A Spanish tourist was trampled to death by an elephant after stepping out of his vehicle to take photos of a small herd at a renowned South African park, authorities said on Tuesday. The 43-year-old man was attacked on Sunday morning at the Pilanesberg National Park, a tourist magnet about 200 kilometres (130 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, according to park officials. The man, his fiancee and two women were driving their own vehicle within the reserve when they spotted three elephants and three calves, police said. “Reports suggest that the man stopped the vehicle, alighted and went closer…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer, is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to Djibouti and Ethiopia, focusing on regional security and the ongoing peace process in northern Ethiopia. During his visit to Djibouti, Ambassador Hammer will engage in high-level consultations with the Djiboutian government and representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). These discussions aim to address pressing regional and security issues, underscoring the United States’ commitment to stability in the Horn of Africa. In Ethiopia, Ambassador Hammer’s agenda includes attending the African Union’s second meeting to review the implementation of the…
In a recent diplomatic engagement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated Ronald Lamola on his new role as South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. During their conversation, Secretary Blinken and Minister Lamola addressed critical international issues, including Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the escalating conflict in Gaza. Both leaders underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to ensure the release of hostages and to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, Secretary Blinken and Minister Lamola reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-South Africa partnership, emphasizing cooperation on mutual priorities. One significant initiative highlighted was…
Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday in the southern US state of Texas, where some residents were evacuated over warnings of flooding and power outages. The US National Hurricane Center said Beryl, a Category 1 storm, hit the town of Matagorda with wind speeds of 80 miles (130 kilometres) per hour. As rain and wind lashed Houston, home to 2.3 million people, the NHC warned in its latest bulletin of “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rainfall” across southeastern Texas. “We have to take Beryl very, very seriously. Our worst enemy is complacency,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said ahead of…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Anambra State Command has reinforced its security measures across the state to protect critical national and state assets. This is in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order, particularly in response to the Monday sit-at-home directive that has affected economic activities. Maku Olatunde, the Anambra State Commandant of NSCDC, made this announcement on Monday in Awka while overseeing the deployment of personnel for the renewed launch operations. The initiative is designed to encourage economic and commercial activities while mitigating the effects of the sit-at-home order. Olatunde stated that the deployment…
The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult went on trial on Monday on charges of terrorism over the deaths of more than 400 of his followers in a macabre case that shocked the country and the world. Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie appeared in court in the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa along with 94 co-defendants, an AFP journalist said. Journalists were removed from the courtroom shortly after the start of the hearing to enable a protected witness to take the stand. Mackenzie, who was arrested in April last year, is alleged to have incited his acolytes to starve…
The United States congratulates Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on securing a second term as President of Mauritania. In a press statement issued by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. praised the Mauritanian people for their commitment and determination in participating in the electoral process, which continues Mauritania’s recent history of democratic elections. “We commend the commitment and determination displayed by Mauritanians in exercising their right to vote and engaging in the electoral process,” Blinken stated. “We regret the loss of life in post-election protests and look to the Mauritanian government to conduct a full investigation into the deaths and…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Monday to Wednesday across the country. NiMet weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecasts morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Taraba and Kaduna states. It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa states later in the day. “In the North Central region, rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara and Niger states during the morning hours. “While later in the day, thunderstorms and rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory,…
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on Chinese businessmen and other industrialists in Nigeria’s health sector to reduce the importation of medical equipment and instead set up assembly plants in the country. This appeal was made during a meeting in Abuja with a delegation from the Royal Meditech Equipments (Nig) Company Limited, led by its Director, Gari Li, on Saturday. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, emphasized the need for local production of essential medical machines, such as Intensive Care Unit ventilators and feeding pumps, to bolster the country’s health security and…
Embattled US President Joe Biden sought out safe ground Sunday, courting Black voters at a church as he hit the campaign trail to salvage his reelection bid and silence growing calls to quit. “We’re all imperfect beings,” the 81-year-old told a welcoming congregation in Philadelphia, where he received a jolt of rejuvenation from worshippers who chanted “four more years.” Biden has dug in despite an uprising among some Democratic lawmakers, analysts and voters concerned he lacks the mental acuity and physical fitness to serve a second term — worries brought to the fore by a disastrous debate performance last month…
The Rivers State House of Assembly has announced the screening and confirmation of a new commissioner-nominee, Emmanuel Frank-Fubara. The screening is scheduled for Monday at the Assembly Chamber in Government House at 10 am. The announcement was made through a public statement signed by the Clerk of the Assembly, Dr. G. M. Gillis-West. According to the statement, Emmanuel Frank-Fubara is required to bring twelve sets of his Curriculum Vitae along with the originals and photocopies of his credentials. This marks the third time the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led State House of Assembly, which is loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has undertaken the…
At the ECOWAS Parliament session on Saturday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to focus on understanding and addressing the underlying causes of youth migration. She said that instead of just trying to stop young people from leaving, it is crucial to tackle the reasons driving them away. Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted the achievements of Nigerians abroad, such as Silas Adekunle, the world’s highest-paid robotic engineer at age 31, and Abigail Marshall Katung, the Mayor of Leeds, to illustrate that migration can have positive outcomes. However, she stressed that the context and intent…