Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is cutting short an official trip to South Africa following a deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv early Thursday that killed at least ten people and injured more than 70 others. Zelenskyy, who had been meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to seek broader support for Ukraine’s war effort, announced his immediate return to Kyiv via a Telegram post. “I am returning to Ukraine after our meeting in South Africa. The situation in Kyiv demands my presence,” he wrote. The attack on Ukraine’s capital, which targeted multiple residential areas, came just hours after peace negotiations…
Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Istanbul early Wednesday, sending tremors through the metropolis of more than 15 million and sparking fear among residents who fled buildings in panic. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the quake struck at a shallow depth of six miles beneath the Sea of Marmara, approximately 25 miles southwest of the city. While no casualties or significant damage were immediately reported, the quake prompted mass evacuations from homes, schools, and offices. Footage showed crowds gathering in open spaces, many clutching phones as they sought updates and frantically reached out to loved ones. “I…
A massive wildfire tearing through Ocean County has prompted mandatory evacuations for thousands, scorched more than 8,500 acres, and left over 25,000 homes and businesses without power as emergency crews battle the flames. The blaze ignited around 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, quickly spreading across the Pine Barrens. Officials from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service report that the wildfire is only 10% contained as of Wednesday morning, with more than 1,300 structures currently under threat. Residents of Lakewood, Lacey, and Ocean townships were ordered to evacuate after smoke filled the skies and fire began…
In a bid to revive dwindling enrolment and safeguard the future of teacher training institutions, the Federal Government has announced that all 18 Federal Colleges of Education (COEs) will begin the concurrent running of Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degree programmes starting from the 2025/2026 academic session. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Tuesday during a follow-up meeting in Abuja, reviewing outcomes from the last biannual stakeholders’ conference. This major policy shift follows the 2023 enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, which empowers qualifying federal COEs, those at least ten years old,…
The Kano State Hisbah Board has dismantled a makeshift pilgrimage site that emerged in the Dakata Industrial Area. This follows widespread but unverified claims that the location bore the sacred footprint of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The site, located in Hotoron Arewa, a suburb on the outskirts of Kano, quickly transformed into a spiritual hub after word spread that muddy water had begun seeping from markings believed by some to resemble the Prophet’s footprints. Reports indicate that hundreds of people, including the sick and hopeful have been flocking to the area daily, engaging in ritualistic practices and collecting…
Revoked visas, deportations and political uncertainty are forcing Indian students to reconsider studying in the US. At least 1,024 international students at US colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements and correspondence with school officials. US President Donald Trump’s administration said it should be allowed to deport noncitizens over involvement in pro-Palestinian activism. But in the vast majority of visa revocations, colleges say there is no indication that affected students had a role in protests. OPT program hopes unravel The…
A new terror group, known as Mahmuda, has emerged in the North Central part of Nigeria, and in recent times, has been attacking communities around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) unchallenged. The insurgent group has killed not less than 15 vigilantes and countless others while terrorising residents of rural communities. The members hover around the national park located in North Central Nigeria, spanning parts of Kwara and Niger, respectively. Some affected communities are in Kaiama Local Government Area (Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, Nanu) and Barutein Local Government Area (villages in Yashikira District), both in Kwara State. It was further…
Five members of a single family were killed in a brutal mob attack on the night of Thursday, April 17, in Metembe village, Masimba ward, Kisii county, Kenya. Also, six houses were torched in Kisii over murder claims.The victims—among them the family’s father and mother—were accused by enraged villagers of having a hand in the murder of a middle-aged man whose body was discovered a month ago under mysterious circumstances. According to police reports, four of the victims were burned alive when the angry mob descended on their homestead, torching six houses in the process. A fifth victim was hacked…
US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence about reaching a “very good” trade deal with China, even as the US imposed steep tariffs of up to 245 per cent on Chinese imports in response to Beijing’s retaliatory actions. “We’re going to make a deal. I think we’re going to make a very good deal with China,” Trump said, as reported by The Hill on Thursday. He also told reporters he thought the U.S. would have “very little problem making a deal with Europe or anybody else.” Trump’s remarks came during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the…
A deadly shooting on the campus of Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday has left two people dead and six others injured, authorities confirmed. The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a student at FSU, was apprehended after being shot by police and remains hospitalized. According to law enforcement officials, Ikner is the stepson of a long-serving Leon County sheriff’s deputy and had previously been involved in several youth advisory and training programs within the Sheriff’s Office. The suspect invoked his right to remain silent following his arrest. The incident began shortly before noon when police received reports of gunfire…
