JOHANNESBURG, Jan 20 (Reuters) – The South African rand strengthened on Friday as the country’s utility Eskom said it would reduce the length of rolling power cuts over the weekend.At 1529 GMT, the rand traded at 17.1275 against the dollar, 0.72% stronger than its previous close.The past week has seen some of the worst power outages on record in Africa’s most industrialised nation, at least six hours a day for most households and often as much as 10 hours.The power cuts are a major source of frustration with the governing African National Congress ahead of elections in 2024, when the…
Author: catfish
At least fifty women in two localities, north and west of the town of Arbinda, in Burkina Faso’s northern region, were kidnapped by Jihadistsjust last week, local authorities confirmed. Search operations were launched to find the victims amid global condemnation, but there has been no sign of their release. The UN human rights chief Volker Turk said he was shocked that women were becoming targets for these terrorists. “I am alarmed that dozens of women out to search for food for their families were abducted in broad daylight, in what could be the first such attack deliberately targeting women in Burkina Faso,” Turk said.…
ROCKLAND — Penobscot Bay Language School announces a new community program initiative offering Spanish language programming for children and families at the Rockland Public Library, each Wednesday (10:30 – 11 a.m.) starting February 1, 2023. Join PBLS Executive Director Jared McCannell for a weekly free Spanish language program, Spanish Songs and Stories, in the Children’s Room at the Rockland Public Library. “This FREE community program is perfect for families with children at home (infant, toddler, pre-k and homeschool students and their families),” said PBLS, in a news release. Each session focuses on basic exposure to foreign language and culture through…
A college student plays World of Warcraft in his dormitory room in southwest China’s Chongqing city, on Oct. 12, 2009.The Associated PressAs the week-long Lunar New Year holidays in China draw near with promises of feasts and red envelopes stuffed with cash, children have another thing to look forward to –– one extra hour of online games each day.Only one hour.For years, Chinese authorities have sought to control how much time kids can spend playing games online, to fight “internet addiction.” They’ve claimed success in curbing the problem but are taking no chances.In 2019, authorities restricted minors to playing 90…
This captivating Cinderella for all ages tackles cultural heritage, family, and the power of language as ten-year-old Belinda confronts her stepmother and stepsisters, while learning to embrace her love of poetry and stand up for herself. Glass Half Full Theatre from Austin, Texas, presents its award-winning “story within a story” in Spanish and English using puppetry. Source link
The events following the outbreak of COVID-19 affected everyone. But how did the children cope? The Pandemic and Me: A Child’s Perspective is a new book written by a Bryan County mom and author.Haley Cranman, a mother and teacher at Life Springs Christian Academy, used her seven-year old son Collins’ own experience during the pandemic to write the book.The story follows Collins as he learns what a pandemic is, deals with being abruptly pulled away from his friends, and adjusts to online learning.Cranman will hold a book signing on Saturday, January 21 at Barnes and Noble at the Oglethorpe Mall…
Masdar has signed agreements with three African countries to develop renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of up to 5 gigawatts. This reiterates the company’s commitment to help Africa in its transition to clean energy.As part of the agreements signed under the umbrella of the Etihad 7 initiative, Masdar will develop renewable projects in Angola, Uganda and Zambia with a capacity of 2 gigawatts, each in Angola and Zambia, and 1 gigawatt in Uganda, it said in a statement on Friday.Etihad 7 is a UAE-led initiative that aims to raise public and private sector funds to invest in the…
The one safe bet on the energy transition today is that it will unfold according to African rather than Western priorities. The only country on the continent that makes a significant contribution to global carbon emissions is South Africa. The start of operations at the country’s first commercial liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Virginia in Free State in September marks a step forward in diversifying the country’s energy sources. Renergen is the helium and LNG producer behind the Virginia Gas Project. Its CEO, Stefano Marani, says environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are becoming increasingly important in South Africa.…
Q3 sales up 34%Excluding Studio 88, sales up just 1.2%Shares fall 10% to 2-1/2 week lowExpects challenging consumer environment in new yearJOHANNESBURG, Jan 20 (Reuters) – South African budget fashion retailer Mr Price (MRPJ.J) on Friday reported a 34% surge in third-quarter sales boosted mostly by a recent acquisition, but investors fretted over its underlying performance as sales growth excluding the deal slowed.Mr Price shares tumbled by 10.08% to 159.55 rand, a 2-1/2 week low, at market open.The group’s retail sales and other income grew to 12.4 billion rand ($718 million) for the quarter to Dec. 31, the highest third-quarter…
Maine residents are invited to a free educational conference, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association New England Region. The two-day New England Family Conference is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4. The virtual event is free and open to individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, family caregivers and the general public. New this year, a live translation in Spanish will be offered during the entire conference, according to a news release from Christina Lob, senior media relations manager, Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH. “People living with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers face special challenges. Connecting families with useful information…