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The United Kingdom has begun consultations with key European partners on the potential deployment of a multinational military force to Greenland, in a move aimed at discouraging United States President Donald Trump from pursuing his long-standing ambition to bring the Arctic territory under American control.

According to a report by The Standard, senior defence officials are said to be sketching out early plans for a possible NATO-led mission that could involve the deployment of troops, naval vessels and aircraft to protect Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

The proposal is reported to place emphasis on boosting security in the Arctic region in response to perceived threats from Russia and China, while also easing tensions that have followed Trump’s repeated statements about the island.

British officials are said to have recently engaged their counterparts in France and Germany as discussions over the mission begin to take shape.

Although the talks remain at an early stage, they are designed to offer Trump what European governments see as a political exit by showing that allied nations are prepared to shoulder a larger share of the security responsibility in the High North.

European leaders believe that a visible increase in allied military presence could allow Trump to present the development as a success for Washington, on the basis that US partners are strengthening their commitments, without the need for a disruptive attempt to annex Greenland.

Trump has on several occasions declined to rule out the use of force to secure the vast Arctic territory, arguing that the United States must prevent Russia or China from gaining influence in the region.

“We’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour,” he has said, while also pointing to Greenland’s abundance of strategic resources such as rare earth minerals, copper and nickel.

Sources within the UK government say Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer views the evolving security situation in the Arctic with serious concern and agrees that coordinated allied action is required.

One official said Britain shares Trump’s assessment that Russian activities in the region must be checked, while confirming that discussions within NATO on strengthening Arctic defences are continuing.

“The UK is working closely with allies to strengthen deterrence and defence in the Arctic,” the source said, adding that any future operation would align with national interests and collective security commitments.

Trump has previously suggested the use of financial incentives to persuade Greenland’s roughly 30,000 residents to align with the United States, while warning that Washington would act “whether they like it or not.”

His comments have unsettled NATO members and raised fears of a major internal rift within the alliance.In response, European governments are exploring options to prevent a crisis by proposing the stationing of allied forces on the island.

The idea was reportedly discussed at a recent NATO meeting in Brussels, where military planners were directed to review ways to improve security across the Arctic. Proposed measures could include a full deployment of forces, expanded military exercises, stronger intelligence cooperation and adjusted defence spending.

By Uzair Adam

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to account for N55.9 billion earmarked for election materials used in the 2019 general elections.

The suit follows damning revelations contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which raised concerns that the funds may have been missing or diverted.

In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to provide a full account of how the N55.9 billion was spent.

The money was reportedly meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other sensitive election materials.

SERAP is also urging the court to direct INEC to disclose the identities of all contractors paid from the funds, including details of their directors and shareholders.

According to the organisation, transparency and accountability are essential if INEC is to regain public trust and effectively discharge its constitutional duty of conducting free and fair elections.

SERAP argued that unresolved allegations of corruption would undermine the commission’s ability to administer future elections impartially.

The group further stated that failure to address the issues, prosecute those allegedly involved and recover the funds would amount to a breach of Nigerians’ right to participate in credible elections, adding that the allegations point to abuse of public office and a disregard for the rule of law.

The suit, filed on SERAP’s behalf by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, described the findings of the Auditor-General as a serious violation of public trust, the 1999 Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.

SERAP cited portions of the Auditor-General’s report which alleged that INEC irregularly paid over N5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and without evidence that the items were supplied.

Although INEC reportedly claimed the procurement was exempted on national security grounds, the Auditor-General dismissed the explanation as inconsistent with the Procurement Act.

The report also raised concerns over payments of more than N4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentation, as well as other alleged infractions involving stamp duties, unretired cash advances, questionable contract awards and inflated vehicle purchases.

In several instances, the Auditor-General reportedly expressed concern that public funds “may have been diverted” and recommended their recovery and remittance to the treasury.

No hearing date has been fixed for the suit.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has said she would consider giving her Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing swift clarification from the Nobel Institute that such a move would not be possible.

Machado made the remark during a public discussion about international support for Venezuela’s democratic struggle, suggesting Trump’s foreign policy pressure on Caracas deserved recognition. Her comments sparked widespread reaction on social media and prompted questions about whether a Nobel Prize can be transferred.

In response, the Nobel Institute said the rules governing the Nobel Peace Prize are clear and final: once awarded, the prize cannot be given, reassigned, or donated to another individual. “The decision is final,” the institute said, underscoring that the prize is granted solely to the named laureate, to her in this case.

Machado, a former National Assembly member, was barred by authorities aligned with Nicolas Maduro from running in Venezuela’s 2024 general election.

She backed a stand‑in candidate widely considered to have won the vote, although Maduro claimed victory. Ballot audits by independent observers revealed irregularities in the official results.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Protests have erupted in several parts of the United States following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman, Renee Nicole Good, by an officer of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The demonstrations, which began earlier this week, were sparked by public anger over the incident. Activists and civil society groups say the killing reflects what they describe as the growing use of militarised tactics in immigration enforcement under the administration of President Donald Trump.

Indivisible, a civic movement organisation, announced that hundreds of protests were scheduled to take place on Saturday in states including Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio and Florida.

“ICE’s violence is not a statistic, it has names, families, and futures attached to it, and we refuse to look away or stay silent,” Leah Greenberg, the group’s co-executive director, said in a statement.

In North Carolina, 51-year-old Steven Eubanks attended a rally in Durham. He said he felt compelled to join the protest after learning about the killing of Good.

“We can’t allow it,” Eubanks told The Associated Press news agency. “We have to stand up.”

Federal authorities have defended the officer involved in the shooting. Senior officials in the Trump administration said Good had “weaponised” her vehicle and posed a threat to the life of the ICE agent who shot her.

However, video recordings from the scene showed Good trying to drive away before the fatal shots were fired by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

The incident has renewed public focus on federal immigration operations across the country. It came as the Department of Homeland Security continues what it described as its largest immigration enforcement drive in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Good, who was 37 years old, was a mother of three.

Many of Saturday’s demonstrations were organised under the banner “ICE Out for Good”. Indivisible said the protests were meant to “mourn the lives taken and shattered by ICE and to demand justice and accountability”.

In Minneapolis, migrant rights groups called for a major rally at Powderhorn Park. Organisers said the gathering would demand an “end to deadly terror on our streets”.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Abdul Samad Rabiu has announced substantial financial incentives for the Super Eagles following their impressive victory over Algeria, a win that has lifted national morale and secured Nigeria a place in the semi-finals.

In a congratulatory message released on Friday, Rabiu praised the team for making the nation proud and pledged USD $500,000 to the players should they win the semi-final, with an additional USD $50,000 for every goal scored in that match.

He further stated that if the Super Eagles go on to win the final, he would reward the team with USD $1,000,000, alongside a bonus of USD $100,000 per goal scored in the final.

Rabiu described the players as symbols of national pride and unity, expressing confidence in their ability to carry Nigeria forward in the tournament.

He ended his message with a call for continued excellence, reaffirming his pride in the team and the country.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by fans, adding extra motivation as the Super Eagles prepare for the decisive stages of the competition.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

U.S. President Donald Trump declared Friday that the United States intends to acquire Greenland “whether they like it or not,” suggesting Denmark could cede the territory “the easy way or the hard way.”

He argued ownership is essential for defense and claimed if the U.S. does not take control, China or Russia will.

The remarks follow a statement earlier this week from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who indicated military action remained an option regarding Greenland.

Both Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected the idea, affirming the autonomous territory is not for sale and belongs to its people.

Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory since 1979, holds strategic importance in the Arctic.

Trump previously attempted to purchase the island during his presidency in 2019, an offer swiftly dismissed by Danish authorities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Iranian military has pledged to defend the country’s strategic assets and public property as authorities intensify efforts to contain widespread antigovernment protests triggered by rising living costs.

In a statement released on Saturday by semi-official media outlets, the armed forces accused Israel and what they described as “hostile terrorist groups” of attempting to “undermine the country’s public security.”

The declaration came after United States President Donald Trump issued fresh warnings to Iran’s leadership over the growing demonstrations, which have resulted in dozens of deaths.

“The Army, under the command of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, together with other armed forces, in addition to monitoring enemy movements in the region, will resolutely protect and safeguard national interests, the country’s strategic infrastructure, and public property,” the military said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) delivered a similar message on Saturday. State television reported that the elite force described the protection of the 1979 revolution’s legacy and national security as a “red line.”

Earlier in the day, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s backing for Iranian protesters following an internet shutdown introduced by Iranian authorities.

“The United States supports the brave people of Iran,” Rubio wrote on X.

His message followed new remarks from Trump, who warned Iran’s leadership, saying, “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.” Trump stated that Iran’s leaders appeared to be “in big trouble” and repeated his warning that military action could follow if protesters were killed.

He added, “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago.”

Demonstrations have spread across the country since January 3, driven by frustration over economic hardship and increasing calls for the removal of the clerical establishment that has governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Reports from Reuters indicated that unrest continued overnight on Saturday. State media blamed “rioters” for setting a municipal building ablaze in Karaj, west of Tehran. Press TV aired funeral footage of security personnel it said died during clashes in Shiraz, Qom and Hamedan.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has instructed its members across federal health institutions to commence an indefinite withdrawal of services following a new directive from the Federal Ministry of Health that enforces a “No Work, No Pay” policy.

Reports on Saturday indicated that the directive prompted the union’s latest decision, which affects workers in federal hospitals and other government-owned medical facilities nationwide.

In a statement circulated to members, a JOHESU leader, Comrade Abubakar Sani Aminu, said the policy was introduced without prior consultation with the union. He described the action as a unilateral step that violates workers’ rights and undermines the principles of collective bargaining.

According to the statement, Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions have received instructions to enforce the policy. JOHESU said the move represents an attempt to weaken the union while industrial action continues.

“This decision was made without prior consultation or dialogue with the union, showing a disregard for the collective voice of health workers,” Aminu said.

He cautioned members to remain calm and firm, noting that the policy was designed to weaken the unity of the union. He described the directive as “the final weapon” that the government intends to use to undermine JOHESU’s resolve.

Following the development, the union directed all members to vacate their duty posts with immediate effect. It ruled out the provision of skeleton services or any form of compromise.

“There should be no skeleton services, no attempt to help out, or compromise in any way,” the statement read. “Our collective action is the key to securing our rights.

”The leadership of the union said unity among members remains critical. It warned that allowing the policy to stand would create what it described as a dangerous precedent for future labour disputes in the health sector.

“This is the time for us to stand together, strong and united, until our demands are met,” Aminu said. He added that solidarity among members would shape the outcome of the ongoing dispute.

JOHESU restated its commitment to a campaign for fair treatment of health workers and urged members across the country to remain resolute while discussions with the federal government continue.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Ministry of Health had not released an official response to the union’s directive.

The possible effect of the strike on public health services remains uncertain. Past JOHESU actions have led to major disruptions in federal hospitals across the country.

By Uzair Adam

Former United States President Donald Trump has acknowledged for the first time that Muslims are also victims of ongoing killings in Nigeria, marking a shift from his earlier narrative that focused almost exclusively on Christians.

Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that Christians are being targeted in attacks across the country, made the admission during an interview with The New York Times.

Despite this, he maintained that Christians remain the primary victims of the violence.“I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” Trump was quoted as saying.

Speaking on a Christmas Day attack on what he described as terror targets in Nigeria, Trump warned that the United States could carry out additional military strikes if the violence continues.

“I’d love to make it a one-time strike … But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” he said.

When reminded that his own Africa adviser had previously stated that groups such as Islamic State and Boko Haram have killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump repeated his position, insisting that while Muslims are affected, Christians suffer the most.

In late October, Trump began warning that Christianity was facing what he described as an “existential threat” in Nigeria, accusing the government of failing to protect Christian communities.

He subsequently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and criticised authorities for what he called a weak response to insecurity.

The Nigerian government later dispatched a high-powered delegation to the United States to brief officials on the country’s security challenges.

Following the visit, senior American officials also travelled to Nigeria to assess the situation firsthand.

By Muhammad Sani Ilyasu

I woke up to a video circulating on social media by a former Kano State anti-corruption czar, giving his opinion about scholarship beneficiaries on why they had no moral right to identify with Kwankwasiyya. It is important to clear the air. Much of what is being said comes from people who were never inside the scheme and never lived the consequences.

Let me state this clearly and upfront: I do not identify with Kwankwasiyya. I disengaged from the movement in 2020. What follows is not partisan advocacy. It is testimony.

Criticism of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and scholars associated either rightly or wrongly with his ideology has become fashionable. But much of that criticism is detached from the lived realities that shaped those associations, especially the horrible experience of Kano State scholarship beneficiaries. I write as one of them.

Yes, the scholarships were funded with Kano State resources. But at no point—none that I can recall—were beneficiaries compelled to support Kwankwaso politically. There was no loyalty test, no ideological oath, no expectation of political repayment. In fact, many scholars openly opposed him. I personally recall frequent debates with colleagues who were supporters of Ibrahim Shekarau, many of whom never gave Kwankwaso any credit for the scholarship. Most of us were indifferent, credit was never the issue.

The lesson however came in 2015. That was when Abdullahi Ganduje assumed office—and when all of us, including Kwankwaso’s fiercest critics among the scholars, learned the brutal difference between right and privilege. Tuition payments were halted. Upkeep allowances disappeared. Return-ticket funds were withheld. Scholars were stranded and pushed into destitution in foreign countries.

Some waited over eight years to receive their certificates after the scheme was abruptly terminated. In some cases, parents died without ever seeing the academic fruits of sacrifices they had made.

As if that were not enough, scholars were publicly discredited—labeled products of “substandard universities,” their academic legitimacy questioned to justify administrative neglect. Throughout this period, Kano State went silent.

Religious leaders. Business elites. Civil society organizations. The same voices that now moralize and gaslight scholars looked away. The only “crime” of the scholars was that Kwankwaso started the program.

If, as some critics claim, the scheme was merely a vehicle for siphoning public funds, a simple question remains unanswered: why was Kwankwaso never prosecuted—and why were scholars punished instead? Why were entitlements withheld if the beneficiaries were not the accused?

What makes the silence more damning is that this neglect extended beyond foreign scholars. Until the return of a Kwankwasiyya-led government, even undergraduate scholars sent to private universities within Nigeria—and to Egypt and Cyprus—were denied certificates. For postgraduate students, the delay was damaging. For undergraduates, it was life-shattering: no certificate meant no employment, no future.

In all those years, only one political current consistently raised the issue and demanded settlement: Kwankwasiyya. This is the context critics conveniently ignore.

What they now describe as “indoctrination” or “blind loyalty” was, in reality, a rational response to abandonment. You cannot withdraw education, dignity, and future—then later shame people for gravitating toward the only structure that acknowledged their suffering.

That is not principled criticism. It is double standard. Scholars were not pushed toward Kwankwaso by manipulation. They were pushed there by neglect and even for those of us who have long moved on, that historical truth remains intact—uncomfortable, inconvenient, and undeniable.

Gaslighting scholars for the choices they made under abandonment is not moral courage.
It is hypocrisy.

Muhammad writes from Baltimore Maryland and can be reached at msaniiliyasu@gmail.com.