Author: Vardiafrica

The Mexican army announced Sunday that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country. Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a $15 million US bounty on his head. Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, burning cars and trucks. As violence…

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally broken his silence on his silence on his future after deciding to end his Saudi strike. The 41-year-old returned to action last week for Al-Nassr and scored a brace in their 4-0 victory over Al-Hazem on Saturday. Ronaldo, who earns £488,000-a-day, had been furious with what he perceived to be a lack of transfer backing for Al-Nassr from PIF compared to their rivals.The situation escalated further when Karim Benzema was granted a transfer to Al-Hilal and Ronaldo went on strike for three games. His behaviour led to serious questions over his future in the league. But…

Japan and South Korea have moved to tighten aviation safety rules, introducing nationwide restrictions on the use of power banks aboard aircraft amid growing concerns over in-flight battery fires. Starting Monday 23 February, T’way Air became the last of South Korea’s 11 airlines to prohibit passengers from using power banks to charge electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops or cameras on board any flight. Korean Air and four Hanjin Group airlines – Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul – had announced similar policies earlier in January. Passengers may still bring carry banks into the cabin, but the…

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Education, has partnered with Guinness World Record holder Oluwasheyi Anifowoshe to host a 200,000-capacity teachers’ conference aimed at advancing the teaching profession nationwide. During a courtesy visit by the record holder in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa affirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the 2026 “Let There Be Teachers” conference initiative is successfully realised. “With the conference that you’ve proposed, we will collaborate with you; we’ll support you because the more mobilisation, advocacy, conferences, and opportunities we provide to teachers, and the more we enlighten society about them, the better it…

NNPC chief, Bayo Ojulari, hails Dangote Refinery as “the front line of world-class technology” while undertaking a tour alongside senior management. The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Engr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a symbol of technological audacity and national pride following a landmark visit to the facility on Saturday. Ojulari, alongside members of the NNPC board and executive management team, toured the refinery in what marks the first official visit by senior management of the state-owned energy firm to Africa’s largest and most modern refinery. The visit…

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the Japanese government have agreed to set up a $50 million Impact Innovation Fund to empower the Nigerian start-up ecosystem. The finalised agreement establishing the Fund was signed on Friday in Abuja between NSIA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The NSIA is Nigeria’s investment institution established under the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Act (2011) to manage and invest in a diversified portfolio of medium and long-term funds with a mission to driving sustained economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians by building a savings base for the Nigerian people, enhancing the…

The Nigerian airports digital infrastructure on Thursday received an additional boost as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAA) in collaboration with MTN Nigeria simultaneously rolled out the launch of free WiFi services at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The partnership, both bodies explained, will be followed up with similar development taking place at the airports in Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu within the next few months. The service they say will greatly enhance travelling passengers’ experience and position Nigeria’s aviation sector as a leader in digital…

A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese football fans to prison terms ranging from three to 12 months over hooliganism charges. The group had been in pre-trial detention since January 18, the day of the heated AFCON final in which Morocco lost to Senegal 1-0 on home turf, after some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion while others threw objects onto the field. Seeking the maximum penalty for some, the prosecution had told the court that the defendants had “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match”. It said the group “committed acts of violence broadcast live…

The Abuja residence of a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, was searched on Thursday by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The development was confirmed in a brief statement by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye. According to the statement, ICPC officials arrived at El-Rufai’s residence around 2 p.m. and immediately began searching the entire property. El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the raid, describing it as “unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights”. The ICPC, on Wednesday, confirmed that El-Rufai was in its custody in connection with an ongoing…

The federal government has announced that 30 per cent of the 2025 capital budget will be executed by November 2026, as part of efforts to ensure timely and effective project implementation. The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the Office’s spokesperson, Mr Bawa Mokwa, on Thursday. Ogunjimi stressed that the remaining 70 per cent of the 2025 budget has been rolled over into the 2026 capital budget, noting that the move is aimed at maintaining continuity and seamless execution in line with directives from President…