The Associated Press-AP Morning Wire

"Russia's footprint in Africa is growing."

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By Sarah Naffa June 07, 2024

In the news today: Russia is displacing traditional allies in Africa; asylum-seekers camped out in Seattle put pressure on officials to utilize vacant hotel next door; and ‘zombie’ companies could face a painful reckoning. Also, Pat Sajak’s final episode as ‘Wheel of Fortune’ host is almost here. Russian mercenaries boarding a helicopter in northern Mali. (French Army via AP) WORLD NEWS What to know about Russia’s growing footprint in Africa Russia is displacing traditional allies like France and the United States and is emerging as the security partner of choice for a growing number of African governments as it seeks to grow its influence in the restive, mineral-rich section of the continent. Read more.

Key points: Moscow has aggressively expanded its military cooperation with the nations by using the private security company Wagner and its likely successor, Africa Corps, with Russian mercenaries protecting African leaders and helping states fight extremists. Russia offers security assistance without interfering in politics, making it an appealing partner in places like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, all ruled by military juntas that seized power in recent years. Russia has taken advantage of political unrest and discontent in coup-hit nations, capitalizing on popular frustration and anger with former colonial power France. Military coups have ousted governments seen as close to the West and doing little to alleviate grinding poverty and unemployment. In return, Moscow seeks access to minerals and other contracts as well as political support, or at least neutrality, over its invasion of Ukraine. Africa is rich in minerals, oil, and other resources, which are increasingly central to economic and national security. African nations also make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other group on resolutions criticizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ South Africa questions its very being. Yet a difficult change has reinforced its young democracy Methodist church regrets Ivory Coast’s split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa The UN says a quarter of the world’s children under 5 have severe food poverty. Many are in Africa U.S. NEWS Hundreds of asylum-seekers are camped out near Seattle. There’s a vacant motel next door About 240 asylum-seekers are camping in the lot next to a busy highway and a vacant motel owned by King County. The county purchased the 85-room motel as an emergency quarantine shelter during the pandemic, but it says it doesn't have the resources to open it for the migrants. Read more.

Why this matters: President Joe Biden is attempting to restrict asylum and neutralize immigration as a political liability ahead of this fall’s election. Polls have found immigration and border security to be a top issue this election year and one that has been seized on by former President Donald Trump and his Republican campaign. The asylum-seekers are hoping police don't follow through on threats to arrest them for trespassing. Kent police last weekend posted a 48-hour eviction notice at the encampment, saying the migrants did not have permission to be at the county-controlled property. But as the deadline came and went Tuesday, authorities backtracked, giving the migrants breathing room as they hope for long-term shelter.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Texas sheriff says 7 suspects arrested, 11 migrants hospitalized after sting near San Antonio Migrants are rattled and unsure as deportations begin under new rule halting asylum The ACLU is making plans to fight Trump’s promises of immigrant raids and mass deportations BUSINESS More than 7,000 debt-laden companies are just stumbling by on the brink of survival They’re called zombies, companies so laden with debt that they are stumbling by, barely able to pay even the interest on their loans and just a hit away from dying off for good. An Associated Press analysis found their ranks in raw numbers have jumped over the past decade by a third or more globally – whiplashed by years of piling up cheap debt followed by stubborn inflation that has pushed borrowing costs to decade highs. Read more.

Why this matters: Many of these companies could soon be facing their day of reckoning, with due dates looming on hundreds of billions of dollars of loans they may not be able to pay back. “They’re going to get crushed,” Valens Securities Managing Director Robert Spivey said of the weakest zombies. As the number of zombies has grown, so too has the potential damage if they are forced to file for bankruptcy or close their doors permanently. Companies in AP’s analysis employ at least 130 million people in a dozen countries. Already, the number of U.S. companies going bankrupt has hit a 14-year high, a surge expected in a recession, not an expansion.  A real concern among investors is that too many zombies could collapse at the same time because central banks kept them on life support with low interest rates for years instead of allowing failures to sprinkle out over time.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Europe Central Bank jumps ahead of the Fed in lowering rates. But future cuts may be limited Is the US job market beginning to weaken? Friday’s employment report may provide hints Attacks on businesses linked to US brands rattle Baghdad as anger over the war in Gaza surges ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ BREAKING: At least nine UN employees have been detained by Houthi rebels in a crackdown, officials say Racism allegations: A new account rekindles allegations that Trump disrespected Black people on ‘The Apprentice’ ‘True story’: Woman who says she’s the real Martha from ‘Baby Reindeer’ sues Netflix Wheel of Fortune: Vanna White bids an emotional goodbye to Pat Sajak Now streaming: ‘Hit Man,’ Charli XCX and Star Wars: Hunters Today in History: In 1929, the sovereign state of Vatican City came into existence  WATCH D-Day: Biden salutes veterans in D-Day speech in Normandy Paris Olympics: Organizers unveil five Olympic rings mounted on the Eiffel Tower ‘Eden Rose’: Pink diamond expected to sell for $10 million at NYC auction Drive-thru safari: Giraffe’s nibble turns into airborne safari adventure for Texas toddler Stretch and toss: Pizza chefs compete in dough acrobatics in Argentina A CHANGE OF PACE A dish with roast turkey breast. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) How intermittent fasting could work for you As weight-loss plans go, it’s easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day. The technique, thought to help people shed pounds and boost health, has skyrocketed in popularity recently, becoming a leading trending topic on social media.

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