Countries trying to thrash out a global agreement on handling future pandemics are hoping to seal the deal Friday after weeks of creeping progress in exhausting talks.Having ploughed past several previous deadlines, the hard stop of next week’s annual gathering of the World Health Organization’s 194 member states is now in clear sight.Scarred by the …

Pandemic agreement talks come to the crunchFri, 24 May 2024 11:21:28 GMT Read More »

Propagandists and scammers are exploiting xenophobia and anger over failing infrastructure to unleash a wave of disinformation ahead of South Africa’s most contested polls since 1994, experts warn.The ruling African National Congress (ANC) risks losing its outright majority in the May 29 ballot amid soaring unemployment, rising xenophobia, prolonged power blackouts and allegations of endemic …

Migration, infrastructure woes fuel S.Africa poll disinformationFri, 24 May 2024 10:10:01 GMT Read More »

Caleb Weiss sits on the edge of an open-doored helicopter above the dense rainforest in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo.Tensions rise among the crew as the aircraft flies low over the impenetrable canopy, within gunshot range of a fierce rebel group that has been conducting fatal attacks on villages in the area …

Texan outfit seeks to combat DR Congo rebels with leaflets, rewardFri, 24 May 2024 09:35:44 GMT Read More »

Five facts before second leg of CAF Champions League final in Cairo on Saturday, with Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia level on aggregate after goalless first leg. Ahly are seeking back-to-back titles a record-extending fourth time after victories in the 2005 and 2006, 2012 and 2013 and 2020 and 2021 seasons. Esperance achieved …

CAF Champions League final: Five Ahly v Esperance factsFri, 24 May 2024 06:31:57 GMT Read More »

The El Nino weather pattern did not have “any influence” on widespread flooding that killed hundreds in East Africa this year, an expert group of scientists said Friday.Torrential rainfall in Kenya, Tanzania and neighbouring nations killed more than 500 people, displacing hundreds of thousands as the deluge swept away homes and swamped roads during the …

El Nino not responsible for East Africa floods: scientistsFri, 24 May 2024 05:36:10 GMT Read More »

CAF Champions League finalists Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia boast amazing defensive records ahead of the second leg in Cairo on Saturday, with goalkeepers Mostafa Shobeir and Amanallah Memmiche the unexpected stars.Shobeir has not conceded in eight Ahly appearances, including the 0-0 draw in the first leg of the title decider last …

Ahly, Esperance boast surprise stars ahead of final showdownFri, 24 May 2024 04:47:39 GMT Read More »

The top United Nations court on Friday will rule on a plea by South Africa to order a halt to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, with Pretoria accusing Israel of “genocide”.Pretoria has urged the International Court of Justice to order an “immediate” stop to Israel’s campaign, including in the southern area of Rafah, and …

Top UN court to rule on S. Africa Gaza ceasefire bidFri, 24 May 2024 04:36:42 GMT Read More »

The world cannot look to UN peacekeepers as a way of stopping wars, whether in Gaza or other active conflict zones, the department chief told AFP, citing the famous Blue Helmets’ inherent limitations.A mission in the occupied Palestinian territories, for example, is only “very, very, very hypothetical,” Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said.The …

Don’t expect UN peacekeepers to stop wars, chief tells AFPFri, 24 May 2024 02:59:41 GMT Read More »

A diplomatic upgrade and a surprise appearance by Barack Obama: US President Joe Biden pulled out the stops as he hosted Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for a lavish state visit aimed at competing with Russia and China for influence in Africa.At a gala dinner in a large pavilion set up on the White House lawn, …

Biden woos Kenya’s Ruto with major ally status on state visitFri, 24 May 2024 02:41:22 GMT Read More »

South African parties are gearing up for a final boisterous weekend of stadium rallies ahead of what is expected to be the most tightly contested general election in decades.The African National Congress of President Cyril Ramaphosa, 71, plans to fill a 90,000-seat Johannesburg stadium with yellow-clad supporters Saturday, in a bid to reclaim lost support …

S. African vote rivals stage last rallies with ANC majority in balanceFri, 24 May 2024 02:17:14 GMT Read More »