Author: WAJ Team

The country’s Mpox case count has risen to 24 following the detection of two more laboratory-confirmed cases in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. This update, released by the Department of Health on Sunday, comes 26 days after the last case was reported. With the new cases, the total now stands at 24, with 12 in Gauteng, 11 in KwaZulu-Natal, and one in the Western Cape. The number of deaths linked to the disease remains at three. The 23rd case is a 36-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal who was admitted to a Durban public health facility in late July with symptoms resembling Mpox, including…

The ruling junta claims that Kiev played a role in the significant defeat of the Malian army and the Wagner Group at the end of July during clashes with separatists and jihadists in the northern region of the country. The Malian government, on Sunday, August 4, resolved to “immediately cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine,” according to its spokesperson, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga. Abdoulaye Maïga, in a statement, expressed the Malian government’s “deep astonishment” at Andriy Yusov’s remarks. Yusov, spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, admitted Ukraine’s involvement in a “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric” attack by armed terrorist groups that resulted in the…

Soilless farming is proving essential for boosting food security among internally displaced people (IDPs) who live in camps or densely populated areas with limited agricultural space. As land access becomes increasingly difficult, these resourceful women have turned to soilless methods in compact areas, showing promising results. This innovative approach is even fostering entrepreneurial spirit among some displaced women. In a modest courtyard shielded from roaming livestock, women diligently manage weeds in small containers under the intense sun. While their labor might seem simple to outsiders, it’s second nature for these dedicated individuals. In their well-organized, secure environment, these women are…

At the Paris Games on Sunday, Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour made history by becoming the first African gymnast to earn an Olympic medal. She won gold with a remarkable asymmetric bars routine that thrilled the audience at Bercy Arena. The 17-year-old delivered a high-energy performance with intricate release-and-catch moves, impressing fans who had previously seen her compete for France. China’s Qiu Qiyuan, the 2023 world champion, secured the silver medal, while American gymnast Sunisa Lee earned her second consecutive Olympic bronze on the apparatus with a score of 14.800 points. The 17-year-old, Nemour delivered a high-speed routine with complex release-and-catch elements…

Nigeria’s president has called for an end to the widespread protests against economic challenges, describing the rallies as violent and attributing them to “a few with a political agenda.” Despite this appeal, the protests continued on Sunday for a fourth day in several areas, including Lagos. The protests, which started on Thursday, have been marked by incidents of looting, vandalism, and allegations of excessive force by security forces. Amnesty International has reported that nine protesters were killed in clashes with police and four others died from a bomb explosion. Nigerian authorities have disputed these claims. In his first public response…

President Bola Tinubu declared that his administration is enacting bold economic policies to drive the nation’s economy out of the downturns caused by various global shocks. He also emphasized the need for global cooperation among African nations to address their common economic challenges and seize opportunities. Speaking at the opening of the 2024 African Caucus Meeting in Abuja, the President stated, “Our government has launched ambitious economic reforms designed to guide our economy away from the setbacks caused by global shocks and toward a path of recovery and resilience through substantial economic transformation.” “Our reform efforts are strategically focused on…

On Friday, more opposition members were arrested in Zimbabwe as the hearing for four democracy activists, who are seeking the release of opposition leader Jameson Timba, was postponed. The ruling ZANU-PF party, which has been in power since 1980, has long been criticized for undermining democracy and suppressing dissent. Human Rights Watch indicates that an intensifying crackdown on opposition and civil society groups is occurring in advance of the regional summit Zimbabwe will host in August. Home Minister Kazembe Kazembe has accused the opposition of orchestrating protests around the summit to provoke a “heavy-handed response” and gain international attention. Jameson…

On Friday, the United States was eliminated from the Olympic men’s soccer tournament following a 4-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinals. Soufiane Rahimi, Ilias Akhomach, Achraf Hakimi, and Mehdi Maouhoub scored for Morocco at Parc des Princes, ending the U.S. team’s medal hopes at the Paris Games. Morocco, buoyed by strong support in Paris, will compete against the winner of the Japan vs. Spain match in the semifinals in Marseille on Monday. Despite making it to the quarterfinals for the first time since Sydney 2000, the U.S. was outplayed by a Moroccan team that had already defeated Argentina in…

In a recent address to her congregation at Covenant Nations Church, Patience Museveni Rwabwogo recounted a distressing financial challenge her family faced, nearly leading to the auction of their home due to unpaid mortgage. Patience Rwabwogo, daughter of President Museveni, revealed that their family’s home was at risk of foreclosure more than 18 years ago when financial difficulties caused delays in mortgage payments. Despite their high-profile status, they struggled with accumulating interest and the looming threat of losing their property. Ms. Rwabwogo shared that their income from business ventures had become strained, resulting in a backlog of mortgage payments. The…

In 2007, the African Union introduced the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, an ambitious project aimed at rehabilitating 100 million hectares of degraded land, capturing 250 million tons of carbon, and generating 10 million green jobs by 2030. Effort Has Rehabilitated 20 Million Hectares of Land Initially, the GGW involved 11 countries spanning Africa: Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Sudan. Over time, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, and Tunisia have also joined. Seventeen years into the project, significant progress has been made, with around 20 million hectares of…

Nigerians from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have launched a major protest aimed at ending bad governance. The demonstrators are rallying against the high cost of living, widespread hunger, rising unemployment, and inadequate access to quality education. Our digital reporter spoke with Lagos residents participating in the #EndBadGovernanceProtest in Ojota, who shared their reasons for joining the movement. One protester expressed deep frustration over the escalating prices, stating, “The suffering in this country is unbearable. The price of commodities is so high that we can’t afford basic necessities like pepper and rice—items we used to enjoy as…

Film Africa’s 11th edition is set to bring together a diverse range of film talent from Africa and its diaspora, highlighting the vibrant contributions Africans make to cinema. The festival will showcase how the expanding African film industry leverages digital technology to craft compelling narratives, enhancing its distinctive style and the vast potential for creative storytelling. This year’s festival will feature a meticulously curated selection of over 70 films across various London venues. It will kick off with an Opening Ceremony on October 25th, featuring directors and key cast members, and will wrap up with a Closing Celebration on November…

While the Malawian police are aware of the smuggling activities, their efforts are hampered by bribery. Nearly two weeks after a dramatic raid by the Malawian army on Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi, aimed at dismantling people smuggling networks, public support for the operation remains high but is mixed with concern that these entrenched networks may quickly reconstitute themselves. On July 18, over 200 people were arrested when the army, with no prior warning, launched a raid to disrupt a lucrative operation transporting undocumented young men from rural Ethiopia to seek employment in urban South Africa. The raid caused widespread panic,…

Fatoumata Sylla has made history as the first athlete from Guinea to compete in archery at the Olympic Games. This remarkable feat underscores not only her personal dedication but also marks a significant moment for Guinean sports on the global stage. The Olympic Games have always been a symbol of competition, self-improvement, and profound emotions. Archery, known for its elegance and precision, stood out during the ranking round at Les Invalides, where Sylla made a notable impact representing Guinea. With guidance from her coach, Howard Catherine, Sylla achieved significant milestones, pushing her limits and improving her skills. Her journey to…

The European Union (EU) has unveiled a €32 million initiative designed to improve vaccine production in Ghana. This announcement was made at the Ghana-EU Business Forum in Accra. The initiative, called the Special Measure on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+), aims to enhance Ghana’s healthcare system by increasing access to high-quality health products, with a particular focus on vaccines. Ghana’s objectives for development Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission, highlighted the EU’s dedication to supporting Ghana’s development objectives. She pointed out that the initiative is anticipated to not only enhance the…

The University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) has obtained advanced endoscopy technology that integrates endoscopy and ultrasound. This innovation allows for the simultaneous evaluation of gastrointestinal issues and the performance of minimally invasive biopsies. Officials note that Rwanda is among the few nations in sub-Saharan Africa to adopt this technology. Referred to as echo-endoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), this technology provides detailed images and data of the digestive tract and nearby tissues and organs, enhancing the diagnosis of conditions such as pancreatic cancer and bile duct stones. Dr. Martin Nyundo, CHUK’s Director of Clinical Services, praised the new diagnostic equipment…