Author: Vardiafrica

Russia fired its biggest-ever aerial barrage at Ukraine early Sunday, killing four people and setting the seat of the Ukrainian government in Kyiv ablaze in an attack President Volodymyr Zelensky warned would prolong the war. The Sunday attack was the first to hit Ukraine’s cabinet of ministers, a sprawling government complex at the heart of Kyiv. An AFP reporter saw the roof of the building in flames and smoke billowing over the capital. Drone strikes also damaged several high-rise buildings in Kyiv, according to emergency services. Russia has shown no sign of halting its three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine, pushing hardline demands for ending the war…

Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup courtesy of a routine 5-0 win over 10-man Niger in Rabat. The Atlas Lions, who made history in reaching the semi-finals at Qatar 2022, knew that three points would be enough to progress from Group E with two games to spare after Tanzania could only draw 1-1 in Congo-Brazzaville earlier on Friday. Niger’s Abdoul-Latif Goumey was sent off for his second bookable offence in the 26th minute and Ismael Saibari converted Youssef Belammari’s cross to open the scoring three minutes later. Saibari doubled the lead before the break…

The Federal Government has stepped up monitoring and screening at all points of entry in response to the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Akpan Nse, confirmed that additional staff had been deployed to strengthen border surveillance. Health authorities in the DRC declared an outbreak in Kasai Province, where 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported as of September 5, 2025. The outbreak is the country’s 16th since Ebola was first identified in 1976. Dr…

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has declared a nationwide strike from Monday, September 8, 2025, over alleged anti-labour practices linked to the operations of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks recently imported by Dangote Refinery. ‎The announcement was made in a statement jointly signed by the Union’s National President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale. The Reason For the Dispute ‎According to NUPENG, the crisis began after Dangote Refinery announced plans in June to deploy 10,000 CNG-powered trucks for the distribution of petroleum and diesel products nationwide. The Union said while the initiative was initially…

The new President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Sidi Ould Tah, says he will focus on reforms, strengthening partnerships and empowering youths and women across Africa in his first 100 days in office. He made this known in his inaugural speech on Monday in Abidjan, pledging thatthe bank would move with urgency to reposition itself as a responsive institution capable of addressing Africa’s pressing development challenges. He listed his four urgent priorities as: listening with intent to stakeholders, launching fast-track reform agenda, deepening partnerships and accelerating real solutions for inclusive growth. According to him, listening to shareholders, partners, clients…

Angela Rayner, the British deputy prime minister, resigned on Friday after she admitted underpaying property tax on a new home, in a new blow for her boss, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, local media reported. Rayner, 45, is the eighth, and the most senior, ministerial departure from Starmer’s team, and the most damaging yet after the British leader offered her his full support when she was first accused of deliberately trying to avoid paying the correct tax rate. With Labour trailing Britain’s populist Reform UK in the polls, Starmer faces yet more challenges in trying to repair his authority and his…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against two senior commanders of Ansaru, a terror group reportedly linked to Al-Qaeda, over their alleged role in violent attacks across Nigeria. The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar, who is described as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda. They were recently captured during security operations. According to the secret service, the charges against them include leading a terrorist organisation, funding its activities, recruiting members, and planning violent operations nationwide. The two men are alleged to be behind…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sued the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the tinted glass permit policy, labelling the move as illegal In April 2025, the IGP introduced a policy, instructing the public to apply for and get annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for a stipulated amount. A platform was launched for the application to be processed. However, during the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association at its pre-conference NEC meeting held on August 23, 2025, the association said it would challenge the legality of the Nigeria Police…

Argentine magician Lionel Messi hinted at the possibility of missing the 2026 World Cup title defence. The 38-year-old believes it is “logical” at his age to think that he would sit out of the action, but ultimately, he will take the final call depending on his fitness level. Messi continued to dazzle on the field with his precise passes and impeccable finishing touches. He netted a record-breaking brace during Argentina’s 3-0 triumph over Venezuela in Buenos Aires, his last qualifying match on home soil. After the fixture, the Albiceleste captain remained tight-lipped about his return to the World Cup, which…

The Department of Defense (DoD) – which oversees the US armed services – is the successor to the War Department, which was first established as a cabinet-level agency in 1789 and existed until 1947. It says: “The name ‘Department of War’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.” The order says Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will be known as secretary of war. It instructs him to recommend and include legislative and executive actions to move toward a permanent renaming of the department. The responsibility of creating executive departments…