TheNewsGuru

Tag: COVID-19

  • Let ‘Piyu’ lock this flood!

    Let ‘Piyu’ lock this flood!

    By Moses Darah

    Flood is the most frequent type of natural disaster that occurs annually in Nigeria. The main flood is called ‘oghwe’ in Urhobo, while its initial stage is iku. There is a minor oghwe and a major oghwe depending on climate change. Its devastating effect is comparable to that of the COVID-19 era.

    In a survey of floods by Olanrewaju et al. (2019) titled, “Impacts of flood disasters in Nigeria: A critical evaluation of health implications and management,” reveals that over the past three decades, floods have affected over 2.8 billion people in the world and caused over 200,000 deaths, whereas about 13.3 million and 16.6 million people died worldwide from COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2021.

    Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorised the 2012 flood disaster in Nigeria as the worst flood to have hit the country in the past 50 years. But ten years later, what seems to be the mother of all floods is here. The water level has surpassed that of 2012, and it is still rising. At Gbaregolor, an Eghwu riverine settlement in Ughelli South LGA, my Senior Prefect at St Vincent’s College, Okwagbe, Godbless Freeborn measured the water level of 2012 to build his house. Unfortunately, the same house is terribly affected by the current flooding.

    The frequency of flooding in Nigeria shows that we must dissuade our minds from any theory which suggests that the flood is coming only from Cameroon. We must face the reality that floods are also often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas. All efforts at curtailing future incidents must therefore put all of these into consideration.

    In the past, our wood industry (igedu egbo) relied solely on flooding to “float” their timber through the creeks for marketing in Warri. Recall the ‘Piyu’ song by the Esaba Fashion Group, where a woman allegedly confessed to having locked the oghwe that year in the coven (egben orhan) from flowing, thereby depriving the husband, a timber marchant from floating his timbers. If only scholars had studied the power behind that religious science used by that woman, the 2012 and 2022 flood disasters would have been minimised.

    However, the initial reaction of the Delta State government, directing all political appointees to be on the ground and set up camps to help victims cope with the 2022 flood crisis, is commendable.
    The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has also asked representatives of affected communities to pick up relief materials donated by DESOPADEC from the cultural centre in Ovwiamuge.

    Last week, I took a census of 55 communities affected in Ughelli South LGA and lamented the non-availability of camps in Delta Central Senatorial District. But today, there are IDP camps in Otughievwen, Okwagbe and other locations. Udu communities of Ukperheren, Ekrota, Emadadja and others are also battling with the rising water.

    At this moment, all hands must be on deck to support the victims. Individuals and NGOs can do something too.

  • COVID-19: Protesting contractors shut down FCTA over non-payment for PPE deliveries

    COVID-19: Protesting contractors shut down FCTA over non-payment for PPE deliveries

     

    Close to 200 contractors, on Monday, protested at the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, blocking the major entrances over unpaid sum for the supplies of COVID-19 medical and non-medical items to the FCT Administration.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the contractors claimed they executed various COVID-19 contracts for the FCT Administration between March 2020 and April 2021, without being paid, accused the FCT permanent secretary, Olusade Adesola, of being responsible for their travail.

    Ewoma Micheal and Dan Dayo, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said Adesola has been paying some of the contractors, especially those who had agreed to receive part payments at the detriment of other contractors.

    They lamented that some of them contracted the virus while supplying the various medical equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other items used in containing the pandemic in the FCT.

    What we heard initially was that procurement process was suspended and this money was supposed to have been paid within two weeks, maximum one month, of supply. Some of us took loans to be able to meet up with the supply,” Dayo said.

    Also, Nelcy Mokwenye and Emmanuel Nwachendu, two of the contractors accused the FCTA of demanding N1 million bribe before they would be paid.

    They stressed that there is no justification for the delay of their payments one year after supplying the items, noting that it was stated in the agreement signed with the authorities that they would be paid two weeks after the supply, once they submit their invoices.

    This is one year running nothing, what we are hearing is that each of the contractors has to pay N1 million bribe to the Permanent Secretary before we can be paid. That without the N1 million bribe, you won’t get paid,” Nwachendu said.

    However, Adesola denied asking any of the contractors to pay bribe.

    He said that the delay in the payment of the contractors was due to their failure to meet all the administrative requirements.

    “I am not aware of any payment of N1m. The only instruction I gave was that all documents should be in a file before any payment can be made. The payment is in batches, we have paid others. Contractors below N10m have been paid, if there are issues, the contractors are the cause because they are yet to meet up with the requirements,” Olusade said.

    END

  • Atiku’s estranged wife, Jennifer reveals real reasons their marriage crashed

    Atiku’s estranged wife, Jennifer reveals real reasons their marriage crashed

    Jennifer Iwenjiora, a U.S. citizen that got married to the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and divorced on June 26, 2021, has revealed the real reasons why their marriage crashed.

    Charles Awuzie, an astute member of the Forbes Business Council and the Co-Founder at Transhuman Coin, had made shocking revelations about Atiku and his failed marriage with Jennifer.

    It was gathered that Jennifer lived in debt in the USA even while her husband was a billionaire vice president.

    On 17th June 2004, while still married to Nigeria’s then vice president, Jennifer allegedly used their Potomac Montgomery mansion as collateral for a loan from Citibank. Again in 2009, she used the same property as collateral for another loan from Eagle Bank.

    Jennifer, a Nigerian Television Authority News correspondent in the 1980s, was said to have received court summons and Judgments for loans.

    It was also gathered that while her husband (Atiku) was still vice president, Jennifer was in court to answer why she could not repay the loans she took on the house.

    Atiku’s estranged wife, Jennifer reveals real reasons their marriage crashed

    In 2018, the house was sold leaving her homeless in the USA. She moved to the UK where she currently lives with her children.

    ThenewsGuru.com recalls that in February 2022, Jennifer hinted that their marriage collapsed because of long-standing differences including her refusal to abandon her children overseas to join in his presidential campaign trail while neglecting the children who she said were already suffering from absentee father syndrome.

    In her words: “The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom, to look after my children and several other long-standing issues. I needed to play the role of a mother at this time to the children who have gone through the absence of both father and mother growing up; especially, with the passage of my elder sister who used to look after them.”

    Following the collapse of their marriage, Jennifer was dispossessed of her home in Nigeria.

    “When I asked him, where will the kids and I stay when we come to Nigeria?’, he told me that since I am the one that asked for a divorce, I should find a place to stay, and subsequently, I moved out,” she added.

    Reasons for divorce
    The union that lasted over two decades was rumoured to have ended because Atiku married a new wife.

    In her statement, which was published by The Trent media organisation, Jennifer confirmed that her ex-politician husband indeed married a fourth wife and justified the move, saying that he is a Muslim and is at liberty to marry as many wives as he desires.

    Although she acknowledged being aware of the marriage, despite not being officially informed, she said she supported his 2019 presidential race and also invited them (her ex-husband and his new wife) to her son’s wedding in 2018.

    Matrimonial home controversy
    She also claimed that her ex-husband, who was the 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP, attempted to retrieve an asset he had earlier gifted to her, adding that the property in Dubai is a subject of litigation.

    “During the initial mediation discussion, His Excellency denied that he gifted the house (matrimonial home in Asokoro); even after I showed him the document with the signatures of his aide, His Excellency asked me to give him the deed of gift.”

    “The marital home in Asokoro where we reside was gifted to me by him even before we moved into that home from a previous residence. Indeed, His Excellency caused his private secretary to process the Deed of Assignment documents for the house, which he did and handed me the documents. I then commenced processing the title to the property,” Jennifer asserted.

    She also hinted that there had been a lot of speculation on the Dubai home, which she possessed in September 2021.

    “When I came to Nigeria, in early September 2021. I asked to have a private conversation with His Excellency. During that conversation, I informed His Excellency that I would go to Dubai and take over the house once I got back to the United Kingdom. But, unfortunately, he subsequently departed for his medical trip to Germany, refusing to address any of the issues I privately wanted to conclude with him outside of third parties,” she added.

    The full statement:

    For some time now, especially in the last few weeks, there have been many rumours and in circulation about the state of my marriage to His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa, GCON.

    The stories got more vicious as they continued to circulate. Therefore, I deem it necessary to defend myself against the calculated propaganda to malign my character and position me in a bad light and damage my name. Therefore, without resorting to nonsensical talk, I will address the two critical issues at hand:

    (1) I asked for a divorce because His Excellency married again.

    (2) That I sold His Excellency’s house in Dubai.

    That I asked for a divorce because His Excellency got married again.

    • On June. 26, 2021, I asked His Excellency to grant me a divorce in light of the breakdown of our marriage. And, during that period, I told His Excellency that I remain at his service to continue to assist him in his activities even if I am no longer married to him. Suffice it to say that several friends of His Excellency tried to mediate in this matter. I thank them most graciously and remain grateful for their efforts: Peter Okocha, Senator Ben Obi, Tunde Ayeni, Captain Yahaya, and Senator Ben Bruce.

    • The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom to look after my children and several other long-standing issues. I needed to play the role of a mother at this time to the children who have gone through the absence of both father and mother growing up, especially with the passage of my elder sister, who used to look after them. Furthermore, in light of COVID-19 times, choosing to stay with the children was non-negotiable. And, in line with Northern culture, the new wife takes up the baton so I can also focus on giving the kids more care.

    • Despite not informing us officially according to northern/Islamic culture, I knew about His Excellency’s new wife from the time His Excellency was dating her and when he eventually married her. Therefore, I have graciously invited our new wife to my son’s wedding in Dubai in 2018 without any ill feelings and congratulated His Excellency when our new wife gave birth.

    • I was already aware that His Excellency had married our new wife, but that did not deter me from supporting His Excellency. Indeed, we went through most rigorous electioneering and garnered massive support for his election in 2019.

    • That His Excellency married a new wife was never the cause of our problem, as many have said. His Excellency is a Muslim, and I have never questioned him about his wives or intended.

    • During the initial mediation discussion, His Excellency denied that he gifted the house. Even after I showed him the document with the signatures of his aide, His Excellency asked me to give him the deed of gift. When I asked him, “where will the kids and I stay when we come to Nigeria?” he told me that since I am the one that asked for a divorce, I should find a place to stay, and subsequently, I moved out.

    • His Excellency further gave orders to have my nephews living with me in the house ejected within an hour of his order and gave orders that my family members and I are not allowed to enter the house. Hence, during my last visit to Nigeria in December 2021, I stayed at a hotel. I have long released these assets to him and, at this moment, reiterate that the titles are at his disposal to pick up whenever he deems fit.

    Dubai home
    • There has been a lot of speculation on the Dubai home. For a while now, I had purposely stayed away from Dubai until I took custody of that property in September 2021 after His Excellency reneged on his word to give the current value of the said property in exchange. When I came to Nigeria in early September 2021. I asked to have a private conversation with His Excellency. During that conversation, I informed His Excellency that I would go to Dubai and take over the house once I got back to the United Kingdom. He subsequently departed for his medical trip to Germany, refusing to address any issues I privately wanted to conclude with him outside of third parties.

    • I subsequently travelled to Dubai and took custody of the said property. Once I did that, on September 18, 2021, His Excellency sent me a text, and I quote: “I hear you have moved to Dubai to take over the house. I am still in Germany for my medicals. Please make sure all my properties, including (redacted), are intact so that I can collect all my properties. I wish you well.

    • I responded to him: “His Excellency, I am left with no other option as we need to get on with our lives amicably. I hope your medicals are coming up well. I wish you well too’.

    • On September 19, 2021, in response to his text that I am not being amicable and I quote,” Good morning, with due respect, His Excellency, I told you on Saturday before you left for Germany that I was going back to the U.K., take [our son] back for his test, then come to Dubai. I reiterated that day the need for an amicable resolution. I maintain that stance and remain at your service, Your Excellency’.

    • Further on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, I asked His Excellency in another text whether he wanted me to pack up his clothes and give them to Rahim (his driver) since the driver on his instructions was moving his cars. I also asked His Excellency in that text whether he wanted me to have Rahim pack up his office. Then, His Excellency sent me a text back and asked: ‘So, it’s true you have sold the villa?’

    • Subsequently, His Excellency sent the driver to take possession of all the cars.

    The truth subsists with regard to the Dubai house. I will make no further comments on it because it is a subject of litigation filed by His Excellency against me.

    I need to also put on record that if I wanted to take His Excellency’s assets, I would not have returned to him his property documents in Abuja and Jos and allowed the driver to collect his cars, gave up the house in Asokoro and Yola.

    When I was in Nigeria, I called to have the Asokoro and Yola documents delivered to him. But, unfortunately, it was never picked up, and I still state that His Excellency is free to send someone to have the documents picked up anytime he deems fit.”

  • NLC commends Lagos govt. on planned salary increase for Lagos workers

    NLC commends Lagos govt. on planned salary increase for Lagos workers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress has commended the Lagos Government for the planned salary increments for workers in the state’s public service.

    The NLC Chairman, Mrs Funmi Sessi, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos. ”The announcement came at the right time,” she said.

    Newsmen reports that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on Oct. 4 announced the increase at a meeting with civil servants of the state public service, during his working visit to the state secretariat, Alausa.

    ”He said the planned increment is informed by the level of inflation in the country, which has been biting hard on the citizens.

    The governor, however, did not mention the percentage of the increment and when it would kick off, but that modalities were being worked out.

    Sessi said: ‘’If we have to look at the motive behind the increment, it is a well thought out planned increase.

    ‘’Though, in the agreement that we signed during the 2016 new minimum wage, it was stated that after three years, we will review the wage.

    ‘’However, because of the covid-19 pandemic, we could not do anything, yet, after covid-19, we could see the escalation of everything.

    ‘’The public sector workers are so appreciative; we welcome this magnanimous extension of goodies from the governor.

    ‘’Although, we do not know to what percentage the governor is going to increase the salary by, yet the workers are sure that he will do what will bring a standing ovation from the workers.’’

    She urged employers of labour to take a cue from the governor to ensure that their employees were well remunerated following the high cost of living in the present economy.

    ‘’Those in the private sector including schools, manufacturing, health, and other sectors, the employers should be able to add palliatives to what the workers are earning, because of the high cost of living.

    Sessi urged the workers to cooperate with the state governor and ensure that they worked harder to build a state that everyone desired.

    She said: ‘’To whom much is given, much is expected; if the governor is doing so much to ensure that our welfare is well taken care of, we should be ready to cooperate and do more.

    ‘’We already cooperate with the governor, but we are going to go the extra length to do more.’’

  • OPEC+ cuts oil production to support sagging oil prices

    OPEC+ cuts oil production to support sagging oil prices

    The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Non-OPEC Participating Countries have decided to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the decision was reached at the 45th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of OPEC+.

    The meeting was also the 33rd OPEC and Non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, which took place in person for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria on Wednesday.

    According to OPEC+, the decision to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day was reached in light of the uncertainty surrounding the global economic and oil market outlooks, and the need to enhance the long-term guidance for the oil market.

    According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the cut in oil production is effective November 2022 for OPEC and Non-OPEC Participating Countries, reiterating the critical importance of adhering to full conformity.

  • Qatar confirms COVID-19 test requirements for World Cup fan

    Qatar confirms COVID-19 test requirements for World Cup fan

    Fans attending the World Cup in Qatar must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test regardless of their vaccination status, organisers said in a statement on Thursday.

    All visitors aged six and above must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours,  before their departure or from a rapid antigen test taken in the 24 hours before arriving.

    Results of the rapid antigen tests will only be accepted if they are from official medical centres and not self-administered.

    No further tests will be required in Qatar if visitors do not develop symptoms of COVID-19.

    Visitors aged 18 and above will also be required to download a government-run contact tracing phone application called Ehteraz.

    “A green Ehteraz status (showing the user does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19) is required to enter any public closed indoor spaces,” the statement added.

    Fans will have to wear masks on public transport but vaccination is not mandatory for the unprecedented influx of 1.2 million visitors expected for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournament.

    “Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 while in Qatar will be required to isolate in accordance with Ministry of Public Health guidelines,” the statement said.

    Qatar has recorded more than 440,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 692 deaths from the virus, according to data from the Ministry of Public Health.

    The country has a population of 2.8 million, of which barely 380,000 are Qatari nationals. A total of 7,487,616 vaccine doses have been administered so far, the data states.

  • Catholic Church resumes hand shake during Mass

    Catholic Church resumes hand shake during Mass

    The Catholic Church has announced the resumption of the traditional handshake in churches, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius IIwejur-Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri diocese said in a statement that worshippers were to resume the “Kiss of Peace” during Eucharistic and other events in the liturgical celebrations of the Church.

    The statement was signed by Rev. Fr. Cosmas Uzoigwe Personal Assistant to the Archbishop, and released through the National Director of Social Communications of the Church, Fr Mike Umoh, on Sunday in Abuja.

    The statement was addressed to all Priests and Lay faithful in Owerri Archdiocese.

    “It would be recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pronounce stringent guidelines which affected our liturgical worship, and one of such was that which restrained all from shaking hands during Mass.

    “The resolution to commence the liturgical gesture of shaking of hands came following the proceedings of the recently concluded Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held at Orlu.

    “We thank God who led us through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pray Him to bless us always with His presence,” the Archbishop said.

  • WHO releases 6 policy briefs to end COVID-19

    WHO releases 6 policy briefs to end COVID-19

    World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday released six short policy briefs that outline key actions that all governments must take to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

    WHO Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, announced this at a news conference at the UN health agency’s headquarters in Geneva.

    He said the policy briefs are based on evidence and experiences of the last 32 months, outlining what works best to save lives, protect health systems, and avoid social and economic disruption.

    He added that the briefs will serve as urgent call for governments to take a hard look at their policies and strengthen them for COVID-19 and future pathogens with pandemic potential.

    He explained that the documents, which are available online, include recommendations regarding vaccination of most at-risk groups, continued testing and sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and integrating effective treatment for COVID-19 into primary healthcare systems.

    He, therefore, urged authorities to have plans for future surges, including securing supplies, equipment, and extra health workers.

    The briefs also contain communications advice, including training health workers to identify and address misinformation, as well as creating high-quality informative materials, he added.

    He said WHO had been working since New Year’s Eve 2019 to fight against the spread of COVID-19 “and will continue to do so until the pandemic is truly over.

    “We can end this pandemic together, but only if all countries, manufacturers, communities and individuals step up and seize this opportunity.”

    According to him, as the number of weekly reported deaths from COVID-19 plunged to its lowest since March 2020, the end of the pandemic is now in sight.

    He said “we have never been in a better position to end the pandemic. However, the world is not there yet. A marathon runner does not stop when the finish line comes into view. She runs harder, with all the energy she has left. So must we.

    “We can see the finish line. We’re in a winning position. But now is the worst time to stop running. The policy briefs outline the key actions that all governments must take now to finish the race”.

  • N10bn for local vaccines production intact – Minister

    N10bn for local vaccines production intact – Minister

    Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, says the N10 billion earmarked in 2020 by the Federal Government for local production of vaccines, is still intact.

    The minister gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja, during the Ministerial bi-weekly update meeting on COVID-19 response.

    Ehanire said that the country had found partners to import the technology needed to produce the vaccines.

    “We are as prepared as we can be, we are also pursuing capacity to produce vaccine biotech. Visitors from the Serum Institute of India are going to be technical partners of Bio-Vaccine Nigeria Limited.

    “Nigeria is a 49 per cent shareholder in a company called Bio-Vaccine Nigeria Limited, and the bio-vaccine is a revival of the former vaccine plants that the Federal Government used to have.

    “The private sector was invited to join and form a special purpose vehicle – a company called Bio-Vaccine. This was conceived before COVID-19.

    “Now the joint venture was stalled because of the outbreak – when there was a lockdown and when nothing could move,” he said.

    According to the minister, there has been a lot of delays which stalled the company’s take off.

    “With the outbreak of COVID-19, all countries were looking forward to vaccines, including Nigeria. Therefore, the aspiration to produce vaccines has not been fulfilled.

    “We are working on it and I have spoken with one of the members of the board of bio-vaccine. We are working on getting that technology to both produce routine vaccines and also COVID-19 vaccines under license and importation of the technology and partnership for it,” Ehanire said.

    The minister added that local vaccine production was a priority of the President Muhammadu Buhari led government.

    “This is one reason the country has been engaging partners of interest in actualising this very important project,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Bassey Okposen, emphasised the importance of COVID-19 vaccination across the country.

    Okposen said that over 70 million COVID-19 vaccines have so far been administered to Nigerians.

    “As of Sept. 12, in 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, about 33. 8 million of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are fully vaccinated.

    “12.9 million of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are partially vaccinated,” he said.

    The director, however, said millions of children in the country still miss out on basic childhood vaccines every year and urged parents to get their children vaccinated.

    “Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to give every child a healthy start to life and protect against preventable diseases from birth to old age,” he said.

  • Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 70-year reign and major world events held

    Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 70-year reign and major world events held

    The late Queen Elizabeth II, held the distinction of the longest-lived British monarch, claiming the throne for 70 years and died at 96.

     

    She became queen on February 6, 1952, at the age of 25, following the sudden death of her father, King George VI, and was coronated the following year at Westminster Abbey.

     

    Presiding over seven decades, her reign has witnessed many significant moments that have shaped human history, from scientific breakthroughs to wars to financial crises.

     

    On the occasion of her death, here’s a look at some of the major worldwide events that happened since Elizabeth became Queen of England.

     

    The world’s first commercial jet service, with the national British carrier British Overseas Aircraft Corporation, takes passengers from London to Johannesburg, ushering in a new age of travel.

    Queen Elizabeth II's historic 70-year reign and major world events held

     

    Major world events held:

    May 2, 1952 — World’s first commercial jet service begins

    The world’s first commercial jet service, with the national British carrier British Overseas Aircraft Corporation, takes passengers from London to Johannesburg, ushering in a new age of travel.

     

    April 12, 1955 — Polio vaccine declared safe

    Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine is declared “safe, effective, and potent” in one of the most significant biomedical advances of the century.

     

    Oct. 4, 1957 — Launch of Sputnik 1

    The Soviet Union launches the first artificial Earth satellite, marking the beginning of the Space Age.

     

    May 9, 1960 — Birth control pill approved for use in US

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the world’s first commercially produced oral contraceptive — the birth control pill Enovid-10 — providing greater reproductive freedom.

     

    May 16, 1966 — China’s Cultural Revolution begins

    Communist leader Mao Zedong launches the so-called Cultural Revolution, which will last until his death in 1976 and impact the country for decades.

     

    April 4, 1968 — Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

    The civil rights leader is fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, a shocking and pivotal moment during the Civil Rights Movement.

     

    July 20, 1969 — Apollo 11 moon landing

    Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first two humans on the moon.

    Queen Elizabeth II's historic 70-year reign and major world events held
    Apollo moon landing

     

    January 1975 — Altair 8800 launch

    The Altair 8800, the first commercially successful personal computer, is released by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems.

     

    April 30, 1975 — End of the Vietnam War

    The Fall of Saigon marks the end of the Vietnam War after nearly 20 years of conflict.

     

    May 8, 1980 — Smallpox declared eradicated

    The World Health Assembly declares the world free of smallpox, one of the biggest achievements in international public health.

     

    June 5, 1981 — AIDS first reported

    The first report identifying the appearance of what would later become known as AIDS is published.

     

    April 26, 1986 — Chernobyl nuclear disaster

    What’s considered the world’s worst nuclear accident occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

     

    Nov. 9, 1989 — Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The collapse of the Soviet Bloc begins, preceding the end of the Cold War in 1991.

     

    April 27, 1994 — Apartheid dismantled

    Apartheid, the system of racial segregation in South Africa, ends after more than 40 years, with Nelson Mandela elected in the country’s first free presidential election.

     

    April 10, 1998 — End to the Troubles in Northern Ireland

    The deadly conflict in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles ends after some 30 years, with the Good Friday Agreement.

     

    2007-2009 — The Great Recession

    The burst of the U.S. housing bubble leads to the most severe economic recession since the Great Depression and an ensuing global financial crisis.

     

    Jan. 3, 2009 — Bitcoin launches

    Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency ever created, launches, going on to become one of the most popular digital currencies.

     

    Dec. 17, 2010 — The start of the Arab Spring

    The Arab Spring, a series of anti-government demonstrations throughout the Middle East, begins with protests in Tunisia and lasts for over 10 years.

     

    June 23, 2016 — Brexit referendum vote

    By a slight majority, Britain votes to leave the European Union. The United Kingdom would formally withdraw in 2020.

     

    March 11, 2020 — COVID-19 declared a global pandemic

    The World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. More than 6.4 million deaths from the virus worldwide have been reported to the WHO.