International news and updates on global affairs, politics, and events shaping the world.
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…
Washington, D.C. — The outgoing Biden administration announced on Friday that the decision to enforce a ban on China’s widely used TikTok app in the United States will rest with incoming President Donald Trump. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the timing of the situation, noting that the responsibility for implementing the law now falls to…
Jerusalem, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday that the Israeli cabinet is set to finalize a deal with Hamas, paving the way for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continued unabated, with Palestinian authorities reporting at least 86 fatalities on Thursday, a day after…
Doha, Qatar — A breakthrough ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas marks the end of a 15-month-long war that has left the Gaza Strip in devastation. The announcement was made on Wednesday by mediators in Qatar, following intensive negotiations aimed at bringing relief to the region. The agreement includes provisions for the phased release of…
Washington, D.C. — TikTok is making preparations to shut down its platform for users in the United States this Sunday if the Supreme Court does not intervene to halt an impending federal ban. According to a report by The Information on Tuesday, the move follows heightened pressure under a law signed by President Joe Biden….
Abeokuta, Nigeria — Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid tribute to the late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, describing him as a “titan and a man of peace” who risked his reputation to secure Obasanjo’s release from prison under the late General Sani Abacha’s regime. Speaking during a memorial service held at the Chapel of…
Ottawa, Canada — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation, signaling the end of his tenure after nearly a decade in office. The announcement came on Monday evening, as Trudeau revealed his decision to step down once the ruling Liberal Party selects a new leader to guide the nation. “I am resigning as party…
Redmond, USA — Microsoft has unveiled plans to invest approximately $80 billion in AI-enabled data centers worldwide, with a significant portion of the funding dedicated to bolstering Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation in the United States. The announcement was made by Microsoft’s vice chairman and president, Brad Smith, in a blog post outlining the company’s strategic…
International – Nigeria and three other African countries will this month play host to a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. As part of his yearly routine, the visits to commence on Sunday, January 5 through January 11, 2025, will…
Matusadona Game Park, Zimbabwe — Tinotenda Pudu, a seven-year-old boy, survived five perilous days in the Matusadona Game Park, a wilderness teeming with deadly wildlife. The young boy wandered 49 kilometers (30 miles) from his home, relying on wild fruits for sustenance and using his exceptional knowledge of the wild to stay alive. Tinotenda dug…
A devastating incident occurred in New Orleans’ French Quarter on Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, leaving 10 people dead and 30 injured. The tragedy unfolded around 3:15 p.m. local time when the driver sped into a densely packed area. Witnesses reported that the individual exited the vehicle and…
Former President Arnold Rüütel of Estonia, a pivotal figure in the nation’s path to independence, has died at 96, the presidency announced on Tuesday. Rüütel, remembered as one of the architects of Estonia’s return to sovereignty in 1991, served as a communist official during the Soviet era before becoming a key figure in the Baltic…
A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, officials confirmed on Tuesday. Yoon, who was suspended from office earlier this month, faces insurrection charges over his controversial attempt to impose martial law on December 3, plunging the nation into its worst political crisis in decades. Parliament impeached him…
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, recognizing his outstanding contributions to English football. The 54-year-old stepped down from his managerial role in July after leading England to the final of Euro 2024, where they suffered a narrow defeat to Spain. This marked Southgate’s second consecutive…
Iran has announced 2025 as a pivotal year for its nuclear agenda, targeting the United States and Israel, amid escalating tensions. Speaking in Beijing on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araqchi stated, “2025 will be an important year regarding Iran’s nuclear issue.” His remarks suggest Tehran may be preparing for potential reimplementation of the…
A passenger plane carrying 181 people crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday, leaving over 100 feared dead. According to officials, the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok overshot the runway, struck a barrier, and erupted into flames. While most passengers are presumed dead, two survivors have been rescued, and…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally apologized to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev over a tragic incident involving an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which crash-landed on Wednesday near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The crash claimed at least 38 lives. The Kremlin revealed on Saturday that Flight J2-8243, traveling from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region, was forced to…
US President-elect Donald Trump filed a brief Friday urging the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration if it is not sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance. “In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly dismissed allegations by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilize Niger. In a statement issued Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described the claims as baseless fabrications, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and peaceful…
Russia has said it would only accept a legally binding ceasefire deal for a lasting peace that would ensure the security of both Russia and its neighbours. [ez-toc] Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said that a weak ceasefire to freeze the war in Ukraine would be futile and counterproductive. Lavrov suspects that a weak truce…
Protests have erupted across Syria after a Christmas tree was burned in Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in central Syria. The incident, which occurred on Christmas Eve, has sparked outrage among Christian communities demanding better protection for minorities. Videos circulating online show masked individuals setting the tree on fire, leaving uncertainty about whether their intention…
The United States, US military has said that it killed two fighters from the terrorist group Islamic State in Syria and wounded another. “The terrorists were moving a truckload of weapons which were destroyed during the strike. The US Central Command, CENTCOM, confirmed this in a press release on Monday. “This…
On Saturday, Pope Francis reiterated his condemnation of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, a day after facing criticism from an Israeli government minister over his comments suggesting that the international community should consider whether the military actions constitute genocide against the Palestinian people. Delivering his annual Christmas address to the Vatican’s cardinals, the pope…
Swedish authorities have confirmed the death of 20-year-old rapper Gaboro, who was fatally shot in a parking garage in Norrköping on Thursday morning. Police discovered Gaboro critically injured at the scene and immediately transported him to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. A disturbing video, allegedly captured by the perpetrator using a…
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he was ready for talks “anytime” with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has touted his ability to strike a Ukraine peace deal within hours of coming to office. Trump, who will return to the White House in January, has stoked fears in Kyiv that he could force Ukraine…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will formally withdraw from the regional bloc on January 29, 2025. The decision was outlined in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in…
The 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is set to commence on Sunday under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who serves as the Chairperson of the regional bloc. Key items on the agenda include regional security challenges, particularly ongoing crises in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso….
