Category Archives: World

Liberia launches national workshop to tackle maternal, newborn deaths

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The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Liberia has launched a three-day national consultative workshop aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths across the country.

Organized in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development agencies, the workshop—taking place from November 10 to 13, 2025, in Monrovia—brings together County Health Teams from all 15 counties, alongside representatives from UN bodies, NGOs, civil society groups, professional associations, and frontline health workers.

Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto said the initiative forms part of the government’s renewed commitment to ensure that “every mother survives childbirth and every child survives delivery.”

“We must act with urgency,” Dr. Kpoto stressed. “Understanding the data helps us confront the realities and design evidence-based solutions.”

Read Also: South Sudan launches climate-resilient schools programme to support over 200,000 children

She highlighted recent improvements in staffing and service delivery, attributing them to enhanced support systems and stronger partnerships. The minister also commended President Joseph N. Boakai and Liberia’s development partners for their continued investment in the health sector.

Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Deputy Representative Leonard Kamugisha urged faster progress toward Liberia’s target of a 40% reduction in maternal deaths by 2029, calling for “high-impact interventions, stronger domestic funding, and cross-sector collaboration.”

Kamugisha expressed concern over the 2026 draft national budget, which allocates only US$40,000 for family planning and US$30,000 for maternal and child health programmes, appealing to lawmakers to increase funding.

“This roadmap should not be just another document,” he emphasized. “It must be a covenant with Liberia’s women and girls, that every mother matters and every birth counts.”

Dr. Nuntia Gbalon, Director of the MOH’s Family Health Division, urged participants to hold open discussions to ensure the new roadmap aligns with the realities of Liberia’s healthcare system at both national and community levels.

Representatives from professional bodies, UN agencies, and NGOs pledged continued support through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building to help cut maternal and newborn deaths nationwide.

Xi Jinping congratulates Paul Biya on re-election, pledges to strengthen China-Cameroon ties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Paul Biya following his re-election as President of the Republic of Cameroon.

In the message, Xi highlighted the long-standing friendship between China and Cameroon, noting that both countries have deepened political trust, achieved significant cooperation across multiple sectors, and supported each other on matters concerning their core interests.

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Xi Jinping also pointed out that 2026 will mark the 55th anniversary of China-Cameroon diplomatic relations, presenting new opportunities to further strengthen bilateral ties.

The Chinese President reaffirmed his commitment to work with Paul Biya to implement outcomes from the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), aiming to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations for the benefit of both peoples.

South Sudan launches climate-resilient schools programme to support over 200,000 children

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A new climate resilience schools programme in South Sudan will provide education to more than 200,000 children affected by floods, droughts, and heatwaves, Save the Children announced.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the US$17 million “BRACE” (Building the Climate Resilience of Children and Communities through the Education Sector) pilot project aims to strengthen climate resilience across South Sudan’s education system. The programme will help rebuild schools, reform education policies, and train students and teachers to safeguard learning amid intensifying climate disasters.

Half of the children directly benefiting from the project are girls. The initiative also forms part of a broader global effort, initially targeting South Sudan, Cambodia, and Tonga, to protect children’s education from climate-related disruptions.

South Sudan is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Since 2022, more than 1 million people across six states have been affected by flooding, including 355,000 displaced, primarily in Jonglei and Unity states. Back-to-back heatwaves have also forced schools to close for extended periods, leaving children out of school.

The BRACE programme will improve school infrastructure with solar panels, water harvesting, ventilation systems, and sanitation facilities to ensure learning continues despite climate challenges.

“As we launch this project, we are reviewing our education curricula and practices. We must put children at the centre, and teacher training will equip educators to deliver climate-responsive education,” said H.E. Josephine Lagu, Vice President of South Sudan.

Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education and Instruction, expressed gratitude to funding partners, emphasizing that their support is an investment in stability and opportunity for South Sudanese children.

“We pledge to ensure that every child, no matter the climate challenges they face, enjoys access to quality education,” he said.

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Deputy Speaker of the Child Council, Hon. Agot Alier, said the project would empower children to become future leaders.

“If resilience is about bouncing back, then let’s make sure every child has a reason to rise,” she said.

Chris Nyamandi, Country Director for Save the Children in South Sudan, highlighted the urgency of protecting education amid recurrent climate disasters.

“Education is not only about learning, but also survival. Through this project, we are helping children learn, adapt, and lead in a changing climate,” he said.

UNESCO, through its International Institute for Educational Planning, will also support the BRACE initiative to strengthen policy, planning, and curricula, ensuring children can continue learning despite climate challenges.

Globally, climate events disrupt schooling for about 40 million children annually, a figure expected to rise as extreme weather becomes more frequent. By 2050, climate change could displace more than 143 million people, further affecting children’s education and wellbeing.

Save the Children has worked in South Sudan since 1991, providing education, healthcare, nutrition, and livelihoods support to children and families affected by conflict and climate crises.

AU expresses concern over deteriorating security in Mali

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has expressed deep concern over the rapidly worsening security situation in Mali, where terrorist groups have imposed blockades, disrupted access to essential supplies, and severely affected humanitarian conditions for civilians.

In a statement, the Chairperson condemned the deliberate attacks on innocent civilians, which have caused significant loss of life and increased instability across the region.

He reaffirmed solidarity with the Government and people of Mali, as well as the families of the victims, emphasizing the African Union’s continued commitment to peace, security, and development in the Sahel.

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The statement also strongly condemned recent kidnappings, including the abduction of three Egyptian nationals, calling for their immediate and unconditional release. Such acts were described as serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

H.E. Youssouf called for a coordinated international response to combat terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel, urging enhanced cooperation, intelligence sharing, and sustained support for affected states, in line with the Communiqué of the 1304th African Union ministerial meeting held on 30 September 2025.

The Chairperson concluded by reaffirming the African Union’s readiness to support Mali and other Sahel countries during this challenging period, providing assistance to strengthen their efforts toward peace and stability.

South Africa, UN FAO partner on STI roadmap to transform agrifood systems

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The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to develop a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Roadmap for Agriculture — a key initiative aimed at strengthening South Africa’s agrifood systems through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

The roadmap seeks to enhance institutional coordination, promote technological advancement, and accelerate the transformation of agriculture into a more resilient and equitable sector aligned with South Africa’s national development goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

While agriculture remains one of the country’s most resilient sectors, it continues to face challenges such as climate change, high input costs, energy instability, market barriers, and rural poverty. The new roadmap will tackle these issues by driving innovation in high-value crops, livestock, and agro-processing, as well as creating opportunities for women and youth, strengthening value chains, and improving food and nutrition security through sustainable technologies.

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Anchored in South Africa’s STI Decadal Plan (2022–2032) and FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031, the initiative advances the “Four Betters” — better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life — while contributing directly to SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action).

The roadmap will also complement existing national strategies such as the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, the Forestry Sector Master Plan, and the Aquaculture Research and Technology Development Strategy, ensuring synergy across government, academia, and industry.

To guide implementation, a steering committee comprising directors-general from key departments will be established, supported by an advisory group representing academia, industry, and implementing agencies. The project, which formally began with an inception meeting in September 2025, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

Through this collaboration, South Africa and FAO reaffirm their shared commitment to using science, technology, and innovation as catalysts for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agrifood systems — ensuring that no one is left behind.

TİKA equips physiotherapy classroom for visually impaired students in Tunisia

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The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated and equipped the Physiotherapy Department for Visually Impaired Students at the Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Tunis (ESSTST), part of the University of El Manar in Tunisia’s capital.

The project marks a major upgrade for the first academic unit of its kind in Africa, transforming the classroom into a fully accessible and modern training environment for visually impaired students. The new setup includes human skeleton and muscular system models, posture analysis tools, exercise bands and straps, physiotherapy tables, electrotherapy and hot-cold therapy devices, as well as Braille reading and writing equipment.

Established in 1965, ESSTST remains one of Tunisia’s premier public health institutions, producing skilled healthcare professionals across the continent. Since its inception, the department has graduated 743 visually impaired students from Tunisia, other African countries, and the Middle East.

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With the new equipment, about 50 students will now receive hands-on physiotherapy training annually, enhancing their professional skills and employment prospects. The initiative also reinforces Tunisia’s efforts to promote equal opportunities and the social inclusion of visually impaired youth.

TİKA’s support aligns with its broader mission to promote inclusive education, youth empowerment, and local development in Tunisia through targeted capacity-building and educational projects.

40 Cities with poorest quality of life

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A new Numbeo 2024 mid-year report has ranked cities around the world with the lowest quality of life, citing factors such as high pollution, poor healthcare, low safety, long commute times, weak purchasing power, unaffordable housing, and extreme weather conditions.

According to the report, Lagos, Nigeria tops the global list, followed by Tehran (Iran), Manila (Philippines), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Colombo (Sri Lanka) rounding out the top five.

The ranking underscores the ongoing urban challenges faced by rapidly growing cities in developing economies, where infrastructure, healthcare, and environmental standards continue to lag behind population growth.

Below is the full list of the Top 40 cities with the poorest living conditions:

1.            Lagos, Nigeria

2.            Tehran, Iran

3.            Manila, Philippines

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4.            Dhaka, Bangladesh

5.            Colombo, Sri Lanka

6.            Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

7.            Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

8.            Beirut, Lebanon

9.            Cairo, Egypt

10.          Kathmandu, Nepal

11.          São Paulo, Brazil

12.          Lima, Peru

13.          Karachi, Pakistan

14.          Jakarta, Indonesia

15.          Bangkok, Thailand

16.          Mexico City, Mexico

17.          Bogotá, Colombia

18.          Mumbai, India

19.          Novosibirsk, Russia

20.          Almaty, Kazakhstan

21.          Tirana, Albania

22.          Yekaterinburg, Russia

23.          Nairobi, Kenya

24.          Lahore, Pakistan

25.          Hanoi, Vietnam

26.          Santiago, Chile

27.          Kyiv, Ukraine

28.          Buenos Aires, Argentina

29.          Kolkata, India

30.          Skopje, North Macedonia

31.          Odesa, Ukraine

32.          Istanbul, Turkey

33.          Baku, Azerbaijan

34.          Belo Horizonte, Brazil

35.          Belgrade, Serbia

36.          Shanghai, China

37.          Thessaloniki, Greece

38.          Saint Petersburg, Russia

39.          Delhi, India

40.          Quito, Ecuador

Digital Platforms Turn Dangerous: How online exploitation is targeting women in Kenya

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In Kenya, the internet has become both a lifeline and a landmine for women and girls. As digital access expands, so too has a darker trend — the rise of online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA). A new wave of research by Equality Now and KICTANet exposes how digital tools, once meant for connection and opportunity, are being weaponised by predators to recruit, groom, and abuse women across the country.

The report, Experiencing Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Kenya: Survivor Narratives and Legal Responses, draws on testimonies from twenty survivors, uncovering deeply personal accounts of trauma and a justice system struggling to keep pace with technology-driven crime. Partner organisations HAART Kenya, Life Bloom Services International, and Trace Kenya helped document the experiences, revealing how social media, encrypted apps, and mobile money platforms have become powerful tools in the hands of abusers.

Technology Turned Against Women

From Facebook and TikTok to WhatsApp and dating sites, digital spaces are increasingly used to lure women with false promises of jobs, love, or financial help. The reports show how perpetrators exploit vulnerabilities — particularly economic hardship — to manipulate and trap their victims. Mobile payment systems like M-Pesa are even used to send small sums to gain trust before the abuse begins.

One survivor recounted being trafficked after responding to a job offer in Malaysia. Once there, she was sexually assaulted and threatened into silence. “I only reported when I returned to Kenya,” she said, “but the police asked for proof of the rape or DNA evidence, which I didn’t have.” Her story mirrors that of many others who face disbelief, humiliation, or requests for bribes when they seek justice.

A System That Fails Survivors

For victims like Ivy* — a schoolgirl deceived by a man she met online — the trauma doesn’t end with the abuse. “The police told me to pay KSh 8,000 if I wanted them to track the two men,” she recalled. “I’d already lost so much. The system that was supposed to help me felt like another betrayal.”

Such stories reflect systemic failures across Kenya’s justice system. Survivors are often shamed, pressured by families to drop cases, or face dismissive law enforcement officers. Weak enforcement, limited digital forensic capacity, and corruption further erode trust, leaving many perpetrators unpunished. In court, adversarial proceedings and repeated retelling of traumatic events re-victimize women seeking redress.

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Legal Gaps and the Need for Reform

Kenya has made legislative strides with the Sexual Offences Act (2006), Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act (2010), and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018, amended in 2024). Yet, the reports note that the laws remain fragmented and outdated in addressing new forms of digital abuse such as deepfakes, livestreamed assaults, and image-based sexual exploitation. Enforcement also lags behind, with many police and judicial officers lacking training in handling OSEA cases or collecting digital evidence.

Experts and advocacy groups are calling for urgent reforms — including trauma-informed, survivor-centred justice processes; better inter-agency coordination; and stronger accountability from tech companies hosting harmful content. Kenya’s recent cybercrime law amendments are seen as a step forward but must be implemented with care to protect human rights and prevent censorship.

A Call for Action

Equality Now’s accompanying policy brief, Not Just Online: Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Across Digital and Physical Realities, highlights the need for stronger protection mechanisms and regional cooperation. Advocates urge Kenya to ratify the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection to improve cross-border evidence sharing and platform accountability.

For many survivors, hope lies in a justice system that listens and acts. Until then, the internet remains a double-edged sword — one that can connect, empower, or destroy, depending on how society chooses to respond.

Dakar 2026 unveils “Ayo” as mascot ahead of Youth Olympic Games

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The Organising Committee of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has unveiled “Ayo”, a young lion symbolising the energy and joy of Senegalese youth, as the official mascot of the Games. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Grand Théâtre in Dakar to mark exactly one year to the first Olympic event ever to be held on African soil.

The name Ayo means “joy” in Yoruba—a language widely spoken across West Africa—and reflects the Games’ themes of celebration, unity, and youthful enthusiasm. The mascot wears a traditional Fulani Tingandé hat, representing wisdom, dignity, and a deep connection to rural life. Ayo embodies the values of Dakar 2026, highlighting Senegal’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to youth empowerment.

The ceremony was attended by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, and Mamadou D. Ndiaye, President of both the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the Senegalese Olympic Committee.

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Speaking at the event, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said:

“These Games represent so much for Africa; they will inspire the next generation and open doors of opportunity across our continent and beyond. Mascot Ayo carries a powerful message of joy and breaks many boundaries—a true symbol of how young and dynamic our continent is.”

The mascot was chosen through a nationwide competition organised by the Dakar 2026 Committee in collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of National Education. Open to middle and secondary school students, the competition attracted more than 500 entries from all 16 academic regions, encouraging creativity and engagement among young Senegalese in the build-up to the historic Games.

As part of the “One Year to Go” celebrations, the official countdown clock will be unveiled later today at 6:30 p.m. local time in central Dakar by Worldwide Olympic Partner OMEGA.

Festivities will continue from November 4 to 9 with the fourth edition of “Dakar en Jeux”, a cultural and sports festival featuring community events across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. The festival will showcase local music, art, and sports activities while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, featuring 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 competing across three host cities—Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

Sandton City’s Diamond Walk redefines luxury shopping in Africa

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Sandton City’s Diamond Walk in Johannesburg has solidified its reputation as Africa’s premier luxury shopping destination, attracting thousands of visitors from across the continent and beyond each year.

Located in the heart of Sandton’s financial district, the Diamond Walk offers a world-class retail experience, housing some of the most prestigious global fashion, jewelry, and accessory brands typically found in cities like London, Paris, or Dubai. Shoppers can find flagship boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Bvlgari, Versace, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo, Balmain, Zegna, and Ferragamo — all under one roof.

Beyond its opulent lineup, the Diamond Walk delivers a personalized shopping experience with in-store styling, bespoke tailoring, and customization services. The district also features luxury watchmakers like Patek Philippe and Breitling, alongside local designer MaXhosa, and international names such as Mont Blanc and Coach, with Kate Spade and Rolex expected to open soon.

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Sandton City, home to more than 377 retailers, blends fashion, fine dining, and lifestyle attractions. The mall’s chandelier-lit walkways, eco-conscious food district, and family-oriented entertainment spaces make it one of the continent’s most visited retail landmarks.

Renowned as Africa’s first Green Star-rated super-regional shopping centre, Sandton City is recognized for its environmentally sustainable operations and continues to receive accolades as South Africa’s best shopping mall.

The centre is co-owned by Liberty (a Standard Bank Group subsidiary) and Pareto Limited, managed by Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) and Excellerate JHI Retail.