- Zimbabwe: Drought Saps Energy Production
[SciDev.Net] In semi-arid parts of Zimbabwe, the availability of water for domestic use, irrigation and business is not the only issue. During extremely dry spells, a lack of water can also have a knock-on effect on energy production, particularly for industry.
- Malawi: MPs Accuse Govt of 'Marginalising' North Malawi
[Nyasa Times] Members of Parliament from the north speaking in the 193 strong National Assembly have accused the government of sidelining the north in development activities.
- Kenya: El Niño Threatens Health of Millions of Children, Unicef Warns
[Nation] Floods, landslides and diseases linked to heavy rains produced by El Niño could threaten the health of 2.5 million children in Kenya, the United Nations' children's agency warned on Tuesday.
- South Africa: Taps Run Dry in Parts of Joburg
[News24Wire] There is no water in several parts of Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, apparently due to water levels dropping in reservoirs.
- Nigeria: 7 Reasons Nigeria's U-17 Triumph Will Not Translate to Eagles' Success
[Premium Times] The narrative is well worn but the taint will take a long time to go away even though the Nigeria U-17 national football team just won a fifth FIFA World Cup in Chile on Sunday. Even with the introduction of the MRI scanning to checkmate countries using overage players, the major reason adduced for the sniggers and the insults is that despite an almost total dominance at age-group competitions, Nigeria has not been able to get into the quarter finals of the senior World Cup.
- Africa: UN Launches 2016 International Year of Pulses, Celebrating Benefits of Legumes
[UN News] Under the slogan 'nutritious seeds for a sustainable future,' the United Nations, led by its Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), today launched the 2016 International Year of Pulses to raise awareness about the protein power and health benefits of all kinds of dried beans and peas, boost their production and trade, and encourage new and smarter uses throughout the food chain.
- West Africa: Boko Haram Violence in Lake Chad Could Fuel Refugee Crisis - UN
[Thomson Reuters Foundation] Dakar -Boko Haram violence in the drought and flood-stricken swamplands of Lake Chad, which has destroyed livelihoods, torn communities apart and forced millions to flee their homes, could worsen Europe's migration crisis, a United Nations official has warned.
- Mali: Women Central to 'New Era of Opportunity' - UN Official
[UN News] Mali is entering a new era of opportunity, but while significant progress has been made, the international community 'must not take its foot off the accelerator,' a senior UN relief official said today, returning from a three-day visit to the country.
- Africa: Experts Debate Terror Without Borders
[RFI] Senegal's President Macky Sall is calling on African countries to promote a "tolerant Islam" and share intelligence to combat jihadist groups across the continent. Speaking at the two-day Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, he echoed security experts' warnings that hard-line Islamists are taking advantage of Africa's porous borders and political chaos to expand their reach.
