Author: Akintayo Adams

Several airlines have cancelled flights to Russian cities following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which Western experts and the US suggest may have been caused by a Russian anti-aircraft missile. Moscow has declined to comment on the reports, instead stating that Grozny, the Chechen capital where the plane was supposed to land, was under attack by Ukrainian drones that day. The crash near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 38 of the 67 people on board. In response to the incident, Turkmenistan Airlines, the national carrier of the Central Asian state, announced…

Mali’s authorities have confirmed that at least 69 people, including 25 Malians, have died after a makeshift boat attempting to reach Spain from West Africa capsized off the coast of Morocco. The boat carried approximately 80 people, but rescuers saved only 11 survivors. Of the survivors, at least nine are from Mali. The tragedy occurred last week, but the ministry formally confirmed the incident on Thursday. A crisis unit is monitoring the situation and assisting those affected. Mali has faced years of political and security instability, including jihadist violence and separatist uprisings, which have led to two military coups in…

China’s central bank announced on Friday that it has renewed a bilateral currency swap agreement with Nigeria’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The People’s Bank of China disclosed the renewal in a statement on its website, with the total value of the agreement set at 15 billion yuan (approximately 2.09 billion U.S. dollars or 3.28 trillion Nigerian naira). President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, shared the report on his official X handle, noting that the agreement is valid for three years and can be renewed upon mutual consent. The renewal of the currency swap arrangement should strengthen financial cooperation…

President William Ruto of Kenya has promised to put an end to the recent spate of abductions, which have been condemned by rights groups, lawyers, and politicians. Security agencies in the country have been accused of carrying out dozens of illegal detentions since youth-led anti-government demonstrations in June and July. The latest disappearances involved young men who have allegedly criticized Ruto online. Kenya’s police have denied involvement in the recent abductions targeting government critics. Speaking to a crowd in Homa Bay, a town in western Kenya, Ruto promised to stop the abductions and urged parents to take responsibility for their…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri, have reiterated their commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence between the two states amid the controversies over the ownership of the Soku Oil Wells and Bayelsa State’s landed properties in Port Harcourt. The governors made this pledge when Governor Diri led a delegation of Bayelsa State officials on a Christmas visit to Governor Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt, reciprocating an earlier visit by the Rivers State Governor to Yenagoa. During the meeting, Governor Diri expressed gratitude for Governor Fubara’s peaceful approach to resolving the long-standing…

Substance abuse among children is a significant concern, often beginning in adolescence. Factors influencing drug use in children include peer pressure, mental health issues, and accessibility to substances. Early exposure can lead to dependency and long-term health consequences. Addressing your child’s substance abuse can be one of the most challenging experiences a parent or caregiver faces. A recent study in Nigeria showed a rapid increase in drug misuse among teenagers, with over 66.50 per cent engaging in substance misuse. To solve this problem, understanding addiction’s complexities and its impact on a young person’s life is crucial. Experts emphasize approaching the…

Konga, a leading e-commerce group, is set to launch Africa’s first AI-powered FM radio station in Lagos, scheduled for debut in January 2025. The station, KongaFM, will blend technology, entertainment, and commerce to foster impactful connections across Nigeria and beyond. This was confirmed in a statement released on Monday. KongaFM is designed to help brands, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers engage with new markets, providing a platform to revolutionize commerce in real time. The station promises a unique mix of continuous hit music alongside commercial opportunities, offering businesses a new avenue for product visibility and market penetration. The Chief Executive…

The Nigerian Exchange recorded a decline in total transactions in November 2024, dropping by 12.01 percent to N442.34 billion compared to N502.73 billion in October 2024. This was disclosed in the Domestic & Foreign Portfolio Investment Report of Nigerian Exchange Limited on Friday. According to the report, domestic transactions contributed N401.40bn in November, representing an 11.83 percent decrease from the N455.27bn recorded in October. Foreign transactions also fell by 13.74 percent, declining from N47.46bn in October to N40.94bn in November. Retail investors saw increased participation, with transactions rising by 14.90 percent from N170.04bn in October to N195.38bn in November. In…

The naira appreciated against the dollar at the foreign exchange market upon resumption of work after the Christmas holidays. FMDQ data showed that the naira strengthened to N1,534 per dollar on Friday from N1,540.45 exchanged on Tuesday, gaining N6.45. Meanwhile, the naira closed at the black market on Friday at N1,650 per dollar compared to between N1,638 and N1,650 exchanged on Tuesday. This development indicates that Africa’s most populous nation’s currency has continued to fluctuate in the FX market in recent days. FX turnover increased to N23.95 trillion at the end of November 2024, according to FMDQ data. Get instant…

India is holding a state funeral for its former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. The funeral took place at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi with full state honors, including a 21-gun salute. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and various other top civilian and military officials attended the ceremony. Leaders from several countries, including the US, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, China, and Pakistan, have expressed their condolences. A seven-day national mourning has been declared, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country. Get instant…