Africa / News
Brazil hosts first BRICS Sherpas meeting with expanded membership
Brasilia hosted the first BRICS Sherpas meeting under the Brazilian Presidency on February 24-25, bringing together representatives from all 11 member countries at the Itamaraty Palace.
Brazil to host expanded BRICS summit in July amid US dollar tensions
Brazil will host leaders from the BRICS nations and their new members in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, as the burgeoning bloc faces growing pressure from the US over plans to reduce dollar dependence in trade.
Brazil drops BRICS currency plan in favour of local payment push
Brazil will not pursue a common BRICS currency during its presidency of the bloc this year, focusing instead on facilitating trade in local currencies despite warnings from US President Donald Trump about challenging dollar dominance.
New Aga Khan takes helm of Ismaili Shi'ite Muslims
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, becoming spiritual leader of 15mn Ismaili Muslims following the death of his father in Lisbon aged 88.
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili, passes away at 88
Billionaire philanthropist invested his fortune in lifting up communities around the world, particularly the Pamiri peoples of Tajikistan.
Arab countries reject Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan
Arab foreign ministers on February 3 unanimously rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
More than 5,000 Nigerian women trapped in Iraq
More than 5,000 Nigerian women are currently stranded in Iraq after being recruited as caregivers under false pretences, the head of Nigeria's Diaspora Commission said on January 22
CAR mercenary becomes first African to die in Ukraine conflict
Derrick Ngamana, a 32-year-old from the Central African Republic (CAR), has been confirmed as the first African mercenary to die while fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Global coal trade approaches its peak
Preliminary data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that global coal imports rose by 2.4% in 2024, reaching 1.5bn tonnes for the year.
EBRD delivers 26% expansion in investments in 2024, commits record €16.6bn across economies
Lender notes strong momentum in green and gender financing, in parallel with steadfast support for Ukraine and its real economy.
Sanctioned Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean after explosion
A sanctioned Russian cargo vessel, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria.
Force majeure at Libya’s Zawiya Refinery threatens exports and oil expansion plans
The declaration of force majeure at Libya’s Zawiya Refinery by Libya’s National Oil Corporation on December 15 has put plans to boost crude production in doubt and raised concerns over NOC's ability to meet its oil export obligations.