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Nigerian women’s basketball team qualifies for Olympic quarterfinals

Africa /

Ezinna Kalu led Nigeria with 21 points as the team made Olympic history by becoming the first African squad, male or female, to reach the Olympic basketball quarterfinals, defeating Canada 79-70 on Sunday. With this win, Nigeria (2-1) is now awaiting their next opponent. They have already surpassed their previous best in pool play, doubling their win tally from the 2004 Athens Games. The team celebrated their achievement by heading to midcourt, where an assistant coach recorded the moment with her phone. After high-fiving the Canadian players, they regrouped for a jubilant midcourt huddle. An assistant coach also took the opportunity to capture photos with a fan’s flag on the court. The Nigerians savored the moment with hugs and photos as they celebrated their historic victory. Canada, ranked fifth in the world, finished the group stage winless, falling short on the final day of play to a team ranked 12th. Five teams had already secured their quarterfinal spots before this game: the U.S., aiming for an unprecedented eighth consecutive Olympic gold, and Spain, Serbia, France, and Germany. The final draw for the quarterfinals will be determined after the last group stage game between Australia and host nation France. Nigeria had not qualified for the 2016 Rio Games and went winless in Tokyo. The women’s team was initially barred from Nigeria’s boat for the opening ceremony on July 26 but will now play in Bercy Arena on Wednesday, located on the banks of the Seine River. Nigeria started strong, scoring the first six points of the game. Captain Amy Okonkwo injured her right shoulder early in the second quarter in a collision with Canada’s Aaliyah Edwards. Canada led 41-37 at halftime, but Okonkwo returned for the third quarter, during which Nigeria opened with a 13-1 run. Nigeria outscored Canada 23-5 in the third period, taking a 60-46 lead into the final quarter. Elizabeth Balogun contributed 14 points, and Promise Amukamara added 12 for Nigeria. Shay Colley led Canada with 17 points, with Bridget Carleton and Kayla Alexander adding 13 and 12 points, respectively. In another game, Belgium defeated Japan 85-58. Emma Meesseman was instrumental with 30 points and 11 rebounds, helping Belgium secure one of the three remaining quarterfinal berths. The Belgian team celebrated at midcourt, with some players in tears of joy as the final buzzer sounded. Japan, which had won silver three years ago in Tokyo, was eliminated after finishing with a 0-3 record in group play. This marks the second consecutive Olympics where the previous silver medalist has failed to medal; Spain, the 2016 silver medalist, also fell short in Tokyo. Belgium (1-2) needed a 27-point victory over Japan to advance with a better point differential than China. The game was closely watched by Chinese fans as Belgium, located just 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, aimed to secure their place. Japan initially led 4-2, but Belgium took control with a 3-pointer from Antonia Delaere, leading 19-7 by the end of the first quarter. The lead grew to 39-23 at halftime, and despite Japan’s efforts, Belgium outscored them 22-16 in the third quarter for a 61-39 lead. Elise Ramette’s 3-pointer with 4:52 left secured the necessary point margin, leading to a Japan timeout and a celebration from Becky Massey. Ramette finished with 16 points, and Delaere and Maxuella Mbaka Lisowa each contributed 12. Saki Hayashi led Japan with 13 points, and Evelyn Mawuli added 12.

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Protesters rally in Somalia to condemn killing of Hamas leader

Africa /

Protesters in Somalia rallied Friday to condemn the assassination of Hamas’ Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh by Israel. Students, business people and religious clerics came out in Mogadishu to show solidarity with the Palestinian people who have been facing an Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, against Israel. Protesters were led by famous Somali religious scholar Sheikh Abdi Hayi who chanted against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “There is no God but Allah, Netanyahu is an enemy of Allah,” protesters chanted. The Somalia government strongly condemned Haniyeh’s assassination on Wednesday and said it was a violation of international law. Haniyeh, who was in the Iranian capital of Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian, was killed by an airstrike that targeted the building where he was staying.  Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for the attack but Tel Aviv has neither claimed nor denied responsibility. “Somalia fears an escalating pace of violence that could lead to more violations against civilians,” said the Somali Foreign Ministry, expressing “heartfelt condolences” to the Palestinian people. Mogadishu condemns political killings and violence “in all its forms, whatever its motives are,” it said in a statement. 

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Egypt, Saudi foreign ministers discuss escalating regional tensions

Africa, World /

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Friday that Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, discussed the “dangerous” regional escalation following assassinations by Israel,  The ministers explored “avenues for enhancing cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia across various domains,” in a telephone call. They also discussed “the alarming regional tensions resulting from Israel’s extremist policies and the pattern of assassinations,” it said in a statement, in reference to the assassination Wednesday of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Abdelatty emphasized the urgency of “halting the ongoing escalation and underscored the responsibility of major international powers, particularly the US, in curbing the escalation.” Bin Farhan expressed anticipation for “continued bilateral relations to bolster coordination on regional issues.” The Israeli military claimed Thursday to have “confirmed intelligence” regarding the killing of Mohammed Deif, the military wing leader of Hamas, al-Qassam Brigades. The airstrike occurred July 13 in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, despite prior denials by the Palestinian resistance group. Israel’s confirmation followed Hamas and Iran’s declaration Wednesday regarding the assassination of Haniyeh.  An Israeli airstrike targeted Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran, following his participation in the inauguration ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian. While Israel maintains silence on Haniyeh’s assassination, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indirectly alluded to Tel Aviv’s responsibility for the operation. Additionally, the Israeli army explicitly claimed responsibility for the assassination of Fouad Shukr, Hezbollah’s top military commander, in an airstrike Tuesday on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Escalating tensions between the two sides have persisted since early October, stemming from the Israeli onslaught against Gaza. -Sudan crisis The two top diplomats also addressed efforts by Cairo and Riyadh to resolve the Sudanese crisis to maintain Sudan’s unity and sovereignty by working together to achieve a cease-fire and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery. Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group have been engaged in fighting that has resulted in 18,800 deaths and 10 million displaced individuals, according to the UN.

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Curfew imposed in some Nigerian states due to protests

Africa /

In Nigeria, some states have imposed curfews in response to protests against the removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to rising living costs. The protests, which began yesterday, have escalated into violence in certain areas, prompting curfews in Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, and Yobe states. Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stated, “After careful consideration, we decided to impose a curfew to prevent the looting and destruction of businesses and the killing of innocent citizens.” Curfews have also been enforced in Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, and Yobe states due to looting and clashes between protesters and security forces. Civil society organizations plan a 10-day nationwide protest starting August 1, in response to the fuel subsidy removal. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidies on May 29, 2023, leading to a significant increase in fuel prices. The cost of fuel surged from 185 naira ($0.24) per liter to 620 naira ($0.82).

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Kenya’s inflation falls in July as food and fuel prices decrease

Business /

Inflation in Kenya dropped to 4.3% year-on-year in July, down from 4.6% in June, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. This four-year low was driven by a stronger shilling and slight reductions in household costs like electricity and fuel. Transport costs increased by only 4% in July, a significant decrease from 7.7% the previous month. Food prices also fell by 0.5% between June and July, although some categories saw sharp price hikes. Despite overall inflation easing, rising costs for items like cooking oil and gas mean that consumers still face financial pressure. The Central Bank may consider a rate cut when the Monetary Policy Committee meets on August 6. In recent months, Kenyans protested against tax hikes and the high cost of living, leading President William Ruto to withdraw a proposed finance bill. Ruto, who assumed office in September 2022, faces challenges including high inflation, debt, unemployment, and post-COVID stagnation, while balancing lender demands and public discontent.

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Kenya court orders extradition of US murder suspect

Africa /

A court in Kenya on Thursday ordered the extradition of a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in the United States. Kevin Kang’ethe will go on trial in Massachusetts on first degree murder charges for the death of nurse Margaret Mbitu in November 2023. Her body was found with multiple stabs wounds in his SUV in a garage at Boston’s Logan Airport, two days after her family reported her missing. Police say he had boarded a flight from Logan to Kenya the day before Mbitu’s body was discovered. He was tracked down in Kenya three months after the murder and arrested, but escaped in a mini-van just one week into his detention. Kenyan police launched a manhunt and investigation, eventually tracking him down to a relative’s home in Nairobi where he was re-arrested. They also arrested four police officers, two of the suspect’s relatives, and a lawyer who they accused of assisting in the prison break. Prosecutors in Nairobi testified that when Kang’ethe was arrested, he was found in possession of items belonging to Mbitu, including her driver’s license, Bank of America debit card, and a visa card.

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Algeria suspends flights to Lebanon amid regional tensions

Africa /

Algeria’s flag carrier Air Algerie said Thursday that it suspended its flights to and from Lebanon until further notice. The airline urged all customers to contact the company’s call centers for more information and updates. The national carrier did not provide a specific reason for the decision. However, it follows similar moves by other airlines, including Kuwait Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines. The suspension comes amid rising tensions and the potential for a broader conflict between Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group on one side and Israel on the other. It follows the assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr by Israel on Tuesday and accusations by the Palestinian group Hamas and Iran that Israel assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday. Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, the only airport in Lebanon, has previously been targeted during the country’s civil war from 1975 to 1989 and in past conflicts with Israel, most recently in the July 2006 war. Hamas and Iran have vowed to retaliate for Haniyeh’s assassination, while Hezbollah has pledged to respond to Shukr’s killing.  Meanwhile, international efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation and prevent the conflict from spreading further in the region. Fears have grown of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire. The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza which has killed nearly 39,500 people since last October following an attack by Hamas.

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Zambia, Burundi sign 6 bilateral agreements

Africa /

 Zambia and Burundi signed six bilateral agreements Thursday to boost cooperation in various fields, including agriculture and security. The agreements were signed at State House in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, after the country’s President Hakainde Hichilema and Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye held official talks. The agreements are in the areas of enhancing commercial cooperation, social welfare and child development systems and agriculture and agriculture research. The two countries will also collaborate in the education sphere under an agreement between the University of Zambia and the University of Burundi, the extradition of fugitives and criminals under a security agreement, and in fisheries and livestock. In a preliminary session of the two leaders’ talks, Hichilema and Ndayishimiye reflected on the ties between their countries, calling for the exploration of more trade and investment opportunities with a spillover effect to the rest of the subregion. Hichilema said he wanted to see better utilization of the Tanganyika Corridor, a link between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Great Lakes region, to enhance trade and connectivity. Hichilema, who also chairs the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Authority, a role he will hand over to Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura this October, also called for enhanced peace, security and stability as a harbinger for development and economic transformation. Ndayishimiye called for increased cooperation between the two countries targeting agriculture and mining, as both countries are rich in natural resources which can be mutually utilized to improve livelihoods. Ndayishimiye is in the southern African nation on a three-day visit at Hichilema’s invitation. He will address the Zambian National Assembly on Friday and grace the country’s 96th Agriculture and Commercial Show on Saturday.

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Haniyeh’s funeral ceremony begins in Tehran

World /

 The funeral ceremony for Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Palestinian Hamas group’s political bureau, began early Thursday in the Iranian capital of Tehran, with a large number of people and officials participating, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, local media reported. The Iranian Mehr News Agency released a short video of the funeral ceremony, which featured Hamas top figures. According to the official IRNA news agency, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the funeral prayers. On Wednesday morning, Hamas and Iran announced the assassination of Haniyeh in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence in Tehran, a day after he attended the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Though Israel has remained silent about Haniyeh’s death, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at Tel Aviv’s involvement in his assassination. Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. At least 39,445 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,000 injured, according to local health authorities. Nearly 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

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Oil up amid growing geopolitical conflicts in Middle East

Business /

 Oil prices increased on Thursday amid growing tension in the Middle East following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Palestinian Hamas group’s political bureau, and positive demand outlook in the US, supported by inventory data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). International benchmark Brent crude traded at $81.44 per barrel at 10.13 a.m. local time (0713 GMT), a rise of 0.74% from the closing price of $80.84 per barrel in the previous trading session. The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $78.33 per barrel at the same time, a 0.53% increase from the previous session that closed at $77.91 per barrel. Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his Tehran apartment the day after attending Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration, according to announcements made by Iran and Hamas on Wednesday morning. Though Israel has remained silent about Haniyeh’s death, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at Tel Aviv’s involvement in his assassination. Escalating geopolitical tensions in the regoin, home to a vast majority of global oil reserves, despite cease-fire negotiations, supported upward price movements by increasing supply risk in the markets. Meanwhile, data indicating a drop in crude stocks in the US, the world’s largest oil-consuming country, lent support to crude oil prices by suggesting that oil demand was increasing. According to data released by the EIA late Wednesday, US commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 3.4 million barrels to 433 million barrels during the week ending July 26. The drop in inventory was well above the market prediction of a 1.6 million barrels fall. However, the rise of the US dollar against other currencies limited further price rises. Strong dollar ramped up prices for non-US currency holders and discouraged investors. The US dollar index rose by 0.09% to 104.18 at 9.58 a.m. local time (0658 GMT), compared to the previous trading session.

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