NewsReports

“Never.” That’s when a senior Iranian lawmaker says they’ll be ready to give up their control of the Strait of Hormuz. “It’s our inalienable right,” Ebrahim Azizi, a former commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), tells the BBC in Tehran. “Iran will decide the right of passage, including permissions for vessels to pass through the Strait.” And he …

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, on Sunday, extended warm greetings to all mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day while reaffirming his commitment to women-centred governance. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Patrick Ebojele, the Governor recognised the enduring role of mothers, as the “backbone” of families and communities. He paid tribute to women in all expressions …

Turkish Airlines and Air Peace have signed a Bilateral Special Prorate Agreement to enhance connectivity between Nigeria, Africa and global destinations. This is contained in a statement by Air Peace spokesperson, Mr Efe Osifo-Whiskey, on Sunday in Lagos. Osifo-Whiskey said the partnership enables passengers to enjoy single-ticket travel, coordinated schedules and simplified baggage handling across both airlines. He added the …

Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of State for Finance, has dismissed reports alleging hidden spending and diversion of federation revenue, describing it as misinterpretations of the World Bank Nigeria Development Update. This is contained in a statement issued by the minister on Sunday in Abuja. He said reports suggesting large-scale diversion of federation earnings misrepresented the World Bank’s findings and reflected …

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a US decision to extend the period during which Russia is allowed to sell oil despite Western sanctions. The move means countries can purchase Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels at sea until 16 May. The US argues that the waiver is meant to ease the energy supply crunch sparked by …

At least six people have been killed and others injured after a person opened fire in Kyiv on Saturday, Ukrainian officials say. The incident happened in the southern Holosiivskyi district. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the man, who lived locally, began shooting at people on the street and then took others hostage in a nearby supermarket. Klymenko said the …

Pope Leo says he was not seeking to debate Donald Trump when he criticised “tyrants” for spending billions on wars in a speech earlier this week. The pontiff said the remarks, delivered days after a high-profile spat with the US president, had been written a fortnight earlier – “well before the president ever commented on myself”. “And yet as it …

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has clarified a viral video involving its patrol team in Abuja’s Central Business District, describing the incident as misrepresented. The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Osondu Ohaeri, gave the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the footage showed a tense encounter between FRSC officials …

Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra says the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primaries will no longer permit monetary inducement or transactional politics. He spoke on Saturday at the party’s South-East zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Awka. Soludo linked the party’s slow growth since 2002 to a culture where officials allegedly exploited aspirants during primaries. He said the practice weakened internal democracy, …

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos Branch, has removed its Chairman, Dr Babajide Saheed. As a result, Dr Temidire Ewonowo has taken over leadership of the association as the new Chairman. The impeachment took place on Saturday in Lagos during an Emergency General Meeting of the association, following purported repeated violations of the rules and regulations of NMA by the …