The U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA has reported that approximately 20% of commercial milk samples in the U.S. tested positive for traces of bird flu, with a higher concentration in areas with infected herds. Eight states in the U.S. have confirmed cases of bird flu in dairy cattle, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the FDA underscored that there is no evidence indicating the milk poses a danger to consumers or contains a live virus.  The regulator said further testing is needed to determine if the pathogen remains infectious. The FDA also reassured the public that heating milk to a specific temperature renders it safe for consumption, as this process kills harmful bacteria and viruses.

Burkina Faso has suspended the broadcasting operations of the BBC and Voice of America (VOA) radio networks for a period of two weeks. This decision was made by the country’s communications authority (CSC) in response to a report aired by these international media outlets that accused the Burkinabe army of attacks on civilians in its fight against jihadist groups. The CSC stated that the BBC Africa and VOA reports, which were published on their digital platforms, contained “hasty and biased declarations without tangible proof against the Burkinabe army.” The authority deemed the content of the report as unsubstantiated and detrimental to the reputation of the Burkinabe military. This move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Burkinabe authorities against international media organizations since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in a coup in September 2022. The country has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency that has plagued the region since 2015, resulting in the deaths of around 20,000 people and the displacement of approximately two million. The accusations made in the report stem from a statement by the international non-governmental organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW), which claimed that Burkinabe soldiers had killed at least 223 villagers, including 56 children, in two revenge attacks on February 25. However, the Burkinabe authorities have not yet commented on these allegations. In response to the suspension, VOA stated that it had sought reactions from several Burkinabe officials regarding the HRW report but received no response. The media organization expressed its intention to continue providing comprehensive and fair coverage of the situation in the country.

International legal representatives acting on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook seeking clarification on the sourcing of minerals utilized in the production of the company’s devices. Expressing concerns about the possibility of Apple’s supply chain being linked to conflict minerals sourced through unethical mining practices in the DRC, the legal team, led by Robert Amsterdam in Washington DC and William Bourdon in Paris, also reached out to Apple subsidiaries in France, requesting a response within a three-week timeframe. Their inquiry follows a report from the Amsterdam law firm that implicates Rwanda and private entities in the laundering of 3T and other conflict minerals from the Congo. As the primary producer of copper, cobalt (a crucial component in electric batteries), and tantalum globally, the DRC’s mineral wealth is predominantly situated in eastern Congo, an area plagued by the presence of over 120 armed groups vying for control of the region’s resources, often resorting to violence and atrocities. This situation has led to one of the most significant humanitarian crises worldwide, with approximately 7 million people displaced, many of whom lack access to essential aid. Ramesh Rajasingham, the director of coordination at the United Nations humanitarian office, described the dire conditions he witnessed in Goma, where numerous displaced individuals sought refuge, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of displacement. Amid escalating conflicts involving security forces, the M23 rebel group, a prominent faction in the region with alleged ties to Rwanda, has been a focal point. The group gained prominence a decade ago by capturing Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo on the Rwandan border, citing the non-implementation of a peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009, as a grievance against the Congolese government. President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC has accused Rwanda of destabilizing Congo by supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that U.N. experts have substantiated by linking the rebels to Rwandan forces, although Rwanda denies these allegations.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) President, Mr. Festus Osifo, has stated that the much-anticipated new minimum wage may not be announced on May 1 as expected. In a statement to the media in Abuja, Osifo explained that the negotiations by the Tripartite Committee are still ongoing. He mentioned that the TUC had earlier submitted a proposal of N447,000 as the new minimum wage, but this figure has now been harmonized with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to a new demand of N615,000. Regarding the timeline for the announcement of the new minimum wage, Osifo said that the committee is still working, and May 1 is unlikely to be the date for the pronouncement. He added that the only way the new minimum wage could be announced on May 1 is if the Federal Government decides to implement a minimum wage of N500,000 for workers. Osifo further clarified that the N615,000 demand by the organized labour is not set in stone, as the government also has its own markup. He expressed hope that the committee will meet after May 1 to continue the negotiations and consultations. It is worth noting that the 37-member tripartite committee on the minimum wage was set up by the Federal Government to facilitate further discussions and arrive at a fair and decent wage that can alleviate the suffering of the people, as emphasized by Vice President Kashim Shettima.