Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

India Rejects BRICS Joint Currency, Backs US Dollar To Bolster Trade Ties. India has officially distanced itself from proposals for a unified BRICS currency, opting instead to maintain its reliance on the US dollar to safeguard its robust trade relationship with the United States. The decision, announced by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, underscores New Delhi’s commitment to economic stability and its strategic partnership with Washington, particularly in technology, energy, and defence sectors. The BRICS alliance—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newer members Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—has been exploring alternatives to…

Nigerian Lawyer Makes History As First From Nation To Journey Into Space. In a groundbreaking achievement, Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian-born lawyer and politician based in the United States, has become the first Nigerian to travel to space. The historic feat occurred on 29 June 2025, when Salis joined five other passengers aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which launched from West Texas. The 10-minute suborbital flight soared past the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of space, reaching a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometres. Salis, hailing from Ikorodu, Lagos, was part of a diverse crew dubbed “The Solstice 33,” which…

China Unveils New Divorce Law To Protect Individual Property Rights. China has introduced a significant reform to its divorce laws, fundamentally altering the division of marital property, as announced in a statement circulating on social media. Effective from February 2025, the new regulation stipulates that a wife can no longer automatically claim a share of her husband’s property post-divorce unless she directly contributed to its acquisition. This shift has sparked global interest and debate about property rights in marital dissolution. The updated law moves away from the previous practice of equally dividing all marital assets, regardless of ownership or…

Europe Swelters Under Record-Breaking Heatwave with Health And Fire Alerts Issued. A ferocious heatwave is sweeping across Europe, pushing temperatures well above seasonal averages and triggering widespread health and fire alerts. Forecasters warn that the scorching conditions, which have already shattered June temperature records in several countries, are set to continue into next week with little respite overnight, posing significant risks to public health and safety. The heatwave, driven by a high-pressure “heat dome” bringing hot air from North Africa, has seen temperatures soar to unprecedented levels. In Spain, El Granado recorded a staggering 46°C (114.8°F) on Saturday, potentially…

President Trump Expresses Wish To Have His Likeness Carved On Mount Rushmore. Washington, USA – President Donald Trump has reignited speculation about adding his likeness to Mount Rushmore, the iconic South Dakota monument featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The President’s long-standing fascination with joining this revered lineup has gained renewed attention since his return to the White House in January 2025, with supporters and officials taking his comments seriously. However, significant logistical and philosophical barriers stand in the way, as outlined by the National Park Service and experts. Trump’s affinity for…

Russia Unleashes Massive Drone And Missile Barrage On Ukraine In One Of War’s Largest Assaults. Russia launched a colossal overnight assault on Ukraine, deploying over 450 drones and 40 missiles in what Ukrainian authorities described as one of the largest attacks of the three-year war. The barrage, which struck infrastructure across multiple regions, killed at least two people and injured 14 in the southern port city of Odesa, while causing widespread damage to residential and critical facilities, officials reported on Sunday, 29 June 2025. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia unleashed 452 drones and 45 missiles, including Kh-101/55…

APC Schedules 24 July NEC Meeting To Appoint New National Chairman. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will take place on 24 July 2025 to nominate a new substantive National Chairman, following the resignation of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Monday at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja. The NWC, led by Deputy National Secretary Barr. Festus Fuanter, confirmed that a notice for the NEC meeting has been formally sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission…

President Tinubu Strengthens Nigeria-Saint Lucia Ties With Historic Address To Parliament. On Monday, 30 June 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a landmark address to a special joint sitting of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet. The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with the Caribbean, as Tinubu became the first Nigerian head of state to address Saint Lucia’s parliament, reinforcing historical and cultural ties between the two nations. Arriving in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday, 28 June, President Tinubu was warmly…

Loneliness Claims 871,000 Lives Annually, WHO Warns, But Solutions Are Within Reach. In a sobering report released on Monday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared loneliness a global public health crisis, estimating that it contributes to approximately 871,000 deaths each year worldwide—equivalent to 100 deaths every hour. The WHO Commission on Social Connection’s landmark report, titled *From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting the Path to Healthier Societies*, highlights the profound impact of loneliness and social isolation on physical and mental health, urging governments, communities, and individuals to prioritise social connection to combat this growing epidemic. The…

Nigerian Government Launches Online Immigration Amnesty Portal For Visa Overstayers. The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a groundbreaking initiative to address irregular migration by launching an online immigration amnesty portal in July 2025. This portal will allow foreigners who have overstayed their visas to regularise their status before stringent penalties take effect on 1 August 2025, as confirmed by recent announcements from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The initiative, part of the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025, aims to encourage voluntary compliance among overstayers, offering a 30-day grace period to legalise their stay or depart without immediate penalties.…

Nigerian Women’s Beach Volleyball Team Secures Spot At 2025 World Championships In Adelaide. In a thrilling achievement for Nigerian sport, the country’s women’s beach volleyball team has secured qualification for the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, set to take place in Adelaide, Australia, from 14 to 23 November. The team earned their place at the prestigious global event after a hard-fought victory at the recent CAVB Continental Championship in Martil, Morocco. The Nigerian duo of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa clinched their qualification with an impressive 2-1 victory (21-14, 20-22, 15-9) over Egypt, securing third place in the…

Bode George Warns Against Authoritarianism As Police Disrupt PDP Meeting. Chief Bode George, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, urging it not to transform Nigeria into an authoritarian state reminiscent of North Korea. The caution came after police barricaded the PDP’s National Secretariat in Abuja, preventing the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from holding scheduled meetings on Monday. Addressing journalists in the wake of the incident, George expressed dismay at the heavy police presence at Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s headquarters, which…