More than 10 million people across Ethiopia now face hunger and malnutrition amid a perfect storm of conflict, displacement and weather emergencies, the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) warned Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
WFP officials said their ability to respond has been critically hampered by a $222 million funding shortfall, putting 3.6 million vulnerable Ethiopians at risk of losing food assistance between April and September.
“Without urgent new funding, 3.6 million of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable people will lose access to WFP’s life-saving food and nutrition assistance in the coming weeks,” a WFP spokesperson said.
The crisis is particularly severe for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, with 4.4 million requiring malnutrition treatment. Officials reported that in parts of Somali, Oromia, Tigray, and Afar regions, child wasting has surpassed the 15% emergency threshold.
WFP assisted more than three million people during the first quarter of 2025, including treatment for 740,000 malnourished women and children.
Ongoing violence in Amhara region has disrupted humanitarian operations, threatening access to over half a million people. Car hijackings, threats and theft pose serious risks to aid workers.
The situation is further complicated by regional instability. WFP currently supports 800,000 refugees in Ethiopia, including 100,000 from Sudan.
Officials expect up to 10,000 more refugees may cross from South Sudan due to escalating violence there.
Weather patterns also contribute to the crisis, with poor rainfall expected through May potentially triggering another drought in the Somali region, where families are still recovering from the country’s longest recorded drought (2020-2023).
Without additional funding, WFP will halt treatment for 650,000 malnourished women and children in May and suspend assistance to up to one million refugees in June.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, China’s National Crop Variety Registration Committee (CNCVRC) published the third list of genetically modified (GM) maize and soybean varieties that passed the preliminary CNCVRC review for cultivation, the yield performance and suitable planting regions of these varieties. The public comment period for the announcement is 30 days, or until May 9, 2025.
Maize plant
In contrast to other regulatory systems, in China a biotechnology event introduced in one of the five major crops (maize, soybeans, cotton, rice, and wheat) may be approved for cultivation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), but it cannot be commercialised until the event in combination with a variety is approved for cultivation.
Beijing’s inaugural GM maize and soybean variety registration list was published for comment in October 2023 and finalised in December 2023; its second list was published for comment in March 2024 and finalised in October 2024. Together, China has approved a total of 64 GM maize varieties and 17 GM soybean varieties. USDA report is attached.
The following day on April 9, the European Commission authorised three new GM maize events for import and use in food and feed. These authorisations were for: MON 94804, DP 910521 and MON 95275.
These were the first GM events that were authorised by the new College of Commissioners, which took office in November 2024.
The European Commission stated: “These maize have gone through a comprehensive and stringent assessment procedure, which ensures a high level of protection of human and animal health, and of the environment. The Commission’s decisions only allow these genetically modified maize to be imported for use in food and animal feed, but not to be cultivated in the EU.
“The authorisations are valid for 10 years, and any product produced from these genetically modified maize will be subject to the EU’s strict labelling and traceability rules. The Commission had a legal obligation to decide on these authorisations after Member States did not reach a qualified majority either in favour or against the authorisation. More information on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the EU is available online.”
In a related development, Switzerland’s Federal Council on April 2 released a proposal for the Breeding Technologies Act (BTA) to ease restrictions on plants developed through new genomic techniques such as CRISPR. The bill also aims to strengthen Switzerland’s position as a hub for agricultural innovation and cultivation.
Under the current law, these plants are treated identically to those developed through conventional genetic engineering. They are subject to the strict provisions of the Genetic Engineering Act (GEA), including the ongoing moratorium on cultivation in Switzerland. The new proposal marks a shift in the country’s regulatory landscape and introduces a risk-based authorization system that will reflect the potential of new breeding technologies (NBTs) and the need for appropriate safeguards.
The draft BTA aims to simplify the authorisation process for plants developed through NBTs compared to the existing GEA. Comparability-based authorisation offers a streamlined route, waiving the complex environmental risk assessment if the new plant’s biological properties and genetic modifications are comparable to an already authorised plant.
Switzerland is NOT part of the European Union, but this proposal mirror’s the proposed EU Regulation on New Genetic Techniques, which is now in the final stages of the decision-making process. The draft BTA must first undergo a full legislative process. It has now entered a consultation period until July 8, 2025, to allow stakeholders to provide their support or concerns.
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) says the federal government’s decision to make the naira-for-crude policy permanent is a sustainable solution to the cost of living crisis in the country.
Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)
Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, Chairman of the advocacy group, said this in a statement on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Abuja.
Nwankpa said this would lay to rest the heightened anxiety that trailed the suspension of the policy at the end of the initial six-month arrangement with local refiners.
According to him, like all Nigerians, we saw how President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the sale of crude in naira to local refineries significantly reduced the cost of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery at the outset of the policy.
“We also acknowledge that at the time it was introduced in October 2024, it was for six months in the first instance, subject to negotiations.
“But now the administration has made it a permanent key policy initiative which it said is designed to support sustainable local refining.
“This, for us, is a good development that will help conserve foreign exchange, especially as there will be no need for the use of dollars for domestic crude or petroleum products transactions.”
Nwankpa added that, more importantly, the policy would keep the pump price of fuel and other petroleum products stable.
“Invariably, this will guarantee energy security with a resultant positive effect on the cost of living in a country where prices of goods and services are tied to fuel prices.
“So, by ensuring that local refiners do not have to scramble for foreign exchange to buy crude, the government has effectively stalled the unnecessary increase in the pump price of fuel.
“We now expect oil marketers to take advantage of the new policy and ensure that it reflects in the pricing of fuel once the new policy takes full effect,” he further said.
Nwankpa expressed hope that the relief expected from the policy would translate to a reduction in prices of goods and services in the long run.
A financial expert, Mr. Moses Igbrude, has urged the Federal Government to entrench the naira for crude oil policy to ensure its affordability and also help to moderate the inflation rate.
Igbrude, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), made the submission on Tuesday in Lagos.
He noted that entrenching the naira for crude oil policy was key in increased domestic supplies and growth of the sector.
“This might allow for stiff competition in the industry and the prices of refined petroleum could begin to moderate over time.
“This will, in turn, have a spillover effect on the cost of goods and services, as well as spurring businesses in the country,” Igbrude said.
He stressed that the federal government could invest in infrastructural renewal to ameliorate the cost of production.
“The government giving priority to reliable and renewable energy as well as a functioning railway system will accelerate growth.
“This will support domestic production and check the rising inflation rate,” Igbrude said.
He stressed that the monetary authorities should sustain the foreign exchange reforms to ensure its stability in the economy.
“This will ameliorate speculators and engender investment confidence within the business communities,” Igbrude said.
Also, Mr. Nnamdi Ifenkwe, Project Coordinator, Nisi Agro Allied Service, said that the government could address insecurity challenges fuelling food inflation.
“The government improving the security situation, especially in food hub states, will curb destructions in many farming settlements.
“This will ensure farmers return to various agrarian communities without being molested,” Ifenkwe said.
He noted that the exorbitant cost of transportation was partially responsible for the cost food producedede in the country.
“The cost of logistics from up north to down south has become too expensive, coupled with the various taxes on the road.
“This is being passed down to the final consumer through exorbitant food produce,” Ifenkwe said.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the nation’s headline inflation rate rose to 24.23 per cent in March.
The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for March.
According to the report, the headline inflation showed an increase of 1.05 per cent compared to the 23.18 per cent recorded in February.
Wild chimpanzees have been pictured eating and sharing fruit containing alcohol for the first time.
Chimpanzee
Researchers set up cameras in Guinea-Bissau’s Cantanhez National Park and recorded footage of chimps sharing fermented African breadfruit.
The scientists said the findings raised questions about whether and why chimps deliberately seek out alcohol.
And they likened it to humans consuming alcohol far back in evolution, with benefits for social bonding.
“For humans, we know that drinking alcohol leads to a release of dopamine and endorphins, and resulting feelings of happiness and relaxation.
“We also know that sharing alcohol, including through traditions such as feasting helps to form and strengthen social bonds.
“So, now we know that wild chimpanzees are eating and sharing ethanolic fruits, the question is: could they be getting similar benefits,’’ asked Anna Bowland, from the University of Exeter in England
The researchers used motion-activated cameras, which filmed chimps sharing fermented fruits on 10 separate occasions.
Fruit shared by these chimps was tested for alcohol content and the highest level found was the equivalent of 0.61per cent strength.
The researchers said, it may be the tip of the iceberg because 60 to 85 per cent of chimps’ diet is fruit, so low levels of alcohol in various foods could add up to significant consumption.
They stressed the chimps were unlikely to get drunk as this would clearly not improve their survival chances.
The impact of alcohol on chimps’ metabolism is unknown.
But recent discoveries of a molecular adaptation that greatly increased ethanol metabolism in the common ancestor of African apes suggests eating fermented fruits may have ancient origins in species including humans and chimps.
“Chimps don’t share food all the time, so this behaviour with fermented fruit might be important.
“We need to find out more about whether they deliberately seek out ethanolic fruits and how they metabolise it, but this behaviour could be the early evolutionary stages of feasting,’’ said Kimberley Hockings.
Hockings is also from the University of Exeter.
“If so, it suggests the human tradition of feasting may have its origins deep in our evolutionary history.’’
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced that some 60 governments from countries around the world – the large majority at Minister or equivalent level – will take part in the international Summit on the Future of Energy Security, which is being held in partnership with the UK government in London from April 24 to 25, 2025.
UK Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband
The Ministers and senior government officials taking part in the Summit are from countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East – including those on the front lines of a wide range of energy challenges, including access, affordability, reliability and climate.
Leaders from all across the energy sector – including oil, gas, renewables, electricity, nuclear, critical minerals and more – as well as from international organisations and civil society, will also take part in the discussions in and around the Summit, which will seek to build consensus on a holistic approach to energy security and ensure governments have the tools they need to prevent and respond to the range of challenges confronting them in a fast-evolving context. Altogether, 120 high-level invitees will participate in the Summit itself, and many more in the associated events.
UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol will co-host the event and feature among the keynote speakers.
Key sessions of the Summit will be livestreamed on IEA digital channels, including the Summit event page.
The current list of high-level participants is available here.
The current version of the Summit agenda is available here.
The IEA has been at the heart of international energy security for 50 years – helping avoid, mitigate and manage energy supply disruptions and crises. As the world changes, so do the challenges around energy security.
The Summit will examine the geopolitical, technological and economic factors affecting energy security at the national and international level. It will provide leaders and decision makers from around the world with an opportunity to review the trends shaping global energy security – and reflect on the tools needed to address traditional and emerging energy security risks.
Key areas include changes in demand, supply and trade of major fuels; energy access and affordability; the expanding role of electricity in many energy systems; the growth of clean energy technologies and their supply chains; and the availability of the minerals and metals required for many clean energy technologies; energy system resilience to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change; and technology innovation and the rise of AI.
On April 23, government, industry and other experts will convene in London for a series of preparatory sessions and technical workshops on key topics – including critical minerals, gas security, gender, methane and Ukraine’s energy system – that will feed into the Summit discussions.
Oil and gas experts have asked the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, to adhere to the rule of law and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, New GCEO, NNPC Ltd
They said these were key to enhancing transparency, accountability, and investor confidence in the sector.
Ojulari was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025.
Speaking in separate interviews on Monday, April 21 in Lagos, the experts congratulated Ojulari while highlighting critical areas the new leadership must address.
Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, Louisiana State University, Prof. Wumi Iledare, emphasised the non-negotiable need for legal compliance, warning that failure to uphold the provisions of the PIA could discourage investment.
“Rule of law compliance is essential for accountability. Deviating from this path will deter capital inflows into the NNPCL,” Iledare said.
He urged the company to focus on upstream cost efficiency, especially in joint venture (JV) brownfield projects, while also securing its operational assets.
He advised against “gold-plating” of projects and called for more value extraction from midstream and downstream operations.
“NNPCL is now a vertically integrated commercial entity, not a government agency.
Long-term value lies in leveraging downstream and midstream infrastructure,” he added.
Iledare also warned against treating NNPCL as a government cash cow, urging the Federal Government to avoid imposing subsidies on the company.
He advocated compensation models that reflect the distinct financial realities of each operational segment and suggested selling JV interests to local consortia rather than foreign entities.
On energy transition, Iledare said that NNPCL should focus on reducing emissions while maintaining fossil fuels as its core business.
“Petroleum will remain a key energy source well into the future unless a viable, sustainable alternative becomes widely accessible,” he noted.
Oil and gas consultant, Mr. Henry Adigun, expressed same views, urging Ojulari to prioritise shareholder returns, review asset performance and address operational inefficiencies.
“NNPCL must operate strictly as an oil company and not blur the lines with regulatory responsibilities. Its inability to make that distinction has affected its efficiency,” Adigun said.
He noted that while NNPCL could facilitate sectoral growth, it cannot independently attract significant investment without leveraging its existing assets and joint ventures.
On energy transition, Adigun called for proper internal structures to drive the implementation of policy goals, adding that leadership reform at NNPCL could trigger broader industry improvements.
“NNPCL’s reform can set a positive tone for the entire oil and gas sector,” he said.
Global renewable energy capacity has reached new heights, demonstrating a remarkable progress in the world’s transition to clean, sustainable energy. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025, 2024 marks yet another benchmark in renewable energy capacity and growth.
Solar power plant in China
The historic expansion is strong evidence of both the economic competitiveness and the scalability of renewables, prompting a clean energy revolution that can bring the world to achieve its target to triple renewable power capacity by 2030 – if challenges are addressed.
Here are the five key facts about renewable capacity additions in 2024:
1. Record-high renewable energy capacity additions in 2024
Global renewable power capacity increased by 585 GW in a single year, indicating a record rate of 15.1% annual growth, which surpasses 2023’s growth rate of 14.3%. The increase marks a consistent trend of renewables breaking their own expansion records each year, which underscores renewables’ strong business and investment case.
2. Renewables account for more than 92% of total power expansion in 2024
Overall, renewables accounted for 92.5% of total power capacity expansion in 2024, up from 85.8% in 2023. Their share in the world’s total installed power capacity rose from 43% to 46.4% during the same period, reflecting both accelerated adoption of renewable energy and a slowdown in non-renewable capacity additions – a trend further driven by the large net decommissioning of fossil-fuel power plants in several regions. Solar and wind remained key to this momentum, jointly accounting for 96.6% of net renewable expansion.
3. Solar power takes the lead
Solar energy remained the driving force behind this expansion, responsible for 42% of the total global renewable power capacity mix. The solar sector alone grew by 32.2%, adding almost 452 GW to reach a total capacity of 1 865 GW worldwide. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology accounted for virtually all solar capacity growth, demonstrating its continued cost-effectiveness and scalability. In 2023, the global weighted average cost of electricity from new solar PV projects dropped by 12%, the steepest decline among major renewable sources.
4. Asia dominates, regional disparities persist
Regional disparities in renewable energy capacity deployment intensified from 2023 to 2024, with Asia strengthening its dominance from 69.3% to 72% of global additions at 421.5 GW. China alone accounted for over 88% of Asia’s increase. By contrast, the region of Central America and the Caribbean contributed the least with only 3.2% share of the global addition, while the Small Island Developing States saw their contributions decline from 1.1 GW in 2023 to just 0.7 GW in 2024.
Africa’s capacity grew by only 4.2 GW and the Middle East by 3.3 GW, reflecting the persistent geographic disparities in renewables deployment, which presents a significant challenge to achieving the global tripling target.
5. Progress still falls short to reach the 2030 tripling target
Despite a record growth rate of 15.1% in 2024, progress still falls short of the 11.2 terawatts needed to align with the global goal to triple installed renewable energy capacity by 2030. If the current growth rate persists, the world will be short approximately 0.8 TW by 2030. Achieving the target now requires an annual growth of 16.6% until 2030.
Boosting the annual growth rate requires more ambitious national targets. IRENA has consistently called for clear, quantifiable renewable energy targets in the next round of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To that end, the Agency continues to support its members in enhancing and implementing their NDCs in the energy sector.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in partnership with the European Union, has distributed hygiene and sanitary items to 400 women and girls affected by the 2024 flood disaster in Anambra State.
Red Cross Society and the EU distributing dignity kits to flood victims in Anambra
The items were provided by the EU under its 2024 Integrated Flood Response intervention project.
Mr. Kingsley Okoye, Branch Secretary, Nigeria Red Cross Society in the state, said this at the end of a three-day distribution exercise on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Awka, the state capital.
Okoye said the initiative was a follow-up to the relief items and cash distributed to 1000 households by the organisation in response to the flood disaster.
He said the project targeted 400 women and girls in communities in Ogbaru, Anambra West, and Ayamelum Local Government Areas of the state.
Okoye said the dignity kits include disinfectant, slippers, torchlight, bathing and washing soaps, reusable sanitary pads, undies, cream, detergents, toothpaste and brush, among others.
“These are essential hygiene items to support daily living needs and enhance the well-being of affected individuals, particularly women and girls.
“The primary goal of the programme is to help restore a sense of dignity, hygiene, and comfort in the aftermath of the flood disaster.
“This gesture also reinforced the commitment of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and its partners to stand in solidarity with affected populations during times of crisis,” he said.
Okoye urged the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilisation of the items to maintain proper personal and environmental hygiene.
He also advised the flood-prone communities to adhere to early warning signs and relocate to upland.
“The Nigerian Red Cross Society remains dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities and urges continued support to sustain and grow these impactful initiatives,” Okoye said.
A beneficiary, Ms. Nwanneka Ikpeze, expressed her gratitude to the Red Cross Society, noting that the assistance would help meet her immediate hygiene needs.
The Geoinformation Society of Nigeria (GEOSON) has called for the harmonisation of space-related activities among agencies of government for an effective regulation.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
President of GEOSON, Dr Fikta Steve, who said this on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Abuja, spoke against the backdrop of recently inaugurated space licensing and regulation policy.
Space licensing and regulation is encapsulated in the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Act of 2010, aimed at generating revenue and checking activities in the ecosystem.
NASRDA, on April 8, unveiled that aspect of the Act which would require it to regulate the activities of space-based institutions, both private and public.
Steve commended the regulation’s move, describing it as a bold step by NASRDA to check activities in the ecosystem for proper revenue generation.
However, he explained that there were some government agencies, like the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, National Population Commission, among others, who heavily utilise space for their mandates.
According to him, the idea of regulating them may cause some resistance and misinterpretation of the situation if they were not fully carried along in the policy implementation.
“There is need to explain this regulation to stakeholders because different agencies provide different geospatial information using space, like Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, National Population Commission.
“NASRDA has started something according to its mandate but how far can it go; how is NASRDA going to regulate some of these agencies, is it by standards or means of acquiring data?
“There needs to be harmonisation of the different space-related functions among agencies of government and how the regulation affects their roles,’’ Steve said.
The president acknowledged that space activities needed to be regulated, adding that some private institutions who relied on space for their functions, were short-changing the government.
“We have lost so much as a result of not regulating the space, we have lost resources, investments; economic value generally.
“People have just been doing things anyhow, no standards, no proper payment to the government to generate revenue from space application,’’ he said.
He further said that aside from saving money for government, space regulation would impact on geoinformation systems.
He said it would achieve that by enhancing accuracy of location information, increased production and better application of geospatial technology.
Steve implored experts in the geoinformation ecosystem to be agents of awareness, adding that the general public needed to understand the benefits of space regulation.
Geoinformation refers to data and knowledge related to the Earth’s surface and its attributes. It encompasses maps and geographic data, among others.
Following active participation in the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum at United Nations Headquarters, the Youth Charter has issued a call for a more youth-centred and action-oriented global communiqué.
Professor Geoff Thompson, Founder and Executive Chair of the Youth Charter
This call urges the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and all Member States to elevate youth engagement and strengthen support for the growing global sport for development movement as a key contributor to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year’s Forum, themed “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda,” featured inspiring dialogue between youth leaders, UN agencies, and Member States.
However, the Youth Charter notes a critical gap in the formal outputs: the underrepresentation of youth-led, grassroots, and community-based solutions – particularly those harnessing sport, culture, and the arts.
A Global Youth Call2Action
As a United Nations-accredited NGO, the Youth Charter reiterated its commitment to its Global Youth Call2Action, which urges governments and development partners to:
– Support the integration of sport for development into national youth strategies, education systems, and community development frameworks – Adopt and replicate the Youth Charter Community Campus model, which uses place-based innovation to engage, equip, and empower young people through sport, art, culture, and digital learning – Invest in Social Coach Leadership Programmes, to train local mentors who can guide young people away from violence and disengagement toward purpose and opportunity – Ensure youth are not only consulted but co-creators in shaping policies and initiatives aimed at achieving the 2030 Agenda
A Stronger Role for ECOSOC
The Youth Charter is also calling for greater recognition and integration of youth-focused outcomes from the ECOSOC Youth Forum into the formal Ministerial Declaration of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). This includes adopting an annual ECOSOC Youth Communiqué, co-created by youth, to ensure their contributions are not only heard but embedded in high-level decision-making.
“If we are truly serious about ‘leaving no one behind,’ then young people must not be at the margins of global development discussions—they must be at the centre,” said Professor Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL, Founder and Executive Chair of the Youth Charter.
Looking Ahead
As the world moves toward the halfway mark of the 2030 Agenda, the Youth Charter will intensify its advocacy efforts to ensure that youth voices translate into youth outcomes, and that sport, culture, and creativity are recognized as essential tools in tackling inequality, disengagement, and global youth violence.
“The Youth Charter extends its appreciation to ECOSOC, the UN Youth Office, and all collaborating partners, and stands ready to work with global stakeholders to translate this year’s Forum energy into lasting impact,” stated the group.
