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☆ Can She Revive the Largest Museum on the African Continent?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Roslyn Sulcas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Kouoh said that she decided to take the job after many conversations with Black colleagues. Kouoh has changed “how the local community see Zeitz,” said the Cape Town-based artist Igshaan Adams, who recently spent eight months in residence there. What influences come from an artist like Issa Samb or Gerard Sekoto to younger artists today? “There is a lot of mutual support, of generosity and care across the continent. I am part of that generation of African art professionals who have pride and knowledge about the beauty of African culture, which has often been defined by others in so many wrong ways.

Persons: Kouoh, Black, ”, Zeitz, William Kentridge, Carsten Holler, Wangechi, Igshaan Adams, “, Koyo, — Tracey Rose, Johannes Phokela, Mary Evans —, Issa Samb, Gerard Sekoto, haven’t, won’t, Okwui Enwezor Locations: Zeitz

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

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

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

☆ Russian Ruble at Weakest Level Since Early Days of Ukraine War
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Chelsey Dulaney | Georgi Kantchev | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Russia’s central bank raised interest rates last month but it wasn’t enough to stop a slide in the ruble. Photo: Sergei Bobylev/Zuma PressThe ruble’s decline picked up pace in recent weeks, and on Monday the currency fell below 100 to the U.S. dollar for the first time since the weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. So far this year, the ruble has lost almost 30% of its value against the dollar. Only a handful of currencies including the Turkish lira, Nigerian naira and Argentine peso are having a worse year.

Persons: Sergei Bobylev Organizations: Zuma, U.S, Argentine Locations: Russia, Ukraine

CNN —Niger’s junta claimed Sunday it had gathered evidence to prosecute the country’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason,” upping the stakes in their brinkmanship against key neighbors in West Africa who have vowed to restore constitutional order in the coup-hit country. Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month, when Bazoum was ousted in a coup d’etat by the presidential guard. Increasing pressureWest African leaders have ramped up rhetoric against Niger’s coup leaders and ordered the “activation and deployment” of a regional standby force to restore constitutional order in the country. The source also said committee members would first meet among themselves via Zoom on Monday but did not make clear when they would meet with coup leaders. Guinea underwent its own military coup in 2021.

Persons: CNN —, Mohamed Bazoum, ”, Bazoum, Ahmed Idris Wase, “, Moussa Salaou Barmou, Mamadi Doumbouya, ” Doumbouya, Abdourahamane Tchiani Organizations: CNN, CNN — Niger’s, Nigerien, National Council for, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Sunday, Nigerian, United Nations, African Union Locations: West Africa, Niger, Africa, France, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niamey, Guinea’s, Conakry

☆ Sextortion investigation: 2 Nigerian men accused of running a global ring linked to a teen's suicide have been extradited to US, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Josh Campbell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Alleged members of a global sextortion operation that targeted more than 100 victims and led to the death of a 17-year-old boy were extradited to the United States on Sunday to face federal criminal charges, authorities said. That charge stems from an alleged online encounter that investigators say resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, who died by suicide after falling victim to a sextortion scam. According to prosecutors, Samuel Ogoshi used a hacked social media account to make contact with DeMay while pretending to be a young woman. DeMay paid Ogoshi $300, but Ogoshi demanded more, authorities said. The alleged sextortion ring was disrupted by tracking victim payments through financial entities, Kowalski said.

Persons: CNN —, Samuel Ogoshi, Samson Ogoshi, Mark Totten, Jordan DeMay, Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, DeMay, Ogoshi, ” Totten, “, ”, Devin Kowalski, Kowalski, Totten Organizations: CNN, FBI, Nigeria’s, Financial, Federal Locations: United States, Lagos, Nigeria, Michigan, Southeast Asia

☆ West Africa bloc seeks ways to engage with Niger junta
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Edward Mcallister | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Niger's junta supporters take part in a demonstration in front of a French army base in Niamey, Niger, August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Mahamadou Hamidou/File PhotoDAKAR, Aug 12 (Reuters) - West Africa's regional bloc kept up its search on Sunday for diplomatic ways to overturn last month's coup in Niger, while retaining the threat of military intervention amid a crisis that has sucked in global superpowers. U.S., French, German and Italian troops are stationed in Niger, in a region where local affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State have killed thousands and displaced millions. Western powers fear Russia's clout could increase if the junta in Niger follows neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which ejected the troops of former colonial power France after coups in those countries. Reporting by Edward McAllister; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mahamadou, Mohamed Bazoum, Bola Tinubu, General Abdourahamane Tiani, erodes, Edward McAllister, Ingrid Melander, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, West African States, ECOWAS, Nigerian, al, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, DAKAR, West, Central Africa, United States, West Africa, U.S, al Qaeda, Mali, Burkina Faso, France

☆ Opinion: Russia capitalizes on Niger coup while US stands idly by
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Two weeks ago, a military junta suddenly deposed Niger’s pro-American, democratically elected president. Already at least one leader of the Niger junta has met with Wagner representatives in neighboring Mali, where Wagner has developed a firm presence. Given the stakes, the initial responses by those who support Niger’s ousted president have been ill-considered and anemic. But the Wagner-supported ruling juntas in two of Niger’s neighbors immediately pledged to join with Niger’s military in fending off any such invasion, calling it a “declaration of war” against them. All have been grounded since Niger’s junta declared the entire country a no-fly zone.

Persons: David A, Niger’s, David Andelman, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Mohamed Bazoum, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, ECOWAS’s, didn’t, Bazoum, Germany —, Putin, Antony Blinken’s, Victoria Nuland Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, American, David Andelman CNN, Central African, West African States, ECOWAS, Wall Street, US, African Union, NATO, Russian, Wagner Group, Faustin, Twitter, Niger’s Locations: United States, Africa, Russia, Niger, Mali, Central African Republic, Sudan, Burkina Faso, African, Niamey, Sahel, South Asia, Afghanistan, East, North Africa, France, Italy, Germany

☆ England, Bruised but Unbowed, Reaches World Cup Semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Jenny Vrentas | More About Jenny Vrentas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

England entered the World Cup knockout stages still waiting to look like the dominant team it had hoped it could be. England had arrived in Australia last month without three of the country’s best players, all ruled out because of serious knee injuries. Another star was hurt in the group stage and missed a game and a half. Then the Lionesses lost their best player at this World Cup, the young midfielder Lauren James, to a suspension after she was sent off for stamping on a Nigerian player in the round of 16. Overcoming an early goal with one of their own just before halftime, the Lionesses delivered the kind of performance they had been saying was just around the corner, beating Colombia, 2-1, to advance to the semifinals for the second straight World Cup.

Persons: Lauren James, nation’s Organizations: England Locations: England, Australia, Nigerian, Colombia

☆ Fact Check-Video shows soldiers in Sierra Leone in 1998, not Niger in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Footage of soldiers entering a village in Sierra Leone in 1998 has been miscaptioned online as showing Nigerian soldiers in Niger, where President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup on July 26, 2023. The old video clip, which has been overlayed with the false caption: “Nigerian army at Niger,” shows military personnel firing shots while entering the village of Goderich. It shows units of the Nigerian-led intervention force - Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), taking control of Goderich, a rebel area adjacent to capital city Freetown, during a coup in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone video reappeared with the false caption in August as defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mull over plans for the possible use of force to reverse the coup in Niger (here). A video showing African coalition forces responding to a civil war in Sierra Leone in 1998, has been mislabelled as relating to a 2023 coup in Niger.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, ECOMOG, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Read Organizations: Associated Press, Economic, West, States Monitoring, Reuters, Sierra, West African States Locations: Sierra Leone, Niger, Goderich, Nigerian, Freetown, mull

☆ Fact Check-Video of Kabul airport dates to 2021, not Mali and Niger forces in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video filmed at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport that dates to August 2021 is being shared in 2023 with a caption that falsely says it shows soldiers from Mali and Niger preparing to fight Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS). The claim is being shared after President Mohamed Bazoum was removed by Niger's military leaders on July 26, 2023. Reuters could not independently verify the source of the video, however, it predates the 2023 coup in Niger. It can be traced to August 2021 (here) when it was shared in relation to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Video of Kabul airport dates to August 2021, does not show Mali and Niger forces in 2023.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, “, ”, Bola Tinubu, Read Organizations: Economic, West, Reuters, Watch, Force, Kabul Airport Locations: Kabul, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, States, West, Central Africa, Afghanistan, U.S

☆ Bronze says England not happy with their performances at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Aug 10 (Reuters) - The Women's World Cup has not seen the best of England, who must play better in their quarter-final clash with Colombia on Saturday, said defender Lucy Bronze. The fourth-ranked Lionesses survived a scare in Monday's round-of-16 penalty shootout win over a Nigerian side who gave England fits all night. "There's no point in playing our best performances in the first games, we might as well save them for the quarter-finals or further than that." England are among the favourites to win the tournament after the elimination of two-time defending champions United States, Olympic champions Canada, Germany and Brazil. Coach Sarina Wiegman said after the Nigeria win she had never experienced so many problems in a game or tournament.

Persons: England, Lucy Bronze, Lionesses, Lauren James, Michelle Alozie, Sarina Wiegman, Keira Walsh, We've, we've, who've, they've, Lori Ewing, Sonali Paul Organizations: SYDNEY, Chelsea, FIFA, United States, Olympic, Canada, Nigeria's Super Falcons, Thomson Locations: Colombia, Nigerian, England, Germany, Brazil, Nigeria, Barcelona, Haiti, Denmark, Keira, China

ECOWAS responded days later by enacting sanctions and issuing an ultimatum to the ruling military junta: stand down within a week or face a potential military intervention. ECOWAS leaders have said their preference is to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis and would send in troops as a last resort. The regional bloc will “uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023,” at which strong sanctions were decided against the military junta in Niger. Niger’s armed forces appeared to be preparing for possible military intervention this week, a military source told CNN. Confusion and concernSeveral analysts told CNN that a military intervention in Niger would probably not be imminent, as it takes time to assemble the ECOWAS troops.

Persons: Omar Alieu Touray, Mohamed Bazoum, Touray, it’s, Murtala Abdullahi, Bola Tinubu, Abdourahamane Alkassoum, ”, Cameron Hudson Organizations: CNN, West, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, ”, Nigerien, Center, Strategic, International Studies Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Republic of Niger, ”, Niger, ” Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, ” Abuja, Gambia, “ Niger

☆ Niger junta names government, West African leaders to discuss next steps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

General view as supporters of Niger's coup leaders take part in a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023. West African heads of state hold a summit in Nigeria aiming to agree on a plan of action for Niger, where coup leaders have refused to stand down despite the bloc's threat that it could use force to restore democracy. Since the July 26 power grab shocked the region, the defiant junta has rebuffed diplomatic overtures and ignored an Aug. 6 deadline from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. The bloc's leaders are expected to agree on next steps, which could include military intervention - something an ECOWAS official has said would be a last resort. Envoys of the Nigerian president, and ECOWAS chair, Bola Tinubu met coup leaders in the capital, Niamey, on Wednesday, offering a glimmer of hope for dialogue after previous missions were spurned.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Roufai Laouali, Antonio Guterres, Bola Tinubu, Alessandra Prentice, Sofia Christensen, Robert Birsel, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, NIAMEY, ABUJA, West, Nigeria, Abuja, Mali, Burkina Faso

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria took the helm of the West African regional bloc of countries last month, he thundered before a roomful of his presidential peers that he would show no tolerance for military coups in an area that had faced five in less than three years. “We will not allow coup after coup,” he said, drawing a round of applause. Now, the deadline has passed, Niger’s president — Mohamed Bazoum — is still held hostage in his residence and Mr. Tinubu is facing a backlash in his own country. Senators, religious leaders and civil society organizations in northern Nigeria oppose a war with a neighbor that they say would further destabilize both countries, whose militaries were already spread thin fighting off Islamist militants. Nigerian security forces are also combating kidnappers, extortion rings and oil thieves.

Persons: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “, ”, Mr, Tinubu, — Mohamed Bazoum — Organizations: West African, Economic Locations: Nigeria, Niger, West African States, Nigerian

☆ Time running short for diplomacy as post-coup Niger talks stall
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] 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. They said they were committed to finding solutions through diplomacy and negotiation, but did not give details. Mali and Burkina Faso had previously vowed to come to Niger's defence if the regional bloc intervened, saying they would consider that a declaration of war against them. ECOWAS has said that the use of force would be a last resort if the soldiers do not step down and free Bazoum. The bloc's defence chiefs have agreed on a possible military action plan, which heads of state are expected to consider at their summit in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Persons: Abdourahmane Tiani, Balima, juntas, Antony Blinken, Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, Bola Tinubu, Nellie Peyton, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, United, United Nations, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, . Security, Security, Niger, Thomson Locations: Niger, Niamey, NIAMEY, United Nations, Mali, Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali, Malian, States, Abuja

☆ FIFPRO assisting Nigeria women's team in pay dispute with federation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nigeria reached the knockout stages at the World Cup where they were eventually eliminated by England on penalties after a 0-0 draw in their last-16 match on Monday. "FIFPRO can confirm it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some of which date back to 2021," it said in a statement. "During the World Cup, the players expressed the desire to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing other distractions. "However, the Super Falcons believe that it is now time for the Nigeria Football Federation to honour their commitments and pay the outstanding amounts." "The team is extremely frustrated that they have had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament and may have to continue doing so afterwards," FIFPRO added.

Persons: Dan Peled, Randy Waldrum, Waldrum, FIFPRO, Ifeoma Onumonu, Rohith Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane Football, Nigerian, England, Nigeria Football Federation, Super Falcons, Reuters, Africa, Nations, Guardian, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, England, Nigeria, Brisbane, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Nigerian producer pumps out AI-powered Afrobeats
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Vining Ogu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LAGOS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - When artificial intelligence (AI) apps started spreading in Nigeria's music industry, Eclipse Nkasi thought his days as a producer were numbered. It gives people a new experience ... and that's how I believe AI is really going to shake things," Nkasi told Reuters. Nkasi and three friends switched on OpenAI's ChatGPT programme and set it to work helping them create the nine-track album "Infinite Echoes". "There are certain things that will become obsolete" due to AI, Nkasi said. But it should also create opportunities for artists to reinvent themselves and do their work better and quicker, he added.

Persons: Nkasi, Omotolani Alake, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAGOS, Lagos

☆ US women’s World Cup domination has ended. But the nation remains a global talent factory
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The US women’s team has been historically dominant, winning four World Cups (and four Olympic gold medals). UK-born US national team defender Antonee Robinson in action for Fulham in the Premier League on May 8, 2023. Warren Little/Getty ImagesHistory of US women’s dominanceThe civil rights law Title IX, passed in 1972, is one major reason why the US women’s team is so strong, experts say. Sarina Bolden represents the Philippines at the FIFA Women's World Cup on July 25, 2023. Haiti's Noa Ganthier holds a phone for a selfie in Brisbane Stadium, Australia, at the Women's World Cup on July 21, 2023.

Persons: Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah, –, George Weah –, ”, Gijsbert Oonk, Warren Little, IX, Leander Schaerlaeckens, ” Schaerlaeckens, Oonk, It’s, Schaerlaeckens, “, Sarina Bolden, Catherine Ivill, Bolden, she’d, ” Noa Ganthier, I’ve, ” Danielle Etienne, Derrick Etienne, Haiti's Noa Ganthier, Dan Peled, Nigeria’s, Elkeson Organizations: CNN, Washington DC, US, Fulham, FC Barcelona, West African country’s, Sport, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Olympic Games, Premier League, Soccer, Marist College, International, Erasmus University, FIFA, Haiti, Haitian, Haiti’s men’s, men’s Locations: California, Seattle, Philippines, United States, America, Haiti, Jamaica, United Kingdom, Netherlands, US, Liberia, England, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Europe, American, Florida, father’s, Virginia, Brisbane, Australia, Mexico, Asia, China, Vietnam

☆ Niger hangs in the balance as junta ignores ultimatum from West African bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The 7-day deadline given by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the military junta on July 30 for the release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazum expired at midnight. Niger's coup leaders on Monday closed its airspace after an ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States to reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum expired on Sunday night. The military junta calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland seized power on July 26 and detained Bazoum, with the commander of the country's presidential guard, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaiming himself the country's new leader. Many foreign countries have already begun evacuating embassy staff and citizens from Niger, while the likes of the U.S. and U.K. have partially suspended aid programs. The 15-member ECOWAS gave the military junta one week to return the elected government to power and restore constitutional order, threatening the use of force if its demands were not heeded.

Persons: Mohamed Toumba, Mohamed Bazum, Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, Abdourahmane Tchiani Organizations: National Council for, Fatherland, Economic Community, West African States, Economic, West, National Council, European Union, ECOWAS, France Locations: NIAMEY, Niger, West African States, U.S, Russia, France, Nigerian, Niamey

☆ Wiegman relieved as England survive "intense" last-16 clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I haven't been in very many games that were so intense as this one tonight." Wiegman has spoken before about the terrific parity in this expanded 32-team World Cup that has been full of upsets. Wiegman praised her players for bouncing back quickly from the red card and withstanding a Nigerian onslaught in the dying minutes. "The players got really, really tired but we really stuck together, showed a lot of resilience. You're so tired and then you go into a penalty shootout and do so well I think is really incredible."

Persons: Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Sarina Wiegman, Dan Peled BRISBANE, Lauren James, James, Michelle Alozie, I've, Wiegman, We've, Lori Ewing, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane Football, REUTERS, England, City, England's, Germany, Super Falcons, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, England, Nigeria, Brisbane, Australia, Colombia, Jamaica

☆ Nigeria coach Waldrum says last-16 win over England would be 'huge'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It would be a huge win," Waldrum told reporters on Sunday, a day ahead of Nigeria's last-16 match with the Lionesses. Nigeria are playing in their ninth World Cup, their top finish being a quarter-final appearance in 1999. "I have watched, just like you all have, this World Cup unfold and seen some of the story lines that are out there, with teams that are successful," Waldrum, an American, said. Nigerian striker Desire Oparanozie could make her first World Cup appearance on Monday after picking up an injury in training. Waldrum said Oparanozie's status is undetermined, but "the good thing is she's now available."

Persons: Randy Waldrum, Waldrum, we've, Desire Oparanozie, Lori Ewing, Tom Hogue Organizations: BRISBANE, Nigeria breezed, England, Down, Canada, Australia, Super Falcons, African, of Nations, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Nigeria, Nigeria's, Ireland, South Africa, Netherlands, Morocco, Africa

☆ Fact Check-Video shows man jumping over railing at Atlanta airport, not Heathrow
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

(Editor’s note: Article features a distressing video)A 2018 video showing a person jumping over a railing at Atlanta’s airport in the U.S. has been falsely shared as footage from Heathrow Airport in the UK. The distressing video shows a man who appears to be arguing with another person, leaping over a railing, and falling to the level below, amid screams from onlookers. The video shows an incident filmed at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, however, according to March 1, 2018, news reports (here), (here), (here). The reports cite airport and police spokespeople identifying a man who appeared to be intoxicated and had threatened other travelers in the terminal before jumping below. Video shows a person jumping over a railing at the Atlanta airport, not a Nigerian man in Heathrow airport in the UK.

Persons: “, Read Organizations: Heathrow Airport, Facebook, Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Reuters Locations: U.S, London, Nigeria, Georgia, Atlanta, Nigerian

☆ West African bloc seeks solution to Niger coup as deadline nears
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Thousands of anti-sanctions protestors gather in support of the putschist soldiers in the capital Niamey, Niger August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Mahamadou HamidouNIAMEY, Aug 4 (Reuters) - West African defence chiefs were set to wrap up discussions about possible intervention in Niger on Friday, as mediators from the regional bloc push coup leaders in Niamey to restore constitutional order before an approaching deadline. The military junta in Niger is locked in a standoff with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has taken its hardest stance yet on last week's ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum - the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020. Niger's self-declared leader Abdourahamane Tiani has rejected the sanctions and said the junta will not back down against any threats. Later on Friday, the region's defence chiefs will officially end a multi-day meeting in the Nigerian capital Abuja about a possible military response that they have said would be a last resort.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Abdourahamane Tiani, Tiani, Alessandra Prentice, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Mahamadou, NIAMEY, West, Central Africa, France, juntas, Mali, Burkina Faso, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Nigerien, Nigerian, Abuja

☆ Factbox: Military interventions by West African ECOWAS bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The main regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has imposed sanctions and said it could authorise the use of force as a last resort if soldiers do not restore ousted president Mohammed Bazoum to power. Below are previous ECOWAS military interventions:LIBERIAIn 1990, West African leaders sent a neutral military force to Liberia to intervene in the civil war between the forces of President Samuel Doe and two rebel factions. West African forces were deployed again at the tail end of the brutal 14-year conflict, which finished in 2003. GUINEA-BISSAUIn 1999, ECOWAS sent around 600 ECOMOG troops to preserve a peace deal in coup-prone Guinea-Bissau. In 2004, they were integrated into a U.N. peacekeeping force.

Persons: Abdourahmane Tiani, Balima, Mohammed Bazoum, Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Yahya Jammeh, Adama Barrow, Anait Miridzhanian, Alessandra Prentice, Kevin Liffey Organizations: REUTERS, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, West, ECOWAS Monitoring, Human Rights Watch, Bissau . Rebels, Islamic, Restore, Thomson Locations: Niger, Niamey, LIBERIA, Liberia, SIERRA LEONE, Nigerian, Sierra, Freetown, GUINEA, BISSAU, Guinea, Bissau, IVORY, Ivory Coast, MALI, Mali, al Qaeda, Central, Northern Mali, Islamic State, Burkina Faso, GAMBIA, Gambia, Senegal

☆ Nigeria's president says central bank undergoing forensic audit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ABUJA, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said on Friday the central bank was undergoing a comprehensive forensic audit as part of reforms following the suspension of the bank's governor in June. Tinubu has embarked on the country's boldest reforms in years, ending the central bank's currency controls that kept the naira currency artificially strong and scrapping a petrol subsidy that cost the government $10 billion last year. "A comprehensive forensic audit is on-going at the Central Bank (of Nigeria)," a presidency statement quoted Tinubu as telling World Bank head Ajay Banga at a meeting in Abuja. Tinubu, who was sworn into office on May 29, inherited an economy grappling with anaemic growth, record debt, shrinking oil production and widespread insecurity. Reporting by Felix Onuah, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Ajay Banga, Felix Onuah, MacDonald Dzirutwe, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Central Bank, World Bank, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Abuja

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