World News

The African Union (AU) has suspended Gabon’s membership in the wake of the coup in the Central African country. AU’s Peace and Security Council said on Thursday evening that it strongly condemned the take-over of power by the military in Gabon, which deposed President Ali Bongo. It suspended Gabon’s participation in all activities of the AU and its institutions “with immediate effect until constitutional orders restored in the country.” The AU suspended Niger Republic’s membership just a few weeks ago after the military took power there at the end of July. Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Sudan have also been suspended since the coups in those countries. In Brussels, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said the European Union “rejects any seizure of power by force in Gabon.” “Th...

Gabon senior Gabonese military officers have appeared on national television declaring they have seized power, claiming the recent general election lacks credibility and saying they represent all Gabon’s security and defence forces. They said the election results were cancelled, all borders closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved. Loud sounds of gunfire could be heard in the capital, Libreville, a Reuters reporter said, after the television appearance. It was not immediately possible to reach the government for comment. “In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers said on television. Gabon’s incumbent president, Ali Bongo, won a third term in the presidential election with ...

Russia’s investigative committee on Sunday confirmed that genetic testing results on body samples recovered at the site of last week’s plane crash confirmed Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin as one of the victims of the unfortunate incident.As part of the investigation of the plane crash in the Tver region, molecular-genetic examinations have been completed,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app. The statement added: “According to their results, the identities of all 10 dead were established. They correspond to the list stated in the flight sheet, corresponding and officially confirming the death of Prigozhin, who Russia’s aviation agency said was listed as a passenger on the private plane.” Until now, there has been no off...

Former President Donald Trump was arrested at the Fulton County Jail on felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. In a first for his four indictments this year, Trump had his mug shot taken. It was released shortly after he left the jail. Trump used a local bail bondsman in Georgia to post his bond. He has already paid, a bonding agent confirmed. The Fulton County Jail, where Trump was booked, has a history of violence and poor conditions. District Attorney Fani Willis oversaw the sweeping investigation and the racketeering charges against Trump and 18 co-defendants. Many of them, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, have already surrendered. A federal judge yesterday denied requests by two defendants...

WAGNER boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list of a plane which crashed in Russia, killing all 10 on board. He was believed to be on board the plane. Earlier, a Wagner-linked Telegram channel Grey Zone reported that the jet was shot down by air defences in Tver region, north of Moscow. Prigozhin led a failed mutiny against the Russian armed forces in June. Prigozhin is the head of the Wagner mercenary group, which he established in 2014. A wealthy businessman with a criminal record, he was known as “Putin’s chef” because he provided catering for the Kremlin. In June he led his troops on a short-lived mutiny, after they seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and moved towards Moscow, with the stated aim of removing the military leadership. ...

The leader of the mutineers who seized power in Niger, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, said on Saturday that his country does not want war, but will be ready to defend itself if necessary. Neither the army nor the people of Niger want war, but we will resist any manifestation of it,” Mr Tchiani was quoted as saying by the Al Jazeera broadcaster. He noted that the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) do not realise that Niger has become the key to containing the region from destabilisation against the backdrop of increased terrorist activity. Mr Tchiani added that the sanctions imposed against his country were aimed at putting pressure on the rebels, and not at finding a solution to the current situation. In addition, Mr Tchiani said that rebel...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called an indictment approved by a Fulton County grand jury in the U.S. state of Georgia “rigged”. Mr Trump added that it was deliberately presented in the midst of his political campaign and that the move was a “witch hunt.” On Monday night, the Fulton County grand jury indicted Mr Trump on 13 criminal charges related to an investigation into an alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to a court document. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis later told reporters that the grand jury had issued arrest warrants for the 19 defendants named in the indictment, but they all have until August 25 to voluntarily surrender. “And what about those Indictment Documents put out today, long befo...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, has been indicted in Georgia after investigation by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis into efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election results. Eighteen others were also indicted, including Mr Trump’s personal lawyers Rudolph Giuliani and Sidney Powell. Mr Willis launched the probe in February 2021, after news broke that the former president was recorded during a January 2, 2021. He said that there was a phone call pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” him 11,780 votes, enough to win in Georgia. Mr Trump had insisted that making the call was appropriate. The investigation also focused on a plan to assemble a slate of fake electors to meet in secret at the state Capitol. The planned ...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday extended the sympathies of Nigerians  to the government and people of the United States (U.S) following devastating tornadoes ripping across 6 states, leaving destruction and death on their trail.  Reacting to the catastrophe shown around the globe since Friday, President Buhari said: “The destruction of whole towns, flattening of houses, schools, hospitals, businesses and other social infrastructure on a scale never seen before is deeply saddening.”  He said: “our deepest sympathies go to all those affected, as well as the government and the American people."  The President urged fellow citizens to join the rest of the world in praying for the deceased and the quick recovery of other victims and their families at this difficult time...

by Alaba Abdulrazak GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, by his own admission is one of the best governors (more…)