Category Archives: World

Osinbajo leads ECOWAS election observation mission to Cote d’Ivoire

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to lead its Election Observation Mission to the upcoming presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire.

ECOWAS Secretariat announced this in statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

The election is scheduled for Oct. 25.

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The mission will be deployed from Oct. 19 to Oct. 29 in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

As Head of Mission, Osinbajo will lead a team of eminent West Africans tasked with engaging key national stakeholders to support a peaceful and credible electoral process.

The team will also engage stakeholders towards fostering cooperation with other international and domestic observer groups, and assessing the conduct of the polls.

The deployment of this Observation Mission underscores ECOWAS’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections in the sub-region.

(NAN)

Mercy Ships celebrates volunteer Frank Seibure for role in safe surgery across Africa

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Mercy Ships has spotlighted one of its dedicated volunteers, Frank Seibure, during this year’s Sterile Processing Week, recognizing his vital contribution to ensuring safe surgical procedures aboard the organization’s hospital ships across Africa.

The celebration, themed “Serving with a Purpose,” honors sterile processing professionals whose behind-the-scenes work ensures that every surgical instrument is properly sterilized and ready to save lives.

Frank, a Certified Healthcare Leader in Sterile Processing, plays a key role in maintaining sterile environments aboard Mercy Ships. “If instruments aren’t properly sterilized, patients can end up with more complications than they came in with,” he said.

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Before joining Mercy Ships, Frank was a young human rights advocate driven by a desire to serve his community after witnessing the effects of civil war in his youth. He joined Mercy Ships in 2011 as a day crew member with no prior medical background but quickly rose through the ranks through hard work and training.

“My biggest driving force is to make an impact on society, help those in need, and serve humanity,” Frank shared.

Sterile processing is often regarded as the “heart of the hospital” because any lapse can jeopardize patient safety. A recent report by Surgical Directions titled “Unseen but Essential: The Knowledge Demands and Staffing Crisis in Sterile Processing” warned of growing patient safety risks due to chronic staffing shortages and underinvestment in the sector.

Beyond his technical expertise, Frank has also become a mentor, training many young volunteers and healthcare professionals who have since become leaders in sterile processing. “The highlight of my time with Mercy Ships is that I’ve trained many young people to become sterile processing technicians,” he said.

Through his dedication and leadership, Frank continues to embody Mercy Ships’ mission of bringing hope and healing to those in need across Africa.

Canon Central & North Africa celebrates 10 Years of innovation in Dubai

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Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA), a leading provider of imaging and printing solutions, celebrated a decade of excellence at its Annual Dealer Conference held at the Conrad Hotel, Dubai. Themed “ICE: Innovation, Customer, and Experience,” this year’s edition gathered 100 partners from across Africa to mark the company’s 10-year milestone and explore its future vision for innovation and customer experience.

The conference served as a platform to strengthen partnerships and share Canon’s strategic growth roadmap, in line with its commitment to getting closer to customers and enhancing service delivery. Attendees were given an immersive experience through solution-driven zones showcasing Canon’s technologies in real-world applications across multiple industries.

Solution-Focused Experiences for Evolving Markets

This year’s event moved beyond traditional product showcases by introducing strategically curated B2C and B2B zones designed around solutions and vertical experiences.

In the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) zones, participants explored how Canon’s legacy in cameras, printers, and imaging technologies continues to shape creative industries, educational institutions, and hybrid workspaces. The demonstrations highlighted Canon’s integration of imaging solutions into content creation, professional production, education programs, and after-sales service through authorized support centres. A preview of upcoming product campaigns also underscored Canon’s continued innovation.

“Celebrating 10 years of Canon Central & North Africa made this year’s conference truly special,” said Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director. “By shifting from product displays to solution-led experiences, we’re empowering partners to meet evolving customer needs and drive business growth. I also congratulate our award-winning partners for their outstanding contributions to Canon’s success.”

In the Business-to-Business (B2B) zones, Canon presented a unified journey illustrating its evolution from legacy professional solutions to the next generation of intelligent, platform-driven offerings, including the new imageFORCE series, varioPRINT, LabelStream, and corrugated solutions.

“This conference was a strategic platform to highlight Canon’s unified B2B journey, where legacy meets innovation and future ambitions,” said Amine Djouahra, B2B Business Unit Director. “Our focus goes beyond products; it’s about enabling businesses with intelligent, scalable solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Through this strategy, we continue to strengthen partnerships and position Canon as a trusted technology ally across Africa.”

A Decade of Partnership and Progress

The conference concluded with a gala dinner and awards ceremony honouring top-performing partners for their exceptional contributions. The evening celebrated a decade of collaboration, innovation, and shared success, reinforcing Canon’s leadership in Africa’s imaging sector.

By hosting this milestone event, Canon reaffirmed its position as a trusted technology partner dedicated to innovation, customer-centricity, and long-term growth across Africa’s evolving markets.

Putin presents Archbishop of Alaska with Icon of St. Herman

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented an icon of St. Herman of Alaska to His Eminence Alexei, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, during a visit to Anchorage.

The meeting took place shortly after Putin’s talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Elmendorf-Richardson Army Base. According to Russian news outlet Vzglyad, the Russian leader conveyed warm greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia before presenting the gift.

“We met before our trip, and he told me about how the Orthodox Church was born here in Alaska. He spoke warmly of you and asked me to convey his very best wishes,” Putin told the bishop, as reported on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel.

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St. Herman of Alaska, one of the most venerated Orthodox saints in America, is regarded as the “Enlightener of America” for his missionary work among Alaska’s Indigenous people in the 18th century.

In response, Bishop Alexei presented Putin with a personal icon given to him by his brother monks on Mount Athos at the time of his consecration. The bishop explained that he had prayed before the icon for four years and wished to gift it to the Russian president as a gesture of gratitude for Russia’s historic role in bringing Orthodox Christianity to Alaska.

The exchange of gifts highlighted the enduring spiritual and cultural ties between Russia and Alaska, rooted in the Orthodox Church’s centuries-old presence in the region.

UK politicians should focus on British issues, not Nigeria – Kemi Badenoch

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UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has urged politicians in the United Kingdom to prioritise domestic issues over foreign matters, including those relating to Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with GB News, Badenoch emphasised that her main identity is British, despite her Nigerian ancestry and early upbringing. She said the BBC had slightly misrepresented her earlier remarks but maintained that her focus remains on the UK.

“My main identity is as British. That is what I see myself as,” she explained. “As a politician in this country, we need to be very focused on what is happening here, not what’s happening elsewhere. And every day, I see loads of Labour MPs in particular talking about every other country except the UK.”

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Badenoch criticised what she described as a growing tendency among some lawmakers to comment more on international affairs than on domestic challenges, insisting that integration and commitment to British values should be a priority.

“If you come to this country, you need to be very focused on making sure that you integrate. And if you’re a politician, you need to be 100% focused on British issues. And that’s basically what I was saying,” she added.

Her comments also echo a recent statement on the Rosebud podcast, where she disclosed that she had not renewed her Nigerian passport in over 20 years and no longer considers herself Nigerian by identity.

“I’m Nigerian through ancestry, by birth, despite not being born there because of my parents. But by identity, I’m not really. I know the country very well, I have a lot of family there, and I’m very interested in what happens there,” she said during the August 1 episode.

Badenoch’s remarks have sparked fresh debate on the role of identity and foreign policy focus in British politics.

Emory University on lockdown as police respond to active shooter report

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Emory University in Atlanta was placed on lockdown Friday following reports of an active shooter on campus.

In an emergency alert sent to students and staff, the university urged the community to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” and avoid the affected area.

Atlanta police confirmed they were responding to the incident but did not release immediate details about the suspect or any possible victims. Residents and visitors in surrounding areas were advised to remain indoors until authorities declared the area safe.

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According to the Associated Press, staff at a nearby deli locked the doors and sheltered inside after hearing gunfire. Brandy Giraldo, chief operating officer of General Muir, said workers heard a rapid succession of shots.

“It sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other,” she recalled.

Reacting to the situation, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said, “We’re horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Trump to announce Apple’s $100 billion boost in U.S. manufacturing investments

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce that Apple Inc. will invest an additional $100 billion in American manufacturing over the next four years — a major win for the country’s economy and national security.

The announcement, expected on Wednesday, marks a significant expansion of Apple’s domestic operations, raising its total planned investment in the United States from $500 billion to $600 billion. The move also includes the direct hiring of 20,000 American workers.

“Today’s announcement with Apple is another win for our manufacturing industry that will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect America’s economic and national security,” said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers.

Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the commitment, stating: “We’re proud to increase our investments across the United States to $600 billion over four years and launch our new American Manufacturing Program. This includes new and expanded partnerships with 10 U.S. companies that produce components used in Apple products sold worldwide.”

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The tech giant’s decision comes amid mounting trade tensions, as Trump continues to push for reshoring of manufacturing and reduce dependency on foreign supply chains. Apple, which heavily relies on global suppliers and assembles most of its products in China, has been in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariff policies.

Earlier this year, Cook warned that the proposed tariffs could cost Apple as much as $900 million in a single fiscal quarter. To mitigate the impact, Apple has ramped up production in countries like India — a move Trump has publicly criticized.

During a recent event in Qatar, Trump recalled telling Cook: “I don’t want you building in India.” On the same day as Apple’s announcement, Trump doubled U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, citing the country’s purchase of Russian oil.

In a bid to avoid the financial hit from these tariffs, Apple reportedly shipped up to 1.5 million iPhones from India to the U.S. earlier this year, according to Reuters.

Apple’s expanded U.S. investment also includes a $500 million deal with MP Materials, the operator of America’s only rare earths mine. The partnership aims to expand a Texas factory that will produce vibration magnets for iPhones using recycled materials.

Speaking on a recent investors call, Cook stressed Apple’s growing domestic footprint: “There’s a load of different things done in the United States.” He pointed to the iPhone’s glass displays and Face ID modules as examples of components already made in the U.S.

“We’re doing more in this country,” Cook added. “We already produce roughly 19 billion chips in the U.S. and we plan to do even more.”

Despite the ongoing trade challenges and investor concerns over Apple’s delayed entry into artificial intelligence, the company’s latest earnings report exceeded expectations. Surging iPhone sales helped drive a strong financial quarter, causing Apple’s stock to jump over 5% on Wednesday.

With this $100 billion boost, Apple’s commitment signals a strong push toward strengthening America’s tech manufacturing sector, aligning with Trump’s “America First” economic agenda.

‘The walking dead’ star Kelley Mack dies at 33 after battle with brain cancer

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Kelley Mack, the talented actress best known for her role as Addy on The Walking Dead, has died at the age of 33 following a battle with glioma, a form of cancer affecting the central nervous system.

Her family confirmed that she passed away on Saturday in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. The heartbreaking announcement was made via her official Instagram page.

Mack gained recognition for her performance as Addy, a Hilltop Colony survivor in Season 9 of AMC’s hit zombie drama series, The Walking Dead, which aired between 2018 and 2019.

Beyond her work on The Walking Dead, she appeared in popular television shows including 9-1-1 (Fox, 2019) and Chicago Med (NBC, 2022). She was also a familiar face in national commercials for major brands such as Dr Pepper (notably in the fictional “Fansville” campaign), Budweiser, Dairy Queen, Chick-fil-A, Rakuten, Eli Lilly, and Ross Stores. Notably, she featured in a Rakuten advertisement alongside her real-life mother.

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Described by her family as “vibrant, passionate, and full of life,” Mack was remembered for her love of storytelling and her magnetic presence on and off screen.

“Kelley’s vibrant spirit, creative passion and dedication to storytelling left an indelible mark on everyone she met and the audiences who watched her perform,” her family said in a heartfelt tribute.

Outside her acting career, Mack lived a rich and active life. She played college tennis and enjoyed hobbies such as hiking, biking, playing pickleball and piano, traveling, and participating in fantasy football leagues. She also had a deep fondness for bourbon, stuffed animals, country music, British accents, and dark chocolate. She often joked about being a “lifelong smoker,” a self-deprecating reference her loved ones say was part of her charm.

She is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay; her sister Kathryn; brother and fellow actor Parker; grandparents Lois and Larry; and her beloved boyfriend, Logan.

A memorial service in her honor is scheduled to take place on August 16 at 1 p.m. at the Glendale Lyceum in Glendale, Ohio. A separate celebration of life is also being organized for her friends and colleagues in Los Angeles.

Attend classes or lose your visa – U.S. cautions Nigerian students on academic violations

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The United States has issued a strong warning to international students, including Nigerians, about the serious consequences of violating student visa rules.

In a statement released on Monday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria cautioned that students who drop out, skip classes, or abandon their academic programmes without informing their schools could face visa revocation and may also be barred from future U.S. visa applications.

“If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your programmes of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas,” the message read.

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The mission urged all student visa holders to strictly comply with visa regulations, stay in good academic standing, and always notify their schools of any changes in their enrolment status.

“Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues,” the U.S. Mission emphasized.

This advisory serves as a reminder of the strict enforcement policies around student visas and the importance of academic compliance for all foreign students studying in the United States.

U.S. introduces $15,000 visa bond for applicants from high overstay countries

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In a renewed effort to curb visa overstays, the United States government has launched a new visa bond policy requiring select applicants to pay up to $15,000 before being granted entry.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, the new rule—part of a 12-month pilot program—will take effect from August 20. It mandates that applicants for B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrant visas from countries with high overstay rates must pay a bond of no less than $5,000, and up to $15,000, as a condition for visa issuance.

The bond will be refunded if the visa holder complies with the terms of their stay and leaves the U.S. before their visa expires. However, it will be forfeited if the individual overstays.

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The State Department noted that the program targets applicants from nations identified in a 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report as having significant rates of visa overstays. While the specific countries affected were not disclosed, the policy is expected to impact multiple regions with historically high overstay statistics.

Those subject to the bond must also enter and exit the U.S. through designated airports.

The Trump administration, since returning to the White House in January, has ramped up efforts to tighten immigration controls. The visa bond initiative, the department stated, forms a “key pillar” of the administration’s strategy to address national security threats posed by visa overstays.