African cardinal may be barred from participating in next week’s historic papal conclave due to uncertainty about his date of birth—an issue that could have serious implications for the legitimacy of the next pope’s election. Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo, the Archbishop Emeritus of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, is at the center of a peculiar age-related dispute. Official Church records are unclear whether he was born on January 24, 1945, which would make him 80 years old and ineligible to vote, or on December 31, 1945, which would place him at 79, just within the age limit set by the Catholic Church.…
Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi
In a landmark agreement signalling deepened economic and strategic ties, the United States and Ukraine have signed a long-awaited deal granting Washington access to key natural resources in Ukraine. The agreement, months in the making, establishes an investment framework that Kyiv hopes will anchor continued U.S. support amid its ongoing war with Russia. The deal, now published by the Ukrainian government, outlines a joint effort to harness Ukraine’s mineral, oil, and gas wealth while simultaneously addressing geopolitical sensitivities—including Ukraine’s path to EU membership and questions surrounding U.S. military support. Here are seven major takeaways from the agreement: No Ukrainian Repayment…
After a seven-year legal battle, a UK tribunal has ruled that a Bangladeshi national can be deported from the country after determining he used a proxy to fraudulently complete an English language test required for his immigration status. The Upper Tribunal, led by Judge Bulpitt, found it “highly probable” that Md Abdur Rahim, now 37, engaged in deception by employing a stand-in to sit the mandatory English language test on his behalf in 2012. The finding affirms the Home Office’s longstanding refusal to grant him indefinite leave to remain. Rahim’s case is among thousands that followed a 2014 BBC Panorama…
A high-ranking Ugandan judge who once served on a United Nations criminal tribunal has been sentenced to more than six years in prison by a British court after being found guilty of modern slavery and immigration offenses involving the forced labor of a young Ugandan woman. Lydia Mugambe Ssali, 50, was convicted in March at Oxford Crown Court of conspiring to breach immigration law, facilitating travel with intent to exploit, forcing labor, and conspiring to intimidate a witness. She was sentenced Friday to six years and four months in prison and barred from contacting the victim. Prosecutors said Mugambe used…
LAGOS, Nigeria — May 3, 2025, naira, posted modest gains against the world’s major currencies (Dollar, Pounds, Euro and Chinese yuan) on Friday, offering a brief window of optimism in an otherwise tense and uncertain foreign exchange landscape. The currency market movements, although minor, have drawn considerable attention from economic analysts, traders, and international observers due to the continued volatility of Nigeria’s foreign exchange regime. Data from google finance channels show that the naira strengthened by 0.24% against the U.S. dollar and 0.48% against the British pound sterling. Analysts point to short-term shifts in foreign currency demand, improved liquidity conditions,…
LONDON, UK — May 3, 2025 — The Reform Party has made history again, winning the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by the narrowest margin in modern UK electoral history — just six votes. This unexpected victory gives Reform UK a total of five seats in the UK House of Commons, deepening its impact on British politics and challenging the traditional two-party dominance of Labour and the Conservatives. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who stepped down following a criminal conviction for assaulting a constituent. In a dramatic turn of events, Reform candidate Sarah Pochin,…
Nigerian Naira continued to weaken on the parallel market today, as the U.S. dollar sold for ₦1,607.66, reflecting persistent forex volatility and mounting economic headwinds. This rate represents a slight depreciation from ₦1,612.64. recorded on 01/05/2025 indicating a 0.31% drop in value. The widening gap between the official and black-market exchange rates remains a key indicator of Nigeria’s macroeconomic pressures, despite recent policy reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Black-Market Exchange Rates – May 2, 2025 U.S. Dollar (USD): ₦1,607.66 per $1 Euro (EUR): ₦1,821.40 per €1 British Pound (GBP): ₦2,137.74 per £1 Chinese Yuan (CNY):…
Dollar falls slightly, pound gains, euro slips against naira — Nigeria’s parallel foreign exchange market witnessed marginal currency shifts on Tuesday, as the country continues to grapple with complex macroeconomic challenges and constrained forex liquidity. The Naira slightly appreciated against the U.S. Dollar in the black market, trading at ₦1,601.64 per $1, reflecting a 0.013% decrease from ₦1,601.85 the day prior. Though minimal, the movement underscores the delicate balance between demand and constrained supply in Nigeria’s informal currency exchange ecosystem. In contrast, the British Pound Sterling rose 0.17%, moving from ₦2,143.78 to ₦2,147.38, bolstered by strong demand and favorable trade…
Dollar Sells at ₦1601.85 — a 0.51% Drop from Yesterday As of 29th April 2025, the Nigerian Naira experienced a modest strengthening in the parallel market, with the dollar selling at ₦1601.85, reflecting a 0.51% decrease from ₦1610 the previous day. This shift underscores ongoing market volatility shaped by foreign exchange (forex) demand, supply pressures, and evolving monetary policies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Black Market Exchange Rates Today 🔹 USD to NGN (Dollar) Buying Rate: ₦1,600 Selling Rate: ₦1,601.85 🔹 EUR to NGN (Euro) (as of 29th April 2025) Buying Rate: ₦1,775 Selling Rate: ₦1,825 🔹 GBP…
Nigerian Naira continued its struggle against major global currencies today, with the black-market exchange rate for the U.S. dollar increase further reflecting persistent economic pressures and foreign exchange supply shortages. As of May 5,2025 the unofficial exchange rate — heavily relied upon by businesses and individuals in Nigeria — saw the Naira trading at ₦1607.72 to $1 in the parallel market. The ongoing gap between the official and black-market rates underscores mounting challenges for Africa’s largest economy, where demand for dollars far outpaces the limited supply accessible through official channels managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Latest Black…
