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Year: 2018

Pacific 

UN urges ‘restraint’ in Bangladesh’s post-parliamentary election violence

Global Author
“We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election-day,” said the UN Spokesperson’s office in a statement, which also welcomed the opposition’s participation “for the first time in 10 years.” According to news reports, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the election in a landslide victory, giving her a third… Read More
Europe 

UN refugee agency presses States to aid 49 refugees stranded on Mediterranean

Global Author
An NGO (non-governmental organization) Vessel called The Sea Watch 3 has been carrying 32 people since 22 December, while another 17 were rescued by the Sea Eye on 29 December. With rough seas expected “in coming hours” as of Monday morning, the agency reported that conditions on the boats are likely to deteriorate in this situation where “time is increasingly… Read More
Baptism Deaths Nigeria News and Headlines OP-ED 

African Baptism Deaths: Where Was the Christian God?

Leo Igwe, , ,
In 2018, two cases where people died in the course of baptism should serve as some food for thought to African believers. In fact, the two incidents should get Africans to rethink their faith in God, at least in the Christian god. Let’s examine these cases. The first case happened in Ethiopia. According to a BBC report, a crocodile jumped and… Read More
Hisbah Nigeria News and Headlines OP-ED 

Hisbah: Between Sharia Implementation or State-based Islamic Terrorism

Leo Igwe, , , , ,
 By Leo Igwe The Nigerian nation-state is under assault from jihadist groups on two main fronts. First, on the non-state axis, this onslaught is embodied in the activities of Boko Haram and other extremist organizations, that are campaigning to impose their own version of sharia law and the Islamic state. Then on the state front, Islamic extremism is typified in… Read More
Pacific 

UN calls for ‘peaceful, credible and inclusive’ election in Bangladesh

Global Author
Beset by millions of bamboo-chomping beetles, almost every shelter in the vast Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh, needs replacing. With just over four months to go until the beginning of the monsoon season, the race is on for IOM, the United Nations migration agency which is managing the camp, to provide families living in the worst-affected temporary… Read More
Pacific 

Indonesian tsunami death toll climbs over 400 as Government-led relief efforts are stepped up

Global Author
The UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, is reporting that as of Wednesday, according to the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), 430 people are dead, 1,495 injured, and 159 are missing. An estimated 22,000 people are displaced due to shelter damage and the latest tsunami alert. Damages include some 924 houses, 73 hotels and villas, 60 shops, 434 boats and… Read More
Does Africa Need a Religious Reformation? Africa World 

Does Africa Need a Religious Reformation?

Leo Igwe, , , ,
By Leo Igwe Africa’s religious landscape is changing very rapidly, in various ways. These changes include the introduction of new religions and adjustments in the modes of worship as well as the personalities that are revered. Transformations in Africa’s religious situation also took a dramatic turn – a more global dimension following the advent of Christian and Islamic missionizers. These… Read More
Pacific 

Afghanistan: UN ‘unequivocally condemns’ attack in Kabul

Global Author
“These attacks cause untold human suffering to Afghan families,” Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA said on Tuesday. Dozens were reportedly injured during the attack on a government ministry building that trapped hundreds of employees. According to news reports, the incident started with a suicide car bomb blast near the building’s entrance, before gunmen… Read More
Pacific 

Indonesia tsunami: Many still missing as death toll rises

Global Author
The tsunami struck coastal areas to the west of the capital Jakarta, in the middle of Saturday evening, local time, destroying houses, hotels and businesses. Latest reports suggest that the devastating waves were triggered by underwater landslides, following the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The worst affected areas are Pandeglang and Serang districts in Banten province, and South Lampung… Read More