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UNAIDS Commends US New Waiver Allowing Millions of People Living with HIV treatment

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UNAIDS Commends US New Waiver Allowing Millions of People Living with HIV treatment

By: Michael Mike

The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has approved an “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver”, which will allow people to continue accessing HIV treatment funded by the US across 55 countries worldwide.

More than 20 million people living with HIV, representing two-thirds of all people living with HIV receiving treatment globally, are directly supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) – the world’s leading HIV initiative.

A statement on Wednesday quoted UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima to have said: “UNAIDS welcomes this waiver from the US government which ensures that millions of people living with HIV can continue to receive life-saving HIV medication during the assessment of US foreign development assistance,” adding that: “This urgent decision recognizes PEPFAR’s critical role in the AIDS response and restores hope to people living with HIV.”

In recent days, the US Department of State announced an immediate 90-day funding pause for all foreign assistance, including for funding and services supported by PEPFAR.

The executive order announcing a “90-day pause in United States foreign development assistance for assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy” was one of the first major foreign policy decisions of the new administration.

With this new waiver approval is given for the continuation or resumption of “life-saving humanitarian assistance” which applies to core life-saving medicine and medical services, including HIV treatment, as well as to supplies necessary to deliver such assistance.

According to the statement, UNAIDS will continue efforts to ensure that all people living with or affected by HIV are served and that other key components of PEPFAR’s life-saving efforts, including service delivery and services for HIV prevention, care, and support for orphans and vulnerable children are continued.

The statement added that UNAIDS is serving in its essential role to mobilize and convene partners, governments, and communities across the globe at the country level to assess and mitigate the impact of the pause on the continuity of essential HIV services.

UNAIDS Commends US New Waiver Allowing Millions of People Living with HIV treatment

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Military

Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

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Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 13 Brigade, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected cultist and gunrunner during a raid operation in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:10 a.m. on April 3 along Effangha Spring Road in Ikom.

The sources disclosed that the suspect, who hails from Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was apprehended during the coordinated raid.

According to the sources, troops recovered one revolver pistol, one sword, two laptops, four mobile phones, one digital camera, one wristwatch, three identity cards, and a sack of garri allegedly used to conceal the weapon.

The suspect and recovered items have since been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Security authorities said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence and illegal arms circulation in the South-South region.

Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

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Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised

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Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown gunmen have killed a village head and his wife in Tunga Waja community, Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:50 p.m. on April 2, when the assailants attacked the residence of the village head and opened fire on him, his wife and their son.

The sources disclosed that the village head died on the spot, while his wife and son sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to a medical facility in Tingno for treatment.

According to the sources, the wife later died at the hospital, while the son is currently receiving treatment.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The incident has heightened concerns among residents, as security agencies intensify efforts to restore calm and prevent further attacks in the area.

Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised

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Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

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Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Three soldiers have sustained injuries following a road traffic accident during an encounter with suspected armed bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on April 2, when troops of 2 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base Dogon Dawa were returning from an administrative patrol.

The sources explained that the troops reportedly sighted a group of armed bandits attempting to block the road at Ngede Allah and engaged them, forcing the criminals to flee.

During the pursuit, however, three soldiers fell off a military gun truck and sustained varying degrees of injuries, including fractures to the hand and leg.

The injured personnel were immediately evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding positively.

Security operations in the area have continued as troops maintain pressure on criminal elements within the axis.

Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

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