A highly contagious new COVID-19 strain, NB.1.8.1, which has triggered a surge in hospitalizations in China and is rapidly spreading across multiple continents, has been detected in the United States, exposing Nigeria's dangerous lack of preparedness as federal health authorities remain conspicuously silent on protective measures.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant was first detected in America between late March and early April 2025 through airport surveillance testing among international travelers arriving in major cities including New York and Washington.

"CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners," a CDC spokesperson stated, highlighting the coordinated international response that Nigeria appears to be missing.

While the CDC acknowledges limited reported cases prevent full national estimates, experts have warned that NB.1.8.1 spreads significantly faster than other recent virus strains, raising urgent questions about Nigeria's readiness to detect and contain potential outbreaks.

Alarming Global Spread

NB.1.8.1 is a subvariant of Omicron JN.1 and is considered highly infectious. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it a "variant under monitoring" due to its increasing global prevalence and potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.

Recent WHO data reveals the variant accounted for 10.7 percent of sequenced COVID-19 cases globally between April 21-27, a dramatic increase from just 2.5 percent the previous month—a surge that should alarm any responsible health system.

While early findings suggest the variant doesn't cause more severe illness than others, health authorities worldwide are intensifying monitoring efforts. Reported symptoms include sore throat, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and gastrointestinal issues in some cases.

Amy Edwards, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Case Western Reserve University, told CBS News there is laboratory evidence that this variant binds more tightly to human cells, making transmission easier.

Edwards noted that although the variant doesn't appear more dangerous regarding severity, "what they're seeing in China, Hong Kong and some other areas where this variant has surged is an increase in hospitalizations"—a warning that should prompt immediate Nigerian action.

International Detection and Response

Beyond China and the US, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, demonstrating the variant's rapid global spread.

In Australia, genomic sequencing showed the variant now accounts for over 40 percent of COVID-19 cases in Victoria and has become the dominant strain in wastewater samples in Perth.

These developments have prompted renewed surveillance efforts across multiple countries. South Korean officials announced Friday that their government is closely monitoring COVID-19 cases in China and Hong Kong, showcasing the proactive approach Nigeria lacks.

Despite the surge, WHO stated that NB.1.8.1 is not currently considered a greater public health risk than previously circulating variants. However, its rapid transmission ability remains a significant concern that demands immediate attention.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has continued evolving, producing multiple variants including the original strain, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, each with different severity levels, transmissibility, and vaccine resistance.

NB.1.8.1 represents the latest evolution from the Omicron lineage, which first appeared in late 2021 and became globally dominant due to its rapid spread capability.

Nigeria's Dangerous Silence

Most alarmingly, Nigerian health authorities have issued no formal guidelines or updates concerning NB.1.8.1 as of this report.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has not publicly acknowledged the variant's existence or provided guidance on travel protocols, testing procedures, or potential local surveillance measures—a shocking abdication of responsibility.

The NCDC's silence becomes even more concerning given that the agency has been providing fewer COVID-19 updates since global cases and deaths declined, suggesting a dangerous complacency that could leave millions of Nigerians vulnerable.

This lack of preparation and communication represents a critical failure in protecting Nigerian citizens against a variant already spreading rapidly across multiple continents and triggering increased hospitalizations wherever it appears.

With international travelers constantly arriving in Nigeria's major cities, the absence of enhanced surveillance, testing protocols, or public health advisories leaves the country dangerously exposed to another potential COVID-19 surge.

Nigeria witnessed two separate but deadly attacks over the weekend, underscoring the persistent insecurity plaguing the nation’s roads and rural communities.

In Borno State, at least nine passengers were killed on Saturday by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area. The explosives detonated at a local bus stop, injuring several others who were waiting to board commercial vehicles. The injured victims were rushed to hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri for treatment.

Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the incident and condemned the attack as “inhumane.” He appealed to the Nigerian military to intensify operations and reclaim Guzamala LGA, which remains largely under Boko Haram control. Lawan lamented the repeated displacement of residents from communities like Gudumbali and Mairari, which have faced continued insurgent violence despite previous resettlement efforts.

“Unfortunately, some terrorists who have been monitoring the movement of displaced farmers planted IEDs at the local bus stop. This tragedy has left families devastated,” he said, urging the newly deployed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to prioritize reclaiming Guzamala.

Meanwhile, in Benue State, nine people, including the driver of a state-owned transport bus, were abducted Saturday evening by armed men along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo LGA. The bus was returning from Orba market in Enugu State when it was ambushed around 7 p.m. Gunmen opened fire, injuring the driver and a passenger, and caused the vehicle to veer off the road. The attackers then kidnapped the remaining passengers.

Grace Ogwuche, a resident who witnessed the incident, said one of the wounded passengers was abandoned at the scene due to heavy bleeding and is now receiving intensive care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA.

Local vigilante leader Amos Agada confirmed the abduction and noted that no contact had yet been made by the kidnappers. He said efforts were underway to locate and rescue the victims.

These incidents highlight the ongoing threats posed by both insurgency in the North-East and armed criminal gangs in the North-Central, raising fresh concerns over the safety of public transportation and rural communities in Nigeria.

Gaza ministry says Israel kills more than 30 aid seekers, Israel denies

More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured on Sunday in south Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry said, as witnesses reported Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it.

The U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said food was handed out without incident on Sunday at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries.

GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place.

Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said that an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured.

In addition to Israeli gunshots, residents and medics said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds.

"All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," ICRC said.

The United Nations has said most of Gaza's 2 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week and said it would launch more. The Israeli military has said GHF had established four sites so far.

The organization's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles.

There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult, and Israel said its troops fired warning shots.

Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, U.N. officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap".

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military".

At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points."

Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that a lot of people in Gaza were "starving".

Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters.

Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said, as Palestinian men gathered for funeral prayers.

The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza.

CEASEFIRE TALKS FALTER

Israel and Hamas meanwhile traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and U.S. mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails.

Hamas said on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, but Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff rejected the group's response as "totally unacceptable".

Egypt and Qatar said in a joint statement that they are continuing efforts to overcome disagreements and reach a ceasefire.

Hamas on Sunday welcomed those efforts and expressed its readiness to start a round of indirect negotiations immediately to reach an agreement, the group said on Sunday in a statement.

Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza.

Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia and Ukraine step up the war on eve of peace talks

On the eve of peace talks, Ukraine and Russia sharply ramped up the war with one of the biggest drone battles of their conflict, a Russian highway bridge blown up over a passenger train and an ambitious attack on nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia.

After days of uncertainty over whether Ukraine would even attend, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Defence Minister Rustem Umerov would meet Russian officials at the second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on Monday.

The first round of the talks more than a week ago yielded the biggest prisoner exchange of the war - but no sense of any consensus on how to halt the fighting.

Amid talk of peace, though, there was much war.

At least seven people were killed and 69 injured when a highway bridge in Russia's Bryansk region, neighbouring Ukraine, was blown up over a passenger train heading to Moscow with 388 people on board. No one has claimed responsibility.

Ukraine attacked Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers at a military base deep in Siberia on Sunday, a Ukrainian intelligence official said, the first such attack so far from the front lines more than 4,300 km (2,670 miles) away.

Ukraine's domestic intelligence service, the SBU, acknowledged it carried out the attack, codenamed "Operation Spider's Web," planned for more than a year and a half.

The intelligence official said the operation involved hiding explosive-laden drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds and loading them onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases.

A total of 41 Russian warplanes were hit, the official said. The SBU estimated the damage at $7 billion and said Russia had lost 34% of its strategic cruise missile carriers at its main airfields.

Zelenskiy expressed delight at the "absolutely brilliant outcome," and noted 117 drones had been used in the attack.

"And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently," he wrote. "This is our longest-range operation."

RUSSIA SAYS AIRCRAFT FIRES PUT OUT

A Ukrainian government official told Reuters that Ukraine did not notify the United States of the attack in advance.

Russia's Defence Ministry acknowledged on the Telegram messaging app that Ukraine had launched drone strikes against Russian military airfields across five regions on Sunday.

Air attacks were repelled in all but two regions — Murmansk in the far north and Irkutsk in Siberia - where "the launch of FPV drones from an area in close proximity to airfields resulted in several aircraft catching fire."

The fires were extinguished without casualties. Some individuals involved in the attacks had been detained, the ministry said.

Russia launched 472 drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine's air force said, the highest nightly total of the war. Russia had also launched seven missiles, the air force said.

Russia's military reported new drone attacks into Sunday evening, listing 53 attacks intercepted in a period of less than two hours, including 34 over the border Kursk region. Debris from destroyed drones triggered residential fires.

Russia said it had advanced deeper into the Sumy region of Ukraine, and open source pro-Ukrainian maps showed Russia took 450 square km of Ukrainian land in May, its fastest monthly advance in at least six months.

U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Russia and Ukraine make peace and he has threatened to walk away if they do not - potentially pushing responsibility for supporting Ukraine onto the shoulders of European powers - which have far less cash and much smaller stocks of weapons than the United States.

According to Trump envoy Keith Kellogg, the two sides will in Turkey present their respective documents outlining their ideas for peace terms, though it is clear that after three years of intense war, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart.

Russia's lead negotiator, presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, was quoted by TASS news agency as saying the Russian side had received a memorandum from Ukraine on a settlement.

Zelenskiy has complained for days that Russia had failed to provide a memorandum with its proposals.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on prospects for a settlement and the forthcoming talks in Turkey, Lavrov's ministry said.

Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops. The United States says over 1.2 million people have been killed and injured in the war since 2022.

In June last year, Putin set out opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw its troops from the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

According to a copy of the Ukrainian document seen by Reuters with a proposed roadmap for a lasting peace, there will be no restrictions on Ukraine's military strength after a deal is struck. Nor will there be international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Moscow's forces, and reparations for Ukraine.

The document also stated that the current front line will be the starting point for negotiations about territory.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine plugs its Western-made weapons into ‘NATO Wi-Fi’

Kiev has been allowed to join a NATO-standard coordination network which connects together Western-made military hardware, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Katerina Chernohorenko has announced. The system, in particular, is compatible with F-16s and Mirage 2000 fighter jets.

On Saturday, Chernohorenko revealed that Ukraine had signed a license agreement to begin using the Command and Control Center System Interface (CSI), a non-commercial digital platform employed by most NATO member states for air and missile coordination and improved interoperability.

The official pointed out that the system operates through NATO’s Link-16 data protocol – which she referred to as “military Wi-Fi.” She added that the protocol facilitates coordination between fighter jets such as US-made F-16s and French-made Mirage 2000s, as well as air defense systems like the Patriot, all of which have been supplied to Ukraine as military aid.

Ukraine received its first F-16s from its European backers last summer, although the process had been slower than expected due to logistics and pilot training issues. While some officials in Kiev initially hoped it would become a “game changer” on the battlefield, the military later acknowledged it could not rival the most advanced Russian jets.

In total, Kiev was promised more than 80 F-16s, many of which are expected to arrive in the years to come. Since the start of deliveries, at least three Ukrainian-operated F-16s have been confirmed destroyed.

As for the French-made Mirage 2000s, which are capable of carrying long-range Scalp/Storm Shadow missiles, Ukraine only received the first batch this winter, with the number of planes to be delivered estimated at six. Kiev has confirmed their deployment in combat, but reported no losses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukrainian-operated F-16s will “burn” just like other Western-supplied equipment. Moscow has also consistently denounced Western military aid to Kiev, arguing it will only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome.

Reuters/RT

One of the memorable moments from the presidential campaign ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 elections featured then ruling party candidate, Bola Tinubu, at the Chatham House in London in December 2022 allocating to leading members of his entourageresponsibility for answering various questions from members of the public. For the questions on insecurity, he called on then governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, to address them. At the time, Candidate Tinubu explained that he did that to advertise the versatility and cohesion of his team. 

Many believed then that asking el-Rufai to respond to those questions show-cased his competence on insecurity. In hindsight, it seems more likely that candidate Tinubu intuited that Nasir el-Rufai embodied the manifestation in human form of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis. 

This past week, a judgment by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, north-west Nigeria, showed exactly why candidate Tinubu’s hunch may have been well-founded. 

The story needs context. When he was inaugurated as governor of Kaduna state on May 29 2015, Nasir el-Rufai identified insecurity as “an obstacle to progress” and promised to “work with law enforcement officials to drastically reduce violent crime” and  “insure safety of life and limb.” Forgetting his inauguration day promise, el-Rufai spent eight years in office visiting the exact opposite to those whom he disliked or disagreed with.

Among el-Rufai’s victims, few were as brutalised as the Adara. The Adara are one of the 56 nations that make up the complex ethnic kaleidoscope of Kaduna state. The lands in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) in south-central Kaduna are fertile. The paramount chief of the Adara was known as the Agwam (Agom) Adara. 

In the third week of October 2018, inter-communal violence broke out in Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru, pitting Kajuru youths against their Fulbe peers. It was reported at the time that the casualty count from this violence was over 55 persons. The state government imposed a 24-hour curfew over the affected parts. Thereafter, Nasir el-Rufai summoned a meeting in Kaduna. In attendance at the meeting was the paramount ruler of the Adara, Maiwada Raphael Galadima, Agwam AdaraIII, who was accompanied by his wife and aides.

This was Agwam Adara’s last earthly appearance. As he made his way home from that meeting on or about 21 October 2018, the Agwam Adara’s convoy was attacked and some of his aides and security detail were killed on the spot. The Agwam Adara himself and his wife were both abducted. Five days later, the dead body of the Agwam Adara was discovered. His wife was spared. It was later reported that he “was brutally murdered in October 2018 on his way to his palace after accompanying Governor Nasir el-Rufai to Kasuwan Magani to commiserate with the community over violence that claimed many lives.” 

At the time, the government of Kaduna state led by el-Rufai promised to “pursue justice for this revered man…. of peace.” Nothing else was heard about that. The governor meanwhile was too busy to attend his funeral. Instead, he set about ensuring the dismantling of the Adara Kingdom. 

Shortly after the killing of the Agwam Adara, el-Rufai abolished the kingdom, cannibalising it into emirates and essentially wiping away the rights of Adara’s majority of Christians and indigenous adherents to any claims over their community. It was widely believed, indeed reported, that the Agwam Adara “died for resisting attempts by Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, to restructure Kajuru under the Adara Traditional Council to the Kajuru Emirate.”

All of this occurred a mere four months before both el-Rufai and his political benefactor, Muhammadu Buhari, were due to stand for re-election in ballots scheduled for February and March 2019. Kaduna state was a battleground in those contests and the Adara had good reason for antipathy towards the governor. 

Voting in the presidential election was initially due to occur on 17 February, 2019. The day before, on or about 16 February, the governor dramatically announced that he alone had discovered the massacre of 66 Fulbe in Kajuru. No security agency was initially willing to back him up. On the contrary, the state police commissioner accused el-Rufai of having “pre-empted police investigations.” The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, like many residents in the affected area, accused him of having lied. The senator representing the affected communities in the Nigerian Senate at the time, Shehu Sani, suggested that el-Rufai was intentional in seeking to provoke the community ahead of highly contentious elections.

The man was not about to be deterred from habitually inflammatory routine, however. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deferred the vote by one week. So, el-Rufai decided to once more convene another town-hall in Kasuwan Magani. Among the participants was Awemi Dio Maisamari, an economist who was also president of the Adara Development Association, (ADA). 

At the meeting, Awemi Dio sought to speak but el-Rufai allegedly shut him down, calling him “part of the problem.” Thereafter, security agents, allegedly on the orders of el-Rufai set upon the man, arrested him and threatened to shoot him if he uttered one word. Quickly, they bundled him out of the venue into a vehicle which drove him straight to the state headquarters of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), where he was initially detained for three days. All this while, there was no warrant for his arrest. 

Simultaneously, el-Rufai ordered the arrest and detention of the leadership of the Adara. In addition to Awemi Dio, the victims included the Wazirin Adara (Vizier) and former commissioner in the government of Kaduna State, Bawa Magaji; former Commissioner of Police, Sani Magaji; National Treasurer of the ADA, Joseph Abdallah; Village Head of Maro, Tanko Maisamari; Village Head of Ungwan Gamo, Hosea Danladi; Village Head of Kutura, Joseph Ayuba; Village Head of Aguba, Tanko Wada; and Elder Ulu Maitumbi.

On 20 February, 2019 at the request of el-Rufai, a magistrate in Kaduna consigned them to pretrial detention on charges entirely constituted by his say-so. After three and a half months in detention and wide spread international outcry and advocacy, the attorney-general of Kaduna state advised that there was no case against the nine Adara elders. On 26 May 2019, they were released but el-Rufai had destroyed their lives.

In March 2024, Awemi Dio Maisamari sued el-Rufai in his personal capacity in Suit No. FHC/KD/CS/23/24 through their lawyer, Gloria Ballason, who has fast become el-Rufai’s legal nemesis. Last week, Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna found him personally culpable for the abuse of the human rights of the Awemi Dio and Adara elders. In a judgment brimming with many telling paragraphs, the judge pointed out that the duty of a governor is to ensure the protection of lives and property and that public office is not meant to gratify the whims, ego or benefit of the occupant.

The court specifically found el-Rufai responsible for abuse of office and held that an occupant of public office cannot assert benefit of official immunities for acts of abuse of office. Even more, the court held that his misconduct in this case amounted to a breach of his duty as governor to protect all persons in the state. 

The court exonerated the office of the state governor from liability, commended the courage of the attorney-general in advising against the executive abuse of office, and awarded damages of N900 million against el-Rufai personally. In good-old Nigerian parlance, the court dared to say to el-Rufai, El-Tufiakwa!

Nasir el-Rufai has sought recently to sell himself as an advocate for good government and against arbitrariness. His record in government belies his recent pretensions. This judgment reminds everyone why his effort to distract public attention deserves ridicule. 

On June 25, 2025, meanwhile, el-Rufai is due to take the witness stand in Abuja in his defamation case against two senior lawyers, Silas Onu and Auta Nyata, over the decision of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to de-platform him in 2020. That should be some spectacle. 

** A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Terence Ma Tin Shu

Play time helps both kids and adults in prevention and healing of depression, according to the book Stress in the City by Enoch Li. Photo: VCG

In today's rapidly evolving world, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept, it is a part of everyday life, transforming how we learn, teach, and even manage our mental health. 

AI has become deeply embedded in our daily lives, especially in the realm of education and mental health. Students — whether neurotypical or neurodiverse, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — now interact with AI in ways unimaginable to past generations. From generative AI tools like chatbots to AI-assisted educational platforms, the technology is influencing the way students access knowledge and navigate their personal challenges. 

Some schools have already begun integrating their curricula to incorporate AI, signaling a shift as profound as the dot-com boom or the introduction of smartphones. While this progress brings numerous benefits, it also presents challenges that educators, parents and mental health professionals must carefully address.

AI in learning: Importance of deep learning

One of the most noticeable benefits of AI is the accessibility of information. Gone are the days when students had to spend hours in a library searching for books or dig through search engines to gather knowledge. Today, they can type a query into an AI tool and receive detailed answers within seconds.

I worked with one student who relied heavily on AI to generate content for a geography project. While the final output looked impressive, the student struggled to explain the concepts during a class presentation. This raises a key question: How much of the knowledge gained through AI is actually absorbed and understood?

To address this, students should strike a balance. In addition to using AI, they should engage with traditional learning methods — reading books, taking notes, and allowing time for material to settle.  I often recommend active learning strategies, like hosting a "sharing session," explaining a concept to a family member or practicing presentations with peers. These methods foster deeper understanding foster deeper understanding.

The Role of human connectionAI tools are also increasingly being used in the realm of mental health, offering both potential benefits and significant risks. Many teenagers, for example, turn to AI chatbots during moments of stress or emotional turmoil. These tools provide an outlet for students to express their feelings, often late at night when access to human support is limited.

While chatbots can provide momentary relief, they come with limitations. Current AI does not yet possess the empathy, intuition and depth of understanding that humans bring to conversations. For example, a teenager feeling isolated might share their feelings with a chatbot, but the AI's responses may be generic or may not fully address deeper issues.

In my experience, students who overly depend on AI for emotional support often miss the benefits of human interaction. I've worked with teenagers who preferred talking to bots over communicating with their parents or mental health professionals. While AI can be a helpful supplement, it should never replace the human element, as genuine human connections can release oxytocin, the "bonding hormone" which plays a crucial role in reducing stress and fostering emotional well-being.

In practice, I urge students to reach out trusted adults or mental health professionals for guidance. These professionals offer personalized support and can help students manage their emotions in a safe and constructive way. Additionally, improving communication within families is crucial. Something as simple as a parent asking an open-ended question, "How was your day?" can already create a supportive environment for open dialogue.

Leveraging AI to support students with ASD

AI holds considerable promise for supporting students with ASD. Many individuals with ASD face challenges in areas such as communication, social interactions and sensory processing. AI tools, when thoughtfully implemented, can help bridge these gaps by providing tailored interventions and individualized support.

For example, AI-powered image generation tools can help students with ASD express their ideas visually. Some students with ASD may struggle to articulate their thoughts verbally but excel when given visual aids. With the guidance of a trained professional, a student can use an AI tool to generate images that represent their ideas, whether it's creating a picture of a concept for a science project or visually mapping out their feelings. This process not only aids communication but also fosters creativity and builds confidence.

AI can also play an important role in teaching social communication skills. For instance, I have worked with students using AI-assisted platforms to create personalized step-by-step guides for initiating and sustaining a conversation. 

This use of AI not only promotes independence but also provides a structured framework for students to practice and internalize social skills, which can often feel overwhelming. Adults can further support the student by using the AI-generated steps during role-playing exercises, where the student can practice real-life scenarios in a safe and controlled environment.

When combined with human guidance, AI becomes a powerful tool for helping students with ASD to express themselves, develop essential life skills, and gain confidence in navigating both academic and social challenges.

Balancing AI with traditional methods

While AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool, it's important to use it responsibly. As with any technological advancement, there are risks associated with over-reliance. Students may neglect critical thinking or social interaction, while educators might become less creative in lesson planning.

The key is to see AI as a complement, not a replacement. Much like Jarvis in Iron Man, AI can act as a powerful assistant that enhances efficiency and provides valuable support, but it shouldn't replace the critical thinking, creativity, or emotional depth unique to humans. Students should be encouraged to use AI to enhance their learning while continuing to engage in traditional methods, such as reading, discussing, and practicing. For mental health, AI can serve as an additional layer of support, but human connection must remain at the forefront, as true growth and healing often stem from genuine human interactions.

For students with ASD, AI offers unique opportunities to enhance communication, social skills, and self-expression, empowering them to navigate academic and social environments with greater confidence. By combining AI tools with personalized guidance from educators, psychologists, and parents, we can be part of a supportive ecosystem that addresses the unique needs of neurodiverse learners while promoting their independence and growth.

However, we must remain mindful of AI's limitations. Deep learning, critical thinking, and human connection are irreplaceable, no matter how advanced AI becomes. AI should complement — not replace — the empathy and creativity that human relationships contribute to education and mental well-being.

When used wisely, AI is more than just a technological innovation — it's an opportunity to empower all students, educators, and parents alike, helping them navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world while advancing inclusion and promoting growth for all individuals.

** Terence Ma Tin Shu is an educational psychologist in accredited register, practicing in Hong Kong SAR and Chinese mainland. 

Global Times

Hamas seeks changes in U.S. Gaza proposal; Witkoff calls response 'unacceptable'

Hamas said on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a U.S.-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, but President Donald Trump's envoy rejected the group's response as "totally unacceptable."

The Palestinian militant group said it was willing to release 10 living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. But Hamas reiterated demands for an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, conditions Israel has rejected.

A Hamas official described the group's response to the proposals from Trump's special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff as "positive" but said it was seeking some amendments. The official did not elaborate on the changes being sought.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while his government had agreed to Witkoff's outline, Hamas was continuing its rejection of the plan. "Israel will continue its action for the return of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas," he said in statement.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas issued a statement saying: "This response aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to our people in the Strip."

The proposals would see a 60-day truce and the exchange of 28 of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza for more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, along with the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim later denied any rejection of Witkoff's proposal but said Israel's response was incompatible with what had been agreed, and accused the U.S. envoy of acting with "complete bias" in favour of Israel.

A Palestinian official familiar with the talks told Reuters that among amendments Hamas is seeking is the release of the hostages in three phases over the 60-day truce and more aid distribution in different areas. Hamas also wants guarantees the deal will lead to a permanent ceasefire, the official said.

Israel has previously rejected Hamas' conditions, instead demanding the complete disarmament of the group and its dismantling as a military and governing force, along with the return of all 58 remaining hostages.

Trump said on Friday he believed a ceasefire agreement was close after the latest proposals, and the White House said on Thursday that Israel had agreed to the terms.

Saying he had received Hamas' response, Witkoff wrote in a posting on X: "It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward. Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week."

On Saturday, the Israeli military said it had killed Mohammad Sinwar, Hamas' Gaza chief on May 13, confirming what Netanyahu said earlier this week.

Sinwar, the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the group's deceased leader and mastermind of the October 2023 attack on Israel, was the target of an Israeli strike on a hospital in southern Gaza. Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied his death.

The Israeli military, which relaunched its air and ground campaign in March following a two-month truce, said on Saturday it was continuing to hit targets in Gaza, including sniper posts and had killed what it said was the head of a Hamas weapons manufacturing site.

The campaign has cleared large areas along the boundaries of the Gaza Strip, squeezing the population of more than 2 million into an ever narrower section along the coast and around the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies entering the enclave at the beginning of March in an effort to weaken Hamas and has found itself under increasing pressure from an international community shocked by the desperate humanitarian situation the blockade has created.

On Saturday, aid groups said dozens of World Food Programme trucks carrying flour to Gaza bakeries had been hijacked by armed groups and subsequently looted by people desperate for food after weeks of mounting hunger.

"After nearly 80 days of a total blockade, communities are starving and they are no longer willing to watch food pass them by," the WFP said in a statement.

'A MOCKERY'

The incident was the latest in a series that has underscored the shaky security situation hampering the delivery of aid into Gaza, following the easing of a weeks-long Israeli blockade earlier this month.

The United Nations said on Friday the situation in Gaza is the worst since the start of the war 19 months ago, with the entire population facing the risk of famine despite a resumption of limited aid deliveries earlier this month.

"The aid that's being sent now makes a mockery of the mass tragedy unfolding under our watch," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the main U.N. relief organization for Palestinians, said in a message on X.

Israel has been allowing a limited number of trucks from the World Food Programme and other international groups to bring flour to bakeries in Gaza but deliveries have been hampered by repeated incidents of looting.

A separate system, run by a U.S.-backed group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has been delivering meals and food packages at three designated distribution sites.

However, aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, which they say is not neutral, and say the amount of aid allowed in falls far short of the needs of a population at risk of famine.

Amjad Al-Shawa, head of an umbrella group representing Palestinian aid groups, said the dire situation was being exploited by armed groups which were attacking some of the aid convoys.

He said hundreds more trucks were needed and accused Israel of a "systematic policy of starvation".

Israel denies operating a policy of starvation and says it is facilitating aid deliveries, pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza.

Instead it accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza, which it had been running since 2007.

Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters.

Israel began its campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza.

The campaign has laid waste large areas of the Gaza Strip, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying or damaging most of its buildings, leaving most of the population in makeshift shelters.

Reuters