Africa

Tunisia reopens its borders

Tunisia has reopened its land, sea and air borders for the first time in more than three months over the weekend after it announced it had brought the coronavirus outbreak…

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South Africa’s surge of virus cases expected to rise rapidly

South Africa’s current surge of COVID-19 cases is expected to dramatically increase in the coming weeks and press the country’s hospitals to the limit, the health minister said Sunday night.…

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Libya calls for international sanctions on Russian mercenaries and their backers

Libya's permanent representative to the United Nations has called for the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions over the activities of Russian mercenaries and other actors involved…

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Libya’s coronavirus cases jump to 713

The National Centre for Disease Control of Libya on Saturday announced 15 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total cases inside the country to 713, with 142 recoveries and 18…

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Libya’s Al-Sarraj flies to Rome for meeting with PM Conte

The Head of the Libyan Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj met Saturday with the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Rome and the two…

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Ethiopian Orthodox monk, said to be 114 year old becomes oldest Coronavirus survivor

An Ethiopian Orthodox monk whose family says he is 114 years old has survived the coronavirus, the Associated Press reports. Tilahun Woldemichael was discharged from a hospital on Thursday after…

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Macron confident of progress in key areas with Russia, including Libya

French President Emmanuel Macron is confident of progress in key areas with Russia, notably the crisis in Libya, his office said on Friday after a video conference with Russia leader…

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Kenya Airways estimates coronavirus revenue loss at $100 mln

Kenya Airways has lost an estimated $100 million in revenue as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns, CEO Allan Kilavuka told reporters on Friday. "We don't have…

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UPDATED: Russian mercenaries reported to have entered Libyan oilfield, blocked restart of output

Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Friday Russian and other foreign mercenaries had entered the Sharara oilfield on Thursday, adding that it completely rejects "attempts by foreign countries to…

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Nigeria’s COVID-19 outbreak could impoverish 5 million people, World Bank says

Nigeria's coronavirus outbreak may push 5 million people into poverty as it triggers the worst recession in the African powerhouse since the 1980s, the World Bank said on Thursday. The…

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Turkey says Libya’s GNA demands Haftar withdraw from Sirte, Jufra

Libya's internationally recognised government demands that Khalifa Haftar's forces withdraw from the coastal city of Sirte and Jufra region as pre-conditions for ceasefire talks, Turkey announced. With Turkish military support,…

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France, Germany and Italy call for end to Libya fighting

France, Germany and Italy on Thursday called on forces in Libya to cease fighting and for outside parties to stop any interference in a bid to try and get political…

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Libya faces real risk of partition

Wolfram Lacher, a senior associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, warned of a "real risk" of partition in Libya. Interviewed by France 24 he said this could…

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Senegal president self-quarantines after contact with COVID-19 case

Senegalese President Macky Sall is quarantining for two weeks after coming into contact with someone who has since tested positive for the coronavirus, state television said on Thursday. The measure…

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Africa’s cases surge to more than 336,000

Africa’s coronavirus cases have surged to more than 336,000, an increase of nearly 10,000 infections from Wednesday evening. That’s according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The…

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Egypt eases coronavirus restrictions

Egypt will from Saturday lift a night-time curfew that had been in force since March 25 to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and reopen restaurants, cafes, and places of…

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Turkey says Macron suffers “eclipse of the mind” over Libya

Turkey hit back at French criticism of its intervention in Libya, saying President Emmanuel Macron must have suffered an "eclipse of the mind" to oppose Ankara's support for the internationally…

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Libyan and foreign forces mobilise at Sirte

Arab foreign ministers said on Tuesday they wanted to head off a new battle in Libya, where the warring sides are mobilising near the main oil region as their foreign…

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France will not tolerate Turkey’s “dangerous games” in Libya – Macron

France will not tolerate Turkey's military intervention in Libya, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday (June 22), accusing Ankara of playing "a dangerous game". Turkey has intervened decisively in recent weeks in Libya, providing…

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Africa unites to lower cost of Covid-19 tests and PPE

African countries have pulled together to set up a one-stop shop to give the continent a fairer chance in the international scramble for Covid-19 test kits, protective equipment and any…

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Tripoli government ‘to boycott’ Arab League talks on Libya

Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has said it will boycott talks on the conflict in the North African country to be held by Arab League foreign ministers in…

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Turmoil in Tunisia over unemployment

Protesters demanding jobs in Tunisia's energy sector blocked roads with burning tyres on Sunday after the arrest of an activist, before security forces responded with tear gas. For weeks, demonstrators at…

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Morocco to resume domestic flights starting June 25

Morocco will resume domestic flights starting June 25, the state news agency said on Sunday, citing the ministry of tourism, air transport, handicrafts and social economy. Earlier today, the government…

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Photo Story: Fuel tanker accident in Lagos

Firefighters spray water to extinguish a fire at the site of an accident after multiple fuel tankers spilled their cargo on a bridge along Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Lagos, Nigeria. Two…

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Egyptian President Sisi says Egypt has a legitimate right to intervene in Libya

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission outside…

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Countries failing to prevent violence against children, agencies warn

Half of the world’s children, or approximately 1 billion children each year are affected by physical, sexual or psychological violence, suffering injuries, disabilities and death, because countries have failed to…

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Turkey ready for fast reconstruction in conflict-torn Libya

Turkey is ready to rapidly start rebuilding conflict-torn Libya, a senior Turkish official said on Friday, after President Tayyip Erdogan's senior deputies visited Tripoli this week to discuss cooperation on…

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Morocco records biggest single-day rise in COVID cases

Morocco’s Health Ministry reported 539 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the biggest daily rise so far, most of them in a cluster north of Rabat. There are now 9,613 confirmed…

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Rare ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse to dim Africa, Asia

Skywatchers along a narrow band from west Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, India and southern China will witness on Sunday the most dramatic "ring of fire" solar eclipse to shadow…

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Turkey says will work with Italy for stable peace in Libya

Turkey will work together with Italy to achieve stable peace and a political process that will yield results in Libya, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday, and added the…

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UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund announces its largest investment of startups in developing and emerging economies

Eight technology companies in developing and emerging economies will receive investment from the UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund (CryptoFund) to solve local and global challenges. The CryptoFund will invest 125 ETH in…

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Egypt surpasses 50,000 confirmed coronavirus cases

Egypt said it registered 1,218 new cases of the new coronavirus on Thursday, edging the total number of cases up to more than 50,000 a fortnight before it is set…

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NATO to investigate Mediterranean incident between French, Turkish warships

NATO will investigate French accusations that Turkey's navy failed to respond to an allied call to inspect a vessel this month in the Mediterranean, the alliance chief said on Thursday,…

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China willing to give priority to African countries once COVID-19 vaccines are ready

China will exempt some African countries from repaying zero-interest rate loans due at the end of 2020, state television reported on Wednesday, quoting President Xi Jingping's speech at a summit.…

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Protests in Tunisia over unemployment

Hundreds of unemployed Tunisians from around the country tried to march on parliament Wednesday to demand a law guaranteeing jobs, and skirmished with police who blocked their way. Virus confinement…

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Turkey discusses lasting ceasefire during Libya visit

Senior Turkish officials discussed a lasting ceasefire and political solution in Libya, as well as energy cooperation, during a visit to Tripoli on Wednesday, Turkey's foreign minister said. Mevlut Cavusoglu,…

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Merkel, Erdogan agree U.N. process for Libya should be bolstered

German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the conflict in Libya and the situation in the eastern Mediterranean in a video call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Merkel's spokesman said in a…

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Malta calls for an EU-US Alliance which enjoys the trust of Libyans

Malta is insisting for greater European-American collaboration in the efforts to bring peace to neighbouring Libya. During a videoconference held today between the foreign ministers of the European Union and…

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South Africa consults with industry on nuclear power plans

South Africa’s energy ministry began consultations with industry on preparations for a proposed 2,500 megawatt (MW) nuclear power plant building programme, which has faced opposition from environmental campaigners. South Africa…

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Siege of Libya’s Sirte behind Turkey-Russia talks delay

Russia and Turkey postponed talks on defusing fighting in Libya due to discord over the Ankara-backed Tripoli government's push to retake the key coastal city of Sirte from Russian-backed eastern…

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Tunisia to freeze salaries

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said on Sunday he had decided against the use of more external debt and that all new expenses that arise for the country would be…

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Morocco’s King undergoes successful heart surgery

King Mohammmed VI of Morocco had successful heart surgery on Sunday in Rabat, state news agency MAP said. The King was treated for a heart rhythm disorder known as…

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Egypt to reopen all airports on July 1

Egypt will reopen all its airports for scheduled international traffic on July 1, the civil aviation minister said on Sunday, after suspending regular commercial flights in March because of the…

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No one can consider him or herself dispensed from the exploitation, violence and cruelty in Libya – Pope Francis

After his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis turned his thoughts and prayers to “the dramatic situation in Libya”, which he said he is following “with great apprehension and sorrow”. The Pope…

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The UN Security Council’s silence is deafening – Libya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs

Libya's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Siala criticised the UN Security Council's silence and ignoring the calls of the previous government of reconciliation to take a firm stand on the aggression…

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Turkish-Russian talks on Libya and Syria postponed

Russia and Turkey have postponed ministerial-level talks which were expected to focus on Libya and Syria, where the two countries support opposing sides in long-standing conflicts. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut…

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Algeria relaxes coronavirus lockdown

Algeria will further relax its coronavirus lockdown on Sunday, easing a curfew, allowing public transport to resume in the cities and reopening some more businesses, the government said on Saturday.…

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Record daily rise in infections and deaths in Egypt

Egypt confirmed 1,677 new coronavirus cases and 62 deaths on Saturday, the health ministry said, the highest daily increase for both counts. In total, the Arab world’s most populous country…

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Russia and Turkey to meet on Libya’s future on Sunday

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu will visit Turkey on Sunday for talks, the two countries' foreign ministries said on Saturday, with media reports saying discussions…

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Death toll from Tunisia migrant shipwreck rises to 54

The death toll from the sinking of a boat carrying migrants off the Tunisian coast has risen to 54 as more bodies were recovered during the search operations. The boat,…

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U.S. wary of Egypt truce effort in Libya, wants former Danish PM to lead U.N. peace bid

Parts of a proposal by Egypt for a truce in Libya are “helpful,” but a United Nations-led bid to broker peace in the North African country is the best way…

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U.S. looking into reports of Haftar’s oil dealings with Venezuela

The United States is investigating and trying to get to the bottom of reports that Libya's eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar's plane was in the Venezuelan capital Caracas last week, a…

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UN voices it’s horror following discovery of mass graves in Libya

The United Nations mission to Libya voiced "horror" Thursday over the reported discovery of at least eight mass graves in an area evacuated this month by strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces. …

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WHO warns pandemic “accelerating” in Africa

The coronavirus pandemic is "accelerating" in Africa, spreading from capital cities where it arrived with travellers, but it does not appear that severe cases and deaths are being missed, the…

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Egypt allows foreign tourists to some resorts from July 1

Egypt will allow scheduled international flights and foreign tourists to some of its coastal areas that have been least affected by coronavirus starting from July 1, the cabinet said in…

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U.S. welcomes agreement for U.N. Libya talks, urges speedy ceasefire process

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on welcomed the resumption of talks led by the United Nations between Libya’s warring sides and urged speedy negotiations to achieve a ceasefire. “The…

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U.N. Libya mission says warring sides have engaged in truce talks

Libya’s warring sides have begun to engage in a new round of ceasefire talks, the United Nations said on Wednesday, after rapid gains by the internationally recognised government ended with…

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