Abuja, Nigeria — Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following the conclusion of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure. The transition was officially announced at the recent ECOWAS Summit, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where heads of state…
Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, urging both nations to show maximum restraint and prioritize diplomacy. The call was made in a statement issued Saturday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, in response to Israel’s…
Pennsylvania, USA — A U.S. federal court has sentenced Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, a Nigerian national, to five years in prison for his involvement in a transnational sextortion and wire fraud conspiracy that led to the tragic death of a teenager in Pennsylvania. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, who stated that Abiodun…
Abuja, Nigeria — The Russian Federation has unveiled plans to strengthen its educational partnership with Nigeria through increased scholarship opportunities and broader academic collaboration. The announcement was made by the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Andrey Podelyshev, during a press briefing held Monday evening in Abuja. Speaking on Russia’s long-term vision, Amb. Podelyshev revealed that…
Lagos, Nigeria — In a bid to ease travel access for Nigerian citizens, several European countries have maintained visa fees below ₦150,000, making tourism, education, business, and family visits more accessible. While visa processing and documentation remain critical aspects of travel, affordability has emerged as a deciding factor for many Nigerians looking to explore Europe….
Washington, D.C. — The United States has officially raised tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to 50%, following a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump, in a move aimed at tightening protectionist trade policies. However, the United Kingdom has been granted temporary exemption from the hike, as its tariff rate remains at 25%,…
Abuja, Nigeria— In a historic move to deepen bilateral relations, Nigeria and Venezuela have announced plans to inaugurate direct flights between Abuja and Caracas in celebration of 60 years of diplomatic engagement. The development was confirmed during a courtesy visit by the Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Alberto Castellar Padilla, to the Minister of…
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — As part of its continued commitment to women’s health and empowerment, the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CCDG) has launched a new phase of its Medical and Financial Support Programme for women and girls affected by obstetric fistula. The development was announced during the third Regional Coordination Committee meeting, held in…
Abuja, Nigeria — In commemoration of the United Nations International Tea Day, the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja played host to the “Tea for Harmony — Yaji Cultural Salon,” a cultural showcase aimed at strengthening Nigeria–China relations through the shared language of tea. The event blended cultural diplomacy with agro-economic discourse, highlighting the role of…
Abuja, Nigeria — The House of Representatives has called for an independent investigation into the errors that marred the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), expressing deep regret over the challenges faced by affected candidates. The demand was made by Mr. Oboku Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and…
Washington, D.C. — A federal judge has temporarily blocked the implementation of mass layoffs across federal agencies as directed by President Donald Trump, citing concerns over constitutional oversight. The decision was handed down by Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court in California, who issued a two-week restraining order on Friday, following legal challenges…
Enugu, Nigeria — The Enugu State Police Command has successfully neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued a male victim, following swift tactical operations by its anti-kidnapping squad. The operation was confirmed in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who revealed that the suspect was intercepted while attempting to flee with…
Banjul, The Gambia — The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has once again urged Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconsider their exit from the regional bloc and return to the community of West African nations. This appeal came at the close of a five-day Joint Committee Delocalised Meeting in…
New York City, USA — A tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon has claimed the lives of six people, including a pilot and a visiting family of five from Spain. According to New York City officials, the incident occurred near Manhattan, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation after eyewitness footage…
New York City, USA — Emergency officials in New York have launched an investigation following the crash of a helicopter into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed the incident occurred around 3:40 p.m. local time, prompting a swift emergency response and the deployment of rescue teams to…
Washington, D.C. — In a swift escalation of trade measures, U.S. President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to an unprecedented 145%, intensifying the ongoing trade war between the two economic superpowers. This development comes barely a day after the president declared plans to increase the levy to 125%, following an earlier 20%…
Harare, Zimbabwe — Political unrest is mounting in Zimbabwe as citizens take to the streets, demanding the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid heavy security presence. A nationwide demonstration, initially planned as a mass movement to pressure Mnangagwa out of office, resulted in a near shutdown as tensions escalated. Protest organizer Blessed Geza, in a…
Seoul, South Korea — Renowned South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has firmly denied allegations suggesting he was involved in a romantic relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The denial came during an emotional press conference in Seoul, where the 37-year-old actor addressed the accusations, which surfaced following Kim Sae-ron’s tragic…
Washington, D.C. — The United States, despite maintaining the world’s most formidable navy, is ramping up efforts to assert dominance on the high seas amid China’s expanding maritime influence. Recent strategic pronouncements by former President Donald Trump—spanning naval expansion, the Panama Canal, and Greenland—underscore Washington’s push to strengthen its sea power across multiple fronts, mirroring…
Peshawar, Pakistan — A Pakistani man has been charged with murder after allegedly gunning down the administrator of a WhatsApp group for removing him from the chat. Authorities confirmed that the victim, Mushtaq Ahmed, was fatally shot on Thursday evening in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The suspect, identified only as Ashfaq, allegedly…
Abuja, Nigeria — Security and defense experts emphasize the need for greater financial investment to strengthen the logistical capacity of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in tackling regional security challenges. The call was made during the Experts Validation Meeting on the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) Logistics Concept and Logistics Depot Policies, held in Abuja. Air…
Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared his willingness to step down if it guarantees Ukraine’s accession to NATO. Zelensky made this statement on Sunday amid ongoing discussions on Ukraine’s NATO bid, emphasizing the strategic importance of alliance membership in securing the country’s future. Facing mounting criticism from the new U.S. administration, Zelensky…
London, United Kingdom — Nigerians residing in the UK have taken to the streets to protest the increasing prevalence of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams, calling out 30 individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent visa schemes. The demonstration took place on Thursday, with protesters assembling on Marsham Street, London, to voice their grievances. A live TikTok…
Jerusalem, Israel — The Israeli government has delayed the scheduled release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing repeated violations by Hamas. The postponement was announced after Hamas freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday, the last captives designated for release under the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement that began last month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s…
Bukavu, DRC — Defected Congolese police officers were seen celebrating in Bukavu as they prepared for retraining under the M23 rebel group, which now controls the city. The officers, clad in new uniforms and black berets, sang and clapped in apparent support of the Rwanda-backed faction, signaling M23’s intent to solidify its grip on the…
Vatican City — Pope Francis, 88, is in critical condition following a severe respiratory crisis, requiring intensive medical intervention. A Vatican statement on Saturday confirmed that while the Pope remains alert and seated, he is on high-flow oxygen support and has received blood transfusions to manage anemia-induced low platelet levels. The pontiff is currently undergoing…
Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government has returned over $50 million in recovered assets to the governments of Spain, Switzerland, and the United States for onward restitution to victims of financial fraud. During the handover ceremony, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that the restitution aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to combating…
Abuja, Nigeria — The Senate has summoned top security officials to investigate claims linking the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to terrorism financing. The decision follows a motion by Senator Ali Ndume, who urged an immediate probe into allegations raised in a viral video featuring U.S. Congressman Scott Perry. The video accuses USAID…
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea — The National Examinations Council (NECO) has granted accreditation to additional schools in Equatorial Guinea, allowing them to participate in its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The announcement was made in a statement by Azeez Sani, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, confirming that a…
Paris, France — UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized the need for a United States-backed security guarantee in any peace agreement involving Ukraine to prevent future Russian aggression. Following a high-level meeting with European leaders in Paris, Starmer stressed that a US commitment was essential to effectively deter Russia. He also revealed plans…
Rome, Nigeria — Pope Francis is receiving treatment for a respiratory infection at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, the Vatican announced on Monday The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital on Friday for bronchitis treatment and tests, which revealed a polymicrobial infection affecting his respiratory tract. According to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, the pope’s medication…
