Latest news with #AfricanInitiative
Russia Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
African bloggers to use digital skills to strengthen Russia-Africa ties (PHOTOS)
African bloggers in Russia have said they intend to use their digital media platforms as a 'bridge' to promote cultural exchange and deepen public understanding of growing ties between Moscow and African countries. The commitment followed the 'From Kilimanjaro to Desna: Content School' workshop held July 16-20 in Bryansk, Russia, where 30 African media students, bloggers, and aspiring content creators were trained in digital storytelling, video production, and social media strategy. It was organized by the African Initiative News Agency, the African Union of Bloggers, the Union of Bloggers of Russia, and Bryansk State University of Engineering and Technology. Kevin Abala, a Cameroonian journalist who took part, said he plans to publish content that helps 'Russian and African people know more about each other.' 'We have the possibility to write well the history of Africa because there is a fake conception of Africa. It's our generation to say that we are a new Africa, Africa who thinks, Africa who believes,' Abala added. Togolese blogger Germain Koffi Adediha said the skills gained will help him continue 'showing the realities' in Russia on his Telegram channel, where he shares his experience of studying in the country and provides information to others seeking similar opportunities. He noted, however, that while Russia is expanding cooperation in several areas with African countries, including Togo, partnerships in education remain one-sided. 'The main field through which Russia is collaborating with Africa is education. This education must be reciprocal. You from Africa are learning in Russia and we need young people from Russia to know more about Africa,' Adediha said. 'We have lithium, yes, but also culture and stories,' Namory Tamba Keita from Mali said, adding that his country's cultural contributions could strengthen relations with Moscow, which is already supporting Bamako in military and energy cooperation. Participants of the workshop also developed group projects on expanding Russia-Africa ties, competing for cash prizes ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles ($250-$600). Organizers said the winning proposals will be submitted for funding and implemented jointly with the bloggers.
Miami Herald
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
UK sanctions Russian spies over cyber warfare operations
LONDON - The U.K. government sanctioned 18 people it named as spies from Russia's GRU military intelligence agency who it said were responsible for conducting cyber and hybrid warfare operations against Britain and Ukraine. One of the sanctioned GRU units carried out online reconnaissance to help target missile strikes against Mariupol in Ukraine, enabling a 2022 attack that destroyed a theater in the city killing hundreds of civilians, the Foreign Office said in a statement. Russia's military intelligence officers also targeted the device of Yulia Skripal, the daughter of former spy Sergei Skripal who Russian agents tried to kill in the U.K. in 2018, according to the statement. That operation involved using malware known as X-Agent five years before the assassination attempt, it said. 'GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilize Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens,' Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in the statement. The U.K. government said it was stepping up efforts with NATO allies and the FBI to expose malign activity by Russia. Other GRU officers named by Britain used cyber attacks to target Ukrainian critical infrastructure including its satellite communications, the foreign office said. The U.K. also said it was sanctioning the 'African Initiative,' which it said was a content mill established and funded by Russia and employing Russian intelligence officers to conduct misinformation operations in West Africa, including pushing conspiracy theories and undermining global health initiatives. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
UK sanctions Russian officials over cyberattacks
Britain has sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" to destabilise Europe. The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018. "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. Britain also said Russia had targeted media outlets, telecoms providers, political and democratic institutions, and energy infrastructure in the UK. British authorities have repeatedly accused Moscow of orchestrating malign activity, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine democracy, to sabotage and assassinations. Earlier in July, three men were convicted over an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in London which police said was carried out at the behest of the Wagner mercenary group. Moscow has rejected such accusations, saying they were politically motivated and that it posed no threat to Britain. As well as the sanctions aimed at GRU, the British foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three leaders of African Initiative, which it said was a Russian-funded social media content mill conducting information operations in West Africa. Britain has recently ramped up its military spending to help change its approach to defence, partly to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyberattacks. Britain has sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" to destabilise Europe. The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018. "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. Britain also said Russia had targeted media outlets, telecoms providers, political and democratic institutions, and energy infrastructure in the UK. British authorities have repeatedly accused Moscow of orchestrating malign activity, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine democracy, to sabotage and assassinations. Earlier in July, three men were convicted over an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in London which police said was carried out at the behest of the Wagner mercenary group. Moscow has rejected such accusations, saying they were politically motivated and that it posed no threat to Britain. As well as the sanctions aimed at GRU, the British foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three leaders of African Initiative, which it said was a Russian-funded social media content mill conducting information operations in West Africa. Britain has recently ramped up its military spending to help change its approach to defence, partly to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyberattacks. Britain has sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" to destabilise Europe. The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018. "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. Britain also said Russia had targeted media outlets, telecoms providers, political and democratic institutions, and energy infrastructure in the UK. British authorities have repeatedly accused Moscow of orchestrating malign activity, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine democracy, to sabotage and assassinations. Earlier in July, three men were convicted over an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in London which police said was carried out at the behest of the Wagner mercenary group. Moscow has rejected such accusations, saying they were politically motivated and that it posed no threat to Britain. As well as the sanctions aimed at GRU, the British foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three leaders of African Initiative, which it said was a Russian-funded social media content mill conducting information operations in West Africa. Britain has recently ramped up its military spending to help change its approach to defence, partly to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyberattacks. Britain has sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" to destabilise Europe. The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018. "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. Britain also said Russia had targeted media outlets, telecoms providers, political and democratic institutions, and energy infrastructure in the UK. British authorities have repeatedly accused Moscow of orchestrating malign activity, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine democracy, to sabotage and assassinations. Earlier in July, three men were convicted over an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in London which police said was carried out at the behest of the Wagner mercenary group. Moscow has rejected such accusations, saying they were politically motivated and that it posed no threat to Britain. As well as the sanctions aimed at GRU, the British foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three leaders of African Initiative, which it said was a Russian-funded social media content mill conducting information operations in West Africa. Britain has recently ramped up its military spending to help change its approach to defence, partly to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyberattacks.
Perth Now
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
UK sanctions Russian officials over cyberattacks
Britain has sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" to destabilise Europe. The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018. "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. Britain also said Russia had targeted media outlets, telecoms providers, political and democratic institutions, and energy infrastructure in the UK. British authorities have repeatedly accused Moscow of orchestrating malign activity, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine democracy, to sabotage and assassinations. Earlier in July, three men were convicted over an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in London which police said was carried out at the behest of the Wagner mercenary group. Moscow has rejected such accusations, saying they were politically motivated and that it posed no threat to Britain. As well as the sanctions aimed at GRU, the British foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three leaders of African Initiative, which it said was a Russian-funded social media content mill conducting information operations in West Africa. Britain has recently ramped up its military spending to help change its approach to defence, partly to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyberattacks.
Euronews
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
African Initiative: Russian-backed outlet peddles influence in Africa
The African Initiative presents itself as a Moscow-based news agency that covers events across the continent, aiming to "mutually expand the knowledge of Russians and Africans about each other." But in reality, it has been classified as the "main vehicle" for Russia's disinformation activities across Africa, according to a new report by Vignium, the French agency which monitors foreign digital interference. Many individuals who run the African Initiative have affiliations with Russian intelligence services, while others have been identified as former members of the Wagner paramilitary group. The African Initiative was launched in September 2023, just a month after Yevgeny Prigozhin — one of Wagner's founders and its leader — died in a plane crash. Prigozhin had played an instrumental role in promoting Russian interests on the African continent. Following his death, Moscow rushed to replace Wagner-run operations across the African continent. The outlet publishes its content on various websites in several languages, including on Telegram — where it boasts 70,000 subscribers across its channels — as well as on various Facebook and TikTok accounts. In addition to publishing articles and digital content, the outlet uses local fronts and soft power initiatives like journalism schools and press trips to embed itself within local communities. For instance, in June the outlet organised a conference which aimed to dismantle "myths, negative narratives" about Russia and instead to build opportunities to "create an objective image of Russia on the African continent." The African Initiative has also been pushing to develop its activities in the former French colonies of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, which make up the Alliance of the Sahel States — a union that Russia was the first country to recognise. West African countries under the control of juntas have distanced themselves from France and other former Western allies — criticising failed interventions against Islamist extremists and their colonial legacies — and instead turning to Russia. Following Prigozhin's death, Moscow launched a new paramilitary group, "Africa Corps", which is believed to be managed and closely monitored by Russia's Defence Ministry, as part of the Kremlin's plan to tighten its grip on ongoing operations across Africa. Israel has started flying home citizens stranded overseas during the conflict with Iran, with two flights from Cyprus landing in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning. Israel's airspace has been closed since the country launched a surprise airstrike campaign against Iran on Friday. Iran has retaliated with hundreds of drones and missiles. A total of 13 repatriation flights were scheduled on Wednesday from Larnaca to Israel, with nine to Haifa and four to Tel Aviv, according to an airport operator in Cyprus. Israel's transport ministry says that up to 150,000 Israelis are currently outside the country, about a third of whom are trying to return home. Many Israelis stranded abroad have ended up in Cyprus, which is the closest EU country to Israel. The jets of Israel's three airlines have been moved to Larnaca since the conflict with Iran began last week. The conflict has forced most countries in the Middle East to close their airspace. Dozens of airports have halted all flights or significantly reduced operations, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and others unable to flee the conflict or return home. At least 400 Israeli citizens are reported to be stranded along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. One of those tourists, Galid, told Euronews that she did not know when she and her family would be able to return home to Israel. "We can't go back now. We can't. We'll have to stay here with the children and wait. Nothing can be done right now. That's it. It's war," Galid said. Two other tourists, Eden and Itai, stated that they had ruled out the possibility of flying to Jordan or Egypt and then entering Israel through the land border because they had a young child. The hotels where the stranded Israelis are staying in Bulgaria have been placed under increased police presence and security measures in recent days. Israel's national carrier El Al has said it intends to operate dozens of flights to repatriate Israelis from various European capitals such as Athens, Rome and Paris. Smaller carrier Arkia will fly back Israeli citizens from Greece, Cyprus and Montenegro, while Israir is operating flights for the country's stranded tourists from Cyprus, Greece and Bulgaria. However, passenger flights are still not departing from Israel, which means that tens of thousands of tourists are currently stranded in the country. Israeli airstrikes hit Iran's capital Tehran overnight and into Wednesday morning, as Iran launched a small barrage of missiles at Israel with no reports of casualties. The attacks between the bitter rivals have opened a new chapter in their turbulent recent history. Many in the region fear a wider conflict as they watch waves of missiles fly across their skies every night. A Washington-based Iranian human rights group, Human Rights Activists, says at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded by Israel's strikes on Iran. Since Friday, Iran has fired about 400 missiles and hundreds of drones in retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 24 people in Israel, all civilians, and wounded hundreds, according to Israeli authorities.
