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MIAMI —The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two systems in the Atlantic, with chances increasing for development into tropical depressions later in the week. The next names in the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will be Odette and Peter. 1. Showers and thunderstorms associated with a low pressure area located a few hundred miles
South Africa is one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa with over 740,000 infections.
The country recorded 60 more virus-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 20,011.
The United States has a long history of working with African countries in many areas. From cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, health to trade, the US is rated highly in many African capitals.
US foreign policy over the last four years has fallen behind fast-changing dynamics in Africa and needs to be quickly rethought by the next administration.
Our journalist Ronald Kato provides quick insights on what US foreign policy might look like in Africa under Joe Biden.
[Nation] Ahead of their crucial 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Wednesday, Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama and goalkeeper Arnold Origi will have their own battle.
Nigerian health authorities said they were battling a suspected outbreak of yellow fever in two southern areas that local media said might have left dozens dead.
[allAfrica] On November 4th, 2020, the United-Kingdom based Public Health Organization Knowledge Action Change, which aimed at promoting health through the concept of harm reduction issued a report entitled: Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction and also organized two discussions about the state of Tobacco Harm Reduction in the world.
Ivory Coast's constitutional council on Monday formally validated President Alassane Ouattara's reelection to a third term after an October 31 ballot that was marred by clashes and an opposition boycott.
Council president Mamadou Kone said in a national broadcast that the body had ratified Ouattara's victory by more than 94 percent of the vote.
\"Considering that Mr. Alassane Ouattara received 3,031,483 votes, thus achieving a score of 94.27%, above the absolute majority required, it is therefore appropriate to proclaim him elected, in the first round, President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, following the ballot of Saturday, October 31, 2020.\" kone said.
The West African nation's opposition leaders are now under investigation for insurrection after they rejected the result and called for a rival transitional government.
Opposition groups say Ouattara violated the constitution, which limits presidents to two terms. Ouattara says the approval of a new constitution in 2016 allows him to restart his mandate.
Clashes in the run-up to the vote and on election day killed around 35 people, officials said, raising concerns about the stability of Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer.
The Southern African country famous for magnificent landscapes and abundant wildlife is taking a phased approach to reopening its borders.
Social media regulations in Africa are not fighting hate speech and disinformation.
BET Announces hosts and nominees for the 2020 show.
THE second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic is already underway. Like the rest of the world, Africa is pinning its hopes on the anticipated imminent approval of a COVID-19 vaccine that could begin mass production by early 2021. The continent’s urgent need for vaccines emanates from a desperately weak health system. The region remains vulnerable to the potential devastation from unmitigated spread. Africa’s timely access to a vaccine will be critical to its ability to limit phase II viral spread and protect the vulnerable while avoiding further lockdown of economies as the primary means of controlling viral transmission within communities. guest column:Lenias Hwenda Africa as a region needs to urgently articulate a plan for securing a vaccine for its most vulnerable populations, and for safely delivering it to African destinations from manufacturing sites outside the continent without the risk of it getting spoilt by temperature fluctuations. Africa cannot effectively deploy a COVID-19 vaccine and run an effective large-scale vaccination campaign without addressing its cold chain infrastructure gap. This is one of the most urgent infrastructure requirements for Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine deployment preparedness. An adequate cold chain infrastructure to effectively deploy a COVID-19 vaccine Nine of 300 candidate vaccines worldwide are in various stages of phase III clinical studies. Three are leading the race — Oxford-AstraZeneca, BioNTech-Pfizer and NIH-Moderna. Outside the West, China has two biotech companies CanSino Biologics and Sinopharm, both with phase III vaccines. Sinopharm is co-developing one of its two vaccines with the multinational Johnson & Johnson, but this trial has become the second to be suspended due to serious complications affecting one of its participants. The Gamaleya Research Institute of Russia also has a vaccine in phase III trials posited in the race to become the first to reach the market. Whichever vaccine wins the race, its delivery anywhere in the world will face many hurdles including the availability of safety data, acceptance and finance. Each of these vaccines will require adequate cold chain facilities to be effectively deployed in vaccination campaigns. Low-middle-income countries (LMICs) will face the challenge of limited access to vaccine brought on by the limited cold chain infrastructure available for effectively deploying and managing large-scale vaccination campaigns of COVID-19 proportions. In particular, Africa has limited cold storage facilities across its airports. This elevates the risk that the COVID-19 vaccine destined to some African destinations could get spoilt by temperature fluctuations en route. Africa’s successful public health campaign against COVID-19 is not a mystery Following a first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken more than one million lives worldwide, the second wave is already underway in Europe and elsewhere. Africa is widely recognised for its successful COVID-19 phase I response. According to the WHO, Africa remains one of the least affected
[Monitor] They were all born in the upcountry, later came to Kampala, saw and conquered. Issa Sekatawa was league top scorer at Jinja-based Nytil FC and twice at Express FC. Mathias Kaweesa did it three times with three different clubs while Frank Kyazze emerged twice while playing for KCCA FC during the eighties. Of the three sharp strikers who charmed you most?
Press Release - The special edition cover of the timeless hit We Are Family, re-recorded by one member of the iconic multi-Gold and Platinum recording music group Sister Sledge, Kim Sledge, presented by Natasha Mudhar, Founder of the global social impact enterprise The World We Want, and supported by the World Health Organization, is now officially available for download worldwide from leading digital music stores such as iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Actor and presenter Marco Spaumer is joining the organisation to help promote human rights.
Mozambique continue their quest to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations when they play Cameroon on Thursday.
For Cameroon, this would be a crucial game if Cameroon were not automatically through as tournament hosts.
Mozambique and Cameroon are the top two in Group F, the pair having four points from their two games. But both sides have issues to deal with.
The Indomitable Lions were only able to summon a reduced squad whilst the visitors have not played an international match of any description for over a year.
Mozambique head coach Luis Goncalves was in a positive frame of mind, ahead of his side's crucial fixture in Cameroon on Thursday. \"I'm feeling well because I'm working with my team, with my boys.\"
The top two sides in Group F of AFCON qualification with four points apiece, the pressure is off Cameroon as they go through automatically as hosts. Goncalves though, is still wary of the Indomitable Lions.
\"Cameroon have very good players. They play in the better leagues in Europe in some of the better clubs.\"
Mozambique will not want any slip-ups with a capable Cape Verde squad in third spot.
As hosts, Cameroon are already guaranteed their spot at the tournament, but are taking part in the group stage and their results do count towards qualification for the other sides.
So, of the three other teams involved in Group F, only one can join Cameroon in the final tournament.
As things stand, Mozambique are in good stead to be that team, leading Group F after two games.
A 2-0 win over Rwanda in their group opener last November was followed by a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde, who will be hoping for a Cameroon win this week.
Cameroon are currently second, two points ahead of Cape Verde and level with Mozambique having also drawn one and won one of their opening matches.
Pfizer says an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, indicating the company is on track later this month to file an emergency use application with U.S. regulators.
\t Monday's announcement doesn't mean a vaccine is imminent: This interim analysis, from an independent data monitoring board, looked at 94 infections recorded so far in a study that has enrolled nearly 44,000 people in the U.S. and five other countries.
\t Pfizer Inc. did not provide any more details about those cases, and cautioned the initial protection rate might change by the time the study ends. Even revealing such early data is highly unusual.
\t ``We're in a position potentially to be able to offer some hope,'' Dr. Bill Gruber, Pfizer's senior vice president of clinical development, told The Associated Press. ``We're very encouraged.''
\t Authorities have stressed it's unlikely any vaccine will arrive much before the end of the year, and limited initial supplies will be rationed.
\t The shots made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are among 10 possible vaccine candidates in late-stage testing around the world _ four of them so far in huge studies in the U.S. Another U.S. company, Moderna Inc., also has said it hopes to be able to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration later this month.
\t Volunteers in the final-stage studies, and the researchers, don't know who received the real vaccine or a dummy shot. But a week after their second required dose, Pfizer's study began counting the number who developed COVID-19 symptoms and were confirmed to have the coronavirus.
\t Because the study hasn't ended, Gruber couldn't say how many in each group had infections. Doing the math, that would mean almost all the infections counted so far had to have occurred in people who got the dummy shots.
\t Pfizer doesn't plan to stop its study until it records 164 infections among all the volunteers, a number that the FDA has agreed is enough to tell how well the vaccine is working. The agency has made clear that any vaccine must be at least 50% effective.
\t No participant so far has become severely ill, Gruber said. Nor could he provide a breakdown of how many of the infections had occurred in older people, who are at highest risk from COVID-19.
Participants were tested only if they developed symptoms, leaving unanswered whether vaccinated people could get infected but show no symptoms and unknowingly spread the virus.
\t FDA has required that U.S. vaccine candidates be studied in at least 30,000 people. In addition to adequate numbers of older adults, those studies must also include other groups at high risk, including minorities and people with chronic health problems.
\t And it told companies they must track half their participants for side effects for at least two months, the time period when problems typically crop up. Pfizer expects to reach that milestone later this month, but said Monday no serious safety concerns have been reported.
\t
[AIM] Maputo -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) needs to mobilise about 20 million US dollars to fight a plague of migratory locusts that is threatening food security in the region.
Bishop Harry Jackson Jr., a Maryland minister who became a national voice for evangelicals and a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, has died. He was 66.
THE island's public health system has been highlighted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for best practices in COVID-19 contact tracing.Speaking at PAHO's weekly press briefing yesterday, Assistant Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa named Jamaica, along with Costa Rica and Argentina, for doing 'particularly well' with this aspect of the prevention and control machinery, against the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Garden Route town was one of the big winners at the World Travel Awards - and it's all thanks to its beaches.
BY HENRY MHARA IN ALGIERS, ALGERIA ALGERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3 ZIMBABWE . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 ZIMBABWE missed a glut of chances and were made to pay by a clinical Algeria in this 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played in an empty Stade 5 Juliet 1962 Olympic last night. This is a match that the Warriors could have easily run away with had they managed to utilise at least half the chances that came their way. They will rue some defensive mistakes that gave away the three goals. France-based striker Tino Kadewere, who arrived in camp on the back of a good scoring form, somehow missed his team’s best chances, twice failing to put the ball at the back of the net. He, however, managed to score a consolation with 15 minutes remaining to the match, but the damage had already been done. Algeria striker Baghdad Bounedjar capitalised on Marvellous Nakamba’s mistake to put the hosts in front in the 31st minute. Eleven minutes later, Sofiane Feghouli added his team’s advantage with a header after some poor marking by the defenders. Superstar Riyad Mahrez sealed the points with a brilliant solo goal as the African champions strengthened their position at the top of Group H with nine points. Zimbabwe remained on second position with four points ahead of their second match against yesterday’s opponents at the National Sports Stadium on Monday. Zambia are on third position with three points, while Botswana anchor the table with one point. The top two teams in the group qualify for the finals in January 2022. Khama Billiat should have put Zimbabwe in front two minutes into the game, but his point blank shot from inside the six-yard box was blocked by the keeper’s legs. Sixteen minutes later, in-form Kadewere headed over after yet another freekick. Algeria’s first real chance came in the 22nd minute when Alec Mudimu needlessly conceded a freekick just outside the box, but the hosts couldn’t capitalise. Algeria got their goal when Nakamba lost possession and Divine Lunga slipped as he tried to recover, only to lose his man Sofiane Feghouli, whose free hit was parried back into play by Chipezeze for Baghdad Bounedjah to tap in the rebound from close range. Buoyed by the goal, Algeria began to control proceedings, and their dominance reflected on the scoresheet when Mahrez crossed for Feghouli to head past the exposed Elvis Chipezeze. Lunga could have done better when he allowed the ball to run past him for Mahrez instead of pushing it out before it reached the winger. As the referee sounded for halftime, Musona, probably incensed by the way the team had given away the goals, called his lads for a quick meeting on the centre circle and could be seen giving them a tongue lashing. Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic made an injury-forced substitution at halftime, bringing in goalkeeper Talbert Shumba after Chipezeze appeared to have injured himself with the last kick off the first half. Kadewere then wasted another good opportunity when he was put through clean early in the second half, but his tame shot was flicked over by
Analysis - With Angola's economy battling, anti-government protests have been brutally subdued. But demonstrators are not backing down, and plan to take to the streets again on Wednesday -- Angola's independence day.
What would have happened if Florida’s handling of the presidential election mirrored that of Pennsylvania? Gov. Ron DeSantis would most likely have pushed his Republican ...
Coronavirus Makes for an Oily Situation
As coronavirus cases peak once again in Europe and the United States, the anticipated continued weakened demand for oil could see global energy producers able to tweak an agreement on production cuts till 202 — as per an announcement on Monday by Saudi Arabia's energy minister. The Covid-19 pandemic — as with most industries worldwide, has also seen the dampening of the price of oi which has affected the key revenue for several oil-producing nations.
Mohammad Barkindo, the OPEC Secretary-General, outlined the current industry situation, \"Yes we have seen, or we are seeing a contraction of nearly 9.8 million barrels a day for 2020, but 2021 forecasts are continuously being revised upwards of 6.5 million barrels a day at the moment. And you have seen the reaction of the market after the U.S. elections, so there is no cause for alarm.”
The OPEC+ agreement aimed to ease those cuts to 7.7 million barrels per day through the end of the year and to almost 6 million barrels a day for 16 months beginning in January 2021.
And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic?
Sultan al-Jaber, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, remains positive about the post-covid-19 possibilities, \"We know that the world will still need oil and gas when all of this is over with and done, even at the height of the lockdowns of March and April the world still consumed 75 million barrels of oil per day.\" The OPEC+ countries — whose African member states include Libya (1962), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Gabon (1975), Angola (2007), Equatorial Guinea (2017) and Congo (2018), are scheduled to reconvene November 17th.
[African Arguments] The government may be calling the UN's bluff, but while it engages in this high stakes contest, many ordinary people are fed up.
