Author: Vardiafrica

Israel praised the success of its defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles while tensions ran high over a possible Israeli counter-strike. An Israeli military spokesman said Sunday the launches numbered more than 300, but 99 percent of them were intercepted. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base The Iranian attack on Saturday, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike…

Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel in its unprecedented attack overnight, injuring at least 12 people, an Israeli army spokesman said Sunday. “Last night Iran fired over 300 ballistic missiles, UAVs and cruise missiles towards Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a televised statement, revising an earlier figure of more than 200 launches. Hagari said 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles were launched, none of which entered Israeli territory, adding that 110 ballistic missiles were also fired and few of them reached Israel. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said that “dozens of…

Countries around the world condemned Iran’s strikes on Israel late Saturday, warning the attack threatened to further destabilise the Middle East. Here are some of the main reactions so far: United States US President Joe Biden promised “ironclad” support for Israel after holding an urgent meeting with top security officials. “I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden said on X, formerly Twitter, posting a picture of the meeting in the White House Situation Room. Qatar Qatar…

US President Joe Biden says a meeting of the G7 countries will be convened on Sunday (today) to “coordinate a united diplomatic response” to Iran’s attack on Israel. Iran attacked Israel as a reprisal for a strike that killed an Iranian military commander in Damascus in early April. The G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and the US. In a statement, Biden said he reassured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the US’ “ironclad commitment” to security in the Middle Eastern country “I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel,” the US…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to publish copies of loan agreements obtained by the administration of past Presidents since 1999. SERAP asked Tinubu “to direct appropriate ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to provide our organization with copies of the loan agreements obtained by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.” This was contained in a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and made available to Channels Television on Sunday. SERAP is also seeking “the spending details of any such loans as well as…

Israel was coming under direct attack from Iran Saturday, the army announced, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes that threatened to overshadow the conflict in Gaza Iran had repeatedly threatened to strike Israel in retaliation for a deadly April 1 air strike on its Damascus consular building and Washington had warned repeatedly in recent days that the reprisals were imminent. “Iran launched UAVs from its territory towards the territory of the state of Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement. “We are working in close cooperation with the…

The West African country has been ruled by juntas since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.Mali Junta leader Assimi Goita took power in consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.  / Photo: Reuters The African Union on Saturday urged Mali to provide a post-coup transition ‘roadmap’, warning such a move was needed to steer the country back to democratic rule. Earlier this week Mali’s military junta ordered the suspension of all political activities – citing a need to maintain public order – and the African Union expressed “grave concern” at the move, saying it was likely to hinder the return to democracy.…

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the planned national ID card will be issued to applicants by their banks.  NIMC said it is working with the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to deliver the cards to applicants. “The card will be issued through the applicants’ respective banks in line with existing protocols with the issuance of the Debit/Credit cards,” the agency said in a Friday update on its official X handle It said applicants need to request their cards with their NIN “through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks”. “The card will be powered by the AFRIGO…

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has set his sights on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. His motivation? To champion the aspirations of countless African children who lack access to education. Onakoya plans to engage in an uninterrupted 58-hour chess session, aiming to emerge victorious without a single defeat. The event is slated to be held from 10 a.m. on April 17 to 8 p.m. on April 19 in the iconic Times Square of New York City In a recent tweet, Onakoya declared, “On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guinness…

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has told Nigerians who abuse the Naira to ask Bobrisky for an update. In a tweet shared after a court in Lagos sentenced Bobrisky to six months imprisonment for abusing the naira without the option of a fine, the anti-graft agency stated that if ‘’preaching” will not send the message, a conviction will.