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Starmer announces plans to fully nationalise British Steel

British prime minister Keir Starmer said he would introduce legislation this week to give the government powers to take full ownership of British Steel in Scunthorpe, the last plant in the UK that can make steel from scratch.  Last year the government seized control of the steelworks from its Chinese owner to stop the potential closure of the blast furnaces. Plus, French farmers dump manure near TotalEnergies' refinery to protest at soaring energy costs. 

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France woos Anglophone Africa at a summit in Kenya

In tonight's edition, French President Emmanuel Macron urges investment in Africa as he co-hosts an economic summit in Kenya. Also, we take a closer look at the cost of some of the deeply rooted misperceptions and clichés about Africa still clinging on in societies. And Kenyan conservationists are working hard to boost the number of the critically endangered Bongo antelope. 

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‘Plandemic, Covid 2.0’: Fact-checking viral conspiracy theories about Hantavirus

As the world saw with COVID-19, the only thing that spreads faster than a virus is misinformation, and Hantavirus is no exception. Despite only a few confirmed cases, conspiracy theories have swirled on social media falsely claiming Hantavirus is a planned pandemic, or a ploy to disrupt the US midterm elections. Others alleged it's a "bioweapon" created by big pharma  to “poison” people or even that it's a side effect of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

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As Hungary’s new PM, Magyar’s hunt for Orban’s protégés has already begun

Peter Magyar had only been Hungary’s prime minister for a few minutes on Saturday before he turned to the country’s president, renewing calls for him to resign. The move is the clearest sign yet that the new leader intends to make good on his promise to rid the country of Viktor Orban’s vast network of loyalists. Analysts say those who benefited from the former system should be “very afraid”.  

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'Macron always been a strong believer in the importance of Africa as a partner for the future'

Yinka Oyetade is pleased to welcome Paul Melly, Consulting Fellow of the Africa Programme, Chatham House. Emmanuel Macron is co-hosting the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, the first time France has staged such a gathering in an English-speaking African nation. this comes on the heels of France’s unprecedented strategic setbacks across the Sahel. Melly argues that France’s eastward diplomatic turn is not merely an attempt to “bounce back” after recent reversals, but the continuation of a longer strategic project launched early in Macron’s presidency: one designed to “rebalance in geographical terms France’s engagement with the entire continent.” 

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Bolivia orders arrest of Evo Morales for failing to appear at child trafficking trial

Bolivian Judge Carlos Oblitas declared former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) in contempt of court on Monday for failing to appear before the Tarija court where he is being tried for human trafficking, specifically for allegedly impregnating a 15-year-old girl while he was president. The court order includes an arrest warrant and a travel ban, as reported to the press by Supreme Court Justice Grover Mita. Morales’ legal team had already announced last week that their client would not appear, considering the case a “political persecution” and alleging irregularities in the criminal proceedings.

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© Jorge Abrego (EFE)

Evo Morales during an event in Chimoré, Bolivia, on February 19.
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