October 12, 2025

Tinubu Pardon: Atiku Slams Clemency For Serious Offenders

October 12, 2025 1:34 pm

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent presidential pardon of 175 convicts, arguing the move threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. The pardons, announced last Thursday and covering crimes ranging from homicide to fraud, have stirred intense debate about mercy, accountability, and the rule of law.

Atiku’s response, delivered via his X handle on Sunday, warns that the broad clemency extends mercy in a way that “emboldens criminality” and erodes public confidence in criminal justice. He insists that the presidential prerogative of mercy should balance justice with compassion—not be reduced to a tool that …

Russia Attacks Ukraine Power Grid Amid Tomahawk Debate

October 12, 2025 12:59 pm

Russia launched a wave of overnight strikes on Ukraine’s power grid across multiple regions, in what Kyiv described as an intensified campaign to degrade energy infrastructure ahead of winter. At the same time, Moscow voiced “extreme concern” over U.S. deliberations to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

In Kyiv’s region, two workers at the country’s largest private energy firm, DTEK, were wounded when a substation was hit, according to Governor Mykola Kalashnyk. Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported simultaneous attacks on infrastructure in Donetsk, Odesa and Chernihiv regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia is escalating “aerial terror” on energy facilities, …

St Helena Island Shooting Kills 4, Injures 20

October 12, 2025 12:26 pm

A mass shooting early Sunday at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, left four people dead and at least 20 others wounded, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responding shortly before 1 a.m. encountered a large crowd and multiple gunshot victims.

In the ensuing chaos, many victims and witnesses fled to nearby homes or businesses for cover. Among those injured, four were in critical condition and were transported to local hospitals. At the scene, four victims were pronounced dead. Identities of the deceased and wounded have not been released.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office …

Israel Hostage Release Monday As Ceasefire Deal Advances

October 12, 2025 11:40 am

Israel announced on Sunday that all remaining living hostages held in Gaza are expected to be freed on Monday, marking a critical step in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The plan, which also includes a large prisoner swap and expanded humanitarian aid deliveries, coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Israel and Egypt.

The Israeli government confirmed that 20 surviving hostages would be handed over to the Red Cross in a single coordinated exchange. “We are expecting all 20 of our living hostages to be released together at one time,” said government spokesperson Shosh …

Lagos Airport: EFCC Investigates Undeclared Foreign Currency

October 12, 2025 11:06 am

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened an investigation into two travellers detained at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, after they were allegedly found with undeclared foreign currencies exceeding $6.18 million and £53,415.

According to a statement released on Saturday by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the suspects, identified as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi, were intercepted by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine inspection.

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has intensified airport surveillance in recent months amid rising cases of undeclared cash movements through major entry points. The …

German Government Ends Three-Year Fast-Track Citizenship Route

German Government Scraps Three-Year Fast-Track Citizenship

October 12, 2025 9:07 am

Germany has scrapped its three-year fast-track citizenship program for foreign residents, ending a policy once designed to reward rapid integration and attract global talents.

The decision, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, extends the minimum naturalization period to five years for all applicants, signaling a firmer stance on immigration after months of rising political tension over migration and integration.

Officials said the move comes amid growing public unease across Europe about the strain migration places on housing, education, and social services. While Germany remains open to new citizens, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told lawmakers that citizenship must “come as recognition …

MIT Rejects Trump Administration’s Offer Of Federal Funding

October 12, 2025 6:04 am

MIT, the first U.S. university to reject a federal funding proposal from President Donald Trump’s administration that ties research grants to compliance with a conservative policy agenda.

In a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), President Sally Kornbluth said the university “cannot accept conditions that undermine freedom of inquiry or compromise our independence as an academic institution.” She added that the White House proposal “includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression.”

The Trump administration sent the proposal to nine universities in early October 2025. It would require …

Oba Of Benin Ends Lingering Leadership Dispute In Edo Markets

October 12, 2025 5:09 am

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, directs all the market women to elect new leaders within two weeks, in a bid to restore perfect order across Edo South, Nigeria.

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has brought an end to a long-running leadership crisis that divided market women across the seven local government areas of Edo South Senatorial District.

The resolution followed a verification exercise held at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, where the monarch intervened personally to settle disputes over the leadership of several markets, including the prominent Oba Market in Oredo Local Government Area.

Two members …