Latest news with #fuelprice
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Angola's petrol protest death toll rises to 22 as medics overwhelmed
At least 22 people, including a police officer, have been killed and 200 others injured in protest against a rise in the price of fuel that began on Monday, Interior Minister Manuel Homem has say more than 1,200 people have also been arrested in what began as a strike by taxi drivers against the price hike and then escalated into one of the most widespread and disruptive waves of protest the country has seen in recent including major supermarkets, remain closed and many people have opted to stay at at public hospitals in the capital, Luanda - who asked not to be named - told the BBC emergency services had been overwhelmed over the last 24 hours. On Monday and Tuesday sporadic gunfire was heard across the city."We have received many protesters with serious injuries, including multiple traumas. Sadly, some have died. We fear the death toll may be higher than the official figures suggest," one doctor issued his statement after a cabinet meeting chaired by President João Lourenço on Wednesday."In the past two days, we have witnessed actions that amount to acts of vandalism and endanger public security in the provinces of Luanda, Huambo, Benguela and Huíla. However, we want to inform citizens that the overall public security situation in the country remains stable," the minister buildings had been looted or destroyed across the country, including supermarkets, shops and banks, he buses and private vehicles have also been damaged during the unrest."The acts carried out by the protesters, worsened by the presence of infiltrators with criminal intentions, show that the phenomenon has gone beyond a mere demand and now represents a threat to public order," the presidency said in a post on Facebook on President Lourenço had downplayed concerns over the decision to raise the price of diesel by more than 33%. It was introduced in early July as part of plans to remove fuel subsidies in the oil-rich told CNN Portugal the protesters were using petrol prices as a pretext to undermine the government. The taxi unions - which called a three-day strike - have distanced themselves from the looting and destruction, stating they do not support such Tuesday night, a flight from Frankfurt to Luanda was cancelled. A British passenger told the BBC they were told it was due to the "political situation" in Angola.A Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed the cancellation, saying "safety and security for our passengers and crew has top priority".Several consulates and embassies have issued security warnings to foreign nationals. The US embassy advised "US citizens to remain vigilant and limit non-essential movement within Luanda".In the capital, long queues have formed at petrol stations as citizens try to refuel and stock up on essential officers are deployed across the city and there are also many military and police vehicles on the coalition the Patriotic United Front (FPU) said it stood in solidarity with "all layers of society currently experiencing the effects of the severe economic and social crisis Angola is facing".It added this "was a result of public policies disconnected from our country's reality, poor governance, corruption and the government's lack of human sensitivity".However, the FPU also said it "strongly condemned" the acts of destruction of public and private property carried out by rise in petrol prices has pushed up fares for urban Angolans who rely on taxis and has also driven up the price of staple foods and other basics - as suppliers who transport those goods by road are passing on their additional costs to consumers. More BBC stories on Angola: Largest pink diamond in 300 years found in AngolaRediscovering the African roots of Brazil's martial art capoeiraEx-Trafigura boss convicted of bribery in landmark caseIsabel dos Santos hits out over UK's 'dirty money' sanctions Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fuel price protests in Angola this week left 22 dead while 1,200 people were arrested
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Violence that erupted during protests this week in Angola sparked by the government's decision to raise the price of fuel killed at least 22 people while more than 1,200 have been arrested, the president's office said Wednesday. The office of Angolan President Joao Lourenco released the death toll in a statement and said that 197 people were also injured in the two days of violence that began on Monday and spread from the capital, Luanda, to at least six other provinces in the southern African nation. Authorities have often been accused of clamping down harshly on protests to silence dissent in Angola, an oil-rich nation on Africa's Atlantic coast where the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola party has been in power for 50 years — since independence from Portugal in 1975. Earlier this month, the government said it was removing subsidies on diesel and raising the price by more than 30%. That prompted minibus taxis, a common method of transport for Angolans, to hike their prices by as much as 50%. Lourenco's office said dozens of shops were looted and vehicles were damaged in rioting by people angry at the price of fuel and the rising cost of living. The army was deployed to restore order as the riots 'triggered a climate of widespread insecurity,' the statement said. It did not elaborate on how the people died. Protests against the price hikes in Angola first erupted two weeks ago, when Human Rights Watch accused the police of excessive force against what was a largely peaceful demonstration. Police unnecessarily fired tear gas and rubber bullets and assaulted protesters in those demonstrations, the rights group said. ___ AP Africa news: The Associated Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Fuel price protests in Angola this week left 22 dead while 1,200 people were arrested
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Violence that erupted during protests this week in Angola sparked by the government's decision to raise the price of fuel killed at least 22 people while more than 1,200 have been arrested, the president's office said Wednesday. The office of Angolan President Joao Lourenco released the death toll in a statement and said that 197 people were also injured in the two days of violence that began on Monday and spread from the capital, Luanda, to at least six other provinces in the southern African nation. Authorities have often been accused of clamping down harshly on protests to silence dissent in Angola, an oil-rich nation on Africa's Atlantic coast where the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola party has been in power for 50 years — since independence from Portugal in 1975. Earlier this month, the government said it was removing subsidies on diesel and raising the price by more than 30%. That prompted minibus taxis, a common method of transport for Angolans, to hike their prices by as much as 50%. Lourenco's office said dozens of shops were looted and vehicles were damaged in rioting by people angry at the price of fuel and the rising cost of living. The army was deployed to restore order as the riots 'triggered a climate of widespread insecurity,' the statement said. It did not elaborate on how the people died. Protests against the price hikes in Angola first erupted two weeks ago, when Human Rights Watch accused the police of excessive force against what was a largely peaceful demonstration. Police unnecessarily fired tear gas and rubber bullets and assaulted protesters in those demonstrations, the rights group said. ___ AP Africa news:
Free Malaysia Today
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
RON95 at RM1.99 per litre under targeted subsidies, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the lower RON95 price of RM1.99 per litre will benefit around 18 million car and motorcycle users. PETALING JAYA : Malaysians will enjoy a lower RON95 price of RM1.99 per litre once the targeted subsidies come into effect, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In an announcement live-streamed on Facebook today, he said this would benefit around 18 million car and motorcycle users, including 'youths as young as 16 and gig workers'. He apologised for the delay in rolling out the targeted subsidies, saying this was due to the nation's high debts and the weakening economy. 'Before the end of September, I will ensure the implementation of the rate's reduction to RM1.99 per litre. 'This is quite a sharp drop, and involves increased cost to the government. However, this approach is in line with the government's efforts to optimise national resources for public benefit and reduce subsidy wastage,' he said. Anwar said the new rate of RM1.99 was only for Malaysians with MyKads, and that foreigners would have to pay the full unsubsidised rate. His announcement came days after government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said Putrajaya had pushed back the deadline for the rollout of targeted RON95 subsidies, initially fixed for the second half of the year. On Monday, he said more time was needed to fine-tune the mechanism to prevent leakage, and that Anwar had informed MPs from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan of the matter. Anwar said the government would also postpone the increase in highway toll rates initially set to affect 10 highways this year. 'Toll rates were projected to increase this year according to an old agreement between the companies and a previous administration. 'However, the government has agreed not to implement the increase this year, and the government will bear RM500 million in costs to maintain the toll rates,' he said. The highways involved are the Cheras-Kajang Highway, KL-Kuala Selangor Highway, New North Klang Straits Bypass, Senai-Desaru Expressway, East Coast Expressway 2, South Klang Valley Expressway, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway, Maju Expressway and Butterworth Outer Ring Road.
The Herald
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Fuel price hikes kick in at midnight: what you'll pay from Wednesday
After four months of consecutive declines, South African motorists will face sharp fuel price increases from midnight on Tuesday. The department of mineral resources and energy has confirmed that the price of 93-octane petrol will rise by 55c/ l , while 95-octane goes up by 52c/ l . Diesel is also hit hard, with wholesale prices increasing by 84c/ l for low-sulphur 50ppm and 82c/ l for 500ppm fuel. The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin climbs by 67c/ l . These increases come despite the rand strengthening slightly against the US dollar over the past month. According to the department, the primary driver is a surge in global oil prices, fuelled by escalating tensions in the Middle East and recent attacks by the Trump administration on Iranian nuclear facilities. Fuel prices from Wednesday:
