Category: NEWS

Subsidising pilgrimage has become a drain
Perhaps in comingto grips with the deterioratingeconomy, the federal government has signalled its intention to end the concessionary exchange rate offered to religious pilgrims.The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON)announced last weekthat pilgrims wouldindividually financethe 2025 Hajj exercisefrom their pockets, ending the long-standing subsidy regime offered pilgrims by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).Although the cost of subsidisingChristian pilgrims for this year is not out, the federal governmenthad offered a subsidy of N90 billion to NAHCON to support the 2024 Hajj,an amount many argue could havebeen ploughedtobasic amenities andother social services in these difficult times.
The practice of subsidising religious pilgrimages in Nigeriadatesback to several decades.Government at all levelsexpends billions of nairaannuallyto supportadherents of Islam and Christianity to Mecca and Jerusalem.Pilgrimages hold special significance for many people, especially Muslims. Many Christians also undertake the journey to the holy sites to deepen their connection, and “feel connected to the worldwide community of Christians,” and learn more about the history of Christianity. For Muslims, pilgrimage holds a special place as Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Indeed, every Muslim is expected to make the journey to the Holy land, at least once in a lifetime, if they can afford it.
However, over the last few years many have been raisingtheir voices on thefinancial burdenof pilgrimageson thegovernment and theeconomy. Amid the prevailing hardship and the rising cost of living many have been increasingly questioning the policy on huge allocations of scarce foreign exchange to a group, on what is essentially a personal issue, and which in some instances, subject to abuse.
Many states across the country who cannot provide water for residents and can hardly pay teachers salary budget billions of naira annually to support a select few for spiritual voyage to the holy land. According to a report13state governors spent N15billion to sponsorless than 5000people on religious pilgrimagesrecently. Indeed, the Steve Orosanye Report of 2012 recommended the abolition of state-sponsored pilgrimages, adding that the NAHCON and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) be scrapped and their functions transferred to a department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even if government could not summon the political will to implement it at the time, the current government is doing it in bits, in the face of the current reality.“It is tantamount to prioritizing religion over the nation’s economic needs,”said the Afenifere Renewal Group, a Yoruba socio-political group.“Education has also been adversely affected by the forex crisis with more Nigerians affected than those going on pilgrimages.Already, thousands of Nigerians studying abroad are being recalled home because their sponsors could no longer afford the fees.”
In the face of the depreciating national currency, thepreferential exchange rates granted the pilgrimsnow constitute a huge drain on the economy. Even if obeyed fitfully, the federal government has also put some restrictions on its staff from indiscriminate trips abroad to attend conferences and related events. The objective is to conserve funds. And in the face of present reforms entailing theremoval of subsidies onpetroland electricity,and other general items that affect all Nigerians,ithas becomeimperative to adopt a similar approach towards other forms of subsidies, including those on religious pilgrimages.
As things stand, it will be more sensible if government canredirectsuch fundsto critical areas such as healthcare,education, and poverty alleviation.We therefore endorse the new policy.Funding a religious pilgrimageis now a luxury we can ill afford.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday, charged the newly appointed Board of Directors of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to diversify the nation’s investment portfolio to support key sectors of the economy.
Specifically, Shettima reminded the company board members of their stewardship role as custodians of the collective patrimony of the people of Nigeria.
Speaking during a meeting with the Board of Directors of the NSIA at the State House, Abuja, the Vice President outlined the administration’s vision for the NSIA, drawing comparisons with more established sovereign wealth funds.
Shettima, while acknowledging Nigeria’s late entry into the sovereign wealth funds, said, “The Norwegian, the Qatari and the Saudi Arabians had a head start much earlier than we thought of establishing one, but the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. It’s better late than never.”
He stressed the need to support the real economy, particularly highlighting the NSIA’s role in agricultural revitalisation.
According to him: “You have been supporting the nation in our agricultural revitalisation endeavours, especially in the purchase of agricultural inputs. I want you to sustain that tempo.”
Assuring the board of President Bola Tinubu’s full support in achieving national aspirations, the vice president emphasised the critical need for teamwork.
“The moment you are working at cross purposes, we will not meet our goals and aspirations,” he cautioned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NSIA Board of Directors, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the visit became necessary to enable members of the Board to introduce themselves to the Vice President.
He thanked Shettima all members of the National Economic Council (NEC), saying they treasure the confidence the Council has reposed in the Board.
Ogunsanya said members of the NSIA Board of Directors were looking forward to submitting their last audited accounts to NEC, and then sharing what the NSIA has done and what it intends to do, even as he assured that the principles upon which NSIA was founded will never change under his watch as Chairman.
He noted that, “The principles upon which NSIA was founded will remain unchanged – the principle of transparency, of accountability. These are the two pillars upon which NSIA was founded, and that is what I am committing to, on behalf of my colleagues at the Board of Directors.
“We are here to make sure that the current generation and the future generation have something we are going to leave behind for them. We are here to make sure we give benefit to the economy, give benefit to the current citizens and the future citizens.
“Beyond preparing for the future generation, we also know that we have an obligation to support the government during volatile times. We’ve done that in the past during COVID-19; we did make $150 million available to the government at that time.”

Costco, the warehouse club known for its value-driven approach, has carved out a unique niche in the retail sector where few consumers are willing to pay an annual membership fee. What makes Costco such a beloved retail destination?

A significant contributor to Costco’s success is its Kirkland Signature brand, often heralded as the “king of private labels.” For consumers, private label products typically offer a lower-cost alternative to national brands. However, Kirkland products are perceived to be both affordable and of exceptional quality.

Kirkland’s performance is impressive, generating $56 billion in annual revenue, accounting for about a quarter of Costco’s total sales. If you factor in Kirkland-branded gasoline, that figure rises by an additional $24 billion.

What are the keys to Kirkland’s success? First off, Costco has streamlined its sourcing by consolidating numerous private labels into one. This means they no longer need to order from 30 different brands, allowing them to focus their investments on a single brand and, in turn, enhance quality while reducing costs. Kirkland products often retail at prices 20% lower than those of well-known brands.

Secondly, Kirkland boasts a diverse product range of around 550 items, including pork chops, dog beds, and underwear. It’s quite rare for a single brand to offer such variety at competitive prices without compromising quality. The secret? Costco partners with major brands for manufacturing.

While Costco keeps the identities of Kirkland’s manufacturers under wraps, it is widely known that some Kirkland coffee is produced by Starbucks. Other suppliers reportedly include Duracell for batteries, Kimberly-Clark for paper products, and Ocean Spray for juices. These leading brands are willing to remain anonymous due to the substantial revenue potential that comes from Costco’s massive reach.

Moreover, Costco rigorously ensures the quality of every Kirkland product to maintain its reputation for high value. Ida Mow, a sales executive at Costco, emphasizes, “We don’t just slap our name on any product. Every new item has to be approved by the CEO’s office.”

For consumers who appreciate Kirkland products, shopping at Costco becomes essential, which fosters a loyal customer base. UBS analyst Mike Lasser highlights Costco’s customer loyalty as the highest in the retail industry.

Additionally, the membership fee itself acts as a loyalty booster, contributing to what’s known as “sunk cost,” encouraging paying members to shop more frequently. Given that most retail stores do not require a membership fee, customers must truly love shopping at Costco to continue paying for their membership. Costco excels in this regard, boasting a remarkable renewal rate of 92.9%.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),has scheduled the Anambra State governorship election for Saturday November 8, 2025.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the fourth regular consultative meeting with political parties.
He explained that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 required the commission to issue the notice for elections not later than 360 days before the date of the election, saying  this applied to the general as well as off-cycle governorship elections.
Yakubu stated: “As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year.
“Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State governorship election will hold on Saturday 8th November 2025.
“In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025.
“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.
“Campaigns in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025.
“Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.
“In the coming weeks, the Commission will provide details of other electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, transfer of voters and the replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.”
The chairman noted that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the 2025 Anambra State election would be uploaded on its website and social media platforms.
Yakubu, therefore, urged political parties to use the INEC timetable to come up with their own timetable and schedule of activities to enable them work together and plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of party primaries and campaign activities.
He said by doing so, they would avoid the last minute rush with the attendant inability to meet deadlines.
Chairman of  Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle,  reiterated its demand for the scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), saying  the sham called elections they conduct were deliberate assault on the nation’s democracy.
He said the council would not fold its hand and allow this glaring perversion of the democratic process to continue.

In an interview with Li Shuqin, the project manager for the rain and sewage separation initiative in Jinzhou District, we discussed the completion of Dalian’s largest rainwater and sewage separation project, which recently commenced operations after over four years of construction.

Li explained that Jinzhou, as one of Dalian’s older districts, had been grappling with an outdated underground pipe system where rainwater and sewage were often mixed. With rapid urban growth, industrial expansion, and a rising population, the old pipeline infrastructure could no longer handle the increased demand for drainage. This highlighted the urgent need for a rainwater and sewage separation system.

“The project encompasses every residential community, school, hospital, factory, as well as roads and public squares throughout the district,” began Li. “It’s truly a ‘capillary’ project, involving extensive coordination among various utilities, including electricity, water supply, communications, and heating.”

The project comprises 36 sub-items and covers a total pipeline length of 120.1 kilometers. It includes the construction and expansion of sewage and rainwater systems, aiming to effectively separate and manage these two types of water.

Currently, approximately 116.5 kilometers of the rain and sewage pipeline have been completed. With the main project now operational, it promises to implement a fully integrated “smart operation.”

Li Kun, who oversees the project operations, elaborated, “Through collaboration with the sewage treatment plant, we’ve developed a comprehensive management network for both rainwater and sewage, facilitating automated processes.” He noted that the system includes automated sewage lifting stations that adjust their operations based on the water levels within the pipelines. “The system handles around 6,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily, meeting the drainage needs of Jinzhou.”

Additionally, given Jinzhou’s proximity to the Bohai Sea and its high groundwater levels, the project has effectively minimized pollution. By utilizing digital monitoring for pipeline assessments and accurately reserving gaps for well openings, the team has achieved a remarkable “zero emission” status, ensuring that rainwater flows into rivers while sewage is directed to treatment facilities.

With the rainwater and sewage separation system now in use, Jinzhou’s 52 square kilometers will transform into a zone with “zero pollution” discharge into the sea. This urban infrastructure renewal aims to mitigate flooding and enhance the district’s resilience, ultimately benefiting approximately 1.6 million residents of Jinzhou.

In a recent press conference on October 15, the Deputy Secretary of the Baoshan Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Baoshan Municipal Government Party Leadership Group, Zuo Guang, shared significant developments regarding Baoshan’s strategic positioning as a critical port city. He noted, “In recent years, Baoshan has been pursuing a comprehensive plan for its development as a ‘major port city.’ The coordinated growth of ports, transportation channels, industrial parks, and urban areas is gaining momentum. In 2023, Baoshan’s total foreign trade import-export volume exceeded 10 billion yuan, reaching a historic high.”

Baoshan, located in western Yunnan province and bordering Myanmar, has long served as a vital hub on the ancient Southern Silk Road, making it one of China’s earliest frontiers for opening up to the outside world. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the city’s economy has doubled, surpassing 100 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. Additionally, the per capita disposable income for urban and rural residents has increased by an average of 7.6% and 11.2%, respectively.

During the conference, Zuo highlighted Baoshan’s expanding door to the outside world. The city has successfully launched the “Myanmar-Baoshan-Pupiao-Chengdu” combined rail and road transport service. The Hongqiao Port has been included in the provincial initiative for smart port construction, and Baoshan has cultivated the province’s first A-level 5A private logistics enterprise.

“Baoshan is dedicated to innovation in management systems and mechanisms, pioneering the ‘园中园’ (park-in-park) model that alleviates bottlenecks in attracting enterprises, forming industrial chains, and developing parks,” he stated.

Moreover, Baoshan has taken the lead in developing a green silicon photovoltaic front-end industrial chain, which accounted for 25% of the province’s total silicon photovoltaic industry output value in 2023. The world’s largest single multi-crystal silicon project officially commenced production this year, significantly boosting renewable energy generation, with green electricity now comprising 100% of installed capacity.

Baoshan is also refining its focus on local specialty products, successfully establishing renowned brands such as Baoshan small coffee beans, Longling purple skin Dendrobium, Changning black tea, and Teng medicine. Four out of the five counties and districts have earned the title of “Specialty Counties.” The coffee industry has achieved remarkable rankings in terms of premium quality and deep processing, hosting the 2023 International Specialty Coffee Industry Development Conference as well as the main event for the 2024 China Farmers’ Harvest Festival in Yunnan.

Additionally, the influence of the Tengchong Scientists Forum, hosted twice in Tengchong City, is expanding. In 2023, the forum attracted 112 academicians and 47 university presidents, and for the first time, the “Tengchong Science Prize” was awarded. The forum also facilitated 46 collaborative projects and secured 8 billion yuan in investment agreements. Baoshan has made significant breakthroughs in key core technologies in areas such as green silicon and biomanufacturing, with the output value of high-tech enterprises now accounting for 27.3% of the total gross production value. The intensity of R&D investment in Baoshan has also risen to the highest level in the province.

Republicans are few and far between in the city – but America’s young men are increasingly shifting to the right. In photographs and interviews by Paola Chapdelaine, members of young Republican clubs explain how they found their way to the party
Read more from the Guardian’s series on young men and the US electionWed 16 Oct 2024 07.00 EDTShareIn New York City, Republicans are something of a rarity. Only 10% of New Yorkers are Republicans, according to 2021 voter registration data, and the state is polling bright blue for Kamala Harris. But the Republican party has not called it quits.
“You live in a blue city, but it’s going red very, very quickly,” Donald Trump claimed at a Bronx rally in May. Step into the suburbs, and Republican candidates have enough momentum to turn multiple House elections – and ultimately, control of the House – into nail-biters.
It’s an interesting time for the New York Young Republicans Club (NYYRC). The club brings together conservative New Yorkers 40 and under to socialize, campaign and discuss policy; recent events have included debate watch parties and a self-defense course in light of “illegal military-age male immigrants flooding our country, the threat of World War III, and New York’s insistence on stripping our Second Amendment rights”. It’s using this momentum in New York to branch out to other Republican youth organizations around the country.
This year, the photographer Paola Chapdelaine spent time with four male members of NYYRC and one male member of the nearby Connecticut Young Republicans, who represent a nationwide trend of young men increasingly embracing the right. Here, they explain how they found their way to the Republican party as young men in a liberal city and what they think of political polarization in America.

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Frank Filocomo, 27: ‘Community cannot be politically monolithic’View image in fullscreenWhen I was an undergrad, I saw a woman on the train with a button on her backpack that said “a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle”. I remember completely disagreeing with that. This move towards dissolving the family, or saying that we don’t need each other and we could just be these totally individualized, autonomous beings with no connection to family, with no connection to our history, I reject that idea. I think we’re all connected to something greater. I guess that’s what makes me a conservative.
Recently, I thought I had a great rapport with a date – lots of laughter, great chemistry. Then, the morning of the second date, she [texted]: “Hey, I did some thinking, and never mind. I would not like to go on a date with you.” I immediately knew that she Googled me. I’m not a rightwing vigilante, but I write for conservative publications.
If I start immediately in a relationship by saying: “Hi, I’m Frank, I’m a conservative,” then I’m setting myself up for failure. I say: “Hi, I’m Frank, I have a cat that I love. These are my hobbies. I play guitar.” That’s not to say you should be deceptive about your beliefs, but it is to say that you should be cognizant of the political polarization in this country. I think it was Muhammad Ali who said that he judges people based on how they treat waiters at restaurants. Similarly, how do you treat animals? I think squabbling over the tax code, or the right number of immigrants we should have per year, or how you feel about foreign policy ultimately mean nothing to me in a relationship. What I care about is how you treat me and how you treat others.
I sound like a hippy, but I also totally believe in this idea of community, and that community cannot be politically monolithic. It has to have Democrats in it, has to have liberals. The second we go to the “me versus them” or “us versus them” mentality, we’re doomed.
Born, raised and currently living in Brooklyn, Filocomo is program manager at the conservative non-profit National Review Institute. He serves as policy chairman of NYYRC
Jude Somefun, 41: ‘My politics caused all types of consternation among my friends’View image in fullscreenIt was 2008 and I was a political free agent. This was when everybody was like, “Obama, Obama, Obama.” He was the hope and change guy. But he was saying stuff like: “These billionaires and millionaires have made too much on American people. It’s time for them to spread the wealth” – like socialists. And I was like: “I can’t vote for this guy.”
That’s when I leaned on biblical faith and started researching the political parties. Growing up in New York, most Black people are implicit Democrats or explicit Democrats. My friend Ben, who was a socialist, illustrated to me what it takes to be courageous and not fall into the trend, to express your opinion. I don’t necessarily agree with socialism, I just felt like he was very courageous.
I felt like the Republican party was more in alignment with freedom, more in alignment with business, more in alignment with marriage, more in alignment with life in the womb. I was like, “OK, I could get down with that.” It caused all types of consternation amongst my friends, my girlfriend at the time. People were having interventions. My dad kind of renounced me as a son. It was very, very tough.
In this election, I believe we should promote the interests of America first. A lot of people are hurting now economically. I don’t see the benefit in sending money over to Ukraine, a bunch of foreign aid, a border that’s open, when we have to take care of our citizens.
Somefun is philanthropy chairman of NYYRC. He was born and raised in Harlem and currently lives there. He is a life insurance agent
Matthew Carrier, 22: ‘From the outside, I’m a raging conservative, but biodiversity concerns me’View image in fullscreenI got started with the College Republicans my sophomore year. There were four of us, so, like, something had to change. So we made it a very conversation-centric group. Our first topic was the Afghanistan pullout, because that was timely. Veganism was a recent [topic] we did, but the conversation was very good. We had a transgenderism and athletics meeting that was probably our most contentious.
The club is College Republicans, there’s no hiding from that, and still, we’ve gotten a very dynamic group of people that are willing to have conversations. We have respect for ourselves. We have respect for the campus, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. It’s something I see where other college Republican groups falter.
From the outside, I’m a raging conservative, but biodiversity concerns me [as a farmer]. Still, I don’t share the same concerns [as environmental activists] with GMOs and stuff, because I see there’s a need when you have a world of 8 billion people to feed. I try not to criticize farmers that are at a much larger scale than me by saying: “Just let there be more ladybugs and your crops will be fine.”
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Republicans are very much a party of clean air, clean water. When you want to talk about global warming and such, that’s where you lose us. I’m much more appreciative of the climate change conversation if folks I’m talking to are willing to rank their issues. That’s a hard thing to do, and maybe a very cold way of thinking. But what’s the biggest issue, carbon in the atmosphere or plastic on the ground? Biodiversity? I think there’s a lot of benefits to nuclear [power], but no one wants to be the guy that stakes a claim to nuclear out of concern that things go bad.
Carrier is the former president of College Republicans at Rochester University and current statewide chairman of the Connecticut Young Republicans, as well as a political consultant and small scale farmer and beekeeper. He is from Enfield, Connecticut
Lucian Wintrich, 36: ‘We’re in an economically terrifying situation’View image in fullscreenSo many younger people in New York are conservative, but they’re scared to actually come out and say that they’re conservative. [There’s also] a quarter of the party, and it tends to be these younger, reactionary kids, who will regurgitate whatever certain conservative influencers say, rather than reading and thinking for themselves.
I was the only gay guy and the only pro-Bush guy in fourth grade. To me, conservatism is about actual individuality and autonomy and the understanding that the only real authority that we should appreciate and look towards is God, versus the government and elected officials. I mean, I fully believe in community. Most public schools, before the [federal government] took over and established the failing Department of Education, were run by communities. The more you involve the [federal government], the less control communities have, individuals have, and the worse off we are.
‘Be a man and vote for a woman’: Kamala Harris’s unlikely edge in America’s masculinity electionRead more[In 2024], I think we need to stop funneling all this money to Israel and Ukraine and honestly, every other country that we’re funneling money to. Actually, Israel is a little trickier than Ukraine. I do think it’s a stabilizing country [in the Middle East], but still we’re hemorrhaging money while our debt is going up. We’re in an economically terrifying situation right now.
Wintrich lives in New York’s East Village. He is a media strategist and PR consultant and serves as press chairman of NYYRC
Kwasi Baryeh, 24: ‘It seems like political violence is becoming normalized’View image in fullscreenOne of the biggest problems I see with New York and other cities that lean liberal is that there’s a degradation of property rights. There’s potential for squatters. Tenants have the right to not pay and stay within the property. It’s also landlords abusing their position by not following their legal responsibilities. When people don’t pay rent or don’t abide by their contracts, that’s probably a gateway to people refusing to obey laws, refusing to follow established norms and conventions. It prevents people from living as moral people.
I support the party. I support Trump. Trump did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. A couple months ago, I filed my tax return, and I saw I got a little extra money from that. He also [signed a bipartisan bill] funding HBCUs, which my mother, who’s a college professor, was really grateful for. He met with Kanye to see what could be done to remedy the injustice of more Black people being in prison – reducing the incarceration problem. The First Step Act, allowing the formerly incarcerated to re-enter society, was bipartisan, and it was passed. But with the [current] political environment, it doesn’t seem feasible that anyone is going to get much done.
[I’m also concerned about the] two recent assassination attempts on Trump. It seems like political violence is becoming more normalized in our society, which makes things much more unstable as things get close to election day.
Baryeh is a financial analyst. He lives in the Bronx and is a board member of the NYYRC Catholic caucus
These interviews have been edited for clarity

In a recent interview, a meteorologist from the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau discussed the weather changes expected in the region. They noted that a convergence of warm and cold air masses has been observed in Southwest China. Starting from October 14, warm and humid southeastern winds will make landfall along the mid-western coastal areas of Guangdong, leading to increased cloud cover and rainfall in these regions.

The meteorologist explained that over the next few days, the province will primarily be under the influence of a subtropical high-pressure system. However, they anticipate a weak cold front to affect the region between October 15 and 16, which will bring lower temperatures and precipitation to Shaoguan and Qingyuan. Moreover, as conditions at sea become more unsettled with increased moisture, light rain and localized moderate rain are expected in central and southern parts of the province.

Looking ahead to October 18, the expert indicated that a new surge of cold air will move southward, likely bringing rain to the northwest areas of Guangdong. Specifically, on October 15, the western counties are forecasted to experience overcast skies with light rain, while the remaining areas will have partly cloudy to overcast conditions with isolated showers. Morning temperatures are expected to range from 20°C to 22°C in northern Guangdong and the northern Pearl River Delta, and between 22°C to 26°C in other parts of the province.

On October 16, the forecast predicts overcast conditions with light to moderate rain and even localized heavy rain in Guangdong’s western and Pearl River Delta regions, while other areas will remain mostly cloudy to overcast with scattered light rain. Morning temperatures will be between 23°C to 25°C in coastal areas and from 21°C to 23°C in the rest of the province.

Additionally, during the period impacted by the cold air, strong winds are expected at sea. On October 14, the meteorologist warned that the waters outside the Pearl River Estuary could see east winds reaching Force 5 to 6, with gusts up to Force 7.

AFPThe Malian army has been unable to quell unrest by rebels fighting in the northUkraine has denied allegations that it had supplied drones to rebels fighting against the Malian army and Russia-backed mercenaries.
It comes after Paris-based Le Monde newspaper reported reported that Ukrainian drones were providing support for the Tuareg rebels “who are benefiting from discreet but decisive support from Kyiv”.
Mali 's junta-led government ended a long-running alliance with former colonial power France in 2022 in favour of Russia in a bid to tackle a years-long insurgency in the north.
But it has been unable to quell the unrest and recently suffered heavy losses, alongside its Russian allies.
Mali and its neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, where the military is also in charge, have since accused Kyiv of supporting terrorism in the Sahel after a Ukrainian official said earlier this year that the country had offered support to the rebels.
But on Monday, Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a statement that the country "strongly rejects the accusations that have recently been released by the international media outlets about the alleged involvement of our state in the supply of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] to the rebels in Mali".
It also denied allegations by Malian and Nigerien officials that Ukraine was arming, providing information and giving "support to the terrorist coalition".
It called for an end to "spreading of the false information that repeats the fake narratives of the aggressor state Russia’s propaganda".
Was Ukraine’s role in big Mali defeat an own goal in Africa?In late July, at least 84 Russia-backed fighters and 47 Malian soldiers were reportedly killed following days of clashes with Tuareg separatist rebels and fighters linked to al-Qaeda at Tinzaouten, in northern Mali.
It was seen as the heaviest-ever African defeat for the Wagner mercenary group, which has since been renamed Corps Africa.
A spokesman for Kyiv’s military intelligence service, Andriy Yusov, then said that the rebels in Mali had “received necessary information” to successfully carry out the attack.
Le Monde newspaper reports that since Yusov’s statement, the Mali rebel commanders “have been forced to reluctantly acknowledge a co-operation they would have preferred to keep secret”.
The paper says that the rebels have admitted having "links" with Kyiv, although "they were not forthcoming about the provenance of their drones”.
Mali cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine in August, in the wake of Yusov's remarks, with a top official accusing Ukraine of violating the country’s sovereignty.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has been waging a devastating war since then.
Facing isolation by Western countries because of the war, it has been seeking to gain influence in Africa by establishing political and security links, including in Mali.
You may also be interested in:Mali army admits 'significant' losses in Wagner battleWhat now for the country that bet its security on Wagner?Life in Timbuktu and Gao under siege by Islamist fightersWagner in Africa: How the Russian mercenary group has rebrandedGetty Images/BBCGo to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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On September 28, NASA astronauts captured stunning images of a comet from the International Space Station. This month, stargazers have an extraordinary opportunity to witness Comet C/2023 A3 (Zijinshan-Atlas) making its appearance in the northern hemisphere’s night sky. The comet will be visible shortly after sunset in the western sky, offering a rare celestial spectacle that can be observed with the naked eye. With an orbital period of over 10,000 years, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, as it won’t be seen again for millennia. Astronomy enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area are gearing up to make the most of this remarkable observation opportunity.

According to NASA, Comet C/2023 A3 was discovered in 2023 through a collaboration between China’s Nanjing Zijinshan Observatory and the ATLAS asteroid observation system. This ancient and mysterious comet is believed to originate from the distant Oort Cloud, a vast region surrounding our solar system filled with interstellar debris and celestial bodies. The Oort Cloud, which is incredibly far away, contains billions of icy objects, many of which, like this comet, have orbital periods that take thousands or even tens of thousands of years to approach Earth. This particular comet takes approximately 60,000 to 80,000 years to complete one orbit around the Sun, making it one of the most anticipated comets of 2024.

Starting on October 12, Comet C/2023 A3 has become an evening star shortly after sunset, located very low in the western sky near Virgo. Its brightness has reached negative magnitudes, making this the prime time for observation. Many amateur astronomers in the San Francisco Bay Area have already been able to spot it with the naked eye and even photograph it using just their smartphones.

From October 13 to 14, although the comet’s brightness began to decrease to between magnitude 0 and 1, observations became easier as it moved slightly farther from the Sun. On October 15, it will be in close proximity to the M5 globular cluster, presenting an excellent opportunity for photographers. Additionally, observers may notice a phenomenon called the anti-tail, a bright streak pointing toward the Sun, opposite the traditional tail of the comet.

Scientists have noted that the comet’s brightness will continue to diminish over time. Between October 20 and 31, its brightness is expected to drop from magnitude 4.5 to 7, at which point its tail will become noticeably longer. For enthusiasts hoping to catch sight of this celestial marvel, NASA recommends finding an open area away from city lights after sunset to increase the chances of observation. Binoculars or small telescopes are suggested for a better viewing experience. For those wishing to capture clearer images of the comet, using a camera with a long exposure setting will yield excellent results.