Author: Vardiafrica

Iran’s reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, who advocates improved ties with the West, on Saturday won a runoff presidential election against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, the interior ministry said. Pezeshkian received more than 16 million votes, around 54 percent, and Jalili more than 13 million, roughly 44 percent, out of about 30 million votes cast, electoral authority spokesman Mohsen Eslami said. Voter turnout was 49.8 percent, Eslami added, up from a record low of about 40 percent during the first round. The election came against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions due to the Gaza war, a dispute with the West over…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a significant shift from dependence on oil to other critical sectors with attractive investment returns in Nigeria. He identified agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and digital innovation, among other sectors as potential investment ground to explore, saying they align with the nation’s development priorities outlined in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). The Vice President said this during the Existing Foreign Direct Investors Roundtable at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He pointed out that the eight-point agenda of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “signals diverse avenues…

Kenyan President William Ruto has announced measures to cut government spending after a finance bill meant to raise taxes triggered violent protests across the country. Ruto said he declined assent to the controversial bill after reflecting on the conversation around its content. The protests had left over 23 people dead as demonstrators breached the national assembly for the first time in Kenya’s history. During an X-Space engagement with Kenyans on Friday, Ruto said the bill was marred with “falsehood and propaganda”. The president explained that the bill provided interventions that would have created more jobs and protect Kenyan industries. The presidency said…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Keir Starmer and the Labour Party for winning the UK election. Starmer became the new prime minister of the UK after his party secured the requisite 326 parliamentary seats. In a statement, Tinubu described the UK as a “model of democracy”. “As a former leader of the opposition in Nigeria, I specially note the determination and courage the incoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom demonstrated throughout his years in the opposition and as the leader of the Labour Party,” the statement reads “The party’s ability to reform, mobilize, and position itself for victory after 14 years clearly affirms…

Keir Starmer on Friday promised to “rebuild Britain” as he took office as the UK’s new prime minister following his centre-left Labour party’s landslide general election victory that ended 14 years of Conservative rule. Head of state King Charles III asked Starmer to form a government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace, officially appointing the 61-year-old former human rights lawyer as prime minister Flag-waving crowds of cheering Labour activists lined Downing Street as Starmer arrived as the party’s first prime minister since Gordon Brown in 2010. “Now, our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return…

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has threatened to shut down varsities across the nation and will on Tuesday protest country-wide to press home its demands SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have been in talks with the Federal Government over the four months salary arrears owed their members. It had some months back embarked on a warning strike and most recently gave the government a two-week ultimatum to meet its demands. But the union is accusing the Federal Government of making promises and not matching words with action, threatening to cripple activities on campuses…

Rishi Sunak on Friday apologised to the public after his Conservatives were trounced by Labour in the UK general election, and said he would step down as party leader. The 44-year-old former financier gambled on going to the country six months before he had to, hoping that better economic data would swing public support back towards the Tories. But Thursday’s vote indicated that Britons wanted to send a clear message to the party by kicking them out of power after 14 years of economic hardships, Brexit upheaval and Tory infighting. “To the country, I would like to say first and…

British leader Rishi Sunak conceded defeat Friday to Keir Starmer’s main opposition Labour party in the UK general election, saying, “I take responsibility for the loss”. “Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides,” said Sunak, as his Conservative party appeared heading for historic defeat to Labour. The result ends 14 years of Conservative government during which five prime ministers ran the country. Sunak became the prime minister on October 25, 2022, the youngest British Asian and the first Hindu to be in that position The 42-year-old is the youngest British Prime…

Keir Starmer on Friday will become Britain’s new prime minister, as his centre-left opposition Labour party swept to a landslide general election victory, ending 14 years of right-wing Conservative rule. “The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” a sombre-looking Rishi Sunak said after he was re-elected to his seat. “Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides,” the Tory leader added, calling the results “sobering” and saying he took responsibility for the defeat. At a triumphant party rally…

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended 10 private jet operators over failure to commence the recertification process. A statement signed by NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the suspension was rooted in its Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 which forbids holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire or reward which is commercial operation or charter service. The suspended operators are Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide…