Author: Vardiafrica

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three individuals and six entities across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa for facilitating financial transactions on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This action targets key facilitators who enable ISIS to move funds among its regional affiliates and in so doing helps protect the rights of religious minorities who have been targeted by ISIS and ISIS-inspired violence.  Regardless of the financial instrument, method of transmission, or location of the funds, the Treasury Department will relentlessly pursue ISIS’s finances and disrupt their…

Leo Messi added another remarkable milestone to his legendary career this evening, becoming the FIFA World Cup™’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer as he scored his record-breaking 17th and 18th World Cup goals in a brace that led Argentina to a 2-0 victory against Austria in the group stage. With the brace, Messi surpassed former Germany forward Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 World Cup goals. The achievement comes during Messi’s sixth FIFA World Cup™ campaign, making him the first men’s player ever to appear in six editions of the tournament (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026). …

A total of 70 Nigerian youths with backgrounds in engineering, technology and geosciences on Thursday completed the 12-month Train 7 Human Capital Development (HCD) Basic Training Programme of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Bonny, obtaining international certifications in diverse fields relevant to the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors, including the Level 3 Proficiency of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) United Kingdom. Under the programme, which had rigorous classroom and on-the-job training on a live LNG (Train 7) Project, trainees had firsthand information in Google data analytics professional certification and project management fundamentals,…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned as leader of the United Kingdom’s governing Labour Party, clearing a path for the country’s seventh prime minister in a decade. Starmer says he will remain as caretaker prime minister until his party selects a new leader. Nominations begin July 9. The popular former mayor of Greater Manchester, England — Andy Burnham — confirmed on social media that he’ll seek to succeed Starmer. Another contender, former U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, posted a letter saying he will back Burnham’s bid. So Burnham could run for the Labour Party leadership — and ultimately prime minister — uncontested, and enter office…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), has commenced a 12-month Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with critical competencies required to support supply base operations within the oil and gas industry. The programme, which kicked off on Tuesday, at the LADOL free zone, Apapa, Lagos, will train 12 beneficiaries through a structured combination of classroom learning and practical industry exposure in specialised areas that support logistics, trade, procurement, and supply chain operations. Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. The Returning Officer for the election, Adenike Oladiji, announced the result at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, declaring that Oyebanji secured a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals in the contest conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas. Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African…

The US Government through the State Department will offer a “premium” expedited service for foreigners seeking business or tourist visas to come to the United States that will set applicants back $750, including the initial fee of $185, it was learnt. In a notice to be published in the Federal Register, the department said it will unveil a pilot programme that will allow visa applicants to pay the $750 to schedule an appointment for an interview within 10 days of the payment at select US embassies and consulates. The pilot programme will run from July 1 to December 31, according…

Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a landmark 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand on Monday, securing the Pharaohs’ first-ever FIFA World Cup win and sending them to the top of Group G. The triumph ended a 92-year wait for a World Cup victory and marked a significant milestone in Egyptian football history as Hossam Hassan’s side recovered from a first-half deficit to claim all three points. Egypt found themselves behind at the interval after defender Finn Surman powered home a header from a corner to give New Zealand a deserved lead. The All Whites had looked the more organised and…

US President Donald Trump unveiled on Friday a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, which he dubbed a “flying White House”. “This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” Trump said at a speech inside the plane’s hangar, praising the gulf emirate for being “so nice and providing” it. Qatar’s gift of the aircraft — valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars — has raised ethical, constitutional and security concerns. Trump has previously said it would be “stupid” to reject the gift, while also stoking further concern by saying the plane would eventually be donated to his…

As part of measures to rid the state of violent crimes, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, 18 June, 2026 threatened to publicly execute convicted kidnappers and cultists.Okpebholo made the vow on while addressing newsmen during the parade of suspected kidnappers arrested by operatives of the Edo state police command. The Governor said his administration would set up a special court for trial and public execution of criminals to serve as a deterrent. “We are not joking. We are working day and night to ensure that this land is safe .So, I want to appeal to our people, stay…