Latest news with #DaSilva
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Women And Girls Of African Descent: Celebrating Contributions, Recognising Challenges
It recognises their immense contributions to society, but also acknowledges the challenges they face due to the double burden of racism and sexism. Although woman and girls of African descent embody strength, resilience and untapped potential, they remain among the most marginalised groups globally due to the intersection of racial, gender and socioeconomic discrimination. For example, they suffer alarming maternal mortality rates, according to the UN's reproductive health agency, UNFPA. Oftentimes, cases are not related to income or education, but rather to racism and structural inequality stemming from a legacy of slavery and colonialism. 'The good news is these things are not irreversible,' Patricia DaSilva, a senior programme adviser with the agency told UN News. 'We can fix them. We have the solutions for many of the problems that we are facing in terms of maternal health for women and girls of African descent.' Data and solutions UNFPA advocates for stronger health systems and investment in midwifery programmes, culturally sensitive training for healthcare providers and improvements in data collection. The agency also invests in partnerships such as an initiative in the Pacific region of Colombia, home to large communities of people of African descent. 'We have worked with the traditional midwives for them to integrate ancestral knowledge with modern health practices. This includes supporting accurate birth registration,' she said. 'It sounds like a really simple thing, but when you are in a remote community without access to technology, without access to administrative offices, it becomes this really, really important issue.' Agents of change Ms. DaSilva upheld the theme for the International Day, which focuses on women and girls of African descent as leaders, not just beneficiaries. 'I think it is important that the international community, the global community, understands that women and girls of African descent are not recipients of aid. They are leaders. They are innovators. They are agents of change,' she said. 'We have an opportunity and even an obligation and a responsibility to support the efforts to resource their solutions, to elevate their voices and continue to really double our efforts to dismantle the structural barriers that continue to impede their progress.' The first celebration of the International Day coincides with the start of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs through 2034. The aim is to take concrete actions to confront the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, deliver reparatory justice, and secure the full human rights and freedoms of people from the African diaspora worldwide, building on the previous Decade, which ended last year.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Chiefs lose on penalties to Kotoko in Toyota Cup
It's too early to make any conclusions, but Kaizer Chiefs showed some positive signs in their last big preseason Toyota Cup friendly played against Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Kotoko won 3-2 on penalties after Wandile Duba, Aden McCarthy, Pule Mmodi and Chiefs skipper Miguel Inacio failed to convert their spot kicks. But overall, Chiefs' display indicated they could be better in the 2025-2026 campaign which will be Nasreddine Nabi's second season with the Glamour Boys. Chiefs could have won the matches in 90 minutes had Inacio not missed after Chiefs were awarded a penalty five minutes before the end. One aspect where maybe Chiefs produced some degree of improvement was in defence, an area where they were most vulnerable last season as they conceded 32 goals in 28 Betway Premiership matches. 🏆 𝕋𝕠𝕪𝕠𝕥𝕒 ℂ𝕦𝕡 🏆 🎙️ Asante Kotoko coach Abdul-Karim Zito reflecting on their #ToyotaCup match against Kaizer Chiefs! 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC 1 📱 #SABCSportFootball @KaizerChiefs — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 26, 2025 Nabi included three new players, Thabiso Monyane at right back, Nkanyiso Shinga at left back and Portuguese striker Flavio da Silva, in the starting lineup against Kotoko, who at times proved to be a handful for Amakhosi. Shinga certainly looked solid in a position where Nabi struggled to get a regular player last season. Physically the Durban born Shinga showed he is not an easy beat and at times supported Glody Lilepo in attack. Monyane, signed from Chiefs' Soweto archrivals Orlando Pirates, was the usual overlapping self, also very keen to help when his new team attacked but his poor final ball will need to improve. It was clear to see the growth of McCarthy who was playing alongside Inacio in front of goalkeeper Brandon Peterson who seemed to be the much-preferred no.1 by Nabi these days. It was in the midfield where Chiefs battled to create clear openings, but Sibongiseni Mthethwa showed why Nabi preferred him in the defensive midfield role as he helped clean up when Thabo Cele, Mfundo Vilakazi and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo lost possession. There were a lot of people who had already written off Da Silva before this match, but he did show some glimpses of being a good target man and his movement off the ball was not bad. Da Silva nearly gave Chiefs the league midway through the first half when he connected with Ngcobo's free kick but was unlucky to see him missing the posts. Nabi made a couple of changes at the restart as he was keen to test as many players in what was basically the last proper pre-season match before they open their league campaign away to Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town on August 10. Da Silva made way for Wandile Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala came on for Cele while Pule Mmodi took Vilakazi's place. Duba was unlucky to see his delightful strike hitting the upright just 10 minutes after he had entered the fray in a pitch which looked in need of a tender care a week before the start of the football season. Nabi will be happy that his substitutes Shabalala and Mmodi combined in creating the penalty that Inacio missed. The referee Philangenkosi Khumalo pointed to the spot after Mmodi was fouled by Henry Ansu, with Shabalala having played him through with a headed pass.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Heat advisory issued for 11 US states: Record-high minimum, overnight temperatures this week
A relentless heat dome has settled over the central United States, resulting in heat advisories and excessive heat warnings across 11 states. The National Weather Service (NWS) estimated that over 99 million people are affected by dangerously high temperatures stretching from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast. Eleven states under heat advisory as dangerous heatwave sweeps across the United States According to a USA Today report, temperature highs across the region are soaring well into the 90s and beyond. The heat index values are reaching 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, including St Louis, Little Rock, and Chicago. The heat index, which accounts for humidity, makes temperatures feel significantly hotter and increases the risk of heat-related illnesses. Where is the heat most severe? Another Newsweek report stated that the states under heat advisories or excessive heat warnings are: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. In these areas, the overnight temperatures remain in the upper 70s or low 80s. This makes recovery from daytime heat nearly impossible, especially for those without air conditioning. Also Read: Extreme heatwave sweeps across US: What to wear, drink and more tips to stay safe Night offers no relief either AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva, according to Newsweek report, said that record-high minimum temperatures, the highest overnight lows ever recorded, are expected across multiple states. The humidity and urban infrastructure mean night time temperatures would not be falling below 80°F. This will significantly compound health risks. DaSilva warned that this kind of heat could be deadly and added that vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and those without access to cooling are especially at risk. Why it matters? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NWS use a tool called HeatRisk to monitor health threats from extreme heat. According to a Yahoo report, parts of the Midwest and the Deep South have reached Level 3 and Level 4 alerts. Hospitals are already seeing increased ER visits due to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heatstroke. Also Read: What is corn sweat? Heat wave in Midwest to feel worse this week, here's why What's next? The USA Today report added that the heat dome is not expected to break soon, and the Northeast will begin to feel the impact by July 25 with heat indices exceeding 100°F. It stated that experts have warned this is part of a larger trend of extreme weather conditions and urged people to take precautions, stay indoors and look after vulnerable community members. FAQs Q: What temperature is a heat advisory? A: A heat advisory is typically issued when the heat index is forecast to be 100°F–104°F for at least two consecutive days. Q: What heat is unsafe to be in? A: Heat becomes dangerous when the heat index rises above 90°F, especially with high humidity or when sustained for hours. Q: Can I run during a heat advisory? A: It's not recommended. Exercise during cooler hours (early morning) and stay hydrated. Avoid exertion when the heat index exceeds 100°F. Q: How much worse will the heat get by 2050? A: Climate scientists project a significant increase in the number of extreme heat days by 2050 due to global warming, particularly in urban areas. Q: Is it okay to go to the pool during a heat advisory? A: If the pool is accessible and not overcrowded, it can offer relief but limit sun exposure, stay hydrated, and avoid midday hours.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Extreme heat warning in 11 US states and record-high temperatures could be broken. Is yours on the list?
Tens of millions of people will swelter under a lingering heat dome swirling over the eastern half of the US in the coming week, meteorologists warn. The National Weather Service (NWS) said more than 35 million people are at a major or extreme risk of heat effects. Current forecasts show the number doubling on July 24 as hot weather shifts eastward. By July 25, it will reach nearly 90 million, with advisories or warnings covering most of the eastern half of the country. 'Even though it's midsummer, this is pretty notable,' says Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist at the NWS Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Md. Extreme heat warning in US Extreme heat warnings and heat advisories have affected US from the Upper Midwest to the South for several days in a row this week. The pattern is expected to continue for the rest of the month, with several states expecting record heat as dangerously high temperatures persist across the nation, reports NewsWeek. ALSO READ: Netflix's 'Building the Band' official winning group's name revealed. You won't believe the prize they received The Central US from Wisconsin to Louisiana was under a heat advisory on Wednesday. In some areas, temperatures and humidity levels were severe enough to prompt extreme heat warnings. Heat advisories also stretched into the Northeast. Live Events The persistent heat, although uncomfortable and even life-threatening at times, does not look as though it will break many high-temperature records in the Mississippi Valley, where most of the heat is, AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek. "A lot of records in the Mississippi Valley where most of the heat is located are really high, and to get to those records would take a lot," he said. ALSO READ: Was Elon Musk right? Trump caught in Jeffrey Epstein files' lie involving Pam Bondi 11 US states warned of extreme heat However, record-high minimum temperatures could be broken across 11 states. "Record high [minimums] are when your low temperature at night is at a record high," DaSilva told Newsweek. "A lot more of those are going to be broken here over the next couple of days." Through Thursday, there's potential for 11 states to break record-high minimum temperatures: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and possibly Alabama, DaSilva said. At night, temperatures across these regions will remain in the upper 70s or lower 80s. When combined with the humidity, it's going to be "really nasty," DaSilva told NewsWeek. During the day, the heat index — or what the temperature actually feels like — could soar to between 110 and 115 degrees from St. Louis, Missouri, down to Central Louisiana. Nighttime heat can be especially hazardous, as many cooling options like pools, cooling centers, movie theaters, and restaurants are often closed during those hours. ALSO READ: $1,390 Stimulus check in 2025: Do Americans need to pay tax on the amount and who needs to apply? "For people who don't have AC or people more vulnerable to heat, this can cause issues," DaSilva said. AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek: "Toward the weekend, everything shifts east, so it kind of expands. Places in the Northeast will join the party on Friday and into the weekend. Today and tomorrow most of heat will be confined Mississippi Valley. On Friday, the heat gets into the Northeast, as well places even into New England and the Carolina coast can break those record high mins." National Weather Service (NWS) in a post on Facebook: "It's the height of summer, so it being hot in the southern U.S. is no surprise. BUT, when triple digits during the day barely drop to 80 overnight, it becomes extremely dangerous. Extreme and record heat is likely throughout the South through next week with extreme impacts possible for those without adequate cooling or hydration." The NWS has issued several messages warning people that the heat could persist through the end of July. People across the states impacted by the heat are encouraged to monitor local weather guidance, stay hydrated and stay out of the sun as the heat persists.
24-07-2025
- Business
Small Brazilian coffee producers fear for the future after Trump's 50% tariff
PORCIUNCULA, Brazil -- Brazilian José Natal da Silva often tends to his modest coffee plantation in the interior of Rio de Janeiro state in the middle of the night, sacrificing sleep to fend off pests that could inflict harm on his precious crops. But anxiety has troubled his shut-eye even more in recent weeks, following President Donald Trump's announcement earlier this month of a 50% tariff on Brazilian imported goods, which experts expect to drive down the price of coffee in Brazil. Da Silva sighed as he recounted his fears, sitting on the dry earth surrounded by his glossy green arabica coffee shrubs, in the small municipality of Porciuncula. 'We're sad because we struggle so much. We spend years battling to get somewhere. And suddenly, everything starts falling apart, and we're going to lose everything,' da Silva said. 'How are we going to survive?' Trump's tariff on Brazil is overtly political. In his public letter detailing the reasons for the hike, the U.S. president called the trial of his ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, a ' witch hunt.' Bolsonaro is accused of masterminding a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss to left-leaning President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The tariff has sparked ripples of fear in Brazil, particularly among sectors with deep ties to the American market such as beef, orange juice — and coffee. Minor coffee producers say the import tax will hit their margins and adds to the uncertainty already generated by an increasingly dry and unpredictable climate. Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, exports around 85% of its production. The United States is the country's top coffee buyer and represents around 16% of exports, according to Brazil's coffee exporters council Cecafe. The president of Cecafe's deliberative council, Márcio Ferreira, told journalists last week that he thinks the U.S. will continue to import Brazilian coffee, even with the hefty tariff. 'It's obvious that neither the United States nor any other source can give up on Brazil, even if it's tariffed,' he said. But the tariff will likely decrease Brazilian coffee's competitiveness in the U.S. and naturally reduce demand, said Leandro Gilio, a professor of global agribusiness at Insper business school in Sao Paulo. 'There's no way we can quickly redirect our coffee production to other markets,' Gilio said. 'This principally affects small producers, who have less financial power to make investments or support themselves in a period like this.' Family farmers produce more than two-thirds of Brazilian coffee. They are a majority in Rio state's northwestern region, where most of the state's coffee production lies. Coffee farming is the primary economic activity in these municipalities. In Porciuncula, which neighbors Brazil's largest coffee-producing state Minas Gerais, gentle mountains are layered with symmetrical lines of coffee shrubs. Da Silva, who wore a straw hat for protection from the sun and a crucifix around his neck, owns around 40,000 coffee trees. He started working in the fields when he was 12. Besides coffee, he grows cassava, squash, bananas, oranges and lemons and has a few chickens that provide fresh eggs. 'We have them because of the fear of not being able to eat. We wouldn't manage if everything were bought, because the profit is very low,' he said. Last year, drought — made more likely by human-caused climate change — devastated large swathes of da Silva's production. The reduction in supply pushed coffee prices up, but only after many small-scale farmers had already sold all their crops. Since peaking in February, prices of arabica have fallen, dropping 33% by July, according to the University of Sao Paulo's Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics, which provides renowned commodity price reports. 'When you make an investment, counting on a certain price for coffee, and then when you go to sell it the price is 20-30% less than you calculated, it breaks the producers,' said Paulo Vitor Menezes Freitas, 31, who also owns a modest plantation of around 35,000 coffee trees in the nearby municipality of Varre-Sai. Life out in the fields is tough, according to Menezes Freitas. During harvest season, he sometimes gets up at 3 a.m. to turn on a coffee drier, going to bed as late as midnight. The rest of the year is less intense, but still, there are few to no breaks because there's always work to do, he said. Menezes Freitas, who is expecting his first child in October, said the tariff's announcement increased his fears for the future. 'It's scary. It feels like you're on shaky ground. If things get worse, what will we do? People will start pulling out their coffee and finding other ways to survive because they won't have the means to continue,' he said. In addition to slashing the value of his coffee beans, Menezes Freitas said the tariff will impact machinery and aluminum — goods that producers like him use every day. 'We hope this calms down. Hopefully, they'll come to their senses and remove that tariff. I think it would be better for both the United States and Brazil,' he said.
