Author: Vardiafrica

Inflation in Venezuela surged to about 475 percent in 2025, the highest rate in the world, according to figures released by the country’s central bank. The sharp rise in prices was largely driven by economic pressure linked to tighter sanctions imposed by the United States during the final period of rule by former president Nicolas Maduro. Data published on Friday, March 6, by the Central Bank of Venezuela showed that full-year inflation far exceeded the International Monetary Fund forecast of 269.9 percent. The bank also reported that accumulated inflation during the first two months of 2026 had already reached nearly…

The United States has started using British bases for certain operations against Iran during the Middle East war, the UK government announced on Saturday. Britain’s defence ministry said the US had begun using the military sites for “specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region”. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer annoyed US President Donald Trump for initially refusing to have any role in the US-Israeli war with Iran, which started a week ago, on February 28. He later agree to a US request to use two British military bases for a “specific and limited defensive purpose”. Those…

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that his country would never surrender to Israel and the United States, as the war entered its second week. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” Pezeshkian said, in a speech broadcast on state TV. Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran on February, 28 killing the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and triggering a regional conflict. Iran has since responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel and US interests in regional countries, mainly in the Gulf. Pezeshkian is among three…

Dubai’s main airport, a key global transport hub, was forced to briefly close on Saturday, March 7, as Iran launched missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf. The barrage came despite Iran’s president apologizing to neighboring countries for its attacks, saying they would no longer be targeted unless strikes were launched from their territory. Attacks were reported on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, where the national oil company announced a “precautionary” cut to production. The Emirates said it was targeted with 16 ballistic missiles and more than 120 drones. One unidentified object was…

After the recent drone attacks on the United States Embassy in Riyadh, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to leave Saudi Arabia with his family for security reasons. The footballer, who has been living in the Saudi capital since signing with Al-Nassr in 2023, traveled on a private jet to Madrid due to the increased risk for foreigners in the region. The flight, recorded on March 2, lasted nearly seven hours and passed through Egypt and the Mediterranean before landing on Spanish soil. Luxury and Security in the Air The transfer was carried out in a Bombardier Global Express XRS, an aircraft from his personalized fleet branded…

Senegal has acquired a 10 percent stake in the local subsidiary of Dangote Cement, strengthening the state’s presence in one of the country’s key industrial sectors. According to information reported by Sika Finance, the transaction involves the transfer of 10 percent of the capital of Dangote Cement’s Senegalese subsidiary to the Senegalese state. The move comes as the government seeks to increase its participation in companies considered strategic for the national economy. Dangote Cement has been operating in Senegal since 2014 and runs a cement plant located in Pout, about 40 kilometers from Dakar. The facility has an estimated production…

Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers state, has officially registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Amaechi completed his registration at ward 8 in Ubima LGA of Rivers state on Friday morning. The development comes hours after the office of the ADC in the community was set ablaze by unknown persons. Residents reportedly woke up to an early morning fire that destroyed a section of the party office and caused panic in the area. Amaechi urged supporters who gathered to welcome him to shun all forms of violence that could lead to loss of life. “Don’t be violent because…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, his wife, Mrs Asabe Bashir, and their son, Mr Abdulaziz Malami. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered that one of the sureties must deposit title deeds of properties located in either Maitama or Asokoro, both highbrow districts of Abuja. The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court, and pending the fulfilment of the bail…

Former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has indicated her willingness to refund money stolen from the Nigerian government as part of efforts to settle a ₦2.5billion fraud case through a plea bargain arrangement. Oduah and her co-defendant signalled their intention to pursue the plea deal during proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday. The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that both defendants had approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to negotiate a plea agreement. Oyedepo told the court that part of the proposed arrangement includes the refund…

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has said there will be no agreement with Iran unless the country accepts what he described as “unconditional surrender.” Trump made the declaration in a post on his verified account on X (formerly Twitter), outlining his administration’s position amid escalating tensions involving Iran and its Western adversaries. “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Trump wrote. The U.S. president said that once such a surrender takes place and a “great and acceptable” leadership is chosen in Iran, the United States and its allies would help rebuild the country’s economy.…