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Cyprus marked the 52nd anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 military intervention, as the island’s divided communities looked toward a renewed United Nations initiative aimed at breaking decades of deadlock in reunification talks. Air raid sirens sounded across the Greek Cypriot-controlled south at the exact time Turkish troops landed on the Mediterranean island in 1974, days after a brief Greek-backed coup. In the Turkish Cypriot north, military commemorations were held in the self-declared state recognised only by Turkey. The anniversary comes ahead of a planned visit by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from July 27 to 29, part of fresh efforts to…

Singapore’s Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Faishal Ibrahim, has resigned from government and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) after an investigation into his interactions with a woman raised concerns about whether his conduct met the standards expected of a public office holder, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Monday. Wong said most of the interactions occurred through online messages, while the pair also met on the sidelines of public events. Both individuals later accused each other of harassment, triggering a police investigation. Police found that neither Faishal nor the woman had committed a criminal offence, and no…

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has called for a comprehensive policy framework to expand insurance and risk management support for filmmakers, content creators and creative enterprises, arguing that stronger financial protection is essential to unlock investment and sustain growth in Africa’s largest film industry. The corporation’s Managing Director, Dr. Ali Nuhu, made the appeal in a statement released on Friday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, urging insurance providers to develop products tailored to the unique needs of film production. He said the country’s creative sector could no longer rely solely on talent and passion if it is to compete effectively…

A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has sentenced Abubakar Abba, an alleged commander of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru terrorist group, and his co-defendant Mahmud Usman to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related offences, including terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining and the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the sentence on Monday following the guilty pleas entered by the two men to a 32-count charge filed by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the federal government. The ruling marks one of the most significant terrorism convictions secured…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for stronger management of judicial financial resources to improve justice delivery, protect judicial independence, and strengthen public confidence in the legal system, as Nigeria advances reforms aimed at modernising its courts. Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National Workshop on Management of Judicial Financial Resources in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Justice Kekere-Ekun said effective administration of judicial resources was as critical as securing adequate funding. Represented by the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde  Adejumo, she stressed that robust monitoring and oversight mechanisms were essential…

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said a credible digital identity system is essential to combating illegal mining, strengthening regulation and improving security in the country’s mining sector, underscoring the growing role of technology in resource governance. Speaking during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, in Abuja, Alake described digital identity, data and technology as critical tools for effective planning, regulation, investment and national security in Africa’s largest economy. “Without identification, we cannot trace; we cannot track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals…

Spain ended a 16-year wait for a second FIFA World Cup title after Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner to secure a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in the 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. Torres struck in the 106th minute to seal a hard-fought triumph and deny Lionel Messi’s Argentina a successful defence of the trophy. The victory crowns Spain as world champions once again and reinforces their position among football’s dominant international powers. In a final that brought together Europe’s and South America’s leading teams—both unbeaten throughout the tournament—Spain controlled…

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), securing 12,317 votes, or 47.18% of ballots cast, in an election that ushers in new leadership for one of Africa’s largest professional legal bodies. The result was announced on July 19 by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Aham Ejelam, SAN, following the conclusion of voting and collation of results. Badejo-Okusanya defeated fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria Lateef Akangbe, who received 7,934 votes, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, who secured 5,855 votes, to emerge as the association’s…

The Nigerian anti-narcotics authority, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has intercepted 1.63 million tramadol pills concealed in two cargo trucks linked to a transnational trafficking syndicate operating across Togo, Benin Republic and Nigeria, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle cross-border drug networks in West Africa. The seizures were made in intelligence-led operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), just days after officers recovered another 558,900 tramadol pills hidden in a separate truck travelling along the same Togo-Benin-Nigeria route. Investigators said all three consignments were traced to the same trafficking syndicate. One of the trailers,…

Nigeria and Portugal have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations through expanded cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, maritime security and digital innovation, underscoring growing Africa-Europe efforts to deepen economic and strategic partnerships. The commitment was reaffirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during an official visit to Portugal, where she held talks with senior government officials and engaged with members of the Nigerian diaspora. On the sidelines of the EurAfrican Forum in Cascais, Odumegwu-Ojukwu met Portugal’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Professor Paulo Rangel, to review bilateral relations and identify new areas for collaboration.…