Ukraine war: Finland closes border to Russian tourists

 Finland is closing its border to Russian tourists from Friday – the last of Moscow’s EU neighbours to do so.

Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all closed their borders to Russian tourists earlier this month.

But Russians will still be allowed to visit family or for work and study in Finland, the foreign minister said.

The decision comes after the number of Russians arriving at the border surged following a call-up of 300,000 military reservists by President Vladimir Putin.

Queues have formed at border crossings as people try to flee, including long lines at Russia’s border into Georgia, which does not require a visa for travel.

Finland – which shares a 1,300km (800 mile) border with Russia and does require a visa – also reported an increase in people trying to cross the border following the partial mobilisation.

Speaking on Thursday, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told a press conference the mobilisation order had a “significant impact” on its decision.

“The decision aims to completely prevent the current situation of Russian tourism to Finland and the related transit through Finland,” he said.

The move comes into force at midnight and also bans Russians with Schengen tourist visas from entering the country.

Mr Haavisto also said the flow of Russians was seen as endangering Finland’s international relations.

Earlier this month, the European Union also decided to make it more expensive and harder for Russian citizens to get visas by suspending a visa deal between the EU and Russia.

More than a million Russians have travelled to EU countries since the invasion of Ukraine in February.

In a separate move, four EU countries that border Russia – Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – imposed new restrictions and began turning away Russian tourists.

Norway also has a short border with Russia. It is not in the EU, but is part of the Schengen travel area, meaning Russians with the correct visas would be able to travel onwards to 25 other European countries in the bloc.

However, a long-standing visa-free travel agreement with Russia was suspended by Norway last week.

Norway has also reported a slight increase in crossings from Russia at its single checkpoint, Storskog following Mr Putin’s mobilisation announcement.

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Gangsta’s Paradise Rapper Coolio Dead At 59

 US rapper Coolio, known for the iconic hit Gangsta’s Paradise, has died at the age of 59.

His longtime manager Jarez Posey told US media the artist was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house in Los Angeles.

Coolio started making music in the 1980s, but he cemented his place in hip hop history when he recorded Gangsta’s Paradise in 1995.

The exact cause of his death on Wednesday has not yet been revealed.

However Mr Posey told TMZ, which first reported the news, that paramedics believed he may have had a cardiac arrest.

Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, won a Grammy for Gangsta’s Paradise, which was part of the soundtrack for the movie Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

The haunting track continues to be widely listened to and has just passed a billion streams on Spotify, according to his official website.

Over a career spanning four decades he recorded eight studio albums and won an American Music Award and three MTV Video Music Awards.

His other hits included Fantastic Voyage, Rollin’ With My Homies, 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New), and Too Hot.

He was active right up until his death – Coolio was in the middle of a tour with other 90s stars including Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and they performed in Texas just a few days ago.

“I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away,” Vanilla Ice wrote on Twitter.

Snoop Dogg referenced Coolio’s world-famous track in his own tribute, writing: “Gangstas paradise. R I P.”

He also shared a picture of the two posing on the set of the music video for Gangsta Walk, a track they collaborated on in 2006.

“This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry,” fellow rapper and actor Ice Cube said.
MC Hammer described Coolio as “one of the nicest dudes I’ve known”.

“Good people. RIP Coolio,” he wrote, sharing a black and white picture of the rapper, and later posting a second picture of the pair together, along with Tupac and Snoop Dogg.

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Zambia Ex-President: I’m Ready To Face The Law

 Former Zambia president Edgar Lungu says he is ready to face the law if he stole during his term.

Mr Lungu is unhappy that he, as well as his former government officials and family members, have been subjects of investigation for crimes allegedly committed when he was president.

He was particularly displeased that state investigators on Thursday went to a piece of land that he owns to carry out investigations.

Mr Lungu has since appealed to his successor Hakainde Hichilema to start the process of removing his constitutional immunity from prosecution so that he can clear his name.

“He who alleges, must prove and we will defend ourselves,” he later told members of parliament and supporters from his Patriotic Front party who visited him.

“My urge is that may the president institute the lifting of my immunity by going to parliament to lay a case so that he can eventually prove what crimes I committed,” he said.

Mr Lungu, who last year lost power to Mr Hichilema, has previously denied many allegations of corruption during his time as president.

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IFC wants to cooperate with Angolan government

 Luanda - The International Finance Corporation (IFC) on Thursday made itself available to be a key partner of Angola, specifically in initiatives underway to make the market more attractive and competitive for private investment.

The IFC which is a member of the World Bank Group expressed its availability through a note addressed to the Head of State, João Lourenço, to congratulate him on his re-election and the peaceful and orderly manner in which the 24 August general elections took place.

 

According to the corporation, the continuation of the reform programme in Angola will contribute to sustainable growth based on the development of the private sector which is the IFC´s focus.

 

For the IFC, relations with the Government of Angola should be strengthened to benefit the companies and the Angolan society in general, that is why it is willing to support the Executive to build a more prosperous society.

 

Founded in 1956, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries and currently works in more than 100 countries.

Political path of Agostinho Neto highlighted

 Caxito - The historical background of the first President of Angola António Agostinho Neto on liberation of Angola and well-being of the Angolan people was stressed on Thursday.

The recognition was expressed by the vice governor  for the Political, Social and Economic sector, Francisco Bartolomeu Pedro, in Caxito, northern Bengo province. 

Speaking on the life of the poet, to mark his centenary, the governor noted that Agostinho Neto had as one of the biggest ideals the liberation of the Angolan people and had a significant contribution for liberation of Angola and some countries in sub-region of the southern African continent. 

He said that Agosinho Netos, as academic figure, politician, poet, doctor, fighter and statesman, is reference to the national culture, having written some works translated in some languages. 

 The director of the National Institute of the Child in the Bengo, Luciano Chila, invited the future generation students to follow the moral, civic and patriotic values of Agostinho Neto.

In turn, the president of the Organisation of Pioneer of Agostinho Neto, António Rosa, said the organisation will continue to intensify the civic, moral and patriotic education activities in the schools and the 18 provinces of the country. 

António Agostinho Neto was doctor and poet, born on September 17, 1922 in Kaxicane Village, municipality of Icolo and Bengo, current province of Luanda.

He died on September 10, 1979. 

As Angola's first president, he proclaimed the country's Independence on November 11th 1919.

President’s State of the Nation address set for 15 October

 Luanda - Angolan head of State João Lourenço will address the nation on 15 October, to mark the solemn opening meeting of the 5th Legislature of the National Assembly (AN).

The programme of the Solemn Meeting for the Opening of the 1st Legislative Session of the 5th Legislature of the National Assembly was approved Thursday in Luanda.

This was at the end of the Parliamentary leaders' conference, chaired by the Parliament's Speaker, Carolina Cerqueira. 

Under the Constitution, the Head of State addresses the country at the opening of the Parliamentary Year in National Assembly on 15 October, a message on the State of the Nation and the policies outlined for the resolution of the pressing issues and the country’s development. 

The conference of parliamentary leaders was attended by the representatives of the political parties with Parliamentary seat.

At the end of the meeting the participants expressed their willingness and readiness to represent with dignity the sovereign people at V Legislature, which begins on 15 October. 

The leader of UNITA's parliamentary group, Liberty Chiaka, said that his party's MPs are prepared for this great moment. 

"We, as MPs, took a solemn oath to fulfill and enforce the Constitution and the laws," said Liberty Chiaka, who highlighted the cordiality of the new Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira. 

In turn, the first vice-leader of the ruling MPLA party’s parliamentary group, Reis Júnior, highlighted the programme of the Solemn Meeting for the Opening of the 1st Legislative Session of the 5th Legislature of the AN, marked by the State of the Nation Address by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço. 

Bela Maquias, leader of the PHA, NImi a Simbi (FNLA) and Benedito Daniel (PRS), expressed their optimism saying that they are looking forward to a challenging legislature. 

The ruling MPLA party has 124 seats, followed by UNITA with 90, while PRS, FNLA and PHA with two each. 

"NET-G" plans to create over 4,000 jobs

 Luanda - The new internet service provider called "NET-G" plans to create a total of 4,100 direct and indirect jobs until January 2023, the estimated period for the sale of its services to begin, the general manager of the company, Laur Fortuna, has said.

The manager added that at least 1,930 direct jobs and 2,170 indirect jobs are expected to be created.

 

The initiative of the business group Galec Business, in partnership with Dutch multinational technology company Sun Evo Holding B, expects to invest around 111 million euros, which will be used to extend NET-G in 10 provinces of the country, besides Luanda.

 

According to the NET G manager, in the first phase, 50% of the services will be available in Luanda’s urban area, with plans to cover the entire capital in the short term and to the provinces of Cabinda, Benguela, Huambo, Huíla, Malanje, Kwanza Sul, Uige, Namibe, Lunda Norte and Bengo in long-term.

 

Laur Fortuna underlined that the  NET-G will bring a new dynamic to the economy, with the aim to meet the needs of the public, from the education system to the various industries and boost the economy in a differentiated way through internet services.

 

Galec Business is an Angolan company that operates for five years in areas such as management, consulting, and classic business mediation.