A High Court in Abuja has found former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman guilty on 12 counts related to fraud and money laundering. This ruling emerges from a thorough investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which uncovered unauthorized misappropriation of public funds during Mamman's term in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari. In a pointed critique within the ruling, the presiding judge remarked, "... instead of establishing a legacy aimed at resolving the nation's chronic power…

Nigeria's national electricity grid continues to face severe instability, plagued by frequent system failures that interrupt power distribution nationwide. Since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023, the grid has experienced at least 20 significant collapses, as reported by industry statistics compiled by early 2026. In response to these ongoing challenges, Joseph Tegbe, the minister-designate for power, has committed to addressing the persistent issue of grid failures, provided he is confirmed and officially takes…

In a concerning development, Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi addressed Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Health following the alarming confirmation of Hantavirus in a severely ill British national in South Africa. Additionally, the health minister reported on a woman who collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport and unfortunately succumbed to her condition in South Africa. Her husband, who also fell ill, later died in St Helena. Both individuals were among the passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was…

Wednesday May 6, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Wednesday named Abdifitah Qasim Mohamud as the country’s new Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, replacing Daud Aweis Jama in a cabinet change announced in Mogadishu. According to a government press release, the appointment was made in line with constitutional provisions and came after consultations with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The statement did not disclose the reasons for the removal of the former minister. Prime…

A planned drawdown of 5,000 US troops from Germany has sharpened a warning already echoing across Europe: the continent can no longer afford to leave its security primarily in Washington’s hands. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Europeans must assume greater responsibility for their own defence after the Pentagon confirmed it would reduce the American military presence in Germany. "Germany is on the right track" in this regard, Mr Pistorius said, citing the expansion of the Bundeswehr, faster and broader weapons…

Britain has moved to bolster protection for Jewish communities after a fresh attack in north London sharpened fears over antisemitism and security, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising immediate support and urging the country to stand together. Under fire from British Jews who say ministers have too often failed to keep them safe, Mr Starmer said funding for synagogues and other community sites would be increased at once, while stressing that the response cannot rest on security measures alone and that the country…

As diplomacy faltered and tensions in the Gulf remained high, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday blaming the United States for the collapse of peace talks in Pakistan ahead of a planned meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The previous round of negotiations had made progress but ultimately failed because of “excessive demands” from Washington, Mr Araghchi said, according to Iranian state media. “The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach…

Mali’s ruling junta came under intense strain after Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his home, while army forces battled for a second straight day against jihadist fighters and separatist rebels near Bamako and in other parts of the country. Camara, his second wife and two of his grandchildren were killed in a car bomb attack on his residence in the junta bastion of Kita, outside the capital, according to his family and an official. The coordinated assaults were carried out by Tuareg rebels from the…

Shuttling between regional capitals in a last-ditch diplomatic push, Iran's foreign minister returned to Islamabad on Sunday as mediators tried to prevent peace contacts between Tehran and the United States from collapsing altogether. After departing Pakistan, Abbas Araghchi travelled on to Muscat in Oman and is due in Moscow on Monday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though there was still no sign that direct negotiations between Iran and the US were about to restart. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump…

Sunday April 26, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s trade minister, Jamal Mohamed Hassan, has accused Puntland State security forces of firing on civilians in Badhan, in the Sanaag region, during unrest tied to a planned visit by Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni. In a statement, Jamal denounced what he called “unacceptable” violence, saying troops used live ammunition against residents who had opposed Deni’s trip to the town earlier this week. No deaths or injuries have been officially confirmed. “The act of…