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☆ Congo Army Seeks Insight Into Islamist Militants From Women Held Captive
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Since then they have pledged allegiance to Islamic State and maintained their insurgency, attacking civilian and military targets in both Congo and Uganda. Congo army spokesperson Antony Mwalushay told Reuters that after sometimes lengthy spells in the camps, the women can have valuable insight on the group's operations that helps counter-insurgency efforts. So far this year the army has questioned around 425 women, who had been freed or escaped from rebels since January, including Mariam, Mwalushay said. Speaking to Reuters in the yard of the centre, Mariam described how she was coerced into moving to the rebel camp. Another 22-year old woman who ended up in an ADF camp when her husband signed up, said she was surprised by the strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

Persons: Yassin Kombi, Muiysa, Mariam, Antony Mwalushay, Mwalushay, Sonia Rolley, Alessandra Prentice, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Congolese, Allied Democratic Forces, Islamic, Reuters, ADF Locations: Muiysa BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ugandan, Islamic State, Uganda, Congo, Beni

☆ DRC Congo to Move Its Embassy to Jerusalem From Tel Aviv -Israeli Statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo will move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday. Netanyahu, who met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi during the U.N. General Assembly, announced in a statement that Israel would also be opening an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo. Only a handful of countries have their embassies in Jerusalem, with most others maintaining their diplomatic representation in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel's main economic hub. While Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there, most of the world does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, believing its status should be resolved in negotiations. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Editing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis)

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Felix Tshisekedi, Israel, Ari Rabinovitch, Leslie Adler, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Democratic, General Assembly Locations: JERUSALEM, Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Israeli, Kinshasa

☆ Tesla courts interest from Turkey to India for next gigafactory
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Tesla factory is seen in Fremont, California, U.S. June 22, 2018. Hours later, the Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia was in early talks with Tesla to set up factories in the Kingdom. Musk said in May that Tesla would probably pick a location for a new factory by the end of 2023. Turkey: Turkey's communications directorate cited Musk as saying that the country was among the most important candidates for its next factory. India: Tesla has expressed interest in building a factory in the country, to produce low-cost electric vehicles (EVs) for the local market and for export.

Persons: Stephen Lam, Elon Musk, Tayyip Erdogan, Musk, Tesla, Jaspreet Singh, Arsheeya, Devika Organizations: REUTERS, Monday, Wall Street Journal, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Fremont , California, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Kingdom, Saudi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey, India, Mexico, Mexico's, Nuevo Leon, Bengaluru

☆ Tesla, Saudi Arabia in early talks for EV factory - WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a dealership in London, Britain, May 14, 2021. One of the proposals the kingdom is considering involves extending financing to commodities trader Trafigura for a flailing Congo cobalt and copper project, which could help provide a Tesla factory with supplies, the WSJ report said. Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment, while Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund, the Public Investment Fund, declined to comment. Musk said in May Tesla would probably pick a location for a new factory by the end of 2023. Tesla has a goal to sell 20 million vehicles a year by 2030, up from around 1.3 million in 2022.

Persons: Matthew Childs, Tayyip Erdogan, Tesla, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk, Samrhitha Arunasalam, Arpan Varghese, Arun Koyyur Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Tesla, Wall Street, Democratic, Lucid, Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, California, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Saudi, Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Bengaluru, Rachna, Dubai

Dajabón, Dominican Republic, and Les Cayes, Haiti (CNN) When Pauline Philippe found out she was pregnant with twins, she felt a flash of happiness. "I thought about everything that could happen," Phillippe told CNN. In 2017, he unveiled a four-pronged strategy focused not only on ending impunity, but also on prioritizing victims' rights and dignity. He appointed the UN's first Victims' Rights Advocate and created a "trust fund" to support victims. Hers is the "smallest, newest and poorest" department in the UN, Connors told CNN.

Persons: Dajabón, Les, Pauline Philippe, Preval, Aristide !, Prince, Philippe's, Phillippe, Philippe, General Kofi Annan, Antonio Guterres, Jane Connors, Jokencie Jean Baptiste, Les Cayes, we're, Rosemina Joseph, Yasna Uberoi, Paula Donovan, Beatrice Lindstrom, it's, Lindstrom, Connors, decamp, Antonio Guterres hasn't, Sienna Merope, Synge, gesturing, she's, I've, Caitlin Hu, Etant Dupain, Paula Newton, CNN's Eliza Anyangwe, Eliza Mackintosh Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, General, Central African, moto, UN's Office, UN's, Development, Trust Fund, Democratic, Harvard Law School, Institute for Justice, Democracy, Trust, New Locations: Dominican Republic, Les Cayes, Haiti, Port, Niger, Central African Republic, Dajabón, Cap, Haiti's, Haitian, Les, Senegalese, Port Salut, Uruguayan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, New York City, Prince, South Sudan, New York, UN, Africa

☆ US, Saudi Arabia in talks to secure metals in Africa, Wall Street Journal reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

VinFast electric vehicles are parked before delivery to their first customers at a store in Los Angeles, March 1, 2023. The United States and Saudi Arabia are in talks to secure metals in Africa needed to help them with their energy transitions, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people with knowledge of the talks. In a similar arrangement in July, Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Ma'aden) (1211.SE) and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired 10% of Brazilian Vale's base metal unit, while U.S. investment firm Engine No. The White House is seeking the financial backing of other sovereign-wealth funds in the region, but talks with Saudi Arabia have progressed the farthest, the Journal added. The Saudi government and The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: PIF, Ma'aden Organizations: Wall Street, Democratic, Saudi Arabian Mining, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Manara Minerals, Saudi Locations: Los Angeles, United States, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Saudi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Namibia, U.S, China, Brazilian, Congo

☆ DR Congo, Mauritania and Mozambique qualify for Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CAPE TOWN, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania and Mozambique qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals with wins on Saturday, but the games were overshadowed by the earthquake in Morocco that killed more than 1,000 people. The Gambia and Congo teams had to evacuate their hotel rooms when the quake hit on Friday and spent the night sleeping next to their respective hotel swimming pools. Mozambique booked their place earlier on Saturday with a last-gasp 3-2 home win over Benin in Maputo. On top of hosts Ivory Coast and Saturday's successful trio, the other finalists are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pierre, Emerick, Jean Noel Amonome, Theo Bongonda, Saturday's, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Democratic, Africa, Nations, U.S . Geological, Reuters, Confederation of African Football, DR, Belgium, Congolese, Clesio, Ivory Coast, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Mozambique, Morocco, Liberia, Gambia, Congo, Marrakech, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan, Gabon, Kinshasa, Mayele, Benin, Maputo, Senegal, Burundi, Cameroon, Namibia, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Cape Town

☆ Africa’s Vast Solar and Mineral Resources at Risk of Being Left Untapped, IEA Warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Will Horner | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Energy investment in Africa needs to more than double by the end of the decade if the continent is to meet its energy and climate goals. “Energy investment on our continent has fallen short,” wrote William Ruto, president of Kenya, in the report’s foreword. Photo: Lucien Kahozi/Bloomberg NewsAll of these are pushing up the cost of capital which makes many African energy projects financially unviable despite ample local resources and proven technologies such as wind or solar power, the report said. PREVIEWCurrently, 600 million people across Africa lack access to electricity and almost one billion have no access to clean cooking fuels. African nations are seeking redress for the effects of climate change they experience despite contributing little to carbon emissions, the main driver of global warming.

Persons: ”, Fatih Birol, simon maina, William Ruto, Lucien Kahozi, Will Horner, william.horner@wsj.com Organizations: International Energy Agency, African Development Bank, IEA, Agence France, West, “ Energy, Democratic, Bloomberg, Sustainable Business, Africa Climate Locations: Africa, Paris, ” Africa, China, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Nairobi

[1/5] Oze Makvala, 19, a homeless teenager who has slept rough on the streets for years, sings at the studio of Mokili Na Poche cultural centre, a Congolese arts refuge that helps street children, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo September 5, 2023. "It really makes me happy when I sing," said 19-year-old Osé Mavakala, who has slept on the streets for years like more than 20,000 other homeless children in Kinshasa, according to U.N. agency UNICEF. Other teens looked on with pride as Mavakala rapped intently into the microphone at a session in late August. Founder Cedrick Tshimbalanga hopes these skills and the routine will help the children find their feet and their voices. Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Makvala, Justin Makangara, Mavakala, Lil Wayne, Fally, Cedrick Tshimbalanga, Tshimbalanga, Alessandra Prentice, Aurora Ellis, Emelia Organizations: Democratic, REUTERS, Rights, UNICEF, Thomson Locations: Congolese, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rights KINSHASA

☆ Zimbabwe: President Mnangagwa sworn in after disputed polls
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in for a second five-year term Monday, a week after securing an absolute majority in a disputed presidential vote. The arrests had followed the release of a report by the Zimbabwe NGO Forum that documented irregularities on polling day, according to Amnesty International. The opposition CCC party told CNN on Monday it will not challenge Mnangagwa’s victory at the courts, because it is unsure of getting justice through the country’s legal system. Mnangagwa took the reins of power for another term in a colorful ceremony attended by thousands of Zimbabweans and regional leaders. Mnangagwa, nicknamed “The Crocodile,” succeeded Mugabe after helping to orchestrate the coup that ousted him.

Persons: CNN —, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mnangagwa, Nelson Chamisa, ”, Reuters Mnangagwa's, Mkwananzi, Robert Mugabe, “, Mugabe Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Citizens Coalition, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, European, Zimbabwe NGO Forum, Amnesty International, CCC, Philimon, Reuters Locations: South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Philimon Bulawayo, Harare

CNN —Dozens of people were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo this week during demonstrations against the United Nations’ mission in the country. At least 43 people were killed and a further 53 were injured during the clashes with local authorities. Over 150 people were arrested, including the leader of the group which organized the protests, the government said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday called for DRC authorities to ensure that “future law enforcement actions in the context of the policing of public assemblies fully adhere to international human rights norms and standards.”Anti-UN protests in the DRC broke out in July and have since escalated. The UN has a longstanding and significant footprint in the country, which has been the object of local demonstrations for years.

Persons: “, ”, MONUSCO, ’, ” Ravina Shamdasani, ” Shamdasani, Volker Türk Organizations: CNN, Democratic, United Nations, Protesters, Wednesday, East African Community, UN, Human Rights, Human Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Goma, ”, Congolese, ’ Goma, DRC

☆ Opinion: Putin’s virtual bravado, Xi’s big win, and 6 new members. Why this was a summit like no other
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Opinion Michael Bociurkiw | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The move breathes new life into a group set to rival the G7 and brings the world closer to multi-polarity. BRICS leaders could be forgiven for not knowing whether to exhibit exuberance or concern on Wednesday. (Summit host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said it should be seen as an accomplishment for the entire BRICS bloc.) Hours later, just as BRICS leaders were sitting down to dinner, news alerts started to steal the show on the crashed private jet said to be carrying Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Host South Africa just manages to pull it offThat South Africa managed to pull off hosting the summit is an accomplishment in itself.

Persons: Michael Bociurkiw, Michael Bociurkiw Chrystia, “, —, Xi Jinping, you’ve, Nicolás Maduro, Russia’s, Cyril Ramaphosa, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, couldn’t, Swagger, I’ve, Modi, Vladimir Putin’s, Sergey Lavrov, Lula da Silva, Lula, Vladimir Putin, Michele Spatari, It’s, ” Nontsikelelo, Facebook Xi, Xi, Putin Organizations: Atlantic Council, Organization for Security, Cooperation, CNN, Johannesburg CNN, United Arab, —, for Security, UN, Wagner, Getty, Democratic, Twitter, Facebook, National Congress, ANC Locations: Odesa, Europe, Johannesburg, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Africa, ”, Beijing, Donbas, Ukraine, AFP, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon

☆ What is BRICS, which countries want to join and why?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

All the BRICS countries are part of the Group of 20 (G20) of major economies. WHICH NATIONS WANT TO JOIN BRICS AND WHY? It has received backing from Russia and Brazil to join the BRICS. Bolivia's President Luis Arce has expressed interest in BRICS membership and is expected to attend the summit. Algeria said in July it has applied for BRICS membership and to become a shareholder in the New Development Bank, the so-called BRICS Bank.

Persons: Commerce Wang, Competition Ebrahim Patel, Goldman Sachs, Jim O'Neill, Luis Arce, Bhargav Acharya, Olivia Kumwenda, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Commerce, Africa's, Trade, Industry, Competition, of Trade, Economic, United Nations, World Bank, of, Petroleum, WHO, Democratic, U.S, New Development Bank, BRICS Bank, Thomson Locations: South Africa, China, JOHANNESBURG, Brazil, Russia, India, Johannesburg, United States, United, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Cape Town

☆ Seven children killed in fire at Congolese camp for displaced flood victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo, Aug 19 (Reuters) - At least seven children were killed in eastern Congo on Saturday after a fire broke out at camp for people displaced by flooding, local official Thomas Bakenga said. The children killed in the fire were aged between one and five, while four adults were in a critical condition in hospital, Kalehe territorial administrator Bakenga told Reuters. The deaths bring further tragedy to a community still grieving the loss of at least 460 people in the floods. Overall, close to 9,000 people were impacted by the disaster, which saw flood waters bury buildings in mud and cut off roads. Reporting by Crispin Kyala; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: BUKAVU, Thomas Bakenga, Bakenga, Crispin Kyala, Alessandra Prentice, Alison Williams Organizations: Democratic, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Kalehe, Bushushu, South Kivu

☆ Safaricom launches M-Pesa mobile money service in Ethiopia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Dawit Endeshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A customer displays the package of a Safaricom Ethiopia sim card during the service launch in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 6, 2022. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsADDIS ABABA, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Safaricom's (SCOM.NR) M-Pesa mobile money service went live in Ethiopia on Wednesday, in a boost to the Kenyan telecoms operator as it seeks to kickstart growth in one of Africa's biggest economies. The company also faces stiff competition from Ethio Telecom, whose profits more than doubled in its latest financial year. In July, Ethio Telecom reported having more than 34 million subscribers to its mobile money service Telebirr. Mobile money services are common in East Africa, allowing customers to send and receive money and pay for goods and services.

Persons: Safaricom, Stanley Njoroge, Dawit, Elias Biryabarema, Aaron Ross, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Tiksa, South Africa’s Vodacom, Britain’s Vodafone, Democratic, Ethio Telecom, Thomson Locations: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, ADDIS ABABA, Horn of Africa, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mobile, East Africa

☆ Yellen warns of risks of over-concentration of clean energy supply chains
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"As we move away from fossil fuels, we remain concerned about the risks of over-concentration in clean energy supply chains," she said in excerpts of the speech obtained by Reuters. "Today, the production of critical clean energy inputs – from batteries to solar panels to critical minerals – is concentrated in a handful of countries." "The IRA is helping re-shore some of the production that is critical to our clean energy economy," she said. "Accelerating these transitions can mean greater demand for U.S. clean energy technologies produced by American workers. It can also bolster global clean energy supply chains.”Yellen will speak at a training center operated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Thomas Peter, laud, Yellen, Joe Biden, Biden, Andrea Shalal, Diane Craft Organizations: Treasury, U.S, REUTERS, Thomas, Thomas Peter Companies Ipsos, LAS, Reuters, International Energy Agency, Democratic, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, United States, U.S, Las Vegas, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Australia, Chile, Nevada

BELEM, Brazil, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Amazon rainforest nations emerged from a summit this week with a stronger hand to play at upcoming United Nations climate talks, despite the meeting's lackluster final agreement, according to environmental groups. Lula will take that message on the road this year at the G20, United Nations General Assembly and U.N. COP28 climate summit. But he also applauded the symbolism of the eight Amazon countries meeting together for the first time in 14 years and joining their voices with the world's other major rainforests. STRONGER VOICERainforest nations have a stronger unified voice after the meeting, at least on paper, said Luis Roman, a representative of nonprofit WWF Peru. Rainforest nations thus far have focused on past funding commitments.

Persons: It's, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, André Guimarães, Marcio Astrini, Astrini, Luis Roman, Susana Muhamad, Jake Spring, Oliver Griffin, Brad Haynes, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Democratic, United Nations General Assembly, Amazon Environmental Research Institute, Observatory, WWF, Colombia's, Thomson Locations: BELEM, Brazil, Nations, Indonesia, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Venezuela, Lula, Bolivia, WWF Peru, European, Belem, Bogota

☆ How 4 Countries Are Preparing to Bring Stolen Treasures Home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Catherine Hickley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The discussion about returning wrongfully acquired heritage to countries in the global south has, until now, largely focused on the steps taken by Western museums and governments. But away from the spotlight, in countries like Cameroon and Indonesia, heritage workers, government officials and activists are laying the groundwork to reclaim long lost treasures, a process most expect will take decades. Challenges include establishing who will own and take care of the artifacts, upgrading museum infrastructure, involving communities and awakening public interest. “We have an enormous mission,” said Placide Mumbembele Sanger, a professor at the University of Kinshasa who is advising the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government. “It will be a long process.”

Persons: ”, Placide Mumbembele Sanger Organizations: University of, Democratic Locations: Cameroon, Indonesia, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo’s

BELEM, Brazil, Aug 9 (Reuters) - A dozen rainforest countries formed a pact on Wednesday at a summit in Brazil to demand developed countries pay to help poorer nations combat climate change and preserve biodiversity. In the joint statement, the dozen countries called for financing mechanisms to be developed for the world to pay for the critical services provided by forests. They also expressed concerns that richer nations have not delivered on a promise to provide $100 billion in climate financing annually to developing countries. Additionally, they called on developed nations to meet an existing commitment to provide $200 billion per year for biodiversity preservation. At last year's climate summit, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia agreed to form an alliance to pressure rich countries to pay for conservation.

Persons: Saint Vincent, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jake Spring, Steven Grattan, Miral Fahmy, Deepa Babington Organizations: Our, Democratic, United Nations, Thomson Locations: BELEM, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Guyana, Indonesia, Peru, Republic of Congo, Grenadines, Suriname, Venezuela, Congo, Southeast Asia, United, Republic

On Tuesday, the leaders of eight countries that are home to the Amazon River basin agreed to work together to conserve the world’s largest rainforest at a groundbreaking meeting convened by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. The agreement, called the Belém Declaration, for the Brazilian city where the meeting was held, provides a road map to stave off the rampant deforestation, caused in large part by industrial agriculture and land-grabbing, that has severely damaged the rainforest and has major implications for Earth’s climate. The meeting was also expected to yield a separate agreement on Wednesday among other nations with major rainforests — including the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and Indonesia — to more closely coordinate protecting the ecosystems globally. The Amazon rainforest is not only a haven of biodiversity but also plays an important role in the fight against climate change because it pulls huge amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and stores it away. Over the past half-century, around 17 percent of the forest has been razed and an even bigger share is severely degraded.

Persons: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Organizations: Democratic Locations: Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Indonesia

General Abdourahmane Tiani, who was declared as the new head of state of Niger by leaders of a coup, arrives to meet with ministers in Niamey, Niger July 28, 2023. REUTERS/Balima Boureima/File PhotoDAKAR, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Niger's regional and Western allies have announced a series of sanctions against the country following the July 26 coup. These sanctions have been imposed on Niger since the coup:WEST AFRICA REGIONAL BLOCThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Monetary and Economic Union have imposed some of the most stringent sanctions on Niger so far since the coup. NETHERLANDSThe Dutch government, which was supporting development and security programmes in Niger, temporarily suspended its direct cooperation with the government following the coup. WORLD BANKThe World Bank suspended disbursements until further notice, except for private-sector partnerships which it said will continue with caution.

Persons: Abdourahmane Tiani, Balima, Bate Felix, Anait, Daphne Psaledakis, Gabriela Baczynska, Juliette Jabkhiro, Nick Macfie, Angus MacSwan Organizations: REUTERS, WEST AFRICA REGIONAL BLOC, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, West, Monetary and Economic Union, Ivory, European Union, STATES, ., CANADA Canada, World Bank, Bank, Thomson Locations: Niger, Niamey, DAKAR, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, West Africa's, FRANCE France, France, Mali, Burkina Faso, NETHERLANDS, Dutch, United States, U.S, Africa, Washington, Brussels, Paris

☆ Uganda to reopen century-old rail link after China fails to fund new line
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Elias Biryabarema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The line, which has been out of use for roughly 40 years, is part of the East Africa rail network that stretches from Kenya's Indian Ocean seaport of Mombasa. It was built by Kenya and Uganda's former colonial ruler Britain around the beginning of the 20th-century. Uganda decided to revamp the old network after plans to build a separate modern standard gauge railway (SGR) failed to secure financing from China. The European Union funded construction of the Gulu hub, completed in late 2021, as part of the effort to revamp Uganda's railway network, which fell into disrepair during the country's economic collapse in 1970s and early 80s. Ugandan officials hope once the link is restored, rail will replace trucks in shipping transit goods to South Sudan and northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Persons: Thomas Mukoya, John Linnon Sengendo, Sengendo, Elias Biryabarema, George Obulutsa, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic, Uganda Railways Corporation, Reuters, China Harbour, Engineering Company, Bridge Corporation, European Union, Thomson Locations: Kenya, Uganda, Kibera, Nairobi, South Sudan, DRC Kenya, KAMPALA, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Africa, Mombasa, Britain, China, Ugandan, Tororo, Uganda's, Gulu, Kampala

☆ DNA of enslaved iron workers illuminates African American history
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A view of the site of the Catoctin Furnace, an iron forge where enslaved people of African descent once worked, in Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland, U.S., in this undated photograph. The site now also is providing unique insight into African American history thanks to research involving DNA obtained from the remains of 27 individuals buried in a cemetery for enslaved people at Catoctin Furnace. For African American and United States history, revealing these stories and family legacies is important to understanding and acknowledging who we are, where we came from and how we are connected to each other today," Bruwelheide added. Enslaved people of African descent were forced to work in agricultural, industrial and domestic settings in parts of the United States. In a first-of-its-kind analysis, the researchers examined historical DNA alongside genetic testing company 23andMe's personal ancestry database to identify 41,799 Americans related to the 27 individuals, including 2,975 close relatives.

Persons: Aneta, Camp David, Kari Bruwelheide, Bruwelheide, Éadaoin Harney, Andy Kill, enslavers, Kathryn Barca, Barca, Will Dunham, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Smithsonian Institution, Democratic, Smithsonian's National, of, United, Workers, Catoctin, Smithsonian, Thomson Locations: Cunningham Falls, Park, Maryland, U.S, Handout, REUTERS WASHINGTON, Camp, Catoctin, West, Central Africa's, Senegal, Gambia, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, Americas, Washington, United States, Civil

☆ Gold subdued on dollar strength as markets await economic data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A technician cleans impurities from melted gold bars at Primera Gold's laboratory in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, May 12, 2023. Gold prices edged lower on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar climbed, while investors looked forward to key economic data this week for signs on how long the interest rates could keep rising to quell sticky inflation. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,961.49 per ounce by 0343 GMT, while U.S. gold futures dropped 0.5% to $1,961.10 per ounce. Gold prices ended July 2.3% higher, the biggest monthly rise in four months on expectations that an end to the rate-hiking cycle by global central banks was nearing. This is why the central banks are sticking with the data-dependent mantra," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Nicholas Frappell, Austan Goolsbee, Tim Waterer, Waterer Organizations: Primera Gold's, U.S, ABC Refinery, Chicago Federal, KCM Trade Locations: Bukavu, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chicago

However, the continued strength of copper raw material imports is translating into record domestic refined metal production, a structural shift towards self-sufficiency that is likely to dampen demand for imported units going forwards. China's imports and exports of unwrought refined copperLOWER REFINED COPPER IMPORTSChina imported 1.65 million metric tons of refined copper in the first half of 2023, down by 12% on the first half of last year and the lowest first-half tally since 2019. China's huge copper imports are offset against a smaller outbound flow of metal mostly produced under raw materials tolling contracts. China's monthly imports of copper reyclablesMORE CONCENTRATES AND SCRAPWhile China's refined copper appetite waned in the first half of the year, its imports of mined concentrates continued to accelerate. The continued strength of raw material flows into China, however, suggests any recovery in refined metal shipments may be more muted than expected.

Persons: Chile, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Democratic, China's CMOC, Shanghai Metal, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Beijing, Europe, United States

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