Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a BRICS nations summit in South Africa next month, the country’s presidency said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation.Putin’s potential visit has been a thorny diplomatic issue for South Africa.The Russian leader is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant — a provision that Pretoria as …

Russia’s Putin will not attend BRICS summit: S.AfricaWed, 19 Jul 2023 11:19:57 GMT Read More »

South African inflation dropped to the lowest level in 20 months in June, slipping back within the central bank’s target range, official data showed Wednesday.Annual consumer price inflation slowed to 5.4 percent last month, down from 6.3 percent in May, national statistics agency StatsSA said in a statement. The drop was the steepest since May 2020 …

Steep drop puts S.Africa inflation back within target rangeWed, 19 Jul 2023 09:22:28 GMT Read More »

The view of Johannesburg from the Ponte City skyscraper is breathtaking, but the tower is struggling to shrug off its reputation as a symbol of a dilapidated inner city.At 173 metres (568 feet) high, the brutalist-styled cylindrical building completed in 1975 was the tallest residential building in Africa and a sought-after location.But the tower fell …

Negative image blights landmark Johannesburg skyscraper’s rebirthWed, 19 Jul 2023 07:14:23 GMT Read More »

Mahana Abdelrahman used to criss-cross Sudan in his truck, delivering shipments across the vast country, but three months of brutal war have drastically reduced road transportation, grinding business to a halt.Now, the 45-year-old driver chain-smokes and sips coffee at a cafe on the outskirts of Wad Madani, a city that has welcomed him and many …

Sudan drivers sit idle as war shuts down transportationWed, 19 Jul 2023 05:53:39 GMT Read More »

Swathes of Europe baked Tuesday in a heatwave trailed by wildfires and health warnings, as parts of Asia and the United States also suffered under extreme weather.Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands and Spain issued heat alerts, while some children in Italy’s Sardinia were warned away from sports for safety …

Extreme heat scorches Europe, worldTue, 18 Jul 2023 22:14:01 GMT Read More »

Swathes of Europe baked Tuesday in a heatwave trailed by wildfires and health warnings, as parts of Asia and the United States also suffered under extreme weather.Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands, Spain issued heat alerts while some children in Italy’s Sardinia were warned away from sports for safety reasons.”You …

Extreme heat scorches EuropeTue, 18 Jul 2023 16:55:30 GMT Read More »

Concerns about a possible influx of Sudanese refugees to the West are misplaced, a senior US official told AFP on Tuesday, as millions in the war-torn nation flee their homes.The conflict between the army and rival paramilitary forces entered its fourth month on Saturday, leaving at least 3,000 dead according to a conservative estimate, and …

Fears of Sudan refugee influx to West misplaced: US officialTue, 18 Jul 2023 16:42:32 GMT Read More »

Arresting Vladimir Putin would amount to a declaration of war on Russia, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote in court papers released on Tuesday as the country wrangles over hosting the Russian leader.Putin has been invited to a BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month but is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant …

Arresting Putin a ‘declaration of war’: S.Africa’s RamaphosaTue, 18 Jul 2023 15:20:28 GMT Read More »

Europe braced for record-smashing heat Tuesday as withering heatwaves across the globe showed no signs of easing, and ongoing wildfires in Greece and the Canary Islands threatened homes while worsening air quality.Across vast swathes of the planet, from California to China, authorities have warned of the health dangers of the extreme heat, urging people to …

Unforgiving heatwaves hit globe as Europe braces for record highsTue, 18 Jul 2023 14:34:26 GMT Read More »

The Egyptian musicians’ syndicate announced Tuesday it would not allow a planned concert at the Giza pyramids by US rapper Travis Scott, in a rare move citing offence to “traditions”.International music stars often perform at the feet of Egypt’s famed pyramids near the capital Cairo.The powerful musicians’ union rarely opposes such events, but in recent …

Egypt union bans US rapper Travis Scott’s pyramid concertTue, 18 Jul 2023 10:33:28 GMT Read More »