Author: Maryam Sulaiman

A newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was reached on Friday, according to a US official, following a wave of deadly clashes in Lebanon that severely threatened a broader Middle East peace accord less than 48 hours after its signing. The escalating violence forced the postponement of highly anticipated diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran, which were slated to begin Friday in Burgenstock, Switzerland. The Swiss resort overlooking Lake Lucerne was set to host US Vice President JD Vance and Tehran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, to kick off two months of negotiations on critical issues left…

African nations must ramp up their domestic spending to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda, according to the continent’s primary public health agency. The organization warned on Friday that Africa can no longer remain dependent on external international partners to secure its public health infrastructure. Data from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the crisis has already resulted in over 200 deaths across 894 confirmed cases since May 15, with contact tracing expanding to as many as 35,000 individuals. Public health officials believe the true caseload is higher, given that official confirmation of the…

Initial market relief following the interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran quickly dissolved into fresh uncertainty on Friday. Planned follow-up negotiations in Switzerland were abruptly called off, highlighting the steep hurdles ahead in turning the initial agreement into a lasting peace settlement. According to Switzerland’s foreign ministry, the U.S.-Iran talks that were set to take place at Bürgenstock on Friday did not proceed as anticipated. In tandem, the White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance canceled his travel to Switzerland, pointing to unresolved logistical complications surrounding the meetings. “The plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been…

The Federal Government is mapping out a new strategy to embed journalists with military personnel during specific operations. This initiative aims to boost transparency, enhance public understanding of Nigeria’s security hurdles, and elevate the standard of security reporting across the country. The plan was made public on Thursday by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, at the National Security Summit hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja. Speaking through his representative, Special Adviser Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, the minister highlighted that the move is designed to forge a tighter bond between the press and security forces while ensuring…

A fire broke out on Thursday at a multi-storey building housing a Polaris Bank branch on Broad Street in Lagos, causing anxiety among local business owners, residents, and onlookers. Footage circulating on social media captured thick plumes of smoke rising from the structure while crowds gathered nearby to watch the situation unfold. First responders, including teams of firefighters, arrived quickly at the scene to battle the flames and stop the fire from reaching neighboring buildings. The precise cause of the fire remains unknown. Addressing the situation on Thursday, Polaris Bank released a statement explaining that the fire originated in the…

Indian IT stocks experienced a sharp sell-off on Friday, plunging by as much as 7% following global consulting giant Accenture’s decision to lower its revenue expectations. The downbeat forecast has reignited worries regarding the broader growth trajectory of the technology sector. The benchmark Nifty IT Index tumbled over 5% as a result. Among the heaviest hit was India’s largest software exporter, Tata Consultancy Services, which fell more than 5%. Infosys saw its shares drop over 7%, while Tech Mahindra lost more than 4%. The market turbulence was triggered on Thursday when Accenture adjusted its revenue growth guidance for the fiscal…

For a long time, mass school kidnappings in Nigeria only happened in the northern parts of the country. People believed the south-west was safe from this danger. However, a major attack in Oyo State has completely changed that line of thinking. It has been exactly one month since gunmen attacked schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Today, 49 people are still missing. This group includes 39 schoolchildren, seven teachers, and a two-year-old baby. This is the first time a massive school kidnapping has happened in the south-west, showing that these criminal groups are moving into new…

Global oil prices moved downward on Thursday following reports that President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, an event arriving alongside a fresh warning from the International Energy Agency regarding a looming supply surplus. International benchmark Brent crude futures for August delivery fell 2.83% to settle at $77.30 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for July dropped 3.20% to land at $74.33 per barrel. Adding an element of uncertainty to the geopolitical breakthrough, Trump informed reporters that he remains prepared to resume military action against Iran if…

Health officials in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are urgently searching for a six-year-old girl and her mother after armed men raided the hospital where the child was undergoing treatment for Ebola. According to a statement from local health official Dr. Lubambo Maboko Gaston, “very angry” men armed with knives seized the young patient from Wanamahika Hospital in the city of Butembo. While it remains uncertain if the armed men were acquainted with the family, deep-seated fear and suspicion regarding Ebola treatment facilities have been widespread throughout this current outbreak.In an interview with Reuters, Gaston made a direct plea,…

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced that if he wins the 2027 election, his administration will pursue dialogue with bandits and violent groups ready to renounce crime, while deploying full military force against those who persist in violence. Speaking during an interview on BlackBox with Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra State governor outlined a dual-track strategy aimed at restoring security and fostering national unity. He emphasized that building a peaceful nation requires engaging individuals ready for reconciliation, while maintaining a strict stance against unyielding criminals. “In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk…