Overcrowding forces halt to Gaza aid distribution, Eid holiday marked by violence

Aid distribution in Gaza was halted on Friday after the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said overcrowding had made it unsafe to continue operations, in the latest disruption to its troubled relief effort.

With severe food shortages plaguing the coastal enclave, fighting continued in many areas of the Gaza Strip.

Local health authorities said 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes, mostly in northern Gaza, while the Israeli army said four of its soldiers were killed and five were wounded by an explosion in a building in Khan Younis to the south.

In a day of confusing messaging, the GHF first announced its distribution sites in southern Gaza were closed, then it revealed that it had actually handed out food, before saying that it had had to close its gates as a precautionary measure.

"The distribution was conducted peacefully and without incident; however, it was paused due to excessive crowding that made it unsafe to proceed," it said in a statement.

As Palestinians across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip marked the start of one of Islam's most important holidays, Eid al-Adha, Israeli forces continued military operations that they say are needed to root out and destroy Hamas militants.

The Israeli military was rocked by the deaths of four soldiers in a booby-trapped building, which brought the army death toll to eight since the start of June.

"It is a sad and difficult day," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

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The army earlier issued new evacuation orders for areas in and around Gaza City, warning of an imminent attack.

With many residential areas of Gaza reduced to rubble by months of fighting, locals held Eid al-Adha prayer services in the open, next to bombed-out mosques and homes.

"As you can see, we are holding Eid prayers, while the bombing, shelling and planes are ongoing," said one woman, Umm Mahmoud, in Khan Younis.

The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza's 2.3 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade of the enclave, with the rate of young children suffering from acute malnutrition nearly tripling.

The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of aid distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral.

It suspended operations on Wednesday and asked the Israeli military to review security protocols after hospital officials said more than 80 people had been shot dead and hundreds wounded near distribution points between June 1-3.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Six killed, 80 wounded in intense Russian air attacks on Ukraine

Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours of Friday, killing at least six people, Ukrainian officials said, as powerful explosions reverberated across the country.

The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via U.S. President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep inside Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said three emergency responders were killed in the missile and drone salvo against the capital.

Two died in an attack on the northern city of Chernihiv and at least one more in the northwestern city of Lutsk.

"Those killed in Kyiv were rescue workers who arrived at the scene of an initial strike and, unfortunately, were killed in a repeat Russian strike," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing on X, said Russia had "'responded' to its destroyed aircraft... by attacking civilians in Ukraine.... Multi-storey buildings hit. Energy infrastructure damaged."

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out the strike on military and military-related targets in response to what it called Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russia.

"They gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, when asked about how Ukraine's earlier drone strikes had affected the conflict.

Zelenskiy said 80 people nationwide had been injured in the attacks, which also struck several other towns and cities. He said residents could still be trapped under rubble.

In Chernihiv, the national emergency services said two bodies were recovered from the rubble of a wrecked industrial enterprise.

In Lutsk, the body of a man was found in the ruins of an apartment block, while emergency crews kept searching for his wife. Thirty people were hurt in the city, where educational institutions and a government building were also hit.

Russian forces also struck industrial facilities and infrastructure in the western city of Ternopil, leaving parts of it without power, Mayor Serhii Nadal said.

The regional administration said the attack had injured 10 people and asked residents to temporarily stay inside due to a high concentration of toxic substances in the air after a fire.

The air force said Russia had used 407 drones, one of the largest numbers recorded in a single attack. It said 45 cruise and ballistic missiles were also fired.

ATTACKS HIT KYIV TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Kyiv's metro transport system was disrupted by a Russian strike that hit and damaged tracks between stations, the military administration said. The state rail company said it was also diverting some trains due to rail damage outside the city.

Reuters witnesses reported a series of booming explosions powerful enough to rattle windows far from the impact sites.

Some Kyiv residents sought shelter in metro stations, or in underground car parks.

In the capital's Solomianskyi district, a Russian drone slammed into the side of an apartment building, leaving a gaping hole and burn marks, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.

Falling concrete blocks from the building crushed cars parked below. Two police investigators were examining what appeared to be the drone's engine.

Earlier in the night, Reuters reporters heard the sound of Russian kamikaze drones buzzing in the sky, accompanied by the sounds of outgoing fire from Ukrainian anti-aircraft batteries.

Zelenskiy called for concerted pressure on Russia.

"If someone is not applying pressure and is giving the war more time to take lives – that is complicity and accountability. We must act decisively," he wrote on X.

The Ukrainian military said it had launched a pre-emptive strike overnight on the Engels and Dyagilevo airfields in the Russian regions of Saratov and Ryazan, in addition to striking at least three fuel reservoirs.

In one of the most audacious attacks of the three-year-old war between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian spies last weekend destroyed some of Russia's strategic bomber aircraft on the ground using quadrocopter drones hidden in wooden sheds.

After a phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday, Trump said the Kremlin was planning an unspecified response to the Ukrainian attack on the Russian air bases.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Most Ukrainians will tolerate conflict ‘as long as necessary’ – survey

A majority of Ukrainians are prepared to endure the conflict with Russia for “as long as necessary,” a survey released on Thursday by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) shows.

Past KIIS surveys had indicated a steady decline in support for an open-ended conflict – from a peak of 73% in 2022 to a low of 54% in March 2025 – suggesting growing war fatigue. Recent data, however, shows a reversal of the trend.

The latest poll, conducted between May 15 and June 3, indicates that 60% of respondents are ready to endure the war indefinitely. Another 6% said they are prepared to continue for one more year, while 20% are willing to tolerate it for several more months or up to half a year.

The survey was carried out by telephone and included 1,011 respondents who were selected through a random sample of mobile phone numbers. KIIS stated that such surveys typically have a margin of error of up to 4.1% under normal conditions. 

However, it admitted that additional deviations are also likely due to certain wartime factors, such as response bias – where participants may provide answers they believe are expected or acceptable rather than their true opinions.

The sudden rise in support for an open-ended conflict with Russia comes against a backdrop of wartime restrictions introduced by Vladimir Zelensky, who has banned opposition parties, centralized media under a unified information policy, and implemented increasingly draconian mobilization measures to sustain the armed forces.

The KIIS survey results also contrast with ongoing efforts to find a political settlement to the conflict. Earlier this week, Russian and Ukrainian delegations held their second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul, agreeing to a record prisoner swap and exchanging draft memorandums on reaching a peace deal. Both sides indicated that direct contacts would continue.

At the same time, Russian officials have repeatedly claimed that Kiev is not truly prepared to end the conflict. The Kremlin has pointed to ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory and sabotage operations as evidence that Kiev is committed to a military solution and is willing to engage in “terrorist acts.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has also stated that the “illegitimate regime in Kiev” is “gradually turning into a terrorist organization.”

Reuters/RT

Caroline C. Boyle

If you’re after a nutrient-dense breakfast, boiled eggs are a quick and easy way to pack in a few essential nutrients –from antioxidants to B vitamins to choline. 

Because you’re not adding extra oils or fats into the cooking process, boiled eggs are considered to be one of the healthiest kinds of eggs to eat, says Jeremy O'Neal, a board-certified specialist in obesity and weight management, and licensed dietitian nutritionist specialist in the UI Health Bariatric Surgery Program. 

All around, boiled eggs are a low calorie, protein-rich food. What else is there to know about this breakfast staple? We asked the experts to break down all the nutrients found in boiled eggs, how much protein they actuallycontain and why (for most people) they’re a great food to incorporate into an everyday, balanced diet.

How many calories in an egg?

One large boiled egg contains 72 calories, nearly 5 grams of fat and around 1.5 grams of saturated fat, says O’Neal. Eggs, and egg yolks in particular, pack a punch with vitamins and minerals. They’re a good source of vitamin A, B vitamins, riboflavin, folate, iron and zinc, he says. 

Eggs are also one of the best sources of choline, a mineral that’s especially important during pregnancy because it supports the production of acetylcholine, which helps with muscular contractions, he says. Choline has also shown to be important in promoting cognitive function in older adults, says Dr. Amar Dave, a lifestyle medicine specialist with MedStar Health.

How much protein is in an egg?

There’s around 6 to 7 grams of protein in one large boiled egg, says O’Neal. Boiled eggs are protein-rich, though you can’t rely on them alone to meet all your daily protein needs (which is essential for muscle growth and recovery). 

Your protein intake depends on two factors: your body weight, and how much you exercise. For adults, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of protein is at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, according to Harvard Health. 

So, if someone weighs 180 pounds, it’s recommended they eat around 65 grams of protein a day, says O’Neal. If you’re someone who’s very active, you’re going to need to consume a bit more protein than the average person, somewhere between 1.2 grams to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you're pregnant, it’s also recommended your protein intake be higher than average, around 1.1 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, he says. 

How often can I eat boiled eggs?

In the context of a balanced diet, for most people, it’s perfectly fine to eat two to three boiled eggs per day if you wanted to, says O’Neal.

The Dietary Guidelines for America 2020-2025recommends eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy (or soy as an alternative), healthy oils and protein-rich foods. It’s especially important to diversify your protein sources, says Dave. To help meet your protein goals, consider incorporating a mix of lean meats, poultry and eggs. As for plant-based protein sources, he recommends eating foods like steel cut oats, legumes, seeds, lentils and tofu. 

Can I eat boiled eggs if I have high cholesterol?

If you have high cholesterol, you may have heard you should either limit your intake of eggs, or avoid eating them entirely. The concern surrounding eggs and cholesterol is mainly to do with eating the egg yolk, where the majority of the dietary cholesterol is concentrated, says O’Neal. One large egg contains approximately 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol, according to the USDA’s Food Data Central. 

“Eggs are definitely a larger source of dietary cholesterol, but the association between regular dietary cholesterol consumption, and then high (blood) cholesterol and coronary artery disease, has not been well proven,” says Dave. The relationship between dietary and blood cholesterol has been up for debate for decades, and according to a 2022 review published in Nutrients, recent research still hasn’t been able to establish a direct link. 

So, if you’re someone who’s at risk for high cholesterol, it’s probably more important to turn your attention to the amount of saturated fat that a boiled egg contains. That’s because diets high in saturated fat are strongly correlated with high blood cholesterol, which increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, says Dave. However, even if you have high cholesterol, it still doesn’t mean you need to avoid boiled eggs full stop. If you’re following a balanced dietary pattern that limits your intake of saturated fat in other areas, like swapping red meats for lean meat, avoiding ultra-processed foods and instead eating lots of vegetables, boiled eggs could (in moderation) could be a nutritious, protein-rich addition to your diet, O’Neal says.

And as always, if you have any dietary concerns, talk to your healthcare provider to discuss an eating pattern that supports your individual health needs. 

USA Today

Nigeria has transformed from being the world’s second-largest cement importer to becoming Africa’s leading cement exporter, according to Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group.

Speaking at the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event in Lagos on Wednesday, Dangote highlighted Nigeria’s remarkable shift away from import dependency across multiple key industries, including cement, fertilizers, and petroleum products.

From Importer to Export Leader

The industrial transformation represents a complete reversal of Nigeria’s previous trade position. The West African nation previously ranked as the second-largest cement importer globally but has now achieved export leadership across the African continent.

Beyond cement, Nigeria has made substantial progress in fertilizer production. The country now operates the world’s second-largest fertilizer plant and exports 37% of its production to the United States, addressing previous challenges that had affected local farmers.

Energy Sector Breakthroughs

In the petroleum sector, Dangote announced significant achievements for Nigeria’s refining capacity. The country’s new refinery operates at 650,000 barrels per day, exceeding even Saudi Aramco’s 430,000-barrel capacity to become the world’s largest single refinery.

The facility has already begun making an impact on Nigeria’s trade balance. In May alone, the country exported 400,000 metric tonnes of petroleum motor spirit (petrol), marking a complete departure from its previous 100% import dependency.

Nigeria has also addressed its polypropylene import requirements, previously bringing in 350,000 tonnes annually. The country now plans to meet domestic demand while exporting 600,000 tonnes to other African nations.

Health Sector Partnerships

Dangote also referenced successful health initiatives developed through partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, including Nigeria’s achievement in ending polio transmission and advancing nutrition programs.

Vision for Healthcare Transformation

Drawing parallels between industrial and healthcare development, Dangote suggested that Nigeria’s business sector successes could serve as a template for transforming healthcare delivery. He emphasized the potential for developing local pharmaceutical manufacturing and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on medical tourism by ensuring quality healthcare access domestically.

The achievements outlined by Dangote reflect Nigeria’s broader economic diversification efforts and movement toward greater self-sufficiency in critical sectors.

The United States is preparing to provide Nigerian businesses with unprecedented access to its massive $120 trillion capital market, offering new pathways for financing innovation and business expansion across Africa’s largest economy.

Strategic Partnership for Economic Growth

US Ambassador to Nigeria David Greene Mills outlined the initiative during a fireside chat at Lagos Business School, describing America’s financial system as a crucial source of venture capital and long-term investment opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The ambassador emphasized that the liquidity and efficiency of US financial markets position them as ideal platforms for supporting Nigerian business growth and innovation across multiple sectors.

Strong Foundation of Existing Trade Relations

The announcement builds on an already robust economic relationship between the two nations. Nigeria currently ranks as America’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching nearly $13 billion in 2024.

US foreign direct investment in Nigeria has shown consistent growth, rising to $6.5 billion in 2024—a 5.5% increase from the previous year. This investment flows through more than 80 major American companies currently operating across Nigerian sectors including pharmaceuticals, technology, and manufacturing.

American Business Presence Expanding

Several prominent US corporations have established significant operations in Nigeria, particularly in the Lagos Free Zone and Alaro City. Major brands including Kellogg’s, Colgate-Palmolive, and Caterpillar have set up facilities in these strategic locations, demonstrating growing confidence in Nigeria’s business environment.

The venture capital landscape already shows strong US involvement, with American firms providing 60% of Nigeria’s venture capital funding. Mills indicated this percentage could increase significantly as access to US capital markets expands.

People-to-People Connections Drive Partnership

The economic relationship is reinforced by substantial human connections between both countries. Over 750,000 Nigerians currently live in the United States, representing the largest African diaspora community in America. Additionally, more than 20,000 Nigerian students are enrolled in US universities, strengthening educational and cultural ties.

Future-Focused Investment Strategy

Mills highlighted Nigeria’s demographic trajectory as a key factor in the partnership’s long-term potential. With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050—surpassing the United States with over 375 million people—the ambassador sees enormous growth opportunities ahead.

“We will continue to invest in development through expanded trade and private investment because it is the private sector that drives economic growth,” Mills stated, emphasizing the shift toward market-driven rather than aid-based economic cooperation.

Creating Enabling Environment

The ambassador stressed that success will depend on fostering a business environment that encourages high-impact investment and collaboration. He identified increasing trade, investment, and business linkages between the two nations as a central priority of his diplomatic mission.

The initiative represents a significant evolution in US-Nigeria economic relations, moving beyond traditional trade partnerships toward comprehensive capital market integration designed to fuel mutual economic growth.

The Kwara State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the killing of two policemen and the abduction of a Chinese national and one Nigerian in the Oreke-Okeigbo community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday night.

The incident which took place at a mining site in the community at about 6.30 pm on Wednesday, saw two policemen: an Assistant Superintendent of Police and an Inspector being shot dead by a group of unidentified gunmen who attacked it.

According to a statement e-signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in the command on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo on Thursday, the gunmen also abducted two individuals; a Chinese national and a Nigerian from the mining site.

The statement said, “The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police confirms a deadly attack and abduction incident that occurred on June 4, 2025, at about 1830hrs. This heinous act was done at a mining site located in Oreke-Okeigbo of the state.

”Information received from the Divisional Police Officer in Oreke indicates that a group of unidentified armed assailants invaded the said mining facility, where they tragically shot and killed two operatives of the Nigeria Police Force —ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, both attached to the 45 PMF, Abuja, who were on official protective assignment at the location.

The attackers also carted away the rifles of the deceased officers.

”In addition to the heinous killings, the assailants abducted two individuals: Sam Xie Wie, a Chinese national, and David Adenaiye, a native of Kogi State who was working at the mining site at the time of the incident,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Adekimi Ojo, strongly condemned the act of brutality and assured the public that the command had since swung into decisive action to bring the perpetrators to book and rescue the abductees.

“Tactical and intelligence-driven efforts are currently underway to ensure the swift rescue of the abducted victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this cowardly attack.

“The command is working in close synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen its presence in the area and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

”Residents of Kwara State are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as the command remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property across the state.

“We appeal to members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could aid the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts,” the statement further said.

Punch

US group distributing aid in Gaza reopens sites after deadly shootings

A U.S.- and Israeli-backed organisation distributing aid in Gaza reopened two sites on Thursday, a day after halting work in response to a series of deadly shootings close to its operations.

The U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said 26 truckloads of desperately needed food were handed out at two sites in southern Gaza's Rafah area.

The GHF, which has been fiercely criticised by humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations, for alleged lack of neutrality, began distributing aid last week and had been running three sites earlier this week.

GHF's interim director John Acree said in a statement that the group was looking to open more sites, including in north Gaza, and "ensure safe and more efficient delivery of lifesaving aid".

The U.N. has warned that most of Gaza's 2.3 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade of the enclave, with the rate of young children suffering from acute malnutrition nearly tripling.

"The failure to provide urgent therapeutic feeding and health services for children places thousands of lives at immediate risk, and could result in unnecessary and continued loss of life," U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher told the Security Council in a note, seen by Reuters.

Meanwhile, Israel announced it had recovered the bodies of two dual-nationality Israeli-American hostages from Gaza. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. Fifty-six hostages remain in captivity, with fewer than half still believed to be alive.

The Israeli military has intensified operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the Islamist militant group.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday, including four journalists in a hospital in the enclave’s north, local health authorities said. The military said that it had targeted an Islamic Jihad militant who was operating a command-and-control centre.

The Hamas-run government media office says that 225 journalists in Gaza have been killed since the war began.

The renewed military campaign has further isolated Israel amid mounting international pressure. On Wednesday, a U.S. veto blocked a U.N. Security Council draft resolution, backed by the 14 other members, demanding an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and full, unrestricted aid access to Gaza.

Under global pressure, Israel allowed limited U.N.-led aid deliveries to resume on May 19. A week later, the relatively unknown GHF started a new aid distribution system that bypasses traditional relief agencies.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Four killed in intense Russian air attack on Ukraine's capital

Russia mounted an intense missile and drone barrage of the Ukrainian capital overnight, killing at least four people, according to Ukrainian officials, and sending powerful explosions reverberating across the city.

The night of attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via U.S. leader Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back against Kyiv after Ukrainian drones destroyed several of Russia's strategic bomber aircraft in coordinated attacks deep inside Russia.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko indicated the death toll of four could rise, because rescue workers were still looking for people under the rubble of buildings. He also said 20 people were injured, of whom 16 were hospitalised.

Operation of the city's metro transport system was disrupted because a Russian strike had hit and damaged a train between stations, the city's military administration said.

The air attack also triggered fires in residential buildings in different parts of the city, authorities said.

Earlier in the night, as the attacks came in, Reuters reporters could hear the sound of Russian kamikaze drones buzzing in the sky, accompanied by the sounds of outgoing fire from Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire.

Reuters witnesses reported a series of booming explosions powerful enough to rattle windows far from the impact sites, and at least one large fire at the site of a drone hit.

Some Kyiv residents sought shelter in metro stations, or in underground car parks.

Ukraine's air force said the city had been targeted with drones and Kalibr cruise missiles.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said drones had struck the upper floors of a high-rise apartment building and started a fire in Darnytskyi district on the east side of the city, where he said emergency power cuts were possible.

Tkachenko said a fire had also broken out in an apartment building in a western district. He said drone fragments had been spotted in three districts.

In one of the most audacious attacks of the war between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian spies last weekend destroyed some of Russia's strategic bomber aircraft on the ground using quadrocopter drones hidden in wooden sheds.

Trump said after a phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday that the Kremlin was planning an unspecified response to the Ukrainian attack on Russian air bases.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine reports major Russian strike overnight

Ukrainian officials have claimed that Moscow launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes on Kiev and other cities across the country overnight. The Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to comment.

Multiple explosions were reported across several districts of Kiev and its suburbs early Friday morning, with mayor Vitaly Klitschko claiming that the Ukrainian air defenses were engaging incoming missiles and drones. The official initially said that debris fell on the territory of non-residential buildings only. He later claimed that at least four people were killed and 20 injured.

Surveillance footage allegedly captured by a CCTV camera somewhere in the Kiev region appeared to show the moment a US-supplied Patriot air defense system attempted to engage an incoming missile with four interceptors before seemingly being hit.

Blasts were also reported in the western regions of Ternopol and Lviv, in the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk, in Kremenchug in central Ukraine, and elsewhere across the country. Multiple blurred out videos shared across Ukrainian social media appeared to show the aftermath of the strikes, but the exact locations and the facilities targeted were hard to verify.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet issued a statement on the incident. Moscow regularly carries out drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure, insisting that its operations do not target civilian facilities – and blaming Kiev for placing its air defenses in densely populated areas.

On Sunday, Ukrainian drones struck multiple Russian airbases in a coordinated assault targeting long-range, nuclear-capable bombers. Moscow said that most of the incoming drones were intercepted, without confirming any irreparable losses or carrying out any immediate military response. Kiev also targeted multiple Russian civilian sites in acts of railway sabotage over the weekend, killing at least seven people and injuring over 120 in what Moscow branded as terrorism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart Donald Trump in a phone call on Wednesday that Moscow “will have to respond”to the attack on the Russian nuclear deterrent. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the retaliation would be carried out “when and how our military deems appropriate.”

Reuters/RT

Boarding announcements were not an issue when I used to commute in Lagos by danfo, the ubiquitous yellow buses, or molue, the mass-transit lorries, which were improvised for public transportation.

The conductors often had a melodious and entertaining way of calling passengers that was enjoyable to hear. They called out in a drawl, accompanying each announcement with a warning for passengers to board with their change in hand or risk a “forced marriage,” which meant giving a fixed sum, usually a bank note, to two or more passengers to share at disembarkation.

Flying is a luxury – or should be – with no room for bus conductors and their outrageous threats of forced passenger marriages. But vehicle conductors across the country might be surprised to know that, however lowly their jobs, there are several areas where they do far better than their cousins at airports across the country, who, for want of a better description, carry the elegant titles of flight announcers, when quite frankly, they perform the job of conductors.

A conductor’s life

There is no intention to deride or demean, please. Conductors, whether at the motor park, opera, or the airport, provide the vital link that helps us understand and enjoy the moment, as we make a rite of passage.

But that vital function is threatened at many airports nationwide, even among crew announcers onboard several flights. I could have missed a recent flight from Asaba to Abuja because I wasn’t sure what the announcer said: “This is a broaden hannouncement on Flight PA7861 from Hum, Hum, Hum, to Ham, Ham, Ham…all persongers on this flight should phulease proceed to the gate to broad…a phust departure call phulease…”

I didn’t understand. The babble was neither British, American, nor trans-Atlantic. It was not even Ingili-Igbo(a variety of standard British English mixed with Igbo phonemes) as Chief Zebruddaya Okorigwe-Nwogbo alias 4.30 might have called it in the New Masquerade. It was indecipherable. But I noticed some passengers rushing to line up or scampering in different directions. I stayed put, waiting for a second, hopefully clearer announcement. It was the same thing.

Accra bound?

I looked at my colleague with whom I was travelling and asked, “Did you hear what the announcer said?” “I think she said something like it’s a flight to Accra,” he responded. “No way,” I replied. “You mean that flights now depart from the Asaba Airport to Accra? And see the number of passengers lining up.”

Time was ticking. We hurried to the line, which is often the typical response when there’s no airline staff in sight, where a passenger smiled a knowing smile and told us it was a flight to Abuja, not Accra. At that time, something that sounded like the final boarding announcement had been made.

I had experienced a similar thing on my outbound trip from Abuja, where the flight announcer seemed more concerned about how her fake imitation of an Oyinbo accent than the clarity of what she was saying. I got up twice to ask at the desk.

Suupri…suupri…suupri

The second time, the announcer who faked an Oyinbo accent told me in plain, audible language that my flight had not been announced. “Is it impossible to announce as you have just told me, Ma?” I asked. She smiled and adjusted the PAS: “This is a boreding announcement on Flight PA74862 from suupri, suupri, suupri, to ham, ham, ham…all persongers on this flight should phulease proceed to the boreding gate…a phust departure call phulease…”

I gave up.

Sometimes, the noise in the departure lounge can make things worse. At other times, the lack of coordination and/or the poor sound quality of the PAS can also compound the problem. There’s hardly such a thing as a level key. The volume is too high, too low or a garbled screeching static sound. As for the tone of voice, that’s something else altogether.

What was that, pilot?

It happens onboard, too. For aerophobics like me, a pilot’s calming voice before departure, midflight, or shortly before landing has a huge calming effect. Often, however, you’ll have to strain to hear. There’s such a deafening noise in the inflight PAS that it’s difficult to decipher what even the pilot says, whether it will be fair weather, or you should brace up for a bumpy ride. On this last trip to Asaba, it wasn’t very different, but it was the attendant who had me cracking a rib.

From her appearance, she seems a full-blooded Nigerian woman, likely from the Southeast. As we neared landing, she unleashed a torrent of fake accents. She concluded by welcoming passengers to “Asaaabhaaa,”pronounced like a JJC would say Asaba, with enough drawl of the “Icheku” variety (the Nigerian TV drama series based on the foibles of the colonial courtroom) to spice the miserly inflight passengers’ lunchbox. Where did she acquire that accent from?

Oyinbo blues

I might be a latecomer to this flourishing business of phonemical jiggery pokery. Farooq Kperogi flagged it in an article two years ago, entitled “Fake Accents on Nigerian Airplanes and Airports,” in which he narrated how an Oyinbo man approached a passenger to interpret what the flight announcer said. It was his second article on the subject in seven years.

Although recent aviation concerns have focused more on air traffic control staffing shortages, technology and flight delays, it would be interesting to see statistics on how indecipherable announcements may have contributed to passenger misery, including perhaps, missed flights.

It wouldn’t be a big issue if the humour of Oyinbowannabes were all there was to it. It would, in fact, be a good source of entertainment when flights are delayed, as they frequently are. But passengers who bank on in-flight announcers who use them to practice phonology risk missing their flights.

Lessons from the motor park

In many parts of the world, airports are enhancing the quality of announcements. Tools like PAXGuide, for instance, can monitor every announcement, including who made it and when. Instead of terminal-wide announcements, announcements can be targeted and localised to specific gates, while automation through display boards and technological upgrades can also help to improve the passenger’s experience.

There’s also something that airports, with a bit of humility, can learn from the motor parks. I’m serious about this. The conductors in the motor parks hardly ever pretend to be someone they’re not or borrow a language they’re uncomfortable with. Apart from the points suggested, is it also possible for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to authorise using pidgin English (perhaps the most widely spoken language across the country), as the second language for flight announcers at least for domestic routes?

It would take a truly wayward flight announcer to nasalise pidgin English and not sound ridiculous in his or her own ears.

** Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book, Writing for Media and Monetising It.

Melissa Rudy

Arun Sanyal, M.D., director of the VCU Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, discusses the clinical trial involving 800 participants, in which a weekly dose of semaglutide was effective at treating fatty liver disease.

As cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are on the rise, experts are warning of the hidden dangers associated with some common medications and supplements.

Statistics show that DILI, also known as toxic hepatitis or hepatotoxicity — which is known to be a significant cause of acute liver failure — has been growing in Western countries since the 1960s.

Around one-fifth of the total population who are prescribed medications will experience DILI, according to recent research published in the journal Toxicology Reports.

Potential triggers of liver injury include herbal products, dietary supplements and medications, the study found.

Those with pre-existing liver conditions and nutritional deficiencies are at a higher risk, as are pregnant women.

How drugs can harm the liver

One of the liver’s main functions is to break down substances taken orally, including supplements and medications, according to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

For some people, the process of metabolizing these substances can be slower, increasing the risk of liver damage.

Even medications that have been tested for safety and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can potentially cause liver injury in rare cases, stated the ACG.

Common symptoms of liver disease include nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, generalized itching, dark urine and jaundice, although some people may notice no signs, per the above source.

Most common medications that cause DILI

The recent study in Toxicology Reports identified several drugs that are most likely to cause liver injury.

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen), a common over-the-counter pain reliever
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often used to treat headaches, fever and chronic inflammatory disorders
• Aspirin, a common over-the-counter medication used as a fever-reducer, pain reliever and blood thinner
• Nimesulide, an NSAID used to relieve pain and reduce fever
• Methotrexate, an antimetabolite medication that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, leukemia and other cancers
• Corticosteroids, which are used to treat conditions involving inflammation or overactive immune systems
• Isoniazid, a first-line treatment for tuberculosis
• Tetracyclines, a class of antibiotics that treat multiple types of bacterial infections
• Halothane, which is used as a general anaesthetic during surgical procedures

Supplements linked to liver damage

Medications aren’t the only agents that can cause drug-induced liver injuries.

Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, spoke with Fox News Digital about the risks of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) affecting the liver.

"The biggest problem with herbal supplements is that the amount you are taking of active chemicals isn’t strictly regulated, so you don’t know exactly what you are getting," he said. 

"And since several of the supplements are metabolized through the liver, there is now an increasing incidence of liver toxicity in users."

Cases of DILI linked to herbal or dietary supplements have nearly tripled between 2004 and 2014, according to a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers identified the following most commonly used botanical products known for potential liver toxicity.

• Turmeric, a common spice added to foods
• Green tea
• Ashwagandha, an herb used for stress and anxiety
• Garcinia cambogia, a popular weight-loss supplement
• Red yeast rice, which is said to help lower cholesterol levels
• Black cohosh, a dietary supplement used to relieve menopause symptoms

It is estimated that at least 15.6 million U.S. adults have used at least one of these six botanical products within the past 30 days.

"The most commonly implicated botanical products in the DILIN (Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network) include turmeric, kratom, green tea extract and Garcinia cambogia, with potentially severe and even fatal liver injury," the study stated.

Drug-induced liver injury caused by HDS can be severe or even fatal, leading to death or liver transplantation, the researchers noted.

Fox News’ Siegel also warned against the potential liver-related risks of some of these named supplements.

"Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and may be useful in small doses, but can be toxic in large doses," he cautioned.

"Garcinia cambogia is very popular, especially as a weight-loss agent, but there is no real evidence that it actually works, and there is no reason to take it, especially with the new GLP-1 drugs."

While red yeast rice has cholesterol-lowering statin-type properties, Siegel cautioned that the amount of active chemicals isn’t as strictly regulated as approved medications.

"I find it useful in some patients who are reluctant to start statins and are looking for a more natural alternative, but I must strictly monitor the amount taken and the effect on the liver," he said.

Regarding green tea, Siegel noted that it does have antioxidant properties and can be useful to consume as a beverage (though it has a lot of caffeine) — "but there is no reason whatsoever to take more of it in an extract, where it can be toxic."

The FDA states on its website that it does regulate dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients, but under "a different set of regulations than those covering ‘conventional’ foods and drug products."

"Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded," the agency says. "That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by DSHEA and FDA regulations."

Fox News Digital reached out to several researchers and the FDA regarding the rise in drug- and HSD-related liver injury.

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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