Scientific institutions of Cuba, China strengthen bilateral collaboration
The Center for Immunoassay and the Beijing Institute of Technology signed in Havana a memorandum of understanding for the creation of a joint laboratory in the Asian country, focused on expanding academic scientific collaboration, co-development of products and access to new technologies and knowledge. As reported to Granma, the Master of Science Aramís Sánchez Gutiérrez, vice-director of research of the...
Report warns of global ‘democratic backsliding’ as election denial surges
A report published by an intergovernmental watchdog paints an alarming picture of the state of global democracy, showing that the quality of elections has declined around the world and losing candidates are rejecting outcomes with growing frequency, further eroding trust in electoral processes and institutions. The Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) found in its annual report...
Death toll rises as torrential rain, and flooding force evacuations in Central Europe
PRAGUE—The death toll was rising in Central European countries after days of heavy rains caused widespread flooding and forced evacuations. Several Central European nations have already been hit by severe flooding, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania. Slovakia and Hungary might come next as a result of a low-pressure system from northern Italy dumping record rainfall in the...
Israel lobbying U.S. Congress to pressure South Africa into dropping its ICJ case
While South Africa is receiving increased global support for its International Court of Justice (ICJ) genocide case against Israel, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) head prosecutor, Karim Khan, seeks arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, the Zionist state is also lobbying the U.S. Congress to pressure the African nation to drop...
Africa’s strategic relationships need to benefit the entire continent
The recent China-Africa Cooperation Forum held Sept. 4-6 and the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and African-EU (European Union) Commission held in 2022 have all become important events on the African international relations calendar. In the case of the much sought-after China forum, more African leaders attend this annual forum than the United Nations General Assembly. However, it is problematic that...
‘Calculated dishonesty and greed’ blamed for London’s deadly Grenfell fire
by Olivia Rosane Seven years after the UK’s worst residential fire since World War II, the second half of a report on the causes of the Grenfell Tower disaster partly attributed the deadly blaze to corporate greed. The Phase 2 report, released Sept. 4, blamed both private malfeasance and government deregulation for the fire on June 14, 2017, which claimed the lives of 72...
Africa endorses nominees for 2025 election of AU Commission chair
The process has begun for the February 2025 election of a new African Union Commission chairperson. According to the commission, the consideration for nominees will be made based on vision statements outlining how candidates intend to advance the “transformative agenda of the African Union.” Nominees will also be considered based on their game plan for addressing existing and emerging...
Driving progress: Botswana prepares for historic UN conference on landlocked countries
Leaders from landlocked developing countries, (LLDCs) will gather in Gaborone, Botswana, this December to tackle challenges, explore solutions, and build alliances for a more equitable and prosperous future. At the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, known as LLDC3, innovative solutions and strategic partnerships will be outlined and leveraged to “unlock the full potential of these nations.” LLDC3 is set to...
Being Black in Germany has never been easy and elections in eastern states could make it harder still
ERFURT, Germany—It was a balmy summer night in 2020, shortly after the lifting of Germany’s first COVID-19 lockdown, and Omar Diallo and two friends from his home country of Guinea wanted to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice. “We were enjoying life, playing music, walking through the city at night—we just wanted to be together again and have...
23 African countries are developing 125 new satellites for budding space program
After numerous delays, Senegal has finally launched its first-ever satellite GAINDESAT-1A into orbit. The feat marks the first stage of the African country’s budding national space program SENSAT. “GAINDESAT-1A is an earth observation nano-satellite built by Senegalese engineers and technicians trained by the Centre Spatiale Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM) via a partnership with the Senegalese government. The nano-satellite was launched...