More secretive deals to accept deported third-country migrants from the US degrade democracy and don’t serve African countries. Throughout 2026 there have been reports, almost exclusively initiated by journalists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), of third-country migrant deportations from the United States (US) to African countries. On 18 April, 15 people from South American countries arrived…
The report also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and digital technologies for preparedness, especially in pandemic monitoring, but warned that inadequate governance could widen global inequalities in health security and access. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the world faces worsening pandemic threats, warning that investments in preparedness are failing to keep pace with…
The Seventy-ninth session of the World Health Assembly (WHA79) opened in Geneva, Switzerland today, with the election of Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic as the President of the Health Assembly. The elected Vice-Presidents are Dr Mohamed Ali Al-Ghouj of Libya, Dr Assa Badiallo Touré of Mali, Mrs Katarzyna Drążek -Laskowska of…
Toyota South Africa has finally put a price on its first battery-electric vehicle, the bZ4X. The country’s largest car brand – which builds vehicles at its Prospecton plant in Durban for both the local market and export – will sell the bZ4X for R1.18-million. Unlike the Hilux, Corolla Cross and Fortuner that roll off its…
Over 130 Dead in DR Congo Ebola Outbreak At least 131 people have died in an Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with more than 513 suspected cases. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the current strain of Ebola, which is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, an international emergency….
Now is the time to place housing at the heart of sustainable development. That was the message delivered on Monday by UN Secretary General António Guterres to participants at a global forum on urban sustainability under way this week in Baku. His video address set the tone for the 13th session of the World Urban…
From Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa to the complex evacuation of passengers aboard a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) opened its annual assembly on Monday as countries grapple with disease outbreaks, deep funding cuts and growing geopolitical tension. Health ministers and diplomats are in Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly…
Addis Ababa — Ethiopia has renewed its call for deeper regional economic integration as a cornerstone for achieving lasting peace in the Horn of Africa, with Trade and Regional Integration Minister Kassahun Gofe stressing that durable stability can only be achieved through stronger homegrown solutions. Speaking at the Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue, also known as the…
Cruise ships are convenient floating hotels by which to see far-flung parts of the world – but as an epidemiologist, I know they are also everything an infectious pathogen could want: thousands of strangers packed into enclosed spaces for days or weeks, sharing dining rooms and high-touch surfaces such as elevator buttons and handrails, breathing…
The South African division of Estonian ride-hailing giant Bolt has officially announced the launch of an electric vehicle (EV) category for the local market. The rollout follows a strategic partnership with ride-sharing platform YugoRide, which aims to deploy a fleet of 500 EVs in Cape Town by December 2025, with a broader expansion to Johannesburg…
