Headline

Nigeria Missing On 2024 Top 10 Women-friendly African Countries

Published

1 year ago

June 20, 2024

Nigeria is notably absent as Namibia and South AfricCountriethe first and second positions, respectively, in the 2024 top 10 best African countries for women, as revealed by the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index.

Mozambique ranked third, with Burundi and Rwanda taking the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, reflecting a trend where most Southern and Eastern African nations dominate the list.

Recent years have seen some African countries make significant strides in bridging the gender gap, heralding an era of empowerment and progress for women.

This shift is attributed to concerted efforts across various sectors, including economics, health, education, and politics.

While certain African communities continue to grapple with severe gender equality issues, it’s undeniable that others have achieved remarkable progress in ensuring women’s proper representation.

The journey toward gender equality in Africa stands as a testament to women’s resilience and determination, coupled with the collective efforts of societies striving for change.

Despite numerous challenges, the progress achieved so far provides a beacon of hope.

Women have made considerable advancements in all spheres of African society, with their participation increasing in politics, economics, entertainment, and nearly every other imaginable field.

Political representation for women has notably surged, with several African nations leading the way in governance gender equality.

Additionally, rising literacy rates among young women have created a ripple effect of empowerment that extends to their families and communities.

This trajectory suggests that Africa is steadily moving toward closing the gender gap, though some communities still face significant gender equality challenges.

The Global Gender Gap 2024 Insight report by the World Economic Forum highlights countries that have made substantial progress in narrowing the gender gap within a year, with Sierra Leone being a prominent example.

“The 2024 index also shows important changes in ranking. The five economies that improved their rankings the most climbed over 20 places: Ecuador (+34, ranked 16th), Sierra Leone (+32, ranked 80th), Guatemala (+24, ranked 93rd), Cyprus (+22, ranked 84th), and Romania and Greece (+20, ranked 68th and 73rd, respectively),” the report revealed.

“The most significant drops in the ranking are also negative shifts of over 20 places: Bangladesh (-40, ranked 99th), Lao PDR (-35, ranked 89th), El Salvador (-28, ranked 96th), Rwanda (-27, ranked 39th), and Bhutan (-21, ranked 124th),” it added.

Here is the full list of the top 10 African countries with the best gender gap index:
1. Namibia – 0.805 (Global rank: 8th)
2. South Africa – 0.785 (Global rank: 18th)
3. Mozambique – 0.776 (Global rank: 27th)
4. Burundi – 0.757 (Global rank: 38th)
5. Rwanda – 0.757 (Global rank: 39th)
6. Cape Verde – 0.755 (Global rank: 41st)
7. Liberia – 0.754 (Global rank: 42nd)
8. Eswatini – 0.744 (Global rank: 47th)
9. Zimbabwe – 0.740 (Global rank: 52nd)
10. Botswana – 0.730 (Global rank: 57th)

Headline

Charlie Kirk Shooter Arrested, Named

Published

5 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

United States authorities have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 21-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah, according to NBC News, citing five senior law enforcement sources.

Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on Tuesday while speaking at a debate at Utah Valley University.

Authorities said the attacker fired a single round from a rooftop in what they described as a targeted assassination.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest, telling Fox News that investigators acted “with a high degree of certainty” in taking Robinson into custody.

Trump praised the joint efforts of local police and state officials in the investigation.

Headline

FBI Releases Video Of Charlie Kirk’s Shooter, Recovers Weapons Near Scene [WATCH]

Published

14 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office on Friday released video footage of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk fleeing a rooftop after the incident on September 10, 2025.

The bureau, in a statement accompanied by the video link shared on X on Friday, noted that the video shows the shooter climbing onto a rooftop shortly before the attack and then jumping off and fleeing the scene after firing the fatal shots.

Investigators also reportedly found the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting in a wooded area near the university.

The agency wrote, “The FBI has released a video and more photos of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting.

“Around 12 pm Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university.

“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.”

The bureau added that it is working closely with law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk.

The PUNCH reported on Thursday that the FBI released initial images of a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Kirk.

The agency also offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for his death.

Meanwhile, two people misidentified online as suspects in the fatal shooting of right-wing US activist Charlie Kirk also told AFP Thursday they were terrified by the misinformation targeting them, as the manhunt for the real killer continued.

31-year-old Kirk, a major ally of President Donald Trump and the head of the largest conservative youth movement in the United States, was shot dead while attending an event at Utah Valley University.

Watch the video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1966444113794109657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1966444113794109657%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-186661262228333818.ampproject.net%2F2508281901000%2Fframe.html

Headline

Russia Threatens Poland Over Belarus Border Closure

Published

18 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

Russia, on Thursday, urged Poland to reopen its border with Belarus, Moscow’s close ally, calling the closure “destructive” and warning of consequences.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Tuesday the closure of the border with Belarus from 0000 on September 12 (2200 GMT on September 11), in response to the upcoming joint Russian-Belarusian war games.

“We urge Warsaw to consider the consequences of such destructive steps and to review its decision as soon as possible,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

The border closure was to “justify a policy of further escalating tensions in the centre of Europe”, she added.

NATO’s eastern flank members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are on high alert due to the massive drills, which according to Tusk are designed to simulate occupation of the Suwalki corridor, a strategically important area in Poland.

Usually held every four years, the 2025 iteration of Zapad is the first during the conflict in Ukraine, and is due to run until September 16.

Belarus had said in January that 13,000 troops would be involved in the drills, but in May it said the number was to be reduced by around half.

Zakharova said Warsaw had “demonstratively” ignored the “goodwill” gestures by Moscow and Minsk to move the exercise away from the Polish border and to reduce the number of military personnel participating.