Author name: fatih

Nine dead in quarry collapse in Zambia

Africa /

It has been reported that nine people died in a quarry collapse in Zambia. Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga stated that the collapse occurred at an informal quarry in Chongwe, about 50 kilometers east of the capital Lusaka. Hamoonga confirmed that nine people were killed in the collapse, with one person injured and rescued. An investigation into the incident has been launched. In December 2023, a collapse at an open copper mine in northern Zambia resulted in the deaths of approximately 30 miners.

Nine dead in quarry collapse in Zambia Read More »

Torrential rains isolate Niamey from the rest of the country

Africa /

In the village of N’Dounga Tarey, located about fifteen kilometers from Niamey, the impact of the heavy rains from a week ago is still evident. The village has seen its homes reduced to rubble, and resident Idrissa Issoufou Souley surveys the damage. “In N’Dounga Tarey, over 12 houses have collapsed due to the heavy rains. Although there were no casualties, we have suffered significant material damage to our homes, millet fields, and rice fields,” said Souley. The main road to Niamey has been severed, with two other roads completely submerged. This has isolated Niamey, cutting off not only internal connections but also essential supplies like fuel. “Since Sunday, all routes have been blocked, including supply routes, because the Niamey depot is on the Sorey plateau. At Sorey Ganda, the bridge was submerged and impassable. It is a situation of force majeure, but Sonidep has been actively working to supply the country,” explained Maazou Aboubacar Oumani, Commercial Director of SONIDEP. There have been long queues at the few gas stations still with fuel, and people are struggling to fill their tanks. Fuel has been unavailable for four days. “Since 1 p.m., I haven’t been able to get any fuel and have had to park my vehicle. We urge the government to find a solution for fuel supply. We are enduring hardships,” said taxi driver Chamsou Moussa Oumarou. Authorities recently managed to restore this route to enable resupply to the capital. “This restoration is a relief for the people of Kollo and Niamey. Traffic was halted for over a week, and we faced significant difficulties. There was no passage between Niamey and Kollo due to the heavy rains,” noted Aissatou Harouna Faran Maiga, the mayor of Kollo. Since June, floods in Niger have resulted in nearly 200 deaths and substantial material damage. The heavy rains have also led to shortages of various goods due to deteriorated roads.

Torrential rains isolate Niamey from the rest of the country Read More »

Hamas delegation leaves Cairo after reviewing results of a cease-fire talks

World /

 Hamas’ negotiating team left Cairo after reviewing the results of the latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks with Israel from the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, the resistance group said. Izzat al-Rishq, a Hamas leader, said on Telegram that their delegation “left Cairo this evening after meeting with mediators from Egypt and Qatar and hearing from them about the results of the latest round of negotiations,” without giving further details. “The delegation demanded that the occupation adhere to what was agreed upon on July 2, based on the statements made by US President Joe Biden and the UN Security Council resolution,” he added. Hamas reiterated “its readiness to implement what has been agreed upon to achieve the higher interests of its people and to halt aggression against them.” He said the delegation “emphasized the necessity for any agreement to include a permanent cease-fire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, residents’ return to their areas, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, and a serious hostage swap deal.” Earlier in the day, the Israeli negotiating team returned to Tel Aviv from Cairo after taking part in Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap deal talks with Palestinian factions, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported. The authority, citing unnamed Israeli officials, indicated that “the chances of making progress in the talks today are slim.” “The delegation’s mandate does not allow for reaching an agreement regarding the Philadelphi Corridor” in the border city of Rafah with Egypt, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on maintaining military control over, the officials added. Israeli news website Walla reported that David Barnea, the head of Mossad, took part in a quadrilateral meeting that included the head of the CIA, William Burns, the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, and the prime minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. – Philadelphi Corridor Netanyahu on Saturday pledged to US President Joe Biden that the Israeli army will withdraw one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the 14-km-long (8.7-mi) Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, while leaving a minimal number of military sites in the area. The pledge comes as part of ongoing discussions between Israel and the US over the military offensive on the Gaza Strip and the broader implications for regional security, reported Israel’s Channel 12. The broadcaster claimed that Egypt has agreed to provide Hamas with updated maps of Israeli army positions in the Philadelphi Corridor, although Cairo has made no official statement on the matter. The corridor, a demilitarized buffer zone along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, remains one of the major sticking points in Israel-Hamas negotiations. For months, the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and cease-fire and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. But mediation efforts have been stalled due to Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands to stop the war. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. The onslaught has resulted in over 40,400 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,400 injuries, according to local health authorities. An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins. Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

Hamas delegation leaves Cairo after reviewing results of a cease-fire talks Read More »

Clashes have resumed in eastern DR Congo

Africa /

Lieutenant-Colonel Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume said that Congolese authorities will refer the matter to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism The mechanism comprises of military experts from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Member States, South Africa, MONUSCO and the AU. On July 30, Angola announced a ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. Kinshasa has long accused Kigali of backing M23 fighers who operate in its eastern North Kivu province, an accusation Rwanda denies. Fighting resumed on Sunday, August 25, in eastern DRC between the M23 rebels and the army. Local media report intense clashes in Lubero, a locality near the Ugandan border. Lubero is situated on the route connecting Butembo and Beni, which are major commercial centers in North Kivu province. In a press statement issued on Monday, August 26, the DRC army claimed that the rebels had breached a ceasefire by attacking army positions in the village of Kikubo.

Clashes have resumed in eastern DR Congo Read More »

Campaigns begin in Mozambique ahead of October 9 polls

Africa /

The campaign for the general elections set for October 9 began on Saturday, August 24, in Mozambique. The ruling party since independence in 1975, Frelimo, will face the main opposition party, Renamo, which originated from a former anti-communist rebellion. However, an independent candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, might create a surprise. The issues voters will consider include inequality and the management of the conflict in Cabo Delgado. While Frelimo has always refused to negotiate with jihadist groups, the opposition favors discussions and emphasizes addressing the social causes of the insurgency. The issues of wages and the cost of living are also expected to be central to the debates, as inequalities are widening between rural populations and urban elites in Mozambique. The current President, Filipe Nyusi, who has been in power since 2015, cannot run again. His ruling Frelimo party has nominated Daniel Chapo. The main opposition party, Renamo, on the other hand, will be represented by Ossufo Momade. The third candidate who could also change the status quo in this race is Venâncio Mondlane, who embodies the hope for regime change and could “create a surprise,” according to a political analyst. On that day, Mozambicans will also elect their parliamentarians and provincial authority representatives.

Campaigns begin in Mozambique ahead of October 9 polls Read More »

Malawi beings screening for mpox at all points of entry

Africa /

Malawi has begun screening for mpox at all ports of entry in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. The move comes just days after the first two suspected cases were registered in the country and are currently awaiting laboratory test results. This includes a 31-year-old male who is being treated in hospital and a 17-year-old boy who is receiving care at home. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the epicentre of a more deadly strain of the virus that emerged last year and has subsequently spread to more than 10 other African states. Just over a week ago, the World Health Organization declared the spread of the new strain of mpox a public health emergency of international concern. Africa’s top public health agency on Wednesday said some countries on the continent could start vaccinating against mpox within days. While Malawi says it is planning for a worst-case scenario, not everyone will be vaccinated against the virus. “It’s not given to just everyone like we are doing with the Covid-19 vaccine or other vaccines, this is only reserved for those who are at a very high risk,” says Adrian Chikumbe, spokesperson for the Malawi Ministry of Health. The decision to screen visitors to the country is part of a raft of preventative measures which includes an awareness campaign, especially through community health networks. It has also set up a mobile diagnostic unit at a hospital in the country’s capital, Lilongwe. “My advice to people is that, when you meet a person or see someone who has mpox, please avoid any contact with them and also avoid contact with any materials that people with mpox have used,” says community health worker, Carol Luka. Malawi is one of the few Southern African countries that have so far managed to avoid an a mpox outbreak.

Malawi beings screening for mpox at all points of entry Read More »

More than 100 evacuated from east London tower block fire

World /

 More than 200 firefighters have responded to a fire at a high-rise tower block partly used by residents in Dagenham, east London. At least 100 people have been evacuated from the residential building after the fire started shortly before 3:00 a.m. (0200GMT). Four patients were treated at the scene according to the London Ambulance Service. Two patients were taken to hospital. “We were called at 2.52 a.m. today (26 August) to reports of a fire on Freshwater Road in Dagenham,” a spokesman said. “We sent a large number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, an advanced paramedic in critical care, emergency planning officers, a command support vehicle and members of our hazardous area response team.” “Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters are responding to a fire on Freshwater Road in Dagenham,” The London Fire Brigade wrote on X an hour after the fire started. Alan Bendell, a fire station commander, said the fire was “producing heavy smoke and we’re advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed.” A similar fire in 2017 caused the death of 72 people in London’s Grenfell Tower.

More than 100 evacuated from east London tower block fire Read More »

Senegal: Health measures against mpox in place 

Africa /

In preparation for the Magal pilgrimage in Touba on August 23, 2024, Senegalese authorities have introduced enhanced health measures to address the spread of mpox (formerly monkeypox). With millions of pilgrims expected, including many from abroad, approximately 6,000 healthcare professionals have been deployed. Given the recent rise in mpox cases across Africa, the focus is on rapid detection. Dr. Mamadou Dieng, the regional health director of Diourbel, detailed the measures, including training for surveillance teams and the installation of testing equipment at multiple locations. A total of 186 sites have been established for pilgrims showing symptoms. Testing will be managed by the Institut Pasteur, and quarantine zones have been set up. Dr. Dieng stressed the importance of personal responsibility, urging pilgrims to wash their hands frequently, avoid close contact, and wear masks in crowded areas. Although these measures may be difficult to adhere to, they are vital for preventing the disease’s spread.

Senegal: Health measures against mpox in place  Read More »

Spain pledges €50 million to tackle migrant crisis in the Canary Islands

Africa /

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the Canary Islands on Friday to meet with regional President Fernando Clavijo amid a surge in migrant arrivals and challenges in caring for thousands of unaccompanied minors. Sánchez’s minister for territorial policy and democratic memory, Ángel Victor Torres, who previously served as the regional president of the Canaries, spoke on behalf of Sánchez’s government after the meeting. Torres announced an additional 50 million euros in financial aid for the archipelago, building on previous support. While adult migrants typically leave the islands for mainland Spain or other European destinations, the regional government is responsible for unaccompanied minors. The Canary Islands are currently caring for over 5,000 children and teenagers who arrived alone or lost their parents during the perilous journey from West Africa. Sánchez and Clavijo agreed to pursue long-term solutions for irregular migration, particularly for unaccompanied minors. Torres noted that a proposed legal change to mandate solidarity among Spanish regions must pass through parliament. However, a similar attempt in late July was unsuccessful, with lawmakers rejecting a proposal to distribute unaccompanied minors among other regions. Sánchez’s visit comes just before his trip to Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia to address migration issues at their sources. Between January and mid-August this year, over 22,300 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, a 126% increase compared to the same period last year. On Friday, Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service reported rescuing 173 people, including six babies and eight women, and recovering two bodies from a boat near El Hierro. The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canaries is among the world’s deadliest, with migrant rights group Walking Borders estimating thousands of fatalities due to the lack of precise departure data. Boats often disappear in the Atlantic or are found adrift in the Caribbean, carrying the remains of their passengers.

Spain pledges €50 million to tackle migrant crisis in the Canary Islands Read More »

Gaza death toll surpasses 40,300

World /

 The Israeli army killed 69 more Palestinians in attacks on the Gaza Strip, taking the total death toll to 40,334 since October of last year, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Saturday. A ministry statement said 93,356 Palestinians have been injured as a result of the extensive bombardment of Gaza since Oct.7, 2023. “Israeli forces killed 69 people and injured 212 others in five ‘massacres’ against families in the last 48 hours,” the ministry said. “Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins. Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

Gaza death toll surpasses 40,300 Read More »

Scroll to Top