Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritius has has launched a “Zero Interest Medical Loan" scheme, which is a tripartite collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Wellness, 18 private clinics, and two banks - SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd and MauBank Ltd Full text...
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Gaza: UN official warns of ’assault on dignity’ as blockade cripples humanitarian response Jonathan Whittall, Head of UN OCHA’s Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaks with journalists in Gaza. UN News Jonathan Whittall, Head of UN OCHA’s Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaks with journalists in Gaza. 26 April 2025 Humanitarian Aid Gaza City, Gaza (PANA) - The coming days in Gaza are set to be critical, the UN warned on Saturday, as humanitarian operations are severely curtailed amid an intensifying blockade, escalating violence, and soaring humanitarian needs. Speaking to journalists in Gaza City, Jonathan Whittall, local Head of Office for the UN aid coordination wing, OCHA, painted a dire picture of life under what he called a "total and complete blockade" now approaching its third month. "The coming days in Gaza are going to be critical. Today people are not surviving in Gaza, those that aren’t being killed with bombs and bullets are slowly dying," he said. Whittall stressed that humanitarian agencies are unable to meet the soaring needs of civilians due to the collapse of supply lines. Hospitals are overwhelmed, but medicines and equipment are running out. People are going hungry, but food warehouses are empty and bakeries are closing. Clean water is desperately needed, but water wells are inaccessible. He noted that solid waste is piling up in the streets with no equipment to remove it, and that rescue efforts after airstrikes are impossible without fuel and machinery. Displaced families are forced to live in rubble without shelter materials, and fishermen are being shot at sea, while humanitarian organisations lack the resources to assist them. "Nowhere in Gaza today is safe", he said. He added that children need to learn, but schools have been destroyed or are inaccessible, and that education supplies are not available. Prices of the remaining goods in Gaza continue to rise, but there is no cash available. There is no cooking gas or fuel, forcing families to burn trash to generate some energy. A war ’without any limits’ "This is not only about humanitarian needs, but it’s about dignity. There is an assault on people’s dignity in Gaza today," he warned. "We also know that humanitarian workers, first responders, you as journalists, should be protected, like all civilians, but we’re being killed in a war that appears to be fought without any limits," he added. Whittall emphasised that the situation in Gaza does not even resemble a war. "People in Gaza are telling me that they feel like it’s the deliberate dismantling of Palestinian life in plain sight, for all to see, documented every day by you as journalists," he said. He described the devastation witnessed daily — including children’s bodies thrown by explosions, families burnt alive, and colleagues killed — as part of what he termed "everyday atrocities." "As humanitarians we can see that aid is being weaponised through its denial," he warned. "There’s no justification for the denial of humanitarian assistance. And humanitarian aid should never be weaponised." Despite the catastrophic conditions, he stressed that humanitarian organisations are continuing to operate where possible, but "we have less and less and less supplies and less and less capacity to be able to meet the growing and growing needs that are intensifying across Gaza." "Lives depend on the blockade being lifted, on aid being allowed to enter into Gaza, on the ceasefire being reinstated," he said, calling for real accountability rather than waiting for history to judge the international community’s response. Hunger and malnutrition surging In a separate statement, OCHA warned of a “severe decline” in food availability across Gaza, as malnutrition rates escalate rapidly, particularly among children. A UN partner organisation recently screened around 1,300 children in northern Gaza and identified over 80 cases of acute malnutrition, representing more than double the rate recorded in previous weeks. "Nutrition partners report a critical shortage of supplies due to the obstruction of aid entry and challenges in transporting essential materials within Gaza," OCHA said. Access to key facilities, including UNICEF’s main warehouse in Rafah, remains heavily restricted. Journalists who visited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) main warehouses this week found them largely empty of food supplies, including flour. Call for accountability and action "Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," UNRWA said in a separate statement, stressing that international law prohibits indiscriminate attacks, the obstruction of humanitarian assistance, and the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure. The agency reiterated its call for a renewed ceasefire, the dignified release of all hostages, and the immediate, unhindered flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza. -0-PANA RA 27April2025
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Ghana girls, Tanzania boys crowned CAF African Schools Football champions
Deputy Chairman of Libyan Presidential Council welcomes AU support for reconciliation efforts in Libya
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The deputy Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Abdallah al-Lafi, has hailed the African Union (AU) for its support to efforts of the Presidential Council in the technical and consultative fields for national reconciliation in Libya Full text...
Coronavirus: Mauritius reords one death
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius recorded one death due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), 82 active cases out of which 38 were admitted to a hospital over the period 8 -14 December 2022, health authorities said on Saturday Full text...
Mauritius to reach targeted one million tourist arrivals in 2022
Pte aux Piments, Mauritius (PANA) – The Acting Mauritian Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo, on Thursday said that the number of tourist arrivals from October 2021 to November 2022 to the island amounted to 1,027,455 Full text...
African countries renew commitment to improved nutrition
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - African Union Member States renewed their commitments towards nutrition on the continent at a high-level event of the 2022 African Year of Nutrition, the AU Commission said on Thursday Full text...
Mauritius to introduce Road Safety Education in primary school curriculum from 2023
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritius will from 2023 introduce Road Safety Education as a compulsory subject in the education curriculum at the level of public primary schools from Grade 1 Full text...
Coronavirus: Mauritius records three new deaths
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The Mauritian health authorities reported on Monday that they have recorded three deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours Full text...
Political developments in Libya discssed in Saudi Arabia meeting
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Manfi, on Saturday met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdelaziz, to discuss the political developments in Libya and the prospects for cooperation between the two countries Full text...
Mauritanian terrorist charged with death of American, providing material support to Al-Qaeda
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - Fawaz Ould Ahmed Ould Ahemeid, aka Ibrahim Idress, aka Ibrahim Dix, 44, of Mauritania, was arraigned on Saturday in federal court in the Eastern District of New York on a six-count indictment Full text...
Mauritius to implement National Action Plan to combat Trafficking in Persons 2022-2026
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius will implement the National Action Plan to combat Trafficking in Persons 2022-2026, which has been drafted by a consultant with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration Full text...
Mauritius to position itself as sustainable international financial centre
Balaclava , Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth says Mauritius will develop an Environmental Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) framework to position the country as a sustainable international financial centre Full text...
Coronavirus: Mauritius reports one death
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Health authorities in Mauritius reported Saturday one death attributed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) over the period 1-7 December 2022 Full text...
Libyan Presidential Council chairman hails Sino-Arab summit as opportunity to strengthen stability
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Manfi, said here Friday the Arab-Chinese Summit opens prospects for a better future of cooperation and partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Arab world Full text...
Mauritius to set up Financial Crime Commission
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The Mauritian Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, announced Thursday that the government will soon set up a Financial Crime Commission in a bid to ensure greater coordination among law enforcement agencies and to reinforce public-private partnership in combating financial crimes Full text...
African leaders outline ambitious targets in pursuit of continental industrialisation
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - A recent Summit of African leaders to explore a new roadmap to continental industrialization plan called for a 10-point plan aiming to improve trade, air transport and manufacturing Full text...
Two Mauritians jailed for drug trafficking
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The Supreme Court of Mauritius has jaild two Mauritians after finding them guilty of drug trafficking and importation, PANA reports on Wednesday from judicial sources in the capital Full text...
Mauritius to institutionalise National Health Observatory
Balaclava, Mauritius (PANA) – The Ministry of Health and Wellness on Monday said it will institutionalise the National Health Observatory (NHO), which is an important tool for evidence-based policy making Full text...
UN, AU and IGAD welcome Sudanese political framework agreement
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The United Nations, African Union and IGAD, known as the trilateral mechanism operating to end the Sudanese political crisis, on Monday welcomed the agreement signed between the military establishment and a grouping of political parties and former rebel movements Full text...
Mauritius opens first Community Sexual Health Centre
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritius on Friday opened its first community sexual health clinic in a bid to provide a panoply of services to further support individuals suffering from Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Full text...
Coronavirus: Mauritius reports three deaths in one week
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Health authorities in Mauritius on Saturday reported three deaths attributed to COVID-19 over the period 24 to 30 November 2022 Full text...
Mauritius to phase out use of coal by 2030
Bagatelle, Mauritius (PANA) - The Mauritian Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, reiterated here Friday the government’s commitment to produce 60% of the country’s energy needs from renewable sources and to phase out the use of coal by 2030 Full text...
In Africa, UN chief sees continent full of ‘hope and potential’
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Far too often, Africa is viewed from outside “through a prism of problems” said UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday, speaking in the Ethiopian capital, home to the African Union (AU), where he has been taking part in the sixth UN-AU annual conference Full text...
Tourist arrivals on the rise in Mauritius
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Statistics Mauritius on Tuesday reported that tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2022 stand at 638,332 as compared to 9,460 for the same period last year Full text...
'Mauritius is the preferred hub for investment into Africa' - President
Pte aux-Piments, Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritian President, Prithvirajsing Roopun, on Monday presented the country as the preferred hub for investment into Africa, with 4 Full text...
US-Africa Summit: US to incorporate AGOA into new strategic partnership
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – The United States will incorporate the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) into a new strategic partnership which it plans to reach with various African countries when President Joe Biden holds a Summit with continental leaders Full text...
Libyan deputy chairman reaffirms need for private sector involvement in Africa's economic development
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Deputy Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Abdallah al-Lafi, has said that Africa needs more work and coordination and the involvement of the private sector in the process of global transformation for its economic development Full text...
Abdallah al-Lafi and Moussa Faki discuss inclusive conference on national reconciliation
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The deputy chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Abdallah al-Lafi, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki, Friday discussed steps taken by the Presidential Council toward the reconciliation project Full text...
Mauritius to address water supply problems
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Mauritian Central Water Authority (CWA) has introduced a plan to address its water supply problems, particularly in water-stressed regions of the island, during the dry season of 2022/2023 Full text...
Mauritius to broaden scope of HIV testing nationwide
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius will introduce shortly the HIV and AIDS (Amendment) Bill to the National Assembly to broaden the scope of HIV testing nationwide and allow for a greater number of persons to know their HIV status, the Government Information Service (GIS) said here Friday Full text...
Mauritius' trade deficit for 2022 put at 50.3 % higher than in 2021
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Statistics Mauritius on Friday said that the island’s trade deficit for 2022 is forecast at around 200 billion rupeee, 50 Full text...
National reconciliation or elections, which option to resolve the crisis in Libya?
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Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The announcement of a preparatory meeting
between the Libyan Presidential Council and the African Union (AU), in advance of an inclusive conference for national reconciliation in Libya, has reopened the debate on the priority to be followed to achieve a settlement of the Libyan crisis
Full text...
Mauritius PM says rule of law, human rights vital in safeguarding peace and security
Balaclava, Mauritius (PANA) – The Mauritian Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, has said that the implementation of the rule of law and the protection of human rights are fundamental pillars for any country to have peace, security and stability to achieve sustainable development Full text...
Conference on cybercrime in Africa opens in Mauritius
Pte aux Piments, Mauritius (PANA) - A conference on cybercrime, following the Africa Cyber Surge Operation organised in Kigali in Rwanda from 18 July to 5 August 2022, opened in Mauritius on Tuesday with participants from 28 African countries Full text...
Mauritius records 91 fatalities due to road traffic crashes
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - There has been around 91 fatalities due to road traffic crashes in Mauritius, since the beginning of the year, down from 108 during the same period last year and before that, an average of 130 Full text...
Mauritius, La Reunion to implement the 'White Grub Protocol'
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritius and La Reunion will implement the yearly White Grub Protocol in the respective islands during 1 November 2022 to 15 January 2023, governmental sources announced Saturday in the Mauritian capital Full text...
Air Mauritius gets new CEO
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The Mauritian airline, Air Mauritius, should have a new general manager, in the person of the Croatian, Krešimir Kučko, as from December 1, 2022, the local media reported on Saturday Full text...
Coronavirus: Mauritius registers one death in one week
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Health authorities in Mauritius on Saturday reported that one death attributed to COVID-19 was recorded from 10 to 16 November Full text...
Mali, Mauritania to hold Joint Commission for Cooperation meeting in first quarter of 2023
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The meeting of the Mali-Mauritania Joint Commission for Cooperation will be held in the first quarter of 2023, the ambassador of Mauritania to Mali, Ahmedou Ould Ahmedou, has announced in Bamako Full text...
Mauritius: Balance of Visible Trade shows high deficit
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Statistics Mauritius on Thursday said that the balance of visible trade shows a deficit of 18 Full text...
Libyan Council chairman receives message from Austrian President
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Manfi, on Wednesday received a written message from the President of the Federal Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen Full text...
Libya lauds AU's role in achieving peace and stability in the country
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Manfi, on Tuesday hailed the role of the president of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and the African Union (AU) for their support to the efforts of the Presidential Council to achieve peace and stability in the North African country Full text...
Libyan State Council chairman welcomes AU's interest, support for reconciliation
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the High Council of State, Khaled Al-Mechri, on Tuesday paid tribute to the efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo, Jean-Claude Gakosso, in resolving the Libyan crisis Full text...
COP 27: AU launches common platform to connect energy users and regulatory agencies
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (PANA) - The African Union (AU) has launched a digital platform to connect energy sector regulators and users through a common interface with the aim of ensuring efficient energy consumption Full text...
COP27: African climate financing alliance formed to boost infrastructure
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (PANA) - African institutions have launched an alliance for green infrastructure projects at the UN Climate Change Conference in Egypt, officials said on Tuesday Full text...
About 20% of Mauritians are diabetic - Health Minister
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – According to Mauritian Heath and Wellness Minister, Kailesh Jagutpal, around 20% of the country's population is diabetic Full text...
Mauritius to produce 235,000 tonnes of sugar in 2022
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture has estimated that sugar production should reach 235,000 tons this year in Mauritius Full text...
Coronavirus: Wearing of face mask no longer mandatory in public transport in Mauritius
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – The wearing of face mask will no longer be mandatory in public transport, in Mauritius, including taxis and passenger terminals at the port and the airport from Saturday, 12 November Full text...
Mauritius, France sign Treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius and France on Thursday signed in Port-Louis, the Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters treaties, which will enable more effective cooperation and exchange of information between the two countries and facilitate countering cross-border crimes Full text...
Prime Minister Bachagha, AU delegation meet on National reconciliation in Libya
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bachagha discussed with an African Union (AU) delegation led by Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakoso the Libyan national reconciliation issue Full text...
Coronavirus: Mauritius reports one death
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Health authorities in Mauritius on Saturday announced the death of one 80-year-old woman patient from the coronavirus (COVID-19) Full text...