World News
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DW exclusive: Belarus dissident Maria Kolesnikova speaks from jail
Leading Belarus opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova has been held behind bars for over a year in a Minsk penitentiary. In 2020, Kolesnikova coordinated Viktor Babariko’s campaign in the run-up to Belarus’ presidential election. When Babariko, a prominent banker, was arrested on money-laundering charges, Kolesnikova became a key figure in the opposition’s Coordination Council. In August 2020, the group backed mass…
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Omicron: Mideast countries prepare for the new coronavirus variant
This week most Middle Eastern countries reacted in one way or the other to the new omicron coronavirus variant. So far only Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have recorded omicron infections. But amid omicron-related concerns, Lebanese health authorities have just announced a night curfew for people who have not been vaccinated or are without a recent negative…
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Red Cross leader says Omicron variant result of vaccine inequality
The head of the Red Cross pointed to the Omicron variant as the ultimate evidence that vaccine inequality around the world is a danger to every country globally. The president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said that much more work is needed to balance the inequality in the global approach to vaccination against the…
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AfricaLink on Air – 03 December 2021
Gambia set for presidential elections +++ Gambia: Vox Pops +++ Gambia: The women who wanted to run for president, and why they didn’t +++ Nigeria: Taking up weapons in self-defense +++ Decline of grasshopper population worries Ugandan grasshopper eaters +++ Sports SOURCE: DW News
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Indonesia: Groundwater exploitation threatens livelihoods
The overexploitation of groundwater on Java’s northern coast has left impoverished local residents fighting for survival. Many have already been forced to flee their homes. SOURCE: DW News
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Hong Kong: How is China’s crackdown changing the city’s identity?
Hong Kong authorities are pursuing new laws to tighten the city-state’s grip on public discourse critical of its Beijing-aligned government. Residents are resorting to self-censorship and many feel that their city’s liberal identity may have been permanently lost. Speaking at the 2021 China Internet Media Forum in Guangzhou in late November, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, stated that her…
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Malaysia reports first case of Omicron variant
Every nation’s fear finally arrives in Malaysia, as its health minister today announced that a foreign student in her quarantine after arriving from South Africa two weeks ago had tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus. Following the World Health Organisation’s announcement on November 24 that Omicron was causing a variety of concerns, authorities re-tested earlier positive samples, according to minister…
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Taiwan sets up nighttime vaccination spots with gifting plans
In an effort to enhance the Covid-19 vaccine coverage, a number of hospitals in Taiwan have started giving evening appointments yesterday, and the Central Epidemic Command Centre, or CECC, is considering setting up vaccine booths at PX Mart supermarkets. At a news conference held yesterday, CECC spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang said that hospitals established by Taiwan’s Armed Forces, Ministry of Health…
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5 Omicron cases reported in South Korea
South Korea reported its first five cases of the new “Omicron” virus on Wednesday amongst its 5,000 in a single day as infection rates soared for the first time, raising concerns about a sudden spike. The new variant was followed by a fully vaccinated couple who came back from Nigeria last week and was promptly transmitted to two family members…
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Blowing the whistle on traffic offences in Angola
In Caxito, Angola, young men spend the day monitoring the streets aiming the stop traffic accidents. Recognizable by their trademark whistles, many are taxi conductors, and others volunteer as inspectors. They blow the whistle when they see a traffic violation. Drivers routinely ignore roads signs. But they aren’t solely responsible for accidents. Caxito’s roads are poorly maintained. Meanwhile, the police…
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Snakes are saved from witchcraft rituals in Kenya
Snakes are killed for witchcraft in Kenya. Reptiles are poached for rituals. Rare animals are captured by sorcerers. Those recovered are brought to Nairobi’s Snake Park zoo. Generally people are afraid of snakes in Kenya. This is not only because of the risk of a poisonous bite. There is a belief that snakes are cursed. This Egyptian snake was rescued…
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Japan: Sumo wrestler deaths raise obesity concerns
The early deaths of three sumo wrestlers over the span of just a year and a half have raised the alarm over health and safety for sumo wrestlers. In May of last year, 28-year-old wrestler Kyotaka Omori, who was known by the sumo name “Shobushi,” died in May 2020 after contracting the coronavirus in April of that year. Omori, who…
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Myanmar junta criticises UN’s decision for denying its envoy
Myanmar military junta has criticised the decision by the United Nations today for denying its representative a seat at the world body and not kicking out an envoy appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s deposed government from his position. According to diplomats, the committee in charge of accepting ambassadorial nominations to the United Nations convened yesterday, but deferred a decision…
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Kashmir: Vanishing wetlands threaten wildlife, livelihoods
Thousands of birds which flock to Indian-administered Kashmir each year are now under threat due to shrinking wetlands. Locals and fishermen are taking the initiative to try and restore the region’s dying lakes. SOURCE: DW News
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Fiji tourism reopening after nearly 2 years of Covid-19 closure
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced the island nation has reopened its borders for international tourism for the first time since many of the world’s borders closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic nearly 2 years ago. Fiji’s population of just 1 million people have struggled without the tourism that makes up a lion’s share of the economy after borders closed…
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Singapore man jailed for consorting with friend who smuggled firearms
A 27-years old Amirul Asyraff Muhammad Junus was sentenced to five years and two weeks in prison with six strokes of the cane (Yes, caning is a form of corporal punishment in Singapore) for consorting with a fellow gang member who smuggled a firearm into Singapore from Malaysia. His friend, Muhammad Ikram Abdul Aziz, 26, had illegally carried a Shooters…
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Vietnam signs deal to expand production of Sputnik V vaccine
Vietnam has struck a deal with Moscow to expand their production of the Russian-made Covid-19 vaccines Sputnik V. Vietnam has been producing the Sputnik vaccines already, but a new deal will allow more Sputnik V vaccines to be manufactured as well as the Sputnik Light vaccine. The expanded deal was made during a visit to Russia by Nguyen Xuan Phuc,…
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Women’s Tennis Association shelves all tournaments in China amid Peng concerns
The Women’s Tennis Association has suspended all tournaments in China amid concerns for the welfare of Chinese player, Peng Shuai. According to an AFP report, Steve Simon from the WTA says the tournaments, including those planned for Hong Kong, cannot go ahead while Peng is unable to speak freely. The Winter Olympics are due to take place in Beijing in…
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Idlib: Collapsing Turkish lira makes daily life harder than ever
Khadija lives in Idlib, the capital of the Syrian Idlib province. The burden of responsibility weighs heavily on her shoulders. She has become her family’s main breadwinner, and provides for her twin brothers, who were born with Down syndrome. “I work a lot,” she told DW in a voice message. “My father used to be able to provide for us…
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Angela Merkel leaves a mixed legacy in Africa
During her 16 years as German chancellor, Angela Merkel’s trips to Africa became more frequent as did her meetings with African heads of state. As recently as August 2021, Merkel invited several African presidents to the German capital, Berlin. It was a farewell meeting — and a very pleasant one at that — for there is much praise for the…
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EU, China race to secure green projects in Southeast Asia
Last weekend, the European Union launched a new green partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that will see €30 million ($34 million) donated to the region’s green investment fund — the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility. Days later at the annual China-ASEAN summit, Beijing vowed to step up its investment in green projects in the region and…
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Ghana showcases technology to tackle big challenges
Using digital and new technologies to tackle Ghana’s problems. That’s the focus for many innovators here. From digital solutions to climate change to greener construction techniques. One app warns of flood risks in Accra. Others want to make health and education more accessible. At Ghana’s digital innovation week video games aren’t just fun. They can also help shift perspectives. Like…
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Marthe Wandou: We need to move from frameworks to action and protect children
Marthe Wandou has been fighting against sexual violence and promoting women’s and children’s rights in Cameroon for decades. Founded in 1998, her nongovernmental organization, Action Locale pour un Developpement Participatif et Autogere (ALDEPA), applies a holistic approach focusing on education, abuse prevention, and providing psychosocial care as well as legal counsel. DW: What does the Right Livelihood Award (RLA) mean…
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Vietnam to welcome fully vaccinated tourists from Thailand this month
Vietnam is setting up a “travel bubble” scheme with Thailand to allow vaccinated travellers to enter the Southeast Asian country. The head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Nguyen Trung Khanh, today says his department is working with Thai officials to set up the scheme, adding that the first batch of Thai tourists will arrive in Vietnam this month…
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Hospital warns not all PCR tests properly detect Omicron variant
Ramathibodi Hospital Centre for Medical Genomics has warned that some PCR test kits may fail in accurately identifying people infected with the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The hospital says that the new variant has a growth advantage and that some polymerase chain reaction tests may not be able to see the variant. The Hospital posted its findings on Facebook recently…
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Epstein pilot says Trump, Prince Andrew, Clinton all flew on late financier’s planes
A pilot who worked for Jeffrey Epstein says he recalls flying Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump on the late financier’s private planes. Lawrence Visoski, who worked for Epstein for 30 years, claims he also flew Kevin Spacey. He says he would be told in advance when there would be VIP passengers, so he could ensure the plane “looked…
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UN boss says global vaccination is only way out of pandemic
The United Nations secretary-general says the only way out of the Covid-19 pandemic is through global vaccination. According to a Xinhua report, Antonio Guterres has called for greater equality in the global distribution of vaccines, tests, and treatments. “The only way out of a global pandemic and out of this unjust and immoral situation is through a global vaccination campaign.”…
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Moderna leader says vaccine likely less effective against Omicron
The head of American vaccine maker Moderna said in an interview with Financial Times that their vaccine may not be strongly effective against the new Omicron variant. Stephane Bancel said in an interview published yesterday that it will take months to develop a new version of the vaccine that is tested and confirmed to be effective against the new strain…
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Omicron Covid-19 variant sparks growing curbs on global travel
B.1.1.529 is the scientific name of the new coronavirus variant discovered last week in South Africa. It has since been detected in several other countries, with Germany, Portugal, Great Britain, Israel and Canada, for instance, all reporting omicron infections. There are fears that the new mutant could be even more contagious than the currently rampant delta variant and that vaccines…
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AfricaLink on Air – 30 November 2021
Ethiopia denies carrying out attacks inside Sudan+++Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers state of nation address+++France seeks EU-British agreement to solve Channel migrant crisis SOURCE: DW News
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