In villages once brimming with life and harvest, silence now hangs in the air. The rhythm of hoes tilling the land, of grain-laden trucks heading to market, and of farmers trading smiles over a good yield is fast becoming a distant memory. Across Nigeria, the agricultural sector, once our pride and provider, is withering under the pressure of climate change, growing insecurity, and government inaction. Today, hunger is no longer just a problem of the poor, it is a growing reality for middle-class families too. A bag of rice, a staple in most homes, now costs more than what a…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
A powerful new report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) has laid bare the extensive and often hidden role of fossil fuels in every stage of the modern food supply chain—from farm to table. Titled “Fuel to Fork: What Will It Take to Get Fossil Fuels Out of Our Food Systems?”, the report reveals that the global food system is not just a victim of climate change, but also a major contributor, responsible for roughly 15% of all fossil fuel use worldwide. The study, released in July 2025, warns that global food chains are dangerously…
Burkina Faso’s transitional government has officially renamed and expanded the country’s regions and provinces, replacing colonial-era names with indigenous ones rooted in local culture and language. The move is to assert national identity and enhance grassroots governance. Following a Council of Ministers meeting held on July 2, 2025, the government announced the creation of four new regions and two new provinces, bringing the total to 17 regions (up from 13) and 47 provinces (from 45). The sweeping administrative reform is aimed at deepening decentralization and aligning the country’s territorial divisions with its cultural heritage. “The renaming and reorganization of our…
A new study published in BMC Public Health has revealed that drinking coffee may help reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. According to the research, individuals who do not drink coffee and sit for six or more hours a day have a 24% higher risk of mortality compared to those who are similarly sedentary but consume coffee regularly. The findings suggest that coffee could play a protective role in counteracting the negative health effects linked to sedentary behavior. Researchers analyzed data from a large population cohort, adjusting for various factors including age, gender, smoking status, physical activity, and…
A group of journalists has committed to supporting the promotion and development of agro-sylvo-pastoral and halieutic (fisheries-related) systems across West Africa and the Sahel. This follows a preparatory meeting held in Lomé, Togo, involving representatives of the emerging Network of Journalists for the Promotion of Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral and Halieutic Systems in West Africa and the Sahel (ReJPAPH-AOS) and officials from the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade in Food and Agricultural Products. During the meeting, participants discussed the final arrangements for the network’s Constitutive General Assembly. This included logistics, participant mobilization, partner engagement, and strategies for long-term institutional support. The Constitutive…
In a world racing to combat climate change, a revolutionary aircraft made history by proving that the sky is no limit for clean energy. Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered aircraft engineered in Switzerland, became the first plane ever to fly around the world without using a single drop of fuel, powered solely by the sun. Flight powered by daylight Piloted alternately by Swiss explorers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the aircraft set off from Abu Dhabi in March 2015 and completed its global journey in July 2016, covering more than 40,000 kilometers. The mission spanned four continents, two oceans, and…
Brazilian researchers have identified a molecule in the venom of an Amazonian scorpion capable of destroying breast cancer cells. This is coming as a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape the future of cancer therapy. The bioactive compound, dubbed BamazScplp1, was isolated from the venom of the Brotheas amazonicus scorpion and shown to induce necrosis in cancer cells, causing them to rupture and die. The findings were recently presented during FAPESP Week France, a major international science and research event. Led by scientists from the Butantan Institute and the University of São Paulo, the study harnessed a cutting-edge technique known as…
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for the urgent cancellation of illegitimate debts, reform of global financial institutions, and greater legislative involvement in Nigeria’s financial decision-making processes. CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), made the appeal during the ongoing Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, Spain. The international event has attracted government officials, civil society leaders, and global advocates discussing sustainable economic solutions for developing nations. Rafsanjani, who also heads Transparency International Nigeria, called attention to what he described as “odious or fraudulent debts”—borrowings made without public consent or transparency—which he said undermine national sovereignty…
U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited his feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk, this time threatening that Musk would “head back to South Africa” if the federal government slashes subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs). Trump’s latest remarks come amid heightened political tensions over the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax and spending package that includes significant cuts to clean energy incentives. The bill, championed by conservative lawmakers, aims to reshape America’s climate and economic landscape by rolling back support for industries such as EVs manufacturing—a move that would directly affect Musk’s Tesla empire. Musk, a vocal opponent of the bill,…
In a newly released list by World Insights, cities across the globe known for their extreme heat have been ranked by the highest temperatures ever recorded, with the United States’ Death Valley taking the top spot. At 56.7°C (134°F), Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, holds the record for the highest temperature ever measured on Earth. The desert location, infamous for its scorching summers, continues to be a benchmark for extreme heat. Coming in second is Kebili, Tunisia, where temperatures soared to 55.0°C (131°F), making it the hottest spot in Africa. The Middle East dominates the list, with Mitribah, Kuwait…