Accompanied by his wife and two children, one cradled in his arms and the other assisted by members of his entourage, Lamar’s arrival marked the beginning of an exciting event at the BK Arena scheduled for December 6, 2023.
Swiftly disembarking from his private jet, Kendrick Lamar wasted no time, heading straight into a waiting car that transported him and his family to the luxurious Marriott Hotel, their chosen accommodation during their stay in Kigali.
The ‘Move Afrika’ concert promises a star-studded lineup, with Kendrick Lamar sharing the stage with fellow artists such as Bruce Melodie, Zuchu, and Ariel Wayz.
Notable figures from various fields are expected to attend, including Nkusi Arthur, a former journalist, Winston Duke, a renowned figure in world cinema recently granted Rwandan citizenship, and Jackie Lumbasi, a journalist at RBA.
Adding to the list of distinguished guests is Azziad Nasenya, a Kenyan movie star and social media sensation.
Kendrick Lamar, who has been globetrotting on his world tour, is set to unveil his latest album, ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,’ adding an extra layer of anticipation to the already high-profile event.
After a brief but impactful stopover in Kigali, Lamar departed from Kigali Airport, ending the initial chapter of what promises to be an eventful visit to Rwanda’s capital.
Umuraperi Kendrick Lamar yageze i Kigali mu gitondo cyo kuri uyu wa Kabiri, aho yitabiriye igitaramo cya ‘Move Afrika’ giteganyijwe kubera muri BK Arena ku wa 6 Ukuboza 2023. pic.twitter.com/NPkEdKiOLC
“As we strive to harness the potential of the AfCFTA, it is essential that we do so in a manner that safeguards our natural ecosystem, promotes renewable energy and mitigates the impact of climate change,” a UNECA statement issued Monday quoted Melaku Desta, coordinator of the UNECA’s Africa Trade Policy Center (ATPC), as saying. According to the statement, Desta made the remarks on behalf of Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UNECA, at a side event held during the ongoing COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Desta, citing a recent UNECA study on the importance of the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement and parallel adoption of climate policies, said the effective implementation of the continental free trade pact can be aligned with green principles, renewable practices and low carbon strategies.
He noted a growing need to consider the impact on the environment as the continent moves toward greater economic integration and take proactive measures to mitigate any negative consequences.
“Africa is being negatively impacted by climate change despite contributing a small amount to greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
According to data from the UNECA, the African continent presently accounts for approximately 7 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions from carbon dioxide and other gasses.
Desta said greenhouse gas emissions in Africa are forecasted to grow faster over the next decades than in other parts of the world, although starting from a relatively low level currently.
The recent UNECA study indicated that greenhouse gas emissions in Africa could rise to nearly 12 percent by 2045 based on current trends. It noted that if large emitting countries implement policies to transition to clean energy, Africa’s economic costs to export goods to those countries could increase.
“The AfCFTA creates opportunities for the continent to industrialize and transform through increased trade and as stressed at the session, the AfCFTA stands as a beacon of hope for fostering intra-African trade, economic integration and shared prosperity,” Desta said.
Desta, however, expressed concerns that the AfCFTA could add pressure to climate change through increased manufacturing and transportation use, among others, which in turn necessitates climate-friendly engagements.
UNECA projections show that intra-African trade could be 35 percent higher in 2045 with the AfCFTA agreement in place, as compared to without AfCFTA.
The results, unveiled on Monday, December 4, at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters, indicate that male candidates demonstrated a commendable success rate of 96.8% in General Education (GE), surpassing the 93.6% success rate achieved by their female counterparts.
Similarly, in the Teacher Training Centre (TTC), male candidates slightly outshone their female peers with success rates of 99.8% and 99.6%, respectively.
This trend persisted in Training Vocational Education Technical (TVET), where male candidates achieved a success rate of 97.7%, slightly edging out females at 97.5%. The data encompassed a total of 80,892 candidates across categories, including GE, TTC, and TVET.
Within the GE category, out of 48,455 candidates (21,186 male and 27,269 female), 94.5% successfully passed this year’s examinations, representing a marginal decrease from the previous year’s 94.6% success rate.
TTC, with 4,000 candidates sitting for exams (1,708 male and 2,292 female), witnessed a pass rate of 99.7%, a slight dip from the previous year’s 99.9%.
Concerning TVET, 97.6% of the 28,070 candidates (15,163 male and 12,907 female) who sat for exams showed a marginal change from the previous results of 97.8%.
NESA emphasized that the highest achievable aggregate by excelling in all examinable subjects is 60, while the minimum aggregate stands at nine. Candidates and stakeholders can now access their results through NESA’s portal or via messages.
The commercial rocket blasted off at 7:33 a.m. (Beijing Time).
The launch was the 11th flight mission to use the CERES-1 rocket series.
Developed by Beijing-based Galactic Energy, CERES-1 is a small-scale solid-propellant carrier rocket designed to send micro-satellites to low orbit.
The commercial rocket is 1.4 meters in diameter, and has a total length of about 20 meters and a takeoff weight of 33 tonnes. It can carry a payload of up to 300 kg to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km.
With the capacity to carry both a single satellite and multiple satellites, the CERES-1 commercial rocket can be used for various tailored launch missions.
Galactic Energy has served 16 commercial satellite customers and launched a total of 35 commercial satellites of various types.
Tuesday’s launch mission is the first by this commercial rocket developer to successfully send satellites to the twilight orbit.
The twilight orbit is a special type of sun-synchronous orbit in which the satellite crosses the equator at approximately 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., exactly when the local sun rises and sets.
This means the satellite can always be illuminated by sunlight as the orbital plane and the Earth’s twilight line are approximately coincident. Therefore, the satellite can receive adequate and continuous energy supply.
One satellite carried by the CERES-1 Y9 rocket on Tuesday will focus on meteorological environment detection, while the other will provide real-time wide-area comprehensive perception satellite application services.
The Commonwealth Secretariat unveiled the Living Lands Charter Implementation Framework at a high-level event on 3 December 2023 in Dubai, organised alongside the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP28).
The event comes after extensive consultations with Commonwealth countries since the adoption of the Living Lands Charter last year. It offered Commonwealth leaders, ministers, and development partners an opportunity to learn about the framework, share country experiences and foster collaboration on land issues.
Speakers, including Prime Minister Robert Abela of Malta; Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); and David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, expressed their support for the framework during the event.
{{‘A giant leap forward’}}
Opening the event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, said: “Our Commonwealth encompasses a quarter of the world’s land area and is home to a third of the world’s mega-biodiverse countries. More than 400 endemic species are found in our small island states.
“The impact of climate change is increasingly severe across our countries. Food insecurity is increasing. Soil is depleting. The sheer scale of these challenges compels us to lead with bold action.”
She added: “With this implementation framework, we are taking a giant leap forward. It will leverage the combined strength of the Commonwealth through thematic action working groups – learning from each other and spurring one another on towards systems change and a better future for all.”
The framework takes a system-wide approach towards implementing the Living Lands Charter through five thematic action areas: climate-resilient agriculture for food security; soil and water conservation; sustainable green cover and biodiversity; carbon neutral and climate-resilient livestock rearing and animal husbandry; and indigenous and local people for climate-resilient development.
{{Champion countries}}
Several countries have taken the initiative to lead in crucial areas of action: Guyana has stepped forward to champion initiatives focused on sustainable green cover and biodiversity.
Kenya has committed to spearheading action on climate-resilient agriculture with a primary emphasis on ensuring food security. Meanwhile, Malta has positioned itself to lead efforts in the conservation of soil and water.
Within each thematic area, the Commonwealth will offer extensive support to countries to achieve their commitments.
This support entails mobilising resources for implementation, conducting analyses for policymaking, facilitating institutional governance, offering capacity-building assistance, and generating knowledge for member countries.
{{‘An urgent priority’}}
Prime Minister Abela said: “The world is experiencing a planetary crisis, addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, and nurturing ecological restoration of our land has become an urgent priority for all Commonwealth members.
“We are here to renew our commitment to work together towards the same through the Living Lands Charter. We hope that our experience inspires Commonwealth countries facing similar tough challenges.”
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Land degradation is affecting 3.2 billion people. Most of those affected are in the Commonwealth because of the diversity of its members.”
“The biggest threat to security in the world today is environmental destruction,” he added. “We must be clear that living lands is not only about a sector or a line ministry but also about entire nations and livelihoods.”
The implementation framework has been developed in response to a mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June 2022.
The Secretariat for the three Rio Conventions welcomed the framework and expressed confidence in its ability to help countries achieve targets set out in the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework and the UNCCD Strategic Plan for Land Degradation Neutrality.
The framework’s launch coincides with the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action.
“The death toll has now reached 47, up from 23 earlier announced,” Manyara regional commissioner Queen Sendiga told Xinhua over the phone. “The number of injured persons is 85.”
Rescue operations were continuing, Sendiga said, adding that a special rescue squad from the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces joined other security organs in the search and rescue efforts on Sunday evening. “The rescue operations will continue throughout the night,” she said.
Earlier on Sunday, Sendiga said rescue efforts were underway to assist individuals trapped in the landslides on Hanang hills in the Hanang district of the Manyara region, as well as to retrieve bodies trapped in the debris. She identified Katesh town and the villages of Jorodom, Gendabi, Mogito and Gedan’gonyi as the most affected areas.
Describing the situation as “horrifying,” Sendiga said that one village had been completely engulfed by mudflow, suggesting a potential rise in the number of casualties.
Gabriel Mbogoni, a senior official from the Geological Survey of Tanzania, said that a team from the institution was en route to the area for investigations.
Sendiga has urged the Prime Minister’s Office, security agencies and the Ministry of Health to promptly deploy personnel and resources to the Manyara region to bolster relief efforts.
Hanang district in the Manyara region is predominantly inhabited by traditional livestock keepers. The region has a population of about 1.9 million, according to the 2022 population census.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority in August issued an advisory for the September-December rainfall season, warning that the season was more likely to be influenced by El Nino conditions. It also warned that the rains could have devastating consequences, including flooding and disruption of businesses and transport.
The wounded Palestinians, along with 21 family members, boarded a Tunisian military plane and arrived at the international airport of Tunis Sunday evening, Ridha Dhaoui, the president of Tunisian National Council of the Order of Physicians, told Mosaique FM.
According to Dhaoui, the wounded Palestinians, aged 1-21, will be admitted to both public and private hospitals in Tunis to receive the medical treatment.
Dhaoui added that most of the injured Palestinians had broken bones and serious burns.
Dhaoui announced that another plane carrying 150 wounded Palestinians was expected to arrive in Tunis on Dec. 5.
The move is part of Tunisia’s efforts to treat the large number of wounded Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. More than 15,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 7, and 41,316 others were injured, according to the Gaza-based Media Office.
The summit attracted more than 450 representatives from nearly 200 institutions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations, from over 100 countries and regions.
With the theme of “Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development,” the attendees conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on four topics, namely, “Bolstering Confidence: Media’s Role in Promoting Human Development and Security,” “Embracing Changes: Media’s Response to New Technological Opportunities and Challenges,” “Pioneering Innovation: Media’s New Markets in the Digital Age,” and “Seeking Growth: Media’s Worldwide Cooperation for a Better Future,” to explore ways for the media industry to address global challenges, the Joint Statement for the 5th World Media Summit said.
Noting that the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with uncertainties and unforeseen factors on the rise, the participants called on global media to build a bridge of communication to answer questions posed by the world, by the times and by history.
They expressed the hope that global media will pay more attention to the pressing demands of developing countries in areas such as poverty reduction, food security, financing for development, and industrialization, and help resolve imbalances and inadequacies in development.
Amid the rapid development of new technologies in the information age, global media should adhere to journalistic ethics and meet professional standards while actively carrying out innovation, and make rational use of emerging technologies, the document said.
We should disseminate factual, objective, comprehensive and unbiased news to our audience, resist misinformation, and oppose rumors and prejudices to uphold the authority and credibility of the media, it said.
The participants also called on global media organizations to strengthen cooperation, promote the common development of the world media industry, and facilitate mutual understanding and communication among countries and peoples with different historical backgrounds, cultural traditions and development status, so as to deliver greater stability and positive energy to a volatile world.
It is believed that the summit will encourage global media to build consensus, work together for high-quality development, and pool powerful media strength for building a community with a shared future for humanity and a better world, the document said.
World Media Summit is an important global platform for high-level media exchanges and cooperation. Co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the provincial government of Guangdong, events at the main venue of the summit run from Dec. 2 to 6.
Themed “Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development,” the 5th WMS has gathered over 450 participants from 101 countries and regions, including representatives of 197 mainstream media outlets, think tanks, government agencies and diplomatic missions to China, and UN agencies and international organizations.
The event, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the provincial governments of Guangdong and Yunnan, runs from Dec. 2 to 8 in the cities of Guangzhou and Kunming.
![A wounded Palestinian from the Gaza Strip is carried out of a C130 Hercules military aircraft upon arrival at Tunis-Carthage airport on Dec 3, 2023. [Photo/VCG]](https://en-images.igihe.com/jpg/656d2ecfa3109068cb00f6f1.jpg)
