and will be referred to isolation for at ​least 21 days if ⁠they have symptoms compatible with Ebola virus disease.

KENYA

The Kenyan Ministry of Health said on Monday it has enhanced screening of travellers at high-risk points of entry, coordinated through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) under the fully activated National Incident Management System. Isolation and holding facilities have been activated in designated border locations to support potential containment ⁠efforts, the ​ministry added.

EUROPEAN UNION The European Union’s Health Security Committee said on Friday entry screenings were not necessary ​for passengers arriving from the DRC and Uganda, citing low risk to the population.

MEXICO

Mexico’s Health Secretary, David Kershenovich, addressed the media on Monday, outlining tighter Ebola screening measures at airports, urging the public to avoid travel to Congo, and asking arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day quarantine.

Emergency rescue teams ​were searching the dormitory at ⁠Utumishi Girls Academy, where the ​fire started at about 1 a.m. (2200 ​GMT), radio station Capital FM said, citing Samuel Ndanyi, the regional police commander.

“It ​is a distressing and saddening ​situation,” county police official Masoud Mwinyi told ‌distraught ⁠parents outside the school, said another broadcaster, Citizen Television.

Firefighters and police officers had fanned out to ​control the ​blaze ⁠and evacuate other students, Capital FM added. The ​cause of the fire is ​not ⁠yet known.

In 2024, a fire killed 21 students at a ⁠primary ​boarding school in nearby ​Nyeri county.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the 47-year-old founder of the progressive political ​movement aligned with the current opposition People’s ​Party, had been accused of lese majeste ⁠and violating the country’s cyber laws during ​the January 2021 livestream, in which he said ​the government had mishandled its COVID-19 vaccine campaign and unfairly favoured Siam Bioscience, a company owned by King Maha ​Vajiralongkorn.

He was formally indicted in 2022.

Thailand has one ​of the world’s strictest lese majeste laws, and a ‌conviction ⁠carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Breaches of the Computer Crimes Act are also punishable by up to five years in prison.

Thanathorn’s lawyer, ​Krisadang Nutcharat ​said the ⁠prosecutor has 30 days to appeal the court’s sentence.

The office of ​the attorney general did not immediately respond ​to ⁠a request for comment.

Thanathorn was banned from politics for 10 years by the Constitutional Court in 2020 over a loan he extended to the now-dissolved Future Forward Party, the predecessor of the People’s Party.

The US Central Command (Centcom) said its forces also shot down four Iranian drones “that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz”.

Global oil benchmark Brent rose by 3.75% to $97.83 (£73.15) a barrel, while US-traded crude was 4% higher at $92.22.

The strikes come despite a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington, as the two countries hold talks to end the three-month-long conflict that has effectively closed the key Strait of Hormuz, pushing up energy costs around the world.

Around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies usually pass through the strait.

Shortly after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, Tehran responded by threatening to attack vessels using the shipping route.

The returnee, who arrived in Accra on Wednesday with the first batch of evacuees, spoke to journalists at the airport while showing visible bruises and marks on his body, which he said were from physical assaults he suffered in South Africa.

According to him, the situation became increasingly unbearable for many Ghanaians living there, with some reportedly detained, stranded, or left without support.

“God bless Ghanaian leaders for thinking about us and bringing us back,” he said.

“People who were in jail and those who were in great need and suffering have been brought back.”

Recounting his own experience, he said he narrowly escaped more serious harm during the attacks.

“Personally, I suffered beatings. Look at my marks. It is God that brought me here,” he stated.

Despite the pain he says he endured, the evacuee called for peace and forgiveness rather than revenge.

“I have forgiven anyone who offended me. They [South Africa] should also forgive me. I don’t believe we should retaliate,” he added.

He also commended the Ghanaian government for intervening and organising the evacuation exercise to bring stranded citizens home safely.

“Our government thinks about us. We want peace, not pieces,” he said.

The evacuation exercise forms part of government efforts to protect Ghanaians affected by renewed hostility against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

Officials say the returnees will receive medical care, counselling, and reintegration support as they begin rebuilding their lives back home.

Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that at least 31 people were killed in the latest attacks, including several children and three women, while 40 others were wounded.

The Israeli military stated that it targeted more than 100 Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure sites overnight. The assault marked one of the heaviest periods of bombardment since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in mid-April.

The escalation came immediately after Netanyahu instructed forces to “press the pedal even harder” against the group. Meanwhile, Hezbollah reported that its fighters directly confronted advancing Israeli troops as the military expanded ground operations deeper into Lebanese territory.

The deadly strikes heavily impacted southern municipal areas, causing 14 deaths in Burj al-Shamali near Tyre, five in Kawthariyat al-Riz, four in Habbush, six in Maarakeh, and two in Salaa. Operations struck deep into sovereign territory. Structural damage occurred near critical humanitarian infrastructure and historical landmarks, including the 900-year-old, UNESCO-recognised Beaufort Castle.

Early Wednesday, sirens sounded in northern Israel after a projectile was launched from Lebanon. The Israel Defence Forces stated the projectile landed in an open area, causing no injuries.

Israel Deepens the Security Buffer

The latest military surge follows a clear policy directive from Jerusalem to fundamentally alter the security landscape along the border. Netanyahu, speaking at a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, confirmed that Israel was systematically expanding its footprint to prevent cross-border operations by the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group.

“The IDF is operating with large forces on the ground and seizing dominant terrain,” Netanyahu said. He added that troops were “fortifying the security zone” to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

The operational shift has pushed Israeli forces deeper into Lebanese territory. An Israeli military official confirmed that troops have begun operating beyond the initial, Israeli-announced “Yellow Line,” which extends roughly 10 kilometres (six miles) deep inside Lebanon. This mandate followed a video statement on Monday in which Netanyahu declared that Israel would increase both the volume and intensity of strikes to counter Hezbollah’s evolving deployment of fibre-optic drones, which have successfully evaded standard air defences.

“We will deal them a crushing blow,” Netanyahu vowed.

Urban Exodus and Casualties in the Rubble

Netanyahu’s warnings triggered immediate panic in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a prominent Hezbollah stronghold. Thousands of families packed vehicles, lining the streets in a desperate bid to flee the capital’s periphery. While deliberate strikes spared the capital itself during the immediate overnight bombardment, Israeli warplanes launched dozens of strikes, hitting nearly 50 distinct locations across the country.

The human toll of the bombardment concentrated heavily in the eastern Bekaa Valley and southern municipalities. In the eastern town of Mashghara, an overnight strike levelled multiple residential homes. The Lebanese health ministry stated that “yesterday’s Israeli enemy airstrike on the town of Mashghara in West Bekaa resulted in a preliminary toll of 11 martyrs, including two girls and a woman, and 15 wounded, including a child.”

Among the survivors in Mashghara was a seven-year-old boy named Mohammad, who was pulled from the debris by rescue crews after his father and two sisters were killed.

“When I woke up, I felt like I couldn’t move, and beside me was just darkness,” Mohammad said from his hospital bed, his body covered in lacerations and his head wrapped in bandages. “I heard the sound of the guys who were rescuing me. They took a long time to pull me out.”

The strikes have transformed municipal areas into hollowed-out conflict zones. Ahmad, a local municipality member in Mashghara, described the scale of destruction while navigating collapsed residential blocks and shops.

“I’m not a member of Hezbollah, but everyone in the village stands with the resistance, and the enemy is sparing no one,” Ahmad said. His assessment was abruptly cut short by the roar of overhead jets and a subsequent explosion along a nearby transit route.

Hezbollah Rebounds with Direct Confrontations

The IDF defended its widespread aerial campaign by releasing surveillance footage of the Mashghara strikes, asserting that the targets were specific “Hezbollah infrastructure sites where terrorist activity was identified.” The military reported hitting 90 weapons storage facilities, command centres and observation posts overnight.

Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, issued sweeping evacuation orders for at least 50 southern and eastern towns—including the major southern city of Nabatieh. Adraee claimed that repetitive ceasefire violations by Hezbollah left Israeli forces with no operational alternative but to act.

Hezbollah has actively resisted the push, utilising asymmetric tactics and launching explosive drones and rockets at Israeli army barracks in northern Israel.

The group stated that its fighters directly confronted an advancing Israeli force attempting to enter Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, a strategically vital town overlooking Nabatieh city, using heavy artillery and close-quarters engagements.

Hezbollah characterised its operations as a direct “response to the violation of the ceasefire” by Israel. The political and military calculations in Israel shifted rapidly after the IDF confirmed a soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Sunday.

That casualty brought total Israeli military losses from Hezbollah attacks to 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor since this phase of the conflict ignited on March 2. Conversely, the Lebanese health ministry stated that Israeli strikes over that same period have killed at least 3,185 people.

Threats to Civil Infrastructure and Global Diplomacy

The geographical expansion of the conflict has raised urgent alarms regarding Lebanon’s civil infrastructure. Multiple airstrikes landed near the Qaraoun Dam on the Litani River, a primary water and power installation in eastern Lebanon.

The Litani River Authority issued a sharp public warning, stating that “any direct or indirect targeting of the Qaraoun Dam or its facilities could lead to catastrophic risks for residents, infrastructure, and vital installations in the areas downstream.” The agency implored international diplomats to intervene immediately to shield the installation from kinetic strikes.

The risks to humanitarian workers continue to climb. Lebanon’s civil defence reported that a first responder succumbed to wounds sustained during a double-tap strike in the town of Qaraoun while attempting to treat a civilian injured in a previous attack.

Another strike in Srifa killed a rescuer from the Risala Scouts association, an organisation linked to the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement, raising the total number of dead rescue workers to 121 since March.

The escalating violence threatens to permanently derail backchannel diplomatic talks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran aimed at salvaging the formal cessation of hostilities. Figures from international observers suggest the truce has effectively collapsed on the ground.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq revealed that UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) detected “91 airspace violations, the highest number since the cessation of hostilities came into effect.” Haq added that UNIFIL recorded 399 firing incidents attributed to the IDF alongside 11 projectile trajectories attributed to Hezbollah in a 24-hour window, underscoring a systemic unravelling of the diplomatic framework.

The Diplomatic Crossroads

With the U.S.-brokered truce unravelling on the ground, the conflict has reached a critical bottleneck. Israel continues to frame its intensified deep-theatre incursions as a defensive requirement to permanently neutralise threats to its northern borders. Conversely, Hezbollah remains committed to military resistance, asserting its right to retaliate against what it labels systemic Israeli violations.

As international mediators scramble to preserve the diplomatic architecture of the mid-April agreement, the accelerating violence threatens to lock both factions into a broader, unchecked war of attrition, with trapped civilian populations bearing the ultimate cost.

According to the South African public broadcaster South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the group was scheduled to depart from OR Tambo International Airport for Accra amid growing anti-undocumented migrant protests in parts of South Africa.

Home Affairs Immigration and Law Enforcement head Stephen van Neel told reporters that authorities found widespread immigration violations among the group.

“Of the 300 individuals that were on that list, we only found 10 of them being legal in the country,” van Neel said.

He added that the remainder were either undocumented, non-compliant, or had overstayed their permits, and that the Department of Home Affairs would implement the necessary sanctions.

Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa later confirmed that fewer than 300 nationals ultimately boarded the repatriation flight after some were reportedly turned away because of documentation issues. Those affected are expected to be considered for a second repatriation flight later this week.

The repatriation process comes amid heightened tensions over undocumented migration in South Africa, where groups linked to anti-immigration protests have intensified demonstrations in recent months.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quashie, urged calm and ruled out retaliatory action against South Africans living in Ghana.

“We believe that if there are any South Africans that need to be repatriated, it is the responsibility of state institutions, not individuals,” Quashie said.

He also said that Ghana would continue to promote cooperation and “the spirit of pan-Africanism,” despite the ongoing tensions.

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Political analysts said the speaker position could give the former premier, who was ousted on Friday, a platform to challenge Faye, though ​Sonko moved to downplay that prospect.

“We are not here to fight against the president of the ​republic, but the assembly will fully play its role,” Sonko told lawmakers as he accepted ⁠the new post.

International investors are likely to price in a higher risk of Senegal defaulting on its debt ​following Sonko’s removal as prime minister, investment bank Morgan Stanley warned on Tuesday, as the country’s bonds fell sharply.

Lawmakers rebelled ​against Faye’s decision to dissolve the cabinet and fire Sonko by reinstating him as a member of parliament and overwhelmingly backing him as speaker with the support of 132 lawmakers in the 165-member assembly.

The opposition described the manoeuvre as a scandal and questioned ​its legality.

A POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN FORMER ALLIES

As parliamentary speaker, Sonko will have significant scope to block Faye’s legislative ​agenda, according to Signal Risk analyst Greg Musiker.

The two former allies – both senior figures in the ruling PASTEF party – have been ‌engaged in ⁠a fast-moving battle for control since they swept to power together in 2024, falling out over policy, authority and the direction of Senegal’s reform agenda.

Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, a seasoned economist and former regional central bank official, to replace Sonko late on Monday.

Sonko, a vocal critic of the International Monetary Fund, had opposed any ​restructuring of Senegal’s debt, whereas ​Lo’s views on the ⁠subject are not yet clear.

Sonko’s return to a powerful political post ramps up uncertainty over the approach the government will take in talks with the IMF and Senegal’s creditors.

“I ​must be truthful and say that we have some differences,” Sonko said, referring ​to Lo. “Notably on ⁠monetary policy, debt management and other similar issues.”

Before the cabinet was dissolved last week, Senegal had expected to resume talks with the IMF over a new lending programme next month.

Sonko said on Tuesday the latest political developments were a ⁠test of ​the West African nation’s democracy.

“Senegal must show Africa that a political ​crisis can be faced without hatred, without violence and without institutional collapse. We must prove that an African people can debate firmly without ​destroying its own state,” he said.

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In a Facebook post, the Minister said government was pleased to receive the returning citizens as arrangements were underway for their safe evacuation.

“Ghana wishes our cherished citizens a safe flight from South Africa. We cannot wait to warmly welcome you all to our beloved nation. Come let’s celebrate Eid al-Adha together. We love our citizens. For God and Country,” he wrote.

The message comes as government facilitates the return of Ghanaians from South Africa, with authorities describing the exercise as part of efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of citizens abroad.

The group is part of a wider repatriation exercise triggered by renewed reports of attacks, intimidation, and hostility against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, sparking fear among migrant communities, including Ghanaians.

The evacuation is being coordinated by Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Although the process was initially scheduled to begin on May 21, it was delayed after officials recorded a higher-than-expected number of Ghanaians registering for assistance to return home.

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The woman unsuccessfully argued that “water is a natural resource and a universal human right” after a waiter only offered her €7 (£6) bottled mineral water at the restaurant of the five-star Hotel Sassongher in Corvara during the 2019 ski season.

The Italian Supreme Court denied her request for €2,700 to compensate her for emotional distress and economic damage, Italian media reports.

Silvio Belardi, the lawyer representing the hotel, is quoted in the newspaper Corriere Alto Adige as saying the court held that “there is no obligation to supply tap water”.

Media reports say she initially filed the claim in a lower court in Rome. They have not confirmed her identity or background.

She claimed her consumer rights were violated when staff refused her request for tap water, saying it was a key part of the hotel’s service and likened it to “finding a bed with sheets” and “soap in the bathroom”.

Supreme Court judges dismissed her claim, ruling that Italian laws and regulations do not mandate venues to provide tap water to guests and that the decision to serve it is up to individual venues.

Licensed venues across England and Wales are legally required to serve free drinking water upon request.

The BBC has approached Hotel Sassongher for further comment.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s space company Blue Origin is one of several companies picked to build the machines.

The US wants to land Americans back on the Moon before President Donald Trump leaves office in 2029.

But NASA is competing with China to return humans to the lunar surface, meaning the space agency is under pressure to appear to be winning the new space race.

China is forging ahead with its own plans to land humans on the Moon by 2030.

On Monday it launched its Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, sending a crew of astronauts to the country’s Tiangong space station.

In March, NASA announced a $20 billion programme to construct a permanent base powered by nuclear and solar energy at the Moon’s south pole by 2032.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said on Tuesday that the announcements mean the US will “never give up the Moon again”.

A base would allow the US to carry out scientific experiments, potentially mine valuable resources, and travel to Mars more easily.

But most experts agree that NASA’s timeline is unrealistic.

Despite the US’s success in sending four astronauts around the Moon in its Artemis II mission in April, some scientists believe China is likely to be the next country to land humans on the lunar surface.

“It would not surprise me at all if China gets there first,” Dr Simeon Barber, Lunar Scientist at Open University, told BBC News, citing NASA’s setbacks in securing a craft that can land humans on the Moon.

NASA’s Ignition Moon Base programme has three phases.

Before humans travel there, the space agency wants to send robotic landers and hopping drones to explore and map the Moon’s challenging terrain.

Delivery vehicles would also be taken that could drive astronauts over the lunar surface and carry communications and scientific instruments.

On Tuesday, Nasa said companies including Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic have been awarded the contracts to build the machines.

NASA wants Blue Origin’s lunar lander, called Endurance, to be able to carry out precise landings, as well as autonomous navigation and control.

Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 lander is expected to land at Nobile Crater near the South Pole.

The machines will also deliver scientific instruments for NASA, including high-resolution cameras and tools that use reflected laser light to help the craft land.

This robotic exploration should last until 2029, with 25 launches and 4 metric tonnes of cargo landed on the Moon, Carlos García-Galán, Moon Base programme executive said on Tuesday.

Next, NASA wants to build nuclear and solar power facilities on the Moon, including fission reactors.

By 2032, the space agency wants humans to be able to live on the Moon in “semi-permanent” housing.

Rovers would also enable astronauts to travel long-distance across the rocky surface.

The Moon’s South Pole is particularly appealing because frozen water could be used for drinking water or to produce oxygen.

However, Nasa’s plans rely on a spacecraft being ready that can safely transport humans to the Moon.

Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is contracted to build a craft called Starship Human Landing System, but it has faced numerous setbacks and delays.

“The limiting step is getting the astronauts down onto the surface,” explains lunar scientist Simeon Barber.

“It sounds to me like [Nasa] feel they’re in a position where they have to start saying they’ve got plans. So I think there’s a lot of political drive behind this,” he says.

While previous pontiffs have expressed regret for Christian participation in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, this marks the first time a Pope has publicly acknowledged, and apologised for, the explicit authority granted by past popes to European sovereigns to subjugate and enslave “infidels.”

The apology was delivered by the first U.S.-born Pope, whose own family history encompasses both enslaved individuals and slave owners. It featured in his inaugural encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), released on Monday.

This comprehensive manifesto primarily addresses the imperative of safeguarding humanity amidst the growing reliance on artificial intelligence.

Pope Leo drew a parallel between the historical trans-Atlantic slave trade and what he termed new forms of slavery and colonialism, now exacerbated by the digital revolution – citing, for instance, the unregulated labour required to extract rare minerals essential for AI chip production.

In doing so, Leo responded to decades of calls by Black American Catholics, activists and scholars for the Holy See to atone for its own role in the colonial-era trade in human beings.

“It is impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many in stark contrast to their immeasurable dignity as persons infinitely loved by the Lord,” Leo wrote. “For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon.”

Centuries of legitimizing slavery for European colonizers

The Vatican has insisted that it always upheld the dignity of all human beings as children of God. But a series of 15th-century directives from the Vatican authorized Portuguese sovereigns to conquer Africa and the Americas and enslave non-Christians.

In 1452, for example, Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas, which gave the Portuguese king and his successors the right “to invade, conquer, fight and subjugate” and take all possessions — including land — of “Saracens, and pagans, and other infidels, and enemies of the name of Christ” anywhere.

The bull also gave the Portuguese permission “to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery.”

That bull and another issued three years later, Romanus Pontifex, formed the basis of the Doctrine of Discovery, the theory that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of land in Africa and the Americas.

Nicholas V’s permissions to the Portuguese were confirmed or renewed by Pope Callixtus III in 1456, Pope Sixtus IV in 1481, and Pope Leo X in 1514, according to the Rev. Christopher J. Kellerman, a Jesuit priest and author of “All Oppression Shall Cease: A History of Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Catholic Church.”

Spanish kings received the rights for the Americas.

In 2023, the Vatican formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, but it never formally rescinded, abrogated or rejected the bulls themselves. The Vatican insists that a later bull, Sublimis Deus in 1537, reaffirmed that Indigenous peoples shouldn’t be deprived of their liberty or the possession of their 

property, and weren’t to be enslaved.

Holy See late to condemn slavery, Leo says

In his encyclical, Leo recalled that his namesake, Pope Leo XIII was the first pope to explicitly condemn slavery in 1888, though that was long after many countries had already abolished it. Before that, in antiquity and the Middle Ages, even church institutions had slaves.

In acknowledging the Holy See’s own role and the 15th-century papal bulls, Leo wrote in his encyclical: “Already in the early modern period, the Apostolic See of Rome, responding to the requests of sovereigns, intervened several times in order to regulate and legitimize forms of subjugation, and, in certain cases, including the enslavement of ‘infidels.’”

Leo said that it wasn’t possible to judge the morality of the decisions with today’s standards.

“Yet neither can we deny or diminish the delay with which both society and the church came to denounce the scourge of slavery,” he said.

The pope said that the church has long affirmed the dignity of every human being as the basis of its doctrine, “even if it took eighteen centuries for its full incompatibility with slavery to be explicitly recognized.”

“This constitutes a wound in Christian memory, one from which we cannot consider ourselves detached,” he said.

Leo said that the church today must firmly condemn all forms of trafficking related to the digital technological revolution “if we want to avoid the need to ask for pardon again in the future for having failed to respect the treasure of human dignity that is required by our faith.”

Leo’s own family history and past apologies

During a 1985 visit to Cameroon, St. John Paul II asked forgiveness of Africans for the slave trade on behalf of Christians who participated in it, but not for the popes’ own role in it. In a 1992 visit to Goree Island, Senegal, which was the largest slave-trading center in West Africa, he denounced the injustice of slavery and called it a “tragedy of a civilization that called itself Christian.”

According to genealogical research published by Henry Louis Gates Jr., 17 of Leo’s American ancestors were Black, listed in census records as mulatto, Black, Creole or a free person of color. His family tree includes slaveholders and enslaved people, Gates wrote in The New York Times.

During a visit to Angola last month, Leo prayed at a Catholic shrine located at the site of an important hub of the African slave trade during Portugal’s colonial rule. While at the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima, Leo recalled the “sorrow and great suffering” Angolans endured for centuries, but he didn’t refer specifically to slavery.

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The BBC saw dozens of buses chartered by the Ghanaian embassy dropping off passengers at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport around 03:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

There were men, women and children of all ages. A smaller group of people also arrived in a police van, were kept apart from the majority of passengers, and were watched over by the police.

It follows a wave of protests against illegal immigration in South African cities in recent weeks, leading to fears there could be a resurgence in xenophobic violence in the country.

All the passengers were registered by the embassy and airport staff.

Ghanaian authorities told the BBC that an initial 300 people would leave on Wednesday morning. The remaining registered citizens were still being screened and would depart at a later date.

Few of the departing passengers wanted to speak to journalists, but Rudolph, who’s lived in South Africa for 10 years and runs a salon, told the BBC he was leaving because of the recent protests.

“It’s not comfortable for us to stay here anymore, so we have to go. I think we will find peace at home,” he said.

There are an estimated 25,000 Ghanaians living in South Africa.

Demonstrators say illegal migrants are putting pressure on public services and have asked the South African government to do more to stop it.

The demonstrations have been organised by a group called March and March, which describes itself as a citizen-led movement for immigration reform.

It has set a 30 June deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country. Rudolph worries that the deadline could lead to violence.

“The protests started in Durban, and they’ve escalated to other provinces. So definitely something bad could happen.” He added he would never return to South Africa.

Ghanaian High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie told the BBC he wanted to ensure the country’s citizens were safe.

“The Ghanaian government listened to the plight of its citizens in South Africa, who felt that their lives were in danger, who felt like the economic activity that they were engaging in had come to a standstill, who felt unwelcome in this country, and it is the responsibility of every government to ensure that its citizens are taken care of both home and abroad.”

When asked what they were doing to ensure illegal migrants from Ghana did not come to South Africa, he said they had a reintegration strategy in place for those returning.

“The government is willing to establish them in whatever business they were doing in South Africa. In a way, we’re also helping the South African economy, because it’s clear that some of them are undocumented. So taking them out of here will let them know that we are not people who condone undocumented people in countries.”

Some analysts have suggested the resurgence of anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa could be linked to local elections scheduled for November.

In 2019, at least 12 people were killed, and in 2008, 62 foreign nationals died in attacks on foreigners across the country.

But the organisers of recent protests have said they have been peaceful.

Earlier this month, the South African government condemned criminal acts directed at foreigners, whilst conceding the country needed to deal with illegal immigration.

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The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the African Development Bank’s Annual Meetings in Brazzaville on May 26, 2026, and is expected to strengthen collaboration on health financing, demographic resilience and human capital development across the continent.

The partnership is particularly significant within the framework of the Media Forum, as UNFPA is expected to become a future partner of the Réseau des Médias Africains pour la Promotion de la Santé et de l’Environnement (REMAPSEN), further deepening collaboration between development institutions and African media stakeholders.

According to the press release, the agreement positions maternal health not only as a health issue, but as a strategic economic priority for the continent.

“Africa has made huge progress in reducing maternal mortality, but ongoing challenges remain, linked to structural obstacles, unequal access to quality health services, and financing gaps,” the statement noted.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA, highlighted the immense development potential tied to investments in women and young people.

“Immense opportunity is within Africa’s grasp if we make strategic investments in women and young people,” she said.

She further stressed that, “Economic progress for Africa is only possible if we prioritize women’s health and address one of the continent’s most pressing development challenges: preventable maternal deaths.”

Describing the significance of the renewed collaboration between the two institutions, Diene Keita added, “this renewed partnership reflects our shared commitment to put maternal health and human capital development at the heart of Africa’s economic transformation agenda.”

Under the new framework, UNFPA and AfDB will jointly explore innovative financing and implementation mechanisms to help countries unlock investments in women and young people as drivers of Africa’s growth.

The agreement outlines key priorities including investments to modernize the health workforce through digital training, strengthening local procurement systems, upgrading climate-resilient health infrastructure, and supporting the digitization of health information systems.

Since 1992, the two organizations have collaborated on several initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems and data-driven development across Africa.

Achievements highlighted in the release include modernization of Côte d’Ivoire’s population census, improved emergency obstetric and newborn care services in Cameroon, reproductive health awareness campaigns in Madagascar, and climate adaptation programmes integrating gender and reproductive health concerns in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The press release also underscored the long-term objective of the partnership, stating that: “UNFPA will work with the AfDB to ensure that demographic transition roadmaps sit at the heart of national financing strategies, ensuring that investments in health and rights are recognized as smart investments for Africa’s future.”

The agreement is expected to reinforce continental advocacy around maternal health, gender equality and sustainable development, while strengthening the role of African media networks such as REMAPSEN in amplifying public awareness and policy dialogue on critical health and development issues.

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The US Central Command (Centcom) said Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines had been targeted with what it called “self-defence strikes” in southern Iran on Monday.

Iran’s foreign ministry said it held the US responsible for the consequences of its “aggressive and unjustified actions” in the Hormozgan region, which has a coast along the Strait of Hormuz – the crucial waterway Iran has blocked causing a spike in world energy prices.

It is unclear what impact the strikes will have on talks aimed to end the conflict.

“Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian nation,” the Iranian statement said.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal from the talks was still possible, but it would “take a few days”.

One of the stumbling blocks reportedly centres on Tehran’s request for the release of frozen Iranian funds held abroad.

The talks have been mainly mediated by Pakistan.

However, Iranian negotiators have been taking parts in Qatar this week.

An official briefed on the Doha visit told Reuters news agency that Iran’s central bank governor had attended Monday’s talks to discuss the frozen assets, with discussions focusing primarily on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively blocked the vital shipping lane, through which around one fifth of the world’s oil passes, since the US and Israel started the conflict on February 28.

US, Israel and many Western countries have accused Iran of enriching uranium in order to make a nuclear weapon. Iran says the programme is for peaceful purposes only.

Airstrikes Formally Characterised as Defensive Action

U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation but noted that the engagement does not cancel out the temporary truce held since April 8. The strikes occurred near Bandar Abbas, a pivotal southern port city that hosts a major Iranian naval base. The base directly overlooks the strategic Strait of Hormuz—the narrow gateway to the Persian Gulf, which handles roughly 25% of the world’s maritime oil trade.

In an official statement, U.S. Central Command asserted that the strikes were executed in “self-defence,” adding that they were specifically designed “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.”

Military officials maintained that the operations were precise and reactive rather than expansionist. Central Command spokesperson Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins noted that “U.S. forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.” He added that the specific “targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.” The Pentagon noted that these engagements follow previous bouts of friction; in early May, American forces targeted Iranian military sites tied to unprovoked missile, drone, and small-boat actions against U.S. warships navigating the strait.

Explosions Recorded Along the Persian Gulf

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted that three distinct explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, followed by subsequent detonations near the local airport. Air defence systems in the sector were promptly activated to counter what local military officials labelled hostile targets. Before the activation of the air defences, Iran’s armed forces stated they had successfully intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone operating over the Persian Gulf.

Iranian state media reported that local municipal and military officials in Bandar Abbas were actively investigating the immediate aftermath of the blasts. Similar acoustic disturbances were reported by witnesses further along the coast near Sirik and Jask.

While the military environment remains tense, the broader domestic posture inside Iran shows signs of internal shifts. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the Ministry of Communications to begin restoring domestic internet access. Tehran had implemented a near-total digital disconnection starting in late December 2025 to suppress widespread domestic protests linked to severe economic inflation and currency depreciation. Independent monitoring networks like NetBlocks noted the blackout surpassed 2,064 hours, complicating transparency surrounding state executions. Despite the tactical military engagement, semi-official Iranian media channels broadcast messages stating that the domestic situation in Bandar Abbas remained entirely under control and posed no cause for wider public concern.

Diplomatic Progress Tempered by Core Disputes

The military friction occurred concurrently with high-stakes diplomatic deliberations in Qatar. A high-level Iranian delegation, featuring chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, met with Qatari mediators in Doha to review a potential memorandum of understanding with the United States.

The framework under review includes a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, mechanisms to ensure the permanent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an explicit roadmap for future negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear profile. However, senior diplomats from both governments cautioned that a definitive peace treaty remains distant.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai acknowledged that while structural progress has been achieved, expectations of an immediate breakthrough should be managed. “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion… But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent – no one can make such a claim,” Baqai stated.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously suggested that a formal framework agreement could potentially materialise as early as Monday. This timeline was initially echoed by President Donald Trump over the weekend, though the president subsequently adjusted his rhetoric, noting that he had formally instructed American diplomatic envoys “not to rush into” an immediate settlement.

Logistical obstacles have further slowed the pace of the Doha deliberations. Intelligence assessments indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently operating from an undisclosed location. Khamenei sustained injuries during an initial Israeli airstrike on the opening day of the war—an attack that killed his father and predecessor. The physical displacement of the Supreme Leader has hampered direct, rapid communication with Iranian envoys in Qatar.

Nuclear Stockpiles Remain Central Sticking Point

The main diplomatic barrier centres on the status of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile. The current military conflict began following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28. At that time, Iran held an estimated 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity.

Western intelligence agencies warn that this inventory is dangerous. It requires only minimal additional processing to reach the 90 per cent weapons-grade threshold needed for an atomic bomb. Because of this, White House officials have adopted a strict negotiating posture. Their policy is summarised by the internal phrase, “No dust, no dollars.” Under this rule, the U.S. will block all economic sanctions relief and frozen asset releases until the nuclear material is permanently neutralised.

President Trump detailed these non-negotiable terms on social media on Monday. Trump stated that the “Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event.”

The public post marks a subtle shift from Trump’s comments last Thursday in the Oval Office. He previously told reporters, “We’ll probably destroy it after we get it, but we’re not going to let them have it.”

The core demand for absolute disposal remains unchanged. However, the updated language introduces a new option. The material could potentially be destroyed on Iranian soil under international oversight. Senior White House aides minimised the change. They clarified that this is not a new demand, but simply a public reminder of terms already delivered to Iranian intermediaries.

Regional Postures Harden Amid Lebanese Friction

The deep friction between Washington and Tehran is fueled by a hard-line consensus within Iran’s security apparatus. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr recently took over as the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. In his first public address since taking office, he promised an uncompromising approach to Western pressure.

Zolghadr is a veteran Revolutionary Guard commander. He stepped into the role following the wartime death of his predecessor, Ali Larijani. Zolghadr declared to the public that “there will be no retreat” in the country’s ongoing strategic confrontation. Other military leaders in Tehran echoed this defiance. They insisted their forces stand in a much stronger position today than at the war’s outset.

Meanwhile, the wider regional war keeps expanding along Israel’s northern border. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire is technically in place between Israel and Lebanon. Despite this truce, the Israel Defence Forces spent Monday preparing to widen combat operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that military pressure will ramp up. In a video address, he stated that Israel will “intensify the blows” and “increase the force” used against the group.

“We are not taking our foot off the gas pedal; on the contrary … we need to push the gas pedal even harder,” Netanyahu remarked.

The IDF claimed it struck over 70 Hezbollah infrastructure targets on Monday. The strikes hit command hubs and weapons caches across the Beqaa Valley and Tyre. Israel launched the raids to blunt a wave of advanced, fibre-optic drones.

A U.S. official came out in full support of Israel’s military response. The official stated that “Israel will never be expected to passively absorb attacks on its forces and civilians.”

The American official placed direct blame on the militant group for the ongoing violence.

“Since April 17, Hezbollah has fired over a thousand drones and over 700 rockets to try and derail ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The status quo is untenable,” the official said.

The official added that Hezbollah “is entirely responsible for the current situation. It broke the ceasefire on March 2 and is now intent on denying the Lebanese people a path to peace and reconstruction.”

Domestic Memorial Tributes and War Costs

The global economic shockwaves of this war drag on. Persistent shipping disruptions along the closed Strait of Hormuz continue to block international trade routes. As a result, worldwide fuel prices remain high.

Back in Washington, the human toll of the fighting took centre stage during Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery. President Trump dedicated much of his speech to honouring the American service members killed in the conflict. He tied their sacrifices directly to the active nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

“In Operation Epic Fury, we lost 13 wonderful souls, wonderful special people. These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon. Oh, and they won’t. They will never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

During the address, Trump recognised the family of Capt. Ariana G. Savino, a fallen service member who died when a military refuelling plane crashed in Iraq.

“Ariana’s selfless gift will not be in vain,” Trump stated. “Our debt to you is everlasting, and it’s always going to end in victory. We’re having victories all over the place, more than we’ve had many, many decades.”

Vice President JD Vance spoke to the grieving families just before the president took the stage.

“I know, from every American across every political persuasion, that we love you, we’re grateful to you, and we commit to make the United States of America the very best version of itself,” Vance said.

The president wrapped up his remarks by contrasting the conflict with a separate U.S. operation in Venezuela. He noted that the military “lost no one” during the mission that captured Nicolás Maduro. Across both recent foreign campaigns, Trump summarised, the U.S. has lost a total of 13 service members.

Strait of Hormuz Remains the Flashpoint of War and Peace 

The overlapping realities of live combat and back-channel diplomacy underscore the volatile nature of the Middle Eastern theatre. While localised U.S. strikes near Bandar Abbas signal Washington’s resolve to enforce maritime freedom, the presence of Iranian negotiators in Doha highlights a mutual reluctance to return to total warfare. Neither side appears to want an uncontained conflict.

Consequently, the survival of any impending framework agreement has become a high-stakes race against time. The ultimate success of a memorandum of understanding hinges on whether technical consensus regarding sanctions relief and nuclear dismantling can outpace the daily military friction destabilising the world’s most critical energy corridor.

The new strikes will target “decision-making centres and command posts”, alongside drone manufacturing facilities in the city, Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Moscow has called for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv “as soon as possible” and warned citizens to stay away from administrative and military buildings.

Large-scale Russian strikes on Saturday night killed four and injured about 100 people in Kyiv and other areas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Moscow said that barrage and threatened further strikes were in response to what it claims was a deliberate Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in the town of Starobilsk on Friday, in which Russian officials said 21 people were killed.

Ukraine’s military said its forces had struck an elite Russian military drone unit in the area, in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, and had not targeted civilians.

Russia has launched several waves of deadly missile and drone attacks on Kyiv since a brief ceasefire, that coincided with Moscow’s annual Victory Day parade, expired earlier in May.

Shortly after that, Russian strikes on Kyiv killed 24 people, including three children, in a block of flats.

Days later, Russian officials said three people were killed in a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region, with Zelensky saying the strikes were an “entirely justified” response to deadly Russian attacks.

Kyiv then suffered one of the biggest aerial assaults of the war overnight on Saturday.

Videos posted on social media showed explosions lighting up the sky throughout the night, and many Kyiv residents reported blasts rocking the city as numerous civilian targets were hit.

Russia employed dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles and hundreds of drones to hit the capital, as well as firing a hypersonic, nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile on the area of Bila Tserkva, 90km south of Kyiv.

Non-military targets such as the Chernobyl Museum in Kyiv’s historic district and the National Art Museum of Ukraine were damaged or destroyed. A shopping centre, a market and several residential buildings in the area of Lukanivka were also destroyed.

On Monday evening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate American diplomats from Kyiv in a phone call, Russia’s foreign ministry said.

Many are interpreting Russia’s warning for foreign nationals to leave Kyiv as a form of psychological pressure.

Russia already carries out large-scale strikes on the capital, and has done so since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

But four and a half years of war have taught Ukraine to develop and ramp up a sophisticated and layered air defence system.

It now intercepts a vast proportion of drones and missiles – although Russia often fires them in such great numbers they overwhelmed air defences and many do get through.

Ukraine also remains heavily dependent on foreign air defence systems for missile interception.

In March, Zelensky warned that his country would face a deficit of such weapons due to the US and Israel’s war with Iran.

Ndiaye, a senior figure in the ruling ​PASTEF party, said on Sunday ​his resignation was a personal decision, giving ⁠the “higher interest of the nation” as ​a reason for his departure.

President Bassirou Diomaye ​Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday and dissolved the government after months of mounting tension ​between the two leaders.

Ties between Faye ​and Sonko, allies who swept to power together ‌in ⁠2024, soured against a backdrop of growing economic challenges linked to debt and domestic fallout from the Iran war.

Members of parliament ​are set ​to convene ⁠on Tuesday to vote on reinstating Sonko as a lawmaker ​and to elect a new ​speaker ⁠for the National Assembly to replace Ndiaye.

Some critics say reinstating Sonko would be illegal ⁠as ​he has never been ​a member of parliament.

Girls Tag, described as an all-in-one period care pack designed for girls aged nine and above, recently launched with Mercy Johnson and her daughter, Purity Okojie, as brand ambassadors.

Shortly after the launch, Regina Daniels was also announced as an ambassador for the brand.

However, the product launch has sparked backlash on social media, with critics describing the price as unrealistic and insensitive. They argue that many Nigerian women and girls struggle to afford basic menstrual products and are often forced to resort to unsafe alternatives or miss school during their periods.

“PHIL, not everyone is a philanthropist! Nigeria’s problems are not everyone’s problem. She knows who her customers are… she is not interested in the average Nigerian lady or every girl child. Again, not everyone is a philanthropist. We don’t tell Dangote to sell fuel at ₦100 to support poor or small business owners. This is business… and again, Nigeria is not everybody’s problem,” @Lai stated.

@Ms Jorji said, “Mercy Johnson, you are an embarrassment to women. In a country where women are struggling to afford sanitary pads, you want to charge ₦25,000 for sanitary pads.”

“The target audience had to be baddies,” @A Tall Edo Girl said.

@Rebekah wrote, “Dear @realmercyj, Nigeria is a poor country. Elitism should never extend to the basic rights and dignity of girls and women. Sanitary pads are not luxury items. How many Nigerians can realistically afford ₦25,000 monthly for a basic necessity? What is wrong with us Nigerians?”

@Ara stated, “The way some of you kiss celebrities’ ass is annoying. In a country where sanitary pads are meant to be free, someone is selling them for ₦25,000 and I’m seeing, ‘oh, the packaging is worth it’—yen yen yen. Hypocrites! Since when did pads start having a target audience?”

“To be honest, sanitary pads shouldn’t cost this much. I believe it should be a basic amenity just like food,” @Matt wrote.

@Okafor Gift said, “Selling pads for ₦25,000. As how???”

@Olaámi wrote, “Most Nigerian celebrities don’t actually stand for anything; all they care about is their bottom line. Greedy people.”

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Kwara, in Nigeria’s north-central region, has in recent years faced a spillover of violent attacks linked to armed groups often referred to ​locally as bandits, who operate across forested border regions and ​are known for kidnappings for ransom.

The attackers struck around 2 ⁠a.m. (0100 GMT) in Yashikira, a community in Baruten local government area near ​Nigeria’s northwestern border, in what authorities described as a coordinated assault.

When the ​police divisional headquarters came under attack, officers on duty repelled the gunmen, the Kwara State Police Command said in a statement.

During the same raid, the assailants set ​sections of the Emir of Yashikira’s palace ablaze and kidnapped 10 residents, ​taking them to an unknown location.

Police Commissioner Ojo Adekimi said security forces had launched ‌a ⁠joint operation involving the military, forest guards and local vigilantes to search nearby forests and suspected hideouts, with the aim of rescuing the victims and arresting those responsible.

Separately, police confirmed a second attack in the state ​in which gunmen ​targeted a prayer ⁠gathering in the Ekiti local government area late on Friday. Armed assailants opened fire at worshippers holding a ​night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, killing three people and ​abducting ⁠15 others, according to police.

The incident was reported by a local pastor, who said the attackers stormed the gathering at about 8:30 p.m. (1930 GMT), shooting ⁠sporadically ​before taking victims away.

Police said tactical teams, ​including a drone unit and specialised mobile force personnel, had been deployed to carry out search-and-rescue ​operations and track down the attackers.

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A statement read on state media said all ministers were dismissed, with the outgoing government tasked with handling day-to-day affairs, according to Oumar Samba Ba, secretary-general of the presidency.

The decision follows months of growing tensions between the two allies-turned-rivals. Sonko, a charismatic figure ​with a strong youth following, had backed Faye in the 2024 election after being barred from running himself due to ​a defamation conviction.

In a post on social media after the announcement, Sonko said: “Tonight I will sleep with a ⁠light heart in the Keur Gorgui neighbourhood,” referring to his residence.

The split comes as Senegal faces mounting economic pressure. The International Monetary Fund ​froze its $1.8 billion lending program with Senegal following the discovery of misreported debt, pushing the country’s end-2024 debt level to 132% of its economic ​output.

Faye’s move raises the risk of further delays in reaching a new agreement with the IMF, seen as key to reviving the economy.

Earlier on Friday, before Sonko’s dismissal, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament that Senegal expects to resume talks with the IMF in the week of June 8 and hopes to reach an agreement on key ​points by June 30.

Diba also warned the country’s fuel subsidy bill could exceed its 2026 budget allocation by as much as 1.15 trillion ​CFA francs ($2 billion) if oil prices rise to $115 per barrel, adding that Sonko had rejected his request to raise fuel prices.

Sonko had opposed any restructuring of ‌the debt, ⁠estimated at $13 billion, which he said the IMF was advocating, while Faye has been less vocal on the issue.

SPECULATION OVER SONKO’S POLITICAL FUTURE

Sonko was a popular opposition leader under the previous administration of President Macky Sall, whose decision to delay the 2024 election spurred unrest.

Both Faye and Sonko are former tax officials who were jailed ahead of the 2024 election. They were released 10 days before the rescheduled contest, which Faye ​went on to win with 54% ​of the vote.

Faye then appointed ⁠Sonko as prime minister.

Now that Sonko is out of that job, it is unclear what his next steps will be.

In March, he said he would be willing to take his Pastef party out of the government ​and return to opposition if Faye departed from the party’s agenda, fuelling speculation that the two men’s ​power struggle was ⁠irresolvable.

Pastef dominates the National Assembly, meaning it could complicate governance and the passage of reforms needed to secure IMF support.

Last month, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved electoral code changes that could pave the way for Sonko to run for president in 2029.

Among the anti-establishment, pan-Africanist prime minister’s signature initiatives was an audit ⁠of Senegal’s ​resource deals, including those governing its emerging oil and gas sector.

In March, Sonko declared ​a BP gas contract for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project unfair and revoked some 71 mining licenses.

He had argued that renegotiating oil and gas contracts would lower domestic energy prices ​and help rebuild Senegal’s battered finances.

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