The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has sounded the alarm once again, drawing attention to the relentless killing of children in war-torn Ukraine. The humanitarian organization reports two confirmed child fatalities and at least 15 injuries in a series of deadly New Year attacks that have gripped the nation. UNICEF Representative to Ukraine, Munir Mammadzade, expressed deep concern over the destruction of at least eight schools and 10 healthcare facilities, including a maternity hospital, in the past week alone. Mammadzade issued a stark statement on Wednesday, shedding light on the grim situation unfolding across major cities like Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv,…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Kano State Police Command has apprehended a fake doctor, Chidera Ugwu, and an accomplice for their alleged involvement in the death of a pregnant woman. The suspects are accused of administering fatal injections to induce a miscarriage, resulting in the tragic demise of the expectant mother. The arrests ensued after Nura Balarabe of Tofa LGA reported that 19-year-old Ukasha Muhammed had impregnated his 19-year-old sister, Amina Bala, of Kwanar Mahuwa Tofa LGA. Muhammed, in collaboration with 24-year-old Ugwu, reportedly administered injections and drugs to Amina Balarabe, resulting in her untimely death. In a statement by the Kano State Police…
UN Secretary-General António Guterres revealed the appointment of Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda as the Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, United Nations System Coordination, and Programme Results at UN Women. Ms. Gumbonzvanda, the Founder and Executive Director of Rozaria Memorial Trust in Zimbabwe, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Her extensive background includes serving as the General Secretary of the World Young Women’s Christian Association and as the United Nations Development Fund for Women Regional Programming Director in the East and Horn of Africa. Prior to her current appointment, Gumbonzvanda contributed significantly to UNICEF, where she served as the…
Dominican women bravely confront a stringent abortion ban and societal challenges, addressing child marriage and teen pregnancy head-on. The Caribbean nation, deeply rooted in Catholic and evangelical beliefs, criminalizes abortion without exceptions, subjecting women to penalties of up to two years in prison. Led by activists such as Marcia González, they employ education to empower young girls and tackle urgent sexual and reproductive rights issues. Marcia González, a dedicated community leader, has been advocating for comprehensive sex education in the Dominican Republic for four decades. Despite President Luis Abinader’s commitment to decriminalize abortion, the government has yet to act on…
The Senate initiates an investigation into the N10 billion restructuring funds allocated to NIPOST by the Federal Ministry of Finance. This decision comes on the heels of the discovery of irregularities within the agency’s subsidiaries, specifically NIPOST Properties and Development Company and NIPOST Transport and Logistics Services Limited. The Red Chamber, in a resolution passed on December 30, 2023, disclosed its findings, pointing to an alleged illegal transfer of federal government shares in the two NIPOST subsidiaries to private individuals. The revelation has stirred outrage among lawmakers, prompting a swift call for immediate action. Individuals holding key positions within the…
Multichoice, the parent company of DStv, announced on Wednesday that its popular SuperSport channels would not be broadcasting the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 tournament. The decision comes after the satellite giant failed to secure the broadcasting rights for the highly anticipated football competition. In an official statement, Multichoice revealed, “SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 scheduled for January 13th – February 11th, 2024, because the channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament.” However, the company assured football enthusiasts that AFCON 2023 games would still be accessible through their…
Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo of Florida has called for an immediate cessation of the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, expressing heightened concerns about potential public health risks associated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Ladapo stressed the urgency of prioritizing non-mRNA vaccines to ensure patient safety. Ladapo cited multiple reasons for his call to halt mRNA vaccinations. Firstly, he questioned the safety of these vaccines, pointing to the presence of nucleic acid contaminants. According to Ladapo, each dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contains billions of DNA fragments, raising concerns about the associated risks. Another key concern raised by Ladapo…
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the approval of a comprehensive Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy. This decision, greenlit by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, marks a notable departure from the existing Group Life Assurance Policy administered by the Ministry of Defence. While the Ministry’s policy primarily addresses the families of military personnel killed in action, the newly approved insurance policy focuses on providing coverage for medical expenses resulting from accidents during military operations. According to Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, the…
Africa emerges as a radiant powerhouse in the global diamond industry, as indicated by the latest data from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for 2022. Through Sputnik Africa’s meticulous analysis, the top ten diamond-producing nations on the continent are revealed, emphasizing their profound influence on the international market. Botswana takes the lead in this shining narrative, solidifying its position as Africa’s premier diamond producer, trailing only behind Russia on the global stage. With a remarkable production volume of 24.5 million carats and a value surpassing $4.7 billion, Botswana’s diamond industry resonates across borders, leaving an indelible mark. Following closely,…
In a recent interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), announced the corporation’s plans to initiate night operations before the second quarter of 2024. The move aims to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the railway services. However, Okhiria highlighted that security concerns are the primary obstacle to implementing night operations. He emphasized that trains should operate at all times, but due to the prevailing security situation in the country, they have restricted their services to daytime operations. Okhiria outlined the ambitious expansion plan, stating, “We intend to bring…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has issued a weather forecast, alerting citizens, especially those with respiratory issues like asthma, about potential health risks associated with dusty weather. The forecast, released on Tuesday in Abuja, predicts sunny and hazy conditions in the North and North Central states starting from Wednesday, January 3, 2024. While the North and North Central regions can expect a sunny and hazy atmosphere, coastal cities in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states may experience cloudy and hazy weather, with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening periods. NiMet strongly advises airline operators to obtain updated…
In a targeted drone attack on a Hamas office in Beirut, Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas, was killed along with five others. The strike occurred in the southern suburb of Daliyeh, escalating tensions beyond the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack, but Mark Regev, an adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister, emphasized that it was a precise operation against the Hamas leadership. The drone strike, which occurred on Tuesday, was confirmed by both Hamas’ Al Aqsa Radio and Lebanon’s pro-Iranian Mayadeen TV, citing security sources. Al-Arouri, a prominent member of the…