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☆ Roam electric motorcycle completes solar-powered 6,000-kilometer journey through Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —An electric motorcycle, made by Swedish-Kenyan manufacturer Roam completed a 6,000-kilometer (3,700-mile) journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 17 days, using only solar power. “(We wanted) to break a lot of boundaries on how traversing through sub-Saharan Africa is possible without pre-installed charging infrastructure,” Masa Kituyi, Roam product owner and one of the riders on the expedition, tells CNN. However, he insists that this mammoth journey would still be possible for people without a solar support car. Lewis SeymourAccelerating marketThe journey was a collaborative effort between Roam and Stellenbosch University, which launched an Electric Mobility Lab this month, dedicated to advancing sustainable transport solutions. Low operating costs are a key driver, analysts from Mordor told CNN in an email: “Electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline, and electric motorcycles have fewer mechanical parts.

Persons: Masa, Masa Kituyi, Lewis Seymour Kituyi, Stephan Lacock, ”, he’s, Lewis Seymour, Rwanda’s Ampersand, Spiro Organizations: CNN, Stellenbosch University, Electric Mobility, Intelligence Locations: Swedish, Kenyan, Nairobi, Kenya, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Chobe, China, Rwanda, Benin, Togo, Uganda, Nigeria, EVs

Right now, you can vote to help decide who will be the next CNN Hero of the Year and receive an additional $100,000 to continue their inspiring work. At 10, he joined El Sistema, a globally acclaimed program providing free classical music training to children from under-resourced communities. After moving to Gothenburg the following year, he created a music group for refugees and started with 13 students. He knew playing music together would help them make friends, express themselves, and rebuild their self-esteem. “They can be one of the most cost-effective ways to keep girls in school.”Ultimately, McGriff founded Style Her Empowered, known as SHE.

Persons: “, ”, Anderson Cooper, Laura Coates, Ron Davis Alvarez, ” Alvarez, Alvarez, Stephen Knight, they’ll, Knight, Knight’s, Jayde, Payton McGriff, McGriff, ” McGriff, Rachel Rutter, CNN “ They’ve, Rutter, ” Rutter, Yamilée Toussaint, CNN “, Toussaint, ” Toussaint Organizations: CNN, Summit, CNN Heroes, “ CNN, El Sistema, Orchestra, CNN “, University of Idaho, Libertad, Children’s, MIT Locations: Sweden, Togo, Miami, CNNHeroes.com, Caracas, Venezuela, “, Stockholm, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Gothenburg, Pennsylvania

CNN —Up to 600 people were shot dead in a matter of hours by al Qaeda-linked militants in an August attack on a town in Burkina Faso, according to a French government security assessment that nearly doubles the death toll cited in earlier reports. A series of coups across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger led to the departure of French and American forces. The Russian mercenaries summoned by the juntas to bolster their grip have instead left a vacuum in which jihadists have thrived, says the assessment, given to CNN by a French security official. A view of the town of Barsalogho, Burkina Faso, where up to 600 people were killed by al Qaeda-linked militants in an August attack, according to a French government security assessment. CNN has reviewed videos of the alleged cannibalism that seem to show Burkina Faso soldiers dismembering and holding up body parts of apparent dead jihadists.

Persons: al, Nusrat al, JNIM, ”, jihadists, “, I’m, Fear, Ibrahim Traore, Zero ”, Burkina Faso’s, Traore, –, Wagner, group’s, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Donat Sorokin, ‘ Organizations: CNN, Getty, United Nations, Reuters, “, Burkina Faso’s, Civil Service, Labs Inc, Rapid Locations: al Qaeda, Burkina Faso, Barsalogho, Africa, Islam, Mali, Sahel, West Africa, United States, jihadists, Niger, Tawori, Bamako, Burkina, France, Moscow, Ukraine, Ouagadougou, Russian, Russia, Saint Petersburg, BIR, Togo, Kompienga, Togolese, Qaeda

A Tuareg militant group spokesman said some Malian troops and Russian fighters had also been captured during the battle. According to some unofficial Russian Telegram channels, as many as 80 Russians were killed. The commander – call-sign Rusich – said on Telegram he was trying to convey a message to the Russian Defense Ministry. And in Syria five years ago, a disastrous attack by Russian mercenaries on an oil refinery led to dozens of casualties. One of them was an IED attack on a Russian vehicle in the same region of Mali as the latest devastating assault.

Persons: Nusrat al, JNIM, ”, Andriy Yusov, Yusov, Wagner, Wagner “, –, Sergei Shevchenko, Nikita Fedyanin, “, Korotkov, Africa Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Yunus, Bek, Yevkurov, al Organizations: CNN, Russian, Russian Telegram, Kremlin, Kyiv, Ukraine’s Security, Russian Defense Ministry, Corps, Grey, Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian Federation, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central African, Wagner PMC, Deputy, SITE Intelligence Group Locations: Mali, Algerian, Islam, Africa, Malian, Russian, London, Syria, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Bakhmut, Ukraine, Niger, Burkina Faso, Moscow, Togo

☆ SHE provides school uniforms to girls in Africa while also helping local women
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Kathleen Toner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

This simple solution took root in McGriff’s mind and started her journey helping women and girls transform their lives. Tasked with creating a business or nonprofit for a class project, she remembered the notion of the school uniform and developed an idea. The ‘uniform that grows’That first year, the group hired local seamstresses and provided uniforms and school fees to 65 girls. “It’s all (done) with this tone of empowering girls and helping girls to understand their rights and their opportunities in society,” she said. Eventually, McGriff hopes SHE can become self-sustaining so her role can be further reduced, which has been her goal from the beginning.

Persons: Payton McGriff, McGriff, ”, “ It’s, CNN Hero Payton McGriff, Kathleen Toner, ” McGriff, “, Romuald Afatchao, Elolo, streetlight, didn’t, ’ ” McGriff, –, SHE’s, ” CNN McGriff, seamstresses, she’s Organizations: Idaho CNN, University of Idaho, “, CNN, SHE, afterschool, ” Locations: Moscow, Idaho, Togo, Nôtse

☆ 4 Hermès Birkin collectors cracked the code to getting their hands on the coveted bag
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

But of course, Birkins, Kelly bags, and other Hermès pieces are nothing new. Jasmine Rasco and one of her Birkin bags. Richard Rodriguez/Stringer/Getty ImagesName: Tiffany MoonAdvertisementAge: 39Her first Birkin: Moon's first Birkin bag was a celebratory purchase. "I see these huge, palatial closets filled with lots of different Hermès bags. Why she loves them: The exclusivity factor plays a part in Millen's love for Hermès bags, but for her, it's about the quality.

Persons: Hermès, Birkin, Kelly, —, Thierry Hermès, Robert Dumas —, Émile Hermès —, He's, They're, Jasmine Rasco, Rasco, Sellier, Azalee, Roscoe, it's, I'm, Tiffany Moon, Richard Rodriguez, Stringer, Tiffany, Moon's, Birkin —, Dallas, We're, I've, Lydia Millen, Joe Giddens, Millen, who's, slouchy Birkin, they're, Tania Antonenkova, Antonenkova, she's Organizations: Service, Hermès, Business, Epsom, Housewives Locations: Birkins, Paris, Hermès, Togo, Texas, San Fransisco, San Francisco, London, Faubourg, Versailles

☆ This solo traveler drove from London to Lagos in a Peugeot 107
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —On January 24, content creator Pelumi Nubi, who grew up in London, set off on a solo drive from the UK capital to Lagos, Nigeria in her beloved purple Peugeot 107. In order to ensure that her vehicle would be suitable for the 10,000-kilometer journey, Nubi had it specially modified, adding a bed and a kitchen facility inside. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges, some more serious than others. Bigger pictureNubi, seen in Kenya before undertaking her London to Lagos challenge, hopes that her travels will inspire us to pursue their dreams. While she believes that she’s now the first Black solo female traveler to have driven from London to Lagos, Nubi isn’t hugely interested in such titles and says that this was never her goal.

Persons: Pelumi Nubi, “ It’s, ”, Nubi, Omololu Olurinde, Kunle, she’d, Omololu, I’ve, ‘ Lumi, “ She’s, she’s, “, it’s, ” Nubi, It’s, Lumi, Nubi isn’t Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Peugeot, Osprey Locations: London, Lagos, Nigeria, France, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Nigerian, West Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Lake Como, Italy, Spain, Paris, Mauritania, ”, Gambia, Guinea, Bissau, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Kenya, Yamoussoukro, South Africa

☆ Opinion: What it means to be born Black in Germany
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Opinion Josephine Apraku | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

It is hard to group Black Germans — sometimes also referred to as Afro-Germans — under one umbrella; there is no one description that encompasses the diversity of Black people here. The same year I was born, a seminal work about Black Germans, “Showing Our Colors: Afro-German Women Speak Out,” was published. I think that these are precisely the times when Black community, Black alliances and Black spaces are so important. In 2020, the Black Student Union at the University of Bremen renamed February “Black Our Story Month,” and has been holding Black History Month events every year since, creating visibility for the complexity of Black experiences. The Black community in Germany celebrated its first Black History Month in 1990.

Persons: Josephine Apraku, I’m, I’ve, ” Josephine Apraku Dahahm Choi It’s, there’s, ” Josephine Apraku, ”, Christian Mang, Audre Lorde, Lorde, Roma, Sinti, — that’s, Steffi Loos, Schwarzer, George Floyd, Black, — Organizations: African Studies, CNN, Berlin CNN, Black, Africa, Free University of Berlin, CDU, Christian Democratic Union, Black Student Union, University of Bremen, ISD, of Black People, White Locations: Berlin, Germany, Black, East Germany, Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, German, Ghana, Europe, Territories, Namibia, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Cameroon, Togo, ” Josephine Apraku Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain, United States, Tiergarten, Black Germans, Deutschland

☆ Coup juntas threaten to quit West Africa bloc: Here’s what it means for the region — and Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

ACCRA, Ghana - ECOWAS flag with member flags at the second extraordinary summit on the political situation in Burkina Faso, in Accra, Ghana, on February 3, 2022. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - Jan. 20, 2023: A banner of Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a protest to support the Burkina Faso President Captain Ibrahim Traore and to demand the departure of France's ambassador and military forces. Mali has ruled out leaving WAEMU, while Burkina Faso is considering it. "Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will likely draw on the extractive sector to improve their weak economies. A recent UN Development Programme report surveyed 5,000 people who had directly experienced a recent coup or unconstitutional change of government, including citizens of Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan.

Persons: NIPAH DENNIS, Bola Tinubu, Vladimir Putin, Captain Ibrahim Traore, Alex Vines, there'd, Tinubu, Ouattara, —, Vines, Mucahid Durmaz, Verisk Maplecroft, Durmaz, Balima Boureima, insurgencies, Wagner, Niger, specter, Mohamed Bazoum, Rey Byhre Organizations: Getty, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Nigerian, Africa, Chatham House, CNBC, Algeria —, West, Cote D'Ivoire, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Wagner Group, West African Economic, Monetary Union, CFA, National Council for, UN Locations: ACCRA, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Accra, AFP, Mali, Niger, Sahel, Mauritania, OUAGADOUGOU, Chatham, France, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Malian, Russia, Bamako, Mucahid, West Africa, Togo, Benin, Cote, NIAMEY, NIGER, Niamey, West, U.S, Moscow, WAEMU, Seme, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, The Gambia, Tanzania, Kati

☆ Analysis-West Africa's 'Brexit' Moment Spells Trouble for the Region
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Ivory Coast alone is home to more than 5 million people from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Earlier this month, Russia and Niger, ruled by a junta since a coup last year, agreed to develop military ties. Russian military personnel flew into Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou last week to ensure the safety of the country's military leader. EMPTY THREATECOWAS has responded to a wave of coups in the region since 2020 with sanctions that the juntas have called "illegal and inhumane." "The departure from ECOWAS will have catastrophic consequences for the ability to respond to the many security challenges facing this region," said Abba.

Persons: Bate Felix, David Lewis, Giulia Paravicini, Seidik Abba, Russia's Wagner, Mucahid Durmaz, Verisk Maplecroft, Charlie Robertson, Kwesi Aning, Gilles Yabi, Adama Coulibaly, Nagnouma Keita, Abba, Tiemoko Diallo, Boureima, Silvia Aloisi, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Giulia Paravicini DAKAR, West, West African States, Reuters, Islamic, FIM Partners, European Union, ECOWAS, CFA Locations: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Russia, Ivory Coast, Niger . Niger, Nigeria, Paris, Ghana, Togo, Benin, France, United States, Burkina Faso's, Ouagadougou, West Africa, United, London, Bamako, Guinea, China

☆ China to Support Togo in Safeguarding Its Sovereignty, Security -Wang Yi
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

Hutchinson Drops Bid for GOP NominationThe former Arkansas governor has a lengthy resume in all three branches of government. But there was no room for a traditional Republican in the party of Trump.

Organizations: Hutchinson, GOP, Trump Locations: Arkansas

☆ China Calls for Larger-Scale Peace Conference on Gaza Crisis -Wang Yi
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the war in Gaza continues to escalate and China is calling for a larger-scale, more authoritative and effective international peace conference and a concrete timetable to implement a two-state solution. Wang made the comments to reporters after talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, sharing his views on the Israel-Hamas war, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry late on Sunday. Wang, China's top diplomat, is currently travelling through Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast until Thursday. Wang said the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip has been completely destroyed, with millions struggling to survive. He said China has decided to provide a third tranche of emergency humanitarian assistance.

Persons: Wang Yi, Wang, Sameh Shoukry, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Bernard Orr, Sonali Paul, Michael Perry Organizations: China Foreign, Egyptian Foreign, League of, Xinhua, West Bank Locations: BEIJING, Gaza, China, Cairo, Israel, Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, Ivory Coast, League of Arab, East Jerusalem

☆ Need Therapy? In West Africa, Hairdressers Can Help.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Elian Peltier | More About Elian Peltier | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Joseline de Lima was wandering the dusty alleys of her working-class neighborhood in the capital of Togo one day last year, when a disturbing thought crossed her mind: Who would take care of her two boys if her depression worsened and she were no longer around to look after them? Ms. de Lima, a single mother who was grieving the recent death of her brother and had lost her job at a bakery, knew she needed help. But therapy was out of the question. “Too formal and expensive,” she recalled thinking. Help came instead from an unexpected counselor: Ms. de Lima’s hairdresser, who had noticed her erratic walks in the neighborhood and provided a safe space to share her struggles amid the curly wigs hanging from colorful shelves and the bright neon lights of her small salon in Lomé, Togo’s capital.

Persons: Joseline, de Locations: Lima, Togo, de Lima, Lomé

☆ Morocco win but other heavyweights humbled in World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ghana and South Africa both suffered embarrassing defeats in World Cup qualification on Tuesday while top contenders Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Zambia also found it tough on the road as they all dropped points. On a busy day of 15 matches across the continent, there were also wins for Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Uganda. But it was the Comoros, with a population of around a million, and Rwanda, ranked 140 in world football, who tore up the form book in beating Ghana and South Africa respectively. It was Rwanda’s first victory in their last 11 home matches and took them top of Group C, where they lead not only South Africa but also Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The next round of African qualifiers will be played in June, with the continent now turning its focus to January’s Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Persons: Moroni, Myziane Maolida, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Patson Daka, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Tunisia’s, Youssef Msakni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cameroon, Burkina, Ocean, African, Nations, Rogers Mato, Cape Verde Islands, Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sao Tome, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Cameroon, Africa, Butare, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Togo, Botswana, Somalia, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, Cape, Eswatini, Qatar, Tanzania, Dar, Lilongwe, Sao Tome e Principe, Ivory Coast, Cape Town

"The Compact with Africa conference aims to send this signal: You can count on Germany as a partner". The 4 billion euros would be channelled into the common EU-Africa Initiative for Green Energy. The European Union had already announced it would deliver it 3.4 billion euros in grants. German trade with Africa was 60 billion euros ($65.4 billion) last year, which is a fraction of its trade with Asia but up 21.7% on 2021. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said the number of German companies had tripled in five years while Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said German investment had increased sixfold since 2015.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Liesa, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Alassane Ouattara, Aziz Akhannouch, Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Riham Alkousaa, David Gregorio Our Organizations: French, REUTERS, Rights, Africa, Africa Initiative for Green Energy, European Union, " Finance, Ivory, Morocco's, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Africa, Berlin, Germany, Europe, China, West, Russia, Asia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia

Scholz, who has visited Africa several times since taking office in late 2021, will hold bilateral talks with several African countries on Sunday, before hosting a German-African investment summit at Berlin's Marriott Hotel on Monday morning. African countries have long complained that while Europe talks about investment, China actually provides financing without any moral lecturing. Still, Chinese lending in Africa is in decline, while European interest is rising as it seeks to diversify supply chains. Nearly two thirds of German companies want to expand their business in Africa, according to a study by KPMG and the German-African Business Association. The member countries of the G20 Compact are Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

Persons: jostling, Scholz, Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Olaf Scholz, Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Mike Harrison Organizations: Africa, Dutch, African Union, KPMG, African Business Association, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Africa, Macron BERLIN, Germany, Berlin's, Europe, United States, Russia, China, Asia, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia

☆ Four goals for Egypt's Salah but shock setback for Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Mohamed Salah scored four times and took his goal tally for Egypt past 50 as they began their World Cup qualifying campaign with an expected victory over tiny Djibouti while Nigeria were held to a shock home draw by Lesotho on Thursday. Nigeria, without injured Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, were held to a 1-1 draw at a rainy Uyo by the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, who are 113 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Burundi also won in Group F, edging the Gambia 3-2 in their match played in Tanzania because of Burundi’s lack of a suitable stadium. The first two rounds of African qualifiers are played from Wednesday to next Tuesday, and will resume next June. Editing by xxOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Jose Peserio, Jonathan Muiomo, Riyad, Djamel Belmadi, Denis Bouanga, Kevin Denkey Organizations: Egypt, Lesotho, Qatar, Napoli, FIFA, Africa, Nations, football, Kenya, Major League Soccer, Belgian, U.S, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Djibouti, Nigeria, Cairo, Egypt, Lesotho, London, Kelechi, Mozambique, Botswana, Algeria, Somalia, Algiers, Gabon, Franceville, Burundi, Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Togo, Benghazi, Libya, Canada, Mexico

☆ Presidential portraits: Kehinde Wiley’s secret, decade-long project painting African leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Thomas Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Perhaps not, supposes Kehinde Wiley in his latest collection, “A Maze of Power,” which, in the artist’s own indelible style, casts plenty of light of its own. We’re now learning that before and after that commission, he had been on a secret, decade-long odyssey across the African continent, painting its current and former heads of state. This series narrows the gap further, with subjects commanding a similar power to some of Wiley’s artistic reference points. Tanguy Beurdeley/© Courtesy Kehinde Wiley and Galerie TemplonHery Rajaonarimampianina, the former president of Madagascar, sits astride a horse in one painting. Some might wrinkle their nose at seeing certain heads or former heads of state depicted in such triumphant fashion.

Persons: Kehinde Wiley, Wiley, Barack Obama, We’re, Jacques Chirac, Obama, Sarah Ligner, Black, Old, Olusegun Obasanjo, Paul Kagame, Tanguy, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Alpha Condé, –, ”, Rajaonarimampianina –, “, “ it’s, Andy Warhol’s, Mao Organizations: CNN, Old Masters, Democratic, Wiley Locations: Africa, Zimbabwe, Rhodesia, Los Angeles, Senegal, Nigeria, New York, Paris, France, Rwanda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo

☆ Delali Ayivi is following in the footsteps of one of Togo’s first photographers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Flo Cornall | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Her own curiosity, creativity and interest in photography echo that of her great-great-grandfather, Alex Agbaglo Acolatse – one of the first Togolese photographers. Alex Agbaglo Acolatse/The Metropolitan Museum of ArtAcolatse retired in the mid 1950s, a few years before Togo’s independence in 1960. Alex Agbaglo Acolatse/The Metropolitan Museum of ArtHer great-great-grandfather remains one of Ayivi’s biggest influences, despite them coming from completely different contexts. “The intent that came behind that (Acolatse’s studio photography), it’s still a guiding principle for me today,” she added. But there was still a sense of pride that I found very inspiring.”A self portrait by Alex Agbaglo Acolatse.

Persons: Delali Ayivi, Aminata, Germany’s, shouldn’t, Ayivi, Alex Agbaglo Acolatse, Acolatse, Metropolitan Museum of Art Acolatse, ”, Acolatse’s, it’s, I’ve, Malaika Nabilah, they’ve, Togo Yeye, Mami Wata, she’s, Nabilah Organizations: CNN, Togolese, Vogue Germany, Metropolitan Museum of Art, University of the Arts London Locations: Togolese German, Togolese, Togo, Lomé, Germany, Lilongwe, Malawi, West, New York, London

☆ The Afrobeats star on a mission to raise the profile of African art
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Natty Kasambala | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

London CNN —It was a painting in the lobby of a Benin hotel last year that changed the way Afrobeats star Mr Eazi thought about art. The works will also be exhibited in galleries internationally — in Accra, Lagos, London (where they will be displayed as part of a “listening experience” the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair between October 12—15) and in New York. “One of the most exciting things for me is that art represents an opportunity to discover people without a pre-bias… it’s exerting soft power,” said Mr Eazi. “It’s an ecosystem,” Mr Eazi summarises. “African music should be in African film and African art with African music… That’s culture, that’s the flood.

Persons: Eazi, “, …, Oluwole, ”, Patricorel, Eazi —, —, Eazi’s, Tammy Sinclair's, OLÚWA, Tammy Sinclair, I’m, ” Eazi, don’t, Sinclair, “ Mandela, Foli, Mr Eazi, Mr Eazi’s, ” Tesprit, undiluted Organizations: London CNN, CNN, Fair, Banku, US, Alpha Locations: Benin, Accra, Lagos, London, New York, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Togo, Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Togolese, Togo’s, Lomé, Cape Town , South Africa, ”

☆ Mali in meltdown as militants advance and U.N. withdraws
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Edward Mcallister | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] A man walks toward Sankore mosque, also known as the former University of Sankore, in Timbuktu, Mali September 25, 2023. "This conflict is escalating fast," said Ulf Laessing, the Bamako-based head of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer foundation. Back in 2012, French forces and the U.N. intervened to halt the advance in Mali. In Mali, fighting began in August between the army and an ethnic Tuareg group called the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) around a base vacated by the U.N. "The problem is Mali has too few troops and too little mobility," said Michael Shurkin, director of global programs at 14 North Strategies consultancy.

Persons: Stringer, Sory Touré, jihadists, Ulf Laessing, Konrad Adenauer, Russia's Wagner, Jama'at Nusrat al, Michael Shurkin, Iyad Ag, Shurkin, Mohamed Massaya, Salaha, Aicha Sababou, Edward McAllister, Alexandra Zavis, Edmund Blair Organizations: University of Sankore, REUTERS, U.N, United Nations, Islamic, Reuters Graphics, CMA, Ghali, Transitional Council, Reuters, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Sankore, Timbuktu, Mali, DAKAR, jihadists, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West, Burkina Faso, Niger, Bamako, France, U.S, Sahara, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Al Qaeda, Gao, Dakar

Unable to afford a flight to Egpyt from Guinea, he drew a map of Africa in his spiral notebook and set off on a second-hand mountain bike. Four months and seven countries later, he is in Cairo with a full scholarship to Al-Azhar University, one of the world's oldest and most renowned Sunni Muslim learning institutions. Thousands of West Africans like Barry undertake risky journeys across the Sahara desert each year, searching for a better life. Barry arrived in Cairo on Sept. 5 and days later secured a full scholarship to Al-Azhar. He intends to return to Guinea when his studies are complete, to spread the faith that has taken him so far.

Persons: Mamadou Safaiou Barry, Barry, Barry pedalled, Azhar, Cooper Inveen, Alison Williams Organizations: Al, Azhar University, International Organization for Migration, CFA, Thomson Locations: Guinea, El Marg, Cairo, Egypt, CAIRO, N'DJAMENA, Egpyt, Africa, West, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Niger, N'Djamena, Chadian, Sudan

☆ Cargo ship crew evacuated after explosion near Romanian Danube port
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUCHAREST, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The crew of a Togo-flagged general cargo ship bound for one of Ukraine's Danube river ports were evacuated early on Wednesday after an explosion on board near the Romanian port of Sulina, Romanian officials said. The Seama ship reported an explosion early on Wednesday and requested the evacuation of the 12-person crew near Sulina, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. "At the moment the causes ... are unclear, whether it was a mine or merely an explosion in the engine room," Romanian Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu told reporters. The crew were evacuated by the Romanian Agency for Saving Life at Sea (ARSVOM), which is coordinated by the transport ministry. Moscow has also been intensifying attacks on Ukraine's Danube river ports across from Romania since it abandoned a deal to lift a de facto Russian blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

Persons: Sorin Grindeanu, Luiza Ilie, Alex Richardson Organizations: Romanian Agency for, European Union, NATO, Thomson Locations: BUCHAREST, Togo, Romanian, Sulina, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgarian, Moscow, Romania, Ukraine's, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, U.S

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 30 Atlantic countries on four continents committed Monday to bolster coordination on economic development, environmental protection, maritime issues and more, the White House said. The adoption of the Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation was completed Monday evening at a meeting hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of the start of the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting. The White House pitched the forum as a way to improve cooperation between northern and southern Atlantic countries on key issues and come to agreement on a set of principles for the Atlantic region. The activists are pushing world leaders to act with greater haste to curb climate change. Many of the leaders of countries that cause the most heat-trapping carbon pollution will not be in attendance for this year's General Assembly.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ” Blinken, ”, Biden, Joe Biden, Antonio Guterres Organizations: Atlantic Cooperation, U.S, Atlantic, Partnership, White, Bank, General Assembly, U.N Locations: Atlantic, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Dominican Republic , Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Spain, Togo, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, New York

Cocoa beans are pictured next to a warehouse at the village of Atroni, near Sunyani, Ghana April 11, 2019. A weakened cedi currency and a lower farmgate cocoa price in Ghana in the 2022/2023 season, compared with neighbouring Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower, saw beans smuggled to there and to Togo. Fiifi Boafo, head of public affairs at regulator COCOBOD regulator told Reuters on Saturday that Ghana is targeting an output of 820,000 metric tons for the 2023/2024 season after the increased farmgate price. Boafo added that Ghana is planning to borrow $1.2 billion for its annual cocoa purchases. Cameroon, another top West African cocoa producer, and the world's fourth biggest, on Thursday raised its farmgate cocoa price by 25% to around 1,500 ($2.45) CFA franc per kg for the 2023/2024 season.

Persons: Ange Aboa, Nana Akufo, Addo, Ghana cedi, , Leticia Adu Yankey, Fiifi Boafo, Maxwell Adombila, Bate Felix, Clelia Oziel, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Ghana cedi, Ghana Civil Society Cocoa, Reuters, CFA, Central African CFA, Thomson Locations: Atroni, Sunyani, Ghana, Akufo, West Africa, London, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon

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