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In palmier times, the leader of the Wagner group, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, appeared at a Russian cultural center in the capital of the Central African Republic, sitting with schoolchildren and promising them free laptops. But Mr. Prigozhin’s death in August has rattled the mercenary group’s once-cozy relations with the Central African Republic, which is now weighing offers from Russia and Western countries, including the United States, to replace Wagner as its primary security guarantor. The outcome of this struggle could be a bellwether for the group’s future on the continent, where the Central African Republic is perhaps the most deeply enmeshed among the handful of African nations partnering with Wagner. The Russian Defense Ministry has sought to absorb some of Wagner’s activities, while preserving its influence and maintaining its wealth of knowledge about the continent. But a senior Western diplomat said that the uncertainty around Wagner in the Central African Republic provided a “window of opportunity” for the United States and France to counter Russian influence.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny V, Prigozhin’s, group’s, ” Organizations: Central African, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Russian, Central African Republic, Russia, Western, United States, France

☆ Oil slips 1% on concerns over delayed OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slid 75 cents, or 1%, to $76.35 after dropping as much as 5% in the previous session. In a surprise move on Wednesday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delayed a ministerial meeting at which they were expected to discuss oil output cuts to Nov. 30. OPEC+ members Angola and Nigeria are aiming for higher oil output, officials told Reuters on Thursday. "However, it may be more difficult to bridge the gap with Angola, which has been a moodier member of the producer group since it joined in 2007."

Persons: Angus Mordant, Helima Croft, Phil Flynn, Nia Williams, Natalie Grover, Arathy, Andrew Hayley, Mark Potter, David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson, Marguerita Choy, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . U.S . West Texas, U.S, Organization of, Petroleum, Producers, Reuters, Capital Markets, Price Futures Group, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, ., Russia, OPEC, Angola, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Chicago, British Columbia, London, Houston, Beijing

☆ Oil slips 2% on growing angst over delayed OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slid $1.37, also about 1.4%, to $75.73 after dropping as much as 5% in the previous session. In a surprise move on Wednesday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delayed to Nov. 30 a ministerial meeting at which they were expected to discuss oil output cuts. Angola, Congo and Nigeria are seeking to raise their 2024 supply quotas above the provisional levels agreed at the June meeting of the OPEC+ producer group. The questions over OPEC+ supply come as data showed that U.S. crude stocks jumped by 8.7 million barrels last week, much more than the 1.16 million build analysts had expected.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Helima Croft, Tamas Varga, Natalie Grover, Arathy, Andrew Hayley, Mark Potter, David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . U.S . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Producers, Capital Markets, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, ., Russia, OPEC, Angola, Congo, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, London, Houston, Beijing

☆ Oil slips 1% on growing angst over delayed OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slid 86 cents, also about 1.1%, to $76.24 after dropping as much as 5% in the previous session. In a surprise move on Wednesday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delayed to Nov. 30 a ministerial meeting at which they were expected to discuss oil output cuts. Angola, Congo and Nigeria were seeking to raise their 2024 supply quotas above the provisional levels agreed at the June meeting of the OPEC+ producer group, analysts said. The questions over OPEC+ supply come as data showed that U.S. crude stocks jumped by 8.7 million barrels last week, much more than the 1.16 million build analysts had expected.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Helima Croft, Tamas Varga, Natalie Grover, Arathy, Andrew Hayley, Mark Potter, David Goodman Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . U.S . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Producers, Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, ., Russia, OPEC, Angola, Congo, Nigeria, Niger, Saudi Arabia, London, Houston, Beijing

☆ Oil down more than 1% as uncertainty swirls over delayed OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. In a surprise move, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delayed to Nov. 30 a ministerial meeting where they were expected to discuss oil output cuts. Producers were struggling to agree on output levels and hence possible reductions ahead of the meeting originally set for Nov. 26, OPEC+ sources said. Analysts said that Angola, Congo and Nigeria were seeking to raise their 2024 supply quotas above the provisional levels agreed at the OPEC+ June meeting. U.S. oil rigs remained unchanged at 500 in the week to Nov. 22, energy services firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O) said in its closely followed report on Wednesday.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Baker Hughes, Brent, Helima Croft, RBC's Croft, Arathy Somasekhar, Andrew Hayley, Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, OPEC, . U.S . West Texas, Trade, Organization of, Petroleum, Producers, RBC Capital Markets, ING Bank, U.S . Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, ., United States, Russia, OPEC, Angola, Congo, Nigeria, Niger, Saudi Arabia, Gulf of Mexico, Houston, Beijing

☆ Climate: The UAE is hosting the world’s biggest annual summit. It’s also planning a massive fossil fuel expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Angela Dewan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The flurry of forest conservation deals with Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Liberia and Tanzania were announced in the months ahead of the annual United Nations’ COP28 climate summit, being hosted this year in December by the United Arab Emirates. The annual climate summit is where global leaders and negotiators from nearly 200 countries will convene to decide how and when to ramp down fossil fuel use. Its parent company, Global Carbon Investments, has already agreed to transfer $1.5 billion to Zimbabwe in “pre-financing for carbon credits.” That’s more than the country spends on education and childcare, which combined are Zimbabwe’s biggest national expense. Minimum Emissions” slogan is a viable climate solution, even as global temperatures soar and scientists press for rapid fossil fuel cuts. Ironically, COP28 could be the arena that transforms ADNOC into a global oil major.

Persons: CNN —, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, —, Sultan Al Jaber —, Al Jaber, ”, Sultan Al Jaber, Callaghan O'Hare, Reuters Al Jaber, ADNOC, Jamie Henn, It’s, Henn, “, Philip Morris, ” Henn, Renat Heuberger, Zinyange Auntony, Julia Jones, ’ ” Justin Kenrick, ” Patrick Galey, “ ADNOC, COP28, Bethlehem Feleke Organizations: CNN, Carbon, United Nations, United, Blue, US Department of Commerce, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, US, Reuters, Free Media, Climate Watch, UN, COP28, Global Carbon Investments, Mucheni conservancy, Getty, “, Bangor University, Peoples, Forest Peoples Programme, Shell, BP, Global, Energy Locations: Dubai, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Abu Dhabi, Houston, UN, COP28, Africa, “, Swiss, Mucheni, Binga, AFP, Wales, Azerbaijan, Nairobi

☆ How Afrilabs is powering Africa’s tech revolution through community
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Kigali, Rwanda CNN —For over a decade, AfriLabs has been at the forefront of cultivating a vibrant tech ecosystem across the African continent. The annual AfriLabs Gathering, held in Kigali, Rwanda, is a testament to its commitment to uniting the African tech community. AfriLabs has been at the forefront of cultivating a vibrant tech ecosystem across the African continent. With a trailblazing woman at its helm, Afrilabs addresses the gender gap in the tech industry, recognizing that the African tech landscape remains predominantly male-dominated. Its participation in the Nigeria Startup Act and the ongoing Nigeria Startup Act State Adoption program showcases commitment to driving conversations and effecting change, says Guobadia.

Persons: AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, Ekeledo, ”, “ We’ve, Afrilabs, ” Ekeledo, Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, … Organizations: Rwanda CNN, Consultancy, McKinsey, Company, Algeria Venture, Builder.ai, AfriLabs, Visa Foundation, Business Angel Network, CNN, Nigeria Startup Locations: Kigali, Rwanda, Africa, North Africa, Afrilabs, DigitA, Abuja, Nigeria, “

☆ Saudi Arabia to sign deals worth over $500 mln with African nations -minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan gestures during an interview with Reuters at the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 12, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Saudi Fund for Development will sign agreements worth 2 billion riyals ($533 million) with African countries, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said on Thursday during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih later said at the same conference the kingdom's over $700 billion wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, will make some "game changing" investments in Africa. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, also at the conference, signed preliminary agreements with African countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Chad and Ethiopia on energy-related cooperation. ($1 = 3.7511 riyals)Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; writing by Clauda Tanios and Yousef Saba; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohammed, Ahmed Yosri, Mohammed Al, Jadaan, Khalid Al, Falih, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Clauda Tanios, Yousef Saba, Jason Neely Organizations: Reuters, Ministry of Finance, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Fund, Development, Saudi Finance, African Economic Conference, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Energy, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, Ghana, Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, Ethiopia

☆ Saudi Arabia says will host Arab and Islamic summits to discuss Gaza conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih gestures during the opening session of the Future Investment Initiative Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 26, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will host summits of Arab and Islamic nations in coming days to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Saudi Arabia's investment minister said on Wednesday. "We will see, this week, in the next few days Saudi Arabia convening an emergency Arab summit in Riyadh," said Saudi investment minister Khalid Al-Falih, at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore. "In a few days you will see Saudi Arabia convening an Islamic summit," he said. Falih also said Saudi Arabia would convene a summit with African nations, without specifying a date.

Persons: Investment Khalid Al Falih, Ahmed Yosri, Khalid Al, Ebrahim Raisi, Falih, Tom Westbrook, Maha El, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Saudi, Investment, Future Investment Initiative, REUTERS, Rights, Bloomberg, Economy, of Islamic, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights SINGAPORE, Saudi, Singapore, of Islamic Cooperation, Iranian, Tehran, China, Maha El Dahan, Dubai

☆ Italy PM hails migrants deal with Albania as possible model for EU
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The agreement announced on Monday is the first example of a non-EU country accepting migrants on behalf of an EU nation. "I believe it (the deal) could become a model of cooperation between EU and non-EU countries in managing migration flows... I think this agreement features a bold European spirit," Meloni told Il Messaggero daily. Asked about the scheme by two Italian newspapers, Rama said Italy had not been the only EU country to propose such a deal, but he said he accepted Rome's offer as a sign of "gratitude". In the 1990s, Italy took in large numbers of Albanians and Rome is now one of the most solid backers of Albania's EU accession hopes.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni's, Yara, Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Il, Rama, Federico Maccioni, Alvise Armellini, Nick Macfie Organizations: Italian, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, EU, European Commission, La Stampa, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, Albania, EU, British, Rwanda, Rome

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A trade program that grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market should be extended by 16 years, said Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a leading voice on U.S.-Africa policy. African countries want a 10-year renewal of the pact ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. President Joe Biden's administration is also seeking the program's reauthorization but has called for certain reforms. "My AGOA Renewal Act would extend this program, incentivizing investments that will create jobs, bolster economic development, and strengthen our standing in the region," Coons said in a statement. Ben Cardin, the committee's chairman, supports the program's reauthorization, but believes there should be changes to how eligibility criteria is applied, an aide said.

Persons: Chris Coons, Joe Biden's, Coons, Ben Cardin, James Risch, Katherine Tai, Makini Brice, Paul Simao, Josie Kao Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations, Continental Free Trade, Reuters, Biden, United, . Trade, Thomson Locations: U.S, Africa, United States, Washington

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The extension of the U.S. program allowing sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to U.S. markets is expected to be high on the agenda of the U.S. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade forum that will begin in South Africa on Thursday. AGOA is U.S. legislation that allows sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market provided they meet certain conditions, including adherence to the rule of law and the protection of human rights. In May, Biden threatened to remove Uganda from AGOA and impose sanctions following the passing of a controversial anti-gay law. They also called on the forum to be held in a different country to send a message to South Africa about the impact of its close ties to Moscow. An inquiry appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa has since cleared South Africa of supplying Russia with arms.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Joy Basu, Joe Biden, ”, John Stremlau, AGOA, Ebrahim Patel, Biden, Ofwono Opondo, Yoweri Museveni, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa, ___ Rodney Muhumuza Organizations: U.S, U.S ., African, Congress, Republicans, Central African, Republican, Democratic Locations: JOHANNESBURG, U.S, U.S . Africa, South Africa, Johannesburg, Niger, Uganda, Central African Republic, Gabon, Africa, South, AGOA, U.S . South Africa, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Kampala

☆ The World Is Becoming More African
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Declan Walsh | Hannah Reyes Morales | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +37 min

Old World Young Africa As the world grays, Africa blooms with youth. The World Is Becoming More African Part one of a series on how the youth boom is changing the continent, and beyond. But while a handful of African countries are poised to ride the demographic wave, others risk being swamped by it. In the West, racists and right-wing nationalists stoke fears of African population growth to justify hatred, or even violence. The age gap between geriatric leaders and restless youth is “a major source of tension” in many African countries, said Simon Mulongo, a former African Union diplomat from Uganda.

Persons: Lauren Leatherby, ”, Jean, Patrick Niambé, Hilton, Edward Paice, “, Keziah Keya, Keya, Paul R, Ehrlich, stoke, Lauren Leatherby “, Carlos Lopes, Burna, Weeks, “ It’s, Laolu Senbanjo, Tems, Toulaye Sy, Pritzker, Abdulrazak Gurnah, “ Africa’s, ” Long, exotica, Mulendema, Hannah O’Leary, “ We’re, Sipho Dlamini, Dlamini, Moawad, Optimists, Mo Ibrahim, Aubrey Hruby, birthrates, India’s, China’s, Akinwumi Adesina, States —, William Ruto, Paul Biya of, Biya, Wole Soyinka, Paul Kagame of, Nourdine, Nigeriens, Awade, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Simon Mulongo, Nuha Abdelgadir, Abdelgadir, gesturing, “ We’ve, ” Weeks, Abdelgadir’s, Modu Ali, Young, Saidu, Habiba Mohammed, Ms, Ha, Joon Chang, Nobody, Chang, Ibrahim, Touré Organizations: Young, United Nations, Southern, Northern, Western Asia Northern, United, Ivory Coast, African Union, Group, European Union ., Suisse, Africa Research Institute, Nigeria Mozambique Kenya “, Russia Canada Germany United, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Ethiopia Dem, Russia Germany, China Egypt India Nigeria D.R.C, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Dem, Bank, Nations, International, Bryn Mawr College, Angola, Angola Ivory Coast, Angola Ivory Coast Cameroon Dem, Africa Middle Africa Southern, Economic Commission, New, Citi, Spotify, Cannes Film, Burkina Faso, UNESCO, Disney, Amazon Prime, Netflix, “, Apple, Cape Town, Microsoft, Google, Infrastructure, McKinsey & Company, Pew Research Center, African Development Bank, Greek Coast Guard, Saudi, Africa Climate, Young Voters, Freedom House, University of Denver, United Arab, Japan Cuba Vatican City, Netherlands South Korea Belgium U.A.E, Islamic, Global, Center for Girls Education, School of Oriental, Studies Locations: grays, Africa, India, China, United States, Southern Asia, Asia, America, Caribbean, Northern America, Western Asia, Western Asia Northern America, Europe, London, New York, West Africa, Ivory, Abidjan, Russia, Turkey, Gulf, Nairobi, Nigeria Mozambique Kenya, Italy, Japan, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Ethiopia, Congo Indonesia Brazil Australia South Africa Argentina, Russia Germany U.S, China Egypt India Nigeria, Brazil South Africa Australia, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria, Nigeria, Africa’s, Young, South Africa, Somalia, Mozambique, Mali, Gabon, Niger, Mozambique Nigeria Kenya, Kenya, Pennsylvania, Angola Ivory, Angola Ivory Coast Cameroon, Congo Algeria Egypt, Ghana Kenya Madagascar Mozambique Niger Nigeria, Tanzania Uganda South Africa, Northern Africa Eastern Africa, Africa Middle Africa, Africa Middle Africa Southern Africa, Guinea, Bissau, African, Qatar, Nigerian, Brooklyn, Target, French, Senegalese, Paris, Milan, Venice, Burkina, Tanzania, Saharan Africa, Nigeria Kenya Senegal In Lagos, Dakar, Zambia, South Korea, Sotheby’s, Lagos, Zimbabwe, Watford, Cape, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Cairo, Morocco, East Africa, Nigeria Mozambique Morocco, Sudanese, North Africa, East Asia, Thailand, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, States, Namibia, Kenyan, Paul Biya of Cameroon, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, United Arab Emirates, United States France Turkey, Germany, Russia India, Brazil, Japan Cuba, Japan Cuba Vatican City Spain Italy Saudi Arabia Qatar, Netherlands South Korea Belgium, Iran Canada, Niger’s, Niamey, Senegal Kenya Kenya, X’s, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Senegal, Uganda, Khartoum, Sudan, Ethiopia, Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Chad, Burkina Faso, Nigeria Nigeria Morocco, hijabs, Zaria, American, Korea, South, England

It comes amid criticism that the lending institutions are not taking climate change and the vulnerabilities of poor countries enough into account in their funding decisions. Dysfunctional because the system as a whole is too slow to respond to new challenges, such as climate change. Lee pointed to an IMF program that launched last year to help poor countries address problems like climate change. “The national policy to address climate change is lax — little or no focus is on climate change and the nexus between climate change and conflict in the Sahel is underappreciated,” Hassan said. “Go beyond the conflict itself to start prioritizing climate change as the root cause of the problem affecting these countries."

Persons: ”, William Ruto, Akinwumi Adesina, Moussa Faki, Patrick Verkooijen, Daniel Lee, Lee, Rwanda —, Carlos Lopes, It’s, Idayat Hassan, Ibrahim Audi, Femi, Lopes, ” Hassan, “, ” Mimiko, — Organizations: Global, International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, New York Times, Kenyan, African Development Bank, African Union, IMF, Mandela School of Public, University of Cape, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Africa Climate Summit, International Rescue Committee, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Africa, Africa's Sahel, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Marrakech, Morocco, Rwanda, University of Cape Town , South Africa, Nigeria's, Katsina, Kenya

☆ Japan to chair G7 finance ministers meeting at IMF conference on Oct 12
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks during the presidency press conference at the G7 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors, at Toki Messe in Niigata, Japan, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Shuji Kajiyama/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Japan will chair a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced nations on Oct. 12 to discuss the war in Ukraine and the world economy, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Tuesday. The G7 meeting will be part of a broader Group of 20 gathering, Suzuki told reporters that will be held on the sidelines of the annual International Monetary Fund conference in the Moroccan city of Marrakech. The G7 meeting will also include roundtable talks with African nations to facilitate flows of private-sector funds to the continent, Suzuki said. Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Shuji, Suzuki, Kazuo Ueda, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Toki, Rights, Finance, International Monetary Fund, Marrakech . Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Niigata, Japan, Ukraine, Moroccan, Marrakech

☆ Africa’s first carbon-removal plant stokes questions about responsible climate solutions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Nidhi Sharma | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Others say that direct air capture is a necessary part of a diverse effort to limit global warming. Carbon removal companies such as Climeworks create carbon credits corresponding to units of carbon dioxide captured by their plants — these credits can be purchased by companies to offset their carbon emissions. Some say investing in direct air capture technology is pointless. "If it's being used for direct air capture, it's not being used for something else. Many global climate leaders agree.

Persons: Bilha Ndirangu, watchdogs, Ugbaad Kosar, that's, Jonathan Foley, Ndirangu, Carlijn Nouwen, Nouwen, Olúfẹ́mi, Táíwò, That's, Mark Jacobson, it's, Julie Gosalvez, Climeworks, Gosalvez Organizations: Deutsches Museum, United Nations, Africa Climate Summit, Georgetown University, Stanford University Locations: Munich, Kenya, Swiss, Climeworks, Carbon, Africa, Nairobi, Saharan Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia

☆ Russia wields ‘silent weapon’ of grain exports to weaken Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

This will amount to 22.5% of global wheat exports, a market-leading share. In the same period, Ukraine’s share of global wheat exports has shrunk from 9% to an expected level of a little over 6% for this season. “Ukraine’s [grain] exports are vital to its economy and to feed the world,” Bridget A. S&P Global expects its wheat exports to fall by 3.7 million tons to 13.4 million in 2023-24, the lowest in nine years. And a significant reduction in the global wheat supply could yet lift prices, suggests Welsh.

Persons: Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin, ” Caitlin Welsh, Bridget A, Putin, Andrey Sizov, Stringer, ” Welsh, Sizov, Vladimir Nikolayev, Paul Hughes, ”, Olesya, Svitlana Vlasova Organizations: London CNN —, Russia’s Security, Global, CNN, Initiative, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Moscow, Twitter, Getty, Union, European Commission, EU, US Department of Agriculture, Reuters, Romania, P Global, “ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Nedvigovka, AFP, Ukraine’s, Poland, mudslinging, Egypt, Siberian Novosibirsk, “ Ukraine

☆ China's Xi, not premier, delivers National Day speech in break with convention
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Chinese President Xi Jinping toasts to guests during a reception dinner at the Great Hall of the People ahead of China's National Day in Beijing, China on September 28, 2023. Since assuming the office of president in March 2013, Xi has previously delivered a speech twice at the annual reception, usually held on the eve of National Day on Oct. 1. The first time Xi delivered it was in 2014 during a reception with over 3,000 guests, far more than the 1,200 normal at that time. In 2019, Xi again delivered a speech at the reception, which that year marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. At Thursday's reception, Xi told his guests that China must continue to climb over "obstacles" as his current premier, Li Qiang, listened intently at his banquet table, according to footage aired by China's national broadcaster.

Persons: Xi Jinping toasts, Jade Gao, Xi Jinping, Xi, Li Shangfu, Li Qiang, intently, Ryan Woo, Hugh Lawson Organizations: of, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, China's, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, People's Republic of China

☆ Algeria withdraw bid to host Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

“The FAF will now focus its efforts on the reorganisation and revitalisation of football in Algeria, as it reiterates its unwavering commitment to the development of African football. Algeria built new stadiums and upgraded other infrastructure to host the African Nations Championship at the start of the year. Algeria, Morocco, Zambia and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria were in the running for the 2025 finals. Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Senegal and a joint candidacy from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda submitted bids to host the 2027 tournament. In 2014 Guinea were award the right to host the 2023 finals, along with Cameroon (2019) and Ivory Coast (2021).

Persons: Thaier, Ivory Coast, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, Africa, of Nations, Olembe, Nations, REUTERS, Algerian Football Federation, “, African Nations, CAF, Guinea, South, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Egypt, Yaounde, Cameroon, Algeria, Cairo, Morocco, Guinea, Zambia, Benin, Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Libya, Ivory Coast, Ivory, West Africa

☆ Defence minister's disappearance latest case of missing Chinese official
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The disappearance of China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who is being investigated for corruption, is just the latest recent case in which a senior official in President Xi Jinping's entourage has mysteriously vanished. If the official is from the military, the investigating body is the People's Liberation Army's own Discipline Inspection Commission. LI YUCHAO AND XU ZHONGBO, EX-ROCKET FORCE LEADERSAnother military general missing-in-action is Li Yuchao, 60, who was put in charge of China's conventional and nuclear missiles in January last year. Xu Zhongbo was replaced by an air force general from the Southern Theatre Command. Neither Li Yuchao nor Xu Zhongbo have been seen in public for months.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Xi Jinping's, Qin Gang, LI, China's, Li, QIN, Qin, Xi Jinping, XIAO YAQING, Xiao, XU ZHONGBO, Li Yuchao, Xu Zhongbo, Yew Lun, Antoni Slodkowski, Michael Perry Organizations: China's Defence, Commission, Chinese Communist Party, Foreign, Reuters, Wall Street, Communist Party, FORCE, Rocket Force, Southern Theatre Command, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, United States

☆ Zelenskyy: Russia is weaponizing food, energy and abducted children in its war against Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. Mike Segar | ReutersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia is "weaponizing" everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine — and he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them. "Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. Russia gets its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday, when Foreign Minister Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected on the rostrum. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, speaks at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mike Segar, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine —, Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov, U.N, Dmitry Polyansky, Michael Kappeler, Joe Biden, haven't, Anatolii Stepanov Organizations: General Assembly, Reuters, Ukraine, Foreign, UN, Assembly, Getty, Moscow, U.S, AFP Locations: New York City, U.S, Russia, Ukraine, Russia's, Moscow, Ukraine's, China, India, Caribbean, Africa, Kramatorsk, Donetsk region

But part of Xi's drive to improve his fighting force has been to stamp out corruption that has long plagued China's military and other state institutions. A leader China's space and cyber warfare development and then head of military procurement, Li, 65, was elevated to defence minister in March. He also has a more public role than others on the Central Military Commission, China's top defence body, commanded by Xi. Li's term at the Central Military Commission highlighted his ties to Xi, who has strengthened his grip across the military. A bigger question is what priority Beijing will continue to place on China's military diplomacy amid ongoing regional tensions.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Xi, Nancy Pelosi, Lloyd Austin, James Char, Russian Su, Zhang Youxia, Zhang, Laurie Chen, Greg Torode, John Geddie, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, Central Military Commission, West, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Strategic Support Force, Equipment Development Department of, Communist Party Congress, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, Washington, U.S, Singapore, China, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian, Hong Kong

☆ The Public Face of China's Military Under Corruption Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: Greg Torode, Laurie Chen BEIJING, Li Shangfu, Li, Xi, Nancy Pelosi, Lloyd Austin, James Char, Russian Su, Zhang Youxia, Zhang, Laurie Chen, John Geddie, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, Central Military Commission, West, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Strategic Support Force, Equipment Development Department of, Communist Party Congress Locations: United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, Washington, U.S, Singapore, China, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian, Hong Kong

More than 120 small boats arrived in Lampedusa in the span of roughly 24 hours, bringing the number of people at the local reception center to 7,000 people at one point. But consecutive arrivals on the small island in a short period of time made things difficult to manage, Di Giacomo said. Most of those boarding smugglers' boats for Europe are young men and unaccompanied minors, though women and children are seen but in smaller numbers. As soon as the weather improved, they launched more than 100 small iron boats from Tunisian beaches carrying between 30 to 40 people. Migrants pay smugglers between 1,500 and 5,000 Tunisian dinars (roughly $500-$1,600) for a spot on the dangerous boats.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Kais Saied, Flavio Di Giacomo, Di Giacomo, Daniel, “ It's, ”, Chris Borowski, Saied's, Giacomo, Ursula von der Leyen, It's, ” Abderrahim, Saied, doesn’t, “, ___ Frances D'Emilio Organizations: Union, Italy's Interior Ministry, International Organization for, WHO, IOM, Border, Coast Guard Agency, Global, Transnational, EU Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, Lampedusa, Tunisia, Italy, North Africa, Italian, Europe, Ukraine, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, Sfax, Tunisian, African, Greece, Rome

☆ Chinese defence minister under investigation for corrupt procurement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The investigation into Li relates to procurement of military equipment, according to a regional security official and three people in direct contact with the Chinese military. Eight senior officials from the Chinese military's procurement unit, which Li led from 2017 to 2022, are also under investigation, according to two of the people in direct contact with the military. Reuters' detailed examination of the allegations against Li and the timing of the probe is based on interviews with sources who interact regularly with senior Chinese political and defence leaders, and regional officials with close knowledge of Chinese politics. The Financial Times reported on Friday, citing U.S. officials, that the U.S. government believes Li has been placed under investigation. Chinese officials initially said Qin's absence was also due to health reasons.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, U.S . State Department didn't, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Lloyd Austin, Katerina Ang, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Reuters, Foreign Ministry, State Council, Defence Ministry, Financial Times, U.S, U.S . State Department, Beijing, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Support Force, U.S . Defence, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Japan, U.S, Tokyo, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, Hanoi, China, United States, Singapore

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