*Evening News Round-up: Tuesday 4 February 2025* *Headlines* *Zimbabwe’s FDL Rises By 6pc In January* *Harare Town Clerk Chisango's Acquittal In US$9 Million Fraud Case Raises Stink* *Drama As Man Disrupts Ex-Zanu PF Youth Leader Tsenengamu’s Press Conference Demanding Goats* *Mahere Reports Colleague Joshua Chirambwe To Law Society For Making Lusty Comments About Her In An Advocates WhatsApp Group* *Scores Of Youths Arrested At A Vuzu Party in Chegutu* *South African Leader Spoke To Elon Musk About Misinformation After Trump Attack* *US Aid Freeze Poses Risk To Zimbabwe’s Economic Stability, Says FBC Securities* *What Is USAID? Explaining The US Foreign Aid Agency And Why Trump Want To End It* *Uganda Begins Ebola Vaccine Trial After New Outbreak* *East Congo City Of Goma Rushes To Bury Bodies After Rebel Offensive* *North Korean Troops Reportedly Pulled Back From Russia-Ukraine Front Line* *Shein, Temu, Amazon Haul Set For Price Hikes As US Shuts Trade Loophole* *Warriors Headed To Spain For AFCON 2025 Preparations* *Arteta 'Disappointed' By Arsenal Transfer Window* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *Zimbabwe’s FDL Rises By 6pc In January* The cost of meeting basic food needs for a single person in Zimbabwe increased by six percent in January, reaching ZiG861,14 from ZiG805,95 in December 2024, according to data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat). The Food Datum Line (FDL) represents the minimum amount of money an individual requires to afford a daily energy intake of 2 100 calories. The increase reflects rising food prices, which have been a key driver of inflationary pressures in the country. During the same period, the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL), which measures the minimum income required to cover both food and non-food essentials, also surged. In January, the TCPL stood at ZiG1 255,78, up from ZiG1 156,67 in December. This means an individual needed at least that amount to avoid being classified as poor. “The FPL for one person in January 2025 was ZiG861,14 — this means that the minimum needs basket cost that much per person in January 2025. The TCPL for one person was ZiG1 255,78 in January 2025. This means that an individual required that much to purchase both non-food and food items as at January 2025 in order not to be deemed poor,” Zimstat said in its report. Economic analysts attribute the increase in the FDL to several factors, including rising consumer prices. Inflation in Zimbabwe accelerated in January, driven largely by higher costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages. According to Zimstat, monthly inflation surged to 10,5 percent in January from 3,7 percent in December. In US dollar terms, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 11,5 percent, a sharp rise from 0,6 percent in December. Zimbabwe operates under a dual currency system, where both the ZiG and the US dollar are used for transactions. The high level of informality in the economy has contributed to the widespread use of foreign currency. Some analysts suggest that the Government’s crackdown on illegal imports has played a role in rising prices. The reduction in supply of cheaper, illegally imported goods has increased demand for locally available products, pushing prices higher. Additionally, formalizing imports means these goods now incur duties, which businesses pass on to consumers. *Harare Town Clerk Chisango's Acquittal In US$9 Million Fraud Case Raises Stink* HARARE town clerk Hosiah Chisango’s recent acquittal has raised a lot of stink, with officials at Town House and antigraft body ZACC questioning the move. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) last week dropped all charges against Chisango, Never Murerwa, supply chain manager Denford Zhungu, principal accountant in a US$9 million fraud case that had dragged on for about a year. It also withdrew charges against Tawanda Mutenhabundo, engineering technician and principal contracts administrator Artkins Mandaza. Jabulani Mukomazi, the principal buyer, was indicted. Charges against Chisango and his crew came up after incarcerated businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu’s Julika End Joint Venture (Pvt) Ltd was illegally awarded a US$9 million tender after having initially been disqualified. The duo, which is locked up at Harare Central Prison on remand had misrepresented facts in its bid. “Typically the Town Clerk or CEO of a local authority, holds the sole responsibility for procurement within any public entity,” said a source from ZACC. “This means that the Town Clerk, in this case, Hosiah Chisango, should have been held accountable for any procurement irregularities, however, it appears that the principal buyer has been left to face the criminal charges, while Chisango walks free. “Adding to the controversy is the role of Public Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi, who has been handling multiple high-profile cases, including those against Kandemiri, Ndemera, Chisango, and Gomba. “Despite overwhelming evidence against Chisango as the Town Clerk and key decision-maker, he was allowed to go free, thanks to the same judge who granted them bail in the Juluka case, Judge Kwenda. “This raises serious concerns about the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary. A fresh Public Prosecutor and judge would likely provide a different perspective and ensure justice is served. “The dismissal of the case against Hosiah Chisango is a glaring example of the compromised judiciary, the infamous but true catch and release by law enforcement and the lack of accountability within the City of Harare’s procurement processes.” Chisango is one of many council officials arrested by ZACC and released by the courts in a never-ending series of ‘catch and release.’ A lowly conviction rate of cases investigated by ZACC has seen it being tagged a toothless bulldog while its officials maintain the NPA lets them down. *NewZW* *Drama As Man Disrupts Ex-Zanu PF Youth Leader Tsenengamu’s Press Conference Demanding Goats* FORMER Zanu PF Youth League Political Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu’s press conference in Harare has been disrupted by an unidentified man who claimed that the former owed him two goats. Tsenengamu, leader of the FRONT for Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe (FEEZ) last year said that he was quitting politics to focus on fighting corruption. At the press conference, Tuesday he announced he was returning to active politics. Just as he was about to present the agenda, an unknown man stormed the venue, disrupting the briefing. The man initially demanded money from Tsenengamu before claiming that he was owed two goats. He alleged that Tsenengamu used him during the 2023 general elections to campaign for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and failed to pay him the goats he had promised for the campaign work. “You used us for your campaign in Mt Darwin. I want my two goats. You told us to campaign for Mnangagwa, and then you later said you were no longer in politics. I want my goats for campaigning for you,” the man said. Tsenengamu repeatedly denied knowing the man or owing him anything. ● Former Zanu-PF Youth League National Political Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu's presser today was disrupted by an unknown individual. The man was claiming that Tsenengamu who had just announced that he was back in active politics owed him goats. 📹: Open parly pic.twitter.com/MkjnzA5MlD — NewZimbabwe.com (@NewZimbabweCom) February 4, 2025 He offered the unknown man some money equivalent to the value of two goats so he could proceed with his press briefing, however, the man refused, insisting that he wanted the goats, not money. “I know nothing about your goats. I do not know you. Who are you? If I owe you, go and report it to the police. I know you have been sent to disrupt this press conference,” Tsenengamu shot back. The press conference was dismissed following the altercation. Tsenengamu, now a critic of Mnangagwa said, “I am here to announce that I am back in politics full-time. We cannot continue to fold our hands while the ruling party abuses institutions for personal gain. “I have reconsidered my decision to quit politics because I realized that politics affects every aspect of life, including the causes I aimed to pursue, such as charity, economic empowerment, and the fight against corruption,” he said. *NewZW* *Mahere Reports Colleague Joshua Chirambwe To Law Society For Making Lusty Comments About Her In An Advocates WhatsApp Group* Top Harare lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has reported her colleague, Joshua Chirambwe to the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) after he made lusty comments about her on a WhatsApp group. Among other things, Chirambwe who is also a self-styled prophet said he was “fond of” Mahere. “You see…There is this woman I adore beyond words-lets say I’m rather fond of Fadzi. “And there is another lady in this group, whose elegance could give royalty a run for their money. Her character? Sweet enough to make sugar but how can I approach them?” he said in one of the messages which has gone viral. In her letter to the LSZ Executive Secretary Norman Mapara, Mahere said this amounts to sexual harassment adding that Chirambwe has been doing this for a long time. At one time she was forced to exit the group. “Previous messages of this nature caused me to exit the group. I have attached copies of the said messages to this complaint for your attention. They are published under the moniker “Young Money.” “It is my humble view that such sexual harassment has no place in the legal profession. “I therefore lodge this complaint in terms of, inter alia, clause 3(23) of Sl 37 of 2018 and request that disciplinary action be taken against this legal practitioner,” she said. Mapara has since written to Chirambwe stating that he should respond to the allegations in 14 days. He said what Chirambwe did points to a possible contravention of By-Laws of their profession. “These allegations point to a possible contravention of By Laws 3 (23) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By – Laws, 2018 SI 37 of 2018 and part 6.2.1 of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Sexual Harassment Policy, 2024.- failing or neglecting to treat professional colleagues with courtesy, respect and fairness; unwanted or unwelcome sexual attention of an offensive nature made by a person who knows, or reasonably should know, that the attention is unwanted or unwelcome and the person to whom it is made may conclude that the conduct was intended to offend, humiliate, disrespect or degrade him or her. “In terms of the Law Society By-Laws, I am required to inform you of the present complaint, and to require you to reply to the allegations within fourteen (14) days.” The matter is yet to be heard. *NewZW* *Scores Of Youths Arrested At A Vuzu Party in Chegutu* Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Mashonaland West acting provincial spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Effort Chapoto said the arrested youths were aged between 15 and 25 years old. “ZRP Chegutu arrested 22 youths aged between 15 to 25 years for convening a party where drugs and substances were abused. “Circumstances are that Tinashe Kamunda (23) of House Number 30160 Rifle Range, Chegutu created some WhatsApp group where he advertised a birthday concert,” said Chapoto. “Attendance was on payment of US$2 for boys and US$1 for girls plus an extra US$5 for liquor each. The party was held under closed durawall with music and dances. “Police received a tip-off that there was suspected drug abuse by youths at a party in Rifle Range. Reacting to the information, ZRP Chegutu raided the house and arrested 15 boys and 7 girls,” he added. Searches were conducted around the house and resulted in the recovery of stubs of smoked dagga, unused condoms, some liquor and Shisha smoking equipment. Parents and guardians of the accused were located while Kamunda was charged with disorderly conduct and paid an admission of guilt fine. All the other youths also deposited a fine with a lesser charge and were released in the custody of their parents. Police urged parents and guardians to check and confirm the whereabouts of their children regularly. “We thank those who supplied positive information as we remind everyone that community policing is the way to go. The collaboration between the community and the police always yields positive results,” said Chapoto. *South African Leader Spoke To Elon Musk About Misinformation After Trump Attack* South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to Elon Musk on the subject of misinformation about South Africa, the presidency said on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would suspend aid to the country over its land reform policy. Trump on Sunday accused South Africa of confiscating land and badly treating "certain classes of people". Ramaphosa responded on Monday that the government had not confiscated any land and the policy was aimed at ensuring equitable public access to land. South African-born billionaire Musk, who is close to Trump, had waded into the dispute on Monday with a post on X accusing South Africa of having "openly racist ownership laws", suggesting white people were the victims. The presidency said on X that Ramaphosa and Musk had spoken on Monday "on issues of misinformation and distortions" about South Africa. "In the process, the President reiterated South Africa's constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality," it said, giving no further details. *Reuters* *Uganda Begins Ebola Vaccine Trial After New Outbreak* Uganda has launched a trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, following an outbreak in the country that has killed one person and infected two others. The first patient, a 32-year-old male nurse, died last week. On Monday, the initial participant in the trial, who is currently in isolation, received a dose of the vaccine, which was developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative, a global non-profit organisation. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain of Ebola. One does exist, however, for the Zaire strain, which has been prevalent in the past in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symptoms of Ebola infection include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and internal and external bleeding. It is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. The Sudan Ebola virus is severe, killing at least 40% of those infected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Uganda is currently experiencing its sixth outbreak of the disease. Forty contacts of the first victim of this outbreak will be vaccinated in this phase of the roll-out jointly conducted with the Ugandan authorities and the WHO, the UN agency said in a statement on Monday. Uganda's health ministry has confirmed 234 contacts as listed for monitoring. The WHO is collaborating with Uganda's ministry of health, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and the Makerere University Lung Institute to conduct the trial. "This marks a major milestone in public health emergency response and demonstrates the power of collaboration for global health security," said WHO director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti. "If proven effective, the vaccine will further strengthen measures to protect communities from future outbreaks." The previous outbreak of the Sudan strain in Uganda was confirmed in September 2022 and resulted in more than 70 deaths. It was declared over in January 2023. Although Uganda had access to the same candidate vaccine at the time, trials could not be conducted before the outbreak ended. Over the weekend, the first 2,160 doses of the trial vaccine and treatments arrived in the capital, Kampala. Health authorities and research teams worked swiftly to prepare for the trial, including briefing researchers, arranging logistics and developing study protocols. *BBC* *US Aid Freeze Poses Risk To Zimbabwe’s Economic Stability, Says FBC Securities* FBC Securities Private Limited, a Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed stockbroker, has urged the government to take action following the US foreign aid freeze, warning that the move could destabilise critical sectors, worsen exchange rate volatility, and accelerate inflationary pressures. This call follows the announcement by US President Donald Trump of the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the freezing of funding to PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). The ban on US foreign aid spending threatens to disrupt antiretroviral drug (ARV) supplies and resources for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria programs in Zimbabwe. In a statement titled “US Foreign Aid Halt: Impact on Zimbabwe’s Economy,” FBC Securities Pvt Ltd noted that the aid freeze exacerbates liquidity constraints, foreign currency shortages, and inflationary pressures. Foreign aid has historically been important to Zimbabwe, supporting healthcare, food security, infrastructure, and social programmes. Now, with reduced donor inflows, the banking sector, stock markets, and formal businesses may struggle to maintain stability. The statement reads: To mitigate these challenges, the Zimbabwean Government must take decisive action by strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, restoring investor confidence, restructuring state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and improving governance and fiscal discipline,. Pursuing debt resolution efforts with multilateral institutions, diversifying export earnings and fostering a stable macroeconomic environment will be crucial for weathering the impact of declining external support and ensuring long-term economic resilience. FBC Securities suggested that Zimbabwe could seek alternative funding from other international donors, regional partners, and non-traditional allies such as the African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and countries in the global south for financial and technical assistance. The organisation noted that donor-funded projects and direct humanitarian assistance contribute to local foreign currency liquidity circulation, with NGOs and humanitarian organisations distributing US dollar payments to local suppliers, employees, and contractors. FBC Securities revealed that NGOs contributed 10 percent and 9 percent of total foreign currency receipts into Zimbabwe from January to September 2023 and January to September 2024, respectively. The organisation warned that the reduction in these cash inflows would result in less disposable income, affecting consumer spending, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities. FBC Securities said: The freeze will also exacerbate foreign currency shortages in the economy, making it harder to finance imports and working capital requirements of private sector businesses. FBC Securities highlighted several impacts, including reduced deposits in Foreign Currency Accounts (FCAs), decreased foreign currency inflows, lowered stock market liquidity, and increased volatility in blue-chip stocks. *What Is USAID? Explaining The US Foreign Aid Agency And Why Trump Want To End It* Over the last two weeks, President Donald Trump’s administration has made significant changes to the U.S. agency charged with delivering humanitarian assistance overseas that has left aid organizations agonizing over whether they can continue with programs such as nutritional assistance for malnourished infants and children. Then-President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International Development, known as USAID, during the Cold War. In the decades since, Republicans and Democrats have fought over the agency and its funding. Here’s a look at USAID, its history and the changes made since Trump took office. *What is USAID?* Kennedy created USAID at the height of the United States’ Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. He wanted a more efficient way to counter Soviet influence abroad through foreign assistance and saw the State Department as frustratingly bureaucratic at doing that. Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act and Kennedy set up USAID as an independent agency in 1961. USAID has outlived the Soviet Union, which fell in 1991. Today, supporters of USAID argue that U.S. assistance in countries counters Russian and Chinese influence. China has its own “belt and road” foreign aid program worldwide operating in many countries that the U.S. also wants as partners. Critics say the programs are wasteful and promote a liberal agenda. *What’s going on with USAID?* On his first day in office Jan. 20, Trump implemented a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance. Four days later, Peter Marocco — a returning political appointee from Trump’s first term — drafted a tougher than expected interpretation of that order, a move that shut down thousands of programs around the world and forced furloughs and layoffs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since moved to keep more kinds of strictly life-saving emergency programs going during the freeze. But confusion over what programs are exempted from the Trump administration’s stop-work orders — and fear of losing U.S. aid permanently — is still freezing aid and development work globally. Dozens of senior officials have been put on leave, thousands of contractors laid off, and employees were told Monday not to enter its Washington headquarters. And USAID’s website and its account on the X platform have been taken down. It’s part of a Trump administration crackdown that’s hitting across the federal government and its programs. But USAID and foreign aid are among those hit the hardest. Rubio said the administration’s aim was a program-by-program review of which projects make “America safer, stronger or more prosperous.” The decision to shut down U.S.-funded programs during the 90-day review meant the U.S. was “getting a lot more cooperation” from recipients of humanitarian, development and security assistance, Rubio said. *What do critics of USAID say?* Republicans typically push to give the State Department — which provides overall foreign policy guidance to USAID — more control of its policy and funds. Democrats typically promote USAID autonomy and authority. Funding for United Nations agencies, including peacekeeping, human rights and refugee agencies, have been traditional targets for Republican administrations to cut. The first Trump administration moved to reduce foreign aid spending, suspending payments to various U.N. agencies, including the U.N. Population Fund and funding to the Palestinian Authority. In Trump’s first term, the U.S. pulled out of the U.N. Human Rights Council and its financial obligations to that body. The U.S. is also barred from funding the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, under a bill signed by then-President Joe Biden last March. As a Florida senator, Rubio often called for more transparency on foreign assistance spending, but was generally supportive. In a 2017 social media post, Rubio said foreign assistance was “not charity,” that the U.S. “must make sure it is well spent” and called foreign aid “critical to our national security.” In 2023, Rubio sponsored a bill that would have required U.S. foreign assistance agencies to include more information on what organizations were implementing the aid on the ground. *Why is Elon Musk going after USAID?* Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, has launched a sweeping effort empowered by Trump to fire government workers and cut trillions in government spending. USAID is one of his prime targets. Musk alleges USAID funding been used to launch deadly programs and called it a “criminal organization.” What is being affected by the USAID freeze? Sub-Saharan Africa could suffer more than any other region during the aid pause. The U.S. gave the region more than $6.5 billion in humanitarian assistance last year. HIV patients in Africa arriving at clinics funded by an acclaimed U.S. program that helped rein in the global AIDS epidemic of the 1980s found locked doors. There are also already ramifications in Latin America. In Mexico, a busy shelter for migrants in southern Mexico has been left without a doctor. A program to provide mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth fleeing Venezuela was disbanded. In Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala, so-called “Safe Mobility Offices” where migrants can apply to enter the U.S. legally have shuttered. The aid community is struggling to get the full picture—how many thousands of programs have shut down and how many thousands of workers were furloughed and laid off under the freeze? *How much does the U.S. spend on foreign aid?* In all, the U.S. spent about roughly $40 billion in foreign aid in the 2023 fiscal year, according to a report published last month by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. The U.S. is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance globally, although some other countries spend a bigger share of their budget on it. Foreign assistance overall amounts to less than 1% of the U.S. budget. *What do Americans think of foreign aid?* About 6 in 10 U.S. adults said the U.S. government was spending “too much” overall on foreign aid, according to a March 2023 AP-NORC poll. Asked about specific costs, roughly 7 in 10 U.S. adults said the U.S. government was putting too much money toward assistance to other countries. About 9 in 10 Republicans and 55% of Democrats agreed that the country was overspending on foreign aid. At the time, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults said the government was spending “too little” on domestic issues that included education, health care, infrastructure, Social Security and Medicare. Polling has shown that U.S. adults tend to overestimate the share of the federal budget that is spent on foreign aid. Surveys from the Kaiser Family Foundation have found that on average, Americans say spending on foreign aid makes up 31% of the federal budget rather than closer to 1% or less. *Could Trump dissolve USAID on his own?* Democrats say presidents lack the constitutional authority to eliminate USAID. But it’s not clear what would stop him from trying. A mini-version of that legal battle played out in Trump’s first term, when he tried to cut the budget for foreign operations by a third. When Congress refused, the Trump administration used freezes and other tactics to cut the flow of funds already appropriated by Congress for the foreign programs. The Government Accountability Office later ruled that violated a law known as the Impoundment Control Act. It’s a law we may be hearing more of. “Live by executive order, die by executive order,” Musk said on X Saturday in reference to USAID. *East Congo City Of Goma Rushes To Bury Bodies After Rebel Offensive* Over 2,000 bodies require burial in Goma after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels took over the Democratic of Congo city last week, inflaming a decade-old conflict and humanitarian crisis, Congo's communications minister Patrick Muyaya said late on Monday. Relative calm has returned to Goma, where the rebel alliance that includes M23 declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons starting on Tuesday. But some residents still reported sporadic shooting and looting and the scale of the civilian cost is still emerging after reports of people caught in crossfire, overwhelmed hospitals and bodies lying on the street. Muyaya told a news briefing the number of bodies to be buried "gave an overview of massacres committed in the city". Goma, east Congo's largest city and capital of North Kivu province, is home to lucrative gold, coltan and tin mines. The United Nations said at least 900 people were killed and almost 3,000 injured in days of fighting that led up to its capture. M23 is the latest in a long line of Rwandan-backed rebel movements to emerge in Congo's volatile eastern borderlands following two successive wars stemming from Rwanda's 1994 genocide. Rwanda denies supporting the well-trained and heavily armed Tutsi-led group. The escalation last month worsened a humanitarian crisis that has driven hundreds of thousands to seek shelter in Goma after fleeing fighting between M23 and Congolese troops. More than 700,000 people were displaced in Goma last month, according to the U.N. World Food Programme. The U.N. has accused both the M23 and the Congolese army of recent human rights abuses, including summary executions and rape. They have not responded to requests for comment. In Goma, aid groups have been helping authorities relieve overflowing hospital morgues and bury bodies amid concerns of disease spreading. "The land where bodies can be buried in Goma is extremely limited," said Myriam Favier, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross sub-delegation in Goma. A rebel-alliance that includes the M23 has vowed to restore order and said it had no intention of capturing Bukavu, South Kivu's provincial capital, following reports of M23 fighters pushing towards it. Congo army spokesman Sylvain Ekenge and Muyaya expressed scepticism about the ceasefire. M23 "say one thing and always do the opposite," Ekenge told Reuters. "They call for a ceasefire to reorganise and reinforce their ranks." Congo's members of parliament and senators are expected to hold a joint session on Tuesday to discuss the crisis. Eastern and southern African leaders are also scheduled to meet in Tanzania this week to discuss the conflict. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame said he would attend the summit. Congo's government has not replied to requests for comment on whether President Felix Tsisekedi would take part. Goma's capture sparked a burst of diplomatic activity and international condemnations. Muyaya on Monday asked for more concrete actions and sanctions on Rwanda, which says it is acting in self-defence and to protect ethnic Tutsis. Congo accuses Rwanda of using M23 to pillage valuable minerals. Congo's Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege accused the international community of continuing to support Rwanda despite several U.N. reports on its involvement in east Congo's conflicts and mineral resources. "It is a policy of double-standards," Mukwege said on X. *Reuters* *North Korean Troops Reportedly Pulled Back From Russia-Ukraine Front Line* North Korean troops sent to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been pulled off the front lines after suffering major casualties, according to reports. The roughly 10,000 soldiers that Pyongyang is believed to have sent to fight alongside Russian forces have been absent from the front line for several weeks, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday. The report supports claims from Ukraine and US media on the withdrawal of the troops, whose arrival raised fears that the war in Ukraine could escalate. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) told AFP news agency that the North Korean units have halted combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region “since mid-January”. “One reason for this may be the occurrence of many casualties, but the exact details are still being monitored,” said the spy agency. A Ukrainian military analysis said on Friday that it believed the North Korean soldiers had been pulled back after suffering heavy losses. Ukraine has previously reported that it had captured or killed numerous North Korean units in Kursk, where it launched a shock cross-border offensive in August. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published footage of interrogations with what he said were captured North Korean prisoners. In mid-January, the NIS estimated that about 300 North Korean soldiers had been killed and a further 2,700 soldiers injured in fighting around the region. The North Korean deployment to Kursk, which neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have officially acknowledged, was supposed to reinforce Russia’s army and help expel Ukraine’s troops. But nearly six months on, Ukraine still holds significant swaths of territory. Seoul has previously said that due to the losses suffered by its forces, Pyongyang was preparing an additional deployment. Kyiv and the West have denounced the involvement of North Korean troops as a major escalation in the three-year conflict since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour, during which Pyongyang and Moscow have deepened ties. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to the nuclear-armed North and signed an agreement with a mutual defence element. In a New Year’s letter, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed Putin and said 2025 would be the year “when the Russian army and people defeat neo-Nazism and achieve a great victory”. *Aljazeera* *Shein, Temu, Amazon Haul Set For Price Hikes As US Shuts Trade Loophole* Shein, Temu and Amazon Haul prices are likely to rise for American shoppers, analysts and industry experts said, after U.S. President Donald Trump this week shut a trade loophole that has been used to ship low-value packages duty-free from China. Fast-fashion retailer Shein and online dollar-store Temu, both of which sell products ranging from toys to smartphones, have grown rapidly in the U.S. thanks in part to the "de minimis" exemption enabling them to keep prices low. Temu and Shein together likely accounted for more than 30% of all packages shipped to the United States each day under the de minimis provision, the U.S. congressional committee on China said in a June 2023 report. Trump's halt to Section 321 de minimis is part of his implementation of an additional 10% tariff on China and 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which were paused for a month. Nearly half of all packages shipped under de minimis come from China, according to the same committee report. "For companies like Temu and Shein this is obviously a very big deal because de minimis was one of the levers they used to be able to offer these low prices as well as ensure speed of products entering the country once they were shipped," said Juozas Kaziukenas, CEO of e-commerce data firm Marketplace Pulse. Temu did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Shein did not immediately reply to a request for comment. It has previously, said it supports reform of the de minimis provision. "It's probably about 5 points of margin difference, using de minimis or not, and e-commerce businesses usually have a 10% or 15% margin, so this is a very significant impact," said Aaron Rubin, CEO of warehouse management software firm ShipHero. ShipHero's clients include logistics firms and small and mid-sized online retailers, which also benefit from the loophole, and have less financial capacity to absorb the hit. Amazon set up Amazon Haul in November. This allows shoppers to purchase $5 handbags and $10 sweaters from China-based sellers, although they face longer shipping times. While Trump's crackdown on de minimis is likely to bruise Amazon Haul, said CFRA analyst Arun Sundaram, it is a new, and very small part of Amazon's overall e-commerce business. And shoppers in the U.S. can buy products similar to those found on Haul, including $2 pencil sharpeners and $10 pyjama sets, on Amazon's main e-commerce site at more expensive prices. "If removal of the de minimis exemption disproportionately hurts companies like Temu and Shein, that should be a positive for Amazon," said Sundaram. Amazon, which reports results on Thursday, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Eliminating de minimis gives Amazon the chance to compete on quality, price and shipping speeds on similar items to the ones Shein and Temu sell, said Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson. *Reuters* *Warriors Headed To Spain For AFCON 2025 Preparations* The Zimbabwe Warriors are set to embark on a month-long training camp in Spain as they gear up for the AFCON 2025 finals in Morocco. This strategic move, announced by ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi, aims to acclimate the players to a climate similar to Morocco's, boosting their chances of success in the tournament. Magwizi revealed that the team will engage in high-level friendly matches, organized in collaboration with soccer bodies' presidents in Europe, America, and Africa. This opportunity will enable the Warriors to test their skills against top-notch opponents, fine-tuning their strategy and teamwork ahead of the AFCON 2025 finals. The AFCON 2025 tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. Zimbabwe's match schedule has already been confirmed, with the Warriors facing Egypt on December 22, Angola on December 26, and South Africa on December 29. As the Warriors prepare to take on the best of African football, their Spanish sojourn is expected to play a crucial role in their quest for glory. With careful planning, intense training, and quality friendly matches, Zimbabwe's national team is poised to make a significant impact at the AFCON 2025 finals. *zimbabwenow* *Arteta 'Disappointed' By Arsenal Transfer Window* Manager Mikel Arteta says he is disappointed by Arsenal's failure to make any signings during the winter transfer window, but praised the club's discipline. Arsenal were expected to bring in an attacker after Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury last month, while Bukayo Saka is yet to return from a hamstring issue. "We had a clear intention which is always when a window opens to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact," Arteta said before Arsenal's EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle on Wednesday. "With players injured, we've been impacted and we haven't achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were. "It's in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there is a lot of ways, a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve." Speaking to BBC Sport before Arteta's news conference, football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained that Arsenal's lack of business was a decision made in a tough market for buyers. "As far as the market they would be looking at [is concerned] there are relatively few players," Maguire said. "We've got the extension of the Champions League and Europa League [into January] so clubs were reluctant to sell. "So if Arsenal wanted to recruit they've really got to go into a rarefied market. I guess they felt there wasn't somebody who would improve the starting XI or regular 16." Arteta said the Arsenal front line will have to be "flexible" and that he might have to "try something different" because of injuries. Three players left Arsenal during the window, with defenders Ayden Heaven, 17, and Josh Robinson, 20, joining Manchester United and Wigan Athletic respectively. Brazilian attacker Marquinhos joined Cruzeiro on loan until the end of the season. Arsenal are second in the Premier League following Sunday's 5-1 win over Manchester City, six points behind leaders Liverpool having played one game more. *BBC*