*Wednesday 26 February 2025* *Headlines* *Half Of Goods Sold In Zim Tuckshops Fake* *OK Zimbabwe Sacks Senior Executives* *Zimbabwe Firms Brace For Hyperinflation Accounting Under ZiG* *Police Intensify Crackdown On Local Companies Over Compliance Issues* *GEO Pomona’s Waste Deal Yet To Kick Off As Garbage Piles Up In Harare; A Scheme To Pocket Council Money: Resident Says* *African Countries Urged To Mobilise Alternative Funding For HIV, TB and Malaria Prevention* *...As UK, Europe Set To Cut International Aid* *Residents Decry Surge In Sex Work In Bulawayo CBD* *Facing Backlash Over DRC Bloody War, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame Hires Army of Social Media Influencers, Artists* *Mystery Illness In Congo Kills More Than 50 People Hours After They Felt Sick* *‘USAID Funding Boko Haram’ Allegations Stir Storm* *Battle For Tech Metals: What Are The 17 Rare Earth Elements, What Are They Used For?* *US Judge Issues Deadline For Trump Administration To Pay Foreign Aid Funds* *Rain Claims Third T20I, Zimbabwe Take Series Over Ireland* *Team Must Take Responsibility For Man Utd Problems: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ByaUqWcvaJc2HV53RXYZVx https://wa.me/263716522296?text=advert____________ *Stories in Detail:* *Half Of Goods Sold In Zim Tuckshops Fake* Nearly 50 percent of groceries seized from tuck shops and vending stalls during the ongoing blitz against counterfeit and smuggled goods in Zimbabwe have been tested and found to be fake and a potential health hazard, a top official with the country’s industry ministry has told parliament. Giving oral evidence before Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce on Tuesday, chief director for commerce in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Douglas Runyowa said the proliferation of counterfeit products in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels. “Most of what we have seen in the informal sector is quite shocking, and in our awareness programmes, we are saying it might be cheap but it’s coming at an expense to your health, because we cannot guarantee what is not there. “Our health authorities have not certified some of those goods safe and fit for human consumption, hence we really need to intensify our efforts through an all-stakeholder approach and its a fight that would also be needed for our portfolio committee to help us intensify, because really what is out there is quite scary,” he said. Runyowa told the legislators that a recent survey conducted by the ministry revealed that 50 percent of goods sold in informal retail shops do not meet the required standards. “I would like to, not to scare you, but to advise you that we recently carried out a survey with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe where we went and bought products from the shelf and took them for testing and compared what was written in the results; 50 percent of the products did not comply. You can actually see fake Vaseline, fake flour, fake rice, fake toothpaste, and this is an alarming rate,” he said. The ministry official said the blitz, which began last year, has been successful. “You will be aware that over the last quarter, going back to October, there has been intensified blitz against counterfeit goods, against smuggled goods, so much so that even this afternoon we are actually destroying about four tonnes of goods that were actually confiscated during that practice, to ensure that we remove them from the shelves, because we cannot guarantee our people that they are actually consuming safe goods,” he said. He appealed for parliament’s support in the fight the rot. “We want to also join hands with you in this particular fight, which we have really intensified from our side as a ministry,” he said. The proliferation of both informal traders of groceries and the products themselves has seen formal retail shops such as big supermarket chains suffer business losses as locals turn to the spaza shops to acquire their goods. Some of the retail shops have since closed shop or reduced their operations following competition from the informal sector. *OK Zimbabwe Sacks Senior Executives* OK Zimbabwe Limited has dismissed its senior executives and brought back former managers to guide the company through a major business review and restructuring. Willard Zireva, who retired in 2017, has returned, along with Alex Siyavora, who led the company until 2021. They will lead OK Zimbabwe temporarily during this period of change. This follows the recent closure of four OK Zimbabwe stores and ongoing stock shortages, highlighting struggles in the retail sector. The company announced these changes in a statement dated February 26, 2025, from Company Secretary Margaret Munyuru. The executives who have left the company include CEO Maxen Phillip Karombo, CFO Phillimon Mushosho, and Supply Chain Director Knox Mupaya. The new leadership appointments are: CEO Willard Vimbai Zireva, CFO Alex Edgar Siyavora, and Supply Chain Director Muzvidzwa Richard Chingaira. Added Munyuru: The Board would like to acknowledge the outgoing Executive team for their service through this challenging period and to welcome back the team reposed with the remit to stabilise and turn the business around over the next six months whilst the Company engages in the process to identify the executive replacements. *Zimbabwe Firms Brace For Hyperinflation Accounting Under ZiG* Zimbabwe’s market regulator is seeking clarity from the central bank on new rules that would require companies to report their financial statements in the nation’s gold-backed currency, forcing them to adopt hyperinflationary accounting and increase the cost of doing business. The Securities and Exchange Commission, is “engaged” with the relevant authorities on the way forward, Justin Bgoni, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange ’s chief executive officer, said Monday. poster Governor John Mushayavanhu earlier this month ordered companies listed on the exchange to adopt the ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, for reporting purposes with “immediate effect” including for the 2024 audited financial statements. “This requirement is consistent with the increase in the number and value of transactions settled in ZiG since its introduction on April 5,” he said. The ZiG is used in 30% of all transactions in the economy with the remainder done in US dollars. Since 2023 companies listed on the exchange have been allowed to report their results in US dollars because of the currency’s dominance in the economy and frequent collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar, which was replaced by the ZiG. Many companies, including blue-chip beverage manufacturer Delta Corp, have switched. ZSE-listed FBC Holdings warned the move could have several negative consequences. It may introduce “accounting complexities, inflation translation risks, investor concerns and regulatory challenges,” the Harare-based lender said in a recent client note. It will also require companies to adjust accounting software, financial models and auditing procedures and “the application of IAS 29 — financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies — guidelines, leading to frequent revaluations,” it said. It urged authorities to rethink their position. “Given that” the ZiG “has demonstrated instabilities in the past, a hybrid approach where businesses can choose the most relevant currency would be more practical,” FBCH said. The ZiG is the nation’s sixth attempt at a functioning local currency since 2009. It has shed 95% of its value since its debut, amid exchange-rate volatility that forced authorities to devalue the currency in September. The southern African nation’s difficult operating environment recently led to the exit of global accounting firms Deloitte LLP and PwC LLP. *Bloomberg* *Police Intensify Crackdown On Local Companies Over Compliance Issues* Police have intensified a crackdown on local businesses, particularly in the food and beverage sector, to ensure they comply with national laws by obtaining the necessary operating documents. The move follows a raid earlier this week on a company in Waterfalls, which was initially suspected of manufacturing illicit alcoholic beverages. However, subsequent findings revealed that the company was producing a ginger-based drink. Authorities discovered thousands of bottles of the beverage on the premises, prompting police to expand their investigations. Law enforcement officials are now scrutinizing the company's compliance with safety, health, and licensing regulations. Speaking after a visit to the site yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi expressed concerns over the operations of certain businesses, particularly regarding public health and safety. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with the way some companies are operating, especially with regards to the safety, health, and security of the public,” said Commissioner Nyathi. He noted that while the beverage’s exact nature was still under investigation, the company lacked proper licensing and regulatory approvals to produce it. “This company was operating and, in the process, manufacturing a product—whether it’s a beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic—without clarity on its contents. Above all, they have no licence to be producing this product,” he said. He further revealed that the product had not been certified by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), despite making medicinal claims on its labels. “Some of the medicinal qualities being claimed on the labels have not been substantiated,” he added. Commissioner Nyathi also highlighted concerns over the absence of expert medical examination and the substandard conditions under which the drink was being produced. “Then you also have the issue of food standards, where you find that some of the conditions under which this purported beverage is being manufactured are not safe for any product intended for public consumption,” he said. He warned businesses against violating national regulations and stressed the importance of public safety. “As the police, we want to urge business people and companies that, in whatever they are doing, they must, first and foremost, consider the laws of the country. Secondly, they must prioritize the safety of the public. Thirdly, they must ensure that all processes they undertake fully comply with Government regulations.” Commissioner Nyathi confirmed that suspects had been apprehended and that investigations were ongoing. “We are conducting investigations. Yes, we have picked some suspects, and we will be issuing a detailed statement as investigations progress,” he concluded. *GEO Pomona’s Waste Deal Yet To Kick Off As Garbage Piles Up In Harare; A Scheme To Pocket Council Money: Resident Says* GEO Pomona, a private company awarded the mandate to oversee waste management in Harare, is yet to begin its operations, with residential areas accumulating uncollected garbage. Following pressure from the Ministry of Local Government, the Harare City Council entered into an agreement last year with GEO Pomona Waste Management, allowing the company to collect 650 tonnes of refuse daily at a rate of US$40 per tonne. poster However, two months into the year, piles of garbage remain a common sight in Harare, with some areas going for weeks without refuse collection, leading to the rise of illegal dumping sites. The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) director, Reuben Akili, says the deal was designed to benefit top officials without considering residents’ input. “As CHRA, we have always maintained that the GEO Pomona project has nothing to do with refuse collection or improving waste management in the city. As you can see, those who championed this dubious project now have egg on their faces, as it is clear this initiative will fail. It has nothing to do with service provision but is rather a scheme to dig deeper into the pockets of local authorities. “Unfortunately, it has become expensive for them to collect waste and dump it at Pomona because the dump site has been privatised under dubious circumstances, in a manner that is both fictitious and clandestine,” Akili told NewZimbabwe.com. The Harare City Council succumbed to government pressure after initially opposing the takeover by GEO Pomona, which is led by controversial businessman Delish Nguwaya. GEO Pomona was established in 2022 after a Dutch waste management firm, Geogenix BV, secured a US$350 million waste-to-energy deal with the city. GEO Pomona’s operations with the City of Harare have been a source of contention among residents. When approached for comment, GEO Pomona’s public relations officer, Siphathisiwe Masuku, told NewZimbabwe.com that the delay in implementing the deal was due to a transitional process. “We recognise the challenges of waste collection and fully acknowledge the significant responsibility entrusted to us. Currently, we are in a transitional period and are finalising key logistics. Our goal is to establish an efficient and sustainable waste management system that serves the city effectively. Achieving this requires careful planning, coordination, and preparation. “During this transition period, the City of Harare continues to handle door-to-door waste collection while we work closely with them to finalise key logistics. This includes defining operational zones, identifying transfer points, and securing garages for vehicle servicing and parking. “Additionally, we are actively engaging with the City of Harare on the transfer of employees, as we are committed to retaining experienced personnel who bring valuable expertise. Once everything has been finalised, we will announce the official launch date,” said Masuku. *NewZW* *African Countries Urged To Mobilise Alternative Funding For HIV, TB and Malaria Prevention* SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) health ministers have called upon governments to mobilize alternative funding sources to sustain critical health programs, including HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria prevention, treatment and control. SADC held a two-day virtual extraordinary meeting of health ministers last week to address critical health challenges facing the SADC region. Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing Tuesday, information minister Jenfan Muswere said SADC health ministers endorsed key health initiatives to address the challenges. “In addition, member states were urged to mobilise alternative funding through public-private partnerships and domestic resource mobilisation for critical health programmes, including HIV, TB and malaria prevention, treatment and control. *...As UK, Europe Set To Cut International Aid* The cut is part of a plan to make Britain spend 2.6% of its GDP on defense starting 2027, the prime minister has said Britain is to cut its foreign development assistance funding from 0.5% of its Gross National Income (GNI) down to 0.3%, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the parliament on Tuesday. The cut is necessary in order to increase spending on defense, he stated. The move requires "'extremely difficult and painful choices,"' Starmer said, referring to the aid cut. "'That is not an announcement I am happy to make,"' the prime minister told MPs, vowing to "'do everything we can"' to "'rebuild a capability on development."' He still maintained that defense was "'the number one priority of this government."' According to Starmer, the UK would still "'continue to play a humanitarian role in Sudan, in Ukraine and Gaza."' "'These cuts will mean millions of children not having access to critical health care, not having enough to eat, and missing out on their learning. At a time of increased global insecurity and instability, this decision will undoubtedly risk lives,"' said Dr Philip Goodwin, the CEO of UNICEF UK, the British chapter of the agency providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. UK ready to send troops to Ukraine – Starmer London plans to raise its defense expenditures to 2.5% of its GDP by April 2027 – three years earlier than previously planned – under Starmer's Plan for Change, according to a government statement. The prime minister also vowed to increase the spending to 3% of GDP in the next parliament, citing "'global instability,"' the Ukraine conflict, "'increasing threats from malign actors"' and climate change, according to his office. The definition of defense spending will be expanded to include security and intelligence agencies, bringing total expenditures under the article to 2.6% of GDP, according to the statement. *Residents Decry Surge In Sex Work In Bulawayo CBD* Residents of Ward 1 in Bulawayo's Central Business District (CBD) are sounding the alarm over the increasing presence of sex workers between 8th and 9th Avenue and along Lobengula Street, expressing concerns about the impact on community safety and social well-being. During daylight hours, the area is predominantly populated by individuals working legitimate jobs. However, as night falls, the streets and alleyways transform into a hotspot for open solicitation, causing unease among residents who feel their safety is at risk. This change in the district's atmosphere has left many feeling vulnerable, especially after dark. Some residents, particularly parents, are alarmed by the exposure of children to explicit language and provocative behaviour. There are fears that such exposure may negatively influence young people, leading to the adoption of inappropriate language and normalising certain actions that could harm their social development. *Facing Backlash Over DRC Bloody War, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame Hires Army of Social Media Influencers, Artists* As global pressure mounts on Rwanda over its alleged involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) war, President Paul Kagame appears to have enlisted a network of African social media influencers—including prominent Zimbabweans—to shift the narrative in his favour. Among those reportedly engaged in a pro-Rwanda messaging campaign are Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, political and economic commentator Rutendo Matinyarare, businessman Tinashe Murapata, and political strategist Ali Naka. Additionally, Kagame has recruited influencers from Kenya, including CNN’s Larry Madowo, in what critics describe as a coordinated effort to control international perception of Rwanda’s role in the ongoing conflict. The campaign has gained momentum at a time when Rwanda is facing widespread condemnation for backing the M23 rebels, who have seized major cities in eastern DRC. Reports suggest that Kigali has deployed around 4,000 troops to support the rebels, leading to mass displacement and a surge in violence, including the rape of children. *John Legend Faces Backlash Over Rwanda Concert* While social media influencers push pro-Rwanda narratives, international celebrities are also being drawn into the controversy. American singer-songwriter John Legend has come under fire for performing in Kigali despite Rwanda’s alleged military aggression in the DRC. “I don’t believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda and punish the people of other countries when we disagree with their leaders,” Legend told the BBC following his performance at the Move Afrika concert last week. The event, organised by Global Citizen, was aimed at expanding touring opportunities across Africa. Legend claimed he was not paid for his performance and said his goal was to help develop the music industry on the continent. However, critics argue that Legend’s participation provided legitimacy to Kagame’s regime. His performance sparked a fierce social media backlash, leading him to delete an Instagram post promoting the event. Belgium-based activist Denise Zanesa condemned the concert, likening it to “collaborating with oppression itself.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one critic on TikTok accusing Rwanda of using Black American culture in a “soft campaign to normalise their terrorising of eastern Congo.” Double Standards in Celebrity Activism? Legend has previously taken strong political stances, including outspoken criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump. He also distanced himself from former mentor Kanye West over concerns that West’s presidential bid was designed to divert Black votes from the Democrats. But when questioned about Rwanda’s alleged human rights abuses and “sportswashing” strategies—including its multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain—Legend’s team declined to comment. Fellow Grammy-winning artist Tems, who was scheduled to perform in Rwanda, opted to pull out, stating she would “never, ever intend to be insensitive to real-world issues.” The debate over Rwanda’s use of global influencers and celebrities to whitewash its image is likely to intensify, as international scrutiny over its role in the DRC conflict continues to grow. *Mystery Illness In Congo Kills More Than 50 People Hours After They Felt Sick* An unknown illness first discovered in three children who ate a bat has rapidly killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, health experts say. The interval between the onset of symptoms – which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding – and death has been 48 hours in most cases and “that’s what’s really worrying,” said Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center. These “hemorrhagic fever” symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, but researchers have ruled these out based on tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far. The latest disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Jan. 21, with 419 cases recorded and 53 deaths. The outbreak began in the village of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours, the Africa office of the World Health Organization said Monday. There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten. The number of such outbreaks in Africa has surged by more than 60% in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022. After the second outbreak of the mystery disease began in the village of Bomate on Feb. 9, samples from 13 cases were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for testing, the WHO said. All samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases, although some tested positive for malaria. Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined likely to be malaria. *‘USAID Funding Boko Haram’ Allegations Stir Storm* American Congressman Scott Perry’s explosive revelation that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding the terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria evoked what reads like a patchy response from an establishment scrambling to firefight a diplomatic crisis. The US Mission in Nigeria took to X on February 18 to condemn Boko Haram for its “blatant disregard for human life”, while assuring the West African country that “comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to help verify that US assistance reaches intended recipients”. The prelude to this statement was a US House Subcommittee hearing, where the Pennsylvania Republican highlighted USAID’s operational history and labelled it a “taxpayer-funded slush fund for embezzlement and globalist excesses”. Perry’s allegations have touched a raw nerve in Nigeria, where Boko Haram has killed over 50 000 people and forced 2.5 million to flee, with many forced to seek refuge in Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The Nigerian Senate has moved swiftly to deal with the “weighty and worrisome” problem of alleged USAID funding of terrorist activity within the country. It announced plans last week to summon the country’s security chiefs, including the National Security Adviser, for a high-level session. Senator Ali Ndume from Nigeria’s northeastern region, where Boko Haram has been perpetrating atrocities since 2009, pressed for a thorough investigation. He linked Perry’s accusations to long-standing suspicions about international non-profits aiding terrorist outfits in the region, including providing firearms training. “[Nigerian] security agencies have raised this issue indirectly several times. The government of Borno State has always been wary of the operations of some NGOs,” Ndume said, referring to the state worst affected by the Boko Haram violence. “We have been wondering for years—aside from raids and kidnappings— where are these terrorists getting their funds from? It’s worrisome. Now that a US Congressman has openly spoken about it, we can’t dismiss it as just an allegation.” In a January interview with Al Jazeera, the Nigerian military chief, Gen. Christopher Musa, flagged concerns about foreign funding of Boko Haram for almost two decades. He rued the fact that the Nigerian military’s efforts to rein in Boko Haram were being repeatedly foiled by “foreign countries helping them with money and weapons”. Gen. Musa cited instances of Boko Haram fighters being “captured by the military while in possession of funds linked to powerful foreign nations, suggesting that international actors may be complicit in supporting the group”. Former foreign affairs minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, lent credence to the military chief’s assertions during a February 17 interview on Arise TV. “I served on the Boko Haram committee, and villagers consistently told us about helicopters flown by foreigners that kept landing in Borno with arms, ammunition, and cash,” he said. Prof Akinyemi, whose stint as foreign affairs minister coincided with the tail end of the Cold War, also reinforced the belief that successive Western powers worked to destabilise Nigeria, tracing the trend back to British colonial rule. *www.trtafrika.com* *Battle For Tech Metals: What Are The 17 Rare Earth Elements, What Are They Used For?* Whether it’s Greenland, Ukraine, West Africa or East Asia, rare earths are an element of the global geopolitical competition hiding just below the surface. What are the rare earth elements, where are they concentrated, and what are their major uses? Check out our explainer for a detailed breakdown. *Basic Facts* Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 silvery-white soft heavy metals, mostly consisting of the lanthanides, a family of 15 elements grouped together in the Periodic Table, plus scandium and yttrium, which have similar chemical properties and are often found in deposits alongside the others. Despite their name, rare earths aren’t especially rare, with one of the rarest – lutetium, some 200 times more common than gold. Rather, what makes the resources rare is finding them in large, easy-to-find and mine clusters. *Rare Earths and Their Uses* Lanthanum (La): Used in nickel-metal hydride batteries for hybrid vehicles, lighting, camera lenses and other special glass, and as a catalyst for petroleum refining. Cerium (Ce): Added to an array of alloys for increased strength and corrosion protection, magnets, for burn treatments, glass polishing agents, lightbulbs and household wares including ceramics. Praseodymium (Pr): Key component for aircraft engine-grade high-strength alloys, powerful magnets (including for use in wind turbines), tough didymium glass, and fiberoptic cables. Neodymium (Nd): Used for everything from magnetotherapy to magnetic motors, microwave communications, microphones, headphones, loudspeakers, hard drives, automotive electronics, fluorescent and energy-saving lamps and lasers. Promethium (Pm): Key component for luminous paint, portable X-rays, and atomic batteries for critical electronics, from the military and aerospace to pacemakers. Samarium (Sm): Active ingredient in a popular cancer-cell killing agent; used in combination with other elements in magnets, lasers and nuclear reactor control rods for neutron absorption. Europium (Eu): Another excellent neutron absorber, as well as a red phosphor for TVs, blue colour in LEDs, and therapeutics tool. Gadolinium (Gd): Active ingredient for MRI drugs. Also used in nuclear propulsion systems, metallurgy, microwave and magnetic refrigeration. Terbium (Tb): Key tool for chemical screening; green phosphor for TVs and monitors, used in lighting, military grade sonar and other sensors. Dysprosium (Dy): Used to make powerful permanent magnets, lasers and lighting, electric drive motors for EVs and wind turbines, transducers, resonators, and dosimeters for measuring ionizing radiation. Holmium (Ho): Another neutron-absorber useful for radioimmunotherapy, magnets, as well as optics, microwave, medical, dental and laser surgery equipment. Erbium (Er): Added to lasers and optics used in medicine, as well as optical communications, with strong neutron-absorbing qualities. Also useful for chemical analysis and crystal growth. Thulium (Tm): Used in military and industrial-grade lasers, as a source of radiation for portable X-rays, for meteorology and high-temperature superconducting tools, and popular anti-counterfeiting agent. Ytterbium (Yb): Key element in X-ray components, memory devices, tunable lasers, amps and displays; metal-strengthening component and burnable poison for controlling nuclear reactions. Lutetium (Lu): Used in petroleum refining, polymerization, lithography, tomography, as a phosphor for some light bulbs. Also used for tumour treatment, and to build the world’s most accurate atomic clocks. Scandium (Sc): Key ingredient for high-grade lightweight alloys for everything from military and commercial aircraft to sporting equipment, small arms, high-intensity discharge lamps, dentistry, and as an oil refinery tracing agent. Yttrium (Y): Another metal-strengthening alloy. Also used for high-temperature superconducting, a surprising array of medical applications (from drug labelling and cancer treatment to surgical needles) as deoxidizer and nodulizer, the red colour in cathode ray tubes, radar and synthetic gems. *US Judge Issues Deadline For Trump Administration To Pay Foreign Aid Funds* A federal judge has ordered the administration of US President Donald Trump to pay foreign aid funds to contractors and grant recipients by the end of Wednesday. The order marks the third time the judge in the case, Amir Ali, has ruled that officials must release funds that were frozen after Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid. In Tuesday’s ruling, Judge Ali noted there is no indication the administration has taken any steps to comply with his earlier orders. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit — which include nonprofits and businesses with government contracts — have argued they may have to shutter their organisations if the agreed-upon funds are not paid. They also allege that the administration has violated federal law and the United States Constitution by refusing to pay out the funds, which were allocated by Congress. The complaint also points out that the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) might run afoul of the constitutional separation of powers, since Congress created the independent agency in 1961. The court order applies to payments for work done before February 13, when the judge issued the earlier temporary restraining order. US politics, Canada’s multiculturalism, South America’s geopolitical rise—we bring you the stories that matter. On Sunday, USAID said that all of its staff, except certain essential workers, would be put on paid administrative leave starting on Sunday. In addition, 1,600 positions were eliminated. “Individuals that are impacted will receive specific notifications on February 23, 2025, with further instructions and information about their benefits and rights,” a notice from the Trump administration said the next day. Led by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Trump administration has moved to effectively dismantle the agency. Musk — who has called USAID a “criminal organisation” and a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America” — has claimed the agency is rife with waste and fraud and pursues an ideological agenda. Former USAID officials and humanitarian workers have condemned Trump’s move, warning that the demise of the aid agency will harm millions of vulnerable people worldwide and weaken US soft power. “Eliminating US unique response capacity of crisis experts who help contain disease outbreaks, stabilise displaced populations – a shortsighted, high risk and frankly, stupid act,” Marcia Wong, a former deputy assistant administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, wrote on the social media platform X. Last week, a judge also cleared the way for the Trump administration to push ahead with its plans to call back thousands of USAID staffers from overseas within 30 days. “For overseas personnel, USAID intends a voluntary, Agency-funded return travel program and other benefits,” USAID’s website said in its notice. “USAID is committed to keeping its overseas personnel safe. Until they return home, personnel will retain access to Agency systems and to diplomatic and other resources. In the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government issued devices.” *Aljazeera* *Rain Claims Third T20I, Zimbabwe Take Series Over Ireland* The third T20I between Zimbabwe and Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain, sealing a 1-0 series win for the hosts after their victory in the first match. The match began after a delayed start, with Ireland opting to bowl first under overcast conditions and with 18 overs per side. Notable changes included Tim Tector picked on T20I debut along with the additions of Matthew Humphreys and Fionn Hand. A lively Zimbabwean crowd, complemented by a handful of traveling Irish supporters, watched as Craig Young struck early removing Tadiwanashe Marumani (7) in the second over. Humphreys followed soon after, bowling Wessly Madhevere (0) with a remarkable late-swinging arm-ball to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 18/2. Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, led the recovery with an aggressive 34 off 27 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes before falling to Gareth Delany who claimed two wickets in an over. Contributions from Tony Munyonga (26) and Tashinga Musekiwa (26*) helped Zimbabwe post 142/6 in 18 overs before rain intervened. Ireland’s bowlers kept the scoring in check, with Delany (2-5) and Josh Little (1-25) among the pick of the attack, while Craig Young (2-38) claimed key wickets despite conceding runs. With the rain refusing to ease, the umpires called off the game at 9:37 PM (local time), handing Zimbabwe their second T20I series win over Ireland. The success completed a white-ball double for Zimbabwe, who won a one-day international series 2-1 in Harare. Ireland began the all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off Test in Bulawayo. MATCH SUMMARY Ireland v Zimbabwe, T20I series in Zimbabwe, Harare Sports Club, 25 February 2025 Zimbabwe 142-6 (18 overs; S Raza 34; G Delany 2-5, C Young 2-38) Match Abandoned due to rain *AFP* *Team Must Take Responsibility For Man Utd Problems: Amorim* Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he and his players must take some responsibility for the club's present financial predicament. Speaking less than 24 hours after United confirmed a second round of redundancies that will lead to up to 200 staff members losing their jobs, Amorim said that, as the "engine" of the club, his squad must do better. After losing more than £300m in the past five years, United find themselves 15th in the Premier League before their encounter with relegation-threatened Ipswich at Old Trafford on Wednesday. It is their worst league campaign since the dark days of 1989-90, when Sir Alex Ferguson almost got the sack as United flirted with the relegation zone before eventually finishing 13th. "We have to address all the problems in the club but one important piece of this moment is to understand how we get to this situation," said Amorim. "It has a lot to do with the lack of success of the football team because we are the engine of any football club." In the space of under two seasons, United have fallen from a third-place finish in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge to their current position. While Amorim and his squad might be insulated from the cost-cutting measures - staff at Old Trafford will no longer get free lunches in a move the club estimates will save £1m - some of the people they work with every day will soon no longer be around. "We know this year was really hard for everybody," said Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag in November. "As a club, we did a lot of changes. When you are doing the changes if you have a football team who are playing well and winning games, it is easier for the fans and everyone to feel that. But in this moment we are in a difficult period inside of the club and inside of the pitch. We have to fight against this feeling. "We have do our job and we try our best to help the team to perform better." United have scored 30 goals from 26 league games so far this season, with Rasmus Hojlund managing just two from 15 league starts. The 22-year-old Denmark striker, who was signed from Atalanta for £72 in August 2023, has scored seven goals in all competitions, with his last strike coming in the Europa League against Viktoria Plzen on 12 December. "I think it's clear, we as a team, we are not helping Rasmus," Amorim added. "We don't create a lot of chances. "I think Rasmus has a lot of potential. If we improve the way we play the game, he will have more opportunities to score. "He came here very young and, when you are very young, to be the number nine and play all the time sometimes is hard. "We have to look at Rasmus as a player: he has the pace, he has the technique, he scores some goals that are really hard to score. "Sometimes he doesn't choose the better runs, sometimes he's so anxious to touch the ball because he passes long minutes without the ball and he moves away from the goal. "We address that in training. He has the ability, he already showed that here, but I think it's more a team thing than a Rasmus thing." *BBC*