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The groups said in a press release that “measles continues to pose a relentlessly increasing threat to children.”Estimated measles cases increased 18% last year while deaths increased 43%, according to the report. About 9 million cases of measles and 136,000 deaths – mostly among children – were reported globally in 2022. “Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Low-income countries reported the lowest vaccination rates and showed no signs of recovery from the vaccination coverage decline during the pandemic. “The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic is an alarm bell for action.

Persons: –, ” John Vertefeuille, Kate O’Brien Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Democratic, Pan American Health Organization Locations: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, U.S, Ohio, Americas

☆ Madagascar heads to polls amid opposition boycott
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsMadagascar heads to polls amid opposition boycottPostedVoters in Madagascar headed to the polls on Thursday (November 16) in a presidential election boycotted by 10 out of 12 opposition candidates and marred by weeks of violent protests. Alice Rizzo has more.

Persons: Alice Rizzo Locations: Madagascar

☆ Madagascar Votes Amid Violence and Calls for Boycott
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( John Eligon | More About John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After weeks of political violence, voters on the island nation of Madagascar went to the polls on Thursday to elect a president, even though 10 of the 13 candidates called for a boycott, accusing the man they are vying to replace of unfairly tilting the process in his favor. Most of the 30 million residents of this nation off the southeastern coast of Africa live in poverty. A series of weather-related catastrophes in recent years have damaged the country’s agricultural production, its economic mainstay, increasing the humanitarian crisis. Political instability has been a defining feature of Madagascar’s elections over the years, and the 2018 race saw efforts by Russia to influence the outcome through the paramilitary organization the Wagner Group. It is unclear whether Russia has any involvement in this year’s election, or how much.

Persons: “, ”, Andoniaina Ratsimamanga Organizations: Wagner Locations: Madagascar, Africa, Russia

☆ Madagascar's president seeks re-election amid protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsMadagascar's president seeks re-election amid protestsPostedMadagascar's President Andry Rajoelina held his final campaign rally on Sunday (November 12) ahead of an election on Thursday (November 16) - but rivals are calling for the vote to be postponed and say Rajoelina should be disqualified. David Doyle has more.

Persons: Andry Rajoelina, David Doyle

When the water taps run, she says, "I have to choose between taking a shower or preserving my water supply.'' The water taps determine the rhythm of life in Mayotte, an island territory of about 350,000 people northwest of Madagascar. But even without drought, Mayotte's water system wasn’t capable of fulfilling local needs. The local water union blames the water rationing on lack of production capacity, not lack of water. But Mayotte’s water crisis underlines inequalities and often awkward relationships between the central government in Paris and former colonies that remain part of France.

Persons: ”, Philippe Vigier, Ben Issa Ousseni, “, Cyril Castelliti Organizations: European Union, Overseas Affairs, ., Local, Mayotte 1ère, AP Locations: Mayotte, Labatoir, Madagascar, Comoros, Combani, France, Paris, ___

☆ Presidential portraits: Kehinde Wiley’s secret, decade-long project painting African leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Thomas Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Perhaps not, supposes Kehinde Wiley in his latest collection, “A Maze of Power,” which, in the artist’s own indelible style, casts plenty of light of its own. We’re now learning that before and after that commission, he had been on a secret, decade-long odyssey across the African continent, painting its current and former heads of state. This series narrows the gap further, with subjects commanding a similar power to some of Wiley’s artistic reference points. Tanguy Beurdeley/© Courtesy Kehinde Wiley and Galerie TemplonHery Rajaonarimampianina, the former president of Madagascar, sits astride a horse in one painting. Some might wrinkle their nose at seeing certain heads or former heads of state depicted in such triumphant fashion.

Persons: Kehinde Wiley, Wiley, Barack Obama, We’re, Jacques Chirac, Obama, Sarah Ligner, Black, Old, Olusegun Obasanjo, Paul Kagame, Tanguy, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Alpha Condé, –, ”, Rajaonarimampianina –, “, “ it’s, Andy Warhol’s, Mao Organizations: CNN, Old Masters, Democratic, Wiley Locations: Africa, Zimbabwe, Rhodesia, Los Angeles, Senegal, Nigeria, New York, Paris, France, Rwanda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo

The Peace Corps has agreed to pay $750,000 to the family of a 24-year-old volunteer from Illinois who died in 2018 in East Africa after the agency’s doctors misdiagnosed a case of malaria, a law firm announced Tuesday. The doctor told her to drink water and take aspirin, said Dinnell, whose firm filed a federal lawsuit for damages in Chicago on behalf of the Heiderman family. Her daughter had wanted to join the Peace Corps since the time she was in junior high, Heiderman said. The Peace Corps issued a statement saying it “continues to mourn the tragic loss of Volunteer Bernice Heiderman.”“She was a remarkable Volunteer who was admired by her students and community in Comoros. The inspector general's review also found that Heiderman had not been following her required malaria suppression medication regime for several months prior to her death.

Persons: Bernice Heiderman, wasn’t, Adam Dinnell, Schiffer Hicks Johnson PLLC, Dinnell, Julie Heiderman, “, Heiderman, ___ Kusmer Organizations: Corps, Peace Corps, Houston, Associated Press, Volunteers Locations: Illinois, East Africa, Inverness , Illinois, Comoros, Chicago, Mozambique, Madagascar, Washington, Indianapolis

☆ National Geographic announces 2024 ‘cool list’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

City breaksFor great food, museums and nightlife, head to some of the cities featured on National Geographic’s list. States of beingIn several cases, National Geographic highlighted entire states. National Geographic advises not only visiting New York City – the Empire State is also home to some natural beauty at Lake Placid and Niagara Falls. Meanwhile, National Geographic also lauded the northern Indian state of Sikkim, which is nestled in the Himalayas near the country’s borders with Bhutan and Nepal. Natural wondersThe National Geographic list is heavy on beautiful natural destinations.

Persons: •, Italy •, Germany •, Chile •, Argentina • Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, National Geographic, New, Geographic, Northern Ireland • Emilia, Scotland •, Finland •, Peru •, Peru • New York State, Argentina • Akagera Locations: Europe, Albania, China, Lima, Peru, Tainan, Taiwan’s, Texas, New York, New York City, Lake Placid, Niagara Falls, , Texas, Victoria, Australian, Melbourne, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, Nova Scotia, Canada, Chile, Dominica, Madagascar, Scotland, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, Albanian, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Romagna, Italy, • Galloway, Southern Ayrshire, Scotland • Nordland, Norway, North Yorkshire, England, Italy • Saimaa, Finland, Finland • Tartu, Estonia, Germany, Germany • Valletta, Malta, Wales, Ireland, Atacama, Chile • Lima, Peru • New York, Miami, Florida, Dominica • Nova Scotia, Yucatan, Mexico, Wetlands, Argentina, Rwanda, Madagascar • Sierra Leone, India, Taiwan, Australia

☆ The rare African mask at the center of a fierce multimillion-dollar legal battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Claudia Covilla | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Fourniers sold their mask in September of 2021 to a second-hand dealer for 150 euros, court documents show. The mask is an extremely rare artifact of great spiritual value to the Gabonese people, Betoe Bi Evie told CNN. It was through this information that the dealer was able to deduce the origins of the mask, Mansat Jaffré, the lawyer, told CNN. “We think he (the dealer) already had an idea at the back of his head, and that he knew the mask was rare,” Mansat Jaffré told CNN. However, as the Ngil mask at the center of the ongoing trial wasn’t held in a public collection, Gabon cannot demand its restitution from France.

Persons: Fournier, Fournier’s, René, Victor Edward Maurice Fournier, Frédéric Mansat Jaffré, ”, “, Mr Fournier’s, Olivia Betoe Bi Evie, Betoe Bi Evie, Betoe, Evie, Jaffré, Mansat Jaffré, Solange Bizeau, weren’t, Emmanuel Macron, Omar Tall, Mali –, wasn’t Organizations: France CNN, CNN, Gabonese, BFMTV, ”, Senegal’s Museum of Black Civilizations, restitutions Locations: Paris, France, Central Africa, Gabonese, Gabon, ”, Gabonese State, Africa, Saharan Africa, restituted, Benin, Senegal, Chad, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Mali

First launched in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the United States - the world's largest consumer market. African countries are pushing for an early 10-year extension without changes to reassure businesses and investors. A recent push in the U.S. Senate is aiming to pass a quick AGOA renewal. 'FORWARD-LOOKING VISION'Over $10 billion worth of African exports entered the United States duty free last year under the programme. More than 80% of duty-free non-petroleum AGOA exports, for example, have come from just five countries - South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar and Ethiopia - in recent years.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Biden, Blinken, Katherine Tai, Cyril Ramaphosa, Harriet Ntabazi, We've, Ntabazi, Carien du, Tannur Anders, Alexander Winning, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hamas, Joint Base Andrews, REUTERS, U.S . Senate, United States Congress, United, U.S . International Trade Commission, U.S . Trade, U.S ., Central African, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington, East, Asia, Joint Base Andrews , Maryland, U.S, JOHANNESBURG, United States, Africa, China, Johannesburg, South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Gabon, Niger, Uganda, Central African Republic, AGOA, Carien du Plessis

☆ Guatemala's First 3D-Printed Tiny Home Is Earthquake Resistant: Photos
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Using a COBOD printer, 3DCP Group and Progreso have built what they say is Guatemala's first 3D-printed tiny home. Over the last few years, more US startups and real estate companies have been turning to 3D printing construction methods. Progreso, 3DCP Group, COBODNow, the global 3D printing community is welcoming one of its newest builds: an earthquake-resistant tiny home in Guatemala. Progreso, 3DCP Group, COBODProponents of 3D printing construction say the tech can build homes faster and cheaper with less waste and labor. AdvertisementAdvertisement"I hope that in decades from now, there'll be 3D printers on most construction sites around the globe," Lund-Nielsen said.

Persons: —, 14Trees, it's, Philip Lund, COBOD's, wasn't, Nielsen, Lund Organizations: 3DCP, Service, Central American, Kenyan, Nielsen, LinkedIn, 3DCP Group, Lund Locations: Progreso, Austin , Texas, Madagascar, Kenya, Guatemala, Denmark

[1/2] Kenyan workers check clothes made for export at the United Aryan Export Processing Zone (EPZ) factory, operating under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), in Ruaraka district of Nairobi, Kenya October 26, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya Acquire Licensing RightsNov 1 (Reuters) - South Africa will host the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Johannesburg from Nov 2-4 to discuss the United States' flagship trade programme for the continent. The African Growth and Opportunity Act is a U.S. trade initiative passed in 2000 under former President Bill Clinton to deepen trade ties with Sub-Saharan Africa and help African countries develop their economies. AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for most agricultural and manufactured products exported by eligible African countries. African countries are pushing for an early 10-year extension without changes in order to reassure businesses and investors who might have concerns over AGOA's future.

Persons: Thomas Mukoya, Bill Clinton, AGOA, Nellie Peyton, Joe Bavier, Alexander Smith Organizations: United Aryan, Processing, U.S ., REUTERS, WHO, AGOA, U.S . Trade, Thomson Locations: Ruaraka district, Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa, Johannesburg, United States, U.S, Saharan Africa, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, AGOA .

U.S. officials visiting South Africa this week to meet African trade ministers will face calls to reauthorise the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which expires in 2025. Apparel companies and industry insiders warn that Africa risks a once-in-a-generation shift away from Chinese manufacturing passing it by, with an estimated 240,000 to 290,000 jobs such as Nasimiyu's under threat. Apparel has been the standout success story of AGOA, which launched in 2000 to help develop African economies and foster democracy. African apparel exports under the programme reached nearly $1.4 billion last year, double the amount pre-AGOA. "We've been struck by how open the opportunity is now for us," South African Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel said last week.

Persons: Norah Nasimiyu, Thomas Mukoya, Pankaj Bedi, Norah Nasimiyu's, We've, Ebrahim Patel, Stephen Lamar, Michael Walsh, Constance Hamilton, Biden, Greg Poole, Bedi, Joe Bavier, Duncan Miriri, Alexander Smith Organizations: United Aryan, Processing, The U.S, REUTERS, U.S . Congress, AFRICA Industry, African Trade, United States Fashion Industry Association, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Congress, Research, U.S . International Trade Commission, GSP, UAL, Thomson Locations: Ruaraka district, Nairobi, Kenya, China, NAIROBI, U.S, South Africa, Africa, Philadelphia, Moscow, Beijing, Russia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, AGOA, gridlock, United States, Johannesburg

☆ The World Is Becoming More African
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Declan Walsh | Hannah Reyes Morales | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +37 min

Old World Young Africa As the world grays, Africa blooms with youth. The World Is Becoming More African Part one of a series on how the youth boom is changing the continent, and beyond. But while a handful of African countries are poised to ride the demographic wave, others risk being swamped by it. In the West, racists and right-wing nationalists stoke fears of African population growth to justify hatred, or even violence. The age gap between geriatric leaders and restless youth is “a major source of tension” in many African countries, said Simon Mulongo, a former African Union diplomat from Uganda.

Persons: Lauren Leatherby, ”, Jean, Patrick Niambé, Hilton, Edward Paice, “, Keziah Keya, Keya, Paul R, Ehrlich, stoke, Lauren Leatherby “, Carlos Lopes, Burna, Weeks, “ It’s, Laolu Senbanjo, Tems, Toulaye Sy, Pritzker, Abdulrazak Gurnah, “ Africa’s, ” Long, exotica, Mulendema, Hannah O’Leary, “ We’re, Sipho Dlamini, Dlamini, Moawad, Optimists, Mo Ibrahim, Aubrey Hruby, birthrates, India’s, China’s, Akinwumi Adesina, States —, William Ruto, Paul Biya of, Biya, Wole Soyinka, Paul Kagame of, Nourdine, Nigeriens, Awade, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Simon Mulongo, Nuha Abdelgadir, Abdelgadir, gesturing, “ We’ve, ” Weeks, Abdelgadir’s, Modu Ali, Young, Saidu, Habiba Mohammed, Ms, Ha, Joon Chang, Nobody, Chang, Ibrahim, Touré Organizations: Young, United Nations, Southern, Northern, Western Asia Northern, United, Ivory Coast, African Union, Group, European Union ., Suisse, Africa Research Institute, Nigeria Mozambique Kenya “, Russia Canada Germany United, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Ethiopia Dem, Russia Germany, China Egypt India Nigeria D.R.C, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Dem, Bank, Nations, International, Bryn Mawr College, Angola, Angola Ivory Coast, Angola Ivory Coast Cameroon Dem, Africa Middle Africa Southern, Economic Commission, New, Citi, Spotify, Cannes Film, Burkina Faso, UNESCO, Disney, Amazon Prime, Netflix, “, Apple, Cape Town, Microsoft, Google, Infrastructure, McKinsey & Company, Pew Research Center, African Development Bank, Greek Coast Guard, Saudi, Africa Climate, Young Voters, Freedom House, University of Denver, United Arab, Japan Cuba Vatican City, Netherlands South Korea Belgium U.A.E, Islamic, Global, Center for Girls Education, School of Oriental, Studies Locations: grays, Africa, India, China, United States, Southern Asia, Asia, America, Caribbean, Northern America, Western Asia, Western Asia Northern America, Europe, London, New York, West Africa, Ivory, Abidjan, Russia, Turkey, Gulf, Nairobi, Nigeria Mozambique Kenya, Italy, Japan, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Ethiopia, Congo Indonesia Brazil Australia South Africa Argentina, Russia Germany U.S, China Egypt India Nigeria, Brazil South Africa Australia, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria, Nigeria, Africa’s, Young, South Africa, Somalia, Mozambique, Mali, Gabon, Niger, Mozambique Nigeria Kenya, Kenya, Pennsylvania, Angola Ivory, Angola Ivory Coast Cameroon, Congo Algeria Egypt, Ghana Kenya Madagascar Mozambique Niger Nigeria, Tanzania Uganda South Africa, Northern Africa Eastern Africa, Africa Middle Africa, Africa Middle Africa Southern Africa, Guinea, Bissau, African, Qatar, Nigerian, Brooklyn, Target, French, Senegalese, Paris, Milan, Venice, Burkina, Tanzania, Saharan Africa, Nigeria Kenya Senegal In Lagos, Dakar, Zambia, South Korea, Sotheby’s, Lagos, Zimbabwe, Watford, Cape, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Cairo, Morocco, East Africa, Nigeria Mozambique Morocco, Sudanese, North Africa, East Asia, Thailand, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, States, Namibia, Kenyan, Paul Biya of Cameroon, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, United Arab Emirates, United States France Turkey, Germany, Russia India, Brazil, Japan Cuba, Japan Cuba Vatican City Spain Italy Saudi Arabia Qatar, Netherlands South Korea Belgium, Iran Canada, Niger’s, Niamey, Senegal Kenya Kenya, X’s, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Senegal, Uganda, Khartoum, Sudan, Ethiopia, Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Chad, Burkina Faso, Nigeria Nigeria Morocco, hijabs, Zaria, American, Korea, South, England

☆ An embarrassing Russian defeat a century ago is a warning about the risks of losing a war to China now, top US Air Force official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In May 1905, Russia's navy suffered a resounding defeat by the Japanese at the Battle of Tsushima. The battle is a lesson about complacency in the face of new threats, a top US Air Force official says. AdvertisementAdvertisementGreat-power competitionJapanese soldiers relieve Russian troops in an outer fort at Port Arthur after the Russian surrender in 1905. Proctor via Wikimedia Commons"The Battle of Tsushima Straits did not go well for Russia," Kendall, a self-proclaimed history buff, said at the conference. If our power-projection capability and capacity are not adequate to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan or elsewhere, war could occur," Kendall said.

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Kendall, aren't, George Rinhart, Port Arthur —, Korea's, Shigetada Seki, Port Arthur, Oriol, Tsushima, Oleg, Proctor, Theodore Roosevelt Organizations: Russia's, Russo, US Air Force, Service, Air Force, Air and Space Forces Association, Getty, Imperial, Siberian Railway, Asahi, Wikimedia, Imperial Japanese Navy, Russian, Baltic Fleet, 2nd Pacific Squadron, Wikimedia Commons, Mukden, Japanese Defense Ministry, US Defense Department Russia's Locations: Tsushima, Japanese, Asia, European, Imperial Japan, Imperial Russia, Pacific, Japan, Russia, China, Port, Europe, Korea, Dalian, Liaodong, Port Arthur, Tokyo, Russian Pacific, Chemulpo, Ulsan, Baltic, Russian, Vladivostok, Philippines, Madagascar, Manila Bay, Shandong, Okinawa, US, Britain, Germany, Imperial Germany, South, Soviet Union, Manchuria, Taiwan

[1/2] Graphite powder, used for battery paste, is pictured in a Volkswagen pilot line for battery cell production in Salzgitter, Germany, May 18, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 20 (Reuters) - As China moved to control some exports of key battery mineral graphite on Friday, miners elsewhere face a race against time to bring new projects to fruition to secure supplies for the next generation of electric vehicles. To stay ahead in a fast-changing industry, carmakers have been investing directly in mining projects to ensure future supplies of the battery inputs. "We see China's move as a potential catalyst to highlight the urgency of improving domestic graphite supply," said John DeMaio, president of Graphex's graphene division. "We've aligned ourselves with several graphite miners outside of China.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Hugues Jacquemin, China's, John DeMaio, DeMaio, Stefan Bernstein, Graphite's Jacquemin, Shishir Poddar, Nelson Banya, Clara Denina, Divya Rajagopal, Ernest Scheyder, Veronica Brown, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Graphex, HK, EV, GreenRoc, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, China, Warren , Michigan, Greenland, Northern, Tirupati, Madagascar, Mozambique

☆ China curbs graphite exports in latest critical minerals squeeze
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Here are key details on graphite and China's limits on exports of strategic minerals. That's about double the amount of lithium in an EV battery. China also refines more than 90% of the world's graphite into material used in virtually all EV battery anodes. Top buyers of graphite from China include Japan, the U.S., India and South Korea, according to Chinese customs data. OTHER CHINESE MINERAL EXPORT CURBSIn July, China announced export restrictions on eight gallium and six germanium products starting on Aug. 1.

Persons: Tony Munroe, Amy Lv, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . Geological Survey, EV, Mercedes, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Mozambique, Madagascar, Brazil, Japan, U.S, India, South Korea

☆ Madagascar presidential candidate shows injury after opposition rally teargassed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Madagascar Presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana addresses supporters, during a campaign rally at the at the Mahamasina stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar November 3, 2018. The Reuters witness said another former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was also present among their supporters who had gathered to march before the teargas was fired. Marchers were demanding changes to the officials running the election commission and for the formation of a special court to hear election disputes. The Indian Ocean island is hoping for its third peaceful election since an upheaval of 2009, when Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana in a coup. Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary; Writing by George Obulutsa in Nairobi; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marc Ravalomanana, Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina, Lovasoa Rabary, George Obulutsa, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Facebook, Police, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Madagascar, Antananarivo, ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar's, Nairobi

☆ Madagascar Presidential Candidate Shows Injury After Opposition Rally Teargassed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

It was not immediately clear what specifically caused the injury. A Reuters witness at the scene in the centre of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo confirmed police firing teargas at the supporters, who numbered in the hundreds. The Reuters witness said another former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was also present among their supporters who had gathered to march before the teargas was fired. Marchers were demanding changes to the officials running the election commission and for the formation of a special court to hear election disputes. The Indian Ocean island is hoping for its third peaceful election since an upheaval of 2009, when Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana in a coup.

Persons: Marc Ravalomanana, Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina, Lovasoa Rabary, George Obulutsa, David Holmes Organizations: Facebook, Police, Reuters Locations: ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, Madagascar's, Antananarivo, Nairobi

A new global assessment has found that 41% of amphibian species that scientists have studied are threatened with extinction, meaning they are either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. “Amphibians are the world's most threatened animals,” said Duke University's Junjie Yao, a frog researcher who was not involved in the study. But a growing percentage of amphibian species are now also pushed to the brink by novel diseases and climate change, the study found. The study identified the greatest concentrations of threatened amphibian species in several biodiversity hotspots, including the Caribbean islands, the tropical Andes, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. Other locations with large numbers of threatened amphibians include Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, southern China and the southeastern United States.

Persons: ”, Duke University's Junjie Yao, Michael Ryan, Patricia Burrowes, Juan Manuel Guayasamin, Guayasamin Organizations: University of Texas, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Northern, University San Francisco, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Madrid, Quito, Ecuador, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Forest, China, United States

☆ Mysterious ‘fairy circles’ of Namibia and Australia aren’t so rare after all, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Round discs of barren dirt known as “fairy circles” look like rows of polka dots that can spread for miles over the ground. Fairy circles were previously spotted only in the arid lands of Southern Africa’s Namib Desert and the outback of Western Australia. The results showed 263 dryland locations where there were circular patterns similar to fairy circles in Namibia and Australia. Fairy circles’ mysterious originsThe study authors also compiled environmental data where circles were spotted, collecting evidence that might hint at what causes them to form. But the question “What shapes fairy circles?” is complex, and factors that create fairy circles may differ from site to site, the study authors reported.

Persons: ”, Emilio Guirado, Guirado, “, Stephan Getzin, Getzin, Fiona Walsh, Walsh, ” Walsh, ” Guirado, Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, National Academy of Sciences, Multidisciplinary Institute, Environmental Studies, University of Alicante, University of Göttingen, University of Western, “, Scientific Locations: Southern, Western Australia, Spain, Namibia, Australia, Africa, Western Sahara, of Africa, Madagascar, Midwestern Asia, Southwest Australia, Germany, University of Western Australia, Northern Territory

☆ Benin showcases petanque passion as world championship host
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Seraphin Zounyekpe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COTONOU, Benin, Sept 18 - Terrazini Marcel Bio stood inside Benin's new petanque arena, eyes fixed on a small wooden ball and his mind on revenge. Bio narrowly missed gold in the 2016 World Petanque Championships in Madagascar, and was desperate to bring the trophy home to his country in last week's tournament. "At first, people didn't believe that Benin could organise this world championship. From leisurely street games to fierce club tournaments, Benin is carving out its place in the sport. "I think petanque is the only sport that can favour all social strata and put everyone at ease, that there are no social barriers," said Guy Trounnou, technical director for Benin's petanque federation.

Persons: Terrazini Marcel Bio, Guy Trounnou, Benin's, pétanque, Seraphin Zounyekpe, Cooper Inveen, Alex Richardson Organizations: Thomson Locations: COTONOU, Benin, Madagascar, France

☆ UNESCO adds new sites to the World Heritage List
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has wrapped up its deliberations related to sites that are in danger and began adding new sites on Saturday to its prestigious World Heritage List. Deliberations started Saturday considering 50 sites nominated for the well-known World Heritage List. Yurii Stefanyak/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesThe World Heritage in Danger List includes heritage sites that are threatened by forces such as armed conflict, natural disasters, pollution and more. World Heritage ListAs discussions moved to contenders for the World Heritage List, the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in Congo was inscribed on Saturday. Sites must be of “outstanding universal value” to be added to the World Heritage List, according to UNESCO.

Persons: CNN —, Sophia Cathedral, Ukraine —, Mount Pelée, Yurii, Sophia, ”, “, ” CNN’s Marnie Hunter, Francesca Street Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, UNESCO Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Pechersk, Lviv, Odzala, Congo, Mount, Martinique, Venice, Long, Ba, Ha Long, Denmark, Ohio

☆ The global treasures in the running for UNESCO’s World Heritage status
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

This year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is reviewing nominations from both 2022 and 2023, with participants from across the world attending the session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to examine almost 50 contenders. According to UNESCO, sites must be of “outstanding universal value” to be included on the World Heritage List. So far, the World Heritage Committee has inscribed approximately 1,157 sites in 167 different countries onto the World Heritage List. Seo Heun Kang/UNESCO World Heritage Nomination OfficeOnly those countries that sign the convention creating the World Heritage Committee and list are permitted to nominate sites. Gordion, the capital city of ancient Phrygia in Ankara, Turkey, is also nominated for a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Persons: John E, Seo Heun Kang, Bale, Gordion, Mustafa Ciftci, Midas, Morten Rasmussen, Sarah Langrand, Dominique Marck, Bani Ma’arid, Bani Ma'arid, Hamad Al Qahtani, Koh Ker, Mount Pelée, Canada Bale, Francesca Street Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Cultural Organization, UNESCO World Heritage, Heritage, World, Anadolu Agency, Danish Agency for Culture, Fine Arts Department, de Nîmes, National Center for Wildlife, Architectural Museum, Kazan Federal University, Khinalig, Tunisia ESMA Museum, Clandestine Center of Detention, Wooden Posts, Greece Historic Center of Guimarães Locations: Gaya, Denmark, Thai, Ohio, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Hancock, United States, Goryeong, South Korea, Addis Ababa, Phrygia, Turkey, Ankara, B.C.E, Madagascar, Si Thep, Thailand, Si, Nîmes, France, Gorokhovets, Russia, Vladimir Oblast, Erfurt, Germany, Cambodia, Khmer, Courland, Latvia, Kaunas, Lithuania, Ab’aj, Guatemala, India, Karakum, Tajikistan, Menorca, Spain, Ethiopia, Iran, Klondike, Canada, Czech, Odzala, Kokoua, Congo, Mount, Northern Martinique, Benin Ha Long, Ba Archipelago, Vietnam, Forests, Azerbaijan, Jericho, Palestinian Territories, Kazan, Tunisia, Argentina, Belgium, Suriname Royal, Netherlands, Anatolia, Bisesero, Rwanda, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Masouleh, Turan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Northern Apennines, Italy, Tajikistan Highlands, Mongolian, Mongolia, Greece, Portugal

PARIS (AP) — France is sending military forces to distribute water on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which is facing an unprecedented water crisis prompted by the island cluster's most severe drought in decades. Troops with the French Foreign Legion and French navy based in the region will work with local authorities to ensure water supplies to local populations, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Authorities have ordered water cuts two days out of three on Mayotte, a territory northwest of Madagascar that is the poorest part of France. Residents protested Saturday outside the Mayotte water management headquarters, carrying banners reading “Mayotte is Thirsty!”, according to local media reports. Around 30% of the population doesn’t have access to running water at home, according to regional health authorities.

Organizations: PARIS, —, Troops, French Foreign Legion, Defense Ministry, Authorities, Residents Locations: — France, Mayotte, Madagascar, France, Comoros

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