Will Ross
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Articles by Will Ross
The Corgi-fication of insurance?
Insurance does not do fast. It is, by design, among the slowest industries left in modern capitalism. So when a seemingly wunderkind startup like Corgi raises money three times in eight weeks and rockets to a four-billion-dollar valuation, venture capitalists assume the industry will sit bolt upright and pay attention. And yet it doesn't; not because it's slow to evolve or doesn't notice. But rather because there's a feeling that they've already seen this movie.
Why Patagonia Chooses to Make Its Business Harder
Speaking as a longtime Patagonia fan, I love this conversation with Jon, and the transparency with which this business seeks to grow in an ethical, planet first way. The main part of this interview that sticks out to me as an opportunity for Patagonia to make meaningful change is about partway through, when Jon is pressed to reconcile the integration of AI into everyday business practices with the high toll that AI takes from this environment via energy and water consumption.
Sudan army torturing people to death, claims rights group
Khartoum was a burnt-out shell of its former self after the army recaptured it in March [Avaaz via Getty Images] A prominent Sudanese human rights group has accused the country's army and security forces of torturing people to death and operating "execution chambers". The Emergency Lawyers group said it had documented hundreds of arrests in the capital Khartoum. It said that in the "worst cases", some captives had later been found dead with evidence of torture.
More than a dozen children die because of food shortages in Sudan camp - medics
Wedaeli Chibelushi & Will Ross - BBC News Wed, July 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM UTC 2 min read Now in its third year, the civil war has crippled humanitarian networks, collapsed the economy and broken down social services [AFP via Getty Images] Thirteen children died last month as a result of the severe shortage of food at a displacement camp in war-torn Sudan's East Darfur state, medics have said.
More than a dozen children die because of food shortages in Sudan camp - medics
Thirteen children died last month as a result of the severe shortage of food at a displacement camp in war-torn Sudan's East Darfur state, medics have said. The Sudan Doctors Network, a professional organisation with members working inside Lagawa camp, reported "deteriorating humanitarian conditions" and widespread malnutrition - a hunger crisis caused by the 27-month civil war that has devastated the country.
At least 45 killed in central Nigeria raid
Will Ross - BBC News Sat, June 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM UTC 1 min read Cattle herding is a way of life for many in central Nigeria [AFP vis Getty Images] Officials say at least 45 people have been killed during an overnight attack in central Nigeria's Benue state. Eyewitnesses said the attack was carried out by armed cattle herders and police say they then engaged the attackers in a gun battle. Many houses were burnt during the raid on Yelewata town.
Disbelief as Nigeria urges prayer to end food shortages
Natasha Booty & Will Ross - BBC News Sat, June 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM UTC 2 min read Religion is important to many in Nigeria but some say the government has gone too far [Getty Images] A call for all staff in Nigeria's ministry of agriculture to pray to help the country achieve food security has caused controversy. An internal memo from the head of the ministry's HR department urges staff to attend a solemn prayer session and fast for the next three Mondays.
Congolese rebels want peaceful solution to crisis, UN says
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has held talks with Rwanda-backed rebels about protecting civilians in areas under their control in the east. Bintou Keita, the UN secretary general's special representative, said the rebels spoke of wanting a peaceful solution to the crisis, which escalated in January with their capture of the major city of Goma. She said she had brought "a spirit of listening and exchange" to the discussions in Goma on Friday.
Burundi's ruling party wins every seat in poll as rivals say democracy 'killed'
The ruling party in Burundi has won all 100 seats in a parliamentary election that the opposition says has "killed" democracy in the central African state. Giving the provisional results for last week's poll, electoral commission head Prosper Ntahorwamiye said the CNDD-FDD party secured more than 96% of votes in all provinces. The election had seen only "some minor irregularities", he added. The opposition Uprona party came second with a little over 1% of the vote.
Botswana's diamond giant slashes output as demand falls
Botswana's main diamond company has paused production at some of its mines, citing a prolonged downturn in global demand. Debswana, a joint venture between the government and global mining giant De Beers, saw its sales revenue drop by almost 50% last year. Botswana is the world's largest producer of diamonds by value. The industry accounts for a quarter of the country's total annual income (GDP), according to the International Monetary Fund.
DR Congo bans reporting on ex-President Kabila
The Congolese government has banned the media from reporting on the activities of former President Joseph Kabila and interviewing members of his party. This comes after Kabila returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo last month amid heightened tensions between himself and the government, led by his successor, President Félix Tshisekedi.
New post for Togo leader could see him rule for life
The Togolese leader, Faure Gnassingbé, has been sworn in as "President of the Council of Ministers" - a new post which is the highest office in the government's executive branch and has no official term limits. This follows constitutional reform that ended presidential elections, and introduced a parliamentary system. The opposition said the change was in order to allow President Gnassingbé to stay in power indefinitely.
Seven killed in attack on South Sudan hospital and market, charity says
At least seven people have been killed and 20 others injured after a hospital and market were bombed in South Sudan, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says. The charity said helicopter gunships dropped a bomb on the pharmacy of the hospital it runs in Old Fangak, Jonglei state, burning it down, before firing on the town for 30 minutes. A drone then bombed a local market, MSF said.
DR Congo and Rwanda vow to agree peace plan within days
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed an agreement to respect each other's sovereignty and come up with a draft peace deal by 2 May. The deal was signed by the two countries' foreign ministers in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also present at Friday's ceremony. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent months as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized swathes of mineral-rich territory in eastern DR Congo.
Zimbabwe police arrest dozens in wake of protests
Police in Zimbabwe say they have arrested 95 demonstrators on charges of promoting "public violence" and for "breaches of peace", after they took part in Monday's protests demanding that President Emmerson Mnangagwa resign. Officers say they identified the individuals through social media posts and a WhatsApp group, as well as at the scene in the capital, Harare.
President's church donation sparks Kenyan clashes
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President's church donation sparks Kenyan clashes
Police in Kenya have fired tear gas to disperse protesters who tried to occupy a church that was recently given a substantial donation by President William Ruto. The gift to the Jesus Winner Ministry in the Roysambu suburb of Nairobi of 20m shillings ($155,000; £120,000) drew criticism from some young Kenyans struggling with the high cost of living. Ruto has defended his donation and has offered a similar gift to another church in Eldoret.
DR Congo offers $5m bounties for rebel leaders
The Democratic Republic of Congo government has offered a reward of $5m (£4m) for help arresting three leaders of a rebel group which has seized much of the east of the country this year. Corneille Nangaa, a former head of DR Congo's electoral commission, now leads the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group. He has addressed large rallies in the cities under the group's control. The bounty is also on offer for M23 leaders Sultani Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa.
Vital leprosy drugs due in Nigeria after year delay
People affected by leprosy in Nigeria should be able to get hold of vital drugs to treat the disease for the first time in a year from this weekend, the World Health Organization has said. The country, which reports more than 2,000 new cases a year ran out of supplies partly because drugs were held up after new regulations were introduced. The WHO said it had asked Nigeria to briefly lift its new testing policy and it expects the drugs to arrive from India on Sunday.
DR Congo M23 rebels enter city of Bukavu
M23 rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo have entered Bukavu, the eastern region's second-largest city. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance which includes M23 rebels, told Reuters news agency the rebels had entered the South Kivu provincial capital on Friday evening and would continue their advance on Saturday. The Rwandan-backed militants' progress comes despite international calls for a ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks.
DR Congo rebels capture airport as they advance in east
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M23 rebels capture airport as they advance towards Bukavu Original
DR Congo rebels capture airport as they advance in east Reuters The M23 has made rapid advances through eastern DR Congo in recent weeks M23 rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured the airport serving the key city of Bukavu as they continue their advance. The militants' progress comes despite international calls for a ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in recent weeks as a result of the rebel advance.
Rebels declare ceasefire in DR Congo for 'humanitarian reasons'
The alliance of rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have declared a humanitarian ceasefire starting on Tuesday. In a statement, the group - which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels - cited "humanitarian reasons" for the ceasefire, after it has been capturing territory in eastern parts of the country. The UN said at least 900 people have been killed and 2,880 injured in recent fighting in and around Goma, DR Congo's largest eastern city, after it was seized by rebels.
Niger junta takes control of French uranium mine
French nuclear firm Orano says the military authorities in Niger have taken control of its uranium mining operations in the West African country. After seizing power in a coup in July last year, Niger's military rulers said they would revamp rules regulating the mining of raw materials by foreign companies. In June, they withdrew Orano's permit to exploit one of the world's largest uranium deposits. Orano then suspended production.
Sudan in danger of becoming a failed state, aid chief warns
War-stricken Sudan is in danger of becoming another failed state because civil society is disintegrating amid a proliferation of armed groups, the head of a leading international aid agency has told the BBC. As well as the two main warring parties in Sudan - the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces - there are many smaller "ethnic armies" looting and going "berserk" on civilians, Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said.
Sudan in danger of becoming a failed state, aid chief warns
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Furious row at UN as Russia blocks Sudan ceasefire move
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Furious row at UN as Russia blocks Sudan ceasefire move
In a move strongly condemned by the UK and US, Russia has vetoed a draft UK-backed UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Sudan. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the veto a "disgrace". But Russia accused the UK of meddling in Sudanese affairs without involving Sudan itself. Sudan's 19-month civil war is believed to have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. More than 11 million have been forced from their homes.
Who wins when Nigeria's richest man takes on the 'oil mafia'?
Nigeria is often hit by fuel shortages, causing long queues at filling stations [Getty Images] The NNPC swaps Nigeria’s crude oil for the refined products, including petrol, which are shipped back home. Exactly how much money changes hands and who benefits from these "oil swaps" is just one of the unknowns in these deals. "No-one has been able to nail down who exactly has benefited. It’s almost like a beer parlour gossip about who is getting what," says Toyin Akinosho of the Africa Oil+Gas Report.
Putin offers African countries Russia’s ‘total support’
Will Ross - Africa regional editor, BBC News November 10, 2024 at 9:29 AM·3 min read Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered what he called "total support" for Africa, including in the struggle against terrorism and extremism. The speech was read out at a summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to his African counterparts.
Boat with 30 decomposing bodies found off Senegal coast
September 24, 2024 at 2:44 AM Migrants use wooden boats like this to try and reach the Canary Islands across the Atlantic Ocean [AFP] At least 30 decomposing bodies have been found on a boat off the coast of Senegal, military authorities say. The navy was informed of a vessel that was adrift about 70km (45 miles) from the capital Dakar, according to a military statement on X. They brought the wooden canoe, or pirogue, into port on Monday morning.
Egyptian ship delivers weapons to Somalia
An Egyptian ship has delivered a significant consignment of military equipment to Somalia, security officials in the capital, Mogadishu, are quoted as saying. Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur thanked Egypt in a social media post without specifically mentioning the weapons. This is the second such delivery from Egypt in a month as relations deteriorate between Somalia and its neighbour and one-time close ally Ethiopia.
Kenya to send 600 more police officers to Haiti
September 22, 2024 at 8:19 AM President William Ruto also promised the Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti that he would try to get them better equipment [@WilliamsRuto] Kenya has pledged to send 600 more police officers to Haiti in the coming weeks to help fight gangs controlling much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and nearby areas. This would bring the Kenyan contingent, deployed incrementally since June to help the Caribbean nation’s beleaguered police force, up to 1,000.
Floods force Niger to delay new school year
Danai Nesta Kupemba & Will Ross - BBC News September 20, 2024 at 12:37 PM·2 min read Schools in Niger will start the new academic year almost a month late because of heavy rainfall and flooding, says the military government. “Several schools have been affected, and others are being occupied by those impacted,” a government spokesperson said on the state-run broadcaster. Authorities have pushed the start date from 2 to 28 October.
Prisoners flee after Nigeria floods damage jail
Azeezat Olaoluwa & Will Ross - BBC News, Maiduguri & London September 16, 2024 at 5:27 AM·1 min read The Nigerian authorities say more than 270 inmates are now known to be missing after escaping from custody when severe flooding damaged a prison in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri. So far, seven are back in detention. The flooding was caused by the collapse of a dam following heavy rainfall.
Man who attacked Comoros president dies in cell
The man who was arrested for attacking the Comoros president with a knife on Friday has been found dead in prison, the authorities there say. The attack took place during a funeral for a well-known religious leader and injured President Azali Assoumani's hand. National prosecutor Ali Mohamed Djounaid said that after being arrested the attacker had been isolated in a cell to calm him down. He said a lifeless body was found lying on the floor of the cell on Saturday morning.
Emergency meeting in South Sudan after elections postponed
Will Ross - BBC Africa regional editor September 14, 2024 at 8:02 AM·1 min read The government of South Sudan is holding an emergency cabinet meeting hours after it announced that long-delayed national elections would be postponed by two years. The polls were due to take place this December. A 2018 peace deal that ended a civil war allowed president Salva Kiir to remain in charge of a transitional government with his former foe Riek Machar serving as his deputy.
Comoros president injured in knife attack
Will Ross - BBC News September 13, 2024 at 12:42 PM·1 min read The authorities in Comoros say President Azali Assoumani has been wounded in a knife attack. A government spokeswoman said he was stabbed during an attack near the archipelago's capital, Moroni, and was only slightly injured. She said the attacker had been arrested. President Azali first came to power in a military coup in 1999. After a decade out of office, he won a disputed election in 2016 and was re-elected last January.
News Sniffer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-62284377 Version 10 of 11. Mr Lavrov spoke with the head of the Arab League Mr Lavrov spoke with the head of the Arab League Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, on a diplomatic offensive in Egypt, has dismissed claims that Moscow caused the global food crisis. In a speech to Arab League ambassadors in Cairo, he said Western nations were distorting the truth about the impact of sanctions on global food security.
LRA rebel commander found guilty of war crimes in Uganda
August 13, 2024 at 11:03 AM Thomas Kwoyelo was arrested in 2009 in the Democratic Republic of Congo [Getty Images] A child soldier-turned-rebel commander in the notorious Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a landmark case in Uganda. Thomas Kwoyelo was found guilty on 44 counts including murder, kidnap and pillaging. He denied all 78 charges that were brought against him.
Somali police seize hundreds of veils amid security fears
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Somali police seize hundreds of veils amid security fears
Wedaeli Chibelushi & Will Ross - BBC News August 5, 2024 at 10:03 AM·2 min read Security forces in Somalia's southern city of Kismayo have seized hundreds of Islamic face veils from female residents, the city's police chief says. Warsame Ahmed Gelle told state TV that authorities have been conducting operations to "fight" the veils, also known as niqabs. The crackdown was sparked by concerns that jihadists could conceal their identity and carry out attacks, Mr Warsame said.
Letter: President ought to protect the Constitution
As a U.S Army veteran, I took an oath to protect the Constitution. I cannot vote for anyone who falsely claims that a valid election was rigged. This is a direct threat to the existence of the country I served by undermining our democracy. All other issues fade into insignificance. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to tulsaworld.com/opinion/submitletter.
The 1992 battle over including "Bisexual" and "Transgender" in Seattle Pride's name
The year 1991 had been a turbulent one for Seattle's Lesbian and Gay community. AIDS deaths were soaring, anti-Gay violence on Capitol Hill had reached epidemic levels, and Lesbian and Gay military personnel were being dishonorably discharged. The new year was looking even less promising, what with the Capitol Hill police riot in January and the emergence of Oregon Citizens Alliance with its promise of anti-Gay citizens' initiatives in the months and years to come.
Last civilian hospital in besieged Sudan city closed
June 10, 2024 at 6:51 AM It is not clear how many people died in the attack [Mohieldin Mokhtar] Doctors at one of the last functioning hospitals in the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher say they've been forced to close down the facility after it was attacked. The hospital has been supported by the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) which had described it as the only one left in el-Fasher where injured civilians could receive treatment.
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