On Monday, the Sudanese military launched a coup. Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the military, seized control of the transitional government — which was established in the aftermath of the 2018-19 revolution that ousted the autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir — and announced a state of emergency. He took the prime minister captive and arrested numerous other cabinet ministers.

General al-Burhan justified the intervention by citing strife and deadlock within the transitional government, whose popularity has waned as the country’s economic conditions have deteriorated. But the real reason for the coup is likely to be more straightforward: General al-Burhan was due to hand over the chairmanship of the Sovereignty Council, the country’s collective head of state, as early as November. Clearly, he was not prepared to relinquish power.

Against a chorus of international condemnation, the military leaders have adamantly refused to back down. (They did release the prime minister, though he remains heavily guarded.) Instead, they have responded sharply to civilians who have protested the coup: At least 12 people have been killed and 150 injured by the security forces. The prospect of a return to military rule, with its repression, violence and tyranny, looms over Sudan.

But it’s not too late to stop it. Extensive popular protest, combined with concerted international pressure, could force the generals to step back. The counterrevolution can still be reversed.

The most obvious recent comparison, from the region’s many similar experiences, is far from promising: After a revolution in 2011, Egypt’s democratic transition was cut short by a coup led by Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. But other uprisings, in Tunisia in 2011 and in Burkina Faso in 2014, have managed to avoid a return to military rule. (The Tunisian president’s recent assumption of executive power and suspension of Parliament, though troubling, was undertaken without help from the military.)

In all cases, the most decisive factor in whether a coup succeeded was the scale of the popular response. In Egypt, it was notably lacking. By mid-2013 the revolutionary coalition had fractured, with many members of the secularist wing openly backing the military. Supporters of the democratic government, including the Muslim Brotherhood, did mobilize in response to the coup, but their protests were unable to force the generals to relinquish power.

In Burkina Faso, the opposite was true. A year after the uprising, old regime officers attempted a coup — and were met with a fierce revolutionary response, including mass protests and strikes. The generals returned power to civilians a week later. In Tunisia, some activists clamored for military intervention in the summer of 2013. But most of the main revolutionary parties and movements resisted the temptation to turn to the military, and a coup never materialized.

There are reasons for hope in Sudan. For one, the fissures in the revolutionary coalition don’t seem to be nearly as severe as they were in Egypt. The coup appears to be supported by only a small number of parties and ex-rebel groups in the Forces of Freedom and Change, which led the civilian branch of the transitional government. The week before the coup, a sit-in at the presidential palace calling for military intervention drew limited numbers and was at least partly manufactured by the military itself.

Instead, the coup has been fiercely denounced by most of Sudan’s revolutionaries. Leaders from the Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella group of labor unions, have used their widely followed social media platforms to call for peaceful protests. Others, including rebel leaders such as Abdul Wahid al-Nur and Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, have done the same.

Crucially, Sudanese citizens have answered. Protests erupted on the day of the coup, and since then there have been widespread work closures and civil disobedience campaigns. Many of the neighborhood resistance committees that organized local protests during the uprising have regathered. Activists are now planning for a nationwide protest on Saturday, which will demonstrate the full extent of opposition to the coup.

But protest alone may be insufficient. Threats of punitive action from influential foreign allies are vital, too. In the absence of a strong international response, counterrevolutionaries often feel emboldened to stay the course. The United States’ response to the 2013 coup in Egypt, for example, was tepid at best, and there is even evidence that some senior U.S. officials quietly encouraged Mr. el-Sisi to act. Little wonder he took no notice of calls to step down.

Again, the signs in Sudan are more encouraging. Many foreign powers have forcefully condemned the coup and the United Nations Security Council, which includes China and Russia, expressed serious concern. The United States backed up its strong words by suspending $700 million in foreign aid, something the European Union has threatened to emulate. Perhaps predictably, the statements issued by Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been far weaker.

The United States should do its utmost to avoid the mistakes it made in Egypt and lead the way. Cutting off aid is a promising first step but more is needed, such as sanctions that target the coup leaders directly. Washington must also use its alliances with Gulf powers to halt any support, not least financial, the coup leaders may receive from these governments.

Together, protest and geopolitics could combine to reverse the coup. A strong showing of popular discontent on Saturday would significantly increase the pressure on wavering generals — after all, it was the mass protests and sit-in of June 2019 that persuaded the military to begin a transition to civilian rule. If coupled with firm pressure from abroad, the generals may be convinced to back down.

The prospects for democracy in Sudan certainly look grimmer today than they did a week ago. But all is not yet lost.

On Monday, the Sudanese military launched a coup. Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the military, seized control of the transitional government — which was established in the aftermath of the 2018-19 revolution that ousted the autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir — and announced a state of emergency.

On Monday, the Sudanese military launched a coup. Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the military, seized control of the transitional government — which was established in the aftermath of the 2018-19 revolution that ousted the autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir — and announced a state of emergency. He took the prime minister captive and arrested numerous other cabinet ministers. General al-Burhan justified the intervention by citing strife and deadlock within the transitional government, whose popularity has waned as the country’s economic conditions have deteriorated. But the real reason for the coup is likely to be more straightforward: General al-Burhan was due to hand over the chairmanship of the Sovereignty Council, the country’s collective head of state, as early as November. Clearly, he was not prepared to relinquish power. Against a chorus of international condemnation, the military leaders have adamantly refused to back down. (They did release the prime minister, though he remains heavily guarded.) Instead, they have responded sharply to civilians who have protested the coup: At least 12 people have been killed and 150 injured by the security forces. The prospect of a return to military rule, with its repression, violence and tyranny, looms over Sudan. But it’s not too late to stop it. Extensive popular protest, combined with concerted international pressure, could force the generals to step back. The counterrevolution can still be reversed. The most obvious recent comparison, from the region’s many similar experiences, is far from promising: After a revolution in 2011, Egypt’s democratic transition was cut short by a coup led by Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. But other uprisings, in Tunisia in 2011 and in Burkina Faso in 2014, have managed to avoid a return to military rule. (The Tunisian president’s recent assumption of executive power and suspension of Parliament, though troubling, was undertaken without help from the military.) In all cases, the most decisive factor in whether a coup succeeded was the scale of the popular response. In Egypt, it was notably lacking. By mid-2013 the revolutionary coalition had fractured, with many members of the secularist wing openly backing the military. Supporters of the democratic government, including the Muslim Brotherhood, did mobilize in response to the coup, but their protests were unable to force the generals to relinquish power. In Burkina Faso, the opposite was true. A year after the uprising, old regime officers attempted a coup — and were met with a fierce revolutionary response, including mass protests and strikes. The generals returned power to civilians a week later. In Tunisia, some activists clamored for military intervention in the summer of 2013. But most of the main revolutionary parties and movements resisted the temptation to turn to the military, and a coup never materialized. There are reasons for hope in Sudan. For one, the fissures in the revolutionary coalition don’t seem to be nearly as severe as they were in Egypt. The coup appears to be supported by only a small number of parties and ex-rebel groups in the Forces of Freedom and Change, which led the civilian branch of the transitional government. The week before the coup, a sit-in at the presidential palace calling for military intervention drew limited numbers and was at least partly manufactured by the military itself. Instead, the coup has been fiercely denounced by most of Sudan’s revolutionaries. Leaders from the Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella group of labor unions, have used their widely followed social media platforms to call for peaceful protests. Others, including rebel leaders such as Abdul Wahid al-Nur and Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, have done the same. Crucially, Sudanese citizens have answered. Protests erupted on the day of the coup, and since then there have been widespread work closures and civil disobedience campaigns. Many of the neighborhood resistance committees that organized local protests during the uprising have regathered. Activists are now planning for a nationwide protest on Saturday, which will demonstrate the full extent of opposition to the coup. But protest alone may be insufficient. Threats of punitive action from influential foreign allies are vital, too. In the absence of a strong international response, counterrevolutionaries often feel emboldened to stay the course. The United States’ response to the 2013 coup in Egypt, for example, was tepid at best, and there is even evidence that some senior U.S. officials quietly encouraged Mr. el-Sisi to act. Little wonder he took no notice of calls to step down. Again, the signs in Sudan are more encouraging. Many foreign powers have forcefully condemned the coup and the United Nations Security Council, which includes China and Russia, expressed serious concern. The United States backed up its strong words by suspending $700 million in foreign aid, something the European Union has threatened to emulate. Perhaps predictably, the statements issued by Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been far weaker. The United States should do its utmost to avoid the mistakes it made in Egypt and lead the way. Cutting off aid is a promising first step but more is needed, such as sanctions that target the coup leaders directly. Washington must also use its alliances with Gulf powers to halt any support, not least financial, the coup leaders may receive from these governments. Together, protest and geopolitics could combine to reverse the coup. A strong showing of popular discontent on Saturday would significantly increase the pressure on wavering generals — after all, it was the mass protests and sit-in of June 2019 that persuaded the military to begin a transition to civilian rule. If coupled with firm pressure from abroad, the generals may be convinced to back down. The prospects for democracy in Sudan certainly look grimmer today than they did a week ago. But all is not yet lost.

This Is how to stop the coup in Sudan

The coup leader in Sudan has promised to hold elections in 2023. But will the power-hungry generals actually step aside? What does an unstable Sudan mean for Africa? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: How the Sudan coup could destabilise Africa

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-queen-finds-world-leaders-irritating-because-they-only-talk-and-dont-act-420982" hreflang="en">COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act'</a>

Despite the 54 African&nbsp;countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average.

According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come.

The report goes on to say that&nbsp;Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-could-sink-small-states-says-commonwealth-chief-420623" hreflang="en">Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief</a>

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people.

Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report,&nbsp;“Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.”

Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken.

Watch |&nbsp;Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-crisis-hits-south-africas-cape-town-412585/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa.

UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/madagascar-prays-for-rain-as-un-warns-of-climate-change-famine-420184" hreflang="en">Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine'</a>

The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP.

“The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most. This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder. Also read | COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act' Despite the 54 African countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average. According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come. The report goes on to say that Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s. Also read | Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people. Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report, “Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.” Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken. Watch | Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa. UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Also read | Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine' The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP. “The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Africa: The continent with low emissions and high suffering, risks losing rare glaciers to global warming

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe. This is first such infrastructure in the Mediterranean.

The MoU was signed by Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Shaker. The ceremony was held in Athens.

"Such an infrastructure, the first of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean, will enhance regional market integration between Greece and Egypt, between Europe and North Africa, allowing all parties to expand the participation of renewables in their respective generation mix thereby effectively combating the effects of climate change," said Skrekas.

"The electrical connection which we are considering today has many benefits to meet the country electricity needs including securing and stabilizing the electrical system for both countries, reducing reserve margins to cope with emergencies, and diversification of electrical energy sources," said Shaker.

"In Egypt during the last five or six years...we were suffering from a shortage of power supply, now we have a surplus of power supply," he added.

The deal has come as Greece, Cyprus and Israel plan to build the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the world's longest and deepest underwater power cable crossing the Mediterranean. The estimated cost of this is about USD 900 million.

The Greek-Egyptian memorandum establishes a high-level working group of senior officials, representatives of the power grid operators and energy regulators.

The group will examine means and financing for the implementation of the project and facilitate the timely granting of permits and approvals, necessary the feasibility studies, Skrekas said.

As part of the project, Cyprus is due to sign a similar agreement with Egypt on Saturday.

The agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Egypt, which last year signed an accord on their maritime boundaries, giving them rights over natural resources.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe.

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe. This is first such infrastructure in the Mediterranean. The MoU was signed by Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Shaker. The ceremony was held in Athens. "Such an infrastructure, the first of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean, will enhance regional market integration between Greece and Egypt, between Europe and North Africa, allowing all parties to expand the participation of renewables in their respective generation mix thereby effectively combating the effects of climate change," said Skrekas. "The electrical connection which we are considering today has many benefits to meet the country electricity needs including securing and stabilizing the electrical system for both countries, reducing reserve margins to cope with emergencies, and diversification of electrical energy sources," said Shaker. "In Egypt during the last five or six years...we were suffering from a shortage of power supply, now we have a surplus of power supply," he added. The deal has come as Greece, Cyprus and Israel plan to build the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the world's longest and deepest underwater power cable crossing the Mediterranean. The estimated cost of this is about USD 900 million. The Greek-Egyptian memorandum establishes a high-level working group of senior officials, representatives of the power grid operators and energy regulators. The group will examine means and financing for the implementation of the project and facilitate the timely granting of permits and approvals, necessary the feasibility studies, Skrekas said. As part of the project, Cyprus is due to sign a similar agreement with Egypt on Saturday. The agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Egypt, which last year signed an accord on their maritime boundaries, giving them rights over natural resources. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece, Egypt agree to lay first subsea power link between Europe and Africa

Africa, with its internationally recognised musical talent - and growing mobile phone use - is central to Swedish music streamer Spotify's plans to extend its reach to a billion customers.

As African artists such as Nigeria's Burna Boy and South Africa's Black Coffee are streamed across the world, the continent was seen as an obvious choice and is the home to more than a third of the company's 85 new markets.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/african-regional-bloc-loses-92-per-cent-tourism-earnings-due-to-covid-419833">African regional bloc loses 92 per cent tourism earnings due to Covid</a>

The problem is payment on a continent where many people are more likely to have a mobile phone than a bank account.

That means Spotify's first task as it implements a plan announced in February to almost double its footprint is to win over the telecom companies that often equate to banks.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify's head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, told Reuters the company secured "alternative payment methods", namely M-Pesa, when it moved into Kenya in February.

Owned by Kenya's biggest telecoms operator, Safaricom, M-Pesa is used to send money, save, borrow and make payments for goods and services.

"A lot of African countries are unbanked so that means they don't use credit cards and this is very true for a lot of east African (countries) and in Kenya use M-Pesa for the most part," Okumu said. Elsewhere in Africa, Spotify is seeking other collaborators.

"We are having conversations with the right partners to ensure that we are providing solutions to payment problems that several African consumers face in different parts of the continent," Okumu said.

&nbsp;Chasing the mobile money

Irene Kophen, a Spotify premium user based in Kenya, said she prefers M-Pesa rather than bank cards because she thinks mobile money has made music more accessible.

"Most of us have access to our phones, but not many of us have cards, or bank accounts," the 31-year-old told Reuters.

Costs associated with opening bank accounts, the distance to financial institutions and the difficulty in meeting "Know Your Customers" requirements because of inadequate proof of address&nbsp;have added to the appeal of using phones to pay.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-transport-minister-mulls-a-law-replacing-vehicle-horns-with-indian-musical-instruments-418373">Indian Transport minister mulls a law replacing vehicle horns with Indian musical instruments</a>

"The past few years have seen an emphasis on shifting towards expansion of innovative banking services through mobile technology to capture lower income segments and the unbanked," a spokesperson for South Africa's Absa bank said in an emailed statement.

By 2020, sub-Saharan Africa had 548 million mobile money accounts, up 12 per cent&nbsp;from 2019 - more than any other region in the world, mobile industry body GSMA said.

That has provided banking access in a continent where about 43 per cent&nbsp; of sub-Saharan Africans over the age of 15 had a bank account in 2017, according to the World Bank, which has not provided any more recent data.

Win, win

Spotify's local rivals, such as Kenya-based and Danish-listed Mdundo and Nigeria headquartered Boomplay have also started to build ties with mobile operators.

Such partnerships are based on telcom providers selling music bundles that give customers access to a streaming company's premium service and exclusively-curated music mixes.

The collaboration can benefit both sides by boosting revenue and helping to increase subscribers, but for the streaming companies it is all-but essential. 
&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/african-cinema-could-create-20-mn-jobs-unesco-418269">African cinema could create 20 mn jobs: UNESCO</a>

"It is critical that streaming companies get this right, otherwise they will lose out on revenue from consumers who were willing, but unable, to pay them," Charles Stuart, PwC partner and director of Technology, Media and Telecommunications, said.

For the telecom companies, which also include Airtel Nigeria and Vodacom Tanzania, the partnership can help to achieve customer "loyalty and stickiness" by adding value, Stuart said.

MTN, Africa's largest mobile operator with 48.9 million active mobile money users, is integrating its mobile money service onto its MusicTime app to allow payments, Serigne Dioum, group chief digital and fintech officer of MTN, told Reuters.

"We're talking to players who are music-only players and also we're talking to players who have broader reach in music, video and gaming and who can position our digital services much better," MTN's Dioum said.

Boomplay, which has 60 million monthly active users, has allowed users to pay via mobile platforms such as M-Pesa and Tigo-Pesa in Kenya and Tanzania.

It aims to roll out that option in Francophone countries, Tosin Sorinola, Boomplay's director of artiste and media relations, told Reuters.

Mdundo, which had 8.7 million monthly active users as of June, has three telecom partnerships in Nigeria and Tanzania, and expects one or two more similar deals before the end of this year, Chief Executive Officer Martin Nielsen told Reuters.

"When it comes to payments across Africa our key focus is bundling with telcos because telcos are the ones who have this reach and access to people's pockets," he said.

Africa, with its internationally recognised musical talent - and growing mobile phone use - is central to Swedish music streamer Spotify's plans to extend its reach to a billion customers.

Africa, with its internationally recognised musical talent - and growing mobile phone use - is central to Swedish music streamer Spotify's plans to extend its reach to a billion customers. As African artists such as Nigeria's Burna Boy and South Africa's Black Coffee are streamed across the world, the continent was seen as an obvious choice and is the home to more than a third of the company's 85 new markets. Also Read | African regional bloc loses 92 per cent tourism earnings due to Covid The problem is payment on a continent where many people are more likely to have a mobile phone than a bank account. That means Spotify's first task as it implements a plan announced in February to almost double its footprint is to win over the telecom companies that often equate to banks. Phiona Okumu, Spotify's head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, told Reuters the company secured "alternative payment methods", namely M-Pesa, when it moved into Kenya in February. Owned by Kenya's biggest telecoms operator, Safaricom, M-Pesa is used to send money, save, borrow and make payments for goods and services. "A lot of African countries are unbanked so that means they don't use credit cards and this is very true for a lot of east African (countries) and in Kenya use M-Pesa for the most part," Okumu said. Elsewhere in Africa, Spotify is seeking other collaborators. "We are having conversations with the right partners to ensure that we are providing solutions to payment problems that several African consumers face in different parts of the continent," Okumu said. Chasing the mobile money Irene Kophen, a Spotify premium user based in Kenya, said she prefers M-Pesa rather than bank cards because she thinks mobile money has made music more accessible. "Most of us have access to our phones, but not many of us have cards, or bank accounts," the 31-year-old told Reuters. Costs associated with opening bank accounts, the distance to financial institutions and the difficulty in meeting "Know Your Customers" requirements because of inadequate proof of address have added to the appeal of using phones to pay. Also Read | Indian Transport minister mulls a law replacing vehicle horns with Indian musical instruments "The past few years have seen an emphasis on shifting towards expansion of innovative banking services through mobile technology to capture lower income segments and the unbanked," a spokesperson for South Africa's Absa bank said in an emailed statement. By 2020, sub-Saharan Africa had 548 million mobile money accounts, up 12 per cent from 2019 - more than any other region in the world, mobile industry body GSMA said. That has provided banking access in a continent where about 43 per cent of sub-Saharan Africans over the age of 15 had a bank account in 2017, according to the World Bank, which has not provided any more recent data. Win, win Spotify's local rivals, such as Kenya-based and Danish-listed Mdundo and Nigeria headquartered Boomplay have also started to build ties with mobile operators. Such partnerships are based on telcom providers selling music bundles that give customers access to a streaming company's premium service and exclusively-curated music mixes. The collaboration can benefit both sides by boosting revenue and helping to increase subscribers, but for the streaming companies it is all-but essential. Also Read | African cinema could create 20 mn jobs: UNESCO "It is critical that streaming companies get this right, otherwise they will lose out on revenue from consumers who were willing, but unable, to pay them," Charles Stuart, PwC partner and director of Technology, Media and Telecommunications, said. For the telecom companies, which also include Airtel Nigeria and Vodacom Tanzania, the partnership can help to achieve customer "loyalty and stickiness" by adding value, Stuart said. MTN, Africa's largest mobile operator with 48.9 million active mobile money users, is integrating its mobile money service onto its MusicTime app to allow payments, Serigne Dioum, group chief digital and fintech officer of MTN, told Reuters. "We're talking to players who are music-only players and also we're talking to players who have broader reach in music, video and gaming and who can position our digital services much better," MTN's Dioum said. Boomplay, which has 60 million monthly active users, has allowed users to pay via mobile platforms such as M-Pesa and Tigo-Pesa in Kenya and Tanzania. It aims to roll out that option in Francophone countries, Tosin Sorinola, Boomplay's director of artiste and media relations, told Reuters. Mdundo, which had 8.7 million monthly active users as of June, has three telecom partnerships in Nigeria and Tanzania, and expects one or two more similar deals before the end of this year, Chief Executive Officer Martin Nielsen told Reuters. "When it comes to payments across Africa our key focus is bundling with telcos because telcos are the ones who have this reach and access to people's pockets," he said.

Music streamers turn to telcos to make Africa pay

Moderna said Thursday that it planned to build a vaccine manufacturing facility in Africa, news that was welcome for the long term but that does not address the continent’s immediate need for COVID-19 vaccines.

The company said that a new “state-of-the-art” facility would eventually produce up to 500 million doses a year of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, which has shown an efficacy rate of more than 90%&nbsp;in preventing COVID-19. The plant will, in time, also produce other Moderna vaccines, the company said.

However, Moderna gave no time frame and said it was only now beginning the process of identifying which country would host the plant.

Building vaccine manufacturing sites in Africa will increase the continent’s future access to the drugs. But that does not answer calls from African leaders and activists to waive patent laws that would give more drugmakers access to details on how coronavirus vaccines are produced. It also does not address the continent’s immediate COVID-19 vaccine shortages.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-halts-use-of-moderna-vaccine-for-young-adults-418712">Also read |&nbsp;Sweden halts use of Moderna vaccine for young adults</a>

“It doesn’t necessarily solve our problems today,” Dr. John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a regular news briefing Thursday. “The problems we have are quick access to vaccines, redistribution of vaccines, making sure that certain licenses are provided so that manufacturing can start regionally.”

Moderna’s announcement comes amid mounting pressure on biotech firms to share their expertise with manufacturers in countries that desperately need more coronavirus vaccine doses.

Drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said in July that they had partnered with Biovac, a public-private partnership pharmaceutical company in Cape Town, South Africa. In Gqeberha, the South African coastal city formerly known as Port Elizabeth, Johnson &amp; Johnson has partnered with Aspen, a local manufacturer, in a fill-and-finish manufacturing process.

Moderna said that it expected to invest up to $500 million in its future site and that its facility would manufacture the doses with fill-and-finish capacity, in addition to packaging facilities.

“While we are still working to increase capacity in our current network to deliver vaccines for the ongoing pandemic in 2022, we believe it is important to invest in the future,” said Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-pandemic-ceos-of-pfizer-and-moderna-say-life-will-be-back-to-normal-in-a-year-416527">Also read |&nbsp;Covid pandemic: CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say life will be back to normal in a year</a>

African leaders had already established the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, which works within an existing “ecosystem” of Africa’s vaccine needs. Launched in April, it has political backing from the continent’s leaders, including Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Moderna, an American drug company, developed its coronavirus vaccine with billions of dollars in taxpayer money and received initial research and development funding from Covax, the vaccine-sharing facility supported by the global vaccine alliance Gavi and the World Health Organisation.

Moderna said Thursday that it planned to build a vaccine manufacturing facility in Africa, news that was welcome for the long term but that does not address the continent’s immediate need for COVID-19 vaccines.

Moderna said Thursday that it planned to build a vaccine manufacturing facility in Africa, news that was welcome for the long term but that does not address the continent’s immediate need for COVID-19 vaccines. The company said that a new “state-of-the-art” facility would eventually produce up to 500 million doses a year of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, which has shown an efficacy rate of more than 90% in preventing COVID-19. The plant will, in time, also produce other Moderna vaccines, the company said. However, Moderna gave no time frame and said it was only now beginning the process of identifying which country would host the plant. Building vaccine manufacturing sites in Africa will increase the continent’s future access to the drugs. But that does not answer calls from African leaders and activists to waive patent laws that would give more drugmakers access to details on how coronavirus vaccines are produced. It also does not address the continent’s immediate COVID-19 vaccine shortages. Also read | Sweden halts use of Moderna vaccine for young adults “It doesn’t necessarily solve our problems today,” Dr. John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a regular news briefing Thursday. “The problems we have are quick access to vaccines, redistribution of vaccines, making sure that certain licenses are provided so that manufacturing can start regionally.” Moderna’s announcement comes amid mounting pressure on biotech firms to share their expertise with manufacturers in countries that desperately need more coronavirus vaccine doses. Drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said in July that they had partnered with Biovac, a public-private partnership pharmaceutical company in Cape Town, South Africa. In Gqeberha, the South African coastal city formerly known as Port Elizabeth, Johnson & Johnson has partnered with Aspen, a local manufacturer, in a fill-and-finish manufacturing process. Moderna said that it expected to invest up to $500 million in its future site and that its facility would manufacture the doses with fill-and-finish capacity, in addition to packaging facilities. “While we are still working to increase capacity in our current network to deliver vaccines for the ongoing pandemic in 2022, we believe it is important to invest in the future,” said Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO. Also read | Covid pandemic: CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say life will be back to normal in a year African leaders had already established the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, which works within an existing “ecosystem” of Africa’s vaccine needs. Launched in April, it has political backing from the continent’s leaders, including Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Moderna, an American drug company, developed its coronavirus vaccine with billions of dollars in taxpayer money and received initial research and development funding from Covax, the vaccine-sharing facility supported by the global vaccine alliance Gavi and the World Health Organisation.

Moderna says it will build a vaccine factory in Africa

Google plans to invest $1 billion in Africa over the next five years to ensure access to fast and cheaper internet and will back startups to support the continent's digital transformation.

Google to invest $1 billion in Africa over five years

Google on Wednesday said it will invest $1 billion over the next five years to allow for faster and more affordable internet access and support entrepreneurship in Africa.

Internet reliability is a problem in Africa where less than a third of the continent's 1.3 billion people are connected to broadband, according to the World Bank.&nbsp;

But the continent, where nearly half the population is under 18, is a promising market.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-ends-work-on-its-plex-project-even-after-financial-markets-heat-up-417518">Google ends work on its Plex project even after financial markets heat up</a>

According to Google and Alphabet boss, Sundar Pichai "huge strides" have been made in recent years, but more work is needed to make "internet accessible, affordable and useful for every African".

The investment will support digital transformation by ensuring improved connectivity and access, he said in a statement.

The funds will, among other things, go towards infrastructure development including the Equiano subsea cable that will connect South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and St Helena with Europe.

The deal expands Google's pledge announced four years ago to train around 10 million young Africans and small-scale businesses in digital skills.

"I am of the firm belief that no one is better placed to solve Africa's biggest problems than Africa's young developers and startup founders," said Google's Africa managing director Nitin Gajria.

Internet access is also hampered by the affordability of smartphones.&nbsp;

Google said it will partner with Kenya's telecoms giant Safaricom to launch affordable Android smartphones for first time users.&nbsp;

The project will later be rolled out across the continent with other carriers such Airtel, MTN, Orange and Vodacom.

Google on Wednesday said it will invest $1 billion over the next five years to allow for faster and more affordable internet access and support entrepreneurship in Africa.

Google on Wednesday said it will invest $1 billion over the next five years to allow for faster and more affordable internet access and support entrepreneurship in Africa. Internet reliability is a problem in Africa where less than a third of the continent's 1.3 billion people are connected to broadband, according to the World Bank. But the continent, where nearly half the population is under 18, is a promising market. Also read | Google ends work on its Plex project even after financial markets heat up According to Google and Alphabet boss, Sundar Pichai "huge strides" have been made in recent years, but more work is needed to make "internet accessible, affordable and useful for every African". The investment will support digital transformation by ensuring improved connectivity and access, he said in a statement. The funds will, among other things, go towards infrastructure development including the Equiano subsea cable that will connect South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and St Helena with Europe. The deal expands Google's pledge announced four years ago to train around 10 million young Africans and small-scale businesses in digital skills. "I am of the firm belief that no one is better placed to solve Africa's biggest problems than Africa's young developers and startup founders," said Google's Africa managing director Nitin Gajria. Internet access is also hampered by the affordability of smartphones. Google said it will partner with Kenya's telecoms giant Safaricom to launch affordable Android smartphones for first time users. The project will later be rolled out across the continent with other carriers such Airtel, MTN, Orange and Vodacom.

Google to invest $1 billion to lift Africa internet access

Malaria is still a deadly disease in many parts of the world. It claims more lives in poorer continents like Africa where even basic medical facilities are not available in many countries. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 400,00 deaths were recorded across the world due to Malaria in the year 2019 alone.

Now it appears that primary parasite responsible for the disease, Plasmodium falciparum, is able to mutate to avoid common ways of detection we use.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/before-chickens-early-humans-reared-one-of-the-most-dangerous-birds-study-417744">Before chickens, early humans reared one of the most dangerous birds: Study</a>

A study by an immunologist at Ethiopian Public Health Institute has shed more light on this. Sindew Feleke, the immunologist says that about 10 per cent of Malaria cases escaped detection&nbsp;around Ethiopia's border region because of at least one mutation. This is allowing the parasite to evade rapid diagnostic testing (RDT).

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/37-per-cent-patients-have-long-covid-symptoms-months-post-recovery-oxford-study-416740">37 per cent patients have long Covid symptoms months post recovery: Oxford study</a>

Ability to hide from the testing may give the parasite an extra advantage to spread more.

The parasite Plasmodium falciparum infests human blood cells to clone itself. These cells then burst, which sends a flood of parasites within the body. This causes waves of fever and other symptoms.

For their study, Feleke and his colleagues studied blood samples of over 12,500 patients along Ethiopian borders with Eritrea and Sudan. They found that a false negative had been reported in about 10 per cent of the cases.

Malaria is still a deadly disease in many parts of the world. It claims more lives in poorer continents like Africa where even basic medical facilities are not available in many countries.

Malaria is still a deadly disease in many parts of the world. It claims more lives in poorer continents like Africa where even basic medical facilities are not available in many countries. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 400,00 deaths were recorded across the world due to Malaria in the year 2019 alone. Now it appears that primary parasite responsible for the disease, Plasmodium falciparum, is able to mutate to avoid common ways of detection we use. Also Read | Before chickens, early humans reared one of the most dangerous birds: Study A study by an immunologist at Ethiopian Public Health Institute has shed more light on this. Sindew Feleke, the immunologist says that about 10 per cent of Malaria cases escaped detection around Ethiopia's border region because of at least one mutation. This is allowing the parasite to evade rapid diagnostic testing (RDT). Also Read | 37 per cent patients have long Covid symptoms months post recovery: Oxford study Ability to hide from the testing may give the parasite an extra advantage to spread more. The parasite Plasmodium falciparum infests human blood cells to clone itself. These cells then burst, which sends a flood of parasites within the body. This causes waves of fever and other symptoms. For their study, Feleke and his colleagues studied blood samples of over 12,500 patients along Ethiopian borders with Eritrea and Sudan. They found that a false negative had been reported in about 10 per cent of the cases.

Malaria parasite found to undergo mutations evading detection

The African continent is home to 54 countries and only 15 of them have fully vaccinated their 10% population. Thousands of their frontline health workers remain at risk.

15 African nations have vaccinated 10% of their population

Africa&nbsp;faces a 470 million&nbsp;shortfall&nbsp;in&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;said on Thursday.

Only 17 per cent of the continent's population will now be vaccinated by the end of this year, compared with the 40 percent target set by the&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health Organization.

“The staggering inequity and severe lag in shipments of vaccines threatens to turn areas in&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;... into breeding grounds for vaccine-resistant variants," said Matshidiso Moeti,&nbsp;WHO's&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;director. "This&nbsp;could&nbsp;end up sending the whole&nbsp;world&nbsp;back&nbsp;to&nbsp;square&nbsp;one," he added.

Due to global shortages, the Covax alliance set up to ensure equitable delivery of jabs, will ship about 150 million fewer doses of vaccine to&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;than planned.&nbsp;

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/sinovac-begins-global-pediatric-vaccine-trial-in-south-africa-412184">Also read |&nbsp;Sinovac begins global pediatric vaccine trial in South Africa</a>

“As long as rich countries lock Covax out of the market,&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;will miss its vaccination goals," Moetti said.

The reduction in the vaccination target comes as&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;passes the eight million mark in infections this week, the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;South Africa has&nbsp;launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria. The study aims at testing the efficacy of Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac on 14,000 children, who are aged between six months and 17 years in Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Africa.

"We see a lot of milder and less severe disease in children, but they still remain susceptible," project director Sanet Aspinall told reporters at the event.

She further added, "They are... getting the infection and they are then able to transmit it to the rest of the population."

Africa faces a 470 million shortfall in COVID-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the WHO said on Thursday.

Africa faces a 470 million shortfall in COVID-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the WHO said on Thursday. Only 17 per cent of the continent's population will now be vaccinated by the end of this year, compared with the 40 percent target set by the World Health Organization. “The staggering inequity and severe lag in shipments of vaccines threatens to turn areas in Africa ... into breeding grounds for vaccine-resistant variants," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Africa director. "This could end up sending the whole world back to square one," he added. Due to global shortages, the Covax alliance set up to ensure equitable delivery of jabs, will ship about 150 million fewer doses of vaccine to Africa than planned. Also read | Sinovac begins global pediatric vaccine trial in South Africa “As long as rich countries lock Covax out of the market, Africa will miss its vaccination goals," Moetti said. The reduction in the vaccination target comes as Africa passes the eight million mark in infections this week, the WHO said. Meanwhile, South Africa has launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria. The study aims at testing the efficacy of Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac on 14,000 children, who are aged between six months and 17 years in Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Africa. "We see a lot of milder and less severe disease in children, but they still remain susceptible," project director Sanet Aspinall told reporters at the event. She further added, "They are... getting the infection and they are then able to transmit it to the rest of the population."

Africa COVID-19 jab shortfall could take world 'back to square one', says WHO

Africa's two most populous nations Nigeria and Ethiopia have seen a slew of Military cooperation agreements by Russia in the last two months. While France remains the largest presence and troop numbers of any former colonial power in Africa, Russia is challenging the status quo using regional insecurity and diplomatic disputes with western powers as leverage.

Russia is building its military influence in Africa

&nbsp;An Indian&nbsp;merchant shipping crew onboard MV Tampen vessel was attacked by pirates off a port in Africa’s western coast in which two members suffered injuries while a third one has been kidnapped, family members of the distressed crew members have claimed.

The vessel, which was headed from Cameroon to Dubai, had to drop the anchor in the port limits of Owendo Anchorage, Gabon, owing to an issue with the propulsion system.

It is learnt that in the early hours of Sunday (around 12.30 am), some pirates boarded the vessel and attacked the Indian crew members.&nbsp;During the confrontation, the ship’s chief officer and cook suffered multiple bullet wounds after the pirates fired at them using AK-47, the family members claimed.

However, there is no information regarding the whereabouts of a second engineer, who is said to have been kidnapped by the pirates. It is said that the two injured crew have been taken to a hospital in Gabon for treatment and surgery.&nbsp;

The families of the crew alleged that the persons on board are uncertain about their safety and security as the shipping company (Proactive Ship Management Pvt Ltd) is not keen on ensuring the safety of the crew members.

When contacted, a representative of the shipping company told Zee News, “Our priority is to look after the crew.”

The representative also said that a statement would be issued later.&nbsp;

(This is a developing story and will be updated)

An Indian merchant shipping crew onboard MV Tampen vessel was attacked by pirates off a port in Africa’s western coast in which two members suffered injuries while a third one has been kidnapped, family members of the distressed crew members have claimed.

An Indian merchant shipping crew onboard MV Tampen vessel was attacked by pirates off a port in Africa’s western coast in which two members suffered injuries while a third one has been kidnapped, family members of the distressed crew members have claimed. The vessel, which was headed from Cameroon to Dubai, had to drop the anchor in the port limits of Owendo Anchorage, Gabon, owing to an issue with the propulsion system. It is learnt that in the early hours of Sunday (around 12.30 am), some pirates boarded the vessel and attacked the Indian crew members. During the confrontation, the ship’s chief officer and cook suffered multiple bullet wounds after the pirates fired at them using AK-47, the family members claimed. However, there is no information regarding the whereabouts of a second engineer, who is said to have been kidnapped by the pirates. It is said that the two injured crew have been taken to a hospital in Gabon for treatment and surgery. The families of the crew alleged that the persons on board are uncertain about their safety and security as the shipping company (Proactive Ship Management Pvt Ltd) is not keen on ensuring the safety of the crew members. When contacted, a representative of the shipping company told Zee News, “Our priority is to look after the crew.” The representative also said that a statement would be issued later. (This is a developing story and will be updated)

Pirates attack Indian merchant ship off African coast, 2 injured, 1 kidnapped

&nbsp;An Indian&nbsp;merchant shipping crew onboard MV Tampen vessel was attacked by pirates off a port in Africa’s western coast in which two members suffered injuries while a third one has been kidnapped, family members of the distressed crew members have claimed.

The vessel, which was headed from Cameroon to Dubai, had to drop the anchor in the port limits of Owendo Anchorage, Gabon, owing to an issue with the propulsion system.

It is learnt that in the early hours of Sunday (around 12.30 am), some pirates boarded the vessel and attacked the Indian crew members.&nbsp;During the confrontation, the ship’s chief officer and cook suffered multiple bullet wounds after the pirates fired using AK-47, the family members claimed.

However, there is no information regarding the whereabouts of a second engineer, who is said to have been kidnapped by the pirates. It is said that the two injured crew have been taken to a hospital in Gabon for treatment and surgery.&nbsp;

The families of the crew alleged that the persons on board are uncertain about their safety and security as the shipping company (Proactive Ship Management Pvt Ltd) is not keen on ensuring the safety of the crew members.

When contacted, a representative of the shipping company told Zee News, “Our priority is to look after the crew.”

The representative also said that a statement would be issued later.&nbsp;

(This is a developing story and will be updated)

An Indian merchant shipping crew onboard MV Tampen vessel was attacked by pirates off a port in Africa’s western coast in which two members suffered injuries while a third one has been kidnapped, family members of the distressed crew members have claimed. The vessel, which was headed from Cameroon to Dubai, had to drop the anchor in the port limits of Owendo Anchorage, Gabon, owing to an issue with the propulsion system. It is learnt that in the early hours of Sunday (around 12.30 am), some pirates boarded the vessel and attacked the Indian crew members. During the confrontation, the ship’s chief officer and cook suffered multiple bullet wounds after the pirates fired using AK-47, the family members claimed. However, there is no information regarding the whereabouts of a second engineer, who is said to have been kidnapped by the pirates. It is said that the two injured crew have been taken to a hospital in Gabon for treatment and surgery. The families of the crew alleged that the persons on board are uncertain about their safety and security as the shipping company (Proactive Ship Management Pvt Ltd) is not keen on ensuring the safety of the crew members. When contacted, a representative of the shipping company told Zee News, “Our priority is to look after the crew.” The representative also said that a statement would be issued later. (This is a developing story and will be updated)

Pirates attack Indian merchant ship off African coast, 2 suffer bullet injuries, 1 kidnapped

A clinical trial involving 2,600 young women in sub-Saharan Africa found that Johnson &amp; Johnson's highly anticipated HIV vaccine did not offer adequate protection against the virus, the company told US health officials Tuesday.

Despite its safety and lack of serious side effects, the vaccine was only 25 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hivaids-vaccine-why-dont-we-have-one-after-37-years-when-we-have-several-for-covid-19-after-a-few-months-385776">HIV/AIDS vaccine: Why don’t we have one after 37 years, when we have several for COVID-19 after a few months?</a>

Accordingly, the "Imbokodo" trial that began in 2017 has been suspended, and the participants, from Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, will be told if they received the vaccine or a placebo.&nbsp;

A parallel trial will continue in the Americas and Europe, where vaccine compositions and HIV strains differ. This trial involves men engaging in physical relationships with other men and transgender individuals.

Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer for J&amp;J, expressed his gratitude to the participants as well as company partners.&nbsp;

"While we are disappointed that the vaccine candidate did not provide a sufficient level of protection against HIV infection in the Imbokodo trial, the study will give us important scientific findings in the ongoing pursuit for a vaccine to prevent HIV," he said.

"We must apply the knowledge learned from the Imbokodo trial and continue our efforts to find a vaccine that will be protective against HIV," added Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases which co-funded the study.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hiv-vaccine-trial-begins-at-oxford-after-40-years-since-the-first-reported-case-of-aids-396399">HIV vaccine trial begins at Oxford after 40 years since the first reported case of AIDS</a>

As with the J&amp;J&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;vaccine, this uses adenovirus technology and was administered with four vaccinations over one year.

Genetically modified cold viruses are used to transmit instructions for the host to produce "mosaic immunogens" that can cause the immune system to attack a variety of HIV strains.

Additionally, the final two doses contained proteins found in HIV viruses themselves, as well as "adjuvants" that helped to boost the immune system even more.

Trial results were analyzed two years after the first dose was given to the women, aged 18-35.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-trials-for-potential-hiv-vaccine-show-optimistic-results-375864">New trials for potential HIV vaccine show optimistic results</a>

The study found that 63 placebo recipients and 51 vaccination recipients became infected with HIV, meaning that the efficacy rate was 25.2 per cent.

Preexposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) was given to trial participants to help prevent HIV infection during the trial.

Medical care and antiretroviral treatment were provided to women who acquired HIV infection.&nbsp;

The quest for a viable treatment continues

Science has made great strides in HIV treatment in the four decades since the first cases of what would become known as AIDS were documented. What was once a death sentence has become a manageable condition.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-decades-of-aids-a-timeline-389622">Four decades of AIDS: A Timeline</a>

A daily dose of PreP reduces infection risk by 99 per cent.

Nevertheless, the lack of equal access to medication across the world and even in wealthy countries make a vaccine that is able to ward off infections a high priority.

(With inputs from agencies)

A clinical trial involving 2,600 young women in sub-Saharan Africa found that Johnson & Johnson's highly anticipated HIV vaccine did not offer adequate protection against the virus, the company told US health officials Tuesday.

A clinical trial involving 2,600 young women in sub-Saharan Africa found that Johnson & Johnson's highly anticipated HIV vaccine did not offer adequate protection against the virus, the company told US health officials Tuesday. Despite its safety and lack of serious side effects, the vaccine was only 25 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection. Also read | HIV/AIDS vaccine: Why don’t we have one after 37 years, when we have several for COVID-19 after a few months? Accordingly, the "Imbokodo" trial that began in 2017 has been suspended, and the participants, from Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, will be told if they received the vaccine or a placebo. A parallel trial will continue in the Americas and Europe, where vaccine compositions and HIV strains differ. This trial involves men engaging in physical relationships with other men and transgender individuals. Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer for J&J, expressed his gratitude to the participants as well as company partners. "While we are disappointed that the vaccine candidate did not provide a sufficient level of protection against HIV infection in the Imbokodo trial, the study will give us important scientific findings in the ongoing pursuit for a vaccine to prevent HIV," he said. "We must apply the knowledge learned from the Imbokodo trial and continue our efforts to find a vaccine that will be protective against HIV," added Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases which co-funded the study. Also read | HIV vaccine trial begins at Oxford after 40 years since the first reported case of AIDS As with the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, this uses adenovirus technology and was administered with four vaccinations over one year. Genetically modified cold viruses are used to transmit instructions for the host to produce "mosaic immunogens" that can cause the immune system to attack a variety of HIV strains. Additionally, the final two doses contained proteins found in HIV viruses themselves, as well as "adjuvants" that helped to boost the immune system even more. Trial results were analyzed two years after the first dose was given to the women, aged 18-35. Also read | New trials for potential HIV vaccine show optimistic results The study found that 63 placebo recipients and 51 vaccination recipients became infected with HIV, meaning that the efficacy rate was 25.2 per cent. Preexposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) was given to trial participants to help prevent HIV infection during the trial. Medical care and antiretroviral treatment were provided to women who acquired HIV infection. The quest for a viable treatment continues Science has made great strides in HIV treatment in the four decades since the first cases of what would become known as AIDS were documented. What was once a death sentence has become a manageable condition. Also read | Four decades of AIDS: A Timeline A daily dose of PreP reduces infection risk by 99 per cent. Nevertheless, the lack of equal access to medication across the world and even in wealthy countries make a vaccine that is able to ward off infections a high priority. (With inputs from agencies)

Johnson & Johnson's 'Imbokodo' trial for HIV vaccine fails in sub-Saharan Africa

A study published Wednesday suggests that mountain forests may store up to two-thirds more carbon than previously thought, underscoring the vital role they can play in combating climate change.&nbsp;

High-altitude forests are typically considered to hold less carbon than lowland forests because the soil and climatic factors affect tree growth and, in turn, the amount of carbon the trees are able to store.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-made-deadly-europe-floods-up-to-nine-times-more-likely-study-408046">Climate change made deadly Europe floods up to nine times more likely: Study</a>

Scientists report in Nature that the average carbon content of Africa's montane forests is 149.4 tons per hectare, roughly equivalent to the average carbon content of African lowlands.

In a striking twist, this is more than two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimate of&nbsp;89.3 tonnes of carbon per hectare.

To obtain this data, a&nbsp;team of international researchers examined data from 44 highland sites across 12 African countries to more accurately estimate the carbon stored in these so-called montane forests.&nbsp;

They measured the diameter and height of more than 72,000 trees to determine how dense the wood is, then logged the species present in each plot.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-for-real-glacier-melts-makes-swedish-peak-shrink-by-2-metres-in-a-year-406593">Climate change&nbsp;for real?&nbsp;Glacier melts, makes&nbsp;Swedish peak shrink by&nbsp;2 metres&nbsp;in a year</a>

From there, they calculated the carbon storage rate per unit of forest area.

In spite of the huge amount of carbon they store, montane forests are threatened by logging, mining, and land conversion.&nbsp;

In Mozambique, for example, it was found that nearly a third of its 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of high altitude forests had been destroyed since 2000.&nbsp;

There has been a loss of over half a million hectares of mountain forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo in this century, accounting for much of Africa's 800,000 hectares.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-climate-change-could-sink-entire-nations-404528/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As per the authors, these research findings have a range of policy implications, including the use of "carbon finance", incentives to conserve forests instead of clear-cutting them.&nbsp;

They argue that past underestimations of carbon storage capacity by the IPCC may have led to governments being less inclined to preserve high-altitude forest areas.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A study published Wednesday suggests that mountain forests may store up to two-thirds more carbon than previously thought, underscoring the vital role they can play in combating climate change.

A study published Wednesday suggests that mountain forests may store up to two-thirds more carbon than previously thought, underscoring the vital role they can play in combating climate change. High-altitude forests are typically considered to hold less carbon than lowland forests because the soil and climatic factors affect tree growth and, in turn, the amount of carbon the trees are able to store. Also read | Climate change made deadly Europe floods up to nine times more likely: Study Scientists report in Nature that the average carbon content of Africa's montane forests is 149.4 tons per hectare, roughly equivalent to the average carbon content of African lowlands. In a striking twist, this is more than two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimate of 89.3 tonnes of carbon per hectare. To obtain this data, a team of international researchers examined data from 44 highland sites across 12 African countries to more accurately estimate the carbon stored in these so-called montane forests. They measured the diameter and height of more than 72,000 trees to determine how dense the wood is, then logged the species present in each plot. Also read | Climate change for real? Glacier melts, makes Swedish peak shrink by 2 metres in a year From there, they calculated the carbon storage rate per unit of forest area. In spite of the huge amount of carbon they store, montane forests are threatened by logging, mining, and land conversion. In Mozambique, for example, it was found that nearly a third of its 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of high altitude forests had been destroyed since 2000. There has been a loss of over half a million hectares of mountain forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo in this century, accounting for much of Africa's 800,000 hectares. As per the authors, these research findings have a range of policy implications, including the use of "carbon finance", incentives to conserve forests instead of clear-cutting them. They argue that past underestimations of carbon storage capacity by the IPCC may have led to governments being less inclined to preserve high-altitude forest areas. (With inputs from agencies)

African mountain forests store two-thirds more carbon than previously believed: Study

A Swiss foundation has built a new kind of power plant. It buys or barters household waste for biogas. This initiative is supported by the foundation ReBin. Its aim is to encourage a circular economy and to show the population that waste is a resource.

Biogas changes attitudes towards waste in rural Benin

Several hundred people protested Saturday in N'Djamena against the junta that has ruled Chad since the death in the battle of Idriss Deby Itno, despite a strong police presence.

Civil society organisations had called to demonstrate against the Transitional Military Council's (CMT) "power grab" in April by Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chad-junta-names-presidential-runner-up-as-interim-pm-380563">Chad junta names presidential runner-up as interim PM</a>

"We are fighting for a just Chad... We will not stop as long as there is injustice in the country and the CMT is in charge," said Max Loalngar, spokesman for Wakit Tamma, an opposition platform.

Authorities had given the go-ahead for the protest and deployed security forces. But there was no violence.

"I marched to say no to the monarchical devolution of power in Chad," said Elsa, a 23-year-old protester, holding up a sign that read "Chad is not a kingdom".

Marcellin, a 25-year-old, added: "The country has been going backwards for almost 30 years in terms of education, clean water and access to employment.&nbsp;You have to be close to the ruling party or a member of the clan to have access to employment."

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The generals under Deby's son have promised "free and transparent" elections after an 18-month "transition" when they took power -- but also proceeded to dissolve parliament and repeal the constitution.

A promised "national dialogue," which was supposed to include bitter critics, has yet to begin and a 93-strong body supposed to draft a new constitution has yet to be appointed.

The elder Deby died in April from wounds sustained fighting rebels.

Several hundred people protested Saturday in N'Djamena against the junta that has ruled Chad since the death in the battle of Idriss Deby Itno, despite a strong police presence.

Several hundred people protested Saturday in N'Djamena against the junta that has ruled Chad since the death in the battle of Idriss Deby Itno, despite a strong police presence. Civil society organisations had called to demonstrate against the Transitional Military Council's (CMT) "power grab" in April by Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Also read | Chad junta names presidential runner-up as interim PM "We are fighting for a just Chad... We will not stop as long as there is injustice in the country and the CMT is in charge," said Max Loalngar, spokesman for Wakit Tamma, an opposition platform. Authorities had given the go-ahead for the protest and deployed security forces. But there was no violence. "I marched to say no to the monarchical devolution of power in Chad," said Elsa, a 23-year-old protester, holding up a sign that read "Chad is not a kingdom". Marcellin, a 25-year-old, added: "The country has been going backwards for almost 30 years in terms of education, clean water and access to employment. You have to be close to the ruling party or a member of the clan to have access to employment." The generals under Deby's son have promised "free and transparent" elections after an 18-month "transition" when they took power -- but also proceeded to dissolve parliament and repeal the constitution. A promised "national dialogue," which was supposed to include bitter critics, has yet to begin and a 93-strong body supposed to draft a new constitution has yet to be appointed. The elder Deby died in April from wounds sustained fighting rebels.

Protests in Chad against military junta

The US State Department has designated five leaders from three terrorist groups for "committing atrocities in Africa".

Bonomade Machude Omar of the Islamic State (IS)-Mozambique; Sidan ag Hitta, Salem ould Breihmatt and Ali Mohamed Rage of the Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM); and Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir of al-Shabaab have been designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order 13224, as amended, the Department said in a statement on Friday.

According to the Department, Omar leads the Military and External Affairs Departments for IS-Mozambique and serves as the senior commander and lead coordinator for all attacks conducted by the group, as well as the lead facilitator and communications conduit.

Hitta is a senior leader and commander responsible for the Kidal region in Mali within JNIM. He was among the group responsible for the January 20, 2019, attack on the MINUSMA base in Aguelhoc, Mali.

He was also responsible for hostages in the Kidal Region, said the State Department.

Breihmatt is a JNIM senior leader and emir of Arbinda and Serma in the Mopti region of Mali. He is also charged with the oversight of the group in Burkina Faso and is an explosives expert and instructor.

Rage is al-Shabaab's spokesman and a senior leader of the group. He replaced Sheikh Mukhtar Robowas al-Shabaab`s top spokesman in May 2009.

Rage has been involved in attack planning that has targeted areas in Kenya and Somalia.

Abdikadir is a facilitator and operational planner. As of November 2019, Abdikadirwas an al-Shabaab senior leader and served as the Head of Operations and Logistics.

Taking to Twitter, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "Today, the State Department designated five leaders from IS-Mozambique, JNIM, and al-Shabaab, terrorist groups that have committed atrocities in Africa.

"The US is committed to disrupting terrorist financing, limiting their ability to conduct attacks against civilians."

The US State Department has designated five leaders from three terrorist groups for "committing atrocities in Africa". Bonomade Machude Omar of the Islamic State (IS)-Mozambique; Sidan ag Hitta, Salem ould Breihmatt and Ali Mohamed Rage of the Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM); and Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir of al-Shabaab have been designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order 13224, as amended, the Department said in a statement on Friday.

The US State Department has designated five leaders from three terrorist groups for "committing atrocities in Africa". Bonomade Machude Omar of the Islamic State (IS)-Mozambique; Sidan ag Hitta, Salem ould Breihmatt and Ali Mohamed Rage of the Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM); and Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir of al-Shabaab have been designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order 13224, as amended, the Department said in a statement on Friday. According to the Department, Omar leads the Military and External Affairs Departments for IS-Mozambique and serves as the senior commander and lead coordinator for all attacks conducted by the group, as well as the lead facilitator and communications conduit. Hitta is a senior leader and commander responsible for the Kidal region in Mali within JNIM. He was among the group responsible for the January 20, 2019, attack on the MINUSMA base in Aguelhoc, Mali. He was also responsible for hostages in the Kidal Region, said the State Department. Breihmatt is a JNIM senior leader and emir of Arbinda and Serma in the Mopti region of Mali. He is also charged with the oversight of the group in Burkina Faso and is an explosives expert and instructor. Rage is al-Shabaab's spokesman and a senior leader of the group. He replaced Sheikh Mukhtar Robowas al-Shabaab`s top spokesman in May 2009. Rage has been involved in attack planning that has targeted areas in Kenya and Somalia. Abdikadir is a facilitator and operational planner. As of November 2019, Abdikadirwas an al-Shabaab senior leader and served as the Head of Operations and Logistics. Taking to Twitter, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "Today, the State Department designated five leaders from IS-Mozambique, JNIM, and al-Shabaab, terrorist groups that have committed atrocities in Africa. "The US is committed to disrupting terrorist financing, limiting their ability to conduct attacks against civilians."

United States adds 5 terrorist commanders to global list for 'committing atrocities in Africa'

Rebels&nbsp;killed&nbsp;six&nbsp;civilians&nbsp;and wounded several others Saturday in an&nbsp;attack&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;village&nbsp;in the northeast of the volatile Central African Republic, the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;peacekeeping mission said.

"This morning at dawn elements from the 3R (Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation) launched a large-scale&nbsp;attack&nbsp;against C. African army positions in the&nbsp;village&nbsp;of Mann," the spokesman for the&nbsp;UN's 12,000-strong MINUSCA mission said.

"Six&nbsp;civilians&nbsp;were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;and several wounded," he added.

The&nbsp;village&nbsp;is about 550 kilometres (340 miles) from the capital Bangui, Lieutenant Colonel Abdoulaziz Fall told AFP.

"The situation is under control and patrols are under way," he said.

The 3R, a&nbsp;rebel&nbsp;group composed of members from the Funali ethnic group, is one of several such outfits flourishing in the violence-wracked country. &nbsp;

CAR is the second least-developed country in the world according to the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;and is still suffering from the aftermath of a brutal civil conflict that erupted in 2013.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-to-return-bronzes-looted-by-britain-from-nigeria-381713">Also read |&nbsp;Germany to return bronzes looted by Britain from Nigeria</a>

It has been wracked by coups and decades of misrule by dictators since its 1960 independence from France.

President Faustin Archange Touadera was re-elected in December&nbsp;on&nbsp;a turnout of fewer than one in three voters.

The ballot was hampered by armed groups -- including the 3R -- that at the time controlled around two-thirds of the country, and rebels mounted an offensive in the runup to polling day.

Since then, the army, backed by&nbsp;UN&nbsp;peacekeepers, Rwandan special forces and Russian paramilitaries, has wrested much of the territory from&nbsp;rebel&nbsp;control.

On&nbsp;Thursday, the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security Council extended an arms embargo&nbsp;on&nbsp;the country for 12 months as members voiced alarm at the "deteriorating" situation.

The extension -- which aims to prevent armed groups from acquiring weaponry -- is virtually the same as the last embargo but includes an exemption&nbsp;on&nbsp;mortars.

Russian "instructors" have been aiding CAR's poorly-equipped national army since 2018, when Moscow first acknowledged sending personnel to help train its beleaguered forces.

The Russian paramilitaries supplied small arms, gaining exemption from the weapons embargo and are credited with helping strengthening CAR's army.

Last month,&nbsp;UN&nbsp;experts accused the Russian instructors of having carried out "indiscriminate killings" and lootings.

Moscow insists the personnel are unarmed and not involved in fighting.

Russia has acknowledged the deployment of around 500 instructors but&nbsp;UN&nbsp;experts estimate there could be up to 2,000.

Rebels killed six civilians and wounded several others Saturday in an attack on a village in the northeast of the volatile Central African Republic, the UN peacekeeping mission said.

Rebels killed six civilians and wounded several others Saturday in an attack on a village in the northeast of the volatile Central African Republic, the UN peacekeeping mission said. "This morning at dawn elements from the 3R (Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation) launched a large-scale attack against C. African army positions in the village of Mann," the spokesman for the UN's 12,000-strong MINUSCA mission said. "Six civilians were killed and several wounded," he added. The village is about 550 kilometres (340 miles) from the capital Bangui, Lieutenant Colonel Abdoulaziz Fall told AFP. "The situation is under control and patrols are under way," he said. The 3R, a rebel group composed of members from the Funali ethnic group, is one of several such outfits flourishing in the violence-wracked country. CAR is the second least-developed country in the world according to the UN and is still suffering from the aftermath of a brutal civil conflict that erupted in 2013. Also read | Germany to return bronzes looted by Britain from Nigeria It has been wracked by coups and decades of misrule by dictators since its 1960 independence from France. President Faustin Archange Touadera was re-elected in December on a turnout of fewer than one in three voters. The ballot was hampered by armed groups -- including the 3R -- that at the time controlled around two-thirds of the country, and rebels mounted an offensive in the runup to polling day. Since then, the army, backed by UN peacekeepers, Rwandan special forces and Russian paramilitaries, has wrested much of the territory from rebel control. On Thursday, the UN Security Council extended an arms embargo on the country for 12 months as members voiced alarm at the "deteriorating" situation. The extension -- which aims to prevent armed groups from acquiring weaponry -- is virtually the same as the last embargo but includes an exemption on mortars. Russian "instructors" have been aiding CAR's poorly-equipped national army since 2018, when Moscow first acknowledged sending personnel to help train its beleaguered forces. The Russian paramilitaries supplied small arms, gaining exemption from the weapons embargo and are credited with helping strengthening CAR's army. Last month, UN experts accused the Russian instructors of having carried out "indiscriminate killings" and lootings. Moscow insists the personnel are unarmed and not involved in fighting. Russia has acknowledged the deployment of around 500 instructors but UN experts estimate there could be up to 2,000.

Six civilians killed in rebel attack on Central Africa village: UN

Unidentified attackers killed five Cameroonian soldiers and one civilian during a raid on a military outpost in the far north of the country, local authorities said on Tuesday, the second deadly raid in the area in the past week.

An army post in the village of Zigue was attacked at around 9 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Monday, according to two officials who asked not to be identified.

The attack follows a raid that took place around 50 km (30 miles) north of Zigue on Saturday, which was claimed by Islamic State. Eight soldiers were killed in that raid, according to the defence ministry.

Cameroon, alongside neighbouring Nigeria and Chad, has been battling the Boko Haram militant group for years, but more recently has clashed with fighters who identify themselves as Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).

In the aftermath of the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in May, ISWAP has sought to absorb Boko Haram fighters and unify the groups which had hitherto fought one another for control of territory.

Unidentified attackers killed five Cameroonian soldiers and one civilian during a raid on a military outpost in the far north of the country, local authorities said on Tuesday, the second deadly raid in the area in the past week.

Unidentified attackers killed five Cameroonian soldiers and one civilian during a raid on a military outpost in the far north of the country, local authorities said on Tuesday, the second deadly raid in the area in the past week. An army post in the village of Zigue was attacked at around 9 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Monday, according to two officials who asked not to be identified. The attack follows a raid that took place around 50 km (30 miles) north of Zigue on Saturday, which was claimed by Islamic State. Eight soldiers were killed in that raid, according to the defence ministry. Cameroon, alongside neighbouring Nigeria and Chad, has been battling the Boko Haram militant group for years, but more recently has clashed with fighters who identify themselves as Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP). In the aftermath of the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in May, ISWAP has sought to absorb Boko Haram fighters and unify the groups which had hitherto fought one another for control of territory.

Attackers kill five soldiers, one civilian in north Cameroon, say officials

Thirteen civilians were killed in clashes north of Bangui, the capital of the perennially restive Central African Republic, the UN mission in the country said Thursday.

Peacekeepers found "13 dead bodies in Bongboto", about 300 kilometres (190 miles) north of Bangui, on Wednesday, MINUSCA spokesman lieutenant-colonel Abdoulaziz Fall told AFP.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-south-africa-riots-rises-to-337-399786">Also read |&nbsp;Death toll in South Africa riots rises to 337</a>

CAR is the second least-developed country in the world according to the UN and suffers from the aftermath of a brutal civil conflict that erupted in 2013.

MINUSCA said it would do everything "to shed light on this sad incident" and bring the attackers to justice.

The government has blamed the Coalition of Patriots for Change, created in December 2020 to try and topple President Faustin Archange Touadera, of being behind the attack.

Thirteen civilians were killed in clashes north of Bangui, the capital of the perennially restive Central African Republic, the UN mission in the country said Thursday.

Thirteen civilians were killed in clashes north of Bangui, the capital of the perennially restive Central African Republic, the UN mission in the country said Thursday. Peacekeepers found "13 dead bodies in Bongboto", about 300 kilometres (190 miles) north of Bangui, on Wednesday, MINUSCA spokesman lieutenant-colonel Abdoulaziz Fall told AFP. Also read | Death toll in South Africa riots rises to 337 CAR is the second least-developed country in the world according to the UN and suffers from the aftermath of a brutal civil conflict that erupted in 2013. MINUSCA said it would do everything "to shed light on this sad incident" and bring the attackers to justice. The government has blamed the Coalition of Patriots for Change, created in December 2020 to try and topple President Faustin Archange Touadera, of being behind the attack.

13 civilians killed north of Central Africa capital Bangui: UN

Nigeria&nbsp;has put&nbsp;six&nbsp;states&nbsp;on&nbsp;red&nbsp;alert&nbsp;after seeing a "worrisome" rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;infections, a government official said, urging people to curb&nbsp;gatherings&nbsp;and hold prayers outside mosques during this week's Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is like most parts of the continent now facing a&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;third wave after detecting the more transmissible Delta variant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-south-africa-another-coronavirus-variant-emerges-in-nigeria-352189">After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria</a>

The head of the presidential steering committee on&nbsp;COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory had been placed on&nbsp;red&nbsp;alert&nbsp;as part of preventive measures against the pandemic.

A&nbsp;red&nbsp;alert&nbsp;allows authorities in the&nbsp;states&nbsp;to restrict celebrations and&nbsp;gatherings&nbsp;to a minimum.

"These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in&nbsp;Nigeria," Mustapha said in a statement.

Mustapha said there was potential for wider spread of the virus during the Eid-el-Kabir&nbsp;gatherings&nbsp;and said Friday prayers should be held outside local mosques.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-will-stay-with-us-for-the-next-10-years-says-vaccine-creator-351920">Also read | Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator</a>

He also suspended Durbar, an annual Muslim festival in northern&nbsp;Nigeria, which is marked by colourful horse riding events watched by large&nbsp;gatherings.

Last week,&nbsp;Nigeria, which has recorded 169,329 cases and 2,126 deaths said it expected to receive nearly 8 million additional doses of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines </a>by the end of August, including from a U.S. government donation.

Nigeria has put six states on red alert after seeing a "worrisome" rise in COVID-19 infections, a government official said, urging people to curb gatherings and hold prayers outside mosques during this week's Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir.

Nigeria has put six states on red alert after seeing a "worrisome" rise in COVID-19 infections, a government official said, urging people to curb gatherings and hold prayers outside mosques during this week's Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is like most parts of the continent now facing a COVID-19 third wave after detecting the more transmissible Delta variant. Also read | After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria The head of the presidential steering committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory had been placed on red alert as part of preventive measures against the pandemic. A red alert allows authorities in the states to restrict celebrations and gatherings to a minimum. "These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria," Mustapha said in a statement. Mustapha said there was potential for wider spread of the virus during the Eid-el-Kabir gatherings and said Friday prayers should be held outside local mosques. Also read | Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator He also suspended Durbar, an annual Muslim festival in northern Nigeria, which is marked by colourful horse riding events watched by large gatherings. Last week, Nigeria, which has recorded 169,329 cases and 2,126 deaths said it expected to receive nearly 8 million additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of August, including from a U.S. government donation.

Nigeria puts six states on COVID-19 red alert, curbs gatherings

South African military said on Monday that it was deploying soldiers in order to control protests and quell violence that has erupted during demonstrations supporting ex-South Africa president Jacob Zuma. As of now, soldiers will be deployed in two provinces namely Guateng and KwaZulu-Natal. The latter is home province of Jacob Zuma.

Soldiers will also be deployed in Johannesburg, the commercial hub of South Africa which is witnessing widespread violence.

Zuma is currently serving 15-month sentence handed to him due to contempt of court.

"The South African National Defence Force has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received... to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days," it said in a statement.

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Current President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa warned protesters against committing acts of violence.

“It is a matter of concern to all South Africans that some of these acts of violence are based on ethnic mobilisation.While there are those who may be hurt and angry at this moment, there can never be any justification for such violent, destructive and disruptive actions.This must be condemned by all South Africans at all costs as we are a nation committed to non-racialism and non-tribalism that is underpinned by the diversity and unity of all the people of South Africa, whatever their language, culture, religious beliefs and race,” the president said.

(With inputs from agencies)

South African military said on Monday that it was deploying soldiers in order to control protests and quell violence that has erupted during demonstrations supporting ex-South Africa president Jacob Zuma.

South African military said on Monday that it was deploying soldiers in order to control protests and quell violence that has erupted during demonstrations supporting ex-South Africa president Jacob Zuma. As of now, soldiers will be deployed in two provinces namely Guateng and KwaZulu-Natal. The latter is home province of Jacob Zuma. Soldiers will also be deployed in Johannesburg, the commercial hub of South Africa which is witnessing widespread violence. Zuma is currently serving 15-month sentence handed to him due to contempt of court. "The South African National Defence Force has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received... to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days," it said in a statement. × Current President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa warned protesters against committing acts of violence. “It is a matter of concern to all South Africans that some of these acts of violence are based on ethnic mobilisation.While there are those who may be hurt and angry at this moment, there can never be any justification for such violent, destructive and disruptive actions.This must be condemned by all South Africans at all costs as we are a nation committed to non-racialism and non-tribalism that is underpinned by the diversity and unity of all the people of South Africa, whatever their language, culture, religious beliefs and race,” the president said. (With inputs from agencies)

South Africa: Military deployed to quell violence by Zuma supporters

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