Starting August 1, the U.S. may hike tariffs on imports from key trade partners unless new deals are reached, potentially raising consumer prices. Products affected include coffee, rice, cocoa, seafood, apparel, and electronics. Brazil could face a 50% tariff on coffee, Thailand up to 36% on jasmine rice, and China 30% on apparel. Electronics and copper imports may also see steep new duties. Economists warn the tariffs could increase business costs and dampen consumer spending. Almost all coffee consumed in the U.S. is imported, making it particularly vulnerable to tariffs. Brazil, the top supplier of coffee to the U.S., faces a 50% tariff, potentially driving up prices for consumers. Vietnam, another major supplier, could see a 20% tariff. With over 98% of clothing imports and 99% of shoes entering the U.S., the fashion and retail sectors are likely to be heavily impacted. China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, key sources of apparel imports, are targeted with varying tariff rates. Thi...

  The latest "Demon Slayer" movie, titled  "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, " has broken multiple box office records in Japan.  It achieved the fastest-ever ¥10 billion yen ($67 million USD) in box office earnings , reaching this milestone in just eight days.  The film also broke records for opening day, single-day, and opening weekend gross.   According to Kogyo Tsushinsha, which monitors movie ticket sales, the film achieved the milestone just eight days after its release on July 18 — breaking the previous record set by the last Demon Slayer movie in 2020, which took ten days to reach the same mark. In a message posted to the film’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the production team thanked fans and cinema staff for their overwhelming support: “We thank each and every fan who came to movie theatres and theatre staff who are delivering this to the fans.” Created by manga artist Koyoharu Gotouge, Demon Slayer has become one of the most su...

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has warned that Nigerians traveling primarily to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for their children will be denied visas. In a post on X, the mission emphasized that “birth tourism” violates immigration rules and consular officers will deny applications suspected of this intent. The warning follows increased scrutiny of visa use and a recent shift to single-entry, three-month validity visas for most Nigerian non-diplomatic applicants. In the U.S., childbirth typically refers to  the process of giving birth to a baby , with the vast majority of births occurring in hospitals.  It encompasses various aspects, including prenatal care, the delivery process itself (vaginal birth or Cesarean section), and postpartum care. Recent news indicates that Donald Trump has proposed or taken action on several policies related to childbirth in the United States. President Trump signed an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born i...

Manchester City are set to re-sign English goalkeeper James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley. The 22-year-old City academy graduate signed for the Clarets in July 2023 in deal worth up to £19m with add-ons. He impressed last season as Scott Parker's side won promotion back to the Premier League, keeping 29 clean sheets across 45 Championship games, and was named in the division team of the year. City had a buy-back clause for Trafford but also matching rights, allowing them to match any offer from another club. They have done so following a £27m bid from Newcastle and Trafford has opted for a return to Manchester. The England Under-21 international is expected to sign a five-year contract at Etihad Stadium with the option for another year.

  Google on Thursday revealed a $37 million package to accelerate artificial intelligence development across Africa, pledging support for local AI research and projects ranging from crop monitoring to adapting technology for the continent’s languages. The commitment from the   American multinational technology company   also integrated operations  in the health and education sectors. “Africa is home to some of the most important and inspiring work in AI today,” said James Manyika, a senior vice president at the company, speaking during the launch of an “AI community centre” in Ghana’s capital, Accra. The centre will serve as a hub for training, collaboration and experimentation, including programming for AI literacy. Among the flagship initiatives unveiled is the AI Collaborative for Food Security, meant to connect researchers and non-profits to develop tools to improve early hunger detection, crop resilience and decision-making for smallholder farmers. The...

  Zenith Bank Plc has been named “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, held on Thursday, July 17 at The Peninsula, London. The award recognises Zenith as the top-performing financial institution in Nigeria, applauding its innovation, service delivery, and shareholder value. The award highlights Zenith Bank’s resilience and leadership in a competitive field of over 770 global entries, including HSBC, Citibank, DBS, and Barclays. Group Managing Director, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, dedicated the honour to customers, staff, and the bank’s founder, Jim Ovia, CFR, describing the win as “a validation of the trust our customers place in us.” She  expressed gratitude for the award, stating it's a testament to the bank's commitment to excellence and the trust placed in them by their customers.  Doctor Umeoji further emphasized the bank's dedication to supporting economic growth and upholding high standards of transparency, governance, and int...

Noni Madueke has joined Arsenal from Chelsea in a transfer reportedly worth £52m .  He has signed a long-term contract with the Gunners and has expressed his desire to win all competitions with his new club, according to beIN SPORTS. Madueke cited his "gut feeling" as a key factor in his decision to join Arsenal.   Madueke is of  Igbo  Nigerian descent.  He was born in  Barnet , Greater London,  and was educated at  St Columba's College , a  private  day school in  St Albans ,  Hertfordshire .

US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a long-term but mild vein condition, the White House said Thursday, as a result of presumption about his heavily bruised hand and swollen legs. The 79-year-old was found to have “chronic venous insufficiency” after he “noted mild swelling in his lower legs” in recent weeks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Leavitt said the widely noted discoloration on Trump’s right hand resulted from “frequent handshaking” and the use of aspirin in a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.” Trump became the oldest person in US history to assume the presidency when he began his second term this January, replacing Democrat Joe Biden, who was 82 when he left office. The Republican frequently boasts of his energy levels and regularly plays golf, while the administration recently even posted an image depicting him as Superman. In April, Trump said after undergoing a routine medical check-up that he was in “very good shape.” ...

The Federal Government has suspended its recruitment process into its paramilitary agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigerian Correctional Service. In a statement dated July 16, 2025, the Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services, Maj-Gen A.M. Jibril (rtd), said the application portal would be reopened on Monday, July 21, 2025. “As part of an effort to optimize the efficiency of its system, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) announces that the portal dedicated to the recruitment into its paramilitary agencies has been temporarily suspended. “The portal will be available again from Monday, July 21st, 2025,” Jibril stated. The Board secretary explained that the suspension would help ensure the system can efficiently handle the high volume of applications and allow for a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process. “This dev...

  By Oluseye Arowolo - Ibadan, Nigeria. The Ondo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Backbone Infrastructure Limited for the establishment of a 500,000 barrels per day oil refinery in Igbotiri, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state. The signing ceremony took place at the Governor's office in Akure. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, described the proposed investment as timely and strategic, assuring the investors of a peaceful and business-friendly environment. He emphasized that the project would boost the state's economy, create meaningful job opportunities, and reduce crime. The Managing Director of Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Mr. Henry Owonka, revealed that the refinery would be accompanied by basic infrastructure such as roads, terminal storage tanks, and others. He also disclosed that the second phase of the MOU involves the development of the Sunshine Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone. According ...

  At least five presidents are expected to attend the funeral of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday in Daura. Buhari’s ex-aide, Bashir Ahmad, confirmed the development on Facebook. Buhari died Sunday in London after a prolonged illness. His remains will arrive in Nigeria by noon, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and top officials. Meanwhile,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the State Funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The Committee, which is chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, is tasked with the responsibility of planning and coordinating a befitting state burial for the late elder statesman. Other Members of the Committee include the following: i.Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy ii.Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning iii.Honourable Minister of Def...

England midfielder Jordan Henderson is set to sign for Brentford after his exit from Ajax earlier this week. The 35-year-old will join the Bees on a two-year deal after the Dutch club agreed to end his contract a year early. Henderson had considerable interest from top clubs in England and Europe but Brentford have won the race to sign the former Liverpool skipper. Playing in the Premier League will provide Henderson with the platform to stay in Thomas Tuchel's England squad before next summer's World Cup. The 84-cap England midfielder will help plug the gap vacated by former Bees captain Christian Norgaard, who has left for Arsenal. The deal formalities are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. The move to Brentford will return Henderson to the Premier League after he left Liverpool in 2023. During his 12 years at Anfield Henderson won the Premier League - the club's first league title in 30 years - Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, Club World Cup, Uefa Sup...

  Bangladesh has launched the trial of ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over her role in a 2024 crackdown that left over 1,400 dead. Tried in absentia, Hasina faces charges of incitement and murder orders. Her former police chief has pleaded guilty and seeks to become a state witness. Responding to the panel's decision, Hasina's Awami League party condemned the trial process and said the tribunal was a “kangaroo” court. The tribunal opened the trial on June 5. Authorities published newspaper advertisements asking Hasina, who has been in exile in India, and Khan to appear before the tribunal. Hasina has been in exile since Aug. 5. Bangladesh's interim government, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, sent a formal request to India for Hasina's extradition, but India has not responded. Khan is possibly also in India.

  The United States Mission in Nigeria has iniciated the screening of social media accounts belonging to Nigerian applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas as part of new vetting procedures aimed at enhancing national security. “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to ‘public’,” the embassy announced via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday. The directive, which takes immediate effect, applies to Nigerians seeking to study or participate in exchange programmes in the United States under the affected visa categories. According to the US consulate, the move is designed to “facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.” Reinforcing the national security focus, the embassy added: “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision.” It further stated: “We use all available inf...

  Protesters in Kenya clashed with police on Monday during Saba Saba Day demonstrations despite heavy security, roadblocks, and business shutdowns across Nairobi. The rallies, marking the 1990 pro-democracy uprising, saw teargas, looting, and chants of “Ruto Must Go” amid growing anger over economic hardship and police brutality. Ten people died across Kenya during anti-government demonstrations on today, a rights group said, and  more than 500 were arrested  according to the country’s National Police Service. About 80 people have died in protests since June 2023, fueling ongoing unrest.

  Super Falcons of Nigeria on Sunday beat Tunisia 3-0 in their opening match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco. The Super Falcons would opened the scoring in the 3rd minute as a well-delivered free kick from Rinsola Babajide found Asisat Oshoala, who headed in the ball to give Nigeria the lead. Justine Madugu’s charges kept up the pressure and were duly rewarded in the 45th minute of the first half, as Babajide, who provided the assist for the first goal, turned goal scorer as she beat the Tunisian goalkeeper for the second. Nigeria continued to dominate in the second half, and substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo sealed the win with a third goal in the 84th minute. The Super Falcons controlled the game's tempo throughout, with a solid defense that limited Tunisia's chances. Their pace, physicality, and experience were key factors in overwhelming the youthful Tunisian side.

  Hamas said it was ready to start talks “immediately” on a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the civil defence agency said Israel’s ongoing offensive killed 20 people on Saturday. The announcement came after it held consultations with other Palestinian factions and before a visit on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, where President Donald Trump is pushing for an end to the war, now in its 21st month. “The movement is ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to put in place” the terms of a draft US-backed truce proposal received from mediators, the militant group said in a statement. Hamas ally Islamic Jihad said it supported ceasefire talks, but demanded “guarantees” that Israel “will not resume its aggression” once hostages held in Gaza are freed. Trump, when asked about Hamas’s response aboard Air Force One on Friday, said: “That’s good. They haven’t briefed me on it. We have to get it over with....