Author: Maryam Sulaiman

United States military forces have begun training Nigerian troops in Bauchi State, focusing on unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care, and various operational skills to enhance security cooperation and partner capacity between the two nations. A special report from the United States Africa Command revealed that the exercises at Operating Location Bauchi cover Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Combat Lifesaver instruction, camouflage, weapons familiarization, explosive ordnance disposal, water treatment and testing, small-unit tactics, and unmanned aircraft systems. “U.S. and Nigerian forces are conducting a series of training events at Operating Location Bauchi, Nigeria, aimed at sharing military expertise, strengthening partner capacity…

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where small-scale mining drives the local economy, the frequent movement of workers between isolated extraction sites is severely complicating efforts to contain an spreading Ebola outbreak. Miners operating in Iga-Barrière find themselves forced to weigh the growing risk of contracting Ebola against the immediate necessity of paying for housing and food. Both men and women work long hours for minimal compensation, often earning just a few dollars each day. A significant portion of this labor force consists of internally displaced individuals living in a nearby temporary camp, having spent decades escaping armed conflict. Other…

George Nwabueze, National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, has refuted allegations that he is running an illegal agency. Speaking with journalists, Nwabueze stated that he oversees an entity operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He maintained that the initiative has been active for 16 years. His response follows an announcement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which stated that President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s arrest for managing what it categorized as an unauthorized federal agency. The commission alleged…

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has introduced a broad compliance enforcement measure that restricts transactions with 16 crypto-asset service providers. The latest phase took effect on August 23, 2026, directly affecting platforms linked to Nigeria, including A7 Nigeria and A7 Africa. The enforcement specifically impacts Nigerian digital asset users, as Binance had previously restricted transactions involving A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa, and PilotFinance Ltd starting August 13. Those steps followed earlier action taken on August 7, when Binance restricted Shelbit and Aban Tether Exchange. Following a public announcement on August 14, Binance expanded its compliance list by adding 11 more service providers to…

Life-threatening child malnutrition is rising rapidly across Somalia following the closure of more than 200 health and nutrition centers triggered by international aid cuts, according to United Nations warnings. Data from UNICEF shows a 32 percent surge in children admitted with severe acute malnutrition and related complications during the first six months of 2026. Officials project that nearly 1.9 million children will face severe hunger throughout the year. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder highlighted the impact of these financial rollbacks, stating that aid cuts in Somalia are closing doors to healthcare, shutting down nutrition services, and pushing water, education, and protection…

Iran has warned that it will retaliate against any nation participating in the United States’ “economic war” against Tehran. The threat came as Egypt urged both Washington and Tehran to return to diplomatic channels to end their six-month conflict. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, delivered the warning on state broadcaster IRIB, appealing to regional neighbors and global nations to refuse US demands for economic restrictions. He stated that any country taking part in imposing restrictions would be viewed as an enemy, warning of a seismic response. Rezaei outlined a strategy that begins with de-escalation negotiations to…

Omar al-Sawhi, 20, faced the difficult task of finding a burial place for his 40-year-old father, Mohammad, who was shot in the neck on June 10 while working at a roadside coffee stall near the Israeli-designated Yellow Line in Gaza. Upon arriving at Zeitoun Cemetery in Gaza City, Omar found the grounds completely packed, with graves marked only by stones and paper name tags due to severe material shortages and war conditions. “I stood in the middle of the cemetery and saw so many graves. There were mountains of sand, with people buried underneath,” Omar told Al Jazeera. “A grave…

Data obtained from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service, compiled via the Asylum Information Database, reveals that at least 1,917 Nigerians applied for asylum in the Netherlands across 2024 and 2025. Nigeria stood out as one of only four African nations consistently ranked among the top 10 countries of origin for Dutch asylum seekers during this period. Applications from Nigerian citizens rose by 5.9 percent year-on-year, moving from 931 total applicants in 2024 (770 first-time and 161 subsequent) to 986 in 2025 (813 first-time and 173 subsequent). These figures exclude family reunification numbers. Globally, Nigeria ranked ninth among applicant nationalities…

A initial shipment of over 16,000 Ervebo vaccine doses reached the Democratic Republic of Congo late Friday night, observed by an AFP reporter, as the nation confronts its most fatal Ebola surge to date. The country’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak was officially confirmed on May 15, though transmissions likely began weeks prior. Thousands have died across northern and eastern regions where state institutions are limited, medical infrastructure is scarce, and multiple insurgent factions have been active for decades. On Thursday, the World Health Organization confirmed that a overall allocation of 70,000 Ervebo doses, manufactured in Germany, is designated for the…

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has advocated for concluding the months-long conflict with the United States, asserting that Tehran is acting from a stand of strength despite stalled diplomatic discussions. “It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity,” Pezeshkian said in a meeting with doctors on Friday. “The whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasises that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world.” Pezeshkian – whose presidential powers remain subordinate to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba…