International

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Indonesian authorities have deported a Nigerian national after he failed to provide immigration officials with a valid travel document or residence permit.

The Tanjungpinang Immigration Detention Centre in Riau Islands Province announced the deportation on Thursday, according to ANTARA News.

The Nigerian was among two foreign nationals deported on Tuesday, August 18, through the immigration checkpoint at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang.

“The Nigerian national could not show immigration officers a valid travel document or residence permit, violating Article 71(b) of the Immigration Law,” the report noted.

Prior to his deportation, the Nigerian was held at the Tanjungpinang Immigration Detention Centre, where officials confirmed his identity and prepared the necessary travel documents.

An official of the detention centre, I Wayan Putu Wiadnya, described the deportation as an administrative measure against foreign nationals who breach Indonesia’s immigration regulations.

He said, “We returned them and ensured the entire process was conducted professionally, orderly, safely and accountably.”

The Nigerian was deported alongside a Palestinian national who was also found to have breached Indonesian immigration rules.

Authorities said the Palestinian was deported after overstaying his permitted period in the country, in violation of Article 78(3) of the Immigration Law.

The Head of Tanjungpinang Immigration Detention Centre, Erybowo Radyan Asmono, said the action was part of efforts to enforce immigration laws and regulate the stay of foreign nationals in Indonesia.

He said, “Immigration law enforcement is essential to protecting national sovereignty, but it must remain firm, professional and guided by humanitarian principles.”

Asmono also stressed that all foreigners in Indonesia must comply with the country’s immigration laws and regulations.

He added that violations would lead to appropriate administrative action by the relevant authorities.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The Bank of Ghana has appointed prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), to chair the council overseeing interest-free banking operations in the country.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Pandit Asiama, formally inaugurated the new members of the council at a brief ceremony held in Accra.

Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar’s appointment highlights the growing role of Islamic scholars and experts in the development of interest-free banking and Islamic finance.

Professor Umar is a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, and a prominent scholar of Islamic studies. The council is expected to help ensure that interest-free banking operations in Ghana comply with the principles and requirements of Islamic law.

The appointment comes at a time when Islamic banking and finance are gaining increasing acceptance in different parts of the world.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if the country obstructs Washington’s efforts to reach an agreement with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump issued the warning on Monday during an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst. He was referring to ongoing discussions between Oman and Iran over arrangements for navigation through the strategic waterway.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump told Yingst.

The threat came as Omani and Iranian officials continued discussions on the future of maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that both countries were working towards a joint declaration.

Trump has maintained that the strategic waterway is under American control, despite the continued reduction in maritime traffic since Tehran effectively closed the strait at the beginning of the Middle East war on February 28.

The US President had also said on Friday that he could declare the Strait of Hormuz part of United States territory. Iran rejected the position and insisted that the strategic waterway it has blockaded “will remain Iranian.”

Before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was regarded as an international waterway. The route is vital to global trade because large quantities of energy products and other commodities pass through it.

Iran has used its control over the waterway as a bargaining tool amid US-led efforts to weaken its military capabilities and compel Tehran to abandon its disputed nuclear programme.

Iran occupies the northern coastline of the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman is located along its southern side.

Trump also called on Iran to surrender, according to Yingst’s account of the interview.

Iran should “put up the white flag of surrender,” Trump said.

The US President said he was not under pressure to conclude an agreement with Tehran, despite growing opposition to the war in the United States ahead of the November midterm elections.

The elections could see opposition Democrats seek control of Congress from Trump’s Republican Party.

Trump also disclosed that his administration maintains a direct back-channel with officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” he was quoted as saying.

By Maryam Ahmad

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the killing of between 30 and 40 people in Gaza every night, in remarks made during a podcast interview with former Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski.

Ben-Gvir criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for reducing Israeli military strikes in Gaza and said he supported carrying out targeted assassinations on a nightly basis.

“I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night,” Ben-Gvir said. He went further, saying that the targets should not be limited to people posing an immediate threat, claiming that some Palestinians were “not worthy of life.”

Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right Jewish Power party, is a member of Netanyahu’s coalition government but does not have direct command over Israel’s military. His comments nevertheless come from one of the most prominent hardline figures in the Israeli government and have drawn renewed attention to his calls for an intensified military campaign in Gaza.

The minister has also advocated the establishment of Israeli settlements throughout Gaza and the mass departure of Palestinians from the territory. His latest remarks have been widely criticised because of their dehumanising language and explicit advocacy of killing people beyond those posing an immediate military threat.

Israel has rejected accusations that its conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide, while statements by senior Israeli officials, including Ben-Gvir, have previously been cited in international legal proceedings concerning allegations of genocidal intent.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has claimed that the military conflict ordered by United States President Donald Trump has demonstrated the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Army Chief, General Amir Hatami, described the major maritime route as a “God-given geopolitical asset” for the Iranian people.

Hatami said the strategic influence of the waterway would not return to what it was before the conflict. He also described its leverage as one of the conditions that could help bring the war to an end while preventing future conflicts against Iran.

“One of the legacies of the U.S. president is the activation of the Strait of Hormuz’s potential,” he stated. “Without this conflict, it would not have been activated.”

The Iranian military chief also vowed that his country would prevent the United States from gaining access to the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

He said American military bases in the region would no longer be able to function as they did before, as Tehran would not permit the implementation of such plans.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed that his country had emerged victorious both politically and militarily from the conflict, despite the continued presence of the US military.

Ghalibaf said the United States and Israel launched their attacks against Iran with “nine specific, declared objectives,” but failed to accomplish the goals they had set.

“This was a defeat for the U.S. and the Zionist regime,” he said. “In the diplomatic sphere, the agreement is a source of pride and a victory on the diplomatic battlefield.”

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.