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Nigeria Denies Ransom Payments to Boko Haram for School Abductions The Nigerian government has categorically rejected claims that it paid a significant ransom to the Islamist group Boko Haram in connection to the abduction of more than 200 pupils and staff from St. Mary's School in Papiri in November 2024. Information Minister Mohammed Idris described the allegations, which emerged from a report by AFP citing unnamed intelligence sources, as "false and baseless reporting," asserting that such claims undermine the…

Political Tensions Rise Over Proposed Criminal Procedure Law in Liberia The political landscape in Liberia is experiencing turbulent shifts as the Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Koijee, has publicly denounced the proposed amendment to the country's criminal procedure law. Koijee asserts that the changes are a strategic maneuver aimed at targeting former President George Weah. Koijee's concerns revolve around the perceived increase in discretionary powers granted to prosecutors,…

ICC opens Duterte ‘war on drugs’ case with claims he authorized murders, hand-picked victims THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court began week-long confirmation of charges hearings against former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, with prosecutors alleging he personally authorized murders and selected some targets in his anti-narcotics campaign. Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told judges the proceedings were “a reminder that those in power are not above the law,” as the court weighs whether to move…

Tragedy Strikes in Plateau State: Carbon Monoxide Leak Claims Lives of Miners At least 33 miners have been reported dead in Plateau State following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a lead and zinc mine operated by Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols within Nigeria's mining industry. The toxic gas is believed to have accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels, leading to a catastrophic collapse of workers who were near the end of their night shift. More than 20…

BOGODUKHIV, Ukraine — A Russian strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bogodukhiv killed four people, including three young children, a regional official said. Two one-year-old boys and a two-year-old girl died as a result of the strike, according to Oleg Synegubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military administration. A 34-year-old man in the same house as the children also died from his wounds, he said in a statement posted on Telegram. Synegubov added that a 74-year-old woman was wounded and was receiving medical…

Tragedy Strikes in Nigeria: Death Toll Surges in Village Attacks In a brutal assault that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, armed attackers raided the villages of Nuku and Woro in Kwara State, resulting in a staggering loss of life. Initial reports estimated at least 35 fatalities; however, human rights organizations later revised this figure to over 170, revealing the grim reality of the violence. Witnesses recounted horrifying scenes, with victims reportedly shot at close range or burned in the flames of their own…

Russia said there had been “progress” in talks with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi as Kyiv accused Moscow of launching a “massive” overnight drone attack on railway infrastructure in the country’s north, underscoring the gulf between diplomatic messaging and battlefield realities nearly four years into the war. Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian negotiator, told state media that discussions in the United Arab Emirates were advancing. “There is definitely progress, things are moving forward in a good, positive direction,” he said on the second…

OSLO — The son of Norway’s crown princess pleaded not guilty to rape and domestic violence as his trial opened in Oslo, a case that has jolted an already embattled royal family and stirred debate over the future of the monarchy. Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, faces 38 counts and could receive multiple years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges. He entered not-guilty pleas to four counts of rape and one count of domestic violence. Under Norwegian…

Trump says U.S. in talks with Havana after threatening tariffs on oil shipments to Cuba WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Washington is negotiating with Cuba’s leadership to reach a deal, days after threatening to choke off the island’s fuel supply by imposing tariffs on countries that sell oil to Havana. The push-and-pull approach comes as the second Trump administration escalates pressure on the communist-run island following the U.S. ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro last month. Venezuela, a longtime ally,…

Trump says India will buy Venezuelan oil as U.S. eases curbs, aiming to replace Russian supplies President Donald Trump said India will begin purchasing Venezuelan oil, a move he cast as helping the world’s third-largest oil importer pivot away from Russian crude as Washington loosens restrictions on Caracas. “We’ve already made that deal, the concept of the deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to his Florida residence from Washington. The comments followed a Reuters report that the United States…