Author: space4knews

Editorial Review: Following significant damage to Sudan’s electrical infrastructure due to ongoing conflict, civilians have increasingly turned to solar energy to mitigate prolonged power outages. The conflict, which ignited in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in at least 59,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 13 million people. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the war has inflicted damages on Sudan’s power system estimated at around $88.3 billion, with production capacity plummeting from 4,400 megawatts to just 1,100 megawatts. However, as noted by Randa Al-Mansour from Omdurman, the high costs of solar system installations remain prohibitive for many families. Additionally, power shortages in the healthcare sector have jeopardized treatments, such as insulin storage, posing serious risks to patients with chronic conditions like kidney disease.

September 6, Omdurman: As Sudan’s electrical grid faces severe strain of late due to the conflict, civilians are increasingly embracing solar energy as a viable solution to enduring blackouts. Yet, the upfront expenses of installing solar panels, batteries, and inverters continue to restrict accessibility for large segments of the population. Thirty-one-year-old housewife Randa Al-Mansour, living with her three children near the capital Khartoum in Omdurman, has been utilizing a rooftop solar system for the past year.

“We are enduring great hardship,” she says, “When there is no electricity in the morning, the children cannot attend school and have to return home. Without power at home, studying in the intense heat becomes extremely difficult for them.”

The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, ongoing since April 2023, has severely exacerbated damage to the already fragile power infrastructure. At least 59,000 people have died and about 13 million displaced in this conflict, with aid organizations warning that actual casualty figures could be higher.

Major Decline in Electricity Production

According to the UNDP, the war has caused approximately $88.3 billion in damage to Sudan’s electrical systems. Officials from the electricity department report that generation capacity has dropped sharply from around 4,400 megawatts prior to the conflict to approximately 1,100 megawatts now. Numerous power plants have suffered drone attacks by the RSF, and the conflict has also triggered a shortage of skilled technicians. Nearly half of qualified students and technicians have left the country since 2023, resulting in routine blackouts lasting up to 16 hours daily in some areas.

Increasing Demand for Solar Solutions

Amid deepening electrical shortages, advertisements and billboards for companies selling solar panels, batteries, and inverters have proliferated along streets in the capital. Mohe Edin Abu-Berk, who installs solar systems in Khartoum, observes that while installation costs impose a heavy financial burden on low-income households, solar energy has become an indispensable alternative for many.

“Installing a solar system with about 10 kilowatt capacity for an average home can cost around $5,000,” Abu-Berk explains. “This represents a significant sacrifice for families with limited income, but it is an unavoidable option. However, many families cannot afford this expense.”

Randa Al-Mansour, whose husband works in Saudi Arabia and sends remittances to cover household expenses, acknowledges that although her family chose solar energy, most Sudanese families remain unable to install such systems.

Healthcare Sector Faces Severe Electricity Crisis

The power crisis extends beyond households, severely impacting healthcare. Forty-three-year-old government employee and diabetic patient Manhel Madani requires continuous electricity to store insulin safely. Frequent outages force her to discard spoiled medication repeatedly.

“Every three to four days, due to heat and power cuts, I have to throw out my entire stock of insulin,” she shares. Living with her mother and sisters in a two-bedroom home in Omdurman, Madani struggles to cope with heat inside the house during blackouts, often sleeping in the courtyard to avoid the extreme temperatures. She notes that many pharmacies lack the solar systems essential for proper medication storage, affecting the availability of critical drugs.

The Sudan Doctors Network has warned that ongoing power interruptions threaten patients in hospitals, especially those requiring continuous treatment and specialized equipment, such as kidney patients.

Challenges to Wide Solar Adoption

According to the World Bank, at least 30 percent of Sudan’s population lacks access to electricity, with rural areas disproportionately affected. The United Nations highlights Sudan’s high solar potential, receiving over 4,000 hours of sunlight annually. Despite this, the steep initial costs of imported solar systems combined with the continuous devaluation of the local currency create significant barriers to widespread adoption of solar energy among ordinary citizens.

September 7, Kathmandu – The volcanic eruption of Anak Krakatau in Indonesia has caused ash fallout that disrupted flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has reported that a total of 209 flights, including international routes, have been affected and delayed due to the ash.

The volcanic activity began on Friday night, and the ash has spread to Lampung in Sumatra and Banten in Java provinces, negatively impacting daily life there. Several schools have been closed, and fishing operations have been suspended as a result of the ashfall. The disaster management authority has stated that there is currently no tsunami threat.

In an effort to end the war in Ukraine, American negotiators Steve Wittkof and Jared Kushner held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday. Putin described the contact with the U.S. representatives as useful and expressed gratitude for President Trump’s peace efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed that dialogue with the American envoys had taken place and stated that Ukraine is ready to halt air strikes in the cities involved in the talks. September 7, Kathmandu.

The United States has stepped up diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Chief negotiators for U.S. President Donald Trump, Steve Wittkof and Jared Kushner, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday. Video footage released by the Kremlin showed the envoys greeting Putin upon arrival. During the meeting, Putin commented that the current state of the war is “not so simple.”

Putin stated that Russia will interpret how it views the evolving situation. Wittkof thanked Putin for the agreement reached to suspend air strikes over each other’s capitals for a three-day period. The American negotiators plan to travel to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, on Sunday for further discussions. During the Kremlin meeting, Putin described contact with the U.S. representatives as constructive and expressed his appreciation for Trump’s peace initiative, adding that he was comfortable working with the American envoys.

According to Russian state media, the meeting, held behind closed doors at Putin’s official residence, lasted nearly three hours. Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on social media platform X on Saturday that he had communicated with the U.S. president’s representatives. He noted that the American envoys had already started negotiations with the Russian side as of Saturday. Zelensky also emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to stop air attacks in the cities involved in the talks. Currently, U.S.-mediated diplomatic activities to end the Russia-Ukraine war have increased in intensity. However, challenges remain regarding ceasefires, regional disputes, and the security concerns of both parties.

Health evaluations have been conducted on chimpanzees used in Hepatitis B vaccine trials at Liberia’s ‘Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge.’ These assessments included examinations of their teeth, hearts, lungs, nervous systems, and blood. The chimpanzees also received booster vaccinations and nail trims. According to Human World for Animals, after the research program concluded in 2015, the responsibility for the 60 remaining chimpanzees was assumed by this permanent care organization. 20th Bhadra, Abuja (RASAS/AP).

Liliana Pacheco Rikote, director of the ‘Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge’ in central Liberia, reported the completion of comprehensive health procedures for the chimpanzees, including teeth cleaning, X-rays, and nail clipping. She noted that from the 1970s through the early 2000s, over 400 chimpanzees had been used in Hepatitis B vaccine studies by American researchers in Liberia. Many of these animals were captured from the wild at a very young age.

Liberia hosts the second-largest population of chimpanzees in West Africa after Guinea. Due to a rapid decline in their numbers, the West African chimpanzee has been classified as a critically endangered species. Rikote explained that these chimpanzees had been the subjects of invasive research and had endured extensive testing and suffering over many years. According to Human World for Animals, the organization undertook the permanent care of the 60 remaining chimpanzees when the research program ended in 2015.

The chimpanzees are currently housed in a conservation center located on a group of mangrove-covered islands. The health assessments, performed under anesthesia, included thorough examinations from head to toe. The organization’s objective with these evaluations is to assess the long-term health conditions, detect early signs of disease, and develop customized care plans for each aging chimpanzee. The health checks involved testing their teeth, heart, lungs, nervous systems, and blood, along with administering booster shots and trimming nails. Plans are underway to conduct health assessments on the remaining chimpanzees as well.

Belen Perez Hernando, the conservation center’s veterinarian, emphasized that health evaluations are a vital part of caring for chimpanzees who have endured prolonged hardships and suffering. Currently, the chimpanzees’ average age ranges from 30 to 35 years. It is still premature to draw comprehensive conclusions about the long-term health impacts of past research on these animals. Rikote expressed satisfaction in giving these chimpanzees a second chance at a dignified life, acknowledging that the effects of their prior suffering remain observable.

Two envoys of US President Donald Trump have arrived in Moscow, Russia. Ahead of planned talks aimed at halting the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were present in Moscow on Saturday. In Russia, they are scheduled to meet with several top Russian officials before traveling to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

According to various reports, President Trump is expected to conduct separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following this. Upon their arrival at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russian official Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the envoys.

Thousands of opposition supporters in Bangladesh organized a massive rally on Saturday to protest against shortages of cooking gas, electricity, and fertilizer. This demonstration is seen as the first major challenge faced by the government formed six months ago under Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman stated, “This movement is focused on ensuring the regular supply of cooking gas and delivering electricity to every household.”

On September 6, in Dhaka (RASS/AFP) – Tens of thousands of opposition supporters gathered at a public venue in Dhaka carrying banners and placards to protest the shortages of cooking gas, electricity, and fertilizer. They have initiated a march toward the port city of Chattogram, with plans for additional rallies at various points along the route. This protest is regarded as the first significant test for the government led by Prime Minister Tariq Rahman six months after its formation.

Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman explained that the movement aims to ensure the consistent supply of cooking gas and provide electricity access to all homes. Addressing supporters, he said, “This movement is focused on guaranteeing cooking gas supply and extending electricity to every household.”

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exacerbated shortages of fuel and other essential commodities in Bangladesh, prompting increased criticism of the government’s crisis management. Following the arrest of a college student accused of insulting a senior government official over high electricity tariffs, protests were held the next day. Critics interpret the arrest as an attempt by the government to suppress growing intolerance and criticism.

Akhtar Hossain, leader of the opposition National Citizen Party, accused the government of failing to manage supplies of gas, electricity, and fertilizer. He said, “You have failed to provide gas, electricity, and fertilizer, and you have not allowed people to express their voices.” He also warned the government that it could face serious consequences due to its policies.

September 6, Kinshasa (Congo) (RASS/Sinhua) – The Democratic Republic of Congo and its partners have accelerated efforts against the Ebola outbreak with the launch of a multisectoral Ebola control and response plan set to last 180 days. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that this initiative will require a financial fund of approximately 130 million US dollars. Implemented with support from WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and other partners, the plan aims to serve as an operational guide for Ebola control responses over the next six months.

According to the WHO Regional Office for Africa, as of September 2, 6,342 people have been infected by the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola, with 3,072 fatalities reported. This outbreak has spread across 60 health zones in six provinces of Congo. Health authorities have expressed concern as death rates are higher in communities with limited access to healthcare services. Annie Ensia, WHO’s acting representative in Congo, highlighted that delays in detecting infections and deploying necessary resources during the early stages contributed to the high number of deaths, and she called upon relevant agencies for swift and coordinated action.

Roger Kambale, Congo’s Health Minister, emphasized that controlling the outbreak requires the involvement of communities, government bodies, partners, donors, and efforts beyond the health sector. He also affirmed that the government is fully mobilized to ensure the safety of every Congolese citizen. United Nations Resident Coordinator Damian Mam stressed the need for adequate, predictable, and flexible funding and support to integrate the Ebola response with comprehensive humanitarian efforts. The Africa CDC has also pledged ongoing support for national response activities, including resource deployment, coordination with partners, and maximizing community engagement. Officially declared in May, the Ebola outbreak in Congo is currently considered the largest and fastest-spreading recorded occurrence of the disease.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be sent to Moscow on Saturday and Kyiv on Sunday. According to Trump, the two envoys will explore the prospects of a peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war and present proposals.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a temporary ceasefire during the US envoys’ visit, urging both sides to halt airstrikes. On 20 Bhadra (September 6), Washington (Rassas/AFP) – Trump’s decision to dispatch his special envoys marks a renewed effort to end the war in Ukraine that has persisted for more than four years. The envoys are scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, followed by talks with Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday.

A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner are expected to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday. However, the Kremlin has yet to comment on their visit.

Both envoys previously played key roles in ceasefire negotiations related to Gaza and Iran. Trump has asserted that his administration has a clear plan to establish peace, though he has not clarified whether the proposals will include Ukraine ceding part of its territory to Russia.

Diplomatic efforts by the US come amid intensified missile and drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine, which have resulted in increasing civilian casualties. Hours before Trump’s announcement, Russian drones attacked the headquarters of Ukraine’s security service in Kyiv, according to President Zelensky. He stated the target was the office of the acting head of the security service. This is the first attack on the security service headquarters since the war began. Following the attack, Zelensky called for a temporary ceasefire during the US envoys’ visit and urged both parties to suspend aerial attacks. Russia has so far not responded to this proposal.

Earlier, Zelensky warned that if Russia continued the war, Ukraine’s drones would make Russian airspace unsafe. The visit by Witkoff and Kushner will mark their first opportunity to visit war-torn Kyiv since Trump’s second term began. Both have previously traveled to Moscow multiple times as part of diplomatic efforts with Russia.

This visit follows a recent trip to Moscow by John Ratcliffe, chief of US intelligence. US media report that Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO member states. Additionally, this week the US welcomed the participation of the Russian finance minister at a Group of Twenty meeting held in North Carolina.

Trump’s latest initiative seeks to accelerate diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. However, significant disagreements remain between Moscow and Kyiv over the key terms of any ceasefire and potential peace agreement.