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☆ Mali: Around 40 killed in attack on village in central region
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —Unidentified armed men have killed around 40 people in an attack on a village in insurgent-plagued central Mali, local officials said on Tuesday. “It was a very serious attack, armed men surrounded the village and shot at people,” said Bankass Mayor Moulaye Guindo by phone. He was not able to share a death toll, but two local officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said around 40 people were killed. Violence has spiraled in West Africa’s central Sahel region since the insurgencies took root in Mali and spread into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, killing thousands of people and displacing millions more. The insecurity has helped spur two coups in Mali, one in Burkina Faso, and one in Niger since 2020.

Persons: ”, Moulaye Guindo Organizations: Reuters, Islamic Locations: Mali, Djiguibombo, Mopti, Mali’s, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West Africa’s, Sahel, Burkina Faso, Niger

☆ Kings Battle for a Millennium-Old Throne in Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Ruth Maclean | Ismail Auwal | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

One king has been barricaded in the palace, protected from potential usurpers by hundreds of subjects armed with sticks and machetes. Another king, evicted from the same palace in May, is living in an annex down the road, dispatching lawyers to courthouses in an attempt to regain the throne. The battle unfolding for the emirate of Kano — one of West Africa’s oldest and most revered kingdoms — is not just a struggle for an ancient throne, but also part of a wider contest for control over the most populous state in Africa’s most populous country. The emirs of Kano once had absolute power, ruling over their subjects from the intricately decorated palace in the city of Kano, an ancient commercial hub just south of the Sahara.

Persons: Kano —, Kano Locations: Kano, West Africa’s, Africa’s

☆ For South Africa’s Cabinet, Bigger May Not Mean Better
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After South Africa’s president announced the largest cabinet in the nation’s democratic history on Sunday, some critics were questioning whether the attempt to pacify diverse political interests would complicate efforts to tackle the country’s myriad economic and social problems. President Cyril Ramaphosa had for years promised to shrink the size of government — partly because of demands by the public and political opponents. He increased the number of cabinet ministers to 32 from 30, and the number of deputy ministers to 43 from 36. The combined 75 ministers and deputy ministers is the most in any administration since the first democratic election in 1994. “So every political party had a thorough critique of an unnecessarily bloated cabinet up until the choice was between a bloated executive or their party member not receiving” a position, Moshibudi Motimele, a political studies lecturer at the University of the Free State in South Africa, wrote on social media.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Moshibudi Organizations: South, African National Congress, University of the Free State Locations: South Africa

☆ India’s women break multiple records in astonishing Test match against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —So astonishing was the first innings of the Test between India’s women and South Africa’s women that multiple new entries needed to be made into cricket’s record books by the time India had declared on the second day of play. In posting 603 for six before declaring in Chennai, India scored the highest total in women’s Test cricket and became the first to surpass the 600-mark in first-class cricket, according ESPN’s cricinfo. The opening day’s 525 for 4 was the most runs scored by any team, men or women, in a day’s play of Test cricket, and the first 500-plus total on day one in women’s Test cricket. Shafali Verma was the standout performer in an unforgettable start to the one-off encounter, scoring 205 for the fastest double century in women’s Test history. Her partnership of 292 runs with Smriti Mandhana is the highest opening stand in women’s Test cricket.

Persons: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, ” Shafali, “ Organizations: CNN, women’s, “ Locations: South, India, Chennai, South Africa

Rights groups are furious the Taliban meeting is going ahead without Afghan women, and say it legitimizes Afghanistan’s leaders and fails to hold them to account for grave injustices. Whatever we had, we spent it,” Arzo’s brother Ahamad, a 27-year-old journalist under threat from the Taliban due to his occupation, told CNN in November. Arzo told CNN what drove her suicide attempt. Pakistan’s policy on “illegal foreigners” is no different to that of other nations, Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told CNN. CNNArzo doesn’t want a life like that for herself, her sister, or the women and girls still in Afghanistan.

Persons: ”, Arzo, Javed Iqbal, ” Richard Bennett, Zabihullah Mujahid, “, Richard Bennett, weren’t, – they’ll, They’re, Mahsa, Ahamad, Doctors, Arzo’s, CNN Arzo hadn’t, ” Mahsa, they’ve, can’t, Moniza Kakar, Rain, Kakar, Abbas, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Baloch, hadn’t, ” Amanullah, He’s, Amanullah, he’s, CNN Arzo, Heather Barr, ” Barr, “ It’s, Bennett, she’ll, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Lifeline, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders Worldwide, Pakistan CNN —, United Nations, Human Rights, UN, Security, “ ACC ”, Afghan, ACC, Pakistani Ministry of Foreign, “, Taliban, Human Rights Watch, International Court of Justice, Criminal Court, ICC Locations: Karachi, Pakistan, Pakistani, Afghanistan, CNN Pakistan, Doha, Qatar, Afghan, Kabul, Islamabad, –, Soviet, ”, Canada, Israel, Gaza

☆ Kenya rocked by fresh protests despite president’s U-turn over tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Police in Kenya fired tear gas on protesters as a fresh wave of demonstrations swept the country, despite President William Ruto’s U-turn on controversial tax plans. In a surprise move on Wednesday, Ruto said he would not sign the finance bill, saying he had been “listening keenly” to the Kenyan people. “It’s more than about the finance bill now,” Maria, a Kenyan protestor from Nairobi told CNN. Some have called on President Ruto to resign for failing to withdraw the unpopular bill much earlier to save the lives lost. Others are seeking justice for the deceased protesters and demanding the recall of lawmakers who voted in support of the finance bill.

Persons: William Ruto’s U, ”, Ruto, ” Maria, Daniel Irungu, “, Mwangi, Moody’s, Herman Manyora, ” Manyora, ” Ruto, Manyora Organizations: CNN — Police, House, Security, State House, Kenyan, CNN, Civic, Law Society of Kenya, Monetary Fund, International, University of Nairobi Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, East, Kenya’s

☆ Opinion: How South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma used Trump’s playbook – and lost
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Opinion Sean Jacobs | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

But the figure of former President Jacob Zuma and his new political party uMkhonto – or simply “MK” – provoked more reaction. Jerome Delay/APMoreover, according to Herman, pro-Zuma conspiracy theories and propaganda, some with Russian fingerprints, had been flooding South African social media in the lead-up to the election. And even as Zuma takes pages from Trump’s playbook, South Africans may be telling a different narrative. Facing pressure, Zuma resigned as South African president in 2018. Though some South Africans still admire the US’ capitalist spirit, I find that the South African friends who visit me in the US don’t always feel at ease anymore.

Persons: Sean Jacobs, Cape Town CNN —, Read, Nelson Mandela –, Jacob Zuma, uMkhonto, ”, –, Herman Wasserman, Herman, Zuma, Donald Trump’s, Jerome Delay, Trump’s, Mandela, Michele Spatari, Duduzile, Jacob Zuma's, MK’s, Zuma’s, “, jestingly liken Donald Trump, Jacob Zuma of, Putin, playbook, Nelson Mandela, Alexander Joe, Trump, “ I’ve, it’s Biden, won’t Organizations: CNN, New School, Cape Town CNN, African National Congress, Zulu, Stellenbosch University, Former South, ANC, Getty, Democratic Alliance, DA, South, Trump, Jacob Zuma of America, Durban, International Court of Justice, Global Locations: Africa, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, America, Taiwan, Germany Riding, United States, Orlando, Soweto, Johannesburg, Trump’s playbook, South, Robben, Orange Farm, AFP, Cape, Durban, Russia, States, China, Israel, New York City

☆ South Sudan is home to ‘world’s largest land mammal migration.’ War means no one knows about it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Antelopes, hundreds of thousands of them, are crossing the savannas of South Sudan. But a report published today estimates that South Sudan is home to the largest known migration of land mammals on Earth. South Sudan, a country in central Africa, has a varied landscape, from rainforests to lush savannas and swamplands fed by the Nile River (pictured). Marcus Westberg He suspects that the migration’s survival and growth is likely to be linked to the decades of war South Sudan has suffered. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war.

Persons: Marcus Westberg, Mike Fay, ”, Steve Boyes, South Sudan Fay, He’s, “ It’s, Jigar, Fay, ” Fay, “, you’ve, We’ve, “ We’ve, Boyes, Salva Kiir Mayardit Organizations: CNN, Initiative, African Parks, African Parks Network, Parks Network, United Nations, Parks, Rolex, Ministry of Wildlife Locations: South Sudan, Sudan, Africa, African, Ethiopia, South Sudan’s, Juba, “, Tanzania

☆ The fertility crisis is here and it will permanently alter the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In the 1960s, there were six people of working age for every retired person, according to the World Economic Forum. “What you’re seeing is increased spending on programs like Medicare and Social Security as the baby boomers are aging into those programs. And then of course, fewer workers relative to the number of people who are receiving Social Security and Medicare benefits,” said Dahl. Social Security payments still provide about 90% of income for more than a quarter of older adults in the United States, according to Social Security Agency surveys. But without intervention, the Social Security trust fund will be depleted by the mid-2030s, meaning that only a portion of retirees’ expected benefits will be paid out.

Persons: it’s, Louis, Simona Paravani, ”, Elon Musk, Kimberly, Clark, Mark Schneider, he’s, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Molly Dahl, Dahl, Eric Schmidt, ” Schmidt, Goldman Sachs, Stefano Scarpetta, Li Qiang, Juliana Liu, Joyce Jiang, Li, China’s, Xi Jinping, Biden, Max Prosecutors, haven’t, Max, Read Organizations: London CNN, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, Economic, Federal Reserve Bank of St, BlackRock, Disease Control, Congressional Budget Office, CBO, Social Security, Social, Social Security Agency, Google, Summit, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, OECD, ” Companies, West Chinese, CNN, EV, Prosecutors, Boeing, Max, US Justice Department, Alaska Air, Justice Department, Federal Aviation Administration Locations: Chad, Niger, Somalia, Samoa, Tonga, Tajikistan, United States, London, China, Beijing, Dalian, Canada, Beijing’s “

☆ World’s best airline for 2024 named by Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Barry Neild | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

We look forward to more wins in the future.”Close-run contestSaudia was named by Skytrax as winner of the World's Most Improved Airline award. Singapore also won for Best First Class service and Best Airline in Asia. ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwan’s Starlux and Iceland’s Play into second and third places. Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

Persons: weren’t, ”, Edward Plaisted, Badr Mohammed Al, Meer, Saudia, Skytrax, Nicolas Economou, Tan, Tan Pee Teck, Taiwan’s Starlux, Singapore’s Scoot, Tony Fernandes, “, ISMOYO, Vistara, airBaltic Organizations: CNN, Qatar Airways, Hamad International, Dubai, Boeing, Airbus, Singapore Airlines, Dubai’s Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Hong, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Swiss International Airlines, Singapore, Best, ANA, World’s Best, Services, Best Airline Staff Service, AirAsia, Airline, Airasia, Rai International, Getty, Bangkok Airways, Fiji Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China . Delta Air Lines, Airlines, Emirates, Cathay, Air, Swiss International Air Lines, Korean, British Airways, Iberia, Virgin, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Saudi, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Garuda, Cathay Pacific Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Transavia, Vueling Airlines, Ryanair, SKY, JetSMART, Aegean Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Rex Airlines, Azul, Royal Air Maroc, Porter Airlines, . Alaska Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air Locations: Qatar, London’s, Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s, Tan Pee, Asia, Denpasar, Bali, AFP, India, Australia, Pacific, Eastern, China ., North America, Singapore, Air France, Saudi Arabian, Garuda Indonesia, Transavia France

A Massacre Threatens Darfur — AgainDarfur SUDAN El FasherA civil war is ripping apart Sudan, one of Africa’s largest countries. Yet a New York Times examination of satellite imagery and video from El Fasher make one thing clear:The assault is intensifying. DARFUR R.S.F. Whole neighborhoods were razed, similar to the destruction in parts of southern and eastern El Fasher in recent months. “The videos from El Fasher could become critical evidence in future trials for crimes in Darfur.”

Persons: Sudan’s, Al Salam, Abu Shoak, El Fasher Al Salam, Abu, Mohamed Zakaria, Thomas van Linge, —, Mellit, El Fasher, ”, El, El Geneina, Janjaweed, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Ali Yagoub Gibril, Al Zeer Salem, Fasher, Matthew Gillett, “, ” Mr, Gillett Organizations: Fighters, Rapid Support Forces, . Security, New York, El, Sudanese, Al Salam Camp, Camp, Reuters Fighters, Yale, Research, —, Times, Centre, Information Resilience, Mellit El, Support Forces, Google, ”, Islamic Relief, United Nations, The Times, U.S . Treasury, Broadcasting, University of Essex Locations: Darfur, SUDAN El Fasher, Sudan, El, DARFUR, El Fasher, East Darfur, Sudan’s, Chad, El Geneina, American, Spain, Central Darfur

☆ USA loses to South Africa in opening game of second round of T20 Cricket World Cup as historic run continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The USA lost to South Africa in their opening game of the second round of the men’s T20 Cricket World Cup on Wednesday as its historic run at the tournament continued. Having elected to bowl first, the USA were pegged back by some aggressive batting from South Africa, with the Proteas finishing their 20 overs on 194 runs. New stepsThe USA have been one of the talking points of the T20 World Cup so far, thanks to its shock victory over Pakistan and close defeat by India. Steven Taylor bats against South Africa. And they were never able to recover with South Africa eventually able to round out an 18-run victory.

Persons: St, Quinton de Kock, de, Kock, Harmeet Singh, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Saurabh Netravalkar, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Steven Taylor, Taylor, Rabada, Nitish Kumar, Stubbs, Jan Kruger, Aaron Jones, Keshav Maharaj, Corey Anderson, Anrich Nortje, Andries Gous Organizations: CNN, USA, West, Africa’s, South Africa, South, ICC, New Zealand Locations: South Africa, USA, West Indies, England, Antigua, Barbados, St, Lucia, Vincent ., Pakistan, India, de Kock, South Africa’s

☆ South Africa Runs Out of Insulin Pens as Global Supply Shifts to Weight-Loss Drugs
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Stephanie Nolen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

South Africa’s public health care system has run out of the human insulin pens that it provides to people with diabetes, as the pharmaceutical industry shifts production priorities to blockbuster weight-loss drugs that use a similar device for delivery. Novo Nordisk, the company that has supplied South Africa with human insulin in pens for a decade, opted not to renew its contract, which expired last month. No other company has bid on the contract — to supply 14 million pens for the next three years, at about $2 per pen. Novo Nordisk’s drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which are widely prescribed in the U.S. for weight loss, are sold in single-use pens produced by many of the same contracted manufacturers who make the multidose insulin pens. A month’s supply of Ozempic in the United States costs about $1,000, far more than insulin.

Persons: ”, Ambre James, Brown Organizations: Novo Nordisk Locations: South Africa, U.S, Ozempic, United States

☆ As President Takes Oath, 4 Challenges for South Africa’s New Government
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa is scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday for a second term, launching an administration that will be unlike any the country has experienced since apartheid ended in 1994. Mr. Ramaphosa has touted a new era of unity and collaboration. The partnership includes the second-largest party, the Democratic Alliance, which got 22 percent of the vote and has long positioned itself as the fiercest of the A.N.C.’s critics. The three other parties that have joined the coalition each won less than 4 percent of the vote: the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Patriotic Alliance and GOOD. A statement of basic principles — for what the parties are calling a “government of national unity” — signed by the five coalition partners includes their policy priorities.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa of, —, Ramaphosa, ’, ” — Organizations: African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance Locations: Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa

☆ Israel to ‘strengthen’ Jewish settlements in West Bank after countries recognize Palestinian state
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Israel’s government says it is looking to “strengthen” Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank after several countries unilaterally recognized a Palestinian state. The statement also said Israel would look at what actions to take against the Palestinian Authority as it took actions against Israel in international bodies. Earlier this month, the Palestinian Authority applied to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said in May that Israel should approve 10,000 settlements in the West Bank, establish a new settlement for every country that recognizes a state of Palestine, and cancel travel permits for Palestinian Authority officials. It is unclear if any of these radical ideas are part of the proposals currently under consideration in Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Israel biblically, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel’s, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Minister’s, Ministry, Palestinian Authority, Israel, International Court of Justice Locations: Palestinian, Israel, Judea, Samaria, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Palestine

☆ South Africa Moves Closer to Electing a Leader, but Unity Is Elusive
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( John Eligon | Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Entering a new era of unpredictable politics, South Africa’s newly elected Parliament convened for the first time on Friday as lawmakers prepared to elect the country’s next president after national elections last month. The long-governing African National Congress, which failed to secure an absolute majority for the first time since it came to power after the end of apartheid, was expected to form a delicate alliance with rival parties, clearing the way for Cyril Ramaphosa to be elected president for a second term. But the two weeks after the election have been marked by turbulent negotiations between the A.N.C., which Mr. Ramaphosa leads, and rival political parties. The process has exposed deep fissures within the A.N.C. and in the broader society, and in a telling development, Parliament opened without any kind of formal announcement about a coalition agreement.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa Organizations: African National Congress Locations: South

☆ South Africa’s governing alliance emerges as the new parliament convenes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters —The African National Congress has agreed to form a government of national unity for South Africa with three other parties including its largest rival, the pro-business Democratic Alliance, public broadcaster SABC reported on Friday. The SABC report came as the newly elected parliament was convening for the first time and lawmakers were in the process of being sworn in. The chamber will later elect its speaker, deputy speaker and the country’s president. SABC said the unity government would include the ANC, the DA, the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance. The session was taking place in a Cape Town convention centre as the parliament complex was damaged by fire in 2022.

Persons: ”, Sihle Zikalala, John Steenhuisen, Cyril Ramaphosa, Raymond Zondo, Helen Zille, Ramaphosa, “, Jacob Zuma Organizations: Reuters, African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, SABC, ANC, DA, Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance, National Assembly, Fighters, Party, IFP, The Patriotic Alliance, Capital Economics, EFF, MK, ”, Economics Locations: South Africa, Cape Town, London, policymaking

☆ The Nigerian fashion labels feeling forced to show in private
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Bolaji Akinwande | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Lagos CNN —Since its inception in 2011, Lagos Fashion Week has been a twice-yearly highlight of the African fashion calendar, a multi-day showcase attracting the continent’s top design houses, big name sponsors, as well as an international audience. Lagos Fashion Week has been running since 2011. Why am I not surprised?” (The magazine said they approached Lagos Fashion Week at the time, who did not respond to their requests for comment.) Udiahgebi, a fashion brand known for its androgynous pieces, has successfully hosted private shows in this way. Lagos Fashion Week did not respond to CNN’s repeated requests for comment.

Persons: —, Gay, Timileyin, ”, Fola Francis —, Francis, “, Maxivive, Papa Oyeyemi, Weiz Dhurm Franklyn, Tosin, inclusivity, Dhurm Franklyn, Chiemerie Udiahgebi Ugwoke, …, Fola Francis, Aanuoluwa Ajide, Daniels, Kayode Organizations: Lagos CNN —, Lagos Fashion, Orange Culture, Lagos, Sunday, —, Queercity Media, Lagos Pride, CNN, Independent, Tzar, Tzar Studios, Maxivive, AP Aso, Brand Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, AP Aso Nigeria, Aso, Africa

☆ New Party in South Africa to Boycott Opening of Parliament
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The official results from national elections last month just don’t add up for Mbalenhle Mthethwa, a loyal adherent of a new political party led by Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former president. “The elections were not free and fair,” she said, echoing the stolen-election narrative advanced by Mr. Zuma. Ms. Mthethwa, a 38-year-old chef, lives in a township near the coastal city of Durban and has been out of work for the past four years. Mr. Zuma, 82, whose nine years as president were marred by allegations of corruption and looting of state coffers, has taken a page from the playbook of populist leaders of recent years — notably in the United States and Brazil. Vote-rigging claims in other nations have resulted in chaos, and South Africans will get a first look at how things might unfold on Friday, with Mr. Zuma’s party, uMkhonto weSizwe, known as M.K., vowing to boycott the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament.

Persons: Mbalenhle Mthethwa, Jacob Zuma, South, “, ”, Zuma, Mthethwa, Mr, uMkhonto weSizwe Organizations: Mr Locations: Durban, United States, Brazil

☆ El Niño is dead. Here’s what to expect in the coming months
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —El Niño has officially come to an end and the ripples from its demise will shake up weather around the globe. With El Niño out of the spotlight, its opposite is preparing to take center stage later this summer: La Niña. For now, neither La Niña nor El Niño are present and a so-called neutral phase has begun, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Here’s what a summer without El Niño and a budding La Niña could have in store. Luis Tato/AFP/Getty ImagesCalifornia and the western US also typically pick up more rain during El Niño, especially over the winter months.

Persons: CNN — El Niño, Niño, El Niño, Marcio Jose Sanchez, Luis Tato, Laura Paddison Organizations: CNN, El, Getty Images Locations: West, El, Beverly Crest, Los Angeles, California, South America, Africa, Africa’s, Kenya, Garissa, AFP, Getty Images California, US, West Coast

☆ Why ‘the Line’ in Saudi Arabia Is So Fraught - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Philip Oldfield | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

According to one estimate, the world will build the equivalent of a New York City every month from 2020 to 2060. The United Nations estimates 96,000 affordable units should be built a day to house the three billion people who will need them by 2030. Egypt is constructing a capital east of Cairo for 6.5 million residents featuring Africa’s tallest skyscraper. To take the pressure off Greater Jakarta’s 30 million residents squeezed by rising seas, Indonesia is building a new capital on the island of Borneo. Though the government recently scaled back the first phase of construction, it has allocated billions of dollars for the project, which could one day house some nine million people.

Persons: we’re Organizations: United Nations Locations: New York City, Egypt, Cairo, Jakarta’s, Indonesia, Borneo, Saudi, Manhattan

Nigeria is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with skyrocketing inflation, a national currency in free-fall and millions of people struggling to buy food. Only two years ago Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria is projected to drop to fourth place this year. Hospitals are overrun with women wracked by spasms from calcium deficiencies. A nation of entrepreneurs, Nigeria’s more than 200 million citizens are skilled at managing in tough circumstances, without the services states usually provide. They take up arms and defend their communities when the armed forces cannot.

Organizations: Unions Locations: Nigeria, stampedes

☆ This start-up is making artificial hair from bananas
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Leah Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Some people complain that synthetic hair can irritate their scalp and a study of synthetic hair in Nigeria found the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals and chemicals. We want to empower women to make informed decisions about what hair they use and what’s best for them.”Tumusiime says that, unlike synthetic hair, her product is biodegradable, durable and can be easily styled, treated and colored. Since it’s made from discarded banana stems, she adds, it’s also a way to help curb that waste. In the US, St.Louis-based Rebundle also sells hair extensions made from banana fibers, while Nourie Hair offers a hair alternative for braiding made from Ginseng root extract and rosemary. But synthetic hair can be bought for as little as $1 for a bundle.

Persons: Juliet Tumusiime, Tumusiime, Cheveux, ” Tumusiime, it’s, Spiro, Clement Di Roma, Simon Maina, Prince William’s, James Oatway, there's, Edwin Maina, Cheveux Brown, Juliet, Cheveux Organique, “, I’m, ” Organizations: CNN, USAID, Research, Getty, Reeddi Technologies, The Royal Academy of Engineering, Kenyan, Economic Locations: Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, AFP, China, Cameroon, Rwanda, France

☆ White Politician Poised for Power Faces Hurdle in South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( John Eligon | Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nine months ago, John Steenhuisen, who leads South Africa’s second-largest political party, the Democratic Alliance, stood before news cameras and signed an agreement not to work with the long-governing party, the African National Congress. “So help me God,” Mr. Steenhuisen said, raising his right hand and chuckling. He and the Democratic Alliance are now plowing ahead with the most important political negotiations in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 and have drafted a document laying out their core principles for joining a government with the African National Congress, or A.N.C. The governing party’s slide — taking just 40 percent of the vote, ending three decades of dominance — has left Mr. Steenhuisen, 48, standing at the brink of his political dreams. As head of the party that took second place, with nearly 22 percent of the vote, Mr. Steenhuisen seems likely to get a leading role in the next government, political analysts say.

Persons: John Steenhuisen, ” Mr, Steenhuisen, — Organizations: South, Democratic Alliance, African National Congress Locations: South Africa

☆ South Africa’s President Announces Plan to Form National Unity Government
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Days after his African National Congress party faced historic losses at the polls, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said on Thursday that he will seek to form a government that includes a wide range of parties, some with starkly opposing views. since the fall of apartheid, South Africa has been in limbo since the watershed election on May 29 when voters punished the ruling party for failing to address issues like skyrocketing unemployment, regular power outages and high rates of crime. Over the next few days, a weakened A.N.C. “We invite political parties to form a government of national unity as the best option to move our country forward,” Mr. Ramaphosa said in a news conference late on Thursday night. “This moment calls for the broadest unity of the people of South Africa.”

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa of, “, Mr, Ramaphosa, ” Organizations: African National Congress Locations: Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, South Africa, Africa’s

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