The Israeli military and Hamas have consented to three separate three-day pauses in fighting across the Gaza Strip to facilitate a critical polio vaccination campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday. The campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 640,000 children against polio, starting this Sunday. The vaccination drive will commence in central Gaza, where a three-day ceasefire will allow safe passage to medical centers for children and their families. Following this, similar pauses will be implemented in southern and northern Gaza, respectively. Rik Peeperkorn, a senior WHO official for the region, mentioned that each pause could be extended to…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
At the UNDP Executive Board meeting, Jonathan Shrier, U.S. Deputy Representative to ECOSOC, stated the importance of transparency and local leadership in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking just before the UN General Assembly High-Level Week and the Summit of the Future, Shrier emphasized UNDP’s role in addressing global challenges through efficient and accountable aid strategies. In his address, Shrier lauded UNDP Administrator Steiner’s commitment to transparency and effective oversight. He highlighted the necessity of maximizing development outcomes amid unprecedented humanitarian needs and resource constraints. Shrier stressed that investment in oversight should enhance, not hinder, effective program delivery. …
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday reposted a lewd social media remark about Vice-President Kamala Harris, the latest in a volley of demeaning attacks by Republicans against Trump’s Democratic rival. The comment was made by another Truth Social media user, who wrote, below a picture of Harris and Trump’s 2016 Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton: “Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently…” The remark appears to be a reference to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who briefly dated Harris over two decades ago. A frequent right-wing line of attack against Harris is that Brown fueled her political…
President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday defended a decision to grant French nationality to Telegram chief Pavel Durov, who faces a possible trial related to illegal content carried on his popular messaging app. Speaking to reporters on a visit to Serbia, the French president said he did not know that Durov would be coming to France and denied having issued “any invitation whatsoever” to the Russian-born billionaire. “We are a country where there is a separation of powers,” Macron said. “I was completely unaware that he was coming. This is normal,” he added. Macron said he “totally”…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Friday to Sunday across the country. NiMet`s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja forecasts thunderstorms on Friday over parts of Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Gombe, and Bauchi States during the morning hours. According to the agency, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Kano States later in the day. “Thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Plateau States within the morning hours. …
A Thai court on Thursday jailed a famous Spanish actor’s son for life for the gruesome murder of a Colombian plastic surgeon on a tropical holiday island in a lurid case that has gripped Spain. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a 30-year-old chef, was found guilty of the premeditated murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the tourist island of Koh Phangan last year. The case has generated enormous interest in Spain because the defendant’s father, Rodolfo Sancho, is a well-known actor, and scores of Spanish reporters have flown in for the trial. Bussakorn Kaewleeled, a lawyer for the victim’s family,…
Former President Donald Trump has been hit with a new indictment in the ongoing federal election interference case, aimed at navigating a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted him broad immunity from prosecution for official presidential acts. The revised indictment focuses on Trump’s private actions, such as his claims of election fraud on social media and during a rally on January 6, 2021, classifying these as campaign-related activities outside his presidential duties. The new indictment also omits previous allegations involving Jeffrey Clark, a former assistant attorney general, aligning with the Supreme Court’s decision that Trump cannot be prosecuted for actions…
A Russian nuclear power plant in the Kursk region is reportedly at risk of a nuclear incident as the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, according to a United Nations official. Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed concerns this week after visiting the plant. Grossi stated that the situation is “serious” and highlighted the danger of a nuclear incident following several drone attacks on the plant’s facilities. “Today, I was told about several cases of drone attacks on the territory, on the plant’s facilities. At the plant, I saw traces of these attacks,” Grossi…
Tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada this week in response to recent immigration policies that could see approximately 70,000 of them facing deportation. Major provinces, including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, witnessed large-scale protests against the federal government’s reforms. The demonstrations, reported by City News Toronto on Monday, were sparked by the abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in 2021, which had previously allowed international students to gain essential work experience in Canada after completing their studies. The Federal Government further exacerbated concerns last year by introducing a two-year…
Planning a trip to Kenya without breaking the bank? Here are five savvy travel hacks to help you explore this beautiful East African gem on a budget, ensuring you get the most out of your adventure without compromising on experiences. 1. Book Your Flights Early Flight prices can be a major chunk of your travel budget, but by booking early, you can snag the best deals. Keep an eye out for sales and discounts, especially during off-peak seasons. Using Gotravel can make this easier, as they offer competitive rates and can help you secure the best deals well in advance.…
The Federal Government has introduced the zero draft of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan (NIEP-SIP), a framework aimed at transforming the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during the official presentation. This new policy is designed to tackle the ongoing challenges within the power sector, ensuring a more robust, sustainable, and inclusive energy system across Nigeria. According to Adelabu, the NIEP-SIP is the result of extensive consultations with industry experts, stakeholders, and development partners, emphasizing its importance in meeting the nation’s power needs.…
The Israeli military said it rescued an Israeli hostage in Gaza on Tuesday, more than 10 months after he was seized during the Hamas attacks that sparked a devastating war. Kaid Farhan Alkadi, a 52-year-old Israeli Bedouin, was abducted by Palestinian militants during the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the military said in a statement. “Alkadi was rescued… in a complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip,” the statement said, adding that he was in a stable condition and being transferred to a hospital for a medical check-up. Alkadi is from Rahat, a predominantly Arab town. On October 7,…