Author name: yasir

14,000 vaccinated against Mumps in Democratic Republic of Congo

Africa /

More than 14,000 people have been vaccinated against mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of a campaign launched in early October, according to the country’s health ministry. Since the campaign began, approximately 14,180 individuals have received the vaccine across three provinces, the ministry announced on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The campaign started on October 5 in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. The DRC aims to vaccinate a total of 2.5 million people using 3.5 million doses, with Health Minister Roger Kamba noting that about 265,000 doses are currently available. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 16 countries in the African region have been affected by mpox, labeling the DRC as the epicenter of the epidemic. Since the start of the year, the DRC has recorded 31,350 suspected cases, including 992 deaths, and 6,169 confirmed cases, with 25 fatalities. The country is facing a high mortality rate due to late diagnoses and limited access to treatment, with only 41 percent of suspected cases tested in 2024. As of October 6, Africa has reported a total of 36,787 suspected cases, including 998 deaths, complicated by several clades of the virus. In mid-August, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Shortly after, the WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, activating its highest alert level for the second time in two years. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads through close contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.

14,000 vaccinated against Mumps in Democratic Republic of Congo Read More »

Nationwide blackout in Nigeria after electricity grid collapse

Africa /

The national electricity grid collapsed on Monday, resulting in a nationwide blackout. In a statement on X, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) reported that the grid failure occurred at 6:58 PM, impacting power supply in their service areas. “The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform its valued customers of a general system collapse that occurred at 6:48 PM today, October 14, 2024,” said Ezeh. “This has led to the loss of power currently being experienced across the EEDC network. As a result, all our interface TCN stations are offline, preventing us from providing services to customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. “We are on standby, awaiting detailed information about the collapse and restoration efforts from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo.” The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) also stated that they are collaborating with stakeholders to restore power. “Please be informed that a system collapse at 6:48 PM has led to a loss of power supply across our network,” EKEDC announced. “The power outage is due to a failure in the national grid at 6:58 PM today, affecting our franchise areas. Rest assured, we are working with relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid stabilizes. Thank you for your understanding.” Emeka Ezeh, head of corporate communications at EEDC, confirmed that they are unable to supply power to customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

Nationwide blackout in Nigeria after electricity grid collapse Read More »

WHO approves mpox vaccine for teens amid African surge

Africa /

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the Bavarian Nordic mpox vaccine for use in adolescents aged 12 to 17, a group considered particularly vulnerable to the disease. This decision follows the WHO’s endorsement of the vaccine for adults in September, which facilitated access for African countries heavily impacted by mpox. Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic is also preparing to conduct a clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s safety for children aged 2 to 12. As parts of Africa face a rise in mpox cases, which present flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, the urgency for vaccination has increased. In August, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency after a new strain of the virus spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries, including Burundi and Rwanda. Scientists have identified this new strain, known as clade 1b, as a more dangerous variant. Nearly 30,000 suspected cases of mpox have been reported across Africa this year, with a few cases also recorded in Europe and Asia.

WHO approves mpox vaccine for teens amid African surge Read More »

Some US lawmakers urge Biden to halt military aid to Israel

World /

Some US lawmakers on Monday voiced concern over the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, and called on the Biden administration to stop military aid to Israel. “(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is committing human rights abuses over and over again – bombing hospitals, burning Palestinians alive, blocking food aid, and killing aid workers,” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said on X. “This evil genocide must end and President Biden has to stop enabling it. That starts with cutting off military aid,” she added. Her remarks came after the Pentagon announced on Sunday the deployment to Israel of a THAAD anti-missile system battery and a crew of US military personnel to operate it in order to help bolster the country’s air defenses. Congresswoman Cori Bush also called for an arms embargo to Israel. “There are no words powerful enough to capture the agony of human beings being massacred & burned alive,” Bush said, referring to images of Gazans being burned alive due to Israeli attacks. Four people were killed and 40 others injured early Monday when Israeli warplanes hit a hospital courtyard in the central city of Deir al-Balah, burning 30 tents where people were sleeping. “The U.S. is funding & arming the Israeli military’s extermination of the Palestinian people. It’s unconscionable. End this genocide. There must be an #ArmsEmbargoNow,” Bush said on X. – When will US ‘stop funding this madness?’ Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, said “genocidal maniac” Netanyahu is burning Palestinians alive, bombing hospitals, starving people, and killing aid workers. “When will our country stop funding this madness? When?” she said on X. During its offensive in Gaza, Israel has numerous times attacked hospitals, schools, and houses of worship – civilian sites normally off limits to attacks, raising the specter of war crimes. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – a member of the progressive “Squad” group in the US House of Representatives, along with Omar, Bush, and Tlaib – wrote on X: “The horrors unfolding in northern Gaza are the result of a completely unrestrained Netanyahu gov, fully armed by the Biden admin while food aid is blocked and patients are bombed in hospitals. This is a genocide of Palestinians.” “Arms embargo now,” she added. Over the last year, Israel has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million people, while also generating famine-like conditions and the spread of disease. It is now also carrying out air and ground raids in Lebanon, despite warnings that this could turn the war into a larger regional conflict. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have failed over Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

Some US lawmakers urge Biden to halt military aid to Israel Read More »

Rwanda launches vaccination campaign amid Marburg virus outbreak

Africa /

After Rwanda declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease on September 27, the country’s Minister of Health reassured attendees at a briefing that the situation is under control. During a meeting with diplomats and development partners, Minister Nsanzimana discussed the vaccination strategies being implemented to combat the disease. Last week, Rwanda received 700 doses of an experimental vaccine, which has been administered to healthcare professionals and those who have been in contact with confirmed cases. “We were informed that the vaccines were available. We viewed it as a great opportunity to enhance our immune systems,” said Augustin Sendegeya, Chief Medical Officer at King Faisal Hospital. Despite the vaccine being in trial stages, Sendegeya expressed confidence in its safety and potential value for those at risk of infection. Some doctors have reported no significant side effects from the vaccine. “I didn’t observe any major reactions; those who were vaccinated yesterday experienced few symptoms,” noted Blaise Dushimiyimana, a gynecologist at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali. So far, more than 200 people in the country have received the vaccine. Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness in humans, and Rwanda has reported 13 deaths related to the outbreak since it was announced.

Rwanda launches vaccination campaign amid Marburg virus outbreak Read More »

Flash floods in Jonglei State displace hundreds, spread disease

Africa /

Flash floods have wreaked havoc in Jonglei State, South Sudan, leaving hundreds of families without shelter and access to clean water, according to a United Nations report on Monday. Intense rainfall in Bor town has displaced around 375 households across four areas of the state capital. Residents are enduring severe conditions, lacking basic necessities and medical care. Maper Kuot Akuei, a community leader in Bor, voiced his concerns about contaminated floodwater, which has contributed to the spread of diseases such as malaria and pneumonia. “The water is contaminated, bringing malaria, pneumonia, and other hidden diseases,” Akuei said. “There’s no medicine in the hospital; only the clinic can help us, but if you don’t have money, you can’t get treated.” Akuei highlighted the tragic toll on the community, reporting that children have died, women have miscarried, and the elderly have succumbed, largely due to the government’s inaction. As conditions deteriorate, frustration is mounting among flood victims, who are urgently calling for government and international assistance to meet their pressing health and humanitarian needs. Without prompt intervention, the crisis in Jonglei State is poised to worsen further.

Flash floods in Jonglei State displace hundreds, spread disease Read More »

Zambia faces severe energy crisis as drought drains Kariba dam

Africa /

Zambia is grappling with a climate-related energy crisis that has severely diminished its power supply. Frustrated residents are even transporting their entire desktop computers to local cafes to work. The country is experiencing unprecedented electricity blackouts due to a severe drought that has left the Kariba dam, the source of much of its power, with critically low water levels. This massive dam, built in the 1950s, was intended to provide a sustainable source of hydroelectric power by harnessing the Zambezi River. However, prolonged drought conditions, worsened by the El Niño weather pattern and rising temperatures, have pushed Zambia’s hydroelectric capacity to the brink of collapse. Currently, only one of the six turbines at the dam can operate, generating less than 10% of its normal output. With over 80% of Zambia’s electricity coming from Kariba, residents often experience just a few hours of power each day, and some areas go days without any electricity. The situation is particularly detrimental to small businesses, which struggle to operate during daylight hours. Tindor Sikunyongana, who runs a welding business, expressed his frustration, noting that his generator ran out of diesel while he was speaking. He has tried to mitigate the impact by investing in a diesel generator, but the cost of fuel is often prohibitive. Experts warn that Zambia’s heavy reliance on hydroelectric power has left it vulnerable. Geoffrey Chiyumbe, Vice Chairman of the Energy Committee at the Engineering Institute of Zambia, noted the risks of depending on hydro for 85% of the energy supply and emphasized the need for a more diverse energy mix to prevent crises like the current one. At the Kariba dam, the 128-meter-high wall is nearly exposed, with a reddish-brown stain marking where the water once flowed in better times over a decade ago.

Zambia faces severe energy crisis as drought drains Kariba dam Read More »

Tito Mboweni, SA’s first labour minister post-apartheid, dies at 65

Africa /

Tito Mboweni, South Africa’s first Minister of Labour after the end of Apartheid, has passed away at the age of 65. Local media reported that he died on Saturday night (Oct. 12) in a Johannesburg hospital, surrounded by loved ones, after a short illness. Mboweni was a prominent anti-Apartheid activist and served as Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999 in the Cabinet of founding President Nelson Mandela. Following this, he held the position of Governor of the South African Reserve Bank for a decade, starting in 1999. He also served as Minister of Finance during the first term of current President Cyril Ramaphosa. In a statement released on Saturday (Oct. 11), President Ramaphosa praised Mboweni as “a leader and compatriot who has served our nation as an activist, economic policy innovator, and champion of labour rights.” He expressed shock at Mboweni’s passing, noting, “Given his vitality and engaging spirit, Dr. Mboweni’s loss at 65 is deeply felt.”

Tito Mboweni, SA’s first labour minister post-apartheid, dies at 65 Read More »

Opposition calls for boycott elections in Chad

Africa /

In Chad, the opposition has called for a boycott of the parliamentary and municipal elections scheduled for December 29. According to local media reports, 15 opposition political groups gathered in the capital, N’Djamena, under the slogan “No to Special and Anti-Democratic Elections.” Max Kemkoye, the leader of the Union for Democracy and Progress Party, stated that despite the opposition’s repeated calls for respect for democratic rules, freedoms, and human rights, the current government has not changed its methods. Kemkoye emphasized the need for an updated and reliable voter registry, the neutrality of electoral institutions, and guarantees of equality to ensure election security. He expressed concerns that the upcoming elections would not be free and fair, urging the public to boycott them. The call for a boycott comes amid a transitional period following the death of President Idris Déby Itno, who was killed in combat against the separatist group “Front for Change and Concord in Chad” (FACT) on April 20, 2021. His son, Mahamat Idris Déby Itno, was appointed head of the Military Transitional Council composed of 15 generals shortly thereafter. Mahamat Déby promised an 18-month transition period leading to elections, with a transfer of power to civilians and a commitment not to run for office. However, during the National Dialogue Forum held on October 9, 2022, the transition period was extended by two years, and Déby was allowed to run in the elections planned for 2024. Mahamat Idris Déby Itno was elected president on May 6, receiving 61% of the vote. The parliamentary and municipal elections, the first since 2011, are set to take place on December 29.

Opposition calls for boycott elections in Chad Read More »

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon surpasses 2,300

World /

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since last October rose to 2,306, with 10,698 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Sunday. In a statement, the ministry said 51 people were killed and 174 others injured over the last 24 hours. Israel has mounted massive airstrikes across Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets since Sept. 23, killing at least 1,488 people, injuring over 4,297 others, and displacing more than 1.34 million people. The aerial campaign is an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of its offensive on the Gaza Strip, in which Israel has killed over 42,200 people, most of them women and children, since a Hamas attack last year. Despite international warnings that the Mideast was on the brink of a regional war amid Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, it expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon.

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon surpasses 2,300 Read More »

Scroll to Top