Author: Vardiafrica

The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company ByteDance sells the platform by this Sunday. TikTok had challenged the law, arguing it would violate free speech protections for the more than 170 million users it says it has in the US. But that argument was rejected unanimously by the nation’s highest court, meaning TikTok must now find an approved buyer for the US version of the app or face removal from app stores and web hosting services. The White House said it would fall to incoming President Donald Trump’s…

Pep Guardiola said Friday that Erling Haaland’s new nine-and-a-half-year contract at Manchester City is “exceptional news” for the Premier League champions. The 24-year-old striker’s existing deal was due to expire in June 2027 but he has now committed his future to the club for the next decade. The Norwegian made an instant impact after arriving in Manchester from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and his overall tally for the club stands at a remarkable 111 goals in 126 games. Haaland’s decision to commit his long-term future to City is a major coup for the club during a season in which they…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has once again reported an attack on its transmission lines conveying bulk power to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, at its 132kv transmission line and underground cable transmitting bulk power to the 132kv Central Area transmission substation, Katampe, in the Central Area of Abuja. According to her, the vandalism of the power infrastructure which affected the supply of electricity to Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Jabi, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi and part of Presidential Villa, was suspected…

The court of appeal in Abuja has affirmed Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a judgement delivered on Friday by Hamma Barka, the court ruled that its earlier decision in November 2024, recognising Abure as the party’s chairman, remains valid and has not been overturned by any court. The ruling came in response to two separate appeals filed by Nenadi Usman, the party’s caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Barka held that the appellate court, in the two separate appeals, did not address the leadership dispute within the party because such…

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has expressed support for the ongoing legislative process aimed at passing President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills at the National Assembly. Following a meeting on Thursday, the governors issued a communique stating their agreement to maintain the current Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and Corporate Income Tax (CIT) to ensure economic stability. The Forum also endorsed a revised VAT sharing formula, which allocates resources as follows: 50% based on equality, 30% based on derivation, and 20% based on population. This revised formula aims to promote equitable distribution of resources. The communique SaharaReporters obtained partly read: “We,…

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have barricaded the entrance to secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state.  Armed officers positioned a patrol van at the entrance on Thursday, restricting access and movement around the complex. The PDP in the south-south state is enmeshed in a leadership crisis with two camps claiming to be the authentic state executive committee of the party. On Monday, the Rivers state high court nullified the congresses conducted by the PDP in the state in 2024. The court also restrained the state executive committee (SEC) of the PDP from overseeing the…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the allocation of 568 plots of land in Abuja’s Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, due to non-payment of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees. The minister explained in a public notice issued by the FCT Administration that the allottees failed to pay the required fees after the expiration of a grace period. The revocation is in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which allows the withdrawal of land allocations when the terms of the grant are not met. The notice added that only those…

President Biden awarded nearly 400 scientists and engineers the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Established by President Clinton in 1996, PECASE recognizes scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers. The award recognizes innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology, expands awareness of careers in science and engineering, recognizes the scientific missions of participating agencies, enhances connections between research and impacts on society, and highlights the importance of science and technology for our…

President-elect Donald Trump’s official inauguration portrait has been unveiled, setting the stage for his swearing-in ceremony as the 47th president of the United States on January 20. The portrait, alongside that of Vice President-elect JD Vance, was revealed on X by Daniel Torok, the chief photographer for the transition team.  The release comes just days before Trump and Vance officially take the reins of leadership in Washington. A video showcasing the inauguration invitation and the portraits has continued to generate admiration from social media users. Supporters of Trump hailed the portrait as a symbolic glimpse into what they anticipate will be a defining second…

Mozambique’s new president Daniel Chapo took the oath of office Wednesday in front of a heavily guarded audience of dignitaries in the capital Maputo following weeks of violent demonstrations over the fiercely disputed election results. Chapo, 48, extends his Frelimo party’s 50-year rule of the gas-rich African nation amid claims by opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane that the vote was rigged, which sparked unrest that an NGO says has left more than 300 dead. Taking the oath, Chapo vowed “to devote all my energies to defending, promoting and consolidating national unity, human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people”.…