Foreign
Denmark becomes first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
Denmark has become the first country in the European Union to achieve the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (also known as vertical transmission) of HIV and syphilis, as certified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This milestone was officially announced by WHO on February 27, 2026. The certification recognizes Denmark’s sustained efforts to ensure every child is born free from these infections, based on rigorous validation processes including:
A regional assessment in June 2025
Global review by WHO’s Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) in August 2025
Denmark met WHO’s strict criteria for the period 2021–2024, including:
i. Very low transmission rates
ii. High coverage (at least 95%) of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women
iii. Keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 live births consistently
This success stems from Denmark’s strong universal healthcare system, integrated maternal and child health services, widespread antenatal screening, and access to effective treatments (such as antiretroviral therapy for HIV and antibiotics for syphilis).
In a post on X; The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described it as a “major public health achievement” that shows what strong political commitment and investment in primary care can accomplish.
“Congratulations to Denmark on becoming the first country in the #EU to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. With this public health achievement, 23 countries and territories have now been validated by @WHO for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B virus, or certified on the path to elimination. This milestone demonstrates that with strong political commitment and consistent investment in primary care and integrated maternal and child health services, countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn from these diseases.”
Denmark now joins a group of 22 other countries and territories worldwide validated by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and/or hepatitis B (or certified on the path to elimination).
However, it is the first in the EU to reach this dual certification for HIV and syphilis. This is a powerful example of how preventable infections can be virtually eliminated through systematic public health measures, setting a model for other nations.
KOBBYSMYLES INC
Foreign
Iran lists conditions to end war– US, Israel must pay reparations
The Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has listed three conditions his country demands to end the ongoing war with the US and Israel.
Mr Pezeshkian, in a post on X, on Wednesday, mentioned one of the conditions as being the “payment of reparations” by the US for the damage it has caused to Iran. He said he disclosed the conditions in meetings with the “leaders of Russia and Pakistan,” two countries that condemned the US and Israel for starting the war.
“Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region. The only way to end this war—ignited by the Zionist regime & US—is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int’l guarantees against future aggression.”
Over 1,300 Iranians have reportedly been killed in the war which started when the US and Israel commenced an unprovoked attack on Iran 13 days ago.
Retaliatory strikes by Iran have killed eight American soldiers and at least 12 people in Israel.
Some of the victims of the American and Israeli strikes include Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, and over 160 schoolgirls who were killed when a missile hit their school.
A US military investigation of the strike on the school confirmed it was carried out by the US, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.
Although the US says it has destroyed all of Iran’s air force and navy and virtually all its missile capabilities, Iran continues to fire missiles and drones at Israel and US interests in the Middle East.
Iran has also ensured the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes, leading to petrol price increases across the world, including in Nigeria.
Foreign
Israel accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria
The Israel has renewed its allegations that Iran sponsors terrorism globally, including in Nigeria, amid an ongoing diplomatic row between the two countries over security claims and counter-claims.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said Iran’s record on terrorism was well documented and could not be dismissed by public denials.
The statement followed recent comments by Iran’s envoy to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, who appeared on Arise Television on March 8, where he rejected accusations that Tehran sponsors extremist activities in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Responding to the denial, Freeman insisted that Iran has for decades been widely identified as a major state sponsor of militant groups across different regions of the world.
“For decades, Iran has been widely identified as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, providing funding, weapons, training and strategic direction to terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis,” the Israeli envoy said.
He further argued that activities linked to Tehran have not been limited to the Middle East but have extended to other parts of the world.
“Iranian-backed operatives and networks have been linked to attacks and plots across the globe; from Argentina and Bulgaria to Australia and the United Kingdom,” Freeman said.
The ambassador also referenced the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians, alleging that Iranian leaders publicly praised the assault and encouraged further violence against Israel.
Freeman noted that Nigeria has also recorded incidents allegedly connected to Iranian-linked operations.
According to him, Nigerian authorities intercepted a shipment of Iranian weapons in 2010 at the Apapa Port in Lagos, which he claimed was concealed in cargo containers and allegedly destined for armed groups operating in West Africa.
He also cited a 2013 security operation in which Nigerian authorities reportedly uncovered a weapons cache and arrested individuals linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Abuja and Kano.
Commenting further, Freeman said Iran’s denials could not erase what he described as documented evidence of its activities.
“The Iranian regime can make as many statements as they like and appear on as many television channels as they want. But facts speak louder than words. And the fact is that Iran is the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism and has backed the Islamic Movement of Nigeria for years,” he said.
He also alleged that Iran has supported the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), noting that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had previously met with the group’s leader Ibrahim Zakzaky and praised him for his activism.
The Israeli embassy said the statement was issued to counter what it described as misinformation regarding Iran’s global activities.
“Terrorism threatens the security and stability of nations across the world, including here in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Foreign
UN Chief Warns: World economy at grave risk,; ‘the situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control’
War enters Sixth Day, Friday, March 6th, 2026.
Military strikes and counter-strikes, continuing across the Middle East as the US and Israel wage war on Iran.
With the world economy at grave risk, ‘the situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control’ warned UN chief António Guterres. “It is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations,” he urged.
He added that the unlawful attacks by all sides are causing tremendous suffering for civilians across the whole Middle East region.
Source: UN
