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☆ Nigerian Election Tribunal Rejects Challenge to Tinubu's Presidential Win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Camillus EbohABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's presidential election tribunal on Wednesday rejected an opposition challenge to Bola Tinubu's win in February's disputed vote, following a pattern seen in previous election years in Africa's most populous country. No legal challenge to the outcome of a presidential election has succeeded in Nigeria, which returned to democracy in 1999 after three decades of almost uninterrupted military rule and has a history of electoral fraud. Judge Haruna Tsammani, reading out a lengthy ruling on behalf of the tribunal's panel of five justices, rejected Obi's petition point-by-point. As the tribunal was giving its ruling, he was in India preparing to take part in the G20 summit there. Atiku and Obi can appeal to the country's Supreme Court to strike down the tribunal's ruling.

Persons: Camillus, Bola Tinubu's, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi of, Haruna Tsammani, Tinubu, Obi, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Estelle Shirbon, Alison Williams Organizations: Reuters, February's, People's Democratic Party, Labour Party Locations: Camillus Eboh ABUJA, Africa's, Nigeria, India

☆ Niger junta reopens airspace after coup - transport ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NIAMEY, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Niger's military leaders have reopened the country's airspace to all commercial flights after closing it on Aug. 6 after they seized power in a coup, a transport ministry spokesperson said on Monday. The closure had forced Air France (AIRF.PA) and other European carriers to suspend some flights and take longer routes across the African continent. Landlocked Niger is more than twice the size of France and many flight paths across Africa would normally pass above it. The junta had initially closed Niger's airspace citing the threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc. Reporting by Moussa Aksar; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Estelle ShirbonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Moussa Aksar, Nellie Peyton, Estelle Shirbon Organizations: Air France, West African, Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niger, France, Africa

☆ Gabon coup leader sworn in as interim president in scene of jubilation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Gerauds Wilfried Obangome | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Gabon coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema is sworn in as interim president during his swearing-in ceremony, in Libreville, Gabon, September 4, 2023. State TV showed images of a cheering crowd and armoured personnel carriers firing into the sea to mark the moment. PLEDGE TO RETURN POWER TO CIVILIANSNguema reiterated that his administration would organise free and fair elections, though he gave no timetable. "After this transition ... we intend to return power to civilians by organising new elections that will be free, transparent, credible and peaceful," he said. The coup had drawn cheering crowds onto the streets of the capital Libreville but condemnation from abroad.

Persons: General Brice Oligui Nguema, Gerauds Wilfried Obangome, Bongo, Ali Bongo, Nguema, Nellie Peyton, Karin Strohecker, Alessandra Prentice, Estelle Shirbon, Peter Graff, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Central Africa LIBREVILLE, Gabon's, Central, State, Central African, United Nations, African Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gabon, Libreville, West, Central, of Gabon

But analysts warned it was unlikely the ruling ZANU-PF party would allow any loosening of its 43-year grip on power. Fewer than 10 of 210 parliamentary constituencies had results on Thursday, making it too early to identify any national trend. Results in the presidential race were not expected for another day or two but before a five-day deadline. "The equipment was being used to unlawfully tabulate election voting statistics and results from polling stations throughout the country," police spokesman Paul Nyathi said in a statement. The police named some of the organisations targeted as the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, Election Resource Centre and Team Pachedu - all well-known civil society groups that had said they were monitoring the vote in the interests of democracy.

Persons: Emmerson Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Chamisa, Mnangagwa's, Paul Nyathi, Eldred Masungure, Estelle Shirbon, Angus MacSwan, Miral Organizations: Police, Citizens Coalition, ZANU, PF, Bank, International Monetary Fund, Zimbabwe Election Support, Centre, Pachedu, University of Zimbabwe, Thomson Locations: Zimbabwe, HARARE, Harare

It is the second contest between the two after Mnangagwa won a closely contested poll in 2018, which the opposition allege was rigged. Some 6.6 million people are registered to vote in the nation of about 15 million. LITTLE CHANGE SINCE MUGABE ERAPolitical analysts say Zimbabwe's unending economic maelstrom could tip the contest in favour of the opposition if the election is clean. We will not accept a rigged vote," Chamisa said at his last campaign rally on Monday. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held on Oct. 2.

Persons: Mugabe, Mnangagwa, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Chamisa, Chamisa, Olivia Kumwenda, Estelle Shirbon, Giles Elgood Organizations: World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Citizens Coalition, MUGABE, PF, Risk Consulting, ZANU, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Parliamentary, Thomson Locations: HARARE, Zimbabwe, Shurugwi, Harare

Nigeria's Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke (C) attends the flag-off for Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign for a second term in office, in Lagos January 8, 2015. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Ex-minister was arrested in London in 2015Police allege lavish lifestyle came from corruptionAssets frozen in UK, seized in U.S., NigeriaLONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - British police said on Tuesday they had charged former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offences, saying they suspected she had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts. Alison-Madueke, 63, served as petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015, under former President Goodluck Jonathan. A London lawyer who was acting for her in 2015 did not immediately respond to a request for comment. News of the British charges comes a month after a London court ordered the confiscation of $130 million from a former Nigerian oil state governor, James Ibori, in an unrelated but equally high-profile case involving political corruption in Nigeria.

Persons: Diezani Alison, Goodluck Jonathan's, Akintunde, Alison, Madueke, Goodluck Jonathan, Andy Kelly, St John’s Wood, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, James Ibori, Michael Holden, Estelle Shirbon, Giles Elgood Organizations: Nigeria's Petroleum, Nigeria's, REUTERS, Police, Nigeria LONDON, British, Organization of, Petroleum, NCA, Westminster Magistrates, Louis, U.S . Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: Lagos, London, U.S, Nigeria, Africa's, Britain, United States, St John’s, Westminster

[1/3] ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defense staff meet on the deployment of its standby force in the Republic of Niger, in Accra, Ghana. Niger military officers deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and have defied calls from the United Nations, ECOWAS and Western powers to reinstate him, prompting West African heads of state to order the standby force to be assembled. "Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa...are ready to answer to the call of duty," ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said. Musah accused the Niger coup leaders of "playing cat-and-mouse" with ECOWAS by refusing to meet with its envoys and seeking justifications for their takeover of power. He said most of the bloc's 15 member states were prepared to participate in the standby force that could intervene in Niger.

Persons: Francis Kokoroko, Mohamed Bazoum, Security Abdel, Fatau Musah, Russia's Wagner, I'm, Omar Yaye, Musah, Bazoum, Anait Miridzhanian, Edward McAllister, Estelle Shirbon, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Chiefs, Defense, REUTERS, West, ECOWAS, United Nations, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, European Union, Media, Thomson Locations: Republic of Niger, Accra, Ghana, Niger, Niamey, ACCRA, NIAMEY, West Africa, Gambia, Liberia, Sahel, Mali, Niger's, France, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cape Verde

☆ Niger says 17 of its soldiers killed in ambush near Burkina Faso border
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Moussa Aksar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The swift reaction of the soldiers and the air-land response at the scene of the skirmish enabled the enemy to be dealt with," the ministry said. Niger hosts U.S., French, German and Italian troops as part of international efforts to combat the insurgency, under agreements with the now deposed civilian government. Insecurity remains a major problem across the southwest, near the border with Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which also have army governments that took control through coups. On the Malian side, the departure of French troops last year left a security vacuum that the Islamists have exploited. Mali's junta brought in mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group, who have been accused of executing civilians and committing other grave human rights abuses.

Persons: General Abdourahmane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Tiani, Bazoum, Russia's Wagner, Wagner, Nellie Peyton, Anait Miridzhanian, Edward McAllister, Estelle Shirbon, Conor Humphries, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: West African States, ECOWAS, Islamic, United Nations, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: NIAMEY, Niamey, Burkina Faso, Niger, West Africa's, al Qaeda, Islamic State, U.S, Mali, Malian, France, Paris

☆ Deaf Nigerian dancers delight public, challenge expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Members of Deaf Can Dance team pose after their performance at a dance concert in Ibadan, Nigeria August 6, 2023. Public performances by deaf artists are rare in Nigeria, where there is little provision for people with disabilities to access cultural and artistic activities. Otunuyi and others in the group credit James with helping them express rhythm and flow during rigorous training sessions. "Some may think it is just a waste of energy, a waste of time," Otunuyi signed. "We are trying to break the biases, the prejudices against deaf people," he said.

Persons: Seun, Omowunmi Otunuyi, Samuel James, James, Otunuyi, I'm, Seun Sanni, Bhargav Acharya, Estelle Shirbon, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Deaf, REUTERS, Rights, Pro Foundation, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Ibadan, Nigeria, Rights IBADAN, Nigerian

☆ Tackling money shame: Personal finance advice from top TED Talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We combed through them for the most helpful advice to get our money lives under control. “And so many of you are left believing that you’re crazy, or stupid, or just bad with money. It wants to consume, whereas the future self wants the present self to save ...“So what can we do about this? Maybe the reason money doesn’t make us happy is that we’re always spending on the wrong things – in particular, always spending it on ourselves. If you think money can’t buy happiness, you’re not spending it right.”Editing by Lauren Young and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Simon Sinek’s “, TAMMY LALLY, “, ” DANIEL GOLDSTEIN, TEDSALON, Derek Parfit, ” ESTELLE GIBSON, TEDxDayton, ” ELISE PAYZAN, ‘, couldn’t, ” MICHAEL NORTON, we’re, you’re, Lauren Young, Stephen Coates Organizations: TED, Thomson Locations: TEDXORLANDO, TEDSALON NY, TEDXCAMBRIDGE

☆ Niger junta says open to talks as Putin, US stress peace
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Felix Onuah | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Souleymane Ag Anara/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 15 (Reuters) - Niger's junta on Tuesday said that it was open to talks to resolve a regional crisis caused by last month's military coup, while Russia and the United States called for a peaceful resolution. Singh declined to call the takeover a coup but said it "certainly looks like an attempted coup." Military leaders in Mali and Burkina Faso have kicked out troops from former colonial power France and strengthened ties with Moscow. Putin has called for a return to constitutional order in Niger, while Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin welcomed the army takeover and offered his services. Support for Russia has appeared to surge in Niger since the coup, with junta supporters waving Russian flags at rallies and calling for France to disengage.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Mahamat Deby, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Assimi Goita, Sabrina Singh, Joe Biden's, Singh, Bola Tinubu, Russia's Wagner, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Felix Onuah, Mahamat Ramadane, Idrees Ali, Nellie Peyton, John Stonestreet, Estelle Shirbon, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, West, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Islamic, Twitter, Military, Thomson Locations: Nigerien, Niamey, Niger, Russia, United States, Ghana, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West, Central Africa, Russian, West Africa's, Central Africa's, West Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, France, Moscow, Bazoum, Western, U.S, Germany, Italy, Paris, Abuja, Chad, Washington

☆ How to watch Australia, Canada and Nigeria battle for Wwomen's World Cup knockout phase spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Norway celebrates scoring in its 6-0 victory against the Philippines on Sunday. Aisha Schulz/AP Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. John Cowpland/AP Italy's fans cheer before their team's match against Sweden at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand. John Cowpland/AP China's Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti during a Women's World Cup match on Friday, July 28. John Cowpland/AP US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22.

Persons: Colombia's Manuela Vanegas, Franck Fife, Alexandra Popp, Ulrik Pedersen, Manuela Vanegas, Sajad, Jaimi Joy, Reuters Linda Caicedo, Phil Walter, Getty, Dominique Randle, Hannah Peters, Hali, Rafaela Pontes, Olivia McDaniel, Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, Abbie Parr, Sophie Roman Haug of, Jessika Cowart, Buda Mendes, Ali Riley, Katie Bowen, Molly Darlington, Julia Stierli, Alessandra Tarantino, Ramona Bachmann, Sanka Vidanagama, James Elsby, Benzina, Edina Alves Batista, Hannah Mckay, Brenton Edwards, Panama's Aldrith Quintero, Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Luisa Gonzalez, Allyson Swaby, Herve Renard, Wendie Renard, Debinha, Katie Tucker, Aisha Schulz, Amanda Ilestedt, John Cowpland, Rebecka Blomqvist, Wang Shuang, Maddie Meyer, Dumornay, China's Dou Jiaxing, Alex Pantling, Chloe Kelly, Carl Recine, Mary Earps, Andy Cheung, Janni Thomsen, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Justin Setterfield, Keira Walsh, Walsh, Argentina's Mariana Larroquette, Yamila Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Matthew Lewis, Linda Motlhalo, Lars Baron, Osinachi Ohale, Bradley Kanaris, Dan Peled, Anthony Albanese, Matt Roberts, Jéssica Silva, Vietnam's, Saeed Khan, Fiona Goodall, Daphne van Domselaar, Julie Ertz, Brad Smith, Andrew Cornaga, Lindsey Horan, Joe Prior, Catherine Ivill, Amanda Perobelli, Canada's Vanessa Gilles, Ireland's Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Murty, Katie McCabe applauds, Paul Kane, Kailen Sheridan, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy, Adriana Leon, Colin Murty, Jennifer Hermoso, David Rowland, Reuters Hermoso, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mary Wilombe, Naomoto, Japan's Mina Tanaka, Daniela Solera, Sarina Bolden, Bolden's, Hannah Wilkinson, Bolden, Victoria Esson, Katelyn Mulcahy, Hagen Hopkins, Catalina Usme, Korea's Cho, Colombia's Jorelyn, Carolina Arias, Cameron Spencer, Reuters Usme, Kim Hye, Rebecca Welch, David Gray, Brazil's Marta, Matt Turner, Borges, Khadija Er, Victoria Adkins, Germany's Alexandra Popp, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout, Hamish Blair, Cristiana Girelli, Kim Price, Francesca Durante, German Portanova, Reuters Italy's Giulia Dragoni, Estefania Banini, Dragoni, Grace Geyoro, Mark Baker, Rebecca Spencer, Robert Cianflone, Bunny, Shaw, Estelle Cascarino, Portugal's Ines Pereira, Stefanie van der, Van der Gragt, Portugal's Jessica Silva, Silva, Joe Allison, Magaia, Sweden's Elin Rubensson, Amalie Vangsgaard's, Zhang Linyan, Denmark's Pernille Harder, Gary Day, Shui, Reuters England's Alessia Russo, Haiti's Tabita Joseph, England's Lionesses, Reuters Nicolas Delépine, Kerly Theus, Zac Goodwin, Jun Endo, Zambia's Agnes Musase, Reuters Aoba, Catherine Musonda, Alex Morgan, Carmen Mandato, Megan Rapinoe, Horan, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Sophia Smith dribbles, Ane, Esther González, Costa, Costa Rica's Mariana Benavides, Katrina Guillou, Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann, William West, Uchenna Kanu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Canada's Christine Sinclair, Steph Catley, Heather Payne, Australia's Kyra Cooney, Mackenzie Arnold, Ria Percival, Ada Hegerberg, Jan Kruger, Zealand's CJ Bott, Norway's Mathilde Harviken vie, Jose Breton, Benee, Ireland's, Niamh Fahey, Vanessa Gilles, Coliin Murty, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Tony Gustavsson, Christine Sinclair, Ireland, Spain –, Japan's Hikaru Naomoto Organizations: CNN, Germany, Getty, Colombia, Reuters, Norway, Sunday, FIFA, AP, New Zealand, South, Jamaica, Brazil, France, Italy, Sweden, Wellington Regional, Haiti, China, Denmark, England, Argentina, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, Reuters Australian, Vietnam, Portugal, USSF, Ireland, Spain, Eden, Costa, Forsyth, AP Costa, Japan, New, Victoria, Panama, Morocco, Cristiana, Atlanta Primus, Zambia, Zambian, Costa Rica's, Getty Images, Zealand, AP Norway, Nations, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Super Falcons, coy Locations: Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, AFP, Colombia, Philippines, AP Philippines, Sophie Roman Haug of Norway, New, Reuters, Morocco, South Korea, Perth, Reuters Jamaica, Brisbane, New Zealand, Reuters England, Reuters Argentina, Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Portugal, Vietnam, United States, Netherlands, Wellington , New Zealand, Auckland , New Zealand, Costa Rican, Dunedin , New Zealand, AP Costa Rican, Reuters Switzerland, Norway, Switzerland, Sydney, Reuters Colombia, Panama, Adelaide, Germany, AP Argentina, German, Italy, Atlanta, Africa, China, European, Reuters England's Georgia, Ane Frosaker, Eurasia, Melbourne, Reuters Norway, Zealand, Eden, United Kingdom, Republic of, Republic of Ireland, Wellington

☆ London judge orders confiscation of $130 mln from Nigerian ex-governor Ibori
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Estelle Shirbon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ibori, who is in Nigeria, said he would appeal against the confiscation order, one of the largest imposed on an individual in recent British legal history. Ibori was governor of oil-producing Delta State from 1999 to 2007 and was extradited from Dubai to Britain in 2011. Judge David Tomlinson, delivering the confiscation order at Southwark Crown Court, said Ibori should pay the sum immediately or face an eight-year jail sentence. Spokespersons for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the Nigerian government would cooperate with the British authorities in enforcing the confiscation order. The confiscation process took over a decade after Ibori's conviction because of lengthy court delays and legal wrangling in London.

Persons: James Ibori, Ibori, David Tomlinson, Bola Tinubu, Helen Taylor, Felix Onuah, William Maclean Organizations: Delta State, Southwark Crown, Delta, Thomson Locations: Britain, Nigeria, Nigerian, London, Dubai, Southwark, Delta State, Ibori, Ibori's, Abuja

☆ Convicted Nigerian politician Ibori faces huge UK confiscation order
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Estelle Shirbon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - A London court should order the confiscation of more than 100 million pounds ($129 million) from Nigerian politician James Ibori, a convicted fraudster who spent years in prison in Britain, a state prosecutor told the court on Thursday. A former governor of oil-producing Delta State in southern Nigeria, Ibori was extradited in 2011 from Dubai to London, where he was charged with laundering a corruptly acquired fortune. He told Reuters by text message he planned to appeal against the confiscation order. In 2021, it returned 4.2 million pounds that had been confiscated from Ibori's ex-wife and his sister, who also served jail time for helping him launder money. ($1 = 0.7745 pounds)(This story has been corrected to say the judge made 'factual findings' not a 'confiscation order' after clarification from judge, in paragraph 6)Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: James Ibori, fraudster, Ibori, David Tomlinson, Jonathan Kinnear, Bola Tinubu, Estelle Shirbon, Alex Richardson Organizations: Delta, Southwark Crown, Thomson Locations: Nigerian, Britain, Delta State, Nigeria, Dubai, London, Southwark, Ibori, Ibori's

☆ At American Apparel, a Sex-Positive Veneer Belied Abuse Underneath
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Estelle Tang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When she saw it again, “it had been sliced into pieces” so that the company could turn it into a mass-produced pattern. It was a fitting introduction to the company that would leach her useful qualities and mistreat the whole person. “Strip Tees” is devourable, rendered in efficient, colorful scenes. Flannery’s conversion from credulous retail recruit to company woman doesn’t trade in hyper-intellectual #MeToo-era analysis or retrospective scolding. “Shopgirls” appeared in the company’s advertisements, wearing hot shorts or ’70s-inspired tube socks and little else.

Persons: Kate Flannery, —, Flannery, baring velour romper, Dov Charney, “, ” Flannery, “ Shopgirls ” Locations: TEES, Los Angeles, kelly

☆ Hunger haunts Ethiopia's Tigray region after years of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Dawit Endeshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MEKELLE, Ethiopia, July 10 (Reuters) - Curled up on a hospital bed in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, an emaciated little girl struggles to breathe, as her father softly strokes her gaunt face and her mother sits crying. Her doctor says she is dying, a new victim of an acute food shortage in a region blighted by two years of war and struggling with drought. [1/9]Woldegebrial Abadi, 36, holds the hands of his severely malnourished newborn son Berhanu Woldegebrial at the Samre Hospital, in Samre, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Tiksa NegeriAid flows to Tigray resumed after the November ceasefire but were temporarily halted earlier this year. The Ethiopian government spokesperson did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on rising levels of hunger in the Tigray region or the resumption of aid flows to the area.

Persons: gaunt, Tsige Shishay, Teklay Hagos, Mekelle, Abadi, Berhanu Woldegebrial, Gebrehiwot, Getachew Reda, Gebremiskel, Woldesilassie Gebremedhin, gesturing, Giulia Paravicini, Estelle Shirbon, Edmund Blair Organizations: Reuters, Food Programme, Samre, REUTERS, Tiksa, WFP, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Disaster Risk Management, Ethiopian, Twitter, Tiksa Negeri, Thomson Locations: MEKELLE, Ethiopia, Ethiopia's, Tigray, Tigray's, Samre, Tigray Region, Tiksa Negeri, Mekelle, Nairobi

☆ France riots subside as Darmanin faces Senate questions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

At the peak of the unrest, in the night of Friday to Saturday, police arrested more than 1,300 people. The situation began to quieten on Sunday, and on the night of Monday to Tuesday police arrested 81 people, according to the ministry. Messiha shut down his GoFundMe appeal for the officer's family late on Tuesday after a barrage of complaints and threats of legal action from left-wing parties and Nahel's family, TV channel BFM reported. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, known for his hardline positions on law-and-order issues, was scheduled to answer questions on the unrest at 4:30 p.m. (1430 GMT) on Wednesday in front of a Senate committee. ($1 = 0.9191 euros)Reporting by Blandine Henault and Jean-Stephane Brosse; Writing by Estelle Shirbon and Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nahel, Jean Messiha, Messiha, Gerald Darmanin, Olivia Gregoire, Blandine Henault, Jean, Stephane Brosse, Estelle Shirbon, Toby Chopra Organizations: France, Thomson Locations: North, Paris, Nanterre, France

☆ EU concerned over China export controls on metals used in chips
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, July 4 (Reuters) - The European Commission expressed concern on Tuesday over China's planned curbs on exports of strategic metals widely used in the semiconductor industry and doubt that the move was related to security. China said the control on exports of gallium and germanium products from Aug. 1 was aimed at protecting national security. "The Commission is concerned that these export restrictions are unrelated to the need to protect global peace and also stability and the implementation of China's non-proliferation obligations arising from international treaties," a Commission spokesperson told a daily briefing. The EU executive, which is assessing the potential impact on global supply chains and European industry, said it called on China to limit export restrictions to "clear security considerations" in line with World Trade Organization rules. The metals are used in semiconductors, electric vehicles and high-tech industries.

Persons: Philip Blenkinsop, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Estelle Shirbon, Mark Potter Organizations: European Commission, EU, World Trade Organization, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, China

☆ As Nigeria scraps fuel subsidy, a vibrant black market collapses
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Desire Danga Essigue | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Since Nigeria scrapped a state fuel subsidy on May 31, black market fuel vendors and commercial drivers in Cameroon, Benin and Togo who were heavily reliant on petrol smuggled from Nigeria have seen their businesses collapse. With supplies dwindling, queues have been forming at official petrol stations, where fuel is now competitively priced. "Supply has become scarce and customers think we're ripping them off with this high price, yet it's from Nigeria that prices have soared," said Perevet Dieudonne, a black market seller. The trade in black market fuel is so central to the local economy that authorities either turn a blind eye or are complicit. At Hilacondji, a border crossing between Togo and Benin, some black market fuel stalls were shut, while at others vendors waited among rows of empty plastic jerricans for potential deliveries.

Persons: Danga, turvy, Perevet Dieudonne, Ousmanou Mal Djoulde, Ayi Hilla, Alice Lawson, Pulcherie, Amindeh Blaise Atabong, Elisha Bala, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Estelle Shirbon, Bate Felix, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, CFA, Reuters, Dangote Petroleum, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Garoua, Cameroon, GAROUA, West, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Nigerian, West Africa, Dangote, Hilacondji, Africa, Cotonou, Pulcherie Adjoha

☆ Sierra Leone's President Bio leads presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FREETOWN, June 26 (Reuters) - Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio is leading the presidential election count, the West African country's electoral commission said on Monday after 60% of votes have been counted. His biggest rival is All People's Congress' (APC) candidate Samura Kamara, who narrowly lost to Bio in the last election in 2018. A provisional results sheet showed Bio had received over 1 million votes so far, compared with just under 800,000 for Kamara. The election commission on Sunday outlined several instances where officials were beaten or intimidated. Bio addressed the nation after the publication of provisional results on Monday evening and called on citizens to keep the peace.

Persons: Julius Maada, Samura Kamara, Kamara, Sierra, Augustine Sorie, hasn't, Marrah, Cooper Inveen, Anait Miridzhanian, Estelle Shirbon, Bate Felix, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Sierra, African, APC, Electoral Commission Sierra, Reuters, Thomson Locations: FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, Electoral Commission Sierra Leone

[1/5] Participants react with Pride rainbow flags as they attend the Badilika festival to celebrate the LGBT rights in Nairobi, Kenya, June 11, 2023. Some regional lawmakers frame the issue as an almost existential battle to save African values and sovereignty, which they say have been battered by Western pressure to capitulate on gay rights. Spokespeople for the Kenyan presidency and government didn't respond to requests for comment about the proposed bill. Several called for legislation to strengthen penalties for same-sex acts, including the deputy majority leader, who said gay sex could be punished by hanging. President William Ruto, an evangelical Christian, has criticized a February supreme court decision allowing an LGBT rights group to register as a non-governmental organization.

Persons: Mohamed Ali doesn't, Ali, Weeks, Bill, Yoweri Museveni, Annette Atieno, John Agany, Jacqueline Ngonyani, Ngonyani, Damas Ndumbaro, William Ruto, Peter Kaluma, Uganda's, Kaluma, U.S . State Department didn't, Stella Kachina, Marylize Biubwa, Lorna Dias, Dias, Nuzulack Dausen, Waakhe Simon Wudu, Daphne Psaledakis, Estelle Shirbon, Aaron Ross, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Kenyan, National Gay, Human Rights Commission, U.S . State Department, East, NAIROBI PRIDE, Gay and Lesbian Coalition of, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, NAIROBI, East Africa, Juba, United, Africa, Entebbe, Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, Ruto, Dar es, Washington

☆ Archbishop of Canterbury urges Ugandan Anglicans to reject anti-gay law
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) - The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged the Anglican Church of Uganda to reject the country's new anti-LGBT law, saying there is no justification for Anglicans anywhere to support legislation that goes against the Christian teachings of the Gospel. Justin Welby, leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, said he had written to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, the Primate of Uganda, to express "grief and dismay" at the church's stance. The Church of Uganda says 36% of Uganda's population of around 45 million are Anglicans. The Ugandan church has been at the forefront of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a conservative group. Reporting by Estelle Shirbon in London and George Obulutsa in Nairobi; Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yoweri Museveni, Justin Welby, Stephen Kaziimba, Welby, Kaziimba, Ugandans, GAFCON, Estelle Shirbon, George Obulutsa, Frances Kerry Organizations: Anglican Future Conference, Thomson Locations: Canterbury, Uganda, London, Nairobi

Sonko, 48, was accused of raping a woman who worked in a massage parlour in 2021, when she was 20, and making death threats against her. "With this sentence Sonko cannot be a candidate," said one of his lawyers, Bamba Cisse. University law professor Ndiack Fall said Sonko could demand a retrial if he turns himself in to authorities. But Sall's second term has been particularly turbulent for a country usually viewed as one of West Africa's strongest democracies. Separately, Sonko is appealing against a six-month suspended prison sentence for libel.

Persons: Ousmane Sonko, Bamba Cisse, Ndiack Fall, Sonko's, Sonko, Macky Sall, Sall, Ngouda Dione, Bate Felix, Sofia Christensen, Estelle Shirbon, Christina Fincher, Matthew Lewis Organizations: University, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: DAKAR, Dakar, West, Dakar Senegal, Senegal

☆ BRICS ministers put on show of strength as Putin arrest warrant looms large
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Wendell Roelf | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The answer is the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) will indicate what the final position of South Africa is. At a news conference later, the ministers side-stepped a barrage of questions about the Putin issue. The ICC accused Putin in March of the war crime of forcibly deporting children from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. South Africa had invited Putin in January. The BRICS bloc "was inclusive ... in sharp contrast to some countries' small circle, and so I believe the enlargement of BRICS will be beneficial to the BRICS countries," he said.

Persons: Putin, Naledi Pandor, Vladimir Putin, Pandor, Cyril Ramaphosa, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ma Zhaoxu, Hossein Amir, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Carien du Plessis, Anait, Bhargav Acharya, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Estelle Shirbon, Joe Bavier, John Stonestreet, Ros Russell, Andrew Heavens Organizations: West, International Criminal Court, ICC, United Nations Security Council, New Development Bank, China's, BRICS, Iran's, Saudi, United, Thomson Locations: Cape Town, Africa, South Africa, Johannesburg, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Ukraine, Moscow, Beijing, Venezuela, Argentina, Algeria, United Arab Emirates

☆ Beans and violins - orchestra blends classical roots with modern Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Members of Vesta Orchestra and Opera Foundation perform during a concert they organized at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos / Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos, Nigeria May 20, 2023. It was the latest show staged by the Vesta Orchestra, founded in 2017 by violinist Rosalyn Aninyei, which has enlivened the classical music scene in Lagos by performing new works by contemporary Nigerian and African composers. The music had clear connections with the classical repertoire rooted in Europe, but the choice of the Yoruba language and the story anchored the performance in Nigeria. "I am so happy that there are events like this in Nigeria," said Kayode Oshundun, who was attending his first performance by Vesta. "My flat was actually behind the opera house and it was always a dream of mine to come home ... and discover our own classical music," she said.

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