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Congo Commences Mpox Vaccination Campaign Amid Outbreak

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Congo Commences Mpox Vaccination Campaign Amid Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo launched a vaccination campaign against mpox on Sunday, following delays due to logistical challenges. The initiative aims to curb an outbreak that has made the country the epicenter of the disease in Africa.

Health officials began administering 265,000 vaccine doses, donated by the European Union and the United States, in Goma and North Kivu province, where healthcare resources have been strained by the surge in cases.

“This vaccination campaign is crucial in our fight against mpox,” said Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, head of Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research. “We’re targeting the most affected areas to halt the spread of this new, more serious strain.”

The DRC has recorded approximately 30,000 mpox cases, accounting for over 80% of all cases and 99% of deaths reported on the African continent this year. More than 850 fatalities have been reported in the country in 2023 alone.

In August, the World Health Organization declared the surge in DRC’s mpox cases a global health emergency. The outbreak involves a new strain, clade 1b, which is considered more severe than the clade 2 strain that triggered a public health emergency in 2022.

“The emergence of clade 1b presents new challenges in containing mpox,” said WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. “Vaccination is a critical tool in our response strategy.”

Mpox, caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals. While primarily affecting the DR Congo, cases have also been reported in countries including Sweden and Pakistan.

As the vaccination campaign progresses, health officials remain vigilant, monitoring its effectiveness against the new strain and working to overcome logistical hurdles in reaching remote areas of the vast country.

Ghana Urges Nationals to Evacuate Lebanon Amid Security Concerns

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Ghana Urges Nationals to Evacuate Lebanon Amid Security Concerns

The Ghanaian government on Friday issued an urgent advisory for all its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, citing rapidly deteriorating security conditions.

In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration expressed grave concern over the ongoing crisis and potential risks to Ghanaians’ safety in the region.

“The security situation in Lebanon has become increasingly unpredictable,” said Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. “We strongly advise all Ghanaian citizens to prioritize their safety and depart as soon as possible.”

The ministry highlighted the limited availability of flights out of Lebanon and urged Ghanaians to take advantage of these opportunities to evacuate promptly.

For those lacking proper travel documents, the government has made provisions for Emergency Travel Certificates, obtainable from the Ghanaian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, or the Honorary Consulate in Beirut, Lebanon.

“We are committed to providing all necessary support to ensure the safe return of our citizens,” Botchwey added.

The advisory comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Lebanon particularly vulnerable to regional instability.

Dr. Kwame Agyeman, a political analyst at the University of Ghana, told the Associated Press, “This move underscores the gravity of the situation in Lebanon. It’s crucial for Ghanaians there to heed this warning.”

Ghanaian authorities are urging citizens to act swiftly to avoid potential emergencies. The government has pledged to assist in facilitating departures and ensuring the well-being of its nationals during this critical period.

Tunisia Holds Presidential Vote with President Saied’s Rivals Jailed

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Tunisia Holds Presidential Vote with President Saied’s Rivals Jailed

Tunisians headed to the polls Sunday in a presidential election where incumbent Kais Saied faces only two opponents after more than 170 political figures were detained or barred from running.

The election comes as the North African nation grapples with economic turmoil and what critics call a severe reduction of democratic rights. Tunisia, once hailed as the Arab Spring’s sole democratic success story, has seen a dramatic shift under Saied’s rule.

“This election marks a critical juncture for Tunisia’s democracy,” said political analyst Fatima Bouslama. “The limited field of candidates raises serious questions about the fairness of the process.”

Saied, 66, who came to power in 2019, has reshaped Tunisia’s political landscape by shutting down parliament and rewriting the constitution, moves that opponents say have eroded democratic gains made since the 2011 revolution.

The president’s challengers include Zouhair Maghzaoui, leader of the Al-Chaab party and a former Saied ally turned critic, and  Ayachi Zammel, a recently imprisoned leader of a small party who has seen a surge in popularity.

Many prominent opposition figures are either in jail or barred from running by an electoral commission handpicked by Saied. An independent court was also stripped of its power to adjudicate election disputes shortly before the vote.

The election is taking place against a backdrop of economic crisis, with Tunisia facing high inflation and unemployment rates. International financial institutions have expressed concern over the country’s economic trajectory.

As Tunisians cast their ballots, observers worry about low turnout and the implications of the election for the country’s democratic future. The results, expected in the coming days, will likely shape Tunisia’s political and economic landscape for years to come.

Two-Year-Old Child Die in Separate Channel Crossing Tragedies

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Two-Year-Old Child Die in Separate Channel Crossing Tragedies

A two-year-old child was crushed to death and three adults likely suffered a similar fate in two separate incidents involving overcrowded migrant boats attempting to cross the English Channel, French officials said Saturday.

The toddler’s body was recovered from a dinghy carrying nearly 90 people that experienced engine failure off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Regional prosecutor Guirec Le Bras said initial information suggested the child was “crushed” to death.

In a separate incident near Calais, three adults — two men and a woman, all around 30 years old — were found unconscious at the bottom of another boat. Pas-de-Calais regional prefect Jacques Billant told reporters they were “probably crushed, suffocated and drowned.”

“These tragedies highlight the ruthlessness of people smugglers,” said Dr. Emma Wilson, a migration expert at King’s College London. “They’re willing to risk lives, including those of children, for profit.”

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the “appalling tragedy” on social media platform X, vowing to “intensify the fight against these gangs who enrich themselves by organizing these deadly crossings.”

His British counterpart, Yvette Cooper, echoed the sentiment, stating, “The gangs do not care if people live or die — this is a terrible trade in lives.”

The incidents bring the death toll for Channel crossing attempts to 51 so far this year, according to French authorities. Despite warnings about the journey’s dangers, crossings have surged since 2018, with over 25,000 migrants arriving in Britain by this route in 2023.

Both French and British governments have pledged stricter measures to curb undocumented migration. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier recently promised a “ruthless” approach to people traffickers, while Britain aims to increase deportations of failed asylum seekers.

france24.com

Pope Names 21 New Cardinals, Expanding Influence on Future Conclave

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Pope Names 21 New Cardinals, Expanding Influence on Future Conclave

Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals on Sunday, significantly expanding the College of Cardinals and further solidifying his influence on the group that will one day elect his successor.

The announcement, made during the Pope’s weekly Angelus prayer, marks a notable shift in the geographical makeup of the College, with a strong emphasis on the Global South.

“This diverse group of new cardinals reflects the universality of the Church,” said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. “It’s a clear signal of the Pope’s vision for a more inclusive and representative Church leadership.”

Among the newly appointed cardinals are several heads of major dioceses and archdioceses in South America, including the Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, Argentina, the Archbishop of Porto Alegre, Brazil, the Archbishop of Santiago, Chile, the Archbishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and the Archbishop of Lima, Peru.

The Pope also made the unusual move of elevating two Vatican officials whose positions don’t typically come with cardinal rank: Rev. Fabio Baggio, head of the migrants section in the Vatican development office, and Rev. George Jacob Koovakad, who organizes papal foreign travels.

In a nod to the ongoing synod on the future of the Church, Francis named Rev. Timothy Radcliffe, a British theologian serving as a spiritual adviser for the meeting, as a cardinal.

The new cardinals will receive their red hats in a consistory ceremony on December 8, coinciding with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which traditionally marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Rome.

With this announcement, Pope Francis has now appointed the majority of cardinals eligible to vote in a future conclave. Vatican statistics show that prior to Sunday’s announcement, 92 of the voting-age cardinals (under 80 years old) were Francis appointees, compared to 24 named by Pope Benedict XVI and six by St. John Paul II.

“This shift in the College’s composition could have significant implications for the direction of the Church in future decades,” noted John Allen, a veteran Vatican analyst. “Francis is ensuring his reform agenda has a strong chance of continuing beyond his papacy.”

Strike on Gaza Mosque Kills 19 as Israel Intensifies Regional Bombardment

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Strike on Gaza Mosque Kills 19 as Israel Intensifies Regional Bombardment

An Israeli airstrike on a mosque in the Gaza Strip early Sunday killed at least 19 people, Palestinian health officials said, as Israel ramped up its bombardment of both northern Gaza and southern Beirut, signaling an escalation in the widening regional conflict.

The strike targeted a mosque near the main hospital in Deir al-Balah, where displaced Palestinians had sought shelter. Hospital records showed all victims were men. In a separate incident, four more people died when a school housing refugees was hit.

“These strikes hit the very places people thought were safe,” said Dr. Adnan Hammad, director of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for civilians to find refuge.”

The Israeli military claimed both strikes targeted militants but provided no evidence to support this assertion.

As Gaza reeled from the latest attacks, Israel launched a new offensive in the northern Jabaliya refugee camp, dropping leaflets urging complete evacuation. “We are in a new phase of the war,” the leaflets warned residents.

Simultaneously, Israel intensified its bombardment of southern Beirut, with Lebanon’s National News Agency reporting over 30 strikes overnight on alleged Hezbollah targets. The assault, the heaviest since late September, struck a gas station near Beirut’s airport and a medical supplies warehouse.

“This escalation on multiple fronts raises serious concerns about a broader regional conflict,” said Middle East analyst Dr. Sarah Kaplan. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, while tensions with Hezbollah threaten to open a new front.”

The Gaza Health Ministry reports nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began last October, with over half being women and children. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, creating a dire humanitarian crisis.

apnews.com

Passenger Lands Plane After Pilot’s Medical Emergency

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Passenger Lands Plane After Pilot’s Medical Emergency

A passenger successfully landed a small plane at a California airport Friday after the pilot became incapacitated due to a medical emergency, federal aviation officials said.

The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 90 was en route from Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas to Monterey Regional Airport in California when the incident occurred, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“The passenger’s quick thinking and composure under pressure likely saved lives,” said aviation expert John Smith. “Such incidents are extremely rare and challenging.”

The aircraft, carrying the pilot and one passenger, was diverted to Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, where the passenger managed to land safely.

Kern Fire Department officials told CBS News affiliate KBAX that firefighters responded to a report of a medical emergency on the plane. Fire crews observed the aircraft approach and land, then “chased” it down the runway in emergency vehicles.

“We were prepared for the worst but amazed by the passenger’s skillful landing,” said Kern Fire Department Captain Mark Johnson.

The pilot, whose condition was not disclosed, was transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The passenger reported no injuries.

The FAA and the National Transportation Security Board have launched investigations into the incident. Authorities have not released the identities of the individuals involved.

Nigerian Anti-Drug Agency Arrests Canadian Woman, Seizes Massive Drug Haul

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Nigerian Anti-Drug Agency Arrests Canadian Woman, Seizes Massive Drug Haul

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Canadian woman for allegedly importing a large quantity of synthetic cannabis and seized millions of opioid pills in separate operations, the agency said Sunday.

Adrienne Munju, 41, was apprehended on October 3 at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport after arriving on a KLM flight from Canada. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said Munju was found with 74 parcels of a potent synthetic cannabis strain known as “Canadian Loud,” weighing 35.20 kilograms.

“The suspect claimed she was recruited online and offered 10,000 Canadian dollars for successful delivery in Lagos,” Babafemi stated. “She said she accepted the offer to pay for her ongoing master’s degree program in Canada.”

In a separate operation, the NDLEA intercepted over 13 million pills of various opioids, including Tramadol and codeine-based cough syrup, at the Onne Port in Rivers State. The drugs, valued at over 9 billion naira (approximately $11 million USD), were discovered in containers from India during a joint examination with Nigerian Customs on October 2 and 3.

Additional seizures included 50 kilograms of Canadian Loud at Lagos’ Tincan seaport, concealed in an imported vehicle, and 38 kilograms of cannabis in Taraba State, hidden in bags of cassava flour. The agency also confiscated 700 liters of “skuchies,” a mixture of local drinks and illicit drugs, in Lagos, and destroyed nearly 10,000 kilograms of cannabis on farms straddling Edo and Ondo states.

“These operations demonstrate our commitment to stemming the flow of illicit drugs into and within Nigeria,” said NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa. “We’re particularly concerned about the influx of synthetic drugs and opioids, which pose significant health risks to our youth.”

The arrests and seizures highlight Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with drug trafficking and abuse. The NDLEA has intensified efforts to intercept shipments at ports and borders while also targeting local production and distribution networks.

As investigations continue, the suspects face potential lengthy prison terms if convicted under Nigeria’s strict drug laws.

punchng.com

Man Accused of Killing Wife, Setting Fire to Home in Lagos, Nigeria

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Man Accused of Killing Wife, Setting Fire to Home in Lagos, Nigeria

A 30-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his newlywed wife to death and setting their home on fire in Lagos State, Nigeria, police said Saturday.

The incident occurred Friday at Amazing Grace Estate in the Ikorodu area, following what authorities described as a heated argument between the couple.

Lagos State Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said in a statement that Motunrayo Olaniyi is accused of stabbing his 25-year-old wife, Olajumoke, multiple times before locking her in a room and setting it ablaze.

“Police from the Ikorodu Division responded to a distress call and extinguished the fire,” Hundeyin said. “They found Olajumoke’s lifeless body with abdominal wounds.”

Olaniyi reportedly inflicted minor wounds on himself after the attack. He was treated at a local hospital before being taken into police custody.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect stabbed his wife during the altercation,” Hundeyin added. The victim’s body has been transferred to Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

The case has shocked the local community and raised concerns about domestic violence. Adebayo Ogunlesi, a neighbor, told the Associated Press, “They seemed like a happy couple. This is devastating for everyone who knew them.”

As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. The incident highlights ongoing issues of domestic violence in Nigeria, where activists have long called for stronger legal protections for victims.

The suspect is expected to face charges of murder and arson. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment under Nigerian law.

Pro-Palestinian Protestor Sets Self on Fire Outside White House During Rally

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Pro-Palestinian Protestor Sets Self on Fire Outside White House During Rally

A man attempted to set himself on fire outside the White House during a Pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday, shocking onlookers and escalating tensions ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Samuel Mena Jr., who describes himself as a “visual storyteller,” was seen igniting his arm in Lafayette Park where protesters had gathered. Bystanders and police quickly intervened to extinguish the flames.

“I’m a journalist, and I said it was okay,” Mena was heard shouting in pain after the incident, according to video footage captured by witness Jessica Costescu.

The shocking act comes days before the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 and led to the ongoing war in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials.

Mena, who claims to be a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, posted a lengthy essay on his website attempting to justify his actions. He criticized “objectivity as it relates to journalism” in coverage of the Gaza war.

Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated, “The safety of protesters and the public is our top priority. We are investigating this incident thoroughly.”

The self-immolation attempt highlights the intense emotions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. It also raises questions about protest tactics and media coverage of the ongoing war.

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