Nigeria CDC confirmes 21 monkeypox cases this year
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday reported that it can confirm that 21 people have been infected with the monkeypox disease this year, with only one death so far.
The virus, which is common to the tropical regions of West and Central Africa, specifically Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has gathered so much media attention after more than 200 suspected and confirmed cases were detected globally.
At present, over 19 countries have reported mild or severe cases of the virus. Most of these countries are in Europe, with no deaths reported so far.
According to Reuters, the NCDC said that “out of 61 suspected cases of monkeypox reported since January, 21 have been confirmed with one death, that of a 40-year-old man.” “The cases were reported in nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. ”
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Sunday, May 29, arrested the former governor of Zamfara State, Abdullaziz Yari, for his involvement in the Accountant-General of the Federation’s N84 billion in stolen funds, for which he has been detained.
The former governor, who has been in a power tussle with the incumbent governor of Zamfara State, was arrested alongside the managing director of Finex Professional.
Information from the anti-graft agency reveals that the former governor received the sum of N22 billion out of the N84 billion stolen.
Apparently, sources at the EFCC revealed that the governor received that sum through Finex Professional company, with the transaction description not clear.
Read also; How Obasanjo’s third term agenda collapsed in Port Harcourt – Eyo Ekpo
Liberation of Donbas is an ‘unconditional priority’ for Russia – Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that the “liberation” of the “Russian-speaking” region of Donbas is an “unconditional priority” for Moscow, while other Ukrainian territories are at liberty to decide their fate.
According to Reuters, Lavrov, who was in an interview with France TF1 television, said that Russia was continuing its offensive to liberate the Donbas region from the Neo-Nazi Ukrainian Kyiv government.
The Donbas which is the industrial heartland of Ukraine, is controlled by separatist groups such as the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic, has experienced intense fighting with Russia, hoping to not only hoist its flag on the region but to install its administration on the region.
Lavrov claimed that Russia’s invasion was a special military operation to not only remove threats from the Neo-Nazi-led central government but also to demilitarise Ukraine. The West regards this claim as unfounded.
“The liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, recognised by the Russian Federation as independent states, is an unconditional priority,” Lavrov said.
Qatar exports surge as demand for gas climbs on Ukraine war
As the Russian-Ukraine war enters its fourth month, Qatar has reported that its export earnings jumped to one of its highest points ever following an increased demand for its liquefied natural gas.
The country, which is the world’s biggest producer of liquefied natural gas, has enjoyed a huge jump in demand for its gas, thus driving its exports to levels never witnessed in the past.
According to Bloomberg, the money received from goods sold increased by 34.2 billion riyals ($9.35 billion), or 91.6 percent, to 43.5 billion riyals ($11.9 billion), up from 21 billion riyals a year ago.
Meanwhile, Europe is working really hard to stop buying gas from Russia by seeking to enter into negotiations with countries that have the potential and capacity to supply enough liquefied natural gas.
According to information, imports of liquefied natural gas from Qatar and the US, the world’s largest exporters, are a key part of the solution to “dissociate the continent of Europe from Russian gas”.
The top export countries for Qatar are China, with 6.6 billion riyals, followed by India and Japan.
Revenue from energy exports up 60% says Iran foreign ministry
Iran’s foreign ministry reported a 60 percent increase in export earnings between March 21 and May 21, 2022, due to increased demand for crude oil, natural gas, gas condensate, and petrochemicals.
The ministry said that this news was provided and confirmed by the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran.
According to Ali Forouzandeh, the director of public relations at the Ministry of Petroleum, said: “export revenues from petrochemicals increased to $2.45 billion in the first two months of the current”.
Forouzandeh believes that global supply disruptions brought about by the current Russia-Ukraine crisis played a great role in driving export earnings for the country higher.
