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In Mali, USAID funding cuts hit a local language learning program that empowered thousands

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MOUNTOUGOULA, Mali (AP) — For Aminata Doumbia, an 18-year-old Malian, the “Shifin ni Tagne” project was a path for her life dreams. A phrase meaning “our future” in the country’s main local language, it refers to a yearslong program aimed at teaching around 20,000 young Malians to read and write in their local languages.

Backed by $25 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, over five years, the project has now shut down following the Trump administration’s decision to cut 90% of the agency’s foreign aid.

“The joy I felt when I was selected for this project has been replaced by sadness,” said Doumbia in Mali’s capital, Bamako.

She had hoped to take advantage of the empowerment program to train as a pastry chef.

”I don’t have any hope of realizing my dream (again),” Doumbia said.

Poverty and illiteracy

Doumbia is among thousands of people who now find themselves stranded in Mali, a country ravaged by high poverty and insecurity levels and where 70% of the population of at least 22 million people haven’t had the opportunity to learn to read and write, according to Sylla Fatoumata Cissé, director of a government agency focusing on nonformal education and national languages in Mali.

The USAID funding cut also came at a time when Mali’s other development partners in Europe have withdrawn their support in the aftermath of the 2021 coup, which brought the current junta leader, Assimi Goita, to power.

A path to empowerment

For many, the literacy project was the only path to literacy and empowerment.

Once literate, program beneficiaries move on to the next stage, which involves the acquisition of vocational skills like hairdressing, carpentry, sewing, welding, and pastry-making, according to Modibo Sissoko, literacy supervisor at the Malian Association for Survival in the Sahel nonprofit involved in the “Shifin ni Tagne” project.

These skills enable the economically disadvantaged to create jobs for themselves, earn a living or support their families, Sissoko said.

Local languages vs. French

“With the teaching of mother tongues, it’s possible to move quickly towards mass literacy among the population,” said Issiaka Ballo, a professor and researcher in native languages at Mali’s University of Bamako.

On the other hand, “only 30% of the population has been educated in French,” the common language in the country, he added.

USAID’s involvement in Mali had made it the primary development partner of the government. The abrupt end of its assistance hit not only the literacy programs, but also others designed to increase adult education and expand the literacy project to public schools.

The Gaoussou Dabo School in the Malian capital, Bamako, is among 1,000 schools that benefited from mother-tongue education thanks to funding from USAID.

Teachers trained for the program last year continue to teach, but the monitoring and evaluation aspect of the program has been withdrawn.

The funding cut was “a big shock for us,” said Amadi Ba, a counsellor at the Pedagogical Animation Center, which is in charge of the school in Bamako.

In a country where local language-education relies solely on funding from Mali’s development partners with little to no help from the government, concerns exceed its immediate impact on the education of children.

In 2023, Mali’s military government decided to make the country’s native tongues the official languages in place of French, which then became the “working language.” Official documents, including the constitution, the mining code and other texts, were then translated into the national languages.

The USAID cut will “certainly have a negative impact on the development of mother-tongue education, especially since it came in the middle of the school year,” Cissé said.

“We haven’t even had time to think about a mechanism to cushion the blow,” she added.

Training improves a farming business

While it lasted, the program was beneficial to many in various ways.

Oumou Traoré, a mother of two who grows onions and eggplants for a living, recalled how the training improved her farming business, particularly in pricing her goods in Bamako’s Mountougoula district.

“Since I learned to calculate the weight of my onions and keep my accounts in my mother tongue, I’ve started selling my onions myself,” said Traore, 29. “I now earn $95 instead of the $60 I used to get. This has encouraged me to grow other vegetables.”

A turn toward Russia

The 2021 coup resulted in the country turning to Russia as a key ally after severing ties with the West, including the U.S., which at some point was Mali’s leading foreign aid donor.

While some experts have said the withdrawal of U.S. aid may open the door for rivals such as Russia, whose mercenaries have been accused of human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings in the country, some say USAID has left a hole too large to be filled by others.

“It will be difficult to find takers for the projects left behind by USAID,” said Fatimata Touré, a development specialist and director of the Research, Study and Training Group civic group in Mali.

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For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

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The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.



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Streaming in June 2025: Addison Rae, Ariana Madix and Nintendo’s Switch 2

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NEW YORK (AP) — A Shaquille O’Neal docuseries about his time at Reebok’s basketball division and Mario Kart World on Nintendo’s Switch 2 are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Ariana Madix returns to Fiji as host of a new season of “Love Island USA.,” TikTok star Addison Rae offers her debut album “Addison” and then there’s “Presence,” Steven Soderbergh’s movie entirely from the perspective a ghost.

New movies to stream from June 2-8

— “Presence,” one of two excellent Steven Sodebergh-directed, David Koepp-scripted movies released this year, arrives Tuesday on Hulu. The film, a nifty, experimental little thriller, is filmed entirely from the perspective a ghost inside a home a family has just moved into. From a floating point-of-view, we watch as the mysterious presence, piecing together a past trauma while observing the unfolding a new one. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called “Presence” “a heady experiment that transcends the somewhat gimmicky-on-paper premise — something Soderbergh manages to do alarmingly well and regularly.”

Tyler Perry ’s latest, “Straw,” stars Taraji P. Henson as a struggling single mother who, desperate for money to pay for her daughter’s prescriptions, robs a bank. The film, co-starring Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor and Sinbad, debuts Friday, June 6 on Netflix.

— For anyone still mourning the death of Gene Hackman, a new series streaming from Thursday on the Criterion Channel collects some of the late actor ’s best films. That includes William Friedkin’s seminal 1971 New York thriller “The French Connection,” Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 masterpiece “The Conversation” and Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums,” a movie in which Hackman’s strained relationship with the director has been a subject of conversation following his death. But also don’t miss Arthur Penn’s 1975 “Night Moves,” a quintessential ’70s neo-noir that gave Hackman one of his most indelible roles in the private eye Harry Moseby.

Film Writer Jake Coyle

New music to stream from June 2-8

— Has there been a more seamless transition from TikTok social media star to full-fledged pop music force than that of Addison Rae? On Friday, June 6, she will release her debut LP “Addison,” one of the year’s most anticipated releases – from the Lana Del Rey-channeling “Diet Pepsi” to the trip-hop “Headphones On.” She’s managed to tap into a kind of late-internet cool through a hybrid approach to pop music and a lackadaisical singing style. Could it be “Addison” summer? Only time will tell.

— Need your Cynthia Erivo fix between “Wicked” films? She’s got your back. The multihyphenate will release her sophomore LP, “I Forgive You” on Friday, June 6, a collection of big belts and even bigger vulnerabilities, with gorgeous songs that sound as though they were ripped straight from Erivo’s diary. Listen closely and carefully for maximum enjoyment.

— Anyone who thinks the mainstream music listening world has lost interest in rock bands needs to simply look at Turnstile, the Baltimore hard-core punk band that could. They’ve largely left those harsh sounds behind and have opted for something more melodic and accessible — which is, arguably, part of the appeal for those curious parties — but they’ve maintained their hard-core ethos and edge. “Never Enough” is gearing up to be the biggest release of their career so far, and we say it’s time to get on board. And get in the pit.

Music Writer Maria Sherman

New television to stream from June 2-8

— Ariana Madix has returned to Fiji as host of a new season of “Love Island USA.” The new episodes have big shoes to fill. Last season was the top-rated reality series of 2024. It also broke through the cultural zeitgeist with social media memes and water cooler conversation. Madix says she’s not worried about duplicating that success, and wants the contestants to focus on “creating their own lane by being truly themselves and bringing themselves to it, you’ll never lose by doing that.” The show premieres Tuesday and will air six nights a week on Peacock.

— As a teenager, Kristin Cavallari was a breakout of the MTV reality series “Laguna Beach” because of her unfiltered honesty. She’s carried that with her throughout other reality shows and to her podcast “Let’s Be Honest.” Cameras rolled when Cavallari took the podcast on the road in March. That will air as the docuseries “Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour” beginning Wednesday on E!. It streams on Peacock.

Shaquille O’Neal also has his own docuseries coming to Netflix Wednesday called “Power Moves with Shaquille O’Neal.” It’s an inside look at his efforts as president of Reebok’s basketball division. Allen Iverson is vice president. Both have a history with the brand. In 1992, O’Neal signed a deal with Reebok as a rookie playing for the Orlando Magic. Iverson famously inked a lifetime deal with the brand one year prior in 1991. The series will show the two pro ballplayers work to make Reebok Basketball cool and competitive in the sneaker market. It drops Wednesday.

— Get your feel-good TV fix with Apple TV+’s new show, “Stick.” It stars Owen Wilson as Pryce, a broke and divorced former pro golfer who could use a break. He finds it in a teen phenom named Santi and volunteers to be his coach. The show is about chosen family and second chances. “Stick” premieres Wednesday.

Alicia Rancilio

New video games to play week of June 2-8

— Nintendo fans worldwide are bracing themselves for the arrival of the Switch 2, a souped-up version of the eight-year-old console with new social features meant to draw players into online gaming. The highlight of the launch lineup is Mario Kart World, which features a Grand Prix for up to 24 drivers and introduces a sprawling open environment where “everywhere is your racecourse.” Other Day One arrivals include upgraded versions of the last two Legend of Zelda adventures, and some popular third-party games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Split Fiction will be making their Nintendo debuts. The next generation takes the stage Thursday, June 5.

Lou Kesten



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On the day transgender women soccer players face a ban in England, they play on

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LONDON (AP) — For soccer-loving transgender women in England, it’s been a tough day, as the ban on their participation in women’s teams came into force.

To show its solidarity with the community and against the decision by the governing body of English soccer (football), Goal Diggers Football Club, a London-based trans-inclusive women’s team, held a tournament Sunday.

The message was clear. Yes, it’s a sad day, but no one will stop us playing the sport we love.

Around 100 people — women, trans women, non-binary and gender non-conforming players —took part in the “Let The Dolls Play Tournament” in Islington, north London.

And everyone present appeared to find comfort in their solidarity despite the occasional foul, intentional or not.

“You know they’re not going take away this community, my friends,” said Paula Griffin, a 60-year-old transgender woman. “And there’s such a powerful message coming from that, that the people who care about women’s sport are the people who play the women’s sports. And these are the people that are my friends.”

Griffin, like the others, are still dismayed by the decision last month by England’s Football Association to ban transgender women from playing on women’s soccer teams from June 1 following a U.K. Supreme Court ruling in April.

The F.A. said it had decided to change its rules that had allowed transgender athletes to play in women’s soccer teams if they had reduced testosterone levels.

The decision came in the wake of the ruling from the U.K.’s Supreme Court that defined a woman for anti-discrimination purposes as someone born biologically female. The head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said after the ruling that transgender women would be excluded from women’s toilets, hospital wards and sports teams.

While the ruling was cheered by some feminist groups, it was condemned by trans-rights groups who said it would have a broad and detrimental impact on daily life.

“It’s really upset me,” said Billie Sky, a 28-year-old transgender woman. “I have to say, this has been a really hard week. I’ve struggled to get out of bed at times. I’m doing my best to get through work and come to things like this, but it’s, it’s really difficult.”

The issue has been polarizing in the U.K. and beyond, particularly in the United States, where President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to prohibit participation of transgender athletes in sports and to use a rigid definition of the sexes, rather than gender, for federal government purposes. The orders are being challenged in court.

For those present at the tournament in north London on Sunday morning, the fight will go on but for now, it’s about keeping the sport they love close.

“I think that’s the whole point of today, is we’re trying to just reclaim the day and make it a really joyous time to spend together,” said Jahnavi Kalayil, a 26-year-old woman. “And I think it’s definitely happened, everyone’s had a really great time. Whether winning or losing the games, it’s more about just coming together as a community and making sure we’re standing up for our trans siblings.”



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Study suggests a new prescription for colon cancer patients: Exercise

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A three-year exercise program improved survival in colon cancer patients and kept disease at bay, a first-of-its-kind international experiment showed.

With the benefits rivaling some drugs, experts said cancer centers and insurance plans should consider making exercise coaching a new standard of care for colon cancer survivors. Until then, patients can increase their physical activity after treatment, knowing they are doing their part to prevent cancer from coming back.

“It’s an extremely exciting study,” said Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who wasn’t involved in the research. It’s the first randomized controlled trial to show a reduction in cancer recurrences and improved survival linked to exercise, Meyerhardt said.

Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can’t prove cause and effect. The new study — conducted in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel and the United States — compared people who were randomly selected for an exercise program with those who instead received an educational booklet.

“This is about as high a quality of evidence as you can get,” said Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “I love this study because it’s something I’ve been promoting but with less strong evidence for a long time.”

The findings were featured Sunday at ASCO’s annual meeting in Chicago and published by the New England Journal of Medicine. Academic research groups in Canada, Australia and the U.K. funded the work.

Researchers followed 889 patients with treatable colon cancer who had completed chemotherapy. Half were given information promoting fitness and nutrition. The others worked with a coach, meeting every two weeks for a year, then monthly for the next two years.

Coaches helped participants find ways to increase their physical activity. Many people, including Terri Swain-Collins, chose to walk for about 45 minutes several times a week.

“This is something I could do for myself to make me feel better,” said Swain-Collins, 62, of Kingston, Ontario. Regular contact with a friendly coach kept her motivated and accountable, she said. “I wouldn’t want to go there and say, ‘I didn’t do anything,’ so I was always doing stuff and making sure I got it done.”

After eight years, the people in the structured exercise program not only became more active than those in the control group but also had 28% fewer cancers and 37% fewer deaths from any cause. There were more muscle strains and other similar problems in the exercise group.

“When we saw the results, we were just astounded,” said study co-author Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

Exercise programs can be offered for several thousand dollars per patient, Booth said, “a remarkably affordable intervention that will make people feel better, have fewer cancer recurrences and help them live longer.”

Researchers collected blood from participants and will look for clues tying exercise to cancer prevention, whether through insulin processing or building up the immune system or something else.

Swain-Collins’ coaching program ended, but she is still exercising. She listens to music while she walks in the countryside near her home.

That kind of behavior change can be achieved when people believe in the benefits, when they find ways to make it fun and when there’s a social component, said paper co-author Kerry Courneya, who studies exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta. The new evidence will give cancer patients a reason to stay motivated.

“Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival,” Courneya said.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.



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