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Hamman Abdulkareem A dramatic and dangerous escalation has engulfed the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, igniting retaliatory missile attacks across the Gulf region and reportedly killing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. President Donald Trump warned earlier that American casualties were possible as “major combat operations” unfolded. Speaking about the unfolding conflict, Trump described the mission as “noble,” emphasising that it was aimed at securing the future despite potential losses of “courageous American heroes.” Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader In a stunning development reported by Reuters and later echoed by CNN,…

Hamman Abdulkareem Iran has officially confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, following a joint United States–Israeli military strike that targeted his compound early Saturday morning. He was 86. Iranian state media announced the development in the early hours of Sunday, describing his death as “martyrdom” in what it called an attack carried out by “America and the Zionist regime.” Reports indicate that members of his immediate family were also killed in the strike. United States President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, stating that Khamenei and senior Iranian officials were successfully tracked through advanced intelligence systems. In a…

Tukur Garba Arab The OpenSchool Initiative has graduated 55 fellows from its Pan-African AI Governance Fellowship, marking a significant step in strengthening Africa’s capacity to regulate and oversee artificial intelligence as adoption expands across sectors. The four-month programme attracted more than 800 applications from professionals across the continent, with just over 70 participants selected from 22 countries. Organizers confirmed that 55 fellows successfully completed the intensive training programme. The fellowship was delivered in collaboration with Cosmopolitan University, System Strategy and Policy Lab, and Tanzeel, and focused on building technical and policy expertise needed to guide the development and regulation of…

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the indefinite suspension of two state commissioners for alleged dereliction of duty. According to a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, the affected officials are the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, and the Commissioner for Infrastructure Development for Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara. Jigawa’s Commissioner for Youths emerges Chairman, Progressive Commissioners of Youth Forum The statement directed that the commissioners immediately relinquish their positions and return all government property in their possession, including official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government.…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that there were signs that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in an attack on his compound as part of US-Israeli strikes. “This morning, in a powerful surprise strike, the compound of the tyrant Ali Khamenei was destroyed in the heart of Tehran… and there are many signs that this tyrant is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement on Saturday. It was earlier reported that a wave of strikes on Saturday by the United States and Israel against targets in Iranian cities, triggering explosions and columns of smoke…

The Emir of Zazzau,Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, has called on citizens to promptly report security challenges and suspicious activities in their communities to relevant security agencies to help tackle insecurity. The monarch made the appeal during the annual ten-day Ramadan breakfast held at the Emir’s Palace in Zaria, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in addressing security concerns. Emir Bamali urged residents not to remain silent when they observe suspicious movements, noting that timely information sharing with security agencies would significantly enhance efforts to maintain peace and safety. He also expressed concern over the rising menace of drug abuse among…

Saudi Arabia has issued a strong condemnation of Iran, accusing Tehran of “blatant aggression” and violations of the sovereignty of several Arab nations, while pledging full support to affected regional allies. In an official statement released on Saturday by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. The Kingdom described the alleged actions as flagrant breaches of international law that threaten regional peace and stability. The Saudi communiqué emphasized readiness to place “all its capabilities” at the disposal of the affected countries in support of any defensive…

A female officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has reportedly died following an accident during a display in the Federal Capital Territory. The incident, which was captured in a viral 58-second video circulating on social media on Saturday, reportedly occurred during a “show of force” exercise by the Corps’ Female Strike Force. also known as the Female Squad. The footage revealed the moment a black operational van with red wheels, bearing the inscription “Female Squad,” was moving with a second van, marked “Female Strike Force FCT Command,” following behind. During a turn, the lead vehicle ran…

The U.S. aims to process 4,500 refugee applications from white South Africans per month, far above President Donald Trump’s stated refugee program cap, and is installing trailers on embassy property in Pretoria to support the effort, a U.S. contracting document said. The new target, contained in a previously unreported document from the U.S. State Department dated January 27, signals a push to ramp up admissions from South Africa, while refugee applications from other areas have been severely curtailed. Trump has said the U.S. would only admit 7,500 total refugees from around the world in fiscal year 2026, while a much…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has presented new sniper rifles as ceremonial gifts to party and military officials, calling them a “wonderful weapon” and a sign of his trust, state media KCNA news agency said on Saturday. KCNA reported Kim met leading cadres and commanding officers at the headquarters of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Friday and handed each a new-generation rifle developed by the country’s Academy of Defence Science. “As was already made public, this new-generation sniper’s rifle our Academy of Defence Science developed and produced is really a wonderful weapon,” Kim was quoted as saying. The…

Tens of thousands of Greeks rallied in Athens and other cities on Saturday to mark the anniversary of a 2023 train crash, the country’s deadliest rail disaster in history, demanding justice ahead of a criminal trial set to begin next month. Trains and ferries came to a halt and urban transport was disrupted as workers walked off the job to join the demonstrations. Protesters laid flowers and held banners reading “Justice” outside parliament, where the names of the 57 victims – mostly students – have been spray‑painted in red on the ground. The victims died when a passenger train and…

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing State Police, describing the reform as both necessary and inevitable to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by its Chairman, Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. Kano State Police Command Celebrates Promotion of 272 Officers He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to ensure the establishment of State Police once the required legal framework is in place. “It is the desire of President…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to the establishment of State Police as part of efforts to strengthen security across Nigeria. The President made this known on Friday at the State House, Abuja, during an interfaith breaking of fast attended by members of the House of Representatives. Tinubu’s Policies Freeing Up Funds for State Projects-Minister Tinubu also pledged support for measures aimed at reducing the high turnover of lawmakers in future elections, noting the importance of legislative continuity. “I appreciate the impressive turnout, and this shows the spirit of unity. You spoke very well as a team leader;…

The Kano State Government has rejected allegations made by Buba Galadima accusing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Department of State Services (DSS) of suppressing opposition voices, describing the claims as false, malicious, and politically motivated. In a statement made available to newsmen,the government said the allegations lacked any factual basis and were aimed at damaging the reputation of the governor and undermining public confidence in democratic institutions. DSS Ta Gurfanar da El-Rufai a Kotu Kan Zargin Nadar Wayar Ribadu The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the administration remained committed to…

The Federal Government has commissioned a $406,000 Central Cold Chain store in Maiduguri, Borno State, built to safeguard vaccines for residents across the state and neighbouring areas. Speaking during the unveiling on Friday, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, said the store was reconstructed following the 2024 floods that submerged the facility, destroying vaccines and the infrastructure. Represented by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, the Minister described the newly constructed facility as bigger and better, adding that it now has more space, greater flexibility, and is solar-powered. He…

A United States District Court has sentenced a Nigerian, Leslie Chinedu Mba, to 19 years’ imprisonment for his role in a $4 million fraud scheme and attempts to obtain residency through fraudulent marriages to elderly women. PUNCH Online gathered from a statement issued on Friday by the US Attorney for the District of Houston, Nicholas Ganjei, that the court also ordered that Mba be deported upon completion of his prison term. Ganjei said the 40-year-old, alongside other co-conspirators, carried out a series of business email compromise and romance scams between April 2018 and December 2023, targeting unsuspecting victims who believed…

The Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs has successfully reunited a child with his biological parents after ten years of separation, bringing an emotional closure to a decade-long ordeal. The reunion ceremony was held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Kano and overseen by the Commissioner, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani. The child, identified as Musa, had been living in Dawanau under Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, while his family of origin is from Gwagwalada. ‘Mothers Are the Heartbeat of Every Home’-Remi Tinubu His reunion followed a thorough and carefully coordinated process involving traditional authorities, officials…

The Kano State Government KNSG has defended its decision to request the return of official vehicles from government officials who recently resigned their appointments, stating that the action is in line with public service rules and existing laws. The clarification was contained in a press statement issued on by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya. Kebbi Governor Donates Six Vehicles to Hisbah, Zakkat Boards The government said the directive followed widespread discussions and what it described as misleading commentaries on social media alleging that the administration acted unfairly in asking former appointees, particularly commissioners, to return vehicles…

Ibrahim Sulaiman The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained public enlightenment campaigns aimed at promoting compliance with traffic regulations and reducing road crashes across its Kaduna Zonal Command. The newly appointed Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of the zone, Abdullahi Sunusi Gamburawa, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, at his palace in Zaria. FRSC Mobilizes Patrols Ahead of Eid-El-Fitri Travel Surge Gamburawa said the corps would continue to engage stakeholders in the transport sector through regular forums and sensitisation programmes designed to educate drivers and other…

Residents of the Kore community in Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State have constructed and handed over three office buildings to the police to strengthen security operations in the area. The newly built offices at the Kore Police Division were commissioned on Thursday by the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa. The project, funded and executed by members of the community, was described as part of efforts to support the police and enhance safety in the…