US health agency employees witness major job cut off
Some United States (US) health agency workers has received job termination emails, while some workers were restricted from accessing the building following their resumption on Tuesday. Although the number of employees that received the emails were not a certain according to a CNN report, stating the US Department of Health and Human Services are yet to comment. Recalled that on 12 March, in Atlanta, Georgia, some protesters were seen holding signs outside the organisation’s main headquarters over personnel cuts at the Centres for Disease Control (CDC). Some employees described their dismissal as unfair and a violation of due process. The major cut affected multiple agencies, leadership, long-time staffers, scientists and administrators, including the CDC, FDA, and NIH. As of last week, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed that about 10,000 full-time employees would be relieved, in addition to the thousand that have left and the probationary employees currently on leave. The move aims to prioritise chronic disease prevention while reducing bureaucracy. Read Also: Dele Odule debunks death rumour, confirms health On Tuesday, thousands of employees—including scientists, administrators, and leadership—were laid off. At the CDC, cuts hit divisions like Occupational Safety, Injury Prevention, Smoking and Health, Violence Prevention, and HIV programmes. The FDA reduced staff in the Offices of New Drugs, Policy & International Engagement, and Regulatory Programs. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, Dr Jeanne Marrazzo, was also let go. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring that will eliminate 10,000 full-time positions and account for another 10,000 voluntary departures, reducing the workforce from 82,000 to 62,000. An additional 5,200 probationary employees were terminated earlier. HHS plans to consolidate several agencies into a new Administration for a Healthy America, merging divisions like the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
US peace plan for Ukraine unacceptable ‘in its current form’ – Russia
Moscow has described the latest US peace proposals as unacceptable to the Kremlin, highlighting the limited progress Donald Trump has made on his promise to end the war in Ukraine since taking office in January. Sergei Ryabkov, a foreign policy adviser to Vladimir Putin, said some of Russia’s key demands were not being addressed by the US proposals to end the war, in comments that marked a rare acknowledgment from the Russian side that talks with the US over Ukraine had stalled in recent weeks. “We take the models and solutions proposed by the Americans very seriously, but we can’t accept it all in its current form,” Ryabkov was quoted by state media as telling the Russian magazine International Affairs. It came after Trump on Sunday revealed his frustration with Putin, saying he was “pissed off” and threatening to impose tariffs on Russian oil exports. “All we have today is an attempt to find some kind of framework that would first allow for a ceasefire – at least as envisioned by the Americans,” Ryabkov said. “As far as we can see, there is no place in them today for our main demand, namely to solve the problems related to the root causes of this conflict.” Putin has repeatedly referred to what he claimed were the “root causes” of the conflict to justify his hardline position on any prospective deal to end the war in Ukraine. As preconditions for a ceasefire, the Russian leader has insisted on terms that would, in effect, dismantle Ukraine as an independent, functioning state – pulling it firmly into Russia’s sphere of influence. He has demanded that Kyiv recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four partly occupied regions in the south-east, withdraw its forces from those areas, pledge never to join Nato, and agree to demilitarisation. The ruins of a building in the abandoned Ukrainian city of Maryinka, which was destroyed during the invasion by Russian forces. Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters In recent weeks the Russian president has also been openly pushing for regime change in Ukraine, claiming that Volodymyr Zelenskyy lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal and suggesting that Ukraine needs external governance. Trump appears to be growing increasingly impatient with his lack of progress in a war that he promised to end in 24 hours, expressing frustration with Russian and Ukrainian leaders as he struggles to forge a truce. Trump’s comment that he was “pissed off” with Putin over the Russian leader’s approach to a potential ceasefire in Ukraine was a noticeable shift in tone from a leader who had previously expressed admiration for Putin. However, Trump later dialled back his rhetoric and by Monday was accusing Ukraine of trying to renegotiate an economic deal with the US. The White House on Tuesday said Trump was frustrated with leaders on both sides of the war. Despite a flurry of US-brokered meetings and parallel talks with Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia that produced – on paper – a 30-day energy ceasefire, both sides have continued to strike each other’s energy infrastructure. The Trump administration also attempted to broker a ceasefire in the Black Sea, but Moscow sought to attach several conditions to the deal, including the easing of European sanctions, a demand swiftly rejected by Brussels. Grigory Karasin, who represented Russia at the talks with the US in Saudi Arabia, last week admitted that the sides had failed to make significant progress and that negotiations may drag into next year.But Trump’s team has said it remains committed to halting the war, with the US leader telling NBC he and Putin planned to speak again this week. The Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, who spent time with Trump over the weekend, said he proposed setting a deadline of 20 April for Putin to comply with a full ceasefire. However, those close to the Kremlin believe Moscow is unlikely to accept a full ceasefire without securing some of its demands, which include the cessation of all arms and intelligence supplies to Ukraine from the US and other allies. “We’re prepared to keep fighting for some time,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, a prominent Russian foreign policy analyst who heads a council that advises the Kremlin. “The continuation of the war, which we are slowly but surely winning, is in our interest. Especially considering that the main sponsor [the US] seems to be backing out … Why should we rush in a situation like this?” You’ve read 85 articles. As one of our top readers, choose our All-access digital subscription to get the most out of our open and independent journalism.
Nigerian declared missing in Canada
The Toronto Police Service has reported that Omotayo, a 32-year-old Nigerian man residing in Canada, has been missing since March 25, 2025. He was last seen in the Trafalgar Road and Dundas Street East area of Oakville. In a statement released on March 28, authorities urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating Omotayo, as his whereabouts have remained unknown since his disappearance. “Omotayo is described as 6’0”, 160-170 lbs, with a thin build and short black hair. “Omotayo was last seen wearing a tan ‘Essentials’ hoodie, black Nike trackpants, tan Yeezy slides, and black-framed glasses. Police are concerned for their safety.” The police urged anyone with relevant information to come forward through official communication channels. They further encouraged the public to reach out by calling 416-808-4200, contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or visiting www.222tips.com. As of Monday, authorities had yet to determine his location.
4th US soldier missing in Lithuania found dead
The fourth U.S. Army soldier who went missing during a scheduled training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania, last week was found dead on Tuesday, according to the Army. “The soldier was found after a search by hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and many other elements of the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies,” the Army said in a statement. The bodies of the other three soldiers were recovered on Monday. The four soldiers are all based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Their identities have not been released. “This past week has been devastating,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement. “Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.” The soldiers went missing on March 25 while operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, the Army said, and the next day, their 63-ton vehicle was found submerged in about 15 feet of water and mud in a training area. “Most likely, the M88 drove into the swamp,” and the vehicle “may have just gone diagonally to the bottom,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told ABC News via phone last week. The U.S. Army is searching for four soldiers who went missing during a scheduled training exercise near Pabradė, Lithuania. U.S. Army The soldiers’ vehicle was removed from a swamp early Monday morning after six days of work to retrieve it, the Army said. The search effort — which included law enforcement and military personnel from several countries — was complicated by the muddy conditions and unstable ground, officials said. “It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers,” Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general, V Corps, said in a statement Tuesday. “Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at Tuesday’s briefing, “The president, the secretary of defense and the entire White House are praying for the victims, friends and family during this unimaginable time. This is another stark reminder of the selfless sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world every day to keep us safe. God bless them.”
Israel lifts all tariffs on US products
Prime Minister of Israeli, Benjamin Netanyahu announced the lifting of all tariffs imposed on United States products on Tuesday. The Prime Minister said the move was aimed at ensuring a competitive market, make the economy more diverse and reduce the cost of living for Israelis. This was announced in a joint statement by Netanyahu and Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat. Parts of the statement said, “In addition to the economic benefits for the economy and citizens of Israel, this move will allow us to further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the United States. “We will continue to work to remove barriers and tariffs and to reinforce our special relationship with the United States.” This comes as President Donald Trump is set to levy reciprocal tariffs on US trade partners. The United States president started imposing tariffs on some particular countries ever since he made a dramatic comeback to the White House on January 20, but incredibly announced last week that all nations of the world will be levied heavy tariffs. The take-off of the tariffs is just some few hours away. The US is Israel’s largest trading partner and closest ally, with bilateral trade worth $34 billion in 2024.
Britain formally declares Russia national security threat for first time
For the first time, Russia has been formally declared a national security threat to Britain, Telegraph reported. UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced on Tuesday that the Russian agents working on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime will be forced to register their activities or face five years in prison. Russia presented an “acute threat” to UK national security through hostile acts in recent years, including the Salisbury nerve agent poisonings, espionage, cyber-attacks and the invasion of Ukraine, he said in a statement to the Commons. Further, Russia will be added to the highest “enhanced tier” of the forthcoming Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs). Firs is a status reserved for nations that pose a risk to the safety of the UK’s interests. Also, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that the new measures will take stronger action against Russia as she accused the Kremlin of “unacceptable threats to our national security.” “The new measures will make it harder for Russia to conduct hostile acts against us in the future and demonstrate once again this government’s unshakeable commitment to keep our country and our people safe.” The scheme will go live in July and for the first time, it will compel anyone in the UK acting for a foreign power or entity to declare their activities or face arrest and prosecution. The UK minister further said that it would include Putin and Russia’s government agencies and authorities, including its armed forces, intelligence services, police forces and judges. Moreover, some Russian political parties, including United Russia will also come under scrutiny. “As Security Minister, I see first-hand the disruptive activity conducted by Russia, beyond their barbaric and illegal war against Ukraine, including their attempts to infiltrate our democracy and sow discord in our society,” Jarvis said. “We will not stand for it.” Earlier this month, Iran was the first regime to be listed under Firs. Moreover, the ministers have also faced pressure to designate China. However, Jarvis denied commenting on whether China would be added to the enhanced tier, although ministers have previously indicated that it would not because the Government regards a closer relationship with the communist state as “in our national interests.” Notably, less than a month ago, a team of Russian agents were found guilty in the biggest spying investigation in Britain. The UK has expelled more than 20 Russian spies since the Salisbury poisonings in 2018, and revoked the accreditation of Russian diplomats in response to the harassment and expulsion of British diplomats. Moreover, they also removed diplomatic status from Russian properties believed to be used in intelligence activities.
‘She has no respect for law’ – Kogi govt criticises Natasha after rally
The Kogi State Government has condemned the homecoming rally held for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the state’s central district, following her warm reception by supporters and residents of the Ihima community. This comes despite the state government’s ban on rallies and processions. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, called on security agencies to hold Akpoti-Uduaghan accountable should any violence erupt in the North Central state. The commissioner accused the senator of deliberately flouting the ban imposed by Governor Usman Ododo’s administration. Fanwo further stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defiance of the order once again demonstrated her disregard for rules and the law. The statement read: “The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to the reckless, malicious, and utterly false allegations made by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan in her verified Facebook Page, in which she claims that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio should be held responsible if anything happens to her. READ ALSO: Natasha holds homecoming rally despite govt ban “This is yet another desperate and calculated attempt by an incurable liar and serial manipulator to mislead the public, inciting unrest, and present herself as a victim after deliberately violating the ban on political gatherings imposed by the State Government to maintain law and order. Her statement exposed her plans to use her visit to stir trouble and violence in Kogi Central Senatorial District. We will not allow any part of the state to go up in flames nor permit the killing of innocent souls by the actions of the suspended Senator. “Although she has since deleted the post after realizing what the lie would cost her, we have a screenshot of it which was saved before she deleted the post. Her actions since the early hours of today have confirmed the authenticity of the security report that certain elements were planning to foment trouble in Kogi Central. “Let it be categorically stated that Governor Ododo has no interest in the political theatrics of the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her baseless allegations are nothing but a feeble attempt to stir unnecessary controversy and cover up her blatant disregard for the law. She has once again proven that she has no respect for rules and the laws. “Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has consistently demonstrated a pattern of lawlessness, using lies and deceit as her tools of political engagement. The recent disturbances in Kogi State, orchestrated by her defiance of the state’s security directives, have further confirmed her status as a security threat to the people of the State. “She deliberately violated the State Government’s ban on political gatherings, which was put in place to prevent security breaches and maintain peace. Instead of respecting the law, she chose to incite chaos, disregarding the safety and stability of the state. When confronted with the consequences of her actions, she resorted to her usual tactics of playing the victim and fabricating baseless accusations against respected leaders of the state and the nation. “The people of Kogi State and Nigerians at large should see through her deceptive ploys and reject her attempt to manipulate public perception with outright lies. Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan is not a victim; she is an instigator of disorder who thrives on spreading falsehoods to gain public sympathy. “The Kogi State Government will not be blackmailed or intimidated by the antics of a desperate politician who has built her political career on falsehoods. We remain committed to upholding law and order and will take all necessary steps to ensure that no individual, no matter how highly placed, is allowed to breach public peace with impunity. The building tension and cloud of violence hanging on Kogi Central wouldn’t have been necessary if Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan had complied with the position of the State Government and cooperated with security agencies. She would be held responsible if her actions result in any violence in Kogi Central or any part of the State. “Let it be clear that the security of every citizen in Kogi State, including that of Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, remains a priority. However, the government will not tolerate anyone deliberately provoking crises and then crying wolf when confronted with the consequences of his or her actions. READ ALSO: Police stop Natasha’s homecoming rally “We call on the security agencies to take note of her reckless utterances and inflammatory actions that pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the state. She should be held accountable for her blatant attempts to incite violence and cause unnecessary tension. “Kogi State remains a peaceful state under the leadership of the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo and we will not allow anyone, regardless of his or her status, to derail our commitment to peace, security, and progress.”
Nwifuru arrests 6 commissioners, LG boss over breach of contract
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has arrested six commissioners over alleged involvement in breach of a contract for the construction of 140 housing units for Izzo and Amaze communities. The Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Nwachi, was also suspended. The arrested commissioners are Professor Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Moses Ekuma (Health) and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring). NEW DAILY PRIME gathered that the affected commissioners were declared wanted by the state government before their arrest. Speaking to newsmen in Abakaliki through the Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, Ilang Donatus, the governor said the government felt that the affected commissioners and contractors have breached the terms and conditions of the contract given to them by the government.It was also gathered that the affected commissioners and the contractors were accused of sabotaging the plan of Governor Nwifuru, to commission the housing units to mark his two years anniversary in the state. “The governor is not happy over the pace of the work which ought to have been completed. The government has decided to clamp down on the contractors and commissioners who were mandated to supervise those projects. “As you can see, our governor is a man with a passionate heart, he likes giving succour, hence the building of those houses for the victims of the communal crisis. “He is not happy that the project is delayed and has ordered the arrest of all the commissioners who were supposed to ensure the speedy completion of the housing units,” Donatus said. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Ebonyi Central, Mrs Maria Okohu who is a member of the Executive Council Committee, said that non-completion of the projects by the contractors and the failure of some of the commissioners to strictly supervise them as directed by the government is an act of sabotage. The governor, through the committee, insisted that the arrests will continue until all the commissioners and contractors involved are brought to book and as well do the needful. It was gathered that the Nigeria Police has equally issued invitation letters to some of the fleeing commissioners and contractors who where not at home at the time the committee visited.
Gold hits all-time high amid Trump’s uncertain actions
Gold has surged to a record high, with spot prices trading at approximately $3,132 per ounce as of 1:00 PM WAT. Data from commodity tracking platform GoldPrice.com indicates that the precious metal closed at $3,118 per ounce on March 31. Since the start of the year, gold has gained 19.8%, having opened 2025 at $2,625 per ounce. The rally is largely driven by heightened uncertainty in the global financial markets, prompting investors to seek safe-haven assets as a hedge against economic volatility. Meanwhile, the equities market has struggled, with the S&P 500 posting its worst first-quarter performance since 2022, declining 4.37% year-to-date. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also ended Q1 with a 0.92% drop, despite a brief mid-March rally. These movements in the US and global financial markets are down to erratic nature of Donald Trump’s policy positions. Since assuming the US presidency on January 20, he launched a tirade against some of America’s closest trade partners, threatening tariffs on good imported from Mexico, Canada, and China. The 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico took effect on March 4, prompting Canada to impose retaliatory measures in response. Simultaneously, President Trump escalated trade tensions by implementing additional tariffs on Chinese imports, targeting all the United States’ largest trading partners. Amid these escalating trade disputes, the U.S. has struggled to de-escalate the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, further unsettling the global trade landscape. The mounting geopolitical uncertainty continues to challenge international markets and economic stability. In February, the US consumer price index declined to 2.8 percent, its lowest since November 2024. However, it did little to ease concerns about a looming recession in the U.S. economy. Gold may hit $3,300 by year-end – Goldman Sachs As uncertainty looms, Goldman Sachs projected that gold price may hit $3,300 by the end of 2025. Daan Struyven, the co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs, highlighted that dropping rates is a contributory factor to the rally in gold prices. Struyven also attributed the rally to the five-fold increase in the gold purchases by the Russian central bank.\ Speaking to CNBC International, Struyven said, “The rally began in mid-2022, driven by the freezing of Russia’s central bank reserves and a fivefold increase in central bank gold purchases. This structural shift has been a key factor in sustaining the rally.” He continued, “Over the past two months, there has been a significant rise in ETF inflows, fueled by declining interest rates and uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy. ”More recently, in the last few weeks, a surge in speculative positioning pushed gold prices past the $3,000 mark. These three factors, operating over different time horizons, have collectively driven gold to an all-time high.” “Looking ahead, further gains are expected, with gold prices projected to reach $3,300 per troy ounce by year-end.”
British house prices stagnant in March, Nationwide says
UK house prices were flat in March and the market is likely to stay soft after a tax increase on property transactions, mortgage lender Nationwide. The average price of a home was unchanged at £271,316 in March, compared with February’s 0.4% monthly rise, according to Nationwide building society. The annual growth rate stayed at 3.9%, masking big regional variations. In Northern Ireland, annual price growth accelerated to 13.5%, the highest in the region since 2021. Scotland posted a 3.9% annual rise, while Wales was close behind at 3.6%. As of Tuesday, Britain’s government has lowered the price threshold at which buyers become eligible to pay property transaction taxes – known as stamp duty Robert Gardner, the Nationwide chief economist, said the price trends were unsurprising, given the end of the stamp duty holiday at the end of March. “Indeed, the market is likely to remain a little soft in the coming months since activity will have been brought forward to avoid the additional tax obligations – a pattern typically observed in the wake of the end of stamp duty holidays,” he said. Bank of England data on Monday showed mortgage approvals cooled in February, while the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said its members reported a slowing of house price growth. Compared with a year ago, house prices were 3.9% higher, compared with the consensus for a 4.1% annual increase. Nationwide said it expected the market to pick up again in future months, despite rising uncertainty about the global economic outlook. It cited a low unemployment rate, rising real household earnings, and the possibility that the Bank of England will cut interest rates again.On Monday financial markets priced in a roughly two-thirds chance that the BoE will cut interest rates in May. Buyers have been rushing to complete their purchases in recent months, while removals firms have been swamped. The stamp duty thresholds, which were temporarily increased in September 2022, have fallen back after the 31 March deadline, which means some buyers could end up paying thousands of pounds more in tax. It usually takes longer than a month to complete, so demand waned before the end of the stamp duty deadline. Mortgage approvals were the lowest in six months in February, according to Bank of England figures.
