Author: Tunde

The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has begun talks with industry leaders and key stakeholders at the Jendema Border Crossing Point as it prepares for the launch of the ASYCUDA World system in customs operations. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration among security agencies, support the transformation of customs operations, facilitate legitimate trade, and boost revenue collection for national development. At a meeting on 5 October 2026 in Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District, Munjiru I. I. Kallon, the NRA Customs Manager at Jendema, noted that cooperation among security agencies and community leaders has strengthened since the NRA started operations at the border.…

The Durban High Court has lifted its ban on reporting witness evidence in the murder trial of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, allowing media to broadcast testimony as the trial proceeds. Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi changed an earlier directive that had restricted journalists from reporting witness testimony during its presentation. The new directive permits accredited media to report on testimonies and evidence, while still keeping witnesses’ identities confidential. This change comes as the state begins to present evidence, including details from a May 2022 shooting in Mayville linked to the investigation into Forbes and Motsoane’s deaths. A retired…

A laboratory worker in Russia, named Darya Shipilova, has died following an illness that started a few days earlier. Reports suggest she may have fallen ill after breaking a test tube with a dangerous pathogen while working at the Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East, or during a field trip to an area where plague is present among local rodents. The US and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are seeking more information on the case. Russia’s health oversight body, Rospotrebnadzor, assured that there are “no epidemic risks” for the people in Irkutsk or the surrounding region. It reported…

The European Union’s decision to withhold budget support for Sierra Leone in 2026 has taken on significant implications. Dutch Justice and Security Minister David van Weel noted that the measure aims to pressure Freetown into arresting and extraditing Jos Leijdekkers, a fugitive Dutch drug trafficker. However, Sierra Leone maintains that the EU’s decision, made in July, was unrelated to Leijdekkers and stemmed from the late request to amend its financing agreement. The case against Leijdekkers is serious; the Rotterdam District Court sentenced him to 24 years in June 2024 for transporting over 7,000 kilograms of cocaine, committing a violent robbery…

Every travel blog will tell you Sierra Leone is empty because nobody’s heard of it. That’s not the real reason tourists keep skipping it, and if you’re seriously thinking about going, you should know what is. People have heard of Sierra Leone. They’ve heard about the civil war, the Ebola outbreak and the blood diamonds, and then they’ve heard the roads are rough, the power cuts out and the nearest decent hospital might be a flight away. Some of that’s out of date. A good chunk of it isn’t, and the mix of the two is exactly what keeps the…

Ebola Death Confirmed in Kenya Following Travel from DR Congo Kenya has reported its first Ebola death after a man died from the virus shortly after arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Uganda. The announcement was made on 6 October 2026, raising alarm as authorities work to contain any potential outbreaks. The health ministry confirmed that the deceased had symptoms consistent with Ebola and had visited many locations in Kenya after his arrival. As a precaution, the ministry is monitoring those who had contact with him to mitigate further spread. In related news, the Comoros Islands have begun…

Matt Brittin, the BBC’s director general, is facing criticism for prioritising job cuts among frontline staff rather than addressing the “overbloated” senior ranks. During an all-staff meeting, Brittin acknowledged that the BBC would be “smaller” but could still make a significant impact, advocating for a “bit more Elvis – a little less conversation, a little more action”. He outlined a potential overhaul for the iPlayer platform, which may include AI-assisted recommendations, and encouraged the public to think of it as “iPlayer and chill”. However, the organisation is in the process of cutting up to 2,000 jobs, which has raised concerns…

The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has completed a pre-bid meeting and site visit for the reconstruction of the 97-kilometre Magburaka-Bumbuna-Sambaia Bendugu Road. This vital project aims to enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and improve access to essential services in Tonkolili District. The meeting, held along the Azzolini Highway in Magburaka, included representatives from the Tonkolili District Council, Leone Rock Metal Group, Kingho Mining Company, potential contractors, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), civil society organisations, and other stakeholders. The site visit allowed prospective bidders to assess the project corridor, familiarising them with current site conditions ahead of their submissions.…

Multinational corporations (MNCs) often declare profits in low-tax jurisdictions, maximising returns but depriving countries hosting their subsidiaries of much-needed revenue. Despite having production operations and employees in these countries, MNCs can report zero profits while declaring significant profits elsewhere. This issue is particularly pressing for low-income nations. Encouragingly, the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax seeks to address this by ensuring MNCs “pay taxes where they play,” meaning they would be taxed in the locations where they operate. If implemented, these proposals could shift from the contentious “transfer pricing” system, where companies choose where to declare profits, to…

At least 15 civilians, including three children, were killed and over 40 injured when Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv and 12 other regions overnight, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack was expected after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned a day earlier that intelligence suggested Moscow was preparing a “massive” bombardment. Despite this warning, Ukrainian forces struggled to fully defend against the assault, which coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 74th birthday. This latest wave of violence underscores the difficulties Ukraine faces in countering Russia’s advanced ballistic weapons and jet-powered drones. A lack of ammunition for US-made Patriot air defence systems…