Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

Deforestation has caused the deaths of more than half a million people in tropical regions over the past two decades by intensifying heat-related illness, according to new research. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, found that widespread clearance of trees in the Amazon, Congo basin and south-east Asia has driven localised temperature rises by reducing shade, cutting rainfall and increasing fire risk. Researchers estimated that between 2001 and 2020, deforestation contributed to 28,330 deaths each year, more than half of them in south-east Asia. Around a third occurred in tropical Africa and the remainder in Central and South America.…

SpaceX’s Starship megarocket finally roared into the skies on Tuesday evening after two aborted attempts earlier in the week, marking a major step forward for the spacecraft that underpins Elon Musk’s ambitions of reaching Mars and aiding Nasa’s return to the moon. The 403ft (123-metre) stainless steel rocket lifted off from the company’s Starbase site in southern Texas at 6.30pm local time (11.30pm GMT), drawing cheers from SpaceX engineers as it ascended. It was the tenth test of the vehicle and the first in which several new technologies were successfully trialled. In a significant milestone, Starship’s upper stage separated cleanly…

Botswana’s president has declared a public health emergency following severe shortages of essential medicines and equipment, as a prolonged slump in the diamond market and cuts to US aid strain the country’s finances. The announcement came after the Ministry of Health suspended non-urgent surgeries on 4 August, citing shortages of drugs for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, asthma and eye conditions, as well as a lack of bandages, sutures and supplies for sexual and reproductive health. In a televised address on Monday, President Duma Boko said the country’s medical supply chain had “failed” and announced 250m pula (£13.8m) in emergency funding for…

An initiative intended to strengthen ties between Japan and African nations has descended into controversy after misleading reports fuelled claims that the project would bring an influx of immigrants. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) this month named four Japanese cities, Imabari, Kisarazu, Sanjo and Nagai, as “Africa hometowns” linked with Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. The scheme, unveiled at the close of an international conference on African development in Yokohama, is aimed at promoting personnel exchanges and cultural events. However, inaccurate media coverage in Africa, and subsequent references in Japanese-language sources, prompted a surge of anger on social media…

Donald Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most United States imports from India, escalating a trade dispute over New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude. The duties, which came into force just after midnight on Wednesday in Washington, are expected to deliver a heavy blow to the Indian economy and heap further strain on global supply chains. Earlier this month, the White House raised tariffs on Indian goods to 25 per cent, but the US president announced plans to double the rate, accusing India of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine through its crude imports. Since returning to…

SpaceX was forced to call off the planned launch of its Starship rocket in Texas on Monday because of poor weather, marking the latest setback for the company. The 71-metre Super Heavy booster and its 52-metre Starship upper stage, together taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty, had been scheduled to lift off from SpaceX’s Starbase site at 7.30pm local time. The attempt was abandoned at the last moment. “Standing down from today’s flight test attempt due to weather,” the company said on X, the social media platform also owned by Elon Musk. The cancelled launch came a day after…

France will take legal action against the Australian streaming service Kick for alleged negligence following the death of a man during a livestream, the country’s digital affairs minister has confirmed. The platform has come under scrutiny after 46-year-old Raphael Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove or JP, died earlier this month while attempting a 12-day livestreaming marathon. His broadcasts were centred on enduring abuse and humiliation from participants. Kick, launched in 2022, is registered in Australia and operates a revenue-sharing model with its content creators. “Kick did not do everything possible to stop the broadcast of dangerous content,” said Clara…

Poland’s president has vetoed legislation to prolong welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees, honouring a campaign pledge to tighten support at a time of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the country. Karol Nawrocki, who took office earlier this month after his spring election victory, said only Ukrainians in work should be entitled to child benefit. “We remain open to providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens that hasn’t changed,” Nawrocki said in a statement. “But after three and a half years, our law should be amended.” Read Also:Ukrainians arrested over attempt to smuggle migrants into UK by yacht The bill, which Nawrocki rejected on…

India’s supreme court has ordered an investigation into Vantara, a vast private zoo and animal rescue facility run by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia’s richest man, following allegations of illegal wildlife imports and financial misconduct. Located in Gujarat state and spread across 3,000 acres next to a Reliance Industries oil refinery, Vantara claims to be the world’s largest wild animal rescue centre. It is home to an estimated 200 lions, 250 leopards, 900 crocodiles and tens of thousands of other animals. The court announced on Monday that a panel led by retired judges will examine the alleged unlawful acquisition…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and export restrictions on countries that levy digital taxes or introduce regulations targeting major American technology firms, including Google, Meta, Amazon and Apple. Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, the US president claimed that “digital taxes, legislation, rules or regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American technology”. READ ALSO: Trump signs order to prosecute flag burners He singled out the UK’s digital services tax (DST), introduced in 2020, which raises around £800m annually through a 2% levy on revenues of global tech firms. Trump said such measures “outrageously give…