The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, has condemned in strong terms the reported attacks on journalists who were covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20, 2025. In a statement issued through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, the IPC said the journalists, who were performing their lawful duties, were subjected to various forms of assault — including unlawful arrest, confiscation of equipment, and destruction of property. According to information gathered by the IPC-SPJ Hub, the protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanded the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
A Kenyan entrepreneur, Elly Savatia, has won the prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering for developing Terp 360 — an AI-powered app that translates speech into sign language in real time using 3D avatars. Savatia described his innovation as “Google Translate for sign language,” explaining that Terp 360 converts speech and text into lifelike sign language animations, enabling seamless communication between deaf and hearing individuals without the need for human interpreters. He received £50,000 ($67,000) on October 16 during a ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, emerging winner among four African finalists selected by a…
Kenya Airways has made history by operating Africa’s first intra-continental flight using 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) attributes, marking a major step in reducing the carbon footprint of air travel across the continent. The milestone flight, from Nairobi to Cape Town, was conducted under international standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The SAF attributes are verified through globally recognized certification schemes to ensure traceability and transparency. The fuel—made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) derived from used cooking oil and other waste materials—can cut greenhouse…
In a recent study published today in the European Geosciences Union (EGU) journal Biogeosciences, scientists have confirmed that mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is contaminating food crops not through the soil, as previously believed, but directly from the air. Driven by the surging price of gold, which has increased by more than tenfold since 2000, the rapid expansion of unregulated mining in these regions raises urgent questions about food security, human health, and environmental justice The study, conducted by an international team of scientists led by Excellent O. Eboigbe and David McLagan at Queens University, and Abiodun Odukoya Mary…
For the first time in history, scientists have confirmed the presence of mosquitoes in Iceland — a country long believed to be free of the biting insect due to its cold and unpredictable climate. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History announced the discovery after three mosquito specimens were captured on October 16 in West Iceland. The insects were first noticed by an observant nature enthusiast who posted his find on a Facebook discussion group. Entomologists later identified the species as Culiseta annulata, commonly known as the banded mosquito. This species is well known for its ability to survive in colder…
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have reached a significant technological milestone by successfully testing one of the fastest 6G networks in the world, achieving a peak speed of 145 gigabits per second (Gbps). The trial, conducted by telecom operator e& UAE in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), utilized terahertz (THz) frequencies, marking the first 6G Terahertz pilot in the Middle East and setting a new benchmark for ultra-high-speed wireless connectivity. The test, carried out in controlled conditions, demonstrated the immense potential of 6G technology to enable data transfers at unprecedented speeds. At 145 Gbps, users could…
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, joined world leaders in Rome to commemorate World Food Day 2025 and the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), reaffirming the country’s commitment to innovation, resilience, and partnerships for sustainable food systems. Speaking at the event, Senator Kyari said Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, remains steadfast in advancing agricultural transformation through technology adoption, climate-smart solutions, and inclusive food security strategies. The Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s focus aligns with this year’s World Food Day theme, highlighting the need to build resilient food systems that ensure accessibility,…
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is championing a new home-grown school feeding model designed to ensure that children are fed with nutritious foods produced within their own communities. Dr. Daniel Willy, AATF’s Senior Manager for Policy, Agribusiness and Commercialisation, disclosed this during a panel discussion at the ongoing World Congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) in Kenya. Willy said the model—which could be replicated across African countries—aims to reduce dependence on imported food by sourcing school meals directly from local farmers. He explained that AATF was not introducing a new technology but rather an innovative procurement…
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has revealed that Kenya lost about 20.4 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $158 million) in five years due to delays in adopting biotechnology. Dr. Daniel Willy, Senior Manager, Policy, Agribusiness and Commercialisation at AATF, disclosed this on the sidelines of the ongoing World Congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) in Kenya. He noted that biotechnology remains one of the key scientific tools for improving crop varieties and enhancing food production. “You can use biotechnology, for example, to help crops protect themselves from pests. The application is used in Tella maize (Bt maize),…
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has urged the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), to report science accurately to support Africa’s drive for a food secure and climate resilience future. Dr Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the AATF gave the advice at the opening ceremony of the IFAJ World Congress of Agricultural Journalists 2025, on Wednesday in Kenya. He said that accurate science reporting was crucial, as its impact extended beyond fields and laboratories. Kanangire, represented by Vitumbiko Chinoko, Project Manager, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), AATF, said the convergence of technology, media and innovation offered Africa an unprecedented…