First U.S. case of aggressive Mpox strain reported in California
The U.S. has confirmed its first case of a more aggressive strain of mpox, clade I, in a California resident who recently traveled to East Africa, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The individual is isolating at home, and public health officials report no evidence of local transmission.
Clade I, which has a higher fatality rate than the clade II strain responsible for the 2022 global outbreak, has been spreading across several African countries and was recently detected in Sweden, Thailand, and other nations.
Unlike clade II, clade I primarily spreads through contact with infected animals or within households, though some cases have been linked to sexual transmission.
Experts suggest that while clade I poses minimal risk to the general U.S. population, it could affect high-risk groups similarly to the 2022 outbreak. U.S. health officials say they are prepared, with testing, surveillance, and a substantial supply of the Jynneos vaccine.
The CDC emphasizes the need for vaccination among high-risk groups to curb potential spread and mitigate severity, leveraging lessons from the 2022 outbreak, which caused over 32,000 infections and 58 deaths nationwide.
EU warns China against military aid to Russia amid Ukraine war
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned Beijing of potential sanctions if reports of Chinese military support to Russia are confirmed. During an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, allegations surfaced about a Chinese factory producing drones shipped to Russia.
While an unnamed EU official called the intelligence 'credible,' they admitted no conclusive evidence of direct military cooperation.
Baerbock stated, 'We are introducing further sanctions against Iran and are also making this clear regarding Chinese drone aid, because this too must and will have consequences.'
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed the sentiment, warning Beijing against escalating the Ukraine conflict.
China dismissed the accusations as 'baseless speculation,' emphasizing its strict export controls. 'We have never provided lethal weapons to any party of the conflict,' said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, adding that China upholds peace talks in contrast to countries.
The U.S. recently sanctioned Chinese and Iranian firms for allegedly supplying military goods to Russia, with additional accusations against North Korea for artillery and troop support. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to rely heavily on international aid, with over $310 billion contributed by the U.S. and European nations since 2022.
Germany to deliver 4,000 drones to Ukraine
Germany will supply 4,000 sophisticated drones to Ukraine, the Defense Minister announced on Monday.
"These are drones piloted by artificial intelligence (AI) and which can disable the electronic defenses of enemy drones," Minister Boris Pistorius explained to the press.
These 4,000 units, "deliverable very quickly" would be able to act over a range of "30, 40 km" in Russian territory and "attack combat positions, logistics nodes and others. Considering that they constituted "an important additional asset for the Ukrainian armed forces," he explained.
Abkhazia's President resigns amid political unrest
President Aslan Bzhania of Abkhazia announced his resignation to quell anti-government protests that erupted last week, urging demonstrators to vacate government buildings in the capital, Sukhumi.
His decision followed prolonged negotiations with the opposition, who accuse Bzhania of favoring Russian interests over Abkhazia's sovereignty.
Under the agreement, Prime Minister Aleksander Ankvab will also step down, with former PM Valeri Bganba set to take his place. Vice-President Badra Gunba will serve as acting leader until new elections are held.
However, Bzhania warned that if protesters do not leave the occupied buildings, he will withdraw his resignation.
The unrest began over a proposed agreement allowing Russian companies to invest in Abkhazia, which critics saw as compromising national interests. Protesters stormed government offices last Friday, rejecting early elections and demanding Bzhania's immediate departure.
The president initially called the protests an 'attempted coup,' accusing opponents of undermining stability and exploiting anti-Russia rhetoric for political gain.
Abkhazia, a South Caucasus region with a population of 244,000, declared independence from Georgia in the 1990s and was recognized by Russia in 2008. Tensions persist as Georgia continues to claim the region as part of its territory.
Nairobi Archdioces rejects political donations from President Ruto and his people
On Sunday, November 17, 2024, President William Ruto donated Sh600,000 to the Soweto Catholic Church Choir and Parish Missionary Council and an additional Sh2 million for the construction of the Father's house.
Governor Johnson Sakaja also contributed Sh200,000. President Ruto further pledged to buy the parish a bus and promised Sh3 million more for the priest's house.
However, on Monday, Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi announced that all donations from politicians would be refunded. In a public statement, he reaffirmed the Church's stance on remaining independent of political influence, emphasizing the need for neutrality in matters of faith and governance.
The decision highlights the Church's commitment to maintaining its spiritual and moral authority without interference from political entities, despite the significant financial pledges offered for its projects.
President Suluhu Orders Building Inspections After Tragic Collapse in Kariakoo
Following the collapse of a four-story building in Dar es Salaam's Kariakoo area on Saturday, President Suluhu Hassan has directed a comprehensive inspection of all buildings in the bustling district. The tragedy has claimed 13 lives and injured 84 others.
President Hassan emphasized that rescue operations remain the top priority, delaying investigations into the collapse's cause. She tasked the Prime Minister with leading a team of inspectors to assess the structural integrity of nearby buildings, promising transparency in sharing the findings and taking necessary actions.
The government has pledged to cover medical expenses for the injured and ensure respectful handling of the deceased. The President also announced that police will collect details from the building's owner about its construction.
Expressing sympathy for the victims' families, President Hassan reassured the public of ongoing updates and a commitment to preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Rwanda surpasses digital literacy target, aims for full digitization by 2029
Rwanda has achieved significant progress in digital literacy, surpassing its 2024 target of 60% by reaching 75.2%, according to the latest Labour Force Survey by the National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR).
This milestone reflects the growing ability of Rwandans to navigate digital platforms for e-services, e-learning, and mobile financial transactions.
Key initiatives like the Digital Ambassadors Programme (DAP) have played a pivotal role, training 1,327 digital ambassadors and 57 supervisors to promote digital literacy nationwide. By January 2025, the number will increase to 2,148, ensuring one ambassador per cell across the country.
Additionally, over 3,200 public servants have received digital training to improve public service efficiency.
Investments in ICT infrastructure have expanded access to essential online services, notably through the government's Irembo platform. Citizens now process IDs, driving licenses, and birth certificates online, reducing reliance on physical offices.
Looking ahead, Rwanda's Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST) aims to train one million coders, develop advanced ICT skills, and implement a Single Digital ID system. By 2029, all government services will be fully digitized, enhancing service delivery, accountability, and citizen engagement.
IGIHE
