Author: Agency Reporter

President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he has pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions, marking a reversal as he prepares to leave office.“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” the president said in a statement. It is a “full and unconditional pardon,” according to a copy of the executive grant of clemency. CLEMENCY CANNOT BE RESCINDED BY PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMPThis official grant of clemency cannot be rescinded by President-elect Donald Trump.By pardoning his son, Joe Biden has reneged on a public promise that he made repeatedly before and after…

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has accused the Nigerian Army of deliberately compromising his safety after being detained for three days in Port Harcourt while conducting an undercover investigation into illegal oil bunkering.“I will be honest, it is the first time I have genuinely felt my security compromised. I believe the army deliberately – the acting spokesman of the Nigerian army deliberately compromised my security by releasing that statement and linking me to oil bunkerers. I was in detention, I made no mention of oil bunkering, now you’ve gone to tell illegal bunkerers that ‘look, this guy was on your trail,’”…

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on imports from BRICS countries if they replace the dollar in global trade.The BRICS is an inter-governmental organisation comprising nine countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).While the US dollar is the most-used currency in global business, tariffs are essentially a tax or fee on all imported goods by importers and the additional costs are typically passed on to consumers.At a summit of BRIC nations in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the US of “weaponising” the dollar and described…

The Nigeria Police Force said its operatives in Borno have repelled an attack on Jakana Divisional Police Headquarters by a group of terrorists.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.The police spokesman said the attempted attack occurred on Nov. 28 at about 1:00am, but added that the attempt was met with strong resistance from police operatives.Adejobi said the resistance left many of the attackers with varying degrees of bullet wounds, with a police officer, left with injury and currently responding to treatment.He also said that operatives attached to the Police Command…

Holcim, a Swiss building materials company, has agreed to sell its Nigerian business to Huaxin Cement Ltd., a Chinese firm.The deal, valued at $1 billion, would lead to the sale of Holcim’s 83 percent stake in Lafarge Africa, according to a statement on Sunday.Lafarge Africa Plc is a member of the Holcim Group — a maker of roofing and other housing products, such as cement, aggregates for construction and ready-mix concrete.The company said the agreement has been signed, noting that the transaction is expected to close next year.“Holcim has signed an agreement with Huaxin Cement Ltd to sell its entire…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched its newly redesigned website, www.cbn.gov.ng, scheduled to go live on Dec. 2.Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.“We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website (www.cbn.gov.ng), which will be operational on Monday, December 2, 2024.“The redesigned website introduces a variety of new content, which encompasses a broader spectrum of information regarding the bank’s mandate.“Additionally, the website is responsive to mobile devices, facilitating navigation across various web browsers and devices.“The bank is grateful for the feedback provided…

Ismail Usman, a self-proclaimed herbalist, sustained life-threatening injuries while testing a self-made “bulletproof” charm. The incident, which occurred in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), left him critically wounded after his experiment with the charm went awry.According to reports, Usman allegedly fired a gun at himself to prove the efficacy of the charm. Unfortunately, the charm failed to protect him, and he suffered severe injuries.The FCT Police Command swiftly responded to the scene and transported him to the hospital, where doctors are currently battling to save his life.The police have placed Usman under watch

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, led the Federal Republic of Nigeria in signing two transformative agreements with the French Government and its development agency, AFD (Agence Française de Développement). These agreements, collectively valued at over €300 million, are set to strengthen key sectors of Nigeria’s economy and drive sustainable development. Strategic Focus Areas The Letter of Intent, co-signed by Mr. Edun and France’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Mr. Antoine Armand, underscores a shared commitment to strategic investments in: Speaking at the signing ceremony, HM Edun remarked: “This partnership goes beyond financial…

Troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with local vigilantes, successfully repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram terrorists on Sabon Fagi community in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack, which occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m., resulted in a fierce gun battle that left four insurgents dead, including a notorious Boko Haram commander identified as Abu Shekau. The troops recovered weapons from the insurgents after engaging them with superior firepower, forcing others to flee and securing a decisive victory for the security forces. Abu Shekau, a staunch…

French energy major TotalEnergies SE may greenlight a $750 million gas project in Nigeria next year, potentially signaling that the African nation’s efforts to revive investment in its hydrocarbon production are making progress. Earlier this year, the French company approved an investment of about $500 million in a joint venture with state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to develop the Ubeta onshore field. That project with output of 300 million cubic feet per day will boost supply to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas plant.