Africa: Moroccan Envoy Pips South African for UN Human Rights Council Post

[ad_1] The UN Human Rights Council has elected Ambassador Omar Zniber of Morocco as president of the UN Human Rights Council for 2024 after he beat South African envoy, Mxolisi Nkosi in a vote. Voting was by secret ballot on January 10 and held after the 47-member council resumed its work for 2024 without a leader for only the second time in its 18-year history. Of the votes cast, Zniber won 30 to the 17 cast for Nkosi with all […]

January 11, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Phd Students’ Mental Health Is Poor and the Pandemic Made It Worse – but There Are Coping Strategies That Can Help

[ad_1] A pre-pandemic study on PhD students' mental health showed that they often struggle with such issues. Financial insecurity and feelings of isolation can be among the factors affecting students' wellbeing. The pandemic made the situation worse. We carried out research that looked into the impact of the pandemic on PhD students, surveying 1,780 students in summer 2020. We asked them about their mental health, the methods they used to cope and their satisfaction with their progress in their doctoral […]

January 11, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: COP28 Just About Put Food Systems On the Climate Agenda. Now We Build

[ad_1] Though the talks' long overdue focus on food and agriculture ultimately disappointed, it provides a starting point for future action and advocacy. At COP28 in Dubai last month, food systems were finally put in the spotlight of global climate talks. There were numerous announcements related to the sector and, for the first time ever, there was a whole day dedicated to food and agriculture. Given the profound impact of agricultural practices and food consumption patterns on our planet's health, […]

January 11, 2024 1

Africa

Somalia conflict: UN helicopter and passengers seized by al-Shabab

[ad_1] Eight passengers and its crew are being held in territory controlled by al-Shabab, local sources say. [ad_2] Source link

January 11, 2024 1

Africa

Africa: Vaccinating Africa – Expanding Vaccine Manufacturing for Health Security

[ad_1] It is time for Africa to focus on producing vaccines for its population. In February 2021, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres highlighted vaccine equity as "the biggest moral test before the global community." This statement was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic which exposed the vulnerability of Africa's health systems and amplified the urgency for the continent to become self-reliant in addressing public health challenges. The pandemic served as a reminder of the critical importance of equitable access to medical countermeasures, […]

January 11, 2024

Africa

Africa: Some Believe the 1889 Russian Flu Pandemic Was Actually Caused By a Coronavirus – Here’s Why That’s Unlikely

[ad_1] COVID-19 was the first coronavirus pandemic. The original Sars virus from 2003 and the Mers virus that created a health emergency in South Korea in 2015 were both coronaviruses, but fortunately failed to turn into pandemics in the way that COVID did. Four years on from its appearance, Sars-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) now seems to be making the transition to an endemic virus: one that circulates in humans all the time, at least somewhere in the world. […]

January 11, 2024 3

Africa

Africa: Wanting to ‘Move On’ Is Natural – but Women’s Pandemic Experiences Can’t Be Lost to ‘Lockdown Amnesia’

[ad_1] The COVID-19 pandemic was - and continues to be - hugely disruptive and stressful for individuals, communities and countries. Yet many seem desperate to close the chapter entirely, almost as if it had never happened. This desire to forget and move on - labelled "lockdown amnesia" by some - is understandable at one level. But it also risks missing the opportunity to learn from what happened. And while various official enquiries and royal commissions have been established to examine […]

January 11, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: South Africa Is Taking Israel to Court for Genocide in Palestine. What Does It Mean for the War in Gaza?

[ad_1] South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ, also known as the World Court) in The Hague claiming genocide has been committed against Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. A charge of genocide before the court in the midst of a heated armed conflict is exceptional. Likewise, the significance of South Africa's claim against Israel has immense cultural, diplomatic, historical, and political significance. Israel has rejected South Africa's claim and vowed to contest the case against […]

January 11, 2024 2