WHO gives Namibia recognition for almost eliminating HIV
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that Namibia has become the first African nation, and the first high-burden country worldwide, to nearly eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B. This achievement is especially notable because Namibia hosts over 200,000 people living with HIV, with the disease disproportionately affecting women. Despite these challenges, the country has achieved nearly universal HIV testing for pregnant women and a robust treatment system, which have reduced transmission by 70% in twenty years. In 2022, only 4% of newborns from HIV-positive mothers contracted the virus, while nearly 80% received a timely hepatitis B vaccine. The WHO has awarded Namibia a ‘silver tier’ for its hepatitis B efforts and a ‘bronze tier’ for HIV reduction. These accomplishments underscore the critical impact of committed leadership and effective public health strategies.
South Africa: many killed and missing after building collapses
Rescuers are urgently searching for 42 individuals missing after a five-storey apartment building collapsed on 6 May. 33 people have been rescued from the debris, with seven confirmed fatalities. The building was under construction when it collapsed, prompting an ongoing investigation into the cause. Most of the 75 workers originally at the site are still unaccounted for. The rescue operation, which involves lifting collapsed floors, is expected to last up to five days. President Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing sympathy for the families, has called for the investigation to ‘bring closure to the community and prevent a repeat of this disaster’. Over 200 rescuers, including sniffer dogs and heavy equipment, are continuing to search through the now-flattened site.
Japan: millions of abandoned homes in an aging country
Japan now has about 8.48 million ‘akiya’, or abandoned homes - over 13% of all residences. They are increasingly common across the country, particularly in rural areas. This problem, exacerbated by Japan's aging population and low birth rates, makes it difficult for the government to rejuvenate rural communities, hampering efforts to attract younger people interested in an alternative lifestyle or investors eyeing a bargain. Some owners, for tax reasons, find it cheaper to retain the home than to demolish it for redevelopment. The government has implemented several initiatives, including financial incentives for families and individuals willing to move to and rejuvenate these rural areas. The akiya market is complicated by high demolition costs and increased property taxes for vacant land, which discourage property development and maintenance. To combat these challenges, local governments operate ‘akiya banks’, hoping to attract buyers with the potential of low purchase costs and the opportunity to refurbish these homes.
Saudi Arabia: Shoot to kill order as villagers evicted for 'The Line'
Colonel Rabih Alenezi, an exiled Saudi intelligence officer in the UK, alleges Saudi forces have orders to shoot villagers resisting eviction for "The Line," a futuristic megacity part of the $1 trillion NEOM project. Aimed at transforming the Saudi desert into an eco-city and reducing oil dependency, The Line will be two skyscrapers stretching 106 miles, intended to house up to nine million people by 2030. However, current projections expect only 300,000 residents by decade's end with minimal construction completed. The NEOM project has faced significant hurdles, including human rights abuses against local tribes like the Huwaitat, resulting in deaths, arrests, and imprisonments as authorities forcefully evacuate areas for development. Reports from Saudi rights group ALQST corroborate the violent displacements and human rights violations. Despite its ambitious scope, NEOM's viability remains questioned, with setbacks including high staff turnover and operational challenges compounding the controversy surrounding the project's impact on indigenous populations. See
