Tanzanians urged to beef up efforts to combat desertification, drought
DAR ES SALAAM, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Tuesday called on citizens and environmental stakeholders to join forces with the government in the fight against desertification and drought, emphasizing the importance of collective action for the well-being of current and future generations.
Speaking in the Shinyanga Region during the commemoration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Khamis Hamza Khamis, deputy minister in the Vice President's Office responsible for union and environment, reaffirmed Tanzania's commitment to the global target of restoring 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Khamis noted that Tanzania is among the countries severely affected by drought, and highlighted the government's proactive steps, which include engaging sectoral ministries, public institutions, development partners, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and religious organizations.
He announced that the government has developed a national action plan aimed at combating desertification and mitigating the impacts of drought.
Khamis also urged the public to continue planting and nurturing trees as a key measure to reduce drought-related impacts, especially in critical sectors such as water, agriculture, and livestock.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Russia continues work on Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor: Putin
ST. PETERSBURG, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Despite the complex situation surrounding Iran, Russia remains committed to the Bushehr nuclear reactor project, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday at the plenary session of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. "Despite the complexity surrounding Iran, we completed the Bushehr nuclear reactor there. We've also signed contracts to build two additional reactors," Putin said. U.S. President Donald Trump promised to support Russia's demand to ensure the safety of Russian employees of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Putin said, adding that Russia acts within the framework of international norms in Iran and asks to ensure the safety of personnel in Bushehr. "Our specialists are on the ground in Bushehr -- 250 based there full-time and others on temporary deployment. The total workforce can hit 600. And we're not pulling out," Putin said during a meeting with the heads of major international news agencies in St. Petersburg. Putin also said that he is concerned about the situation around Iran's nuclear facilities. Threats to Iran's nuclear facilities require Russia to participate in the search for peaceful solutions, Putin added. In a Friday briefing at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi warned of the risk of nuclear contamination from Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Grossi said that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is an operating nuclear power plant, which hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material. "I want to make it absolutely and completely clear: In case of an attack on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, a direct hit could result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment."
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
U.S. stocks close mixed as Iran-Israel conflict continues
NEW YORK, June 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks finished mixed on Friday over the deepening Iran-Israel conflict and speculation about whether the United States will become directly involved. Markets were volatile throughout the session, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average inching up 35.16 points, or 0.08 percent, to 42,206.82. In contrast, the S&P 500 declined 13.03 points, or 0.22 percent, to 5,967.84, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 98.86 points, or 0.51 percent, closing at 19,447.41. Sector performance was divided, with six of the S&P 500's 11 primary sectors finishing in red. Communication services and materials led the declines, down 1.83 percent and 0.66 percent respectively. Energy stocks benefited from the geopolitical uncertainty, rising 1.05 percent, while consumer staples gained 0.62 percent. Tensions in the Middle East continued to loom large over market sentiment. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's willingness to continue diplomatic talks with Germany, France, Britain, and the European Union, following discussions in Geneva. However, the White House said Thursday that President Donald Trump would decide within two weeks whether to involve the U.S. militarily in the conflict, intensifying pressure on Iran to return to the negotiating table. "Investors are a little bit nervous about buying stocks right in front of this situation and, more specifically, right in front of this weekend," said Rick Meckler, a partner at Cherry Lane Investments in New Vernon, New Jersey. The escalating conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war and sent safe-haven assets like U.S. government bonds higher. The two-year Treasury yield fell 3.8 basis points to 3.907 percent, while the 10-year yield dropped 2.2 basis points to 4.374 percent. The 30-year yield slipped just under 1 basis point to 4.889 percent, all reaching their lowest levels since June 12. On the monetary policy front, investors digested comments from Federal Reserve officials following the central bank's decision to keep interest rates steady. Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that inflation could accelerate in the coming months. However, views within the Fed remain split. Fed Governor Christopher Waller indicated support for a rate cut as early as the next meeting, while Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin suggested a more cautious approach, citing no immediate need for action. In corporate news, Kroger emerged as the top performer in the S&P 500. The supermarket giant reported stronger-than-expected profits and raised its same-store sales forecast, citing robust performance in pharmacy, fresh food, and e-commerce. Shares of CarMax also advanced after the used-car retailer posted better-than-anticipated earnings, buoyed by higher retail vehicle sales. Despite growing geopolitical risks, Wall Street has shown resilience in recent weeks. However, with inflation pressures, tariff uncertainties, and the specter of a widening conflict in the Middle East, markets remain on edge heading into the second half of the year.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
U.S. federal judge allows Harvard hosting foreign students
NEW YORK, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration's efforts to keep Harvard University from hosting international students. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that Harvard preserves the ability to host foreign students while the case is decided, local media reported Friday. U.S. Department of Homeland Security on May 22 revoked Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, forcing roughly 7,000 foreign students at Harvard to transfer or risk being in the United States illegally. Harvard sued the department, calling it illegal retaliation for its rejecting the Trump administration's demands to overhaul Harvard policies around campus protests, admissions, hiring and other issues. Burroughs temporarily halted the action hours after Harvard sued. In early June, President Donald Trump blocked foreign students from entering the United States to attend Harvard, citing a different legal justification. Harvard challenged the move and Burroughs temporarily blocked the effort again. Addressing conservative complaints that Harvard has become too liberal and has tolerated anti-Jewish harassment, the Trump administration has cut more than 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in research grants for Harvard, ended federal contracts and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status.
