Africa

Wolfgang Porsche plant in Salzburg einen privaten Tunnel und eine Garage für neun Autos im Kapuzinerberg. Der Bauausschuss hat das umstrittene 10-Millionen-Euro-Projekt trotz Kritik der Grünen genehmigt.

Max Verstappen holt sich in Monza seinen 66. GP-Sieg. Zu reden gab auch beim Holländer die diskutable Teamorder von McLaren.

La photo prise par Bidyut Kalita fait partie des nombreuses photos hautement recommandées par le Wildlife Photographer of the Year de cette année.

Euronews: Szerdán a görög kormány rendkívüli intkézkedéseket hozott a válság kezelésére. A következő három hónapban nem fogják elbírálni azoknak a bevándorlóknak a menedékkérelmét, akik Észak-Afrikából, a tengeren keresztül próbálnak meg Görögországba jutni. Az érkezőket a hatóságok előállítják. Az éjjel a partiőrség már el is fogott egy hajót Krétától délre, 520 illegális bevándorlóval a fedélzetén. A járművet átírányították egy Athén közelében lévő kikötőbe, innen szállítják tovább a migránsokat a fogvatartásuk helyére.

Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui claims victory in the Great North Run women's race as Eilish McColgan finished third.

Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui claims victory in the Great North Run women's race as Eilish McColgan finished third.

Ethiopia is set to inaugurate a mega dam that has stoked tensions with Egypt.

Ethiopia is set to inaugurate a mega dam that has stoked tensions with Egypt.

The biblical site of Mount Sinai in Egypt is at the heart of an unholy row over plans to build a huge new tourism project.

The biblical site of Mount Sinai in Egypt is at the heart of an unholy row over plans to build a huge new tourism project.

Many of those killed had recently returned to the village in Borno State, following years of displacement.

The Salvadoran has been at the heart of an immigration row since he was mistakenly deported in March.

People have no access to tools or machinery to conduct their rescue efforts, Save the Children says.

L'opération de distribution des fiches de parrainage aux maires et aux députés de l'Assemble nationale, démarrée mardi 2 septembre 2025, à la Commission électorale nationale autonome (CENA), se poursuit. A la date du vendredi 5 septembre, les statistiques affichent 135 retraits.

135 fiches retirées dont 97 pour les députés et 38 pour les maires : ce sont les chiffres concernant la distribution des formulaires de parrainage à la CENA, à la date de vendredi, dans le cadre de la présidentielle 2026. Des chiffres qui témoignent de l'implication progressive des élus dans le processus électoral.
L'opération de retrait des fiches de parrainage selon la CENA, va se poursuivre jusqu'au vendredi 12 septembre 2025, date de clôture officielle. Passé ce délai, aucun formulaire ne pourra plus être délivré, avertit l'institution en charge de l'organisation des élections au Bénin.
Le nombre total d'élus attendus à la CENA pour le retrait de parrainage est de 186 dont 109 députés et 77 maires.

F. A. A.

Les Guépards du Bénin ont battu les Worriors du Zimbabwe ce vendredi 5 septembre 2025, lors d'une rencontre comptant pour la 7e journée des éliminatoires de la Coupe du monde 2026.

Le Bénin peut toujours croire en une première qualification à une phase finale de la Coupe du monde. Au terme d'un match âprement disputé ce vendredi 5 septembre, la sélection nationale s'est imposée au Zimbabwe par un score étriqué de un but à zéro. Le seul but de la rencontre a été marqué en seconde partie par le capitaine Steeve Mounié, suite à une reprise de tête, un centre du latéral droit, Yohan Roche.

Cette victoire permet à la sélection nationale de totaliser 11 points, et d'occuper la 2e place comme le Rwanda ; en attendant l'issu de la rencontre entre le Nigéria et le Rwanda ce samedi.
Après le match contre le Zimbabwe, les Guépards affrontent le mardi 9 septembre prochain, la sélection du Lesotho, pour la rencontre comptant pour la 8e journée de ces éliminatoires.

F. A. A.

La famille de feu Emmanuel Golou, 2ᵉ vice-président du Conseil Économique et Social, reçoit les condoléances au domicile du regretté, à Cotonou.

Parents, amis, collègues et proches peuvent témoigner leur soutien et leur compassion à la famille de feu Emmanuel Golou. Les visites de condoléances sont ouvertes tous les jours de 9 h à 12 h et de 16 h à 20 h au domicile du défunt à Cadjehoun , deux rues après l'Eglise Bon Pasteur en allant vers Houeyiho. Emmanuel Golou est décédé le mardi 2 septembre 2025, des suites d'une courte maladie.

A.A.A

IOM teams are assessing damage and delivering life-saving support to those in urgent need after a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan. Credit: IOM

By Jennifer Xin-Tsu Lin Levine
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 5 2025 (IPS)

United Nations aid organizations are rallying after a series of earthquakes and powerful aftershocks wreaked unprecedented havoc across eastern Afghanistan—particularly in the mountainous provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar.

Preliminary reports show that at least 1,400 people were killed and more than 3,100 injured. Widespread destruction of homes and critical infrastructure has displaced thousands more, while rockfalls and landslides have slowed rescue teams’ efforts to reach remote communities.

In response, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released 10 million US Dollars within hours of the earthquake to provide shelter, food, water, child protection, and healthcare.

Countries including the United Kingdom and South Korea have pledged money through the United Nations—the UK does not recognize the Taliban government. Working alongside OCHA, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is working with local partners to link immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term recovery and resilience-building strategies. The United Nations is also preparing an emergency appeal, with an initial USD 5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) already released.

UNHCR’s partner, AREWO, assesses the needs of the population affected by the earthquake that hit the region on 31 August. Credit: UNHCR/ARWEO

Despite these rapid mobilizations, questions remain about whether the flow of aid can be sustained. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, warned, “This is the latest crisis to expose the cost of shrinking resources on vital humanitarian work. Massive funding cuts have already brought essential health and nutrition services for millions to a halt, grounded aircraft, which are often the only lifeline to remote communities, and forced aid agencies to reduce their footprint.”

He urged donors to “once again” step up for the people of Afghanistan, rallying resources for those in need.

Against this backdrop of urgency and shrinking resources, UNDP officials have sought to outline a vision for recovery that extends beyond immediate survival.

Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP’s resident representative in Afghanistan, addresses a UN press conference via videolink on the impact of the earthquakes on the country and its people. Credit: Jennifer Xin-Tsu Lin Levine/IPS

Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP’s resident representative in Afghanistan, emphasized that the country is facing a “perfect economic storm.”

In a press briefing, he shared data from the UN’s 25 assessment teams showing that 84,000 people have been affected by the earthquake so far.

Rodriguez also detailed the UNDP’s initiative of “community-driven recovery,” which includes cash support for families clearing rubble and rebuilding homes. Pointing to the success of a similar community-oriented approach after the 2023 earthquake in Herat, he called on member states to join the initiative in “building back better,” improving infrastructure and uniting communities.

Both Rodriguez and other UN representatives also addressed the additional challenges created by restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan and how they affect UN work.

Aid groups are barred from recruiting female aid workers, and as UN Women Afghanistan Special Representative Susan Ferguson said, “women and girls could miss out on lifesaving assistance or information in the days ahead.”

However, Rodriguez denied any organized effort to block women’s access to humanitarian services and medical aid. He described reports of women being prevented from getting emergency medical care as “isolated incidents… rather than a systematic restriction.”

Despite these concerns and the reluctance of some countries to channel funds through Afghanistan’s authorities, UN officials stressed that the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, and independence remain central to their engagement with the Taliban.

Rodriguez recalled difficulties during the 2023 earthquake recovery that have since been resolved and stated that closer coordination has enabled aid to reach mountainous areas with the Taliban’s helicopters.

He called the “growth” in the relationship between the UN and the Taliban “exemplary,” citing their “full understanding that humanity comes first, tending to those most in need, irrespective of ethnicity, of gender, of anything else.”

For now, the focus remains on immediate survival—reaching those trapped beneath debris or isolated from aid, providing food and clean water, and preventing disease outbreaks. But UN officials emphasize that rebuilding shattered homes and livelihoods will require far more than emergency aid—it necessitates sustained support and long-term commitment.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');  

Excerpt:

After a series of earthquakes and aftershocks struck Afghanistan this week, the United Nations and its member states have been prioritizing “community-driven recovery.”

By CIVICUS
Sep 5 2025 (IPS)

 
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Angola with Florindo Chivucute, founder and executive director of Friends of Angola, a US-based civil society organisation established in 2014 that works to promote democracy, human rights and good governance in Angola.

The Angolan government’s 1 July decision to remove diesel subsidies, sharply pushing up public transport costs, triggered a series of protests. Angola is one of Africa’s biggest oil producers, but many have seen little benefit from its oil wealth and continue to live in poverty. People have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers to demand an end to corruption and mismanagement, presenting the ruling party, in power for 50 years, with its biggest test. Security forces have responded to incidences of looting and vandalism with lethal violence. At least 30 people have been killed, 277 injured and over 1,500 arrested.

What triggered the protests?

Fuel subsidy cuts sparked the crisis. The protests began on 28 July, after the government’s decision to remove diesel subsidies immediately pushed up fuel prices. What started as a drivers’ strike in Luanda, the capital, quickly spread to other provinces and escalated into bigger protests.

The impact was devastating. For many families, even a small rise in fuel costs is crushing, because wages have been eroded by years of recession and currency devaluation. When transport costs rise, food prices and school fees rise too, leaving those already struggling unable to make ends meet.

But fuel was just the trigger. The unrest reflected much deeper frustrations, including high unemployment, particularly among young people, growing poverty and anger at corruption and mismanagement. People see public resources channelled into luxury spending and infrastructure deals benefiting a few powerful figures connected to the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), while basic services and jobs are neglected. Combined with the immediate shock of higher fuel prices, these grievances fuelled widespread anger.

Why are people struggling in such a resource-rich country?

This is the irony at the heart of the crisis. Angola produces large quantities of oil, along with diamonds, yet most people don’t see the benefits. Mismanagement and entrenched corruption are central to the problem. Revenues from natural resources have too often been captured by networks close to political power and channelled abroad or invested in ways that don’t create jobs.

Angola’s dependence on fuel imports makes the situation worse. We don’t have sufficient domestic refining capacity. Instead of using oil revenues to build refineries and strengthen local industry, a system emerged in which those with political connections profited from importing refined products back into the country. This removed incentives to invest in local processing or agriculture. The result is a tiny wealthy elite and a large majority with very low wages and limited access to services.

What do these protests reveal about the government’s grip on power?

The protests have marked a turning point. The MPLA has dominated politics since independence in 1975, and large-scale protests are not common. The fact that so many people were willing to take to the streets, particularly in and around the capital, shows growing discontent with the government and ruling party.

The authorities’ reaction has been heavy-handed. Security forces have used teargas and live ammunition in some cases, and carried out numerous arrests, including of union leaders and journalists. In some areas protests were accompanied by looting and, tragically, by deadly clashes with security forces. Civil society has since called for investigations into the killings and for accountability for those responsible.

The government’s strategy risks backfiring. By responding with force and detentions, it risks creating a greater sense of mistrust and frustration, which could influence how people engage with political processes as we approach the 2027 election.

How is civil society organising and what challenges does it face?

Civil society – including church groups, trade unions and local associations — has mobilised quickly to call for accountability and transparency. New coalitions are forming; for example, groups such as the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe’s Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, Friends of Angola, the Justice, Peace and Democracy Association and Pro Bono Angola are working with religious organisations to push for investigations into the killings and provide humanitarian support to families affected by the unrest.

But the environment is hostile. Funding for democracy and human rights work is scarce, so organisations struggle to pay staff or sustain programmes.

State surveillance creates another barrier. The state has invested heavily in surveillance infrastructure, and civil society organisations are often targeted by cyber intrusions and closely monitored. The legacy of communist authoritarian rule creates deep mistrust, which makes organising more difficult.

Language barriers limit international support. Much of the work happens in Portuguese, which limits reach to the wider international audience that often communicates in English, French or Spanish.

Additional restrictions threaten to further tighten civic space. Recent draconian measures include the 2024 National Security Bill and the Bill on the Crime of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services. In addition, the 2023 draft law on Non-Governmental Organizations, approved by presidential decree, imposed harsh regulations. These restrictive laws and policies undermine fundamental freedoms and, if fully implemented, risk worsening the already limited environment for civil society in Angola.

What would it take to address the underlying problems?

Strong political will is needed to tackle corruption and manage public finances transparently. This means opening up procurement and fiscal data, pursuing accountability for past abuses, and ensuring resource revenues are channelled into public priorities such as hospitals, local industry and schools. Investment in education, healthcare and small-scale agriculture would create jobs, strengthen livelihoods and reduce dependence on imports.

Institutional reform is equally vital. This means protecting property rights, improving the business environment so investment generates employment and strengthening an independent judiciary and electoral processes so people can seek change through democratic channels.

International partners have a role to play by supporting electoral transparency and demanding accountability from companies and governments that operate in Angola.

The 2027 election will offer a crucial test. The international community should pay close attention and support reforms that increase transparency and electoral integrity. Electoral reforms and the clear, public release of results at the local level would go a long way towards restoring confidence in democratic processes.

GET IN TOUCH
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter

SEE ALSO
Angola: ‘Criticising the government means risking arbitrary detention, intimidation and physical assault’ CIVICUS Lens | Interview with Pedro Paka 30.Jul.2025
Angola: Repressive new laws threaten civic space CIVICUS Monitor 15.Sep.2024
Angola: ‘The untrue government narrative reveals an aversion to civil society denouncing malpractice’ CIVICUS Lens | Interview with Emilio José Manuel 01.Jan.2025

 

Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');  

Football legends George Weah and Didier Drogba are among the high-profile names on a new Fifa panel which aims to bolster efforts to tackle racism in the game.

The group has allegedly carried out murder, rape and other crimes, a UN report says.