Haitian Prime Minister visits recaptured hospital

PORT-AU-PRINCE,  Haiti 

Haitian police heavily armed patrolled the vicinity of the University hospital in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

The main hospital in the Haitian capital has remained closed since gangs seized control of most of the area over five months ago.

On Sunday night, police cleared the area after a brief exchange of gunfire with a few remaining gang members.

The hospital walls and nearby buildings are filled with bullet holes, evidence of the violence and numerous shootouts that occurred in downtown Port-au-Prince, just a stone's throw away from the National Palace.

The Haitian National Police took action to reclaim the hospital and the territory encroached by gangs, following the recent deployment of a U.N.-backed group of Kenyan police to help reduce the escalating violence.

Haitian Prime Minister Gary Conille, along with the head of Haiti’s police chief, visited the hospital under tight security. Conille described the area as a "war zone."

The assaults by criminal organizations have pushed Haiti’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse.

The rising violence has resulted in an influx of patients with severe illnesses and a shortage of resources for their treatment.

Haiti’s already struggling healthcare system faces additional challenges from the rainy season, which is expected to exacerbate conditions and heighten the risk of waterborne diseases.

Numerous other hospitals and clinics in the capital have been forced to close since the surge in gang violence in February this year, making it increasingly perilous for patients and medical staff to access healthcare facilities.

Freewheeling Spain face austere French in Euro 2024 final bid

MÜNCHEN, Germany

The battle between the two most successful national sides of the new millennium, Tuesday's Euro 2024 semifinal between France and Spain at Fußball Arena München, also showcases two contrasting styles.

Didier Deschamps and Luis de la Fuente greeted each other warmly yesterday before today's match.

Spain have dazzled in Germany, reaching the final four on the back of the attacking brilliance of wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

By contrast France, one of the pre-tournament favourites who boast one-man offensive powerhouse Kylian Mbappe, have ground their way to the semis on the back of solid defence, conceding just one goal in five games.

Spain's 11 goals scored is the joint most in the tournament alongside hosts Germany, the team they beat in extra time in the quarterfinal.

La Roja have won five from five.

Excluding wins on penalties, no team in Euros history has ever won more than five games in the same tournament.

While veteran striker Alvaro Morata captains Spain, headlining the team's attacking prowess are young wingers Williams, 21, and Yamal, 16, providing speed and creativity from both flanks.

Williams has scored a goal and laid on an assist. Yamal is yet to find the net – if he does score at this tournament he will break the record for youngest goalscorer at the Euros by almost two years – but has provided three assists, the most at the tournament.

The team's progress has been underpinned by the relentless positivity of manager Luis de la Fuente, who has lavished praise on his side at every opportunity.

"This is a winning horse," the coach said after Spain beat hosts Germany, "and a role model for our country."

De la Fuente, who has coached several of the players at junior levels for Spain, said "we can go far. There is a lot of heart and soul in this team."

Spain will need that heart and soul considering three players who started the quarterfinal will be absent. Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are suspended while Pedri is out for the tournament with a knee injury.

Having topped the goal tally with 16 at the Qatar World Cup, France qualified for the final four at Euro 2024 based on strong defence while their attack has deserted them in Germany.

France have made it to the semis scoring just three goals – none by a French player from open play.

Only seven sides at Euro 2024 have scored less than France.

Their run includes two scoreless draws and two 1-0 victories thanks to own goals from an opposition player.

Deschamps' side have, however, conceded just one goal – a penalty to Poland's Robert Lewandowski – and kept four clean sheets.

Superstar Mbappe, who scored eight of France's Qatar World Cup goals, has scored just once in Germany – from a penalty.

Despite the apparent lean run, Mbappe – who missed France's 0-0 draw with the Netherlands with a broken nose – has been crucial, with his probing run against Austria creating the only goal of the match.

"Obviously, it would be easier to win games if we were more effective on the attacking front, but in a major tournament like the Euro or the World Cup, you can't expect to go far if you're not solid.

While they may not have set Euro 2024 alight, the French boast incredible recent experience at major tournaments.

In the decade since the 2014 World Cup, France have failed to make the final of a major tournament only once, when they lost to Switzerland on penalties in the last 16 of Euro 2020.

The French were runners up at Euro 2016 and made the World Cup final in 2018 and 2022, winning the former.

After the quarterfinal win over Portugal on penalties, Deschamps said France should not "take for granted" they are again among the last ones standing.

"Being there in almost every major tournament is something we need to take the time to savour."

Senegal’s leader tasked to reunite the western bloc split by coups

ABUJA, Nigeria

Senegal’s President Basirou Diomaye Faye, Africa’s youngest, is suddenly faced with a huge challenge of reuniting a weakened regional bloc that is older than him.

The 44-year-old Faye was tasked on Sunday with getting the military junta-ruled Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso back to ECOWAS at the bloc’s summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja. The three nations left ECOWAS and formed their own alliance after the military takeovers fractured their relations with West African neighbors.

As a peace envoy supported by Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, Faye is seen as possibly the best among heads of state for a mission to try to woo the three nations back to the fold of regional cooperation.

Beyond the appeal of security and economic collaboration, ECOWAS’s goodwill has waned in recent years, said Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, a research analyst with the West Africa-focused Centre for Democracy and Development. But the new role offers Faye an opportunity to possibly seek reforms for “a more sustainable and self-reliant” ECOWAS, Adekaiyaoja said.

Faye also represents the opposite of what the three military leaders claim they are against.

He had not been elected when ECOWAS, founded in 1975, imposed the severe sanctions on Niger following a coup last July. Niger cited the sanctions as one of the reasons for leaving the bloc. Also, Faye’s victory in this year’s election that was certified as credible stood in contrast to rigged polls in the region.

At home, Faye is reviewing the old ties that the junta leaders claim have stifled West Africa’s development, though Senegal remains a key ally for the West. Under Faye’s leadership, Senegalese officials are renegotiating contracts with foreign operators in the country and, according to Finance Minister Abdourahmane Sarr, are “aiming to free ourselves from the ties of dependency in our public policies.”

It is exactly what the junta wants to hear, analysts say. Since ousting the democratic governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the generals have severed military and economic ties with traditional Western partners such as the U.S. and France, saying they had not benefited their countries. The shift has opened the window for Russia to expand its footprint in the region.

“Like the other heads of state, he (Faye) claims sovereignty and a break with the old order,” said Seidik Abba, a Sahel specialist and president of the International Center for Reflection for Studies.

Age is also not just a number in the case of Faye, a former tax inspector. Even as the youngest president in Africa, he is still older than three of the four current military leaders in the region.

At Sunday’s ECOWAS meeting in Nigeria, Faye was still among the youngest. Sitting across him was Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, who at 80 is just four years younger than Faye’s father.

When he visited Nigeria in May, the Senegalese leader touted his age as an “asset” that can help open a window for dialogue with the neighbors.

Faye’s task to dialogue with the three countries would still not be easy, according to Abba, the Sahel specialist. He said the three have wider concerns about the operations of ECOWAS, which they say faces interference from foreign countries like France, their former colonial ruler.

There is also a question of how much freedom Faye and the Togolese president would have in their role as envoys under an ECOWAS that has just re-elected Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as its chairman.

Their success would depend on “how best the different leaders can coordinate and agree” on the issues, said Adekaiyaoja from the Centre for Democracy and Development.

Equatorial Guinea's president frees ex-minister who called him 'demon'

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea

Former Equatorial Guinea justice minister Ruben Maye Nsue Mangue, imprisoned since August 2022 for calling the oil-rich country's leader a "demon", has been released following a presidential amnesty.

Mangue (pictured), also a pastor, told our reporter on Monday that he had to undergo a thorough health check but said he was doing well and had not been "tortured in prison".

"I am free," he said over the telephone, following Friday's amnesty.

He had been arrested over an audio recording that went viral on WhatsApp for calling the central African's nation's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo a "demon... sequestering his people" while calling for a national dialogue.

"I did not receive a lawyer's visit, I did not go on trial, I was in preventive detention," Mangue said.

In November 2022, at the age of 80, Obiang won a sixth term with an official 94.9 percent of the vote, prompting the United States to voice "serious doubts" over the results.

Human rights groups regularly accuse him of abuses including arbitrary detentions, disappearances and torture. He has previously denied the accusations.

Rwanda 'aware' of UK's decision to end migrant deal

KIGALI, Rwanda

Rwanda said on Monday that it "takes note" of the decision by the new Labour government in Britain to scrap a controversial deal to deport asylum seekers to the East African country.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had announced on Saturday that the migrant plan, forged by the ousted Conservative government, was "dead and buried."

There had already been a spate of legal challenges to the scheme, with the UK Supreme Court in November last year ruling that it was illegal under international law.

"Rwanda takes note of the intention of the UK Government to terminate the Migration and Economic Development Partnership Agreement, as provided for under the terms of the Treaty passed by both our Parliaments," the office of government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said in a statement.

"This partnership was initiated by the Government of the UK in order to address the crisis of irregular migration affecting the UK – a problem of the UK, not Rwanda," the statement said.

"Rwanda has fully upheld its side of the agreement, including with regard to finances, and remains committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis, including providing safety, dignity and opportunity to refugees and migrants who come to our country."

The Labour Party said before the July 4 election that it would ditch the scheme, which the Conservative government had said was designed to deter huge numbers of migrants trying to get across the Channel to the UK on boats from northern France.

Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had pushed through legislation in parliament that deems Rwanda a safe country, allowing the migrant flights to go ahead despite concerns about human rights laws.

Immigration has become an increasingly central political issue since the UK left the European Union in 2020, largely on a promise to "take back control" of the country's borders.

Rwanda, home to 13 million people in Africa's Great Lakes region, claims to be one of the most stable countries on the continent and has drawn praise for its modern infrastructure.

But rights groups accuse veteran President Paul Kagame of ruling in a climate of fear, stifling dissent and free speech.

Uganda dismisses claims of supporting M23 rebels

KAMPALA, Uganda

Ugandan officials have rebuffed a UN Group of Experts report accusing Uganda of harbouring M23 rebels, describing the claims as an attempt to strain relations with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Uganda's CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba with his DRC counterpart, Gen. Christian Tshiwewe in the town of Kasindi in Eastern DRC recently.

Uganda People's Defence Forces said the country respects the DRC's borders and territorial integrity and only conducts cross-border operations with the consent of Kinshasa government.

Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the Director of Defence Public Information in Uganda, told Anadolu that he is not aware of M23 rebels' presence in the country.

The UN Group of Experts report said that Uganda is providing sanctuary to the rebels and passage to the Rwanda Defence Forces troops, who travel to Eastern DRC to fight alongside M23 fighters against the DRC government.

The UN sanctions prevent M23 rebel leaders from travelling abroad, but the UN experts indicated that Uganda allows them to travel through its territory and Entebbe International Airport.

M23 rebel group said their teams deployed outside their operation zones in Kampala and other cities in East Africa and Southern Africa were only intended for peace talks.

"Regarding the matter, we would like to remind the United Nations Group of Experts that our teams (either delegation or representation) have always been deployed outside the area under our control for reasons of peace and not war," a statement issued by Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson of the M23 rebel commander, reads in part.

"This is particularly the case with certain capitals of some countries in the East and Southern Africa regions, which have long served as venues for talks between our organisation and the Kinshasa regime to bring peace to our country," the M23 noted.

Uganda is embroiled in a web of accusations and denials concerning its role in the volatile conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Despite Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) officially supporting DRC government forces against Allied Democratic Forces rebels, Kampala faces accusations of aiding M23 rebels.

The Ugandan government vehemently denies direct involvement in DRC's internal conflicts, saying its military presence is part of regional peacekeeping efforts.

Uganda, like Rwanda, has previously intervened militarily in eastern DRC, citing defence against rebel groups in 1996 and 1998.

The accusations of a duplicitous mission by Uganda highlight the complex dynamics of security concerns of neighbouring countries and cross-border military networks which are state and non-state sponsored.

Foreign intervention in eastern DRC has long been a focal point for discussions in either exacerbating or mitigating violence.

The dynamics and the precarious balance between seeking peace and navigating the intricate web of alliances and animosities have increased the risk of sucking neighbouring countries deeply into the conflict.

Israeli air strike on Gaza school kills at least 16

By Rushdi Aboualouf, GAZA, Palestine 

At least 16 people have been killed in an Israeli air strike on a UN-run school in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have said. Dozens more have been injured.

The building was sheltering thousands of displaced people at Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel said it had struck several Hamas “terrorists operating in structures located in the area of Al-Jaouni School”.

A local source said the target was a room allegedly used by Hamas police. A spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) said the claims were "very, very serious" and should be investigated.

The attack comes as hopes rise that a deal between Israel and Hamas is on the horizon, following months of false starts.

Israel has announced it will send a team of negotiators next week to discuss a hostage release deal with Hamas.

It comes after a senior US administration official said Hamas had agreed to "pretty significant adjustments" to its position regarding a potential ceasefire.

A senior Hamas source told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that the group had agreed to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages 16 days after the proposed first phase of an agreement aimed at ending the Gaza war.

Video from the scene of the Nuseirat school strike shows adults and children screaming in a smoke-filled street covered in dust and rubble, as they run to help the wounded.

Eyewitnesses told our reporter that the attack targeted the upper floors of the school, which is located near a busy market.

One woman told the AFP news agency how some children were killed as they were reading the Koran when the building was hit.

"This is the fourth time they have targeted the school without warning," she said.

Hamas said five local journalists were among those killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday. Members of their family were also reportedly targeted.

More than 100 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza since the 7 October attacks, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Hamas said the five latest fatalities brings the number to 158.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had hit the school buildings, saying it had taken "numerous steps" to "mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise aerial surveillance and additional intelligence".

Hamas militants were using the location as a "hideout" to carry out attacks against IDF troops, it said.

"Hamas continues to systematically violate international law by exploiting civilian structures and the civilian population as human shields for its terrorist attacks against the State of Israel," it added.

Hamas called the attack a “massacre” on “defenceless displaced civilians”.

Many of the dead and wounded were women, children and the elderly, the group claimed via its English language Telegram channel.

England win on penalties, set up Netherlands semifinal at Euro 2024

DUESSELDORF,  Germany 

England beat Switzerland on penalties on Saturday to keep their dreams of winning Euro 2024 alive as they advanced to a semifinal showdown with the Netherlands, who came from behind to defeat Turkey in the day's other match.

In Duesseldorf, England produced another late fightback as their quarterfinal with the Swiss finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and at the end of extra time, before Gareth Southgate's side triumphed 5-3 in the shootout.

England converted all of their penalties, with Switzerland's Manuel Akanji the only player to miss as he took his team's first kick but was denied by a Jordan Pickford save.

A dreary encounter for the first 75 minutes came to life after Breel Embolo put Switzerland in front, sliding in at the back post to convert Dan Ndoye's deflected cross.

England, who came back from the dead to beat Slovakia in the last round, needed only five minutes to draw level thanks to a fine goal by Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal attacker's low strike from wide on the right finding the far corner of the net.

There were no further goals, although substitute Xherdan Shaqiri came close to winning the game late in extra time for Switzerland when he hit the woodwork direct from a corner.

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold converted their penalties to send England through, as they went some way towards exorcising the ghost of their shoot-out defeat by Italy in the final of Euro 2020.

"We are not going to stop fighting, we are in another semifinal and we'll see where we can get to," said Southgate, who marked the victory in his 100th game in charge with a dance in front of the England fans.

"Every now and then you think surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job. If I can't enjoy that moment the whole thing is a waste of time," he added.

Switzerland have now reached five quarterfinals at either the World Cup or Euros, and lost them all – they also lost on penalties, to Spain, in the last eight at Euro 2020.

"Of course it hurts a lot when we made such an effort and had the chances we had. I'm very sad for the lads and the nation that after a performance like that we have to leave the tournament," said their coach, Murat Yakin.

As the Swiss go home, England stay in Germany for a semifinal on Wednesday in Dortmund against the Netherlands, who came from a goal down to beat Turkey 2-1 in Berlin in Saturday's other quarterfinal.

Samet Akaydin sent Turkey ahead in the first half, heading in from Arda Guler's cross on 35 minutes.

Akaydin was playing in place of Merih Demiral, Turkey's two-goal hero in their last-16 win against Austria who was banned for this game for making a controversial salute.

The build-up to the match at Berlin's Olympiastadion was overshadowed by a diplomatic row between Turkey and Germany after Demiral was banned.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the game as a result, along with tens of thousands of fans who greeted every sustained Dutch period of possession with a barrage of whistles.

But the Netherlands kept their cool in a hostile atmosphere and equalised 20 minutes from the end as Stefan de Vrij met Memphis Depay's cross to score with a towering header.

The Dutch then won it six minutes later when Mert Muldur bundled a low Denzel Dumfries cross into his own net under pressure from Cody Gakpo.

That was enough for the Netherlands, who won the Euros in West Germany in 1988, to advance to a first semifinal at the tournament since 2004.

"Tonight we had to dig very deep and I am proud of these guys," captain Virgil van Dijk told broadcaster NOS.

"We want to fulfil our dream and we are one step closer."

Spain and France meet in the first semifinal in Munich on Tuesday, with the winners of the two last-four ties advancing to the final in Berlin next Sunday.

Muldur own goal sends Netherlands into semis

BERLIN, Germany 

An own goal by Mert Muldur completed a dramatic comeback for the Netherlands on Saturday as they overcame a tenacious Turkey 2-1 to book a Euro 2024 semifinal meeting with England.

The defender bundled the ball into his own net in the 76th minute under pressure from Cody Gakpo as the Dutch bounced back from a poor first-half display to win a bruising clash and complete the final four line-up.

Stefan de Vrij had equalised only six minutes earlier after Turkey went into the break 1-0 up from Samet Akaydin’s 35th- minute header.

Turkey rode waves of passionate support at the Olympiastadion to put themselves on course for an unlikely semifinal place but, after keeping the Dutch at bay, they finally succumbed to the pressure in the last 20 minutes.

France and Spain meet in the other semifinal on Tuesday before the Dutch face England in Dortmund on Wednesday.

"We knew it was going to be tough so I'm really pleased that we made it through," said Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.

"It's a win not only because we were probably the better side but also because we showed fight and we did not give up."

The only one of the weekend’s quarterfinals to be completed without extra time or penalties was no less drama-filled.

Turkey’s goal came after a strange decision from Dutch fullback Denzel Dumfries to let a shot, which had clearly deflected off Nathan Ake, go out for a corner when he could easily have kept the ball in play.

The resultant set piece was initially cleared but fell for teenager Arda Guler to deliver a perfect cross to the back post and Akaydin was first in a queue of three Turkish players to rise and head home.

The goal came after sustained pressure from Turkey, who had seen off early Dutch dominance, to set up several opportunities, including a succession of corners.

Initial enterprise from the Dutch was met with tenacious defence as Turkey giving their opponents little room to play in.

It did not help the Dutch cause that attackers Memphis Depay and Gakpo looked flat, prompting coach Ronald Koeman into throwing on pinch hitter Wout Weghorst at the start of the second half.

Although the imposing centre forward looked to sew panic among the Turkish defenders, however, it was at the other end that the next opportunities arose.

Guler’s 56th-minute free kick was bent expertly around the Dutch wall but struck the outside of the post.

Ten minutes later, Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen got a hand to deny Baris Alper Yilmaz’s stinging shot and Kaan Ayhan missed out on tucking away the rebound as Weghorst cleared.

The Dutch kept plugging away and, as Turkey’s defence became more scrambled, they finally made the breakthrough with Depay’s cross finding an unmarked De Vrij to head home in the 70th minute.

The siege continued and it was matter of time before the Dutch grabbed a second, bundled in six minutes later as Gakpo pressurised Muldur after a cross by Dumfries.

"Initially we were sloppy with too much loss of ball possession," said De Vrij.

"They pushed us behind and then we went behind to the header from a corner. But we kept believing. You've seen in other games that goals can come late. And so it came for us too."

The tired-looking Turks, drawing last vestiges of energy from rabid support from the majority of the capacity crowd, gamely sought to take the game into extra time but had desperate efforts blocked by the Orange defence and Verbruggen made another key save in stoppage time.

"We are very sad. It's hard to find words right now. We are all emotional," Turkey midfielder Salih Ozcan said.

"We want to thank our fans, the amazing support we got. They carried us from match to match."

Sahel military leaders mark divorce from West Africa bloc

NIAMEY, Niger

The military leaders ruling Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger entered a new "confederation" Saturday as they signed a treaty during their first summit in Niamey, after having severed ties with an existing West African bloc.

The heads of the three countries, who took power through coups in recent years, "decided to take a step further towards greater integration between the member states" and "adopted a treaty establishing a confederation", they said in a statement at the end of Saturday's summit. 

The "Confederation of Sahel States", which will use the acronym AES, will group some 72 million people.  

The three countries in January said they were quitting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), an organisation they accused of being manipulated by France, their former colonial ruler.

The three countries have all broken their military and defence links with France, seeking greater cooperation with Russia.

"Our people have irrevocably turned their back on ECOWAS," said General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger's military government as he opened the summit. 

Relations between ECOWAS deteriorated following a July 2023 coup that brought Tiani to power, when ECOWAS imposed sanctions and even threatened to intervene militarily to restore the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. 

The sanctions were lifted in February but relations between the two sides remain frosty. 

ECOWAS is holding a leaders' summit Sunday in Abuja where the question of relations with AES will be on the agenda. 

The AES countries in March created a joint military force to combat the jihadist groups that regularly attack their territory.   

Saturday they also talked about "mutualising" their approach to strategic sectors such as agriculture, water, energy and transport.

They also asked that indigenous languages be given greater prominence in local media.  

US to complete withdrawal from Niger base Sunday

NIAMEY,  Niger 

The U.S. is set to complete its withdrawal of forces and equipment Sunday from an air base in Niamey, the capital of the West African country of Niger, with a joint ceremony marking the occasion.

Next on the U.S. agenda is its exit from a Niger drone base that is scheduled to be completed in August.

The departures are in compliance with a September 15 deadline agreed upon by the U.S. and Niger’s ruling junta, after Niger’s new military leaders ordered U.S. troops to leave following a coup in Niamey last year.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, in Niger to coordinate the exits, told reporters by video conference that the bulk of the U.S. forces in Niger will be transferred to European locations. However, he said small teams of U.S. forces have been relocated to other West African countries.

While the U.S. has withdrawn some valuable equipment from the bases in Niger, it is not destroying the equipment and facilities that are being left behind. Holding onto hope for the future, Ekman said, “Our goal in the execution is, leave things in as good a state as possible.

“If we went out and left it a wreck, or if we went out spitefully, or if we destroyed things as we went, we'd be foreclosing options that both nations need for the future. And our security objectives are still entwined.”

The departures — especially the withdrawal from the drone base — are a blow to the U.S. and its counterterrorism missions in the Sahel, a vast African region where insurgents, linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State groups, operate.

Ekman, who is the director of strategy at U.S. Africa Command, said other African countries that are worried about the Sahel-based insurgent threats have approached the U.S. about how they can partner with U.S. forces to combat the militants.

“Niger was immensely helpful for us as a location because it was in the Sahel and it was adjacent to those areas where the threat is most concentrated,” Ekman said.

Now, the challenge will be more difficult, he said, because access to the area will have to be from outside Niger.

Germany knocked out of Euro 2024 after 2-1 loss to Spain

STUTTGART, Germany 

A Mikel Merino goal in the final minute of extra time took Spain to a 2-1 win over Germany and into the Euro 2024 semis.

After a fiery yet goalless first half, Spain's Dani Olmo latched onto an inch-perfect pass from Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal to give La Roja the lead on 51 minutes at Stuttgart Arena. 

Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post with 14 minutes remaining but with the hosts staring at an early exit, Florian Wirtz slammed in a Joshua Kimmich knock-down in the 89th minute to take the game to extra time.

With a minute remaining in extra time and the game looking set for penalties, Olmo lofted a cross for Merino, who headed Spain into the semifinals and on course for a record-breaking fourth Euros crown.

Germany's exit brings to an end the hosts' hope of a summer fairytale Euros victory after a decade of poor performances at major tournaments, while also lowering the curtain on Toni Kroos' stellar career.

The battle between the two most successful Euros nations, with three titles apiece, was billed as a final come early, with the in-form Spaniards against Nagelsmann's reborn hosts.

Spain nominated Kroos as Germany's most dangerous pre-match but the midfielder had a huge, even if unintended impact early, colliding with Pedri, who was then subbed off with a leg injury for Olmo.

Germany, with the oldest squad at Euro 2024, struggled with Spain's speed during the first half, frequently coming into duels a fraction too late, but the two best chances of the opening half fell to the hosts – and both to Kai Havertz.

The Arsenal forward leapt highest to head a cross directly at Unai Simon early and then scuffed a tame shot at the goalie later in the half with just the 'keeper to beat.

After a goalless first half, Nagelsmann took off surprise starter Emre Can for the pink-haired Robert Andrich, while the ineffective Leroy Sane was hooked in place of Wirtz.

The substitution who would make his mark however was Olmo, who gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half, slicing through the sleepy Germany defence to perfectly place a Yamal pass past Manuel Neuer in the bottom left corner.

The goal kicked Germany into gear with Wirtz particularly dangerous.

The Bayer Leverkusen starlet linked with Fuellkrug on the counter with a quarter of an hour remaining but the striker, under heavy attention from the Spanish defence, could only hit the post.

With 10 minutes remaining Nagelsmann made his final substitution, bringing veteran Thomas Mueller from the bench.

But it was Wirtz – 13 years his junior - who made the difference, skimming a Joshua Kimmich header across the grass and in at the far post in the final minute, sending the game to extra time.

Mikel Oyarzabal, on for Williams, curled a 104th-minute shot just wide of the post and Wirtz did the same a minute later with the goal beckoning.

Germany appealed strongly for a penalty in the second period of extra time, after a goal-bound Jamal Musiala shot clearly connected with Marc Cucurella's outstretched hand.

After the penalty drama, Olmo curled in a cross for Merino, who leapt high to head the ball past Neuer and put Spain into the Euros semifinals.

Kenya's President proposes budget cuts after deadly protests

NAIROBI,  Kenya 

Kenyan President William Ruto has announced a 177 billion budget cut to seal the budget hole left after the withdrawal of the finance bill. This comes after protests led to the cancellation of contentious tax hikes, which resulted in the deaths of 39 people.

The country erupted into chaos when peaceful demonstrations against high tax rises turned violent. Police fired at crowds that stormed parliament.

Mostly led by young Kenyans, the protests reflected widespread anger over an annual finance bill. Ruto had to scrap the bill, warning of a huge funding gap.

"We will be proposing to the National Assembly a budget cut of not the entire 346, but a budget cut of 177 billion and borrowing the difference (around 169 billion shillings)," said Ruto on Friday, July 5.

Public debt amounts to some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), around 70 percent of Kenya's GDP.

The decision to borrow would result in the fiscal deficit rising "from 3.3 percent to 4.6 percent", Ruto said, but would pay for some services.

These would include the hiring of secondary school teachers and medical interns, as well as continuing to fund a milk stabilisation and fertiliser programme that protects farmers.

Ruto announced several belt-tightening measures including the absorption of 47 state-run organisations and companies with other departments.

The office of the first lady and that of the deputy president's spouse will cease to exist and the number of government advisors slashed by half.

"All non-essential travel by state and public officers is hereby suspended," he added.

Sir Keir Starmer officially becomes UK's prime minister

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, England

Sir Keir Starmer has officially become the UK's new prime minister after a meeting with the King.

The Labour leader had his meeting in Buckingham Palace after Rishi Sunak stepped down following the worst ever general election result for the Conservatives.

Sir Keir now takes over as the first Labour prime minister in 14 years - and the seventh Labour prime minister ever.

Much of the country was turned red overnight, with Mr Sunak conceding defeat just before 5am on Friday and Sir Keir claiming victory shortly after.

Speaking on the steps of No 10, former prime minister Mr Sunak said he would not leave his role as Conservative Party leader immediately but would do so once a leadership race begins.

"I would like to say, first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all," he said.

Rishi Sunak resigns as Tory leader as well as PM after election defeat

Sunak apologises to country and fires starting pistol on leadership race before going to Buckingham Palace for final audience with king.

Rishi Sunak apologised to the country after his catastrophic election loss and said he had heard voters’ “anger and disappointment” and desire for change.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after a disastrous night for the Conservative party, Sunak confirmed his resignation as prime minister and said: “To the country I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.”

“I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters.

“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”

He also said he would step down as Conservative leader once the arrangements for selecting his successor were in place. The party looks set to win just over 121 seats, its worst result in history.

He congratulated Keir Starmer on Labour’s landside victory, saying: “In this job his successes will be all our successes and I wish him and his family well. Whatever our disagreements in this campaign he is a decent, public-spirited man who I respect.

“He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door,” he added.

By 11am when all but two constituencies had declared their results, Labour had won a huge landslide with more than 410 seats. Sunak said the Tories now needed to rebuild and take up their “crucial” role in opposition.

He then travelled to Buckingham Palace for his final audience with the king before Starmer formally becomes prime minister.

Speaking about his legacy, Sunak said he had brought down inflation to the Bank of England target of 2%, put mortgage rates on a downward trajectory and enhanced the UK’s international standing. He cited support for Ukraine and the negotiation of the Windsor framework on post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland.

“I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger and more secure than it was 20 months ago,” he said. “It is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010.”

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Referencing his historic status as the UK’s first British Asian prime minister, Sunak said: “One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become prime minister. And that I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street.

“We must hold true to that idea of who we are. That vision of kindness, decency and tolerance that has always been the British way.”

He thanked his family for their support and sacrifices and, after concluding his speech, walked into a waiting car on Downing Street hand-in-hand with his wife, Akshata Murty.

Sunak became Tory leader October 2022 without any contest after the implosion of Liz Truss’s 45-day stint in Downing Street. He has pledged to stay on as an MP for the full term of the current parliament.