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Britain could take steps to stabilise Zimbabwe’s currency system and extend a bridging loan to help it clear World Bank and African Development Bank arrears. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Wednesday on the sidelines of an African Union-EU summit in Abidjan that such support, however, depends on “democratic progress”, “Those are indeed the things that we would try to do to help Zimbabwe forward, but we’ve got to see how the democratic process unfolds,” he said. Zimbabwe is due to hold elections in 2018. Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as president on Nov. 24 after the resignation of Robert Mugabe, and has said his government will focus on economic growth. Johnson said: “Recent events in Zimbabwe offer a moment of hope for the country and its people. “This is a time to look to the future and to make clear that Britain shares the common vision of a prosperous, peaceful and democratic Zimbabwe. “I am encouraged by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s words so far. “Du...

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Brexit minister David Davis told colleagues that "preparatory work has seen a significant acceleration in recent months,"... The British government said Tuesday it expects to have hired up to 8,000 new staff by next year as it steps up preparations for leaving the European Union -- with or without an exit agreement. At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Brexit minister David Davis told colleagues that "preparatory work has seen a significant acceleration in recent months," said Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman. Departments are drawing up "detailed delivery plans" for around 300 policy areas, each of which "prepares the country for the range of negotiated outcomes and a 'no deal' scenario", the spokesman said. "The plans set out detailed delivery timelines including, for example, to recruit and train new staff; to design and procure IT systems; and to deliver the necessary legislative and...

At least 14 people, most of them women, were killed when an electric transformer exploded during a wedding in India’s North-Western State of Rajasthan, the Police said on Wednesday. The blast occurred in a village near state capital Jaipur on Tuesday as locals were gathering at a house for a wedding function. “The powerful explosion took place in the transformer located just outside the house as people gathered and women were singing folk songs,’’ local police officer Prahlad Singh said through the telephone. “Five people died on the scene. Witnesses said scalding oil from the transformer fell on people and their clothes immediately caught fire. “Among the victims were 11 women, a pregnant woman who was seriously injured in the accident lost her baby, 15 others were injured,’’ Singh said. The condition of six victims was described as critical, having suffered 80 per cent burns. Police said the explosion could have been due to poor maintenance of the transformer even as the...

Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned recent deadly attacks in Somalia, Afghanistan and New York, saying militants were abusing the name of God to justify their violence. “I am profoundly saddened by the terrorist attacks in these recent days in Somalia, Afghanistan and yesterday in New York,” the pope said in an address to mark All Saints Day, adding that he was praying for the victims and their families. “We ask God to convert the hearts of terrorists and free the world of hatred and of mad murder that abuses the name of God to disseminate death.”

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has assured that the two biofuel projects being carried out in Benue State would create more than one million direct and indirect jobs for the host communities. The NNPC GMD, who paid a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom, at the Government House, in Makurdi, on Wednesday, explained that the visit was in fulfillment of the Presidential directive given the NNPC by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 to resume oil exploration activities in some of the nation’s inland basins including the Benue trough and the Chad basin. Baru, who posited that the visit was also to kick start high-profile stakeholders engagement towards the projects in the state, noted that his organization had already commissioned Environmental Baseline studies to assess all aspects of the natural environment to determine how best to carry out seismic acquisition operations without harm to the people, the ecosys...

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, may be arrested next week, if he fails to appear before the adhoc committee investigating allegations against the Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC). Chairman of the adhoc committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, said the IGP was summoned on the October 16 to appear before the panel to respond to allegations made against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau. Quoting Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Alimikhena said nobody, including law courts can stop the Senate from carrying out its constitutional duties. He said the separation of powers guaranteed by law, makes it explicit.

Manchester United fans have invited manager Jose Mourinho to discuss his concerns around the atmosphere at Old Trafford after apparent tensions surfaced in recent games. The Portuguese boss held a finger to his lips and told the doubters to calm down after his side beat Tottenham 1 - 0 on Saturday to remain five points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City. In the build - up to Tuesday ’s Champions League home win against Benfica , Mourinho wrote in his programme notes to supporters that he hoped they “ enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham”. It followed a series of uninspiring performances by the formerly free - scoring United , including a drab 0 - 0 draw at Anfield. The United boss was also put out by an apparent lack of support for Romelu Lukaku against Spurs, saying it was unfair that fans “ don ’t support him so much” and that they should view him as “untouchable” despite a fallow spell in recent weeks — he has gone six games without a goal a...

Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont Sacked Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont ’s lawyer confirmed Wednesday that his client will spurn a Madrid court summons to be grilled about alleged rebellion and sedition in his quest for independence. “ He will not go to Madrid and I have suggested that he be questioned here in Belgium ,” Belgian lawyer Paul Bekaert told Spanish television channel TV 3. Puigdemont , currently in Brussels , and 13 other members of his dismissed Catalan cabinet were told late Tuesday to be at Spain ’s top criminal court on Thursday and Friday. The court wants to question them in an investigation over Catalonia’s independence drive , which has plunged Spain into its biggest crisis in decades. On Monday, Spain ’s chief prosecutor said he was seeking charges of rebellion — punishable by up to 30 years behind bars — sedition and misuse of public funds. The hearing by the National Court , which deals with major criminal cases, could see the 14 formally...

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Switzerland that will lead to the repatriation of $ 321 m stolen fund to the country. The Attorney - General of the Federation , Mr . Abubakar Malami (SAN ), disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. With the approval , Malami said he had been mandated to execute the agreement that would lead to the repatriation of the fund. He said , “ There exist a forum , that is Global Assets Recovery Forum taking place in December, in US and we are looking towards that . We are in agreement substantially with Swiss for the recovery of additional sum of $ 321 million. “ That Memorandum of Understanding has been substantially agreed between Nigeria and Swiss . We intend to now execute or to sign off the agreement during the global forum on assets recovery coming up Decembe...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday urged all Nigerians to decide not to allow the country to witness another civil war by their actions and inactions. He said the step was necessary considering the immense human capital loss of past civil war. Buhari said this in his remarks at the inauguration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2018 Emblem and Appeal Fund which was held in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The event as well as the inauguration of the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Mr . Boss Mustapha , preceded the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council. The President said it was worthwhile to honour the memory of veterans who paid the supreme sacrifice to keep the country united. He said , “ The resolve by our countrymen and women to remain in one indivisible and indissoluble nation, Nigeria is at the centre of this celebration. “ Indeed , the Remembrance Day Celebration is being marked on the 15th of Ja...

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned his side against complacency as they prepare to cross swords with Maribor in the Champions League on Wednesday, two weeks after pummelling the Slovenians 7-0. Klopp delved into the history books to underline the lesson for the five-time European champions as they try to take a decisive step towards qualification from Group E. In the 1954 World Cup the much-fancied Hungary, featuring Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis, beat the then West Germany team 8-3 in the group stages, only for the Germans to exact revenge in the final as they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2. Such was the achievement it was made into a 2003 film: “The Miracle of Bern”. Liverpool have their own miracle — when they recovered from 3-0 down to win the Champions League final in 2005 — and Klopp is well aware that football can be unpredictable. “I am from Germany so I know in 1954 we lost against Hungary in the group stage really clear then won the World Cup final,” he sai...

African officials, including four heads of state, convened with international CEOs at a summit Wednesday in Dubai, part of its push to position itself as a link for huge potential investments on the continent. “We are looking at the fastest growing economy of the world … Six out of the top 10 fastest growing economies are just next to us in Africa,” said the president and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hamad Buamim. Experts at the opening of “Next Generation Africa”, Dubai’s fourth Global Business Forum on Africa, said the continent’s 54 countries — home to a fifth of the world’s population — require tens of billions of dollars in investment in infrastructure, energy and other sectors. Investment, Emirati officials hope, will be channeled through Dubai, a trading hub and member of the United Arab Emirates. “We believe that Dubai’s strategic goals can be aligned with Africa’s ambitions as it enters a new phase of development,” said the Dubai chamber chairman...

Barcelona suffer Roberto, Gomes double injury blow Barcelona duo Sergi Roberto and Andre Gomes will be sidelined for around a month after picking up hamstring injuries in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Olympiakos, the club confirmed on Wednesday. Roberto, who has featured more often at right-back than his preferred central midfield role under Ernesto Valverde, hobbled off at half-time in Athens, whilst Portuguese international Gomes only featured for the final 15 minutes. “The midfielder from Reus (Roberto) has a torn right hamstring which will keep him out for approximately five weeks,” Barca said in a statement. “(Gomes) with an injury in his right hamstring will be sidelined for around three to four weeks.” Both players will miss league games against Sevilla and Leganes, as well as a Champions League trip to Juventus. However, Gomes could be in contention to face his old club Valencia in a top of the table La Liga clash on November 25 or 26. Despite drawing a blank in a Champi...

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed the deadly New York attack by an Uzbek immigrant on the US green card lottery program and called for visas to be awarded only on “merit.” Trump said Sayfullo Saipov, who plowed a rented truck into cyclists and pedestrians on a New York City bike path Tuesday, killing eight, was allowed into the United States on a State Department program known as the “Diversity Lottery Program” established in 1990. He blamed the program on Senator Chuck Schumer, the senior Democratic senator from New York, even though it was resoundingly supported by both parties and signed into law by a Republican president, George HW Bush. “The terrorist came into our country through what is called the ‘Diversity Visa Lottery Program,’ a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based” immigration, Trump tweeted. “We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter),” he added. Saipov, 29, was repor...