Ex-military scientists at Beijing University create Covid variant that kills victims in eight hours
Christina Parks, a science educator with a degree in cellular and molecular biology, posted a video about the study, saying, “This is gain-of-function research. There’s no two ways about it.”
Republican frontrunner Trump’s lawyers want Supreme Court to swiftly end to bid to ban him from poll
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson are among nearly 180 Republicans in Congress who have warned that a ruling upholding Colorado’s decision to remove Trump from the ballot would inevitably lead to tit-for-tat disqualifications of political opponents.
Ghana, Egypt hold precariously on slim hope of progressing in Africa Cup of Nations after draw
Both teams still have work to do to qualify for the knockout rounds. Record seven-time winners Egypt, who had Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed on the scoresheet, have two points from two games and face pool leaders Cape Verde next on Monday.
African currencies under pressure but Ghana’s cedi to hold firm as Kenya’s slips to Ksh165 to the dollar
The Ugandan shilling is expected to trade in a stable range as dollar inflows from commodity exporters match low importer demand. Commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,800/3,810, compared with last Thursday’s close of 3,795/3,805.
Somalia rejects talks with Ethiopia as Eastern Africa leaders meet in Uganda to defuse a diplomatic crisis
At a news conference on Thursday, Ambassador Meles Alem, Ethiopia’s foreign affairs spokesperson, rejected a statement by the Arab League on Wednesday that called the MOU “a clear violation of international law”.
Somaliland war drums: AU urge restraint between Somalia and Ethiopia as EAC meets in Uganda
The East African trade bloc Igad said last week it will meet January 18 in Uganda to discuss the tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. Somaliland, a territory of about 4.5 million people, has been on a quest for formal statehood for more than three decades, but it remains unrecognized globally, leaving it poor and isolated.
Kenya cult leader charged with terrorism-related crimes in starvation deaths
A judge in a different court, in the coastal town of Malindi, ordered on Wednesday that Mackenzie and 30 of his associates be taken for mental health evaluations before being charged with murder in connection with 191 of the deaths.
Hopes of Kenya tapping into bond market knocked back by IMF’s concern the country ‘is at a high risk of debt distress’
Rising social discontent, mainly driven by the high cost of living, was further compounding the challenges which also include underperforming revenue collection, the IMF said.
Unperturbed Israel scoffs at harsh Israeli rhetoric claim that’s central to South Africa’s genocide case
The genocide case against Israel opened last week at the International Court of Justice at The Hague. South Africa is looking to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Israel has specific intent to commit genocide. It is using the litany of harsh statements as part of the evidence in its case.
Trump’s campaign like no other: He’s in courtroom in the morning, courting voters in the evening
Trump and his campaign are keenly aware of the publicity and sympathy his court appearances can generate with his loyal base of supporters while he attempts to stave off challenges from Republican rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis.
