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Road Traffic Injuries, Leading Cause of Young People’s Deaths, Globally – WHO

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WHO says life expectancy increased from 46 to 73 years

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Road Traffic Injuries are now the major cause of death of children and young people, aged 5-29 years, globally.

Dr. Walter Mulombo, WHO Head of Mission and Country Representative, said this at the commemoration of the 2022 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mulombo who was represented by Dr. Mary Dewan said over 1.3 million people die from road traffic crashes every year, with over 50 million killed since the first road death 125 years ago.

“It was worth noting that Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) was the 8th leading cause of death worldwide and now the number one cause of death among children and young adults aged 5-29 years old.

“In addition to the trauma of injury and bereavement, RTIs also have a devastating economic impact on countries, communities, and families.”

Mulombo commended all stakeholders under the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety and Injury Prevention (UNDARSIP) for facilitating strong multisectoral collaboration.

He said that the collaboration involved ministries, departments, agencies, international and local NGOs, community-based organisations, the academia and organised private sector, among others.

The WHO official said RTIs have multiple determinants and affect many people, as such require collaborative action to tackle.

“Together with the UN regional commissions and in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, WHO developed the 2021-2030 Global Plan.

“This is for the Decade of Action with an ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

“The plan emphasises a holistic approach to tackling road safety and aims to inspire countries, including governments and partners.

“This is also to act boldly and decisively, using the tools and knowledge gained from the last Decade of Action to change the course of this menace,” he said.

Also, the Country Director, UNDARSIP Nigeria, Prof. Sydney Ibeanusi said that the menace of road crashes was worst among low and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

Ibeanusi said that UN Resolution in 2010 facilitated the first UN Decade of Action to address the expected rise in the number of persons killed and injured from road crashes predicted at about 1.9 million persons by 2020.

Ibeanusi said despite modest gains in stemming the trend, the efforts of various governments and groups particularly in countries like Nigeria where the burden was highest, have not fully yielded the desired results.

“Failing to meet the target of reducing RTCs by 50 percent by the end of the 1st UNDARSIP by 2020, the UN by another resolution declared the 2nd UNDARSIP, thus providing us another good opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past,” he said.

Ibeanusi said that the theme of the commemoration, “Justice”, was apt, as it was one of the most neglected aspects in addressing RTCs, even though it is a critical pilar of road saftey management.

“When a set law is broken, there should be consequences which should be prompt, decisive but proportional.

“When this is not done, lessons are often never learned and people are never deterred from repeating the offences.

“Victims of such offences always feel frustrated when offending traffic violators are never brought to account,” he said.

Ibeanusi therefore urged countries and institutions to step up efforts towards ensuring justice for victims of RTCs.

He also called for help to assuage the frustrations of the victims and their families, adding that appropriate punishment for traffic offences and defaulters would serve as a deterrent to others. 

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U.S. strikes 2 targets in Syria in response to ‘continued attacks’

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The U.S. military struck two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to “continued attacks” against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

The strikes were conducted against a training facility in Abu Kamal and a safe house in Mayadin in the eastern governorate of Deir Ezzor, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a brief statement.

The U.S. struck similar targets in eastern Syria in October and earlier in November.

Pro-Iranian militias have intensified their attacks on U.S. military bases in Syria and Iraq in recent weeks as a response to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

The security situation in the entire region has been particularly tense since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants staged deadly attacks in southern Israel.

Israel is responding with an overwhelming air and ground offensive in Gaza.

As a deterrent, the U.S. has moved more weapons systems, warships and air squadrons to the Eastern Mediterranean, and is deploying several hundred troops to the Middle East to support US units there.

U.S. President Joe Biden had ordered Sunday’s action to make it clear that the U.S. was defending itself, its personnel, and its interests, Austin stressed.

The U.S. is prepared to take further necessary measures to protect its own people and interests.

  • dpa
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Russia writes off $23bn debt for Africa – Putin

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Russia sends almost 12m tons of grain to Africa says Putin

…Pledges additional $90 million***

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, says the Russian Government has written off $23 billion debt burden of African countries.

Putin spoke at the plenary session of the ongoing second Russia–Africa Summit 2023 held from July 27 to July 28.

He said Moscow would allocate an additional $90 million for these purposes.

Putin said Russia was advocating the expansion of representation of African countries in the UN Security Council and other UN structures.

“Russia and Africa strive to develop cooperation in all areas and strengthen ‘honest, open, constructive’ partnership.

“Russia will also assist in opening new African embassies and consulates in Russia,” he said.

According to him, the reopening of embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea is going as planned.

He said sovereignty was “not a one-time achieved state,” and it must be constantly protected.

Putin also offered assistance to Africa in countering threats such as terrorism, piracy, and transnational crimes adding that it would continue to train personnel from African countries.

He assured that Russian businesses have a lot to offer partners from Africa.

Putin said transition to national currencies and the establishment of transport and logistics chains would contribute to the increase in mutual trade turnover.

“Russia is ready to provide trade preferences to Africa, support the creation of modern production sectors, agricultural sector, and provide assistance through relevant international structures and agencies.

“Russia will always be a responsible international supplier of agricultural products,” he said.

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U.S. Coastguard Finds ‘debris field’ Near Missing Vessel

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A “debris field” has been discovered within the search area for the missing Titan submersible, the U.S. Coastguard (USCG) said on Thursday.

The agency said a remotely-operated vehicle made the discovery near the wreckage of the Titanic on Thursday.

The hunt for the missing deep-sea vessel is still an “active search and rescue” mission after it lost communication on Sunday.

The vessel was about 700 kilometres south of St John’s, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Coastguard officials said they were “evaluating the information” following Thursday’s debris discovery.

A press conference will be held at the Coastguard base in Boston to “discuss the findings” at 8pm (1900 GMT).

Rear Admiral John Mauger, the first Coastguard district commander, and Captain Jamie Frederick, first Coastguard district response coordinator, will lead the press conference.

Founding member of the Board of Trustees of The Explorers Club, Hamish Harding, was on board the undersea craft, alongside UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, and OceanGate’s chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, as well as French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The USCG said the ROV that made the discovery was from the Canadian Horizon Arctic ship – with the debris being found on the sea floor near the Titanic wreckage.

Assistance from the Royal Air Force (RAF) is due to arrive in St John’s on Thursday after it confirmed a request was received overnight for help with the movement of additional commercial equipment.

Two RAF planes, a C-17 Globemaster and A400 Atlas, departed RAF Lossiemouth in north-east Scotland on Thursday.

A British submariner and equipment from a UK firm have been sent to help the search at the request of the U.S. Coastguard, Downing Street said.

Royal Navy submariner Lieutenant Commander Richard Kantharia, who was on exchange with the U.S. Navy, has been seconded to the search and rescue team.

OceanGate Expeditions estimated the oxygen supply on the 6.7 metre-long vessel would last 96 hours, giving rescuers a deadline of around midday on Thursday.

Experts said the chances of finding the sub and rescuing those inside were diminishing.

Former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsey told the PA news agency: “The outlook is bleak, that’s the only word for it as this tragic event unfolds and almost the closing stages of where this changes from rescue to a salvage mission.”

The Titan is believed to be about 900 miles east and 400 miles south of Newfoundland.

It is not known how deep the vessel is, with the seabed being around 3,800 metres from the surface. 

– dpa

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