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Africa’s Lowest Vaccination Coverage at 2% Unacceptable, WHO tells G20

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World Health Organisation (WHO), Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, says Africa with the lowest vaccination coverage at two per cent is unacceptable, calling G20 Health Ministers to support regional vaccine manufacturing.

Ghebreyesus told the G20 health ministers meeting in Rome that almost 75 per cent of those doses have been administered in just 10 countries, while Africa had the lowest vaccination coverage at two per cent.

The director-general pointed out that: “Many countries continued to face steep increases in cases and deaths” – despite that more than five billion vaccines had been administered globally.

According to him, WHO’s global targets are to support every country to vaccinate at least 10 per cent of its population by the end of September, at least 40 per cent by the end of the year, and 70 per cent by the middle of next year.

“We can still reach these targets, but only with the commitment and support of G20 countries,’’ he averred.

As the largest producers, consumers and donors of COVID-19 vaccines, he upheld that they hold the key to achieving vaccine equity and ending the pandemic.

“We can never allow a pandemic on this scale to happen again. And we can never allow an injustice like this to happen again,” the WHO chief added.

The WHO boss stated that global responses to the pandemic must be grounded in certain core principles.

He outlined; “they must have the engagement and ownership of all countries; be multisectoral, involving partners from across the One Health spectrum.

” They must also be linked to and aligned with WHO’s mandate; and ensure coherence with the International Health Regulations and other international instruments.

“And they must be accountable and transparent,” underlined the UN official.

Against this backdrop, the WHO chief spoke of four critical areas for action, beginning with better global governance.

“An international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response will strengthen the foundation for global cooperation, setting the rules of the game, and enhancing solidarity among nations,” he said.

The second point, he noted, was more and better financing for national and global preparedness and responses.

“Financing facilities must be built using existing financial institutions, rather than creating new ones that further fragment the global health architecture,” Ghebreyesus  asserted.

He added that WHO had already taken steps toward better systems and tools across the One Health spectrum, his third action.

He noted, ” the need for a “strengthened, empowered and sustainably financed WHO to fully realise the Organization’s broad mandate.

“Redressing this imbalance is critical if WHO is to be the independent and authoritative institution the world needs it to be.’’

In addition, the WHO chief urged the G20 health ministers to swap near-term delivery schedules with COVAX by fulfilling dose-sharing pledges and sharing technology, know-how and intellectual property to support regional vaccine manufacturing.

He also requested that they support the development and adoption of a legally binding international agreement on pandemic preparedness and response.

“They should also strengthen WHO by backing initiatives that strengthen, not weaken, its mandate,” he urged. (NAN)

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CAF Sanctions Kenya Again over Crowd Trouble

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-host, Kenya, for the second time in as many weeks over security breaches.

In a statement made available on Monday evening, the continental governing body said that it has limited entry to the 48,000-seat Moi International Sports Centre.

It also said that, known as Kasarani Stadium, can accommodate 27,000 fans for Sunday’s Group A match between Kenya and Zambia.

CAF said only electronic ticket holders would be allowed into the stadium, with thermal tickets prohibited.

The governing body warned that Kenya’s matches could be relocated from Kasarani Stadium if organisers fail to prevent further breaches.

“We trust these measures will be applied swiftly to protect competition’s integrity, ensure fan safety, and uphold confidence in Kenya’s commitment to the tournament,” CAF said.

The sanctions follow incidents on Aug. 10 when Kenya defeated two-time winner Morocco 1-0 in spite of playing the entire second half with 10 men.

The win put Kenya top of Group A with seven points.

The debutants would reach the quarterfinals with at least a draw against winless Zambia.

Last week, Kenya’s football federation was fined nearly 20,000 U.S. dollars for security lapses during the team’s 1-0 win over DR Congo in the tournament opener on Aug. 3.

In the latest case, CAF cited major lapses, including stadium gates and restricted service areas being overrun by ticketless spectators and holders of government-distributed physical tickets.

It also accused security personnel of losing control at exit points and allowing breaches of the perimeter fence that enabled thousands of ticketless fans to enter.

CAF had expressed alarm over the use of tear gas and flash grenades, reports of live ammunition fired near spectators and staff, and violent incidents such as stone-throwing at security personnel.

It also cited unsafe vehicle movement in spectator areas, inadequate police response, and the lack of medical incident reports in spite of injuries being reported.

Organisers were further criticised for insufficient communication tools and the absence of CCTV coverage at critical entry points.

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Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza

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Pop icon Madonna has made an appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip amid a starvation crisis that has sparked international outrage.

“You are the only one of us that cannot be denied entry,” the U.S. singer wrote on social media platform X late on Monday.

“We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.

“There is no more time,” she added.

Marking the 25th birthday of her son Rocco Ritchie on Monday, Madonna also announced plans to donate to humanitarian organisations working in Gaza.

“I feel the best gift I can give to him as a Mother is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,” she wrote.

A United Nations (UN) agency said late last week that “acute malnutrition among children in Gaza has reached the highest levels.”

In July alone, nearly 12,000 children lower than five in age were identified as acutely malnourished, with another 2,500 found to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this is the most life-threatening form.

Israel controls access roads to Gaza and has sealed off the coastal area.

Very little aid got into Gaza from March through May, when Israel began allowing in deliveries using a controversial private system that bypasses traditional UN agencies.

Under pressure from allies, Israel recently began permitting larger convoys into the territory, as aid airdrops take place overhead.

On Sunday, Irish rock band U2 issued a stinging critique of the Israeli government’s actions.

“We know Hamas are using starvation as a weapon in the war, but now so too is Israel and I feel revulsion for the moral failure,” frontman Bono wrote.

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Putin Bans Foreign-made Clothing for Russian Army From 2026

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Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday banning the procurement of foreign-made clothing and related gear for the country’s armed forces starting in 2026.

According to the decree, from Jan. 1, 2026, all uniforms and other clothing items for the Russian Armed Forces must be produced by Russian companies whose manufacturing facilities are located within the country.

By 2027, the requirement would extend to fabrics and knitted materials used in production, which must be domestically manufactured.

The measure aims to entirely exclude the purchase of foreign-made clothing and materials for the needs of the military, the decree said.

Military clothing and gear include uniforms, insignia, underwear, bedding, special clothing, footwear, equipment, and sanitary items.

Such supplies are procured through the Russian state defence order system.

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