Africa-focused Renault plans 15K job cuts around the globe

Africa-focused Renault plans 15K job cuts around the globe

Struggling French automaker Renault is set to cut 15,000 jobs around the world, according to labor leaders who met with company officials Thursday night to discuss the plans before a public announcement expected Friday. The cuts are part of a deal the company hopes will deliver €2 billion in savings…

UAE extends deadline for Zayed Sustainability Prize applications

UAE extends deadline for Zayed Sustainability Prize applications

The deadline has been extended for applications for the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize, an initiative of the Unite Arab Emirates that engages Africans and their global counterparts in delivering solutions for a sustainable future. The prize coordinators say that because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they’ll now accept entries through…

Three African conservation leaders receive Whitley Awards

Three African conservation leaders receive Whitley Awards

Conservationists from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are among the recipients of this year’s prestigious Whitley Awards, announced Tuesday by the United Kingdom-based sponsor organization. Abdullahi Hussein Ali, above, is the founder of Kenya’s Hirola Conservation Programme, and works with pastoralists and local communities to protect the critically endangered antelope….

African leaders welcome Ramadan with caution over COVID-19

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria was among African leaders who welcomed the holy month of Ramadan late Thursday, while cautioning that this year’s observance must be held with precautions because of the global coronavirus pandemic. Buhari’s remarks followed the sighting of the moon that marks the beginning of the 30-day…

Nigeria confirms first COVID19 case in Lagos

Nigeria has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, according to a statement from the Federal Health Ministry issued early Friday morning. The patient was identified in Lagos State, a coastal area along the Gulf of Guinea, said health minister Osagie Ehanire. It is home to the city of…

Bachelet turns to Africa in report to UN Human Rights Council

As the United Nations Human Rights Council holds its annual meeting in Geneva, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet of OHCHR, the UN human rights agency, provided an overview on Thursday of concerns in various African nations beginning with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bachelet, a former president of Chile who was…

WHO holds off on PHEIC designation as global virus concern spreads

As China’s coronavirus spreads across the nation and into other countries, The World Health Organization said Thursday it has again postponed a decision on a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) while awaiting additional information. The PHEIC is a designation for an “extraordinary event” with the potential for international…

Africa’s conflict, humanitarian crisis outlooks for 2020

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria are among the world’s top five countries facing humanitarian crisis in 2020, with Burkina Faso, Burundi and Chad added to the list compiled each year by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The NGO said Yemen remains the greatest concern, followed by DR Congo…