Death Toll Rises to 128 as Firefighters Discover Dozens More Bodies in Devastating Hong Kong High-Rise Blaze
Hong Kong emergency crews uncovered dozens of additional bodies on Friday during an apartment-by-apartment sweep of a high-rise housing complex devastated by a massive fire, pushing the death toll to at least 128 in one of the city’s deadliest blazes on record. Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Hong Kong Fire Services, said firefighters were […]
Putin Confirms U.S. Delegation Heading to Moscow as He Rejects Ceasefire Without Ukrainian Withdrawal
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a U.S. delegation is expected to arrive in Moscow early next week to continue discussions on Washington’s latest proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Putin said that recent talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials resulted not in a draft […]
President Trump Announces Death of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom After D.C. Shooting
President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday, has died from her injuries. Speaking during Thanksgiving calls with members of the military, Trump described Beckstrom, 20, as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person.” “She’s just passed […]
El-Rufai Joins ADC, Says Party Ready to ‘Repeat 2015 Upset’
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), months after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC). He completed his registration on Thursday at his Ungwar Sarki ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area. El-Rufai arrived with a large crowd of supporters alongside senior party officials, including the ADC Vice […]
AfDB Backs Nigeria with $500m for Governance and Energy Transition
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $500 million loan to Nigeria to fund the second phase of the Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Programme. Abdul Kamara, Director-General of the AfDB’s Nigeria Country Department, said the policy-based operation will cover fiscal years 2024 and 2025, aiming to […]
Tinubu Sets Up Nigerian Team for US-Nigeria Security Working Group
President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian side of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG), a key step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges. The group’s formation follows agreements reached during a recent high-level visit to Washington, DC, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu […]
Onaiyekan: Equip Existing Police, Not Recruit 20,000 More Officers
Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan has urged the Federal Government to reconsider its plan to deploy 20,000 additional police officers, insisting that Nigeria should instead properly equip and support the officers already in service to tackle insecurity more effectively. His remarks follow President Bola Tinubu’s recent announcement of plans to recruit 20,000 new police personnel. Speaking […]
Senator Ndume: Nigeria Lacks Satellite Capacity to Track Terrorists
Senator Ali Ndume says Nigeria does not have the satellite capability required to track terrorists or conduct real-time surveillance, despite owning five satellites only two of which are functional, and with limited capacity. Speaking on Christmas TV on Thursday, the Borno South lawmaker questioned the country’s intelligence infrastructure, citing the unresolved case of a missing military General as evidence […]
Jonathan Evacuated Safely from Guinea-Bissau Coup
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has safely departed Guinea-Bissau following Wednesday’s military coup that overthrew the country’s government, the Federal Government confirmed on Thursday. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Jonathan “is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau,” noting that he left on a special flight with members of his delegation, […]
8 Defendants Sentenced to Life in Russia Over Crimea Bridge Bombing as Moscow Claims Terror Plot Linked to Ukraine
A Russian military court on Thursday convicted eight people on terrorism charges for their alleged roles in the 2022 bombing of the Kerch Bridge, a vital supply link between mainland Russia and occupied Crimea. All eight defendants were sentenced to life in prison. The October 2022 explosion — caused by a truck laden with explosives […]
