insert_link World Donald Trump announces his plans for Panama, Greenland and Canada U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at potential military or economic measures to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland, furthering his expansionist agenda since his November 5 election victory. During a press briefing at Mar-a-Lago, Trump also proposed incorporating Canada as a U.S. state, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and demanding higher defense spending from NATO allies. These controversial plans announced just weeks […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link Environment Cheetah Conservation Fund hosts conservation genetics conference The Cheetah Conservation Fund is hosting the ‘ConGen Global’ which is an international conference covering the most recent advances in conservation genetics. From 5-15 January 2025, the intensive 9-day practicum is dedicated to the application of genomic technologies towards the conservation of biodiversity. CCF’s genetic research played a key role in up-listing the subspecies of cheetah in the Horn African to ‘Endangered’ status on the IUNC Red List. The Funds […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link Health / Medical Human Metapneumovirus raises concern amid rapid spread in China China is fighting the rapid spread of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness with symptoms resembling Covid-19. The outbreak is straining the country's healthcare system as the virus continues to mutate. Dr. Bernard Haufiku, former Health Minister, advised standard precautions such as avoiding crowds, wearing masks during travel, and strengthening surveillance systems. "Airplanes are sites for virus spread, so we must stay alert," Haufiku said, emphasizing the need for […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link APO International Animal Resources at the Heart of Transforming Agri-Food Systems in the Extraordinary African Union (AU) Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) The Extraordinary AU Summit on the Post-Malabo CAADP, scheduled for 9-11 January 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, will provide a platform for key stakeholders to redefine Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda for the next decade. Among the active participants is the African Union’s InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), which is taking a central role in this event. AU-IBAR’s participation underscores the critical importance of animal resources—livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link APO International Uganda: Immediately release lawyer Eron Kiiza and quash military court’s outrageous decision Responding to the assault, arrest, summary conviction and nine-month sentencing by a Ugandan military court of Eron Kiiza, lawyer for detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Sarah Jackson, said: “Eron Kiiza’s imprisonment is outrageous. Military personnel baselessly prevented him from accessing defence benches, then assaulted and arrested him, before hauling him to a court martial which convicted and sentenced him without […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link APO International United States and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Sign Agreement to Enhance Power Sector Resilience and Climate Adaptation The United States welcomes the signing of a landmark $27 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program agreement with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. MCC and the Mauritanian government designed this program to build Mauritania’s capacity in inclusive power sector planning, grid operations, and electricity regulation. The Threshold Program will provide debt-free grants to develop fundable environment resilience projects and to incorporate climate change and social considerations into the environmental impact assessment process. This Threshold Program represents a critical step in our ongoing partnership with Mauritania. By enhancing the […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link APO International Electrifying Rural Africa: The Role of Decentralized Power Generation (By NJ Ayuk) By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org/). Think about a time when your electricity went out. As you sat in the dark, maybe you wondered how long it would be before you could power up your computer again. Or perhaps you considered what you could make for dinner that didn’t require cooking. Many people in Africa don’t need to imagine such a scenario — they live it. Every […] today8 January, 2025
insert_link World Rescue efforts under way after earthquake in Tibet The search for survivors entered a second day on Wednesday after a strong earthquake killed at least 126 people and damaged more than 3,000 buildings in a remote part of the Chinese region of Tibet, near Everest. Another 188 people were injured after the earthquake hit the foothills of the Himalayas at around 9am local time on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media. Laura Westbrook reports. today8 January, 2025
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s Police Minister Welcomes Arrest of Final Suspect in Lusikisiki Mass Shooting South Africa's Police minister Senzo Mchunu has welcomed the arrest and court appearance of the final suspect in the Lusikisiki mass shooting, which claimed 18 lives. Twenty-year-old Songezo Vuma was arrested on a bus in King William's Town which was heading to Cape Town on Sunday. He is facing 18 charges of murder, along with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition charges. Police ministry’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, says […] today8 January, 2025
