Author: Opalim Lifted

Search and rescue operations were underway on Saturday after a boat carrying 15 irregular migrants capsized off Tunisia’s coast, with only one person rescued so far. National Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli told Mosaique FM that the boat sank about 14 nautical miles off the coast of Zarzis between Friday night and Saturday morning. Authorities had not confirmed any deaths at the time of reporting. However, Mostafa Abdelkebir, president of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, said on Facebook that four bodies had been recovered. It was not immediately clear whether the bodies were linked to passengers from the capsized…

Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are lamenting the rising cost of electricity following the upgrade of more areas by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to Band A. The development has forced some residents to cut back on electricity use, while others are turning to alternative power sources such as solar energy. Abdul Uman, a security personnel in Garki, told reporters that the rising cost had made it difficult for him to use his air conditioner. “I don’t use my air conditioner anymore; electricity has become so expensive. N5,000 worth of electricity no longer lasts me for…

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has said its ongoing recruitment exercise will be concluded within the next four weeks. The board, in a statement signed by its secretary, Maj Gen. (Rtd.) A. M. Jibril, on Friday, said the recruitment process had reached its final stages following the large number of applications received from across the country. According to the CDCFIB, the remaining stages of the exercise would be completed within four weeks, after which successful candidates would be notified through the official recruitment platform. The board said the process was being handled with consideration for…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says reviving and completing capital projects abandoned for decades under previous administrations has been a major achievement of his three-year tenure. Wike said the FCT Administration had focused on reviving abandoned projects, completing critical infrastructure and delivering new developments to transform Abuja since he assumed office on August 21, 2023. He spoke on Saturday after inspecting major infrastructure projects across the nation’s capital, as he reviewed the administration’s achievements over the past three years. To document the progress, Wike announced plans to publish a comprehensive report detailing projects completed and initiated…

Turkey has requested Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli national over the alleged attack on activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which was carrying aid to Gaza. Akin Gurlek, Turkey’s justice minister, said on Friday that arrest warrants had been issued for Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch as part of a domestic criminal case concerning the interception of flotilla activists in international waters. The Turkish Justice Ministry said the two are being prosecuted over allegations including crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional assault and battery, torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting…

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he does not need a position in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term. Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke on Saturday after inspecting ongoing projects in the FCT. He said membership of a presidential campaign council does not guarantee electoral victory, arguing that political relevance is determined by a politician’s ability to deliver their state, local government and ward. The ruling APC had earlier unveiled its presidential campaign council, appointing Abdulaziz Yari, senator representing…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has raised safety concerns over the runway-end environment, control tower visibility and availability of meteorological information at Benin’s Oba Akenzua II Airport following the July 23 Enugu Air runway overrun. In its preliminary report released on Friday, the bureau issued four immediate safety recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). The recommendations, numbered A-2026-039 to A-2026-042, focus on the runway-end environment, the control tower’s line of sight and the availability of weather information. The incident involved an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft, registration…

A US federal judge has struck down President Donald Trump’s visa restrictions affecting nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria, seven months after the policy took effect. Jeannette Vargas, the presiding judge in New York, ruled on Friday that the policy was “contrary to law”, finding that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his statutory authority in implementing it. The US Department of State had directed consular officers in January to pause visa processing for nationals of the affected countries while the government carried out a broader review of screening and vetting procedures. The policy was linked to the…

Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a convincing victory against newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta ended the club’s 22-year wait for a league title last season – and with a faultless display against Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues in their opener, his team reminded the rest of the league why they are favourites to retain the crown. First-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put the reigning champions firmly in control, and captain Martin Odegaard added a third soon after the restart to seal a comfortable win on the opening day of the campaign.…

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has asked a federal court for permission to privately explain why it withheld some investigative records relating to allegations of drug trafficking involving President Bola Tinubu. In an application dated August 20, the FBI asked the US District Court for the District of Columbia to allow it to submit an ex parte, in camera declaration under seal. Such a declaration is a written statement submitted privately to a judge, without being made available to the other parties or the public. The FBI said it could not publicly disclose its full reasons for withholding…