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☆ Nigeria's Oshoala poses biggest threat to England, says Carney
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - England must beware of Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala when they face the African nation for a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brisbane on Monday, according to Karen Carney. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder who was capped 144 times by England, believes England have hit form at just the right time but says Nigeria should not be taken lightly. "She is a top quality striker who is more than capable of pulling something out of the bag," Carney said in an interview with Powerleague. "Despite how good England were against China, Nigeria are a top nation that will cause us problems. They have a world class striker and individual players that will be difficult for us.

Persons: Asisat Oshoala, Karen Carney, Oshoala, Carney, Powerleague, Lauren James, James, She's, Keira Walsh, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Arsenal, Chelsea, Haiti, Oshoala's Barcelona, China, England, Thomson Locations: England, Nigeria, Brisbane, Australia, China, Denmark

☆ 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

☆ Explainer: What are West Africa's options to reverse Niger's coup?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Edward Mcallister | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] A member of the ECOWAS regional force is seen at Denton check point in Banjul, Gambia January 22, 2017. GROUND INVASIONECOWAS has sent troops into trouble spots before, but never in Niger and rarely with the region so divided. Coup leaders in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali have expressed support for Niger's junta, and other countries have their own security challenges. It is not clear how big an ECOWAS force would be or what form it would take. Security analysts and diplomats have also noted apparent divisions among Niger's armed forces, who may not all be united behind the coup.

Persons: Afolabi, Mohamed Bazoum, General Abdourahamane Tiani, Djiby Sow, Bazoum, Ikemesit Effiong, Effiong, Peter Pham, Edward McAllister, David Lewis, Emelia Sithole, Alexandra Zavis, Kevin Liffey Organizations: ECOWAS, REUTERS, Economic, West African States, Security, Institute for Security Studies, SPECIAL, SBM Intelligence, Nigerien, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Denton, Banjul, Gambia, DAKAR, Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, Dakar, Nigeria, Niamey, U.S

☆ Three African teams have reached the Women’s World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Yet the tournament’s lowest FIFA world-ranked team (77th) bowed out in style, claiming their first ever Women’s World Cup win with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica. South AfricaNo team left it as late to qualify from the group stage as South Africa. But Thembi Kgatlana had other ideas, tapping home Hildah Magaia’s pull back to secure South Africa’s first ever Women’s World Cup win and a place in the knockout stages with the flick of a boot. A solid start for a side who arrived at the tournament having conceded more goals at the World Cup than any other team. More history was made as Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior-level Women’s World Cup, and the defender came close to doubling the lead with a well-struck volley.

Persons: –, Banyana Banyana, Thembi Kgatlana, Kgatlana, Lars Baron, I’ve, ” Kgatlana, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale, Australia’s Alanna Kennedy, Lauren James, Christy Ucheibe, Ucheibe, Isabel Infantes, Striker Ibtissam, Benzina, Anissa, Badri, Paul Kane Organizations: CNN, Qatar, debutants, FIFA, Argentina, South, Getty, Racing Louisville, E, US, Sydney Football Stadium, Super Falcons, Olympic, Canada, Brisbane, Group, England, Denmark, European, Chelsea, Benfica, Germany, South Korea, Atlas Lions, France, Hindmarsh Locations: Nigeria, South Africa, debutants Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Zambia, Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Africa, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam, Republic, Ireland, Canada, Denmark, England, Morocco, Colombia, Korea, Brisbane, Perth, France, Qatar

☆ At the World Cup, the Field Thins and the Contenders Expand
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Canada, the Olympic champion, will not add a Women’s World Cup to its list of honors this year. Marta, the Brazilian star, will not end her career with the one international trophy that has eluded her. And Germany, somehow, managed to engineer its own exit despite winning its first game by six goals. At the end of two weeks, this World Cup has incontrovertibly delivered on its stated aim — to provide a stage on which women’s soccer’s simmering revolution might burst into life. That unpredictability, that sense of old hierarchies and longstanding orders being overturned on a daily basis, has illuminated the World Cup, of course.

Persons: Marta, — Organizations: Portugal Locations: Canada, Germany, Nigeria, Australia, Colombia, United States, Jamaica, France

☆ World rice price index jumps to near 12-year high in July, UN food agency says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MUMBAI, Aug 4 (Reuters) - The United Nations food agency's rice price index rose 2.8% in July from a month ago to their highest level in nearly 12 years as prices in key exporting countries jumped on strong demand and India's move to curb the exports, the agency said on Friday. The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) All Rice Price Index, which tracks prices in key exporting countries, averaged 129.7 points in July against 126.2 points for the previous month, the agency said. The July score was almost 20% higher than the last year's 108.4 points and the highest since September 2011, it said. The agency's overall world food price index also rose in July, rebounding from two-year lows. India, which accounts for 40% of world rice exports, last month ordered a halt to its largest rice export category to calm domestic prices, which climbed to multi-year highs in recent weeks as erratic weather threatens production.

Persons: Rice, Rajendra, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: United, Agriculture Organization's, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, United Nations, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan, China, Philippines, Benin, Senegal, Nigeria, Malaysia

☆ 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

☆ Nigeria turns to natural gas for fuel as petrol prices rise after subsidy removal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Macdonald Dzirutwe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File PhotoLAGOS, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Nigeria is turning to gas as an alternative fuel after it scrapped a popular but costly subsidy on petrol that has seen pump prices rise sharply, angering motorists and businesses that use petrol to generate their own power. State-oil firm NNPC said late on Thursday it has partnered with NIPCO Gas to speed up the adoption of compressed natural gas for buses, cars and tricycles to lower transportation costs. Under the NNPC-NIPCO deal, 35 compressed natural gas stations will be rolled out in phases to be completed next year and will be able to serve more than 200,000 vehicles daily. NIPCO already operates 14 compressed natural gas stations, NNPC said, and that the local firm has turned more than 7,000 vehicles to gas, it said. Last month, NNPC signed an agreement with UTM Offshore for the local company to construct a 1.5 metric tonnes per annum floating liquefied natural gas plant.

Persons: Afolabi, NNPC, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Chijioke, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, NIPCO Gas, Offshore, Thomson Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, LAGOS, State, Africa's

☆ India rice export ban, explained
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But for importers and loyal consumers of Indian-grown non-basmati varieties, the ban has been disruptive, including in the United States. Internationally, the ban is causing an upheaval in the market and could especially impact places that rely on Indian rice exports. “So we’re looking to have a really healthy, robust US rice crop.”The United States primarily imports specialty and fragrant rice, he said, like arborio rice used to make risotto; jasmine rice; basmati rice and other varieties. “We are completely dependent on non-basmati rice,” said Kiran Kumar Pola, director of Deccan Foods, an importer and distributor of non-basmati Indian rice that operates out of Arizona. “We at India Bazaar understand the concerns raised in light of the recent ban on Indian Non-Basmati Raw Rice,” the post reads.

Persons: We’ve, USA Rice, what’s, “, ”, Tanner Ehmke, Anupam Nath, Ehmke, Joseph Glauber, it’s, Glauber, El Niño, “ There’s, Peter Bachmann, Charles Hart, ” Rice, Rory Doyle, Kiran Kumar Pola, Sona Masoori, Kerala Matta, Rice Organizations: New, New York CNN, ” USA Rice Federation, ”, International Food Policy Research, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA Rice Federation, BMI, Bloomberg, Deccan Foods, Facebook Locations: New York, United States, USA, India, CoBank, Asia, ” India, Guwahati, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, West Africa, Pakistan, South Asia, California, Pace , Mississippi, Arizona, Kerala, South India, Pola, Dallas

☆ Niger coup leaders blamed insecurity; conflict data paints a different picture
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Edward Mcallister | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

In Burkina Faso, where there were two coups last year, deaths rose 80% to more than 4,000 in 2022. Military spokespeople in Mali and Burkina Faso did not respond to requests for comment. Military leaders in Mali and Burkina Faso kicked out French forces after their coups. Niger army operations could falter, he said. "You saw it in Burkina Faso after the second coup.

Persons: Abdourahmane Tiani, Balima, Mohamed Bazoum, Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, Wagner, Leonardo Santos Simao, Tiani, Simao, Bazoum, Ulf Laessing, Konrad Adenauer, Edward McAllister, Michelle Nichols, Alexandra Zavis, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Security, Islamic, Crisis, Wagner Group, Reuters, spokespeople, United Nations, Economic, West, Sunday, Local, Military, Burkina Faso, European Union, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Thomson Locations: Niger, Niamey, DAKAR, U.S, Mali, Burkina Faso, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West Africa's, Brussels, Boko, Nigeria, West Africa, West African States, Burkina, French, France, New York

An aerial view of traffic on a street in the capital Niamey, Niger July 28, 2023. In a sign of this resistance to one-time allies, Niger on Thursday suspended broadcasts of French state-funded international news outlets France 24 and RFI - drawing condemnation from the French foreign ministry. One of the demonstrators in Niamey held a placard that said: "Long live Niger, Russia, Mali and Burkina. After their coups, Burkina Faso and Mali kicked out French troops, many of whom are now stationed in Niger. In Niger, there are signs that regional sanctions are starting to have an impact: Nigeria has cut power supplies to Niger, while Nigerien truckers have been stranded by border closures.

Persons: General Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Tiani, crackdowns, Sall, Antony Blinken, it's, Allah, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Moussa Aksar, Camillus Eboh, Thiam, Tiemoko Diallo, Ange Aboa, Alessandra Prentice, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Emelia, Nick Macfie, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Niger's, France, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Sunday, EU, National Assembly, Islamic, Niger, Reuters, West, Senegalese, U.S, United Nations, Nigerien, CFA, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, France, West, Central Africa, Russia, Burkina, Down, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Niger ., Nigeria, Senegal, Nigerian, China, Paris

☆ GSK Nigeria calls an end to its business, to return cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Chijioke Ohuocha | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA, Aug 3 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nigeria (GLAXOSM.LG) said on Thursday it plans to stop doing business after evaluating the options for moving to a third-party distribution model for its drugs and consumer healthcare goods. GSK Nigeria, which has faced increased competition from local companies and imports from India and China, said its half-year sales had dropped to 7.75 billion naira ($9.82 million), from 14.8 billion naira in the same period a year ago. GSK Nigeria said it is working with advisers to agree next steps and plans to submit a scheme of arrangement to Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission, which if approved will see it return cash to shareholders except its parent GSK. "For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations," GSK Nigeria said in a statement. Shares in GSK Nigeria, in which British drugmaker GSK has a 46.4% stake and Nigerian shareholders the remaining 53.6%, closed at 8.10 naira, down from a peak of 42.24 naira in 2014.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Chijioke Ohuocha, Alexander Smith Organizations: GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, Nigeria's Securities, Exchange Commission, Haleon, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, British, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, GSK Nigeria, India, China, British, Africa

☆ Morocco prayers answered as World Cup adventure kicks on
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Joel Dubber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The debutants bounced back from their mauling with a 1-0 win over South Korea and, in dramatic fashion in Perth on Thursday, followed up with an identical scoreline to upset Group H winners Colombia. To join the South American team in the knockouts, Morocco needed to win and hope the highly fancied Germans did not beat 17th-ranked South Korea in Brisbane. "We were praying, waiting for the result to come out of the Germany and Korea game. "I was very pleased because the players understood tonight they can play the best players in the world. "This is a showcase for the women's game, for the Moroccans back home and this is such a beautiful display that we're putting on here."

Persons: Fatima Tagnaout, Luisa, Read, Anissa Lahmari, Reynald Pedros, Lahmari, Ghizlane Chebbak's, Cafeteras, we've, Pedros, Joel Dubber, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, World, South, Colombia, South American, South Korea, Italy, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Morocco, Colombia, Perth, Australia, PERTH, Germany, South Korea, Brisbane, Korea, France, Adelaide, Nigeria, South Africa

It has taken its hardest line yet with Niger, saying it had to show that it "cannot only bark but can bite". One of the demonstrators in Niamey held a placard that said: "Long live Niger, Russia, Mali and Burkina. France has between 1,000 and 1,500 troops in Niger, helping to fight an Islamist insurgency that has spread across the region. INTERVENTION PLANWest African defence chiefs meeting in Nigeria were due to conclude their discussions about possible intervention in Niger, although they have said this would be a last resort. The goal of the two-day meeting was to draw up a plan for an eventual military intervention to restore constitutional order, according to a statement from Ivory Coast's National Security Council.

Persons: General Abdourahamane Tiani, Mohamed Bazoum, Tiani, Ivory, Salifou Mody, Joe Biden, Nigeriens, Camillus Eboh, Thiam Ndiaga, Tiemoko Diallo, Ange Aboa, Alessandra Prentice, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Emelia, Nick Macfie, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, West, Economic, West African States, EU, Reuters, Ivory Coast's National Security Council, ECOWAS, juntas, Nigerien, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, West, Central Africa, Russia, Burkina, Down, France, Nigeria, Nigerian, West Africa, Guinea, Bissau, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Paris

☆ Fact Check-Image of Nigerian opposition leader receiving book from a separatist is altered
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An image of Nigerian businessperson and author Suraj “Jarus” Oyewale presenting his book to politician Peter Obi has been edited to replace Oyewale with Biafra separatist Simon Ekpa and is misleading people online. Facebook posts also highlight that that edited image features Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu in the background (here), (here). He is seen presenting his book, A Mat of Roses, to Obi. In a post on X, Oyewale asked his followers to ignore the edited photo (here). The image does not show Simon Ekpa presenting a book to Peter Obi.

Persons: Suraj “, Oyewale, Peter Obi, Simon Ekpa, Biafra, ”, Aisha Yesufu, Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's, Bola Tinubu, Read Organizations: Biafra, Labour Party, Democratic Party, Reuters

☆ Britain agrees deals on clean energy, critical minerals with Zambia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alaa Al SukhniLONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday said it had agreed deals with Zambia on clean energy and critical minerals as foreign minister James Cleverly ends a four-day visit to Africa to deepen ties. "The UK-Zambia Green Growth Compact and our landmark agreement on critical minerals will support investment between UK and Zambian business, creating jobs in both countries," Cleverly said. Zambia is a major copper producer, and also has deposits of critical minerals such as cobalt, manganese and nickel. Last year Britain emphasised the importance of diversifying its supply chains in a critical mineral strategy. Britain has agreed to deepen collaboration on critical minerals with other countries such as the United States, Japan, Australia, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

Persons: James, Ayman Safadi, Sukhni, Alistair Smout, William James Our Organizations: British, Jordan's, REUTERS, Sukhni LONDON, Thomson Locations: Amman, Jordan, Britain, Zambia, Africa, Niger, Zambian, United States, Japan, Australia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia

☆ From banking giants to lending up-and-comers — here are the world's top 200 fintech companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Statista identified 40 firms as top digital payments companies. While digital payments is often the area that draws most investor buzz, lending generates more money in financial services. Statista identified 25 fintech companies that fall into the category of top alternate lending firms. They include American small business lending firm Biz2Credit, Irish e-commerce lending company Wayflyer, and Latvian loan refinancing startup Mintos. Digital business solutions

Persons: Monzo, there's, Statista, Afterpay, It's, Binance, eToro, Equity crowdfunding, hasn't, Peter Hazlehurst Organizations: JPMorgan —, Orange, Digital, U.S, SEC, European, Education, Equity, Republic, Tech, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, CNBC, Solaris Locations: fintech, Europe, Nigeria, Orange, Africa, Terra, U.S, Cayman Islands, American, Latvian, U.K

☆ West African bloc sends mission to Niger to negotiate with coup leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Camillus Eboh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Nigerien security forces prepare to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey, the capital city of Niger July 30, 2023. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened to authorise the use of force if the coup leaders do not reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum within a week from last Sunday. "There is a need to demonstrate that we cannot only bark but can bite," he told reporters, as regional defence chiefs started a two-day meeting in the Nigerian capital Abuja. "The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications," said General Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Chief of Defence and Chairman of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Abdel, Fatau Musah, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Abubakar, Christopher Musa, Abdourahmane Tiani, Bazoum, James, Bola Tinubu, Annalena Baerbock, Charles, Camillus Eboh, Felix Onuah, Christophe Van Der Perre, Ingrid Melander, Nellie Peyton, Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Abuja Junta, Islamists, African, ECOWAS, West African States, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Defence, ECOWAS Defence Chiefs, British, European Union, Reuters, Islamic, Union, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Abuja, Islamists Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, Nigerian, West Africa, Mali, Guinea, Bissau, Nigeria's, France, Italy, Paris, Rome, United States, Germany, al Qaeda, Islamic State

☆ Niger junta says it will not back down despite 'inhumane' sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Camillus Eboh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

In a televised address, Abdourahamane Tiani said the junta "rejects these sanctions altogether and refuses to give into any threats, wherever they come from. Nigeria cut power supplies to Niger, a Niger state utility document showed on Wednesday, while truckers in Niamey were stranded by border closures - early signs of fallout from the bloc's sweeping sanctions that Tiani described as "illegal, unjust, and inhumane." "The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications," said General Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Chief of Defence and Chairman of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs. In a further sign of the mounting pressure on the junta, the World Bank on Wednesday suspended disbursements to Niger until further notice. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Abdourahamane Tiani, Abdel, Fatau Musah, Christopher Musa, James, Bola Tinubu, Annalena Baerbock, Camillus Eboh, Felix Onuah, Christophe Van Der Perre, Ingrid Melander, Nellie Peyton, Alessandra Prentice, Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie, Grant McCool Organizations: Islamists, West African, West African States, ECOWAS, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Defence, ECOWAS Defence Chiefs, REUTERS, British, World Bank, European Union, Islamic, Union, Thomson Locations: Niger, Abuja Niger, Islamists Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, West Africa, Mali, Guinea, Bissau, Nigerian, Abuja, Nigeria, Niamey, Nigeria's, Nigerien, disbursements, States, France, Italy, Paris, Rome, United States, Germany, al Qaeda, Islamic State

REUTERS/Remo CasilliPARIS, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The first military planes carrying mostly European nationals evacuated from Niger landed in Paris and Rome on Wednesday, with France and other countries expected to fly more of their citizens out of the West African country after last week's coup. With the risk of conflict escalating, France, the former colonial power, Italy and Spain said they would evacuate citizens by air. The first French flight left Niger on Tuesday evening and landed in Paris early on Wednesday with 262 people on board, according to Reuters journalists there. An Italian military plane carrying 87 evacuees from Niger arrived in Rome early on Wednesday, according to Reuters journalists at the airport. The United States, Germany, and Italy also have troops in Niger on counter-insurgency and training missions.

Persons: Remo Casilli PARIS, Niger's, Mohamed Bazoum, Charles, Manuel Ausloos, Antonio Denti, Remo Casilli, Shivani, Michel Rose, Sandra Maler, Robert Birsel Organizations: Ciampino, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Niger, Rome, Italy, Paris, France, West, Central Africa, Spain, Italian, Britain, Hungary, Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, United States, Germany, Shivani Tanna, Bengaluru

☆ Nigeria's labour unions suspend strike after meeting president
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Felix Onuah | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Nigeria's main labour federation has agreed to return to talks with the government following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, union leaders said, on a day when hundreds of Nigerians marched against the removal of a petrol subsidy. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the marches across major Nigerian cities were successful enough to force Tinubu to meet union leaders and vow to expedite an agreement on a new minimum wage among other promises. [1/2]Members of the Nigerian Labour Union, holding flags and placards, march during a protest against fuel price hikes and rising costs, in Abuja, Nigeria August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Abraham AchirgaLed by union leaders, protesters carrying placards marched in Lagos, the oil-producing state of Bayelsa and in the northern cities of Kano and Kaduna. In the capital Abuja, marchers broke down a gate to the National Assembly, expecting to be addressed by the Senate president, witnesses said.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Tinubu's, Dele Alake, Abraham Achirga Led, Elisha Bala, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Tife, Hamza Ibrahim, Garba Muhammad, Tomasz Janowski, Giles Elgood, Sandra Maler Organizations: Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigerian Labour Union, REUTERS, NLC, National Assembly, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Abuja, Lagos, Bayelsa, Kano, Kaduna, Gbogbo, Yenagoa

☆ Denmark overcome Haiti 2-0 to reach World Cup knockouts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Joel Dubber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The result ends a long drought for the Danes, who last advanced to the knockout stage in 1995. After defeating China 6-1, England topped Group D and face Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday, while runners-up Denmark meet Australia in Sydney. "I'm so proud of the girls and of the team that we made it through the group stages, it's been a long time since a Danish team did that in a World Cup," Harder told reporters. Denmark started with a bang and remained undeterred after a third-minute goal by defender Simone Boye was ruled offside by VAR. Haiti end their first World Cup campaign winless from three games.

Persons: Pernille, Luisa Gonzalez PERTH, Pernille Harder, Danes, it's, Harder, Simone Boye, Dayana Pierre, Louis, Signe Bruun, Kerly Theus, Sanne Troelsgaard, I'm, Nicolas Delepine, Joel Dubber, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Haiti, China, England, Australia, Bayern, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Haiti, Denmark, Perth, Australia, Nigeria, Brisbane, Sydney, Danish, Bayern Munich

☆ Sublime James steers England to last 16 despite missing out on hat-trick
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Again, another day of what dreams are made of," James said as she left the field. However, after a VAR review Lucy Bronze was found to be offside in the build-up, and the goal was chalked off. "Yeah, I was disappointed in the moment obviously, but that's football for you, and in the moment I just had to refocus for the game to continue," James told a press conference. True to form, England coach Sarina Wiegman gently steered the discussion away from James' individual brilliance and back to the collective performance. "I think you could see it from the whole team, that we were enjoying ourselves, you could tell that we were really connected," Wiegman told reporters.

Persons: England's Lauren James, James, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Lucy Bronze, Chloe Kelly, Sarina Wiegman, Wiegman, LJ, Adam Millington, Philip O'Connor, Christian Radnedge Organizations: ADELAIDE, China, England's, Thomson Locations: Nigeria, Brisbane, England

☆ Marta: How Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer became the greatest of all time and an ‘icon’ in her country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

10, it the greatest women's player of all time and has become an 'icon' Brazil. Marta has won the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award an unprecedented six times. The only achievement missing from a glittering CV is a major title with her beloved national team. Australia and New Zealand 2023 is her sixth and final Women's World Cup. If it weren’t for Marta, women’s football in Brazil would probably still be a very incipient thing.

Persons: CNN —, ” Sissi, “, Sissi, Vasco da Gama, Marta Viera da Silva, ”, Marta, chuckles, Stuart Franklin, wasn’t, Marta ’, John Walton, ’, that’s, ” Marta, Feng Li, Brazil’s, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Dida, Tina Ellerston, Ellerston, –, Juca Kfouri, Ronaldo O Fenômeno, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, ” Kfouri, Doug Pensinger, Pelé, Marta “ Pelé, Raphael Alves, she’s, Neymar, ‘ Marta ’, King, Marta –, Paul Currie, Kfouri, “ Marta Organizations: CNN, Brazil, Rio, Vasco, CNN Sport, FIFA, Nigeria, women’s, Champions League, Copa Libertadores, Germany, United, United States Women’s National, AFP, Getty, Brazil ” Locations: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, United States, men’s, Germany, USA, nestling, Australia, New Zealand, Alagoas, Marta’s, Brazilian

☆ Niger coup: Europeans evacuated from West African country as neighboring juntas warn against intervention
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Joseph Ataman Larry Madowo Caitlin Hu Shirin Faqiri Sana Noor Haq | Joseph Ataman | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —France was preparing to evacuate French and European citizens from Niger on Tuesday after a presidential coup plunged the West African nation into a political crisis that polarized neighboring countries in the region. A message from the French embassy to French citizens in Niger, seen by CNN, instructed those wishing to be evacuated to bring food and water with them while they wait before boarding. Stringer/ReutersFrance and the European Union also cut off financial aid to Niger following the coup. Niger has “endemic problems, poverty, and terrorism, so there are many factors contributing to instability in the country,” Hudson added. In the wake of the deposition, some Nigeriens expressed their anger against the legacy of French colonialism and its continued influence in the West African country.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, Antonio Tajani, Mohamed Bazoum, Major Amadou Abdramane, Stringer, insurgencies, Bazoum, Cameron Hudson, ” Hudson, Issifou Djibo Organizations: CNN —, French, LCI, Embassy, CNN, Italian Foreign Ministry, West African States, Getty Images Security, Reuters, European Union, Nigerien, Niger, Center, Strategic, International Studies, World Bank, French Armed Forces, National Assembly Locations: CNN — France, Niger, West, France, Niamey, ”, Nigerien, Italy, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sahel, AFP, Reuters France, Guinea, Niger ., Niger’s, Africa’s Sahel, Nigeria, Western, Russia, Elysee, Moscow

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