News Agency Of Nigeria

<h2>British King Charles returns to London for what is widely expected to be further treatment following his cancer diagnosis.</h2>

Charles and Queen Camilla flew by helicopter to Buckingham Palace from their private Sandringham home on Tuesday and were driven the short distance to nearby Clarence House.

It was announced last week that the head of state has a “form of cancer” and at the weekend he issued a statement praising “all those organisations which support cancer patients”. Charles had postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.

The Queen has been carrying out her royal diary of engagements and last week said her husband was doing “extremely well under the circumstances”. She said the King, who underwent his first bout of cancer treatment last week, had been “very touched” by all the messages of support he has received from the public.

The King and Queen arrived as downpours swept across London and Charles was photographed waving to well-wishers. Charles’s diagnosis followed three nights in a private London hospital where he was treated for an enlarged prostate.

The Prince of Wales may step in to represent his father at events and it has been reported William and his family are spending half-term at their Norfolk home Anmer Hall, which is on the King’s Sandringham estate.&nbsp;

Buckingham Palace announced King Charles III has cancer. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

British King Charles returns to London for what is widely expected to be further treatment following his cancer diagnosis.

King Charles returns to London for further cancer treatment

<h2>Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, the organising body for the Grammy Awards, has revealed how winners are selected for the prestigious music award.</h2>

This comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the 2024 Grammy Awards, where several Nigerian artists, including Burna Boy, Davido,&nbsp;Asake and Ayra Starr could not secure a win in their respective categories.

Addressing the concerns in a viral video, Manson said that Grammy winners are chosen based on votes from members of the Recording Academy, who are music professionals in the United States.

He said that the selection process is not influenced by committees, labels, or journalists.

“You have to understand that the only way to win is to have the member of the academy vote for you. To be a member of the academy you have to be a professional, working in music in the United States for now. Hopefully, we grow that,” he said.

“But right now, if you are working professionally in the United States you can become a member of the recording academy.

“Once you are a member of the recording academy, all the music is submitted, the members listen to it and they evaluate it on the quality of the art.

“Not the sales, not the streams, not how many fans, but purely on the opinion. It is very hard, as you all know because it is subjective.

“It is no best song or best record, it is just the opinion of that membership of that particular year. That is how you win a Grammy. The voters vote. There is no committee, no journalist, and there are no labels.

“It is the music professionals voting for their peers,” he said.

Jay Z, the US rapper, also slammed the Grammy Awards for “never giving” Beyonce, his wife, ‘Album of the Year’ category in spite of her impressive record of 32 wins.

During Jay-Z’s acceptance speech for the Dr Dre Global Impact Award at the Grammys,&nbsp;he stated further: ‘“Some of you will go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed, some of you may be robbed, some of you don’t even belong in the categories.”

Also, last year, Angelique Kidjo said the Grammy Awards need to embrace “diversity and gender equality” to survive.

Greg Carr, associate professor in the Department of Afro-American Studies at Howard University, says the music industry was built on exclusion.

“Once exclusion was no longer an option, the inclusion of Black music has been curated, at least historically, very carefully, to absorb that music while minimizing black people,” he says.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Grammys snub sparked widespread disappointment and frustration among fans and the Nigerian music community.

Social media platforms are flooded with expressions of disappointment, as fans lament the loss of their favourite stars.

The Best African Music Performance category saw South Africa’s Tyla emerge victorious with her song, “Water”.

Also, in the much-anticipated Best Global Music Album category, Davido and Burna Boy fell short, with Shakti’s “This Moment” clinching the coveted award.

The hashtag,&nbsp;#GrammySnubNaija, trended on X formerly Twitter, with fans venting their frustration over what they perceived as a missed opportunity for Nigerian music to gain international recognition.

The Twitterverse became a virtual town square for fans to voice their disappointment, frustration, and disbelief.

NaijaMusicLover tweeted, “I can’t believe what I just witnessed. All our hopes were dashed in one night. Davido and Burna Boy deserved better.”

X user,&nbsp;@AfrobeatsQueen, shared a meme of a shocked face, captioned, “Me watching the Grammys realising they really snubbed our Nigerian kings. #ShameOnGrammys.”

@NaijaJollofQueen wrote, “This is beyond heartbreaking. Our artistes have been making waves globally, and the Grammys failed to acknowledge their impact. Disappointed but not defeated. We’ll keep shining.

In a series of passionate tweets, @MusicAficionado expressed, “It’s not just about winning awards. Nigerian music has influenced the world. Our artistes have elevated the game. Grammy or not, we are a force to be reckoned with. #NaijaStandUp.”

Celebrities also joined the conversation stating, “Sending love and respect to our stars who gave their all. We see your hard work and dedication. The Grammys might have missed it, but the world knows who runs the show. #NaijaToTheWorld,” they said.

In spite of the disappointment, some X users emphasise the need to focus on the bigger picture.

@AfrobeatInsider tweeted, “Let’s not forget the impact Nigerian music has made globally. Awards are just one part of the journey. Our artistes have opened doors for Afrobeats worldwide. The movement continues.”

NAN reports that Burna Boy received four nominations in 2024: Best Melodic Rap Performance (“Sittin’ on Top of the World” with 21 Savage); Best Global Music Performance (Alone); Best African Music Performance (City Boys) and Best Global Music Album

Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy [usatoday]

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Grammys snub sparked widespread disappointment and frustration among fans and the Nigerian music community.

How winners are selected -
Grammys’ CEO

<h2>The intensive fighting by the Israeli armed forces in the north of Gaza Strip has ended, according to the Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant.</h2>

The minister also said the intensive phase of the ground offensive in the south of the sealed-off coastal strip in the area of the city of Khan Younis would also soon be over.

“At the end of the war, there would be no military threat from Gaza. Hamas will not be able to control and function as a military force in the Gaza Strip.

&nbsp;“The IDF would have full freedom of action to do whatever is required to defend the citizens of Israel,” the defence minister said.

“It may take a long time, but it would end with a single scenario, total victory.”

He however said that the Israeli army would keep up military pressure to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.

“If the fire stops, the fate of the hostages would be sealed for many years in the captivity of Hamas,” said Gallant.

“Without military pressure, no one would talk to us. Only from a position of strength can the hostages be freed,” he claimed.

International pressure has been steadily increasing on Israel to reduce the intensity of the attacks and prevent the mass civilian casualties which have characterised the Israeli assault in the Gaza Strip.

Washington has been urging Israel to switch from heavy bombing to more targeted strikes against the the Islamist militant organisation Hamas.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.Elad Malka (IMoD)/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

The intensive fighting by the Israeli armed forces in the north of Gaza Strip has ended, according to the Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant.

Intense fighting in northern Gaza Strip has ended - Israeli defence minister

<h2>Israel on Thursday faces accusations of genocide over the war in Gaza before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.</h2>

The ICJ, the United Nations’ highest judicial body, will hear a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of violating the UN Genocide Convention due to its bombing of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, the number of Palestinians killed since the start of the war in October has risen to 23,357.

Israel rejects the accusation of genocide and said it is defending itself after militants from the Palestinian organisation Hamas and other extremist groups killed about 1,200 people during attack in Israel on October 7. The judges must first rule on an urgent request by South Africa for the immediate cessation of the military operation, a decision that could take several weeks.

Afterwards, the judges will deliberate on the allegations of genocide. South Africa and Israel both have high-ranking legal experts.

South Africa, which brought the case because it saw echoes of apartheid from its own history in Israel’s actions, will have the floor first, while Israel will respond on Friday, but a ruling could take years. The international community is split on whether the case should be heard.

The-International-Court-of-Justice-ICJ [Nederlandse Vereniging voor de Verenigde Naties]

Israel on Thursday faces accusations of genocide over the war in Gaza before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Israel faces ICJ after South Africa accuses it of genocide

<h2>Authorities on Friday said 11 subsistence mine workers have been trapped in an underground shaft after a ground collapse at Zimbabwe’s Redwing Mine, 270 kilometers west of the capital Harare.</h2>

Zimbabwe’s mines ministry in a statement said the incident took place on Thursday morning, with initial assessments pointing to earth tremors as the possible cause of the accident.

Metallon Corporation, which owns Redwing Mine, confirmed the incident in a separate statement. The company has deployed a rescue team to bring the trapped miners back to the surface, it added.

“The team has made several rescue attempts. However, the ground remains unstable, rendering rescue operations unsafe. Our teams are diligently assessing ground conditions to make sure the rescue operations proceed safely as soon as possible,’’ Metallon said.

Mining operations at Redwing have been undertaken by subsistence miners carrying out unsanctioned work since the mine was placed under corporate rescue in 2020, the company said.

Authorities on Friday said 11 subsistence mine workers have been trapped in an underground shaft after a ground collapse at Zimbabwe’s Redwing Mine, 270 kilometers west of the capital Harare.

11 miners trapped in Zimbabwe's gold mine collapse

<h2>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the world to prepare for the next pandemic and act on lessons learned from COVID-19.</h2>

Guterres said this in a message on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, celebrated annually on December 27, provides an opportunity for renewed commitment to the vital work of epidemic preparedness.

It’s also an ideal moment to reflect on the progress made to date—progress that in 2023 demonstrated the important link between global goals and local advocacy.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected hundreds of millions of lives, caused millions of deaths and inflicted devastating impacts on humanity.

After three years of unprecedented global efforts, on May 5, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing however, that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.

“Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccinations,” Guterres said.

The UN chief noted that three years after the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed, billions of people remain unprotected – overwhelmingly in developing countries.

“When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19,” he urged.

“We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines,” he stressed, adding that WHO’s authority and financing must also be strengthened.

According to him, the way forward lies through global cooperation and the world must improve surveillance of viruses, strengthen health systems, and make the promise of Universal Health Coverage a reality.

The secretary-general said these efforts were making progress.

He recalled that the High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held in September, concluded with a robust political declaration which complements negotiations underway towards a pandemic accord.

This first-ever global agreement aims to enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future, WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said in his end-of-year message published on Tuesday.

According to the UN chief, the pandemic accord will help to create a safer and healthier world with a universal system of response to disease eruptions.

Guterres urged countries to build on this momentum by delivering a strong, comprehensive accord, focused on equity.

“Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected hundreds of millions of lives, caused millions of deaths and inflicted devastating impacts on humanity.

The world should prepare for next pandemic - UN chief

<h2>Israel has assembled a system of large pumps with which it could flood the extensive tunnel network of the Islamist movement Hamas under the Gaza Strip with seawater, according to media reports.</h2>

The U.S. newspaper Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing U.S. government officials, that it is not known whether the Israeli government intends to use this tactic. Israel has neither made a final decision nor ruled out such a plan, the officials were quoted as saying.

Israeli forces completed the installation of large seawater pumps north of the Al-Shati refugee camp in mid-November, they said.

At least five pumps were installed, which can draw water from the Mediterranean Sea and direct thousands of cubic metres of water per hour into the tunnels, flooding them within a few weeks, the newspaper reported.

With such a tactic, Israel would be able to destroy the tunnels and drive the terrorists out of their underground hideout, it said. On the other hand, this would threaten the Gaza Strip’s water supply, U.S. officials were quoted as saying.

Israel first informed the U.S. of this option in early November, prompting a discussion in which the feasibility and environmental impact were weighed against the military value of taking out the tunnels, the report said. The Israeli army said it has found more than 800 tunnel shafts since the beginning of the Gaza war.

They said on Sunday that about 500 of them have already been destroyed. Some of the tunnel shafts had connected strategic Hamas facilities underground, it said in a statement. Many kilometres of underground tunnel routes had been destroyed. The information could not initially be independently verified.

Israel has plans to flood Gaza strip tunnels with seawater [The Daily Messenger]

Israel has assembled a system of large pumps with which it could flood the extensive tunnel network of the Islamist movement Hamas under the Gaza Strip with seawater, according to media reports.

Israel plans to flood Gaza strip tunnels with seawater

<h2>The U.S. official White House schedule reports that President Joe Biden will not be attending the kick off of the UN Climate Change Conference later this week in Dubai.</h2>

The White House has yet to give an official reason for Biden skipping the start of the annual global climate summit, which other world leaders, including Pope Francis, will appear at.

The New York Times reported that senior White House officials indicated that the Gaza war was keeping Biden busy, as he was pushing for an extended pause in the fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, who is the Biden administration’s point person for international negotiations to tackle the crisis, is expected to be on site in Dubai.

Representatives from around 200 countries are meeting for a fortnight, starting Thursday at the United Nations “Conference of the Parties” on climate, known as COP28, in the United Arab Emirates. Biden attended the last two summits in Scotland and Egypt.

Earlier this month, he described the climate crisis as the “ultimate threat to humanity.” The agenda for COP28 includes a new target for the expansion of renewable energies. A financial pot for damages and losses is also on the agenda and an official assessment of whether the world is on track to contain the crisis.

US President Joe Biden.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The U.S. official White House schedule reports that President Joe Biden will not be attending the kick off of the UN Climate Change Conference later this week in Dubai.

Biden to skip UN Climate conference kickoff in Dubai, White House schedule confirms

<h2>Another 42 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons are to be released on Saturday as part of the agreement between the Israeli government and the Islamist Hamas movement, according to the Times of Israel newspaper.</h2>

Israel will initially transfer the detainees to Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank for medical examinations by International Red Cross staff, according to the newspaper, which cited Israeli prison officials.

Al Jazeera reported that the prisoners to be released include 18 women and 24 teenage boys.

As a condition of the agreement, Hamas militants must first release Israeli hostages being held in Gaza before the Palestinian prisoners are released from Israeli custody, according to the report.

After their release, the Palestinians are to return to the places where they previously lived, for example in the West Bank or East Jerusalem.

The first group of Palestinian prisoners consisted of minors and women held in Israeli prisons on offences ranging from stone-throwing to attacks on police officers, including some who were arrested but never faced trial, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

Israel to release another 42 Palestinian women, children from prison [ndtv]

After their release, the Palestinians are to return to the places where they previously lived, for example in the West Bank or East Jerusalem.

Israel to release another 42 Palestinian women, children from prison

<h2>The United Nations on Thursday said that around 89,000 women and girls were killed in 2022 across the globe.</h2>

According to UN report, this is the highest annual figure recorded in the past two decades.

“The alarming number of femicides is a stark reminder that humanity is still grappling with deep-rooted inequalities and violence against women and girls,’’ said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, in a statement.

“Each life lost is a call to action, a plea to urgently address structural inequalities, to improve criminal justice responses, so that no woman or girl fears for her life because of her gender.’’

Waly said that more than half of these murders, around 55%, were committed by family members or partners, compared to about 12% of male victims of homicide. According to him, the highest number of murders of women and girls, around 20,000, took place in Africa, followed by Asia.&nbsp;

Group of women with different races [Freepik]

The United Nations on Thursday said that around 89,000 women and girls were killed in 2022 across the globe.

89,000 women, girls murdered across the globe in 2022 - United Nations

<h2>Pope Francis on Wednesday met separately with Israeli relatives of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians with family in Gaza and said the conflict had gone beyond war to become “terrorism”.</h2>

Speaking in unscripted remarks at his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square shortly after the early morning meetings in his residence, Francis said he heard directly how “both sides are suffering” in the conflict.

“This is what wars do. But here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war. This is terrorism,” he said.

He asked for prayers so that both sides would “not go ahead with passions, which in the end, kill everyone”.

Both groups would be holding separate news conferences later on Wednesday. The meetings and the pope’s comments came hours after Israel’s government and Hamas agreed to silence the guns in Gaza for at least four days to allow in aid and release at least 50 hostages captured by militants in exchange for at least 150 Palestinians jailed in Israel.

Israel has placed Gaza under siege and relentless bombardment since a Hamas attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 13,000 Gazans have been killed, about 40% of them children, according to medical officials in the Hamas-ruled territory, figures deemed reliable by the United Nations.

Pope Francis on Wednesday met separately with Israeli relatives of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians with family in Gaza and said the conflict had gone beyond war to become “terrorism”.

Israel-Hamas conflict has gone beyond war to become terrorism – Pope Francis

<h2>A Hamas official said Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement with Israel would be announced in the coming hours in Qatar.</h2>

The official, who requested to remain anonymous, spoke with Xinhua.

“We are close to reaching an agreement in the coming hours, and the movement has delivered its response to the mediators’’, it said.

Another Hamas source said, “the agreement will be announced in Qatar, and it may be soon, and its success is linked to the commitment of the Israeli side.”

The ceasefire deal, said the sources, would last for five days and would include the release of 50 civilians and foreign nationals held by Hamas in exchange for the release of 300 Palestinian detainees. This would include children and women held by Israel.

The deal will also include the entry of 300 trucks of food, medical and fuel aid into the Gaza Strip. The sources indicated that the release of prisoners would take place in stages, at a rate of 10 Israeli prisoners per day compared with that of 30 Palestinian prisoners.

A Hamas official said Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement with Israel would be announced in the coming hours in Qatar.

Ceasefire agreement with Israel to be announced in coming hours - Hamas official

<h2>The U.S. and China will resume military-to-military communication after a long period of radio silence, according to U.S. President Joe Biden.</h2>

Biden disclosed this to reporters after a long-awaited face-to-face meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing summit in Filoli Estate, San Francisco, U.S. The summit is the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting that began on November 14 to end on November 17.

The step was “critically important,” the U.S. leader said.

“We are reassuming military-to-military direct contact… (which had) been cut off, and has been worrisome.

“That’s how accidents happen,” Biden said during a news conference in San Francisco.

“We’re back to direct, open, clear, direct communications,” Biden said.

“Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real, real trouble with a country like China or any other major country,” he added.

U.S. President Joe Biden is joined by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona (L).Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The U.S. and China will resume military-to-military communication after a long period of radio silence, according to U.S. President Joe Biden.

U.S., China to resume military to military communication - Biden

<h2>The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and the University of Nairobi, Kenya have collaborated for joint research activities, and exchange of scholars, as well as students to strengthen research activities.</h2>

Malam Auwalu Umar, Director, Public Affairs Directorate of the University, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Zaria.

Umar said the agreement was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) jointly signed by both parties at the University of Nairobi in Kenya.

He added that the MoU was for a period of five years and it shall be governed by the Nigerian and Kenyan laws subject to national and international jurisdictions.

He said that the main objective of the MoU was basically to provide directly or in collaboration with other institutions’ facilities for university education.

“The facility for the university education includes technological, professional education, research, transmission of knowledge and the stimulation of intellectual life and cultural development.

“Other areas of collaboration as captured in the MoU include joint proposals for solicitation of funding and exchange of information as well as documentation both written and electronic,” he said.

Umar added that both institutions agreed on the use of each other’s facilities subject to adequate prior notice and convenience.

He said the parties also agreed to the exchange of faculty members in the field of mutual interests and on terms to be agreed upon.

“The MoU seeks for collaboration in joint research and publications, academic writing, alumni relations, partnerships and stakeholder engagements.

“The two African universities will engage in capacity building through exchange programmes, research output, and short courses.

“This is in addition to the exchange of academic data and information, as well as the joint organisation of scientific meetings such as seminars, conferences, colloquiums, and workshops,” Umar said.

He said the parties further undertook to jointly solicit for funds, research grants, contributions, subscriptions and such related funds for the purpose of realizing any or all the objectives of the collaboration.

According to him, Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice-Chancellor, ABU signed the MoU on behalf of his university, while the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Stephen Kiama, stood in for the Kenyan university.&nbsp;

ABU, Nairobi varsity collaborate on exchange of scholars to bolster research

Umar added that both institutions agreed on the use of each other’s facilities subject to adequate prior notice and convenience.

<h2>Palestinian movement Hamas spokesperson, Basem Naim, on Wednesday said that the lists of foreigners to leave Gaza are being compiled by Israel and the United States.</h2>

“Americans and Israelis are creating lists for those to leave the Gaza Strip who have other citizenship, then these lists are being sent to Egyptians.

“They are sending them to the interior ministry to publish on the official website.’’

The spokesperson said that although Hamas is not playing any role in this process, it is not preventing people from leaving the Gaza Strip if they want to do so.

Israel’s refusal to cease fire for several hours prevented two female hostages with Russian citizenship from being released, Naim added.

Israeli soldiers ride atop an artillery unit near the Israeli side of the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, November 3, 2023.REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Israel’s refusal to cease fire for several hours prevented two female hostages with Russian citizenship from being released – Hamas.

Israel, US compiling list of foreigners to leave Gaza Strip – Hamas

<h2>Israel’s army has said that it is giving civilians in northern Gaza another window to flee to the southern region of the coastal strip.</h2>

The army would open a four-hour window on a specific road to the south, a spokesman wrote on Monday on platform X, formerly Twitter, accompanied by a map. The spokesman called on people to move south as quickly as possible for their own safety.

About a week ago, the military expanded its ground operations in the war against Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. On Sunday night, the army said it had divided up the territory, and that there is now “a northern Gaza and a southern Gaza.”

Israel’s army has repeatedly called on people in the north to flee to the south. According to the military, about 700,000 people have already left. The United Nations said there are about 1.4 million internally displaced people and has described dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

In total, more than 2.2 million people live in the densely populated Gaza Strip. The Israeli military is currently fighting Hamas mainly in the north, however, there have also been Israeli airstrikes in the south. The south is not a “safe zone” but is safer “than any other place in Gaza,” an army spokesperson said last week.

The current fighting started after the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement launched a terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip against Israel on October 7, killing 1,400 mainly civilians and taking some 240 people hostage.

Israel then launched a retaliatory bombing campaign to eliminate Hamas that has killed at least 9,770 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry there.&nbsp;

Israel announces 4 hour window for Gaza civilians to escape south region [OZ Arab Media]

Israel’s army has said that it is giving civilians in northern Gaza another window to flee to the southern region of the coastal strip.

Israel announces 4 hour window for civilians in north Gaza to flee to south region

<h2>Former leader of Guinea’s military government Moussa Dadis Camara, who escaped from the central prison in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, Saturday morning, has been recaptured, according to Guinean armed forces.</h2>

Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, the chief of Staff and General of the Armed Forces of the Guinean transitional government who confirmed this in a statement, explained that Moussa Dadis Camara is safe and sound and is now back in the central prison of Conakry.

According to him, two other fugitives, Col. Moussa Tiegboro Camara and Col. Blaise Gomou, have also been recaptured and taken back to the prison.

The armed forces said that all measures were being taken to find the last fugitive Commander Claude Pivi.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General at the Court of Appeals in Conakry has issued instructions to initiate proceedings for serious charges against all four detainees who were exfiltrated Saturday from the central prison by an armed commando.

These detainees included Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the former transition president, Colonel Moussa Tiegboro Camara, the former minister in charge of tackling organised crime and grand banditry at the presidency, Blaise Gomou, a former member of the anti-drugs squad and Commander Claude Pivi, the former minister responsible for presidential security.

Moussa Dadis Camara launched a coup on Dec. 23, 2008, and became the leader of the military government.

He lost power in January 2010 and went into exile abroad.

He returned to Guinea in December 2021 and was subsequently accused of violently suppressing the protests that took place in Conakry on Sept. 28, 2009, resulting in the deaths of more than 150 people and more than 1,000 injuries.

Moussa Dadis Camara, along with two other military officers, was detained in the prison in the Kaloum commune.&nbsp;

Moussa Dadis Camara launched a coup on Dec. 23, 2008, and became the leader of the military government.

Ex-Guinea junta leader recaptured after escaping from prison

<h2>UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described a strike on an ambulance convoy outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip as horrific, reiterating his appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire.</h2>

The ambulances evacuating critically injured and sick patients to Al Shifa Hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip were struck at the entrance of the hospital on Friday, according to reports.