Scientists: Climate change, rapid urbanization worsen impact of East African rains
NAIROBI, Kenya — The impact of the calamitous rains that struck East Africa from March to May was intensified by a mix of climate change and rapid growth of urban areas, an international team of climate scientists said in a…
‘Now is the time to unleash Africa’s peace power’ Guterres tells Security Council
“Now is the time to unleash Africa’s peace power,” he said, opening a debate on its critical role in addressing global security and development challenges, convened by Mozambique, the Council president for May. Calling Africa “an important voice for the…
Droughts and floods threaten ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ across southern Africa
The droughts have destroyed harvests in areas where 70 per cent of the population depends on agriculture for survival. Executive Director McCain said what she has seen has been both alarming and heartbreaking. “I met farmers who usually grow enough…
Companies trying to attract more smartphone users across Africa, but there are risks
Accra, Ghana — Anita Akpeere prepared fried rice in her kitchen in Ghana’s capital as a flurry of notifications for restaurant orders lit up apps on her phone. “I don’t think I could work without a phone in my line…
Though a Ugandan community is a hot spot for sickle cell disease, one patient harbors hope
mbale, uganda — Barbara Nabulo was one of three girls in her family. But when a sister died, her mother wailed at the funeral that she was left with just one and a half daughters. The half was the ailing…
UN’s rights chief says horrified by Sudan escalation as famine draws nearer
According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, held separate phone calls on Tuesday with Lt-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads…
Kenya conference showcases technology to help people with disabilities
In Africa, about 15% of the population faces disability challenges despite advancements in technology. Limited infrastructure and high cost of assistive tech create barriers to digital access, leading to exclusion. A conference in Nairobi this week aims to help change…
‘Time is running out’ to address crisis in Sudan
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, warned that “time is running out” as famine, disease and fighting close in on the population, with no end in sight. “The international community cannot stand by as this crisis spirals…
New TB vaccine being tested in South Africa holds hope for millions
A groundbreaking clinical trial is underway in South Africa, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against tuberculosis. The new vaccine could become the first to help prevent pulmonary TB, the most common form of the disease, in adolescents and…
ICC Prosecutor outlines roadmap to complete Libya war crimes probe
That “roadmap”, Prosecutor Karim Khan explained, details a focused set of activities over the next 18 months and beyond “to significantly expand the impact of our action” in Libya. Once the investigative phase is complete, the focus will shift to…