International

By Maryam Ahmad

President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau has honoured Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, with the Gold Medal of the Republic, his country’s highest national award, for promoting education and African unity.

The medal was presented on behalf of President Embaló by Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Donisio Cabi, at a ceremony held at the Kano Government House.

Mr. Cabi praised Governor Yusuf for offering fifty scholarships to students from Guinea-Bissau, describing the gesture as visionary and consistent with the Kwankwasiyya ideals of empowerment and justice.

Governor Yusuf thanked President Embaló and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering education and African solidarity for peace and progress.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Nigerian academic, Dr Muhsin Ibrahim, a lecturer at the University of Cologne, Germany, has refuted claims made by United States President Donald Trump that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria.

In an article published recently on his Facebook handle, Dr Ibrahim said that framing Nigeria’s insecurity as a case of religious persecution is “a very simplistic narrative” that ignores the complex realities behind the country’s crises.

He expressed satisfaction that several Christian leaders, associations, and public figures had publicly rejected Trump’s claim.

He also commended Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore for putting aside his opposition to the current administration and “saying the truth” about the issue.

According to Dr Ibrahim, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and violent bandits do not discriminate between Muslims and Christians in their attacks.

“Boko Haram’s bullets do not differentiate between Muslims and Christians,” he wrote, noting that the extremist group has “killed more Muslims than non-Muslims,” including during their deadly assault on the Kano Central Mosque.

He further pointed out that victims of banditry in states such as Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger are mostly Muslims and that many mosques and worshippers have been attacked without anyone framing it as religious persecution.

Regarding the recurring clashes between farmers and herders in parts of the Middle Belt, Dr Ibrahim argued that the conflicts are primarily driven by territorial, ethnic, and resource-based disputes, rather than religion.

Dr Ibrahim also warned that any sanctions the U.S. might impose on Nigeria over Trump’s claims would likely worsen the country’s situation.

“The sanctions, or some aid withdrawal, will eventually impact everyone, just as the violence does not spare anyone,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to celebrate Trump’s statements, describing them as politically motivated rather than a genuine concern for human rights.

“It’s about politics, not genuine concern for humanity,” he wrote, questioning Trump’s silence on humanitarian crises in Gaza, South Sudan, Congo, and Haiti.

The academic concluded by expressing hope for peace in Nigeria and across the world, writing: “May there be more peace in our fatherland, Nigeria, and everywhere else, amin.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” following allegations of widespread killings of Christians across the nation.

Trump made the announcement in a post shared on his Truth Social platform on Friday, which was later reposted on the White House’s X account.

This is coming at a time when the larger percentage of the victims the killings in Nigeria are Muslims.

According to the Family Research Council, such a designation is usually made by the US government—particularly by the Secretary of State—under American laws that identify countries violating human rights or engaging in actions that contradict US interests.

In his post, Trump wrote, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’

”He added, “But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done! “I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me.”

Trump further declared that the United States would not remain passive in the face of such violence, saying, “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”

FG Reacts

Reacting to the allegations, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as “misleading and unreflective” of Nigeria’s complex security situation.

Speaking on CNN, Idris said some US lawmakers were relying on inaccurate and misleading data to accuse Nigeria of Christian genocide.

His media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, released a statement reaffirming that the Nigerian government remained committed to religious freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

Idris said, “Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and the assumption that victims of violence are largely Christians. Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not target one religion; they attack both Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern part of the country.”

The minister also cautioned that spreading such narratives could embolden criminal groups that seek to ignite religious tension and animosity among Nigerians.

By Hassana Abdullahi

The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees allowed into the United States over the next year, slashing the annual cap to 7,500. Officials described the move as being “in the national interest,” marking a dramatic shift from the previous limit of 125,000 set under the Biden administration.

In a statement, government representatives said the new policy would prioritise white South Africans, commonly known as Afrikaners, citing what they described as “ongoing discrimination” against the group in their home country.

The decision has sparked criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that it politicises refugee admissions and undermines America’s long-standing commitment to offering protection based on humanitarian need rather than ethnicity or nationality.

Administration officials, however, defended the move, saying it reflects a “targeted and merit-based” approach to refugee resettlement aimed at protecting those “most aligned with American values.”

The new refugee ceiling marks one of the lowest in U.S. history and signals a broader reorientation of the country’s immigration and humanitarian policies.

By Maryam Ahmad

More than 100 people were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday, according to health officials in the enclave. The strikes came shortly after Israel accused Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement — an allegation Hamas has denied.

Palestinian health authorities said the attacks targeted several densely populated areas, leaving scores of civilians among the dead and many others injured. Rescue teams continued to search through the rubble for survivors late into the night.

In a statement, Hamas rejected Israel’s claims of ceasefire breaches and accused Israel of deliberately escalating the conflict. The group also said Israeli authorities had prevented the return of the bodies of Israeli hostages who were killed during earlier clashes.

The renewed violence has raised fears of a broader breakdown in the ceasefire, which had offered a brief respite after months of devastating fighting. International calls for restraint have grown as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to worsen.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Influencers in China will now need to hold a university degree or relevant professional qualifications before discussing serious topics such as medicine, law, education, or finance online, according to new regulations aimed at curbing misinformation.

The policy, announced by Chinese authorities this week, requires prominent online personalities — particularly those with over one million followers — to provide proof of their expertise. Those who fail to comply risk fines of up to ¥100,000 (about $14,000).

Officials say the move is designed to tackle the growing problem of false information and deceptive advertising, especially in areas such as fake medical treatments and supplements that have proliferated on social media.

While supporters argue the measure will help protect the public from misleading content, critics warn it could tighten state control over online speech and limit discussions on critical social issues.

The new rules mark another step in China’s ongoing campaign to regulate its vast and influential online ecosystem, emphasising “professional responsibility” and “accuracy” in digital communication.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The Government of Ghana has introduced a new education policy mandating the use of local languages as the primary medium of instruction in all schools across the country.

Announcing the policy, Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, said the decision marks a major step toward resetting Ghana’s education system to better reflect the nation’s linguistic and cultural realities. He emphasised that children learn best in their mother tongue, which enhances understanding and cognitive development.

“The use of our local languages in classrooms will not only improve learning outcomes but also help preserve Ghana’s rich linguistic heritage,” Iddrisu stated.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has been directed to oversee the nationwide implementation of the policy. The move is expected to significantly reduce the dominance of English in the country’s early education system and promote inclusivity through indigenous languages.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Swiss Federal Council has ruled out introducing a nationwide ban on schoolgirls wearing the hijab in public schools, stating that existing laws sufficiently regulate issues of participation and equality in education.

In a statement issued this week, the Council emphasized that current legal frameworks already ensure that all students, regardless of religion or cultural background, take part fully in lessons, sports, and swimming classes. It added that individual cantons retain authority over education policies, including dress codes in schools.

The decision follows ongoing debates in several European countries over the wearing of religious symbols in public institutions. Swiss authorities reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of religion and expression while maintaining that integration and participation remain key priorities in the education system.

By Maryam Ahmad

The U.S. State Department has revoked the visas of at least six foreign nationals from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, and Paraguay who publicly “celebrated” the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

In a statement posted on X, the department said it had exercised its authority to deny entry to individuals “who wish death on Americans.” It also published screenshots of their social media posts praising Kirk’s killing, describing the remarks as “reprehensible and incompatible with the values of decency and respect.”

“We will not tolerate or provide safe haven to those who glorify acts of violence against Americans,” the statement read.

The move underscores Washington’s unprecedented effort to shut criticism of Mr Kirk after his assassination, which has sparked intense debate and condemnation both within the United States and abroad. The State Department did not release the names of the individuals involved.

By Maryam Ahmad

An explosion at an ammunition plant in Tennessee has left at least 19 people unaccounted for, authorities said on Friday. The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company that manufactures test explosives, and completely levelled the facility.

Police confirmed that the death toll remains unclear, but early reports indicate that several employees were killed in the explosion. Emergency crews and investigators have been working at the site since the blast, searching for survivors and assessing the damage.

Officials said the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. The investigation is ongoing.