International
2023, year of achievements, “avoidable suffering” – WHO chief
The Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, has described 2023 as a year of achievements and “avoidable suffering.”
Reflecting on 2023, which also marked the UN agency’s 75th anniversary, Ghebreyesus highlighted key achievements and set out objectives for the coming year.
The WHO chief said the outing year saw significant milestones and challenges in global public health but also immense and avoidable suffering.
“In May, I declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern.
“This marked a turning point for the world following three years of crisis, pain, and loss for people everywhere. I am glad to see that life has returned to normal,” he said in a video message on Tuesday.
Ghebreyesus also pointed to other achievements, such as the end of the Mpox outbreak as a global health emergency and the approval of new vaccines for dengue, meningitis, and malaria, which threaten millions worldwide, mainly the most vulnerable.
“Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Belize achieved malaria-free status, and progress was made in eliminating some tropical diseases in various countries, including sleeping sickness in Ghana, trachoma in Benin, Mali, and Iraq, and lymphatic filariasis in Bangladesh and Lao.
“The path to eradicating another vaccine-preventable disease—polio—has reached its last mile. Thirty more countries introduced the HPV vaccine, advancing our goal to eliminate cervical cancer,” he said.
“2023 also saw increased attention to the health impacts of the climate crisis,” he added.
According to him, health issues featured prominently on the agenda of the COP28 conference in Dubai, where a global declaration on climate and health was issued, emphasising the intersection of environmental and public health challenges.
Additionally, in September, Heads of State at the United Nations General Assembly committed to advancing universal health coverage, ending tuberculosis, and protecting the world from future pandemics.
“Each of these achievements, and many more, demonstrated the power of science, solutions, and solidarity to protect and promote health,” he said.
Ghebreyesus also acknowledged the “immense and avoidable suffering and threats to health” over the past year.
He said the barbaric attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7 left around 1,300 people dead and over 200 taken hostage, while reports of gender-based violence and mistreatment of hostages were deplorable.
The devastating attack on Gaza that followed has killed more than 20,000 people—mainly women and children—and injured over 53,000, he said.
The WHO chief expressed deep concern over the impact on healthcare infrastructure, noting that “as of December 22, only nine of 36 health facilities in Gaza were partially functional, with only four offering the most basic of services in the north.”
He once again called for an immediate ceasefire.
The global landscape was also marked by conflict and insecurity in countries such as Sudan, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Myanmar.
“Without peace, there is no health, and without health, there can be no peace,” Ghebreyesus said.
He noted that, in addition to conflict-related challenges, issues like poverty and lack of access to clean water and hygiene contributed to the spread of infectious diseases. The resurgence of cholera, with over 40 outbreaks worldwide, raised particular concern.
Looking to 2024, the WHO chief highlighted the opportunity to address gaps in global pandemic preparedness.
He said governments were currently negotiating the first-ever global agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future.
“The Pandemic Accord and plans to strengthen the International Health Regulations represent monumental actions by governments to create a safer and healthier world,” Ghebreyesus said.
The WHO Director-General concluded his message by expressing gratitude to health workers, partners, and colleagues, underscoring the shared journey to achieve health for all. (NAN)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom amid the allegation of genocide against Christians in the country by the Donald Trump administration.
In a statement he personally signed and shared by Bayo Onanuga his spokesman,Tinubu said his administration had since 2023, maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and address security challenges affecting communities across the country.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
He reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have long been “a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
”Tinubu emphasised that his government remains committed to working closely with the United States and other international partners “to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.
”Read the full statement below:
Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.
The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.
Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.
BOLA AHMED TINUBUPRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
International
Trump orders US Military to resume nuclear weapons testing
Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.
President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the United States military to resume nuclear weapons testing, ending a 33-year break.
The announcement came on Truth Social, minutes before he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.
” Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.
“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.
”The move appears aimed at both Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia recently carried out a series of nuclear-related tests, though the Kremlin said none involved actual nuclear explosions.
“Until now, we didn’t know that anyone was testing ” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Russia would only test in response to another country doing so.
No nuclear power other than North Korea has conducted explosive testing in over 25 years. The U.S. last tested in 1992, Russia in 1990, and China in 1996.
International
UK: King Charles strips his brother, Andrew of ‘Prince’ title, mansion
Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.
Britain’s King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Andrew, of his title of prince and ordered him to vacate his Windsor home, Buckingham Palace.
The move seeks to further distance the royal family from Andrew’s ties to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.
Earlier this month, he was directed to stop using his title of Duke of York.
The king has now taken tougher measures by removing all of Andrew’s remaining titles, meaning he will henceforth be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
According to the palace, a formal notice has been issued requiring him to surrender the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor Estate. He is expected to relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England.
The decision, which comes as King Charles continues cancer treatment, is seen as one of the most decisive actions taken against a senior royal in modern British history.
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