NEWS - The African Mirror

Jan

25

2024

Putin, Sisi mark new phase of Egypt’s Russian-built nuclear plant

NEWS

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin and Egypt's Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated the construction of a new unit at Egypt's Dabaa nuclear power plant via video link, as Moscow moves ahead with its global nuclear ambitions. The power plant is being built by the Russian state corporation Rosatom at a reported cost of $30 billion and will consist of four power units with a combined capacity of 4.8 gigawatts. The two presidents were opening the construction of the fourth and final unit, according to Egyptian state media. "The cooperation between our two countries continues and is developing. Egypt is a close friend…

Jan

25

2024

By The African Mirror

US determined to remain strong security partner for Nigeria

NEWS

SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken said the United States is determined to remain a strong security partner for Nigeria, whose military is backed by the U.S., Britain and other allies in a long war against Islamist insurgents. Blinken also discussed challenges to democracy and security in the region during his meeting on Tuesday with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in a visit that comes after last year's coup in neighbouring Niger, one of a series of coups or attempted power grabs over the past few years in West and Central Africa. "The United States is determined to be and remain a…

Jan

25

2024

By NELLIE PEYTON

Man to be charged with murder for deadly Johannesburg fire

NEWS

SOUTH African police have arrested a man suspected of starting the fire that killed more than 70 people in a hijacked building in downtown Johannesburg in August. The 29-year-old man confessed to an inquiry tasked with determining responsibility for the blaze that he was involved in starting it, the police said in a statement sent to Reuters. He is expected to appear before a Johannesburg court soon on charges of arson, 77 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder, the statement said. One of the worst disasters in living memory in South Africa's economic hub, the blaze broke out on August 31…

Jan

24

2024

By ELIAS BIRYABAREMA

Uganda in talks with UAE investment firm over planned oil refinery

NEWS

UGANDA is negotiating with an investment company led by a member of Dubai's royal family to develop a planned $4 billion refinery for some of its crude oil, its energy minister said. Uganda in July last year terminated negotiations with a consortium that included a unit of U.S. firm Baker Hughes over its failure to mobilise financing in time. Uganda is counting on the 60,000 barrel-per-day refinery for its nascent hydrocarbons industry. "Expressions of interest were received from several potential investors and they were evaluated ... following which a memorandum of understanding was signed on the 22 of December 2023," Minister…

Jan

23

2024

By CONRAD ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Davos: Global economists see bright spots in Africa growth prospects

NEWS

TOP economists agree that Africa's economic prospects for 2024 are positive, as small countries sparkle in the face of sluggish global growth projections. Chief economists from the World Economic Forum, World Bank and United Nations project Africa’s economy will defy the impacts of weak investments, debt crises, inflation, tight financial conditions and extreme weather patterns to record an improvement over 2023. A strong majority (65%) of World Economic Forum Chief Economists expect most of the continent to record at least moderate growth, according to the World Economic Forum Chief Economists Outlook 2024. This comes against a background in which 56%…

Jan

23

2024

By The African Mirror

Guinea team call on fans to tone down celebrations

NEWS

THE Guinean Football Federation and national team have asked fans to tone down their celebrations after six people were killed following a 1-0 win over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations. Jubilant Guinea fans took to the streets around the country after a victory that put coach Kaba Diawara’s side on the brink of reaching the knockout rounds at the tournament in Ivory Coast. The Federation has released a video from the team asking supporters to celebrate responsibly as they prepare to face Senegal in their final pool match on Tuesday. "What is important is that our fans and…

Jan

23

2024

By The African Mirror

Liberia President Boakai resumes duties after heat exhaustion

NEWS

LIBERIA'S new president, Joseph Boakai, has recovered from an episode of heat exhaustion that caused him to cut short his inauguration speech and has resumed his normal activities, the presidency said. The 79-year-old, who defeated George Weah in a runoff election in November, was sworn in during an outdoor ceremony in sweltering heat in the West African nation's capital, Monrovia. Boakai then paused during his speech and aides rushed to fan him. He resumed a few minutes later but halted again and aides helped him walk away from the podium, curtailing the ceremony. The president's office released a statement later…

Jan

24

2024

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

bird TenX: Africa’s 10 largest gold producers

NEWS

AFRICAN states are riding the wave of a gold rush, with global prices stabilising and mining technologies advancing. Here are the continent's ten largest gold-producing powerhouses per tonnage (t), according to the World Gold Council's latest stats. 1. Ghana – 127tKnown as the "Gold Coast", Ghana is Africa's largest gold producer. The country has a rich history of gold mining, dating back to the 15th century, and today, gold mining is a major part of its economy, contributing over 40% of its total export earnings. 2. Mali – 101tMali's gold mining industry, a crucial part of its economy, traces back…

Jan

24

2024

By TIKSA NEGERI

Ethiopia’s Ethio Telecom posts 14% rise in half-year earnings

NEWS

ETHIOPIAN state-owned telecoms company Ethio Telecom posted a 14% rise in half-year profit helped by growth in its mobile phone-based financial service Telebirr. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose to 19.77 billion birr ($352 million) while revenue grew by 26% to 42.86 billion, CEO Frehiwot Tamiru said in a statement. Subscribers to Telebirr, launched in May 2021, grew to 41 million of its 74.6 million total subscribers, Frehiwot said while handling transactions worth 910.7 billion birrs. Ethio Telecom, a former monopoly, competes with Safaricom Ethiopia, which launched commercial mobile network services in October 2022 after winning the…

Jan

24

2024

By ARAFAT BARBAKH, EMILY ROSE and JEFF MASON

US pushes for pause in Gaza as Israel suffers worst loss of soldiers

NEWS

THE White House said on Tuesday its envoy was having active discussions about ensuring the release of hostages in Gaza and securing a humanitarian pause in the war after Israel suffered its worst loss of soldiers in over three months of conflict. In the hours after the death toll of 24 from two separate incidents became clear, officials in Israel reiterated that the objectives of its war against the Palestinian Hamas movement that runs Gaza were unchanged and that efforts were being made to bring about the release of more than 100 hostages. Acknowledging Monday had been one of the most difficult…