China has made a groundbreaking leap in naval aviation with the successful development of the world’s first high-speed, jet-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone. Spearheaded by aerospace engineers at Beijing’s prestigious Beihang University, this advanced unmanned aircraft can be launched from virtually any Chinese naval vessel—including destroyers, frigates, and amphibious ships—without requiring a traditional runway. This innovation essentially transforms every warship into a mini aircraft carrier, dramatically expanding China’s naval aviation capabilities. Developed over a span of more than ten years by associate professors Wang Yaokun and Qiu Yuting, the VTOL drone addresses longstanding challenges in shipborne aviation by…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Nigeria, once again, stands at a defining crossroads. Two seemingly separate events— the arrest of two of the country’s most-wanted militant leaders and the government’s approval of a $2.6 billion electricity sector debt-refinancing plan—together reveal the nation’s ongoing struggle with two critical challenges: security and infrastructure stability. These are not isolated battles; they are intertwined wars for the soul, growth, and dignity of our nation. Security: A breakthrough, but not yet victory The capture of militant commanders such as Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri represents a symbolic triumph. For too long, Nigerians have lived under the shadow…
In 2018, Lulu Jemimah, a 32-year-old Ugandan student at Oxford University, took the bold step of marrying herself—a decision that has captured global attention for its message on independence and societal expectations. Growing up in Uganda, Jemimah faced relentless questions from family and community members about when she would marry and start a family—a common pressure for women in her home country. On her 32nd birthday, tired of the constant reminders, Jemimah organized a wedding ceremony in Kampala. Wearing a wedding gown and walking down the aisle, she informed her guests that the wedding involved no groom: she was marrying…
Delegates from Global South member states and civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged negotiators at the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2) in Geneva to adopt a robust, legally binding treaty that mandates significant cuts in plastic production. The call came as negotiations entered a crucial phase, with countries and stakeholders pressing for strong measures to tackle the plastic pollution crisis that is threatening ecosystems, human health, and the global climate. Representatives of the Global South stressed that their regions bear the heaviest burden of plastic pollution, despite contributing the least to global production and consumption. They argued…
How Nigeria’s security forces tracked, cornered, and arrested two of the world’s most wanted terrorists has been revealed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in what authorities described as one of the most decisive blows against the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru group since its emergence in 2012. National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, said at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday that the arrests of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, popularly known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda, were the result of a months-long, intelligence-driven operation carried out between May and July 2025. “These two men…
Efforts to finalize a global treaty to combat plastic pollution stalled in Geneva after 10 days of intense negotiations, with delegates failing to reach consensus on a draft text. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), tasked with developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, adjourned its resumed fifth session (INC-5.2) on Friday without agreement, but pledged to continue talks at a later date. The meeting drew more than 2,600 participants to the Palais des Nations, including 1,400 government delegates from 183 countries, representatives from over 400 organizations, and nearly 70 ministers and vice ministers. Despite the broad turnout, sharp divisions…
In a remarkable display of sibling unity and academic achievement, triplet sisters Maile, Ke’ale, and Makana Young recently graduated summa cum laude from San Diego State University, each earning a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing and Communications. The siblings, hailing from Oakland, California, not only pursued the same major but also minored in Interdisciplinary Studies, and took all of the same classes throughout their college journey. Built-in study buddies and shared motivation From their earliest days, the Young sisters have experienced nearly every milestone together — the same schools, sports, and social circles. Attending college together ignited what they described as a “healthy,…
Kaduna State has taken another decisive step towards achieving universal health coverage with the official launch of Identity Card distribution to 15,000 vulnerable persons under the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme. The flag-off ceremony, held Friday at Hotel Seventeen, brought together development partners including UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), alongside state commissioners, senior government officials, and traditional rulers led by the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli. Beneficiaries drawn from across the state were also in attendance. Representing Governor Uba Sani,…
On March 30, 1867, the United States (US), in its move to expand the American territory, officially agreed to purchase Alaska from the Russian Empire for $7.2 million. It was a move hailed by some as visionary and ridiculed by others as a waste of public funds. The treaty, signed today by U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and Russian Minister to the United States Eduard de Stoeckl, transfers approximately 586,000 square miles of land from Russian to American control. The payment, equivalent to about two cents per acre, will be made in gold. Russia, facing financial strains and…
As of May 2, 2025, the global rankings of gold reserves by country reveal the United States firmly holding the top spot with 8,133 tonnes of gold. This is more than double the reserves of the second-place country, Germany, which holds 3,351 tonnes. Italy and France follow closely with 2,452 and 2,437 tonnes respectively, making up the top four leading gold reserve nations globally. Among these global contenders, only three African countries made it onto the list of notable gold reserves by tonnes, highlighting the continent’s growing yet still limited representation in this key economic indicator. These countries are Algeria,…