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China

DATA released this week in China’s seventh national census revealed the mainland population has reached 1.41178 billion while population growth has been its slowest in decades, with an average growth rate of 0.53% over the past 10 years.

Head of the National Bureau of Statistics, Ning Jizhe, said the growth rate was affected by factors such as age, government population policies, medical services and younger generations’ ideas on having children.

The figure does not include Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao or foreigners living on mainland China. | African News Agency (ANA)

BUSINESSMAN Thomson Mpinganjira, who is accused of attempting to bribe judges in the disputed Malawi presidential election case applied for the judge to recuse herself when he appeared in the High Court in Blantyre earlier this week.

He claimed he received a message alleging that presiding Judge Dorothy DeGabrielle could deliver a favourable judgment if he paid money.

DeGabrielle has ruled that she will not recuse herself, radio station Zodiak Broadcasting reported.

She ordered that the trial should proceed. | African News Agency (ANA)

Recycling

TOYMAKER Mattel is encouraging children to return Barbies, Matchbox cars and MEGA Bloks they no longer play with to the company for recycling into new toys. The goal of the new “Playback” programme is to recover and reuse materials across all products and packaging by 2030, Mattel said.

“Mattel’s Playback programme is a great step,” said Jim Silver, chief executive of TTPM, a toy industry research firm.

“The consumer is becoming more concerned about the future and becoming more eco-friendly; manufacturers are starting to step up to try to make the environment better.” | Reuters

Cameroon

TWO transgender Cameroonians have been sentenced to five years in prison and fined 200 000 francs (about R5 000) each for “attempted homosexuality”.

The BBC reported this week that Njeukam Loic Midrel – known as Shakiro, a social media influencer – and Mouthe Roland, who goes by the name of Patricia, were detained on February 8.

They were arrested for wearing women’s clothing while eating at a restaurant, wrote Voice of America.

According to international media reports, they were refused bail and their trial ended on Tuesday with their conviction. | African News Agency (ANA) NEWS 24/7

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