US and UN call for talks in Libyan dispute over control of central bankUN-backed institutions in west of Libya show no sign of backing down over dismissal of bank's governor of 20 yearsA crisis in the Libyan economy sparked by an escalating and sometimes violent contest over the control of the country's central bank can only be cured through diplomacy, the US embassy in Libya has said, as it backed efforts by the UN to convene an emergency meeting of the groups involved.The embassy, led by the ambassador Richard Norland, pleaded with all sides to heed a UN call to hold talks, saying the contest over the administration of the bank "undermines confidence in Libya's economic and financial stability in the eyes of Libyan citizens and the international community, and increases the likelihood of harmful confrontation". Continue reading...
Flood surge in Sudan bursts dam, destroying villages and killing dozensOne report says 150-200 people missing after heavy rain led to Arbaat dam giving way in area already hit by civil warSurging waters have burst through a dam in eastern Sudan, wiping out at least 20 villages and leaving at least 30 people dead but probably many more, the UN has said, devastating a region already reeling from months of civil war.Torrential rains caused floods that on Sunday overwhelmed the Arbaat dam, which is 25 miles (40km) north of Port Sudan, the de facto national capital and base for the government, diplomats, aid agencies and hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Continue reading...
Macklemore cancels Dubai show to protest UAE role in Sudan civil warUS rapper says he will not perform in United Arab Emirates until it 'stops arming' the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, where thousands have been killedMacklemore has cancelled an upcoming October concert in Dubai over the United Arab Emirates' role "in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis" in Sudan through its reported support of the paramilitary force that has been fighting government troops there.The announcement by the US rapper reignited attention to the UAE's role in the war gripping the African nation. While the UAE repeatedly has denied arming the Rapid Support Forces and supporting its leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, UN experts reported "credible" evidence in January that the Emirates sent weapons to the RSF several times a week from northern Chad. Continue reading...
Minister seeks legal settlement in case of South Africa's imperilled penguinsDion George says avoiding extinction of African penguin is his objective, and settling case aimed at stopping fishing around major colonies will helpSouth Africa's new environment minister has said he wants to stop African penguins from going extinct by taking measures including settling a case brought by two environmental charities to stop fishing around the birds' major colonies.BirdLife South Africa and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCOB) said they want an extension of no-fishing zones around six beaches and islands where the penguins breed, after failing to reach an agreement with fishing industry groups demanded by the previous minister. Continue reading...
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