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PHOTOS: Akpabio, Others Arrive Vatican Ahead Of Pope Francis’ Funeral

Pope Francis died on Monday at 88 following a cerebral stroke that led to coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”

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The judge gave the order, following a motion on notice filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos, through its lawyer, Hannatu Kofarnaisa.

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According to George, such defections are part and parcel of Nigeria’s political terrain and do not signify the collapse of the PDP.

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The FCT Minister also took aim at what he described as media blackmail tactics, asserting that such approaches would not solve the political turmoil.

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The move came after a court granted EFCC's request to arrest and detain persons found promoting the CBEX scheme.

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The NAPM is part of broader initiatives aimed at transforming the country's agricultural sector through data-driven policies and public-private partnerships.

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The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the trial, before adjourning the matter till May 5th, for trial.

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The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) says counterfeiting costs European industry 16 billion euros a year.

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Witnesses said teachers overpowered the teenage student -- whose identity has not been revealed but who a fellow pupil said had expressed an admiration for Adolf Hitler.

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A court on Thursday rejected his efforts to have the arrest order annulled.

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Fears of tariff-related higher prices have motivated consumers to buy cars early, but it's also contributing to a hesitance to buy and a hunger for deals.

Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren are calling for an ethics investigation into President Trump's promotion of his meme coin.

A new letter to Scott Bessent accuses President Donald Trump of usurping the authority of Congress and U.S. courts since regaining the White House.

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With Friday's move upward, three major averages cinched their second positive week out of three.

The funding would value the company at over $120 billion, according to the Bloomberg report.

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Investors are starting to ignore the daily updates from the White House about tariff negotiations, according to a JPMorgan strategist.

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Amazon third-party sellers are raising prices and looking for new suppliers after President Trump lifted tariffs on goods from China.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday to discuss a trade deal, shortly after saying that improving business ties with the European Union was "arguably even more important."

Pete Hegseth wants Donald Trump to see him as a fighter amid the negative stories swirling around the defense secretary, two U.S. officials told NBC News.

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President Donald Trump’s meme coin was supposed to unlock for some insider sales, but that move got delayed by 90 days.

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When it comes to retirement, Americans are on mostly on their own to manage their savings and spending. Many fear they will run out of money before they die.

Many young people choose skilled trades like construction or plumbing. "I'm not going to go stop my business and pay for college," says Chase Gallagher, age 24.

Federal agents arrested Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on obstruction charges, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

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Prosecutors say Mangione deserves the death penalty because he killed CEO Brian Thompson to provoke broad "resistance" to the health insurance industry.

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The SEC’s Crypto Task Force hosted its first major roundtable under Chair Paul Atkins, signaling a shift toward a friendlier posture.

Other Epstein victims credited Giuffre with giving them the courage to speak out.

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Alphabet shares are down more than 14% this year as markets face volatility from mounting trade war fears and worries about President Donald Trump's tariffs.

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More than three weeks after higher tariffs unraveled markets, investors are trying to make sense of a world in which higher levies may be here to stay.

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California's new regulations would impact Waymo, Tesla, Zoox and other driverless vehicle makers

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Every weekday, the Investing Club releases the Homestretch; an actionable afternoon update just in time for the last hour of trading.

“It’s like somebody flipped a light switch on,” said one attorney whose client had their status suddenly reversed.

CNBC Select looks at a new Realtor.com report showing how much Americans need to earn to afford a median-priced home in their state.

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"I wasn't worried," Trump said in a Time magazine interview during which he was asked about financial market tumult.

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One outlet has called it the "anti-Tesla," referring to its simple, minimalist stature.

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A new survey of jet brokers shows that even buyers with deep pockets are pulling back.

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Galperin told CNBC's Robert Frank he believes there will be a "permanent shift" in U.S.-China trade relations.

The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the University of California, Berkeley's foreign funding disclosures, the department said on Friday.

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These are the stocks posting the largest moves in midday trading.

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Jeff Kilburg lays out a spread trade on Alphabet.

The statement followed China's denial of any talks with the U.S. and calls for abolishing 'unilateral' tariff measures for resolving trade issues.

Nigeria wraps up IMF Spring Meetings 2025 with rising investor confidence, naira stability, and hopes for stronger capital inflows.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared four individuals wanted for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent scheme executed through an online trading platform known as Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX). The announcement was made in a public notice posted on the Commission’s official X account. “The public is hereby notified that the persons […]

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The naira ended the trading week on a strong footing, appreciating to N1,589/$1 at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) on Friday, April 25, 2025.

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InfraCredit, a ‘AAA’-rated specialised infrastructure credit guarantee institution has announced its guarantee of Craneburg EKSG Motorway (“Craneburg EKSG” or “the Company”) Company PLC’s NGN32.50 billion 20-Year Senior Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bonds Due 2045 (“the Bond”). Craneburg EKSG is a special purpose concession company established by the project promoter – Craneburg Construction Company Limited (‘Craneburg”) […]

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Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has released its first-quarter financial statement for the period ended 31 March 2025, revealing a pre-tax profit of N116.4 billion.

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Shareholders of Nigerian Breweries Plc- Nigeria’s foremost brewing company- have commended the Board and Management of the company on their efforts to return the company to profitability amidst challenges confronting the Nigerian economy.

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The Federal Government has announced plans to inaugurate the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM) as part of efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and stabilize food prices across the country.

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With over 66 million malaria cases in 2023 alone and a limited vaccine rollout, Nigeria is betting on innovation, private sector engagement, and homegrown solutions to tackle one of its deadliest public health challenges. The economic burden of the disease is substantial, with the country losing N32 billion annually to malaria, both directly and indirectly. […]

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Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General & CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), has backed the Presidency’s N10 billion solar power project, describing it as a significant milestone in Nigeria's path toward a more sustainable and reliable energy future.

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U.S. President Donald Trump is mounting pressure on the European Union to back down from its upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) code of practice, which seeks to tighten the rules around transparency, risk management, and copyright compliance for advanced AI systems.

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The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has launched a new initiative to tackle the ongoing problem of manhole cover theft along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) laybys in Lagos.

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Universal Music Group’s $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings LLC is set to face a formal investigation by the European Commission, which has raised concerns over the potential stifling of competition in services provided to artists signed to independent labels.

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening poverty levels, blaming the situation on decades of political leadership failure.

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OPay, Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has been named the Most Innovative Fintech of the Year by Vanguard Newspapers.

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By Uché Okugo, Founder & CEO, FastClaim Solutions Limited When I began my journey in the insurance industry over two decades ago, I never imagined I would one day be recognized among the Prestigious 100 African Iconic Personalities of the Year. To receive this honor is deeply humbling—and a powerful reminder that Africa is on […]

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President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about finalizing trade agreements with U.S. partners seeking lower tariffs, stating that negotiations could conclude within the next three to four weeks.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to broaden its tax revenue base and curb tax evasion, as part of sweeping fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s economic resilience.

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Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday ordered WhatsApp and Meta Platforms Incorporated to pay a $220 million penalty and $35,000 to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) within 60 days over data discrimination practices in Nigeria. The tribunal upheld the $220 million penalty imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection […]

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We called him Dee Princewill. He was the glue that held our family together, principled, generous, always thinking two steps ahead. A self-made man who built his business from the ground up, managed his home with excellence, and believed deeply in the value of legacy. When he passed away, the family gathered in our ancestral […]

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When I pick a stock, I don’t just look at numbers—I look at narratives. In the Nigerian stock market, it’s not enough to follow the data. You’ve got to follow the drama too. That’s why I like to use a three-pronged lens when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock: fundamentals, technicals, and, […]

Promasidor Nigeria, makers of Cowbell, has launched the 2025 edition of Cowbellpedia, themed, Mega Mind, meant to promote and reward brilliance among students.

No fewer than 2,000 young women gathered at the Women Kreatives Connect Summit (WKCS) hosted by Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) on Thursday, at Regal Hall, Daystar, Ikeja.

The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency convene a national conference on security comprising former presidents, heads of state, as well as current and former security chiefs to craft a new

As part of its sustained commitment to promoting responsible drinking and safer roads, Pernod Ricard Nigeria has donated two high-precision breathalysers and 100 reflective safety jackets to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The donation was officially presented during a

Organisers of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), a platform for celebrating young change-makers has opened its portal for nominations for this year’s awards edition, under the poignant and timely theme, “Threads of Legacy.” Now in its 19th year, TFAA

Fast rising actor, Chris Akoh has won the Best Actor award at The Hipster Wall Screening Soirée in New York for his role in the movie Breakfast Over Dinner, a debut film from M.O Studios and producer Mimi Ojieh. The

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sustainable waste conversion initiatives that can promote a cleaner, greener future. Speaking at an event to mark the 2025 International Day of

Former Executive Director (Programmes), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and one time Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Chief Peter Igho, has commended the students, management and staff of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Campus Radio, on the occasion of its one

Lagos State and Save the Children International (SCI) have pledged to work together to under-immunised and unimmunised children in Ikorodu and Alimosho local councils in the state are immunised and that no child at any time is not immunised in

Ido-Ekiti Progressive Association, Lagos Branch (IPA), will on Saturday, April 26, 2025 honour its immediate past executives and some distinguished members at its Merit Award and Send-Off Ceremony. The event will hold at Ido-Ekiti House, 10, Agbekolade Street, Idi-Oro, Lagos,

What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)? See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for 25th April, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates. How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market? […]

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed rumours of travelling abroad for medical treatment over his ill health. Naija News reports that the former Governor of Rivers State, while speaking on Friday at the platinum jubilee celebration of Honourable Ken Chikere in Port Harcourt, explained he had travelled overseas to attend […]

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon, has debunked claims that the 2023 Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dodge the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigations. Naija News recalls that Oborevwori defected to the APC, […]

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 26th April, 2025. 1. CBEX Scam: EFCC Declares Four Persons Wanted The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared four individuals wanted over fraud Naija News reports that the individuals were declared wanted for fraud perpetrated on […]

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that South Africa's ambassador to Washington had been declared persona non grata, signaling worsening relations between the two countries. In a post on X, Rubio said South Africa's ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, was "no longer welcome in our great country." "Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS [President of the United States]." There has been no immediate response from South Africa's embassy in Washington. Rubio's move came amid tense relations between the U.S. and South Africa. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order suspending aid to South Africa over a controversial land expropriation act that Trump said would lead to the takeover of white-owned farms. Trump also said that South African farmers were welcome to settle in the United States. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a post on X, defended his government's measure. "We are guided by the Constitution, which places a responsibility on the state to take measures to redress the effects of past racial discrimination," he said. "We have expressed concern about the mischaracterisation of the situation in South Africa and certain of our laws and our foreign policy positions," Ramaphosa said after Trump signed the executive order in early February.

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has insisted that no amount of embarrassment in the media by the elders in Rivers State can bring peace to the state unless the leaders work together. Naija News reports that the immediate past governor of the state spoke on Friday during a birthday anniversary thanksgiving for one of […]

Kansala, Guinea-Bissau — For centuries, the history of the West African kingdom of Kaabu has been told mainly by word of mouth. Kaabu existed from the mid-1500s to the 1800s. At its peak, it encompassed Guinea-Bissau and reached into what are now Senegal and Gambia. Sometimes Kaabu's story passed from father to son. Often it was passed by griots — or West African oral historians — who sang about the kingdom’s rulers. “The griots have already sung it, but now we know it’s real," is what Nino Galissa recounts in a recent song commissioned by archaeologists from their recent dig in Kansala — a site that was once the wealthy capital of the West African kingdom. Galissa is a direct descendent of the griots who sang for the last emperor of Kaabu. The song performed by Galissa is being shared along with a report of the archaeological findings, Sirio Canos-Donnay from the Spanish National Research Council, which was a lead institution of the dig, told VOA. “He’s combined all of the ways and methods and phrases that are the trade of the griot with the archaeological information and, hence, using that we’ll be able to transmit what we’ve done to the local population in a much more effective manner.” In Kansala, griots have long been the way history lessons were passed between generations. They often sing the history accompanied by the kora, a string instrument that resembles both a harp and a guitar. 'The puzzle you cannot miss' Antonio Queba Banjai, a descendant of the last emperors of Kaabu, remembers listening as a young boy to the griots sing about his ancestors. “Griots are not just important," he said. "They are the puzzle you cannot miss in African history, because to know what we know now is because of griots. I am from the tree of the last emperor of Kaabu. We were educated by the music of kora. The storytellers tell us where we come from.” Banjai is also president of Guinea-Lanta, an NGO that worked with the archaeologists. When team members began the project, they knew they wanted griots and oral history to play an important role in what is the biggest archaeological dig to ever take place in Guinea-Bissau. Canos-Donnay said she hoped that including oral storytelling in this report would show the academic world that things can be done differently and more inclusively. “We should pay and need to pay respect to local ways of producing and consuming history. And the collaboration and the knowledge that can come from that dialogue from these two disciplines is something that is quite extraordinary.” Canos-Donnay and others worked closely to verify that many events griots had sung about for generations actually occurred. One such event was the explosive ending of the kingdom. “Kansala had a fairly spectacular end in the 1860s, when the town was sieged by an enemy kingdom, and the local king realized he was going to lose the battle," she said. "The legend is he set fire to the gunpowder house and blew the whole site up. So, this particular point of the site is where the elders said it happened. And one of the fun things is we proved that’s where it properly did.” The dig also produced evidence of residents’ extensive trading with Europeans – Venetian beads, Dutch gin and more. Joao Paulo Pinto is the former director of Guinea-Bissau's National Institute of Study and Research. He says West African ways of recording history should be taken as seriously as European techniques. “In our system, when you talk about the ritual of passage - everything has a process, everything has a code of conduct," he said. "All our oral history systems have a commitment to the truth. I have a commitment to the truth as I speak, just the same as a book has a commitment to the truth.” As for Banjai, he hopes the project will allow others to learn about the histories and kingdoms of West Africa that he says are too often neglected in school.

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Popular Nigerian TikToker, known as ‘Disturbing,’ who was involved in the ‘Justice For Mohbad’ movement, is dead. Naija News reports that a video making the rounds online shows the moment ‘Disturbing’ died during a live stream. Confirming the demise, investigative journalist, Temilola Sobola, shared the viral video via Instagram with the caption, “A popular TikToker known […]

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Researchers warn that type 2 diabetes could affect millions more people in the coming decades after a study published this month revealed the disease is rising far faster among people in sub-Saharan Africa than previously thought. Take 51-year-old security guard Sibusiso Sithole, for example. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes came as a shock, he said, because he walked six miles to and from work every day and never thought his weight was a problem. Then his wife noticed changes in his health. Since his diagnosis 13 years ago, Sithole has been on a rigorous treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure. “I have to take six ... medications every day,” he said. Diabetes is a condition in which the body struggles to turn food into energy due to insufficient insulin. Without insulin, sugar stays in the blood instead of entering cells, leading to high blood-sugar levels. Long-term complications include heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. The International Diabetes Federation estimated in 2021 that 24 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa were living with the condition. Researchers had projected that by 2045, about 6% of sub-Saharan Africans — over 50 million — would have diabetes. The new study, published this month in the medical journal The Lancet, suggested the actual percentage could be nearly double that. By tracking more than 10,000 participants in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Burkina Faso over seven years, researchers found that poor eating habits, lack of health care access, obesity and physical inactivity are key drivers of diabetes in Africa. Dr. Raylton Chikwati, a study co-author from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, said another risk factor is living in or moving to the outskirts of cities, or “peri-urban areas.” “Access to health care, you know, in the rural areas is a bit less than in the urban areas,” Chikwati said, adding that increased use of processed foods in the peri-urban areas was a problem. Palwende Boua, a research associate at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro in Burkina Faso, said long-term studies are rare in Africa but essential to understanding diseases. “Being able to have a repeated measure and following up [with] the same people ... is providing much more information and much valuable information,” Boua said, “rather than having to see people once and trying to understand a phenomenon.” Boua is preparing a policy brief for Burkina Faso’s government to assist in the fight against diabetes. For Sithole, managing his diabetes has been a long journey. But with treatment and lifestyle changes, he has regained control over his health. “What I can tell people is that they must go and check — check the way they eat — because that time I was having too much weight in my body,” he said. “I was wearing size 40 that time. Now I'm wearing size 34.” Experts stressed that Africans should get their blood-sugar level tested and seek treatment when diabetes is diagnosed.

Gaborone, Botswana       — Botswana has made $4 million from the sale of licenses to hunt wild animals, the highest figure since lifting a hunting ban in 2019. The hunting season, which ended in November, was held amid growing opposition from some European countries that want a ban on the importation of African wildlife trophies. Botswana issues around 400 elephant licenses annually, with most purchased by overseas hunters. Wynter Mmolotsi, minister of environment and tourism, told Parliament Thursday that millions of dollars were generated through the sale of mostly elephant licenses in villages in wildlife areas. "In order to manage the wildlife population, the country is implementing a combination of both consumptive and nonconsumptive utilization of our wildlife resources to derive optimum economic benefit, particularly for our communities," he said. "For the 2024 hunting season, the community quotas generated the sum of 42,863,423 pulas. Further, a total of 15,633,950 pulas was realized from the sale of special elephant quotas to support elephant conservation and community-led projects within the elephant range." In 2023, Botswana earned $2.7 million from hunting licenses. Mmolotsi, however, says the hunts face increasing Western opposition. Canada and Belgium are among countries that have recently banned importation of wildlife trophies. "The country is facing opposition from animal rights organizations to our policy of sustainable wildlife utilization of using hunting as a tool and empowerment to our local communities. The ministry, working with the hunting industry and affected community trusts stepped up efforts to counter this growing opposition to sustainable hunting through engagements carried out in the U.K. and Germany," he said. Siyoka Simasiku, director at the conservation coalition, Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations says communities will be the hardest hit if the U.K. imposes restrictions. He has been to Europe to campaign against trophy import bans. "The U.K. ban is going to be bad on community benefits as the U.K. is an economic superpower and might influence other countries to actually follow suit and then communities might lose the market that already exists as more hunters will not be coming to Botswana to hunt in community concessions due to the trophy bans," he said. Oaitse Nawa of the Elephant Protection Society is among those who want the hunts to be stopped. He also argues, revenue accrued from hunting does not significantly benefit Botswanans. "They are giving us figures of the money that they made from hunting, but also let us look at the compensation that they give the people. And also the result of hunting, what does hunting bring to the local people because the animals that experience hunting, they tend to change their behavior and they kill people. That is why we are saying there should be proper research in that regard,” said Nawa. Botswana, with the world’s largest elephant herd at more than 130,000 elephants has recorded an increase in human fatalities, while crops are damaged.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his estranged wife, Cristina Serra, are making efforts to mend their relationship after a reconciling Easter weekend spent in the streets of Barcelona, according to El Nacional. Pep Guardiola and his estranged wife, who did their wedding ceremony in 2014, have faced significant turmoil in their marriage, marked by […]

UNITED NATIONS — The head of the U.N. children’s program, UNICEF, said Thursday that 16 million children in Sudan are suffering horribly from the country’s civil war, with many facing daily threats of violence, starvation, disease and sexual assault. "The fighting is happening right at their doorsteps, around their homes, their schools and hospitals, and across many of Sudan’s cities, towns, and villages,” Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. She said children under the age of five are particularly at risk, with more than 1.3 million living in five famine hotspots in the country, and another 3 million at risk of diseases including cholera, malaria and dengue due to the failing health system. At least 16.5 million young people are out of school. Russell said there were 221 cases of rape against children reported in nine of Sudan’s 18 states last year. She said two-thirds were girls. "In 16 of the recorded cases, the children were under the age of five. Four were babies under the age of one,” she said. While she demanded an end to the hostilities, she said it would not erase the pain those children have endured. "The trauma these children experience and the deep scars it leaves behind do not end with the signing of a ceasefire or a peace agreement,” she said. “They will need ongoing care and support to heal and rebuild their lives.” The head of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) told the council that his teams in Sudan have also seen evidence of sexual violence, having treated 385 survivors last year. “The vast majority — including some younger than five — had been raped, often by armed men,” said Secretary General Christopher Lockyear. “Nearly half were assaulted while working in the fields. Women and girls are not merely unprotected, they are being brutally targeted.” The children are caught up in a power struggle between two rival generals that began in the capital, Khartoum, in April 2023, but has since spread to large parts of the country, including the Darfur region. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces, and the United Nations says both sides have committed grave human rights abuses. The head of MSF told the council that he was in Sudan six weeks ago and witnessed a scene of “utter carnage” at one of their partner hospitals in Omdurman, near the capital. “I witnessed the lives of men, women, and children being torn apart in front of me,” Lockyear said. He told the 15-nation Security Council that their repeated calls on the parties to end the war have gone unanswered. “While statements are made in this chamber, civilians remain unseen, unprotected, bombed, besieged, raped, displaced, deprived of food, of medical care, of dignity,” Lockyear said. He later told reporters that the situation in Sudan “is so catastrophic for millions of people, it should be something that is on all of our consciences on a daily basis.” The UNICEF director said the agency needs a billion dollars this year to provide critical support to 8.7 million children in Sudan, including nutrition, water and sanitation, protection, health, and education. She and Lockyear both urged the council to press the warring parties to remove obstacles to the delivery of aid.

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The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has again raised alarm regarding the reorganisation of Boko Haram militants in the Tumbus regions of Lake Chad and the Mandara hills within the Sambisa forest. Naija News reports that Zulum made this statement in Maiduguri on Friday during a visit from the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, […]

BLANTYRE, MALAWI — Tropical Cyclone Jude slammed into parts of southern Africa this week, causing no deaths but leaving widespread damage, especially in Malawi and Mozambique. Officials in the two countries said thousands of people were homeless and some areas were without power. Aid agencies distributed relief where they could, but washed-away roads made the task difficult. The storm made landfall in northern Mozambique early Sunday and moved over southern Malawi, resulting in heavy rains affecting 13 districts from Monday to Wednesday. A preliminary assessment from Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs released Thursday showed that the cyclone had so far affected more than 11,000 people. This means their crops were washed away or their houses and property were either destroyed or submerged by floods. The assessment said the cyclone displaced more than 3,000 people, who are now sheltered in six evacuation camps. No deaths were recorded, but the disaster management department said collapsing buildings injured 15 people, including 5- and 8-year-old boys. “The 5-year-old is receiving medical attention at Queen Elizabeth Central, and the 8-year-old is admitted as well and is at Mwanza District Hospital following the collapsing of a wall of a house,” said disaster management department spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula. He said rescuers were still looking for three people who went missing Tuesday in Nsanje and Phalombe districts after their boat capsized on a flooded river. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that in Mozambique, relief operations were severely hampered by lack of access to thousands of people in Nampula province, where main roads, bridges and culverts were washed away. The United Nations agency said moving relief items and personnel from Cabo Delgado province to Nampula was also difficult because the storm cut off the N1 national highway. In Malawi, international aid agencies and the government were able to start relief operations in accessible areas. For example, the World Food Program on Thursday distributed some relief items to affected people in Mulanje district. Simon Denhere, WFP’s acting country director in Malawi, said, “With support from the UK government, WFP and the Department of Management Affairs have prepositioned food supplies, emergency kits and operational equipment, including search and rescue boats, to enable rapid response.” Lucy Mtilatila, director of Malawi’s Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, told VOA that Cyclone Jude had moved from Malawi to Mozambique, where it was expected to dissipate. “Right now, the threat of the cyclone is almost over.” she said, adding that floods were still a concern, although "the impact that could come with rains that we are getting now will be very minimal.” Jude is the third cyclone to affect Mozambique in the past three months, following Cyclones Chido in December and Dikeledi in January. Malawi avoided a hit from Dikeledi but was struck by Chido in December.

LONDON — A British jury on Thursday convicted a United Nations judge of forcing a young woman to work as a slave after tricking her into coming to the U.K. Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe made the Ugandan woman work as her maid and provide childcare for free. Mugambe, who is also a high court judge in Uganda, was studying for a doctorate in law at the University of Oxford when the offenses occurred. Prosecution lawyer Caroline Haughey told jurors during the trial that Mugambe "exploited and abused" the victim, deceiving her into coming to the U.K. and taking advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights. Mugambe, 49, denied the charges. Jurors at Oxford Crown Court convicted her on all four charges she faced, including an immigration offense, forcing someone to work and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. There were gasps from the public gallery as the verdicts were read out, and the court was cleared after Mugambe appeared unwell. She is due to be sentenced on May 2. According to her United Nations profile page, Mugambe was appointed to one of the global body's international courts in May 2023.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared four individuals wanted over fraud Naija News reports that the individuals were declared wanted for fraud perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX). The four person declared wanted: Seyi Oloyede Emmanuel Uko Adefowora Oluwanisola Adefowora Abiodun Olaonipekun Johnson Otieno Israel Mbaluka Joseph […]

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Remo Stars are one win away from securing their first Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, following Kano Pillars’ impressive 2-0 victory over Rivers United earlier today, April 25. During the NPFL match at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars demonstrated a strong performance, breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute with a goal from Ahmed […]

A High Court judge in Zimbabwe on Wednesday adjourned the case of a journalist arrested over his interviews with a war veteran-turned-politician who criticized the country's president. Blessed Mhlanga, a journalist with NewsDay and Heart and Soul Television, has been in custody since Feb. 24 over accusations of incitement. Lawyers for the journalist had requested that he be bailed out, but at a hearing in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, Justice Gibson Mandaza requested more time to examine the case. Chris Mhike, who represents Mhlanga, told VOA he was waiting for the High Court to announce when the case would resume. Mhike said it would be "improper" to go into the arguments because the case was active but said the judge "indicated that it was necessary for him to consider the issues that are at stake." Speaking ahead of Wednesday's hearing, Mhike said the arrest of Mhlanga sent a chilling message. The arrest is related to his interviews with war veteran and politician Blessed Geza in November and January, in which Geza said that he would mobilize public protests to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of office, citing economic issues and what he called the president's failure to govern. On Friday, Geza was expelled from the Zanu PF party for what the party described as violating regulations in public comments about the president. Mhike said he believed his client's arrest served as a warning to others to refrain from discussing political topics, such as whether Mnangagwa should seek a third term. Zimbabwean presidents serve five-year terms, which are renewable once. Mhlanga's arrest "has had a chilling effect on the practice of journalism, as is always the case when journalists are either harassed, or put through the legal process, really for activities that are directly linked to their work," Mhike told VOA. It is "worrisome to many in the journalistic fraternity," he added. "This has been the impact, and this has been my client's position: that he is being tormented purely on grounds of him carrying out his work as a journalist." Mhlanga, who faces two charges relating to "transmitting of data messages inciting violence or damage to property," denies the charges against him. Mhike said his client's arrest also could be unconstitutional. Zimbabwe's Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom to seek, receive and communicate ideas and other information, and entitles citizens to freedom of the press. Farai Marapira, the Zanu PF information director, said he expected courts to preside fairly over the case. "I believe people should allow the court process to pursue this matter as it is designed to find out what are the material facts of the matter, and I'm sure the courts will deal fairly with this issue," Marapira said. Marapira also said Mhlanga's arrest was not a reflection of the state of press freedom in the country. "People write about Zanu PF every day — people write positively, people write negatively, some even write and insult Zanu PF," he said. Marapira then rhetorically asked aloud: "Who is dead? No one is dead. So, what are they fearing for their lives from? Where is the example? Where are the examples of killed journalists? So, like I said, this is all overexcitement." The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said that conditions for journalists have improved since the end of longtime leader Robert Mugabe's rule. But, it noted in its press freedom index, media have faced greater persecution since the 2023 election. In the past two years, journalists have been blocked or harassed while covering events and briefly detained and assaulted, media groups said. Mhlanga himself has had a previous brush with the law. In 2022, he and his colleague Chengeto Chidi were arrested for taking photos of the police during the arrest of an opposition lawmaker. In his latest case, international and local media rights organizations have condemned Mhlanga's arrest and urged the Zimbabwean government to drop all charges against him. Tobias Mudzingwa contributed to this report.

On Feb. 24, the Moroccan counterterror agency broke up a terrorist cell calling itself "the Lions of the Caliphate in the Maghreb Al Aqsa." Authorities said the group was making remote-controlled bombs to carry out attacks in the North African country. In November, a similar terrorist cell was dismantled in the Spanish cities of Seville and Ceuta. The connection? Both Moroccan and Spanish authorities said the groups were aligned with Islamic State in The Sahel. The group is best known for wreaking a devastating wave of violence across Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, plunging these countries into chaos and fueling a spiraling humanitarian crisis. But analysts say the foiled terror cells farther afield are a worrying sign. "Because the counterinsurgency infrastructure in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has been compromised, then it allows them to make inroads into other countries that they perceive to be vulnerable," said Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst at geopolitical risk consultancy Control Risks. Ochieng said IS Sahel’s strategy appears increasingly focused on exploiting security gaps beyond their core Sahelian strongholds. "IS Sahel has seen that its expansion could be directed much further West and much further North, and Morocco would be one place which would be of strategic interest to it," she said. Andrew Lebovich of the Dutch international affairs think tank Clingendael said these disrupted plots are indicative of IS Sahel's broader ambitions. "It does suggest an ongoing effort to increase operations in different ways in other countries,” he said, adding that Algeria is facing an increasing threat. And it’s not just North Africa that's at risk. Ochieng warns that countries traditionally seen as stable, such as Guinea or even Senegal, could become future targets for IS Sahel militants too. In March, the Global Terrorism Index named the Sahel the epicenter of global terrorism for the second year running.

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Security analysts are praising ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, for activating its regional standby force but remain doubtful about its effectiveness following the recent withdrawal of three member states. Nigerian Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar announced the activation of a standby military force Tuesday on the sidelines of the 43rd security meeting of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. The force, expected to comprise 5,000 troops, is part of a broader regional security strategy to curb terrorism and cross-border crimes. Abubakar said the initiative aims to mobilize personnel and resources to combat terrorism spreading across the subregion and urged security counterparts to seize the opportunity and coordinate efforts against threats. "I am pleased to highlight the activation of the ECOWAS standby force to combat terrorism in the subregion," said Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria's defense minister. "The activation of this force underscores our collective determination to confront the stretch of terrorism with regards to insecurity and ensure the safety and security of our citizens." ECOWAS security chiefs also discussed peace support operations and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. The force's activation follows a report by the Global Terrorism Index, which identified Africa's Sahel region as the global epicenter of extremism — accounting for half of all terror-related fatalities in 2024. This marks an almost tenfold increase compared to 2019. Security analyst Kabiru Adamu welcomed the move but expressed concerns about its effectiveness. "The last detail that we know, even though that could change, is that it will have two operational bases within the subregion," said Adamu. "We know that the ability to even acquire the 5,000-man troops has been a bit challenged. The countries that initially agreed to contribute, three of them are no longer with ECOWAS. So now ECOWAS will have to look back within its members to see who among them will augment the gap." In late January, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS and created a confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States, after a yearlong dispute with the bloc. The three military-led nations accused the regional body of failing to protect its members while allegedly serving foreign interests. Despite their exit, ECOWAS has stated it will maintain trade and security relations with the trio. Adamu said these ongoing relationships could be beneficial. "Given the conditions of the military contingents in almost all the countries, it will be very difficult for these things to be met in a manner that would allow speedy deployment," said Adamu. "The good thing is that the defense and security cooperation between the AES and ECOWAS still stands both multilateral and bilateral. We're hoping that in spite of the exit, all sides will see the necessity to continue to engage in the security defense." Jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State's Sahel affiliate, have taken advantage of political instability and public resentment to recruit and expand their influence. With almost all the ECOWAS countries facing internal security challenges, observers are watching to see whether the regional force can shift the status quo amid strained cooperation.

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Prominent human rights attorney and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has raised concerns regarding the attendance of Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. Falana pointed out that the NEC is composed of the Vice-President, […]

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Eight out of nine members of the Osun state caucus in the House of Representatives elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reaffirmed their unwavering loyalty to the party and Governor Ademola Adeleke. Their pledge of loyalty comes in the wake of a statement attributed to Busayo Oluwole Oke, who recently […]

LUANDA, ANGOLA — Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will begin in the Angolan capital on March 18, Angola's presidency said in a statement on Wednesday. The Southern African country has been trying to mediate a lasting ceasefire and de-escalate tensions between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, which has been accused of backing the Tutsi-led rebel group. Rwanda denies those allegations. Angola announced on Tuesday that it would attempt to broker the direct talks. Congo's government has repeatedly refused to hold talks with M23 and on Tuesday said only that it had taken note of the Angolan initiative. There was no immediate comment from Kinshasa on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — Security forces in Somalia say they killed all six attackers who laid siege to a hotel in the central town of Beledweyne and later killed at least 50 al-Shabab militants in airstrikes. Speaking to reporters, Beledweyne District Commissioner Omar Osman Alasow confirmed that the hotel siege ended early Wednesday. “Our security forces successfully got rid of six militants who attacked a hotel where traditional elders and security officials were meeting,” he said. Al-Shabab, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the hotel attack on Tuesday. Alasow said the government soldiers backed by African Union troops worked through the night to rescue elders, military officers and civilians trapped inside the hotel. “During 18 hours of siege, our brave soldiers shot dead two militants, and four of them desperately blew themselves up when they realized that they could not escape,” he said. “Seven other people, including government security officials and two prominent traditional elders, were killed.” Since August 2022, when Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called for a “total war” against al-Shabab, Beledweyne, a town near Somalia’s border with Ethiopia in Hirshabelle state, about 300 kilometers north of Mogadishu, has been the center of a local community mobilization against al-Shabab. The city has suffered more terrorist attacks than any other in Somalia except Mogadishu. Since 2009, hundreds of people have been killed in suicide attacks and car bombs on hotels, restaurants and government bases. The single biggest attack, in 2009, killed at least 25 people and injured 60 others. Airstrikes kill 50 militants Hours after ending this week’s hotel siege, Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency, or NISA, said the country’s security forces killed dozens of al-Shabab members elsewhere in Hirshabelle. “Coordinated airstrikes by the Somali army and international partners in the Middle Shabelle region have killed at least 50 al-Shabab militants, including senior leader in charge of the coordination of the group’s combat vehicles,” the NISA statement said. NISA said the airstrikes targeted the Damasha and Shabeelow areas and killed Mansoor Tima-Weeyne, a senior al-Shabab leader who masterminded the preparation and use of combat vehicles for terrorist attacks. In a separate statement, the Somali Military Command said, “The operation was a significant blow to the group's combat capabilities and part of ongoing efforts to weaken terrorism in the region.” Media outlets closed On another counterterrorism front, NISA said Wednesday that it closed 12 media outlets and websites linked to the Khawarij, a derogatory term referring to al-Shabab that loosely translates as “those who deviate from the Islamic faith.” This latest announcement followed another crackdown on over 30 al-Shabab-related websites. “The operation targeted platforms spreading extremist ideologies, inciting violence, and disseminating false information. During the operation the government seized critical data and identified individuals involved,” said a statement posted by the government’s National News Agency. This story originated in VOA's Somali Service.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown a bold challenge to elders and traditional rulers in Rivers State, questioning their sincerity and contribution towards restoring peace since a state of emergency was declared in the state. Speaking at the Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving for Ken Chikere in Port Harcourt, Wike, who […]

NEW DELHI — India and Mauritius have upgraded their ties, say leaders of both countries — a move analysts say is aimed at increasing New Delhi’s influence in the Indian Ocean as it seeks to counter China’s expanding footprint in the region. The announcement of upgraded ties came during a two-day visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mauritius, an island nation that sits along vital seaways in the western Indian Ocean. Modi, who was chief guest at Mauritius’s National Day celebrations on Wednesday, said that the countries had elevated ties to the status of “enhanced strategic partnership.” Following talks with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a "free, safe, secure and open Indian Ocean.” Mauritius conferred the country’s highest civilian honor on Modi, and the prime ministers signed eight pacts to boost cooperation in several sectors including maritime security. Modi announced that New Delhi would invest about $11 million in several community development projects and that India will cooperate in building a new parliament for Mauritius, calling it a gift “from the mother of democracy.” China trade with Mauritius on rise While India has long enjoyed good relations with Mauritius, where 70% of the population is of Indian origin, analysts said Modi’s visit came amid a recognition that India needs to step up its engagement with a country that is called the gateway to the Western Indian Ocean and Africa, and where Beijing’s presence has grown. “China’s rise in the island has been quite phenomenal and it is now one of the most important economic players in Mauritius,” according to Harsh Pant, the vice president of studies at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. “So, to offset that, it is necessary for India to have constant engagement with Mauritius and help them build capacities in areas such as health, education, and maritime capabilities to demonstrate that it can assist in meeting such challenges." In 2019, China signed a free trade agreement with Mauritius that went into effect in 2021. A page for Mauritius on China’s Foreign Ministry website that outlines relations states that the two have a strategic partnership. Bilateral trade between the two countries hit $1.1 billion, a 10.1% increase from the previous year, according to the website. As the region becomes a hotspot for geopolitical competition, India and China have stepped up efforts to build ties with Indian Ocean countries. Underlining India’s naval cooperation with Mauritius, an Indian navy contingent participated in the National Day parade and an Indian warship — the INS Imphal, a stealth guided-missile destroyer — paid a visit to the capital, Port Louis. Last year, India helped Mauritius build an airstrip and a jetty in Agalega — two tiny islands covering 25 square kilometers that are located north of the main island. Although Mauritius has said that the facilities are not for military use, they give India a foothold to monitor traffic in the western Indian Ocean, say analysts. “India’s construction of logistics infrastructure on Agalega Island underlines both Mauritius’s enduring geopolitical significance in the Indian Ocean and Delhi’s growing maritime stakes in regional security,” political analyst C. Raja Mohan wrote in the Indian Express newspaper. India backs Chagos handover Indian officials have also said that New Delhi would support a planned deal between Britain and Mauritius to hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius that is being finalized. One of the islands on the archipelago, Diego Garcia, has been home to a joint U.K.-U.S. military base since the 1970s. British media have reported that Britain will cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands and lease back Diego Garcia from Mauritius to allow the military base to remain. “We support Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos, and this is obviously in keeping with our long-standing position with regard to decolonization and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries,” Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Saturday while announcing plans that Modi will soon also visit the Maldives. Although officials have made no comment, analysts point out that India backs the continuation of the military base in Diego Garcia. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “inclined” to go along with the deal between Mauritius and Britain over the future of the base. “From New Delhi’s standpoint, it helps if there is some American presence there because it balances out the strategic realities of the region,” said Pant.

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Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim, is confident that the club is still attractive to top players even though they are currently occupying the 14th spot in the Premier League standings. Since his appointment in November 2024, Ruben Amorim has stressed that he is expecting a dynamic transformation of the squad for the upcoming season, […]

In Malawi's Majete Wildlife Reserve, conservation experts are testing birth control methods on lions. The goal of the wildlife management effort is to control the lion population to ensure antelopes and other prey species continue thriving. Lameck Masina reports from the reserve in the Chikwawa district.

WASHINGTON — Gunmen stormed a hotel in the Somali city of Beledweyne on Tuesday, leaving at least five people dead and triggering an ongoing siege, according to witnesses and a Somali lawmaker. In an interview with VOA Somali, federal lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow said local elders and government officials were meeting at the Qahira Hotel in central Somalia. “They attacked the hotel at dawn this morning, with an explosion and then gunmen stormed it. At least five people including two well-respected elders were killed, and five others were injured,” Jesow said. A VOA reporter in the town said at least six people have been confirmed dead, while the siege continues. The reporter said Somali security forces backed by Djiboutian soldiers, who are part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somaila, AUSSOM, and units of Ethiopian soldiers could be seen surrounding the hotel. Local media reports say the death toll may be higher — up to 10 fatalities, including five al-Shabab militants, who were involved in the assault, and government soldiers. Plumes of smoke from the explosions could be seen throughout the town, and an eyewitness said there has been ongoing gunfire. “We can still hear sporadic gunfire from the hotel as some militants are still resisting and fighting with the security forces,” said Mohamed Qoone, a resident who witnessed the attack. Video circulating on social media shows parts of the Qahira Hotel reduced to rubble. The Islamist militant group al-Shabab immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group said it had killed more than 10 people. The group frequently conducts bombings and gun assaults in Somalia, aiming to topple the government and impose its strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. This attack follows an operation conducted by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) just hours earlier, which resulted in the deaths of 16 al-Shabab militants, including key leaders and fighters. According to NISA, “The operation dealt a significant blow to al-Shabab, eliminating key members of the group. In addition to the fatalities, the operation also led to the destruction of combat vehicles used by the militants.” Somali government soldiers, supported by local clan militias and the U.S. military, are conducting operations against al-Shabab in central Somalia, focusing on the Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions. VOA’s Sahra Abdi Ahmed contributed to this report.

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The Labour Party (LP) is facing growing concerns following speculation of mass defection involving some of its high-profile members, including Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State. Sources close to the party revealed to Vanguard that while some members are holding out for a final pronouncement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the […]

NAIROBI, KENYA — Uganda's military chief said Tuesday his country had deployed special forces in South Sudan's capital Juba to "secure it" as tensions between President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President Riek Machar stoke fears of a return to civil war. Tensions have been growing in recent days in South Sudan, an oil producer, after Kiir's government detained two ministers and several senior military officials allied with Machar. One minister has since been released. The arrests in Juba and deadly clashes around the northern town of Nasir are seen as jeopardizing 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar that cost nearly 400,000 lives. "As of two days ago, our Special Forces units entered Juba to secure it," Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said in a series of posts on the X platform overnight into Tuesday. "We the UPDF (Ugandan military), only recognize one President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir ... any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda," he said in another post. South Sudan government information minister and the military spokesperson did not pick up phone calls seeking comment. After the civil war erupted in South Sudan in 2013, Uganda deployed its troops in Juba to bolster Kiir's forces against Machar. They were eventually withdrawn in 2015. Ugandan troops were again deployed in Juba in 2016 after fighting reignited between the two sides but they also were eventually withdrawn. Uganda fears a full-blown conflagration in its northern neighbor could send waves of refugees across the border and potentially create instability. Kainerugaba did not say whether the latest deployment was in response to a request from Kiir's government or how long the troops would remain in South Sudan.

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The Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has reported the arrest of multiple individuals suspected of illegal firearm possession and activities associated with terrorism. The development is attributed to the diligent efforts of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Musa, aimed at reducing crime and ensuring public safety throughout the state. In […]

SINGAPORE — Only seven countries met World Health Organization air quality standards last year, data showed on Tuesday, as researchers warned that the war on smog would only get harder after the United States shut down its global monitoring efforts. Chad and Bangladesh were the world's most polluted countries in 2024, with average smog levels more than 15 times higher than WHO guidelines, according to figures compiled by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. Only Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia and Iceland made the grade, IQAir said. Significant data gaps, especially in Asia and Africa, cloud the worldwide picture, and many developing countries have relied on air quality sensors mounted on U.S. embassy and consulate buildings to track their smog levels. However, the State Department has recently ended the scheme, citing budget constraints, with more than 17 years of data removed last week from the U.S. government's official air quality monitoring site, airnow.gov, including readings collected in Chad. "Most countries have a few other data sources, but it's going to impact Africa significantly, because often times these are the only sources of publicly available real-time air quality monitoring data," said Christi Chester-Schroeder, IQAir's air quality science manager. Data concerns meant Chad was excluded from IQAir's 2023 list, but it was also ranked the most polluted country in 2022, plagued by Sahara dust as well as uncontrolled crop burning. Average concentrations of small, hazardous airborne particles known as PM2.5 hit 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/cu m) last year in the country, slightly higher than 2022. The WHO recommends levels of no more than 5 mg/cu m, a standard met by only 17% of cities last year. India, fifth in the smog rankings behind Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, saw average PM2.5 fall 7% on the year to 50.6 mg/cu m. But it accounted for 12 of the top 20 most polluted cities, with Byrnihat, in a heavily industrialized part of the country's northeast, in first place, registering an average PM2.5 level of 128 mg/cu m. Climate change is playing an increasing role in driving up pollution, Chester-Schroeder warned, with higher temperatures causing fiercer and lengthier forest fires that swept through parts of Southeast Asia and South America. Christa Hasenkopf, director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), said at least 34 countries will lose access to reliable pollution data after the U.S. program was closed. The State Department scheme improved air quality in the cities where the monitors were placed, boosting life expectancy and even reducing hazard allowances for U.S. diplomats, meaning that it paid for itself, Hasenkopf said. "(It) is a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide," she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a speech last week, vowed to take “historic action” to “dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths.” The latest announcement came as the Democratic Republic of Congo approached the United States to strike a Ukraine-like minerals deal. Experts say the U.S .could offer a viable alternative to the DRC and check China’s influence while ensuring access to critical minerals for Washington. But they caution that a mineral agreement is also fraught with challenges. Click here for the full story in Mandarin.

NAIROBI — A British charity for the disabled, citing World Bank data, says the world could gain trillions annually in Gross Domestic Product if women were employed at the same rate as men. Failure to close gender employment gaps reduces a country’s economic growth by 20% on average, according to the data. In many countries, women face multiple challenges when seeking employment or starting a business. Gender discrimination alone can drive women into poverty, but the risk increases if paired with disabilities. In recognition of International Women’s Day, Sightsavers International, a British nongovernmental agency that aims to prevent avoidable blindness and ensure equality for the visually impaired, cited the World Bank’s figures showing that global GDP would increase from $106 trillion to $127 trillion if women were employed at the same rate as men. Michelle Madau, a 41-year-old beautician from Zimbabwe, is living with osteogenesis imperfecta, a brittle-bone disease. Despite her disorder, she helps people like her learn how to run a business. "I am mentoring the upcoming beauticians who are disabled and I am availing myself, making sure I am there when needed, speaking to them, helping them build up their own businesses," Madau said. "Of course, not all of them are in the beauty industry; whichever line of business I am familiar with, I am always there to assist them because I also want to see them win, just like I am winning right now." Lydia Rosasi, 29, works at the office of the Kenyan government spokesperson, where she assists people living with blindness, deafness and other disabilities in accessing government communications. She says she bettered herself to stand out in the job market. "For me, one of the greatest pillars in terms of navigating this double bias has been education and skills development. This has been the crucial thing that has kept me afloat as I go through these challenges," Rosasi said. "For example, in 2021, I joined the IT Bridger Academy and at that time the digital skills were gaining a lot of prominence in the job market. So it gave me confidence and the capabilities that opened my doors. And then I have found supportive mentors and leaders who have been very important." Many African women struggle to get jobs, either because they were married off or became mothers at a young age, leaving them unable to finish their studies. Others encounter discrimination or sexual violence in their workplaces. Experts say empowering girls with education and allowing them to finish school is one way to reduce the gender employment gap. Lianna Jones works on economic empowerment at Sightsavers. She says closing the gender gap requires policy reforms and cultural change. "In terms of closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship, this requires coordinated interventions at multiple levels," Jones said. "At the policy level, we need to eliminate discriminatory laws and regulations that restrict women's economic participation. Women with disabilities need specialized approaches that address both gender- and disability-related barriers simultaneously, and lastly, we need to challenge social norms to engage with community leaders, men, and boys." According to Equal Measures 2030, a coalition of national, regional and global leaders from feminist networks, civil society and international development, women in at least 77 countries are prohibited from working in the same jobs or sectors as men. In Africa, only five countries have a full set of laws mandating workplace equality for women.

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Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, as a liar. He stated this while reacting to the lawmaker’s call for the Peoples Democratic […]

Fighting between M23 rebels and pro-Congo militias was underway Sunday in Nyabiondo, about 100 km north of Goma in eastern Congo, residents said, days after a nearby attack left a heavy civilian death toll, according to the United Nations and an NGO. The M23 rebel group has seized swathes of mineral-rich eastern Congo since the start of the year. "M23 has taken Nyabiondo since 11 a.m. [local time] (0900 GMT), following clashes," Kipanda Biiri, an official from the local administrative authority who was fleeing the area, told Reuters. "The enemy opened a large-scale assault on Nyabiondo this morning," said Telesphore Mitondeke, a civil society rapporteur in Masisi, the area where Nyabiondo is located, referring to the M23 rebels. "For the moment there is shooting from every direction in the center of Nyabiondo, where the clashes are taking place." The fighting follows clashes last week between M23 and a pro-Congolese government militia in the village of Tambi, about 18 km northeast of the town of Masisi, which culminated in an attack overnight on March 5 leaving many civilian casualties, according to the head of a local NGO. An internal United Nations memo seen by Reuters said Sunday that between 13 and 40 civilians were believed to have been killed in that attack. Separately, a spokesperson for the rebel alliance that includes M23 said Sunday on X that one of the pro-government militias that operates in eastern Congo had switched sides and joined its alliance. The spokesperson for the group that militia had been a part of said in a statement that the rest of the group remained loyal to the Congolese government and its army. M23 rebels say that they intend to seize power in Congo's capital Kinshasa. They also accuse Congo's government of not living up to previous peace deals and fully integrating Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration. The group's spread into new mineral-rich territories this year also gives it scope to acquire more mining revenue, analysts say. The Democratic Republic of Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, a claim that Rwanda denies. Kigali, in turn, alleges that Kinshasa collaborates with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or the FDLR, a Hutu armed group with ties to the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, an allegation the DRC rejects. The DRC has officially designated the M23 rebel group as a terrorist organization, while the United Nations and the United States classify it as an armed rebel group.

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Fresh revelations have emerged in the ongoing inquest into the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad, as a forensic pathologist ruled out drug abuse as the cause, suggesting instead that a fatal allergic reaction might have occurred. The Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, presiding at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, stated that a final ruling would be delivered […]

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The Ogun State Police Command has recovered human body parts from buildings disguised as Cherubim and Seraphim Churches in Kobape town and along Abiola Way in Abeokuta. Naija News reports that three suspects, Sunday Akintobi, Oladimeji Olaniran, and Isaiah Tijani, were arrested for the crime. According to the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, they were apprehended […]

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Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, has announced the rustication of 34 students from its College of Medicine for a duration of two to four semesters due to involvement in examination malpractice. Naija News reports that the university’s management reported that these students were found guilty by the Mobile Students Disciplinary Committee of […]

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Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, and his fiancee cum Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru, have officially formalise their union traditionally. Naija News reports that in a video circulating online, the lovebirds were seen amidst a large crowd at the event. Also in the video, Natasha wore an Idoma outfit with a headscarf […]

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A prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has cautioned former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, urging him to stop painting Nigeria in a negative light during his international engagements. Naija News reports that this counsel comes less than 24 hours after Sowunmi made a public appeal for Obi […]

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Public Affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru, has said former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, can end President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 ambition. Naija News reports that Dahiru alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors are all working for President Tinubu’s second tenure. Speaking with Channels TV on Friday, […]

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has stressed that he and his team have the responsibility of winning the club’s 20th Premier League title at Anfield against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, April 27. Following Arsenal’s draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Liverpool need just one point against Spurs to clinch the Premier League title with four matches […]

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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, revealed on Thursday that the Nigerian Armed Forces had killed at least 1,770 terrorists and arrested 3,070 others over the past three years in operations across five North-West states. Naija News reports that this was disclosed during a military sensitisation exercise in Katsina, which focused on fostering […]

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A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, ordered the remand of popular hip-hop musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until May 5, 2025, when his bail application will be heard and determined. Ejeh, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), faces […]

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that those that recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are only exercising their constitutional rights. Naija News reports that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and members of the Delta State cabinet recently dumped the PDP for […]

15h

The federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has concluded plans to relaunch the national school feeding program. This was made known by the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Sununu, during a meeting with development partners, NGOs and government officials on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Abuja. […]

15h

The House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) to take urgent steps towards addressing the imminent danger that may soon befall the party. This comes in the wake of the defection of PDP’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi […]

15h

The Federal Government has justified its decision to install solar panels at the Aso Rock Villa, the seat of power in Nigeria, in a bid to reduce the enormous cost of electricity consumption. The Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdulahi, explained that the Aso Rock Villa has been paying an unsustainable […]

16h

Afrobeat superstar, Femi Kuti has disclosed that his father, Fela was displeased with him when he left the Afrobeat pioneer’s band to form his own in 1986. Kuti disclosed that his father fans turned against him as they saw his exit from his father’s band as a rebellion. The multiple Grammy-nominated artist said he was […]

16h

European football governing body, UEFA will observe a moment of silence in honour of Pope Francis before the kickoff of this week’s Youth League and Women’s Champions League semi-finals. UEFA will also honour the late Pope Francis with a minute silence during the men’s club competition semi-finals scheduled to take place from April 29 to […]

17h

A Nigerian competition tribunal has affirmed the $220 million penalty imposed on Meta Platforms Inc. and its subsidiary, WhatsApp, over what authorities have described as discriminatory data practices impacting Nigerian users. The ruling, issued by a three-member panel chaired by Thomas Okosun, also directed the social media giant to pay $35,000 to cover the costs […]

17h

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has blamed the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Naija News reports that Morka during an interview with TVC on Friday, April 25, 2025, said Atiku flouted the party’s constitution by contesting the 2023 presidential election […]

17h

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the composition of a five-member delegation that will represent Nigeria at the funeral of Pope Francis, which is set to take place this Saturday in Vatican City. According to a statement released on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation will be […]

18h

Arsenal are reportedly set to violate UEFA regulations ahead of the highly anticipated first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain. The UEFA Champions League match between PSG and Arsenal is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, at the Emirates Stadium, and tensions are already building. According to UEFA’s guidelines, clubs must allocate 5% […]

18h

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Dan Ulasi, has advised the party to consider its future and start building solid political structures. Ulasi warned the opposition not to take Tinubu for granted, insisting that he is a master strategist. The PDP stated this during an appearance on Arise News […]

18h

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have set up teams to strengthen collaboration in the fight against human and drug trafficking and substance abuse. Naija News reports that the team was constituted on Friday, during a courtesy visit by the Director General […]

19h

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee overseeing the emergency rule in Rivers State has accepted the apology from the sole administrator of Rivers, Ibok-Ete Ibas. On April 15, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, inaugurated the 21-member committee to ensure transparent governance and the rule of law in the state. Ibas was to […]

19h

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; and other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking in a statement released on Friday, April 25, 2025, by his Chief Press Secretary, […]

19h

Real Madrid and Brazilian winger, Vinicius Jr. is currently under investigation by FIFA, which could potentially lead to a two-year ban due to a reported conflict of interest. So far this season, Vinicius and his Real Madrid team have been having a challenging campaign both domestically and on the continent. They have been knocked out […]

19h

The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that in its inaugural year, more than 500,000 Nigerian students sought loans via the NELFUND portal. This milestone was reached within a mere 11 months of operation, highlighting the critical need for accessible student financing in Nigeria. Naija News reports that the Managing Director/CEO of NELFUND, Akintunde […]

19h

A former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to halt the Federal Government from allocating funds meant for the Local Government Councils (LGCs) in Rivers State to the recently appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas […]

19h

A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has defended his decision to leave the Labour Party (LP) and join the ruling APC, asserting that he has no regrets about his defection. Ozigbo, who switched parties ahead of the APC’s governorship primaries, lost the party’s ticket to Nicholas […]

19h

Liverpool have the chance of winning the 2024-2025 English Premier League title this weekend when they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the matchday 34. Ahead of the Premier League matchday 35 fixtures, Arsenal legend Paul Merson shared his predictions, providing insights into the anticipated outcomes. On Saturday afternoon, Chelsea will take on Everton […]

20h

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Lagos State Chairman of the party, Segun Adewale, has strongly endorsed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition for the 2027 elections. Naija News reports that Adewale described Atiku as the “Messiah” Nigeria needs to revive its struggling economy and address the nation’s challenges. He further […]

20h

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Anambra, Dan Ulasi, has urged the party to begin a strategic alliance with Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Naija News reports that Ulasi, in an interview on ARISE News on Friday, April 25, 2025, stated that Peter Obi remains […]

20h

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election, Jude Ezenwafor, has said he would consolidate on the achievements of past leaders of the state if elected. Naija News reports that Ezenwafor told the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) that his victory in the governorship election would be a surprise. […]

20h

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, who was recently appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, is currently in a private meeting with the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the state’s political crisis. The meeting, which had been postponed multiple times, marks a critical step in the federal lawmakers’ move to assume […]

21h

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has said Nigerians would be the deciders of who wins the 2027 election. Naija News reports that the National Secretary of CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, noted that the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, secured more votes in the 2023 election despite alleged flawed results […]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared eight suspects wanted in connection with the alleged loss of approximately N1.3trillion to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX). Apart from two of

Over 500, 000 students applied for loans in 11 months, the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said. The agency said that the figure indicates the critical need for accessible

As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has issued a passionate call for a renewed commitment to the fight against the

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted four Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Centres and arrested 27 impersonators during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This is contained in

• Tariff hike: Okonjo-Iweala says Africa’s trade with US limited • Ibrahim tasks IMF on economies of developing countries The International Monetary Funds (IMF) yesterday said Nigeria has acted wisely

Akpabio leads Nigerian delegation to Vatican for funeral The funeral of Pope Francis today is expected to be simpler than those of other popes before him, going by the instructions

MTN Nigeria yesterday confirmed that it was targeted in a cyber attack but has moved to calm concerns, assuring customers, partners and stakeholders that its key systems and customer data

A middle aged man identified as “Uncle Light” and his son identified as Miracle have allegedly died of food poisoning in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The incident occurred at their residence

• Bello reiterates commitment to consumers’ protection The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal yesterday delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against

A 30-year-old man has committed suicide after the death of his wife in Ikumi Shako Ward, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State. It was learnt that the man identified as

A 10-year-old girl in Ondo State has allegedly been defiled by her father, Adebowale Adegboye, and stepfather, Idowu Akinseye. Both men were said to have had carnal knowledge of the

Some policemen attached to some checkpoints leading into Minna metropolis have been accused of extorting money and cutting the dreadlocks of people entering the state. This was in spite of

By Adebambo Adewopo As World IP Day marks a record two and half decades in the mission of raising awareness about the role of IP with this year’s theme ‘IP

By Adebayo Adeleye As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, education and public awareness have emerged as crucial tools in the fight against this global phenomenon. Climate

Six months in the life of an individual, state, or country could be considered a short period. But how the period is utilised may have far-reaching implications for a long

As the world pays its respects, the ‘exequies’, or papal funeral rites, for Pope Francis are underway at the Vatican. The Pope continued the humility of his earthly journey by

A disturbing reality has played out for years without the knowledge of many: an unregulated ovum-trading industry has been preying on vulnerable young women, especially students of Nigerian universities and

• Accuses them of ‘sipping tea, making deals with Tinubu’ • APC to defectors: We have room to accommodate all • More confusion as dispute over National Secretary rages •

• Seeks N1billion cost against Adamawa, 10 others • State still fragile despite relative calm, says Ibas • House accepts Sole Administrator’s apology; reschedules hearing • Court urged to halt

Adulthood is a crucual period for young people to lay the foundation for the future. While Gen Z is undoubtedly one of the most tech-savvy and courageous generations, many tend

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives where we share our thoughts, experiences, and achievements on various platforms, seeking validation from our online

Right from his near-miraculous reelection to the White House as the 47th President of the United States of America, a possibility that appeared remote given the perceived threat he constituted

The cliché of when you fail to plan you invariably plan to fail rings so true about the outcome of the meeting held between Super Eagles players and chieftains of

The chances of four key players of the Super Eagles playing in the upcoming friendly game against Ghana at the four-team tournament in England are looking very slim, as revealed

Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, said his side is not giving up on the title race despite being eight points behind the Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. With four matches to

The African Knockout (AKO) Championship successfully hosted AKO8 at The Pistis Conference Centre, Lekki, Lagos, thrilling a large audience with electrifying MMA action. The event featured 18 fighters from across

Team Nigeria has wrapped up its participation at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius, with a stunning haul of 18 medals—13 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze—cementing

Remo Stars are now just one win away from securing their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, following Rivers United’s 2-0 defeat to Kano Pillars in Friday’s high-stakes clash

Former Nigeria Referee Association (NRA) president Alhaji Tade, yesterday, passed away at the age of 63, following a brief illness. Born with a heart wired for football, he started his

A new football sensation is emerging from Nigeria, capturing attention far beyond the continent. At just 16 years old, Shater Gemade, born in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State,

Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, have booked their place at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after playing a

Moving to Canada is a goal for many, but remaining in the country requires strict compliance with immigration laws. According

Moving to the UK sounds cute until reality checks in. Nobody really warns you about the long list of things

A career in teaching can be less lucrative and attractive in Nigeria, especially in the face of poor remuneration, lack

Nigeria’s persistent power sector woes are worsening, with fresh data showing that Geregu and Transcorp Power now owe gas suppliers

*Says Nigeria is increasingly recognised as a rising economic force By Babajide Komolafe & Emma Ujah, Washington DC Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Olayemi, has said that the apex bank will redouble its efforts to sustain the gains of recent reforms and achieve a single-digit inflation rate. Cardoso said this while speaking alongside […]

By Peter Duru, Makurdi Attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue state date back to 2011 when they invaded communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, which has since spread to about 20 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. The incursions led to the sacking of several communities and the displacement of […]

Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, was a guest speaker at the ninth edition of Akinjide Adeosun Foundation, AAF, Annual Leadership Discourse organised in Lagos.

The oil-rich Delta State has been pulsating since Wednesday, and reverberations have spread nationwide. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has dominated the state for almost 26 years since 1999, when the current political dispensation commenced, and superficially, there seemed to be no immediate threat to its dominance.

There are growing concerns within the ranks of the opposition Labour Party (LP) following speculations of an impending mass defection of some of its high-profile members, including the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has outlined conditions that would facilitate enduring peace in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Nollywood is home to many legendary actresses whose performances and charms have continued to resonate with the Nigerian cinema.

Tatuny and Goldstakk, a dynamic music duo, are making waves in the industry with their unique sound that blends rap, trap, Afro, and reggae.

Queen Andrene Iyene Malafa-Emile, the 10-year-old reigning Little Miss Africa Nigeria, has shown remarkable resilience after missing the Little Mr. and Miss Africa international pageant in Cairo, Egypt, due to visa processing delays.

In a sweeping international operation targeting a surge in online sexual extortion scams, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of 22 Nigerian nationals accused of orchestrating a series of sextortion schemes that have led to the suicides of more than 20 teenage boys in the United States since 2021.

The Lagos State Government has announced the creation of 3,941 new parking slots across key locations as part of its strategy to tackle traffic congestion and curb illegal parking in the state.

PSG had been unbeaten in 30 Ligue 1 matches this season, and had not lost any of their last 41 games against French opposition since a 3-1 home loss against Toulouse on May 12 last year.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced major successes in its ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-oil theft operations across Nigeria, with over 100 terrorists neutralized, 100 suspects arrested, and 21 kidnapped victims rescued between April 17 and 25, 2025.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has outlined conditions for achieving lasting peace in Rivers State, stressing that only a sincere and inclusive reconciliation process can resolve the lingering political crisis.

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has pledged to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in resolving the challenges affecting the smooth conduct of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the exercise as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s education system.

10h

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Friday, demanded President Bola Tinubu dissolve the National Census Committee and adhere to the Federal Character Principle in the appointments.

10h

The Ogun State Police command said it has arrested three persons over unlawful possession of human parts in Abeokuta, the state capital.

10h

"They killed seven persons, including women and children, who could not escape from their homes before they caught up with them.

10h

Brazil's former president Fernando Collor de Mello was arrested and taken to prison Friday to begin serving a nearly nine-year sentence for corruption and money laundering, the latest former leader to face jail time.

11h

"Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public," Patel said.

With Wednesday’s defection of the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) there are indications that more governors in the opposition parties are either preparing or being pressured to switch and join the APC. Most of the governors, according to Weekend Trust sources, […]

Not less than 68 persons have been killed at various instances, while scores have been maimed, tortured, harassed or unduly detained by operatives of the various vigilante groups operating across the country in the past three months alone, Weekend Trust gathered. Our correspondents learnt that abuses by members of vigilante groups have been rampant in […]

At least 28 people, including 20 miners, were killed on Thursday during a series of coordinated attacks by armed bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The attacks, which occurred around 11:30 a.m., targeted the communities of Gobirawa Chali, Damaga, and Lugga. Residents described the assaults as sudden and brutal, with gunmen reportedly […]

The rising cases of thuggery and phone snatching across the country has become a source of concern for many with most of them losing not just their phones but nursing scars for years. The problem of phone theft in the country is spiralling out of control, particularly in most city centres, and its surrounding areas. […]

10h

The Nigerian government on Friday received 231 citizens repatriated from Ghana, including 204 victims of human trafficking and 27 suspects allegedly involved in cybercrime and trafficking activities. The returnees were received in Lagos by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), in collaboration with […]

10h

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has pleaded with Governor Similaye Fubara of Rivers State to remain in the party. George made the appeal during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today. He said the PDP would resolve its issues and move on as a political party, saying what President […]

11h

The Kogi state government has shut down the facilities of MTN telecommunication in the state for alleged failure to comply with its tax obligation and related matters. The chairman of Kogi state Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Salihu Enehe, in conjunction with the Director General Kogi State Utilities Infrastructure Management Compliance Agency ( KUIMCA) , Taofik […]

11h

Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), has warned operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) against killings of the border residents in Ogun State. Lamenting what he described as incessant killings of residents by the customs “in the name of tackling smuggling,” Adeola declared that such act must stop. He spoke at the […]

11h

Vice President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of N15 billion for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to prepare for floods ahead of the rainy season. He also said the Federal Government was set to launch the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM) to strengthen agricultural productivity, stabilise food prices, […]

12h

MTN Group says it suffered a cybersecurity incident that resulted in unauthorised access to personal information of some of its customers in certain markets. However, the company stated that its core network, billing systems, and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational. Disclosing this on Thursday, MTN Group said an unknown third party has […]

14h

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state has expressed concern over the regroup of Boko Haram terrorists in Tumbus areas of Lake Chad and Mandara hills in Sambisa forest. Zulum disclosed this in Maiduguri on Friday when the Minister of Defense, Badaru Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military commanders […]

14h

Obinna Simon, entertainer cum politician popularly known as MC Tagwaye, has called on Area Council teachers and workers to utilise their voter cards to hold accountable the current chairmen who are refusing to implement the N70,000 minimum wage. Daily Trust reports that teachers and workers hit the streets of Abuja, on Thursday, over unpaid entitlement. […]

14h

Seven people were reportedly killed on Thursday night when armed invaders launched a fresh attack on Agbo Vengav Udam, a community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. Our correspondent reports that the latest killings bring the total number of people killed in Benue State by armed invaders so far in April to […]

14h

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the coming 2027 elections will be a political battle between Nigerians and the present administration. Atiku, said this in reaction to the defection of the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC), said […]

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has announced major successes in its ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-oil theft operations across Nigeria, with over 100 terrorists killed, 100 suspects arrested, and 21 kidnapped victims rescued between April 17 and 25, 2025. Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the achievements in a statement on Friday. Kangye […]

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other members of Nigeria’s official delegation have arrived in Vatican City ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday. DAILY POST reports that Akpabio led the five-member high-level delegation constituted by President Bola Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the burial rites of the late head of the Roman […]

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has debunked rumours making the rounds that he collapsed. This was as the minister laid out conditions for any genuine reconciliation with his political protégé-turned-rival, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. Wike, who stated this on Friday at the platinum jubilee celebration of Honourable Ken Chikere […]

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was involved in settling wars and conflicts in Africa. Trump, however, did not mention the country or location in Africa that he was involved in settling violent wars. He took to his Truth Social platform to issue the vague presidential message as he urged his followers to […]

10h

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Federal Polytechnic Offa chapter, has been given full approval to picket the institution if the management proceeds with plans to stop the deduction of union check-off dues from May salaries of members. The national headquarters of the union approved the action, according to a statement signed by the […]

10h

Following the spate of insecurity, particularly in schools across the country, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday, 25 April 2025, launched the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad, SPS, in Edo State. Egbetokun said the launch of the programme was part of efforts to ensure security and a conducive learning environment for […]

11h

Former United States Representative George Santos, 36, was on Friday sentenced to prison on federal wire fraud and identity theft charges. Judge Joanna Seybert of New York’s Eastern District sentenced him to 87 months behind bars and ordered him to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution. Santos, who agreed to pay a $200,000 forfeiture, faced nearly […]

12h

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed strong displeasure over the continued absence of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Murtala Abubakar Mohammed, from legislative proceedings. The Assembly warned that his actions amount to disrespect and insubordination. Mr. Mohammed reportedly failed to honor multiple invitations from […]

12h

The Federal Government has pledged to deploy all necessary resources to tackle the resurgence of insecurity in Borno State, following a spike in violent attacks across parts of the region. Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, made this known during a high-level visit to Maiduguri on Friday. Accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. […]

12h

Following the continued cases of kidnappings, killings, and other criminal activities, the traditional ruler of Ekperi Kingdom in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, His Royal Highness, Alhaji D.Y.E Kanoba, has allegedly given a quit notice to all herdsmen and their families in the community. DAILY POST reports that the traditional ruler issued […]

12h

The Nigerian Senate on Friday stated that it will provide a sufficient budget for the 2026 Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, for candidates seeking admission into higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. This was disclosed by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, noting that the examination, conducted nationwide by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation […]

12h

The Ogun State Government has called for the immediate removal of makeshift structures belonging to roadside traders along Magboro Road on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Lateef Yusuf, revealed that the traders had encroached upon designated walkways, converting them into makeshift markets. Yusuf lamented that the traders […]

"In making it easy for candidates seeking admissions into universities or other tertiary Institutions through UTME , the ICT centres must be made available in all the 774 local government councils across the country.”

The Flamingos will now be one of Africa’s five representatives (including hosts Morocco) at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place 17 October – 5 November.

10h

The FBI said the arrests were made as part of “Operation Artemis,” an international operation launched in 2023 to fight the growing threat of sextortion among Nigerian-based sextortion rings.

12h

Mrs Aribeana noted that local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals also presents opportunities for job creation, international trade, economic growth and national security

12h

This development follows the implementation of the revised Dual Mandate Act, signed into law in 2023, which permits FCOEs to offer both qualifications

12h

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions have shut down Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the six area councils of the FCT

13h

Its earnings report, out on Friday, showed interest income at N180.5 billion, more than half the figure it reported a year earlier.

13h

The governor has responded by dismissing Mr Fani-Kayode's criticism as "intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt."

13h

These cases remind us that technology companies are no longer just private businesses. They are geopolitical actors. Their choices reverberate globally.

14h

The singer committed the alleged offence in January

14h

The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu's sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis' passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican.

14h

"My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria."

17h

By mentoring, supporting, and championing other women, we open doors and challenge the norms that often limit opportunities

17h

Meta and WhatsApp appealed the fine imposed by Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

18h

The PDP said it is also reviewing its structures across the country, with Delta State now a priority following the recent political developments in the state.

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