Author: Vardiafrica

Zimbabwe’s government has issued a ban prohibiting police officers from using mobile phones while on duty, according to a memo that took effect immediately. Under the new directive, officers are required to surrender their phones to supervisors upon arriving at their stations and can only access them during designated break times. Although the memo did not specify a reason for the ban, it is widely believed to be an anti-corruption measure. The ban follows a recent incident in Harare, where two traffic officers were caught on video taking bribes from public transport drivers, sparking public outcry. Describing the detained officers…

A multi-million dollar pipe threading and valve assembly facility built by Bell Oil & Gas was commissioned on Tuesday at Lekki Free Zone, Lagos State by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary hailed Bell Oil & Gas for its foresight and commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, noting that the company had invested in a key infrastructure that will meet a growing demand in the industry. He stated that Bell Oil & Gas’ areas of…

Donald Trump is now 24 electoral college votes away from winning the United States presidential election. The Republican Party candidate has now amassed 246 electoral college votes, with Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party polling 210 electoral college votes at the time of reporting. There are 538 votes in the electoral college and it takes 270 — a majority — to win the presidency. Trump is now projected to win the battleground states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia, leaving Harris with a mountain to climb. There is currently no realistic pathway to a Harris victory. A “hush”…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said his principal, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the minors facing trial for treason on compassionate grounds. The VP said there was incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions of some of the protesters which were uploaded by the actors themselves. He lamented that the nation lost over N300 billion from the destruction and halting of economic activities orchestrated by the protesters. The VP said this on Tuesday while receiving the minors at the Presidential Villa, shortly after their charges were dropped by the Attorney General of the Federation…

The new minister of education, Tunji Alausa, has overturned the 18-year admission benchmark for tertiary institutions in the country. Alausa spoke on Wednesday at his inaugural ministerial press conference, which is ongoing in Abuja. The minister, however, stated that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and the Benin Republic. He added that practical education will help to address the unemployment situation in Nigeria, as tertiary institutions will not continue to churn out graduates every year without providing jobs for them.…

Japanese researchers launched the world’s first wooden satellite, “LignoSat,” into space on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough in exploring renewable materials for future lunar and Mars missions. Developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat—a palm-sized satellite made from honoki, a type of magnolia wood—will be flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX mission before being released into orbit about 400 kilometres (250 miles) above Earth. The satellite’s name derives from the Latin word for “wood,” and it represents an early attempt to demonstrate the potential of timber as a sustainable resource for space exploration. Professor Takao Doi,…

A plan by Britain’s government to introduce a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking is expected to clear its first hurdle on Tuesday, despite vocal opposition from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party. The bill, a key policy announced by Sunak last year, will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009. It has the support of the opposition Labour Party and is expected to pass. But Sunak faces rebellion from more libertarian-minded members of his party, who criticized the proposals as “unconservative.” If passed, the bill…

President Bola Tinubu has decorated the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Olufemi Oluyede with a higher rank of Lieutenant General. Sources in the Villa confirmed the development to Channels Television on Tuesday. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga later confirmed the development which took place at the President’s office. If confirmed by the Senate, Oluyede will become the substantive army chief, permanently replacing Lagbaja. The acting COAS was promoted from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General, days after he was appointed as acting army chief by the President. “It is both an honour and a privilege to decorate you today,” the…

Democratic Presidential candidate, Kamala Harris and her bitter rival and former President, Donald Trump are in a tight race for the US top seat according to the latest polls, with key swing states presenting narrow leads for both candidates. Trump’s lead in Georgia and North Carolina has shrivelled to under one point, while he is ahead by 2.2 points in Arizona. In Pennsylvania and Nevada, less than half a point separates the two: Harris has sneaked ahead in the former, though only marginally, after trailing Trump narrowly for the past two weeks; while the Republican candidate is barely ahead in…

The national grid has suffered another collapse, according to the official handle of the Nigeria National Grid on X. The development comes after the grid collapsed three times in one week towards the end of last month. This brings grid disturbance incidences to nine in 2024 alone.  As of 2:45 PM, hourly generation readings from power generation companies such as Afam IV & V were 0 MW, Afam VI. 0 MW, Azura-EDO 0 MW, Dadinkowa. 0 MW, Delta 0 MW, Egbin 0 MW, Geregu 0 MW, Geregu-NIPP. 0 MW, Ibom-Power. 0 MW, Jebba 0 MW, Kainji 0 MW, Odukpani. 0…