Author: WAJ Editor

A new study has revealed that climate change is severely impacting adolescent mental health in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions, southern Madagascar. Researchers found that young people in rural areas are experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, and climate-related distress, with many expressing a sense of hopelessness about the future. The study, published in the Journal of Climate Change and Health, gathered data from 83 adolescents and focus groups with 48 participants across six rural villages. Many reported feeling powerless due to food insecurity, loss of resources, and uncertainty about their future. Some shared harrowing accounts of starvation and extreme…

Libya and Indonesia are strengthening their tourism and business relations with a new initiative focused on halal-friendly travel. The Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli announced the collaboration following a meeting hosted by Chargé d’Affaires Dede Achmad Rifai with ten leading Libyan travel agents near the historic Marcus Aurelius Monument. During the gathering, Indonesia’s top tourist destinations were showcased, and the upcoming Bali & Beyond Travel Fair 2025 (BBTF)—set for June 11-15—was introduced as a key platform for tourism promotion, business partnerships, and cultural exchange. The embassy encouraged Libyan participation, highlighting opportunities for collaboration. Beyond Bali, Indonesia is also inviting Libyan entrepreneurs…

A South African court has ordered a decade-long ban on commercial fishing around key breeding colonies of the African penguin, a species facing extinction due to dwindling food supplies. The Pretoria High Court ruling prohibits sardine and anchovy fishing in waters surrounding six critical breeding sites, including Robben Island—best known as the former prison site of Nelson Mandela—Dassen Island, and the Stony Point nature reserve. Conservation Victory Bird conservation groups, including BirdLife South Africa, hailed the decision as a major step in preventing the collapse of the species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the African penguin…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that eight countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Lesotho, could soon face severe shortages of HIV medication following the US government’s decision to pause foreign aid. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that disruptions to HIV treatment programs could reverse two decades of progress, potentially leading to over 10 million new HIV infections and three million related deaths—more than triple last year’s toll. The affected nations—Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali, along with Haiti and Ukraine—are at risk of running out of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the coming months. Impact…

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has regained control of his verified X account after it was hacked for 48 hours and used to promote a fake cryptocurrency scheme, his spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. The breach, which began on Saturday, became evident on Sunday when the compromised account began promoting “Solanafrica,” a fake blockchain project attributed to Mahama. The hackers claimed that the initiative, allegedly led by the president, aims to enable free financial transactions across Africa using the Solana network. In an effort to lure investors, the fake posts urged Mahama’s followers to join the scheme. Despite efforts by his…

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature has revealed that Homo sapiens inhabited the area now known as the Anyama district in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as far back as 150,000 years ago—marking the oldest known human presence in a tropical forest environment. This discovery significantly predates previous findings in similar ecosystems, which only traced human activity back 70,000 years in Asia and Oceania. The discovery was led by a team of around fifteen archaeologists and anthropologists from various countries. Their research highlights that African tropical forests were not an obstacle to early human settlement as previously assumed. Instead, these…

Denis Kazungu, a convicted serial killer sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2024, is set to appeal his sentence. The hearing is scheduled for June 13 at the High Court. Kazungu, 36, was convicted of murdering at least 13 people—mostly women—whose bodies were found buried in a pit at his rented home in Busanza, Kicukiro District, Kigali. He was arrested in September 2023 after police intervened in a dispute with his landlord, only to uncover the gruesome crimes. During his trial, prosecutors revealed Kazungu lured victims—primarily women from bars—to his home where he raped, tortured, and killed them. He also…

Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 23.18% in February, down from 24.48% in January, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The agency announced the figures on Monday, stating that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks changes in the cost of goods and services, reflected a 1.30% decrease in headline inflation compared to the previous month. “The February 2025 headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 1.30% compared to January,” the agency posted on X. Despite the overall decline, food inflation—an essential indicator for a country grappling with food security concerns—remained high at 23.51%. Economic Struggles Persist As Africa’s…

Morocco has been unanimously elected to lead the 57th session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers, focusing on advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the session in Addis Ababa, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Riyad Mezzour reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the AfCFTA, emphasizing its potential to reshape Africa’s economic landscape. Addressing African finance and development ministers, Mezzour described the AfCFTA as more than a legal framework, calling it a transformative initiative for the continent’s future. “The AfCFTA is the challenge of our generation,” Mezzour stated, urging African nations to take…

African nations have been called upon to deepen trade among themselves to unlock economic potential, create jobs, and boost global competitiveness. This was the central theme at the inaugural Africa Trade Conference hosted by Access Bank Plc in Cape Town, South Africa, where industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts gathered to address barriers hindering intra-African trade. Access Bank’s CEO, Roosevelt Ogbonna, highlighted challenges such as limited access to capital, market information gaps, lack of trust between trading partners, and poor trade infrastructure. He stressed the need to strengthen Africa’s financial sector, promote local industries, and modernise trade routes to make…

Malawi has introduced a temporary ban on importing a range of goods that are readily available locally, aiming to safeguard domestic producers and preserve foreign currency reserves. Trade and Industry Minister Vitumbiko Mumba announced the decision on Monday, emphasizing that the move is essential to curb the rapid depletion of the country’s foreign exchange and bolster local industries. Under the newly enacted Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Prohibition) Order 2025, imports of several food products, including potatoes, maize meal, rice, fresh milk, and peanut butter, are restricted. Additionally, manufactured items such as bottled water, toothpicks, wooden furniture, and…

Kenya is set to negotiate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as its current financial programme nears completion, the global lender announced on Monday. Despite being one of East Africa’s stronger economies, Kenya is struggling with a significant debt burden of around $80 billion, spanning both domestic and external obligations. Debt repayments now consume nearly two-thirds of the country’s annual revenue, surpassing government spending on essential sectors like health and education. However, efforts to increase tax revenues have faced strong public resistance. Shift in IMF Programme During an official visit to Kenya, the IMF confirmed that it…

The city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with an unprecedented financial crisis after the M23 rebels took over two months ago. Banks have been closed due to security concerns, leaving residents unable to access their money, leaving many families in financial distress. “I have a bank card but I can’t use my money to support my family because the banks are closed,” complained Furaha Pendeza, a mother of six. The once vibrant city known for its vibrant trade is facing an economic recession that has paralyzed businesses and left many without income due to lack…

In an effort to protect freshwater ecosystems, South Africa has released thousands of weewil insects to combat the spread of Salvinia minima, an invasive aquatic plant threatening the Hartbeespoort Dam. The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Centre for Biological Control, introduced the Cyrtobagous salviniae weevil, a biological control agent known for effectively targeting invasive plant species. Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo, who supervised the release, explained that the invasive weed depletes oxygen levels in the water, leading to fish deaths earlier this year. The weevils, which are subaquatic herbivores, specifically feed on Salvinia minima, helping to restore…

In a major public health breakthrough, Burundi has officially introduced the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dalberg, the initiative aims to curb the spread of malaria and protect thousands of children’s lives. The launch event, held in Mpanda District and graced by Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye, follows the arrival of 544,000 doses of the RTS,S malaria vaccine earlier this year. This development comes after the vaccine’s approval by the Burundian Medicines Regulatory Authority (ABREMA). Malaria remains one…

Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a strategic partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop Bishoftu International Airport, a project expected to transform Ethiopia’s aviation sector. The agreement, formalized through a Letter of Intent, was signed by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and AfDB Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo in the presence of AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide. The new Bishoftu International Airport is set to address the increasing demand for passenger and cargo services, which Bole International Airport can no longer accommodate due to growing traffic. With an estimated cost of $7.8 billion,…