Africa 54 - August 31, 2021| Food Insecurity Madagascar, New COVID variant in SA, Afghanistan On this edition of Africa 54: A combination of drought, sandstorms and pest infestations have destroyed harvests in southern Madagascar, leaving more than 1.1 million people in severe food insecurity; South African scientists detect a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations but are yet to establish is transmissibility and immunity provided by vaccines and prior infection; & The United Nations marks the end of toxic leaded gasoline use in vehicles worldwide. Top Stories: A combination of drought, sandstorms and pest infestations have destroyed harvests in southern Madagascar, the United Nations has warned, leaving more than 1.1 million people in severe food insecurity. The African Union is developing guidelines for the use of genetically modified crops across the continent, officials said, amid criticism from campaigners that some policies favour big business and lack adequate public input. South African scientists have detected a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations but are yet to establish whether it is more contagious or able to overcome the immunity provided by vaccines or prior infection. The United Nations Environmental Program held a ceremony Monday marking the end of toxic leaded gasoline use in vehicles worldwide. A company in Nairobi, where the UNEP is headquartered, is working on the next step — converting buses and utility vehicles to electric power. It’s August 31, the deadline imposed by President Joe Biden for U.S. forces to be out of Afghanistan. At least 122,000 people were evacuated by the U.S. military and coalition forces, 5,400 of them Americans