Author: David Great

At least 140 Palestinians were killed across Gaza in the past 24 hours following intensified Israeli strikes, according to local health officials. The latest wave of violence has unfolded as global attention increasingly pivots to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Gaza’s health ministry reported that around 40 deaths occurred on Wednesday alone due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire. Many of the victims were among crowds seeking humanitarian aid—a grim pattern that has persisted since Israel partially lifted a complete blockade three weeks ago. Separate air raids struck residential areas in the Maghazi refugee camp, the Zeitoun neighbourhood, and…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday June 17, 2025 arrested a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Moses Thomas Sule and 14 other members for alleged money laundering. A statement by EFCC said operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate arrested Sule and 14 other members: Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok and Agbalak Ibrahim. Other members are: Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren and Paul Datugun. The former Plateau state legislators were arrested following claims by some…

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled a pre-dawn attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on the Naval Base at Lake Chad Fish Dam, killing scores of insurgents during a fierce gun battle. The attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Nigerian Army on its official X handle. The terrorists, the Army said, had attempted to destroy swamp bogeys recently procured by the Borno State Government to aid in clearing waterways across the Lake Chad region. However, the attempt was met with stiff resistance by soldiers stationed at the naval base, with…

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the Islamic Republic to surrender unconditionally, stating that Iran will never submit to threats or pressure. In a televised statement read by a presenter on Wednesday, Khamenei stressed that Iran’s future would not be dictated by foreign powers. His comments come days after Israel launched a major aerial assault on Tehran, intensifying a volatile situation in the region. “Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,”…

WhatsApp has expressed concern that its platform may be banned in Iran after the country’s state broadcaster called on citizens to delete the messaging app. The Iranian state television channel, IRIB, made the appeal on Tuesday, accusing WhatsApp of sharing user data with Israel, the country’s longtime adversary. According to IRIB, WhatsApp allegedly collects personal data such as “last known locations and communications” and shares them with Israeli authorities. The broadcaster’s warning comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries, which have exchanged fire for six consecutive days. Israel recently claimed to have targeted a nuclear site near Tehran. Responding…

Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defence with a home match against Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15 while Manchester United will host Arsenal at Old Trafford in their opening game two days later, the Premier League said on Wednesday. Manchester City, who are eyeing a seventh Premier League title under Pep Guardiola, take a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers for their season opener on August 16. The Premier League noted that the kick-off times of weekend and Bank Holiday matches are 15:00 UK time, while for midweek matches it is 19:45 unless otherwise stated. The new season begins with…

Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country’s surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel’s transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. “We are preparing for…

The Niger State Government has disclosed that more than 700 people remain unaccounted for following the devastating flood that struck Mokwa town, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area. Governor Umaru Bago, represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, made the revelation on Tuesday in Minna while receiving a condolence delegation led by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha. So far, 207 deaths have been confirmed, and over 3,000 households have been displaced due to the disaster. Additionally, about 400 houses sustained damage, while 283 homes and 50 shops were completely destroyed. Describing the…

The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.12 trillion earmarked for the Anchors Borrowers Programme (ABP), initially designed to support farmers across Nigeria. At the investigative hearing held in Abuja on Tuesday, Committee Chairman Chike Okafor expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the disbursement process involving various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly disbursed the funds to over 4.67 million farmers cultivating crops such as maize, rice, and wheat, using 563 anchors and 24 participating financial institutions.…

Despite its status as Africa’s top crude oil producer, Nigeria imported crude oil worth N1.19 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the nation’s struggle to meet local refining needs due to inadequate domestic supply. This was revealed in the latest Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for Q1 2025. The report listed crude oil imports—classified as “Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude”—as Nigeria’s third most imported commodity for the quarter, accounting for 7.7% of total imports. Only gas oil (N1.83tn) and motor spirit (N1.76tn) surpassed it. A breakdown…