Dr. Richard Montgomery -  British High Commissioner to Nigeria The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability, primarily through the launch of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme in January 2026. Key components of this support include: The SPRiNG Initiative: A four-year (2024–2028) UK-funded programme designed to bolster institutional capacity for conflict management and response. It specifically targets northern Nigeria to address the intersection of conflict and climate-related pressures. Strategic Security Partnership: The partnership, underscored by British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery, focuses on counter-terrorism, border security, and tackling hybrid threats like disi...

  Sweden plans to implement a nationwide ban on mobile phones in all primary and middle schools, and after-school facilities. The ban is set to go into effect for the start of the autumn term in August 2026. Details of the Ban Scope: The ban will apply to all students up to the ninth grade (typically ages 15-16) and will be in effect throughout the entire school day, including breaks and after-school activities. Enforcement: Students will be required to hand in their phones at the beginning of the school day, and the devices will be stored and returned at the end of the day. This standardizes current practices, as about 80% of schools already had some form of ban at the principals' discretion, but enforcement varied. Rationale: The government's primary goal is to decrease distractions in the classroom to improve student concentration and academic performance, particularly in core subjects like reading and mathematics. The policy also aims to promote better mental health and hea...

  Image -  Nigerian soldiers on operation near road As of January 27, 2026, bandits who abducted 177 worshippers in Kaduna State have demanded a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles for their release. The abduction occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, during morning services at three churches in the Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area. Key Details of the Incident: Targeted Churches: The attacks hit two branches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church and the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). Victims: While 177 people were initially seized, 11 managed to escape shortly after the attack, leaving 166 (including women, children, and the elderly) in captivity. Ransom Demands: Financial: The bandits initially demanded ₦29 million to replace motorcycles they allegedly lost during military operations. As of January 27, this demand has escalated to ₦250 million. Logistical: They also demand 20 motorcycles (increased from an initial request of 17). Official Resp...

The corruption trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke began in London's Southwark Crown Court on January 26, 2026, though its full commencement faced delays for legal and technical reasons.  The 65-year-old faces six charges—five for accepting bribes and one for conspiracy to commit bribery—allegedly involving over £100,000 in cash, luxury goods, and private jet flights between 2011 and 2015. Key details regarding the trial: Accusations: She is accused of accepting "financial or other advantages" from individuals tied to Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups while serving as Minister. Alleged Benefits: Bribery allegations include use of London properties, staff costs, furniture, chauffeur-driven cars, and high-end items from Cartier and Louis Vuitton. Procedural Status: The trial, which is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks, involves the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and is presided over by Justice Thornton. Background: Alison-Madue...

  On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, was fatally shot by federal Border Patrol agents in south Minneapolis. The incident occurred during a confrontation amid protests against a federal immigration enforcement crackdown. Key Details of the Shooting Location: The shooting took place around 9:05 a.m. on Nicollet Avenue, an area known as "Eat Street". Conflicting Accounts: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated agents acted in self-defense after Pretti "violently resisted" attempts to disarm him while he brandished a 9mm handgun. Video Evidence: Multiple bystander videos verified by major news outlets appear to contradict the federal narrative. Analysis indicates that while Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit, an agent had already removed the weapon from his waistband and was walking away when at least one other agent fired approximately ten shots at Pret...

  An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for metro Atlanta and North Georgia from 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, until 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, with significant icing (0.25 to 1 inch) and wind gusts up to 40 mph expected.  This high-impact event is likely to cause widespread power outages, tree damage, and make travel impossible. Impacts: Dangerous, potentially crippling conditions for travel and infrastructure. Hazards: Significant ice accumulation combined with 20–30 mph wind gusts will likely snap tree limbs and power lines. Safety: Georgia officials have declared a State of Emergency, urging residents to stay off roads. Closures: Many schools, including Atlanta Public Schools, have moved to remote learning or closed for Monday, Jan. 26. Preparation: Complete all preparations by Saturday morning, as conditions will deteriorate quickly. Also, MARTA is implementing an inclement weather service plan for Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, due to a winter storm, operating...

  Arne Slot praised Mohamed Salah’s professionalism and fitness following the winger’s return to the starting lineup in Liverpool’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Marseille on January 21, 2026. The match served as a significant "reset" for both individuals following a turbulent period: Key Highlights of the "Important Night" Salah’s Resilience: After more than a month away at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and having only returned to training a day prior, Salah played the full 90 minutes. Slot remarked that being fit enough to play the entire match after such a short turnaround "says a lot about how professional he is". Ending the Drought: This was Liverpool’s first win in a game Salah started since early November 2025. Tactical Success: Slot utilized a 4-2-2-2 setup that allowed Salah to focus on attack by reducing his defensive burden, a move praised by former captain Steven Gerrard. Slot’s Marseille Connection: The venue held personal significance...

  On January 20, 2026, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria issued a formal statement mourning the passing of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who died on January 15, 2026, at the age of 90.  The Mission hailed him as a "fearless advocate for religious tolerance" whose outreach across religious communities would continue to inspire both Nigerians and Americans. Legacy of Tolerance Imam Abdullahi gained international recognition for his heroic actions during the June 2018 violent attacks in Plateau State: Saving Lives: He sheltered and saved approximately 300 Christians by hiding them in his personal home and mosque in Nghar village, Gashish District. Courage Under Fire: He reportedly stood his ground against armed assailants, refusing to release those he was protecting by claiming they were all Muslims. International Honors: In recognition of his bravery, he received the U.S. International Religious Freedom Award (2019) and the Nigerian national honor of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)...

  On January 19, 2026, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin received an invitation to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" for Gaza. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is currently studying the "nuances" of the proposal through diplomatic channels. The Board is a central part of Trump’s post-ceasefire plan to oversee the governance, reconstruction, and economic recovery of the Gaza Strip. Structure: Chaired by Trump, the board includes a 11-member executive committee featuring high-profile figures such as Jared Kushner, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Membership: Trump has reportedly invited roughly 60 world leaders to join as founding states. Funding: Permanent membership is reportedly offered to nations willing to contribute $1 billion toward Gaza's reconstruction; those who do not pay may be limited to a three-year term. Key Invitees: Other leaders who ...

  On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the South African government declared a national state of disaster following weeks of torrential rainfall and widespread flooding that devastated the northern region and neighboring countries. “I classify the disaster as a national disaster,” the head of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre, Elias Sithole, said in a statement Sunday. Impact in South Africa Casualties: At least 37 deaths have been confirmed in the northeastern provinces, with 20 fatalities in Mpumalanga and 17 in Limpopo. Infrastructure Damage: The floods have damaged more than 2,600 homes and 31 schools across the two hardest-hit provinces. Preliminary damage estimates in Limpopo alone exceed $240 million. Tourism: Kruger National Park was forced to partially close and evacuate over 600 visitors by helicopter after rising waters inundated access roads and campsites. Regional Impact The severe weather system has affected the broader Southern Africa region, with the total ...

  In January 2026, the European Union (EU) officially removed Nigeria from its list of high-risk third-country jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorism financing. According to a statement by the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the regulation, contained in the European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) C (2025) 8460, adopted on December 4, 2025, is in line with updates by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from its October 2025 Plenary. The development, which takes effect from January 29, 2026, also confirmed the removal of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania from the list, following their successful exit from the FATF list of Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring after addressing identified strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. “The European Commission acknowledged that Nigeria and the other delisted countries have strengthened the effectiveness of their AML/CFT regimes, closed key technical and operational gaps, and fulfilled the comm...

  OpenAI announced it will begin testing ads in ChatGPT for free and low-cost users in the U.S. in the coming weeks, with clearly labeled, relevant sponsored content appearing at the bottom of chats, while paid Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans will remain ad-free to maintain trust and provide diverse revenue for accessibility. The ads aim to support free AI access by generating revenue, with a focus on relevant products and services based on conversations, but without selling user data to advertisers. This marks a significant shift in the platform's monetization strategy as it manages high operational costs. Key Details of the Ad Introduction Targeted Users: Ads will initially be tested with free-tier and ChatGPT "Go" (the new $8/month tier) users in the United States. Ad-Free Tiers: Higher-level subscriptions, including Plus ($20/mo), Pro ($200/mo), Team, and Enterprise, will remain ad-free. Format and Placement: Ads will appear as clearly labeled, separate boxes at the b...

  On January 15, 2026, President Donald Trump met with 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado at the White House, where she presented him with her gold medal as a "personal symbol of gratitude". Trump praised the move as a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect". “He deserves it, and it was a very emotional moment,” Machado later told broadcaster Fox News in an interview. Despite the gesture, Trump has backed Maduro’s vice president Delcy Rodriguez over Machado — so long as she toes Washington’s line, particularly on access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. “ Machado presented the 18-carat gold medal in a large frame with an inscription recognizing Trump’s "principled and decisive action" to secure a free Venezuela. Trump's Response: Writing on Truth Social, Trump called Machado a "wonderful woman" and stated she presented the prize to him "for the work I have done". Official Status: While Trump intends to keep the physica...

  On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Russia ordered the expulsion of a British diplomat from the Moscow embassy, accusing the official of being an undercover intelligence officer. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) identified the diplomat as Gareth Samuel Davies, a second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow. The FSB alleged that Davies was working as an undeclared spy for British intelligence services. No specific evidence was publicly provided. Russia has revoked Davies's accreditation and ordered him to leave the country within two weeks. Summoning of Officials: Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.K. charge d’affaires, Danae Dholakia, to issue a formal protest. Official Reactions United Kingdom: The Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as "malicious and baseless," stating that Russia’s actions "undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to operate". The U.K. is currently "carefully considering" its respons...