Author: Akintayo Adams

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has been appointed as the Commonwealth’s new secretary-general, as announced at the closing of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. This summit, attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, brought leaders from the 56-member states together to address significant global issues, including slavery and climate change. “Today at #CHOGM2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,” the Commonwealth posted on X. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a strong advocate for reparations for colonialism and…

Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously approved Luong Cuong as the new president, marking the fourth individual to hold the position in under two years. Cuong, an army general, replaces To Lam, who concurrently served as general secretary amid a significant anti-corruption campaign. The presidency in Vietnam is largely ceremonial, involving diplomatic engagements. All 440 assembly deputies supported Cuong’s nomination during the session, as reported by state television. In his inaugural speech he committed to boosting defense capabilities and pursuing an independent and multilateral foreign policy. He vowed to “strengthen national defense and security, build up an army force that is…

A building collapsed in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja on Saturday, trapping numerous individuals inside. Residents were seen attempting rescues amid the rubble, while emergency services worked throughout the night to reach those trapped. Reports indicate that the structure was still under construction at the time of the incident. “No fewer than 40 persons are currently trapped in the building,”one eyewitness said. “People are under this rubble. It is a building under construction. We are calling on the government and relevant agencies to come and rescue those who are trapped here.” Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the federal capital territory…

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has announced an ₦80,000 minimum wage for civil service workers, effective November 1, 2024. He also approved an increase in the monthly pension for retirees and allocated ₦7 billion to address outstanding gratuity liabilities. He said: “To address the harsh times and in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment Act 2024), the Prosperity Administration of His Excellency Senater Douye Diri has approved the sum of ₦80,000 as minimum wage for the state’s workers. “Governor Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of state retirees. “The related consequential adjustments for the various…

Russia’s defense ministry reported that it shot down 51 Ukrainian drones across various regions, including areas close to the border. Specifically, 18 drones were intercepted in the Tambov region, while 16 were downed near Belgorod. Additional interceptions occurred in Oryol, Bryansk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh. Notably, one drone was intercepted in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been actively conducting a ground offensive since August, gaining control over several hundred square kilometers of Russian territory. Russia reports almost daily that it has destroyed Ukrainian drones. Kyiv claims that these strikes, which often target energy infrastructure, are in response to Russian…

Commemorative ceremonies were held in Israel on October 7 to mark the anniversary of the Hamas attack that led to the current conflict in Gaza. Events took place at Mount Herzl military cemetery, honoring the 1,206 lives lost in the attack. Flags were flown at half-mast on public buildings starting at 6:29 AM, the time the assault began. Top officials attended the memorials to pay tribute to both military personnel and civilians affected by the tragedy. The attack led to Israeli retaliatory strikes and ground combat that have resulted in the deaths of 42,924 Palestinians, according to data from Gaza’s…

In Lithuania’s runoff elections on Sunday, the ruling conservative party is likely to be replaced by a center-left coalition, led by the Social Democratic Party. This shift follows the Social Democrats’ win in the first round, where they secured 20 seats, with 35 more candidates advancing to the runoffs in the 141-seat parliament. Despite the likely change in power, Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, is expected to maintain strong support for Ukraine amid security concerns about neighboring Russia. All major parties in Lithuania’s election have committed to maintaining or boosting defense spending and support for Ukraine. Political analyst Rima…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecasts haziness and sunshine across Nigeria from Sunday to Tuesday. On Sunday, the northern region will experience moderate dust haze with visibility between 2-5km, possibly dropping below 1,000m in some areas. North central areas will see sunny skies with clouds in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and moderate rain in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Benue, and Nasarawa by afternoon or evening. In the south, thunderstorms and rain are expected over parts of Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River in the morning. NiMet predicts widespread thunderstorms and moderate rains later in the day…

Famous Afrobeat musician, Burna Boy has disclosed that he is now richer than most of the Nigerian politicians and oil tycoons he once looked up to. He shared this on his Instagram story on Saturday, advising his followers to value younger individuals and not underestimate them. Revealing his financial status, the singer explained “Imagine growing up and only oil men and politicians were the ones really getting the real money followed by the G boys. Music wasn’t even in the conversation when money was the topic. “Now an ugly black musician from Port Harcourt got more money than 90% of…

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti recently criticized activist Aisha Yesufu for her advocacy of women’s rights, specifically calling out her approach while she wears a hijab. Kuti expressed his disapproval, arguing that embracing Islamic or Christian practices, such as wearing a hijab, detracts from African identity. He claimed that advocating for liberation should align more closely with African cultural values rather than adopting non-African traditions. Seun in a post on his official page said “It’s the Africanness in us that is helping your European behaviour. That is why Aisha Yesufu and I engaged in an argument on TV, she wan dey…