How drug industry is undermining WHO plans | TIMOTHY HUZAR | Since June 2021, the WHO has been coordinating a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa. The hub is important because it will increase the availability of mRNA vaccines, including those for COVID-19, in Africa, …
Read More »Victims of Hima cement factory fire evacuated to South Africa for treatment
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Two victims of the recent Hima cement factory fire incident have been evacuated to South Africa for specialized treatment following their deteriorating condition. Last Saturday, a fire broke out at the Kasese plant killing three of the employees and leaving six others severely injured. Five of …
Read More »UN chief mourns death of Archbishop Tutu of South Africa
United Nations | Xinhua | UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday mourned the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, calling him a towering world figure for peace. “I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an unwavering voice for the voiceless,” said Guterres in …
Read More »Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90
Johannesburg, South Africa | THE INDEPENDENT | Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu has died at 90. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate died in Cape Town, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a statement on Sunday. Alongside late Nelson Mandela, Tutu was a leading voice against white minority rule …
Read More »Uganda Airlines overwhelmed by passenger baggage
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Airlines says it’s is currently overwhelmed and having challenges in carrying passenger baggage from Johannesburg, South Africa. The Airline says as a result, there have been delays in delivering check-in baggage for all passengers on board. In a press statement issued on December 6, …
Read More »Netherlands reports 13 cases of Omicron variant
Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern The Hague, Netherlands | Xinhua | The Dutch health authority said Sunday that it has found 13 cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant among passengers on flights from South Africa. The cases were identified among 61 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus, the National Institute …
Read More »U.S. scrambles to take actions over Omicron variant’s chilling effect
United States imposed travel restrictions on southern African countries New York, U.S. | Xinhua | The newly-discovered Omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa has raised fears about the global trajectory of the pandemic, while some countries including the United States have raced to impose travel restrictions on southern African countries. …
Read More »SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 named Omicron, designated “Variant of Concern”: WHO
Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The World Health Organization (WHO) classified on Friday the latest variant B.1.1.529 of SARS-CoV-2, which was first reported from South Africa, as a “Variant of Concern” (VOC), and asked countries to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts. South Africa has seen …
Read More »FW de Klerk dies at 85
The last president of apartheid South Africa was driven to end it by pragmatism, not idealism | CHRISTI VAN DER WESTHUIZEN | Few recent historical figures in South Africa provoke more divergent views than Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk. He was president of the country from 1989 to 1994. Some …
Read More »No state funeral for former South African president FW de Klerk
Cape Town, South Africa | Xinhua | FW de Klerk Foundation, established by South Africa’s last apartheid president Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk, on Sunday announced that the late president’s cremation and funeral will take place on Nov. 21 in a private manner for family members. The ceremony will not be …
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