insert_link Africa U.S. Pledges $414 Million in Humanitarian Aid for DRC The U.S. announced it would provide nearly $414 million in humanitarian assistance for the Democratic Republic of Congo and according to Reuters, over 25 million people are in need of aid. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture, Jeffrey Prescott, stated that a significant portion of this funding will support UN agencies and aid groups offering urgent food assistance, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene. todayAugust 8, 2024 3
insert_link Africa World Food Programme can only secure 20% of drought aid for Southern Africa The United Nations World Food Programme has secured only 20 percent in drought aid for Southern Africa. This is approximately N$ 1.5-billion of its almost eight-billion-target, to address the drought in seven affected countries. The region has been hit hard by the El Niño weather pattern and faces its worst drought in decades. Despite donor support, the WFP can only provide aid to 5.9 million of the 27 million people […] todayAugust 7, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Kenyan protesters are demanding President Ruto be removed – what the law says about how that could happen By John Mukum Mbaku, Weber State University In June 2024, many Kenyans took to the streets to protest what they believed were punitive taxes imposed by President William Ruto’s government. Though the president caved in and withdrew the contentious Finance Bill 2024, protesters are unmoved and now insist that he leave office. No Kenyan president has ever been removed prematurely from office. The opposition, led by the Azimio […] todayAugust 7, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Data protection is poor for African farmers who use digital services: Kenya and Ghana cases highlight gaps By Heike Baumüller, University of Bonn and Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu, University of Bonn Across Africa, agricultural producers are turning to digital solutions to get information about farming methods, market access or financial services. By 2022, there were 666 of these solutions operating on the continent, the highest number among all low- and medium-income regions. Advances in digital devices, such as smartphones, sensors and satellites, connected through the internet […] todayAugust 7, 2024 44
insert_link Africa Nigeria Detains Tailors for Making Russian Flags Amid Protests Nigeria has detained several tailors and their sponsors for making Russian flags used in anti-government protests. The Department of State Services is investigating the matter, labeling the display of foreign flags during protests as a "treasonable offence." Reports Reuters. Protests against economic reforms have been ongoing since August 1, particularly in northern states. The Russian embassy denies involvement, and analysts suggest the use of Russian flags reflects discontent with government […] todayAugust 7, 2024 5
insert_link Africa U.N Asserts thousands continue to die from hunger in Sudan The United Nations says the international community has failed the people of Sudan. On Tuesday, the UN Security Council convened an urgent session following reports that some 500 thousand people are on the brink of famine near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Speaking during the meeting, Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told council members that this is an […] todayAugust 7, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s first space traveller will be chosen by the public: how this will boost the country’s progress By Anne Uruegi Agi, University of Calabar The Blue Origin space craft owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is to take six individuals to space from nations historically underrepresented in space exploration. Nigeria is one of the selected countries. Though a date is yet to be fixed for this particular trip, the Blue Origin space flight usually lasts about 11 minutes, during which participants are expected to undertake […] todayAugust 6, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Astronomy ‘Olympics’ is being hosted in Africa for the first time: 4 big talking points The South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland, in the country’s Northern Cape province. IAU General Assembly 2024 By James Okwe Chibueze, University of South Africa Cutting-edge telescopes, gravitational waves, black holes and our solar system’s central star, the Sun, are just a few of the topics that will be on the table in Cape Town, South Africa, for an event that’s a scientific version of the Olympic Games – […] todayAugust 6, 2024 31
insert_link Africa World Health Organisation considers emergency status for Africa’s Mpox outbreak The World Health Organisation is considering convening an expert committee to determine if the escalating Mpox outbreak in Africa should be declared an international emergency. WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus announced this consideration following a surge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and nearby countries. South Africa has also confirmed two more cases in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, bringing its total to 24 cases and three deaths. The Africa Centres […] todayAugust 6, 2024 15
