Author: Opalim Lifted

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has secured a court order temporarily halting parliamentary impeachment proceedings linked to the controversial Phala Phala cash scandal. The Western Cape High Court ruled on Friday in favour of Ramaphosa’s application to suspend the work of a parliamentary impeachment committee until the court determines his challenge to a November 2022 independent panel report. Judge Andre le Grange ordered that, pending the outcome of the review application, Parliament must not proceed with a public impeachment hearing. The panel had concluded that Ramaphosa “may have committed” serious constitutional violations and misconduct over the handling of a large…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have reignited their long-running political rivalry, exchanging fresh accusations over an alleged impeachment plot and the controversial third-term debate as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather pace. Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, ₦5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office. The former president made the claim while responding to remarks by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba on events leading to the 2003 general election. Obasanjo alleged that the impeachment…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the recall of batch number DFG4606A of Sporidex Suspension 125 mg/5 ml. Sporidex Suspension is an antibiotic containing cephalexin, commonly prescribed for children to treat bacterial infections affecting the throat, ears, skin, bones, teeth, urinary bladder, and kidneys. In a recent statement, NAFDAC said Ranbaxy Nigeria Ltd, a Sun Pharma company and the marketing authorisation holder of the drug, initiated the voluntary recall after detecting an impurity that exceeded approved specifications. The agency noted that the presence of the impurity compromises the product’s quality, safety, and stability.…

Transport fares have increased in parts of the country as petrol prices climbed to as high as N1,400 per litre following a fresh surge in global crude oil prices. The latest increase comes as Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed to $92.71 per barrel amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, triggering higher ex-depot and pump prices across the country. Fresh loading data obtained from petroleum marketers showed increases in ex-depot prices across Lagos, Warri and Calabar. In Lagos, A.A. Rano raised its ex-depot price from N1,275 to N1,279 per litre,…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that sub-Saharan Africa could miss out on the economic benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) unless governments close persistent gaps in electricity supply, internet connectivity and digital skills. In its departmental paper, titled ‘Unlocking the Potential: AI in Sub-Saharan Africa,’ released on Tuesday, the IMF said AI could increase the region’s economic output by about 4% over the next decade under a high-adoption scenario. However, the global lender cautioned that, without improvements in infrastructure and policy, the gains would remain modest. The fund estimated that, under current conditions, AI would increase productivity in sub-Saharan…

Volkswagen has reported a sharp fall in second-quarter earnings as the German automotive giant battles weaker electric vehicle margins, fierce competition from China and the impact of US tariffs. According to AFP, net profit for the three months ending June fell 32.9 per cent to €1.54 billion (£1.75 billion equivalent reported), compared with the same period last year. The company attributed the decline partly to a €500 million charge linked to halting production of its electric ID.4 model in the United States, as well as increased sales of lower-margin vehicles. The 10-brand automotive group, which owns Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and…

The United Nations has called for the urgent evacuation and repatriation of around 6,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as fighting in the Middle East continues to disrupt one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. According to AFP, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, appealed to countries involved in the conflict to work together to protect the stranded sailors, warning that they are facing a “dire humanitarian and human rights crisis.” Speaking in Geneva on Friday, UN human rights spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo said the International Maritime Organization estimates that at least 6,000 seafarers remain aboard…

A passenger aboard the Enugu Air flight that skidded off the runway at Benin Airport on Thursday has shared what happened before the incident, saying the aircraft kept circling in the air as the pilot searched for a place to land. The passenger, rapper and content creator Chinedu, popularly known as Triple Pin, shared his experience in a video posted on his Instagram page after the incident. He said he had only seen plane crashes in movies and on social media until he experienced the incident himself. “This is how these big dreams would have gone. Our plane crashed today.…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into a runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft at Benin Airport (BNI). The aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 (registration 5N-ENR) from Lagos (LOS) to Benin (BNI), was involved in a runway excursion after overrunning the end of Runway 05 during landing at approximately 3:10 p.m. local time (1410 UTC) on Thursday, July 23, 2026. A statement issued by the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, confirmed that the bureau’s officers had commenced an investigation. She said there were 63 passengers and five…

Former adult film actress Deyci Alejandra Omaña Ortiz, widely known by her stage name Amaranta Hank, has been sworn in as a senator in Colombia after winning a seat in the country’s March elections. According to El Tiempo, Ortiz will represent the Norte de Santander region as a member of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition during the 2026–2030 parliamentary term. She secured her place in the Senate after ranking 23rd on the coalition’s closed electoral list. The Historic Pact emerged as Colombia’s largest political force in the election, winning 22.72 per cent of the Senate vote. Official figures from the…