Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN aid teams and partner organizations remain deeply committed to delivering lifesaving supplies to Gazans in need, despite the increasing dangers of working there, the Organization’s top aid official said on Wednesday.Responding to media reports on Tuesday that the UN had warned the aid effort may [...] Full text...

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A delegation of the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity took part in the Second Regional Conference of Senior International Officials held in the Dutch capital, The Hague.It aimed at strengthening cooperation between European and North African countries [...] Full text...

Mogadishu, Somalia (PANA) - Since Somalia’s private sector accounts for an estimated 95 per cent of total jobs created, marshalling the private sector to support the country’s development is critical for reconstruction, transitioning from fragility, and generating more inclusive economic dividends for its people. The country also needs to focus on [...] Full text...

Washington, USA (PANA) - The World Bank Group (WBG) announced on Wednesday a 30-month debarment of Kenya-based Ernst & Young LLP (EY Kenya), which provides various services including assurance, tax, consulting, advisory and information technology. It said the debarment is in connection with sanctionable practices as part of the Somali Core [...] Full text...

Washington, DC, United States (PANA) - After a period of strong growth during 2021-2022, officially recorded remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) moderated in 2023, reaching an estimated $656 billion, according to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief released Wednesday.The modest 0.7% growth rate reflects large [...] Full text...

The Hague, Netherlands (PANA) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday convicted a leader of Ansar Dine and Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) of war crimes in Malian city of Timbuktu.   ICC said in a press release that Trial Chamber X by majority decision, convicted Mr Al Hassan Ag [...] Full text...

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan President William Ruto withdrew the contentious Finance Bill 2024 on Wednesday and agreed to reduce the State House budget.In his second national televised address after the storming of Parliament and the Supreme Court, President Ruto said the Bill would be withdrawn completely.“Having reflected on the [...] Full text...

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman  of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Manfi, and the European Union (EU) ambassadors accredited in Libya, Wednesday stressed their support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to facilitate a political process under Libyan leadership and ownership.They also welcomed the call for [...] Full text...

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) -  Businesses resumed on Wednesday in tense Nairobi after Tuesday's bloody violence in which protesters raided Parliament and briefly occupied the House.The Supreme Court, which is within the Nairobi Central Business District, was also counting losses after its storming. The Supreme Court suffered a similar fate as Parliament, [...] Full text...

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South African port health officials have developed an outbreak preparedness plan that outlines the response in dealing with MPOX. The current response plan has been activated after 13 cases were confirmed by the National Department of Health.The Border Management Authority on Wednesday said it was [...] Full text...

Vienna, Austria (PANA) - The UN agency tackling crime and drug abuse (UNODC) released its annual World Drug Report on Wednesday warning that there are now nearly 300 million users globally, alongside an increase in trafficking.The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is commemorated [...] Full text...

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - At least 13 people were killed when police clashed with protesters who stormed Parliament against a tax hikes law and set part of the House ablaze on Tuesday.Media reports quoted Simon Kigondu, president of the Kenya Medical Association, as saying the death toll could be higher [...] Full text...

Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The following are Wednesday's foreign exchange rates for the Gambian Dalasi as published by the Central Bank of Gambia.Currency                   Buying                SellingUS Dollar                    [...] Full text...

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) - Tanzania can significantly boost its livestock sector's economic contribution with a bold and comprehensive plan that emphasises climate-smart strategies and innovations. A new report published by the World Bank shows that while the country boasts a large livestock population, climate-related risks and insufficient investments from [...] Full text...

Pretoria, South Africa (PANA) - Ford South Africa has celebrated the assembly of the one-millionth Ranger at its Silverton plant in Pretoria.While the first million bakkies has taken 24 years, the second million is set to happen before the decade is out, should production continue at the current rate of [...] Full text...

Bissau, Guinea Bissau (PANA) – Guinea Bissau authorities and staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF have reached a staff-level agreement on economic and financial policies that could support the approval of the Sixth Review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme.The IMF team led by Jose Gijon, Mission Chief [...] Full text...

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (PANA) - Côte d’Ivoire’s economy remains resilient against a still difficult global backdrop. Despite lower than expected cocoa production, the country’s medium-term outlook remains favourable and has been boosted by still strong consumption and investment demand, as well as new activity in the hydrocarbon exploration and production [...] Full text...

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) – The following are the exchange rates for the Tanzania Shilling on Wednesday as issued by the Bank of Tanzania.Currency              Buying        SellingBurundi Franc     0.903         0.9113Euro                       2,791.9584     2,820.1415British Pound      3,306.2528       3,340.633Japanese Yen      [...] Full text...

Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The independent UN expert safeguarding the independence of judges and lawyers on Tuesday warned that the role of independent justice systems was coming under increasing attack.Margaret Satterthwaite, in a report to the Human Rights Council said some political actors were seizing on a climate of rising [...] Full text...

Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday called on governments to scrap “cruel and counterproductive” laws that are criminalising homelessness and poverty.A new study published by two UN Special Rapporteurs – for adequate housing Balakrishnan Rajagopal, and on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Shcutter– [...] Full text...

New York, US (PANA) - While the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, ongoing Israeli settlement expansion and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank is ratcheting up tension across the whole region, the UN’s Middle East envoy said on Tuesday.Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, [...] Full text...

Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Over three million deaths per year were attributable to alcohol consumption and drug use, a new reportfrom the World Health Organisation (WHO) found. Of these deaths, 2.6 million were attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for nearly five per cent of all deaths, with the highest numbers in [...] Full text...