Luanda- Angola has announced plans of issuing 32, 800 agricultural land titles, as part of "Nossa Terra” Our Land programme.
The project is expected to benefit 200 peasants from the country’s 164 municipalities, according to minister of Public Works and Spatial Planning.
Manuel Tavares de Almeida confirmed this while speaking at the land concession titles launch ceremony held in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo, Luanda province.
He said that the challenge was launched in 2018 to secure assistance and social protection to the most vulnerable groups, mainly peasants, through the “Minha Terra” programme.
On Saturday, 20 of the 200 peasants in the localities of Sacrifício and Dungo, in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo, benefited from land titles.
The project "Minha Terra", coordinated by the minister of State and Head of the Civil Affairs Office to the Presidency of the Republic, Adão de Almeida, is intended to enable the peasants to acquire land rights, via customary law, and prevent them from being dispossessed or expropriated.
According to Adão de Almeida, from this moment on, no one can come up with any argument and dispossess and receive the lands of these populations.
He added that the Executive is creating bases for family farming and other agricultural projects to have better conditions, predicting better results for increasing national production, reducing poverty and eradicating hunger in the country.
The ceremony was attended by the governor of Luanda province Ana Paula de Carvalho, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Environment Jomo Fortunato, minister of Social Action and Family and the Promotion of Women Faustina Alves.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Several Southwest Airlines flights out of Houston’s Hobby Airport were cancelled Saturday leading to confusion among thousands of passengers some stranded.
While some flights proceeded on schedule, many more were cancelled due to shortage of flight crews and in some cases pilots.
One flight scheduled to depart from Hobby to Nashville was ready at the gate with available crew but was later cancelled because there were “no pilots to fly the plane,” as the announcer said through the PA system.
DNT investigations revealed that vaccine mandates are beginning to be initiated by some airlines including Southwest, and some of the pilots are reported to be “very upset about it” and are calling in sick, said one retired pilot.
President Biden recently touted the success chalked by hospitals in New York City where vaccine mandates resulted in as high as 92% vaccination rate among healthcare workers there. “Mandates work,” said Biden
But “you can’t force people to do what they really don’t want to do especially introducing unproven chemicals into their bodies,” said our retired pilot.
Meanwhile, several passengers who were lucky enough to get rebooked on later flights were further disappointed when those flights were also cancelled.
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq closed its airspace and land border crossings on Sunday as voters headed to the polls to elect a parliament that many hope will deliver much needed reforms after decades of conflict and mismanagement.
The vote was scheduled to be held next year but was brought forward in response to a popular uprising in the capital Baghdad and southern provinces in late 2019. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest endemic corruption, poor services and rising unemployment. They were met with deadly force by security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas. More than 600 people were killed and thousands injured within just a few months.
Although authorities gave in and called the early elections, the death toll and the heavy-handed crackdown prompted many young activists and demonstrators who took part in the protests to later call for a boycott of the polls.
A series of kidnappings and targeted assassinations that killed more than 35 people has further discouraged many from taking part.
A total of 3,449 candidates are vying for 329 seats in the parliamentary elections, which will be the sixth held since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
More than 250,000 security personnel across the country were tasked with protecting the vote. Soldiers, police and anti-terrorism forces fanned out and deployed outside polling stations, some of which were ringed by barbed wire. Voters were patted down and searched before going in to cast their ballots.
Iraq’s President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged Iraqis to vote amid widespread apathy and skepticism from many.
“Get out and vote, and change your reality for the sake of Iraq and your future,” said al-Kadhimi, repeating it three times after he cast his ballot at a school in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, home to foreign embassies and government offices.
“To those who hesitate, put your trust in God and go and choose those you deem appropriate,” he added, reflecting concerns over a low turnout. “This is our opportunity for reform.”
The 2018 elections saw just 44% of eligible voters cast their ballots, a record low. The results were widely contested. There are concerns of a similar or even lower turnout this time.
Iraq’s top Shiite cleric and a widely respected authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has called for a large turnout, saying that voting remains the best way for Iraqis to take part in shaping their country’s future.
In the Shiite holy city of Najaf, Iraq’s influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr cast his ballot, swarmed by local journalists. Al-Sadr came on top in the 2018 elections, winning a majority of seats.
A tight race is expected between the al-Sadr Sairoun list and the Fatah Alliance, led by paramilitary leader Hadi al-Ameri, which came in second in the previous election.
The Fatah Alliance is comprised of parties affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of mostly pro-Iran Shiite militias that rose to prominence during the war against the Sunni extremist Islamic State group. It includes some of the most hard-line pro-Iran factions, such as the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia. Al-Sadr, a black-turbaned nationalist and populist leader, is also close to Iran, but publicly rejects its political influence.
The election is the first since the fall of Saddam to proceed without a curfew in place, reflecting the significantly improved security situation in the country following the defeat of IS in 2017. Previous votes were marred by fighting and deadly bomb attacks that have plagued the country for decades.
As a security precaution, Iraq has closed its airspace and scrambled its air force from Saturday night until early Monday morning.
In another first, Sunday’s election is taking place under a new election law that divides Iraq into smaller constituencies — another demand of the activists who took part in the 2019 protests — and allows for more independent candidates.
A U.N. Security Council resolution adopted earlier this year authorized an expanded team to monitor the elections. There will be up to 600 international observers in place, including 150 from the United Nations.
Iraq is also for the first time introducing biometric cards for voters. To prevent abuse of electronic voter cards, they will be disabled for 72 hours after each person votes, to avoid double voting.
But despite all these measures, claims of vote buying, intimidation and manipulation have persisted.
The head of Iraq’s electoral commission has said that initial election results will be announced within 24 hours.
Accra, Oct. 08, GNA – The Government of the United Kingdom (UK), says Ghana will be added to the list of countries and territories with approved proof of COVID-19 vaccination from 0400 hours on Monday, 11 October.
A statement issued by the UK Government, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency, also announced that from 0400 hours, Monday, 11 October, eligible travellers vaccinated in over 37 new countries and territories including Ghana, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, would also be treated the same as returning fully vaccinated UK residents, so long as they had not visited a red list country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England.
It said from 11 October, the red list would reduce to seven countries and proof of vaccination would be recognised from 37 new countries and territories.
It noted that the UK Government had confirmed that from 0400 hours, Monday 11 October, 47 countries and territories would be removed from its red list, making it easier for more people to travel abroad to a larger number of countries and territories.
It said passengers returning to England from these destinations would no longer be required to enter hotel quarantine.
The statement said the continued progress on vaccination both at home and around the world meant that government could confidently reduce the size of the red list to focus on countries which pose the highest risk, informed by UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) assessment.
It said eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under 18s returning from countries and territories not on the red list, could do so with just a day two test.
It noted that other passengers who were not fully vaccinated with an authorised vaccine returning from a non-red destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day two and day eight test and complete 10 days self-isolation (with the option of Test to Release on day five).
The statement noted that passengers who were not eligible travellers with an authorised vaccine arriving from a rest of world destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day two and day eight test and complete 10 days self-isolation (with the option of Test to Release on day five).
It said the latest travel update builds on the announcement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office earlier this week that it has lifted advice against all but essential travel for over 30 countries and territories.
It said more advisories would be removed as countries and territories come off the red list, making it easier for people to be covered by insurance when travelling to a wider list of destinations.
Mr Grant Shapps, the UK Transport Secretary, said: “With half-term and winter sun around the corner, we’re making it easier for families and loved ones to reunite, by significantly cutting the number of destinations on the red list, thanks in part to the increased vaccination efforts around the globe”.
“Restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and levelling up this country. With less restrictions and more people traveling, we can all continue to move safely forward together along our pathway to recovery.”
Mr Sajid Javid said, the UK Health and Social Care Secretary, said: “Our robust border measures have helped protect the phenomenal progress of our vaccination programme, and it is because of this success both here and around the world that we can safely open up travel further and we can visit friends and family abroad.”
“We’re now making it easier and cheaper for people to travel by allowing fully vaccinated travellers from non-red list countries to use lateral flow tests on day two of arrival, as long as they provide proof of use.”
The statement said “the change to restrictions builds on the recent simplification of international travel rules, including the removal of pre-departure testing for eligible fully vaccinated travellers implemented earlier this week. Government scientists would continue to engage with countries still on the red list and keep the evidence on variants of concern, especially Lambda and Mu, under close review in order to ensure the UK’s approach remains proportionate.”
It said the UK Government would maintain surveillance at the border through testing and genomic sequencing, so that they could respond rapidly if risks from any country increased.
It said “from late October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers including under 18s returning from a rest of world country will have the option to replace their day two test with a cheaper lateral flow test, followed by a free PCR test if positive, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.”
It noted that the UK Government could also confirm passengers taking postal tests would be able to send a picture of their lateral flow test as a minimum requirement to verify the test result, with the ambition remaining to had this in place for people returning from half-term breaks by the end of the month.
The statement said the data for all countries and territories would be kept under review and the UK Government would not hesitate to take action where a country’s epidemiological picture changes.
Killings in Sokoto state come as armed gangs continue to wreak havoc in northwestern Nigeria.
At least 20 people have been killed in Nigeria’s Sokoto state when gunmen attacked a market and torched cars, according to a state official and local member of parliament.
The killings in Sokoto state on Saturday came as armed gangs continue to wreak havoc in the northwest of the country.
Bandits in the region have stepped up kidnappings of school children and villagers for ransom since December, disrupting everyday life for millions of people.
Idriss Gobir, special adviser to the Sokoto police affairs minister, said the attackers rode on motorcycles and shot sporadically, killing several people.
“The bandits in large numbers killed at least 20 people that we have seen and counted and set nine vehicles on fire,” he told the Reuters news agency by telephone.
Hussain Boza, a local member of parliament in Sokoto, blamed the attack on a lack of adequate security in the state.
A spokesperson for Sokoto police confirmed the attack but could not immediately say how many people had been killed.
Parts of Sokoto, like other neighbouring states in the northwestern part of the country, are under a telecommunications blockade as part of a security operation to disrupt the operations of the armed gangs.
On Thursday, security agents rescued 187 people who had been abducted by armed gangs in Zamfara state.
Enhance your comfort, save energy and money by adapting your home and your habits to be more efficient
Cheerful greetings.
Welcome to the 12th day of our AOA challenge for sustainable lifestyle.
The challenge target youth around the world - the next generation of consumers and change-makers - to show that sustainable living is easy, cool and fun.
Sustainable appliances at home, and behaviors such as opting for renewable energy, and even insulating our home against weather changes can dramatically reduce emissions and promote climate change mitigation.
Energy efficiency and renewables can save money, generate utility savings over time, and increase the value of property. Making our home more sustainable can also help support the local economy and can increase the level of comfort by enhancing the quality of our lives.
How Does Construction Impact the Environment?
Have you ever heard the saying, ‘’Everyone acts like nothing will change, yet everything changes’’? It could not be more true when it comes to construction and its approach to ecology. In reality, the construction sector contributes to 23% of air pollution, 40% of drinking water pollution, and 50% of landfill wastes.
Natural Resources
The construction sector is one of the largest exploiters of resources, with half of them being non-renewable. According to the World Watch Institute, the industry consumes 40% of the world's usage in raw stones, gravel and sand and 25% of its virgin wood per year.
Biodiversity
Think about how construction impacts animals. Noise and light pollution heavily impact wildlife, especially bats, badgers and birds, by disturbing their natural day cycle. Construction work also has long term effects on wildlife. To mention just a few:
- air and water pollution
- hydrological impacts
- isolation
- populations fragmentation
Such changes significantly impact animals, forcing them to change their way of living and reducing their population.
Atmosphere
When it comes to air pollution, every action matters as the production of dioxide gases is one of the main factors causing global warming. The construction sector is responsible for 39% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide emissions. This high percentage stems from actions on the construction site, transportation, and the manufacturing of building materials.
Waste
Rubbish is everywhere. Construction generates a massive amount of waste because it relies on fast, cheap solutions that need to be replaced every year or even every few months. Simultaneously, recycling is still not a must on construction sites, resulting in many valuable materials being wasted.
What Can We Do?
Of course, we cannot stop our businesses and the whole economy, but we can balance our environmental impact with thoughtful actions.
Luckily, nothing is lost yet. For example, green building is becoming a significant trend nowadays, supported by government programs and funds. Many companies have decided to invest in sustainable technologies like solar power or durable materials that help to reduce waste and minimize energy usage. There are also ways for construction companies to reduce their carbon footprint that do not necessarily involve large investments.
International Energy Agency laid out a pathway for reaching net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
One feature got a lot of attention: It called for an end to oil exploration and the development of new fields.
Angola is a case in point. Its oil production has been in steady decline since 2016 and that’s only going to accelerate.
The country relies on foreign oil companies to extract crude from fields thousands of meters below the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The 2014 oil price crash hit investment in its oil sector hard and production began to fall two years later, when the flow of projects that were already in development came to an end. Crude production fell by a third in little more than four years.
Steep declines at Angola’s offshore fields mean that, without investment in exploration and the development of new deposits, its production will fall further. Other West African countries — Nigeria, the continent's biggest oil producer, among them — will suffer a similar fate.
The All Hands on Deck media challenge, based on the Anatomy of Action approach, works through organizations and networks involved in climate, nature, youth, education and sustainable development to galvanize, one effective voice of change and to create an aspirational mosaic of what sustainable living already looks like.
By taking part in this challenge, all participants and influencers can have a positive impact within their community and contribute to a global movement targeting policy makers around the world in 2022.
