US backs concerns as lawmakers seek to punish S.Africa over RussiaTue, 13 Jun 2023 20:32:28 GMT

The White House said Tuesday it shared concerns over South Africa’s relationship with Russia after lawmakers called for the longtime US partner’s expulsion from a major trade pact.Four senior members of the US Congress across party lines asked whether South Africa should remain in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, which offers duty-free …

US backs concerns as lawmakers seek to punish S.Africa over RussiaTue, 13 Jun 2023 20:32:28 GMT Read More »

With millions in need, Saudi announces Sudan aid funding conferenceTue, 13 Jun 2023 20:14:35 GMT

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced an international conference next week to gather aid pledges for war-ravaged Sudan, where the United Nations says more than half the population urgently needs assistance and protection.Many of them are in Sudan’s Darfur region, where attacks against civilians could amount to crimes against humanity, the UN’s head of mission said.The …

With millions in need, Saudi announces Sudan aid funding conferenceTue, 13 Jun 2023 20:14:35 GMT Read More »

South Africa sends hundreds of firefighters to CanadaTue, 13 Jun 2023 18:12:14 GMT

Under a scorching sun, 200 South African firefighters wrapped up a last round of training on Tuesday before flying out to help Canada battle unprecedented forest blazes there.It is a rare offer of aid from a developing country battling its own crises.They are a second batch of fighters flying out to the north American nation …

South Africa sends hundreds of firefighters to CanadaTue, 13 Jun 2023 18:12:14 GMT Read More »

Kenya starvation cult death toll exceeds 300: officialTue, 13 Jun 2023 17:43:07 GMT

The death toll in an investigation linked to a Kenyan cult that practised starvation to “meet Jesus Christ” has surpassed 300 after 19 new bodies were found Tuesday, a senior official said.Police believe most of the bodies found in a forest near the Indian Ocean town of Malindi belong to followers of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, …

Kenya starvation cult death toll exceeds 300: officialTue, 13 Jun 2023 17:43:07 GMT Read More »

UN chief seeks to streamline troubled Mali peacekeeping missionTue, 13 Jun 2023 16:05:35 GMT

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Tuesday for maintaining but streamlining a decade-old peacekeeping mission in troubled Mali, whose military leaders have clashed with the West and turned to Russia.In a report to the United Nations Security Council, which will vote on June 29 on extending one of the UN’s most dangerous missions, Guterres called for …

UN chief seeks to streamline troubled Mali peacekeeping missionTue, 13 Jun 2023 16:05:35 GMT Read More »

New Grammy categories include Africa-specific music prizeTue, 13 Jun 2023 15:32:26 GMT

The 2024 Grammy Awards will feature new honors including for Best African Music Performance, the Recording Academy announced Tuesday.Along with the prize honoring a recording that uses “unique local expressions from across the African continent,” the 66th edition of the prestigious music awards will present a trophy to Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop …

New Grammy categories include Africa-specific music prizeTue, 13 Jun 2023 15:32:26 GMT Read More »

Sudan army chief won’t meet enemy general: govt officialTue, 13 Jun 2023 15:18:15 GMT

Sudan’s army chief is not ready to meet the enemy general he’s been at war with for eight weeks, a government official said Tuesday after a regional bloc proposed a face-to-face encounter between the two.At a summit held in Djibouti on Monday, the East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced it would expand the …

Sudan army chief won’t meet enemy general: govt officialTue, 13 Jun 2023 15:18:15 GMT Read More »

UN chief seeks to streamline troubled Mali peacekeeping missionTue, 13 Jun 2023 14:39:54 GMT

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Tuesday for maintaining but streamlining a peacekeeping mission in troubled Mali, whose military leaders have clashed with the West and turned to Russia.In a report to the Security Council, which will vote June 29 on extending one of the most dangerous UN missions, Guterres called for a “reconfiguration” of the …

UN chief seeks to streamline troubled Mali peacekeeping missionTue, 13 Jun 2023 14:39:54 GMT Read More »

John Fru Ndi, long-term opponent to Cameroon’s Biya, dead at 81Tue, 13 Jun 2023 10:11:27 GMT

John Fru Ndi, a long-time opponent of autocratic Cameroonian President Paul Biya, has died aged 81 after a long illness, his party said on Tuesday.The leader and founder of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), the main opposition party in parliament, died shortly before midnight on Monday, it said.Fru Ndi challenged Biya, who has ruled the …

John Fru Ndi, long-term opponent to Cameroon’s Biya, dead at 81Tue, 13 Jun 2023 10:11:27 GMT Read More »