International

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Somalia’s national carrier, Somali Airlines, is expected to resume operations next month, more than three decades after its flights were grounded following the outbreak of civil war in 1991.

The planned return of the airline marks a significant step in Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its aviation sector and restore a national carrier that once operated domestic and international routes.

The government has acquired two Airbus A320 aircraft as part of the revival plan. Officials say the relaunch is intended to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign airlines, create employment opportunities and improve air connectivity for Somalis at home and abroad.

Somali Airlines ceased operations in 1991 following the collapse of the government of President Siad Barre and the subsequent civil conflict. Its absence for more than three decades left the country dependent on privately owned and foreign carriers for commercial air travel.

The revival has been welcomed by many Somalis, although the government has previously announced several anticipated launch dates that were not met. The latest plan is therefore being watched closely as preparations continue for the return of the national flag carrier.

If successful, the relaunch would restore an important symbol of Somalia’s statehood and reconnect the country with a chapter of its aviation history that ended 35 years ago.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria ranked 20th among the world’s largest mineral fuel-producing countries in 2024, with an estimated output of 114.8 million metric tonnes, according to data compiled by Visual Capitalist.

The figure represents 0.7 per cent of global mineral fuel production for the year.

The ranking, published by Visual Capitalist, was based on data from the Austrian Ministry of Finance and covered steam coal, coking coal, lignite, petroleum, oil shales, natural gas and uranium.

The measurement focused on the physical quantity of mineral fuels produced rather than their monetary value or energy content. As a result, countries with large coal production gained an advantage over nations whose output is dominated by higher-value and more energy-dense fuels such as crude oil and natural gas.

China topped the global ranking with 4.81 billion metric tonnes, which accounted for 28.6 per cent of total world production.

The United States came second with 2.28 billion metric tonnes, equivalent to 13.5 per cent of global output, while Russia occupied the third position with 1.46 billion metric tonnes or 8.7 per cent.

India ranked fourth with 1.14 billion metric tonnes, while Indonesia completed the top five with 921.4 million metric tonnes.

The five leading producers collectively accounted for 63.1 per cent of global mineral fuel production in 2024.

China’s production was dominated by steam and coking coal, while petroleum and natural gas formed a much larger portion of the output from the United States and Russia.

India also recorded a substantial coal output, with steam coal accounting for the largest share of its mineral fuel production. Indonesia’s output was similarly dominated by steam coal.

Nigeria’s 114.8 million metric tonnes placed it behind Mexico, which recorded 119.2 million metric tonnes, but ahead of Colombia, Mongolia, Germany, Poland and Malaysia.

Among other major African producers, South Africa ranked 10th with 234 million metric tonnes, while Algeria occupied the 18th position with 146.8 million metric tonnes.

The data also showed that Asia-Pacific remained the largest regional producer of mineral fuels in 2024. The region produced 8.36 billion metric tonnes, representing 49.7 per cent of the world’s total output.

North America followed with 2.91 billion metric tonnes, or 17.3 per cent. The Middle East and Europe accounted for 12.9 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively.

The report noted that the use of weight as the basis for the ranking significantly affected the positions of major oil-producing countries. Saudi Arabia, for instance, ranked seventh in overall mineral fuel production with 594.2 million metric tonnes despite its position as one of the world’s leading crude oil producers.

The ranking indicates that countries with large coal industries can record higher positions than some major oil and gas producers when mineral fuel output is measured by physical weight.

Beyond the 25 largest producers, the report noted that production levels declined sharply, with Germany, Poland and Malaysia each contributing less than one per cent of global mineral fuel output.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

North Korea is taking its military involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine to a new level, with Ukrainian military intelligence reporting that a North Korean missile unit is being deployed to Russia’s Voronezh region.

The unit reportedly includes approximately 90 North Korean personnel and could operate ballistic missiles including the KN-23 and KN-24 variants. Ukrainian intelligence officials say the weapons could potentially be used against targets in Ukraine, with the unit eventually fielding up to 120 missiles and six launchers.

The development represents a significant escalation beyond North Korea’s previous role as a supplier of weapons and troops. Pyongyang has already provided Russia with ballistic missiles and thousands of military personnel, while North Korean missiles have reportedly been used in attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

With the missile unit now moving into western Russia, Kyiv faces the prospect of a new wave of ballistic missile attacks — backed directly by Pyongyang and launched from Russian territory.

The deployment comes as Russia continues to rely on foreign military support to sustain its nearly two-year-long invasion of Ukraine, with both Iran and North Korea supplying weapons to Moscow’s forces.

Ukrainian officials have not specified when the unit might become operational or how many missile systems have already been transferred.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump was reportedly moved from Turkey to Britain aboard a smaller military aircraft last month after US authorities received what they considered a credible threat from Iran, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported on Tuesday.

The reported security operation occurred during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit attended by several world leaders.

According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in front of television cameras. He was later transferred to another aircraft through an airport catering truck that is normally used to deliver meals and supplies to planes before departure.

A US official told the newspaper that the move was prompted by a credible threat linked to Iran.

The New York Times separately reported that the White House concealed Trump’s actual location from journalists and some members of his travelling staff.

The White House had earlier stated that Trump left Turkey on July 8 aboard the former Air Force One. Trump had also said on Truth Social that he intended to use the older Boeing 747 instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar, which had taken him to Turkey.

The Qatar-donated aircraft was on its first international trip during the NATO visit. Its security features and planned modifications had previously attracted public attention.

Before departing Ankara, Trump said he would use the older blue-and-white presidential aircraft “for old time’s sake” to travel to RAF Mildenhall in Britain. He said the newer aircraft would also stop at the British airbase so US military personnel stationed there could inspect it.

However, The Washington Post reported that Trump was first taken aboard a third aircraft before being transferred to the older Air Force One shortly before departure.

The reported operation allowed Trump to enter the older presidential aircraft through a different entrance before later appearing on its stairs in public, creating the impression that he had travelled aboard the plane throughout the journey.

Members of the travelling press pool were reportedly told to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight.

Some White House personnel travelling with Trump were also reportedly unaware that he was not aboard the aircraft they believed was carrying him.

Reporters later asked Trump why they had been instructed to keep the window shades closed. He responded jokingly that they were “probably on a dangerous flight.”

“But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump added.

The C-32A aircraft reportedly carrying Trump landed in Britain at about 10:20pm local time. The former Air Force One and the media aircraft arrived separately several minutes later.

Trump’s travelling press pool said he came out of the older Air Force One at about 10:56pm. He reportedly gave reporters a peace sign, greeted US service members and proceeded towards the aircraft donated by Qatar.

The reported security manoeuvre was similar to an operation carried out during former US President Bill Clinton’s 2000 visit to Pakistan. Clinton reportedly used an unmarked executive aircraft to enter the country while Air Force One served as a decoy.

White House Communications Director Steve Cheung, in response to questions about the reported operation, said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been fitted with high-level security measures to protect Trump and his staff.

“As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats,” Cheung said.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A fatal traffic accident claiming the life of a prominent Israeli liturgical singer has triggered a fierce online battle over the musician’s legacy.

Avishai Levy, a 30-year-old paytan (liturgical singer) from the Haredi community, was killed on August 7, 2026, on Adoniyahu HaCohen Street. Authorities report that Levy had just exited his vehicle when it unexpectedly began to roll forward. In an apparent attempt to halt the runaway car, Levy was pinned between the vehicle and a nearby utility pole.

First responders from Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah performed emergency resuscitation maneuvers, but Levy succumbed to severe trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic police have launched a mechanical investigation to determine why the vehicle failed to remain parked.

While the incident is being handled as a tragic accident, it has sparked a polarized narrative on social media.

Local Hebrew-language media and religious organizations widely mourned Levy, profiling him as a former child prodigy who dedicated his career to traditional Jewish liturgical music, weddings, and faith-based albums.

Simultaneously, pro-Palestinian social media accounts circulated counterclaims, alleging that Levy was an Israeli military major who utilized his platform to perform anti-Palestinian music and nationalist chants for troops.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Flight operations at the Lagos airport were disrupted on Tuesday after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commenced a protest at the facility.

The protest reportedly began around 5am, with the Zulu terminal gate locked, which affected passengers scheduled to travel from Lagos.

An Air Peace flight expected to leave Lagos at 6:30am was unable to depart as passengers remained at the airport amid the disruption.

The development caused frustration among travellers, with some passengers expressing concern over the uncertainty surrounding their journeys.

A passenger told Daily Trust that “the delay had disrupted his schedule, expressing concern that he could not tell when the flight would eventually depart.”

Another passenger said she arrived at the airport early for the 6:30am flight but became stranded without definite information on when flight operations would resume.

A staff member of Air Peace confirmed the disruption when contacted by Daily Trust.

“Yes, it’s true,” the staff member said, but declined to provide the reason for the protest.

However, an operator familiar with the matter said the “protest was intended to enforce Air Peace employees right to join the union”

Attempts to contact Air Peace through its customer care line were unsuccessful, as calls to the number could not be connected at the time of filing this report.

The protest consequently affected movement at the airport, while passengers on the affected flight awaited further information on the situation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States government says it has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals under President Donald Trump’s administration over alleged criminal activities, violations of visa conditions and security concerns.

The US Department of State disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that most of the cancellations followed encounters with law enforcement agencies.

According to the department, the major reasons included assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences.

It said other visas were cancelled over “reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other crimes”.

The department said the action formed part of its continuous screening of visa holders to determine whether they were complying with immigration conditions and whether they posed risks to Americans.

Some of the affected individuals, it said, had faced serious criminal allegations, including “felony rape and sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, child sexual abuse offences and domestic violence”.

The department also disclosed that a US embassy in North Africa cancelled more than 100 visas issued to parents accused of engaging in “birth tourism”. The practice involves travelling to the US mainly to give birth so that children can acquire US citizenship.

Other cases cited by the department included a foreign national who was arrested for allegedly driving with heroin while having a blood alcohol concentration more than three times the legal limit.

The US government also reported cases involving alleged financial crimes and fraud.

One foreign national who reportedly claimed to operate a legitimate business that assisted vulnerable patients with healthcare was accused of helping to organise a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent claims.

Another individual was accused of falsifying company revenue and forging letters to mislead investors and fraudulently secure a US visa, according to the department.

The State Department also cited visa revocations involving foreign nationals accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It said some of the individuals had made statements that appeared to support or celebrate his death.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that several foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds, the department said.

Among the cases were a Cuban national allegedly linked to an influence operation associated with Cuba’s communist government and Iranian nationals accused of having connections to the Iranian government.

The department also listed a Laotian child sex offender who had been pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire to attack the US president and describing Americans as his “enemy”.

The State Department said it would continue to investigate foreign nationals who it considers threats to public safety and cancel their visas where necessary.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the department said, adding that it would use available measures to protect American communities from individuals who abuse the immigration system.

By Usman Abdullahi Koli

While much of the world’s attention remains fixed on wars, economic uncertainty and geopolitical rivalries, a profound recalibration of the global energy order is underway. It is a shift defined not by headlines, but by the urgent competition to secure supply chains, attract long-term capital, deploy cleaner technologies, and craft the regulatory frameworks that will underpin economic growth for decades.

Increasingly, these decisions are not made within national borders alone. They are forged on international platforms where governments, industry leaders, investors, and researchers exchange ideas, build partnerships, and seek practical solutions to shared existential challenges.

That is why Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council (WEC) deserves more than a passing mention. This is not merely another diplomatic affiliation. It is the country’s re-entry into one of the world’s oldest and most influential energy leadership forums at a moment when energy security, affordability, sustainability, and investment have become defining issues for every major economy. For Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of its premier energy producers, the significance extends well beyond representation. It offers a strategic aperture to shape global policy discourse while vigorously advancing national and regional interests.

Founded in 1923, the World Energy Council has spent over a century connecting governments, businesses, and researchers across the energy landscape. With national member committees spanning more than ninety countries, it serves as a respected neutral forum for dialogue on the future of energy rather than a regulatory body. Its influence derives from its ability to unite diverse voices to address common challenges, encourage innovation, and promote practical approaches to what it terms the “energy trilemma”: balancing energy security, environmental sustainability, and equitable access. Through flagship initiatives like the World Energy Congress and its authoritative research on global trends, the Council has become an indispensable reference point for policymakers and industry leaders alike.

Nigeria’s renewed membership arrives at a pivotal inflection point. Globally, nations are reassessing their energy strategies in response to climate commitments, geopolitical fractures, and technological disruption. The conversation has moved beyond the traditional metric of production capacity. Today, equal weight is given to resilience, competitiveness, regulatory certainty, and the ability to attract stable, long-term investment. Nations are increasingly judged not only by the resources they possess, but by the institutional strength they build and the policies they pursue.

Few countries illustrate this challenge more vividly than Nigeria. The nation holds some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, remains a major oil producer, and possesses immense renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and hydroelectric resources. Yet it continues to grapple with persistent deficits in electricity access, transmission infrastructure, financing, and energy poverty. These realities render international engagement a strategic necessity rather than a diplomatic exercise. Participation in the WEC provides Nigeria with a vital conduit to exchange technical knowledge, strengthen institutional cooperation, learn from global best practices, and project African perspectives in conversations that increasingly dictate investment and policy outcomes.

The opportunities created by this renewed engagement are substantial. Membership unlocks access to comparative research, executive-level dialogue, policy networks, and collaborative initiatives that can directly support national reforms. For instance, Nigeria could leverage the WEC’s scenario-building tools to chart optimal pathways for gas monetisation alongside solar expansion, or utilise the Council’s “Energy Trilemma Index” to benchmark its regulatory reforms against peer economies, translating global frameworks into actionable domestic strategy. Backing this strategic push with the full authority of the state, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offered an unequivocal endorsement of the newly constituted Member Committee. The President, in formally welcoming Nigeria’s admission, reframed the development as a decisive assertion of continental leadership rather than a mere diplomatic courtesy. Capturing the administration’s highest aspirations for the platform, he declared: “Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council to lead, not just participate – to ensure Africa’s voice shapes global energy decisions.”

Steering this strategic re-engagement is a newly constituted Member Committee, featuring representatives from the government, the private sector, academia, and international energy institutions. At its helm, Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Member Committee, and he is very much the man in the picture. Upon his appointment, Wunti captured the essence of this moment with characteristic clarity: “I am honoured to lead WEC Nigeria at a time of profound economic crosscurrents. We will navigate the energy trilemma with pragmatism, mobilising private capital to ensure Nigeria’s energy future is defined not by ideology, but by investability—delivering prosperity that is bankable, just and secure.”

These words are more than a statement of intent; they are a strategic compass. They affirm that Nigeria’s approach to the global energy transition will be grounded in realism, fiscal discipline, and a clear-eyed understanding of what attracts capital and sustains development. Wunti’s emphasis on “investability” rather than ideology signals a mature departure from abstract commitments toward measurable, bankable outcomes—a philosophy that resonates deeply with Nigeria’s immediate needs and long-term aspirations. Wunti is no peripheral figure. He brings a formidable depth of operational and strategic experience from Nigeria’s petroleum industry, having served in senior technical and executive roles, most recently as Chief Health, Safety, and Environment Officer of NNPC Ltd. His professional DNA, forged in operational management, institutional leadership, corporate governance, and multi-stakeholder engagement, positions him uniquely to navigate the complex currents of the global energy transition.

In his new capacity, Wunti’s mandate extends far beyond administration. He is tasked with architecting Nigeria’s engagement strategy: fortifying ties with international partners, driving substantive policy dialogue, and ensuring that Nigerian perspectives are not merely heard, but actively shape global energy governance. His leadership will be critical in translating the Council’s global frameworks into tangible reforms that address Nigeria’s domestic energy paradox: abundant resources coexisting with acute access deficits.

The broader significance of this development, however, transcends any single appointment. Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council signals a mature recognition that influence in today’s energy landscape is determined as much by ideas, partnerships, and institutional credibility as by natural resource endowments. The countries that will define the future of energy are those that combine resource wealth with sound policy, technological innovation, and sustained international collaboration.

For Nigeria, this renewed membership is a strategic instrument to deepen its contribution to global energy conversations while advancing its own developmental priorities. The platform is now active, and the leadership is in place. The hope ahead, under Wunti’s stewardship, is to convert participation into tangible outcomes: stronger cross-border partnerships, more informed domestic policies, enhanced investment flows, and a more resilient, inclusive energy sector. If that objective is achieved, Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council will be remembered not simply as an institutional milestone, but as a decisive step in strengthening the nation’s role within an increasingly interconnected global energy system, with Dr. Bala Wunti standing firmly at the centre of that transformation.

Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Social media platform X has announced plans to discontinue its current revenue-sharing programme and replace it with a new scheme designed to reward creators for producing original content.

The company, formerly known as Twitter, announced the change through its X Creators Team on Friday.

According to the platform, the new “Original Content Rewards Program” will focus on creators whose posts contribute meaningfully to discussions and engagement on X.

“Today, we’re introducing the Original Content Rewards Program — a new way for creators to earn on X by sharing original content and contributing meaningfully to the conversation,” the company said.

X said its existing Revenue Sharing programme will officially end on September 7, 2026. Creators who are currently enrolled will continue to receive earnings until the programme ends.

“If you’re currently enrolled in Revenue Sharing, you’ll continue earning through September 7, 2026, and your final Revenue Sharing payout will be issued on September 11, 2026.”

The platform said applications for the new rewards programme would open on September 8 for creators who satisfy the required eligibility conditions.

Creators can determine whether they qualify through the Creator Studio section dedicated to the Original Content Rewards programme.

X also said creators who have already completed identity verification and linked an approved payment method would not need to undergo the process again.

“Once approved, you’ll continue earning under the Original Content Rewards Program and its Terms and Conditions,” it said.

Explaining the reason for the new programme, the company said creators remain central to the platform’s appeal because of the range of content and perspectives they bring.

“X has always been powered by people who share something only they can: breaking news, expert insights, unique experiences, creativity, and commentary that moves culture forward.

“We want to reward the people who make X worth opening every day, so we’re evolving how creators earn here.”

The change is expected to affect creators who currently depend on X’s revenue-sharing system as part of their earnings from content posted on the platform.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A highly anticipated publishing deal worth more than $2 million for Nigerian author Jerry Falade has collapsed after allegations that artificial intelligence (AI) may have been used in the creation of his debut crime novel, Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body.

The manuscript had attracted intense interest from publishers, with a 14-way bidding contest reportedly leading to a multimillion-dollar offer from a major U.S. publisher. However, Falade’s literary agents withdrew the novel after stating they could no longer verify that the manuscript had been written without AI assistance.

Falade has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that he wrote the novel himself. He has also argued that the accusations reflect racial bias within the publishing industry, claiming that Black authors face greater scrutiny over AI use than their white counterparts.

The controversy has sparked fresh debate about the growing role of AI in creative writing and the challenges publishers face in verifying the originality of manuscripts. It also highlights increasing concerns within the global publishing industry over authorship, copyright, and the ethical use of generative AI.