Rwanda adopts 70 South African white rhinos under rewilding initiative

Rwanda said on Tuesday that 70 white rhinos had been successfully relocated to the Great Lakes nation, after a journey of some 3,000 kilometres from South Africa.


Issued on: 15/06/2025 - RFI

Two white rhinos in South Africa. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN

It was the largest ever relocation of rhinos, which can weigh up to two tonnes, Rwandan officials said.

Once abundant across sub-Saharan Africa, rhino numbers have dramatically fallen due to hunting by European colonisers and large-scale poaching.

The animals were transported in two loads of 35 – first aboard a Boeing 747, then by road – from South Africa's Munywana Conservancy to Akagera National Park in Rwanda, according to the Rwanda Development Board.

"A dedicated veterinary team will closely monitor their health and behaviour for several weeks to ensure proper adaptation to their new environment and management of any stress associated with the move," it added in a statement.

Breeding stronghold

The move was part of the African Parks rhino rewilding initiative, supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which aims to support population growth and secure a new breeding stronghold in Rwanda.

According to the International Rhino Foundation, rhino poaching in Africa rose by 4 percent from 2022 to 2023, with at least 586 rhinos poached in 2023.

South Africa is home to most of the world's rhinos, including the critically endangered black rhino, and is a hotspot for poaching – driven by demand in Asia, where the horns are used in traditional medicine.

Rhino horn is highly sought after on the black market, where the price by weight rivals that of gold and cocaine.

African rhino numbers rise for first time in decade despite poaching

The southern white rhino, one of two subspecies, is now listed as "near threatened", with roughly 17,000 individuals remaining, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The northern white rhino has all but vanished, with just two females left alive, in Kenya.

At least 34 rhinos were killed each month, the South African environment minister said in May.

Fatu, 19, and her mother Najin, 30, are the last of the subspecies of white rhino, and live under 24-hour armed guard. AFP/File

Dehorning to ward off poachers

In a bid to tackle the problem of poaching, conservationists in South Africa have turned to the procedure of "dehorning" rhinos.

The practice resulted in a nearly 80-percent reduction in the poaching of the animals during a seven-year study in a major South African conservation area, according to a report published in the journal Science last week.

Sawing off the sought-after horns also comes at a fraction of the cost of other counter-poaching measures such as deploying rangers or tracking dogs, according to the study.

Can science save the last two white rhinos left on the planet?

Workers attempt to bring a tranquillised rhino to the ground before de-horning it, at a farm outside Klerksdorp, South Africa. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files

The study was carried out between 2017 and 2023 in 11 reserves around South Africa's famed Kruger National Park.

During this period, some 1,985 rhinos were poached in the reserves, despite €64 million being spent – mostly on reactive law enforcement measures which netted around 700 poachers.

In contrast, dehorning 2,284 rhinos cut poaching by 78 percent at just 1.2 percent of that cost.

(with AFP)

AFRIKA IS A COUNTRY

US envisages adding 25 more African countries to travel ban

US President Donald Trump’s administration is considering significantly expanding its travel restrictions by potentially banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States – 25 of which are on the African continent – according to an internal State Department cable issued over the weekend.


Issued on: 16/06/2025 - 10:38
2 minReading time

The Trump administration is considering extending the travel ban to a further 36 countries, most of which are on the African continent

. © Alex Brandon / AP

Earlier this month, Trump signed a proclamation banning the entry of citizens from 12 countries, saying the move was needed to protect the United States against "foreign terrorists" and other national security threats.

In an internal diplomatic cable signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department proposed extending the restrictions to a further 36 countries, including 25 on the African continent.

The cable, first reported in the Washington Post, outlined a dozen concerns about the countries in question and sought corrective action.

"The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days," the cable sent out over the weekend said.

Targeted countries

Among the concerns the Trump administration raised was the lack of a competent or cooperative government by some of the countries mentioned to produce reliable identity documents, the cable said. Another was "questionable security" of that country's passport.

Other concerns related to visa overstays, lack of cooperation over deportations, nationals involved in acts of terrorism in the United States, or antisemitic and anti-American activity.

The cable noted that not all of these concerns pertained to every country listed.

African Union condemns Trump travel ban amid strained Africa-US relations

It instructs US diplomats to give listed countries until 8 a.m. Wednesday to submit initial action plans to meet the new requirements.

The countries that could face a full or a partial ban if they do not address concerns within the next 60 days are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The ban that came into effect earlier this month applied to Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The African Union expressed its "deep concern" over that bill.

(with newswires)

Macron says he is in Greenland to express 'France and EU's solidarity'

On 15 June, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Greenland, the strategic Arctic island coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump, carrying a “message of solidarity and friendship” from France and the European Union.


Issued on: 15/06/2025 - RFI

French President Emmanuel Macron (C) speaks to journalists next to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (L) as he arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland, on June 15, 2025. © Ludovic Marin / AFP

Macron reiterated his criticism of Trump’s intention to take control of the territory.

“I don’t think that’s something that should be done between allies,” he said as he was greeted at Nuuk airport by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

“It’s important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic importance and whose territorial integrity must be respected,” Macron said. He was making a stop on his way to a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations in Canada, which will also be attended by Trump.

Macron, who is visiting Greenland for the first time, said, “It means a lot to me to convey a message of friendship and solidarity from France and the European Union to help this territory face its various challenges: economic development, education, as well as the consequences of climate change.”

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. AP - Mads Claus Rasmussen

In a speech last week at the UN Ocean Conference, Macron also mentioned Greenland and the deep seas, saying they are not “up for grabs” in remarks that appeared largely directed at Trump.

Macron's role in Europe

In recent months, Macron has sought to reinvigorate France’s role as the diplomatic and economic heavyweight of the 27-nation European Union.

The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Trump’s threats to withdraw support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia’s invasion. Macron hosted a summit in Paris with other European heads of state to discuss Kyiv, as well as security issues across the continent.

Sunday’s visit was also be an occasion to discuss how to further enhance relations between the EU and Greenland on matters such as economic development, the low-carbon energy transition, and critical minerals. The leaders will also exchange views on efforts to curb global warming, according to Macron’s office.

Later on Sunday, Macron, Frederiksen, and Nielsen held a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, underlining France’s concerns over security issues in the region.

Trump and Greenland

Last week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary, but refused to answer repeated questions during a heated congressional hearing on Thursday about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations.

Hegseth’s comments were the latest controversial remarks made by a member of the Trump administration about the Arctic island. The president himself has said he will not rule out military force to take over Greenland, which he considers vital to American security in the high north.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that several high-ranking officials under the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had instructed intelligence agency heads to learn more about Greenland’s independence movement and attitudes towards US resource extraction there.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 25, 2025 REUTERS - Kevin Lamarque

Nielsen said in April that US statements about the island have been disrespectful and that Greenland “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”

(With newswires)

U$ AUSTERITY

UNHCR Forced To Make Deep Cuts, Despite Rising Needs Worldwide

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), briefs members of the UN Security Council. Photo Credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

 June 17, 2025

By UN News

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) announced on Monday that it is cutting global staffing costs by around 30 per cent, following a comprehensive review of its activities, spending, staffing and structure, prompted by major funding shortfalls.

This will entail cutting just under half of all senior positions at the agency’s Geneva headquarters and regional bureaux. 

Around 3,500 permanent staff posts have been discontinued, hundreds of temporary staff positions have been terminated, and some offices have been downsized or closed worldwide.

According to the report, decisions on where to cut costs were guided by the priority to maintain operations in regions with the most urgent refugee needs.

Financial realities

The announcement follows a warning in March from UNHCR that severe funding cuts were putting millions of refugee lives at risk, with immediate and devastating consequences.

The agency anticipates it will end the year with available funding at roughly the same level as a decade ago – despite the number of refugees forced to flee having nearly doubled in that time to over 122 million.

“In light of difficult financial realities, UNHCR is compelled to reduce the overall scale of its operations,” said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “We will focus our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugees, supported by streamlined headquarters and regional bureau structures.” 

‘Unshakeable’ commitment to refugees

Despite the prioritisation of refugee needs, key programmes – including financial assistance to vulnerable families, health, education, and water and sanitation – have been significantly impacted. 

In response, UNHCR is coordinating with UN partners, aid groups and host countries to mitigate the impact on those who rely on its support by streamlining operations, exploring new models and utilising technology to enhance efficiency.

“Even as we face painful cuts and lose so many dedicated colleagues, our commitment to refugees remains unshakeable,” said Mr. Grandi. 

“Although resources are scarcer and our capacity to deliver is reduced, we will continue to work hard to respond to emergencies, protect the rights of refugees and pursue solutions.”  

'Brutal' funding cuts push UN to slash humanitarian operations

Millions of vulnerable people face heightened risk after the UN announced it would scale back aid programmes amid unprecedented global funding cuts. OCHA chief Tom Fletcher called for more solidarity to prevent needless suffering.


Issued on: 16/06/2025 -

“Announcing the deepest funding cuts in the UN’s history on 16 June 2025, OCHA chief Tom Fletcher said the organisation would be forced to scale back humanitarian operations worldwide, potentially leaving tens of millions in urgent need without help.” © AP Salvatore Di Nolfi

The United Nations has announced it is drastically scaling back its global humanitarian operations due to what it describes as the most severe funding shortfall in its history – a move that could leave tens of millions without crucial support.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed on Monday that it now seeks $29 billion (€25 billion) in funding for 2025, a significant drop from the $44 billion originally requested in December.

The pared-down appeal is described as “hyper-prioritised”, focusing only on the most life-threatening crises.

The funding squeeze comes at a time when global needs are soaring.

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in January has seen the United States – historically the world’s largest donor – slash its foreign aid budget dramatically, sending shockwaves through the humanitarian sector.

Global aid in chaos as Trump proposes to slash funds and dismantle USAID

'Brutal cuts'

Other major donor countries have followed suit, tightening their purses amid economic uncertainty.

“Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices,” said OCHA chief Tom Fletcher in a statement.

“We’re asking for just one percent of what the world spent last year on war. But more than money, this is an appeal for humanity, for global responsibility and solidarity to prevent needless suffering.”

While visiting a hospital in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province earlier this year, Fletcher warned that cutting support to those most in need is not something to celebrate.

“The impact of aid cuts is that millions die,” he said plainly.

UN brands record 110 million displaced people an 'indictment' of the state of the world
'Difficult decisions'

So far this year, the UN has received only $5.6 billion of the $44 billion initially requested – just 13 percent of what it needs to help the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Originally, the plan was to reach 190 million people across more than 70 countries.

Even then, the UN acknowledged it would still leave 115 million people beyond its reach.

With the funding gap widening, aid officials are now forced to make difficult decisions.

“We have been forced into a triage of human survival,” Fletcher admitted. “Too many people will not get the support they desperately need, but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources at hand.”

In practical terms, this means aid will now target the most severe emergencies first, prioritising those in “extreme or catastrophic conditions”.

Fletcher emphasised that every dollar must go where it can save the most lives, as swiftly as possible.

Macron calls malnutrition a 'fight for peace' as donors pledge €25bn
'Catastrophic hunger'

Monday's announcement came alongside a stark joint report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, which highlighted worsening hunger in 13 global hotspots.

Five countries – Sudan, the Palestinian territories, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali – are on the brink of famine, with millions at risk of starvation.

“This report is a red alert,” said WFP chief Cindy McCain. “Without urgent funding and safe access, we simply cannot save lives. The window to prevent catastrophic hunger is closing fast.”

The WFP itself is grappling with a 40 percent cut to its budget for 2025, threatening critical food assistance for 58 million people worldwide.

Despite the scale of the challenge, Fletcher insists the world must not lose hope.

“Human solidarity can still turn this tide,” he said. “With swift, united action, we can prevent the worst and protect the most vulnerable among us.”

(With newswires)

WAR! ON THE MEDIA

BREAKING: Israel strikes Iran's state broadcaster during live transmission

VIDEO: Iran state television IRIB news channel 5 hit by Israeli missile. / bne IntelliNewsFacebook

Feedly

By bnm Tehran bureau June 16, 2025

Israeli forces targeted Iran's state broadcasting headquarters on June 16, with explosions occurring during a live television transmission that forced presenters to evacuate.

The attack struck the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting building, destroying the news network's studio whilst programmes were being aired, according to Iranian reports.

News presenter Sahar Emami continued broadcasting immediately after the strike, stating that national media transmission would continue with full strength despite the attack.

"What we witnessed moments ago in the news building is a clear and obvious example of the fight against freedom of expression," Emami said during the broadcast.

IRIB's public relations department advised viewers to follow programmes through Telewebion if they experienced signal disruptions from provincial or national networks.

Several employees were reportedly killed in the attack on the broadcasting facility, though casualty numbers could not be independently verified.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had previously warned that Iran's state television and radio, which he described as the "propaganda and incitement megaphone," were targets for elimination.

The strike represents a direct attack on Iran's primary state media infrastructure and its ability to communicate with the domestic population.

Iran's state broadcaster serves as the government's main communication channel with citizens and the international community.

The attack occurred as tensions between the two countries reached new heights following reciprocal military strikes over recent days.

Broadcasting continued from alternative facilities as Iranian authorities worked to restore full transmission capabilities across the country.

The targeting of media infrastructure marks an escalation in the scope of military operations between Iran and Israel.

Iranian officials described the attack as an assault on press freedom and civilian media facilities.

Israel strikes Iran's 'propaganda' state TV station taking broadcast off the air

Copyright Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

By Sertac Aktan with AP
Published on 16/06/2025 - 

Israel's Defence Minister confirmed the attack, which followed an Israeli evacuation warning. An anchor reported 'bodies of reporters' at the site.

An Iranian state television reporter had to stop a live broadcast on Monday when an explosion occurred an hour after Israel issued a warning to evacuate the area of Tehran where the TV studios are located.

Smoke was seen rising from at least three sites in the Iranian capital.

The reporter for the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network said the studio was filling with dust after "the sound of aggression against the homeland, the sound of aggression against truth and righteousness."

Anchor Sahar Emami rushed off-camera as the screen behind her cut out and people were heard saying "Allahu akbar," Arabic for God is great.

The broadcast quickly switched to pre-recorded programmes. Later, state TV aired live video of the building on fire.

Soon, Emami came back live from another studio and was seen speaking with another anchor. She said that "bodies of reporters" were at the site of the initial broadcast, and images showed smoke and flames in the sky.

Israel's defence minister Israel Katz took credit for the attack as he called it a strike on the "propaganda broadcast authority."

"The Iranian regime's propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked by the IDF after a widespread evacuation of the area’s residents. We will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere," he said in a statement.

An hour earlier, the Israeli military had issued an evacuation warning affecting up to 330,000 people in a part of central Tehran that includes the country's state TV and police headquarters, as well as three major hospitals.

In response to the attack, Iran also issued evacuation warnings for Israeli news channels, Iranian state TV reported.

The attack came on the fourth day of the escalating conflict, as the IDF claimed it had achieved air superiority above the Iranian capital and could fly over the city without facing major threats.

STATIST CENSORSHIP

Togo suspends French broadcasters RFI, France 24 for three months

Togo late Monday announced it was suspending French public broadcasters RFI and France 24 for three months, for an alleged lack of impartiality in their reporting.


Issued on: 17/06/2025 -

Members of the Togolese Gendarmerie are seen operating in Lome on 6 June, 2025. Gendarmes and police officers were deployed in force in several locations in the Togolese capital, Lomé, on Friday, after dispersing anti-government protesters earlier in the day.

 AFP - -

"This measure follows repeated failings, already reported and formally recalled, in matters of impartiality, rigour, and fact-checking," according to a statement from Togo's High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HAAC).

"Several recent broadcasts have relayed inaccurate, biased, and even contrary to established facts, undermining the stability of republican institutions and the country’s image," it said in the statement.

"Freedom of the press cannot be synonymous with disinformation or interference."

The agency didn’t provide any details on what reporting by the French networks led to the decision.

'Serious attack' on press freedom

In a statement, the management of RFI and France 24 stated that they were "surprised to learn of the suspension of their broadcasts without notice".

RFI and France 24 "reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the ethical principles of journalism, as well as their support for their teams who deliver rigorous, independent, verified, impartial, and balanced information every day, in compliance with the provisions of the agreement signed between the HAAC and France Médias Monde," the statement concluded.

Camille Montagu, from the independent organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Sub-Saharan Africa Desk told RFI that tje decision by the Togo authorities "constitutes a serious attack on press freedom and the right to information".

"Suspending these two international media outlets, which have only professionally covered the country's recent political developments, will not erase the turmoil facing Togo," she says.

The move to censor foreign media outlets comes as President Faure Gnassingbé faces increasing pressure from critics over recent changes in the constitution that could effectively keep him in power indefinitely. Critics have called the changes a constitutional coup.

Fabrice Petchez, chair of the Togolese Media Observatory told The Associated Press that while he understood the ruling, they did not support the decision. "We hope steps will be taken to quickly restore these media operations in the country.

"But since early June, tensions have been rising, particularly on social media," he continued. "I do hope, however, that a dialogue can be opened between the media concerned and the authorities."

Mali suspends French news channel LCI for two months

The broadcasting ban comes against a tense political backdrop, with anti-government protests scheduled for next week following a crackdown on protests earlier this month.

Dozens of people were arrested in the capital, Lomé, after police dispersed protesters with tear gas on the night of 5-6 June in several districts, including near the presidential palace.

The government swiftly said it had released more than 50 people but several remain in police custody.

Civil disobedience campaign

The state prosecutor slammed the demonstrations as "clearly part of a revolt against the institutions of the republic".

Togolese opposition parties and civil society groups on Thursday demanded Gnassingbé step down.

Togo opposition cries foul as election vote count favours government

He "must return power to the Togolese people to whom national sovereignty belongs", the National Alliance for Change (ANC), Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR) and civil society groups said in a statement.

The groups urged citizens to launch acts of civil disobedience from 23 June to thwart the "illegitimate" regime.

Protests have been banned in Togo since 2022, following a deadly attack at Lomé's main market, though public meetings are still allowed.

(with newswires)

WAR IS RAPE

Survivors of Bosnia 'rape camps' come forward 30 years on

Sarajevo (AFP) – It took years for Zehra Murguz to be able to testify about what happened to her and other Muslim women in the "rape camps" run by Serb forces during the war in Bosnia.


Issued on: 17/06/2025 

Bosnian survivor Zehra Murguz brought her rapist to justice © ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP

One of the awful memories that drove her to give evidence was of seeing a girl of 12 "with a doll in her arms" dragged into one of them.

Murguz felt she was also speaking "in the name of all the others, of that girl of 12 who will never talk... who was never found".

The horror began for her in the summer of 1992 when Serb forces took the mountain town of Foca and Murguz was taken to the Partizan gym, one of several notorious rape camps the Serbs ran.

For months dozens of Muslim women and girls were gang raped and forced into sexual slavery there. Others were sold or killed.

At least 20,000 people suffered sexual violence across Bosnia as Yugoslavia collapsed into the worst war Europe had then seen since 1945.

Most victims were Bosnian Muslims, but Serbs and Croat women also suffered.

In 2001 the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia became the first court in Europe to recognise rape as a crime against humanity in an historic verdict against three Bosnian Serb army officers from Foca.

While a handful of survivors driven by a thirst for justice continue to collect thousands of testimonies, many remain locked in silence more than three decades on.

Triple murder and rape

Murguz, 61, began her judicial journey when she returned to Bosnia in 2011 -- after years living in exile in Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia -- to bring her neighbour to book for raping her during the war.

Stitching her life back together: Zehra Murguz © ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP

"If I don't speak, it will be as if the crime never happened," she told herself. He was still living in Foca and "wasn't hiding", she said.

He was arrested and tried in the local court in 2012.

Going there was "like going back to 1992", to the "agony" of that time, Murguz recalled. "I came face to face with him, we looked each other in the eye, and justice won out," she said.

The man was jailed for 14 years, a "light sentence", said Murguz "for the murder of three people and a rape".

But the conviction at last "stamped him with his true identity -- war criminal", she told AFP from a sewing workshop in Sarajevo run by the Victims of the War Foca 1992-1995 group.

Around her other survivors wove fabric together, a form of collective therapy.

"To this day, only 18 verdicts have been delivered for crimes of sexual violence committed in Foca," said the group's president, Midheta Kaloper, 52.

"Three trials are ongoing. A lot of time has passed, and witnesses are exhausted."

She herself was a victim of "an unspeakable, inexplicable crime" in Gorazde, the "worst torture a girl can endure", she said.

She still hopes the suspect will be tried in Bosnia, not in Serbia where he now lives.

Bosnian rape survivors weave together in a therapy centre in Sarajevo 

© ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP

But Kaloper warned that things have "stagnated" over the last five years, with 258 cases involving 2,046 suspects still needing to be judged, according to figures from the High Council of Magistrates.

Bosnian judges had tried 773 war crime cases by the end of last year -- over a quarter involving sexual violence -- according to the OSCE monitoring mission.

It said there had been "significant delays" in hundreds of others where the suspects have yet to be identified.

"What kills us most is the excessive length of these proceedings," said Kaloper.
'Timebomb'

"We have been fighting for 30 years, and our only real success has been obtaining the law on civilian war victims," under which survivors can be given a pension worth about $400 a month, she said.

However, the law only covers the Muslim-Croat half of Bosnia and those living there, and not those living in the self-governing Serb Republika Srpska (RS) and the small mixed Brcko District in the northeast, which have different judicial systems.

Glorifying guilty men: a monument to Bosnian Serb fighters in Foca © ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP

Around 1,000 survivors have obtained war victim status in the Muslim-Croat federation and some 100 more in the RS and Brcko, said Ajna Mahmic, of the Swiss legal NGO Trial International.

Rape, she said, still carries a particular stigma. "Unfortunately, as a society we still put the blame and shame on the victims rather than the perpetrators.

"Many of the survivors do not feel secure," Mahmic told AFP. "Some of the perpetrators are still living freely and some are working in public institutions," some in positions of authority.

Not to mention the continued glorification "of war criminals (in the Balkans) and the minimisation of the suffering we have endured", Kaloper added.

Nearly half of ongoing cases are held up because the accused are abroad, an OSCE report said in January.

Another "worrying trend is the widespread failure of courts to grant victims compensation" in criminal cases, the OSCE added.

While witnesses could testify anonymously in The Hague, there is nothing to protect their identity in civil compensation proceedings in Bosnia.

Bakira Hasecic: 'Even today it is very difficult for victims to speak' © ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP

"Even today it is very difficult for victims to speak," said Bakira Hasecic, 71, head of the Women Victims of War group, and they keep the "weight of this tragedy in their hearts".

Many follow what their former torturers are up to on social networks.

It is an emotional "timebomb that can explode at any moment and drives some to call us", she said.

Though over 30 years have passed, 15 more victims stepped forward needing to talk in the last few months alone, Hasecic said.

© 2025 AFP

 

How Do Japan’s Electronics Giants Develop The Elderly Care Industry? – Analysis

 June 17, 2025  0 Comments

By Anbound

By Xia Ri

As a major global challenge, population aging is an imminent reality that many countries need to confront. Currently, Japan has the highest aging rate in the world. As of 2024, 29.3% of its population is aged 65 and over, 16.8% are 75 and over, and 10.4% are 80 and over. Due to the large scale and promising prospects of the elderly care industry, many major Japanese companies are actively entering the field. Among them, electronics giants Sony and Panasonic have leveraged their respective business areas and technological strengths to develop uniquely distinctive models for the elderly care industry.

In 2014, Sony established Sony Lifecare as an independently operated entity under Sony Financial Group, focusing on the elderly care sector. Subsequently, Sony accelerated its expansion through acquisitions. In 2017, it acquired a professional elderly care company that operated 28 nursing homes, quickly gaining operational experience and expanding its facility network. This marked the shift of the company from “trial-and-error at individual sites” to “chain-based operations”. By 2020, Sony had opened several high-end nursing homes in Tokyo and surrounding areas, with individual facilities reaching up to 66 rooms, such as the project in Saitama Prefecture.

Compared to Sony, Panasonic entered the elderly care industry much earlier and has been deeply involved for many years. In 1998, Panasonic established a subsidiary called Panasonic Age Free Services. In 2016, it was renamed Panasonic Age-Free Co., Ltd., marking the beginning of efforts to build a large-scale service network. By 2020, Panasonic had established 66 senior housing and nursing home facilities, 184 care service centers, 124 caregiving shops, and completed 29,000 home modifications for aging in place, creating a nationwide elderly care service network across Japan.

What then, are the common characteristics of these two electronics giants in developing the elderly care industry? According to analysis and summaries by researchers at ANBOUND, they can be mainly categorized into three key aspects.

First, both companies focus on high-end services. Unlike public elderly care, which is more inclusive and universal, these two electronics giants, despite differing in their specific approaches, primarily target the high-end elderly care market, offering highly standardized services. For example, Panasonic Age-Free operates a high-end nursing home in the suburbs of Tokyo, featuring 36 rooms, each measuring between 18 and 25 square meters. The facility accommodates both single individuals and couples. Some rooms are equipped with kitchens and private bathrooms, while the building also includes shared bathing facilities. Personalized nursing care and meal services are also provided.

However, the cost of living in these facilities is quite high. For example, at Panasonic’s high-end nursing home, even the smallest single room requires an initial payment of several hundred thousand yen, with monthly fees ranging from approximately JPY 240,000 to JPY 280,000. Additional services such as cleaning and laundry incur extra charges. Sony follows a similar model. At its nursing home in Saitama Prefecture, the monthly fee for a single room is about JPY 400,000, while a double room costs up to JPY 760,000. These facilities are targeted at Japan’s high-income retired population and are equipped with caregivers, physical therapists, personalized meal services, and dedicated activity spaces such as mahjong rooms and calligraphy areas.

Second, both companies leverage their own strengths to carry out elderly-friendly modifications. The two electronics giants actively incorporate their products and technologies into age-care settings, adapting them for aging populations and thereby unlocking new markets and enhancing the value of their offerings. For example, Panasonic takes into account the specific needs of seniors in all aspects, from overall spatial design to the smallest product details. Cabinet countertops are extended beyond the standard depth to make them more accessible for wheelchair users. Handrails are made of wood for a more comfortable touch, and their installation angles are carefully designed for each type of space. Walls and floors are made of non-slip, eco-friendly materials that can be quickly installed for localized renovations.

In addition, Panasonic has developed a range of elderly-friendly products, including smart toilets, foldable shower chairs, and electric adjustable beds. One example is the smart electric bed model PN-CG51M, which features back-lifting pressure-relief technology and a waterproof, non-slip surface. This design helps reduce pressure on internal organs and enhances comfort for bedridden users. Another product, the straight cane PN-GY04A(B/K) from Panasonic’s health and wellness line, features a non-slip base and soft rubber materials to improve walking safety. Sony, on the other hand, is working to adapt all of its products to be accessible and user-friendly for both the elderly and people with disabilities.

In 2023, Sony announced that by fiscal year 2025, it aims to make, in principle, all of its products and services accessible to these communities, improving overall ease of use. Additionally, Sony has incorporated specific considerations into its product quality standards, such as including text labels on the four color-coded buttons of remote controls to assist users who have difficulty distinguishing colors. By 2025, nearly all major product categories, including TVs, audio systems, cameras, and smartphones, are expected to comply with such accessibility standards. The number of supported product types is projected to reach several hundred, excluding small accessories.

Both Sony and Panasonic are leveraging their strengths in digital technology to provide smart elderly care services, enhancing safety and quality of life for seniors. Sony, for instance, has introduced intelligent health monitoring systems in its nursing homes, using smart mattresses or ceiling sensors to track heart rate, breathing, and activity in real time, generating health reports and issuing automatic alerts when abnormalities are detected. It also offers remote medical services, enabling video consultations and automatic measurement of blood pressure and blood glucose, with data sent directly to medical centers. Additionally, IoT-based safety measures, such as sensors embedded in shoes or bags to track dementia patients’ locations, and smart clothing like the Hamon line, which monitors vital signs and sends emergency alerts, further ensure comprehensive, tech-enabled care.

By comparison, Panasonic takes a slightly different approach. In its master bedrooms, Panasonic installs a deep-sleep and refreshed-wake system that uses smart monitoring to create an optimal sleep environment. Sensors analyze heart rate, breathing patterns, and sleep stages to provide personalized adjustments for better rest. In terms of safety, a 3D body posture sensor predicts fall risks, a smart electricity system ensures safe power usage, and location-tracking name tags monitor seniors’ movements. Finally, to enhance daily convenience, Panasonic offers a smart mirror with intercom and entertainment functions, as well as smart terminals that integrate medical, social, and other services to improve overall quality of life.

All in all, Japan’s leading electronics companies have responded to the country’s severe population aging by proactively entering the elderly care industry and developing their own distinctive models. This is reflected in three main aspects: first, targeting the high-end market to achieve differentiated positioning; second, leveraging their core strengths to carry out age-friendly adaptations; and third, harnessing digital technologies to deliver smart, tech-enabled care services.

Currently, China faces the same aging population challenges as Japan, arguably even more severe. On one hand, China’s aging population is characterized by its large scale, fast pace, and the reality of aging occurring before reaching economic prosperity. On the other hand, the country’s manufacturing sector is grappling with intense internal competition and external trade barriers amid an unfavorable macroeconomic environment. In this context, Chinese manufacturing companies should consider the realities of domestic aging and actively learn from the models developed by Japan’s electronics giants in the elderly care industry. By adapting and innovating based on these approaches, they can create elderly care models with distinct Chinese characteristics, unlock new market potential for their products, and drive new revenue growth for their businesses.

Final analysis conclusion:

As the country with the highest aging rate in the world, Japan’s leading electronics companies have proactively entered the elderly care industry, developing their own distinctive models. These models are mainly reflected in three areas: first, focusing on high-end services to achieve differentiated market positioning; second, leveraging company-specific strengths to carry out age-friendly adaptations; and third, accelerating digital empowerment to provide smart care solutions. Chinese manufacturing enterprises can adapt these approaches, taking into account the country’s specific demographic realities, and provide better services for the elderly population.

• Xia Ri is an Industry Researcher at ANBOUND, an independent think tank.

Anbound
Anbound Consulting (Anbound) is an independent Think Tank with the headquarter based in Beijing. Established in 1993, Anbound specializes in public policy research, and enjoys a professional reputation in the areas of strategic forecasting, policy solutions and risk analysis. Anbound's research findings are widely recognized and create a deep interest within public media, academics and experts who are also providing consulting service to the State Council of China.