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Russian gas stopped flowing through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe at the end of the year after Kyiv refused to negotiate an extension of the transit deal with Moscow as long it continues to wage war against Ukraine. Only small amounts were still being supplied via this route anyway. Gazprom's only remaining pipelines run through Turkey to Hungary and just a couple of other countries.

L’Agence Nationale de l’Auto-Entrepreneur (ANAE) a récemment communiqué des informations importantes concernant les obligations fiscales de ses adhérents pour l’année 2024. Ces nouvelles mesures, qui […]

L’article Déclaration d’impôts : Les auto-entrepreneurs dispensés de ce formulaire pour 2024 est apparu en premier sur .

La circulation est perturbée dans la matinée de ce vendredi 3 janvier 2025 sur la route inter-État Cotonou-Porto-Novo, à hauteur du carrefour Djeffa. C'est à la suite de l'incendie d'un mini bus.

Un mini bus de transport interurbain communément appelé ‘'Tokpa-Tokpa'' a pris feu dans la matinée de ce vendredi 3 janvier 2025 à hauteur du carrefour Djeffa.

Le feu se serait déclenché au niveau du moteur, selon le chauffeur contacté par Bip radio. Il n'y a pas de perte en vies humaines.

Le mini bus s'est entièrement consumé dans l'incendie.

Une déviation a été ouverte pour fluidifier la circulation bloquée sur la route inter-État Cotonou-Porto-Novo, a précisé la même source.
M. M.

Deuil à la Police républicaine en cette nouvelle année 2025 !

Le commissaire de l'arrondissement de Gohomey dans la commune de Djakotomey, département du Couffo n'est plus !

Le capitaine DASSI Etienne est décédé à son domicile le jeudi 2 janvier 2025 un peu avant 22 heures.
Condoléances à la famille éplorée et à la police républicaine.

C'est le deuxième événement tragique qui frappe la police en cette nouvelle année 2025 après l'accident d'Akpro-Missérété dans le département de l'Ouémé. Un policier a été tué et un autre se trouve dans un état critique après l'accident survenu dans la nuit du 2 janvier.
M. M.

Le choix de Pro Natura s’est porté sur ce gastéropode discret, présent partout en Suisse et qui joue un rôle fondamental dans la santé et la formation des sols.

Les agriculteurs demandent de meilleurs salaires, ainsi que moins de paperasse. Selon l’Union suisse des paysans, la pression économique affecte leur santé psychique.

Les anciens soldats qui se rendent aux Émirats arabes unis finissent par se battre dans la brutale guerre civile du Soudan.

Les anciens soldats qui se rendent aux Émirats arabes unis finissent par se battre dans la brutale guerre civile du Soudan.

Les anciens soldats qui se rendent aux Émirats arabes unis finissent par se battre dans la brutale guerre civile du Soudan.

Credit: White House

By James E. Jennings
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan 3 2025 (IPS)

The fireplace in the State Dining Room of the White House that says, “May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.” President John Adams wrote that in a letter to his wife Abigail in 1800.

Jimmy Carter was by all accounts a wise, just, and decent man—a man of deep religious faith, who was also circumspect—some may say old fashioned—about his rhetoric.

He was refreshingly candid in using the country-boy phrase “I’ll whip his ass!” against Democratic primary opponent Sen. Edward Kennedy. Most reporters in that era considered it too harsh or nearly obscene, so instead, they wrote, “I’ll whip his donkey!”

Carter was honest. When asked by a reporter amid stories of the Kennedy brothers’ sexual indulgences, if he had ever had lust in his heart, he responded straightforwardly, “Yes.” That’s something no other politician would ever do. But it was easy for Carter to admit because he followed the Christian and Calvinist doctrine that “We are all sinners.”

Historians view his administration as a watershed in the civil rights struggle, especially in the South. As president he negotiated the first ever peace agreement between Israel and the Arabs. In his post-presidential years, he made a worldwide impact as a humanitarian.

Civic virtue must be faithful to the original concept of American nationhood—favoring citizens ahead of government. Liberty and justice are the watchwords of democracy, not blind obedience to politicians.

George Washington said, “There exists an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.” Lincoln advised “Malice toward none…charity for all…firmness in the right.” Carter followed these sentiments at his inauguration with a pledge from the Biblical Prophet Micah: “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.”

There are two ways of recognizing people as honest and wise—by their words and by their deeds. Carter told the truth straight out—even if it was inconvenient or might hurt him. His policies were based on simple fairness, especially in his efforts to overcome the endemic racism of the Old South.

By contrast, President-elect Trump is famous for the lies and invective-filled slander constantly dripping from his lips: “When somebody hurts you, just go after them as viciously and as violently as you can…. When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades.” Trump’s brand, he said, means, “Power is the only true value.”

We teach our kids differently. “Be nice,” we always say. Sesame Street TV and First Grade teachers call out children for “Courtesy Lacking.” Why can’t we demand as much from our leaders?

Trump is a symptom of the ills of our society, not the cause. Today most of us tolerate curses and obscenities that would have scandalized our grandmothers. Trump is simply riding the crest of a flood of indecency that already exists among the public.

Let’s bring back civic virtue. Jimmy Carter may be the best example of personal rectitude among US leaders in our lifetimes. Let him be your model—not the empty, sleazy suit that is soon to be the next occupant of the White House.

James E. Jennings PhD is President of Conscience International.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Die US-Flüssiggasexporte erreichten im Dezember 2024 mit 8,5 Millionen metrischen Tonnen (MT) nahezu ein Rekordniveau, nachdem zwei neue Anlagen in Betrieb genommen wurden. Dies führte zu einem Anstieg der Lieferungen im Gesamtjahr 2023 um 4,5 Prozent.

Le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky estime que le futur président américain Donald Trump, qui entrera en fonction le 20 janvier, pourrait être décisif dans l’issue de la guerre que la Russie mène en Ukraine depuis presque trois ans.

Deux policiers en mission commandée ont été victimes d'un accident de circulation dans la nuit du jeudi 2 janvier 2025 à Akpro-Missérété dans le département de l'Ouémé.

Deux éléments de la Police républicaine du commissariat de Katagon dans la commune d'Akpro-Missérété ont été percutés par un véhicule alors qu'ils rejoignaient leur unité dans le cadre d'une mission.

L'une des victimes, l'agent M. T. A. est décédé.

Blessé, le second policier M. M. est dans un état critique.

Le conducteur de la voiture série BY…. RB qui a percuté les policiers avait pris la fuite. Celui-ci se serait finalement rendu au commissariat.

Une enquête a été ouverte pour élucider les circonstances du drame.

L'accident tragique est survenu dans la nuit du jeudi 2 janvier 2025 à Akpro-Missérété.
M. M.

La Rega a dû intervenir plus de 240 fois entre le 31 décembre 2024 et le 2 janvier 2025. La moitié des opérations concernent des accidents de sport d’hiver.

The recent collapse of a high-rise building in Dar es Salaam, killing 16 people and injuring more than 80, has reignited concerns about the city’s disaster preparedness. Credit: Kizito Makoye Shigela/IPS

By Kizito Makoye
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan 3 2025 (IPS)

As the dust settled over Kariakoo’s bustling streets, Halima Abdallah’s voice trembled through the cracks of a collapsed four-story building. “Help me, please! I don’t get air,” she gasped, trapped under the rubble. For four hours, rescue workers scrambled to locate her. Their efforts, hampered by the lack of proper equipment, relied on tools hastily borrowed from a private company. By the time they reached her, it was too late. Abdallah had died.

Moments before the building collapsed, Husna Faime, a single mother, was humming softly inside her tailoring shop, finishing a client’s order. Minutes later, her harmony shattered—literally.

“I felt the ground shaking, and before I knew it, everything was falling,” she recounted from her hospital bed a week later. Trapped under the rubble, she used the last of her phone’s battery to send her sister a haunting text: “If I don’t make it, please take care of Aisha. Tell her mom loves her.”

Local volunteers dug through the rubble with their bare hands, managing to rescue Faime hours later. Her survival was miraculous, but her ordeal exposed a grim truth: disasters—both natural and man-made—regularly strike unprepared communities in Tanzania, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The Perfect Storm

Tanzania, home to over 62 million people, faces a myriad of hazards: floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes. Compounding these are man-made disasters like road accidents, industrial mishaps, and collapsing buildings. For the 34 percent of Tanzanians living below the poverty line, the financial burden of recovery is overwhelming.

In Kariakoo, a bustling hub of markets and skyscrapers, a hidden danger lurks behind the concrete walls. Systemic corruption and shoddy workmanship have turned many buildings into potential death traps. Investigations reveal that dishonest developers, in collusion with corrupt officials, routinely use substandard materials to cut costs, ignoring safety regulations and bypassing inspections.

At least five major building collapses have been reported in Dar es Salaam over the last decade, claiming many lives. Kariakoo in particular has emerged as a hotspot for such tragedies. Experts warn that many other buildings in the area remain structurally unsound, putting lives at constant risk.

Lack of Preparedness

Tanzania’s vulnerability is exacerbated by poor disaster preparedness and infrastructure. Rapid urban sprawl, informal settlements, and inadequate drainage systems leave communities exposed to climate-induced disasters.

“Our cities are not built to absorb the shocks caused by natural disasters,” said Pius Yanda, a climate change adaptation specialist at the University of Dar es Salaam. Informal settlements are particularly vulnerable, with little to no infrastructure to mitigate flooding or other hazards.

Man-made disasters are equally concerning. Weak enforcement of building regulations makes building collapses tragically routine. “The warning signs are always there,” said Peter Kazimoto, a disaster risk reduction expert at the Tanzania Red Cross Society. “Developers prioritize saving money over safety, and enforcement is weak.”

Rural areas face their own struggles. In the eastern Morogoro region, floods destroyed Ahmed Selemani’s maize crop, his sole source of income. “We heard warnings on the radio, but no one came to evacuate us,” Ahmed said. “Now we have nothing.”

Institutional Gaps

Tanzania has a disaster response framework—the Tanzania Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (TEPRP)—but its implementation remains weak. Agencies like the Disaster Management Department (DMD) operate on limited budgets, meeting only 35 percent of their funding needs in 2023.

“We have made some progress with early warning systems,” said Jim Yonazi, an official in the Prime Minister’s Office. “But we need more resources to mitigate risks effectively.”

With limited government intervention, many Tanzanians have taken matters into their own hands. In Tandale, a sprawling slum in Dar es Salaam, residents like John Mnyamasi have built rudimentary flood defenses with sandbags and canals. “We can’t wait for the government,” Mnyamasi said.

During building collapses, local volunteers are often the first responders. Kariakoo resident Emmanuel Joseph recounted rescuing 12 people trapped under rubble. “When you hear someone crying for help, you just act—even if it means risking your own life,” he said.

Pathways to Resilience

Experts emphasize the need for disaster risk reduction to protect Tanzanians. “Disaster risk reduction isn’t just about emergencies—it’s about prevention,” said James Mbatia, a former legislator and disaster risk specialist.

Investments in early warning systems, stronger infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns are critical. Neighboring Kenya, for instance, uses mobile apps to provide real-time weather updates, enabling faster evacuations. “Empowering communities with tools and knowledge can save lives,” said Mbatia.

Critics argue that Tanzania’s government must take greater responsibility for disaster management failures. “It’s like watching a fire spread while holding a bucket of water you never use,” Mbatia said, pointing to predictable disasters such as annual floods in low-lying regions.

Gordian Kazaura, an urban planning specialist at Ardhi University, highlighted the human cost. “The poorest suffer the most. They lack the resources to recover, and the government’s response often comes too late,” he said.

A glimmer of Hope

Despite the challenges, there is growing momentum for change. Organizations like the Tanzania Red Cross are training volunteers and advocating for better early warning systems. Workshops are equipping local authorities with emergency planning skills.

“Disasters are local by nature,” said Kazimoto. “Empowering communities and regional committees to act swiftly without waiting for central government instructions is critical.”

For survivors like Faime, recovery is uncertain, but hope persists. “We need help, but we also need change,” she said. “People like me can’t keep starting over.”

Halima Abdallah’s final plea must serve as a wake-up call. Tanzania must transition from reactive responses to proactive resilience, ensuring that no cry for help goes unanswered. Observers agree—the time for action is now—before the next disaster strikes.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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