El Nino is causing extreme weather events in East Africa and a crippling drought in the south of the continent. Experts say immediate action is needed to tackle famine and displacements. The El Nino climate pattern , a phenomenon of heightened global temperatures and erratic weather conditions, wreaked havoc across African nations throughout 2023 — and continues to do so in 2024. East Africa has been hit by torrential rains that have cost the lives of at least 58 people in Tanzania in the first half of April, and 13 people in Kenya. This natural occurrence brings about extremes in weather, ranging from devastating floods to prolonged droughts, with Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and southern Africa among the hardest-hit. Earlier this month, aid agency Oxfam said more than 20 million people faced hunger and malnutrition across southern Africa because of the drought. Funding gap threatens relief efforts While countries like Zambia grapple with their worst drought ever, seeking nearly $1 billion (more than €900 million) to provide life-saving assistance, their efforts are hampered by a significant funding gap. Kenyan climate activist Grace Ronoh said the plight of developing nations is also burdened by debt. "When you look at especially the developing countries, they are not able to prioritize a response to the climate crisis because for them to do this, they require financing," Ronoh said. "And at this point in time, most of the countries are debt-laden, so they will prioritize paying for debt." While speaking at the annual meeting between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, DC, Ronoh urged for reform within these institutions to streamline access to funds for climate emergencies. "We need to remove the bureaucracies and reform the bank to make sure that it's fair and also do away with the very complicated mechanisms that really limit increasing financing to address climate issues," Ronoh said. A UN-led event to secure donations to address Ethiopia's humanitarian crisis last Tuesday (April 16) fell well short of its $1 billion target. It did, however, raise almost $630 million (€592 million) to assist millions of Ethiopians impacted by climate change and conflict. Strategies for the future The UN reported that the El Nino weather pattern has led to water scarcity, parched pastures and reduced harvests affecting millions of people. Despite this grim outlook, Dr David Gikungu, director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, says that he remains cautiously optimistic, projecting the current season to end soon in most regions. "We are expecting the season to end in most places around the end of May. Around the coast, we are expecting it to cease around June," Gikungu told DW. Collaboration between meteorological departments, disaster management agencies and governments is crucial, he added, highlighting the role of the Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in spearheading these efforts in his country. "There are offices to track and inform. We work with others who deal with disaster management, and they are all supported by the government," Gikungu said. However, the effectiveness of existing strategies meanwhile is also stretched by the sheer scale of the crisis, as evidenced by the high death toll from flooding in some regions. Looking ahead The immediate focus might therefore require a shift towards securing necessary funding to deliver life-saving assistance to affected populations. The United States has decided to allocate nearly $154 million in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia to address pressing needs arising "from conflict, insecurity, and climate shocks," according to the US State Department, tying this aid to immediate needs rather than long-term projects. Such immediate responses are also necessary elsewhere: For instance, in Zambia and Zimbabwe, water shortages have fueled outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases, according to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group. "Whenever it floods, you can expect issues of sewage," Gikungu told DW. "(W)hen you cook using contaminated water, you are looking for trouble, (such as) cholera outbreaks. These are some of the things to expect in this region."   

The Tibetan community in the region has demanded that the Chinese government stop the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Drichu river in Derge town in Dege County in Sichuan in Southwest China. The Tibetan community in the region has demanded that the Chinese government stop the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Drichu river in Derge town in Dege County in Sichuan in Southwest China. According to Tibetan leader Jamyang Bhutia, the chairman of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress in Mirik in Darjeeling, over 1000 Tibetans were arrested in one day in Derge as there were unprecedented protests against the construction of the dam very recently. Bhutia said that the proposed Gangtuo hydropower station would force the displacement of thousands of people living in the area. “The proposed dam would also cause significant environmental harm and destroy six monasteries, including the Wonto monastery founded in the 14th century, which has one of the finest examples of Tibetan, Buddhist murals, and is a great historical and cultural significance,” Mr Bhutia said on the side-lines of a peace rally in Siliguri the community organised a few days ago to mark the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan people’s uprising against China’s occupation in Tibet in 1959. People from the Tibetan community came in from the northeast zone, including nearby places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Odlabari in the Dooars, Gangtok in Sikkim and Salugara in Siliguri, marched in the peaceful protest rally that started from Salugara and ended at Biswadeep hall on Hill Cart Road in Siliguri. The protestors strongly condemned the “brutal crackdown” and urged the international community to call upon China to free the protesters and halt the construction of the dam. “Tibet remains an occupied territory under tight military surveillance. Since 2008, over 160 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest against China’s repressive policies. United Nations experts have raised alarms about the forced separation of one million Tibetan children from their families for assimilation into Chinese colonial boarding schools,” Mr Bhutia said. “As Tibet has consistently been ranked as one of the least free countries in the world by freedom houses with little to know information making its way out, Tibetans inside Tibet have shown extraordinary courage. Language, culture, history and identity are under threat in Tibet, but resistance is as strong as ever,” he said.

The metro rail station on the Dhaka University (DU) campus is set to open its doors on Wednesday (Dec 13), non-resident students are ecstatic to see their daily commute time reducing significantly. Taibur Rahman Sifat, a student of Dhaka University said, “Many students from Mirpur and Uttara previously suffered due to severe traffic congestion, spending hours in jams to reach the campus. The metro rail will bring relief to them enabling them to commute in just 20 minutes from Mirpur and under half an hour from Uttara.”  Demanding half fare for students, he said: “High fare of metro rail can be difficult for students to bear.”  Taibur hoped that university authorities would collaborate with metro rail authorities soon. Another student, Jannatul Mawa initially opposed the metro station due to environmental concerns, now appreciates the convenience it offers.   She told, “Now that I see that I won't miss classes in the morning, I won't waste hours on the road due to traffic jams, then it feels good.” Dr Mihir Lal Saha, a professor in the Botany Department, shared his enthusiasm, describing the metro rail as a realization of a dream.  “A country's development system is visible when their transportation system is visible. Transport system is very important for teachers-students-staff at the University,” he added. Addressing initial opposition to the placement of the metro rail station at TSC, Dr Saha acknowledged concerns related to noise pollution and overcrowding.   However, he underscored that the overall outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive, making commuting more accessible and efficient for the university community. Additionally, he commended the safety of the metro rail, deeming it a crucial aspect of the university's transportation landscape. Philosophy student Tanveer Ahmed also expressed his gratitude, considering the metro rail at TSC a blessing for ordinary students, particularly those who reside off-campus. He highlighted the newfound convenience and speed with which students can now reach various destinations covered by the Metrorail.   Labhlu, an employee at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), shared his personal experience, describing the metro rail as a beautiful and revolutionary addition for Bangladesh. He said: “My home is in Uttara. I have to come to office in TSC every morning. I am often late due to traffic jams. Now I can come to office on time using metro rail.”  

Crises and wars are keeping the world on edge — yet arms sales by the top 100 weapons companies fell in 2022. The peace research institute SIPRI explains why. Arms sales have been booming for years, thanks to the many flashpoints all over the world. But this trend came to a halt in 2022 — albeit only temporarily. This is according to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which focused on the 100 largest arms-producing  companies in 2022. According to the SIPRI Top 100 Arms-producing and Military Services Companies 2022 report, the companies generated a total of almost $600 billion (€550 billion) from the sale of weapons and military services. That was a huge sum, but revenues shrank noticeably, by 3.5%, compared to 2021. This is first decline since the SIPRI list of the top 100 arms companies was established in 2015. "Despite the volume of new orders, which reached record levels for many companies, revenues fell, especially in the USA," said Xiao Liang, one of the report's authors. Falling US arms sales due to production problems Many US and European defense companies were unable to increase their production capacities due to labor shortages, rising costs, the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by the Russian war against Ukraine. Most of the weapons supplied to Ukraine were from European and US stocks, which did not generate much revenue for the industry. Another reason is the focus of the largest arms companies on expensive systems such as aircraft, ships and missiles. But according to Liang, the military equipment "that was most in demand due to the war in Ukraine was not necessarily more expensive but rather armored vehicles, ammunition and artillery." Above all, the 42 US defense companies on the list saw their revenues fall significantly by 7.9% to $302 billion. They accounted for 51% of the total armaments revenue of the top 100, but SIPRI assumes that longer-term orders will have a positive impact on the balance sheets in the coming years. Modest sales growth in Europe The arms sales of the 26 European-based companies in the top 100 rose by 0.9% to $121 billion in 2022. The war in Ukraine created a demand for material "suitable for a war of attrition, such as ammunition and armored vehicles," according to the SIPRI study. Many European manufacturers of these goods were able to increase their revenues, such as the Polish arms company PGZ, which increased its revenues by 14% and thus "benefited from the military modernization program that the country is pursuing." The revenues of the four German defense companies in the top 100 of 2022 amounted to $9.1 billion, an increase of 1.1% compared to 2021. The only German company with a decline was ThyssenKrupp, whose sales fell by 16% to $1.9 billion because the company delivered fewer ships than in the previous year, according to SIPRI. The order of German companies in the top 100 ranking were Rheinmetall at 28th place, ThyssenKrupp at 62nd, Hensoldt at 69th and Diehl was 93rd. Russian arms production a mystery Due to a lack of data, SIPRI was unable to comprehensively assess the revenue development of Russian companies. This is one of the reasons why only two Russian companies were included in the list: Rostec (10th place) and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (36th). Their combined turnover fell by 12% to $20.8 billion. Russia's lack of transparency is not new, but the country's defense output has become even more opaque since the invasion of Ukraine, the SIPRI report noted. "Russian companies were prevented by their government from disclosing all information because it could call into question the official narrative about their war efforts in Ukraine," Liang told DW. Meanwhile, firms in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East recorded significant growth. "Companies there often have to contend with very difficult security conditions and are confronted with a kind of permanent state of war, like Israel or South Korea," said Liang. This is why these companies have a "perpetual production capacity," and they can ramp up production quickly when there's a sudden increase in demand. Furthermore, some companies in China, India and Turkey are supported by their governments with long-term modernization plans. Liang mentions another advantage they have.  "Many suppliers there come from the domestic market. Most of the demand is also domestic to supply their own military. This helps these countries to mitigate the impact of global supply chain disruptions," he said. The defense sales of the 22 companies from Asia and Oceania listed in the ranking rose by 3.1% to $134 billion, the second year in a row when revenues in Asia and Oceania were higher than those in Europe. Eight Chinese companies are included in the list, three of them in the top ten. The arms revenues of all eight companies amounted to $108 billion and accounted for 18% of total global arms sales. This makes them the second-largest share of total sales by country after US companies. Turkish drone manufacturer with fastest growth The Middle East recorded the largest percentage rise in sales of all regions in 2022. The revenue of the seven companies based there climbed to $17.9 billion, an increase of 11%. According to SIPRI findings, companies from this region benefit from their specialization in less technologically sophisticated products. They are in a position to "increase production more quickly in response to rising demand." This is particularly true for the four Turkish companies, whose total revenues grew to $5.5 billion — 22% more than in 2021. SIPRI highlighted the Turkish company Baykar with its drone production, which has now been included in the Top 100 for the first time (76th place) after its sales increased by 94% — the fastest growth of any company in the ranking. While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.   

Activists from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have called for the exit of the Pakistani government from the region. Sharing that they have been living as slaves, activists from the United Kashmir People’s National Party conducted a protest outside the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Speaking to the media, UKPNP spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan stated that people in PoK have been protesting for the past six months against rising terrorism and inflation. "United Kashmir People’s National Party has organised this protest in front of the United Nations on 54th session of the UNHRC to highlight the issue we are facing in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan. People are on the streets against the hefty charges on electricity bills, inflation, terrorism," Khan told ANI. The activists from UKPNP were accompanied by Pashtun, Sindhi, Baloch and Bangladeshi activists. Chairperson of the organisation - Shaukat Ali Kashmiri stated that people under PoK have been protesting for a long time. "Jammu and Kashmir was a historical nation which was divided forcefully by Pakistan," stated Kashmiri. "The Pakistani occupied Kashmir...there is huge infrastructure installed by Pakistani intelligence agencies and everywhere they are freely moving around and harassing people. So, we are asking the world community and United Nations to look at Pakistan exploiting over natural resources...weather is being badly affected, environment is badly affected due to Pakistan's policies," added Kashmiri. The activists are protesting for Pakistan to decrease its influence in the regions of PoK and Gilgit-Balistan. These areas have been witnessing widespread human rights violations, misuse of laws, high inflation, poverty and unemployment. Source: Times Now

Bangladesh Tank-Lorry Owners’ Association, Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors Association, Khulna Divisional Tank-Lorry Workers’ Union and Padma, Meghna and Jamuna Tank-Lorry Workers’ Welfare Association are observing an indefinite strike since Sunday morning. Demands are raising commission on fuel sales to at least 7.5 percent, setting the tank-lorry economic life to 50 years, and issuing a gazette notification mentioning fuel traders as commission agents as per previous pledges. In Khulna, huge number of  private vehicles and motorbikes were seen forming queues at fuel pumps from Saturday night. Claiming their demands as logical, Md Muraduzzaman, a leader of petrol pump owners’ association, said they were forced to start the strike from Sunday morning as their demands were not met by August 31. Earlier on August 23, the Khulna fuel traders threatened to go for an indefinite strike from September 3 if their three-point demand was not met by August 31.

G20 Ministers responsible for Energy underlined the importance of ensuring that the growing global energy demand is matched by sustainable and affordable energy supplies. The ministers aimed to advance technological collaboration and cooperation amongst G20 members, other international partners and multilateral institutions to strengthen energy systems with a view to ensuring energy security and stabilising energy markets, read the outcome document of the G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ meeting in Goa on Saturday. During the meeting, the ministers emphasised the importance of maintaining undisrupted flows of energy from various sources, suppliers and routes exploring paths to enhanced energy security and markets stability, including through inclusive investments to meet the growing energy demand, in line with our sustainable development and climate goals, while promoting open, competitive, non-discriminatory, and free international energy markets. The G20 Energy ministers met under India’s G20 Presidency, with the theme ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ in Goa on July 22, 2023, with the aim to share, collaborate and build on the sense of responsibility and solidarity amongst the G20 members in accelerating the clean, sustainable, just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions, following various pathways, as a means of enabling secure, sustainable, equitable, shared and inclusive growth. “We attach importance to the promotion of dialogue between consumers and producers as well as global cooperation in the business sector, and the need for adequate energy investments towards sustainable, affordable, reliable, resilient, and cleaner energy systems,” the meeting’s outcome document read. The ministers acknowledged that certain minerals, materials and technologies are critical for energy transitions and there is a need to maintain reliable, responsible and sustainable supply chains of such critical minerals and materials, as well as semiconductors and related technologies, complying with the principles of market economy and international trade rules while respecting the sovereign rights of countries. The meeting brought together over 100 delegates from G20 member countries, special invitee countries, and several international organisations, as per a release by the Ministry of Power. The G20 ministers agreed to support voluntary and mutually agreed technology diffusion, skill development, beneficiation at source and increased flow of finance to address the lack of capital, human or technical resources; to produce them sustainably and with a view to enhancing local value creation through beneficiation. “We support research and development for increasing efficiencies, increasing scale of beneficiation at source, promoting circularity, and enabling sustainable alternatives to maintain, supply chain balances of such minerals and materials,” the outcome document read. The ministers reiterated the need to reduce the potential negative impacts on people and the environment and intend to leverage multilateral cooperation as well as cooperation between the G20 members. "In this regard, we take note of the Presidency documents: “Voluntary High-Level Principles for Collaboration on Critical Minerals for Energy Transitions” (Annex A) and the report 'Addressing Vulnerabilities in the Supply Chain of Critical Minerals'." The G20 ministers also agreed to recognise the role of grid interconnections, resilient energy infrastructure and regional/cross-border power systems integration, where applicable, in enhancing energy security, fostering economic growth, and facilitating universal energy access for all, in an affordable, reliable and sustainable manner.

A human chain organized by journalists at Karwan bazar roundabout on Friday in protest of a Digital Security Act (DSA) case filed against RTV journalist Yeasmein Akter Adhora for her report on "misdeed of a syndicate of Pirs". On May 13, One Shakerul Kabir filed the case in Chattogram court against the RTV reporter and another one. The incident revealed after Rafiqul Islam, the investigating officer of the case informed RTV On July 10. In that protest, the journalist leaders demanded the withdrawal of the case against Adhora. They also demanded the repeal of the Digital Security Act (DSA). The law is being used to harass journalists and suppress freedom of expression. They also urged to take action against the "pir syndicate" instead of harassing journalists for unearthing crimes. Leaders of Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association including Dhaka Journalists Union, Dhaka Reporters Unity, ACC Beat journalists' organization RACK participated in the hour-long protest. Sohel Haider Chowdhury, president of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) expressed frustration and dissatisfaction over filing the case against journalists under DSA. He said, "We hope Yeasmein Akter Adhora's case will be withdrawn, or the home ministry will issue a statement declaring it null and void," he demanded. Akter Hossain, General Secretary of DUJ and News Editor of RTV, said, "After the case, now they are giving various threats and even death threats. Just as the young journalist tries to unmask the land grabbers, the Rajarbagh land grabbers come after him with a case against him." Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) President Morsalin Nomani, DRU former general secretary Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, Nurul Islam Hasib, Former Joint General Secretary Shahnaz Sharmin, Jamiul Ahsan Sipu, Reporters Against Corruption (RAC) General Secretary Jameson Mahbub, Former Executive Member of Dhaka Journalist Union Golam Mujtaba Dhrubo, Former President of Sub-Editors Council Nasima Akhter Soma, Publicity Secretary of Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association SM Faiz, former women affairs editor of Dhaka Reporter Unity Taapsee Rabeya Ankhi, former executive member Hasan Jabed, RTV assistant news editor Saikhul Islam Ujjal and others spoke in the programme. Journalist communities have long been demanding repeal of the law, saying it has been curbing the freedom of press and freedom of expression.

Demonstrators protested against violence in Serbian society in Belgrade following two mass shootings that rattled the Balkan nation. Tens of thousands of people marched through the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on Friday to demand the resignation of top officials, better security, and a ban on violent TV content. It was the second large "Serbia Against Violence" rally after two back-to-back mass shootings in which 17 people, including children, were killed. They have demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and state security agency director Aleksandar Vulin and called for a special parliamentary session to discuss the government's response to the deadly shootings. They also want two pro-government TV stations, which they accuse of promoting violent and vulgar content, shut down. Anger aimed at President Aleksandar Vucic The protesters, mainly opposition supporters, slammed Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, whom they have accused of fueling intolerance and hate speech that they say indirectly led to the mass shootings. Vucic has dismissed the protests as a "political" stunt. "They scheduled their political rallies during national mourning days, with a sole purpose of violence and violent seizure of power," Vucic said in a televised interview. He was planning a separate rally for his own supporters later this month. Police collect illegal firearms Within a span of two days, 17 individuals lost their lives, and 21 sustained injuries in two separate mass shootings. The first incident occurred on May 3, when a 13-year-old boy opened fire at his school in central Belgrade using his father's gun. The following day, a 20-year-old man randomly fired at people in a rural area south of the capital. Both shooters surrendered to the police. On Monday, police launched a one-month amnesty for surrendering illegal weapons. Vucic said around 10,000 weapons, including hand-held disposable anti-tank launchers, explosive ordnance, and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, had already been handed over.

A protest was held outside the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Assembly building for not convening a session since the last six months. Deputy speaker of the GB Assembly was also annoyed over the prolonged delay of the session and termed it “against the spirit of democracy”. The call for the protest was given by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). A large number of activists were from other political parties gathered outside the GB assembly building in Jutial, Gilgit. Member of the assembly Shahzad Agha said that the assembly has been closed since October last year. Members from opposition and treasury bench submitted requisitions many times to convene the assembly’s session to debate important issues and legislation. However, it was highlighted that the GB Assembly speaker Amjad Ali Zaidi was not willing to convene the session and the speaker had not sent a summary to convene the assembly session to the governor. Through a letter last week, Mr Agha had demanded the speaker to convene an assembly session within the week to debate on important issues including the proposed land reforms act, electricity shortage and the wheat crisis. Mr Agha said it was interesting that the people of GB elected local representatives to solve their issues but the government did not seem interested in settling many issues as they were not even bothered to carry out a debate about them. He said instead of focusing on the locals’ issues, the chief minister and his cabinet members are in Zaman Park, Lahore to protect Imran Khan. He alleged that GB’s resources are being utilised in Zaman Part Lahore for Imran Khan. “It is injustice with the local people. The responsibility of elected representation is to protect rights of people not protection of Zaman Park,” he said. He said it is my responsibility to convince them (GB assembly members) for fulfilment of our basic cause. Mr Agha said that the speaker and chief minister are afraid of a no confidence motion. He said in fear of a no confidence motion against the speaker and chief minister, the assembly session was not convened. Protesters were holding placards inscribed with slogans like “reject lock of mouths of local representatives”. When contacted, opposition leader in GB assembly Amjad Hussain said they are in favour of the protest. He said GB’s people elected the members for representation of people and ironically the members are utilising GB’s resources for Imran Khan. He said the chief minister also got a stay from Supreme Court of Pakistan against appointment of judges in GB courts. The opposition leader said GB government wanted to solve people’s issues. When contacted, GB Assembly Deputy Speaker Nazir Ahmed said under the GB assembly rules of procedures, 120 days were required for calling an assembly session. Mr Ahmed said a budget of Rs50 million was being spent annually for the assembly’s expenses, adding that since the last two and half years, the GB assembly had failed to work on any legislation. “GB assembly has become a burden on people and relevant persons should realise this,” he said.