17-year-old boy arrested for impregnating 10 women

 The young man had been hired to produce women and children in a factory to produce children for sale.

To listen in English click here: https://youtu.be/rD444pGyYPo

• More than 10 women were rescued in the police operation, already pregnant.

• The illegal factory to produce children for commercial purposes was raided by the police after being tipped off by the citizens.

A 17-year-old boy is reported to have been detained by the police in Nigeria for impregnating more than 10 women.

According to a Nigerian news agency, PUNCH, the Rivers State Police Command in Nigeria uncovered and shut down the operation of a baby factory in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of the state.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal operation and ten pregnant girls have been rescued.

According to the police, the teen and 29-year-old Chigozie Ogbonna were recruited by this group which opened a factory to produce children for commercial purposes.

"The leader of the syndicate, Peace Alikoi who is 40 years old, would then take care of the children and pay the mothers N500,000 (KES 138,406). Some babies were also sold. The police have also arrested 30-year-old Favor Bright in connection with the operation," Punch reported.

The police were tipped off about the operation and acted quickly based on the information and raided two houses of the Igwuruta and Omagwa communities where the victims were kept.

The victims, most of whom were pregnant, were rescued and taken into custody for further investigation.

The police have also found a Honda Pilot Jeep from the leader of the syndicate. "All the victims admitted that they were lured into child trafficking because of the need to face some financial challenges," Iringe-Koko, the police coordinator told Punch.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department and efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the buyers of children who have already been sold.

"We will not rest until all those involved in this heinous act are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions," Iringa-Koko added.

Meta To Restore Donald Trump’s Instagram And Facebook Account Two Years After Ban

 Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) said Wednesday it will reinstate former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks, following a two-year suspension after the deadly Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021.

The restoration of his accounts could provide a boost to Trump, who announced in November he will make another run for the White House in 2024. He has 34 million followers on Facebook and 23 million on Instagram, platforms that are key vehicles for political outreach and fundraising.

His Twitter account was restored in November by new owner Elon Musk, though Trump has yet to post there.

Free speech advocates say it is appropriate for the public to have access to messaging from political candidates, but critics of Meta have accused the company of lax moderating policies.

Meta said in a blog post Wednesday it has “put new guardrails in place to deter repeat offenses.”

“In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation,” wrote Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, in the blog post.

The decision, while widely expected, drew sharp rebukes from civil rights advocates. “Facebook has policies but they under-enforce them,” said Laura Murphy, an attorney who led a two-year long audit of Facebook concluding in 2020. “I worry about Facebook’s capacity to understand the real world harm that Trump poses: Facebook has been too slow to act.”

The Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP, Free Press and other groups also expressed concern Wednesday over Facebook’s ability to prevent any future attacks on the democratic process, with Trump still repeating his false claim that he won the 2020 presidential election.

Others said it was the right decision.

Jameel Jaffer, executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and a former ACLU official, defended the reinstatement. He had previously endorsed the company’s decision to suspend Trump’s account.

“The public has an interest in hearing directly from candidates for political office,” said Jaffer. “It’s better if the major social media platforms err on the side of leaving speech up, even if the speech is offensive or false, so that it can be addressed by other users and other institutions.”

The decision to ban Trump was a polarizing one for Meta, the world’s biggest social media company, which prior to the Trump suspension had never blocked the account of a sitting head of state for violating its content rules.

The company indefinitely revoked Trump’s access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts after removing two of his posts during the Capitol Hill violence, including a video in which he reiterated his false claim of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.

It then referred the case to its independent oversight board, which ruled that the suspension was justified but its indeterminate nature was not. In response, Meta said it would revisit the suspension two years after it began.

Meta’s blog post Wednesday suggested it may reactivate other suspended accounts, including those penalized for their involvement in civil unrest. The company said those reinstated accounts would be subject to more stringent review and penalties for violations.

Whether, and how, Trump will seize upon the opportunity to return to Facebook and Instagram is unclear.

Trump has not sent any new tweets since regaining his account on Twitter, saying he would prefer to stick with his own app Truth Social. But his campaign spokesman told Fox News Digital last week that being back on Facebook “will be an important tool for the 2024 campaign to reach voters.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump responded to his reinstatement on Meta apps, saying: “Such a thing should never again happen to a sitting President, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution!” He did not indicate if or when he would begin posting on Meta platforms again.

Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat who previously chaired the House Intelligence Committee, criticized the decision to reinstate him.

“Trump incited an insurrection,” Schiff wrote on Twitter. “Giving him back access to a social media platform to spread his lies and demagoguery is dangerous.”

Source: Reuters

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Nine Palestinians Killed In Israeli Raid In Jenin

 Nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, have been killed in an Israeli military raid in the occupied West bank, Palestinian officials say.

The Palestinian health minister warned that the situation was “critical” in Jenin, with many other people injured and ambulances unable to reach them.
The children’s ward of a local hospital was hit by Israeli tear gas, she said.

Israel’s military released few details, but Israeli media said it had acted to foil “a major attack” by militants.

The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they were battling Israeli troops in the flashpoint town, where there have been repeated Israeli raids.

Tensions have recently risen in the West Bank as the Israeli military continues what it describes as an anti-terrorism offensive.

At least 29 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank so far this year, including militants and civilians.

Last year, more than 150 Palestinians were killed, nearly all by Israeli forces, while a series of Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis, as well as militant gunfire at troops during arrest raids, killed more than 30 people, including civilians, police and soldiers

Source: BBC

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India celebrates Republic Day, Egyptian leader attends parade

India marks its 74th Republic Day on a revamped ceremonial boulevard in the capital, with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as a guest of honour.

India is celebrating its 74th Republic Day on a revamped ceremonial boulevard in the capital, with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as a guest of honour.

Tens of thousands of people endured a winter chill and mist on Thursday as they gathered to watch a parade in New Delhi, showcasing the country’s defence capability and cultural heritage.

The public holiday marks the anniversary of India officially adopting its constitution and becoming a sovereign republic in 1950, three years after it gained independence from British rule.

Several thousand people, braving the cold on a foggy morning in New Delhi, watched the parade from their seats around Kartavya Path – or path of duty – while millions more watched on television.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Indian PM Narendra Modi leave after the Republic Day parade in New Delhi

Accompanied by marching bands, troops from the country’s military, border and police forces paced in perfect synchronisation towards the dais where India’s President Droupadi Murmu took the salute.

Her Egyptian counterpart el-Sisi, in a blue suit and matching tie, looked on as he was flanked by Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wore a saffron-and-yellow-coloured turban.

The country’s rich and diverse heritage was showcased in vibrant tableaux from different states and ministries, highlighting the central theme of “nari shakti” or women power.

The army’s tableaux comprised only locally-made weapons, reflecting India’s drive to become more self-reliant in the defence sector.

In recent years, tableaus by states governed by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have mostly included Hindu supremacist symbols and narratives.

One such tableau by the northern Uttar Pradesh state – India’s most populous with 200 million residents – had a religious festival in the temple town of Ayodhya as its theme. It was in this town that a Mughal-era mosque was demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992, triggering deadly nationwide riots.

The event climaxed with a flypast by 45 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, with French-made Rafales, Russian-made Su-30s and the Indian-made Tejas fighter jets putting on an impressive aeronautical display.

But foggy weather spoilt the spectacle, as people struggled to catch a glimpse of the aircraft roaring overhead.

Earlier in the day, Modi, accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the service chiefs, paid homage to martyred soldiers at the National War Memorial in the capital.

“The day is special this year because we are celebrating it during the Amrit Mahotsav of independence,” Modi tweeted in Hindi, referring to how his government has branded the 75th anniversary of India’s freedom.

El-Sisi, who is on a three-day visit to India, became the first Egyptian president to be invited for the Republic Day celebrations.

On Wednesday, the Egyptian leader congratulated the Indians and said it was a “great privilege” to be the guest of honour on “such a glorious national day”.

“The relations between Egypt and India have been characterised by balance and stability. We have only seen constructive development. We have been all along evolving very positively,” he said.

This year, India and Egypt, who are longtime trade partners, are seeking closer ties, mainly on security.

Indian media reports said Thursday’s parade also included a march by a 144-member contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Reports also said the special forces of the two nations will later hold joint military exercises in the cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur in the desert state of Rajasthan in western India.

Egypt is dependent on food imports from Russia and Ukraine which have become uncertain since the war started nearly a year ago.

Last year, Cairo ordered large imports of wheat from India to rein in its food prices.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

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Nine Palestinians Killed In Israeli Raid In Jenin

 Nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, have been killed in an Israeli military raid in the occupied West bank, Palestinian officials say.

The Palestinian health minister warned that the situation was “critical” in Jenin, with many other people injured and ambulances unable to reach them.
The children’s ward of a local hospital was hit by Israeli tear gas, she said.

Israel’s military released few details, but Israeli media said it had acted to foil “a major attack” by militants.

The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they were battling Israeli troops in the flashpoint town, where there have been repeated Israeli raids.

Tensions have recently risen in the West Bank as the Israeli military continues what it describes as an anti-terrorism offensive.

At least 29 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank so far this year, including militants and civilians.

Last year, more than 150 Palestinians were killed, nearly all by Israeli forces, while a series of Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis, as well as militant gunfire at troops during arrest raids, killed more than 30 people, including civilians, police and soldiers

Source: BBC

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Nigerians question Tinubu’s election sabotage claims

 Nigerians have questioned why presidential candidate Bola Tinubu is making claims that powerful people are trying to sabotage his electoral chances.

Nigerians go to the polls on 25 February, with Mr Tinubu standing as the presidential candidate for the governor APC party.

Speaking to a crowd on the campaign trail in Ogun state on Wednesday, Mr Tinubu said that a fuel shortage in the country as well as moves by authorities to ban old naira notes as legal tender, in favour of newly designed notes, at the end of the month were covert attempts to stop him from becoming president.

President Muhammadu Buhari says the introduction of new notes will help to tackle corruption, counterfeit money and the illicit hoarding of cash.

Mr Tinubu then accused authorities of “hiding” the fuel and the naira notes, but said his supporters would still vote and so he would win.

However, people are questioning what a change in the naira design has to do with Mr Tinubu winning the presidency.

In previous Nigerian elections there have been cases of politicians paying people to vote for them.

“This is quite major,” broadcaster Ayo Mairo-Ese said on Arise News. “How does the redesigning of the naira or the unavailability of the naira affect his particular campaign, or the presidential election?” Ms Mairo-Ese asked.

“We have 18 presidential hopefuls. Why is it only the APC presidential candidate that is worried about the redesigning of the naira and saying that it is an act to sabotage his campaign? That’s a question that he must answer.”

Mr Tinubu has always denied allegations of corruption and vote-buying made against him and says those accusing him of wrongdoing are just jealous of his wealth and success.

He has been a longstanding figure in Nigerian politics for decades and assisted in President Buhari winning office.

Source: BBC

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Top 10 African countries with the highest economic prospects for 2023

 A number of economic challenges in 2022, including a weakened external demand, high inflation rates, and tightening global financial conditions brought about a decline to the economic growth of the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region to 3.4%.

2022 marked a commercially turbulent year for Africa owing to domestic and international economic deterrents. Issues such as food and energy inflations were partly catalyzed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict taking place on the other side of the world.

The cost of living, food insecurity, energy scarcity and more became major crises in numerous regions across the continent, and experts seem to think that these complications may persist.

A number of global economic forecasts from world renowned economists or economic organizations has shown that the year 2023 may be marred by a global recession, a sentiment the World Bank seems to share.

An extract from the institution’s latest Global Economic Prospect report, which the World Bank notes is subject to frequent updates, reads, “growth in 2023-24 is projected to remain below long-term averages in several economies as cost-of-living increases and tighter policies continue to dent domestic demand. Subdued growth will make it difficult to reverse increases in food insecurity and poverty.”

In vastly rich countries like Angola, South Africa and Nigeria, the World Bank has projected that growth would decelerate to 2.8%, 1.4% and 2.9% respectively.

Regardless, the bank has also foreshadowed that elsewhere in the SSA region growth is estimated to strengthen to 5.0% on average in 2023-24, slightly below the June forecast, despite over 60% of countries in SSA already being in, or at high risk of debt distress.

The report further goes on to relay that Capital flows to SSA are expected to remain weak amid sharply increased credit risks, as soaring borrowing costs exacerbate debt sustainability concerns across the region.

With these nuances that both show that Africa could stay afloat despite the despondent forecasts, and maybe affected by the predicted global recession, it is evident that some countries in the region would fare better than others during the 2023 fiscal year, and according to the World Bank’s report, some regions would actually experience a growth in their economy.

Save Mauritius, all the countries on this list have been projected to perform better, economically, in 2023 than they did last year.

On that note, below are the top ten SSA countries with the highest economic prospects for 2023 according to the World Bank:

Source: africa.businessinsider

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Raila refuses to recognise Ruto’s presidency in Kenya

 Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has said his political coalition does not recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya and declared the new Kenyan government as “illegitimate”.

Mr Ruto beat him in last August’s poll, but Mr Odinga – who appeared at Nairobi’s Kamukunji Stadium along with his running mate Martha Karua, and other allies – repeated claims that the results were manipulated. Claims that had already been rejected in court.

He declared that he and his movement “reject the 2022 election result totally”, which was received with great cheers and applause from an adoring crowd.

“We cannot and we don’t recognise the Kenya Kwanza regime,” he continued.

The 2022 election was Mr Odinga’s fifth attempt at the presidency, but he was beaten by Mr Ruto who was declared winner in the absence of four election commissioners who dissented and accused the commission chairman of delivering what they called “opaque” results.

Mr Raila then rejected the results and took the case to court .

But the Supreme Court upheld Mr Ruto’s victory. The aftermath has been dramatic with accusations and counter accusations.

Election chief Wafula Chebukati has claimed he was under intense pressure from unspecified forces to announce different results, and most recently, President Ruto sensationally said there had been an assassination plot against Mr Chebukati.

Some of Mr Odinga’s partners in his Azimio Coalition have since decamped and declared their support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Others have remained steadfast with him in this renewed fight for what they call electoral justice.

The next general election is four years away, however the main opposition is already calling for sweeping electoral reforms, and is calling for the current administration to leave office.

Source: BBC

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South Africa opposition holds protest over power cuts

 South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is holding a march in Johannesburg to protest against worsening power cuts across the country.

The march is heading towards the headquarters of the governing party, the ANC.

The regular blackouts have been blamed on the government’s poor management of the power utility, Eskom, and an aging fleet of coal-fired stations.

“This is an ANC-created problem,” chanted a speaker from a makeshift podium set up in the Johannesburg city centre – where thousands of DA supporters have gathered.

Many are carrying placards written “enough is enough”.

The crowds will walk through the city’s streets to the ANC’s Luthuli House offices.

The DA says the ANC-led government is to blame for the persisting power crises.

South Africa has been experiencing regular blackouts since last year, leaving homes, hospitals and businesses in the dark for several hours each day.

There have been small pockets of unrest as a result, but this appears to be the largest demonstration in recent months.

The blackouts, known locally as “load shedding”, are carried out by energy utility Eskom – supposedly to keep the grid from collapsing.

Source: BBC

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Malawi cholera death toll passes 1,000 as outbreak spreads

 Cases have risen to 30,621, the highest on record, as Malawi suffers its worst cholera outbreak in 20 years.

Malawi’s worst cholera outbreak on record has left more than 1,000 people dead even as cases have reached 30,621, health minister Khumbize Chiponda has said.

The death toll announced on Tuesday breached a grim milestone and surpassed the largest recorded outbreak, which killed 968 people between 2001 and 2002, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Chiponda on Wednesday called on people to take extra care handling the bodies of cholera victims before funerals.

“People who are dying from cholera may be washed by family members who then prepare funeral feasts… outbreaks of cholera commonly follow these feasts,” she said.

Chiponda also urged people to use proper decontamination procedures with chlorine and plastic body bags.

Most of the deaths occurred in the two main cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre where children have recently gone back to class after schools delayed opening to try and contain the spread.

A cholera patient inside an isolation ward at the Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe 

Cholera regularly hits the southern African country during the rains from November to March, with deaths usually hovering around 100. But there was an unusually high surge in contaminations during and after the festive season in 2022.

In November 2022, Malawi received nearly three million doses of oral cholera vaccine from the United Nations to step up its immunisation campaign but case numbers continue to rise.

Health ministry spokesman Adrian Chikumbe told AFP that all doses had been used.

He added that “the fact that there is only one cholera vaccine manufacturer worldwide makes it difficult to acquire the life-saving drug”, creating competition between countries in need.

Cholera, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is contracted from a bacterium that is generally transmitted through contaminated food or water.

George Jobe, director of the nonprofit Malawi Health Equity Network, told AFP news agency that myths and misinformation spreading online were worsening the already dire situation.

“Most people don’t believe we have cholera,” he said. Additionally, “some religions do not permit their [sick] members to go to the hospital.”

In September, the WHO warned that after years of decline, there was a “worrying upsurge” in cholera outbreaks globally, with climate change adding to traditional triggers such as poverty and conflict.

The disease affects between 1.3 million and four million people worldwide each year, causing up to 143,000 deaths.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

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