GLIC REPORT
Health
NCDC confirms 1,068 Lassa fever cases, 181 deaths
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 1,068 Lassa fever cases across 112 Local Government Areas in 28 states.
NCDC confirms 1,068 Lassa fever cases, 181 deaths Accessed October 2, 2023
Environment
33 persons killed in Plateau mining collapses in two months
No fewer than 33 persons have been killed in Plateau State as a result of collapsed mining sites in some communities within the past two months.
33 persons killed in Plateau mining collapses in two months Accessed October 2, 2023
Security
UN approves Haiti security mission to fight gangs
The United Nations Security Council has authorized a foreign security mission to Haiti, a year after the Caribbean country asked for help to fight violent gangs that have largely overrun its capital Port-au-Prince. The 15-member council adopted a resolution, drafted by the United States and Ecuador, that authorizes the Multinational Security Support mission “to take all necessary measures” – code for use of force. China and Russia abstained from the vote, wary of authorizing the blanket use of force under Chapter 7 of the founding U.N. Charter. The remaining 13 members voted in favor. The Security Council also expanded a U.N. arms embargo to include all gangs – a measure China wanted. Haitian officials have said guns used by gangs are believed to be mostly imported from the United States. The embargo previously only applied to specific individuals. The response to Haiti’s request for help was delayed due to a struggle to find a country willing to lead a security assistance mission. Kenya stepped forward in July with a pledge of 1,000 police. The Bahamas then committed 150 people, while Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda are also willing to help.
UN approves Haiti security mission to fight gangs Accessed October 3 2023
Security
Turkey detains 928 suspects after Ankara bomb attack
Turkish police have detained at least 928 people with alleged links to Kurdish fighters two days after a suicide bomb attack in Turkey’s capital, Ankara. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday that police carried out raids in 64 Turkish provinces, detaining people suspected of being part of the “intelligence structure” of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Turkey detains 928 suspects after Ankara bomb attack Accessed October 3 2023
Environment
Nigeria: Blast at illegal oil refinery kills at least 18
At least 18 people, including a pregnant woman, died in Southern Nigeria when an illegal oil refinery exploded into flames, a security official and residents said on Tuesday. The blaze which broke out late on Sunday in Rivers State, occurred when a home-made refinery ignited a nearby oil reservoir, leaving victims severely burned, a security official said.
Nigeria: Blast at illegal oil refinery kills at least 18 Accessed October 3 2023
UN Calls for a Crackdown on Human Trafficking in Sports
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that more than 15,000 children are trafficked from West Africa into Europe every year, many with the hope of becoming professional footballers. Traffickers are finding better ways to lure potential victims by taking advantage of loopholes in law enforcement and utilizing new technologies.
UN Calls for a Crackdown on Human Trafficking in Sports Accessed October 3 2023
Health
Children’s cancer treatment becoming unaffordable for parents – Oncologists
Children living with cancer in Nigeria are facing hard times as their families can no longer afford the cost of treatment, cancer specialists have said.
Children’s cancer treatment becoming unaffordable for parents – Oncologists Accessed October 4, 2023
Economic
World Bank Cuts Nigeria’s 2023 Economic Growth Projection to 2.9%
Citing currency pressure, insecurity, and other challenges, the World Bank Group yesterday, revised its economic growth outlook for Nigeria in 2023, to 2.9 per cent, lower than its earlier projection of 3.3 per cent for the West African country. This was revealed in the multilateral institution’s latest ‘Africa Pulse,’ a regional macroeconomic outlook released yesterday, where it noted that Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic outlook remained bleak amid an elusive growth recovery.
World Bank Cuts Nigeria’s 2023 Economic Growth Projection to 2.9% Accessed October 4, 2023
Migration
Migrants: Mediterranean now cemetery for children – UN
The United Nations reported on Friday that the number of migrants heading to Europe via the Mediterranean this summer and either dying or going missing has tripled compared to last year. The UN characterized the Mediterranean as a perilous route that has tragically become a “graveyard” for children. Between June and August, a minimum of 990 individuals lost their lives or disappeared while attempting to reach Europe from Northern Africa, a stark increase from the 334 fatalities during the same period in 2022, as reported by UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s agency. This year, at least 289 children have died while attempting the perilous journey, according to Nicola dell’Arciprete, UNICEF’s country coordinator for Italy. Furthermore, between January and September, there were 11,600 unaccompanied minors among the migrants who arrived in Italy on makeshift vessels, marking a 60 percent rise compared to the first nine months of the previous year. Regina De Dominicis, from UNICEF, commented, “The Mediterranean has become a cemetery for children and their future.” She added, “The tragic toll of children dying in search of asylum and security in Europe is the result of political choices and a flawed migration system.” According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, between January 1 and September 24, approximately 2,500 migrants have lost their lives or gone missing in the Mediterranean, marking a 50 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Nicola dell’Arciprete also noted that the recent surge in migrants arriving on Italy’s Lampedusa island, with around 8,500 arrivals in just three days earlier this month, is likely to be repeated in the coming weeks. He explained, “We know that these are figures that could even rise in the coming months because there are a number of conflicts, natural disasters or even climate events in the countries of origin or transit of these minors.”
Accessed October 4, 2023
Religion
Pope Francis suggests Church open to blessing gay couples
Pope Francis has signalled that gay couples could be blessed, possibly reversing the Vatican’s 2021 stand via its Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the Catholic Church could not bless gay unions as ‘God cannot bless sin’.
Pope Francis Suggests Church Open to Blessing Gay Couples Accessed October 5 2023
Security
UK warns of Russia laying ‘sea mines’ to deter Black Sea cargo ships
The United Kingdom has warned that Russia may use sea mines against civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including by laying them on the approach to Ukrainian ports. The announcement that 12 cargo ships were prepared to enter a newly established Black Sea shipping corridor on their way to Ukrainian ports marked a significant increase in maritime traffic to Ukraine in defiance of a de facto Russian blockade of its seaports.
UK warns of Russia laying ‘sea mines’ to deter Black Sea cargo ships Accessed October 5 2023
