The International Monetary Fund has warned that rising food and energy prices, sparked by the conflict in Ukraine, could lead to “social upheaval” in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has already slowed economic growth in most nations south of the Sahara, and the damage will be magnified by rising cereal and fuel prices, according to a […]
Day: April 28, 2022
World lost forest area larger than size of UK: Global Forest Watch
According to a report by Global Forest Watch, the world will lose an area of forest larger than the United Kingdom by 2021, a trajectory that will fall short of global commitments made by world leaders at the United Nations’ COP26 climate summit in Scotland last year. According to the research, almost 253,000 square kilometres […]
Somali lawmakers elect new parliamentary speaker after tense standoff
Somali lawmakers have elected a new parliamentary speaker after a tense standoff between African Union peacekeepers and police, underscoring bitter divisions within the country’s security forces exacerbated by delayed elections. On Wednesday, police loyal to President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, usually known by his nickname Farmaajo, turned away lawmakers attempting to enter the airport hangar where […]
Nigerian Senate passes bill imposing prison for ransom payment
The Nigerian Senate has enacted a bill that mandates at least 15 years in prison for paying a ransom to liberate a kidnapped person, as well as making kidnapping punishable by death in circumstances when the victim dies. Making ransom payment criminal by lengthy prison sentences, according to Opeyemi Bamidele, head of the Senate’s justice, […]
Measles cases surge by nearly 80% worldwide
Measles cases have increased by about 80% worldwide this year, according to the United Nations, which added that the increase was a forewarning of future epidemics of other diseases. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus pandemic disrupted vaccination campaigns for several diseases around the world, […]