Connect with us

News

Distribution of HIV drugs in poor countries stopped as Trump freezes foreign aid

Published

on

The distribution of HIV drugs in foreign countries by the U.S. has been paused after President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on foreign aid.

The cuts by the Trump administration affect the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, established by former President George W. Bush. The global health program is credited to have saved more than 25 million lives around the world.

According to reporting by Reuters, the Trump administration ordered contractors and partners who work with the U.S. Agency for Internal Development (USAID) on Tuesday to stop work immediately. In a memo seen by Reuters, the cuts will affect supplies of lifesaving drugs for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis around the globe.

“This is catastrophic,” Atul Gawande, former head of global health at USAID told Reuters. “Donated drug supplies keeping 20 million people living with HIV alive. That stops today.”

Advertisement

The freeze by Trump will make a large impact as the U.S. accounts for 42% of all global aid, according to statistics by the United Nations.

Gawande said that interruptions in the delivery of these drugs will increase the risk of patients getting sick and transmitting the disease to others. He also told Reuters that the notices received by him and other partners would not allow them to distribute these drugs even if they had them in stock.

About 6.5 million orphans and vulnerable children with HIV in 23 countries are slated to be affected by the cuts, according to Gawande.

Trump’s cuts affect other parts of USAID
On his first day in office, Trump ordered a 90-day pause on foreign assistance for “assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy.”

Advertisement

According to Reuters, the incoming Trump administration put about 60 senior career officials at USAID on leave. United Nations figures show that in 2023, the U.S. provided $72 billion in assistance, almost half of all humanitarian aid.

News

Financial infractions: EFCC finally , nabs Aisha Achimugu at Abuja airport

Published

on

By

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.

Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.

Advertisement

The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.

Continue Reading

News

Party Ward Chairman Abducted, Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom

Published

on

By

The Chairman of Ward 1 of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped while traveling along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road.

The incident occurred on Saturday near Sasaro, a location notorious for frequent cases of abduction. Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was reportedly returning to Igarra after visiting Auchi to pick up his children following their holiday break.

According to reports, the assailants initially seized everyone in the vehicle — Olowojoba, his children, and a house help — but later freed the children and the domestic aide, taking only Olowojoba deep into the forest.

A family member speaking with Vanguard on Monday revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release.

Advertisement

The source explained, “Valentine Okasime Olowojoba was returning with his children when he was ambushed and kidnapped around Sasaro. The lack of network service throughout Saturday delayed any contact with the kidnappers until Sunday afternoon.”

“The attackers abandoned the vehicle at the scene and took him away. His brother later confirmed that a N50 million ransom has been demanded. We also heard reports of additional abductions in the same area on Sunday,” the source added.

Efforts to reach the Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.

Vanguard

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Court dismisses N1bn suit against Buhari, Emefiele, CBN

Published

on

By

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion suit instituted against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the hardships that trailed the 2023 Naira redesign policy.

The judge threw out the suit instituted by an Abuja based legal practitioner, Uthman Isa Tochukwu on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution of the case.

In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ekwo said that he was convinced that the plaintiff had deliberately abandoned his own case due to his persistent absence in court without legal representation and any explanation.

The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023 had dragged the former President, Attorney General of the Federation, former governor of the CBN, CBN and two commercial banks before the court claiming that they inflicted series of hardships on him during the redesign of the Naira.

Advertisement

In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff alleged that his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and dignity of his person were violently breached.

Specifically, the legal practitioner claimed his movement was curtailed while his money in the two commercial banks could not be assessed during the hardship occasioned by the redesign of the Naira in January and March 2023.

He therefore prayed the court to award N1 billion damages against the defendants to be paid to him for the breach of his fundamental rights.

However, at Monday’s proceedings, both the plaintiff and his counsel were not in court and did not offer any excuse for their absence.

Advertisement

Counsel to the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and CBN) Mr Chikelue Amasiani drew the attention of Justice Ekwo to the persistent absence of the plaintiff and his counsel in court during past proceedings.

He prayed the judge to strike out the suit and that the plaintiff can come back to revive the case when ready to show seriousness.

In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the lawyer and struck out the suit.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News