Author: bibncollar

The United States government has announced a phased withdrawal of funding for HIV and AIDS initiatives in South Africa, citing the country’s lack of progress on key policy demands and its status as a middle-income nation capable of greater self-reliance.The decision affects the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided approximately $400 million annually to South Africa, the country with the world’s largest HIV-positive population, exceeding eight million people. The funding, which represented roughly one-fifth of South Africa’s HIV program budget, had been extended temporarily through a bridge plan last October.A State Department official confirmed the drawdown,…

Alhaji Audu Sule-Katagum, former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, has passed away at the age of 69. He died in the early hours of Saturday at Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, according to family and state sources.Katagum served as Deputy Governor of Bauchi State from 2018 to 2019 under former Governor Mohammed Abubakar. A prominent traditional title holder, he was the Wazirin Katagum and had earlier served as Chief of Staff to the Bauchi State Government.Reacting to the news, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing it as a significant vacuum in the state’s political, professional,…

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect Friday afternoon in Lebanon, but reports of continued strikes and cross-border fire on Saturday underscored the challenges facing a broader US-brokered diplomatic effort aimed at de-escalating regional tensions.The truce, backed by US diplomatic efforts, is seen as a critical prerequisite for launching a proposed 60-day negotiation process between Washington and Tehran. The talks seek to address Iran’s nuclear program and wider security concerns across the region.Under an interim agreement reached earlier this week, the US, Iran, and their respective allies were expected to halt military operations on multiple fronts, including Lebanon.…

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, has publicly disassociated herself from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions’ report that recommended the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.In a candid interview on Wednesday, Kingibe revealed she was surprised to discover a photocopy of her signature on the controversial document, insisting she neither reviewed nor endorsed the final report.According to the FCT senator, she attended an initial meeting of the Ethics Committee but departed early to participate in a tax reform retreat, which she deemed more relevant to her constituents’ interests. She maintained that she was not given…

Paris Saint-Germain defender and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will face trial on charges of rape stemming from an alleged incident at his Paris home in 2023, French prosecutors have confirmed. An investigating judge in Nanterre has ordered the 27 year-old to stand trial following a preliminary investigation launched in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman filed a complaint accusing Hakimi of raping her. Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations and says he is eager to clear his name in court. The player unsuccessfully appealed against the decision to proceed to trial, according to French media reports. In a strongly worded…

The leadership tussle within the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensified on Friday as the Federal High Court adjourned the matter to July 13, 2026, for full substantive hearing.Justice Ahmad Mahmud Gama delivered rulings on several interlocutory applications filed by the parties before fixing the new date. The case, which had been adjourned from June 4 to June 19, witnessed lengthy legal arguments that lasted several hours.Lead counsel to the first defendant, Barrister Sulaiman Usman, SAN, told journalists after the proceedings that the court granted three key applications in part. An application for extension of time…

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Ibadan (UI) has confirmed the abduction of a 300-level female law student, simply identified as Tomisin, sparking concern across the institution.In an official statement, SUG President Comrade Temidayo Adeboye revealed that Tomisin was abducted while returning from a religious retreat organised by the Scripture Union Student Fellowship. She had travelled alongside the fellowship’s National General Director, Engr. Uwem Cosmos, and eight other participants.Tomisin, who serves as the National Secretary of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship, Nigeria, and Vice-President of the UI chapter, was part of a delegation that attended the Scripture…

The family of Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confirmed that his father, Jorge Messi, is receiving medical treatment for a health issue and is showing signs of improvement.In a statement shared with ESPN, the family said the 68-year-old is under medical supervision and “recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition.” They stopped short of disclosing the specific nature of his illness.The family expressed frustration over what it described as widespread misinformation, rumors, and speculation about Jorge Messi’s condition, criticizing the lack of sensitivity shown by some media outlets and individuals.“Given the versions, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in…

Nigeria’s 36 state governors have thrown their weight behind the immediate establishment of state police but are insisting on robust constitutional safeguards to protect subnational autonomy and ensure effective implementation.The governors, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), expressed strong support for state policing amid the country’s worsening security challenges. However, they raised significant concerns over key aspects of the proposed framework currently before the National Assembly.According to sources at the NGF meeting held in Abuja, which extended into Thursday morning, the governors want policing moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. This shift…

Israeli officials are engaged in ongoing negotiations with the United States over the future of its military presence in southern Lebanon, even as international pressure mounts for restraint following a fresh interim ceasefire agreement.The deal, signed on Wednesday, seeks to pause hostilities tied to the broader regional conflict involving Iran. It calls for an end to fighting on multiple fronts, including Lebanon, while emphasizing respect for Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite the agreement, Israel has firmly rejected demands for a complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Israeli forces entered the area in March in response to cross-border rocket fire from…