12 January 2024

– The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) is experiencing critically low blood stocks, the lowest the reserves have been over the preceding four years. NAMBTS is therefore urgently calling on Namibians to donate blood to help meet the heightened demand to ensure that blood is available for patients who currently need transfusions as medical intervention to potentially help save their lives.

– Uganda’s ministers and senior government officials will be given a crash course in “proper conduct, good behaviour, and etiquette”, the Daily Monitor has reported. The training comes ahead of two international conferences that will be hosted in Uganda. The country will be expecting more than 1,000 delegates from 100 countries. – BBC

– Hamas has called on Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing to allow the transfer from Gaza of 6,000 wounded people for urgent treatment. Dozens of Palestinians are reported to have been killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza as intense fighting continues across the territory. – BBC

– Zambia are capable of winning the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations despite missing the past three tournaments, according to captain Lubambo Musonda. The Chipolopolo were surprise Afcon champions in 2012, beating favourites Ivory Coast on penalties following a 0-0 draw in the final. – BBC Sport

– Moderate to heavy storms are expected in the Central-north and North-eastern regions.