The Assam state of India recorded zero poaching of endangered rhinos in 2022, officials have said. The development is credited to the sincere, concerted, and coordinated efforts of the state’s forest and police departments for zero poaching in 2022 The rhinos are known for their horns that fetch big money because of their supposed medicinal value, for the first time in nearly 45 years in 2022. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said no rhino was poached at Kaziranga, Manas, Orang national parks, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary last year, calling it a landmark. As many as 191 rhinos were poached in…
Author: TheStories
The Burkina Faso’s military junta has expelled France’s ambassador, authorities said Monday. This is coming amid a surge in anti-French sentiment as the West African country moves to develop closer ties with Russia. Government spokesperson, Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo confirmed to the AP that Ambassador Luc Hallade was asked to leave, but provided no further details. The French embassy refused to comment. Hallade’s expulsion comes less than two weeks after the United Nations´ resident and humanitarian coordinator in Burkina Faso, Barbara Manzi, was also declared persona non grata. Burkina Faso has been wracked by violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State…
The Burkina Faso government says it found 28 bodies in northwest Nouna in New Year eve. It further says an investigation is underway as speculation grew over who may be responsible. “The government has been informed of a tragedy that occurred in Nouna, capital of the province of Kossi, during the night of December 30 to 31,” a statement by spokesperson Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo said. The Collective Against Impunity and Stigmatization of Communities (CISC) has denounced “abuses” committed by Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP, army auxiliaries). The statement added that an investigation “was immediately opened…to elucidate the…
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaiye, has called on Nigerians to shun buying and selling of votes as the 2023 general elections drew nearer. The Catholic Bishop made the call in his New Year message titled: “2023: Year of Practical Decision” on Monday, in Ado-Ekiti. Ajakaye said, “as individuals and groups, we must never allow the incessant inglorious vote selling and buying at this year’s elections.” According to the cleric, vote-selling and vote-buying are sins and acts of crimes against humanity. He said citizens must get back their beloved country, Nigeria, from the few, who thought…
Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri has signed the 2023 budget of N389.37 billion into law. He also signed a bill on the state’s Contributory Pension Scheme for civil servants, local government workers, and political appointees. The Speaker of the Assembly, Abraham Ingobere explained that state and local government workers would contribute eight percent of their salaries. He said that the state and local government councils as their employers would contribute 10 percent on their behalf. He disclosed that political officeholders would contribute 10 percent of their salaries. The state and local government councils will contribute 15 percent upon their retirement…
Temperatures reached almost 19°C (66.2°F) in Poland January 1, a new all-time record high. In some parts of the country, the average temperature reached the level set by the state meteorological agency. The figures come after a December that saw temperatures drop below -18°C (-0.4°F) and some of the biggest snowfall in a decade. An official in the Okęcie district of Warsaw recorded a temperature of 18.9°C before noon. It was Poland’s highest-ever, surpassing the 18.6°C recorded in Pszenno in 1999). All around the country, the weather was unseasonably warm, with the state meteorological agency, IMGW-PIB. It noted that temperatures…
I am pained to resume this piece on a sad note. “My darling mother, Eunice O. Adesina passed away today at the age of 92. I am blessed you were my mother. You gave birth to me, nursed me, cared for me, and brought me up. I am forever grateful Mum. So long sweet Mum, greet Dad and sleep well. I love you. Your loving baby, Akins”. This was the announcement made by Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina to the world via his Twitter handle, which indicates his brevity and bravery in handling emergencies. Blessed with famous children including the worthy ambassador…
Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has stressed the need for sustainable peace and unity in the state and Nigeria in general, for an enduring national development. Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum made the call in his New Year message to people in the State. The governor said that peace and unity were the most plausible tools of even national development, without which the country would continue to lag behind. Kebbi State according to him, was among the most peaceful states in Nigeria owing to the disposition of people of the State that peaceful…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted a Brazil returnee, Prosper Agbasi with 105 parcels of cocaine concealed in candies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos on Christmas Day. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested at the ‘D’ arrival hall of the MMIA during the inward clearance of passengers from Sao Paulo, Brazil. He said that the suspect who arrived via Doha on Qatar Airways was intercepted following credible intelligence. “An initial search…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three traffickers with a total of 256 kilogrammes of illicit substances seized from them during interdiction operations in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger. The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that on Dec. 26, a team of NDLEA officers on stop and search duty along the Ilorin-Jebba highway arrested a suspect, Idris Saeed, 19, with 60 blocks of compressed cannabis Sativa, weighing 30kg. He added that operatives in Niger on similar operations along Jebba-Mokwa road also recovered 240…