Author: Tunde

Dozens of delegates left the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech, during which he defended Israel’s military actions against Iran. As Netanyahu approached the podium, representatives from various delegations exited the hall, following an appeal from the Palestinian Mission to the UN for them to walk out. Reacting to the departure, Netanyahu remarked, “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left the hall, please do so now.” In his address, Netanyahu described targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities as challenging but claimed it was one of the easiest…

Albanese Defends Government’s Handling of AI Breach Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed suggestions that the government delayed announcing the OpenAI breach for political gain, calling such claims “nonsense.” Speaking to Sky News, he stated that he learned of the incident while in New York and that the government acted as quickly as possible upon receiving the information. “It’s just nonsense. We were informed of this late,” he said. Albanese confirmed that the critical details were released “absolutely” as soon as they were known and emphasised the unique circumstances of the situation, which required the government to verify the facts…

Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, addresses the General Debate of the 81st Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 22 – 26 and 28 September 2026). World leaders will gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Better together: 81 years and more for peace, development and human rights”. The General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly is the opportunity for Heads of State and Government to come together at the UN Headquarters and discuss world issues. Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore…

New York, 22 September 2026 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio during a bilateral meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, calling him a symbol of unity for Sierra Leone and the wider West African region. Guterres commended Sierra Leone’s role during its 2024-2025 term on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s efforts to foster consensus and contribute to international peace and security. Reaffirming his commitment to Africa, Guterres stated that he would continue to advocate for greater African representation on the Security Council and in financial institutions. In response, President Bio…

The arrest of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has highlighted serious issues within the South African Police Service. Sibiya was apprehended on Monday at a strip club in Sandton, facing five charges including rape, sexual grooming, and human trafficking. He appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was remanded at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, with a bail hearing scheduled for 29 September. Prosecutors allege that Sibiya groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposed his release, citing concerns about witness intimidation and the…

The White House denied CNN and MS NOW access to cover Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival for a state dinner with Donald Trump. Both networks reported that their journalists were turned away despite a federal judge recently lifting Trump’s ban on their coverage. On Thursday evening, CNN’s reporter and producer were blocked from entering the ceremony where Trump and First Lady Melania greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. According to CNN, the White House informed them just before the event that they could send only a photojournalist and an audio technician, while other networks were permitted to bring full…

Zimbabwe’s senior men’s national football team will face Sierra Leone on Thursday in a 2027 AFCON qualifier at Stade Ben M’Hamed in Morocco. The Warriors are in Group E with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, and Sierra Leone. This match will mark the debut of new head coach Ramon Catala, who took over in July. Catala is confident about the team’s chances, emphasising that the top two teams from the group will qualify for the tournament. “The players are good, and everyone is pushing. We just need to believe in ourselves and aim for a positive result.…

In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, residents are panic buying supplies amid fears of escalating conflict following months of rising tensions. The situation has prompted communities to stock up on essential items as uncertainty looms. Meanwhile, Senegal is facing a return of power cuts, adding to the challenges residents are currently facing. In the entertainment sphere, Nigerian pop star Yemi Alade has released a new album and shared insights during an interview with France 24. This edition highlights urgent issues affecting the region, ranging from local crises to cultural developments. Source link

Pope Leo XIV is set to begin his first visit to France on Friday, a country where Catholicism has declined significantly but is experiencing a resurgence of interest among the youth. While there is enthusiasm, experts warn that growing adult baptisms and crowds of young attendees do not necessarily indicate a broader revival of the faith. Before even arriving, the Pope’s face has graced the cover of this week’s Paris Match, with a headline portraying him as the pontiff eager to reconnect with France. Reports indicate that 800,000 people have registered to meet him at various events, including at the…

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and other partners, has validated the National Agricultural Insurance Policy at the Bintumani Hotel. This initiative aims to enhance insurance coverage for farmers and mitigate risks in agriculture, contributing to the Feed Salone agenda. During the validation meeting on Tuesday, 23 September, Minister Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka stated that the finalised policy will be presented to Cabinet for approval before being rolled out with relevant stakeholders. He mentioned that specific agricultural value chains will be prioritised for pilot projects during implementation. Dr.…