Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker, met with Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Madad Ali Sindhi, to discuss bilateral cooperation in education.
Sindhi highlighted the religious, cultural, and historical ties between the two countries, emphasizing mutual affection.
Vocational and Technical Training exchange of expertise was discussed, with Sindhi emphasizing the potential benefits. He also proposed teacher and student exchanges, particularly in Skilled Vocational Training.
A Joint Working Group will be formed to pave the way for a MoU. Ambassador Jemal acknowledged the strong affiliation between Ethiopia and Pakistan, emphasizing university-to-university and technical institution collaboration.
He mentioned Ethiopian doctors who volunteered in Pakistan during the 2022 floods. The Ambassador also invited the Minister to Ethiopia to sign the planned MoU.
Sindhi stressed the importance of vocational training for employment opportunities. Both sides expressed gratitude for the cordial relations and agreed to enhance mutual cooperation.
(THE NATION)
8% of Ethiopian men are affected by breast cancer: Study
According to a recent study conducted in various parts of the country, the rate of breast cancer in men is reported to be eight percent, which is significantly higher than the global rate of less than one percent.
In a study conducted in Adama and Gondar towns, it was found that 13 percent of men in Gondar are affected by breast cancer. While breast cancer is more commonly associated with women, this research highlights the presence of the disease among men in the country, as reported by Ethio FM 107.8 Radio.
Breast cancer accounts for 32 percent of all cancers in women at the national level, with a significant proportion occurring in young individuals. Unfortunately, a large percentage (70-80 percent) of patients seek medical attention when the cancer has already reached an advanced stage.
Globally, approximately 2.2 million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women each year, according to a study conducted in 2020. Although breast cancer and cervical cancer cannot be prevented, early detection and timely treatment are crucial for saving lives.
The month of October is observed as the “Month of International Breast Cancer” with the theme of “Early detection and treatment of breast cancer saves lives.” This observance aimed to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and promote access to timely treatment.
(Borkena)
Afrobarometer delegation in Addis to unveil Round 9 research findings to stakeholders
Afrobarometer, a renowned research network, sent a delegation to Addis Ababa to engage with policy stakeholders and funders and share the latest findings from their Round 9 surveys.
Led by CEO Joseph Asunka, the delegation aims to discuss governance, democracy, the economy, and society in Africa. The team, including COO Felix Biga, director of communications Nafissatou Diouf, and Resource Mobilization Manager Runyararo Munetsi, will participate in technical meetings with organizations such as Sida, USAID, and the European Union delegation in Addis.
These engagements provide a valuable platform for disseminating Afrobarometer’s research findings and fostering collaboration for impactful policy decisions. Afrobarometer’s core mission is to amplify the authentic voices of African people and align policy decisions with their aspirations and experiences.
The recently concluded pan-African survey, which involved 54,436 citizens from diverse communities, represents 75 percent of Africa’s population. The survey findings will contribute to shaping policies and decisions at the country and continental levels, ensuring that the voices and experiences of ordinary citizens are integrated into Africa’s development agenda.
(APO GROUP)
Fossil analysis reveals species settled in African highlands 2 million years ago
Researchers have reanalyzed an ancient fossil, an infant jawbone found at the Melka Kunture archaeological site in Ethiopia, shedding new light on the behavior of ancient humans in Africa.
After extensive study, the team, led by Margherita Mussi (Prof.), determined the mandible to be one of the earliest fossils of Homo erectus.
Synchrotron imaging allowed them to examine the enamel and surfaces of the teeth, confirming the identification. The discovery also links Homo erectus to the Early Pleistocene tools, specifically the Oldowan and Acheulean industries.
The presence of Acheulean tools above the mandible suggests a dating of approximately 1.95 million years. The researchers propose that climate changes may have driven ancient hominids to migrate, with Homo erectus potentially being better adapted to survive in higher altitudes.
The study highlights the adaptive behaviors and movements of ancient humans in Africa.
(COSMOS)
Sudanese Army, RSF representatives meet in Addis Ababa
Lt-Gen Ibrahim Mufaddal, the director of the Sudanese General Intelligence Service, and Mohammad al-Mokhtar, the legal advisor to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), met in Addis Ababa to address the ongoing war in Sudan.
Talks focused on local developments and the potential threats to national security caused by the prolonged conflict.
Mufaddal conveyed the army leaders’ intention to establish communication channels with the RSF in hopes of ending the war that began in mid-April.
Sources revealed that Mufaddal visited Addis Ababa secretly last week before heading to Cairo, coinciding with Mokhtar’s presence in the Ethiopian capital. Mokhtar declined to provide details about his trip or whether he met with the RSF official.
Sources indicate discontent among military officials regarding the interference of former regime’s Islamist leaders, who oppose ending the war, in army decisions.
(Asharq Al-Awsat)
East African bloc warns of El Nino rains in Horn of Africa
Experts from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have announced that El Nino rains will commence in the Horn of Africa region from mid-October, although there has been a delay in their onset.
Eunice Koech, a climate modeling assistant at the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center, confirmed that the region is still expected to receive heavier-than-normal rains during the October to December season due to the formation of El Nino conditions.
Koech highlighted that the positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole, a phenomenon associated with heavy rains, further supports this forecast.
The affected countries include Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, southern Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, with most experiencing rainfall from mid-October to mid-November.
Although the rains will have positive effects on agriculture, such as improved pasture and enhanced food security, there are concerns about flash floods potentially damaging crops and causing displacements and food shortages. Additionally, the heavy rains may create favorable conditions for a desert locust outbreak, posing a threat to crops and agriculture.
(CGTN)
Invasive mosquito may be spreading new form of malaria in East Africa: Study
Turkana County in northwestern Kenya, previously deemed malaria-free, is facing a new and concerning threat, according to a study conducted by the Duke Global Health Institute and Moi University in Kenya.
The study reveals that approximately 30 percent of individuals tested in Turkana County had malaria parasites in their blood, indicating endemicity in the region.
Even more alarming is the presence of Plasmodium vivax, a malaria parasite historically rare in sub-Saharan Africa. This is the first confirmation of P. vivax cases in Kenya resulting from local transmission.
The emergence of the invasive mosquito species Anopheles stephensi is believed to be connected to the spread of P. vivax. An. stephensi poses significant challenges to malaria control efforts as it can evade screening tests and therapies commonly used in Africa.
The adaptability of An. stephensi challenges assumptions about malarial hot spots, as these mosquitoes thrive in hot and dry regions like Turkana.
Kenya’s National Malaria Control Program is scaling up mosquito net distribution and surveillance in Turkana County, while efforts to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds are also underway.
The potential increase in P. vivax cases could undermine the genetic protection believed to exist among many Africans, emphasizing the constant evolution of the malaria parasite and the difficulty in eliminating the disease.
(NEWS MEDICAL)
Obasanjo asks African leaders to solve continent’s problems
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on African leaders to prioritize home-grown solutions to address the continent’s myriad problems.
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of students and youth from various African countries at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Obasanjo emphasized the need for Africa to consider its unique circumstances when designing and implementing effective solutions.
The delegation, led by the President of the All-Africa Students’ Union, expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for his role in facilitating a permanent cessation of hostilities agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front in Pretoria last year.
Obasanjo commended the African Union for its leadership in finding African solutions, citing the successful resolution of the civil war between Tigray and Ethiopia as an example.
The President of the Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions Students’ Union acknowledged Obasanjo’s instrumental role in ending the devastating war in the Tigray region of Ethiopia through the historic signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
(The Guardian)
