&w=3840&q=100)
Nigeria: Nearly 200 dead in floods, govt says about 30 of 33 states affected
Damaged buildings following floods in Mokwa, Niger State, on June 1. AFP File
Severe flooding in Nigeria's Niger State has displaced nearly 2,000 people and killed close to 200, according to a Bloomberg report, citing the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel said on the disaster, which began in late May in the town of Mokwa, has affected more than 3,000 residents and left 98 missing.
Mokwa, a key agricultural and transport hub in central Nigeria, has seen extensive damage to farmland, homes, roads, and bridges.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The flooding has disrupted trade routes linking southern Nigeria to northern food-producing regions, further threatening the country's already fragile food supply chain.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) described Mokwa as playing a 'strategic role in regional commerce and transportation,' warning that the flooding could intensify economic disruption across the region.
Meteorologists forecast that the flooding could worsen in the coming months, with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency warning that 30 of Nigeria's 36 states are at risk this year.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected this week in major northern agricultural states, including Taraba, Kaduna, and Gombe.
The floods come amid ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria, where frequent bandit attacks have already displaced farmers and disrupted food production. Combined with last year's floods that wiped out thousands of acres of farmland, this year's disaster threatens to deepen the country's food crisis.
The United Nations estimates that 33 million Nigerians could face food insecurity in 2025, a figure that may rise as climate-related disasters and conflict continue to plague key agricultural zones.
With inputs from agencies
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Balochistan's rare earths: Pakistan's gamble in the great power race
China and Pakistan are reportedly advancing plans to create a new regional bloc to replace the long-standing but functionally ineffective South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). A trilateral meeting in Kunming on June 19, 2025—between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—marked the first step toward formalising this China-led initiative, with Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan also being courted to join. This raises a crucial question: Why is such an initiative being pursued now? A security personnel stands guard along a street near the site of a school bus bombing in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan province.(AFP/File) At the heart of this renewed regional alignment lies a game-changing revelation: Pakistan—particularly its restive province of Balochistan—is estimated to hold between $6 to $8 trillion worth of untapped mineral wealth, including strategically vital rare earth elements (REEs) like dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium. These elements are indispensable to the global green transition, as they are used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, advanced defence technologies, and next-generation electronics. Balochistan's ophiolite-rich terrain, especially in the Muslim Bagh and Khuzdar regions, is believed to harbour significant deposits of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), now in intense international demand. However, despite the immense resource potential, Pakistan's capacity to extract and process these minerals remains severely constrained. According to Abdul Bashir, chief geologist at Koh-e-Daleel Minerals, Pakistan currently lacks the sophisticated extraction technology, skilled expertise, and financial resources needed to process these critical minerals domestically. Without proper laboratory testing and beneficiation, the continued export of raw ore could result in the loss of billions in potential national revenue in the years to come. This gap between mineral abundance and extraction capability has triggered a fresh race among global powers to partner with Islamabad. At the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum held in Islamabad in April 2025, delegations from the US, China, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union expressed strong interest in large-scale mining partnerships. For Washington, this was not just about investment—it marked a strategic shift aimed at diversifying away from China, which currently controls about 90% of the global REE supply chain. Led by Eric Meyer from the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, the US delegation sought to position Pakistan as a new critical minerals partner. To accelerate this mineral pivot, Pakistan has signed lobbying contracts worth $450,000 a month with US firms linked to key figures from former President Trump's administration, such as his former bodyguard Keith Schiller, compliance chief George Sorial, and economic adviser Everett Eissenstat. Their mandate spans both economic and defence cooperation—promoting rare earth investments while also seeking military support. Meanwhile, China, with its $60 billion footprint in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is moving to consolidate its own position. For Beijing, Balochistan is a linchpin in its broader strategy to secure long-term access to critical minerals. However, the path to extraction is fraught with security risks. In 2024 alone, over 800 people were killed in nearly 500 militant attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—the very provinces that hold most of Pakistan's high-value mineral deposits. To reassure investors, Pakistan's military has stepped in forcefully. Army chief and field marshal Asim Munir has declared that 'economic security is now a pillar of national security,' promising full-scale military protection for mining zones. But the growing militarisation of mineral development is not without social and political costs. In 2025, two controversial laws—the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act and the Mines and Minerals Harmonization Act—were passed with limited public debate These laws effectively centralised control under the federal government through the creation of a Mineral Investment Facilitation Authority (MIFA) reporting to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). This federal architecture undermines the country's 18th Amendment, which gives provinces authority over natural resources. In effect, Balochistan has been sidelined in the decision-making over its own resources. Equally troubling is the absence of any requirement for community consultation or profit-sharing with tribal populations, repeating the exclusionary patterns that have historically fuelled discontent in the region. The Reko Diq project is a prime example. Once stalled by legal battles over exploitative contracts, it is now being revived under Canadian firm Barrick Gold, with a projected output of $74 billion over 37 years. While it could reshape Pakistan's economy, serious concerns remain: Will Balochistan's impoverished residents benefit? And how will the water-intensive copper and lithium mining impact one of the world's most water-stressed regions? Some estimates warn extraction could consume up to 40% of local water supplies, worsening ecological strain and community tensions. Pakistan's mineral moment has clearly arrived—but whether it leads to equitable development or replicates extractive and exclusionary practices of the past will depend on policy choices made now. With external debt over $130 billion and the mining and sector contributing just 3.2% to GDP, Islamabad needs urgent foreign investment. But that capital must be aligned with transparent governance, environmental safeguards, and local benefit-sharing—not with attempts to recreate a regional stability institution that lacks legitimacy and inclusive representation. This article authored by Hriday Sarma, senior fellow, South Asia Democratic Forum, Brussels.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
North Georgia braces for record-breaking triple digit temperatures; Heat advisories and warnings issued
North Georgia is likely to witness severe heat wave, with temperatures reaching to 100 degrees Celsius on Sunday and Monday and heat index rising to 100 to 111 degrees. The heat wave is predicted to peak on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures in certain areas of metro Atlanta and North Georgia hovering with 100 degrees.(AFP) One county in North Georgia received the first Extreme Heat Warning from the National Weather Service. While there is a risk of isolated to sporadic thunderstorms through Tuesday, there is still a remote possibility of extensive severe weather. North Georgia intense heat: Residents urged to restrict outdoor activities In a bid to prepare for the extended heat, residents are encouraged to restrict their outside activities during peak hours, remain hydrated, and keep an eye on those who may be at risk. The heat wave is predicted to peak on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures in certain areas of metro Atlanta and North Georgia hovering with 100 degrees. With overnight lows still in the 70s, warm, humid nights won't offer much respite. According to the National Weather Service, it might get as high as 111 degrees in Putnam County on Monday. The alert stretches into Milledgeville and Dublin. Also Read: Who were Clinton and Cristen Brink? Arkansas couple slain while hiking with two daughters in Devil's Den State Park North Georgia intense heat: List of Cooling centers issued While there may be a greater likelihood of afternoon storms by the middle of the week, the heat will still be a major factor at least until Thursday. Authorities advise citizens to stay hydrated, avoid being outside during hot weather, and keep an eye on elderly or fragile neighbors in anticipation of prolonged heat. Cooling centers will be accessible in several areas. DeKalb County cooling centers Cobb County cooling center Clayton County cooling centers Douglas County cooling centers Jasper and Newton counties cooling centers Marietta cooling center Throughout the week, the Southeast, including towns like Tampa, Savannah, Mobile and Orlando could see dozens of daily record highs. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are predicted to persist over a large portion of the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Northeast until the first week of August.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
7 hours ago
- First Post
Is Trump hiding the big cost of renovating 'free' Air Force One from Qatar?
The announcement that Qatar would be giving Donald Trump a 'free' Air Force One was already the subject of much controversy. Many had questions about the ethics of such a transaction, while others expressed concerns about security and the potential cost needed to upgrade such a plane to meet the needs of the US president. Now, a new report is shedding light on the possible expenditure read more A Boeing 747 belonging to Qatar sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump toured the aircraft on Feb. 15. (Photo: AFP) Is Donald Trump trying to hide the cost of renovating the 'free' Air Force One? The announcement that Qatar would be giving the US president a free Boeing 747 worth $400 million was already the subject of much controversy. Many had questions about the ethics of such a transaction. Others expressed concerns about security and the potential cost needed to upgrade such a plane to meet the needs of the US president. Now, It seems the latter is set to explode in Trump's face. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The development comes even as Trump spars with Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell over the costs of renovating the central bank's Washington headquarters. But what happened? What do we know? Let's take a closer look: What happened? The cost of renovating the Qatar plane remains unknown. The aircraft is currently parked in San Antonio. 'Officially, and conveniently, the price tag has been classified. But even by Washington standards, where 'black budgets' are often used as an excuse to avoid revealing the cost of outdated spy satellites and lavish end-of-year parties, the reasoning behind hiding the cost is inventive', The New York Times noted. However, a $934 million transfer of funds in the Pentagon budget has come under the scanner. It refers to an unnamed, classified project. The piece noted that no one wants to discuss the figure. 'Congressional budget sleuths have come to think that amount, slipped into an obscure Pentagon document sent to Capitol Hill as a 'transfer' to an unnamed classified project, almost certainly includes the renovation' of the jet that has been described as a 'palace in the sky',' the newspaper noted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The funds were shifted from a budget carved out for upgrading the US' ground-based nuclear missiles. Air Force officials have said some of the funds for renovating the plane will be pulled from this budget. Ironically, the plane will not be ready for Trump's use anytime soon. The plane's communication systems, engines need to be improved. The Boeing plane also needs to be fitted with antimissile systems. US agencies will also have to check for any spy equipment Qatar may have put in the plane. US President Donald Trump talks with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Reuters The plane will also need to be redecorated to match Trump's golden tastes. In all, the 'renovations' could take another year or two – by which time Trump will be getting ready to leave office. Trump has claimed that the plane will be transferred to his presidential library in 2029. Trump as president is barred from accepting gifts from outside entities, including foreign governments and even members of Congress. Article I of the Constitution states that no president shall accept a gift or emolument from a 'King, Prince, or foreign State,' without Congress' permission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They knew about it because they buy Boeings, they buy a lot of Boeings, and they knew about it, and they said, we would like to do something,' Trump said. 'And if we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they're building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture'. Qatar's offer Qatar's offer came after Trump repeatedly complained of delays and cost overruns in aerospace giant Boeing's contract to provide two new Air Force One jets to replace the current aging models. The development came after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani earlier in July signed an agreement lying out the terms of the 'unconditional donation'. 'This donation is made in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support between the parties,' the document states. 'Nothing in this MoU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as, an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It states that the donation is 'not connected or otherwise related to any governmental decision and, as such, is not made, offered, promised or accepted because of any past, present or future official act or decision and is not intended to obtain or retain any improper advantage or to influence any official decision'. US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One. Boeing has spent years stripping down and rebuilding two 747s to replace the versions that have carried presidents for more than three decades. The project is slated to cost more than $5.3 billion and may not be finished before Trump leaves office. A 2021 report made public through the Freedom of Information Act outlines the unclassified requirements for the replacement 747s under construction. At the top of the list — survivability and communications. The government decided more than a decade ago that the new planes had to have four engines so they could remain airborne if one or two fail, said Deborah Lee James, who was Air Force secretary at the time. That creates a challenge because 747s are no longer manufactured, which could make spare parts harder to come by. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Air Force One also has to have the highest level of classified communications, anti-jamming capabilities and external protections against foreign surveillance, so the president can securely command military forces and nuclear weapons during a national emergency. It's an extremely sensitive and complex system, including video, voice and data transmissions. Trump previously said it would be 'stupid' not to accept the gift from Qatar. 'It's a great gesture,' the 78-year-old billionaire told reporters at the White House when asked if the oil-rich Gulf state would expect anything in exchange. 'I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person (and) say 'no we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.'' Ironically, the developments come as Trump is at odds with Powell, the chief of the Fed he has long wanted to fire. Powell, who is operates independently, has refused to tow the president's line when it comes to interest rates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He has also slammed the president's tariff policies, which has infuriated Trump. Trump, who has repeatedly mused about firing Powell, may use the renovations of the Federal Reserve building in Washington as an excuse to fire the Fed chief. However, firing Powell could lead to the stock market melting down and investors fleeing for the hills. With inputs from agencies
