International

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has registered more than 284,000 missing persons worldwide as a result of disasters and armed conflicts—a figure the organization describes as only a fraction of the actual number of people unaccounted for. According to the ICRC, the figure represents only documented cases within its Family Links Network as of the end of 2024, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian challenge posed by conflicts, disasters, and migration globally. The ICRC identified armed conflicts, disasters, and migration as the main drivers of disappearances across communities worldwide. Read Also: Over 24,000 Nigerians Declared Missing, ICRC Reveals In Nigeria, the organization expressed concern over the fate of 23,659 missing persons linked to armed conflicts. Benson Lee, Family Links Officer of the ICRC, disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Disappeared held in Yola at the weekend, describing the figures as deeply disturbing. Lee revealed that no fewer than 13,595 families are still searching for their loved ones across Nigeria. She added that 59 percent of those missing were minors at the time of their disappearance, while 67 percent of the cases were recorded in Borno State. “Behind each missing person is a family living in anguish and uncertainty, struggling with the pain of not knowing what happened to their loved ones,” she said. Lee explained that the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared seeks to promote empathy by highlighting the devastating impact of missing persons on families and communities. Meanwhile, the United Nations, alongside organizations such as the ICRC and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, is working to address the issue through legal commitments, improved search mechanisms, and support for victims and their families.

China is on the brink of unveiling a humanoid robot capable of hosting a fully functioning artificial womb, in what could mark a revolutionary leap in reproductive science. The project, led by Guangzhou-based Kaiwa Technology, is scheduled for debut in 2026, according to a report by Indian Times on Monday. Speaking at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, project lead Zhang Qifeng disclosed that the scientific groundwork has already been laid, with the next phase focused on integrating the artificial womb into a humanoid robot to enable what he described as “interactive pregnancy.” Read Also: Only 35.5% of Nigerian Newborns Breastfed in First Hour – UNICEF Artificial wombs are not entirely new. They mimic the uterine environment using synthetic amniotic fluid and an umbilical-like tube for oxygen and nutrient supply. In 2017, U.S. scientists successfully kept premature lambs alive for weeks inside such “biobags,” demonstrating the technology’s viability. What sets Kaiwa’s innovation apart, however, is its ambition to create a robot capable of managing the entire reproductive process, from fertilisation to full-term birth. The solution, expected to cost around 100,000 yuan (£11,000), is significantly cheaper than traditional surrogacy. Experts say it could become a disruptive alternative amid rising infertility rates, particularly in China.

Emirates Airlines has announced that passengers will no longer be allowed to use power banks during flights, effective October 1, as part of new safety regulations. A power bank is a portable device used to charge electronic gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. In a statement on Friday, the Dubai-based carrier said the decision follows a comprehensive safety review aimed at reducing risks linked to lithium battery incidents onboard. Passengers may still carry one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, but it cannot be used to charge devices during the flight, nor can it be charged using the aircraft’s power supply. The device must be stored in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front, not in the overhead bin, and it remains prohibited in checked luggage. Read Also: Meet Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, NERC Chairman Emirates cited the rising number of fire-related incidents involving lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries in the aviation industry. The airline noted that many basic power banks lack safeguards against overcharging, which can lead to dangerous overheating, fires, or explosions. The airline said the updated rules ensure cabin crew can quickly respond to any battery-related emergencies. “Safety is one of Emirates’ core values and a cornerstone of all operations,” the statement added. Emirates resumed flight operations to Nigeria in October 2024 after a two-year hiatus.

A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Peru on Sunday, killing one person and injuring at least 36 others, government officials confirmed. The quake struck just before noon, with its epicenter located about 30 kilometers from Callao, near the capital city Lima, according to Peru’s National Seismological Centre. The U.S. Geological Survey, however, measured the tremor at magnitude 5.6. No tsunami warning was issued. Authorities said the victim died in Lima after a wall collapsed onto his car. The Emergency Operations Centre reported that all 36 injuries also occurred in the capital. Read Also: UN Slashes 2025 Humanitarian Aid Appeal Amid Deepest Funding Cuts on Record President Dina Boluarte urged citizens to remain calm, reassuring the public that the Pacific coast was not under tsunami threat. Footage from local broadcaster Latina showed landslides in several areas of Lima. The quake also disrupted public services, including the suspension of a major football match and a temporary halt of subway operations. Peru, which lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is highly prone to seismic activity, experiencing over 100 detectable quakes each year. The last major earthquake occurred in 2021 in the Amazon region with a magnitude of 7.5, injuring 12 people and destroying over 70 homes. Peru’s deadliest quake remains the 1970 Ancash disaster, which killed nearly 67,000 people.

Oil prices continued to climb on Monday as Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes for a fourth straight day, fueling fears of a prolonged conflict that could disrupt global energy supplies and reignite inflation. Gold prices also edged closer to record highs as investors sought safe-haven assets. Despite the rising tensions, equity market losses were modest, with investors cautiously hopeful that the conflict would not spread further across the Middle East. Attention also turned to key central bank meetings this week, particularly those of the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan, as well as trade talks aimed at preventing a reintroduction of steep tariffs under former President Donald Trump. Oil prices had spiked as much as 13% following Israel’s surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, which killed several high-ranking commanders and scientists. The surge raised concerns about a new wave of global inflation, potentially undermining efforts by central banks to stabilize prices and support slowing economies. Read Also: APC’s Rising Star: The Woman Ganduje Trusted with the Future “The knock-on impact of higher energy prices is that they will slow growth and cause headline inflation to rise,” said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG. He warned that if elevated energy prices persist, they could push up core inflation as businesses pass on higher transport and production costs to consumers. Such a scenario, Sycamore noted, would limit central banks’ ability to cut interest rates, especially as they also contend with potential economic damage from renewed U.S. tariffs. Both Brent and WTI crude were up over 1% in early Asian trading. As geopolitical and economic uncertainties intensify, global markets are bracing for a volatile week. AFP