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 Colombian illegal migrant wanted for drug trafficking in Spain arrested after crossing Texas border An illegal immigrant from Colombia, wanted in Spain for drug trafficking charges, has been arrested in Massachusetts, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 25-year-old fugitive, who has not been named, was apprehended by Massachusetts State Police in the city of Revere on June 29 after authorities said he was driving an unregistered vehicle without a license.  Later that day, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston, the deportation arm of ICE, lodged an immigration detainer against him with Massachusetts State Police. A detainer requests local law enforcement to keep a suspected illegal migrant in custody until the person can be transferred to ICE and put into deportation proceedings.  Spanish authorities also issued an arrest warrant for the Colombian national for drug trafficking. An ICE spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the ag...

 Missing Plateau hyena found alive, returned to cage A hyena in Plateau State which escaped at the Jos Wildlife Park has been found alive and returned to its cage. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the management of the Plateau State Tourism Cooperation led by Chuwang Pwajok, the hyena was discovered after a relentless search and immediately tranquillized and captured. The statement read in part, “The Management of Plateau State Tourism Corporation would like to inform the general public that after relentless search and rescue efforts, the missing hyena has finally been found, tranquilised, captured and safely returned to its enclosure. “We deeply appreciate the general public for remaining calm and cooperative. This greatly assisted in the search and rescue of the animal. Thank you.” The hyena kept at the Jos Wildlife Park within Dong Community in Jos North Local Government Area of the state went missing on Sunday after escaping from its confinement. The development caused panic...

 JAMB warns against illegal, underage admission The Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has warned universities against illegal admission that will necessitate ‘regularisation’ after admission has been offered. He said seeking regularisation was illegal. He also warned against the admission of underaged students. JAMB regularisation is a process overseen by JAMB in Nigeria to validate and formalise the admission of students who were admitted into tertiary institutions without proper documentation or through informal means. He lamented that the issue of regularisation had denied most candidates the opportunity to participate in the National Youth Service Corps. Oloyede said this in Lagos on Tuesday at the opening of the seventh biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria. The theme of the conference was ‘Effective University Governance: Role of Stakeholders’. He said that for the sake of accounta...

 Don’t pay for transformers, cables, others, NERC tells Nigerians The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has warned Nigerians against paying for electricity distribution infrastructures such as transformers, cables or poles. In a statement shared alongside a video on X on Tuesday, NERC emphasised that consumers should not be coerced into purchasing transformers, cables, or poles, as this responsibility lies squarely with the distribution companies. The statement reads, “Is your distribution company expecting you to buy transformers, cables, or poles? Don’t! It is the DisCo’s obligation, not yours!” NERC stated emphatically. The regulatory body urged consumers to report any coercion or delays in providing necessary materials by the distribution companies. The statement added, “Report any coercion to purchase, or delays in providing these materials to NERC for prompt action.” NERC assured the public of prompt action upon receiving such complaints. To facilitate this, NERC sai...

 President Bola Tinubu Inaugurates the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms Today, 9th July 2024 in the State House, Abuja. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: Tinubu Establishes Livestock Development Ministry   President Bola Tinubu has announced the creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development. The news emerged on Tuesday afternoon as the President inaugurated the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, aimed at resolving persistent farmers-herders conflicts. The minister for the new ministry will be announced soon. More photos below. 

 Rescuers continue the search at Kyiv children's hospital hit by Russian missile Rescue operations stretched into a second day at a major Kyiv children’s hospital struck by a Russian missile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday, as officials raised the countrywide casualty toll to 42 dead and almost 200 injured in the previous day's intense daytime barrage that smashed into multiple cities. Zelenskyy said on the social platform X that 64 people were hospitalized in the capital, as well as 28 in Kryvyi Rih and six in Dnipro — both cities in central Ukraine. It was Russia’s heaviest bombardment of Kyiv in almost four months and one of the deadliest of the war, hitting seven of the city’s 10 districts. The strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, which interrupted open-heart surgery and forced young cancer patients to take their treatments outdoors, drew an international outcry. The 10-story hospital, which is Ukraine's largest medical facility for children,...

 Soccer star says 'uncontrolled' immigration has 'overwhelmed' Germany, leaving the country ‘unrecognizable’ German soccer star Toni Kroos said "uncontrolled" immigration has left his home country "unrecognizable."  The former Real Madrid star, who left Germany ten years ago, traveled back to his home country this summer to compete for Germany in the Euro 2024 tournament, the Telegraph reported. In an interview given before what was his final professional match, Kroos said there has been a "loss of control" of immigration in Germany, adding that his daughter was safer living in Spain.  While he said he welcomes migrants, Kroos said Germany has struggled to keep the number of people entering the country at a controlled level. "I believe that this control over certain issues has simply slipped away a little over the years and there’s a reason for that," Kroos said on a conservative-leaning Lanz & Precht podcast. "In my opin...

 Suspect gets dose of street justice after woman's body found wrapped in sleeping bag on street A New York City parolee who allegedly tossed a young woman's corpse into a pile of street trash was battered by dozens of angry neighbors upon his Monday arrest. Chad Irish, 55, was charged with concealment of a human corpse after he was questioned by detectives about the death of 31-year-old Yazmeen Williams, the New York Police Department confirmed Tuesday morning. He was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon and menacing, but police said those charges are unrelated to Williams' death.  Williams' body was found stuffed into a sleeping bag on top of a dolly and surrounded by black garbage bags in front of a building on E. 27th Street around 5 p.m. Friday. She was killed by a gunshot wound to the head, according to the New York City Medical Examiner's Office. The dolly was tied to a scaffolding railing by a red strap. Detectives obtained surveillance video tha...

 Russian playwright, theater director sentenced to 6 years for play 'justifying terrorism' A Russian court on Monday convicted a theater director and a playwright of terrorism charges and sentenced them to six years each in prison, the latest in an unrelenting crackdown on dissent across the country that has reached new heights since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine. Zhenya Berkovich, a prominent independent theater director, and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk have already been in jail for over a year awaiting trial. Authorities claimed their play "Finist, the Brave Falcon" justifies terrorism, which is a criminal offense in Russia punishable by up to seven years in prison. Berkovich and Petriychuk have both repeatedly rejected the accusations against them. In one hearing, Berkovich told the court that she staged the play in order to prevent terrorism, and Petriychuk echoed her sentiment, saying that she wrote it in order to prevent events like those depicted in the pl...

 Coast Guard rescues 5 men huddled atop capsized boat 11 miles off Florida coast Five men huddled atop a capsized boat were rescued on Sunday after their vessel overturned 11 miles off the coast of Florida, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials said. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville was alerted at 10:15 a.m. to the capsized 24-foot vessel in the waters off Mayport, a community near Jacksonville, USCG said in a statement. Five people were reported to be in the water, prompting the Coast Guard to immediately deploy a boat and air crew. When the boat crew arrived at the capsized vessel, officials said they spotted all five men wearing life jackets sitting atop the overturned boat. The crew safely brought all five men aboard the Coast Guard boat.  The USCG shared photos of the rescue operation, including one showing the men reuniting with family members at the Mayport Boat Ramp. No injuries were reported. The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation. Officials said that weath...

 27 injured in explosion after pile of confiscated illegal fireworks ignite in southern Philippines At least 27 people, including 19 police and other government personnel, were injured when a large pile of confiscated illegal fireworks exploded in a powerful blast in the southern Philippines, damaging houses, hotels and an international airport, officials said Tuesday. Two of the victims of Monday afternoon’s explosion were in serious condition in a hospital in the southern port city of Zamboanga, where the mayor ordered an investigation into why the planned controlled destruction of the fireworks by police ordnance experts turned into a massive blast. Police explosives experts were piling the fireworks in a clearing near a marine firing range for a controlled detonation when the large heap, which had been doused with water, suddenly exploded. The blast was so powerful that it shattered glass windows nearly two miles away, according to officials and witnesses. The passenger termina...

 Locals in one Mediterranean hot spot load up water guns to protest mass tourism: 'Go home' Residents of Barcelona took out their frustrations against the increased mass tourism by visiting popular spots around the city this weekend and spraying people with water guns, demanding they go home.  "Enough, let’s put limits on tourism," was another rallying cry for the thousands of people – around 2,800, according to Catalan News – who turned up on Saturday evening at the city center and started marching around to major tourist hot spots in the city.  Organizers claimed that the protest provided an outlet for the "discomfort that exists in Barcelona" regarding increased mass tourism, which local officials have blamed for higher cost of living and housing, making it difficult for locals to live in the city.  Neighborhood associations, housing activists and ecologists joined the gathering and argued that "enormous negative impacts" to employment, society ...

 Kidnapped Kaduna Judge's Children Released By Bandits The three children of Upper Customary Court Judge, Janet Gimba, who were kidnapped along with her on June 24, 2024, have been released by their captors.  The news of their release was announced by their parents, Janet and Musa Gimba, on social media.  The children had been held captive by bandits demanding a ransom of N150 million.  Their father, Musa Gimba, shared the joyous news, expressing relief and gratitude for their safe return.  He did not disclose whether a ransom was paid.  This development comes days after the judge herself was released by the bandits, who had initially kidnapped her and her four children at their residence in the Mahuta area of Chikun Local Government Area, on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis. Tragically, the family's 14-year-old eldest son, Victor Gimba, was killed by the assailants during the ordeal. The Kaduna State Police Command, in collaboration with other security a...

 Migrants sleeping at Boston airport to be removed as ban goes into effect Dozens of migrants sleeping on the floors of Boston's Logan International Airport will be forced to leave by the end of the day as a new state rule banning the practice goes into effect. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced last month that migrants had until July 9 to leave the airport and that they would be offered free tax-payer-funded accommodation at a former minimum-security dorm-like facility in Norfolk. That deadline is now here, and the migrants are set to be ordered out today.  Days before the announcement, nearly 300 migrants had been using Terminal E at the airport as a shelter – lining the floors of Boston's main air hub with makeshift beds and air mattresses – but that number had dwindled to 56 by Monday, according to WCVB. "We’ve also made clear to those who might think about coming to Massachusetts that we’re not going to be able to provide housing, nor are you going to be able t...

 "Hunger dey o” - Actor Hanks Anuku stages lone proʻtèst on a major road over the harsh economy. Watch video below. 

 Kaduna Govt Disburses N275m To Victims, Families Of Tudun Biri Attack Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani has said the state government had so far disbursed over N275m from money donated by individuals, and private and public institutions to alleviate the sufferings of the victims and families of those affected by the Tudun Biri drone attack. This was even as he appealed to individuals, private, and public institutions who made pledges to redeem them. The governor also thanked the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President, Kashim Shettima for fulfilling their own promises. He made this known during the groundbreaking ceremony for the resettlement of people impacted by conflicts in the North West held at Tudun Biri, in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state on Friday. The governor who was flanked by some Northwest governors remarked, “You may recall that shortly after the unfortunate incident, public and private institutions, as well as public-spirited individuals donated funds t...

 ‘I’m still in love with my ex-wife, Lilian Esoro’ – Ubi Franklin Music executive Ubi Franklin has revealed that he’s still in love with his estranged wife, actress Lilian Esoro. The former artiste manager disclosed this during a recent interactive session with fans on Instagram. A curious fan asked, “Are you still in love with ur son[‘s] mom, the most beautiful Lilian?” Franklin replied, “Oh yes! We have a son together and love will always live there.” He also revealed that he has plans of remarrying while responding to another curious fan. The fan asked, “Do you have plans of remarrying?” to which Franklin replied, “100 per cent.” Franklin and Esoro got married in 2015 and separated a year after welcoming their son. Esoro first filed for divorce in a Lagos High Court, and it was denied. Franklin then filed in Abuja, and after years of back and forth in court, their marriage was officially dissolved on 28 January, 2021. One more photo below. 

 MKO Abiola framed Fela Kuti for robbery, wanted him killed – Seun One of the sons of Afro-beats legend, Fela Kuti, Seun, has disclosed how the late MKO Abiola and his wife, Simbiat, framed his father up for armed robbery during the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari. Seun claimed that Abiola and Simbiat accused Fela of stealing their Ferrari car at gunpoint. During Buhari’s military era, his Deputy Head of State, Tunde Idiagbon, ensured the enforcement of laws that made armed robbery punishable by death. However, Seun said Fela escaped the setup because he was performing in Cameroon while the Abiolas raised the allegation at a police station. In a live Instagram post, Seun Kuti said: “Abiola and his wife, Simbiat, lied against Fela that he and his boys robbed her of her Ferrari at gunpoint under Idiagbon’s regime. This was Abiola and his wife’s plan to kill my dad because, under Idiagbon, armed robbery was punishable by death. “Abiola and Simbiat wrote a statement at a police sta...

 Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of $16,500 , N127m Diverted From NIMASA Treasury Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, ordered the final forfeiture of the sums of $16,500 and N127m, which were fraudulently diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. The funds are forfeited  to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Judge had, on May 23, 2024, ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds ,following a motion ex parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The EFCC, through its counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, had sought the interim forfeiture of the funds under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14. 2006; and Section 44 (2)(B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended). The Judge, in granting the interim forfeiture order, had also directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper f...

 PERSONNEL WELFARE: NAF PROMOTES 4 SENIOR OFFICERS TO RETIREMENT In a memorable event held yesterday, 8 July 2024, at the MD Umar Blue Room of Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (NAF), 4 Group Captains were bestowed with special promotion to the exalted rank of Air Commodore for exhibiting unparalleled dedication and loyalty to the Service. The officers, who will also commence their retirement from the NAF forthwith, were decorated with their new ranks in the full glare of their families, friends and colleagues by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar. The promotion of these officers, conducted outside the typical promotion timeline, showcased the profound contributions they have made to both the NAF and the nation. In his remarks at the event, the CAS commended the officers, noting their extraordinary dedication and the significant impact they have had on the NAF.  Among those honoured was Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara, who was celebrated for his outst...

 Northern Group faults, Kwankwnso, Kabir call for Tinubu's impeachment The Northern Patriotic Agenda (NPA) has denounced the recent call by the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the impeachment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government.  Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Leader of the Group, Dr. Agabi Emmanuel, described Kwankwaso's letter to NNPP members in the National Assembly as a desperate attempt to salvage his dwindling political influence and a threat to the government's stability. Emmanuel urged law enforcement agencies to be vigilant and thwart Kwankwaso's sinister plots, which he believed is against government's stability and undermine democratic principles.  He commended President Tinubu's commitment to inclusivity and progress, and criticized Governor Yusuf for neglecting his duties and engaging in political grandstanding. The NPA advised Kwankwaso and Governor Yus...

 Kwara University expels 175 students The management of the Kwara State University, Malete, says it has expelled 175 students of the institution for examination malpractices and other offences. This information was contained in a statement signed by the institution’s acting Director, University Relations, Dr Saeedat Aliyu. He said the students were expelled offences such as examination malpractices, theft, and using fake results to gain admission, assault, fraud, belonging to unregistered associations, and illegal possession of a firearm, among others. The statement said: “This is to inform the public that the following 175 students have been expelled from Kwara State University, Malete, for various offences. “The approval of the expulsion followed the recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee, which held sittings between October 2021 and March 2024. “The expelled students were penalised for offences ranging from examination malpractices, theft, using fake results to ...

 FULL LIST: Four items for import without tax The Federal Government on Monday announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on some essential food items imported through land and sea borders. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made this known during a press briefing at the National Press Centre, Abuja. Kyari disclosed that the listed food items will enjoy a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window. Here is a list of food commodities 1. Maize 2. Wheat Evening Roundup: Stories making waves in The Nation - The Nation0:00 / 0:00 3. Husked brown rice 4. Cowpeas

 After Kenya Uprising, Ex-Senate President Warns FG Against Hunger-Induced Protests Former Senate President Ahmed Lawal on Tuesday asked the federal government address the current food crisis and insecurity in the country to avert any potential protests.  His warning on the heels of the recent situation in Kenya where violent protests by citizens against government’s move to increase taxes evolved into demands for better governance and resignation of President William Ruto. The Senate urged the federal government to alleviate hunger and poverty, following a motion sponsored by Senator Karimi Sunday Steve (Kogi West) and co-sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) on the “urgent need to address food insecurity and market exploitation of consumables in Nigeria” and debated by senators during plenary. Senator Karimi expressed displeasure that between March and now, the prices of food items in the market have skyrocketed beyond imagination, and asked the Senate to tak...

 Mali FM rejects return to ECOWAS Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop has rejected ECOWAS call for Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to return to the West African bloc. The three countries’ decision to leave the bloc was fuelled in part by their accusation that France was manipulating ECOWAS and not providing enough support for anti-jihadist efforts. According to Diop, Mali is ready to cooperate with ECOWAS but it’s against the possible introduction of visas for nationals of the three countries travelling within the bloc. “Our Heads of State were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror,” Diop said. Mali remains “open to working with our neighbours and other organisations with which we share this space,” he added. “We will have to maintain discussions with others in order to move forward, but I believe that the path we have embarked upon...

 El-Rufai vs. Kaduna Assembly: Court Hearing Postponed To July 17 For Respondents' Applications A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has adjourned to July 17th to hear the case filed by the former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, against the State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of the State. El-Rufai is challenging the House committee’s report which accused him of corruption. At the commencement of the hearing of the case on Monday, counsel to the first respondent, the Kaduna State House of Assembly,  Sani Katu, SAN, informed the court that they are in the process of filing a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case. The counsel, therefore, requested an extension of time to enable them to file all their applications on the case filed against his client by the applicant, Nasir El-Rufai. The plea was also advanced by the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kaduna State, Sule Shauaibu, SAN, who is...

 Protesting man who climbed a mast has gone for mental evaluation. If found mentally stable, will be charged to court for attempted su!cide- FCT police The FCT police command has today, July 9, 2024, sent Shuaibu Alhaji Yushau to the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) for mental assessment and evaluation following his rather troubling action, which caused apprehension in the populace on Monday, July 8, 2024, by climbing a high broadband mast at ASO Radio in Katampe, Abuja, and attempting to take his own life. According to the spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspect, if found to be mentally stable after the test, will be charged to court for attempted suic!de, disturbance of public peace, and incitement contrary to sections 231, 111, and 114 of the Penal Code Act. She mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, has urged residents to be law-abiding while pushing for their voices to be heard, as the police will not be stampeded into allo...

 'Satanic Temple' members to volunteer in Florida schools in protest of DeSantis push for religion in education Satanists are ready to volunteer in Florida's schools in response to Governor Ron DeSantis's push to integrate more religion into the state's public school system under a volunteer school chaplain program that went into effect last week.  Members of The Satanic Temple (TST) say they are ready to serve as "volunteer chaplains" under a new Florida law that took effect July 1, allowing volunteer school chaplains "to provide support, services, and programs to students," The Guardian reported.  Lucien Greaves, TST co-founder and spokesperson, told Fox News Digital that should a Florida school district seize on the opportunity to introduce a chaplaincy program into their schools, TST "will be happy to participate." "When passing the school chaplain bill into law, Florida's bloviating incompetent Culture War-obsessed governo...