Author: Tunde

Emergency responders were delayed in attending to Christa Pike during a botched execution in Tennessee due to confusion over the legitimacy of the emergency. 911 recordings reveal that minutes passed before officials confirmed there was a medical crisis. The first call came at 8:40 p.m., but it wasn’t until 9:11 p.m. that prison officials acknowledged the situation was serious. Initially, an unidentified person stated around 9:03 p.m. that there was no need for medical assistance at Riverbend Prison, despite responders indicating they were being urged to respond to someone claiming to be a state official at the prison gate. Pike,…

President Julius Maada Bio visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos on Wednesday, accompanied by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote. The visit aimed to encourage private-sector investment ahead of the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS). The summit will take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, Freetown, from 17 to 18 November 2026. It is being organised under the auspices of ECOWAS, marking its 50th anniversary, with the theme “Powering Regional Integration through Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation.” Discussions will revolve around four key areas: regional energy trade and sustainable infrastructure; the…

The Nigerian government has begun discussions with the World Bank Group to secure additional funding for infrastructure development, particularly in the power sector. This initiative aims to translate recent economic reforms into greater investment, job creation, and sustainable growth. The talks focused on expanding Nigeria’s access to World Bank guarantee instruments, which could attract private capital to vital infrastructure projects and alleviate pressure on public finances. The meeting involved the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso; and the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, and took place during the…

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that Armenia aims to strengthen its ties with the European Union while still maintaining a relationship with Russia. In an exclusive interview, he highlighted that Armenia’s foreign policy is shifting towards being more balanced and independent. Pashinyan acknowledged that Armenia’s relationship with Russia can no longer resemble past dynamics. Instead of replacing dependence on one power with another, he aims to diversify Armenia’s political and economic options. This evolution follows years of turmoil, including Armenia’s 2018 revolution, ongoing conflicts with Azerbaijan, and the migration of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Central to this shift is…

Celebrating Adama Nyama Bah: A Champion for Women’s Health As we observe Black History Month in the UK, we spotlight Adama Nyama Bah, a remarkable Sierra Leonean living in London. Born in Kabala, Sierra Leone, Adama grew up in a large family emphasising faith, community, and service. Her childhood was shaped by the civil conflict and limited healthcare access prevalent in her homeland. These experiences instilled in her a deep commitment to advocating for women and girls whose voices are often overlooked. Now based in London, Adama works as a healthcare professional and founded the Women’s Health Advocacy Network (WHAN),…

South Africa has expressed serious concern about recent sweeping American sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the announcement that South African judge Navi Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have criticised Pillay, questioning her merit for the award. Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel stated on Monday that South Africa remains committed to the ICC and cautioned against political pressure on its judges and prosecutors. “The award comes at a time when the institutions of international justice are under pressure,” he said during the Social Justice Summit at Stellenbosch University.…

A significant fire broke out at Paris’s oldest covered food market, the Marché des Enfants Rouges, in the early hours of Monday, 12 October. The blaze destroyed numerous stalls and caused part of the market’s metal structure to collapse. The fire ignited around 4.15am in the historic Marais district. Firefighters managed to contain it, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. One firefighter experienced a minor medical issue, but there were no other reported injuries. Traders looked on in distress as they assessed the damage outside the market. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire stated that the cause of the fire is…

AFCON Qualifiers Sierra Leone vs Equatorial Guinea

The Sierra Leone Postal Service (SALPOST) unveiled 15 motorbikes and two mail vehicles on 9th October 2026, aiming to enhance its operational capacity and improve mail delivery across the country. The ceremony coincided with World Post Day and represents a significant move towards greater efficiency in the postal system, particularly in the distribution of mail. Managing Director Brima Katta highlighted the need for modernisation in postal services to meet public demands. He emphasised SALPOST’s role in providing affordable services beyond just delivering letters and parcels. Unlike private courier firms like DHL, SALPOST cannot charge full market rates due to its…

At least 72 workers were killed in air strikes on a gold mine near the Sudan-Egypt border, according to a Sudanese rights group on Sunday. Survivors described chaotic scenes in the mountainous region following the attack. The Emergency Lawyers organisation accused the Egyptian air force of launching the strikes, but AFP has not been able to confirm this independently, and Egypt has not commented officially. This incident on Saturday marks the second attack this year on the Jabal al-Uqaydat area. Previously, in June, air strikes—also reportedly by Egypt—resulted in the deaths of 23 workers at the same informal mining site.…