Author: Tunde

Ethiopian federal forces have taken full control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, as fighting reignited between the military and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on September 23. Local reports indicate that TPLF leaders fled the city, allowing government troops to enter without resistance. Amid rising tensions, leaders from Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea held a mini-summit on Sunday in El-Alamein, Egypt, to address concerns over a potential escalation of conflict. They emphasised the importance of resolving regional disputes peacefully and respecting international law. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting the Tigray rebels, a claim that both Eritrea…

A woman from California has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly spying on the son of Taiwan’s president. Wanying Zhang, 34, also known as Heather, was detained on Sunday just before her scheduled flight to China, according to Bill Essayli, the first assistant US attorney for the Central District of California, who shared the news on X. Zhang has been charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. The FBI claims she monitored William Lai Ching-te’s son, later identified as Lai Ting-yu, sending images, videos, and licence plate details of the family back to Chinese officials. Essayli…

Karan Patel from Kenya won the Serengeti Rally, the final round of this year’s African Rally Championship (ARC), held in Morogoro. Navigated by Tauseef Khan in a Skoda Fabia, Patel maintained the lead throughout, finishing with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 38.8 seconds. Tanzanian driver Manveer Birdi followed closely behind, also in a Skoda Fabia, completing the rally in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 11.5 seconds. Yassin Nasser, the previous champion, along with navigator Ally Katumba, finished third, clocking 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 28 seconds. This victory secured the African Championship title for Patel, ending…

Lula and Bolsonaro represent the two dominant factions in Brazilian politics, dividing the nation once again as they address key issues of sovereignty, crime, the economy, and corruption in their campaigns. Lula enjoys strong support in Brazil’s poorer northeast, especially among low-income voters, Catholics, and women. He is aiming for a fourth term in office, having previously won elections in 2002, 2006, and a later non-consecutive term in 2022, where he narrowly defeated Bolsonaro by less than 2%—the closest presidential election in Brazil’s history. Following that election, Bolsonaro’s supporters invaded government buildings on 8 January 2023. Despite being barred from…

At least one person has died and seven others have been injured following an attack on a vehicle near the Total Filling Station at Yelwa Club junction in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The assault, which took place on Sunday at approximately 5:30pm, targeted herders returning to Bassa LGA after visiting the cattle market. Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, confirmed the incident and expressed his outrage, urging security agencies to locate and apprehend those responsible. Babayo noted that the injured had been taken to hospital. He highlighted that this attack…

Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb nationalist politician, has claimed victory for his party in Bosnia’s recent elections, which were influenced by economic strain, EU membership prospects, and ongoing ethnic tensions stemming from the 1992-95 war. Dodik, a strong supporter of Russia who did not appear on the ballot, dominated the campaign with separatist rhetoric, raising concerns about renewed instability in the country. Formerly the president of Republika Srpska, he was barred from public office after being convicted last year of defying a decision by the international envoy overseeing the peace agreement. With nearly 90% of votes counted, Dodik’s ally, Željka…

The Oyo State Government has declared Monday, October 5, 2026, a day off for all teachers in the state to mark this year’s World Teachers Day. The announcement was made in a circular from the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde. Sulaimon Olarenwaju, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, explained that this decision highlights the administration’s commitment to the welfare and professional development of teachers, who are vital to the state’s educational system and human capital development. The work-free day aims to allow teachers to engage in celebrations that recognise their contributions, reflect on progress in…

Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on Sunday to reaffirm Germany’s support for Ukraine as Russia escalates its attacks on Ukrainian cities. The conflict has intensified, with Moscow launching difficult-to-intercept ballistic missiles and drones across Ukraine, while Kyiv has responded with strikes targeting Russian commercial and oil infrastructure. This marks Merz’s second trip to Kyiv as chancellor. He emphasised Germany’s commitment by stating, “If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” and assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, “You can continue to count on our help.” Merz highlighted the mutual benefits of the partnership between…

Dafroza Gauthier, who dedicated her life to tracking down those responsible for the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, died in Reims on Saturday at the age of 72, her husband announced on Sunday. Gauthier had been instrumental in seeking justice for the victims and had focused particularly on the perpetrators who sought refuge in France. Her efforts have been widely recognised as significant in the ongoing fight for accountability in the aftermath of the genocide. Source link

Dafroza Gauthier, who dedicated decades to seeking justice for Rwandans implicated in the 1994 genocide, has died of cancer at the age of 72. She passed away on Saturday in Reims, where she had lived with her husband Alain and their three children since the 1980s. Alongside her husband, Gauthier was instrumental in driving civil lawsuits against numerous suspected genocide perpetrators residing in France. Their efforts helped shape the French legal approach towards holding these individuals accountable under the principle of universal jurisdiction. This framework allows for the prosecution of grave crimes irrespective of where they were committed. So far,…