Scientists on Thursday confirmed the first clinical evidence of drug-resistant mutations of the parasite that leads to malaria making inroads in Africa.&nbsp;

There have been concerns for long about the emergence of such mutations across the continent which makes up for over 90 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019.&nbsp;

A new report published in The Lancet has confirmed these fears.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/science/sea-snail-venom-could-lead-to-new-treatments-for-severe-malaria-365446">Sea snail venom could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria</a>

According to the trials, the disease persisted longer in children who were receiving standard treatment for malaria if they were infected with mutant strains of the parasite.&nbsp;

Still, there is high efficacy of Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), but scientists insist on an "urgent need" for more monitoring in Rwanda, where the study was based as well in other neighbouring nations.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/gsk-to-move-malaria-vaccine-production-to-indias-bharat-biotech-359722">GSK to move malaria vaccine production to India's Bharat Biotech</a>

"Our study shows that resistant isolates are starting to become more common," lead author Aline Uwimana, a researcher at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre in Kigali was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

ACT's, introduced in the early 2000s, is one of the most common and widely used treatments for malaria.&nbsp;

In this treatment, the artemisinin component clears most of the pathogens from the infected body within three days and a long-acting partner drug kills the rest of the parasites.&nbsp;

If the artemisinin component doesn't work within three days, it means that the parasites have developed resistance to this.&nbsp;

Evidence from the Mekong region has proved that once artemisinin resistance becomes prevalent, resistance to the partner drug generally follows, causing the failure of ACT treatment.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

Scientists on Thursday confirmed the first clinical evidence of drug-resistant mutations of the parasite that leads to malaria making inroads in Africa. There have been concerns for long about the emergence of such mutations across the continent which makes up for over 90 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019.

Scientists on Thursday confirmed the first clinical evidence of drug-resistant mutations of the parasite that leads to malaria making inroads in Africa. There have been concerns for long about the emergence of such mutations across the continent which makes up for over 90 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019. A new report published in The Lancet has confirmed these fears. Also read | Sea snail venom could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria According to the trials, the disease persisted longer in children who were receiving standard treatment for malaria if they were infected with mutant strains of the parasite. Still, there is high efficacy of Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), but scientists insist on an "urgent need" for more monitoring in Rwanda, where the study was based as well in other neighbouring nations. Also read | GSK to move malaria vaccine production to India's Bharat Biotech "Our study shows that resistant isolates are starting to become more common," lead author Aline Uwimana, a researcher at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre in Kigali was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. ACT's, introduced in the early 2000s, is one of the most common and widely used treatments for malaria. In this treatment, the artemisinin component clears most of the pathogens from the infected body within three days and a long-acting partner drug kills the rest of the parasites. If the artemisinin component doesn't work within three days, it means that the parasites have developed resistance to this. Evidence from the Mekong region has proved that once artemisinin resistance becomes prevalent, resistance to the partner drug generally follows, causing the failure of ACT treatment. (With agency inputs)

Drug-resistant malaria making inroads in Africa: Study

An Egyptian court Sunday sentenced a man to eight years in prison for sexually harassing three minors and drug possession, in a case that sparked outrage on social media.

Ahmed Bassam Zaki, a former student of some of Egypt's most elite schools and the American University in Cairo, was sentenced to seven years in jail for sexually harassing three underage girls and one year for drug possession, a judicial source said.

He can appeal the verdict, the source added.

Zaki, who is in his 20s, had already been sentenced in December to three years in prison for sexually harassing two young women by Egypt's economic court, which tries cyber crimes.

The court found he had sent sexual photos to one of the women and repeatedly contacted the other without her consent.

Claims against Zaki emerged online last year in the form of testimonies -- many from classmates -- published by the Instagram account Assault Police.

They included an alleged rape and dozens of instances of assault against girls and women, some involving blackmail.

Zaki was arrested on July 4 and confessed to assaulting and blackmailing six complainants, one of whom was a minor.

The case revived a #MeToo campaign in Egypt, where women complain of rampant sexual harassment, a criminal offence since 2014.

United Nations surveys say most women in the conservative country have been subject to harassment ranging from catcalling to pinching and groping or worse.

An Egyptian court Sunday sentenced a man to eight years in prison for sexually harassing three minors and drug possession, in a case that sparked outrage on social media.

An Egyptian court Sunday sentenced a man to eight years in prison for sexually harassing three minors and drug possession, in a case that sparked outrage on social media. Ahmed Bassam Zaki, a former student of some of Egypt's most elite schools and the American University in Cairo, was sentenced to seven years in jail for sexually harassing three underage girls and one year for drug possession, a judicial source said. He can appeal the verdict, the source added. Zaki, who is in his 20s, had already been sentenced in December to three years in prison for sexually harassing two young women by Egypt's economic court, which tries cyber crimes. The court found he had sent sexual photos to one of the women and repeatedly contacted the other without her consent. Claims against Zaki emerged online last year in the form of testimonies -- many from classmates -- published by the Instagram account Assault Police. They included an alleged rape and dozens of instances of assault against girls and women, some involving blackmail. Zaki was arrested on July 4 and confessed to assaulting and blackmailing six complainants, one of whom was a minor. The case revived a #MeToo campaign in Egypt, where women complain of rampant sexual harassment, a criminal offence since 2014. United Nations surveys say most women in the conservative country have been subject to harassment ranging from catcalling to pinching and groping or worse.

Egypt jails man for 8 years in #MeToo case

Chadians voted in presidential elections Sunday with Idriss Deby Itno set to win a sixth term after three decades in power.

A key ally in the West's anti-jihadist campaign in the Sahel, Deby, 68, is the frontrunner in a six-candidate race without major rivals and after a campaign in which demonstrations were banned or dispersed.

The main question seems to be over turnout, after some members of the opposition called for a boycott of the election.

Speaking to journalists earlier Sunday as he cast his vote at a central polling station in the capital N'Djamena, Deby called "upon all men and women of Chad wherever they are to come out in force and vote".

There was a strong police and army presence across the city, while a lack of voting materials delayed opening at many polling stations visited by AFP.

Queueing to vote in the capital, a 25-year-old saleswoman named Bernadette told AFP she backed Deby because "thanks to him I am free to walk wherever I want, day or night, in total security".

In N'Djamena's Moursal district, seen as an opposition stronghold, one election official said they had had "only three voters since opening", standing beside a near-empty ballot box.&nbsp;

Apart from police and soldiers, the streets of N'Djamena were almost &nbsp;empty Sunday. One AFP journalist visited 10 voting stations in the capital mid-afternoon and failed to find a single voter.

"I don't vote, there's no candidate for me," said Mugabe, a motorbike taxi driver who said he scrapes by on the equivalent of three to five euros ($3.50-6.00) per day.

"Whether or not we vote, Deby will stay in power, so there's no point," he added.

An AFP journalist in Massaguet, 85 kilometres (50 miles) north of Niamey said polling stations there were also seeing little traffic.

By Sunday evening, voting stations had closed and counting was underway. Provisional results from the elections are scheduled for April 25, with the final results due on May 15.

- Candidates rejected -

Chad has struggled with poverty and instability since gaining independence from France in 1960. 
A former rebel and career soldier who seized power in a coup in 1990, Deby has twice, with French help, thwarted attempts to oust him.

Other candidates include Albert Pahimi Padacke, a former prime minister under Deby, and Felix Nialbe Romadoumngar -- officially "leader of the opposition" as his URD party has eight seats in the National Assembly.

But the Supreme Court rejected seven other candidates and three withdrew, including longtime opposition politician Saleh Kebzabo, who quit in protest over violence by the security forces.

Deby has campaigned on a promise of peace and security in a region that has been rocked by jihadist insurgencies. On Sunday, the government said two soldiers had been killed in a Thursday ambush in the Lake Chad region.

Some 7.3 million people are eligible to vote out of a population of 15 million, but the most critical opposition parties have urged voters to boycott the election.&nbsp;

Weekly protest marches urging a peaceful transfer of power have been banned or forcefully dispersed, while police and soldiers carried out a deadly raid at the home of a prominent would-be candidate, Yaya Dillo Djerou, in February.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres are among those who have voiced criticism.

- US watching -

The United States on Thursday urged Chad's election supervisors and courts "to ensure these elections are conducted freely, fairly, and transparently".

"We'll be watching in the days ahead," US State Department spokesman Ned Price warned.

Deby has also benefited, once again, from divisions and weaknesses within opposition ranks.

Kelma Manatouma, a Chad expert at the University of Paris-Nanterre, said that "with the considerable means Deby has mobilised, it is certain he will win."

Chad has been an oil producer since 2003, but it remains deeply poor.

In 2018, 42 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. In 2020, Chad ranked 187th out of 189 countries on the UN's Human Development Index.

Chadians voted in presidential elections Sunday with Idriss Deby Itno set to win a sixth term after three decades in power. A key ally in the West's anti-jihadist campaign in the Sahel, Deby, 68, is the frontrunner in a six-candidate race without major rivals and after a campaign in which demonstrations were banned or dispersed.

Chadians voted in presidential elections Sunday with Idriss Deby Itno set to win a sixth term after three decades in power. A key ally in the West's anti-jihadist campaign in the Sahel, Deby, 68, is the frontrunner in a six-candidate race without major rivals and after a campaign in which demonstrations were banned or dispersed. The main question seems to be over turnout, after some members of the opposition called for a boycott of the election. Speaking to journalists earlier Sunday as he cast his vote at a central polling station in the capital N'Djamena, Deby called "upon all men and women of Chad wherever they are to come out in force and vote". There was a strong police and army presence across the city, while a lack of voting materials delayed opening at many polling stations visited by AFP. Queueing to vote in the capital, a 25-year-old saleswoman named Bernadette told AFP she backed Deby because "thanks to him I am free to walk wherever I want, day or night, in total security". In N'Djamena's Moursal district, seen as an opposition stronghold, one election official said they had had "only three voters since opening", standing beside a near-empty ballot box. Apart from police and soldiers, the streets of N'Djamena were almost empty Sunday. One AFP journalist visited 10 voting stations in the capital mid-afternoon and failed to find a single voter. "I don't vote, there's no candidate for me," said Mugabe, a motorbike taxi driver who said he scrapes by on the equivalent of three to five euros ($3.50-6.00) per day. "Whether or not we vote, Deby will stay in power, so there's no point," he added. An AFP journalist in Massaguet, 85 kilometres (50 miles) north of Niamey said polling stations there were also seeing little traffic. By Sunday evening, voting stations had closed and counting was underway. Provisional results from the elections are scheduled for April 25, with the final results due on May 15. - Candidates rejected - Chad has struggled with poverty and instability since gaining independence from France in 1960. A former rebel and career soldier who seized power in a coup in 1990, Deby has twice, with French help, thwarted attempts to oust him. Other candidates include Albert Pahimi Padacke, a former prime minister under Deby, and Felix Nialbe Romadoumngar -- officially "leader of the opposition" as his URD party has eight seats in the National Assembly. But the Supreme Court rejected seven other candidates and three withdrew, including longtime opposition politician Saleh Kebzabo, who quit in protest over violence by the security forces. Deby has campaigned on a promise of peace and security in a region that has been rocked by jihadist insurgencies. On Sunday, the government said two soldiers had been killed in a Thursday ambush in the Lake Chad region. Some 7.3 million people are eligible to vote out of a population of 15 million, but the most critical opposition parties have urged voters to boycott the election. Weekly protest marches urging a peaceful transfer of power have been banned or forcefully dispersed, while police and soldiers carried out a deadly raid at the home of a prominent would-be candidate, Yaya Dillo Djerou, in February. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres are among those who have voiced criticism. - US watching - The United States on Thursday urged Chad's election supervisors and courts "to ensure these elections are conducted freely, fairly, and transparently". "We'll be watching in the days ahead," US State Department spokesman Ned Price warned. Deby has also benefited, once again, from divisions and weaknesses within opposition ranks. Kelma Manatouma, a Chad expert at the University of Paris-Nanterre, said that "with the considerable means Deby has mobilised, it is certain he will win." Chad has been an oil producer since 2003, but it remains deeply poor. In 2018, 42 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. In 2020, Chad ranked 187th out of 189 countries on the UN's Human Development Index.

Chad votes with 30-year ruler Deby poised for sixth win

Djibouti's veteran ruler Ismail Omar Guelleh said Friday he was "very confident" of securing a fifth term as president as voters went to the polls in the tiny but strategically important African nation.

Some 215,000 citizens are registered to vote in the ballot pitting Guelleh, 73, against a little-known businessman widely seen as posing scant threat to the strongman, in power since 1999.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) across the arid Horn of Africa nation, which overlooks one of the world's busiest trade routes at the crossroads between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

After voting in the capital city, where most of Djibouti's one million people reside, Guelleh said he was "very, very confident" of victory and praised the trouble-free conduct of the electoral exercise.

"Now, we wait for the results," said the president, dressed in immaculate white traditional robes, after placing his vote in a transparent ballot box.

Voting closes at 7:00 pm and the results are expected by the evening.

Independent election observers said the process was rolling out smoothly, with no reports of misconduct, although polling stations noted that voters were in no particular rush to cast their ballots.

"So far, everything is going well and is calm," Ahmed Tidiane Souare, the head of an African Union (AU) observer mission, told reporters.

'My vote is useless'

Guelleh was the handpicked successor to his relative Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the country's first president after independence from France in 1977.

He faces just one challenger -- political newcomer Zakaria Ismail Farah -- after Djibouti's main opposition parties boycotted the election.

Farah, a 56-year-old cleaning products importer, cast doubt on the transparency of the voting process, saying his delegates were not present at polling stations.

"My vote is of no use, nor are the votes of 80 percent of the Djiboutian people," the opposition candidate told AFP in a text message. 
 
Souare, from the observer mission, said all candidates were free to send their officials to any polling station.&nbsp;

Farah, who had styled himself as the "flag bearer of poor Djiboutians", had alleged unfair treatment during the election campaign, including that he was not provided security at his rallies.

Guelleh, and his extended family, have controlled Djibouti with an iron fist since he was handed power. A rare wave of opposition protests in 2020 were brutally suppressed.

His predicted fifth term will be his last, under a 2010 constitutional reform that scrapped term limits while introducing an age limit of 75, which would lock him out of future elections.

Guelleh has clinched at least 75 percent of the vote in every presidential election he has contested, and urged voters to turn out in large numbers.

"I am always the first to vote. I am a Djiboutian, I have to vote," said 64-year-old Ahmed Abdillah Hadi after casting his ballot.

"I am with President Ismail. I voted for him, I love him."

The vote proceeded despite a surge in Covid-19 cases and infection rates, and few wore face masks as they

cheered Guelleh at a crowded final rally this week.

Stable and strategic

Under Guelleh, the country has exploited its geographical advantage, investing heavily in ports and logistics infrastructure.&nbsp;

In 2018, seeking to become a trade and logistics hub, the country launched the first phase of what will be Africa's biggest free-trade zone, financed by China.

Flanked by Somalia and opposite Yemen, Djibouti has remained stable in a volatile neighbourhood, drawing foreign military powers such as former colonial ruler France, the United States and China to establish bases there.

But the country has also seen an erosion of press freedom and a crackdown on dissent as it has courted foreign interest.

The country's economy shrank by one percent in 2020, but is expected to grow seven percent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Djibouti's GDP per capita income is about $3,500, higher than much of sub-Saharan Africa, but some 20 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty and 26 percent are unemployed, according to the World Bank.

Djibouti's veteran ruler Ismail Omar Guelleh said Friday he was "very confident" of securing a fifth term as president as voters went to the polls in the tiny but strategically important African nation.

Djibouti's veteran ruler Ismail Omar Guelleh said Friday he was "very confident" of securing a fifth term as president as voters went to the polls in the tiny but strategically important African nation. Some 215,000 citizens are registered to vote in the ballot pitting Guelleh, 73, against a little-known businessman widely seen as posing scant threat to the strongman, in power since 1999. Polling stations opened at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) across the arid Horn of Africa nation, which overlooks one of the world's busiest trade routes at the crossroads between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. After voting in the capital city, where most of Djibouti's one million people reside, Guelleh said he was "very, very confident" of victory and praised the trouble-free conduct of the electoral exercise. "Now, we wait for the results," said the president, dressed in immaculate white traditional robes, after placing his vote in a transparent ballot box. Voting closes at 7:00 pm and the results are expected by the evening. Independent election observers said the process was rolling out smoothly, with no reports of misconduct, although polling stations noted that voters were in no particular rush to cast their ballots. "So far, everything is going well and is calm," Ahmed Tidiane Souare, the head of an African Union (AU) observer mission, told reporters. 'My vote is useless' Guelleh was the handpicked successor to his relative Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the country's first president after independence from France in 1977. He faces just one challenger -- political newcomer Zakaria Ismail Farah -- after Djibouti's main opposition parties boycotted the election. Farah, a 56-year-old cleaning products importer, cast doubt on the transparency of the voting process, saying his delegates were not present at polling stations. "My vote is of no use, nor are the votes of 80 percent of the Djiboutian people," the opposition candidate told AFP in a text message. Souare, from the observer mission, said all candidates were free to send their officials to any polling station. Farah, who had styled himself as the "flag bearer of poor Djiboutians", had alleged unfair treatment during the election campaign, including that he was not provided security at his rallies. Guelleh, and his extended family, have controlled Djibouti with an iron fist since he was handed power. A rare wave of opposition protests in 2020 were brutally suppressed. His predicted fifth term will be his last, under a 2010 constitutional reform that scrapped term limits while introducing an age limit of 75, which would lock him out of future elections. Guelleh has clinched at least 75 percent of the vote in every presidential election he has contested, and urged voters to turn out in large numbers. "I am always the first to vote. I am a Djiboutian, I have to vote," said 64-year-old Ahmed Abdillah Hadi after casting his ballot. "I am with President Ismail. I voted for him, I love him." The vote proceeded despite a surge in Covid-19 cases and infection rates, and few wore face masks as they cheered Guelleh at a crowded final rally this week. Stable and strategic Under Guelleh, the country has exploited its geographical advantage, investing heavily in ports and logistics infrastructure. In 2018, seeking to become a trade and logistics hub, the country launched the first phase of what will be Africa's biggest free-trade zone, financed by China. Flanked by Somalia and opposite Yemen, Djibouti has remained stable in a volatile neighbourhood, drawing foreign military powers such as former colonial ruler France, the United States and China to establish bases there. But the country has also seen an erosion of press freedom and a crackdown on dissent as it has courted foreign interest. The country's economy shrank by one percent in 2020, but is expected to grow seven percent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Djibouti's GDP per capita income is about $3,500, higher than much of sub-Saharan Africa, but some 20 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty and 26 percent are unemployed, according to the World Bank.

Veteran ruler Guelleh confident of victory as Djibouti votes

Border clashes between&nbsp;Ethiopia's Afar and Somali regions have killed at least 100 people, a regional official said on Tuesday, the latest outbreak of violence ahead of national elections in June.

Around 100 civilians were killed since clashes broke out on Friday and continued through Tuesday, Ahmed Humed, deputy police commissioner for the Afar region, told Reuters by phone. He blamed the violence on an attack by Somali regional forces.

Ali Bedel, a spokesman for the Somali region, said 25 people had been killed on Friday and an “unknown number of civilians” died in a subsequent attack by the same forces on Tuesday.

Both sides deny having initiated the attacks and blame the other for the violence. Reuters could not verify whether the 25 deaths claimed by the Somali official were in addition to the 100 deaths or included in that figure.

Clashes along the border predate the six-month-old conflict in the north that has pitted the federal government against the former ruling party of the Tigray region.

Yet the violence has intensified just as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government is trying to assert control over Tigray - underscoring how the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner is struggling to keep the country together. The election is regarded as a litmus test for the country’s fragile unity, challenged by many newly resurgent regional and ethnically based parties.

"The Somali region special forces ... attacked the areas of Haruk and Gewane using heavy weapons including machinegun and rocket-propelled grenades. Children and women were killed while they were sleeping," Ahmed said.

In 2014 the boundary between the two states was redrawn by the federal government, then headed by a multi-ethnic ruling coalition, the&nbsp;Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Three small towns were transferred to Afar from Somali, which has since tried to win them back.

As a result militias from the two eastern states have clashed before over their disputed boundaries. In October last year 27 people were killed in a wave of clashes over the border, with each side blaming the other.

Border clashes between Ethiopia's Afar and Somali regions have killed at least 100 people, a regional official said on Tuesday, the latest outbreak of violence ahead of national elections in June.

Border clashes between Ethiopia's Afar and Somali regions have killed at least 100 people, a regional official said on Tuesday, the latest outbreak of violence ahead of national elections in June. Around 100 civilians were killed since clashes broke out on Friday and continued through Tuesday, Ahmed Humed, deputy police commissioner for the Afar region, told Reuters by phone. He blamed the violence on an attack by Somali regional forces. Ali Bedel, a spokesman for the Somali region, said 25 people had been killed on Friday and an “unknown number of civilians” died in a subsequent attack by the same forces on Tuesday. Both sides deny having initiated the attacks and blame the other for the violence. Reuters could not verify whether the 25 deaths claimed by the Somali official were in addition to the 100 deaths or included in that figure. Clashes along the border predate the six-month-old conflict in the north that has pitted the federal government against the former ruling party of the Tigray region. Yet the violence has intensified just as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government is trying to assert control over Tigray - underscoring how the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner is struggling to keep the country together. The election is regarded as a litmus test for the country’s fragile unity, challenged by many newly resurgent regional and ethnically based parties. "The Somali region special forces ... attacked the areas of Haruk and Gewane using heavy weapons including machinegun and rocket-propelled grenades. Children and women were killed while they were sleeping," Ahmed said. In 2014 the boundary between the two states was redrawn by the federal government, then headed by a multi-ethnic ruling coalition, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Three small towns were transferred to Afar from Somali, which has since tried to win them back. As a result militias from the two eastern states have clashed before over their disputed boundaries. In October last year 27 people were killed in a wave of clashes over the border, with each side blaming the other.

At least 100 killed in border clashes between Ethiopia's Somali and Afar regions: Official

The town in northern&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;that Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked late last month is now secure after the military killed a significant number of militants and cleared one final area, an army spokesman and a provincial official said.

"We have completed the clearing (of the town). It was the only sensitive area that we needed to clear. ... It is completely safe," army spokesman Chongo Vidigal said in comments broadcast by state TV channel TVM late on Sunday.

Armindo Ngunga, secretary of state for the Cabo Delgado province, told Reuters on Monday that the town of Palma was "under the control of the state".

"There was significant loss of human life, infrastructure destroyed. But people are safe now," Ngunga added.

Insurgents on March 24 attacked the coastal town of Palma, near natural gas projects worth $60 billion that are meant to transform&nbsp;Mozambique's economy.&nbsp;Mozambique's government says dozens died in the assault, and security sources say clashes continued outside the town as recently as Friday.

Reuters has not been able to verify the accounts from Palma independently. Most means of communication with the town were cut off after the attack began.

Footage taken by TVM in Palma showed a soldier covering a body lying in the street and burned buildings.

Vidigal said the facilities of French energy company Total near Palma were being protected, after sources told Reuters on Friday that Total had withdrawn all its staff as the militants appeared to be approaching.

A Total spokesman and&nbsp;Mozambique's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Islamic State-linked insurgents have been increasingly active in Cabo Delgado since 2017, although it is unclear whether they have a unified aim.

Aid groups believe the latest attack displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom fled into dense forest or escaped by boat. But the extent of the death and displacement is not yet clear, and many remain unaccounted for.

Survivors have recounted seeing bodies of others who died of hunger or dehydration while trying to escape.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The town in northern Mozambique that Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked late last month is now secure after the military killed a significant number of militants and cleared one final area, an army spokesman and a provincial official said.

The town in northern Mozambique that Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked late last month is now secure after the military killed a significant number of militants and cleared one final area, an army spokesman and a provincial official said. "We have completed the clearing (of the town). It was the only sensitive area that we needed to clear. ... It is completely safe," army spokesman Chongo Vidigal said in comments broadcast by state TV channel TVM late on Sunday. Armindo Ngunga, secretary of state for the Cabo Delgado province, told Reuters on Monday that the town of Palma was "under the control of the state". "There was significant loss of human life, infrastructure destroyed. But people are safe now," Ngunga added. Insurgents on March 24 attacked the coastal town of Palma, near natural gas projects worth $60 billion that are meant to transform Mozambique's economy. Mozambique's government says dozens died in the assault, and security sources say clashes continued outside the town as recently as Friday. Reuters has not been able to verify the accounts from Palma independently. Most means of communication with the town were cut off after the attack began. Footage taken by TVM in Palma showed a soldier covering a body lying in the street and burned buildings. Vidigal said the facilities of French energy company Total near Palma were being protected, after sources told Reuters on Friday that Total had withdrawn all its staff as the militants appeared to be approaching. A Total spokesman and Mozambique's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. Islamic State-linked insurgents have been increasingly active in Cabo Delgado since 2017, although it is unclear whether they have a unified aim. Aid groups believe the latest attack displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom fled into dense forest or escaped by boat. But the extent of the death and displacement is not yet clear, and many remain unaccounted for. Survivors have recounted seeing bodies of others who died of hunger or dehydration while trying to escape. (With inputs from agencies)

Mozambique army says town attacked by insurgents is now secure

More than 500 rape cases have been reported to five clinics in Ethiopia`s Tigray region, the United Nations said on Thursday, warning that the actual numbers were likely to be much higher due to stigma and a lack of health services. 
 
"Women say they have been raped by armed actors, they also told stories of gang rape, rape in front of family members and men being forced to rape their own family members under the threat of violence," Wafaa Said, deputy UN&nbsp;aid coordinator in Ethiopia, said in a briefing to UN&nbsp;member states in New York. 
 
She said at least 516 rape cases had been reported by five medical facilities in Mekelle, Adigrat, Wukro, Shire and Axum. 
 
"Given the fact that most health facilities are not functioning and also the stigma associated with rape, it is projected that actual numbers are much higher," she added. 
 
A dozen top UN&nbsp;officials called on Monday for a stop to indiscriminate and targeted attacks against civilians in Tigray, particularly calling out reports of rape and "other horrific forms of sexual violence." 
 
Fighting in Tigray broke out in November between government troops and the region`s former ruling party, the Tigray People`s Liberation Front. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has also said troops from neighboring Eritrea were in the region. 
 
The Ethiopian government takes the allegations of sexual violence "very seriously" and has deployed a fact-finding mission, Ethiopia`s UN&nbsp;ambassador, Taye Atskeselassie Amde, told Reuters. 
 
"Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual crimes and anyone found responsible for the despicable acts will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," he said. 
 
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed and Eritrea`s information minister, Yemane Gebremeskel, did not respond to calls and messages requesting comment on the UN&nbsp;remarks on Thursday. 
 
The violence in Tigray has killed thousands of people and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes in the mountainous region of about 5 million. 
 
"Most of the internally displaced people left with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. They are generally traumatized and tell stories of the difficult journey they took in search of safety. Some reported walking for two weeks and some as far as 500 km," Said said on Thursday. 
 
"Of the people who traveled with them, some were reportedly killed, particularly youngsters, people were reportedly beaten, women were subject to rape, some were pregnant and delivered on the way losing their babies," she said. 
 
The United Nations has raised concerns about atrocities, while US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described acts carried out as ethnic cleansing. Ethiopia rejected Blinken`s allegation. 
 
This week, Abiy acknowledged for the first time that atrocities such as rape had been committed and said any soldiers committing crimes would be punished. 
 
Dozens of witnesses in Tigray have told Reuters that Eritrean soldiers routinely killed civilians, gang-raped and tortured women and looted households and crops. Eritrea has not responded to queries on reports of atrocities.

More than 500 rape cases have been reported to five clinics in Ethiopia`s Tigray region, the United Nations said on Thursday, warning that the actual numbers were likely to be much higher due to stigma and a lack of health services.

More than 500 rape cases have been reported to five clinics in Ethiopia`s Tigray region, the United Nations said on Thursday, warning that the actual numbers were likely to be much higher due to stigma and a lack of health services. "Women say they have been raped by armed actors, they also told stories of gang rape, rape in front of family members and men being forced to rape their own family members under the threat of violence," Wafaa Said, deputy UN aid coordinator in Ethiopia, said in a briefing to UN member states in New York. She said at least 516 rape cases had been reported by five medical facilities in Mekelle, Adigrat, Wukro, Shire and Axum. "Given the fact that most health facilities are not functioning and also the stigma associated with rape, it is projected that actual numbers are much higher," she added. A dozen top UN officials called on Monday for a stop to indiscriminate and targeted attacks against civilians in Tigray, particularly calling out reports of rape and "other horrific forms of sexual violence." Fighting in Tigray broke out in November between government troops and the region`s former ruling party, the Tigray People`s Liberation Front. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has also said troops from neighboring Eritrea were in the region. The Ethiopian government takes the allegations of sexual violence "very seriously" and has deployed a fact-finding mission, Ethiopia`s UN ambassador, Taye Atskeselassie Amde, told Reuters. "Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual crimes and anyone found responsible for the despicable acts will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," he said. Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed and Eritrea`s information minister, Yemane Gebremeskel, did not respond to calls and messages requesting comment on the UN remarks on Thursday. The violence in Tigray has killed thousands of people and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes in the mountainous region of about 5 million. "Most of the internally displaced people left with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. They are generally traumatized and tell stories of the difficult journey they took in search of safety. Some reported walking for two weeks and some as far as 500 km," Said said on Thursday. "Of the people who traveled with them, some were reportedly killed, particularly youngsters, people were reportedly beaten, women were subject to rape, some were pregnant and delivered on the way losing their babies," she said. The United Nations has raised concerns about atrocities, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described acts carried out as ethnic cleansing. Ethiopia rejected Blinken`s allegation. This week, Abiy acknowledged for the first time that atrocities such as rape had been committed and said any soldiers committing crimes would be punished. Dozens of witnesses in Tigray have told Reuters that Eritrean soldiers routinely killed civilians, gang-raped and tortured women and looted households and crops. Eritrea has not responded to queries on reports of atrocities.

Men forced to rape family members in Ethiopia's Tigray, UN says

Kenyan President Uhuru&nbsp;Kenyatta on Friday extended a nationwide overnight COVID-19 curfew for 60 days to battle a third wave of infections in East Africa's most developed economy.

Kenya, which has so far reported 111,935 positive cases and 1,901 deaths in total, registered 829 new infections on Thursday, the highest daily number since December.

In a televised address,&nbsp;Kenyatta said the positive test rate hit 13% in March compared to January's 2%.

"Unfortunately, it is still rising," he said.

Lockdowns and other restrictions to contain coronavirus contagion have stifled revenues and hampered growth in&nbsp;Kenya.

"Last year, fellow&nbsp;Kenyans, the&nbsp;Kenyan economy was projected to grow by 6.2%, but it only grew by 0.6% because of the COVID-19 pandemic,"&nbsp;Kenyatta said, adding that the economy was likely to bounce back and grow by approximately 7% in 2021.

"If we had not made the bold (lockdown) decisions of 2020..., our economy would, in 2021, have contracted by 15%."

Kenya&nbsp;plans to vaccinate 1.25 million people by June and another 9.6 million in the next phase. [nL5N2L31VA]

The ministry of health said this week that the country aims to inoculate about 15 million people nationwide, about 30% of the country's population, by the end of June 2023.

"Kenya&nbsp;is entering a critical phase in the management and control of the pandemic, with the arrival currently of World Health Organization-prequalified COVID-19 vaccines,"&nbsp;Kenyatta said.

Kenya&nbsp;began inoculating people last week with the vaccine produced by Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca.&nbsp;Kenyatta said the shot "has been tested and our own medical experts are persuaded that its safety profile is bankable."

European regulators have dismissed scattered reports of blood clots in people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, but on Friday Thailand joined a handful of European countries in suspending use of the shot.

In other new measures to curb the spread of the virus,&nbsp;Kenyatta banned political gatherings for 30 days, ordered strict limits on attendance at church services and told bars and restaurants to close by 9 p.m.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday extended a nationwide overnight COVID-19 curfew for 60 days to battle a third wave of infections in East Africa's most developed economy.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday extended a nationwide overnight COVID-19 curfew for 60 days to battle a third wave of infections in East Africa's most developed economy. Kenya, which has so far reported 111,935 positive cases and 1,901 deaths in total, registered 829 new infections on Thursday, the highest daily number since December. In a televised address, Kenyatta said the positive test rate hit 13% in March compared to January's 2%. "Unfortunately, it is still rising," he said. Lockdowns and other restrictions to contain coronavirus contagion have stifled revenues and hampered growth in Kenya. "Last year, fellow Kenyans, the Kenyan economy was projected to grow by 6.2%, but it only grew by 0.6% because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Kenyatta said, adding that the economy was likely to bounce back and grow by approximately 7% in 2021. "If we had not made the bold (lockdown) decisions of 2020..., our economy would, in 2021, have contracted by 15%." Kenya plans to vaccinate 1.25 million people by June and another 9.6 million in the next phase. [nL5N2L31VA] The ministry of health said this week that the country aims to inoculate about 15 million people nationwide, about 30% of the country's population, by the end of June 2023. "Kenya is entering a critical phase in the management and control of the pandemic, with the arrival currently of World Health Organization-prequalified COVID-19 vaccines," Kenyatta said. Kenya began inoculating people last week with the vaccine produced by Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca. Kenyatta said the shot "has been tested and our own medical experts are persuaded that its safety profile is bankable." European regulators have dismissed scattered reports of blood clots in people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, but on Friday Thailand joined a handful of European countries in suspending use of the shot. In other new measures to curb the spread of the virus, Kenyatta banned political gatherings for 30 days, ordered strict limits on attendance at church services and told bars and restaurants to close by 9 p.m.

Kenya extends nationwide COVID-19 curfew for two months

At least 20 people were killed and 24 others were injured in a clothing factory in Egypt on Thursday. The factory is located on the eastern outskirts of Egyptian capital Cairo, as per reports. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Twelve fire trucks were dispatched to extinguish the fire, said AFP quoting sources.

Egypt has had a string of fires in recent years, as shoddy buildings have been constructed without safety standards amid a security vacuum following its 2011 revolution.

Last month, a fire in an unlicensed shoe warehouse in the capital's twin city Giza engulfed a 13-storey building overlooking a major highway. Residents were evacuated but no casualties were reported.

In 2020, a major fire broke out next to a busy Cairo highway as a leak from an oil pipeline set ablaze by passing cars left 17 people hurt.

(With AFP inputs)

At least 20 people were killed and 24 others were injured in a clothing factory in Egypt on Thursday. The factory is located on the eastern outskirts of Egyptian capital Cairo, as per reports.

At least 20 people were killed and 24 others were injured in a clothing factory in Egypt on Thursday. The factory is located on the eastern outskirts of Egyptian capital Cairo, as per reports. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Twelve fire trucks were dispatched to extinguish the fire, said AFP quoting sources. Egypt has had a string of fires in recent years, as shoddy buildings have been constructed without safety standards amid a security vacuum following its 2011 revolution. Last month, a fire in an unlicensed shoe warehouse in the capital's twin city Giza engulfed a 13-storey building overlooking a major highway. Residents were evacuated but no casualties were reported. In 2020, a major fire broke out next to a busy Cairo highway as a leak from an oil pipeline set ablaze by passing cars left 17 people hurt. (With AFP inputs)

Egypt: At least 20 killed in clothing factory fire

At least five people have died in demonstrations sparked by the arrest of Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s most prominent opposition leader. It is the worst political unrest in years in a country widely seen as one of West Africa’s most stable.

Situated in the western-most part of Africa, Senegal is a majority-Muslim nation with relatively low human development. It is witnessing the worst unrest in nearly a decade.&nbsp;

Sonko, who enjoys strong support among the young, was arrested after an employee of a beauty salon accused him of raping her. Sonko denies the allegation and says it is politically motivated.

His supporters say — the charges are politically motivated. They accuse Senegal’s president Macky Sall of trying to sideline and kill the political prospects of this leader in the 2024 general election.

The opposition Movement to Defend Democracy coalition, which called three days of nationwide protest starting from Monday, said the charges were politically motivated. It called on the Senegalese people “to pursue its mobilization and peaceful struggle by using all of its constitutional rights to reject the dictatorship of Macky Sall,” the country’s president.

Following his release, Sonko said at a news conference that the street protests would continue and state authorities must pay compensation to the families of those killed during the protests and the assailants had to be brought to justice.

Sonko said that "This mobilization must be maintained. It must even be much larger, but it must above all be peaceful. It must be peaceful. Today, the people have regained the right that Macky Sall confiscated nine years ago at the demonstration. The people have taken it back by force; we must not lose this right."

Political pressure has mounted on President Sall, whose presidency has been plagued by accusations that he unjustly torpedoes political rivals and worries that he may seek to extend his rule beyond his allotted two-term limit.

The economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a nightly curfew to contain its spread have only stoked frustrations.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least five people have died in demonstrations sparked by the arrest of Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s most prominent opposition leader. It is the worst political unrest in years in a country widely seen as one of West Africa’s most stable.

At least five people have died in demonstrations sparked by the arrest of Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s most prominent opposition leader. It is the worst political unrest in years in a country widely seen as one of West Africa’s most stable. Situated in the western-most part of Africa, Senegal is a majority-Muslim nation with relatively low human development. It is witnessing the worst unrest in nearly a decade. Sonko, who enjoys strong support among the young, was arrested after an employee of a beauty salon accused him of raping her. Sonko denies the allegation and says it is politically motivated. His supporters say — the charges are politically motivated. They accuse Senegal’s president Macky Sall of trying to sideline and kill the political prospects of this leader in the 2024 general election. The opposition Movement to Defend Democracy coalition, which called three days of nationwide protest starting from Monday, said the charges were politically motivated. It called on the Senegalese people “to pursue its mobilization and peaceful struggle by using all of its constitutional rights to reject the dictatorship of Macky Sall,” the country’s president. Following his release, Sonko said at a news conference that the street protests would continue and state authorities must pay compensation to the families of those killed during the protests and the assailants had to be brought to justice. Sonko said that "This mobilization must be maintained. It must even be much larger, but it must above all be peaceful. It must be peaceful. Today, the people have regained the right that Macky Sall confiscated nine years ago at the demonstration. The people have taken it back by force; we must not lose this right." Political pressure has mounted on President Sall, whose presidency has been plagued by accusations that he unjustly torpedoes political rivals and worries that he may seek to extend his rule beyond his allotted two-term limit. The economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a nightly curfew to contain its spread have only stoked frustrations. (With inputs from agencies)

Violence paralyses Senegal: Country witnessing the worst unrest in a decade

Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's arrest has led to clashes in Africa's Senegal. Also, Sonoko has denied all the rape allegations as well. Clashes between police and students also have been reported.

Africa:  Ousmane Sonko's arrest leads to clashes in Senegal

African swine fever has threatened the Hungarian Mangalica pig. Mangalica pigs are listed as an endangered animal and are developed by cross-breeding. WION tells you more.

African swine fever threatens Hungarian Mangalica pig

African nations have started the COVAX aided vaccination drive as efforts to inoculate the world's poorest nations. COVAX aims to provide 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries in the year 2021.

African nations start COVAX-aided vaccination drive

African countries have now started the COVAX-AIDED vaccination drive as efforts to inoculate the world's poorest nations.

African countries begin COVAX-AIDED vaccination drive

An increase in Islamic insurgency has led to the displacement of nearly 670,000 people in east Arica's Mozambique. Jihadist violence has been a major reason behind displacement at this level. Oil wells have become the source of conflict for which insurgency has been dragged for 3 years.

Africa: Islamic insurgency led displacement of over 670,000 people

Two months after the vaccination campaigns kicked off in the west, the first jabs are finally arriving in Africa and Latin America. While the virus may not discriminate, the vaccination programmes certainly do. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how.

Gravitas: A world of 'Vaccine Haves & Have Nots'

In the West,&nbsp;people are refusing to take jabs,&nbsp;but in&nbsp;Africa,&nbsp;there aren't medicines,&nbsp;let alone vaccines.&nbsp;

There are talks&nbsp;about global cooperation, but&nbsp;this is the end result.&nbsp;It is&nbsp;a logistical nightmare.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This whole pandemic has been a learning curve.&nbsp;The lessons learnt in the last&nbsp;year&nbsp;should help us prevent the next pandemic&nbsp;if countries are willing to learn.&nbsp;

Right now,&nbsp;this is a world of vaccine haves and have nots.&nbsp;In the United States,&nbsp;doses are&nbsp;getting&nbsp;wasted&nbsp;in refrigerators.&nbsp;In Japan,&nbsp;they don't have enough syringes.&nbsp;

It's a complete breakdown&nbsp;in terms of&nbsp;global cooperation and planning.&nbsp;

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Earlier,&nbsp;multilateral and regional groupings have failed to boost cooperation&nbsp;but on Thursday,&nbsp;Saarc&nbsp;workshop was South Asia's chance to&nbsp;make the&nbsp;right amends.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The virtual meeting was convened by India&nbsp;and around&nbsp;10 of&nbsp;India's&nbsp;neighbours&nbsp;participated along with&nbsp;Saarc&nbsp;members.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting&nbsp;and&nbsp;talked about promoting best Covid&nbsp;practises&nbsp;and the need for South&nbsp;Asian&nbsp;unity.&nbsp;

Some proposals laid out&nbsp;were&nbsp;a visa regime for medical workers,&nbsp;a regional air ambulance for health contingencies,&nbsp;and most importantly,&nbsp;sharing vaccine efficiency data.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The only issue is that&nbsp;getting everyone onboard&nbsp;in this political climate will be next to impossible.&nbsp;

Politicisation&nbsp;of the pandemic&nbsp;has been happening. Now,&nbsp;even vaccine approvals and purchases are political.&nbsp;Venezuela will only use Russia's&nbsp;Sputnik.&nbsp;Iran will let its people die before using&nbsp;US&nbsp;jabs.&nbsp;Pakistan is at the mercy of Chinese doses.&nbsp;Add to this,&nbsp;a breakdown in supply chains&nbsp;and we have a full-blown crisis.&nbsp;

More than 180 million Americans have been inoculated&nbsp;and&nbsp;in Africa,&nbsp;the jabs haven't even arrived&nbsp;yet.&nbsp;At this rate,&nbsp;it will be 2023 before large parts of the continent are inoculated.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;the world's most powerful fighting force is turning out to be anti-vaccine.&nbsp;Almost one-third of&nbsp;US&nbsp;servicemen are refusing to take the jab.&nbsp;The reason is unclear.&nbsp;Some reports say the troops are falling for internet&nbsp;rumours.&nbsp;Either way,&nbsp;it's a dangerous prospect.&nbsp; 
US&nbsp;troops travel the world.&nbsp;They eat, sleep and train in close quarters.&nbsp;It's a virus cluster waiting to emerge.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;the Pentagon leadership is scrambling to find a solution.&nbsp;

Maj&nbsp;Gen Jeff Taliaferro, joint chiefs of staff vice director for operations,&nbsp;"We believe that, of course, the vaccine is the right thing to do.&nbsp;It's clearly safe for service members and we need to continue to educate our force and help them understand the benefits and ensure there's leadership involvement in the discussion of the benefits of the of the vaccine."&nbsp;

Across the Atlantic,&nbsp;Britain is falling back on some desperate tactics.&nbsp;They have approved a new clinical trial.&nbsp;One that will deliberately expose healthy people to the Wuhan virus.&nbsp;It's a first during this outbreak.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
During a vaccine trial,&nbsp;normally&nbsp;people are&nbsp;given an experimental jab&nbsp;but at no point,&nbsp;they&nbsp;are infected on purpose.&nbsp;In this case,&nbsp;volunteers are being infected in a controlled environment.&nbsp;

It is&nbsp;to understand the minimum virus load needed to trigger the infection&nbsp;and understanding how the virus transmits.&nbsp;

90 volunteers have been roped in&nbsp;for it.&nbsp;All&nbsp;are&nbsp;aged between 18 and 30.&nbsp;They&nbsp;will&nbsp;be paid 88 pounds per day&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;cost of putting their lives on the line.&nbsp;

Human challenge trials have been done before&nbsp;as&nbsp;they can be helpful in understanding more about a disease.&nbsp;But the fact that the UK&nbsp;is&nbsp;doing this now just goes to show how dire the situation is.&nbsp;

The world would do well to take a leaf from India's playbook,&nbsp;cooperation,&nbsp;solidarity,&nbsp;and&nbsp;neighbourhood&nbsp;first.&nbsp;These have been the pillars of India's pandemic response.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the West, people are refusing to take jabs, but in Africa, there aren't medicines, let alone vaccines. There are talks about global cooperation, but this is the end result.

In the West, people are refusing to take jabs, but in Africa, there aren't medicines, let alone vaccines. There are talks about global cooperation, but this is the end result. It is a logistical nightmare. This whole pandemic has been a learning curve. The lessons learnt in the last year should help us prevent the next pandemic if countries are willing to learn. Right now, this is a world of vaccine haves and have nots. In the United States, doses are getting wasted in refrigerators. In Japan, they don't have enough syringes. It's a complete breakdown in terms of global cooperation and planning. × Earlier, multilateral and regional groupings have failed to boost cooperation but on Thursday, Saarc workshop was South Asia's chance to make the right amends. The virtual meeting was convened by India and around 10 of India's neighbours participated along with Saarc members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting and talked about promoting best Covid practises and the need for South Asian unity. Some proposals laid out were a visa regime for medical workers, a regional air ambulance for health contingencies, and most importantly, sharing vaccine efficiency data. The only issue is that getting everyone onboard in this political climate will be next to impossible. Politicisation of the pandemic has been happening. Now, even vaccine approvals and purchases are political. Venezuela will only use Russia's Sputnik. Iran will let its people die before using US jabs. Pakistan is at the mercy of Chinese doses. Add to this, a breakdown in supply chains and we have a full-blown crisis. More than 180 million Americans have been inoculated and in Africa, the jabs haven't even arrived yet. At this rate, it will be 2023 before large parts of the continent are inoculated. Meanwhile, the world's most powerful fighting force is turning out to be anti-vaccine. Almost one-third of US servicemen are refusing to take the jab. The reason is unclear. Some reports say the troops are falling for internet rumours. Either way, it's a dangerous prospect. US troops travel the world. They eat, sleep and train in close quarters. It's a virus cluster waiting to emerge. So, the Pentagon leadership is scrambling to find a solution. Maj Gen Jeff Taliaferro, joint chiefs of staff vice director for operations, "We believe that, of course, the vaccine is the right thing to do. It's clearly safe for service members and we need to continue to educate our force and help them understand the benefits and ensure there's leadership involvement in the discussion of the benefits of the of the vaccine." Across the Atlantic, Britain is falling back on some desperate tactics. They have approved a new clinical trial. One that will deliberately expose healthy people to the Wuhan virus. It's a first during this outbreak. During a vaccine trial, normally people are given an experimental jab but at no point, they are infected on purpose. In this case, volunteers are being infected in a controlled environment. It is to understand the minimum virus load needed to trigger the infection and understanding how the virus transmits. 90 volunteers have been roped in for it. All are aged between 18 and 30. They will be paid 88 pounds per day as the cost of putting their lives on the line. Human challenge trials have been done before as they can be helpful in understanding more about a disease. But the fact that the UK is doing this now just goes to show how dire the situation is. The world would do well to take a leaf from India's playbook, cooperation, solidarity, and neighbourhood first. These have been the pillars of India's pandemic response.

The story of vaccine haves and have nots

Health workers in two African countries are working overtime to contain an Ebola outbreak. More than 10 cases are being reported out of Guinea and Congo. At least 7 people have died. Is this the beginning of a new epidemic? WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: An Ebola outbreak in Africa in the middle of a pandemic

With a continued focus on Africa, India's Exim&nbsp;Bank (Export-Import Bank of India) has extended the 5th line of credit (LOC) to Sierra Leone. The LOC worth $15 million will be used for the expansion of projects for rehabilitation of existing potable water facilities that will benefit 100,000 residents in 4 communities. The total value of all the 5 LOCs now stands at $168 million and covers sectors such as power, agriculture, potable water.

The latest LOC was signed on&nbsp;February 5, 2021 between&nbsp;General Manager, Exim Bank&nbsp;Saroj Khuntia, and Sierra Leone's Finance Minister&nbsp;Jacob Jusu Saffa.

Specifically, for Africa,&nbsp;India has a total of 211 Line of Credits (LoCs) amounting to US $ 12.85 billion in various infrastructure projects such as power plants, hydroelectricity, power transmission &amp; distribution networks, dams etc.&nbsp;New sectors such as Telecommunication, Defence and Solar have also been included under the Indian govt's LoCs to Africa in the last few years.&nbsp;

LoCs has been used to build iconic projects like the Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre in Niger. The centre hosted the OIC FMs meet last year. New Delhi has also extended LOC under new channels including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).

With a continued focus on Africa, India's Exim Bank (Export-Import Bank of India) has extended the 5th line of credit (LOC) to Sierra Leone. The LOC worth $15 million will be used for the expansion of projects for rehabilitation of existing potable water facilities that will benefit 100,000 residents in 4 communities.

With a continued focus on Africa, India's Exim Bank (Export-Import Bank of India) has extended the 5th line of credit (LOC) to Sierra Leone. The LOC worth $15 million will be used for the expansion of projects for rehabilitation of existing potable water facilities that will benefit 100,000 residents in 4 communities. The total value of all the 5 LOCs now stands at $168 million and covers sectors such as power, agriculture, potable water. The latest LOC was signed on February 5, 2021 between General Manager, Exim Bank Saroj Khuntia, and Sierra Leone's Finance Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa. Specifically, for Africa, India has a total of 211 Line of Credits (LoCs) amounting to US $ 12.85 billion in various infrastructure projects such as power plants, hydroelectricity, power transmission & distribution networks, dams etc. New sectors such as Telecommunication, Defence and Solar have also been included under the Indian govt's LoCs to Africa in the last few years. LoCs has been used to build iconic projects like the Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre in Niger. The centre hosted the OIC FMs meet last year. New Delhi has also extended LOC under new channels including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).

With focus on Africa, India's Exim Bank extends 5th line of credit to Sierra Leone

While debt burden imposed by China on many countries has been in news for long, Nigeria is faced with a problem that is both -- ecological and financial. Nigeria has a loan of USD 6.5 billion from China. This has resulted in debt burden for China. The loan amount is so huge that Nigeria can only repay it&nbsp;in 2 decades. A failure to repay the debt means that Nigeria will have to surrender its oil fields or coastal port authorities. Nigeria is world's 10th largest oil producer.

Worry is on the ecological front as well with Chinese illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities being another cause of concern. Nigeria is losing $70 million due to Chinese trawlers. IUU has been a global concern, from Africa to Latin America putting pressure on local ecology and encroaching on national sovereignties.

China is keen on increasing engagement with the African continent. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited Niger in the first week of January this year, with a focus on cooperation against covid and a number of agreements being signed. &nbsp;And while China is trying hard to win over the continent, it has already got a lot of bad press, especially when it comes to racism.&nbsp;

2020 saw Nigeria strongly voicing its concern after videos emerged of discrimination faced by Nigerians in Guangzhou. They were been stigmatized for being carriers of the Covid virus. The Chinese envoy to Nigeria was summoned by foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama and the matter was strongly taken up.

While debt burden imposed by China on many countries has been in news for long, Nigeria is faced with a problem that is both -- ecological and financial. Nigeria has a loan of USD 6.

While debt burden imposed by China on many countries has been in news for long, Nigeria is faced with a problem that is both -- ecological and financial. Nigeria has a loan of USD 6.5 billion from China. This has resulted in debt burden for China. The loan amount is so huge that Nigeria can only repay it in 2 decades. A failure to repay the debt means that Nigeria will have to surrender its oil fields or coastal port authorities. Nigeria is world's 10th largest oil producer. Worry is on the ecological front as well with Chinese illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities being another cause of concern. Nigeria is losing $70 million due to Chinese trawlers. IUU has been a global concern, from Africa to Latin America putting pressure on local ecology and encroaching on national sovereignties. China is keen on increasing engagement with the African continent. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited Niger in the first week of January this year, with a focus on cooperation against covid and a number of agreements being signed. And while China is trying hard to win over the continent, it has already got a lot of bad press, especially when it comes to racism. 2020 saw Nigeria strongly voicing its concern after videos emerged of discrimination faced by Nigerians in Guangzhou. They were been stigmatized for being carriers of the Covid virus. The Chinese envoy to Nigeria was summoned by foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama and the matter was strongly taken up.

Nigeria faces China's ecological, financial drain

More than 200,000 people have fled Central African Republic to escape form the violence, said UN refugee agency UNHCR. Nearly half of those who escaped crossed border into Democratic Republic of Congo. CAR has been marred by violence over December election result.&nbsp;

The CAR army, backed by UN, Russian and Rwandan troops, has been battling rebels seeking to overturn a Dec. 27 vote in which President Faustin-Archange Touadera was declared the winner.

"Refugees have told UNHCR that they fled in panic when they heard gun shots, leaving their belongings behind," spokesman Boris Cheshirkov told journalists in Geneva

Central African Republic has struggled to find stability since 2013 rebellion that ousted former president Francois Bozize

Former prime minister Martin Ziguele, who came third in the Dec. 27 election, said on Friday there was fighting across the country every day, preventing movement between towns, and pushing more people to flee.

"Everyone is focused on the main transport route between the capital and eastern Cameroon for supplies, but inside the country, there is no movement," Ziguele told Reuters by phone from Bangui.

"I cannot leave Bangui and go 90 km (60 miles) without a heavily-armed army escort. Imagine then the population. Add the curfew and the state of emergency, it is really an apocalyptic situation," Ziguele said.

In a statement on Friday, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, a regional body of 12 member states, called for a ceasefire and urged armed groups to "disengage from the encirclement of Bangui" and allow people and goods to move freely.

The body will also ask the United Nations Security Council to lift an arms embargo imposed on CAR that has restricted the flow of weapons to the army since 2013.

(With AFP inputs)

More than 200,000 people have fled Central African Republic to escape form the violence, said UN refugee agency UNHCR. Nearly half of those who escaped crossed border into Democratic Republic of Congo.

More than 200,000 people have fled Central African Republic to escape form the violence, said UN refugee agency UNHCR. Nearly half of those who escaped crossed border into Democratic Republic of Congo. CAR has been marred by violence over December election result. The CAR army, backed by UN, Russian and Rwandan troops, has been battling rebels seeking to overturn a Dec. 27 vote in which President Faustin-Archange Touadera was declared the winner. "Refugees have told UNHCR that they fled in panic when they heard gun shots, leaving their belongings behind," spokesman Boris Cheshirkov told journalists in Geneva Central African Republic has struggled to find stability since 2013 rebellion that ousted former president Francois Bozize Former prime minister Martin Ziguele, who came third in the Dec. 27 election, said on Friday there was fighting across the country every day, preventing movement between towns, and pushing more people to flee. "Everyone is focused on the main transport route between the capital and eastern Cameroon for supplies, but inside the country, there is no movement," Ziguele told Reuters by phone from Bangui. "I cannot leave Bangui and go 90 km (60 miles) without a heavily-armed army escort. Imagine then the population. Add the curfew and the state of emergency, it is really an apocalyptic situation," Ziguele said. In a statement on Friday, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, a regional body of 12 member states, called for a ceasefire and urged armed groups to "disengage from the encirclement of Bangui" and allow people and goods to move freely. The body will also ask the United Nations Security Council to lift an arms embargo imposed on CAR that has restricted the flow of weapons to the army since 2013. (With AFP inputs)

More than 200,000 people flee CAR violence

Cyclone Eloise made landfall in the African state of Mozambique but it has caused mild damage and has been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Cyclone makes landfall in Mozambique but caused less damage than feared

The 38-year-old former ragga singer turned politician has been the main rival to 76-year-old Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a sixth term.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni reported leading in early election trends

For Ethiopia - the Grant Renaissance Dam is a matter of national pride. But Egypt and The Sudan fear the dam would cut off their water supplies from the Nile river.

Gravitas: Africa's largest dam triggers divisions between 3 countries

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