Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential race, with swing states and key issues like immigration and abortion shaping the campaign landscape. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are actively engaged in the contest, reflecting a balanced political discourse.

Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential race, with swing states and key issues like immigration and abortion shaping the campaign landscape.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will face the St. Louis Blues without key players John Tavares and Mitch Marner due to illness, and Martin Jones due to injury. Alex Steeves and Dennis Hildeby have been called up from the Marlies, with Steeves making his season debut. The team will also be without Morgan Rielly for five games due to a suspension and Conor Timmins indefinitely due to mononucleosis. The Maple Leafs' depth will be tested in the upcoming games.

Nyaradzo Hoto, a 30-year-old Zimbabwean woman, has become the first from her country to win the International Ranger Award, presented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Commission on Protected Areas. Despite a challenging past, including an abusive marriage, Hoto has risen to prominence through her work with the International Anti-Poaching Foundation's Akashinga programme, an all-female ranger force. Her efforts have significantly reduced poaching activities in Zimbabwe, and she is now pursuing a degree in wildlife ecology and conservation. The award highlights her courage and dedication to wildlife conservation, inspiring other women in her community.

Shopify President Harley Finkelstein emphasized the significant growth potential in international markets for the e-commerce platform, aiming to make global sales as seamless as local transactions. The company serves a diverse range of clients, from small merchants to large brands like Suntory and Nike Strength, and is expanding into business-to-business sales. Despite beating Wall Street's earnings expectations, Shopify's shares fell due to mixed guidance for the current period.

Nollen Muleya, a former poacher from Hwange, Zimbabwe, turned to environmental activism after serving a prison sentence for illegal possession of ivory. Muleya, who was introduced to poaching as a quick way to earn money, was arrested in 2017 and sentenced to nine years in prison. Released in 2021 through a presidential amnesty, he now raises awareness against wildlife crime with support from organizations like the Community Action for Wildlife Conservation Trust. Muleya aims to promote sustainable natural resource management and prevent others from engaging in wildlife-related offenses. This article is part of the African Conservation Journalism Programme, funded by USAID and implemented by Space for Giants.

Illegal sand mining, known as sand poaching, has severely damaged land in Harare, Zimbabwe, particularly in the high-density suburb of Epworth. Residents, driven by unemployment, are resorting to sand poaching in cemeteries, exhuming and disposing of corpses in nearby rivers. Community leaders and government authorities are concerned about the environmental degradation and potential dangers, especially with the approaching rainy season. The Environmental Management Authority is reviewing laws to criminalize land degradation activities.

Amos Gwema, the 2020 Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award winner, has initiated a wildlife conservation drive in Matopo, Zimbabwe, to combat poaching and wildlife crime. The initiative included a Netball and Soccer Tournament to engage the community and change attitudes towards conservation. The event, supported by Tusk UK and the International Elephant Foundation, saw significant community participation, especially from women. Gwema emphasized the importance of community involvement and collaboration with various government and non-governmental organizations. The initiative was well-received by villagers, who expressed a desire for ongoing engagement and highlighted the benefits of working together to protect wildlife and the environment.

Human-wildlife conflict is escalating in Zimbabwe's rural areas due to increasing populations of both humans and animals, leading to competition over resources. In the Mbire region, farmers and villagers face significant challenges as animals stray into settlements. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority recorded over 2,000 distress calls in 2021 and is actively educating communities on managing these conflicts.

Child labor is rampant in the gold-laden banks of the Odzi River in Zimbabwe, where children from nearby villages engage in hazardous artisanal mining to support their families. Driven by poverty, many children have abandoned school for gold panning, exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals like mercury. Despite government efforts to curb child labor, the practice persists, exacerbated by economic hardships and the allure of quick cash. The situation is dire, with significant school drop-out rates and the exploitation of young girls by gold buyers. Local leaders and organizations express concern, highlighting the need for more effective interventions.