International news and updates on global affairs, politics, and events shaping the world.
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….
Vice President Kashim Shettima has left Abuja for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of a $315 million oil production and storage facility owned by Nigerian firm, Oriental Energy Ltd. The commissioning, scheduled for December 14, highlights the achievements of indigenous companies in the global oil and gas…
The 93rd Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers has commenced in Abuja, with discussions centered on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering economic integration, and addressing pressing security concerns. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, is presiding over the two-day session, which has brought together leaders and policymakers from across the region. In his…
The United States has reinforced its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage by awarding a $400,000 grant to support the documentation and conservation of Sungbo’s Eredo, a historic 100-mile system of earthworks in southwestern Nigeria. The funding, facilitated through the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), was first awarded in 2019 and initiated a…
The 53rd Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level convened in Abuja to address the region’s pressing political, security, and humanitarian challenges. The meeting reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering collective security, democratic governance, and economic development amid growing instability in West Africa. In his opening address, Nigeria’s Minister of…
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced changes to its immigration visa application process, effective January 1, 2025. Under the revised procedure, applicants with scheduled interviews must visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice during the application process. In a statement posted on its official X account, the embassy explained that the new process…
The Federal Government has dismissed a circulating list of ambassadorial nominees on social media as fake, urging the public to disregard it. In a statement issued on Sunday, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarified that no such appointments have been made. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to…
Exiled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family after fleeing Syria, following a sweeping rebel offensive that led to the fall of his regime, Russian state news agency TASS reported. Kremlin sources confirmed that Russia granted Assad and his family asylum. The rebel offensive, which began on November 27, saw opposition…
World leaders have expressed diverse reactions to the abrupt yet anticipated fall of Syria’s long-standing president, Bashar al-Assad, following the capture of Damascus by opposition forces. Assad, who ruled Syria for over two decades, reportedly fled the country after failing to resist a swift rebel advance that has drastically shifted the nation’s political landscape. The…
Syria’s armed opposition has declared the capture of Damascus, signaling the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad after more than two decades of rule. The announcement, made by the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, confirmed that the government institutions would remain under the interim administration of Assad’s Prime Minister until a transitional authority…
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly refuted claims by Amnesty International alleging that over 10,000 people have died in Nigerian military custody since the Boko Haram insurgency began in the northeast. Amnesty International’s Accusations During a press briefing in Maiduguri, Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, accused both Boko Haram insurgents and Nigerian military…
The Nigerian government has extended its congratulations to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her groundbreaking election as Namibia’s first female president. In a statement released by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria hailed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory, which was confirmed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia. As the current Vice President, her win…
President Bola Tinubu said late Thursday that the reforms embarked upon by his government would improve Africa’s economic prospects. A statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, indicated that Tinubu said this at State Dinner organised by the French government in his honour at Palais des Elysée in…
The world’s oldest man, Briton John Tinniswood, has died aged 112 at the care home where he lived in Southport, northwest England, Guinness World Records said on Tuesday, quoting his family. Tinniswood was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, and died on Monday. He became the world’s oldest man in April…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has announced plans to seek an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority. The charges stem from a violent crackdown launched in August 2017, which the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing….
Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, are reportedly on the verge of finalising a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict that erupted 14 months ago during the Gaza war. The violence has claimed thousands of lives. Officials from both Israel and Lebanon expressed optimism on Tuesday about concluding the deal, which could…
Despite Nigeria being the largest economy and being the home of Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, the country does not have the highest number of billionaires in Africa. Two other African countries are ahead of Nigeria in the ranking of African countries with the highest number of billionaires, with the number…
The world’s tallest woman, Rumeysa Gelgi, and the world’s shortest woman, Jyoti Amge, have met for the first time in an extraordinary encounter at The Savoy Hel in London. This landmark meeting was part of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Guinness World Records and the 20th anniversary of Guinness World Records Day. Moment…
The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad, signaling an imminent release of a comprehensive ambassadorial list. This move comes 14 months after the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023. Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, the government ordered the withdrawal of both career and non-career diplomats to realign Nigeria’s…
Mali’s civilian Prime Minister, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, was dismissed from office on Wednesday following his public criticism of the country’s military rulers. The announcement was made by Alfousseyni Diawara, the Secretary General of the presidential office, during a broadcast on state television ORTM. “The duties of the prime minister and the members of the government…
Nigeria has emerged as the leading African nation and the seventh largest globally in terms of student enrollment in the United States. According to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, Nigerian students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities reached 20,029 for the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a significant 13.5% increase from the…
India has committed to strengthening investments in Nigeria’s agriculture and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sectors. The goal is to boost food security and digital skills, alongside contributions to education, health, and other critical areas. This pledge followed robust discussions between President Bola Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who concluded a historic two-day…
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of Nigeria’s highest national honors, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The presentation took place during a bilateral meeting at the State House in Abuja on Sunday. The honor was awarded to Prime Minister Modi in recognition of his…
A 43-year-old Nigerian man, Abimbola David, has been detained in the UK on allegations of inappropriate online communication with a 14-year-old girl. The arrest came after the minor reportedly presented evidence of their exchanges to authorities, claiming that he made improper requests. According to Saving Our Children’s Futures, a child protection organization, David is married,…
