Author: Tunde

Former German spy chief August Hanning was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of attempted treason, marking one of Germany’s most significant intelligence scandals since the Cold War. Prosecutors allege he paid for classified documents and used them to conduct analyses for a foreign intelligence agency, although they did not specify which agency or confirm if the analyses were delivered to the intended recipient. This unprecedented arrest could jeopardise Germany’s intelligence relations with its allies, according to a senior security lawmaker. The prosecutor’s office stated, “Hanning is strongly suspected of treasonous espionage and obtaining state secrets.” Investigators are exploring a potential…

Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, in partnership with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, launched its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign on 3rd October 2026. This initiative aims to provide free screenings, treatment support, and health education to over 5,000 women across Sierra Leone. The campaign kicked off with an eight-kilometre awareness walk from the Cotton Tree in central Freetown to Kallon Car Park at Aberdeen Beach. The event attracted healthcare professionals, breast cancer survivors, government officials, and members of the public, all rallying to highlight the vital importance of early detection and treatment. Madam Aïcha Touré, CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, emphasised…

A Kenyan citizen who recently returned from Congo has become the first confirmed case of Ebola in Kenya, with authorities confirming the man died late on Monday. This alarming development has prompted immediate contact tracing to prevent further spread of the virus. The man had been living in Congo for seven years and fell ill about a month ago. He was treated in various hospitals there before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda, where he flew to Nairobi, arriving on Saturday afternoon, according to Health Minister Aden Duale. Health officials in Kenya have heightened security at border points and initiated…

Russia has rejected claims that it is implementing anti-plague measures following the death of a laboratory technician from suspected pneumonic plague in Siberia. The woman worked at the anti-plague institute in the Irkutsk region. Officials stated that the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, with Moscow’s health agency, Rospotrebnadzor, denying that any special precautions have been introduced. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev noted that the inspection indicated her death was due to pneumonia and stated, “No microorganisms linked to her professional work were found in her biological samples.” Pneumonic plague is known for being highly contagious and potentially fatal…

Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), has launched its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, aiming to provide lifesaving screening, treatment, and education to over 5,000 women nationwide. The campaign began on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with an eight-kilometre awareness walk in Freetown, starting at the Cotton Tree and concluding at Kallon Car Park on Aberdeen Beach. The event gathered healthcare professionals, survivors, government officials, Orange staff, SLCB employees, and community members to highlight the importance of early breast cancer detection. At the launch, Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive Officer, Madam Aïcha Touré, emphasised the…

DAR ES SALAAM: The number of people living with diabetes in Tanzania is rising, according to the Tanzania Diabetes Association (TDA), while public awareness of prevention remains low. TDA Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Filbert Nyoni spoke at the 13th Health Conference today. He highlighted ongoing efforts to educate the public, but noted that challenges persist in informing patients about managing their condition and preventing serious complications, such as amputations and issues with kidneys and eyesight. Nyoni reported that the TDA is collaborating with the government to enhance public knowledge through scientific discussions, regional and district health teams, public meetings, and…

Germany’s former foreign intelligence chief, August Hanning, has been arrested on suspicion of espionage and treason, prosecutors announced. The 80-year-old is under investigation for attempted treason and acting as an agent for a foreign intelligence service. Hanning, who led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005, was detained in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen. His former chief of staff, identified as Manfred D, was arrested in Steinfurt, accused of “aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage”. Investigators revealed that Hanning had used classified intelligence from Manfred D to produce an analysis for a foreign intelligence officer. Manfred D previously served as…

The Day Kinshasa Stopped Singing By Shady Shihusa On 12 October 1989, the news broke in Kinshasa that Franco Luambo Makiadi, whose guitar had told the stories of millions, had died at the age of 51. Radio stations switched their tunes, filling the air with the slow, soulful songs Franco had crafted over decades. Zaire, as the country was then known, declared four days of national mourning. For a nation often divided, it was a rare moment of collective silence, united in grief over the loss of a national treasure. Millions flooded the streets of Kinshasa to pay their respects…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has adjusted its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 26.5% to 23% during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on September 21-22, 2026. Experts have praised this decision, highlighting it as a positive step. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced that the interest rate corridor has been recalibrated to +50/-300 basis points around the MPR. The Cash Reserve Requirement remains at 45% for Deposit Money Banks, 16% for Merchant Banks, and 75% for non-TSA public sector deposits. The MPC clarified that this adjustment does not indicate a change in their tightening monetary policy stance but aims…

Seventeen-year-old Anastasiia Ryvbalchenko narrowly escaped danger during her recent journey home. She and her fellow passengers had to abandon their train at 4am on 16 September while travelling from Odesa to Kirovohrad. “On my way to Odesa, there had been a lot of evacuations, and now on my way back, it was happening again,” she said, expressing her frustration. “I was already thinking that if there was another evacuation, I just couldn’t take it any more.” An hour and a half later, as they waited in the dark, a drone struck nearby. “There was an extremely loud explosion, and everyone…