Author: Mayor

The Trump administration said it would lock U.S. Agency for International Development workers out of their headquarters in downtown Washington DC for a second day on Tuesday as it moved to shutter the agency, prompting two Democratic senators to vow to block confirmations of State Department nominees in protest. Monday’s lockout added to the chaos that has consumed the agency, which distributes billions of dollars of humanitarian aid around the world, since Trump ordered a freeze on most U.S. foreign aid hours after taking office on Jan. 20. USAID has been targeted for closure by billionaire Elon Musk, who has…

U.S. President Donald Trump suspended his threat of steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Monday, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighboring countries. U.S. tariffs on China are still due to take effect within hours. Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said they had agreed to bolster border enforcement efforts in response to Trump’s demand to crack down on immigration and drug smuggling. That would pause 25% tariffs due to take effect on Tuesday for 30 days. Canada agreed to deploy new technology…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed reports suggesting that it issued a directive for the immediate retirement of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Last Friday, the commission ordered police officers who had either reached the age of 60 or served for 35 years to proceed with immediate retirement. The directive sparked debates over the IG’s tenure, as he turned 60 last year. Despite clarifications from the police and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, concerns over Egbetokun’s status have persisted. However, in a statement on Monday, PSC’s Head of Media, Ikechukwu Ani, clarified that the IG was…

Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was attacked by gunmen early Sunday morning, resulting in the deaths of several residents and the destruction of numerous buildings. Reports indicate that the attack was a reprisal following the alleged killing of cattle belonging to herdsmen in the area. Confirming the incident, Professor Ndubuisi Idenyi, a community member, told journalists that the assailants stormed the village in the early hours, unleashing violence that led to loss of lives and widespread destruction. “I don’t have the number of casualties right now. We are still tracking and bringing out the…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully saved the life of a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe, after he underwent emergency surgery to remove 57 out of 81 cocaine pellets lodged in his stomach. The surgery, an exploratory laparotomy, was performed after Igbokwe spent seven days struggling to excrete the illicit substance, which he had ingested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In a statement released on Sunday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, revealed that Igbokwe was arrested on January 26, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.…

Canada will hit back at United States tariffs with 25 per cent levies on select American goods, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday. “Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25 per cent tariffs against Can$155 billion ($106 billion) worth of American goods,” he said in a dramatic tone as he warned of a fracture in longstanding Canada-US ties. The first round of tariffs would target Can$30 billion worth of US goods on Tuesday followed by further tariffs on Can$125 billion worth of products in three weeks. “We’re certainly not looking to escalate. But we will stand…

RCD Espanyol pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the LaLiga season, defeating league leaders Real Madrid 1-0 at the RCDE Stadium. The victory lifted the struggling hosts out of the relegation zone and ended Los Blancos’ five-game winning streak in all competitions. Carlo Ancelotti’s side had been in rampant form, averaging 3.25 goals across four consecutive wins, including a dominant 3-0 UEFA Champions League triumph in midweek. However, they struggled to find rhythm against a determined Espanyol side. Real suffered an early blow when Antonio Rüdiger was forced off injured within the first 15 minutes. The first real…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in its ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from N950 to N890 per litre. The price adjustment, which takes effect immediately from Saturday, 1st February 2025, was disclosed in a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina. According to the statement, the reduction follows a positive shift in the global energy and gas markets, alongside a decline in international crude oil prices. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, from N950…

The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled an illegal mining site in the Kajola community, Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State, and arrested one suspect, while others fled upon sighting security operatives. The command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, signed by its Public Relations Officer, Kehinde Adeleke. According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Friday under the leadership of the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo. Speaking after the raid, Sotiyo said, “This illegal mining site at Sambisa Area, Kajola, Atakumosa West Local Government, Osun…

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would impose hefty new tariffs of 25% on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% on imports from China, and nothing could be done by the three countries to forestall them. Trump did, however, reference a potential carve out for oil from Canada, saying that rate would be 10% versus the 25% planned for other goods from the United States’ northern neighbor. But he indicated wider tariffs on oil and natural gas would be coming in mid-February, remarks that sent oil prices higher. Trump has been threatening the tariffs for weeks, saying…