Mon. May 25th, 2026
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…As Israel strikes Houthi target in Yemen

By Nkiruka Nnorom, with agency reports

European Commission said it plans to enact new measures against Israel over its attempts to undermine the two-state solution being proposed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.

Thi scomes as Israel struck several Houthi targets in Yemen, including in the capital city of Sanaa.

Announcing the intention yesterday, the EU Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, saying that the European |Commission would put its bilateral support to Israel on hold.

“What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. Israel’s financial suffocation of the Palestinian Authority, its E1 plan to expand a settlement in the occupied West Bank, and actions and statements by the most extremist ministers of the Israeli government which incite violence all point to a clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution.

“Israel’s actions show that it wants to undermine the vision of a viable Palestinian state. We must not let that happen.,” she said.

“Because of this, the European Commission will put its bilateral support to Israel on hold, propose sanctions on extremist ministers and on violent settlers, and propose a partial suspension of its association agreement with Israel on trade-related matters,” she added.

According to her, the Commission would also set up a Palestine Donor Group in October.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, in a statement, called von der Leyen’s speech regrettable, saying that “Europe is sending the wrong message, one that strengthens Hamas and the radical axis in the Middle East.”

Israel attacks Houthi targets in Yemen

Israel yesterday also struck several Houthi targets in Yemen, including in the capital city of Sanaa, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

“The IDF has just struck in Sanaa and other locations across Yemen, targeting military camps manned by Houthi terrorists, including the Houthi propaganda apparatus, as part of Operation ‘Ringing Bells,’” Katz said in a statement.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that Israeli agression had targeted a government complex in the district of Al-Hazm in the northern Al Jawf Governorate.

The attack comes less than two weeks after Houthi Prime Minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, and other senior Houthi officials were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sanaa.

The ministers were targeted late last month during “a routine workshop held by the government to evaluate its activity and performance over the past year,” the group said in a statement carried on Houthi-run television.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that Israel would continue to carry out strikes in Yemen, adding that the strikes were a response to Houthi attacks on Ramon Airport in southern Israel, which hit the arrivals hall on Sunday.

“We will continue to strike. Whoever strikes us, whoever attacks us, we will reach them,” he added.
The post Palestine: EU plans new measures against Israel appeared first on Vanguard News.

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.