Ashley Cornell, email: [email protected]

With our special correspondent in Addis Ababa, Florence Morice

The fight between Morocco and Algeria has already begun. It’s all about the post of first vice presidentAfrican Union for this year 2023. This seat is traditionally attributed to the country that takes over the rotating presidency the following year.

Algeria was the first to declare itself a candidate, followed a few days later by Morocco, which decided not to hand over the keys to the institution to its great rival. Since then it has been blocked. Result: The position of first vice president, which was to be filled on Saturday, remained vacant.

Diplomatic sources have urged Mauritania to apply and unlock the situation. But Nouakchott declined rather than play the risky referee role.

The post of first vice president remained vacant last year due to a lack of agreement. It was coveted by both Kenya and Comoros. Eventually Nairobi gave in. But behind the scenes was the rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, after Algiers pounced on Kenya’s candidacy at the last minute to prevent the Comoros, believed to be close to the Kingdom of Cherifia, from chairing the organisation.

► Also to discover: From the OAU to the African Union: History and Institutions [webdoc]

Europe? It is already at war with Ukraine, albeit not formally. It is the key message of Viktor Orbán’s annual speech to the nation delivered today, in which the Hungarian prime minister once again attacked the other western bloc countries and highlighted all his accolades. «If some members of NATO or a group of them want to perform Acts of war outside the territories of the Member States, they have to do it outside of NATO,” Orbán said. “When you supply weapons and satellite information needed for military operations, when you train the soldiers of a belligerent side, when you finance the entire state machine and impose sanctions on the other side, then whatever you say, you are at warfor now an indirect war”. A useful observation for the Budapest Prime Minister to contextualize his country’s “diversity”. “Hungary is the only country that is for peace. This is not our war, we have to stay out of itWe call for an immediate ceasefire.” Relations with Russia are too important for Budapest, Orbán admits: “It’s an important partner for energy, so we have to talk, maintain relations with Moscow».

The Hungarian prime minister then began a “Berlusconian” investigation into the causes of the war. “The West could have guaranteed that Ukraine would not join NATO, but it did the opposite,” Orbán said. Then the new attack on the European Union’s response to Russian aggression for almost a year. «Sanctions are the weapons of Brussels’ war policy‘ the Hungarian prime minister stressed, according to which these were ‘directed against Russia but hit Europe’ without ending the war. “A year has passed” since the first restrictive measures were taken against Moscow, and “the end of the war is not near, on the contrary moves away» concluded Orbán pessimistically.

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The Vine City Renaissance Initiative is offering up to $10,000 in forgivable grants for residents looking to buy homes. For them, this additional financial aid in Georgia is a crucial support that will relieve the economic situation of thousands of Americans.

Who can benefit? Here we leave all the details.

According to Invest Atlanta, the money will cover the down payment and, if funds allow, closing costs as well. Borrowers must stay at home for at least five years to participate, after which the grant expires.

Participants must qualify for a three-decade fixed rate loan or a traditional home loan and take a home renovation training course.

Will you benefit from this?

Terraced houses with two to four residential units, new buildings, condominiums and detached single-family houses are eligible. Only homes in Vine City, Atlanta qualify for the incentive.

There is no price limit for the property to be included, but income limits are as follows: Single household, $94,500; two-person household, $108,080; household of three, $121,520; household of four $134,800; and household of five $145,880.

Montana residents also receive refunds

According to The Sun, Montana residents could receive up to $2,000 in property tax refunds. Payments will be funded from the $2.4 billion government surplus.

According to the governor, if approved, it would represent the largest state-administered tax refund in the country. In New Jersey, for example, the Affordable NJ Communities for Homeowners & Renters (ANCHOR) program offers up to $1,500 for more than 1.2 million residents.

Check applications can be submitted by phone, mail, or online, and the deadline for the program has been extended to February 28 this year. Finally, the tenants receive $450 in payments while the owners receive the full amount.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has accused Russia of massive human rights violations in Ukraine. This included murders, rapes and kidnapping of Ukrainian children to Russia. “It is barbaric and inhumane,” she told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. “We have examined the evidence, we know the legal norms and there is no doubt: these are crimes against humanity.”

Harris stressed that the US would work to ensure that Russian perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine are held accountable. “We cannot live in a world where countries do not obey rules and norms.”

The vice president of the United States threatened those responsible with consequences: “I say to all those who committed these crimes and to their superiors who are complicit in these crimes: you will be held accountable.” Crimes against humanity are serious violations of international law. They are characterized by systematic attacks against the civilian population. Examples of crimes against humanity include murder, enslavement and deportation.

In his speech, Harris also warned China against helping Russia militarily. Any move by China in that direction “would reward aggression, keep killing and further undermine a rules-based order.”

Dependence on authoritarian states

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had previously warned that European countries would not be too dependent on authoritarian states. “We must not make the same mistake with China,” Stoltenberg said. “What is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow,” he said.

According to Stoltenberg, the West should not become too dependent on imported products and raw materials, avoid exporting key technologies and “protect our critical infrastructure at home”. While trade and economic engagement must not stop with China, “our economic interests cannot trump our security interests.” Beijing is looking closely at “the price” Russia will pay for invading Ukraine. The West must give Ukraine “what it needs to win and continue as a sovereign and independent nation”.

Meanwhile, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi announced Beijing’s proposal for peace talks in the Ukraine war: “Let’s come up with something,” Wang told the security conference. China is in favor of a peaceful solution to the conflict, he adds, without elaborating.

Sunak demonstrates resistance

In Munich, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for tougher action by the international community against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Previous responses “are not strong enough,” Sunak said ahead of the plenary session. We are at a “tipping point” in this war. His government will support countries that can immediately supply fighter jets to Ukraine. Western allies must also ensure that Russia pays for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

After the announcement of a Chinese peace plan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, ruled out any loss of territory for his country. It is also in Ukraine’s interest for China to play a role in the pursuit of peace, but Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable, Kuleba told reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. “No concessions are possible, not even in the smallest square meter.”

After battle tanks and fighter jets, Ukraine presented its Western allies with a new weapon they wanted to use in the fight against Russia at the Munich Security Conference. Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Kubrakow called for cluster munitions and phosphorus weapons on Friday night – the use of both weapons is very controversial. Like Russia, your country also wants to use this “type of ammunition”.

“It’s our territory,” said Kubrakov. He understands the difficulties because of conventions, but this type of ammunition can help resist attackers. The Ukrainian deputy head of government alluded to the fact that the use of cluster munitions is prohibited under international law. Cluster munitions are rockets and bombs that explode in the air over the target, releasing many small explosive devices. Phosphorous ammunition can cause severe burns and poisoning in humans.

Uninvited Russian leadership

Politicians and experts from around 100 countries were invited to the security conference. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler will attend from Austria. For the first time in over 20 years, the Russian leadership was not invited. On the other hand, the Kremlin’s Russian opponent Mikhail Khodorkovsky and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov will be on the podium on Saturday night. Unlike in previous years, the Iranian leadership and AfD politicians also received no invitation.

Several thousand protesters

During the security conference, thousands of people took to the streets in more than a dozen demonstrations in the Bavarian state capital.

On Königsplatz alone, the police counted around 10,000 participants in the alliance campaign “Munich Stands Up”, which protested against corona measures during the pandemic. Only 4,000 were registered there. In the afternoon, the participants walked through Schwabing, although, according to the police, it was initially very quiet. Some 2,700 people attended the traditional “alliance of action against NATO security conference” demonstration at Stachus. About 300 of them formed a human chain towards Marienplatz, the others ran from Odeonsplatz to Marienplatz. Authorities counted around 1,000 people gathered at Odeonsplatz under the slogan “Together against war”.

In addition to these demonstrations, several smaller meetings were also held. Most of them initially had no major incidents, a police spokesman said in the afternoon. (apa)

The former US President is 98 years old and has decided not to receive any further medical procedures

Former US President Jimmy Carter, 98, has begun receiving palliative care, according to a statement from the Carter Center this Saturday (February 18, 2023).

“After a series of brief hospital stays, former US President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend the remaining time at home with his family and to seek hospice care instead of further medical procedures. He has the full support of his family and medical team,” the statement said.

Carter beat a brain tumor in 2015 but fell ill in 2019 and underwent surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain. He continues to have health problems, such as a melanoma that has spread to his liver. After the death of George HW Bush in 2018 at the age of 94, he became the oldest living US President in history. From 1977 to 1981 he was the 39th President of the United States.

In his postpresidency years, Carter founded the Carter Center with his wife, Rosalynn. The center works to promote democracy, monitor foreign elections and try to stem the spread of disease in developing countries.

Carter was also awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in promoting world peace.