The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”

The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”

On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.

The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”

They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.

The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.

Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says on Tuesday that more than 30-year difference in life expectancy between the richest and the poorest countries highlights global health inequities.

The global health body stated this in its ‘World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity’ launched on Tuesday by its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

The report revealed that where one was born could be the difference between living over three decades longer than someone else from a poorer country lacking safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs.

According to the report, people in the country with the highest life expectancy will, on average, live for 33 years more than those born in the country with the lowest life expectancy.

It further revealed that lack of safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs could be responsible for a reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike.

“Our world is an unequal one. Where we are born, grow, live, work and age significantly influences our health and well-being,” said Ghebreyesus.

The report found that inequities in health were closely linked to degrees of social disadvantage and levels of discrimination.

“Health follows a social gradient whereby the more deprived the area in which people live, the lower their incomes are,” the UN global health agency said.

It stated that inequities’ were exacerbated in populations that face discrimination and marginalisation, such as Indigenous Peoples, who had lower life expectancies than their non-Indigenous counterparts.

According to the report, this is the case in both high and low-income countries.

The study was the first to be published since 2008 when the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its final report.

The report laid out targets for 2040 for reducing gaps between and within countries in life expectancy, childhood and maternal mortality.

It showed that these targets were likely to be missed and in spite of a scarcity of data, there was sufficient evidence to show that health inequities were often widening.

“For example, children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than in wealthier countries.

“Moreover, modelling shows that the lives of nearly two million children annually could be saved by closing the gap and enhancing equity between the poorest and wealthiest sectors of the population within low- and-middle-income countries.”

Additionally, while maternal mortality declined by 40 per cent between the years 2000 and 2023, the majority of deaths, 94 per cent, still occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.

WHO called for collective action to address economic inequality and invest in social infrastructure and universal public services.

The agency also recommended other steps, including overcoming structural discrimination and the determinants and impacts of conflicts, emergencies and forced migration. (NAN)

Federal Government has trained no fewer than 200,000 Nigerians on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in order to build a digitally skilled workforce for the country.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 10th Annual Symposium and Awards of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter.

The event was hosted by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) with the theme “Advancing Sustainability through AI-Driven Chemistry”.

According to Nnaji, the ministry is spearheading the formulation of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, designed to provide a unified roadmap for ethical and inclusive AI adoption across the country.

Nnaji, who was represented by Dr Patricks Oghuma, Special Assistant to the Minister and Team Lead Technical & Administration, Minister’s Project Delivery, Monitoring and Evaluation (PROD-ME), said that the training would position Nigeria as a continental leader in responsible AI innovation.

“Today, we find ourselves at the crossroads of a revolution where artificial intelligence and chemistry converge to create new frontiers; this powerful synergy offers a vision of the future in which innovation and sustainability work hand in hand.

“This gathering is a remarkable milestone that exemplifies our collective commitment to innovation and academic excellence.

“As we explore the theme of sustainability through AI-driven chemistry, let us remember that the future is not predetermined – it is shaped by our actions today.

“Chemists have a vital role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); however, many brilliant scientific contributions remain buried in journals or academic shelves, never reaching the industries or policymakers that could bring them to life.

“The disconnect between research, application and policy is a critical issue; we must bridge this gap through transformational research that embraces AI, and is designed to solve real-world problems.

“Let me reiterate, chemistry is at the heart of the SDGs; no meaningful progress can be made without the contribution of this field, and this symposium provides a valuable opportunity to generate ideas that will strengthen our nation,” Nnaji said.

Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said that the role of chemistry as a foundational science had never been more critical as the world grapples with complex global challenges like insecurity, banditry, climate change and so on.

“It is the infusion of AI, with its power to model, predict, and optimise, that now opens new frontiers in reducing waste and energy consumption; optimising chemical processes and improving the development of more sustainable technologies and solutions.

“At NOUN, we are deeply committed to the ideals of accessible, Technology-Enhanced education and cutting-edger research that addresses national development and global goals.

“This symposium aligns perfectly with our institutional vision of fostering innovation that is both scientifically rigorous and socially responsible. Thus, as a practicing chemist, I am elated, albeit excited to be hosting this epoch-making event.

“The conversations during this symposium from AI-enhanced green chemistry to sustainable materials and smart manufacturing, should not just be seen as mere academic pursuit, but in addition, as essentials to building a resilient, knowledge-driven economy in Nigeria and across Africa,” Peters said.

Prof. Edu Inam, Chair, ACS Nigeria, said the society had sustained efforts at organising campus events and outreach programmes to participate in research and mentorship activities.

Awards were given to deserving members of the society including Peters and the immediate past Chair, ACS Nigeria, Prof. Joshua Obaleye. (NAN)