Author: Vardiafrica

Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum “out of humanitarian considerations”, Russian news agencies are quoting a Kremlin source as saying. Russian state TV also reported the news, which put an end to speculation about the whereabouts of Syria’s former president after rebel forces seized control of Damascus. Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry had announced that Assad “decided to resign the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power”. Russia, which has two key military bases in Syria, is a staunch ally of Assad and had intervened in Syria’s…

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the Department of State Services (DSS) are not responsible for searching passengers’ bags at airport Keyamo made this known during an interview on ‘This Morning’ programme on Arise News on Sunday. Using Lagos International Airport as an example, Keyamo said passengers enter through the arrival door and immediately encounter a screening machine for their bags. Keyamo said the bags are inspected at a joint inspection table after the screening, which causes congestion due to the lack of space. He said the congestion often leads to blockages that extend to…

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have announced a partnership to pilot BuyNigeria.ng, an e-commerce platform aimed at bringing Nigerian markets online and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in cultural and digital transformation. This partnership represents a significant step toward integrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage with advanced digital innovation, unlocking new opportunities for the nation’s creative and digital economies In a joint statement signed by Dr. Dennis Olofu, Head of Media at NCAC, and Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, the initiative was described as a landmark collaboration to…

South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been banned from leaving the country, as opposition politicians accused his party of staging a “second coup” by refusing to impeach him over his botched declaration of martial law last week. Bae Sang-up, an immigration services commissioner at the justice ministry, confirmed during a parliamentary hearing on Monday that Yoon was the subject of a travel ban. Yoon’s attempt to end civilian rule last Tuesday lasted just six hours after lawmakers scuffled with soldiers in the parliament building before voting to lift the order. “This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection…

President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview aired Sunday he would “have to” deport all undocumented immigrants in the United States, as he doubled down on his hardline campaign pledges including ending birthright citizenship. “You have to do it,” he said during an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” after being asked if he planned on deporting “everyone who is here illegally over the next four years” of his term. He also used his first formal television interview after the November election to insist he would end birthright citizenship — enshrined in the US Constitution — “if we can, through…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a comprehensive probe into Fly Bird’s double engine loss incident following a serious engine malfunction mid-flight. The Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft, registered as 5N-KAL, experienced technical issues during its December 6, 2024, journey from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Kotoka International Airport, Accra. Moreover, his investigation aims to uncover the root causes of the incident and enhance aviation safety. Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft, carrying three crew members and one passenger, encountered an engine No. 2 indication issue while climbing through flight level 240. At 17:54 UTC, approximately 25 nautical miles…

Ghana’s former president John Dramani Mahama won a historic comeback election victory on Sunday after voters appeared to punish the ruling New Patriotic Party over its management of an economic crisis. NPP candidate Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Sunday conceded defeat in the weekend presidential election after failing to shake off widespread frustration over high costs of living. Defeat in Saturday’s election ended eight years in power for the NPP under President Nana Akufo-Addo, marked by the west African state’s worst economic turmoil in years, high inflation and a debt default. For Mahama, president from 2012-2017, it was his third…

The hashtag #RamaphosaMustGo is trending on social media as some South Africans voice their dissatisfaction with President Cyril Ramaphosa following his announcement of a simplified five-year visa process for Nigerian nationals. The initiative, revealed during the 11th Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Cape Town on December 3, has sparked outrage, with many citizens taking to social media under the hashtag #RamaphosaMustGo to demand his resignation The policy aims to enhance economic growth and tourism by easing visa processes for Nigerian businesspeople. Those who qualify will be granted a five-year multiple-entry visa, without needing to present a passport…

Millions have been warned to stay indoors, thousands are without power and trains have been cancelled as the Government’s “risk to life” alert brought on by Storm Darragh came into force. The emergency alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday for people covered by the Met Office’s rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England. It was the largest use of the warning system yet, with the alert urging residents to avoid driving and to “stay indoors if you can”. The Met Office confirmed to the PA news agency wind gusts of up to 92mph…

Oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have signed a deal for a hitch-free distribution of petroleum products during and after the Yuletide season. This was disclosed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Retail Operators Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) Dr Joseph Obele on Friday, following an official visit of the National President of PETROAN Dr Billy Hary, alongside his team to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL in Abuja. The association also presented an award as an honourary life council member of PETROAN, and as the most productive GMD/GCEO of NNPCL to Kyari. “The…