The WHO warned further imported cases of the new, more dangerous MPOX strain in Europe were likely, after Sweden announced the first such infection outside Africa. Watch in for more details!

WHO warns more MPOX to come in Europe after case in Sweden

#Gravitas | The World Health Organisation has declared a global health emergency over mpox outbreak after the rapid spread of a new variant in Africa.

Mpox Outbreak: W.H.O Sounds Alarm as New Variant Spreads Rapidly in Africa | Gravitas

Kenya topped the African medal count with 11 medals, which includes 4 gold. Algeria is in second place with 2 gold medals, and South Africa is third with 1 gold medal. Ethiopia completes the top four, also having 1 gold medal but with fewer silver medals. This year, the twelve African countries qualified for the competition performed even better, finishing just one medal ahead: the African continent won a total of 38 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. We highlight some of the competitors who left the African stamp in Paris.

Africans who made an impact at the Olympics

In a report recently released, the Africa centres for disease control and prevention (Africa CDC) said Mpox cases have risen by 160 per cent on the continent in 2024 compared with the 2023 record. As of 28 July, a total of 14,250 cases and 456 deaths with a case fatality rate of 3.2 per cent have been recorded in 10 African nations, including Nigeria. While Nigeria recorded 24 cases with no deaths, the DRC topped with 13,791 cases and 450 deaths.

African Union declares Mpox a public health emergency | WION World of Africa

<p>It was earlier believed by scientists that Elapoidea - which is the superfamily of cobras, coral snakes and mambas - first existed in Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the hypothesis was proved wrong when scientists discovered the fossil of a file snake in Tanzania&nbsp;which belonged to the Oligocene Epoch (33.9 million to 23 million years ago).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The snake was found to be the oldest relative which belongs to the Elapoidea group as per the fossil record.</p>

<p>In the new research, which was published in the journal&nbsp;Royal Society Open Science, the researchers carried out the fossils and genetic analysis of snakes from other regions to discover that these snakes along with snakes from the superfamily Colubroidea originated in Asia.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/human-turns-vicious-for-snake-indian-man-bites-and-kills-the-killer-reptile-but-did-he-survive-738284">Human turns vicious for snake! Indian man bites and kills killer reptile. But did he survive?</a></p>

<p>"The reason for the uncertainty was mostly because of the lack of understanding of how these different species are related to one another," said lead author&nbsp;Jeffrey Weinell, who is an evolutionary biologist and postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History, while speaking to Live Science.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How did scientists carry out the research?</strong></h2>

<p>The comprehensive genetic data related to the group was never compiled by scientists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I was interested in inferring the tree of life for this group, which predicts the evolutionary relationships, and then using that tree of life estimate plus information about modern species to estimate where the ancestor of this group lived," he said.</p>

<p>In the latest study, Weinell and his colleagues looked into 3,128 locations on the genomes of 65 species of Elapoidea to understand how all the snakes were related.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the earlier fossil record, these Asian ancestors were not mentioned probably because of the conditions in which they evolved.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Rising sea temperatures put the lives of animals in Galapagos Islands endangered</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rising-sea-temperatures-put-the-lives-of-animals-in-galapagos-islands-endangered-745654/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Tropical Asia is not the best for preserving fossils because of the climate," said Weinell.</p>

<p>According to the study, these snakes moved from Asia to Africa and their descendants dispersed into Europe, Australasia and America in different waves.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In every continent, there are 700 snake species as of now, except Antarctica and other islands. The descendants of these early snakes have also colonised even the seas.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


It was earlier believed by scientists that Elapoidea - which is the superfamily of cobras, coral snakes and mambas - first existed in Africa. However, the hypothesis was proved wrong when scientists discovered the fossil of a file snake in Tanzania which belonged to the Oligocene Epoch (33.

It was earlier believed by scientists that Elapoidea - which is the superfamily of cobras, coral snakes and mambas - first existed in Africa. However, the hypothesis was proved wrong when scientists discovered the fossil of a file snake in Tanzania which belonged to the Oligocene Epoch (33.9 million to 23 million years ago). The snake was found to be the oldest relative which belongs to the Elapoidea group as per the fossil record. In the new research, which was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the researchers carried out the fossils and genetic analysis of snakes from other regions to discover that these snakes along with snakes from the superfamily Colubroidea originated in Asia. Also Read: Human turns vicious for snake! Indian man bites and kills killer reptile. But did he survive? "The reason for the uncertainty was mostly because of the lack of understanding of how these different species are related to one another," said lead author Jeffrey Weinell, who is an evolutionary biologist and postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History, while speaking to Live Science. How did scientists carry out the research? The comprehensive genetic data related to the group was never compiled by scientists. "I was interested in inferring the tree of life for this group, which predicts the evolutionary relationships, and then using that tree of life estimate plus information about modern species to estimate where the ancestor of this group lived," he said. In the latest study, Weinell and his colleagues looked into 3,128 locations on the genomes of 65 species of Elapoidea to understand how all the snakes were related. In the earlier fossil record, these Asian ancestors were not mentioned probably because of the conditions in which they evolved. Watch: Rising sea temperatures put the lives of animals in Galapagos Islands endangered "Tropical Asia is not the best for preserving fossils because of the climate," said Weinell. According to the study, these snakes moved from Asia to Africa and their descendants dispersed into Europe, Australasia and America in different waves. In every continent, there are 700 snake species as of now, except Antarctica and other islands. The descendants of these early snakes have also colonised even the seas. (With inputs from agencies)

Ancestors of cobras DID NOT originate in Africa but belonged to...

#Gravitas | Africa is edging closer to declaring a public health emergency over the alarming rise in Mpox cases. Over the past week alone, the continent has reported 887 confirmed cases of Mpox, bringing the total for the year to a staggering 15,132 cases. These numbers represent a 160% increase compared to the same period last year.

Mpox Epidemic: Africa reports over 800 cases of Mpox in just one week | Gravitas

Africa's Public Health agency is set to declare Mpox as Public Health Emergency after widespread outbreak of the virus. The World Health Organization has convened an emergency meeting to address the international spread of another deadly strain of MPOX.

Africa Mpox: Public health Emergency in Africa after Mpox outbreak | WION Orignals

Now the controversy over Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina has taken an unexpected turn. South Africans had first questioned her foreign identity now it turns out her mother may have committed identity fraud.

Unexpected turn in Chidimma's case; South Africa govt probing identity theft

The World Health Organization has convened an emergency meeting to address the international spread of another deadly strain of MPOX. This new highly infectious strain detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in April has a fatality rate of up to 10%. Watch in for more details!

Mpox Virus spreads across African countries; All about the new deadly Mpox clade 1B strain

A landslide triggered by heavy rains in southern Ethiopia's Wolaita area killed at least 13 people and the number of fatalities is expected to rise.. This latest landslide appeared to be less deadly than one that occurred last month in another area in southern Ethiopia where more than 500 people were killed. Landslides are common during Ethiopia's rainy season, which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September.

Incessant rains affect southern Ethiopia causing landslides

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:15,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:52,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1852}">Alarmingly, a fifth of medicines in Africa could be substandard or fake, revealed a major research project. The research by researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia has raised significant concerns over a problem that could potentially be contributing to numerous preventable deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:82,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1919}">The researchers reviewed 27 studies and found that out of 7,508 medicine samples, 1,639 failed at least one quality test, which confirms them as substandard or falsified.</p>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:135,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1972}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:135,&quot;w&quot;:233,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1972}">Public health concern</strong></h2>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:180,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2017}">Claudia Martínez, the head of research at the Access to Medicine Foundation, an Amsterdam-based non-profit group, described the findings as a major public health concern, reports The Guardian.&nbsp;</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:229,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2066}">"If patients are getting medicines that are substandard or outright fake, it can result in their treatment failing or even preventable deaths," she said.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:279,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2116}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:279,&quot;w&quot;:562,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2116}">Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:279,&quot;w&quot;:481,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2116}" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pervs-masturbating-in-the-open-in-new-york-up-by-51-report-746941">Pervs masturbating in the open in New York City up by 51%: Report</a></strong></p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:311,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2148}">Last year, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that falsified and substandard medicines could be responsible for up to 500,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:365,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2202}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:365,&quot;w&quot;:366,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2202}">What are substandard medicines?</strong></h2>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:409,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2246}">Substandard medicines are those that do not meet quality standards despite being authorised. Similarly, falsified medicines deliberately falsify their identity, composition, or source.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:459,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:69,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2296}">Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson, The Guardian reports that antibiotics and antimalarial products are Africa's most commonly falsified medicines. These substandard or falsified antibiotics can contain incorrect dosages or wrong active ingredients, leading to ineffective treatments and the survival of resistant strains, thus fuelling antimicrobial resistance.</p>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:547,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2384}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:547,&quot;w&quot;:707,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2384}">Highest proportion of substandard medicines in&nbsp;Malawi&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:592,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2429}">The study found that Malawi had the highest proportion of substandard and falsified medicines.&nbsp;</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:624,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2461}">Martínez pointed out several factors contributing to the problem, including complex, inefficient, and fragmented pharma supply chains.&nbsp;</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:674,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2511}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:674,&quot;w&quot;:637,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2511}">Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:674,&quot;w&quot;:556,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2511}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-admits-to-cheating-during-first-marriage-746960">Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff admits to cheating during first marriage</a></strong></p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:706,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:69,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2543}">"Pharma supply chains in many low- and middle-income countries are often complex, inefficient, and fragmented; the region relies heavily on a limited number of suppliers for essential medicines, and many countries face significant challenges in procuring products in time and effectively policing the quality of products in the market," she said.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:790,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2627}">The role of multiple middlemen in distributing products across the continent makes it easier for substandard or falsified medicines to infiltrate the supply chain, she added.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:840,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2677}">A previous WHO study estimated that one in 10 medical products in developing countries are substandard or falsified, with 42 per cent of such reports coming from Africa.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:890,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:52,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2727}">Martínez called for immediate action from governments, national authorities, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies to address the issue. She emphasised the need to strengthen supply chains by "enhancing infrastructure, improving logistics and implementing better surveillance-monitoring systems."</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:957,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2794}">She said that pharmaceutical companies should promptly report any cases of substandard or falsified medical products to national health authorities and the WHO rapid alert system.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:1006,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:52,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2843}">"There is also a lot that pharma companies can do by reporting any cases of substandard or falsified medical products to national health authorities and the WHO rapid alert system promptly and contributing to capacity building."</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:1073,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2910}"><em bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:1073,&quot;w&quot;:182,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2910}">(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Alarmingly, a fifth of medicines in Africa could be substandard or fake, revealed a major research project. The research by researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia has raised significant concerns over a problem that could potentially be contributing to numerous preventable deaths.

Alarmingly, a fifth of medicines in Africa could be substandard or fake, revealed a major research project. The research by researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia has raised significant concerns over a problem that could potentially be contributing to numerous preventable deaths. The researchers reviewed 27 studies and found that out of 7,508 medicine samples, 1,639 failed at least one quality test, which confirms them as substandard or falsified. Public health concern Claudia Martínez, the head of research at the Access to Medicine Foundation, an Amsterdam-based non-profit group, described the findings as a major public health concern, reports The Guardian. "If patients are getting medicines that are substandard or outright fake, it can result in their treatment failing or even preventable deaths," she said. Also read | Pervs masturbating in the open in New York City up by 51%: Report Last year, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that falsified and substandard medicines could be responsible for up to 500,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa. What are substandard medicines? Substandard medicines are those that do not meet quality standards despite being authorised. Similarly, falsified medicines deliberately falsify their identity, composition, or source. Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson, The Guardian reports that antibiotics and antimalarial products are Africa's most commonly falsified medicines. These substandard or falsified antibiotics can contain incorrect dosages or wrong active ingredients, leading to ineffective treatments and the survival of resistant strains, thus fuelling antimicrobial resistance. Highest proportion of substandard medicines in Malawi The study found that Malawi had the highest proportion of substandard and falsified medicines. Martínez pointed out several factors contributing to the problem, including complex, inefficient, and fragmented pharma supply chains. Also read | Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff admits to cheating during first marriage "Pharma supply chains in many low- and middle-income countries are often complex, inefficient, and fragmented; the region relies heavily on a limited number of suppliers for essential medicines, and many countries face significant challenges in procuring products in time and effectively policing the quality of products in the market," she said. The role of multiple middlemen in distributing products across the continent makes it easier for substandard or falsified medicines to infiltrate the supply chain, she added. A previous WHO study estimated that one in 10 medical products in developing countries are substandard or falsified, with 42 per cent of such reports coming from Africa. Martínez called for immediate action from governments, national authorities, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies to address the issue. She emphasised the need to strengthen supply chains by "enhancing infrastructure, improving logistics and implementing better surveillance-monitoring systems." She said that pharmaceutical companies should promptly report any cases of substandard or falsified medical products to national health authorities and the WHO rapid alert system. "There is also a lot that pharma companies can do by reporting any cases of substandard or falsified medical products to national health authorities and the WHO rapid alert system promptly and contributing to capacity building." (With inputs from agencies)

Fake medicines plague Africa: Alarming study finds one in five medicines substandard or fake

The African nation of Nigeria is facing a cost of living crisis, and President Bola Tinubu's government is under fire for economic mismanagement.

Nigeria's economic crisis & what next

A number of farmers in Africa are turning to specialist soil scientists in order to combat increasingly acidic soil which they blame on chemical fertilizers. With a decline in production due to poor soil, experts are advising a return to traditional agricultural practices to redress the balance.

Farmers decry soil degradation as a result of chemical fertilizers

<p>A research team from the&nbsp;Southern Methodist University (SMU) have discovered rocks and fossils in Angola which speak about how South America and Africa tore apart nearly 140 million years ago and led to the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>

<p>The team found the rocks and fossils which belonged to the long-extinct marine reptiles in Angola.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is not new information that the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa once were co-joined in the supercontinent Gondwana, which had drifted from the larger landmass of Pangea.</p>

<p>According to the research team, the southern coast of Angola is filled with the most complete geological record of the breaking of the two continents and the coming up of the South Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-close-on-to-create-heaviest-element-ever-known-to-humankind-744929">Scientists close to unique feat of creating heaviest element ever known to humankind</a></p>

<p>The scientists found the fossils and rocks which dated back from 71 million years to 130 million years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>SMU professor emeritus of Earth Sciences and lead author of the study Louis L Jacobs said, “There are places that you can go to in South America, for instance, where you can see this part of the split or that part of it, but in Angola, it’s all laid out in one place."</p>

<p>“Before this, there was not a place known to go and see the rocks on the surface that really reflected the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean, because they’re now in the ocean or eroded away,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Here's what the rocks from Angola tell about the breaking of the continent</strong></h2>

<p>Nearly 140 million years ago, Africa and South America started breaking off which caused gashes on the crust of the Earth and led to the opening up of the rifts along the pre-existing weaknesses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tectonic plates beneath Africa and South America moved apart which led to magma from the mantle of Earth rising to the surface and forming a new oceanic crust while pushing the continents in opposite directions.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-say-the-earths-core-is-behaving-oddly-heres-why-739062/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The gap between the two newly-formed continents was eventually filled with the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>

<p>“It’s one thing for a geophysicist to be able to look at seismic data and make inferences from that. It’s quite another thing to be able to take a school field trip out to the rock formations, or outcrops, and say this is when the lava was spreading from eastern South America. Or this was when it was a continuous land," said study co-author Michael J. Polcyn.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A research team from the Southern Methodist University (SMU) have discovered rocks and fossils in Angola which speak about how South America and Africa tore apart nearly 140 million years ago and led to the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean.

A research team from the Southern Methodist University (SMU) have discovered rocks and fossils in Angola which speak about how South America and Africa tore apart nearly 140 million years ago and led to the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean. The team found the rocks and fossils which belonged to the long-extinct marine reptiles in Angola. It is not new information that the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa once were co-joined in the supercontinent Gondwana, which had drifted from the larger landmass of Pangea. According to the research team, the southern coast of Angola is filled with the most complete geological record of the breaking of the two continents and the coming up of the South Atlantic Ocean. Also Read: Scientists close to unique feat of creating heaviest element ever known to humankind The scientists found the fossils and rocks which dated back from 71 million years to 130 million years ago. SMU professor emeritus of Earth Sciences and lead author of the study Louis L Jacobs said, “There are places that you can go to in South America, for instance, where you can see this part of the split or that part of it, but in Angola, it’s all laid out in one place." “Before this, there was not a place known to go and see the rocks on the surface that really reflected the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean, because they’re now in the ocean or eroded away,” he added. Here's what the rocks from Angola tell about the breaking of the continent Nearly 140 million years ago, Africa and South America started breaking off which caused gashes on the crust of the Earth and led to the opening up of the rifts along the pre-existing weaknesses. The tectonic plates beneath Africa and South America moved apart which led to magma from the mantle of Earth rising to the surface and forming a new oceanic crust while pushing the continents in opposite directions. Watch: Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why The gap between the two newly-formed continents was eventually filled with the South Atlantic Ocean. “It’s one thing for a geophysicist to be able to look at seismic data and make inferences from that. It’s quite another thing to be able to take a school field trip out to the rock formations, or outcrops, and say this is when the lava was spreading from eastern South America. Or this was when it was a continuous land," said study co-author Michael J. Polcyn. (With inputs from agencies)

South America and Africa once tore apart and formed an oceanic crust. Its evidence lies in Angola

A groundbreaking clinical trial brings hope to the fight against HIV for young women in Africa. A pharmaceutical study in South Africa and Uganda has found the anti-retroviral drug highly effective in preventing HIV. Molly Gambhir tells you more!

Gravitas: Lenacapavir injection found effective in preventing HIV

South Sudan is home to a magnificent array of wonderful wildlife, including giant yet elegant birds, stately elephants, majestic giraffes and now, the largest land mammal migration on earth. This spectacular phenomenon, known as the great Nile migration, was revealed during the first comprehensive aerial survey of wildlife in the country.

The Great Nile Migration discovered in south Sudan

In a major shift in Somalia, women have joined the male-dominated traffic police to help control congestion particularly in the capital Mogadishu.The role was previously off-limits for women in the conservative Muslim nation, where they traditionally worked only behind desks in administrative jobs.

Somalia: Women patrolling streets of Mogadishu

The UN has revealed that cyclone Freddy, which crossed the entire southern Indian ocean before hitting southeastern Africa last year, Was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded -- at 36 days...

2023 cyclone Freddy breaks record

Multiple suicide bombers carried out a series of bombing attacks in northern Nigeria on Saturday. The Nigerian police reported that the attacks were carried out by female suicide bombers, one of whom was carrying a baby on her back. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, the hand of jihadist group Boko Haram is suspected as the group has used women for suicide bombing attacks in the past.

Gravitas | Nigeria Bomb Attack: Woman with baby on her back carries out suicide attack

At least 18 people were killed and 19 seriously wounded in suicide attacks targeting a wedding, a hospital and a funeral in northeastern Nigeria on Saturday, authorities said.

Nigeria attacks: Multiple suicide bombings in Nigeria, female suicide bombers kill 18

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame defended the central African nation's democratic record as campaigning for next month's vote got underway. While Kagame has been praised for Rwanda's economic recovery after the 1994 genocide that claimed 800,000 lives, he faces criticism over rights abuses and political repression. So what's at stake in the upcoming polls?

Rwanda gears up for July 15 Presidential elections

More than 60 children at an orphanage in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were fed palm weevil larvae roasted in spices to beat malnutrition. DCR has around 2.8 million children who are suffering from malnutrition.

Africa: Children fed Palm Weevil larvae in Congo to beat malnutrition as 2.8 mn kids malnourished

<p>Researchers have captured the first video evidence of a terrestrial leech species jumping, settling a long-standing debate in the scientific community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The footage, recorded by Mai Fahmy, a postdoctoral researcher at Fordham University, in Madagascar in 2017, shows leeches which are a type of Chtonobdella coiling their bodies back and then launching themselves into the air.</p>

<p>"What we have here is the first-ever recorded evidence to our knowledge of a terrestrial leech taking a jump," said Fahmy, the lead author of the study published in the journal Biotropica.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/use-it-and-eat-it-new-fascinating-robots-are-fully-operational-as-well-as-edible-734320">Use it and eat it! New 'fascinating' robots are fully operational as well as edible</a></p>

<p>The phenomenon of jumping leeches has been debated for centuries. In the 14th century, explorer Ibn Battuta wrote of "the flying leech," and in the 19th century, naturalist Ernst Haeckel claimed that leeches can even spring to reach their victim. However, some remained skeptical in the past, with an earlier study stating, "In spite of folk tales to the contrary, land leeches do not jump from vegetation onto their prey."&nbsp;</p>

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<p>An assistant professor at CUNY's Medgar Evans College Michael Tessler&nbsp;is the co-author of the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In terms of evolution, anything that makes a terrestrial leech get blood faster or more stealthily is of great selective advantage," Tessler explained.</p>

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<p>"The evidence that the leeches in the study are jumping is 'solid enough,'" said Joachim Langeneck, a zoologist at Italy's National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, who was not involved in the study.</p>

<p>"This answer [to the debate] opens up to further, more interesting questions, such as why leeches jump and how are they able to."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Study finds AI can detect Parkinson's seven years before onset</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Impact on conservation efforts</strong></h2>

<p>The discovery of jumping leeches not only settles a long-standing scientific debate but also has important implications for understanding leech behaviour and its impact on conservation efforts.</p>

<p>As Fahmy explained, "If we can identify how leeches find and attach to hosts, we can better understand the results of their gut content analyses. Leeches are often overlooked and understudied, and, as a natural part of the ecosystem, leeches themselves may be in need of conservation protection."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Researchers have captured the first video evidence of a terrestrial leech species jumping, settling a long-standing debate in the scientific community. The footage, recorded by Mai Fahmy, a postdoctoral researcher at Fordham University, in Madagascar in 2017, shows leeches which are a type of Chtonobdella coiling their bodies back and then launching themselves into the air.

Researchers have captured the first video evidence of a terrestrial leech species jumping, settling a long-standing debate in the scientific community. The footage, recorded by Mai Fahmy, a postdoctoral researcher at Fordham University, in Madagascar in 2017, shows leeches which are a type of Chtonobdella coiling their bodies back and then launching themselves into the air. "What we have here is the first-ever recorded evidence to our knowledge of a terrestrial leech taking a jump," said Fahmy, the lead author of the study published in the journal Biotropica. Also Read | Use it and eat it! New 'fascinating' robots are fully operational as well as edible The phenomenon of jumping leeches has been debated for centuries. In the 14th century, explorer Ibn Battuta wrote of "the flying leech," and in the 19th century, naturalist Ernst Haeckel claimed that leeches can even spring to reach their victim. However, some remained skeptical in the past, with an earlier study stating, "In spite of folk tales to the contrary, land leeches do not jump from vegetation onto their prey." Also Read | After acing three autonomous landings, India's 'Pushpak' plane awaits ride to space An assistant professor at CUNY's Medgar Evans College Michael Tessler is the co-author of the study. "In terms of evolution, anything that makes a terrestrial leech get blood faster or more stealthily is of great selective advantage," Tessler explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mai Fahmy, PhD (@_maifahmy) × "The evidence that the leeches in the study are jumping is 'solid enough,'" said Joachim Langeneck, a zoologist at Italy's National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, who was not involved in the study. "This answer [to the debate] opens up to further, more interesting questions, such as why leeches jump and how are they able to." Watch | Study finds AI can detect Parkinson's seven years before onset × Impact on conservation efforts The discovery of jumping leeches not only settles a long-standing scientific debate but also has important implications for understanding leech behaviour and its impact on conservation efforts. As Fahmy explained, "If we can identify how leeches find and attach to hosts, we can better understand the results of their gut content analyses. Leeches are often overlooked and understudied, and, as a natural part of the ecosystem, leeches themselves may be in need of conservation protection." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | First-ever evidence of jumping leeches found in Madagascar

The Namibia top court on Friday struck down colonial era laws criminalizing same-sex relationships. This marks a historic verdict against a push back on LGBTQ rights in Southern Africa. Watch in for more details!

Same-Sex marriage not a crime in Namibia, judgement overturns 1972's colonial law

<p>Kenya's government on Tuesday walked back plans to impose multiple tax hikes, the presidency said, amending a controversial bill that sparked protests where more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested.</p>

<p>The East African economic powerhouse has struggled with a cost-of-living crisis, which critics warned would only worsen under the levies laid out in a bill due to be debated this week and passed before June 30.</p>

<p>Hundreds of mostly young protesters assembled near parliament on Tuesday, with police firing tear gas and making arrests, according to AFP journalists.</p>

<p>Hours later, the presidency announced that it would scrap many of the bill's most contentious provisions, including taxes on bread purchases and car ownership.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-royal-defamation-case-ex-pm-thaksin-shinawatra-granted-bail-732755">Thailand royal defamation case: Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra indicted, granted bail</a></strong></p>

<p>"The Finance Bill has been amended to remove the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions as well as the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax," the presidency said in a statement.</p>

<p>"Additionally, there will be no increase in mobile money transfer fees, and Excise Duty on vegetable oil has also been removed," it added.</p>

<p>The cash-strapped government had earlier defended the hikes -- which were projected to raise some 346.7 billion shillings ($2.7 billion), equivalent to 1.9 per cent of GDP -- as a necessary measure to cut reliance on external borrowing.</p>

<p>Lawmakers were due to debate the bill on Tuesday afternoon, but postponed the discussion to Wednesday, just before the presidency announced the changes following recommendations made by a parliamentary committee.</p>

<p>"Because the people's representatives have listened to the people... they have adjusted the proposals," President William Ruto told lawmakers.</p>

<h2><strong>- 'Fighting for my future' -</strong></h2>

<p>The bill sparked fury among many Kenyans, who staged protests on Tuesday dubbed "Occupy Parliament".</p>

<p>Black-clad protesters were forced into a cat-and-mouse situation with police, with officers lobbing tear gas and -- in one instance -- chasing people into a church before making arrests.</p>

<p>"I am fighting for my future," one protester, 23-year-old Wangari, told AFP.</p>

<p>"With such taxes, with such exploitation, I don't see how we can build a life," she said.</p>

<p>"This is making it very hard for us, especially us, that are not a part of the one percent."</p>

<p>Her thoughts were echoed by others like 29-year-old Rara Eisa who was protesting for the first time.</p>

<p>"I am tired. The prices of everything have gone up, life is no longer affordable," she said, adding that the taxes "are not lenient in any way".</p>

<p>Many demonstrators waved signs emblazoned "do not force the taxes on us", referring to Ruto as Zakayo, the Swahili name for the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus.</p>

<h2><strong>- Discontent -</strong></h2>

<p>Ruto came to power in 2022 on a promise to revive the economy and put money in the pockets of the downtrodden, but his policies have sparked widespread discontent.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-hails-north-koreas-support-for-ukraine-war-vows-trade-security-ahead-of-visit-to-pyongyang-732803">Putin thanks North Korea for 'firmly supporting' Ukraine war as he visits Pyongyang</a></strong></p>

<p>He has raised income tax and health insurance contributions, and doubled VAT on petroleum products to 16 per cent.</p>

<p>Last year's tax hikes led to opposition protests, sometimes degenerating into deadly street clashes between police and demonstrators.</p>

<p>While Kenya is among the most dynamic economies in East Africa, roughly a third of the 51.5 million population lives in poverty.</p>

<p>Overall inflation has remained stubbornly high at an annual rate of 5.1 per cent in May, while food and fuel inflation stood at 6.2 per cent and 7.8 per cent respectively, according to central bank data.</p>

<p>The World Bank said this month that while Kenya's real GDP growth had accelerated last year to 5.6 per cent from 4.9 per cent in 2022, it was expected to slow to five per cent this year.</p>


Kenya's government on Tuesday walked back plans to impose multiple tax hikes, the presidency said, amending a controversial bill that sparked protests where more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested.

Kenya's government on Tuesday walked back plans to impose multiple tax hikes, the presidency said, amending a controversial bill that sparked protests where more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested. The East African economic powerhouse has struggled with a cost-of-living crisis, which critics warned would only worsen under the levies laid out in a bill due to be debated this week and passed before June 30. Hundreds of mostly young protesters assembled near parliament on Tuesday, with police firing tear gas and making arrests, according to AFP journalists. Hours later, the presidency announced that it would scrap many of the bill's most contentious provisions, including taxes on bread purchases and car ownership. Also Read | Thailand royal defamation case: Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra indicted, granted bail "The Finance Bill has been amended to remove the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions as well as the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax," the presidency said in a statement. "Additionally, there will be no increase in mobile money transfer fees, and Excise Duty on vegetable oil has also been removed," it added. The cash-strapped government had earlier defended the hikes -- which were projected to raise some 346.7 billion shillings ($2.7 billion), equivalent to 1.9 per cent of GDP -- as a necessary measure to cut reliance on external borrowing. Lawmakers were due to debate the bill on Tuesday afternoon, but postponed the discussion to Wednesday, just before the presidency announced the changes following recommendations made by a parliamentary committee. "Because the people's representatives have listened to the people... they have adjusted the proposals," President William Ruto told lawmakers. - 'Fighting for my future' - The bill sparked fury among many Kenyans, who staged protests on Tuesday dubbed "Occupy Parliament". Black-clad protesters were forced into a cat-and-mouse situation with police, with officers lobbing tear gas and -- in one instance -- chasing people into a church before making arrests. "I am fighting for my future," one protester, 23-year-old Wangari, told AFP. "With such taxes, with such exploitation, I don't see how we can build a life," she said. "This is making it very hard for us, especially us, that are not a part of the one percent." Her thoughts were echoed by others like 29-year-old Rara Eisa who was protesting for the first time. "I am tired. The prices of everything have gone up, life is no longer affordable," she said, adding that the taxes "are not lenient in any way". Many demonstrators waved signs emblazoned "do not force the taxes on us", referring to Ruto as Zakayo, the Swahili name for the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus. - Discontent - Ruto came to power in 2022 on a promise to revive the economy and put money in the pockets of the downtrodden, but his policies have sparked widespread discontent. Also Read | Putin thanks North Korea for 'firmly supporting' Ukraine war as he visits Pyongyang He has raised income tax and health insurance contributions, and doubled VAT on petroleum products to 16 per cent. Last year's tax hikes led to opposition protests, sometimes degenerating into deadly street clashes between police and demonstrators. While Kenya is among the most dynamic economies in East Africa, roughly a third of the 51.5 million population lives in poverty. Overall inflation has remained stubbornly high at an annual rate of 5.1 per cent in May, while food and fuel inflation stood at 6.2 per cent and 7.8 per cent respectively, according to central bank data. The World Bank said this month that while Kenya's real GDP growth had accelerated last year to 5.6 per cent from 4.9 per cent in 2022, it was expected to slow to five per cent this year.

Kenya scraps most new tax hikes as hundreds protest

Dozens of Congolese and foreign nationals -- including 3 Americans -- were brought to trial over a failed attempted "coup" against the government of president Felix Tshisekedi last month. Fifty-three people are accused of participating in the uprising, which occurred in the early hours of May 19... The family of one of the accused American, are pleading with authorities to release him.

DR Congo foiled coup trial begins in Kinshasa

China's belt and road initiative is back in Africa after a pandemic lull. Investment surged 114% last year, driven by minerals essential for the global energy transition. However, this focus on resources like copper, cobalt, and lithium raises concerns about Africa becoming a mere supplier of raw materials.

China's African investment surges 114%, focus on critical minerals

The extreme weather in africa has also left another deadly threat of severe outbreaks of cholera in its wake. In southern and east africa, more than 6,000 people have died and there have been nearly 350,000 reported cases since a new series of cholera outbreaks began in late 2021.

Extreme weather in Africa brings deadly Cholera outbreak

Kush is a mysterious new zombie drug that's ravaging sierra leone - an epidemic described as the worst in Africa. And amid fears the crisis could destabilise the entire nation - a shocking new twist: the use of ground-up human bones as one of the drug's cocktail of ingredients. Warning: This report contains some distressing images

A cheap, synthetic drug is ravaging Sierra Leone's youth

Virtuoso of the kora, a west African stringed instrument, Gambian Sona Jobarteh is the first woman to play it professionally: an affront to tradition which reserves this practice for griot men, transmitters of oral history, to preserve the mysteries of this sacred object. Watch in for more details!

First professional female kora player shakes up traditions

The armed forces of the democratic republic of Congo say they foiled a coup attempt early Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners. It followed attacks on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of Congo's president that left three people dead in the capital. Many in Kinshasa had questions about the attackers' motives and how they were able to access key government sites.

DR Congo army foils coup attempt by Americans & rebels

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