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Congo creates a paramilitary mining guard backed by US and UAE funding

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) —Congoon Monday announced the creation of a paramilitary guard to secure its vast mining operations, backed by U.S. and Emirati investments, as Washington tries to lock in access to critical minerals amid afragile peace processin the troubled east.

The central African country's General Inspectorate of Mines said in a statement the new unit would be deployed gradually, with an initial 2,500 to 3,000 personnel expected to be operational by December following six months of training in military collaboration.

The paramilitary force is projected to have more than 20,000 personnel across all of Congo's 22 mining provinces by the end of 2028, with the aim of boosting investor confidence and strengthening state oversight of mineral production.

The $100 million program is funded through partnerships with the United States and United Arab Emirates, the statement said.

Congo is amajor supplier of coltan, a metallic ore that contains the rare metal tantalum, a key component in the production of smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

The vast country has long struggled with illicit mineral trafficking and chronic insecurity, particularly in its eastern provinces, where fighting between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels has killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Congo's president aims to "clean up the entire mining sector, by eliminating practices that run counter to good governance, transparency and the traceability of minerals,” the inspector general of mines, Rafael Kabengele, said in the statement.

The paramilitary guard will take over security duties currently performed by conventional military forces. Its mandate includes securing mine sites, escorting mineral shipments to processing facilities and border crossings and protecting foreign investments.

Washington is trying to reduce China’s dominance over critical mineral supply chains. Congo and the U.S. signed a minerals partnership last year under which American firm Virtus Minerals has taken over copper-cobalt miner Chemaf. Other Western companies have expressed interest, including some assets located in rebel-held territory.

Congo produced about 40% of the world’s coltan in 2023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 15% of the world’s supply of tantalum comes from the rebel-controlled Rubaya mines in the east.

Eastern Congohas been in and out of crisis for decades, with dozens of armed groups active.

Last year, the Congolese and Rwandan governmentssigned a peace dealbrokered by the U.S., which also opened up access to critical minerals for the U.S. government and American companies.

Negotiations continue between M23 rebels and Congo. However, fighting continues on several fronts in the east.

Mwanamilongo reported from Bonn, Germany.

byAlex Forten

in

April 28, 2026

Congo creates a paramilitary mining guard backed by US and UAE funding

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) —Congoon Monday announced the creation of a paramilitary guard to secure its vast mining operations, backed by U.S...

Cyndi Lauper Curses Out Heckler During Opening Night of Las Vegas Residency

Cyndi Lauper cursed out a heckler during the opening night of her Las Vegas residency on April 24

Cyndi Lauper performs in Las Vegas on April 24, 2026Credit: Denise Truscello

NEED TO KNOW

“If you’re trying to shade me, bitch, I’m going to come for you," the singer said
Lauper is performing as part of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Cyndi Lauperhas no time for troublemakers.

The singer, 72, kicked off her Las Vegas residency, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, April 24.

At one point, a heckler called Lauper out while she was onstage, telling her to sing and not talk. In response, the star responded, "I don’t know what the f--- he’s saying. Please remember where you are, okay?"

“If you’re trying to shade me, bitch, I’m going to come for you. I’m from Brooklyn, and if I want to f---ing talk, I will do a tap dance if I f---ing want," she continued.

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Lauper's residency in Sin City is based on her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun farewell tour that ended in August 2025 after nearly 70 shows across four continents.

The short-run set of Vegas shows feature 16 songs, multiple wigs, an onstage costume change in full view and a “community of light,” otherwise known as the audience.

The show was a story of Lauper's catalog, and colorful production on the oversized screen behind the stage used modern-day technology to enhance songs, some more than 40 years old.

For over two hours, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and her all-female band performed songs spanning Lauper's career, but mostly hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including “Change of Heart,” "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough” and “I Drove All Night" — a song also famously covered by former Vegas headlinerCéline Dion, who performed on the Caesars stage for the better part of 16 years."There weren't any songs on the radio about women driving, and driving is like a power thing because you don't have to be beholden to anyone,” Lauper said. “You could get in your car and drive, and so I did it as a power song.”

In the lead-up to the residency, Lauper often referred to Vegas as “Cyn City." And while she came out on stage donning an over-the-top black headpiece, à la a showgirl, she largely stayed away from Vegas clichés.

Still, Lauper was her eccentric self, speaking gleefully about art and asserting that it was the reason for her Vegas run.

“I heard there was an art community here, and I wanted to come and do art and music,” she said. "And tonight we're trying to do ... It's like an artist collaborative, okay?”

Lauper did spend a significant amount of time addressing the audience in between songs, speaking about her ties to professional wrestling, her family (even admitting she has a “cousin Vinny”) and joking about her lack of “people skills.”Not one to shy away from her politics, Lauper steered clear of the topic for the most part during the show. However, she and her band raised their fists during “True Colors” in front of the Progress Pride Flag.

Later, she spoke of herGirls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund, which supports the health of women and the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think it's so important that people tell their stories, because we may not agree on politics, this or that. You have to understand the person you're talking to. You have to remember your humanity, right?” she said.

Tickets to see Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun residency can be purchasedhere.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Forten

in

April 28, 2026

Cyndi Lauper Curses Out Heckler During Opening Night of Las Vegas Residency

Cyndi Lauper cursed out a heckler during the opening night of her Las Vegas residency on April 24 NEED TO KNOW “If...

Angel Reese’s shot, confidence and versatility already trending up in Atlanta

CHAMBLEE, GA ― Shot by shot,Angel Reeseis finding her comfort with theAtlanta Dream.

Reese has spent the first 10 days afterher introductory press conferenceon April 17 focusing on basketball. She's praised her teammates and the "electric" environment they've provided, making her acclimation to the team "seamless." Reese also shouted out second-year head coach Karl Smesko for his coaching and guidance, helping to improve her shot.

"We’ve been working a lot. Forty-five (degrees), straight — he’s very big on analytics — so he’s helped me a lot. I can see the improvement already from yesterday to today,"Reese said on April 20. "But it’s been great. It’s been seamless. Amazing. Picking up things on the fly … but it’s been a great adjustment.”

Reese said earlier this month that she wanted to be coached hard. Smesko appears to be delivering.

On Monday, the former Florida Gulf Coast women's basketball coach spoke to his team in a calm but firm voice that noticeably cut through the silence in the gym with booming authority. Smesko, with a whistle in hand and arms extended outward, demanded extra attention to detail and focus from every player on the court.

He pointed out mistakes ― the incorrect set, a pending shot clock violation or defensive effort he wasn't pleased with ― by making his team run things again or asking them to take the reins on pointing out where they went wrong.

Smesko also heaped praise on his group when they did something well, and the team responded, including Reese, who kept up her intensity and communication throughout the portion of the practice open to the media. After practice, Reese smiled gleefully when asked about her first training camp under Smesko.

LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese drives around South Carolina's Laeticia Amihere in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023.