“A total system collapse” has resulted in widespread power blackouts across Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy. The outage on Thursday affected all of Nigeria’s 36 states and its capital, Abuja.The grid has collapsed multiple times, and it was not clear when power would be restored. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which supplies electricity to southeastern Nigeria, issued a statement announcing a “total system” collapse.
Aljazeera:, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/14/nationwide-blackout-across-nigeria-after-power-grid-collapse Accessed: 14th, September, 2023.
- Is one of Russia’s oldest allies slipping from the Kremlin’s orbit? (Political)
The arrival of US troops in Armenia for peacekeeper training has upset the Russian government, which has historically been the primary security provider for the former Soviet republic. The “Eagle Partner” exercise, lasting 10 days and commencing on Monday, involves 85 US soldiers and 175 Armenian soldiers, with the objective of preparing the Armenian military for participation in international peacekeeping missions. Though relatively small in scope, this exercise represents the latest in a series of actions labeled as “unfriendly” by Russia’s foreign ministry, coming from its traditional ally. Armenia recently provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the first time, and its parliament is on the verge of ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which would require the country to apprehend Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were to visit Armenia. This development is significant, given Russia’s historical influence in the region.
CNN:, “https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/17/world/armenia-russia-kremlin-us-intl/index.html” Accessed: 17th, September, 2023.
- Armed Men Seize 2 Army Camps in Northern Mali: Officials (Security, Politics)
Armed men on Sunday took over two military camps in northern Mali, two elected officials told AFP, with a spokesman for an alliance of predominantly Tuareg armed groups claiming the attack. The Malian military confirmed on social networks that the town of Lere, in the Timbuktu Region of northern Mali, had been attacked on Sunday.
VOA:https://www.voanews.com/a/armed-men-seize-2-army-camps-in-northern-mali-officials/7272595.html Accessed: 17th, September, 2023
- Congo denies claims of coup attempt (Coup, Politics)
The Congo-Brazzaville government has refuted recent claims of a coup attempt against President Denis Nguesso, who has held office for an uninterrupted 39 years. These allegations surfaced on social media, suggesting an orchestrated effort by the military to remove the 79-year-old leader from power. President Nguesso was at the time of these rumors in New York, participating in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Africanews: https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/18/congo-denies-claims-of-coup-attempt/ Accessed: 18th, September, 2023
- In Wagner’s largest African outpost, Russia looks to tighten its grip (Politics)
Since the mercenaries of Russia’s notorious Wagner Group first arrived here five years ago, they have embedded themselves in the security operations and economy of this impoverished but resource-rich country. While operating largely independently of Moscow, the group helped project Russian influence deep into Africa.
Washington post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/18/wagner-central-african-republic-touadera/ Accessed: 18th, September, 2023
- Landslide in northwest DR Congo kills at least 17 people (Environment)
At least 17 people have been killed by a landslide in the northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo caused by torrential rains, authorities say, warning that the toll could rise as rescuers sift through mud and the rubble of collapsed homes. The disaster took place on Sunday along the Congo River in the town of Lisal in Mongala province, according to Matthieu Mole, president of the civil society organization Forces Vives. The victims lived in homes that were built at the foot of a mountain.
Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/18/landslide-in-northwest-dr-congo-kills-at-least-17-people Accessed: 19th, September, 2023
- Kano constitutes 80% of diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria – UNICEF (Health)
The United Nations Children’s Education Fund has disclosed that Kano State alone contributed to about 80 per cent of the diphtheria outbreak in the country as it is estimated that about 520 children are suspected to have lost their lives following the diphtheria outbreak in the state in 2023.
Punch News: https://punchng.com/kano-constitutes-80-of-diphtheria-outbreak-in-nigeria-unicef/ Accessed: 19th, September, 2023
- UN raises alarm over child deaths in Sudan as health crisis deepens (Health)
United Nations (U.N.) agencies have reported the devastating loss of more than 1,200 young lives in Sudan’s refugee camps, succumbing to suspected measles and malnutrition. These statistics come amidst an ominous warning that thousands more, including vulnerable newborns, teeter on the brink of peril as we approach the year’s end.
Africanews: https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/19/un-raises-alarm-over-child-deaths-in-sudan-as-health-crisis-deepens/ Accessed: 20th, September, 2023
- Nagorno-Karabakh forces agree Azerbaijan demand to disarm (Politics)
Twenty-four hours after Azerbaijan’s army launched an offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, ethnic-Armenian forces have agreed Russian terms for a ceasefire. One of the key demands that Karabakh forces have accepted is a proposal for complete disarmament. Some 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in the South Caucasus enclave, recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan.
BBC NEWS https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66863702 Accessed: 20th, September, 2023
- I’ll run for fourth term in 2024 – Kagame (Election, Politics)
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said for the first time that he plans to run for a fourth term in elections due to be held next year. “Yes, I am indeed a candidate,” Kagame, who has ruled over the country with an iron fist for decades, told Jeune Afrique, a French-language news magazine, in an interview published online on Tuesday. “I am pleased with the confidence that Rwandans have placed in me. I will always serve them, as long as I can,” the 65-year-old was quoted as saying. The Rwandan government in March decided to synchronize the dates for its parliamentary and presidential elections, which are due to be held in August next year.
BBC NEWS https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-66691050 Accessed: 20th, September, 2023
- British Prime Minister announces delay to key climate goals
Britain will delay a series of key climate targets, its beleaguered Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Wednesday at a hastily organized press conference, in a move that angered businesses and political allies and intensified the government’s assault on green policies. Sunak told reporters on Wednesday he will push back a ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, dramatically slow down plans to phase out gas boilers, and reject calls to regulate efficiency for homeowners.
- Extreme rainfall in Libya worsened by Climate change
The interaction of these factors, and the very heavy rain that was worsened by climate change, created the extreme destruction [in Libya]”, the scientists wrote in a statement. They used climate and computer simulations to compare weather events today with what they might have been if the climate had not already warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius above the average pre industrial temperature. Rainfall can increase or become more erratic with climate change, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapour – allowing more moisture to build up before clouds finally break.
