Covid-19: South African university innovations bring practical solutions to PPE crisis
23 April 2020 |
10:55 am
The World Bank fears that the coronavirus crisis could see sub-Saharan Africa lose around $37 billion in remittances this year. Meanwhile in DR Congo, there are concerns that coronavirus lockdown measures could put vulnerable women at particular risk. Cases of domestic violence have spiked over the past few weeks in the country - our correspondent reports. And finally, Africa competes in the global rush to source the medical and safety kits it needs to contain the virus. We speak to Dr. Ahmed Shaikh, managing director of the Regent Business School in Durban, South Africa.
Related
27 Aug 2021
As Afghan civilian life continues to suffer following the Taliban's takeover, the World Bank is the latest international organisation to suspend dispersements of development funds to the country. This, as western governments increase pressure on the insurgents by squeezing their cash flows, while negotiating a safe exit for people wanting to leave. Also, the "naked baby boy", on the iconic cover of Nirvana's 1991 album "Nevermind", sues the band and record labels for child sexual exploitation.
26 Sep 2021
Ten years after their glory days, disabled music group Staff Benda Bilili dreams of returning to the music scene and of claiming the fruits of their former success, even if it means falling out with those who made them famous.
3 Oct 2021
WHO horrified over sexual exploitation by aid workers in DR Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is horrified at the findings of a report into alleged sexual abuse by aid workers tackling the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2 Oct 2021
The World Health Organization again apologises to the victims who suffered rape and sexual abuse by workers sent to fight Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2018 to 2020.
1 Oct 2021
China's mining activities in DR Congo have led to protests recently in North Kivu province over working conditions, amid broader accusations of pillaging and neo-colonialist practices. Against that backdrop, we look at two fake videos that have been circulating on social media, casting Chinese activities in DR Congo in a negative light.
8 Oct 2021
African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.
7 Oct 2021
African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.
16 Oct 2021
In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in the heart of Beni territory, plagued by extreme violence from Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, employees of the Virunga National Park are battling to keep a chocolate factory running. Their aim is to process cocoa locally to prevent it being smuggled to neighbouring Uganda and to create jobs to combat enrolment in illegal armed groups.
8 Nov 2021
Six months ago, DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi placed North Kivu and Ituri – two provinces in the east of the country – under "a state of siege", effectively imposing martial law in a region that has been rocked by conflict for decades. Today, although the government claims that hundreds of armed militiamen have surrendered, massacres continue and security forces face mounting criticism. In the city of Beni, the justice system has ground to a halt and crime has soared. Our correspondents report.
8 Nov 2021
Photos on social media claim to show the skeleton of one of the murdered DR Congo human rights activist, Fidèle Bazana. The posts also claim that the skeleton was found in the property of a high-ranked police officer. False! These skeletons actually belong to archeological findings from last year.Also, fake photos of the Day of the Dead in Mexico emerge online. Find out more on this edition of Truth or Fake.
27 Nov 2021
Photos on social media claim to show the skeleton of a slain DR Congo human rights activist, Fidèle Bazana, who was assassinated in 2010. The posts also claim the remains were found at the property of a high-ranking police officer. But most of these skeletons are actually archaeological findings from 2019. Also, a fake photo of a Day of the Dead light show in Mexico emerges online. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
1 Dec 2021
The World Bank is backing Nigeria’s quest to get rid of fuel subsidy. The Country Director of the World Bank Shubham Chaudhuri, who led his team on a courtesy visit to The Guardian Group on Tuesday, November 30, explained why fuel subsidy is not sustainable. Chaudhuri, nevertheless, advised the Nigerian government to build consensus before its scheduled removal of the controversial subsidy policy.
Latest
1 hour ago
Russia's war in Ukraine is raising concerns in Taiwan that China could carry out a similar invasion of the island. Many ordinary people are signing up for self-defense courses to ensure they are prepared.
1 hour ago
Some pro-Russian web users in West Africa have been sharing a photo that allegedly illustrates the destruction of a Ukrainian military base in Odesa on September 25. However, the photo has nothing to do with the war in Ukraine. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
1 hour ago
Elizabeth Shoo speaks to Somali human rights activist Ilwad Elman, the winner of the 2020 German African Prize. Having left Somalia at a young age, she returned to her homeland in 2010 to follow in the footsteps of her activist family. Today her organization rehabilitates child soldiers and victims of sexual violence.
3 hours ago
He is the candidate of hope and renewal for some, a demon of the past and a symbol of corruption for others. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who became Brazil's first left-wing president in 2002, hopes to return to the country’s top job after the presidential election, whose first round takes place on October 2.
3 hours ago
The African Union plans to build a huge, modern rail network to connect capitals across the continent by 2033. But the ambitious project needs financing, a lot of work and much political good will.
6 hours ago
Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal.