Source: Government of Qatar
Doha| June 12, 2025
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received on Thursday a written message from HE President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received the message during his meeting on Thursday with HE Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Qatar Adish Mammadov.
Source: Government of Qatar
Doha| June 12, 2025
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Dr Pedro Sanchez, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received the message during his meeting on Thursday with HE Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the State of Qatar Alvaro Renedo Zalba.
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Cabinet has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones during the devastating storms and heavy floods that claimed the lives of 57 people in the Eastern Cape.
Due to the recent adverse weather conditions in the province, several families have been displaced and infrastructure was damaged.
Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said government is coordinating rescue and support operations through the inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Disaster Management.
“Emergency teams have also been deployed from Gqeberha, East London and the Chris Hani District to the affected areas to support local first responders. Cabinet extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the flooding across various areas in the Eastern Cape,” Ntshavheni said in Cape Town, during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
WATCH |
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Earlier this week, a severe winter weather system resulted in a significant and dramatic drop in daytime temperatures in all provinces. This resulted in severe incidents of extremely cold weather, with coastal provinces experiencing rough seas and rainfall.
The Eastern Cape was the hardest hit by the severe weather conditions.
A scholar transport minibus transporting children was swept by water near Mthatha, leading to the loss of life.
Some media reports say three children survived the ordeal after they were found clinging to a tree.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is visiting flood-affected communities in and around Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to assess the impact of the recent floods and evaluate the progress of ongoing disaster response efforts.
READ | Minister Hlabisa visits flood-affected Eastern Cape
–SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Cabinet has assured South Africans that government, through the Department of Health, is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1.
“Cabinet calls on all citizens to ensure good hygiene practices, including avoiding unnecessary hand shaking, washing hands with soap, covering the mouth when coughing, using a mask when one has flu and staying home when one is not feeling well,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday, in Cape Town.
This as the virus is associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrated that through these simple measures we could reduce the spread of respiratory illness.”
The Minister was briefing members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 11 June 2025.
According to Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa has robust surveillance systems that is managed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
READ | SA closely monitoring new COVID variant spreading across Asia
The NICD manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity. –SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Cabinet has welcomed the swift response by the Department of Agriculture following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that has affected KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
“Despite the warnings that were issued, FMD was imported into Gauteng as people continued to move livestock to the province of Gauteng,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday in Cape Town.
The department has ordered over 900 000 doses of vaccines, with the first batch expected to arrive soon.
“All infected properties are placed under quarantine. No movement is allowed into, out of, or through these areas or farms.
“Large areas, where individuals cannot be served with quarantine notices, are declared Disease Management Areas, and the same restrictions apply.
In addition, plans are underway to establish a biosecurity council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority and captains of industry to better respond to future outbreaks and manage the related risks,” Ntshavheni said.
She was addressing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 11 June 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Samsung
Samsung’s education-focused, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes strive to promote innovation and empower youth through technology; with the ultimate aim of addressing societal issues.
These programmes offer support to underprivileged youth and aim to cultivate creative thinking while also providing critical skills training needed by the local economy. By doing so, Samsung is creating opportunities for young people to make a positive impact on their communities and society. Samsung spoke to some of the beneficiaries from its education-focused initiatives that are driven through technology and this is what they had to say:
Siyabonga ‘Siya” Mojalefa Tshabalala originally from Qwaqwa in the Free State was part of the 2022 Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme in partnership with Central University of Technology (CUT). SIC is a global initiative that upskills youth aged 18-25 in future technologies to enhance their employability while focusing on AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding. Siya explained: “ Through this SIC programme – I gained hands-on experience through paper coding, peer programming and projects and these skills have helped me to solve real-world problems. The programme also taught me some important soft skills that are required in work environments, these included communication, critical thinking, problem solving skills and ability to collaborate with others.”
Another beneficiary, 26 year old Mulalo Ndou, did her undergrad in Mathematical Science and majored in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She also completed her honours in Risk Analysis (Cum-laude) at the University of the Free State (UFS).
According to Mulalo, Samsung’s bursary fund was her light at the end of the tunnel. Mulalo received funding from Samsung when she needed it to complete her last year of studies. “I lost the funding I had for my studies in my final year and had to go back home, but Samsung came through for me, she said. “This bursary fund paid for my annual fees and accommodation in my final year and postgraduate studies. It also provided me with a monthly meal and living stipend as well as an allowance for a laptop.”
After Mulalo finished her postgrad, Samsung provided her with an internship opportunity. “When the internship period was over, Samsung gave me a full-time position as a Process Improvement Data Analyst/Reporting Specialist am very grateful to the individuals at Samsung who helped me to be successful in my role,” she added. In an effort to pay it forward, Mulalo also works as a volunteer at Rising Females in STEM, as she is also a Rising Female in Technology and Mathematics.
Mulalo said that she has always wanted to be one of the mentors in the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow (SFT) programme. “This SFT opportunity came at the right time and has been an amazing experience. I am learning something new each day from the participating learners and most importantly, how to become a great mentor.”
Nzumbululo Todani, an 18 year old learner from Mbilwi Secondary in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Nzumbululo is one of the beneficiaries from the SFT contest that challenges students to use STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills to solve real-world problems in their respective, local communities. His participation in the SFT competition has proved to be invaluable – he attributes his academic achievements in 2024 to his experience in the programme. Nzumbululo was awarded the top learner in the province for the 2024 NSC examinations with an average aggregate of 97%. Also, he was awarded for obtaining 300/300 in two gateway subjects: Physical Science and Geography.
“When I participated in the contest, I assumed the role of team co-ordinator, managing and planning the daily landscape of the project and doing quality control on the prototype as well as all papers written and the final presentation. The competition left me with invaluable communication, leadership, planning, evaluation and time management skills.”
Thoriso Rangata is a 32 year male entrepreneur and the owner of KTO Digital – a Business Process Automation, Software Development Services and Background Screening Software as a Service (SaaS) solution provider. He currently stays in Johannesburg but is originally from Limpopo and is one of the beneficiaries of the Samsung EEIP Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Thoriso became part of the programme when he responded to a public call for applications. At the time, his business needed support so that they could meet the company’s growth objectives.”
Since being part of the EEIP programme, Thoriso won the Nedbank Business of the Year Award in 2022. His company also launched their own product and received accreditation for the business as a credit bureau in 2022.
“The other direct benefits that we received from being part of the programme included: Grant Funding, Asset Financing and Continuous Business Mentorship that our business needed in order for us to move forward, Thoriso added. “We strongly believe that the skills we acquired from this EEIP programme, which included Business regulatory governance structures and strategic business growth approaches/methods – have contributed to the success of our business to date.”
Through these education-focused CSR programmes that are driven by technology, Samsung is actively promoting the transfer of critical skills as well as both employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that are needed by the country’s youth and the local economy.
The testimonials from the youth that participated in Samsung’s programmes mentioned above, are a clear indication of the impact the company is making in South Africa. By continuing to fund such programmes, Samsung is working towards winning the fight against youth unemployment, inequality and poverty in the country; through job creation and the development of a skilled workforce.
Source: Samsung
Samsung has officially wrapped up the 2025 “Solve for Tomorrow” Design Thinking Workshops in South Africa, which took place between 10 April and 30 May, with some of the country’s brightest and talented young minds.
These Design Thinking Workshops were part of Phase 2 of the competition – where the top 20 schools were invited to collaborate and develop paper prototypes of their solutions. This phase has offered learners from various schools in the country, an opportunity to experience hands-on collaborative guidance from Samsung’s mentors who helped them to tackle the next phase of their prototype developments.
Themed: “Infrastructure and Safety” – the Design Thinking workshops in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest are designed to equip learners with the skills to transform their ideas into workable solutions, particularly those addressing community challenges. The recent workshops focused on critical thinking, human-centred problem-solving and collaborative design.
According to Lefa Makgato, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Samsung Electronics in Southern Africa: “It was amazing to see how well the school learners and their educators that participated in this year’s Design Thinking Workshops responded to their assigned mentors and the experience as a whole. Both the learners and their educators found this experience engaging and beneficial for their learning and design processes.”
“As Samsung, we believe that the activities that these learners engaged in during the workshops are meeting the overall objectives of the Solve for Tomorrow competition. This contest has, from the onset, been seeking to foster collaboration among the learners, educators and their mentors as well as to develop their skills and promote a growth mindset. Importantly, this experience has now encouraged independent learning, challenged the learners’ perspectives and allowed their mentors the opportunity to provide them with valuable feedback.”
Some of the aspects of the Design Thinking workshops included the following:
Skills Development: Learners have gained valuable skills in translating their ideas into practical solutions that can solve their respective communities’ problems.
Human-Centred Design: The workshops emphasised understanding user needs and created solutions that can address real-world challenges.
Cognitive & Structured Processes: Participants have now learnt structured processes for creative problem-solving.
Collaboration & Communication: The workshops have fostered teamwork and improved the learner’s communication skills, which are essential for successful project development.
Prototype Development: These workshops have now successfully prepared learners for the next phase of the competition, where they will develop and present their prototypes.
Inspiration & Motivation: The workshops are designed to foster a mindset of innovation and problem-solving, encouraging learners to “think, speak and act like designers.
Support for Teachers: The workshops have also gone an extra mile as they have benefitted the teachers as well. This platform and the mentors have provided the tools and guidance for the educators to support their learners in the next, prototype development phase.
And furthermore, with the help of Samsung mentors – the workshops have cultivated a mindset of innovation and great problem-solving skills. The Samsung team is convinced that the solutions developed by the brilliant learners in conjunction with their educators during this year’s workshops – have the potential to make a real difference in their respective communities.
Makgato added: “We are pleased with the impact and outcomes of this year’s Design Thinking Workshops. And, we are certain that these workshops have achieved the objective of enhancing the learners’ ability to identify, analyse and solve problems creatively and effectively.
“As Samsung, we remain committed to using programmes such as the Solve for Tomorrow to bridge the country’s resource gap in STEM education. We believe that by fostering innovation and social impact through technology, we also inspire learners to use their skills to improve their respective communities,” she concluded.
Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping
A Cambodian woman who grew up amid landmines now clears them as a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon. A Sudanese civil society leader rallies displaced women to reclaim their voices in peacebuilding. Young activists from the divided communities of Cyprus foster dialogue and understanding in a deeply complex and long-standing conflict. These are just a few of the extraordinary stories captured in Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace, a striking photo exhibition that premiered on 7 June 2025 at Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of the Photoville Festival.
A joint initiative of the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), UN Women, the Elsie Initiative Fund, and the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), in partnership with Photoville, the exhibit highlights the stories of women as leaders, negotiators, and protectors in conflict-affected societies — told through the lenses of women photographers from those very communities.
“Too often, women in conflict are portrayed only as victims,” said Natasha Lamoreux of UN Women. “But these photographs tell a different story. They show women as peacekeepers, negotiators, human rights defenders — leaders actively shaping peace.”
From Sudan to Cyprus, Haiti to Lebanon, the UN collaborated with local women photographers who not only document the lives of women but also share in their struggles, striving to build peace in their communities, which creates an intimate and powerful perspective.
“This exhibit is the culmination of months of partnership between the four organizing entities as well as between headquarters and field-based colleagues,” said Shatha Hussein from the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. “We worked on very difficult contexts and turbulent situations that are changing by the day. So working with women on the ground to amplify their efforts through this initiative was not easy in any of the contexts featured, but their commitment, despite the odds, made this possible.”
Preparing this exhibit has been a profound challenge — one that mirrors the obstacles women face daily in conflict zones. Intense fighting spiked early this year in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan as the photoshoots were being planned.
“These images are more than art — they are a collective story of resilience, acts of resistance, and transformation,” said Sophie Boudre of the UN Department of Peace Operations. “They declare that women’s rights must be protected, their leadership recognized, and their voices heard wherever peace is made.”
Rooted in the Women, Peace and Security agenda launched by UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the exhibit underscores both the critical roles women play in peacebuilding and the persistent challenges they face — including a rising global backlash against gender equality.
The Through Her Lens exhibit is on view through 22 June 2025 at Pier 1 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It will also be shown at UN Headquarters in time for a Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security at the end of October. Importantly, the exhibit will travel to the regions featured in the photographs — bringing these powerful stories full circle.
Read the original article in Politcally Speaking, the online magazine from the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a financing package of up to $184.1 million to support the development of the Obelisk 1-gigawatt solar photovoltaic project and 200MWh battery energy storage system in Egypt, which will be Africa’s largest solar power plant.
Located in Qena Governorate in southern Egypt, the project entails the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a photovoltaic power plant with an integrated battery energy storage system. The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company will be the sole off-taker under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.
The project’s total cost is estimated at more than $590 million. The Bank Group’s financing package includes $125.5 million of ordinary resources, as well as concessional funding from Bank Group-managed Special Funds the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) worth $20 million, and the Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund ($18.6 million), a partnership of the Bank Group and the Government of Canada. A further $20 million will come from the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund, with additional financing to be mobilized from a consortium of development finance institutions.
Under Egypt’s Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) platform, Obelisk has been granted a Golden License by the government, which recognizes it as a strategic initiative that will contribute to addressing Egypt’s energy constraints and advancing its energy transition.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, said “the Obelisk solar project is another important milestone for Egypt under the energy pillar of the NWFE program which has since its launch in November 2022 at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh delivered 4.2 GW of privately financed renewable energy investments, worth about $4 billion, with the support of partners such as the Africa Development Bank. The goal of NWFE’s energy pillar is to add 10 GW of renewable energy capacity with investments of approximately $10 billion, and phase out 5 GW of fossil fuel power generation by 2030.”
The project, expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2026, will generate an estimated 2,772 gigawatt-hours of clean, reliable, and affordable energy annually to the national grid. The battery energy storage system will help meet peak evening demand with renewable power while also mitigating the variability of solar power generation. The project is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately one million tons and create about 4,000 jobs during construction and 50 permanent jobs during operation, with a special focus on women and youth employment.
“Obelisk is another landmark development under NWFE that leverages on Egypt’s and the African Development Bank’s leadership as well as commitment to harnessing the country’s renewable energy to enhance the resilience of the country’s energy supply to meet its fast-growing energy demand sustainably,” said Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth. “This project also contributes to Egypt’s ambition of producing 42 percent of its power generation capacity from renewable energy sources by 2030 while spurring economic growth and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,”
Ambassador of Canada to the Arab Republic of Egypt Ulric Shannon said: “Canada is proud to support solar energy development in Egypt. This initiative is a meaningful step toward enhancing energy security and stability, with direct benefits for the Egyptian people. We are pleased to collaborate with the African Development Bank and other partners in supporting Egypt’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.”
The Obelisk Solar Project aligns with the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy, its New Deal on Energy for Africa, and its Country Strategy Paper for Egypt as well as SEFA’s strategic framework which aims to accelerate African countries energy transition by increasing the share of renewables and catalyzing commercial capital mobilization in the power sector. The project also advances Egypt’s commitment to achieve 42 percent generation capacity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
“This project exploits the abundant renewable energy potential in Africa and demonstrates how strong partnerships and innovative solutions contribute to balancing three core objectives in the energy sector, namely energy security, affordability, and sustainable economic development,” said Wale Shonibare, Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulation at the African Development Bank. “It has high potential for replicability across the continent.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact:
Olufemi Terry
Communication and External Relations Department
o.terry@afdb.org
Technical Contact:
James Otto
Senior Investment Officer
Energy Financial Solution and Policy Regulations Department
j.otto@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –
The genocide is almost complete. When it is concluded it will have exposed the moral bankruptcy of Western civilisation, writes Chris Hedges.
ANALYSIS: By Chris Hedges
This is the end. The final blood-soaked chapter of the genocide.
It will be over soon. Weeks. At most.
Two million people are camped out amongst the rubble or in the open air. Dozens are killed and wounded daily from Israeli shells, missiles, drones, bombs and bullets.
They lack clean water, medicine and food. They have reached a point of collapse. Sick. Injured. Terrified. Humiliated. Abandoned. Destitute. Starving. Hopeless.
In the last pages of this horror story, Israel is sadistically baiting starving Palestinians with promises of food, luring them to the narrow and congested nine-mile ribbon of land that borders Egypt. Israel and its cynically named Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), allegedly funded by Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the Mossad, is weaponising starvation.
It is enticing Palestinians to southern Gaza the way the Nazis enticed starving Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto to board trains to the death camps. The goal is not to feed the Palestinians. No one seriously argues there is enough food or aid hubs. The goal is to cram Palestinians into heavily guarded compounds and deport them.
What comes next? I long ago stopped trying to predict the future. Fate has a way of surprising us. But there will be a final humanitarian explosion in Gaza’s human slaughterhouse. We see it with the surging crowds of Palestinians fighting to get a food parcel, which has resulted in Israeli and US private contractors shooting dead at least 130 and wounding over seven hundred others in the first eight days of aid distribution.
We see it with Benjamin Netanyahu’s arming ISIS-linked gangs in Gaza that loot food supplies. Israel, which has eliminated hundreds of employees with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), doctors, journalists, civil servants and police in targeted assassinations, has orchestrated the implosion of civil society.
I suspect Israel will facilitate a breach in the fence along the Egyptian border. Desperate Palestinians will stampede into the Egyptian Sinai. Maybe it will end some other way. But it will end soon. There is not much more Palestinians can take.
We — full participants in this genocide — will have achieved our demented goal of emptying Gaza and expanding Greater Israel. We will bring down the curtain on the live-streamed genocide. We will have mocked the ubiquitous university programmes of Holocaust studies, designed, it turns out, not to equip us to end genocides, but deify Israel as an eternal victim licensed to carry out mass slaughter.
The mantra of never again is a joke. The understanding that when we have the capacity to halt genocide and we do not, we are culpable, does not apply to us. Genocide is public policy. Endorsed and sustained by our two ruling parties.
There is nothing left to say. Maybe that is the point. To render us speechless. Who does not feel paralyzed? And maybe, that too, is the point. To paralyse us. Who is not traumatised? And maybe that too was planned. Nothing we do, it seems, can halt the killing. We feel defenceless. We feel helpless. Genocide as spectacle.
I have stopped looking at the images. The rows of little shrouded bodies. The decapitated men and women. Families burned alive in their tents. The children who have lost limbs or are paralyzed. The chalky death masks of those pulled from under the rubble. The wails of grief. The emaciated faces. I can’t.
This genocide will haunt us. It will echo down history with the force of a tsunami. It will divide us forever. There is no going back.
And how will we remember? By not remembering.
Once it is over, all those who supported it, all those who ignored it, all those who did nothing, will rewrite history, including their personal history. It was hard to find anyone who admitted to being a Nazi in post-war Germany, or a member of the Klu Klux Klan once segregation in the southern United States ended.
A nation of innocents. Victims even. It will be the same. We like to think we would have saved Anne Frank. The truth is different. The truth is, crippled by fear, nearly all of us will only save ourselves, even at the expense of others. But that is a truth that is hard to face. That is the real lesson of the Holocaust. Better it be erased.
In his book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, Omar El Akkad writes:
“Should a drone vaporize some nameless soul on the other side of the planet, who among us wants to make a fuss? What if it turns out they were a terrorist?
“What if the default accusation proves true, and we by implication be labeled terrorist sympathisers, ostracised, yelled at? It is generally the case that people are most zealously motivated by the worst plausible thing that could happen to them.
“For some, the worst plausible thing might be the ending of their bloodline in a missile strike. Their entire lives turned to rubble and all of it preemptively justified in the name of fighting terrorists who are terrorists by default on account of having been killed. For others, the worst plausible thing is being yelled at.”
You can see my interview with El Akkad here.
You cannot decimate a people, carry out saturation bombing over 20 months to obliterate their homes, villages and cities, massacre tens of thousands of innocent people, set up a siege to ensure mass starvation, drive them from land where they have lived for centuries and not expect blowback.
The genocide will end. The response to the reign of state terror will begin. If you think it won’t you know nothing about human nature or history. The killing of two Israeli diplomats in Washington and the attack against supporters of Israel at a protest in Boulder, Colorado, are only the start.
Chaim Engel, who took part in the uprising at the Nazis’ Sobibor death camp in Poland, described how, armed with a knife, he attacked a guard in the camp.
“It’s not a decision,” Engel explained years later. “You just react, instinctively you react to that, and I figured, ‘Let us to do, and go and do it.’ And I went.
“I went with the man in the office and we killed this German. With every jab, I said, ‘That is for my father, for my mother, for all these people, all the Jews you killed.’”
Does anyone expect Palestinians to act differently? How are they to react when Europe and the United States, who hold themselves up as the vanguards of civilisation, backed a genocide that butchered their parents, their children, their communities, occupied their land and blasted their cities and homes into rubble? How can they not hate those who did this to them?
What message has this genocide imparted not only to Palestinians, but to all in the Global South?
It is unequivocal. You do not matter. Humanitarian law does not apply to you. We do not care about your suffering, the murder of your children. You are vermin. You are worthless. You deserve to be killed, starved and dispossessed. You should be erased from the face of the earth.
“To preserve the values of the civilised world, it is necessary to set fire to a library,” El Akkad writes:
“To blow up a mosque. To incinerate olive trees. To dress up in the lingerie of women who fled and then take pictures.
“To level universities. To loot jewelry, art, food. Banks. To arrest children for picking vegetables. To shoot children for throwing stones.
“To parade the captured in their underwear. To break a man’s teeth and shove a toilet brush in his mouth. To let combat dogs loose on a man with Down syndrome and then leave him to die.
“Otherwise, the uncivilised world might win.”
There are people I have known for years who I will never speak to again. They know what is happening. Who does not know? They will not risk alienating their colleagues, being smeared as an antisemite, jeopardising their status, being reprimanded or losing their jobs.
They do not risk death, the way Palestinians do. They risk tarnishing the pathetic monuments of status and wealth they spent their lives constructing. Idols.
They bow down before these idols. They worship these idols. They are enslaved by them.
At the feet of these idols lie tens of thousands of murdered Palestinians.
Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for 15 years for The New York Times, where he served as the Middle East bureau chief and Balkan bureau chief for the paper. He previously worked overseas for The Dallas Morning News, The Christian Science Monitor and NPR. He is the host of show The Chris Hedges Report. This article was first published in Scheerpost.
This article was first published on Café Pacific.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has now enabled onboarding of Syrian citizens on the platform. This comes following the recent suspension of OFAC sanctions. Syrian citizens and residents can now register on the platform, complete identity verification, and access the full suite of services—ranging from P2P and spot trading to futures and yield-generating products.
This update holds particular significance for a country that has faced prolonged conflict, economic isolation, and limited access to reliable financial systems. In the absence of stable banking infrastructure, crypto has strong real-life use cases, as a tool for survival, growth, and connectivity to the broader world. The adoption of crypto in Syria shows a deeper truth about the role of crypto in places where traditional systems have failed or aren’t accessible either.
With this, Syrian users now have access to all major Bitget features, including peer-to-peer (P2P) trading with local currency support, spot and futures markets, copy trading, and Bitget Earn products that enable passive income on crypto holdings. The mobile app and web platform also offer multi-language support and 24/7 security monitoring to ensure safe transactions. Educational content, trading tools, and customer assistance are readily available to guide new users at every step.
Bitget’s decision to welcome Syrian users stems from a focused strategy to support real use cases in regions where crypto is vital. The inclusion of Syria signals intent to enable access where it is most urgently needed.
“At Bitget, the priority is clear—reach those who need crypto the most. Our platform is built to serve individuals navigating unstable economies, restricted banking, or political uncertainty. Extending access to Syrian users is part of a larger effort to deliver impactful financial tools where they make the greatest difference,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.
Bitget remains focused on expanding access in regions where crypto plays a critical role in everyday life. For Syrian users, Bitget will play an important role in actively maintaining safe, efficient, and user-friendly channels for participation in crypto. Resources will be allocated to support regional engagement, improve accessibility, and ensure users in Syria are equipped to navigate the cryptospace with industry-leading products and best-in-class tools.
Effective immediately, Syrian users can now begin their journey with full platform functionality.
To sign up, please visit here.
About Bitget
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com
Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/16978e0d-1c0f-49bc-83eb-007e71f08762
Source: South Africa News Agency
The South African government is determined to deal with crime despite media reports to the contrary.
This is the word from Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who briefed the media in Cape Town on Thursday.
“Cabinet has noted the continuous debate about crime in South Africa and allegations that there is a lack of a concrete government plan to deal with crime in South Africa. This is despite that on the 23rd of May 2025, the Minister of Police released the 2024/25 fourth quarter [statistics].
“During this crime statistics release, the Minister of Police outlined the Seventh Administration’s policing priorities,” she said.
Those priorities are:
• Reducing the murder rate;
• reducing illegal firearms and tightening controls over legal firearms.
• Fighting gender-based violence and femicide (GBV+F) and
• dismantling organised crime, including drug trafficking syndicates, cash-in-transit heists, extortion and kidnappings, tackling gang violence and combating corruption both within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and across the country.
READ | Sexual offences and commercial crime remain a concern
“The…statistics showed progress of a general decline compared to the same period in the previous financial year. For example, of the 30 high crime police stations in terms of reporting, 13 have recorded lower counts [of crime reporting] and two recorded no change.
“On farm murders…whereas in principle, government does not categorise South Africans in terms of race, in light of recent misinformation, the following are the statistics; of the farm owners killed – both… were African. Of the farm workers killed, both…of them were Africans and of the five farm managers killed, one was African [thereby] dismantling the misinformation that there is a targeted attack on White commercial farmers or White farmers in general,” she explained.
READ | More farm murder victims are African, Police Minister
Furthermore, Operation Shanela continues to score gains against illegal firearms with 128 of those seized recently.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations is also continuing its work which resulted in 656 suspects appearing in court, including 364 linked to serious organised crimes, 220 from serious commercial crimes and 72 from serious corruption.
“On GBVF, a roundtable led by [the] Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF will be held…tomorrow at the Atteridgeville Community Hall in Pretoria and this will focus on the National Strategic Plan implementation and progress thereof. It will also evaluate and reinforce the effectiveness and efficiencies of services provided to GBVF victims,” she said.
Political killings
Cabinet also welcomed the guilty plea entered into by Sibusiso Ngcengwa in the murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary General and municipal councilor, Sindiso Magaqa.
Magaqa was killed in 2017 in an apparent hit in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Cabinet takes political killings seriously more so because the victims of those are people who are committed to the fight against corruption in municipalities or in government.
“We are hopeful that this breakthrough will shed further light on other players involved in the murder of Mr Sindiso Magaqa,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Department of Agriculture is currently assessing the possibility of implementing regionalisation for chicken imports from Brazil to ensure local demand is met without compromising biosecurity.
This follows South Africa’s suspension of imports of live poultry, eggs, and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from Brazil after an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Brazil reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – clade 2.3.4.4b) in chickens, in a breeding establishment (parents), located in the municipality of Montenegro, state of Rio Grande do Sul, on 15 May 2025.
This necessitated South Africa to suspend trade of live poultry, eggs and fresh poultry meat, and revised its import permit process.
Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, noted that while South Africa’s poultry industry has sufficient domestic slaughter chickens, concerns remain over the impact the suspension import of Brazilian poultry on the country’s food supply chain, particularly the affordability and accessibility of processed meats and pet foods.
He said the department is in constant engagement with the Brazilian authorities to determine if the outbreak has not spread to other States and a confirmation that there are no additional affected farms in other regions.
“This is a necessary procedure of ensuring that we don’t introduce the virus to South Africans and infect the poultry industry. We need to balance food security realities with biosecurity imperatives,” Steenhuisen explained.
The Minister added that the department has established that the reason for the delay in Brazil responding to South Africa’s enquiries is due to the number of similar enquiries Brazil is receiving and responding to, since Brazil exports poultry products to many other countries. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Chief Executive Officer, Themba Matlou, has pledged maximum support to the families affected by the devastating floods that have wreaked havoc and claimed 57 lives in the OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape.
In a statement on Thursday, the agency said it has acted swiftly, through its Social Relief of Distress programme, to assist families whose homes were severely affected during the floods.
“To this end, SASSA is active at three established sites, where about 229 people are served with three nutritious meals a day, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to immediate food security. In addition, 229 vanity packs and five baby packs have been procured and distributed to meet essential personal and infant care needs,” SASSA said.
In anticipation of the transition phase, SASSA has developed a Disengagement Plan aimed at equipping beneficiaries with basic resources to support reintegration and restore stability. This package will include:
Recognising the profound impact of loss on families, SASSA will provide two vouchers in support of the grieving families with immediate needs.
Matlou said SASSA has a mandate, derived from the Social Assistance Act, to offer assistance to the affected families.
“Social Relief of Distress is temporary provision of assistance intended for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ most basic needs. We also wish to offer our utmost condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those who are injured.
“We are working very closely with all the relevant stakeholders in the social cluster of the province to ensure that maximum support is given to the distressed families. We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders, partners, and community members, who continue to support this vital work,” Matlou said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
Cabinet has welcomed government’s recent engagement with leading members of the judiciary, including Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
Last Friday’s engagement was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and held at the President’s official residence in Pretoria.
“[The Constitutional Court] is an important instrument in the protection of our Constitutional democracy.
“It is in this spirit that Cabinet welcomed the engagement between government and the judiciary led by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and heads of courts – hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The engagement focused on discussing the implementation of outstanding administrative measures to give effect to the Constitutional provisions of ensuring the judiciary, like Parliament, operates as an independent arm of the state,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said at a media briefing on Thursday.
READ | President Ramaphosa to meet with the Judiciary
Currently, the budget of the Constitutional Court is administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development whereas Parliament administers its own budget.
“Both the Executive and the Judiciary reaffirmed the shared commitment to building a stronger, more effective justice system, firmly anchored in the values of our Constitution,” she said at the post Cabinet briefing held in Cape Town.
Repatriating heroes
Turning to the launch of the second phase of the South African government’s exile repatriation and reburial project, Ntshavheni highlighted the importance of bringing back the remains of loved ones who died in exile.
Government has already announced that 58 indigenous Khoi and San ancestral remains will be reburied in the Northern Cape.
READ | Government to bring back 58 Khoi and San ancestral remains for reburial in SA
“While tracing, exhuming and returning back home the remains of liberation fighters who died in exile remains a focus, the initiative to bring home and rebury the remains of the Khoi and San from outside the country is important in the accurate recording of the ancestry of this country.
“The process of the reburial of the 58 ancestral remains of the Khoi and San that originated from the Northern Cape is at an advanced stage and consultations with the affected communities are underway.
“This initiative builds on the success of the repatriation of 49 former freedom fighters in 2024 and it is a testament to government’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and fostering a sense of unity and healing within the nation,” she said.
A joint delegation is expected to embark on a technical mission to Southern African counterparts, Angola, Lesotho, Zambia and Zimbabwe to “conduct further research, cemetery record inspections and grave mapping.” – SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned the public to remain cautious when dealing with service providers claiming they are licensed, especially as cannabis dispensaries continue to expand.
“SAHPRA has learned that individuals and companies are operating unethically by presenting falsified SAHPRA licences to gain public trust and conduct business.
“SAHPRA stresses that the use of fake licences is not only unlawful but also poses serious risks to public health and safety,” it said in a statement.
According to the local drug regulatory authority, cannabis dispensaries are rapidly increasing in shopping malls, openly displaying copies of SAHPRA licences that were issued to authorise cannabis cultivation and the export of cannabis flowers.
SAHPRA said these licences do not authorise cannabis dispensaries, which is a concerning issue.
SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, has strongly condemned these unethical practices.
“It is highly unethical and illegal for any individual or company to claim SAHPRA authorisation through forged documentation.
“We take this matter seriously, and we will work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that offenders are dealt with swiftly and decisively. The public must be protected from such deceptive behaviour,” she said.
The public is urged to verify the legitimacy of any SAHPRA-issued licence. They can do so by contacting SAHPRA directly through official channels or by checking the website, https://www.sahpra.org.za/, under “Databases and Registers”.
SAHPRA is in the process of sourcing a system that uses barcoding to authenticate these certificates. It will launch a public outreach campaign to raise awareness on how to verify the authenticity of licences.
“Your vigilance can help prevent harm and hold those responsible to account,” SAHPRA said, adding that it remains committed to safeguarding public health by regulating health products with integrity, transparency and accountability.
The public is encouraged to engage only with properly licensed and verified providers.
If you believe a provider is using a fraudulent SAHPRA licence, please report it immediately to SAHPRA at 0800 204 307 or visit the website at https://bit.ly/3nrku5t. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HOUSTON, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Allredi, a North American distributor of surface preparation, abrasives, and safety products to industrial contractors, announced today that it entered into a partnership with GMA Garnet Group (“GMA”) providing Allredi with access to GMA’s extensive abrasive product line across its supply chain throughout the U.S. and Canada. Allredi is backed by Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, and Ridgemont Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm based in Charlotte, NC.
Allredi supplies garnet abrasives to end users for the maintenance, cleaning and repair of large steel structures in the industrial, infrastructure, and downstream energy sectors. GMA provides garnet abrasives for use in blasting steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and glass, with operations in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East.
“GMA produces a quality, high performance garnet abrasive, and we are excited to partner with them to better serve our customers,” said Allredi CEO Kevin Bourbonnais. “Our agreement with GMA provides Allredi with new access to a large, consistent volume of quality garnet processed in the U.S. With GMA’s processing facilities in Texas, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, we believe we can effectively serve customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, expanding beyond our previous Gulf-centric approach to Garnet distribution.”
GMA manages the end-to-end supply chain, from sourcing to processing to international distribution, and reprocessing. With a long history of sustainable mining, GMA is focused on energy-efficient processing and reductions in landfill.
“We’re excited about this partnership with Allredi, which expands our geographic reach across North America,” said Scot Cummins, Regional Sales Director at GMA Americas. “In particular, this will offer us an opportunity to increase our presence across Canada. Allredi’s strong distribution network and customer relationships make them a great fit for delivering GMA’s high-performance garnet to more end users. This partnership also supports our commitment to help customers reduce abrasive waste through initiatives like the Garnet Return Program.”
To learn more about GMA Garnet Group, visit www.gmagarnet.com.
About Allredi
Allredi is a North American distributor of surface preparation, abrasives, and safety products to industrial contractors primarily in the industrial, infrastructure, and downstream energy sectors. The company was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Pasadena, TX with 24 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Please visit www.allredi-us.com for additional information.
About Capstreet
Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With more than 50 platform investments and more than 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet’s investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework® to help accelerate growth and profitability, and create long-term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet’s investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, https://capstreet.com.
About Ridgemont Equity Partners
Ridgemont Equity Partners is a Charlotte-based middle market private equity firm that has provided buyout and growth capital to industry-leading companies in the business services, industrials, and healthcare sectors for three decades. The principals of Ridgemont have refined a proven, industry-focused model designed to build distinctive middle market companies. www.ridgemontep.com.
Contact:
Lambert by LLYC
Joanne Lessner, 212-222-7436, jlessner@lambert.com
Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, jhurson@lambert.com
The upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) in Houston is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the EnerGeo Alliance, a global trade association for the geoscience and exploration industries. This partnership marks a significant step forward in advancing collaborative energy development between the U.S. and Africa, and in strengthening stakeholder engagement within the natural gas and geoscience sectors.
Under the partnership, EnerGeo Alliance will support USAEF’s mission by facilitating direct introductions between EnerGeo’s member organizations and USAEF, enabling targeted sponsorship opportunities and fostering deeper industry participation in USAEF’s programming and events.
With members active in more than 50 countries – including key African markets such as Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola and South Africa – EnerGeo Alliance plays a vital role in supporting upstream energy development through advanced geoscience, seismic surveying and data-driven exploration. The partnership with USAEF strengthens the shared mission to connect U.S. and African stakeholders, facilitate energy investment and promote natural gas as a reliable, lower-carbon transition fuel.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening collaboration between the geoscience community and energy stakeholders across Africa,” said Nikki Martin, President & CEO of EnerGeo Alliance. “With our members actively engaged in key markets across the continent, we see this as an opportunity to elevate upstream dialogue, support data-driven exploration, and help shape pragmatic solutions to Africa’s energy needs.”
EnerGeo Alliance has been especially active in advocating for natural gas as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to meet growing power demand across Africa. In a recent policy brief, the organization spotlighted South Africa’s natural gas prospects and emphasized the role of upstream data in de-risking exploration and reducing environmental impacts. Their work complements USAEF’s goal of catalyzing partnerships that accelerate infrastructure growth and increase access to reliable energy across the continent.
The partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in USAEF 2025, where EnerGeo Alliance will engage with delegates to spotlight the role of geoscience in upstream investment and showcase how seismic technologies can reduce risk and improve environmental outcomes in natural gas development. By aligning their networks and resources, USAEF and EnerGeo Alliance aim to create new pathways for investment, knowledge exchange and industry growth on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Partnering with EnerGeo Alliance allows USAEF to bridge U.S. technology and expertise with African energy ambitions in a meaningful way. We’re not only expanding access to strategic geoscience players, but also enhancing opportunities for investment, sponsorship and long-term collaboration in Africa’s gas and energy value chains,” said James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com. Join us in Houston this August to connect with the leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape and experience the momentum that drives ECP’s events worldwide.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Set to launch in June 2025 with an initial $5 billion in capital, the African Energy Bank (AEB) is positioned to catalyze a shift in Africa’s energy sector. Established by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) in partnership with multilateral financial institution Afreximbank, the AEB aims to mobilize capital for upstream, midstream and downstream energy projects, addressing a continent-wide investment shortfall estimated at up to $50 billion annually. By providing accessible, Africa-focused financing, the AEB is expected to reduce dependency on foreign capital and imports, especially in the downstream sector where over 80% of refined petroleum products are currently imported.
The AEB’s role in advancing refining capacity and downstream development will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. As Africa’s premier platform for energy dialogue and investment, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the AEB’s potential to transform Africa’s energy landscape.
Driving Refining Capacity Through Local Investment
Despite holding over 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Africa continues to struggle with insufficient refining capacity, forcing nations to export crude oil and re-import refined products at a premium. Institutions such as the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) have long-advocated for investment in modernizing and expanding Africa’s refining infrastructure. Current projections indicate that African petroleum demand will increase from 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5.3 million bpd by 2040 – a trend that underscores the urgency of building self-sufficient refining systems.
As such, the AEB – headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria and scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025 – is uniquely positioned to support strategic investment across Africa’s downstream and refining sectors. With an ambition to grow its asset base to $120 billion, the bank is positioned to unlock domestic value chains and catalyze large-scale projects that meet the continent’s rising demand for petroleum.
Momentum in Downstream Expansion
Recent developments across the continent reflect growing momentum to scale refining capacity. Angola expects phase one of the Cabinda refinery to begin operations in 2025, bringing 60,000 bpd to the market. The country has a goal to increase capacity to 445,000 bpd and is on track to reduce imports of derivatives by 14% by 2026. Nigeria’s 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery began producing diesel and aviation fuel in 2024, marking a significant milestone for domestic processing. Similarly, upgrades to the Port Harcourt Refinery and ongoing expansion to Ghana’s Sentuo Oil Refinery highlight national efforts to meet growing demand.
Equatorial Guinea’s recent agreement with Shanghai SupeZet to build a new refinery and expand the Bata facility further illustrates the strategic push toward local processing. These efforts not only reduce import dependency but also create jobs, enhance energy security and promote regional trade in refined products.
Aligning Regional Integration and Investment
Africa’s refining and energy infrastructure ambitions are closely tied to broader goals of economic integration. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement, ratified by more than 48 countries, creates a platform for cross-border energy projects by removing trade barriers and harmonizing investment policies. It also supports the development of regional supply chains, enhancing the commercial viability of shared infrastructure.
The AEB will play a central role in supporting these regional ambitions by working with over 700 African financial institutions and APPO member states to channel funding into integrated, cross-border energy systems. By reducing the time, cost and risk associated with project development, the bank could accelerate the pace of infrastructure buildout across the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
About African Energy Week:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
Adriano Mongini, CEO of international energy company Azule Energy, will speak at this year’s Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference. Taking place on September 3-4 in Luanda, the event is the premier event for the country’s oil and gas industry, convening leaders, operators and financiers under one roof. At the helm of various impactful projects in Angola, Azule Energy is well-positioned to lead dialogue on Angola’s oil and gas industry – which continues to serve as a catalyst for development as the country celebrates 50 years of independence in 2025.
As the country’s largest independent equity producer of oil and gas, Azule Energy has set a bold target to reach 250,000 barrels per day (bpd). To achieve this, the company is advancing offshore oil projects while spearheading the country’s first non-associated gas development. Through innovative FPSO technologies, expanded production facilities and partnerships with international operators, the company is setting a strong benchmark for sustainable oil and gas production. At AOG 2025, Mongini is expected to outline ongoing projects.
AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Azule Energy is preparing to start operations at two major oil and gas projects. The first project, featuring the development of the Agogo FPSO, aims to increase production capacity at the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development. Situated in Block 15/06, the project comprises the operational Ngoma FPSO, with the addition of the Agogo vessel expected to increase capacity by 120,000 bpd. The project is developed in partnership with Angola’s national oil company Sonangol E&P and Chinese firm Sinopec. As of May 2025, the Agogo FPSO arrived in Angolan waters, planning a H2, 2025 start.
In addition to the Agogo project, Azule Energy – as operator of the New Gas Consortium (NGC) – is developing the country’s first non-associated gas project. The project will harness gas resources from the Quiluma & Maboqueiro (Q&M) shallow water fields and features the construction of an onshore facility and a connection to the Angola LNG plant in Soyo. In February 2025, Azule Energy – alongside its NGC partners Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, Sonangol P&P and TotalEnergies – completed the offshore platforms for the project. Production is set to start in early-2026.
With 18 licenses – 11 of which are operated – and a combined production portfolio of 210,000 bpd, Azule Energy plays an instrumental part in monetizing Angola’s oil and gas resources. As the company expands its production portfolio, Azule Energy will continue to unlock value from the hydrocarbon market. Through his participation at AOG 2025, Mongini will offer insight into the company’s strategy in Angola, including non-associated gas opportunities, strategies for boosting production and future prospects.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Source: United States AFRICOM
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Hosted by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and U.S. Africa Command, the conference provides a forum for senior noncommissioned officers to share best practices, discuss challenges, and strengthen partnerships. This year’s theme was “Resilient, Adaptive, Transformative.”
“Africa is a nexus theater—global interests converge on this continent,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Africa Command. “No matter how advanced our militaries become, success depends on leaders at all levels inspiring their people—igniting a fire in their hearts—especially when it matters most.”
U.S. Africa Command, with partners, counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity. The Africa Senior Enlisted Conference advances that mission by fostering relationships and helping to advance the capabilities of America’s military partners on the continent.
“Thirty African partners sent their finest non-commissioned officers to participate in the conference this year. Effective NCO leadership isn’t just about training, it’s about forging units capable of disrupting the enemy,” said Lieutenant General John Brennan. “By empowering those on the ground, our partners are better able to counter terrorism and secure their future.”
Last year’s event was held in Lilongwe, Malawi. The first conference was held in 2017.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A file photo taken on May 9, 2024 shows a view of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Africa (Kenya) 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. [Photo/Xinhua]
The fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo opened on Thursday in the central Chinese city of Changsha, highlighting the commitment of the world’s largest developing country to strengthening ties with Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing nations.
Nearly 4,700 Chinese and African companies as well as over 30,000 participants will attend the four-day event, themed “China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization.” The value of cooperation projects preliminarily agreed upon surpasses 11 billion U.S. dollars, according to organizers.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony on Thursday, expressing the belief that the expo will create more opportunities for China-Africa cooperation and yield more results.
“No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Africa, offering strong support for the continent’s modernization and serving as a true friend and sincere brother in Africa’s journey toward development,” said Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Liberian Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi also attended the opening ceremony.
Achieving modernization is a shared aspiration of the more than 2.8 billion people in China and Africa, and a key theme of a China-Africa community of a shared future, Wang said.
He said China will continue to carry out exchanges of governance experience with African countries and strengthen the synergy of development strategies between the two sides to fast-track the implementation of the ten partnership actions for modernization.
Wang pledged China’s efforts to further open up to Africa by signing more deals of economic partnerships and encouraging the import of more African goods.
China will also deepen practical cooperation to facilitate Africa’s industrialization and digital transformation, Wang added.
Source: South Africa News Agency
Search and recovery efforts are ongoing across the Eastern Cape, following the recent inclement weather.
Torrential rains over the past few days have caused devastating landslides and flooding, leaving hundreds of families displaced. The adverse weather has also caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
Updating the media on Wednesday, Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, said that he has ordered the suspension of all other provincial programmes in the province, to enable Members of the Executive Council (MECs), including himself, to be on the ground and offer support to the affected communities.
This after assessing the extent of widespread devastation, following the rains and strong winds that hit the province’s OR Tambo District Municipality enduring most of the severe weather.
“Each of the MECs are looking at the service delivery needs of this and other affected communities across the province as mop-up operations begin in earnest. Together with the leadership of the OR Tambo District and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, the provincial government is on the ground assessing the damage, to support relief operations, and engage directly with affected families and communities,” Mabuyane said.
The Premier extended his deepest condolences to the families of the 49 people who passed away in OR Tambo District alone. Among the deceased are children whose scholar transport was swept away by floodwaters.
“The number of people confirmed to have been in the minibus taxi…. sadly, four learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and a conductor of the minibus taxi. The rest of the deceased people are citizens of different ages. Four learners are still missing,” the Premier said.
The heavy rains in the Amathole District have also displaced hundreds of residents from informal settlements, with many relocated to temporary shelters. The severe weather also caused power outages across several areas in the district.
Mabuyane said a coordinated, multi-disciplinary emergency and rescue services team has been deployed across the province and remains actively involved in recovery, evacuation, and support efforts across the affected areas.
The continuous provision of shelter, food, psychosocial support services, blankets, and other essentials to displaced families, through partnerships with the South African Social Service Agency (SASSA), the Department of Social Development, and local municipalities are some of the interventions that have been put in place by the provincial government.
“Through the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM), technical experts are addressing damage to water infrastructure. When necessary, water tankers will be dispatched to ensure access to clean drinking water,” the Premier said.
Search and rescue operations for the scholars is being led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) while the Department of Education is intervening to bring in the necessary support to the affected families during this tragic time.
Restoration of electricity, reopening of roads
Mabuyane also noted progress being made in reopening major roads affected by snowfall, and the continuous restoration of electricity following outages caused by gale-force winds and heavy snow.
“Over the past 48 hours, at least 136 000 customers have since been brought back online, down from 300 000 that were without electricity. Eskom teams have resumed to continue with restoration to outstanding customers,” Mabuyane said.
The Premier commended the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for their forecasts confirming that the inclement weather is coming to an end, as the cut-off low system responsible for the recent conditions moves out to sea.
He also expressed gratitude to the provincial disaster management teams, including SAPS K-9 divers, the SAPS Search and Rescue Airwing, as well as residents for their swift response.
The Premier further urged those that are yet received assistance to remain calm and patient, and that relief efforts will move faster with the easing of the inclement weather.
“Infrastructure technical teams have been activated to carry out assessment to ascertain the extent of the damage as well as interventions that are required across the province. At this stage 20 health facilities have suffered damages to varying levels.
“In terms of road infrastructure, engineers are on the ground assessing the impact and extent of the damage on our road network including rural roads. The R58 Khowa to Barkey through the Barkely is now open,” Mabuyane said.
He advised motorists to exercise caution due to slippery conditions. He further called on citizens, and organisations to support the communities, as they continue to deal with this tragedy.
“Condolences once again to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.
The Premier’s update on Wednesday came ahead of the visit of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa’s visit to the province on Thursday.
READ | Minister Hlabisa visits flood-affected Eastern Cape
–SAnews.gov.za
Source: South Africa News Agency
The burgeoning green hydrogen industry presents an opportunity for Africa to enable structural change and reposition the continent.
This is according to the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
The Minister delivered remarks at the African Green Hydrogen Summit, which is underway in Cape Town.
WATCH |
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“[Green] hydrogen must be understood not merely as a clean fuel, but as a strategic enabler of Africa’s structural transformation. It holds the potential to reposition the continent within global value chains, not as an exporter of raw materials but as a competitive industrial actor. Harnessed strategically, it can anchor new industrial ecosystems, from green steel and fertilisers to sustainable mobility and synthetic fuels.
“These are not abstract possibilities — they are within reach, provided we design policy frameworks that localise value, deepen intra-African trade, and direct investment flows towards infrastructure, skills, and technology transfer that serve the interests of the continent,” Ramokgopa said on Thursday.
The industry presents a lucrative opportunity for the continent and boasts a global potential of at least $300 billion in global exports over the next three decades.
Africa holds minerals and metals that are critical for the industry – placing the continent at the heart of this new frontier.
“More fundamentally, green hydrogen offers an opportunity to reverse the logic of dependency that has historically defined Africa’s insertion into the global economy. Instead of reinforcing extractive patterns, Africa can lead with an agenda of beneficiation, regional integration, and sovereign industrial development.
“This will require that we reject siloed national approaches in favour of coordinated regional frameworks, leveraging platforms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), and most crucially, Agenda 2063.
“These frameworks offer the institutional scaffolding for a common energy market and harmonised regulatory regimes that can attract patient, long-term capital,” Ramokgopa said.
The Minister implored African leaders at the summit to be “unapologetic” in taking their place at the forefront of the Green Hydrogen global industry.
“We must also be unapologetic in demanding a fair place at the green negotiating table. Africa’s role in the global energy transition cannot be one of accommodation. It must be one of agency. Our narrative must be led by African voices, grounded in African realities, and committed to African futures.
“As the world seeks new energy alliances and supply chains, Africa must shape its energy destiny through solidarity, strategy and statecraft, turning the promise of green hydrogen into a pillar of continental prosperity,” he insisted.
The summit also launched the Africa Green Hydrogen Report – a document thrashing out the continent’s green hydrogen potential, which brings together the full breadth of the continent’s technical readiness.
“This is not just a theoretical compilation; it is a technical blueprint for scaled project execution. Its message is unequivocal: Africa is not short of knowledge. Africa is ready to move from pilot to pipeline, from strategy to scale.
“But let us be clear. The window for Africa to shape the rules of this emerging market is narrowing. Other regions are moving fast, with public subsidies, regulatory incentives, and long-term offtake strategies. If we delay, we risk importing technologies, importing skills, and once again exporting unprocessed potential.
“So, the real work of this summit is to forge clarity on the scale of our ambition, the credibility of our plans, and the coordination of our actions. Let us begin that work today, with urgency, with unity, and with a shared conviction that Africa’s future is not on the periphery of the global green economy, but firmly at its centre,” he said.
IN PICTURES | Green Hydrogen Summit
According to the African Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA) – which is made up of 10 African states, including South Africa – the industry has the potential to add between $66 billion and $126 billion to the Gross Domestic Product of the member countries over the next 25 years.
Furthermore, some two to four million jobs could also be added during that time.
“Africa’s choice is whether to be a passive site of resource extraction or a proactive architect of the green energy economy. With the right policy frameworks, investment enablers, and regional coordination, green hydrogen can and must be the backbone of a new African industrial era,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KHARTOUM, June 12 (Xinhua) — A cholera vaccination campaign targeting 2.6 million residents was launched in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Wednesday, Khartoum health authorities said.
The 10-day campaign will be carried out in 12 administrative units in Omdurman, Um Badda, Karari, Jabal Awliya and East Nile towns, health authorities said in a statement.
According to the statement, the country has recorded a decrease in the number of cholera cases, and “the mortality rate due to complications associated with this disease has reached zero.”
Khartoum State Governor Ahmed Osman Hamza has commended health authorities for containing the cholera outbreak and improving recovery rates.
He called for continued efforts to combat epidemics and maintain stability in the health sector, praising the support of international and government organizations, as well as the contribution of volunteers. –0–
Source: Frontex
Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is working side by side with Policía Nacional in Spain this summer to support border checks at some of the busiest ports in the country.
Every summer, thousands of people travel between Spain and Morocco, especially through Algeciras, Tarifa and Ceuta. With travel picking up, Frontex is sending more than 100 officers as part of Operation Minerva to help Policía Nacional manage the high number of passengers and vehicles.
The goal? To make travel safer, faster and more secure for everyone.
A year ago, Operation Minerva helped stop more than 100 kg of hashish and nearly 27 000 smuggled cigarettes from crossing the border. It’s a strong example of how working together helps tackle crime and keeps borders safe.
“Spain knows its borders, and we bring backup when it counts. This isn’t just about sending officers. It’s about showing up when we’re needed. Strong borders start with strong cooperation,” said Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens.
This partnership is part of Frontex’s wider effort to support countries across the EU while ensuring that border management respects people’s rights and upholds European values.
Energy research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie will participate in the African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies conference, with a senior delegation comprising Mansur Mohammed, Head of New Business Development, Africa; Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, EMEA; David Parkinson, Head of Exploration; and Ian Thom, Research Director, Upstream. The team will speak across multiple sessions, contributing data-led insights and strategic analysis on upstream investment, exploration trends and Africa’s energy transition planning.
With over five decades of experience, Wood Mackenzie has become a central player in global energy markets. In Africa, the firm’s work has been particularly impactful in supporting the development of long-term energy planning and project structuring. Its collaboration with national governments and state-owned oil companies has helped shape policy frameworks, evaluate exploration potential and guide infrastructure development.
One of the firm’s most notable recent contributions has been its support to the Republic of Congo in developing the country’s first Gas Master Plan, in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons. The plan outlines strategies for monetizing gas resources, expanding domestic access and establishing export mechanisms that will contribute to economic diversification. In line with this work, Wood Mackenzie has provided analysis for key projects such as the Marine XII LNG development, which recently delivered its first cargo and is progressing toward expansion with a second 3.5 billion-cubic-meter-per-year facility.
In the broader upstream sector, Wood Mackenzie tracks and forecasts capital investment trends across the continent. The firm’s research highlights a stabilization of upstream spending around $40 billion annually, with particular emphasis on gas and LNG-led growth. Countries such as Namibia and Mozambique are attracting heightened interest from international investors, while established producers including Angola and Nigeria continue to recalibrate their upstream portfolios in response to global energy dynamics. Wood Mackenzie’s data and modelling are often used by governments and private operators alike to assess fiscal terms, licensing strategy and project economics.
The firm is also playing a leading role in contextualizing Africa’s energy transition. According to its long-term energy outlooks, Africa is expected to see electricity demand double by 2050. While renewables will form an increasing share of generation, Wood Mackenzie maintains that oil and gas will remain vital to meeting the continent’s industrial and energy access needs. The firm projects that Africa will account for just 3–6% of global emissions by mid-century, underscoring the argument that continued hydrocarbon development can coexist with climate responsibility.
“Wood Mackenzie brings the rigorous data and applied insight necessary to unlock Africa’s energy potential. At AEW 2025, their contributions will help shape a narrative that highlights investment opportunity, energy security and the responsible pursuit of development across the continent,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
The delegation’s participation at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies comes at a time when African states are intensifying their focus on exploration licensing rounds, domestic gas utilization and large-scale LNG developments. With deep experience in asset valuation, fiscal benchmarking and upstream project modelling, Wood Mackenzie remains a trusted partner to investors, ministries and NOCs seeking to maximize returns and mitigate risk across the continent.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Source: South Africa News Agency
The South African Government has expressed its “deep concern” at the decision of the United States to sanction four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This is after the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced sanctions against four ICC judges for alleged “illegitimate transgressions against the United States and Israel”.
According to reports, the sanctions are in response to the ICC issuing arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and its investigation into alleged United States war crimes in Afghanistan.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) believes that this move represents a direct affront to the principles of international justice and the rule of law.
“Such punitive actions against judicial officers performing their mandated duties are regrettable and they undermine the independence of the ICC, and threaten the integrity of international legal institutions.
“They furthermore hinder the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their independent judicial functions.”
The department said South Africa, as a founding member of the ICC, views these sanctions and previous threats as an attempt to intimidate and obstruct the Court’s efforts to hold accountable perpetrators of the most serious crimes.
“The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, to which 125 States are parties, and its mandate is to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to do so.”
DIRCO is of the view that these sanctions on ICC judges sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden those who seek to evade accountability for egregious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
“It also poses a significant challenge to the global fight against impunity and the enforcement of international norms.”
South Africa has since reaffirmed its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Rome Statute and will continue to work with like-minded nations to safeguard the integrity of international legal institutions.
“In this regard, we highlight our participation in the Hague Group, a coalition of countries dedicated to defending the rulings and authority of the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“The pursuit of justice for victims of the gravest crimes must not be compromised by political considerations. Upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability are essential for the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as a rules-based international order based on international law,” DIRCO said. – SAnews.gov.za
On 19 June, join experts and community leaders for the hybrid event GLF Africa 2025: Innovate, Restore, Prosper. Explore opportunities for the continent to reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
Nairobi, Kenya (12 June 2025) – GLF Africa, hosted by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) and CFOR-ICRAF, returns for its 7th edition on 19 June, held online and in person in Nairobi, Kenya, in English, French and Swahili.
Bringing together leading voices from diverse sectors and backgrounds, this hybrid conference will spotlight Africa’s progress, priorities and possibilities in building healthy, resilient and prosperous landscapes, communities and economies.
Africa holds two-thirds of the world’s arable land and the youngest population on Earth. GLF Africa 2025: Innovate, Restore, Prosper will highlight how science and traditional knowledge are guiding local action towards an economy that keeps the continent’s land healthy for future generations.
The event will cover four key themes:
Building Africa’s nature economy
Africa faces a triple environmental crisis of land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change, but current policies, funding and land rights fall short of what’s needed.
Time is running out to tackle these challenges – which is why the continent must start building a powerful nature economy today. This means unlocking its vast natural capital –its forests, biodiversity, land and water – combined with its deep knowledge systems, good governance, meaningful partnerships, AI and big data.
How to join the conversation
Everyone is invited to register for free at bit.ly/GLFAfrica2025.
The event will feature more than 60 inspiring speakers, including:
These leaders will be joined by many other changemakers in youth-led action, research, storytelling, academia, gender equity, sustainable finance and policy to discuss topics such as:
Explore the full agenda here: (ref. https://connect.globallandscapesforum.org/e/africa-2025#agenda)
Alongside GLF Africa 2025, the GLF will engage youth and local leaders from across the continent in collaborative in-person experiences during:
The workshops, interactive learning and peer networking will bridge community experience, scientific research and regional insights on policy, evidence-based restoration action, inclusive decision making, landscape approaches, breaking silos, climate justice, fundraising and more.
ABOUT THE GLF
The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on integrated land use, connecting people with a shared vision to create productive, profitable, equitable and resilient landscapes. It is led by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in collaboration with its co-founders UNEP and the World Bank, and its charter members. Learn more at www.globallandscapesforum.org.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a keynote at the Green Hydrogen Summit in Century City, Cape Town. The summit brings together African energy Ministers, policymakers and investors to explore opportunities in green hydrogen production, infrastructure development, and export potential.