Benin

Coastal country in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, formerly known as Dahomey

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Benin, officially the Republic of Benin and formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its population lives on the small southern coastline of the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical portion of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo, but the seat of government is in Cotonou, the country's largest city and economic capital. Benin covers an area of 114,763 square kilometres (44,310 sq mi) and its population in 2018 was estimated to be approximately 11.49 million. Benin is a tropical nation, highly dependent on agriculture, and is a large exporter of cotton and palm oil. Substantial employment and income arise from subsistence farming.

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French MPs approve return of looted artefacts to Benin, Senegal French legislators have unanimously passed a law to allow the return of 27 African antiques stolen from Senegal and Benin about 150 years ago. Credit: Al Jazeera STUDIO Duration: 02:34Published 2 weeks ago

France to vote on new law over returning stolen African artworks The legislation would pave the way for the restitution of another 26 works to Benin and Senegal. Credit: Al Jazeera STUDIO Duration: 02:23Published 2 weeks ago

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Kidnapped captain of Portugal-flagged ship freed-Bulgaria The Bulgarian captain of a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship who was kidnapped along with seven other sailors by pirates off the coast of Benin last month, has been freed, Bulgaria's foreign ministry said.. Reuters - Published on May 25, 2020
Pirates seize Portugal-flagged ship off Benin, kidnap crew: Bulgaria Pirates attacked a Portugal-flagged ship and kidnapped its Bulgarian captain and seven sailors off the coast of Benin, Bulgaria's foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Reuters - Published on April 21, 2020
Benin prince calls for Bristol Museum to return stolen sculpture Prince Edun Akenzua urges Bristol Museum to consider returning one of the stolen Benin Bronzes. BBC News - Published on March 23, 2020

Benin company harvesting plants that could soak up oil spills A company in Benin harvests water hyacinths which can be used to soak up oil. BBC News - Published on March 11, 2020
Pressure grows on UK to return looted colonial artefacts as France prepares to give back artworks Benin's culture minister welcomes 'opening of a broader discussion' Independent - Published on December 17, 2019
Cambridge college to return looted Benin cockerel statue to Nigeria A Cambridge University college said on Thursday it would return an antique statue of a cockerel to Benin City in Nigeria, more than 120 years after the work was looted by British colonial forces. Reuters - Published on November 28, 2019

Nigeria to form border force with neighbors Benin and Niger to fight smuggling Nigeria and neighboring countries Benin and Niger have agreed to set up a joint border patrol force to tackle smuggling between the West African countries, they said in a communique on Thursday. Reuters - Published on November 14, 2019
Pirates kidnap four crew from Greek boat off Togo: Togo navy Pirates attacked a Greek oil tanker off the coast of Togo in the early hours of Monday and fled after taking four crew members as hostages, the West African nation's navy said, two days after a similar.. Reuters - Published on November 4, 2019
Benin authorities open investigation after nine people abducted by pirates Benin authorities have opened an investigation after pirates abducted nine people from a Norwegian-flagged boat off the coast of the West African nation, the port of Cotonou said. Reuters - Published on November 4, 2019
Pirates kidnap nine from Norwegian ship off Benin They boarded the vessel while it was at anchor in the Gulf of Guinea, a hotspot for piracy. BBC News - Published on November 4, 2019

Norway's Ugland says nine crew abducted by pirates from vessel off Benin A vessel owned by Norwegian shipping firm J.J. Ugland was boarded by pirates while at anchor off the coast of Benin on Saturday, and nine crew members were kidnapped, the company said on Sunday. Reuters - Published on November 3, 2019