Author: Tunde

DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, is set to improve its preparations for international competitions following the donation of a new Yutong bus by the National Bank of Commerce (NBC), valued at over 500 million shillings. This contribution comes as Tanzania gears up for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which it will co-host with Kenya and Uganda from June 19 to July 17. The bus was handed over at Gymkhana Grounds during a ceremony attended by key figures in Tanzania football, including NBC’s Director of Retail Banking, Elibariki Masuke, TFF President Wallace Karia, and Taifa…

France, Germany and Spain are at odds over the definition of “Made in Europe” as the EU prepares to introduce new rules aimed at bolstering European industries amid rising competition from China. The proposed Industrial Accelerator Act by the European Commission seeks to prioritise European-made products, such as cars and green technologies, in public procurement. The three nations disagree on the geographic scope of this initiative. France advocates a strict interpretation limited to EU-made products, while Germany supports a broader approach that includes products made “with” Europe. Berlin’s position paper suggests extending origin rules to include trade partners willing to…

A civil society leader has accused oil marketers of creating a fuel crisis to push up prices, urging the government to reject their proposal and maintain current rates. Alphonso Manley, chairman of the Civil Society Organisation on Petroleum, claimed that oil marketing companies suggested an increase in fuel prices during a meeting with the Vice President’s office, although the government has not confirmed this account. Manley called for fuel prices to be frozen, asserting that any necessary adjustments could be managed within the existing pricing structure rather than passed on to consumers. “Our message to the government is simple: freeze…

Amnesty International Nigeria has accused the Kano State Government of intensifying its crackdown on critics, leading to the arrest, detention, and intimidation of individuals expressing dissenting views about Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation claimed that such actions have created a “climate of fear” and are threatening citizens’ right to free expression. It reported that individuals are being summoned by security agencies for their opinions and that many have faced rapid trials and convictions based on dubious charges. Amnesty highlighted that supporters of opposition parties are particularly vulnerable, with some being targeted for their…

Millions of Tunisians faced water and electricity shortages over the summer, grappling with repeated outages, long queues for bottled water, and damage to poultry farms caused by extreme heat. Observers attribute these issues to years of underinvestment in infrastructure. Although the situation improved in late August when authorities distributed millions of bottles of water, concerns linger about a potential repeat next summer. Source link

President Julius Maada Bio has called for a fundamental change in how African nations manage their natural resources, advocating for the processing and value addition of materials on the continent instead of exporting raw resources. Speaking at UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026, President Bio highlighted the necessity for Africa to process minerals into finished and semi-finished products. He argued this shift is vital for driving industrialisation, stimulating economies, and creating jobs for the continent’s growing youth population. As the first African Head of State to address this year’s programme, President Bio underscored the strategic importance of mineral value addition. He noted that…

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has spoken out about the lack of support from some former colleagues, friends, and family during his challenging times, asserting he holds no ill will towards those who have distanced themselves from him. In a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” posted on his X account on Wednesday, El-Rufai reflected on his past support for various individuals and causes, driven by his Islamic faith and personal values rather than a desire for recognition or reciprocation. “I’ve stood by people and causes in difficult times at a personal cost, not expecting praise or gratitude,…

Nine passengers died on Wednesday night when an overnight sleeper bus caught fire near New Delhi, reports indicate. Emergency services believe the fire was ignited by the bus’s air conditioning unit while it was travelling on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida. The driver and conductor managed to escape and have since gone missing. A survivor recounted the panic, saying, “I was asleep when someone woke me, saying the bus was on fire. We all scrambled to get out. It was not easy—there was a lot of smoke. We somehow managed to escape.” The police are currently investigating the incident.…

The inaugural Alamein Africa Forum will be held from 2 to 4 October 2026 in the historic city of Alamein, Egypt, coinciding with the African Union’s mid-year summit. This forum, established following an African Union mandate to create a permanent business forum, aims to unite Heads of State, official delegations, and prominent figures from the business and finance sectors. The forum is designed to be Africa’s leading event that combines political influence with entrepreneurial talent, linking established growth sectors with emerging industries shaping the continent’s future. Confirmed attendees include the Presidents of Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Libya,…

Reform of the United Nations (UN) is increasingly viewed as a necessary response to shifting geopolitical dynamics, rather than merely a quest for efficiency. Some Western nations are concerned that their substantial financial investments are losing the influence they once guaranteed, particularly as emerging powers shoulder a larger share of the UN’s costs. This reform dialogue extends beyond budgetary limits; it reflects challenges in governing an increasingly complex international landscape. Since its inception in 1945, the UN has undergone significant changes over three main periods. Initially, the organisation grew swiftly during decolonisation; the Cold War turned newly independent states into…