International

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed a strategic agreement to enhance their participation in the global halal economy, valued at $7.7 trillion. The deal focuses on boosting halal trade, investment, and certification, fostering economic cooperation between the two nations.

Signed during high-level meetings, the agreement positions Nigeria as a key player in halal industries, including food, finance, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Saudi Arabia, a dominant force in the sector, will provide expertise and market access to support Nigeria’s expansion.

Officials believe the partnership will create jobs, enhance exports, and attract foreign investment, positioning Nigeria as a leading halal market in Africa.

By Muhsin Ibrahim 

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has proposed introducing a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump’s face, citing economic struggles under former President Joe Biden.

In a post on the social media platform X, Wilson wrote, “Bidenflation has destroyed the economy, forcing American families to carry more cash. The most valuable bill for the most valuable president!”

The proposal has sparked debate, with supporters praising Trump’s economic policies and critics dismissing the move as political grandstanding. 

The US Treasury has not commented on whether such a bill is under consideration.

By Maryam Ahmad

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has etched his name deeper into Premier League history with a series of record-breaking achievements during the 2024/25 season. This is contained in a statement posted by the Premier League via its official X account. 

Salah has now scored and assisted in 42 Premier League matches, the most by any player in history. He also became the first player to be involved in 40+ goals in two different seasons.

Salah has scored and assisted in 11 league matches this season, more than any other player. His consistent goal-scoring form has seen him rise to 6th place on the all-time Premier League top scorers list. He now ranks as the 10th all-time assist provider in the competition’s history.

Salah’s impact has been particularly significant in away fixtures. He holds the joint record for most away goals in a single Premier League season (16) and most away assists (11). His combined tally of 27 away goals and assists in a season is also unmatched.

Salah has solidified his status at Anfield as a club legend, becoming the fourth player to score 100+ Premier League goals at a single venue. 

Overall, Salah has now contributed to 264 Premier League goals for Liverpool, a feat surpassed by only two players in the club’s history.

In December 2024, Salah played a crucial role in Liverpool’s campaign. He scored 14 league goals—the joint-most by any player in a single month. His seven assists in the same period also equalled the Premier League record.

Furthermore, Salah became the first player in Premier League history to score and assist in both matches against the reigning champions in a season. 

He also set another landmark by reaching double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas, a feat never achieved before.

With these extraordinary milestones, Salah continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players the Premier League has ever seen.

By Anas Abbas

The United States has unveiled its list of countries eligible for the 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), notably excluding all African nations except the United Kingdom. 

While the UK retains eligibility under certain conditions, countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa are excluded from this visa-free travel initiative.

Among the updates, Romania has been welcomed as a new participant in the 2025 VWP, which largely maintains the existing roster of eligible nations. The US government has focused on enhanced security measures and prioritized countries that demonstrate strong diplomatic relationships and robust border security practices in its selection criteria.

The Visa Waiver Programme, as outlined by the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, allows citizens from participating countries to visit the United States for tourism or business purposes for stays of up to 90 days without needing a visa. 

However, travellers must first secure a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to their journey and meet all other stipulated requirements. Those who prefer to have a visitor visa can still apply for one.

The 2025 programme introduces several policy updates regarding eligibility, adjustments to the list of participating countries, and new travel regulations to streamline visa-free entry for millions of travellers globally.

The list of 40 countries whose citizens can travel to the US without a visa under the 2025 VWP includes: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Romania.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Young education advocate Zuriel Oduwole has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote girls’ education worldwide. 

The 22-year-old filmmaker and activist has spent over a decade championing access to education, meeting with world leaders to push for policies that keep girls in school.

Oduwole, who was born in the United States to Nigerian and Mauritian parents, began her advocacy at the age of 10 through documentary filmmaking. 

Oduwole’s work has influenced discussions on education policy and earned her numerous accolades, including the Forbes Woman Africa Young Achiever Award.

While the Nobel Committee does not disclose nominations, news of Oduwole’s recognition has sparked widespread praise. If she wins, she would become one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious award. 

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate will be announced in October, and the official ceremony will be held in December in Oslo, Norway.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The political atmosphere in Germany is intensifying as the country approaches its highly anticipated federal elections on February 23, 2025. With multiple parties in the race, the election results are expected to influence Germany’s domestic policies and international stance significantly.

Key political parties are ramping up their campaigns, focusing on issues such as economic stability, immigration, climate change, and Germany’s role in global affairs. Analysts predict a tight contest, with shifting voter sentiments crucial to determining the next government.

Among the key contenders is the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, facing strong challenges from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) under Friedrich Merz. 

The Greens, led by Annalena Baerbock, are pushing a climate-focused agenda, while the Free Democratic Party (FDP), under Christian Lindner, is emphasising economic liberalisation.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the leftist Die Linke are also competing for voter support, making this election highly competitive and defining for Germany’s political future.

As Germany finds itself at a crossroads, the results of these elections will not only influence the nation’s governance but also have significant repercussions on European and global politics.

By Maryam Ahmad

Israeli authorities are reportedly holding at least 665 Palestinian bodies, many of which have been buried or stored in refrigerators since the 1960s, according to the National Campaign for Retrieval of Bodies. 

The campaign reveals that the bodies include individuals who were killed in past decades, as well as those who lost their lives as recently as last week.

The practice of withholding bodies has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian families and human rights groups. 

Relatives demand the return of their loved ones for proper burial, while critics argue the act is a violation of fundamental humanitarian rights.

Israeli authorities have not publicly addressed the full scope of the issue. Still, it is believed the bodies are kept for security or political reasons, with some allegedly buried in unmarked graves or stored in cold storage.

Human rights organisations have called for the immediate return of the bodies and demanded accountability for what they describe as an ongoing violation of human dignity.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Niger’s military junta has proposed a five-year transition period of military rule before returning power to civilians.

The announcement was made during a recent summit, where Salha Haladou, head of the Economic and Sustainable Development Committee, presented the plan.

The proposal includes aligning Niger’s economy with the Sahel region’s AES economic policies, reducing the government workforce to cut costs, rejecting LGBT+ initiatives, and tightening control over media and social platforms.

Additionally, the junta has approved mandatory military service for all young citizens who complete their education.

The plan has sparked mixed reactions. Some citizens and regional allies support the reforms, citing the need for stability and economic integration.

However, critics, including human rights groups and Western nations, worry about the impact on democratic freedoms and the extended timeline for military rule.

Niger faces ongoing challenges, including security threats from extremist groups and economic difficulties.

The junta’s ability to implement these reforms while maintaining public trust will be closely watched in the coming months.

By Maryam Ahmad

Francesco Rivella, the creator of the beloved hazelnut spread Nutella, has passed away at the age of 97 on Valentine’s Day.

Rivella, an Italian entrepreneur and food innovator, played a key role in developing the iconic chocolate-hazelnut spread that became a global favorite.

First introduced in the 1960s, Nutella quickly gained popularity for its rich taste and creamy texture, becoming a breakfast staple in households worldwide.

His passing marks the end of an era for the food industry, as millions remember the man who revolutionized sweet spreads. Tributes from fans and industry leaders have poured in, celebrating Rivella’s contribution to culinary history.

Rivella’s legacy lives on in every jar of Nutella, bringing joy to generations of chocolate lovers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has unveiled the role of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in his administration, referring to him as his enforcer-in-chief.

Trump explained that Musk, along with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, is tasked with ensuring the implementation of executive orders issued by the presidency.

During a joint interview with Fox News, the U.S. president notes that it would be beneficial to execute his directives promptly.

According to Trump: “You write an executive order and you think it’s done, you send it out, it doesn’t get done. It doesn’t get implemented.

“And some guy that maybe didn’t want to do it, all of a sudden, he’s signing it.”

Throughout the interview, both Trump and Musk expressed mutual admiration while dismissing concerns that the president might be exceeding his executive authority.

Over the past three weeks, Trump has signed numerous executive orders, with several facing legal challenges over potential constitutional violations.

“One of the biggest functions of the DOGE team is just making sure that the presidential executive orders are actually carried out,” Musk told Fox News.