Morocco: Harnessing forgotten crops to combat global hunger and climate change
In the face of climate change and its severe impact on global food security, innovative solutions are emerging from the African continent.
One such beacon of hope is Phenoma, a phenotyping platform at Mohamed VI University in Benguérir, Morocco. Here, researchers are dedicated to genetically improving various seeds to withstand extreme temperature variations while retaining their nutritional value.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/15/morocco-harnessing-forgotten-crops-to-combat-global-hunger-and-climate-change/
Fish stocks dwindle in Lake Victoria amid high demand from Asia
The shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu City bustle with fishermen selling their catch.
There's been a surge of demand for one particular fish - Nile perch.
These will fetch high prices at the market here.
But it's not the flesh that buyers are after - it's their swim bladders, dubbed "mondo" or "maw".
These vital organs, essential for buoyancy, are predominantly found in mudfish and Nile Perch.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/15/fish-stocks-dwindle-in-lake-victoria-amid-high-demand-from-asia/
Ramaphosa says he will 'serve all' after being reelected as South Africa president for second term
Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to work with politicians across the political spectrum after being reelected as President of South Africa by lawmakers on Friday.
“I will serve all and work with even those who did not support me,” Ramaphosa told the National Assembly in Cape Town.
His reelection comes after his African National Congress party struck a dramatic late coalition deal with the main opposition party and others to allow him to clinch a second term in office.
Ramaphosa won convincingly in a Parliamentary vote against a surprise candidate - Julius Malema, the leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/15/ramaphosa-says-he-will-serve-all-after-being-reelected-as-south-africa-president-for-secon/
South Africa's ANC faces power sharing test
The leader of South Africa’s second biggest party said on Friday it will back Cyril Ramaphosa for president, almost guaranteeing he will be reelected in Parliament for a second term.
John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance, the second biggest party, said there was now a signed agreement with the ANC to co-govern Africa's most industrialized country.
The agreement, which Steenhuisen said involved DA lawmakers backing Ramaphosa for a second term, came ahead of when lawmakers were expected to elect a president later in the session.
The ANC and the DA together hold a majority of seats in the 400-member Parliament to ensure Ramaphosa is reelected.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/14/south-africas-anc-faces-power-sharing-test/
Security Council resolution demands RSF end siege on Sudan's El Fasher
The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution Thursday demanding that Sudan’s paramilitary force immediately halt its siege of the only capital in the vast western region of Darfur that it doesn’t control and where more than a million people are reportedly trapped.
The British-sponsored resolution, which was approved by a vote of 14-0 with Russia abstaining, also calls on the paramilitary Rapid Support Force and Sudanese military “to seek an immediate cessation of hostilities” leading to an end to their more than year-long war.
It expresses “grave concern” at the spreading violence and credible reports that the Rapid Support Forces are carrying out “ethnically motivated violence” in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, as well as last year in El Geneina in West Darfur.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/14/security-council-resolution-demands-rsf-end-siege-on-sudans-el-fasher/
Niger lifts immunity of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum
Niger’s highest court lifted the immunity of the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, nearly a year after he was overthrown by mutinous soldiers, his lawyer said Friday, opening the door for the army junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason.
Bazoum and his family have been under house arrest since a military coup that overthrew his rule last summer. The junta authorities said they planned to prosecute him for “high treason” and for undermining national security, and earlier this year initiated legal proceedings to lift his immunity in a newly created State Court, which became the country’s highest judicial authority.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/14/niger-lifts-immunity-of-deposed-president-mohamed-bazoum/
Nigeria secures $2.25B World Bank loan to back reforms despite hardship
The World Bank has approved a $2.25 billion loan for Nigeria to shore up revenue and support economic reforms that have contributed to the worst cost-of-living crisis in the country.
The bank said in a statement late Thursday that the bulk of the $1.5 billion loan will help protect millions who have faced growing poverty since a year ago when President Bola Tinubu came to power and took drastic steps to fix the country's ailing economy.
The remaining $750 million, the bank said, will support tax reforms and revenue and safeguard oil revenues threatened with limited production caused by chronic theft.
President Tinubu's economic reforms — including ending decadeslong but costly fuel subsidies and unifying the multiple exchange rates — have resulted in surging inflation that is at a 28-year high.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/14/nigeria-secures-225b-world-bank-loan-to-back-reforms-despite-hardship/
Gazans unable to travel for Hajj pilgrimage due to Israel's war
This year’s Hajj pilgrimage came against the backdrop of the raging war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The war has pushed the entire Middle East to the brink of a regional war between Israel and its allies on one side and Iran-backed militant groups on the other.
Palestinians in the coastal enclave of Gaza were not able to travel to Mecca for Hajj this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to the strip’s southern city on the border with Egypt.
“We are deprived of (performing) Hajj because the crossing is closed, and because of the raging wars and destruction,” said Amna Abu Mutlaq, a 75-year-old Palestinian woman from Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis who had planned to perform Hajj this year. “They (Israel) deprived us from everything.”
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/14/gazans-unable-to-travel-for-hajj-pilgrimage-due-to-israels-war/
G7: Leaders hold session on investments in Africa
The G7 summit opened Thursday (Jun. 13) in Italy. A session focused on investments and infrastructures projects in Africa.
The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) program was high on the agenda.
Projects include a rail corridor that will connect southern and central Africa.
The project will also bring telecommunication cables and other infrastructure to the region.
The infrastructure investments are meant to serve as an alternative to China’s development efforts, which the U.S. and its allies seek to contain.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/14/g7-leaders-hold-session-on-investments-in-africa/
WHO says Gaza experiencing 'catastrophic' hunger levels
Gazans are now facing "catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions," the head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
"Despite reports of increased delivery of food, there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"Over 8,000 children under five years old have been diagnosed and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 children with severe acute malnutrition. However, due to insecurity and lack of access, only two stabilization centers for severely malnourished patients can operate."
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/13/who-says-gaza-experiencing-catastrophic-hunger-levels/
