All articles tagged with #namibia
The UK has secured cooperation from Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to take back their citizens and other migrants after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned of visa penalties; the agreement could enable removal or deportation of thousands, with potential sanctions looming on other reluctant states.
The Hoba meteorite in Namibia, weighing about 60 tons and dating to roughly 80,000 years ago, has never been moved and remains exactly where it struck Earth, with no crater observed. Scientists think its flat shape and atmospheric slowdown caused a gentler impact, leaving it as a national monument that visitors can touch.
Scientists have discovered mysterious, fossilized micro-tunnels in desert rocks across Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, which are believed to be the work of an unknown, possibly extinct microorganism that once digested its way through solid rock, raising new questions about microbial influence on geology and Earth's carbon cycle.
Plug Power has installed Africa's first fully integrated green hydrogen facility in Namibia, featuring a 5MW electrolyzer, solar power, and energy storage, supporting hydrogen mobility and industrial decarbonization, and positioning Namibia as a regional hydrogen hub.
Namibia has deployed helicopters and hundreds of soldiers to combat a large wildfire in Etosha National Park, which has destroyed habitats, killed at least nine antelope, and threatened critically endangered black rhinos, originating from a charcoal production site outside the park.
Satellite technology and GPS tracking are being used in Namibia to monitor and protect critically endangered desert elephants, helping reduce conflicts with humans and identify key habitats to support their survival amid environmental pressures and droughts.
Scientists discovered mysterious tube-like structures in desert rocks of Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia that do not match known geological processes, suggesting they may be formed by an unknown microbial life, possibly from ancient times, though their current existence remains uncertain.
A businessman named Bernd Kebbel was killed by a lion at a luxury safari lodge in Namibia after stepping out of his tent to use the toilet, marking a rare and tragic wildlife attack in the region. The incident highlights the dangers posed by desert-adapted lions in Namibia's remote areas, where their numbers have recently declined due to drought and human conflict.
Namibia is marking the first national day of remembrance for the German colonial genocide that occurred between 1904 and 1908, where over 70,000 Africans, mainly from the Ovaherero and Nama communities, were systematically murdered. The day aims to acknowledge the atrocities, reflect on the scars left, and pressure Germany for reparations, including a formal apology and land restitution. Despite Germany's recognition of the genocide and offers of development aid, many Namibians see these as insufficient and continue to seek justice and reparations for their ancestors.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party has been elected as Namibia's first female president, securing 57% of the vote and avoiding a runoff. Despite her victory, the opposition, led by Panduleni Itula of the IPC, plans to contest the results, citing voting irregularities. SWAPO, which has governed since Namibia's independence in 1990, saw its weakest performance yet, reflecting public dissatisfaction over unemployment and corruption. The election was also significant for international observers, particularly Germany, due to ongoing bilateral projects and historical reconciliation efforts.
In a landmark ruling, Namibia's high court has declared laws banning same-sex acts between men unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for LGBTQ rights. While same-sex marriage remains illegal, unions performed abroad are recognized if one partner is not a Namibian citizen. The ruling has been celebrated by activists and the UN, though concerns about backlash and safety for LGBTQ individuals persist.
The live-action TV adaptation of Fallout on Prime Video was filmed in Namibia on the Skeleton Coast, specifically in the ghost town of Kolmanskop, which provided a visually stunning and authentic Wasteland setting without the need for CGI. The dry climate of the Namib Desert has preserved the ruins, decorations, and furniture of the town, creating a desolate and immersive environment for the actors. Fallout season 1 is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and the University of Ljubljana observed spotted hyenas in Namibia hunting and feeding on red-billed queleas, a type of passerine bird, at a waterhole in the Etosha National Park. The hyenas were observed chasing flying birds, picking them from the ground or water surface, and swallowing them whole at a rate of approximately one bird every three minutes. This behavior adds to the known variety of the spotted hyena diet and hunting tactics, demonstrating their flexibility and ability to exploit foraging opportunities and obtain food from unusual sources.
Ocean Conservation Namibia, a nonprofit group, has rescued around 3,000 seals entangled in marine garbage since 2020, with videos of its rescues becoming a sensation during the pandemic. The group, founded by Katja and Naude Dreyer, has garnered attention for its efforts in disentangling seals from fishing gear and other maritime garbage, highlighting the growing crisis of marine trash while providing a feel-good ending for the affected animals. Their work has been praised for its significant impact in addressing the issue of marine debris.
Namibia held a state funeral for late President Hage Geingob, who was interred at Heroes' Acre amid a surge in patriotism following his death from cancer at the age of 82. His widow wept as his casket was lowered into his grave, and his funeral marked the culmination of three weeks of mourning, with thousands of people from across the political divide coming together to mourn. Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for an apology for Germany's colonial atrocities in Namibia, acknowledging the genocide of more than 70,000 Herero and Nama people between 1904 and 1908.