Zimbabwe Declares Emergency in Harare Amid Cholera Outbreak

Harare declares emergency as cholera outbreak ravages the city, prompting urgent health measures.

In a pressing health crisis, Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency in its capital, Harare, due to a devastating cholera outbreak that has already claimed numerous lives nationwide. Harare's Mayor, Ian Makone, confirmed this critical situation on Friday.

Harare, home to approximately 1.5 million residents, is currently grappling with this disease outbreak, impacting all provinces of the southern African country. "We have declared a state of emergency because the situation is now very bad," Mayor Makone stated to AFP, emphasizing the rapid spread of the disease throughout the city.

Zimbabwe has reported over 7,000 suspected cholera cases and nearly 150 deaths, including 51 confirmed via laboratory tests, since the outbreak's initial report in February. Harare has witnessed at least 12 fatalities.

Cholera, a disease caused by bacteria often transmitted through contaminated food or water, is a recurrent issue in Zimbabwean urban areas. The country's erratic water supply, inadequate sanitation facilities, and deteriorating infrastructure due to years of neglect have exacerbated these outbreaks.

Mayor Makone highlighted a concerning practice contributing to the crisis: "People have dug wells close to pit latrines, especially in mushrooming settlements and other suburbs which lack running water. This means their drinking water is contaminated."

This outbreak draws alarming parallels to the 2008 cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe, which resulted in at least 4,000 deaths and over 100,000 illnesses. The 2008 crisis coincided with Zimbabwe's severe economic downturn, marked by widespread hospital closures, medicine shortages, and the mass exodus of health workers.

In response to the current outbreak, local authorities, the health ministry, and various aid groups are collaborating to intensify water supply in affected regions and implement awareness campaigns.

The United Nations earlier this year reported a global resurgence of cholera since 2021, following a decade of gradual decline. This resurgence highlights the ongoing challenges in combating such infectious diseases globally.

Microsoft Snaps Up Sam Altman for New AI Venture Amid OpenAI Shake-Up

Microsoft embraces AI future with Altman's expertise, amidst OpenAI's leadership shake-up.

London — In a move that has shaken the artificial intelligence landscape, Microsoft has acquired the talents of Sam Altman and another key architect from OpenAI for a new venture. This follows their abrupt departures, leaving OpenAI's newly appointed CEO, Emmett Shear, to navigate through internal tensions while pledging to investigate the circumstances surrounding Altman's firing.

The events unraveled quickly after a weekend filled with drama and speculation about the shifting power dynamics at OpenAI. This company, known for its groundbreaking chatbot that produces human-like text, images, video, and music, has been pivotal in ushering in the generative AI era.

The saga culminated with Emmett Shear, former Twitch leader, stepping in as OpenAI's interim chief executive. Concurrently, Microsoft announced its plans to employ Altman and Greg Brockman, OpenAI co-founder and former president, to spearhead Microsoft's new advanced AI research team.

Despite the apparent rift between the founding figures of ChatGPT and the company they nurtured, both Shear and Microsoft's Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella have expressed their commitment to maintaining the partnership.

Microsoft's investment in the startup, amounting to billions of dollars, along with its contribution of computing resources to power OpenAI's AI systems, is a testament to this partnership. Nadella, expressing his enthusiasm on X (formerly known as Twitter), conveyed his eagerness to work with the former OpenAI executives and get acquainted with Shear and the current management team.

In response on X, Altman hinted at continued aspirations, stating "the mission continues," while Brockman teased the prospect of building something new and extraordinary.

A controversy emerged on Friday when OpenAI announced Altman's removal, citing his lack of consistent honesty in dealings with the board, which had consequently lost faith in his leadership.

In a post on Monday, Shear declared his intention to appoint an independent investigator to delve into the events leading to Altman's dismissal, aiming to produce a report within 30 days.

Shear, who co-founded Twitch, an Amazon-owned livestreaming service popular among video gamers, acknowledged the mishandling of Altman's removal. This mismanagement, he noted, has significantly eroded trust within the organization.

His plan for the upcoming month involves reforming the management and leadership team, addressing the recent high-profile exits, and engaging with employees, investors, and customers.

Shear emphasized the necessity for organizational change, including potential significant governance reforms. He clarified that the board's decision to remove Altman was not rooted in a specific disagreement over safety, likely alluding to ongoing debates about OpenAI's mission to develop AI that surpasses human intelligence in a safe manner.

OpenAI declined to comment further on the specifics of Altman's alleged communication issues. The statement only mentioned that his behavior impeded the board's governance.

Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's co-founder, chief scientist, and board member, expressed regret over the board's actions in a post on X on Monday, emphasizing his commitment to the company's unity and future.

OpenAI and Microsoft refrained from commenting further, with Microsoft directing to its CEO's statement for its official stance.

Altman's dismissal sparked speculation about his future involvement with OpenAI, especially after he posted a picture with an OpenAI guest pass and expressed affection for the OpenAI team. His tweets received supportive responses from Brockman and Mira Murati, OpenAI's CTO, who was initially announced as the interim CEO.

The transition from Murati's temporary appointment to Shear's leadership remains unclear, though she was among several employees affirming the importance of OpenAI's team on Monday.

Shear, who stepped down as Twitch CEO following the birth of his son, expressed his belief in OpenAI's significance and potential impact on the future of AI.

On a podcast in June, Shear shared his optimism about technology but voiced concerns over AI's trajectory towards developing entities far smarter than humans, potentially posing a risk to humanity.

Altman's influence in the AI sector has grown over the past year, with his global tour to discuss AI risks and regulation drawing significant attention.

Despite his controversial departure from OpenAI, Altman's role in the AI landscape remains prominent, with analysts like Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities highlighting the strategic advantage Microsoft gains by retaining his expertise.

Microsoft's shares experienced a nearly 2% increase prior to the opening bell on Monday, approaching an all-time high, reflecting the market's positive reception of these developments.

Indo-Pacific Economic Agreement Signed by Biden and Regional Leaders to Counter China's Economic Influence

U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of 13 Asia Pacific countries have signed a new economic agreement, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), aimed at countering China’s regional economic dominance. The agreement, which is not a formal trade deal, focuses on enhancing supply chain resilience and addressing issues such as future semiconductor shortages. The IPEF's objectives include promoting workers' rights, improving supply chain capabilities, transitioning to clean economies, combating corruption, and enhancing tax administration efficiency.

Biden announced a program under the agreement to collaborate with startups to raise capital, based on the U.S. Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. This initiative is seen as the U.S. response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He emphasized the necessity of trillions of dollars in private sector investment to support these efforts and create a pipeline of projects in partner countries.

However, there has been criticism regarding the new agreement's lack of market access provisions. Indonesian CEO Anindya Bakrie expressed concerns about the absence of market access in IPEF. Joshua Kurlantzick, a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, noted that most Southeast Asian states are lukewarm about the deal, citing the lack of market access as a key difference between IPEF and other major trade agreements involving Asian countries including China, South Korea, Japan, and ASEAN members.

Imprisonment of Two Togolese Journalists Over Defamation Charges Draws Widespread Criticism

Arrest of two journalists in Togo for defamation sparks widespread criticism, highlighting concerns over press freedom violations.

LOME, TOGO - The incarceration of two Togolese journalists, Loic Lawson and Anani Sossou, on charges of defamation, has sparked significant criticism from various opposition parties and civil society organizations in Togo. The journalists had claimed on social media that a minister had approximately 600,000 euros stolen from his home, leading to their arrest and imprisonment.

The Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR) party and the DMP, a collective of opposition parties and civil society organizations, have vehemently condemned the actions of Minister of State Kodjo Adedze against these journalists, who were simply performing their duty of providing information. Lawson, the publishing director of Flambeau des Démocrates, and Sossou, an independent journalist, were accused of defamation, attacking the minister's honor, and incitement to revolt. They were subsequently sent to prison in Lome.

Despite retracting their statement on Facebook, acknowledging that the communicated amount was overestimated, the journalists faced legal action. In Togo, social media networks are not covered under the press and communication law, which means offenses on these platforms are prosecuted based on the penal code.

The Togolese Press Authority (PTT) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have both expressed their concern over this situation. The PTT highlighted the worrying trend this case represents, while RSF, through its sub-Saharan Africa desk director Sadibou Marong, called for the immediate release of the journalists, emphasizing that the ongoing detentions indicate an attempt by authorities to bypass press laws.

Rosalynn Carter Begins Palliative Care Following Dementia Diagnosis

Rosalynn Carter, alongside her husband Jimmy Carter, who is also receiving palliative care, have dedicated their lives to public service and the promotion of mental health in the United States.

Nov 17 (EUROPA PRESS) -Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former United States President Jimmy Carter, has started receiving palliative care at her home in Plains, Georgia, following a dementia diagnosis in May. The Carter Center has reported that she and the former president are spending time together with their family, expressing gratitude for the public's love and support and requesting privacy during this time.

In a statement published on social network X, The Carter Center highlighted Rosalynn's contributions to mental health in the United States, acknowledging her as a significant advocate in this area. Throughout her public life, she has campaigned for improved access to mental health care and reducing the stigma associated with these issues.

Jimmy Carter, who is also in a delicate state of health, began receiving palliative care in mid-February after several brief hospital stays. Carter, the 39th president of the United States, served in the White House from 1977 to 1981 and was subsequently defeated in his reelection bid by Ronald Reagan. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work and is recognized as the longest-living former U.S. president after leaving office.

Tanzania Confirms Death of Hostage Held by Hamas in Gaza

Clemence Feliz Mtenga, the Tanzanian national who was held hostage in Gaza and whose death has now been confirmed by the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nov 17 (EUROPA PRESS) -The Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of 22-year-old Clemence Feliz Mtenga, who was being held hostage in the Gaza Strip by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Mtenga had been missing since the Islamist group's attacks on October 7 and was participating in an agricultural training program at the Nir Oz kibbutz, as reported by the Ministry in a statement published on social network X and covered by Tanzanian news portal The Citizen.

Tanzanian authorities have informed the deceased's family and are coordinating with the Israeli government to arrange the repatriation of Mtenga's remains. The cause of death has not been disclosed by the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, the Ministry has reported that they continue to monitor the situation of Joshua Mollel, another Tanzanian citizen who remains missing. They also stated that the government, through its embassy in Tel Aviv, is working to ensure the safety of its nationals in the country.

Rare Atmospheric Phenomenon Crucial in Ukrainian Strike on Russian Warship

The Russian warship Moskva before its sinking, highlighting the unexpected role of anomalous propagation in its detection by Ukrainian forces.

Nov 17 (EUROPA PRESS) -A recent study conducted by the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) has uncovered a rare atmospheric event, termed 'anomalous propagation', that played a significant role in enabling Ukrainian forces to target and sink the Russian warship Moskva in the Black Sea in April 2022.

Understanding Anomalous Propagation

This extraordinary atmospheric condition allowed a Ukrainian land-based radar system, likely the mobile radar system Mineral-U, to detect the Moskva even though the ship was well beyond the standard radar detection horizon. Typically, the Earth's curvature limits radar detection range, but anomalous propagation alters this limitation.

The Science Behind the Phenomenon

Anomalous propagation happens under specific atmospheric conditions involving variations in temperature, pressure, and humidity, causing radar waves to bend abnormally towards the Earth's surface. This unusual refraction significantly extended the operational range of the Ukrainian radar, enabling it to spot targets far beyond its normal reach.

Detailed Meteorological Data Analysis

Researchers used data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and satellite imagery to assess the atmospheric conditions on April 13, 2022. Their study indicated that during a critical window that afternoon, the conditions were ideal for anomalous propagation, potentially allowing the Ukrainian radar to detect the Moskva from about 135 kilometers away.

Strategic and Technological Implications

This discovery sheds light on the specific circumstances leading to the sinking of the Moskva and emphasizes the role of meteorological factors in modern warfare. Leveraging such phenomena could provide significant strategic advantages in future military engagements.

The findings of this research have been published in the American Meteorological Society's Bulletin, offering insightful contributions to the fields of electronic warfare and meteorology.

Citizen Initiative Demands Peruvian Interior Minister's Resignation Amid Rising Violence

A protester carries a sign against Venezuelan migration in a march in the Lima district of La Victoria, Peru, on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

In a dramatic response to escalating violence in Peru, a citizen-led initiative is demanding the resignation of the country's Interior Minister, Vicente Romero. This move reflects growing public discontent with the government's handling of crime and safety issues.

The capital city of Lima, particularly its impoverished areas, has become a focal point of these protests. On Thursday, residents from one such area, located near a major food market known as La Parada, marched to the outskirts of Congress. Many of these protesters, including numerous mototaxi drivers, expressed frustration over being extorted by criminals without adequate protection from authorities.

The situation reached a tipping point on Tuesday when 33 legislators submitted a motion to censure Minister Romero, citing his lack of effective strategies in combating criminal activities. This submission, accessed by The Associated Press, paints a grim picture of daily life in Peru, plagued by various criminal acts ranging from extortion, human trafficking, and murders to armed confrontations involving police and security forces.

For a minister's resignation to be successful, it requires at least 66 votes from the 130 members of Peru's unicameral Congress. Whether this motion will gain traction remains uncertain, and Minister Romero has yet to comment on the call for his resignation.

This political turmoil follows the Congress's rejection on Monday of a major government initiative proposed in July. The plan aimed to bolster police ranks by swiftly training 50,000 new officers, including ex-soldiers and unemployed youth, reducing the regular training period from three years to one.

In response, the government announced the formation of three new police groups: The Special Group Against Organized Crime (GRECCO), the Brigade Against Extortion, and the Foot Patrol Group. These units, drawn from various police divisions, are part of a concerted effort to address the escalating security crisis.

The issue of citizen security stands as the primary criticism against the administration of President Dina Boluarte, as confirmed by various surveys. The statistics further underscore the gravity of the situation: extortion cases in Peru have surged by over 50% in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, with 12,730 complaints recorded, according to police data.

Despite Peru, a South American nation of 33 million people, having a police force of 133,880 officers – approximately one officer for every 245 inhabitants, which is above the United Nations' suggested ratio of one officer per 333 people – the country continues to grapple with a significant public safety challenge. This situation has catalyzed the public outcry and the subsequent political actions, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions to combat the rising tide of violence in Peru.

Mars' Polar Night Skies Alight with Green Glow, ESA Study Reveals

When future astronauts explore the polar regions of Mars, they will see a green glow illuminating the night sky. - THAT

The European Space Agency's (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) mission has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Martian atmosphere. For the first time, a visible green glow, similar to the one observed on Earth, has been detected in the night sky of Mars. This finding, published in Nature Astronomy, provides a significant insight into the atmospheric dynamics of the Red Planet.

The green glow, observed in the Martian atmosphere, is a result of a natural phenomenon where oxygen atoms combine to form oxygen molecules about 50 kilometers above the planet's surface. This process, occurring under the cloak of Martian nights, is similar to what happens in Earth's atmosphere, and its detection on another planet marks a milestone in space exploration.

Interestingly, these oxygen atoms embark on a unique journey. They originate on the daytime side of Mars, where sunlight energizes carbon dioxide molecules, causing them to split and release oxygen atoms. As these atoms migrate to the planet's night side, away from the sun's excitation, they regroup at lower altitudes, emitting light and creating the observed glow.

Lauriane Soret, a researcher at the University of Liege and a member of the team responsible for this discovery, explains that the emission results from the recombination of oxygen atoms created in the Martian atmosphere. These atoms are transported by winds to higher altitudes, particularly in the winter latitudes, contributing to the observed night glow.

The intensity of this glow is significant enough to illuminate Martian paths, akin to how moonlit clouds brighten Earth's night skies. Jean-Claude Gérard, lead author of the study and a planetary scientist at the University of Liege, highlights the unexpected and intriguing nature of these observations, underscoring their importance for future Martian exploration.

The discovery builds on previous findings from the Mars Express mission, which detected night glow in infrared wavelengths a decade ago. The TGO further expanded this understanding by detecting bright green oxygen atoms above Mars' daytime side in 2020, a first-time observation for a planet other than Earth.

Orbiting Mars at an altitude of 400 kilometers, the TGO used its ultraviolet-visible channel on the NOMAD instrument to observe the planet's night side. This instrument, covering a spectral range from near-ultraviolet to red light, was specifically oriented to better view the Martian upper atmosphere. NOMAD's experiment is a collaborative effort led by the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, with contributions from teams in Spain (IAA-CSIC), Italy (INAF-IAPS), and the United Kingdom (Open University), among others.

The nocturnal glow not only serves as a fascinating visual phenomenon but also as a crucial indicator of atmospheric processes. It provides valuable insights into the composition and dynamics of an otherwise hard-to-measure region of the Martian atmosphere, revealing details about oxygen density and how energy is deposited by both sunlight and the solar wind.

Understanding the properties of Mars' atmosphere is vital, not only from a scientific perspective but also for future missions to the Red Planet. The atmospheric density, for example, directly affects the resistance experienced by orbiting satellites and the performance of parachutes used in landing probes on the Martian surface.

It's important to note that this night glow is different from auroras, another form of atmospheric illumination. Auroras, observed both on Mars and Earth, result from energetic electrons from the Sun colliding with the upper atmosphere. They vary spatially and temporally, unlike the more homogeneous night glow.

In conclusion, this discovery by ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter marks a significant advancement in our understanding of Martian atmospheric phenomena. As humanity prepares for future exploration of the Red Planet, findings like these illuminate the path forward, both literally and figuratively.

Orbán Asserts Ukraine Not Ready for EU Membership Despite European Commission Report

Nov 10 (EUROPA PRESS) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has warned this Friday that Ukraine is not yet prepared to join the European Union. This statement comes just two days after the European Commission recommended starting accession talks by March 2024 and a month ahead of a crucial meeting of the heads of State and Government.

While Brussels has proposed March 2024 as the start date for these talks, a report acknowledges that Kyiv still needs to complete all pending reforms. The next step falls on the European Council, where unanimity among the Twenty-Seven is required.

Without Hungary's support, Ukraine’s European integration will not progress, and Orbán has reiterated in a radio interview on Friday that he does not believe this is the right time. He also urged the European Commission not to link the potential disbursement of funds to Hungary's stance on this issue, criticizing the idea of revising the EU budget to increase aid to Ukraine.

Orbán, often critical of Brussels' "bureaucrats," has accused the Commission of serving other interests and neglecting fundamental objectives. Immigration is another contentious issue for Orbán, who opposes any deal that facilitates the arrival of foreigners.

“Hungary belongs to Hungarians, and jobs should go to Hungarians. It’s up to the Hungarians to set the rules,” Orbán firmly stated, referring to potential terrorism risks. He plans to promote new laws to strengthen such positions, as revealed by statements disseminated by the Hungarian Government itself.

UN Rejects Support for Forced Relocation of Gazans

UN officials discuss the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, has announced that the organization will not endorse the proposed relocation of Palestinian inhabitants towards the southern Gaza Strip. This stance responds to Israel's establishment of evacuation corridors, which have been used to move Gazans from northern areas.

Griffiths has highlighted that the UN has not been involved in relocating to supposedly safe zones within Gaza and has expressed significant concerns about the civilians' safety in these areas, given the unsatisfactory conditions for providing adequate shelter, food, water, sanitation, and health.

Speaking at the Peace Forum in France, Griffiths advocated for a "humanitarian ceasefire" and described the number of civilian deaths in the conflict as "devastating." Meanwhile, Isabelle Defourny, Director of Doctors Without Borders, questioned the actual safety of the mentioned zones, reporting that a substantial percentage of fatalities occurred in southern Gaza.

UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, added that the UN has not witnessed such a high number of deaths in such a short time during a conflict and highlighted the urgency of assistance in Gaza, as well as warning about the consequences for the Palestinian population due to a potential financial collapse of UNRWA.