The United States is racing to improve its messaging to the developing world as the BRICS group grows, although few in Washington view an immediate threat from the Chinese-backed club.The BRICS — Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa — agreed at a summit last week to add six more members, in what Chinese President …

US sees wake-up call, if not threat, as BRICS bloc expandsTue, 29 Aug 2023 14:23:20 GMT Read More »

The United Nations warned Tuesday that the political crisis in Niger and the sanctions imposed against the coup regime risk triggering “catastrophic” humanitarian effects.UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said it had revised contingency planning for Niger since a military coup on July 26 toppled President Mohamed Bazoum.”The ongoing political crisis, with no clear solution in …

UN bracing for humanitarian crisis in coup-hit NigerTue, 29 Aug 2023 12:21:59 GMT Read More »

Seven people were killed and two others injured when a building collapsed in a camp for people displaced by jihadist violence in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state, militia sources and a resident told AFP Tuesday. A classroom sheltering scores of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the garrison town of Monguno caved in around 1930 GMT on Monday …

Seven die in building collapse at Nigeria displaced campTue, 29 Aug 2023 11:26:32 GMT Read More »

At least 183 people have been killed since July in clashes in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, the United Nations said Tuesday as it appealed for the killings, violence and rights abuses to end.Tension in the northern region ratcheted up this year after the end of a devastating war in the neighbouring region of Tigray that also …

At least 183 killed in clashes in Ethiopia’s Amhara: UNTue, 29 Aug 2023 11:08:10 GMT Read More »

Air pollution is more dangerous to the health of the average person on planet Earth than smoking or alcohol, with the threat worsening in its global epicenter South Asia even as China fast improves, a study showed Tuesday.Yet the level of funding set aside to confront the challenge is a fraction of the amount earmarked …

Air pollution greatest global threat to human health, says benchmark studyTue, 29 Aug 2023 04:04:36 GMT Read More »

Ugandan prosecutors have charged a man with “aggravated homosexuality”, potentially a capital offence under controversial anti-gay legislation introduced by the country this year, an official said Monday.The law — considered one of the harshest of its kind in the world — contains provisions that make “aggravated homosexuality” an offence punishable by death and includes penalties …

Ugandan charged under anti-gay law faces possible death penaltyTue, 29 Aug 2023 00:17:59 GMT Read More »

Supporters of Albert Ondo Ossa, main rival to incumbent Ali Bongo Ondimba in Gabon’s presidential election, on Monday urged the head of state to concede defeat and organise a handover, saying their man had won.The Alternance 23 opposition platform has swung behind Ondo Ossa, seeking to deny Bongo, 64, and the scion of a family …

Gabon opposition urges Bongo to concede poll defeatMon, 28 Aug 2023 20:21:55 GMT Read More »

Libya’s internationally recognised prime minister has sacked his top diplomat after she met her Israeli counterpart, with news of the encounter triggering protests in a country that does not recognise Israel.Oil-rich Libya, which plunged into chaos after dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, has been divided since 2014 between …

Libya foreign minister sacked after Israel meetingMon, 28 Aug 2023 19:40:13 GMT Read More »

Ethiopian opposition politician Bekele Gerba on Monday told AFP that he has requested the United States give him political asylum, saying he feared for his life and the safety of his family.An opponent of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Bekele said conditions in Africa’s second most populous nation were worsening, adding that he had resigned from …

Ethiopian opposition politician asks for political asylum in USMon, 28 Aug 2023 18:23:41 GMT Read More »

Libya’s internationally recognised prime minister has suspended his top diplomat after she met her Israeli counterpart, with news of the encounter triggering demonstrations in a country that does not recognise Israel.Oil-rich Libya, which plunged into chaos after dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in 2011 NATO-backed uprising, has been divided since 2014 between the …

Libya foreign minister suspended after Israel meetingMon, 28 Aug 2023 16:26:36 GMT Read More »