Author: Vardiafrica

Independent senator and Indigenous activist Lidia Thorpe accused King Charles of genocide during his visit to Australia’s Parliament House on Monday. King Charles, the British monarch, was on his 16th official visit to Australia, and his first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer, Reuters reports. Moments after he delivered a speech paying “respects to the traditional owners of the lands,” Thorpe shouted that she did not accept his sovereignty over Australia. “You committed genocide against our people,” she said. “Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies,…

Members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are exploring the introduction of digital currencies to achieve economic independence. This topic took center stage at a business forum held in Moscow, Russia. The BRICS nations discussed the implementation of a new payment system to replace the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) system, aiming to reduce reliance on Western financial systems. # Putin Urges Adoption of Digital Currency, Calls for Decreased Dollar Dependence Russian President Vladimir Putin urged BRICS member countries to adopt cryptocurrencies and other digital currencies in financial transactions. He suggested that this would reduce dependence…

Cameroonian President Paul Biya landed on Monday at the capital Yaounde’s international airport, after several weeks out of the country amid rumours about his health, state broadcaster CRTV showed. The West African nation’s 91-year-old leader appeared on television after the presidential plane landed, shaking hands with officials next to his wife Chantal, as a jubilant crowd waited to greet him. Supporters wearing outfits displaying his portrait chanted to the beat of a drum and lined the roads as his motorcade swiftly left the airport for the presidential palace, according to CRTV, which dedicated a programme to his return. Questions about…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye also known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border. The Service in a statement on Monday night said the social media sensation was arrested while trying to flee Nigeria. A spokesman for the Service, DCI KT Udo, described Bobrisky as a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. Udo said, “He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action “The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned against calls for the scrapping of the anti-graft agency . About 16 governors are in court challenging the legality of the establishment of the EFCC. But the commission’s spokesman Wilson Uwujaren has defended the agency, saying without the anti-graft agency, Nigeria will crumble under corruption. “We are really shocked by what is happening,” Uwujaren told Channels TV on Monday. “Nigerians should see through this shenanigan and oppose it because I don’t see how this country can survive without the anti-graft agency with the kind of corruption problem that we have. Nigeria…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that it severally raided the personal house of the Senator representing Kwara South, Arc. Lola Ashiru, being a drug joint for illicit drug dealers and users in Ilorin, Kwara State, hence the recent alleged attack on its image by the lawmaker. The NDLEA said the allegations of compromise and corruption against it by Senator Ashiru were borne out of vendetta and malice rather than based on any altruistic motive or national interest. The anti-narcotic agency said it was, therefore, left with no option but to come out to set the record…

A Federal Government panel constituted to probe bribery allegations regarding controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, says the social media sensation served his six-month jail term in prison but he enjoyed several privileges. A member of the panel, Uju Agomoh, who read the initial report of the probe at the Ministry of Interior on Monday, said the panel “did not find any evidence thus far that suggested that Mr Okuneye slept outside the custodial centre during the period of his imprisonment, which was from 12th April 2024 to the 5th August 2024, which is a six-month correctional sentence…

The Nigerian Army has dismissed media reports suggesting that there is a leadership vacuum following the absence of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. It also issued a warning to those calling for a military coup, describing it as a treasonable offence under the law. The clarification comes in a statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau on Monday, after a viral video where some persons were aggrievedly calling for a military takeover surfaced online. It also clarified that there was never an appointment of an acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to…

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced that the ruling party is set to dominate the South-West region, starting with a win in the upcoming November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State. Ganduje made this declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he was accompanied by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, and Ogun State’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Talabi Olatokunbo, among other key party leaders. He emphasized the APC’s commitment to extending its influence ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly targeting…

Liverpool moved back to the top of the English Premier League table by beating Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday evening, October 20. Mohamed Salah’s penalty and Curtis Jones’ winner made it 10 wins in 11 games for the Reds since Dutch tactician, Arne Slot took charge of the team. The win takes Liverpool one point ahead of Manchester City and four clear of Arsenal, who they face at the Emirates next weekend. Liverpool’s only defeat under Slot was to Nottingham Forest before September’s international break. The Dutchman handed Jones just his second league start of the season and the…