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Africa

African-born bioengineer at UCLA develops new tuberculosis test

According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 million people died from tuberculosis in 2022. The disease is fully treatable but relies on timely diagnosis. Mireille Kamariza, a molecular bioengineer from the University of California, Los Angeles, has developed a test…

Kenya’s Ruto orders evacuations after deadly floods

Mai Mahiu, Kenya —  Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday deployed the military to evacuate everyone living in flood-prone areas in a nation where 171 people have been killed since March by torrential rains. Seasonal rains, amplified by the El…

LogOn: Nigerian Artist Creates AI Fashion Show for Elderly

Images of African senior citizens walking a fashion runway created a buzz on social media, with AI-generated pictures challenging traditional depictions of elderly Africans. VOA’s Karina Choudhury has all the looks in this week’s episode of LogOn. Videographer: Samuel Okocha…

UN expresses solidarity with Kenya following deadly floods

Mr. Guterres was saddened by the loss of life and damage caused by flash flooding in the capital, Nairobi, and other parts of the country, his spokesperson said on Monday. The Secretary-General extended his condolences and solidarity to the families…

UN official urges South Sudan to lift taxes halting aid

Since February, authorities have imposed a series of new taxes and charges at border crossings and within the country. These measures have impacted over 60,000 people, particularly in remote areas where humanitarian operations are already limited. This number is expected…

African farmers look to the past and the future to address climate change

HARARE —  From ancient fertilizer methods in Zimbabwe to new greenhouse technology in Somalia, farmers across the heavily agriculture-reliant African continent are looking to the past and future to respond to climate change. Africa, with the world’s youngest population, faces…

Climate change is bringing malaria to new areas. In Africa, it never left

LAGOS, Nigeria —  When a small number of cases of locally transmitted malaria were found in the United States last year, it was a reminder that climate change is reviving or migrating the threat of some diseases. But across the…

Sudan: Security Council members call for immediate halt to military escalation in El Fasher

The call comes amid reports of an imminent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militia against the city, which could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of displaced persons currently sheltering there. At least 43…

Namibia struggles with delay in rollout of HPV vaccine

Namibia is recognized as one of the few African nations to reach continental health targets outlined in the Abuja Declaration, allocating at least 15% of its national budget to health. Despite that progress, the country is struggling with its rollout…

Sudan: Civilians trapped in El Fasher as UN warns of imminent attack

In a note to correspondents issued on Friday, the UN said there were “increasingly alarming reports of a dramatic escalation of tensions”. “The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are reportedly encircling El Fasher, suggesting a coordinated move to attack the city…