International news and updates on global affairs, politics, and events shaping the world.
Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has directed his administration to explore imposing reciprocal tariffs on key trading partners, intensifying his drive for what he calls fairer trade practices. In a formal directive signed on Thursday, Trump instructed the US Trade Representative and the Commerce Secretary to develop country-specific tariff proposals aimed at addressing trade…
Abuja, Nigeria — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Ugandan government have deepened ties to enhance transparency and accountability in tracking government-funded projects. This partnership was underscored during a study visit by Uganda’s Parliamentary Budget Committee to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where both parties explored strategies for effective…
Gaza City, Palestine — Hamas has halted the planned release of Israeli hostages, citing Israel’s alleged failure to uphold ceasefire commitments, further complicating ongoing negotiations. The announcement, made by Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida via Telegram, stated that the scheduled release, set for Saturday, would be postponed indefinitely. “The handover of the Zionist prisoners set…
Washington, D.C. & Pretoria, South Africa — U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent offer to resettle white South Africans as refugees has been met with skepticism, even among Afrikaner advocacy groups who prefer to address land reform challenges domestically. The proposal, which follows Trump’s executive order cutting U.S. aid to South Africa, was signed last Friday…
Abuja, Nigeria — The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have solidified their partnership with the adoption of a comprehensive 2025 workplan aimed at enhancing legal protection and support for vulnerable populations in West Africa. The initiative was formalized…
Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his campaign to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), calling for its immediate closure. Trump made the demand in a statement on his Truth Social platform, declaring, “THE CORRUPTION IS AT LEVELS RARELY SEEN BEFORE. CLOSE IT DOWN!” His remarks reflect his…
Lilongwe, Malawi — President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the withdrawal of Malawian troops from their peacekeeping mission in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The troops were initially deployed to help combat armed groups in the region. However, last week’s deadly attack on Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, resulted in at least…
Panama City, Panama — The Panamanian government has denied US claims that it has waived transit fees for American government vessels using the Panama Canal. In a post on X, the US State Department asserted that its government ships could now cross the canal free of charge, a move it said would save the US…
Washington, D.C. — Former US President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could take control of Gaza, a proposal that has sparked widespread controversy. Speaking at a joint White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump floated the idea as an alternative to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. His…
Abuja, Nigeria— The ECOWAS Court of Justice is set to officially launch its upgraded Electronic Case Management System (ECMS), marking a significant step toward digital transformation. The Communications Division of the Court announced that a comprehensive Quality Assurance Workshop and Group Training will precede the platform’s Go-Live Ceremony. The workshop, scheduled for February 2–5, 2025,…
Abuja, Nigeria. — The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Amanda Azubuike on her promotion to Brigadier General in the United States Army. In a statement from Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa hailed Azubuike’s elevation as a remarkable achievement reflecting her unwavering dedication, resilience, and outstanding service. Born in London to…
Washington D.C., USA — The United States military has launched precision airstrikes in Somalia targeting key members of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group, according to President Donald Trump. In a social media statement, Trump disclosed that the strikes specifically aimed at a senior ISIS attack planner along with other militants under his command. “This…
Gaza — Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian detainees as part of a ceasefire deal. The hostages, identified as Yarden Bibas (34), Ofer Kalderon (53), and Keith Siegel (65), were handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday morning. The exchange follows an agreement brokered last month to ease ongoing…
Berlin, Germany. — Germany mourns the loss of Horst Köhler, former President of the Federal Republic, who passed away at the age of 81. According to an official announcement from the German presidency, Köhler died on Saturday in Berlin following a brief but serious illness. His family was by his side during his final moments….
Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he joined other African leaders at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit. The two-day event, hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank, culminated in the adoption of the…
Washington, D.C. — The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has listed 3,690 Nigerians among nearly two million non-citizens slated for deportation, as part of a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative. According to a report from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), obtained by Fox News, as of November 24, 2024, over 1.4 million individuals…
Columbia, South Carolina — A 24-year-old Nigerian, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal from Osun State, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to sextortion, which allegedly led to a minor’s tragic death. Lawal was transferred to US custody on Saturday through a diplomatic agreement with the Nigerian government that ensures he will not…
Abuja, Nigeria — The European Union (EU) has restated its commitment to enhancing economic cooperation with Nigeria, describing the nation as a key partner in Africa. During his maiden press briefing in Abuja, the EU’s new ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, highlighted the deep economic ties between the two entities, noting that total trade between…
Abuja, Nigeria — Bilateral trade between Nigeria and China reached a remarkable $20 billion in 2024, marking a major achievement in the partnership between the two nations. The announcement was made by Yu Dunhai, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, during the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year celebration held in Abuja. Reflecting on the past year, Ambassador…
Bamako, Mali — The military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced plans to roll out a Confederation of Sahel States (AES) passport, effective January 29, signaling a formal departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The announcement was made by General Assimi Goita, Malian junta leader and current head…
UNITED STATE – It’s hard to argue when U.S. President Donald Trump says that God saved him to save America. Not only is a rational argument often suspended or lost when God enters the matter, but Trump’s return as the 47th president defies logic. A leader’s job is never done. But how do you rationally…
Bolu, Turkey — A devastating fire at the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu has claimed the lives of at least 76 people, with dozens more injured. The blaze broke out at 3:27 am local time (00:27 GMT) during the peak holiday season, with 234 guests at the popular ski resort. Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali…
UNITED STATE – A coalition of civil rights and immigration rights groups have sued the newly inaugurated Trump administration on Monday over an executive order signed to end birthright citizenship in the United States. The administration was sued over President Trump’s bid to end automatic citizenship for children born in the US whose…
Washington, D.C. — Donald Trump officially became the 47th President of the United States on Monday after taking the oath of office during an indoor ceremony held at the Capitol Rotunda due to harsh weather conditions in the capital. In his inaugural address, the 78-year-old declared, “The new golden age of America begins right now,”…
Abuja, Nigeria — The management team of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) is undertaking a one-week study tour of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to enhance its capacity to provide accurate and reliable data for The Gambia. The Statistician General of GBoS, Mr. Nyakassi Sanyang, explained that the decision to visit Nigeria’s NBS…
United States Of America – Thank you. Thank you very much, everybody. Well, thank you very, very much. Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson, Senator Thune, Chief Justice Roberts, justices of the United States Supreme Court, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and my fellow citizens. The Golden Age of…
Gaza City, Gaza — The first day of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel saw the release of hostages and prisoners, marking a critical step after 15 months of devastating conflict. Hamas freed three Israeli hostages, while Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in an exchange that triggered celebrations across Gaza and the West Bank. In…
Washington, D.C.— President-elect Donald Trump has called for at least 50% ownership of the Chinese-owned short-form video app TikTok by U.S. investors as a condition for its continued operation in the United States. Speaking to supporters at a rally in Washington on the eve of his inauguration, Trump emphasized that TikTok must have significant U.S….
FCT – Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike on Sunday night said debts owed by property owners with regard to Certificates of Occupancy C of O in the territory was over N300 billion before he took steps to get them to pay. The minister spoke at a media parley held at his official…
Tel Aviv, Israel. — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel reserves the right to resume military operations in Gaza if ongoing negotiations fail. Speaking less than 12 hours before a scheduled ceasefire was set to begin, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of securing the release of 33 Israeli hostages as part of the…
Nigeria/ UK – A Nigerian-born journalist, Mr Richard Edoki, has been shortlisted in the Best Newcomer Category of the 2025 National Hospital Radio Awards in the United Kingdom. Edoki, also known as Richybongo, made this known in a statement he issued on Saturday. He said that the awards were organised annually by the…
