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News_Naija
Delta PDP Defection, A Game Of Survival Dele Momodu
~2.0 mins read
Veteran journalist and politician, Dele Momodu, has reacted to the mass defection of top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a survival tactic rather than a genuine shift in political ideology. Speaking during a live television interview on Channels TV on Wednesday, Momodu said the move did not come as a surprise, noting that Nigerian political history is filled with similar episodes of defections. “I’m a very good student of Nigeria’s political history, so nothing can surprise me about our politicians. “The history of Nigerian politics is replete with stories of defections,” he said. Responding to the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several other key PDP figures to the APC, Momodu said, “What will surprise me is if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes that people are joining APC because they love him or because he’s doing so fantastically well. What people are doing now is a game of survival.” He argued that harassment by anti-graft agencies is pushing politicians to align with the ruling party for protection. “Name one of them who has not been harassed at different times by either EFCC, ICPC, or the Special Fraud Unit. “Gone are the days when we admired the likes of Nelson Mandela, Jomo Kenyatta, MKO Abiola, Chief Awolowo, all of them for going to detention. These days, nobody wants to go to detention. Everybody wants be be at home to enjoy that money they have made in politics,” he said. Momodu added, “This government’s strategy is a carrot and stick. If we can’t persuade you, we can force you. And I think force is working for now.” The defection was officially announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager following a six-hour closed-door meeting at the Government House. “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC. “We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” Manager said. Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, also confirmed the collective decision, citing the need for political alignment to sustain development in the state. “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. “We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party,” Aniagwu stated. He further hinted at a formal public declaration scheduled for the next week, saying, “By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC.”
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News_Naija
Kaduna Community In Shock As Lightning Kills Herder, 12 Cows
~0.9 mins read
The Matuak Giwa community in the Bondon District, Moro’a Chiefdom, in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been thrown into mourning as a lightning strike, on Sunday, killed a herder and 12 cows, PUNCH Metro has learnt. The Village Head of Matuak Giwa, Simon Ayuba, confirmed the incident on Monday, explaining that the young herder was taking shelter from the rain alongside his cattle when the thunderstrike hit, killing them instantly. “The herder, along with 12 cows, died on the spot. It was a tragic occurrence that has left the community in shock,” Ayuba said. The Ardo of Bondon District, Mallam Tanko Isiyaka, also confirmed the incident, disclosing that the deceased herder hailed from Bauchi State. Tanko expressed sadness over the incident and called for prayers and support for the bereaved family. The victim was laid to rest according to Islamic rites, leaving behind a family that will have to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss of their loved one. Our correspondent reports that the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the weather and the importance of taking necessary precautions during storms. It was gathered that the community is still reeling from the shock of the incident, and support is pouring in for the bereaved family.
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Worldnews
Hamas Accuses Trump Of Aiding Israels Netanyahu In Gaza Blockade
~2.2 mins read
Hamas says Trump’s rhetoric helps Israel to tighten Gaza siege, risking starvation for 2.3 million residents. United States President Donald Trump’s repeated threats against Hamas constitute support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to evade the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and intensify the siege of the strip, the Palestinian armed group says. “Trump’s repeated threats against our people represent support to Netanyahu to evade the agreement and tightens the siege and starvation against our people,” Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanou said on Thursday, the Reuters news agency reported. “The best track to release the remaining Israeli prisoners is by … going into the second phase and compelling it [Israel] to adhere to the agreement signed under the sponsorship of mediators,” he said. Al-Qanou’s comments came after Trump issued a flurry of social media posts on Wednesday, demanding Hamas “release all of the hostages now, not later,” including the remains of dead captives, “or it is OVER for you.” “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” he said. “Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!” The posts were sent after a White House spokesperson confirmed that a US envoy held direct talks with Hamas, a move that signalled a departure from a decades-long US policy of not negotiating with the group, which Washington considers a “terrorist” organisation. Egyptian security officials confirmed to Reuters on Thursday that talks between a Trump envoy and Hamas were also attended by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which came into effect in January, calls for the remaining captives held in Gaza to be freed in a second phase of the truce, during which final plans would be negotiated for an end to the war. The first phase of the ceasefire ended on Saturday, and Israel has since imposed a blockade on all goods entering Gaza, demanding that Hamas release the remaining captives without beginning the negotiations to end the war. Palestinians say the blockade could lead to starvation among the 2.3 million people living in Gaza’s ruins. Palestinians in Gaza criticised Trump’s latest remarks, which followed his call for residents of the tiny coastal enclave to be resettled elsewhere and for the territory to be developed as a “Middle East Riviera”. “My house is gone, my work is gone, but I will not allow Trump to displace us,” Mohamed Abou Azb, a resident of Khan Younis, told Al Jazeera. “We’re rooted in this land, rooted in Khan Younis, rooted in Gaza. Our life and death are here. We will not bow to the trivialities being said, and we will not leave Gaza.” Abdallah Abu Rizk, also a resident of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, said Palestinians would never leave. “Over the years, we have remained steadfast in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. We will remain until we die in our land.” Follow Al Jazeera English:...
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Healthwatch
Dengue Fever: What To Know And Do
~5.0 mins read
Black and white art of a mosquito ready to bite against a red background; concept is dengue fever, mosquito-borne illness
Mosquitoes are not just a buzzing summertime nuisance; they can carry serious diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, and Zika. In recent months, the US has seen an unusual spike in the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever.
What is dengue, and where is it occurring in the US? How does it spread? And what steps can you take to protect against this and other mosquito-borne illnesses?

What is dengue and what are its symptoms?

Dengue is a viral disease caused by any of four closely-related viruses: dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4. Not everyone infected with dengue will become sick: only about one in four will experience symptoms that range from minimal discomfort to serious problems. A blood test is used to confirm the diagnosis.
When symptoms do occur, they tend to feel like the flu. The onset of feeling unwell usually begins within two to three days of being bitten by an infected mosquito but can take up to six to nine days, says Dr. Edward Ryan, director of global infectious diseases at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
Seek medical advice if you have recently traveled to an area with a risk of dengue and have a fever (101° F or higher) combined with any of these symptoms:
  • aches and pains (often headache or pain behind the eye or in muscles, joints, or bones)
  • nausea and vomiting
  • a rash (faint red blotches).
  • About one in 20 people who gets sick will develop severe dengue, which requires emergency care. Those at an increased risk for severe dengue include infants a year or younger, pregnant women, adults ages 65 years or older, and those with previous dengue infections.
    Symptoms of severe dengue require immediate medical care. They include:
  • feeling very weak and lightheaded from low blood pressure
  • bleeding from the nose or gums
  • stomach swelling
  • vomiting
  • extreme fatigue.
  • How is dengue treated?

    Dengue is cause by a virus, and no specific medications are available to combat it. Milder dengue symptoms typically last two to seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The symptoms are managed supportively: plenty of fluids, over-the-counter pain medications, and rest.
    Severe dengue usually requires treatment in a hospital with intravenous (IV) fluids. Patients are monitored until their fever breaks and symptoms begin to wane. This usually happens in about three to five days. Recovery at home can last many more days before a person's strength returns.
    "While there are reports of people dying from severe dengue fever, deaths from dengue cases in the US are rare," says Dr. Ryan.

    How does dengue spread?

    The viruses that cause dengue do not directly spread from person to person. Aedes species mosquitoes can become infected with the dengue virus when they bite a person who has the virus. Infected mosquitoes then spread the virus to other people.
    US visitors to high-risk countries may unknowingly bring the virus home with them, giving dengue infection a chance to spread further. For example, an infected person will have dengue virus circulating in their bloodstream for up to one week after being bitten. Let's say the person returns to the US sooner than seven days, where they get bitten by a mosquito. That mosquito in the US now carries the virus and could bite someone else, thereby spreading the infection.

    Where is dengue occurring in the US?

    Most dengue transmission in the United States happens in areas where this illness is already common, such as Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands.
    At this writing, the CDC has reported nearly 3,000 dengue cases in the United States and US territories. States with the highest reported instances include Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and California. (Puerto Rico, which declared a public health emergency in March, had reported almost 1,500 cases by late June 2024.) While US cases are higher than in previous years, they are still low compared to the global incidence of dengue, which hit a record 9.7 million cases in North, Central, and South America during the first six months of 2024.
    It's not clear what has caused the sudden rise in dengue cases. Dr. Ryan says it could be due to several factors, such as higher seasonal travel, more people living closer together in urban settings, and the fact that there are more mosquitoes are carrying dengue.

    Is there a dengue vaccine?

    Currently, there is no widely available dengue vaccine for US travelers. One FDA-approved vaccine, Dengvaxia, protects children ages 9 to 16 from all four types of dengue. It is used only for children who have had a previous infection and who live in areas where dengue is common. However, the vaccine will be discontinued in September 2025, with the final doses expiring in September 2026.

    What steps can you take to prevent dengue?

    The best way to prevent dengue when visiting high-risk areas and after returning home is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Here are some tips from the CDC:
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET; picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States); IR3535; oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or 2-undecanone (plant-derived ingredients); or para-menthane-diol (PMD).
  • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
  • Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin (an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes).
  • Place screens on windows and doors.
  • When traveling, stay in places with air conditioning and screens. Use a bed net if air-conditioned or screened rooms are unavailable or if sleeping outdoors.
  • To prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water around your home, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out outdoor items that hold water. This includes tires, buckets, toys, kid pools, birdbaths, flower pot saucers, or trash containers.
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