Depletion of flora and fauna in Congo Forest worries greens as Chinese gold mining threatens protected UN heritage site
Spanning more than 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 square miles), the Okapi Wildlife Reserve became a protected site in 1996, due to its unique biodiversity and large number of threatened species, including its namesake, the okapi, a forest giraffe, of which it holds some 15 per cent of the world’s remaining 30,000. It’s part of the Congo Basin rainforest – the world’s second-biggest – and a vital carbon sink that helps mitigate climate change. It also has vast mineral wealth such as gold and diamonds.
Killing softly: Scientists warn Bovaer, a new cow feed for reducing methane emissions, poses risks to children
However, in over 13,000 replies to Arla’s announcement on X about its Bovaer field trials, commenters slammed the company. Critics called the trial “insane” and filmed themselves pouring out Arla milk products. Some called for a boycott of the product.
UN peacekeepers, governor and two Congolese army officers accused of possible crimes against humanity in Goma
Eastern Congo has struggled with armed violence for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. Some armed groups have been accused of mass killings. More than 7 million people have been displaced.
Punitive, unpredictable school levies in Africa sometimes force students to ask fees from dying parents
More than anything, it’s the unpredictable tuition hikes – for sometimes questionable reasons – that haunt parents across the country of more than 45 million people. Some critics, including Uganda’s parliament speaker, have called for regulation to protect parents from exploitation.
Campaign kicks off in US to blacklist cancer-causing Red Dye No3 food additive used to give popular candies, foods and drinks their cherry-red colours
While the petition currently sits with the White House Office of Management and Budget, the FDA can grant the petition on its own, without the office’s approval, said Melanie Benesh, vice president of Government Affairs for the Environmental Working Group (EWG), one of the groups backing the 2022 petition.
Nile perch: How world’s ‘smallest war’ is fought in Kenya on world’s most densely populated island in Lake Victoria
Since 1926 official maps have shown that the island is 510 metres east of the border, putting it firmly in Kenyan waters. But Lake Victoria is, of course, the colonial era monicker for the inland sea, which has many other names in local languages and dialects. And it may be that poor or thoughtless map drawing by the colonial powers in Africa has contributed to the dispute.
Study links high women death rate to eating ultraprocessed foods in ‘attractive’ packaging and ‘enjoyable’ flavours
Over the past few years, there’s been a growing number of studies about ultraprocessed foods and how they are responsible for the increase in chronic health concerns today. A recent Swedish study joins this list, providing compelling evidence that ultraprocessed foods increase all-cause mortality, especially among women.
UN: Violence against women is a global crisis with Africa topping world with over 21,700 murders in 2023
In recent years, the crimes have sparked several waves of protests and put gender violence at the top of Mexico’s political agenda. Keeping the issue of femicide in the spotlight and making information available and accessible for women, is key for holding the authorities accountable and preventing violence against women and girls.
‘While donor countries often respond sluggishly to warnings of food crisis, combatants close borders and make it difficult to deliver aid’
The first famine the IPC identified – in 2011 in Somalia – illustrates the devastating toll when aid arrives too late. Drought and armed conflict among militant groups fighting for control of the country’s south led to mass displacement and dire food shortages from 2010 through 2012. IPC analyses repeatedly warned of an imminent risk of famine.
Report: Governments or ruling factions manipulate data to exclude evidence of famine, delay famine warning
In Gaza, the conflict has imperilled the data collectors themselves, who often are aid workers. At least 337 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli operation began, the most ever in a single crisis, according to the UN.
