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☆ King Charles’ state visit strategy is changing Britain’s global brand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Max Foster | Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Mombasa, Kenya CNN —A small moment during King Charles’ state visit to Kenya may have defined it. An elderly war veteran was waiting in a wheelchair for his turn to meet the British monarch at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Kariokor cemetery in Nairobi on Wednesday morning. Because anyone back then who had supported the British colonial power became a target for the Mau Mau resistance who were on their own campaign to seize their country back. Some of the 6,000 Africans rounded up in Nairobi by police searching for Mau Mau rebels in April 1953. King Charles’ moves are a progression from the way his mother operated.

Persons: King Charles ’, Graves, Samwel Nthigai Mburia, Charles ’, Elizabeth II, Mburia, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Charles, Samir Hussein, “, ” Mburia, Evelyn Kimathi, Dedan Kimathi, she’d, Evelyn, ” he’d, Mau, Queen Elizabeth II Organizations: CNN’s Royal, Kenya CNN, Commonwealth, Guinness World Records, Royals, “, Uhuru Gardens, Keystone, Hulton, European Union Locations: Mombasa, Kenya, British, Kariokor, Nairobi, Cpl, Ethiopia, Egypt, Myanmar, United Kingdom, ”, Mau Mau, Germany, France

Nairobi, Kenya CNN —When King Charles III touched down for his four-day state visit in Kenya, it seemed inevitable the new monarch would have to grapple with Britain’s legacy of colonialism. But it was also that same year that Mau Mau freedom fighters – originating from the country’s largest ethnic Kikuyu tribe – rebelled against British colonialists. Mau Mau rebels held in a prison camp in Kenya in 1952. The King, accompanied by President William Ruto, receives a guided tour of a new museum dedicated to Kenya's history on Tuesday. The wounds and trauma inflicted during that dark period are still prevalent today, according to Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi, the daughter of one of the leaders of the Mau Mau uprising, Dedan Kimathi.

Persons: King Charles III, Prince William, Charles, William Ruto, ”, ” King Charles, Queen Camilla, Rachel Ruto, Chris Jackson, ” Charles, It’s, Prince of, Kate Middleton, –, Mau Mau, contrition, Ruto, Ian Vogler, ” Ruto, Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi, Dedan, Kimathi, “, we’ll, Victoria Jones, King Charles, Buckingham Organizations: CNN’s Royal, Kenya CNN, Caribbean, Kenyan, Kenyans ”, Getty, British, Kenyan Human Rights, Hulton, Uhuru, CNN, Commonwealth Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Buckingham, Britain, Commonwealth, Prince of Wales, Mau, Stroud, ”, British

U.S. officials visiting South Africa this week to meet African trade ministers will face calls to reauthorise the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which expires in 2025. Apparel companies and industry insiders warn that Africa risks a once-in-a-generation shift away from Chinese manufacturing passing it by, with an estimated 240,000 to 290,000 jobs such as Nasimiyu's under threat. Apparel has been the standout success story of AGOA, which launched in 2000 to help develop African economies and foster democracy. African apparel exports under the programme reached nearly $1.4 billion last year, double the amount pre-AGOA. "We've been struck by how open the opportunity is now for us," South African Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel said last week.

Persons: Norah Nasimiyu, Thomas Mukoya, Pankaj Bedi, Norah Nasimiyu's, We've, Ebrahim Patel, Stephen Lamar, Michael Walsh, Constance Hamilton, Biden, Greg Poole, Bedi, Joe Bavier, Duncan Miriri, Alexander Smith Organizations: United Aryan, Processing, The U.S, REUTERS, U.S . Congress, AFRICA Industry, African Trade, United States Fashion Industry Association, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Congress, Research, U.S . International Trade Commission, GSP, UAL, Thomson Locations: Ruaraka district, Nairobi, Kenya, China, NAIROBI, U.S, South Africa, Africa, Philadelphia, Moscow, Beijing, Russia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, AGOA, gridlock, United States, Johannesburg

[1/2] Kenyan workers check clothes made for export at the United Aryan Export Processing Zone (EPZ) factory, operating under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), in Ruaraka district of Nairobi, Kenya October 26, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya Acquire Licensing RightsNov 1 (Reuters) - South Africa will host the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Johannesburg from Nov 2-4 to discuss the United States' flagship trade programme for the continent. The African Growth and Opportunity Act is a U.S. trade initiative passed in 2000 under former President Bill Clinton to deepen trade ties with Sub-Saharan Africa and help African countries develop their economies. AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for most agricultural and manufactured products exported by eligible African countries. African countries are pushing for an early 10-year extension without changes in order to reassure businesses and investors who might have concerns over AGOA's future.

Persons: Thomas Mukoya, Bill Clinton, AGOA, Nellie Peyton, Joe Bavier, Alexander Smith Organizations: United Aryan, Processing, U.S ., REUTERS, WHO, AGOA, U.S . Trade, Thomson Locations: Ruaraka district, Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa, Johannesburg, United States, U.S, Saharan Africa, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, AGOA .

☆ Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Maureen Ohare | Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Get your wishlist fired up, Lonely Planet just revealed its 50 top travel destinations for the year ahead. The travel publishing empire turns 50 this year, and its bumper Best in Travel 2024 list is expanded across five categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations and best-value locations. The “wild beauty” of South Africa also gets a nod, with Lonely Planet recommending visitors check out the country’s “impressive crop of ecolodges” committed to protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The underrated American Midwest is the top tip here: in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, “you’ll find old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco design hotels and many Michelin-starred restaurants,” says Lonely Planet. Says Lonely Planet, “Here you’ll find the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails.”Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024India: A big country with a whole lot to love, including Gadisar lake in Rajasthan.

Persons: CNN —, Lucia, Torres del, ecolodges ”, Babanango, “, ”, you’ll, Ilan Shacham, Ireland País Vasco, Português, daniel Organizations: CNN, Lonely, Lonely Planet, Kenyan, Michelin, Getty, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia St, Regions, CNN Cities Nairobia, Chile Greenland, Lithuania Eco, France Egypt Ikaria, Greece Algeria Southern Lakes, Central Otago , New Zealand Locations: Mongolia, Mexico, Croatia, St, Benin, Uzbekistan, City, Nairobi, Paris, Prague, Czech, “, Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Spain, Valencia, Barcelona, South Africa, South, KwaZulu Natal, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Algeria, Northern Africa, Europe, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Hercegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Adriatic, Donegal, Ireland’s, India, Rajasthan, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia, Lucia Macedonia, South Australia Donegal, Ireland, Spain Southern Thailand Swahili, Tanzania Montana, USA, Austria, Kenya Paris, France Montreal, Canada Mostar, Herzegovina Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Manaus, Brazil Jakarta, Indonesia Prague, Czech Republic Izmir, Turkey Kansas City , Missouri, Spain Patagonia, Argentina, Chile, Chile Greenland Wales, Santiago Palau Hokkaido, Japan Ecuador Baltic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, South Africa Poland, USA Poland Nicaragua Danube Limes, Bulgaria Normandy, France Egypt, Greece Algeria Southern, Central Otago , New

☆ Britain's King Charles visits Kenya with colonialism's scars in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/9] Britain's King Charles inspects the honour guards as he is hosted by Kenya's President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi, Kenya October 31, 2023. Accompanied by Queen Camilla on his first visit as monarch to a former colony, Charles arrived in the capital Nairobi overnight. Charles' visit comes at a time when former colonies are demanding that Britain do more to recognise the abuses of its colonial past. Nandi King Koitalel Arap Samoei led a decade-long rebellion until he was assassinated by a British colonel in 1905. Charles also plans to meet entrepreneurs from Kenya's bustling tech scene, tour wildlife facilities and travel to the southeastern port city of Mombasa.

Persons: King Charles, William Ruto, Arthur Edwards, Queen Camilla, Charles, Kenya's Nandi, Buckingham, Kenya's, Nandi King Koitalel Arap Samoei, Samoei's, Kipchoge araap Chomu, Aaron Ross, Hereward, Hereward Holland, Michael Perry, John Stonestreet Organizations: Kenya's, State House, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kenyan, Commonwealth, Kenya Human Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Rights NAIROBI, Uhuru Gardens, Barbados, Jamaica, British, Mombasa, Hereward Holland

☆ Britain's King Charles begins Kenya visit steeped in 'painful' colonial history
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] Britain's King Charles is hosted by Kenya's President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi, Kenya October 31, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya Acquire Licensing RightsNAIROBI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles begins a four-day state visit to Kenya on Tuesday, his first to a former colony, during which he plans to acknowledge "painful aspects" of a shared history that included almost seven decades of colonial rule. Accompanied by Queen Camilla, Charles arrived in the East African country overnight and will be received by Kenyan President William Ruto in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday morning. Buckingham Palace says the visit is a reflection of the two countries' close cooperation on economic development, climate change and security issues. The most notorious period of British rule came near the end, during the 1952-1960 Mau Mau revolt in central Kenya.

Persons: King Charles, William Ruto, Thomas Mukoya, Britain's King Charles, Queen Camilla, Charles, Buckingham, Camilla, Queen Elizabeth, Nandi, Koitalel Arap Samoie, Samoie's, Kipchoge araap Chomu, Aaron Ross, Hereward, Hereward Holland, Michael Perry Organizations: Kenya's, State House, REUTERS, Rights, Kenyan, Kenya Human Rights, Commonwealth, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Rights NAIROBI, East, Mombassa, Barbados, Jamaica, British, Hereward Holland

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — King Charles III has expressed “greatest sorrow and the deepest regret” for the “abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence” committed against Kenyans as they sought independence, during a speech on his first day of a four-day visit. The king and Queen Camilla touched down in the capital, Nairobi, late Monday. Another group of protesters briefly chanted anti-British songs and threw roses at the foot of a monument to Mau Mau veteran Dedan Kimathi in Nairobi's central business district on Tuesday. “Just because the king is in Kenya, police have denied us our constitutional right to protest peacefully,” Juliet Wanjira, one of the organizers, said. During his visit, Britain announced 4.5 million pounds ($5.5 million) in new funding to support education reforms in Kenya.

Persons: — King Charles III, ”, explicity, Charles, William Ruto, Ruto, ” Ruto, Buckingham, Kenya's, that's, Charles ’, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Camilla, Koigi Wamwere, ” Salim David Nganga, Joel Kimutai Kimetto, “, Kelvin Kubai, Dedan Kimathi, ” Juliet Wanjira, Wanjira Mathai, Wangari Maathai, Prince Philip Organizations: Kenyans, Kenyan, AP, British, Britain, Commonwealth, Aberdare National Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, Britain, Commonwealth, East, Nairobi, Mau Mau, Nairobi's, Africa, South Africa

☆ Dispossessed Kenyans demand compensation ahead of King Charles' visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Aaron Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Before Elizabeth could make it to Lake Victoria, word came that her father, King George VI, had died. More than 70 years later, Elizabeth's son, King Charles, will visit Kenya this week on a state visit. Buckingham Palace has said Charles' visit, which begins on Tuesday, will acknowledge "painful aspects of the UK and Kenya's shared history". The colonial administration took hundreds of square kilometres of land that communities in western Kenya had lived on for generations and handed it to British settlers. The British government has not been receptive in the past to requests by the Kipsigis and Talai to discuss compensation.

Persons: Britain's King Charles ', Camilla's, King Charles, Princess Elizabeth, Kibore Cheruiyot Ngasura, Elizabeth, King George VI, Elizabeth's, Ngasura, Charles, Kenya's, Joel Kimetto, “, Talai, Aaron Ross, Michael Holden, Alison Williams Organizations: Reuters, Kenyan, British, Foreign, Commonwealth, Development Office, Thomson Locations: Britain's, Kenya, Tugunon, Kericho County, KERICHO, Lake Victoria, Gwassi, London, Buckingham, British, Kericho, Nairobi, Mombasa

☆ 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

☆ King Charles III will confront Britain’s colonial past when he visits Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Max Foster | Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: This is a version of CNN’s Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on Britain’s royal family. CNN —When King Charles III visits Kenya next week, he’ll do something no other member of his family has done in the country. Next week’s royal visit will largely focus on the strong connection between the two countries. Kenya holds a special place for the British royal family. Unfortunately, King Charles’ jam-packed schedule during the trip will not permit him to visit the poignant location.

Persons: King Charles III, Charles, Queen Camilla, It’s, Chris Fitzgerald, Kenya’s, Nandi, Jomo Kenyatta, William Hague, “, ” Hague, William Ruto, Princess Elizabeth, King Charles ’ Organizations: CNN’s Royal, CNN, Kenya, British, Kenyan Human Rights, Kenyan, Nation, Keystone, Hulton Royals, British Government, Government, State, Commonwealth Locations: United Kingdom, Kenya, Buckingham, Britain, Nazi Germany, Gatundi, Nairobi, Commonwealth, British, Rwanda, Treetops

☆ Ethiopia PM Abiy Seeks to Quell Neighbours' Concerns Over Invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"Ethiopia has never invaded any country and now Ethiopia has no intention to invade any country," Abiy told thousands of soldiers gathered in the capital Addis Ababa to celebrate the national army on Thursday. Abiy said Ethiopia would not pursue its interests "through force", and that "it wouldn't pull the trigger on its fellow brothers." Abiy won a Nobel peace prize in 2019 for his peacemaking efforts which ended two decades of hostility with Eritrea. "There are major concerns around the region that the relationship could deteriorate further and risk outright hostility." (Reporting by Dawit Endeshaw and Giulia Paravicini, writing by Giulia Paravicini; Editing by Hereward Holland and Christina Fincher)

Persons: Dawit Endeshaw, Giulia, Abiy Ahmed, Abiy, Alan Boswell, Horn, Alexis Mohamed, Somalia's, Giulia Paravicini, Hereward Holland, Christina Fincher Organizations: Ethiopian, Crisis Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Ethiopia, Horn of Africa, Coastal Eritrea, Addis Ababa, Eritrea, Bure, Tigray, Asmara, Djibouti, United States, China

☆ The best places — and best times — to take a safari
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Harriet Akinyi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

KenyaFor more than 25 years, professional safari guide Geoff Mayes has taken tourists to the best parks in Africa. Amboseli National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its massive elephant population and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. In those three, one can track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Another park to consider is the Kidepo Valley National Park, with its sweeping plains and valleys overshadowed by the brooding Mount Morungole. ZimbabweApart from the renowned Hwange National Park, I have also visited Matobo National Park, which has a wide diversity of fauna and plenty of white rhinos.

Persons: I've, revel, Harriet Akinyi, Geoff Mayes, Mara —, Masaai Mara, Mara, you'll, Barack Obama, It's, Luis Davilla, There's, Kruger, Addo, Nogaya, Jason Edwards, Dennis Kahungu, Christopher Kidd, Photodisc, Weaver, Clair, Nxai, Patrick J, Cecil Rhodes, Westend61 Organizations: Mara, Reserve, Kenya —, UNESCO, Heritage, Netflix, National Parks, Kruger, Park, Photodisc, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Queen Elizabeth, Lake, CNBC Travel, Getty, Nature, Kalahari Game Reserve, Kenya, Tourists Locations: Africa, Mugie Conservancy, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Nairobi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Solio Conservancy, Africa Kenya, Johannesburg, iMfolozi, Addo, Uganda Uganda, Kyambura, Lake Mburo, Mburo, Ihema, Inti St, Botswana Botswana, Okavango, Matobo

☆ Mediation collapses between Meta and Kenyan moderators, rights group says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Meta Platforms' business group is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNAIROBI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Settlement talks have collapsed between Facebook's parent company Meta (META.O) and Kenyan content moderators over a lawsuit alleging unfair dismissal, a tech rights group working with the moderators said on Monday. British tech rights group Foxglove said in a statement on Monday that the negotiations had broken down, accusing Meta and Sama of making "very little attempt to address core issues raised by the petitioners". The moderators also allege that Meta is trying to terminate their contracts in defiance of an earlier court order. A hearing on their petition to find Meta and Sama in contempt of court is scheduled for Oct. 31, Foxglove said.

Persons: Yves Herman, Meta, Foxglove, Mercy Mutemi, Sama, Majorel, George Obulutsa, Aaron Ross, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Meta, Facebook, Kenyan, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights NAIROBI, British, Sama, Kenya, Ethiopia

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s President William Ruto sought $1 billion more in loans from China Monday, despite rising public debt that has now reached $70 billion in the Eastern African country, according to National Treasury figures for 2022/2023. President Ruto was was one of a number of global leaders in Beijing to attend the tenth anniversary meeting of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the ambitious plan that aims to connect Africa, Asia and Europe through massive infrastructure and energy projects. Kenya has been struggling with ballooning public debt, with $6 billion owed to Chinese creditors, according to national data. However, it’s not clear if President Ruto and his delegation will be granted a restructuring or extension of the interest payments. Last week, legislators tabled a motion asking the government to reveal details of all the loans it had accumulated since President Ruto came into power in September 2022.

Persons: — Kenya’s, William Ruto, Ruto, Hussein Mohammed, “, ”, SGR, Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya SGR, Aly Khan Satchu, it’s, ” Satchu Organizations: National Treasury, Initiative, Kampala, Kenyan Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, China, Beijing, Africa, Asia, Europe, Mombasa, Nairobi, Uganda, Central Africa, Turkish, Congo, Satchu

Lawyer Mercy Mutemi said the talks had collapsed and the former moderators want to proceed with a contempt of court case against Meta. The parties will now appear at a hearing on Oct. 31 on the moderators’ application to find Meta and Sama in contempt of court. The lawsuit is the first known court challenge of its kind against Facebook outside the United States. In 2020, Facebook agreed to pay $52 million to U.S. content moderators who filed a class action lawsuit after they were repeatedly exposed to beheadings, child and sexual abuse, animal cruelty, terrorism and other disturbing content. Facebook and Sama have defended their employment practices.

Persons: Meta, Mercy Mutemi, ”, Sama, Nduma Nderi Organizations: Meta, Associated Press, Facebook Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, Sama, San Francisco, Nairobi, United States

"We would like to start as quickly as possible," he said of the buyback. Exceptional access would allow Kenya to ask for more than its limit of IMF funding. As of Oct. 5, the central bank said it had $6.9 billion in usable foreign exchange reserves, enough to cover around 3.7 months' worth of imports. The central bank held its main interest rate (KECBIR=ECI) at 10.5% on Oct. 3. Despite Kenya's debt pressures, the economy is set to grow 5.5% this year and around 6% in 2024, Thugge said, above the IMF forecasts for Sub-Saharan Africa of 3.3% and 4% respectively.

Persons: Kamau Thugge, Thugge, Rachel Savage, Jorgelina, Duncan Miriri, Karin Strohecker, Elisa Martinuzzi, Jan Harvey Organizations: Reuters, Trade, Development Bank, African Export, Import Bank, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: MARRAKECH, Morocco, Kenya, Marrakech, Saharan Africa, Rosario, Nairobi

☆ Kenyan Court Throws Out Challenge Seeking to Block GM Crops
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

NAIROBI (Reuters) - A Kenyan court threw out on Thursday a case challenging the importation and cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops, saying the government had taken appropriate measures to regulate their use. In October 2022, Kenya lifted a 10-year ban on GM crops in response to the East African region's worst drought in 40 years. Kenya's decision to lift the ban of GM crops prompted farmers' groups to say it was rushed and failed to address health concerns. Farmers were also concerned that reliance on GM crops would lead to dependence on seeds from big foreign companies that own patents to them. In its ruling, the Environment and Land Court said the Law Society had not proven Kenya's laws about GM crops violated its constitution.

Persons: Humphrey Malalo, George Obulutsa, Aaron Ross, Rod Nickel Organizations: Kenyan, Law Society of Kenya, Farmers, Environment, Land, Law Society Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, United States

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III will travel to Kenya later this month for a state visit full of symbolism: His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, learned she had become queen while visiting a game preserve in the East African nation in 1952. During the Oct. 31-Nov. 3 visit, Charles plans to meet with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto and to visit Nairobi National Park, where he will have a chance to demonstrate his concern for environmental preservation and fighting climate change. In 1947, the future queen pledged lifelong service to Britain and the Commonwealth on her 21st birthday. Charles himself visited Kenya in 1971, and he attended the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Rwanda in 2022. Charles became the symbolic head of the organization after the queen died last year, but the honor is not hereditary.

Persons: — King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles ’, Charles, William Samoei Ruto Organizations: Kenyan, Commonwealth Locations: Kenya, East, Commonwealth, Nairobi, Africa, Britain, Rwanda, United Kingdom

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Persons: Dow Jones, ca44bf6b Locations: africa

☆ Netflix to end Kenyan free access plan after two years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic Acquire Licensing RightsNAIROBI, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Netflix (NFLX.O) said on Monday it is ending its free mobile plan in Kenya, which has allowed users to access a quarter of its shows and movies without paying over the past two years. "We definitely learnt a lot from the test," a Netflix spokesperson told Reuters, without giving details. Netflix is rolling out an advertisement-supported plan, offering subscribers a monthly plan at 4.99 pounds ($6.07), but the spokesperson did not comment on its availability in Kenya. Although low middle-income economies like Kenya offer streaming services big opportunities for subscriber growth, they also pose challenges as purchasing power dwindles due to inflation, industry executives said. Under the free plan, which will end on Nov. 1, viewers were able to watch Western-produced shows like "Money Heist" and "Bridgerton", and African ones like "Blood & Water".

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Duncan Miriri, Aaron Ross, Alexander Smith Organizations: Netflix, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Rights NAIROBI, Kenya, Africa

☆ Madagascar Presidential Candidate Shows Injury After Opposition Rally Teargassed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

It was not immediately clear what specifically caused the injury. A Reuters witness at the scene in the centre of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo confirmed police firing teargas at the supporters, who numbered in the hundreds. The Reuters witness said another former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was also present among their supporters who had gathered to march before the teargas was fired. Marchers were demanding changes to the officials running the election commission and for the formation of a special court to hear election disputes. The Indian Ocean island is hoping for its third peaceful election since an upheaval of 2009, when Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana in a coup.

Persons: Marc Ravalomanana, Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina, Lovasoa Rabary, George Obulutsa, David Holmes Organizations: Facebook, Police, Reuters Locations: ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, Madagascar's, Antananarivo, Nairobi

☆ Madagascar presidential candidate shows injury after opposition rally teargassed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Madagascar Presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana addresses supporters, during a campaign rally at the at the Mahamasina stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar November 3, 2018. The Reuters witness said another former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was also present among their supporters who had gathered to march before the teargas was fired. Marchers were demanding changes to the officials running the election commission and for the formation of a special court to hear election disputes. The Indian Ocean island is hoping for its third peaceful election since an upheaval of 2009, when Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana in a coup. Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary; Writing by George Obulutsa in Nairobi; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marc Ravalomanana, Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina, Lovasoa Rabary, George Obulutsa, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Facebook, Police, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Madagascar, Antananarivo, ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar's, Nairobi

☆ How Karol G went from a Latin music star to a fashion icon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Robb Young | Graciela Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +24 min

With 66 million followers on the platform, Karol G ranks 70th in terms of follower count but 6th when it comes to engagement rates. But the label’s enthusiasm for its Karol G campaign a half-year after its release is telling, nonetheless. Karol G attends the #BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 30, 2023 in Paris, France. By the time Karol G entered the scene in a big way, fashion, luxury and sportswear giants were still warming up to her male counterparts. People aren’t as fixated on that anymore.”Indeed, it is the shift in attitudes toward language that appears to have helped Karol G secure the Loewe deal.

Persons: Karol G, Jonathan Anderson, Karol’s, Shakira, — Karol G, Provenza, “, ”, Nicki Minaj —, Karol, Karol G's, she’s, Lea Colombo, “ Karol G, Charlie Smith, Loewe, couldn’t, Ricky Martin’s, hasn’t, “ I’ve, Anderson, Karol G’s, ” Karol G, Christopher Polk, SocialBook, Kim Kardashian, Julian Martinez, ” Martinez, “ Karol, Miu, Roberto Cavalli, Gina Ferazzi, Loewe’s Smith, Jacquemus, Barbie, Emilio Pucci, —, Vetements, Rick Owens, Pascal Le Segretain, Maykol Sanchez, Spotify’s, Yankee’s, Don Omar’s, Maluma, J, Nicky Jam, . Ivy Queen, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira —, Burberry —, Becky G —, Karol —, Ovy, Bad Bunny, Rich Fury, Karla Martínez, There’s, Leila Cobo, Billboard’s, ” Cobo, aren’t, “ Jonathan, ” Karol, Carolina Giraldo Navarro, Colombia’s, J Balvin, Cobo, She’s, ” she’s, haven’t, ’ ” Karol G, Alexander Tamargo, Nina García, Elle, García, ” García, I’ve, I’m, it’s, Brett Alan Nelson, I’d Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, —, Billboard, MTV, New York City’s Rockefeller Center, Variety, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Brands, Los, Paris, Spotify, Reebok, Umbro, Dolce, Gabbana, Nike, Guess, Adidas, Trailblazers, Burberry, Levi’s, Kappa, Puerto Rican, Pew Research Center, Limits, Vogue Mexico, reggaeton’s, Loewe, Carolina, Puerto Locations: Spanish, ”, Latin America, New York, Newark , New Jersey, California, Versailles, bejeweled, Paris, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Canada, America, Balmain, Barcelona, Rosalía, American, Panama, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican, Caribbean, Medellín, Colombia, Puerto, Miami, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Chile, Austin, Austin , Texas, Mexico, North America, Europe, Dubai, Singapore, Nairobi, Puerto Rican, Sera, Miami , Florida, Colombiamoda

☆ Kenya to ask China for $1 bln loan to complete road projects, longer debt repayments
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view shows the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport toll station on the Nairobi Expressway undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, along Mombasa road in Embakasi district of Nairobi, Kenya May 7, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNAIROBI, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Kenya's President William Ruto will ask China for a $1 billion loan to complete stalled road construction projects when he travels to Beijing later this month, his deputy said on Friday. "At the moment we are paying debt and people are not using roads because many of them are half finished," Gachagua said. Kenya owes China more than $8 billion in loans for infrastructure projects such as railways and roads. Reporting by Duncan Miriri and George Obulutsa; Editing by Mark Potter and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thomas Mukoya, William Ruto, Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua, Gachagua, Duncan Miriri, George Obulutsa, Mark Potter, Kim Coghill Organizations: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, China, Bridge Corporation, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Mombasa, Embakasi district, Kenya, Rights NAIROBI, Beijing, East, China

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