Author: Alade Adisa

An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks was released Wednesday and is returning home, Italian officials said. Cecilia Sala was released following “intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said. The journalist, who contributes to the daily newspaper Il Foglio and hosts the “Stories” podcast for media outlet Chora Media, had been in Iran on assignment and with a journalist visa when she was arrested in the capital, Tehran, on December 19. The state news outlet IRNA reported that Sala was being held after “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”…

Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on Wednesday denied President-elect Donald Trump’s assertions that they have received billions of dollars in U.S. financial aid since regaining control of the country. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy Taliban spokesperson, responded to Trump’s claims by asserting that the Kabul administration neither anticipates nor seeks any assistance from the United States. “In reality, the United States has not provided a single penny to the Islamic Emirate,” Fitrat stated, referring to Afghanistan’s official name under Taliban rule. “Instead, it has confiscated and frozen billions of dollars that rightfully belong to the people of Afghanistan.” The Taliban’s sharp response…

As Nigerians await the National Assembly’s passage of the proposed tax reform bills, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has listed some of the potential benefits of the reforms. The tax bills, which include Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, are aimed at addressing the nation’s tax system’s gridlocks such as multiplicity of taxes, fragmentation of revenue administration, and issues with the excessive tax burden on most vulnerable citizens, including small businesses and low-income earners. The bills, when passed into law,…

The federal government has agreed to demands for tariff hikes in the telecommunication industry. This is expected in the coming weeks, as the government aims to address sustainability challenges in the telecom sector. This implies that prices of calls, data and SMS will go up for the average Nigerian. However, the hike will fall short of the 100 percent increase requested by service providers, with the government seeking to balance sector growth and protecting Nigerians from excessive financial burdens. Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, disclosed this during an industry stakeholder forum in Abuja on Wednesday.…

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has reappointed three of his former commissioners to serve as special advisers less than 48 hours after their dismissal. The appointments were announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by Mukhtar Gidado, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. The statement described the move as part of the governor’s strategy to ensure “effective leadership, inclusivity, and the attainment of his administration’s developmental goals.” The reappointed officials include:Abdulhameed Bununu, former Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, now Special Adviser on Multilateral Coordination and Regional Integration. Usman Danturaki, former Commissioner for Information and Communication,…

Some prominent politicians in the country, including Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, and Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former presidential candidate, have met with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership in Abuja to strategize ahead of the 2027 general elections. The closed-door meeting, which took place at the SDP national secretariat, has sparked speculations about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. In attendance at the parley was People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s former spokesman, Otunba Segun Showunmi. -Although the specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is being described as part…

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation this week as he faces mounting dissent within his Liberal Party, The Globe and Mail reported Sunday. Citing three anonymous sources knowledgeable of internal party matters, The Globe said Trudeau’s announcement could come as early as Monday. The announcement would likely come before a national Liberal Party caucus on Wednesday, according to the Globe’s sources. It remained unclear if Trudeau would remain in an interim capacity while the party sought new leadership, the Globe reported. Trudeau’s popularity has waned in recent months, with his government narrowly surviving a series…

As The Federal Government pursues an aggressive development in the nation’s transportation system, a mammoth N41.49 billion has been allocated specifically for rail infrastructure and modernization projects of the total N49.74 trillion proposed 2025 budget. From the information obtained from the copy of the Federal Government’s Final Budget Proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, which outlines plans for extensive infrastructure development, the Ministry of Transport will receive a total allocation of N256.73 billion to support its initiatives. Of this amount, N223.80 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure, with N30,986,636,237 designated for personnel costs and N1,940,798,202 for overheads. Also, key rail-related…

Nigerian-born British politician and leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and eight other Nigerians, have been listed among the 100 Most Reputable Africans for 2025. According to NAN, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu was also named in the list, which was released on Sunday by Reputation Poll International (RPI), in partnership with the Global Reputation Forum. Featuring men and women from diverse sectors that had excelled in technology, creative industries, sports, public service, academia and environmental advocacy spanning the whole continent,…

….Beats remarkable Luis Suarez record ·Salah scores in 2-2 draw with Man Utd·Draws level with Henry in PL scorers’ list·Also beats Suarez record WHAT HAPPENED? Liverpool conceded a shock opener to Manchester United early in the second half at Anfield on Sunday, as Lisandro Martinez fired past Alisson, but Cody Gakpo brought Arne Slot’s side level a few minutes later. Salah then gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot, before Amad Diallo slotted in a dramatic late equaliser that ensured the two Premier League rivals shared the points in a pulsating 2-2 draw. THE BIGGER PICTURE As disappointing…