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The sights, sounds and tastes of South Africa in India

The sights, sounds and tastes of South Africa in India

In a bid to build aspiration for destination South Africa from their largest Indian source market Mumbai, South African Tourism brings the sights, sounds and tastes of South Africa alive in India…reports Asian Lite News

With performances by South African dance troupes, indigenous music and delectable food cooked by South African chefs at Phoenix Palladium in Mumbai, South Africa is all set to engage and delight audiences.

The two-day event that runs from 12 pm to 8 pm on 12th and 13th March 2022, will also host culturally immersive activities like South African face painting, hair braiding, beadwork and DIY graffiti walls in addition to Oculus — a virtual reality journey into the deep blue seas and mesmerizing safari routes of South Africa.

. Venue: Palladium, Lower Parel

. Date: 12 & 13th March

. Timings: 12 pm to 8 pm

ALSO READ: UFI Middle East & Africa Forum meet at Dubai Expo

To make this experience even more exhilarating, Chefs Abigail and Sipho from South Africa will showcase a delectable food experience that one can try their hands onto in a masterclass followed by food tasting at Foodhall, Khar –Linking Road on 12th & 13th March 2022. They will present an only South African themed family meal known as Sunday Kos often made up of 7 colours, prevalent in most township homes and rural areas across the country.

. Venue: Foodhall, Bandra

. Date: 12 & 13th March

. Timings: 11 am to 2 pm

While there are many ways to immerse yourself in culture, one of the best ways to do this is through food. Food has an emotional association that allows it to become a channel of expressing love, care and gratitude.

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UN urges to end violence in Sudan

UN urges to end violence in Sudan

The UN mission in Sudan has called on authorities to work to end violence across the country and restore stability in the conflict-hit Darfur region…reports Asian Lite News

In a statement, the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) expressed concerns over recent violent incidents in Darfur that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians, besides the death of two protesters in the capital Khartoum, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Over the past week, the UN has received reports of violent incidents in and around Jebel Moon in West Darfur. This has included the burning of villages and the unfortunate death of tens of Sudanese, representing another alarming sign of the increasing instability in Sudan,” the statement said.

The statement stressed that “violence must stop all over Sudan, and those responsible must be held accountable”.

Earlier, local media said tribal fighting took place on March 10 at the Jebel Moon area in Sudan’s West Darfur State, which resulted in the killing of 17 people.

ALSO READ: South Sudan, World Bank and UNICEF launch communication campaign

On the same day, the two protesters were killed during demonstrations in Khartoum, according to non-governmental organisations.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a military coup on October 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.

Since then, Khartoum and other cities have been witnessing continued protests demanding a return to civilian rule.

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Veteran Kenyan opposition leader endorsed to run for presidency

Veteran Kenyan opposition leader endorsed to run for presidency

Raila Odinga, the 77-year-old Kenyan veteran opposition leader, has been endorsed by an alliance of more than 20 political parties to contest the presidential election on August 9…reports Asian Lite News

Among the parties that pledged support for Odinga’s quest for presidency in the East Africa’s largest economy was the ruling Jubilee which is headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, reports Xinhua news agency.

For the first time in the history of Kenya, the ruling party headed by 61-year-old Kenyatta declared support for an opposition leader.

Kenyatta, in his speech at Odinga’s coronation ceremony held in Nairobi, said he had faith in his former rival, whom they shook hands in March 2018, after a vicious contest, setting the stage for an era of peace and tranquility in the country.

“I have faith in Odinga’s ability to transform this country and ensure it remained peaceful, united and a key player in regional affairs,” said Kenyatta, adding that Odinga had sacrificed personal interests to promote peace and stability in the country.

Odinga’s endorsement to run for presidency under the Azimio La Umoja (Resolution for Unity) coalition of more than 20 political parties set the stage for intensive campaigns ahead of the election.

Other political heavy weights who announced they will back Odinga’s presidential race included Kalonzo Musyoka, a one-time foreign minister and vice president who is the leader of opposition Wiper Party.

ALSO READ: Kenya, Zimbabwe Sign MoU

In his acceptance speech, Odinga pledged to transform the country’s economy, promote unity, cohesion and Kenya’s relations with neighbouring countries if he clinches presidency.

He promised to create a stand-alone ministry for the youth, roll-out tax holidays to spur the growth of youth-led enterprises and promote use of technology to transform agriculture in the country.

At the same time, he also vowed to fight graft in the public service, allocate adequate resources to devolved units, create a civil service that is efficient and accountable and manage public debt.

Odinga said that under his administration, Kenya would become a manufacturing powerhouse unrivalled in the African continent.

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Food supply in Europe, Africa to hit

Macron

Moreover, if the war continues, the UN further predicted that 8-13 million more people would suffer from malnutrition in 2022-2023…reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern that the conflict in Ukraine would affect food supply in Europe and Africa.

He was speaking at a news conference in Versailles on Friday, American broadcaster CNN reported on Friday [local time].

Macron said that the war has already destabilized Europe and it could be worse in 12 to 18 months.

Citing the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Marcon said that all the European leaders will do everything that is considered effective and useful to stop Russia in this path of aggression.

Meanwhile, the UN said that the war in Ukraine could increase the food price by 20 per cent and also would raise international food and feed prices by 8-22 per cent as the war also affected agricultural activities.

Moreover, if the war continues, the UN further predicted that 8-13 million more people would suffer from malnutrition in 2022-2023.

Russia and Ukraine are the key players in the global agricultural trade, as both the nations contribute a quarter of the world’s wheat exports, at least 14 per cent of corn exports in 2020, and a joint 58 per cent of global sunflower oil exports in the same year, according to CNN citing analyses.

According to the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporary Occupied Territories, “As of March 11, Lutsk, Dnipro and Ivano-Frankivsk were shelled. The shelling of the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions continued. Due to blockade and shelling of Mariupol, 1,582 civilians died.” (ANI)

ALSO READ-UN warns of impending famine in Yemen

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MBZ affirms UAE’s support for people of Sudan

His Highness was briefed during the meeting on the latest developments in Sudan and the current situation in the country…reports Asian Lite News

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has affirmed the UAE’s support for the people of Sudan to secure their national interests and achieve their aspirations for development, stability and prosperity.

This came as His Highness received today at Qasr Al Shati Palace, General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman, Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Transitional Council.

Sheikh Mohamed underlined the importance of ensuring dialogue and understanding for all parties concerned with the transitional period in Sudan to overcome the challenges facing the political process and reach national consensus that leads the country to stability and unity and directs efforts towards construction and development.

The two sides discussed the prospects of developing their bilateral relations in various fields, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of interest.

His Highness was briefed during the meeting on the latest developments in Sudan and the current situation in the country.

For his part, General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan stressed the depth of the Emirati-Sudanese relations and thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the warm reception and for the UAE’s support to his country during the transitional phase and under various circumstances.

The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

It was also attended by the delegation accompanying General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan , including Ali Al-Sadiq Ali, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Jibril Ibrahim, and Lieutenant-General Ahmed Al-Mufaddal, Director of the Security and Intelligence Agency.

ALSO READ-UNESCO’s Campaign to Fuel Literacy Skills in South Sudan

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Pfizer set to supply Paxlovid Covid pills to Africa

Pfizer set to supply Paxlovid Covid pills to Africa

US drugmaker Pfizer is set to supply Africa’s top health body with its Covid antiviral pill Paxlovid…reports Asian Lite News

Paperwork for the deal between the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Pfizer is now in the hands of the African Union’s legal office – after which a formal announcement will be made, Africa CDC director John Nkengasong was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Nkengasong urged health ministries to adopt robust measures spanning vaccines and testing. He added that the Africa CDCA is also seeking Merck’s molnupiravir pill.

This comes days after Moderna signed a deal with Kenya to build its first mRNA facility. Johnson & Johnson has also inked a pact with South African drugmaker Aspen to sell, package and distribute its Covid shots.

In February, researchers at the World Health Organisation-backed Africa’s first Covid mRNA vaccine technology-transfer hub made microlitres of the vaccine based on Moderna’s Covid shot.

The aim was to scale up vaccine production to address those massive shortfalls in the developing world. So far, roughly 12 per cent of people in Africa are fully vaccinated, well below the World Health Organization’s 70 per cent vaccination threshold.

Expressing concern about countries where vaccination rates were still very low, Nkengasong said African countries should be using a combination of public health measures, vaccines, and testing to overcome the Covid this year, Aljazeera reported.

ALSO READ: Africa’s Covid-19 cases pass 11.26 mn

“These molecules have a very unique role to play in a campaign to fight against this terrible pandemic,” he was quoted as saying, citing the Pfizer pill.

Studies by the pharma giant have shown that Paxlovid is effective against all Covid strains, particularly to the highly contagious and vaccine evading Omicron variant. CEO Albert Bourla estimates that the pills can avert 1,200 deaths and 6,000 hospitalisations for every 100,000 Covid patients who take the pills.

Both Paxlovid and molnupiravir have shown to reduce the chances of hospitalisation or death from Covid-19 in high-risk patients by 89 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. The pills should be taken early, within 3-5 days of getting Covid, and require several pills, multiple times a day for five days.

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Africa’s Covid-19 cases pass 11.26 mn

Africa's Covid-19 cases pass 11.77 mn

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa reached 11,263,286 cases as of Thursday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said…reports Asian Lite News

The specialised healthcare agency of the African Union (AU) said the death toll across the continent stands at 250,108 and some 10,535,035 patients have recovered from the disease so far, Xinhua news agency reported.

South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya are among the countries with the most cases on the continent, said Africa CDC.

ALSO READ: Africa’s Covid-19 cases surpass 11.22 mn

South Africa has recorded the most Covid-19 cases in Africa with 3,688,423 cases, followed by the northern African country Morocco with 1,161,848 cases as of Thursday evening, it said.

In terms of the caseload, southern Africa is the most affected region, followed by the northern and eastern parts of the continent, while central Africa is the least affected region, according to the Africa CDC.

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UNESCO’s Campaign to Fuel Literacy Skills in South Sudan

The four-year project, aimed at empowering youth, young women, teachers and returnees…reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and South Sudan’s Ministry of General Education on Thursday launched a project to strengthen technical, vocational education and training programs in the country.

The four-year project, aimed at empowering youth, young women, teachers and returnees, will be implemented by nine-line ministries in collaboration with the country’s general education ministry.

Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO’s East Africa regional representative, said the reconstruction of a nation starts with the capacity building of man power followed by development.

“Skills are vital for poverty reduction, for private sector development, job creation and self-employment in particular for youth. Skills are essential in the achievement of the sustainable development goals,” Gijzen said during the launching ceremony in Juba.

He urged South Sudan to adopt a policy integrating literacy into all Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVECT) targeting young people.

ALSO READ:South Sudan, World Bank and UNICEF launch communication campaign

“Now is the time to build local capacities to expedite sustainable development in the country,” he said.

“This project will reach out to 45,000 people including 13,000 youths of which 60 percent will be women and girls,” he added.

Representatives of UNESCO and South Sudan pose for a photo during the launch of a project in Juba, South Sudan, on March 10, 2022. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and South Sudan’s Ministry of General Education on Thursday launched a project to strengthen technical, vocational education and training programs in the country. (Photo by Daniel Majak/Xinhua)

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EU steps up investments in Africa to counter China

The Africa-Europe Investment Package of EUR 150 billion (USD 170 billion), announced during the summit, also supports a common ambition for 2030 and AU Agenda 2063….reports Asian Lite News

European Union recently pledged a USD 170 billion aid package to African countries with the aim to counter growing Chinese influence in Africa, a media report said.

Last month, the heads of state or government of the member states of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) met for the sixth European Union – African Union summit in Brussels.

During the summit, EU and AU leaders agreed on a joint vision for a renewed partnership. According to an official readout, this partnership aims to promote security, peace, and sustainable and sustained economic development and prosperity for the citizens of the two Unions.

It aims to promote common priorities, shared values, and international law. This also includes the protection of human rights for all, gender equality, and women’s empowerment in all spheres of life.

The Africa-Europe Investment Package of EUR 150 billion (USD 170 billion), announced during the summit, also supports a common ambition for 2030 and AU Agenda 2063.

Notably, the summit came a few months after the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Meeting.

During the Africa-China summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping had pledged about USD 40 billion worth of investments for Africa, a third less than Beijing’s previous commitments. Even with regard to the Chinese loans, there was a significant drop in the number compared to the previous years, The HK Post reported.

According to the report, Chinese loans amounted to USD 7.6 billion in 2019 as compared to USD 29.5 billion in 2016. During the summit, Xi had underlined Europe’s colonial history with Africa and in contrast noted that “over the past 65 years, China and Africa had forged unbreakable fraternity in our struggle against imperialism and colonialism”.

Experts believe that the latest EU assistance is a part of the Global Gateway Initiative (GGI) that was unveiled by the EU last year as an alternative to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Back in December, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen had said the European Commission (EC) is launching USD 340-billion Global Gateway to boost sustainable links around the world.

According to the official document, the new strategy aims at boosting the world’s interconnectivity through building and strengthening of high standard sustainable digital, economic, transportation, research, and health systems across the world.

The European Commission added that for implementing the strategy, the European Union would use the so-called “team Europe” approach, encouraging member states with their financial and development institutions, including the European Investment Bank to mobilize the private sector in order to leverage investments for a transformational impact. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Russia hits nuclear research facility in Kharkiv

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UAE, Kenya complete mangrove reforestation partnership

UAE FLAG

It aims to plant 50,000 mangrove trees in the Republic of Kenya in celebration of the UAE’s Year of the 50th and Kenya’s 2030 development vision…reports Asian Lite News

In cooperation between Aqdar, Blue Forest Company and Kenya’s forestry authorities, Khalifa Empowerment Programme Aqdar has completed the first phase of the “Fifty Tree” initiative campaign, which was launched at Aqdar World Summit Dubai Expo 2020.

It aims to plant 50,000 mangrove trees in the Republic of Kenya in celebration of the UAE’s Year of the 50th and Kenya’s 2030 development vision.

The tree planting was completed over a period of six months with the help of 144 volunteers from two local NGOs; Forest Restoration Agency and the Brain Youth Group. The work was overseen by the Regional Director of Kenya Forest Service to ensure compliance with Kenya’s tree planting, maintenance, protection and conservation standards.

The mangroves were planted in an area of 5 hectares along Tudor Creek. That area was once a lush mangrove forest spanning over 1,641 hectares. Today, only 215 hectares or 13 percent remain of that forest. Kenya Forest Service, the Custodian of all of Kenya’s forests, is supporting grass-roots efforts by local NGOs to reverse the forest loss in Tudor Creek.

The project was funded with the help of the Tree for 50 corporate partners which include: Deloitte, SAP, Amazon, Speedo, Edrington, Rotary Club, DimensionN and Quest for Adventure.

Kariuki Mugwe, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the UAE, commented, “The Kenyan people are extremely grateful to the Tree for 50 stakeholders for their contribution in the restoration of our Mother Nature which we all depend on for our survival.”

Dr. Ibrahim Aldabal, CEO of Khalifa Empowerment Programme, said, “We are proud to partner with Blue Forest and the Kenyan Authorities to implement this important environmental project, through which we write a new chapter in our journey towards placing global positive citizenship and sustainability at the core of our activities, which enhances international efforts to confront future climate changes.”

ALSO READ:UAE pledges $85 million for Ethiopia relief

Vahid Fotuhi, Founder and CEO of Blue Forest, the company executing the project, added, “Kenya’s mangrove forests are among the most beautiful and carbon-rich in the world. We are honoured to be entrusted by AQDAR and KFS to do our part and, with the help of the local communities, restore the mighty mangrove forest of Tudor Creek.”

With Phase 1 now completed, the partners are aiming to restore the wider Tudor Creek mangrove forest as part of Phase 2. This will involve planting and protecting 10 million mangroves, in partnership with Community Forest Association members. (WAM)