QUICK READ

Egypt

EGYPT may seek about $1 billion (about R15bn) in compensation after the giant Ever Given container vessel blocked the Suez Canal, news channel BNN Bloomberg reported.

The figure is an estimate of losses linked to the transit fees and damages incurred during the mission to free the ship. The figure was given by Suez Canal Authority chief executive Osama Rabie to television channel Sada Elbalad, although he did not specify who the authority would seek compensation from. | African News Agengy (ANA)

The CAR

A GROUP of UN independent rights experts have raised concerns about the Central African Republic government’s increased use of private military and foreign security contractors and their close contacts with UN peacekeepers in the country.

The organisation said this week that the working group on mercenaries were deeply disturbed by the interconnected roles of Sewa Security Services, Russianowned Lobaye Invest SARLU, and the the Wagner Group, a Russian-based organisation. | African News Agency (ANA)

Venice

ITALY’S government has ruled that large cruise ships and container vessels must not pass close to Venice’s historic centre and should instead dock in a different location to preserve the famed lagoon.

A decree approved this week called for public consultations on building a terminal outside the lagoon where passenger ships can berth without passing in front of Saint Mark’s square.

In the meantime, large boats must dock at the industrial Marghera Port, far from the Grand Canal. | Reuters