Despite diverse dietary traditions and growing global interest in vegetarianism, African nations notably do not appear among the top countries by percentage of vegetarian population. According to data compiled from various surveys over different years, countries such as India lead the world with an estimated 20-39% of their population identifying as vegetarian. Other countries with high vegetarian populations include Mexico (19%), Taiwan (13-14%), and Israel (13%). European countries also show significant vegetarian populations, with Finland, Sweden, Austria, and several others reporting rates around 10-12%. Australia and Argentina similarly register percentages above 10%. Beyond these regions, the United States and Canada…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Uganda is on the brink of an economic transformation after announcing the discovery of more than 31 million metric tonnes of gold ore, containing over 320,000 tonnes of refined gold. The find, valued at an estimated $12 trillion, ranks among the largest mineral discoveries in modern history. If fully tapped, the reserves could catapult Uganda into the ranks of the world’s leading gold producers, unlocking vast foreign investment opportunities and potentially reshaping global gold markets. Officials say the bonanza offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to overhaul the country’s infrastructure, create jobs, and boost government revenues. However, experts warn that transparent management,…
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a fresh flood alert for 198 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The agency warned of high to very high flood risks between August 7 and August 21, citing rising river levels and persistent rainfall nationwide. The alert, referenced No: 32-25-003-06, was issued on Thursday by NIHSA Director-General, Mr. Umar Ibrahim. It cautioned that over 100 communities and major transportation routes could face severe disruptions during the forecast period. The affected states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi,…
OpenAI released a keenly awaited new generation of its hallmark ChatGPT on Thursday (Aug 7), touting “significant” advancements in artificial intelligence capabilities as a global race over the technology accelerates. ChatGPT-5 is rolling out free to all users of the AI tool, which is used by nearly 700 million people weekly, OpenAI said in a briefing with journalists. Co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman touted this latest iteration as “clearly a model that is generally intelligent”. Altman cautioned that there is still work to be done to achieve the kind of artificial general intelligence (AGI) that thinks the way people…
Recent data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reveals that three African countries—Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria—are among the top 37 nations globally by share of the population using the internet. Leading the global ranking are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both boasting full internet penetration at 100%. Norway follows closely with 99%, while South Korea (98%), Malaysia (97%), Switzerland (96%), and the United Kingdom (95%) also rank high. On the African continent, Egypt is the standout with 72% usage, followed by South Africa at 70%, and Nigeria at 36%. While Nigeria’s penetration rate is lower, its large…
An Abuja-based farmer, Mr. Andrew Nanfwang, has urged the federal government of Nigeria to accelerate nationwide access to TELA maize seeds, following the remarkable performance of the genetically modified (GM) crop on his farm. Speaking during a visit by representatives from several federal agencies, Mr. Nanfwang explained how the drought-tolerant TELA maize variety helped him overcome a prolonged dry spell that affected most maize fields in his area. “This year, we experienced a drought that lasted over three weeks. Most farms in my locality were severely impacted, but my TELA maize withstood the dry spell,” he said. “People constantly stop…
Four Nigerian federal agencies have given a thumbs-up to the performance of genetically modified (GM) maize and cowpea after inspecting demonstration farms in a “Seeing is Believing” tour. The tour was led by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and included officials from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABDA). It was aimed at deepening the agencies’ understanding of GM crop performance and biosafety regulation in Nigeria. Guiding the delegation through the fields, Dr. Yarama Ndipaya of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) showcased the…
Three Nigerian teenagers, Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukaiya Fema, and Hadija Kalli, have been awarded fully-funded scholarships by the Atiku Abubakar Foundation (AAF) in recognition of their exceptional performance at the TeenEagle Global Finals. This is contained in a letter dated August 5, 2025, signed by the Acting Secratey of the Foundation, Prof. Ahmadu Shehu and sighted by ASHENEWS. The trio, who emerged as global champions in different categories of the prestigious international academic competition, were celebrated for their excellence and resilience. The Foundation commended the students for their “remarkable success.” Seventeen-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi particularly stood out for her mastery of the…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to announce plans to launch its long-anticipated single currency, the ECO, by 2027. This initiative will replace the CFA franc—a colonial-era currency printed and regulated in France—marking a symbolic and economic step toward regional integration and greater financial independence for West African nations. ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray highlighted that the ECO’s rollout will begin with member countries ready to meet stringent economic criteria, while offering support to others to catch up. Unlike previous plans that awaited unanimous readiness, this phased approach aims to accelerate the ECO’s introduction as a key…
A growing number of scientists and public health experts are demanding that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. release the scientific data that informed the controversial decision to cancel a $500 million federal investment in next-generation mRNA vaccine research. The abrupt termination of the program—announced with limited detail—has sparked concern and confusion across the scientific community, especially given the central role that mRNA vaccines have played in combating COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. At the heart of the controversy is the lack of transparency surrounding the evidence and deliberations that led to the cancellation. Professor Andrew…