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Worldnews

Easter Truce In Russias Ukraine War Marked By Accusations Of Violations

The 30-hour cessation of hostilities would have been the most significant pause in the fighting throughout the war. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of breaching an “Easter truce” announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine said was being violated from the moment it started. As the brief window drew to a close, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cited a report from military Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskii, noting that “since the beginning of the day [Sunday], the Russian army has violated Putin’s ceasefire more than two thousand times”. The Ukrainian leader said, however, that there had been no air raids sirens or missiles Sunday and proposed that Moscow abandon drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure for at least 30 days. Putin will not be extending the truce, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency earlier on Sunday. The ceasefire expires at midnight (21:00 GMT), with the US Department of State saying it would welcome an extension beyond Sunday. In a surprise announcement on Saturday, Putin ordered his forces to “stop all military activity” along the front line in the war against Ukraine, citing humanitarian reasons. The 30-hour cessation of hostilities would have been the most significant pause in the fighting throughout the three-year conflict. But just hours after the order was meant to have come into effect Saturday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions, with Zelenskyy accusing Russia of having maintained its attacks and engaging in a public-relations stunt. Russia’s Ministry of Defence also alleged on Sunday that Ukraine had broken the truce more than 1,000 times. Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy said, “Overall, as of Easter morning, we can state that the Russian army is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine.” “In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move towards ending the war, and are only interested in favourable PR coverage,” the Ukrainian leader added. According to the Kremlin, fighting stopped at 6pm Moscow time (15:00 GMT) on Saturday until Sunday midnight (21:00 GMT) owing to Easter. But as church bells rang out for Easter services on Sunday, residents in Kyiv expressed doubts whether Russia would observe the brief truce. Natalia Malaieva noted that an air raid alert was heard in Kyiv moments after the truce began. “Missiles and drones flew over. There were explosions caused by missiles,” she said. “What kind of a ceasefire is that?” Olha Malashuk added: “He [Putin] probably wants to rearm the troops … That is why no one believes him anymore.” In a statement on social media on Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces had shot at Russian positions 444 times and it had counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks. It added that the border regions of Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod had come under attack. “As a result, there were deaths and injuries among the civilian population as well as damage to civilian objects,” the ministry said. Quoting a source in “operative services”, the Russian state news agency TASS said at least three blasts were heard in the Budennovsky district of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, which has been under Russia’s control since 2014. The report blamed Ukrainian forces for what it said was an attack carried out during the truce. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. A Ukrainian military spokesperson confirmed that activities on the front lines with Russia had decreased, but the fighting had not stopped. “It is decreasing, but it hasn’t disappeared,” Viktor Trehubov told national television. “To be honest, we didn’t hold out much hope that this would actually happen,” the military spokesperson for Ukraine’s eastern front said. Reporting from Moscow, Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova said both sides were accusing each other, but according to analysts, it is almost impossible to stop all the hostilities immediately. Generally, the situation on the battlefield is much calmer, and the number of attacks has decreased. “The Russian reaction to this ceasefire is very positive,” she added. “People hope that it will last, and analysts also say that Russia and Putin are likely in a favourable position right now for a longer truce and peace negotiations, taking into account Russia’s gains on the battlefield and the efforts by the US side as well,” Shapovalova said. Andrei Fedorov, a former Russian deputy foreign minister, called Putin’s announcement “a pure political step” and said it was taken for both domestic and international reasons. “Easter is one of the main holidays for Russia, and Putin wants to show that he’s following Russian Orthodox Church tradition,” he told Al Jazeera. “At the same time, it’s a very important test for him if Ukraine will do the same, because now when there will be a new stage of talks on Ukraine, [and] it’s very important for Putin to have real arguments that say, ‘look, Ukraine is not following the agreements. Ukraine is breaking down the ceasefire.’” Putin’s announcement came a day after United States President Donald Trump said Washington will “take a pass” on trying to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war if either Moscow or Kyiv makes it too difficult to end it. Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Rosalind Jordan said neither side can currently afford to anger the Trump administration – “especially now that they are saying very publicly here in Washington that they are ready to walk away, even though President Trump has said repeatedly that he is tired of what he calls the ‘carnage’ in the war between Ukraine and Russia”. There has been no reaction from the Trump administration this weekend to developments in the Ukraine war. Vladimir Sotnikov, an associate professor of international relations at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, said he fears Trump has “jumped into” a peace plan that “won’t work in the near future”. “Both sides – Ukraine and Russia – are still very far from sitting down at the table and trying to talk to each other,” Sotnikov told Al Jazeera. “This was also something promised by President Trump,” he said, “but the main problem, actually, is that both sides still have deep mistrust of each other.” Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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Worldnews

LIVE: Israel Kills 32 In Gaza, Two In Lebanon; US Bombs Yemen, Killing 12

Attacks come as the Palestine Red Crescent Society rejects the findings of an Israeli probe into the killings of 15 emergency workers last month. Israeli probe into killing of paramedics in Gaza finds ‘no evidence’ of execution Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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News_Naija

Experts Raise Concerns Over Fake Malaria Drugs

For many Nigerians, malaria and its symptoms are all too familiar and quite predictable. Once the pangs of headache, joint pain and fever are felt, most resort to anti-malarial medications to manage it. Across cities and towns, citizens generally opt for anti-malarial drugs sold over the counter at neighbourhood or roadside pharmaceutical stores, most often without a prescription. In the past year, however, the prices of anti-malarial medications have increased significantly. Findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that anti-malarial drugs now range from N2,500 to N5,000. Malaria has had a long history in some parts of the world. The Chinese, Egyptians and ancient Greeks documented evidence of diseases now believed to be malaria. Until 1880, when French physician Charles Laveran discovered malarial parasites, no one knew the organism responsible for malaria. Before then, it was widely believed that malaria was caused by spoiled air. In modern science, five types of malaria parasites have been identified based on their morphology: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Of the five, Plasmodium falciparum has been documented to cause severe, potentially life-threatening malaria, and it has been responsible for more than 95 per cent of malaria cases in Nigeria. Data from the World Health Organisation revealed that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region. According to WHO’s 2024 World Malaria Report, there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023. This represents about 11 million more cases in 2023 compared to 2022, and nearly the same number of deaths. “Approximately 95 per cent of the deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, where many at risk still lack access to the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease,” the report stated. Since 2015, the WHO African Region has also achieved a 16 per cent reduction in its malaria mortality rate. However, the estimated 2023 mortality rate of 52.4 deaths per 100,000 population at risk is still more than double the target level of 23 deaths per 100,000 population set by the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030. Fake, substandard medicines In November 2024, 44 countries and one territory had been certified malaria-free by the WHO, and many more are steadily progressing towards the goal. Of the 83 malaria-endemic countries, 25 now report fewer than 10 cases of malaria a year, an increase from just four countries in the year 2000. In August 2024, Ministers of Health from 11 African countries that account for two-thirds of the global malaria burden — Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda — signed a declaration pledging to sustainably and equitably lower the disease burden and tackle its root causes. However, there appears to be a challenge confronting the goal to reduce the burden of malaria in the country: the influx of fake drugs and the possible rise in resistance of malaria parasites. On a hot Tuesday afternoon, in a small pharmaceutical store in Gbagada, Lagos, a woman with a little boy strapped to her back approached the pharmacist on duty for an anti-malarial tablet. Mrs Mary Odion had been treating what she believed was malaria in an on-and-off cycle for three weeks. Her son, Dominion, had just recovered from malaria the previous week. “I don’t understand what could be wrong,” she complained. “I treated malaria last month, and now here I am, feeling the symptoms again. It seems as if the kind of malaria we have nowadays is resistant to medicines.” An Ibadan-based accountant, Olayemi Dairo, also complained that he had treated what he was convinced was malaria for several days without any relief. “There was no improvement in my health, and I suspect that the medicines I took were fake. I’ve had to take some herbs because it appears that I’ve been taking coloured chalks all the while,” he said. “I have treated malaria twice this year,” a Lagos-based graphic designer, Seye Ayelabola, told our correspondent. “I was treated by a nurse for typhoid and had to take injections because I don’t know why the malaria returned.” Also sharing an experience he described as “scary,” a business owner, Paul Koboko, said he had purchased an anti-malarial medicine from a reputable store in Lagos during a visit to the country in 2023. “The medicine was produced in India, but after a week of taking it, I developed a horrible skin problem all over my body, which looked like eczema. I was confused. I used various ointments, but to no avail. “It was when I returned to Europe that I went for a laboratory test, and it was discovered that I had hyperpigmentation caused by that anti-malarial drug I took in Lagos. Now, this medicine was cleared by customs for circulation in the cities, but the medicines were most likely fake,” Koboko said. On Tuesday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control raised the alarm over the presence of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets circulating under the brand name Aflotin 20/120 in Nigeria. The agency said on its X handle that the counterfeit product was discovered and reported to it by the genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited, based in Mumbai, India. Aflotin 20/120 tablet is a combination of Artemether and Lumefantrine, and is primarily used for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Similarly, last month, NAFDAC notified the public about the circulation of a confirmed falsified Cikatem (Artemether 180mg/Lumefantrine 1080mg) suspension. “This product was discovered in the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Kano following a consumer complaint received and investigated by the post-marketing surveillance officers of the agency in Kano,” the agency said. The suspension is indicated for the treatment of malaria in children caused by all forms of Plasmodium, including severe malaria. In December 2024, NAFDAC again alerted the public about the sale and distribution of confirmed counterfeit Paludex tablets and suspensions in Nigeria. The products did “not exist on the NAFDAC registered product database, and all NAFDAC registration numbers stated on the products are false.” Renewed war against malaria Over two decades ago, the war against malaria in Nigeria suffered a massive setback when the Plasmodium falciparum parasite developed resistance to chloroquine. This reversed much of the progress achieved in child survival and significantly hampered the country’s efforts to eliminate the disease. In 2005, Nigeria officially changed its recommended treatment for malaria from chloroquine to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy. The shift was prompted by the increasing resistance of malaria parasites to chloroquine and a consequent spike in malaria-related deaths. However, in recent years, the recurring malaria infections experienced by citizens, even after using anti-malarial medicines, have fuelled concerns about the possible emergence of Plasmodium strains resistant to current treatments. Reports of artemisinin-resistant malaria have already emerged from Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos. Similar resistance patterns have also been recorded in parts of Africa. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Chief Executive Officer of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Dr Michael Charles, noted that resistance to malaria drugs is a complex scientific issue that cannot be confirmed without thorough laboratory analysis. “Resistance occurs over a long period when people take fake drugs; when they take medications for malaria when they don’t have it, or even when they have malaria and take the right medications but fail to complete the dosage,” he said. “So, if people claim to be treating malaria and it’s not going away despite using the correct drugs, perhaps what they are treating isn’t malaria at all. I’m not saying there is or isn’t resistance. What I am saying is that to make such a claim in any society or country, there needs to be a scientific test where we assess both the efficacy of the medication and the response of the parasite. “It’s not something a layman can conclude. There has been confirmed resistance to ACTs on the African continent — in East Africa, some parts of South Africa, and even parts of West Africa. Nigeria hasn’t been scientifically proven yet, but that doesn’t mean resistance doesn’t exist. We must be cautious in accepting such claims without scientific proof,” Charles explained. He stressed the need for Nigeria to sustain its fight against malaria, noting that the country currently bears the highest burden of the disease globally, with an estimated 27 per cent of global cases. While this figure is alarmingly high, he urged that Nigeria’s large population — over 200 million — must be considered when interpreting the data. He also pointed to Egypt and Cape Verde as examples of African countries that have achieved malaria-free status. “Defeating malaria is not the responsibility of the health sector alone. We must involve agriculture, education, development, and poverty alleviation,” he stated. “If you look at how malaria is spread, particularly by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water, and then examine Nigeria’s topography, you’ll find rice fields in states like Kebbi that require stagnant water to thrive. “Who is responsible for larval treatment of that water? Is it the Ministry of Health or Agriculture? You have open gutters — who should maintain them? Urban planning or the Ministry of Health? Then there are potholes and the effects of climate change causing more floods and stagnant water. “If we’re approaching malaria elimination solely from a health perspective, we’re doing society a disservice. The Ministry of Health should lead the charge, but other sectors must come on board to ensure that malaria elimination becomes everyone’s priority,” Charles added. Reducing the disease burden Commenting on the cases of malaria resistance, a pharmacist, James Uche, attributed it to people who sometimes use the same type of medication without knowing. “Take, for instance, Coartem is the same drug as Amatem and Lokmal. There are several brands, but they are still Artemether/Lumefantrine. So, when people keep using the same set of drugs, after a while, the parasite will no longer be affected. “The second reason is when people take anti-malarial drugs without actually having malaria. People may have a cold that mimics malaria symptoms, or they have joint pains and fever, and they conclude that they have malaria. “That’s why we have rapid diagnostic tools to confirm if it’s malaria we are treating. But when people use these drugs when they are not supposed to be used, the parasite gains resistance. “Many people also resort to injections, and they sometimes fail. So, a more complex pattern is, after treating the patient with the normal malaria medicine, we then follow them up with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine drugs like Amalar or Fansidar. When we notice the patient is resistant, we can change the drug from SP to P-Alaxin to increase its chances of giving better results. We sometimes use chloroquine also,” Uche told our correspondent. Also speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a Medical Microbiology and Parasitology expert, Dr Ernest Ohanu, noted that studies have indicated a concerning rise in resistance to ACTs, which have been described as “the current gold standard for malaria treatment.” He explained that in several African countries, including Nigeria, researchers have documented delayed parasite clearance, which indicates a tell-tale sign of emerging resistance. “This was compounded by the widespread availability of substandard and falsified antimalarial drugs, which not only failed to cure the disease but also contributed to the selection and spread of drug-resistant parasites. “Treatment failures, often attributed to these factors, fuelled a cycle of drug abuse. Desperate for relief, individuals frequently resorted to self-medication, using incorrect dosages or incomplete treatment courses. “This practice, coupled with the easy accessibility of antimalarial drugs without proper prescriptions, created a fertile ground for the evolution of resistant parasites,” Ohanu noted. He pointed out that for the growing problem of malaria resistance in the country to be tackled, the government and health authorities must take urgent action. The medical expert also called for an improvement in the accurate diagnosis of malaria and its treatment with effective drugs. “Regulatory systems should be strengthened to prevent the sale of substandard or fake malaria drugs. There should also be a promotion of rational drug use. The public should be educated on the proper use of anti-malarial drugs and the dangers of self-medication. “There should be more support for research and development. We need to encourage research into new anti-malarial drugs and vaccines to stay ahead of emerging resistance. “Beyond the immediate medical response, tackling the root causes of drug abuse, such as poverty and limited access to healthcare, is imperative. The battle against malaria resistance is not just a medical challenge; it is a socioeconomic one, demanding a comprehensive and sustained approach,” Ohanu added.

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Futbol

Bayern's Davies Suffers Cruciate Ligament Injury

Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies will be out for "several months" after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee which requires surgery. Davies sustained the injury during Canada's 2-1 Concacaf Nations League third-place play-off win over the United States on Sunday. Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano will also be sidelined for several weeks after picking up a knee problem on international duty with France. "Unfortunately, during international breaks there's always the risk that players will return injured - this time it's hit us particularly hard," said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl. "Our squad is strong and will compensate for these absences. We'll now work even closer together. We have the quality to continue pursuing our big goals." Davies has made 226 appearances for Bayern since joining from Vancouver Whitecaps as a 17-year-old in 2018. The 24-year-old signed a new five-year contract in February to end speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Upamecano has made 147 Bayern appearances since moving from RB Leipzig for a reported 42.5m euros (£38m) in 2021. Vincent Kompany's side are six points clear at the top of Bundesliga with eight games remaining as they chase a record-extending 34th German title. They also take on Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the first leg in Munich on 8 April.