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☆ Africa’s first carbon-removal plant stokes questions about responsible climate solutions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Nidhi Sharma | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Others say that direct air capture is a necessary part of a diverse effort to limit global warming. Carbon removal companies such as Climeworks create carbon credits corresponding to units of carbon dioxide captured by their plants — these credits can be purchased by companies to offset their carbon emissions. Some say investing in direct air capture technology is pointless. "If it's being used for direct air capture, it's not being used for something else. Many global climate leaders agree.

Persons: Bilha Ndirangu, watchdogs, Ugbaad Kosar, that's, Jonathan Foley, Ndirangu, Carlijn Nouwen, Nouwen, Olúfẹ́mi, Táíwò, That's, Mark Jacobson, it's, Julie Gosalvez, Climeworks, Gosalvez Organizations: Deutsches Museum, United Nations, Africa Climate Summit, Georgetown University, Stanford University Locations: Munich, Kenya, Swiss, Climeworks, Carbon, Africa, Nairobi, Saharan Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia

☆ Why countries are choosing to build new cities in places at high risk of worsening floods
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Researchers analyzed global flood hazard datasets and annual settlement footprint data covering the three decades between 1985 and 2015 to understand the populations most affected by flood risk. They found over this period, as the world’s settlements grew by 85%, urbanization happened much more rapidly in high-hazard flood zones than in areas with low flood risk. In 2015, more than 11% of built-up areas globally faced high or very high flood risk, meaning areas at risk of flooding depths of at least 50 cm (17 inches) during 1-in-100-year flooding events, according to the report. Upper-middle income countries had the largest proportion of new human settlements in the highest flood risk zones, the report found. “This is concerning as development patterns are enhancing risk without climate change – climate change will further exacerbate these risks in the future.”

Persons: ”, Paolo Avner, Netherlands –, Molave, Manan Vatsyayana, Robert Nicholls Organizations: CNN, World Bank, Municipal, University of East Locations: East Asia, North America, Saharan Africa, China, Japan, Netherlands, Vietnam, Hoi, AFP, Southwest Florida, University of East Anglia

“This process is not behind schedule.”The July agreement included a pledge of 105 million euros ($110 million) earmarked for migration. As arrivals increased last month, the European Commission announced it would send an initial 127 million euros ($133 million) to Tunisia. Apart from migration, the bulk of the funds are contingent on Tunisia reaching agreement with the International Monetary Fund on stalled loan negotiations. In April, he called the terms “diktats from abroad.”Supporters, including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, have hailed Europe's agreement with Tunisia as a regional model. Since taking power in 2019, Saied has repeatedly characterized sub-Saharan African migrants as violent and a threat to Tunisia.

Persons: Kais Saied, ” Saied, Saied, Marcus Cornaro, Saied's, “ We're, ”, Giorgia, ___ Sam Metz Organizations: —, Monday, European Union, TAP, EU, UNHCR, European Commission, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Locations: TUNIS, Tunisia, — Tunisia, Europe, Rome, Tunisian, Italy, North Africa, Italian, Germany, Europe’s, Rabat, Morocco, Georgia

☆ Consulting firms are offering delayed start dates to some new hires—5 tips for handling it, say career experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

If you're one of the many dealing with a delay to your job offer, chances are you feel like you are facing a setback. But fear not, career experts say. Although your options on what to do are endless, here is what career experts Vicki Salemi and Gorick Ng advise you to do with your time. Look for interim — or new — workIt is crucial to keep your options open during and apply to new positions, while keeping confidentiality so as not to jeopardize your existing offer, Salemi says. Develop important, relevant skillsBoth Ng and Salemi say this gap period could also be a chance to accelerate learning through certifications, online or in-person courses and workshops, and immersion language programs.

Persons: Gorick Ng, Vicki Salemi, Ng, Salemi Organizations: Harvard Locations: Saharan Africa, American

☆ Germany's Baerbock joins chorus criticizing EU migration deal with Tunisia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Migrants rescued at sea walk after disembarking from a vessel, on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 18, 2023. "Democracy, human rights and the rule of law must guide us in our cooperation - something that was not given suitable consideration, in the agreement with Tunisia," she wrote. "The MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Tunisia cannot become a template for further agreements," she added. 'SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES'Asked to comment on the letters, a European Commission spokeswoman said the EU executive consulted member states enough. On Friday, the EC announced 60 million euros ($64 million) in support for the Tunisian budget and a further 67 million euros ($71 million) in assistance on migration.

Persons: Yara, Annalena Baerbock, Kais, Giorgia Meloni, Baerbock, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Oliver Varhelyi, Viktor Orban, Meloni, Gabriela Baczynska, Howard Goller Organizations: Migrants, REUTERS, UNITED, EU, Commission, Reuters, European Commission, EC, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, Germany, EU, Tunisia, Netherlands, Tunis, Africa, Egypt, Hungary, East, Geneva, Ukraine

South Africa has also been criticized for not publicly opposing Russia's war against Ukraine. Political Cartoons View All 1171 ImagesThe U.S. and South Africa announced in a joint statement that the forum will be held in Johannesburg, indicating a mending of relations following months of diplomatic tensions. South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries of AGOA, with exports to the U.S. through the act estimated at $3 billion in 2022. It also found that South Africa was not aware that the ship transporting military equipment ordered by the South African National Defense Force from the United Arab Emirates was a sanctioned Russian vessel. Leaders from various countries in sub-Saharan Africa and organizations are expected to attend the forum on Nov. 2-4.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Katherine Tai, Clayson Monyela, we’d, ” Monyela, Cyril Ramaphosa, R, Reuben Brigety Organizations: U.S ., Republican, Democratic, AGOA, Ukraine, South Africa, U.S . Trade, South Africa’s Foreign, Forum, SA, Twitter, South, U.S, South African National Defense Force, United Arab Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, U.S, U.S . Africa, Russia, Russian, Cape Town, AGOA, Africa, Ukraine, United States, China, Johannesburg, United Arab Emirates, Saharan Africa

☆ South Africa to host US-Africa trade summit despite Russia spat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

South Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg, will host the U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum from Nov. 2 to 4, U.S. and South African officials said in a joint statement on Wednesday. "As President Biden has said, the future is Africa," United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in the statement. Despite Pretoria's declared neutrality, perceived close ties between Russia and South Africa, an important U.S. trading partner in Africa, have ruffled feathers Washington. Pointing to South Africa's joint naval operations with China and Russia in February, and plans to host Russian President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS bloc summit, they also suggested South Africa's trade benefits under AGOA could be revoked. The lawmakers appeared to back up an explosive accusation by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that a Russian vessel under sanctions collected weapons at a South African naval base last year.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Biden's, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Tai, Pretoria's, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Ebrahim Patel, Joe Bavier, Grant McCool Organizations: Trade, REUTERS, Saharan, Saharan Africa Trade, Economic Cooperation, United States Trade, U.S . House, U.S . Senate, U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Russia, Washington JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, U.S, Africa, South, Johannesburg, Saharan Africa, Ukraine, Washington, China, Russian, AGOA, United States

☆ What Happens When Global Human Population Peaks? - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Dean Spears | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Over the past 100 years, the global population quadrupled, from two billion to eight billion. Some will inexcusably claim that restricting reproductive choice is a way to curb long-run population decline. If an inclusive, compassionate response to population decline emerges someday, it need not be in conflict with those values. It’s in no one’s hands to change global population trajectories alone. Six decades from now is when the U.N. projects the size of the world population will peak.

Persons: demographers, Wittgenstein, Spears, Grandma, humanity’s, They’ve, birthrates, everyone’s, It’s, it’s Organizations: Human, The Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, University of Texas, Population Research, New York Times, White, won’t Locations: Vienna, Austin, United States, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, Guinea, Africa, China, Brazil, India, birthrates, Chile, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Japan, Saharan Africa, Israel

☆ A sneaky move at a Kremlin meeting may show why Putin took his time in eliminating Prigozhin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

If so, the process of removing Prigozhin may have begun at a Kremlin meeting days after his uprising. On June 29, five days after the rebellion was called off, Putin gathered Prigozhin and his commanders in the Kremlin, according to a report in the Russian outlet Kommersant. "Reports of the meeting — and the lack of notable cases of dissension following Prigozhin's death — suggest that the meeting likely achieved its goals," Orr said. Chekalov, a senior deputy to Prigozhin, oversaw logistics, coordinating numerous Wagner activities and operations in Libya and Syria. ALEXEY DANICHEV/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesUnder Prigozhin, Wagner amassed a business empire using lucrative concessions from governments and backers in the countries where it operated.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Alexei Troshev, nodded affirmatively, Matthew Orr, RANE, Orr, Dmitry Utkin, Valery Chekalov, Anton Mardasov, Mardasov, ALEXEY DANICHEV, Prigozhin's, Pavel Organizations: Service, Wagner Group, Kommersant, Reuters, French Army, Associated Press, Russia's Ministry of Defense, PMC Convoy, PMC Redut, Russian, Ministry of Defense, Getty, Belarusian Defence Ministry, Wagner PMC, SVR Locations: Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Russian, Tver, Eurasia, Prigozhin, Libya, Syria, Mali, Africa, East, Russia, Belarus, St . Petersburg, Saharan Africa, Ukraine, Osipovichi

More than 120 small boats arrived in Lampedusa in the span of roughly 24 hours, bringing the number of people at the local reception center to 7,000 people at one point. But consecutive arrivals on the small island in a short period of time made things difficult to manage, Di Giacomo said. Most of those boarding smugglers' boats for Europe are young men and unaccompanied minors, though women and children are seen but in smaller numbers. As soon as the weather improved, they launched more than 100 small iron boats from Tunisian beaches carrying between 30 to 40 people. Migrants pay smugglers between 1,500 and 5,000 Tunisian dinars (roughly $500-$1,600) for a spot on the dangerous boats.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Kais Saied, Flavio Di Giacomo, Di Giacomo, Daniel, “ It's, ”, Chris Borowski, Saied's, Giacomo, Ursula von der Leyen, It's, ” Abderrahim, Saied, doesn’t, “, ___ Frances D'Emilio Organizations: Union, Italy's Interior Ministry, International Organization for, WHO, IOM, Border, Coast Guard Agency, Global, Transnational, EU Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, Lampedusa, Tunisia, Italy, North Africa, Italian, Europe, Ukraine, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, Sfax, Tunisian, African, Greece, Rome

☆ IMF's Argentina predicament: Seek reforms and tango on or kill the music
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Jorgelina Do Rosario | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But that programme failed to put South America's second-largest economy back on its feet. Even if he wins the Oct. 22 election and takes power in December, Milei would need alliances in Congress to push through reforms and a new IMF programme - Argentina's 23rd. That effort paved the way for the $57 billion programme, which ultimately failed and was replaced by the current one. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsPREFERENTIAL TREATMENTThe current programme could end before its expiration in September 2024, but Argentina will still require funds. Without mentioning Argentina, the U.S. - holding the largest voting power in the Fund - recently raised its concerns.

Persons: Javier Milei, Agustin Marcarian, Mauricio Macri's, Mark Sobel, Milei, Sobel, Sergio Massa, Martin Muehleisen, Muehleisen, Nestor Kirchner, Stephen Nelson, Nelson, Walter Stoeppelwerth, Simon Quijano, Evans, Gemcorp Capital, Jay Shambaugh, Jorgelina, Karin Strohecker, Paul Simao Organizations: Argentine, La Libertad Avanza, REUTERS, IMF, International Monetary Fund, South, Peronist, Analysts, Graphics, Review Department, U.S ., Northwestern University, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Gletir SA, Gemcorp, Thomson Locations: La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Washington, U.S, Chicago, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Egypt, Burundi, Saharan Africa, Rosario

☆ Fact Check-Sahara dust magnetism is not evidence of chemtrails
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The social media post for the clip, as well as another video posted to Twitter here, also claims that the dust’s magnetism is evidence of “chemtrails". However, experts say magnetism is typical of Saharan dust. Saharan dust’s characteristic red colour reflects the presence of small amounts of haematite, a weakly-magnetic mineral, she said. However, air pollution-derived metals are usually present in much lower quantities than the naturally-sourced metal-bearing dust particles, she said. Saharan dust contains naturally magnetic particles, including haematite, which gives the dust its characteristic red colour.

Persons: ”, Barbara Maher, Richard Harrison, Maher Organizations: Facebook, Twitter, Centre, Environmental Magnetism, Lancaster University, University of Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences, Aeolian Research Locations: United Kingdom, Europe

It’s a scary day for moms, right?” French Gates said. Tragically, those solutions aren’t reaching families in the communities where mothers and kids need them most,” said Bill Gates and French Gates in the report’s introduction. Gates and French Gates also noted the increasing rates of maternal deaths in the U.S. and United Kingdom and the racial disparities in those deaths. French Gates spoke with outrage about the harrowing experience tennis star Serena Williams described after giving birth to her first daughter and suffering multiple complications, which endangered her life. It was almost like a slap in the face,” said French Gates.

Persons: — Melinda French Gates, Gates, Melinda Gates, Jennifer, Leila — Jennifer's, —, “, Rasa Izadnegahdar, ”, “ It’s, Bill Gates, French Gates, Mark Suzman, recommit, Suzman, Tom Kenyon, they’re, Izadnegahdar, there’s, ’ ”, Black, Serena Williams, Tori Bowie, aren’t, we’ve Organizations: Melinda Gates Foundation, Associated Press, Sustainable, United Nations, Child Health, World Health Organization, General Assembly, Gates Foundation, American Medical Association, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: U.S, French, Ukraine, Saharan Africa, South Asia, United Kingdom

☆ Global Regulation of Essential Medicines Is a Dangerous Mess - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Vidya Krishnan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

has not released more recent numbers, and there is limited data on exactly how much of this comes from India. The global drug supply system is a vast and complex network. As of 2021, India manufactured 62 percent of the raw materials for drugs, known as active pharmaceutical ingredients. in 2001 set up a groundbreaking program to monitor safety and quality, called the Prequalification of Medicines Program or P.Q.P., which set global standards for H.I.V. The program is one of those unsung policies that keep the global health structure ticking.

Persons: —, Cipla Organizations: World Health Organization, Medicines Program Locations: India, China, United States, Europe, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Africa —, Saharan Africa, Indian

At the Nairobi orphanage, program manager Paul Mulongo has a message for Washington. Without that, the virus could come back, ”and about 20 million lives might be lost in the coming years,” he said. But Reach Out helps anyone who walks in needing HIV drugs, Kaleebi said. “Sometimes it’s so crazy when you hear people saying that these HIV drugs should be bought by the local government,” he said. Some are among the 1.4 million children and adults living with HIV in Kenya, according to UNAIDS.

Persons: George W, Bush, Paul Mulongo, “, Mulongo, ”, Tom Hart, PEPFAR, Biden, Chris Smith, Smith, ” Smith, John Nkengasong, we’ve, Josephine Kaleebi, ” Kaleebi, Kaleebi, Mark Dybul, Bernard Mwololo, David Shitika, “ Nobody, ” Shitika, ” ___ Amiri, Knickmeyer, Rodney Muhumuza Organizations: Republican U.S, President’s, AIDS Relief, Republicans, Democrats, ONE, Heritage Foundation, State Department, ” Conservatives, PEPFAR, Republican, Foreign, Associated Press, AP, Health Initiative, Uganda’s Catholic, AIDS, UNAIDS Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, United States, Africa, Ukraine, Brazil, Indonesia, Nairobi, Washington, ”, Uganda, Kampala, Russia, China

☆ Migrants not just numbers, Italian director says in Venice film
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

VENICE, Sept 7 (Reuters) - With migrant arrivals once again surging in Italy, director Matteo Garrone has brought a film to Venice showing the perilous journey from Africa to Europe through the eyes of two naive, but plucky Senegalese teenagers. "In these years we have got used to the idea that they are only numbers and we forget that behind these numbers there are people, there are families, there are dreams, there are souls," Garrone told Reuters following the premiere of "Me Captain". "(The film) was born out the idea of wanting to change the point of view," said Garrone, whose previous movies include the crime dramas "Gomorrah" and "Dogman". Almost 115,300 boat migrants have reached Italy so far this year against 61,870 at the same point in 2022. "Me Captain" is the second film tackling the theme of immigration at this year's Venice Film Festival, following "Green Border", which depicted the nightmares awaiting migrants at the crossing between Poland and Belarus.

Persons: Matteo Garrone, Garrone, Seydou Sarr, Crispian Balmer, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, Golden Lion, Thomson Locations: VENICE, Italy, Venice, Africa, Europe, Libya, France, Senegal, Morocco, Poland, Belarus

He will have at least one advantage: Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be at the meetings. "But the question ... is whether the United States will be able to step up." FAST GROWTH, HIGH DEBTChinese Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the G20 as its leaders cope with sagging growth and a possible property debt crisis. For his part, Xi is also finding new ways to engage the developing world, hosting a gathering of Central Asian leaders and discussing development in May. Xi is also expected to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco in November, where he may meet with Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, Xi Jinping, Zack Cooper, Li Qiang, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Jake Sullivan, Donald Trump's, Sullivan, White, Khulu Mbatha, Cyril Ramaphosa, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose, Michael Martina, Carien du, Don Durfee, Grant McCool Organizations: Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, White, REUTERS, Rights, World Bank, Bank, U.S, Partnership for Global Infrastructure, Investment, American Enterprise Institute, IMF, Global, White House, Trump, Republican, South, Central Asian, United, United Arab Emirates, Economic Cooperation, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, India, United States, Africa, Latin America, Asia, Washington, China, Russian, East, Central Asia, Saharan Africa, People's Republic, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, Beijing, Moscow, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, United Arab, San Francisco, Carien du Plessis, Johannesburg

CNN —Mary Achieng’s family is in the malaria ward at Nightingale Hospital in western Kenya almost every month. Mary Achieng and her child on the malaria wars at the Nightingale Hospital in western Kenya. Now with the introduction of the world’s first malaria vaccine, hailed as a breakthrough, there is talk of one day reaching eradication. So it’s a bitter irony that as Kenya celebrates hard-earned gains, new malaria species and cases are popping up in areas historically deemed low-risk. We are seeing [malaria] going to places where we didn’t expect,” she said.

Persons: Mary Achieng’s, she’s, ”, haven’t, Achieng, Mary Achieng, Fred Ooko, Steve Ngugi, Jackson Njehia, Gitahi Githinji, Richard Munang, Ruth Kavere, Faith, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Damaris, “, Muhia Organizations: CNN, Nightingale, Malaria, Kenya Medical Research Institute, International, of, Physiology, Reuters, Health Locations: Kenya, Kisumu, Africa, Nairobi, Health Africa, “, Saharan Africa, Mukuli, AFP, Ghana, Malawi

Renewable energy is more reliable but its promise for the region still remains largely unmet. Most households have depended on gasoline generators for power, but recently the government removed a gasoline subsidy, prompting increased interest in solar power, according to dealers. The Nigerian government has not announced incentives to promote solar energy, such as reducing import taxes on solar equipment as demanded by dealers. “The problem was affordability, but now customers can pay installments over a period of 18 months,” said Tunde Oladipupo, an agent for Sun King, a solar power company. Another example of this shift is the Ford vehicle assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria, which currently sources over 35% of its electricity from solar power.

Persons: Rashmi Shah, ”, William Ruto, Tunde Oladipupo, Sun King, Monsurat Qadri, ” Qadri, ” Mohammed Ettu, Shah, ” Shah, ___ Adebayo, Magome Organizations: Climate Summit, World Bank, CP Solar’s, Associated Press, Kenyan, Solutions, Ford, South, CP, Kenya Power, Lighting Company, Supersport, AP Locations: NAIROBI, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisii County, Kenya, Africa, Nigeria, Oyo, Lagos, Saharan Africa, South Africa, Stillwater, American, Silverton , Pretoria, Mpumalanga, Kenya —, Abuja, Johannesburg

☆ I’m a Pro-Life Priest. Anti-Abortion Groups Are Wrong to Oppose PEPFAR. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Richard W. Bauer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

For years, the Office of the Inspector General has reviewed PEPFAR’s practices and has never discovered misappropriation of funds for abortion. Over the last 20 years, this ambitious program has saved 25 million lives in 55 countries, most of which are in Africa. PEPFAR also has fortified education systems, helping girls stay in primary school, and stimulated economic growth in recipient countries. Faith leaders from the United States and around the world, including those who oppose abortion, have recently written letters calling for reauthorization. Despite the impressive successes of PEPFAR, we still have a way to go in the fight against AIDS.

Persons: Helms, Shepherd Smith, PEPFAR Organizations: reauthorization, AIDS Locations: Africa, United States, Saharan Africa

☆ Africa Climate Summit: Electric motorcycle startup Spiro expands into Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Spiro, a startup looking to eliminate fuel-guzzling motorbikes and scooters from the roads by trading them in for electric two-wheelers, is expanding to Kenya. Ahead of the first Africa Climate Summit, which kicked off in Kenya’s capital Nairobi today, the host government announced on Friday that the e-bike and battery-swapping startup would be entering the East African country with its biggest deployment yet: 1.2 million electric vehicles. In Kenya, they will be offered 50,000 Kenyan shillings (about $344) – around a third of the price of a new electric bike – to swap their existing bike for an electric one. Last week, US company Uber also launched an electric motorbike service in Kenya, promising to roll out 3,000 bikes within six months. “We’re surpassing the symbolic but significant milestone of one million electric bikes signed with a government,” says Samain.

Persons: CNN — Spiro, Jules Samain –, polluters, Samain, Spiro, CLEMENT, CLEMENT DI ROMA, ”, ” Spiro, William Ruto, Ampersand, Uber Organizations: CNN, Africa Climate, CLEMENT DI, AFP, Getty, FIA Foundation, Spiro, McKinsey Locations: Kenya, Africa, Kenya’s, Nairobi, West, Benin, Togo, Rwanda, Uganda, China, Mombasa, Saharan Africa, Swedish, Kenyan, East

☆ Hundreds of millions pledged for African carbon credits at inaugural climate summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Companies Climate FollowVitol SA FollowNAIROBI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - An initiative to boost Africa's carbon credit production 19-fold by 2030 drew hundreds of millions of dollars of pledges on Monday as Kenyan President William Ruto opened the continent's first climate summit. In one of the most anticipated deals, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) committed to buying $450 million of carbon credits from the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI). "There hasn't been any success for an African country in attracting climate finance," said Bogolo Kenewendo, a United Nations climate adviser and former trade minister in Botswana. Many African campaigners have opposed the summit's approach to climate finance, and about 500 people marched in downtown Nairobi on Monday to protest. They say carbon credits are a pretext for continued pollution by wealthier countries and corporations, who should instead pay their "climate debt" through direct compensation and debt relief.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, Bogolo Kenewendo, Bogolo, Kevin Kariuki, Patricia Scotland, Esa Alexander, we've, Hassan Ghazali, Britain, Sultan Al Jaber, COP28, Duncan Miriri, Simon Jessop, Jefferson Kahinju, Aaron Ross, Hereward Holland, Angus MacSwan, Susan Fenton Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Africa Carbon Markets, United, African Development Bank, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Climate Asset Management, HSBC Asset Management, Debt, Green, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, UAE, Nairobi, Africa, United Nations, Botswana, Muloza, Mozambique, Blantyre, Malawi, Liberia, Tanzania, Germany, Kenya

☆ Why you might need to start booking your 2024 summer vacation now
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But according to some industry experts, it’s not too early to start thinking about – and perhaps even booking – next year’s trip. But Keyes generally advises travelers not to necessarily hit that purchase button as soon as an airline opens up a flight for booking. “While it’s relatively common knowledge that last-minute fares are expensive, what’s far less known is that it’s also possible to book flights too early,” he says. From the hospitality industry perspective, advance booking can help hoteliers and other businesses adjust staffing, pricing and other factors to offer a better experience. While Cabutti of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa acknowledges that “the early booking trend results in higher room rates,” it also enables businesses to better meet guests’ needs.

Persons: it’s, they’ve, ” Dino Triantafillou, Triantafillou, ” Triantafillou, Cristiano Cabutti, “ We’re, ” Cabutti, “, Stephanie Bias, Camp Aramoni, ”, ‘, Scott Keyes, ” Keyes, Keyes, Sally French, you’re Organizations: CNN, Labor, CNN Travel, Global, JW Marriott, Marriott, SDI, US State Department, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Italy, Tonica , Illinois, United States, Madrid, Santorini, Europe, Asia, Hopper’s, Saharan Africa, JW, Venice

☆ Uber rolls out electric bike fleet in Kenya, its first in Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Uber boda boda riders prepare to ride the first fleet of the company's electric product during their launch in Nairobi, Kenya, August 31, 2023. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Uber Technologies Inc FollowNAIROBI, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Ride-hailing firm Uber (UBER.N) on Thursday launched an electric motorbike service in Kenya, its first in Africa, as the company seeks to make its global platform emissions free by 2040. Uber's new green product in Kenya, dubbed Electric Boda in a nod to the Swahili term for motorbike taxis, will comprise 3,000 bikes within six months, or just under a fifth of its fleet. The growth of the electric vehicles market in Africa has been slowed by a lack of adequate electric charging infrastructure and associated equipment. Motorbike transport is a big employer in Kenya, absorbing millions of people who are unable to secure formal jobs.

Persons: Monicah, Uber, Kagiso Khaole, Khaole, William Ruto, Duncan Miriri, Aaron Ross, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Technologies, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, NAIROBI, Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Saharan Africa

☆ Food insecurity from Russia's war in Ukraine has triggered instability in vulnerable countries, spy agency says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Local resident Lubov, 71, carries goods received during a food aid distribution in the village of Lymany, Mykolaiv region, on Jan. 28, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. WASHINGTON — America's top spy agency says Russia's war in Ukraine has disrupted global food security and triggered not only higher prices but also political instability in some of the world's most vulnerable countries. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the nation's 18 intelligence agencies, warned that countries located in sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen are particularly susceptible to political instability as a result of food insecurity. "The combination of high domestic food prices and historic levels of sovereign debt in many countries, largely caused by spending and recessionary effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, has weakened countries' capacity to respond to heightened food insecurity risks," ODNI wrote in the assessment. The Kremlin has previously denied that its troops in Ukraine targeted civilian infrastructure and engaged in looting.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, ODNI Organizations: WASHINGTON, National Intelligence, Congress Locations: Lubov, Lymany, Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Russian

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