Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, has defended his ambitious plan to provide free meals for children after some six thousand cases of food poisoning, saying the percentage of those affected was small and the programme was still finding its footing.

The food poisonings have sparked a public outcry with media channels broadcasting images of children being treated on hospital beds, to which local non-profit organisations have called for the suspension of the programme.

After a cabinet meeting over the weekend to discuss ways to prevent food poisoning, Prabowo ordered each kitchen in the programme to be given rapid testing equipment to check food quality, a food tray steriliser, a water filter and CCTV connected to the central government for monitoring.

The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, has paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told newsmen that the union had achieved one hundred per cent compliance, effectively restricting access to staff and visitors

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians living abroad of more robust engagement in the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, pledging that their contributions will be central to the country’s developmental drive.

Speaking at a meeting with the Nigerian community in the United States at the United Nations General Assembly UNGA, Shettima urged citizens overseas to sustain their confidence in the nation, insisting that Nigeria is on the right track under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima pointed to Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals as evidence of progress, citing foreign reserves nearing the forty billion dollars mark, increased revenues accruing to state governments, and unprecedented infrastructure investments nationwide. 

South Africa will now play seven out of their ten World Cup qualifying matches at home after the Zimbabwe Football Association confirmed that their penultimate match against Bafana Bafana will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

The Warriors had used the Orlando Stadium and the Moses Mabhida Stadium for some of their Group C games, also suggesting the idea of facing South Africa in Botswana to create a more logistical and fan-friendly environment for their supporters.

The Botswana Football Association, however, confirmed that the Francistown Sports Complex was unavailable.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to taking millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

The Paris criminal court acquitted him of all other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.

Sarkozy, who claims the case is politically motivated, was accused of using the funds from Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.