An unexpected “urgent request” from the USAID relief agency has popped up where least expected – on the desks of aid groups around the world that work with refugees and poor people. The U.S. agency asked them to find medical supplies and personal protective gear against the coronavirus that could be made available to the…

During a debate on drug testing on French TV, Jean-Paul Mira, head of intensive care at a Parisian hospital said: “If I can be provocative, shouldn’t we be doing this vaccine trial in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatments, no resuscitation”? He continued: “It’s a little bit like it’s been done for certain…

Multilateral lenders and investors are being asked to pony up a modest stimulus package that would halt the spread of the coronavirus in Africa and keep economies from crashing under the weight of debt-servicing costs. African finance ministers, at a meeting last week, calculated that an injection of $100 billion – including $44 billion in…

Despite efforts by President Cyril Ramaphosa to enforce a pandemic lockdown at South Africa’s overcrowded slums without violence, defense forces were reported to be joining police in firing on the community with rubber bullets and water cannons. Visuals of the heavy-handed treatment were seen in news broadcasts around the continent and on social media. The…

Ugandan pop star and opposition leader Bobi Wine, who describes himself “a singer, an activist and a member of parliament” is known for his “must plays” – and his latest tune “Corona Virus Alert!,” is definitely one of them. The lyrics remind listeners to wash their hands to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.…

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is taking action in response to the coronavirus pandemic and will be suspending vehicle production. The company noted that the suspension of production would begin on March 19, and it’s anticipating that it would last for 10 working days. Production at plants…

As Mae West once said, “I’ve been rich, and I’ve been poor; believe me, rich is better.” But could there be more to the story? A landmark survey of the state of global happiness designates Kenya as more positive and hopeful than its neighbors despite the challenges that the country faces. In fact, Kenya is…

As much of the world attempts to source much needed face masks, Africa has been offered 5.4 million masks, more than a million testing kits and other items in a donation from Chinese billionaire Jack Ma. Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti will be the first countries to receive the consignment to be shipped out of…

They’re making a lot of noise up in Nova Scotia. Local activists of African and Native American descent are holding big businesses and the government accountable for polluting their water and causing an uptick in cancer cases. They’re sounding the alarm and applying pressure. The surprising but very worthy champion of their efforts to expose environmental racism is actress…

Close to a million domestic workers in South Africa will be able to claim for injuries sustained on duty after passage of a bill supported by the nation’s major labor unions. Under the bill, approved by the South African Cabinet, employers would be held liable for any negligence. According to domestic services union Western Cape…