Author: Kudret

Ten people, including a two-year-old girl, died in a tragic road accident in South Africa’s Free State province early Wednesday. Several others were injured when a bus and a truck collided on the N6 highway. Police reported that the crash happened around 4:20 a.m. between Reddersburg and Smithfield. A bus carrying 35 passengers crashed into an oncoming truck. The impact was described as a sideswipe head-on collision. All ten victims died at the scene. They included six women, three men, and a young child. Both the truck and bus drivers survived. Emergency teams rushed five critically injured passengers to hospitals…

In the city of Bukavu, recently taken over by Rwanda-backed fighters, the Muslim community is observing a subdued Ramadan. Security concerns have forced many to pray at home and break their fast in smaller groups. The usual communal spirit of the holy month has been overshadowed by uncertainty and fear. The M23 rebel group captured Bukavu, located in South Kivu province, in mid-February after a rapid offensive. The group, which re-emerged in 2021, has worsened instability in a region already struggling with decades of conflict. Ramadan in Uncertain Times Bukavu has around one million residents, including 15,000 Muslim families. They…

Snow Lake Resources, a uranium exploration company, will start the second phase of drilling at its Engo Valley Uranium Project in Namibia by mid-March 2025. The company plans to drill 7,500 meters using reverse circulation and diamond drilling. The focus will be on the Main Uranium Occurrence and D1 prospects. The project builds on the success of the 2024 exploration campaign, which confirmed uranium mineralization at both sites. The results from this phase will support the company’s first mineral resource estimate, expected in the second half of 2025. Frank Wheatley, CEO of Snow Lake Resources, highlighted the project’s role in…

Libyan authorities intercepted 349 migrants in the past week as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday. The group included 21 women and six children. They were returned to Libya, where many migrants face poor conditions in detention centers. Since the start of the year, authorities have intercepted 4,204 migrants on the Central Mediterranean route. At least 80 people have died during the journey, but the real number could be higher due to unreported shipwrecks. Libya remains a major departure point for migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa. Many seek to reach Europe,…

Ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has severely impacted education. More than 2,500 schools have been damaged or occupied, affecting over one million students, a senior official said Tuesday. Raissa Malu, the state minister for national education, stated that the conflict in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces had left many schools unusable. Some have become shelters for displaced families, while others have been repurposed for non-educational activities. “We regret to report that one school was allegedly used as a cemetery,” Malu said. “In other cases, blackboards were destroyed, benches were burned for firewood, and even…

Zambian health authorities have vaccinated 672,100 people in three districts to control a cholera outbreak. The government launched the campaign to curb rising infections in high-risk areas. Health Minister Elijah Muchima announced that vaccinations took place in Chililabombwe, Kitwe, and Nakonde. These districts have seen a surge in cases, prompting urgent action. “Vaccination has played a key role in reducing new cases and lowering the severity of infections,” Muchima said during a press briefing. He added that immunization, along with sanitation efforts, is critical in controlling the outbreak. So far, health workers have administered 133,525 doses in Chililabombwe, 200,878 in…

Uganda is battling an Ebola outbreak, prompting the United Nations to launch an urgent appeal for $11.2 million. The outbreak has already claimed two lives, and the country’s health system is struggling due to funding cuts after a reduction in U.S. foreign aid. The outbreak was declared in January in the capital, Kampala. A male nurse at Uganda’s national referral hospital was the first victim. Last week, a four-year-old child also died, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 10. According to Uganda’s health ministry, all cases are linked to the Sudan strain of Ebola, which has no approved…

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger trade ties. Through the second phase of the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP), both nations aim to enhance Nigeria’s export quality and align with global standards. Launched in June 2024 during the African Organisation for Standards (ARSO) General Assembly in Abuja, SPP Phase II is backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The initiative focuses on removing trade barriers, improving regulations, and ensuring Nigerian products meet international standards. The British Standards Institution (BSI) is implementing the programme alongside Nigeria’s National Quality Council (NQC). The goal is to…

Giyani Metals Corp. has successfully produced its first batch of high-purity manganese oxide (HPMO) from the K.Hill project in Botswana. This development marks a significant step in strengthening Africa’s role in the global battery materials supply chain. The material, processed at the company’s demonstration plant in Johannesburg, serves as a key precursor for high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate (HPMSM), a vital component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems. Giyani has confirmed that samples will be shipped to potential buyers later this month. Following the announcement, the company’s stock rose by 6.25/percent on Monday in Toronto,…

Botswana’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, has called for more investment in biodiversity conservation. Speaking on World Wildlife Day, observed annually on March 3, he warned that a lack of funding threatens both economic stability and environmental sustainability. He stressed that nature is the foundation of sustainable development and urged governments and stakeholders to work together in securing long-term conservation funds. Mmolotsi highlighted Botswana’s strong commitment to wildlife protection. He credited the country’s success to well-structured policies, strict laws, and effective management strategies. However, he noted that these efforts rely on financial support from the government and conservation…

M23 rebels have kidnapped at least 130 sick and wounded patients from two hospitals in Goma, escalating tensions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations reported on Monday. The attacks took place on February 28 at CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital. According to UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, the rebels took 116 and 15 patients, respectively. Many of those abducted were suspected to be Congolese soldiers or members of Wazalendo, a local pro-government militia. “It is deeply alarming that M23 is forcibly removing patients from hospital beds in coordinated raids and detaining them…

Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, met with Italy’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, on Monday. The visit aimed to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. During their discussions, senior officials from both sides joined an expanded working session. They focused on enhancing cooperation in politics, trade, and humanitarian efforts. Both ministers praised the strong partnership and emphasized the need for regular high-level meetings. The talks also addressed regional and international issues. Key topics included security challenges in the Mediterranean, the Sahel, and the Middle East. Both leaders exchanged views on…

Egypt has signed a €90 million ($93.9 million) funding deal with the European Commission to strengthen food security and improve grain storage, the Ministry of International Cooperation announced on Monday. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing the funds to modernize Egypt’s wheat supply chain. This initiative is part of the Food Resilience Project, which has received €210 million ($219.3 million) from the European Union and the World Bank. The goal is to reduce post-harvest losses, improve logistics, and ensure a stable wheat supply. The funding will help the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) import and store wheat more…

More than 7,000 Mozambicans who sought refuge in Malawi have begun their journey home. They had fled from Morrumbala in Zambézia, as well as Mutarara and Dôa in Tete, after violent protests destroyed public and private property. Mozambican authorities, in coordination with Malawian officials and humanitarian organizations, are overseeing the process. The repatriation, expected to be completed by Sunday, aims to help families rebuild their lives. The evacuation was initially set for Thursday but was delayed due to rising water levels in the Shire River. The strong currents made navigation unsafe between Malawi and Mozambique. Now that conditions have improved,…

South Africa’s agricultural exports grew by 3/percent in 2024, reaching a record $13.7 billion. The increase was mainly driven by strong global demand for citrus fruits and grapes, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz). Africa remained the country’s biggest market, receiving 44/percent of total agricultural exports. Asia and the Middle East followed with 21/percent, while the European Union accounted for 19/percent. The United States imported 4/percent of South Africa’s produce, the report showed. However, agricultural imports also rose by 8/percent to $7.6 billion. This was due to higher global prices for essential commodities like wheat, palm…

A head-on collision between a minibus and a truck left 13 people dead and two others injured early Monday on the Western Desert Road near Al-Ghanayem centre in Assiut governorate. Local authorities reported that the truck was driving in the wrong direction when it crashed into the minibus, which was traveling from Aswan to Cairo. The impact severely damaged both vehicles, trapping several passengers inside. Emergency responders arrived quickly, working to rescue survivors and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. The bodies of the deceased were taken to local morgues for identification. Cranes and heavy machinery cleared the wreckage to…