Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Wednesday to help mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns. Speaking to senior news leaders of international news agencies, Putin noted that “it’s a delicate issue,” but added that “in my view, a solution could be found.” Asked how Russia would react if Israel kills Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin refused to answer, saying that “I don’t even want to discuss such a possibility.” Khamenei has rejected U.S. calls for surrender in the...

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faced growing calls for her resignation in a deepening political crisis set off by a leaked recording of her negotiating with Cambodia’s former leader in the two nations’ latest border dispute. Paetongtarn apologized to the public on Thursday, after a major coalition partner used the leaked phone call to pull out of the fragile government led by her Pheu Thai Party. Paetongtarn has already been criticized for a perceived soft stance toward Cambodia, especially by right-wing nationalists who are longtime foes of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The latest border dispute involved an armed confrontation May...

Adekunle Gold: “Today is World Sickle Cell Day. And today, I’m proud to announce something that’s deeply personal to me. “We’re starting small by providing free health insurance to 1,000 people living with sickle cell in Lagos State. But this is only the beginning.”

In a sweeping reform of grassroots governance, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed into law the Local Government Administration Law 2025, a landmark piece of legislation that redefines tenure limits, succession rules, and disqualification criteria for Chairmen and Vice Chairmen across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The law, which took effect this year, mandates that any Vice Chairman who assumes office as Chairman—whether through death, resignation, or political defection—will be deemed to have served a full term, regardless of how long they held the post. This crucial provision, found in...

Hurricane Erick has strengthened into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, as it heads towards Mexico’s Pacific coast, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. Maximum sustained winds in the storm were near 220km/h (140mph) early on Thursday local time. Forecasters expect it to make landfall in the coming hours with the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero state most likely to be impacted by what the NHC says could be “devastating wind damage”. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told people in the storm’s path to “stay tuned to official communications, to stay indoors, and not go out”. A hurricane warning is...

The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu while confirminig the missile ballistic attack on the country’s largest hospital has promised to exact revenge. A ballistic missile from Iran struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel, causing significant damage on Thursday. Netanyahu had posted the threat on X on Thursday stating: “This morning, Iran’s terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in the center of the country. “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.” The Iran attack is coming after Israel having struck Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran Supreme Leader...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his warm felicitations to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, on the occasion of his 50th birthday. The President commends Yahaya Bello’s historic emergence as the youngest democratically-elected governor in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and his role in advancing youth participation in governance.  As he marks this golden milestone, Tinubu wishes Alhaji Yahaya Bello continued good health, strength, and fulfilment in the years ahead.