Kehlani is putting her money where her mouth is after supporting Palestine in her music video for “Next 2 U.” The performer raised over $555,000 in aid for Gaza, Sudan, and Congo with merch from the new single. “This song is about protection, something that institutions have failed to do for the people of Palestine, Congo, and Sudan,” she wrote on Instagram. “No one got us the way we got each other. Me & my team feel overwhelmed with gratitude for yall showing out for this fundraiser.” Kehlani sold T-shirts that were made in Bethlehem and screen-printed in Ramallah, both on the West Bank. Along with benefitting Palestinian families amid the Israel-Hamas war, the proceeds also go to families in Sudan, which is experiencing a civil war, and Congo, which is facing attacks by armed rebel groups. “We’re blessed to play a small part in a growing tide towards the truth about Palestine,” Kehlani continued. “We’re invincible together and I feel so inspired by y’all.”
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) both face significant challenges to press freedom, albeit in different contexts and degrees of severity. According to MBFC’s recent reviews, the DRC, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, ranks 123rd out of 180 in the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), reflecting a highly restrictive media environment. Journalists in the DRC endure threats, violence, and imprisonment, particularly when covering sensitive political issues and human rights violations. Despite constitutional guarantees, the media operates under constant fear of criminal defamation suits, harassment, and the severe penalties for spreading “false news” enacted under Tshisekedi’s administration.
In contrast, the Republic of the Congo, under the long-standing rule of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, fares slightly better in terms of press freedom, ranking 69th on the RSF index. However, the media landscape here is still heavily influenced by the government, with numerous media outlets closely tied to government allies, leading to significant self-censorship. Although the country boasts a diverse array of private TV channels, newspapers, and radio stations, government-owned entities like Radiodiffusion Nationale Congolaise (RNC) dominate, ensuring that official narratives prevail. President Sassou Nguesso’s authoritarian grip, marked by repression of opposition and widespread corruption, further hampers true media independence.
Both countries’ media environments are shaped by their political and economic landscapes. The DRC, rich in natural resources but plagued by poverty and conflict, sees its media often pressured by both government forces and rebel groups like M23. Congo-Brazzaville, while economically dependent on oil, faces similar issues of poverty and political instability. The government’s tight control over media outlets and the pervasive influence of corruption, exemplified by ongoing investigations into President Sassou Nguesso’s financial dealings, reflect a media landscape struggling under authoritarianism. Ultimately, while Congo-Brazzaville’s press freedom appears comparatively better, both nations exhibit significant challenges in fostering a free and independent press.
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HE used to claim he was the “Hardest Geezer” in the Sussex seaside town of Worthing.
Now Russ Cook has proved he is the hardest geezer in the world — by becoming the first man in history to run the entire length of Africa.
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Russ Cook has become the first man in history to run the entire length of Africa – and vowed not to cut his hair or beard until he was finishedCredit: Reuters
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The ‘hardest geezer’ of Worthing made it from South Africa to Tunisia after 352 dysCredit: Instagram / hardestgeezer
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Russ set off from Cape Africa’s southernmost point, Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet
His 9,891-mile trek from Cape Town to Tunisia, where he crossed the finish line today, spanned 352 days and was the equivalent of 377 marathons.
Russ, 27, battled injuries, food poisoning, extreme heat and cold, a kidnapping and robbery.
It took 19million steps and 20 pairs of trainers to complete the epic feat through 16 countries.
He set off from Cape Africa’s southernmost point, Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet, on April 22, 2023, vowing not to cut his hair or beard until he crossed the finish line in Bizerte in Tunisia.
The huge red beard and ponytail he grew during the trek earned him the nickname “Africa’s Forrest Gump”, in a nod to the Tom Hanks blockbuster.
A former big boozer and gambler, Russ turned his life around at 19 after a pal challenged him to run the Brighton half marathon.
He says: “I was in a bad place and my mate knew it. I was unfit and drinking and blowing money in the bookies, so I agreed to run it.
“After that, I did the Brighton marathon. Through training, I learnt the values of running and discipline and self-belief, which empowered me, and I applied it to other things in life.”
Realising he would never win marathons, the ex-cleaner decided to set himself endurance challenges. In 2019, he ran 71 marathons through 11 countries between Asia and London, with little more than a backpack and a hammock. It took him just 66 days.
‘It’s been the toughest days of my life’
In 2020, he broke the world record for the fastest marathon while pulling a car.
He ran 26 miles along Worthing seafront with a 730kg Suzuki Alto attached to a rope around his waist in 9hr and 56min, knocking 9hr 40min off the record of 19hrs.
Kelvin Kiptum wins London Marathon with second fastest ever time
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Russ has been compared to beloved Tom Hanks character Forrest GumpCredit: Alamy
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An exhausted Russ rehydrates with power drinksCredit: Instagram / hardestgeezer
Then, in 2021, Russ was buried alive for a week in a box with just 20 litres of water and a ventilation tube.
He also became the first to complete a marathon on crutches and crossed the finish line of another 26-mile race drunk because he stopped every mile to sink a beer.
Russ came up with the idea of running across Africa during Covid, in a bid to raise £1million for charities supporting refugees and rough sleepers.
Incredibly, he had raised over £700,000 earlier tonight.
He says: “People reckon I’m nuts but, if I want to do something, I will do it regardless of how outlandish it seems.
I have passed blood for six days and suffered awful food poisoning, a bad back that only painkillers could cure, had visa nightmares, dehydration and suffered exhaustion
Russ Cook
“Quitting never even came into it. Not even thought of it.
“I decided to run Africa for my personal achievement and have some mad stories to tell — and I bloody well did it.
“I did it first and that makes me so proud. This was all about how far I could push my limits. It is more than just running across a whole continent.
“When I started running, I didn’t like long distances, but I taught my body to get to the point where it could quite comfortably run all day long without much difficulty.
“Then came Africa. The blazing heat in the day and the freezing cold at night.
“Running on sand, through jungles, through sandstorms and snow storms and torrential downpours.
“I have passed blood for six days and suffered awful food poisoning, a bad back that only painkillers could cure, had visa nightmares, dehydration and suffered exhaustion.”
In November, Russ was forced to visit medics in Nigeria for scans as his back pain became “excruciating”.
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Russ being scanned after his back pain became ‘excruciating’Credit: Instagram / hardestgeezer
He says: “It got very bloody hard at times, but I would tell myself to stop moaning like a little weasel and get on the road and get that zombie stomp going.”
Recalling the simple things that inspired him to keep going, Russ adds: “These 352 days have been the toughest of my life, but also such an immense honour.
“I have met incredible people every single day in every single country who welcomed us.
“Seeing all the kids running out to jog with us has been wonderful.
“But, in some remote areas, being white with a big red beard and red hair, I did terrify a few kids!”
As his epic trek neared an end, Russ focused on his home comforts. He says: “My body was starting to break down. Everything hurt. My legs felt like they were about to fall off. Just a few more days, I said.
“Now it’s time to party and the daiquiris will be flowing. It will be good to get into a real crisp bed and have a long hot soak in a bath.”
During his African epic, Russ would sleep in a support vehicle driven by his pals Harry Gallimore and Stan Gaskell.
It also carried their video gear, to record the world record attempt, and was their link to his social media channels on YouTube, X and Instagram.
Russ ran an average of 30 miles a day, including 90 days through the Sahara Desert.
As it was 50C in the day, he ran at night, though it was sometimes still 25C.
My body was starting to break down. Everything hurt. My legs felt like they were about to fall off
Russ Cook
He endured snow storms in Algeria and monsoons in rainforests.
In the Congo, tribal natives wielding machetes kidnapped him on day 102 last August.
Russ — who feared they could be cannibals — had been separated from his support vehicle due to the terrain.
He stumbled into a rural settlement as he headed for their rendezvous point.
He recalls: “There was a chief there who told me I must give him money. I told him I had none.
“Pretty soon I found myself surrounded by lots of blokes with machetes, who escorted me into the bush.
“I didn’t know what they were going to do, so I emptied my bag to show I had nothing but a biscuit, and gave it to them.
“Then I ran for it, bushwhacking through jungle paths. I kept off any tracks until I was far away.
“Then, suddenly, two men pulled up on a motorbike and took me on a seven-hour ride into the jungle and I was thinking, ‘Is this it?’.
“I thought, ‘Here is the self-proclaimed Hardest Geezer being held in a Congo gulag before being ripped apart limb by limb by these people and eaten’.”
Russ was able to negotiate with his kidnappers during a two day ordeal, and his team paid a ransom.
It came weeks after Russ — who also suffered a week of food poisoning and bouts of diarrhoea — was help up by armed maniacs in Angola on day 64 last June.
I thought, ‘Here is the self-proclaimed Hardest Geezer being held in a Congo gulag before being ripped apart limb by limb by these people and eaten’
Russ Cook
He had jumped into the support van for lunch at the roadside unaware they were being watched by gunmen planning to rob them.
He posted on X: “Nothing like a gun being pointed in your face to let you know you are alive.
“It was like any other day when a couple of lads pop open the side door and demanded everything we have.
“None of us got killed or injured. We did lose a lot of our gear. Losing our passports was the big blow as it had our visas to move onwards with.
“It was a nightmare trying to get it sorted in Angola so we had to halt the challenge for two weeks and drive back to Namibia to get new passports and visas.
“That was 1,281 miles back to Windhoek to sort the paperwork and 1,281 miles back to the start.”
Russ admits the terrifying experiences were a real eye-opener.
He says: “One of the reasons I wanted to run the length of Africa is because no one has ever done it before.
“After the robbery and kidnapping, I was starting to find out why.
“But 99 per cent of the time people were so good to us, giving us food and help and donating by going to ATMs and giving us cash.”
From South Africa, Russ ran along the west coast up through Namibia, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, and Algeria, before finishing in Tunisia just under a year later.
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Supporters joined Russ for the final leg of the challengeCredit: AFP – Getty
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Other fans waited for him while wearing red beardsCredit: Reuters
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Russ pictured at the finish lineCredit: Reuters
But a problem securing a visa to cross the border into Algeria almost scuppered his challenge on day 278.
After a four day stalemate and pleas on social media, the UK’s Algerian embassy offered courtesy visas.
For his final 29.3-mile stretch — in which he completed in 4hr 47min — Russ had invited social media followers to run with him or wait at the finishing line. Some turned up wearing fake red beards.
And he revealed he couldn’t wait to be reunited with his girlfriend.
He says: “I warned the girls and boys to get the daiquiris set up.
“Nothing was going to stop me, even if I had to crawl my way over broken glass to get to the very end.
“Not too bad for a former fat lad with booze and gambling issues.”
Paying tribute to his partner on X, he added: “My girl is an absolute diamond. Put her through the emotional wringer daily. Deserves the world and everything in it.
“Can’t wait to share a strawberry daiquiri with her on a Tunisian beach and tell her how beautiful she is.
“Would be in a mental asylum in Congo without her.”
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Russ takes a dip after finishing the trekCredit: sky News
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Russ’ journey in full
RUSS’S Project Africa challenge will bring a massive funding boost to two amazing causes – and it is easy for you to pledge your support.
One beneficiary, The Running Charity, works to transform the lives of young people affected by homelessness and multiple or complex needs.
The other, Sandblast, helps Sahrawi refugees. To donate, visit: givestar.io/gs/projectafrica
Virunga National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is Africa’s oldest protected space and a testament to the biodiversity and natural beauty of the continent. But the park has faced increasing pressure from local militia groups that have waged violent attacks on its animals and employees, all while various problems, including COVID-19, led to an extended closure of the park to tourists, which it claims represents approximately 40% of its revenue.
A report in the MIT Technology Review describes how park director Emmanuel de Merode has turned to bitcoin mining to monetize the park’s abundant natural resources that are otherwise stranded in order to preserve the park’s existence.
De Merode met with Sébastien Gouspillou, owner of Big Block Green Services, which advised El Salvador on its “Bitcoin City.” Gouspillou described how “[They] used to do mining by buying electricity — it wasn’t efficient. The money maybe goes to oligarchs in Kazakhstan. In Virunga, we see it’s saving the park.”
Gouspillou aided de Merode in setting up the first portions of the operation in 2020, which began mining in September of that year. The site then hired nine full-time workers to staff the facility, who work in rotating shifts within the jungle to operate the miners. It is powered by three hydro plants within the park, a sustainable source of electricity that was already being used to power nearby towns.
“Today there are 10 containers powered directly by the plant’s four-meter turbines. Each container holds 250 to 500 rigs,” describes the report. Virunga owns three of these 10 containers, while Gouspillou owns the remaining seven. Their arrangement allows him to purchase energy from Virunga, while keeping the bitcoin mined.
Michael Saylor commented on the project, saying that Bitcoin is “the ideal high-tech industry to put in a nation that has plenty of clean energy but isn’t able to export a product or produce a service with that energy.”
De Merode described how, despite recent market downturns, he still retains confidence that the project will be successful, saying, “We’re not speculating on its value; we’re generating it. If you buy Bitcoin and it decreases, you lose money. We’re making Bitcoin out of surplus energy and monetizing something that otherwise has no value. That’s a big difference.”
He also addressed custody of the bitcoin in response to a question about what would happen if he was attacked, an ever-present threat in the jungle. “If I crashed? The digital wallet is managed by our finance team … It’s unlikely we sit on Bitcoin for more than a few weeks anyway, because we need the money to run the park. So if something happened to me or our CFO lost the password, we’d give him a hard time — but it wouldn’t cost us much.”
