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A US federal judge upheld the Trump administration's move to move ahead with President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.   US District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington DC on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit filed by the Chamber of Commerce, which argued that the steep fee violated federal immigration law and would force companies, hospitals and other employers to cut jobs and services. Howell ruled that Trump had the legal authority to impose the fee, noting that his proclamation was issued under "an express statutory grant of authority to the President."   "The parties’ vigorous ‌debate over the ultimate wisdom of this political judgment is not within the province of the courts," Howell wrote, Reuters reported.   "So long as the actions dictated by the policy decision and articulated in the Proclamation fit within the confines of the law, the Proclamation must be upheld," she added. ...

US President Donald Trump suspended the green card lottery program, which allowed the suspect in the Brown University and MIT shootings to come to the United States.   Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, is accused of bursting into a building at the Ivy League school on Dec 13 and opening fire on students sitting exams, k!lling two and wounding nine. Immigration legal services   He is also accused of k!lling a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) two days later.   Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on the social platform X that, at Trump’s direction, she is ordering the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to pause the program.   “This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” she said of the suspect, Portuguese national Claudio Neves Valente. Immigration consulting services   Neves Valente had studied at Brown on a student visa beginning in 2000,...

Grammy-winning artist, John Legend has opened up about his former collaborator Kanye West, describing the rapper and producer’s transformation over the past two decades as both “sad” and “sometimes shocking.” In a recent interview, Legend reflected on their early creative partnership during the making of his debut album Get Lifted, which was released in 2004. West served as the executive producer on the record, working alongside Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen.   Released under West’s GOOD Music label, Get Lifted sold over three million copies, earned three Grammy Awards, and catapulted Legend to stardom. At the time, West was also experiencing success with his own debut album The College Dropout, earning recognition as a visionary artist with a distinctive voice. Legend described West during that era as “passionate, gifted, and full of optimism,” adding, “He had big dreams for himself and the people around him.” However, he acknowledged a stark contrast bet...

The Grand Kremlin Palace and churches are seen behind the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 8, 2025. LONDON - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that he believes the U.S. "wants to reach a final agreement," to end the war in Ukraine, with Kyiv offering its full backing for a peace deal. "We sense that America wants to reach a final agreement, and from our side, there is full cooperation," Zelenskyy said. "Ukraine has never been, and will never be, an obstacle to peace." Ukraine and Russia continued their nightly exchange of long-range drones overnight into Wednesday. Russia's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces downed at least 195 Ukrainian drones, including five over Moscow region of which two were "flying toward" the capital. Russia's federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, said flight restrictions were introduced at two of Moscow's four international airports -- Domodedovo a...

The head of an alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger says the launch of a joint battalion “must be followed by large-scale operations in the coming days." Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, left, General Assimi Goïta of Mali, center, and General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger attend the second summit on security and development in Bamako, Mali, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (Mali Government Information Center via AP) The Associated Press BAMAKO, Mali -- The head of an alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger declared Tuesday that the launch of a joint battalion “must be followed by large-scale operations in the coming days" in a region plagued by deadly extremism. Burkina Faso leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré gave no details in his comments after being named the new head of the Alliance of Sahel States, whose three military-led members withdrew from West Africa's regional bloc this year. The alliance formed in 2023. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are the most affec...

Zelensky said the 20 points agreed with the Americans offered Ukraine security guarantees that mirrored Nato membership Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky has given details of an updated peace plan offering Russia the potential withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the east and the creation of a demilitarised zone in their place. Detailing the 20-point plan agreed by US and Ukrainian envoys in Florida at the weekend, Zelensky said the Russians would respond on Wednesday once the Americans had spoken to them. Describing the plan as "the main framework for ending the war", he said it proposed security guarantees from the US, Nato and Europeans for a co-ordinated military response if Russia invaded Ukraine again. On the key question of Ukraine's eastern Donbas, Zelensky said a "free economic zone" was a potential option. He told journalists that as Ukraine was against withdrawal, US negotiators were looking to establish a demilitarised zone or a free e...

In moves to reshape the United States (U.S.) diplomatic posture abroad, the President Donald Trump administration has recalled 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts. The recalled envoys are to be replaced with personnel deemed fully supportive of Trump’s “America first” priorities. The chiefs of mission in about 29 countries, including Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, were informed last week that their tenures would end in January, according to two state department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel moves. The ambassadors, who had had taken up their posts under the Joe Biden administration, had survived an initial purge in the early months of Trump’s second term that targeted mainly political appointees. But that That changed on Wednesday when they began to receive notices from officials in Washington DC about their imminent departures, according to UK Guardian. The State Department officials sai...

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Tuesday, June 3, sealed four local rice milling companies in Autabalefi area, Masaka main market and motor pack, all in Nasarawa State.  The agency equally seized some empty branded bags of rice belonging to some popular rice brands.  Other items seized by the agency are sealing machines, Sowing thread, Middle, packing bowl and two 50 kg bags of rice belonging to some of these local milling companies.  NAFDAC also put on hold the Nigeria Brewery, Masaka Depot, for poor storage of drinks.  The agency said that the large quantity of drinks that were arranged outside the Brewery building, under the sun, were not hygienic for consumption  Mrs Benedicta Obaseki, the agency’s Deputy Director, NAFDAC Greater FCT Office, in Mararaba, Nasarawa state said that NAFDAC effected the raid as a result of the findings from concerned Nigerians.  “The raid became necessary to avoid the circulatio...

The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, and his wife, Maria Alckmin, arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 24, to participate in the Second Session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), signalling a major step in bilateral relations between the two nations.   The delegation touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and was received by top Nigerian officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.   Other officials present to welcome the Brazilian delegation included the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

Reality TV star Venita Akpofure is currently enjoying a getaway in Thailand and took to Instagram to share sizzling new photos.   Clad in a red two-piece outfit, Venita captioned the post:   The photos show the former Big Brother Naija housemate striking confident poses with beautiful scenery behind her, flaunting her toned figure and relaxed vacation mood.

Heidi Klum has once again captivated social media with a provocative behind-the-scenes look at her latest campaign shoot for beauty giant L’Oréal.    The supermodel and television personality took to Instagram to share a series of images and videos from the set, showcasing a bold royal blue look, but it was a candid backstage moment that stirred the most buzz.   In a now-viral Instagram Story, Klum appeared nearly nude, wearing only a pair of underwear and using her arms to cover her chest while posing confidently for the camera. The moment, shared in between clips of her makeup being applied, quickly drew attention from fans online.   Following the daring shot, Klum offered a glimpse of her lunch, a falafel and salad bowl, before resuming her transformation. Her look included elaborate black and white eyeliner paired with shimmering bronze makeup, complemented by French braids in a 1960s-inspired style.   Klum, 51, is no stranger to flauntin...

The Trump administration is recalling dozens of ambassadors from posts around the world.  48 envoys were removed from positions in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.  This follows an initial mass firing of appointees of former President Joe Biden in the early months of President Trump’s second term.  “This is a standard process in any administration,” a senior State Department official told The Post Monday, Dec. 22.  “An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.”  The latest recalls, first reported by Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin, would leave the US without envoys in key global hotspots — including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia and South Sudan in Africa; Armenia, Lithuania, North Macedonia and Slovakia in Europe; as well as Yemen in the Midd...

Sahel countries have launched a unified armed force (photo courtesy of Malian Presidency)  -   ALLIANCE OF SAHEL STATES At an airforce base in Bamako, Mali's army ruler General Assimi Goita presided over a ceremony marking the creation of a unified force for the Sahel countries. The force is the latest in a series of measures by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to achieve closer integration. The three countries are all led by juntas and are beset by an Islamist insurgency. In January, Niger's defence minister said that the 5000-strong force would 'intervene together' to counter security threats in the region. Burkinabe General Daouda Traoré was appointed to head the force which will maintain a command base in Niamey, Niger's capital. The ceremony in Bamako was attended by the defence ministers of the Sahel Alliance member states, as well as ambassadors and representatives of international organizations accredited to Mali. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger...

Move is latest sign the countries are moving away from traditional regional and Western allies following spate of coups. Niger's General Abdourahamane Tchiani is seen next to Burkinabe counterpart Captain Ibrahim Traore, right, in Niamey, Niger, on July 5 [AFP] The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have hailed a newly signed treaty as a step “towards greater integration” between the three countries, in the latest showing of their shift away from traditional regional and Western allies. During a summit in the Nigerien capital of Niamey on Saturday, the three leaders signed a confederation treaty that aims to strengthen a mutual defence pactannounced last year, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). RECOMMENDED STORIES list of 3 items list 1 of 3The world’s neglecting vulnerable displaced people. Here’s where it’s worst list 2 of 3Al-Qaeda affiliate claims responsibility for June attack in Burkina Faso list 3 of 3Is Burkina Faso on the cusp ...

U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Friday, September 19, adding a $100,000 fee to all H1-B visa applications, a White House official said.  The move marks the latest crackdown by the administration on migrants coming into the US for job opportunities, and is likely intended to limit visa applicants to those from higher financial brackets.  The new order restricts entry under the H-1B visa program unless the application fee is paid, the official said.  The administration views the current H1-B visa program - which admits hundreds of thousands of workers into the US each year - as a way for companies to exploit lower-wage employees, ultimately impacting US salaries.  The new application fee potentially deals a big blow to the technology sector that relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China.  Adding new fees "creates disincentive to attract the world's smartest talent to the U.S.," said Deedy Das, partner at venture ca...

Actress and singer, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, has said it's a blessing and not a threat to surround oneself with more successful people.   She reposted a popular quote on her Instagram story and added: “Smarter, more accomplished, more talented, more disciplined, richer, wiser, etc = blessing.

The US military conducted lethal strikes against three suspected vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, December 15, resulting in eight deaths according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). This operation, carried out on December 15, was authorized by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), SOUTHCOM confirmed that Joint Task Force Southern Spear executed the kinetic strikes on vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the ships were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were actively engaged in exportation. These latest strikes are a continuation of the Trump administration's "Operation Southern Spear," a campaign representing a major shift in narcotics policy by treating cartels as military targets. Since starting on September 2, 2025, the death toll from this initiative has reached at least 95 people. The most recent action prior to t...

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ordered a review of the country’s police and intelligence services following the deadly shooting at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.   Speaking on Sunday, December 21, Albanese said the government would examine whether security agencies have the powers, structures and information-sharing arrangements needed “to keep Australians safe,” after the attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s most famous beach on December 14.   A father and son are accused of opening fire on families gathered for the event, an attack authorities say was allegedly inspired by Islamic State ideology.   “The ISIS-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation,” Albanese said. “Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond.”   The alleged gunman, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the incident. An Indian national, he entered Aust...

Benin Republic has placed former defence minister and prominent opposition figure Candide Azannai in pre-trial detention as part of investigations into the failed coup attempt earlier this month.   According to an AFP journalist, Azannai was accused of plotting against the state and incitement to rebellion. He was arrested last week at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou following the attempted takeover.   Azannai’s detention comes despite his public condemnation of the coup and is the latest development after about 30 people, most of them soldiers, were jailed on Tuesday, December 16, on treason charges in connection with the foiled plot.   Soldiers had appeared on national television on December 7 to announce that they had overthrown President Patrice Talon, but loyalist forces swiftly regained control, with support from the Nigerian Air Force. Several people were killed during the unrest, while some suspected mutineers, including alleged coup leader Lieuten...

The Borno State Police Command has deployed tactical teams, surveillance squads, and operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit ahead of the visit of Bola Tinubu to the state today, December 20.   The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday, December 20, by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, who also announced temporary vehicular restrictions and diversions in parts of the state.   He said:   “The Borno State Police Command has deployed adequate security arrangements ahead of the visit of the President to Borno State scheduled for today 20th December, 2025.   “The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, has drafted a robust security architecture comprising conventional police personnel, tactical teams, surveillance squads, crowd control and Explosive Ordnance Disposal units to ensure a safe, secure, and hitch-free visit.”   Daso further advised residents to expect temporary traffic disrupti...

Actress Gifts Anizoba has shared her frustration over the gridlock on Lagos roads, calling out IJGBw who she believes are adding to the chaos without reason.   In a rant making the rounds online, the actress complained about roads being completely blocked, saying she had missed her nail, hair, and lash appointments because of the traffic.   She went further to mock what she described as people driving “big big cars” but coming out with “empty pockets,” urging them to simply turn back.   “Please go back. I beg. What is all this?” she said repeatedly, clearly fed up with the situation.

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday departed Abuja for his three-state tour to Borno, Bauchi, and Lagos.     Tinubu left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 11:45am, boarding the 20-year-old Boeing 737 Business Jet, which was earlier listed for sale in July but delisted months later due to poor buyer interest and lowball offers.     While in Borno State, President Tinubu will commission some projects undertaken by Governor Babagana Zulum and the federal government.     He will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of the former Governor of the State, Ali Sheriff, and his heartthrob, Hadiza Salem.     From Maiduguri, the president will move to Bauchi to condole with the Government of Bauchi State and the family of Dahiru Bauchi, the late renowned Muslim cleric and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood. The cleric d!ed on 27 November.     After the condolence visit, President Bola Tinubu wi...

Lagos is gearing up for another groundbreaking December as Heineken returns as the official beer partner for Flytime Fest 2025 — the iconic cultural festival holding from Monday, December 22 to Thursday, December 25 at the Eko Convention Center. This year’s lineup is nothing short of extraordinary, with Flavour opening the festival on Day 1, Olamide taking the stage on Day 2, Asake bringing his unmatched energy on Day 3, and Davido closing out the festival on Christmas Day, Day 4. As part of the Legendary Christmas campaign powered by Nigerian Breweries Plc, Heineken will elevate the festivities with immersive brand experiences, premium moments, interactive zones, and visually captivating installations that amplify the rhythm and atmosphere of Flytime Fest. From the performances to the crowd energy and the refreshing Ahhh, the festival is set to be a celebration of music, culture, and everything that makes Christmas in Lagos iconic. Fans should expect world-class entertainm...

The Federal Government has reopened all 47 Federal Unity Colleges that were shut down over escalating insecurity across the country. The schools were closed in November 2025 following a wave of mass abductions of schoolchildren and violent attacks in parts of the North West, North East, North Central and some southern states.   The reopening was announced on Thursday, December 18, in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.   The ministry reassured parents, guardians and the general public that the safety and welfare of students remain the government’s highest priority, noting that the decision followed sustained engagement with security agencies nationwide.   Many students are currently concluding their December academic programmes, while others have already completed their examinations.   According to the statement, the move to reopen the schools reflects the gove...

As Nigeria’s national economy grapples with a staggering drain of medical tourism that now consumes an estimated  $7 billion (N10.7 trillion) annually , a new economic firewall has been erected in the heart of Osun State. The commissioning of the  Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital (MOFAMRTH)  at Osun State University (UNIOSUN) marks the most significant private-sector intervention to date in the battle to rescue Nigeria’s medical sovereignty.   Data released in late 2025 by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and high-ranking academics suggests a sobering reality: the medical tourism drain currently consumes nearly  19.6 per cent of Nigeria’s total federal budget . This is not merely a healthcare crisis; it is a macroeconomic "haemorrhage" that diverts one-fifth of the nation’s potential fiscal power into foreign markets.     The Anatomy of a Crisis  Historical data from the Central Bank of Nig...

FIFA has released new cut-price tickets for the 2026 World Cup following a backlash over exorbitant costs.   FIFA announced on Tuesday that $60 tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament in North America, to be distributed to the national federations whose teams are participating. Those federations decide how to distribute them to loyal fans who have attended previous games at home and on the road.   The number of $60 tickets for each game is likely to be in the hundreds, rather than thousands, in what FIFA is now calling a “Supporter Entry Tier” price category.   FIFA did not specify exactly why it so dramatically changed strategy, but said the lower prices are “designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament.”   The World Cup in North America will be the first edition that features 48 teams,  up from 32, and is expected to earn FIFA at least $10 billion in revenue. But fans world...

The House of Representatives has rejected a proposal to criminalise the inducement of voters during party primaries.    Lawmakers voted against the provision on Thursday, December 18, during clause by clause consideration of a report seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022.   The rejected clause proposed a two year jail term without the option of a fine for anyone who financially or materially induced delegates to influence the outcome of party primaries, congresses or conventions.   Clause 89 subsection four of the amendment report stated that “a person that financially or materially induces a delegate for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the party primaries, congresses and conventions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment of two years without an option of fine”.   However, the proposal was unanimously voted down when the presiding officer, Benjamin Kalu, called for a voice vote.   The inducement of delegates t...

The House of Representatives has approved an increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices in Nigeria as part of amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.   The decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary following clause by clause consideration of a report on proposed changes to the electoral law ahead of the 2027 general elections.   Under the approved amendments, the spending ceiling for presidential candidates was raised from 5 billion naira to 10 billion naira. The maximum campaign expenditure for gubernatorial candidates was increased from 1 billion naira to 3 billion naira.   Lawmakers also raised the limit for senatorial candidates from 100 million naira to 500 million naira, while candidates seeking election to the House of Representatives will now be allowed to spend up to 250 million naira, up from the previous cap of 70 million naira.   For state House of Assembly elections, the campaign spending limit was increa...

US President Donald Trump has declined to rule out the possibility of military action against Venezuela, fuelling speculation that Washington could be moving towards a direct confrontation with the South American nation and its president, Nicolas Maduro. Speaking to NBC News on Friday, December 19, Trump was asked whether a full-scale conflict with Venezuela was a possibility. He responded: “I don’t rule it out, no.”   The comments come amid heightened tensions after the US president ordered a significant build-up of American naval forces in the Caribbean. The deployment followed the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker by US forces and the blockade of other vessels linked to Caracas.   The latest escalation follows months of US strikes on boats in nearby waters that Washington says were involved in drug trafficking. Those operations have already led to dozens of deaths and drawn international scrutiny.   The White House has accused Maduro’s government of using ...

The Trump administration has appealed a September court ruling that ordered the release of nearly 2.7 billion dollars in frozen research funding to Harvard University.   The appeal was filed late Thursday night in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging a September 3 decision by District Judge Allison D. Burroughs that granted Harvard sweeping summary judgement on constitutional grounds.   In a brief notice, lawyers for the Department of Justice said the government would appeal final judgements in two related cases, one filed by Harvard and another brought by the Harvard faculty chapter of the American Association of University Professors. The appeal moves the dispute to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and marks the next stage of a legal battle that Judge Burroughs previously decided largely in Harvard’s favour.   Final judgement in the case was entered on October 20, giving both parties 60 days ...

Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s annual marathon press conference once again unfolded as a mix of local governance complaints and sweeping geopolitical commentary, signalling his red lines on the war haven’t shifted during his annual press conference, on the heels of Europe’s $105 billion lifeline for Ukraine   This year’s event followed Europe’s decision to extend a $105 billion interest-free loan to Ukraine, aimed at sustaining Kyiv’s resistance against Moscow. While European leaders stopped short of diverting frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, the loan effectively provides Ukraine with both time and resources as the war, launched by Putin in February 2022, nears its fourth year. With the aid package in mind, Putin struck a hard tone on the conflict, listing what he described as Russia’s incremental gains on the battlefield. He claimed Russian forces were “advancing across the whole of the front line,” naming towns and villages that Moscow says are now under full or...

The United States Africa Command has dismissed reports claiming that the US military took over the airspaces of Nigeria and the Benin Republic, describing the claims as false.   AFRICOM made the clarification on Thursday, December 18, while responding to an email inquiry seeking its official reaction to the reports. In a response signed by its spokesperson, Kelly Cahalan, the command denied that US forces carried out airstrikes or bombarded terrorists in the region.   “Reports that the U.S. military took over airspace and bombarded terrorists are not true. The U.S. military has not conducted any direct action or airstrikes in the region,” she said.   AFRICOM, however, confirmed that it is working with Nigeria and other regional partners to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, following directives from President Donald Trump and the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. “While we won’t discuss specific details on planning efforts or specific missions,...