insert_link Africa Sudan food emergency: local researcher unpacks scale of the disaster and what action is needed By Oliver Kiptoo Kirui, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) The UN recently warned of the risk of famine in Sudan. The war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed civilians and devastated livelihoods on a massive scale. Around 18 million people are already acutely hungry, including 3.6 million children who are acutely malnourished. Oliver Kiptoo Kirui, who co-authored the Sudan National […] todayJune 13, 2024 8
insert_link Africa African airlines headed for 100 million passengers milestone By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency African airlines are likely to cross the 100 million passengers mark for the first time in 2025, on the back of an aggressive push to open new routes and increased frequencies by local carriers. The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) projects the passenger numbers will reach 98 million by close of the year 2024 - a 15% rise compared […] todayJune 13, 2024 9
insert_link Africa Malawi farming experiment shows how simple changes can boost maize yields and improve soil By Alan Dixon, University of Worcester Malawi’s increasingly unpredictable rainfall and higher than usual temperatures are causing problems for smallholder farmers. Soil erosion has increased, causing soil fertility and water availability to decline. Crops often fail. Farmers are already struggling financially. Many farm only one crop: maize. They can’t easily afford chemical fertilisers that would boost the soil’s fertility and sustain yields. Agriculture accounts for just […] todayJune 13, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Rwanda names new FM, intelligence boss, ahead of polls Rwanda has appointed a new foreign minister and intelligence chief in a reshuffle announced a month before national polls that long-time leader Paul Kagame is widely expected to win. Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente said in a statement late Wednesday that Olivier Nduhungirehe, formerly Rwanda's ambassador to the Netherlands, had been appointed foreign minister. He replaces veteran politician Vincent Biruta, who has been named interior minister. Former […] todayJune 13, 2024 13
insert_link Africa UN Security Council Set to Vote on Resolution Against Siege in Sudan’s al-Fashir Diplomats indicated on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on Thursday on a resolution drafted by Britain. The resolution demands an end to the siege of al-Fashir in Sudan's North Darfur region by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. According to the draft text reviewed by Reuters, the resolution also urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, de-escalation in and around the city, and the withdrawal of […] todayJune 13, 2024 11
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s President Tinubu Vows Economic Reforms Amid Rising Public Anger President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria assured on Wednesday that economic reforms will persist despite growing public discontent fueled by increasing hardships as reported by Reuters. He announced plans to soon present an executive bill to parliament aimed at establishing a new minimum wage. Tinubu, in office for a year, eliminated a longstanding petrol subsidy that artificially suppressed prices and contributed to currency devaluation, resulting in inflation rising to 33.69% in […] todayJune 13, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Girls usually read better than boys. Why this isn’t the case in some African countries Girls may encounter obstacles that hinder their educational participation and reading development. Hugh Sitton By Pearl S. Kyei, University of Ghana In most parts of the world, girls outperform boys in reading. Girls are more likely to read at or above the expected level of proficiency for their grade compared to boys. There are several reasons for this. Girls have been found to have more […] todayJune 12, 2024 17
insert_link Africa U.S. Diplomat Confirms Famine in Parts of War-Torn Sudan Parts of Sudan are experiencing famine, according to U.S. diplomat Tom Perriello. Nearly 14 months into the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the extent of the extreme hunger remains unclear. "I think we know we are in famine," Perriello, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan, told Reuters. "The question is how much famine, how much of the country, and for how long." todayJune 12, 2024 18
insert_link Africa Malawi Mourns Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Others in Military Aircraft Crash Malawi is mourning the loss of Vice-President, Saulos Chilima and nine others who died in a military aircraft crash. President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the tragic news during a media briefing, following the discovery of the wreckage in Chikangawa Forest, Mzimba. Chilima and the others were traveling to attend the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara. President Chakwera extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. todayJune 12, 2024 48
