Author: Maryam Sulaiman

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has completed a two-day state visit to Malaysia, marking the first visit to the country by an Egyptian leader in nearly 30 years. During the visit, President al-Sisi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held discussions focused on achieving a political settlement to resolve the ongoing Middle East conflict. Both leaders denounced Israeli military operations in Gaza and addressed broader security challenges in the region, including escalating tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. “I also spoke with the Prime Minister about the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. I emphasised the importance…

Opening a new parliamentary session in Rabat on Friday, King Mohammed VI of Morocco urged public institutions to place youth matters at the top of their policy priorities. The monarch’s address follows months of youth-driven demonstrations that brought public attention to economic and social challenges across the nation. Addressing international relations, the king defended Morocco’s tie with Spain and outlined plans to reshape bilateral cooperation following the July border crossings into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. “In the face of the irresponsible statements made by certain political and media circles … we affirm that partnership is a sovereign choice and…

Under its Nigeria First Policy, the Federal Government has called on local vehicle manufacturers to scale up production capacity, enhance product quality, and offer reliable after-sales services as it moves to prioritize homegrown automotive plants in government procurement. The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, revealed in Abuja that the country’s vehicle assembly facilities possess an annual manufacturing capacity of 370,520 vehicles. He noted that giving priority to domestic manufacturers during procurement processes will generate employment, curb foreign imports, and boost the local manufacturing of automotive components. Osanipin explained that the strategy represents…

Thousands took to the streets of Brussels to protest proposed spending cuts, leading to clashes between police and demonstrators. Organized by labor unions, the demonstration targeted government plans to implement a new savings package. Union representatives expressed strong concerns that the measures would disproportionately affect employees, retirees, and lower-income families. They voiced opposition to potential modifications to wage indexation, value-added tax, and other initiatives impacting purchasing power, maintaining that wealthier citizens should bear a larger share of the financial burden. Joining the rally, students also protested against reduced education budgets, increased tuition fees, and policy reforms that they fear will…

Ahead of the upcoming January 16 elections, Nigeria’s government has announced new measures to soften energy price shocks, including a temporary petrol discount for public transportation operators. Despite hosting the continent’s largest refinery—owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote—Africa’s top oil producer has seen pump prices surge to roughly 1,400 naira ($1.00) per liter, up from 830 naira prior to the conflict in the Middle East. The rise follows earlier decisions by the government to step back from direct price controls and let market forces dictate costs. Fuel costs had already spiked after President Bola Tinubu, who is campaigning for…

An Abuja Federal High Court has dismissed a suit brought by Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, who sought to prevent the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and three other law enforcement bodies from freezing his bank accounts or impounding his assets. Presiding Judge Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the legal action on Thursday, ruling that it constituted an abuse of court process. The former governor filed the lawsuit against the ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who were listed as first…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has discarded the evidence provided by John Nwonke, the second defence witness in the ongoing drug trafficking trial involving Abba Kyari, the suspended former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, and four other officers. Presiding Judge Emeka Nwite took the decision on Wednesday after Nwonke repeatedly failed to show up in court to continue his testimony and face cross-examination, despite a prior warning that his evidence would be erased if he missed the session. The judge’s decision came after an oral application by Joseph Sunday, lead counsel for the National Drug Law…

All 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members kidnapped in Imo State while traveling from Oyo State to their orientation camp in Abia State have been safely freed. The victims were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State. They regained their freedom after seven days following a joint search-and-rescue operation conducted at Amakohia Ubi Village by the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and other security organizations. Although details of the rescue operation remain undisclosed and no arrests have been announced, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed that the victims were…

‎The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has urged the national government to safeguard frontline health personnel following the confirmation of the country’s first Ebola case. ‎In a statement issued on Tuesday, the union’s secretary-general, Dr. Divji Atellah, emphasized that healthcare staff should serve as the primary line of defense rather than being left vulnerable in the response. ‎Health Minister Aden Duale confirmed on Tuesday that a 40-year-old Kenyan businessman had died from the virus after contracting it while residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ‎Duale informed journalists that the patient fell ill roughly a month ago…

The Federal Government has cleared eight months of outstanding salary arrears owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), coming less than 48 hours after the union threatened an indefinite strike regarding the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement. SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed the disbursement on Wednesday. He praised the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, for stepping in and noted that the payment prevented imminent disruption across Nigerian universities. The union had previously issued a 14-day ultimatum following its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa…