African countries secure $17 billion facility to double food production by 2030

African countries secure $17 billion facility to double food production by 2030

A coalition of multilateral development banks and development partners pledged over $17 billion in financing to improve food security in Africa. These funds were pledged on the final day of a two-day high-level dialogue with the theme ‘Feeding Africa: Leadership to Scale up Successful Innovations’. The event was hosted by...

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Choice of Koome to head judiciary renews ethnic concerns in Kenya’s public service

Choice of Koome to head judiciary renews ethnic concerns in Kenya’s public service

The independence and integrity of the Kenyan judiciary is once again under intense scrutiny following the nomination of the Court of Appeal Judge Martha Koome to replace David Maraga, who retired at the beginning of this year as chief justice and president of the Supreme Court. To gender activists, the...

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Fully vaccinated Americans can venture outdoors minus masks – Biden’s adviser

Fully vaccinated Americans can venture outdoors minus masks – Biden’s adviser

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has unveiled updated guidelines detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask. The new “interim public health recommendations” released early in the week detail a variety of situations in which...

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‘India’s Covid death may be far above 200,000 as rural cases are unregistered’

‘India’s Covid death may be far above 200,000 as rural cases are unregistered’

India has reached the devastating figure of 200,000 coronavirus deaths, with the pressure on many hospitals showing no sign of abating amid a surging second wave. The real number of fatalities is thought to be far greater, with many not being officially recorded. Oxygen supplies remain critically low across the...

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Malaria vaccines raise hopes as they reach critical trial phase of trumping the disease

Malaria vaccines raise hopes as they reach critical trial phase of trumping the disease

A vaccine against malaria has shown promise in early clinical trials, raising hopes that it might one day prove to be an effective weapon against one of the world’s biggest killers of children. In a trial in 450 children aged 5-17 months, the vaccine, called R21, was up to 77...

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Hard Covid lessons lead to historic funding boom for US National Science Foundation

Hard Covid lessons lead to historic funding boom for US National Science Foundation

US officials are discussing whether the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds about 25 per cent of all basic academic research in the country, should get a historic budget boost, potentially changing the US science landscape. During congressional hearings last week, legislators evaluated proposals that would increase the agency’s funding...

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US secretary of state to hold meetings with leaders of Nigeria and Kenya

US secretary of state to hold meetings with leaders of Nigeria and Kenya

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to make his first visit to Africa, virtually, during which he will meet with the presidents of Nigeria and Kenya. Tuesday’s tour will include a meeting with African youth from across the continent. Blinken’s visit coincided with difficulties the continent has...

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Data firm Vertiv opens new factory for integrated modular solutions in Croatia

Data firm Vertiv opens new factory for integrated modular solutions in Croatia

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced the opening of a new factory in Rugvica, Croatia to support its integrated modular solutions (IMS) business in EMEA Compared to the previous factory, the site offers 13 per cent more indoor space and 60 per cent...

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My! A social media platform for Africans by Africans set for launch next month

My! A social media platform for Africans by Africans set for launch next month

MyCountry MyWorld is set to launch MY! a social media platform for Africans by Africans that provides limitless possibilities in world exploration by giving users the opportunity to bring their country and world to each other. MY! A social media platform will be launched on May 10, 2021. “Having developed...

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NollywoodWeek film festival goes global as 8th Edition ropes in African Diaspora

NollywoodWeek film festival goes global as 8th Edition ropes in African Diaspora

NollywoodWeek film festival, the first and only Nigerian film festival organised in Paris has taken its 8th edition online. The films in this year’s line-up will be available to a global online audience from May 6-9, 2021. This year’s selection has expanded beyond Nigeria to include high quality, though-provoking and...

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