Low-income economies will struggle to fill climate finance gap, according to a report by the US-based global credit rating agency Moody’s. “Vast sums are needed for the world to shift to a low-carbon economy, build resilience, and adapt to the effects of climate change,” said the report released on Thursday. “Investment has risen rapidly since the 2015 Paris Agreement, but it will take a lot more to reach the goal of global net zero emissions by 2050.” The rating agency said wide investment gaps exist for both climate mitigation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation in order to adjust to the effects of climate change. The agency estimates nations spending almost $2 trillion on clean energy this year, including low-carbon power, infrastructure, energy efficiency and electrification, adding there will be an estimated annual climate mitigation investment gap of nearly $2.4 trillion by 2030. “Adaptation investment has drawn much less funding, given its more limited commercial potential, and is well below estimated annual needs of about $400 billion, standing around $72 billion in 2022,” said the report. “This adds up to an annual climate investment gap of $2.7 trillion by 2030 – around 1.8% of global GDP – and exposes vulnerable communities to rising risks from climate change, particularly in emerging markets where investment needs are largest,” it added. Climate change also has far-reaching credit implications for economies and businesses through physical effects on livelihoods and infrastructure, or through the changes involved in reducing carbon emissions, according to Moody’s. It advised that early investment in clean energy can prevent big economic losses from climate change. “In addition to lives preserved, rapid climate spending could lead to higher growth and more revenue for governments globally over time,” said the report.

 Patrick Charlier, director of the Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities (Unia), highlighted the concerning rise of anti-Muslim sentiment across Europe, noting that in Belgium, nine of 10 people facing discrimination are Muslim, particularly veiled women. A report released last week by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), “Being Muslim in the EU: Experiences of Muslims,” showed a marked increase in racism and discrimination against Muslims since 2016. The survey, conducted with responses from 9,000 respondents across 13 EU member states between October 2021 and October 2022, found that one in two Muslims encounter discriminatory treatment daily. Discrimination against Muslim women, men and children stems not only from their religion but is also due to factors like skin color, ethnic background and immigration history. Young Muslims born in Europe and veiled women are particularly affected. Belgium has emerged as a key area for the issues, with 43% of Muslims in that country reporting housing discrimination. Charlier, who has led the Equal Opportunities Center since 1993, emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing to hostility toward Muslims in education, employment and society. “For Belgium, when we’re speaking of religious and philosophical belief, it’s 90% concerning Muslims. The vast majority, nine cases out of 10, is according to Muslims that are facing discrimination, hate speech, hate crime,” said Charlier. “The last year, the most remarkable cases are in employment, discrimination in employment. It’s a majority of women that are victims of discrimination. When we are speaking of women in employment, that’s mostly cases of headscarves,” he said. Between 2017 and 2023, the center primarily addressed employment discrimination cases, with additional incidents occurring on social media and in schools, noted Charlier. -Anti-immigrant sentiment also fueling anti-Muslim sentiment “I think discrimination, hate speech and hate crime is grave. I don’t want to undermine the reality and the difficulty for Muslims in our country. That’s a reality. It’s not highly rising. It’s stable,” he said.  “We are not out with discrimination against Muslims. We are not out on Islamophobia. There is an indirect link also with a form of what we call more xenophobia,” he said. “That’s all the discourse against asylum seekers and migration. It’s not directly focused on Muslims, but we know that this discourse against migrants is often with the idea ‘that’s Muslims that are coming from Syria, from now Palestine, from Afghanistan, and so on.’ But that’s not registered to us as ‘discrimination against Muslims’. It’s more xenophobia,” he added.

 Meta Platforms’ Threads app, which is a rival to X, formerly known as Twitter, now has reached almost 275 million monthly active users, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “It has been growing more than 1 million sign-ups per day,” he said on an earnings call late Wednesday after the release of Meta’s financial results. “Engagement is growing too. So, we continue to be on track towards this becoming our next major social app,” he added. Threads had approximately 200 million monthly active users during the April – June period, according to Meta’s financial report released in July. The number of users is up 175% from July – September of 2023 when it had 100 million users. Threads launched in July 2023 as a rival to billionaire Elon Musk’s X, who bought Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion.

A new report from global health experts warns that climate change is pushing temperatures to dangerous levels, leading to increased deaths and the spread of infectious diseases. The Lancet Countdown report, released ahead of the COP29 climate summit, highlights that every country faces unprecedented health threats due to climate change. The experts urge governments to redirect the trillions spent on fossil fuels towards protecting health and livelihoods. “Resources should not perpetuate fossil fuel use but rather promote access to clean, renewable energy,” said Dr. Marina Romanello, the report’s executive director. The study, conducted by 122 experts, reveals record levels of heat-related deaths, food insecurity, and infectious diseases driven by climate change. In 2023, people faced an average of 50 additional days of extreme temperatures. Nearly half of the global land area is experiencing extreme droughts, exacerbating food insecurity for 151 million people in 124 countries. Romanello emphasized that climate change is a critical health issue affecting all demographics, particularly vulnerable populations. “The health implications are enormous,” she stated, referencing the acute hunger crisis in regions like Somalia due to drought.

A newly discovered 4,000-year-old fortified town in Saudi Arabia provides evidence of a gradual shift from nomadic to urban lifestyles in the region.

A Kenyan social enterprise is leading the way in sustainable agriculture with Kichawi Kill, a fungal bioherbicide that provides a safe and eco-friendly solution to the witchweed problem.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released alarming new data Tuesday showing tuberculosis (TB) once again ranking as the world’s deadliest infectious disease. According to the latest WHO report, approximately 8.2 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2023. “This represents a notable increase from 7.5 million reported in 2022, placing TB again as the leading infectious disease killer in 2023, surpassing COVID-19,” a statement by the organization noted. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed “outrage “over the continued toll of the disease. “The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it, and treat it,” he said. He urged nations to fulfill their commitments to effectively combat TB. The report highlights the alarming disparities, with 30 high-burden countries — primarily India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Pakistan –accounting for 56% of the global TB burden. It also emphasized funding a crisis for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which bear 98% of the global TB burden. Noting that only 26% of the $22 billion target for annual global TB funding was reached in 2023, Tereza Kasaeva, director of WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Program, said: “We are confronted with formidable challenges: funding shortfalls, catastrophic costs to affected households, and drug-resistant tuberculosis.” While the report warned that treatment success rates for multidrug-resistant TB remain low, WHO urged the international community to fulfill their commitments from the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB, with a renewed push for funding research into new TB vaccines.

More than one in three trees globally is at risk of extinction, according to a new report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This alarming trend threatens life on Earth as we know it, with endangered trees outnumbering threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined. In South America, where the majority of the world’s trees are found, 25% face extinction, while Africa, despite having fewer trees, sees 45% at risk. Hilton-Taylor highlights that the primary threats include deforestation, habitat loss due to expanding agriculture, invasive species, and climate change. Trees now represent over a quarter of the species listed in the IUCN Red List, emphasizing the urgency for action. Hilton-Taylor stresses, “Species are declining. Unless we act now, we risk losing them forever.” Kevin Martin from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew points out that rapid climate change poses significant challenges for trees, which struggle to adapt quickly. The IUCN advocates for forest protection and restoration, including tree planting and conservation efforts via seed banks and botanical gardens. Their first Global Tree Assessment coincides with the UN’s COP16 biodiversity summit in Colombia. Craig Hilton-Taylor, head of the IUCN’s Red List Unit, states that out of approximately 47,000 tree species assessed, 38% are threatened. He emphasizes the vital role trees play in global biodiversity, livelihoods, and essential ecological cycles.

 Apple on Monday released the first public version of its much-anticipated artificial intelligence (AI) platform, Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac through a free software update with the launch of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. “Users can now tap into Apple Intelligence to refine their writing; summarize notifications, mail, and messages; experience a more natural and capable Siri; remove distracting objects from images with Clean Up; and more,” the company said in a blog post. The newly released AI, in addition, can create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate tasks, it added. “Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way that only Apple can deliver, and we’re incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users’ lives,” said CEO Tim Cook. “Apple Intelligence builds on years of innovation in AI and machine learning to put Apple’s generative models at the core of our devices, giving our users a personal intelligence system that is easy to use — all while protecting their privacy,” he added. The digital assistant Siri, moreover, becomes more natural, flexible, and deeply integrated into the system experience with Apple Intelligence, according to the company. Siri, with richer language-understanding capabilities, can now answer questions about the features and settings of Apple products, while users can learn everything from how to take a screen recording to how to easily share a Wi-Fi password, it added. To use Apple Intelligence, users need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 model.

Kinshasa, the host city of the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” fight, is gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic event that captivated the world.

Britain is facing increasing pressure to consider reparatory justice for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, which reached its peak in the 1700s, resulting in millions of Africans being forcibly transported to British colonies across the Americas and the Caribbean. As leaders of the Commonwealth, a group of 56 nations largely rooted in Britain’s colonial past, gather in Samoa, discussions are expected to include reparations, despite British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stating the topic is not on the agenda. Diplomatic sources suggest that negotiations are underway to address the issue. Britain has yet to issue a formal apology for its ties to slavery, and estimates indicate that reparations could amount to trillions of pounds. The debate over reparations, while longstanding, has gained renewed global attention. Supporters argue that contemporary racial inequalities are a direct result of historical injustices, while opponents contend that nations should not be held accountable for past wrongs. Notably, all three candidates vying for the Commonwealth’s next Secretary-General from Ghana, Lesotho, and Gambia have advocated for financial reparations.

Human-caused climate change has intensified seasonal rains across the Niger and Lake Chad basins this year, leading to catastrophic flooding, according to a study released by international scientists on Wednesday. Researchers from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) initiative reported that floods in Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan have resulted in over 2,000 deaths and displaced millions. The heavy rains also overwhelmed dams in Nigeria and Sudan. The study found that rainfall this year was 5 to 20 percent more intense in the affected regions, which encompass four of the five countries. Scientists indicated that such extreme rainfall patterns are becoming the new normal due to climate change and are likely to continue annually if global warming persists. Factors such as poverty, rapid urbanization, and poor water management have worsened the impact of these floods. Ongoing conflict has further complicated the situation, displacing millions in Chad, Nigeria, and Sudan, who now live in makeshift shelters with heightened vulnerability to flooding. The WWA noted that the severe flooding from June to September exacerbated an already critical humanitarian crisis in Sudan, overwhelming the response capabilities of aid organizations and governments. The scientists emphasized the need for the region to prepare for even heavier rainfall in the future and to urgently improve water management systems. They called for increased investment in early warning systems and dam upgrades, as well as meaningful financial contributions from wealthier nations. Additionally, they urged delegates attending the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan to act decisively in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which are responsible for over 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita announced that Morocco firmly rejects any proposals for the division of Western Sahara, asserting that this issue is not open to negotiation. Speaking at a press conference in Rabat alongside Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Bourita addressed a recent suggestion from UN Special Representative for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. During de Mistura’s visit to Morocco last April, the Moroccan delegation made it clear that proposals for dividing the territory would not be entertained, reaffirming that Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco. Bourita emphasized that Morocco does not negotiate its sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Western Sahara but engages in discussions related to regional disputes with neighboring Algeria. He reiterated that the status of Western Sahara, tied to the country’s sovereignty, cannot be a subject of negotiation or agreement. He also called for transparency from de Mistura about the origins of his proposal, questioning who inspired it and whether it was his initiative or influenced by external parties. Reports suggest that de Mistura proposed the division of Western Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario Front, envisioning a state for the Polisario in the south and Moroccan governance in the north. Background on the Western Sahara Issue The tensions between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front date back to Morocco’s annexation of the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975. While Morocco maintains that the region is under its sovereignty, the Polisario Front asserts that it is an independent state. The Polisario Front conducted an armed struggle against Moroccan forces until a UN-mediated ceasefire in 1991, but subsequent negotiations over the territory’s status have not been successful. Roundtable Discussions In recent years, UN-supervised roundtable discussions have occurred between Morocco and the Polisario Front, with participation from neighboring Algeria and Mauritania. The first meeting was held in Geneva in December 2018, followed by another in March 2019. A planned third meeting in May 2019 was canceled after the resignation of then-UN representative Horst Köhler due to health issues. Staffan de Mistura was appointed as the new UN Special Representative for Western Sahara on October 6, 2021, following Köhler’s resignation. Algeria announced its withdrawal from the roundtable discussions on October 22, 2021.

A significant mystery in the history of the United Nations remains unsolved: the 1961 plane crash that claimed the life of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and everyone on board as he sought to negotiate peace in the Congo. A new assessment released on Friday reveals that “specific and crucial” information is still being withheld by several Member States. Hammarskjöld, who became the youngest UN Secretary-General at the age of 47, was renowned as a visionary diplomat and reformer, playing a vital role in elevating the UN’s stature during a tumultuous period marked by decolonization in Africa and Asia. Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq noted that “the Secretary-General emphasizes that the Eminent Person is nearly certain that significant undisclosed information exists in the archives of Member States. With progress being made, the Secretary-General urges all parties to reaffirm their commitment to uncovering the complete truth about the events of that tragic night in 1961.” Hammarskjöld’s leadership was pivotal during the crisis of 1956, where he led a ceasefire mission in the Middle East and effectively managed the Suez Crisis, facilitating the withdrawal of foreign troops from Egypt and overseeing the UN’s first emergency peacekeeping operation, the UN Emergency Force. Celebrated for his integrity and dedication to public service, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in transforming the UN into a dynamic and effective international organization that upheld the principles of the UN Charter. Hammarskjöld served as Secretary-General from April 1953 until his untimely death at age 56. On the night of September 17-18, 1961, the Douglas DC6 aircraft he was aboard, registered as SE-BDY, crashed near Ndola in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). He was en route to negotiate a ceasefire between UN peacekeepers and separatists in the Congolese region of Katanga, aiming to establish a broader peace agreement for the newly independent Congo. The crash on September 18 resulted in the immediate deaths of 15 other passengers, while the sole survivor succumbed to injuries days later. An initial inquiry by Rhodesian authorities attributed the crash to pilot error, a conclusion that has since been contested. Haq stated, “The Secretary-General has sent the report from the Eminent Person, former Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mr. Mohamed Chande Othman, to the President of the General Assembly… At this point, the Eminent Person believes it remains plausible that an external attack or threat contributed to the crash; other possibilities include sabotage or unintentional human error.”

Climate change and ongoing conflict in northeastern Nigeria have led to a sharp rise in severe malnutrition cases. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports a 24% increase in young children suffering from malnutrition compared to last year, highlighting the struggles families face in the Lake Chad region. Rabiatu Jubrilla shared her experience of bringing her son to the ICRC’s Mubi stabilization clinic, stating he was unable to sit up on his own. After stopping breastfeeding at 1 year and 9 months, he began to lose weight, raising concerns about his health. The protracted conflict has displaced millions and destroyed livelihoods, severely impacting access to agricultural land. Paul Ezra, a farmer from Adamawa State, lamented that violence from groups like Boko Haram has made farming nearly impossible. The ICRC’s Nigeria Head of Delegation, Yann Bonzon, noted a 58% increase in fighting in the Lake Chad region in the first half of 2024, coinciding with rising food insecurity. The area’s reliance on subsistence farming makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change, which has caused irregular rainfall and devastating floods that destroyed crops. The ICRC estimates that over six million people in the Lake Chad region will face food shortages in the coming months due to the combined effects of conflict and climate change.

US chipmaker AMD announced on Thursday its third-generation commercial artificial intelligence mobile processors. The new Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series is designed to transform business productivity with Microsoft’s Copilot+ features, including live captioning and language translation in conference calls and advanced AI image generators. The processor has up to three times the AI performance than the previous generation, it said, touting its latest offering. According to the chipmaker, the new Ryzen offers up to 40% higher performance, and up to 14% faster productivity performance, than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 165U, comparing its product with those by one of its chief rivals. “Enterprises are increasingly demanding more compute power and efficiency to drive their everyday tasks and most taxing workloads,” said Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager of Computing and Graphics Group at AMD. “Our third generation AI-enabled processors for business PCs deliver unprecedented AI processing capabilities with incredible battery life and seamless compatibility for the applications users depend on,” he added.

A panel titled “Historical Studies of Islam in Africa” was held at the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs (TDV) Islamic Research Center (ISAM) Conference Hall. The 19th panel of ISAM’s scholarly meetings was moderated by Kübra Nugay, featuring speakers Prof. Dr. Anne K. Bang and Prof. Dr. Knut S. Vikor from the University of Bergen. Prof. Dr. Bang expressed her honor and pride in being at ISAM. In her speech, she discussed topics such as Islam in East Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries, contemporary readings of the period’s written works, and the impact of Muslims who migrated from Oman and Yemen to Africa in the post-Islamic period. Using maps and visuals, Bang stated, “For those unfamiliar with Africa and the Swahili coast, I can briefly say that the East African coastal region was Islamized very early, particularly through migration patterns from Southern Arabia and the Shiraz region of Iran to various parts of East Africa.” Prof. Dr. Vikor, in his presentation on “The Continuity of Islamic Law in Muslim Africa,” noted that discussions continue in the region about what happens when Islamic law must adapt to modern legal systems. He highlighted that Islamic law exists within the modern state system in Africa, shaping today’s legal framework, and commented, “I believe the most significant change that occurred during the colonial period is not the form of the law but having reference sources.” After the talks, ISAM Vice President Assoc. Prof. Yaşar Çolak presented the speakers with books and took a commemorative photo.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded Wednesday to American biochemist David Baker and British scientists Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, recognizing their pioneering work in protein design and AI-based protein structure prediction, according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Baker was awarded half of the prize for his achievements in “computational protein design.” His research, which began in 2003, achieved the previously unattainable: creating entirely new proteins. Baker’s work has since led to the production of numerous innovative proteins, opening up potential applications for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, nanomaterials, and precise molecular sensors. “David Baker has succeeded with the almost impossible feat of building entirely new kinds of proteins,” the Academy stated. His initial designs have spurred a wave of imaginative research, producing unique proteins that could transform various fields in health and technology.  The other half of the prize went jointly to Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, and John M. Jumper, also from DeepMind, for solving a 50-year-old scientific challenge: predicting complex protein structures. In 2020, Hassabis and Jumper introduced AlphaFold2, a revolutionary AI model capable of predicting the structures of nearly all 200 million known proteins, according to the Academy. Since its release, AlphaFold2 has been accessed by over two million researchers across 190 countries, proving indispensable to scientists seeking to understand the biological roles and applications of various proteins. The Nobel Committee emphasized the global impact of AlphaFold2, describing it as an invaluable resource for advancing biological research on an unprecedented scale.

The Director-General of UNESCO announced on Tuesday (Oct. 8) that Morocco’s capital, Rabat, will be designated as World Book Capital for 2026. This decision follows the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will host the event in 2025. Rabat, known for having Africa’s third-largest international book and publishing fair, will begin its year of celebrations on April 23, 2026, coinciding with World Book and Copyright Day. Rabat is the fifth African city to receive this honor, following Alexandria (Egypt), Port Harcourt (Nigeria), Conakry (Guinea), and Accra (Ghana). As part of the designation, Rabat will implement a range of activities to promote books and reading for all ages. The initiatives aim to foster sustainable economic growth and social benefits by improving access to literature and supporting the local publishing sector. UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay emphasized the importance of Rabat’s book industry in democratizing knowledge. Strasbourg, France, was named the World Book Capital for 2024.

While Israel’s main benefactors during its ongoing war on Gaza have been major Western nations, it has also found support in parts of the African continent, including the East African nation of Kenya. The Kenyan government has consistently backed Israel with words and diplomatic actions, including votes at the UN, despite a clear divide in public opinion within the country. This support is rooted in diplomatic relations dating back to the 1960s, but the two countries have deepened ties in various sectors over the years, including security, technology and agriculture, while Israel is also viewed as a strategic counterterrorism ally in East Africa. Kenya’s relationship with Israel has existed “long before it became official,” going back to the days when apartheid still plagued South Africa and many African nations were vocally opposed to Israel, according to Herman Manyora, a political analyst and University of Nairobi lecturer. “Kenya has a very interesting relationship with Israel. Long before this relationship became official, when Israel was not recognized by most of Africa, Kenya had silent relations with Israel and apartheid South Africa,” he told Anadolu. However, while Kenya “came out strongly in support of Israel” after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, the government was forced to “quickly retract, seeing as it wasn’t sitting well with many African countries,” he said. On multiple occasions, the Foreign Ministry issued statements condemning rocket attacks on Israeli cities, framing Israel’s military response as legitimate self-defense, while President William Ruto has reaffirmed that Kenya views Israel as a “great friend.” ​​​​​​​- Divisions within  Kenya’s close relationship with Israel has, at times, drawn muted criticism within Africa, particularly when it comes to Nairobi’s diplomatic support to Tel Aviv. On several resolutions brought before the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, Kenya either abstained or voted against the motions, aligning with Western powers. Standing with Israel, which is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has made Kenya an outlier in Africa. Esther Mwai, a political analyst based in Nairobi, said Kenya “has suffered negatively across Africa” because of its support to Israel.  “Many African countries have traditionally supported Palestine, and Kenya’s position placed it at odds with the broader African consensus,” she said. Public opinion within Kenya is also divided as many feel a strong sense of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, seeing parallels between their struggle and Africa’s own historical battles against colonialism and oppression. “I’m disappointed that our government continues to support Israel despite the atrocities being committed in Gaza,” said Movicks Ogalo, 29, a laboratory technician in Nairobi. “The images we see every day of children and families suffering are heartbreaking. It feels like we’ve abandoned our principles of fighting for justice and human rights.” Ogalo’s sentiments are shared by many in Kenya’s civil society and activist groups, but not all Kenyans are critical of the government’s position. Some view Israel as an important ally in Kenya’s fight against terrorism, particularly in dealing with groups like al-Shabaab, which operates across the region. “I fully support our government’s stance with Israel,” said Vincent James Kamau, a businessman in Nairobi. “Israel has helped Kenya with intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism efforts.” Kamau’s views echo those of Kenya’s political establishment, which sees Israel as a key partner in ensuring regional stability and security cooperation between the two nations, especially in intelligence and military training, as critical in combating terrorism threats.  – A diplomatic pivot? Despite the government’s initial support for Israel, recent events suggest that Kenya may be reassessing its position. During a UN General Assembly session last month, Kenyan Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale condemned the humanitarian atrocities in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza. This marked a significant departure from Kenya’s position, suggesting that the government may be moving toward a more balanced approach. While the Kenya Foreign Ministry did not respond to multiple Anadolu queries on the subject, analysts see a potential shift as a response to growing international and domestic pressure over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where Israel has killed or wounded more than 140,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless Israeli assault has devastated almost the entire Gaza Strip, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, while it has also imposed a crippling blockade on food, water, medicine and all essentials. “Kenya has always been an ally and friend of Israel, even when many African countries are against it,” said Manyora. However, he emphasized that recent actions such as the government backtracking on its post-Oct. 7 support to Israel reflect “a need to align with broader African sentiment.”

The family of “Good Times” star John Amos is in mourning following his passing. Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed that the 84-year-old actor died of natural causes on August 21. He was best known for his role as James Evans Sr. on “Good Times,” one of television’s first Black two-parent families in the 1970s. His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, noted that many fans regarded him as their “TV father.” Born John Allen Amos Jr. on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, he graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in sociology and played on the school’s football team before turning to acting. Amos’ first significant TV role was as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970 to 1973. His portrayal of the family patriarch on “Good Times” garnered critical acclaim and high ratings. Although he was fired after three seasons, he quickly rebounded by playing an adult Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed miniseries “Roots,” which earned one of its 37 Emmy nominations. Amos claimed to have roots in Liberia and shared that he brought his children to Liberia during their childhood, where they made friends in the country.

Cameroon soccer legend Samuel Eto’o was banned by FIFA on Monday from attending any national team matches for six months. Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation since 2021, faced two charges stemming from an incident during the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia on September 11. FIFA did not disclose specific details about the incident that occurred during Brazil’s 3-1 victory over Cameroon in the round of 16. According to FIFA, Eto’o was found to have violated disciplinary rules related to “offensive behavior, fair play principles, and misconduct towards officials.” The ban prohibits him from attending any men’s or women’s matches involving Cameroon across all categories and age groups. This suspension extends through March, encompassing crucial matches for the men’s national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifying rounds and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Eto’o, 43, represented Cameroon in four World Cups from 1998 to 2014, scoring a record 56 goals for the Indomitable Lions. He was part of two Africa Cup of Nations title-winning teams in 2000 and 2002 and boasts three Champions League titles, including back-to-back wins in 2009 with Barcelona and 2010 with Inter Milan, solidifying his status as one of soccer’s greatest forwards.

The hand-carved domes and brick arches of the Great Mosque of Tinmel had nearly been restored when a powerful earthquake struck Morocco, causing them to collapse and crash to the ground. After almost 900 years, the mosque now lay in ruins—its minaret toppled, prayer hall filled with debris, and outer walls shattered. Yet, despite the devastation, it remained sacred to the residents of Tinmel. Villagers carried the sheet-covered bodies of 15 community members who perished in the quake down the hillside, laying them before the ruined mosque. Historic sites in the High Atlas region have long attracted tourists, but the recent earthquake has highlighted significant disparities in this primarily agricultural area. Poverty and illiteracy rates here exceed the national average, as noted in a government report from October 2023 on the five affected provinces. “The mountainous areas most impacted were already suffering from geographical isolation,” stated the Civil Coalition for the Mountain, a group of Moroccan NGOs, marking the earthquake’s anniversary. “The tragedy exposed structural inequalities stemming from development policies that have overlooked the mountains.” Najia Ait Mohannad, the coalition’s regional coordinator, remarked, “There’s a Morocco in Rabat and Marrakech, but another Morocco exists in the mountains. The immediate priority is rebuilding homes.” The government has promised a comprehensive reconstruction plan that includes strengthening infrastructure and improving public services. Officials vowed to rebuild in a manner that honors the region’s heritage and respects local customs. For the villagers, these efforts could symbolize renewed investment in one of Morocco’s poorest regions and pay tribute to its rich history. Currently, however, the area remains in disrepair, with enchanting ruins supported by wooden scaffolding, while villagers live in plastic tents amidst the remnants of their former homes.

 The Serbian capital of Belgrade held a traditional zombie-themed march Saturday with hundreds filling the streets with colorful costumes. The “zombies” attracted attention with their costumes and make-up. Characters from films such as “Lord of the Rings” and “Silent Hill” were also portrayed. Some of the make-up required six hours of professional work and cosmetics as streets became the scene of a “zombie walk” with colorful costumes. The march is to draw attention to a significant segment of film art that deals with masks, make-up and special effects, according to organizers. The march, held as part of the Serbian Fantasy Film Festival, attracted the attention of children. Proceeds from the march will be used for children receiving cancer treatment.