Africa

WHO to support flood-displaced persons in Borno State, Nigeria

WHO to support flood-displaced persons in Borno State, Nigeria

Following the devastating severe flash flooding that displaced thousands of people and caused significant damage across several communities in Maiduguri, Borno State Capital, the World Health Organisation Respentative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has pledged the organisation's support unwavering support to the affected people. During the visit to Maiduguri, Dr Mulombo visited the Governor of the state, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Elkenemi, the Government officials at the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation & Resettlement, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Internal Persons Displaced Camps (IDPs) where he reaffirmed WHO's commitment to supporting…
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37 Sentenced to Death in DR Congo for Alleged Coup Attempt, Including Three Americans

37 Sentenced to Death in DR Congo for Alleged Coup Attempt, Including Three Americans

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced 37 people to death on Friday, including three Americans, over an alleged coup attempt. Among those sentenced were also a Belgian, Briton, and Canadian, all naturalized Congolese. The trial, which began in early June, concluded with the harshest penalties as the court president, Freddy Ehume, read out the verdicts in Kinshasa. Defendants, dressed in prison uniforms, sat in silence as the death sentences were announced. The accused were found guilty of charges including criminal association, attack, and terrorism. Fourteen individuals were acquitted due to lack of evidence connecting them to…
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Zimbabwe to Cull 200 Elephants Amid Drought and Overpopulation Crisis

Zimbabwe to Cull 200 Elephants Amid Drought and Overpopulation Crisis

Zimbabwe will cull 200 elephants as it battles a severe drought and a rising elephant population, the country's wildlife authority announced on Friday. Environment Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu confirmed that Zimbabwe has more elephants than its ecosystems can support, leading to human-animal conflicts, particularly in Hwange National Park. With an elephant population of around 100,000, Zimbabwe has the second-largest population globally, after Botswana. Hwange alone houses 65,000 elephants, far exceeding its capacity. The country last conducted an elephant cull in 1988. The decision has drawn criticism, particularly from conservationists like Farai Maguwu, who urged the government to explore eco-friendly methods that…
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Sudanese mother suffers tragedy before perilous escape to Libya

Sudanese mother suffers tragedy before perilous escape to Libya

Tahani Hamid, 35, remembers her former life as a housewife in Sudan’s Darfur region as peaceful and happy, caring for her three young children and preparing meals for them and her husband, a local policeman. But as rivalry between two Sudanese military factions erupted into full-blown conflict in April last year, a series of calamities shattered that tranquil life, changing it forever. In the weeks before the outbreak of the conflict, armed skirmishes broke out in their neighbourhood in Neyala and a stray bullet pierced the metal roof of their mud-brick house, hitting Hamid just above the left elbow. She…
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IAEA Completes Safety Review of Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant

IAEA Completes Safety Review of Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts concluded a comprehensive review of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant's long-term operational safety today. This Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation (SALTO) follow-up mission, conducted from September 3 to 6, was requested by Eskom, the plant's operator. Koeberg, located about 30 kilometers north of Cape Town, South Africa, is the continent’s only commercial nuclear power station. Since its Units 1 and 2 began operation in 1984 and 1985, respectively, the plant has been pivotal in supplying roughly 5% of South Africa’s electricity and reducing reliance on coal. Koeberg’s Unit 1 recently…
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EU Fisheries Chief to Visit Tanzania for High-Level Blue Economy Talks

EU Fisheries Chief to Visit Tanzania for High-Level Blue Economy Talks

European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Charlina Vitcheva, will visit Tanzania from September 9 to 11, 2024, to participate in key discussions on sustainable fisheries and the blue economy. The visit will culminate in her attendance at the 8th Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Oceans, Inland Waters, and Fisheries of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), set to take place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre on September 11. The event is expected to be inaugurated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Vitcheva’s visit marks another step in strengthening ties between the European Union (EU)…
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Less Than Half of Algerians Vote in Presidential Election

Less Than Half of Algerians Vote in Presidential Election

Less than half of Algeria's eligible voters cast their ballots in Saturday's presidential election, according to preliminary figures released early Sunday by the country's electoral authority, ANIE. The turnout rate was reported at 48 percent, falling short of incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's hopes for a high voter turnout. Tebboune, 78, is widely expected to win a second term, facing two challengers: moderate Islamist Abdelaali Hassani, 57, and socialist Youcef Aouchiche, 41. His main challenge, however, was to improve voter participation following the 2019 election, which saw a historic abstention rate of over 60 percent. With more than 24 million Algerians…
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President Museveni Appoints Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as New Vice Chancellor of Makerere University

President Museveni Appoints Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as New Vice Chancellor of Makerere University

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as the new Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, one of Uganda's most prestigious institutions of higher learning. The announcement has been met with warm congratulations from the university's leadership. On behalf of the Makerere University Council, Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe extended his heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Kiyonga, stating, "We warmly welcome him to the service of Makerere University." Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment is seen as a significant milestone for the university. Born on January 1, 1952, Dr. Kiyonga brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having held numerous high-profile positions…
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Ethiopia Raises Concerns Over Transition in Somalia Peacekeeping Mission

Ethiopia Raises Concerns Over Transition in Somalia Peacekeeping Mission

Ethiopia has voiced serious concerns about the ongoing transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new peace support mission, warning that the change could destabilize the Horn of Africa. In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Ethiopia emphasized that the transition is fraught with risks, as the region enters what it described as "uncharted waters." The Ethiopian government criticized what it sees as the international community's failure to heed warnings from Ethiopia and other Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). According to the statement, Ethiopia is being pressured to overlook hostile…
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Over 6,000 murders in South Africa in the past three months

Over 6,000 murders in South Africa in the past three months

South Africa's police figures reveal that nearly 6,200 people were murdered between April and June 2024, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle with violent crime. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced on Friday that 6,198 murders occurred during this period, marking a slight 0.5% decrease from the same timeframe last year. Despite this marginal improvement, the numbers continue to reflect the severity of the crime situation in South Africa. “These numbers tell a sobering story, reflecting the severity of the challenges we face,” Mchunu stated during a press conference in Cape Town. South Africa remains one of the countries with the highest…
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