Eating chiefs: Nigeria’s currency hits rock bottom as central bank discovers $2.4 billion false foreign exchange claims
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso has said the bank has cleared $2.5 billion of the foreign exchange backlog out of the $7 billion that had been outstanding. The bank, however, found that $2.4 billion of that backlog were false claims that it would not clear, Cardoso said, leaving a balance of about $2.2 billion, which he said will be cleared “soon.”
UN human rights office ‘appalled’ at death of Navalny in prison, tells Moscow to take responsibility
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Edwards said that several UN independent experts, including herself, had privately and publicly urged the Russian government to end the punitive conditions in which Navalny was held.
Senegal president caves in to pressure, agrees to presidential election ‘as soon as possible’
Senegal has been seen as one of the region’s most stable democracies, but election disputes have plunged the country into a political crisis that has sparked deadly protests and cuts to mobile internet. At least three people have been killed by security forces and dozens injured.
Former US President Trump fined $355 million for financial fiddling, 3-year ban in fraud case
During defiant and meandering trial testimony in November, Trump conceded that some of his property values were inaccurate but insisted banks were obligated to do their own due diligence. Engoron criticised Trump for his behaviour during his testimony – and wrote that the testimony hurt his cause.
Curtains coming down on France striker Mbappe at PSG, with Madrid or EPL his rumoured destination
Madrid have always been there for Mbappe. Since May 2022, almost the day after Mbappe turned them down in order to extend his stay at PSG, the idea of a new offensive to sign him has been given great importance.
Russia: Putin’s fiercest foe Alexei Navalny and opposition leader dies in prison, assassination suspected
Praise for Navalny’s bravery poured in from Western leaders and others who have opposed Putin’s rule. The opposition leader’s health has deteriorated recently and the cause of death may never be known, but many world leaders said they held Russian authorities ultimately responsible for his death.
Wanted: Historic convent in Spain has run out of nuns, appeals for volunteers or it shuts down
The building dates back to the 16th century and houses the hand of St Teresa of Avila, kept inside a silver gauntlet decorated with stones. Pilgrims come to the site, many of them believing the relic can help with fertility issues.
US to build five new military bases for Somali army, which faces insurgency by extremists
The UN Security Council has authorised the reduction of the peacekeeping force in Somalia and the Somali government says it is achieving progress in improving security.
Algeria’s black market for foreign currency underlines economic woes of the North African nation
From Lebanon to Nigeria, experts warn that having two parallel exchange rates can distort a country’s economy, discourage investment and encourage corruption. Algeria has historically been reluctant to lower the official value of the dinar, worried that devaluation will spike prices and anger the population.
Kenya targets lower budget deficit in next fiscal year after decade of debt-fuelled infrastructure spending
To cover the deficit, the government will raise 326.1 billion shillings in net external financing, and another 377.7 billion shillings in net domestic borrowing. Overall spending will rise to 4.19 trillion shillings ($28.90 billion) from an estimated 3.90 trillion shillings in this fiscal year, the ministry said.
