By Oluseye Arowolo, Ibadan, Nigeria . Motorists traveling along the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso to Ilorin expressway are urging the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to address the damaged sections of the road, particularly from the Ojoo to Akinyele area in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in order to mitigate accidents that result in fatalities on this highway. A group of motorists, who shared their concerns with our Correspondent in Nigeria, made this request at the site of an accident that occurred recently at L. Adisa, Ojoo section of the expressway. An eyewitness account of the recent incident indicated that the deteriorated condition of the road contributed to the accident, as a lorry with the registration number LAGOS BDG 15 XA collided with a motorcycle rider. An individual, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that the accident led to significant traffic congestion, as several good Samaritans attempted to assist in removing the lorry with the help of a tow vehicle/Hiyab that a...

The United States Department of State will officially cease routine processing of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas at its embassy in Abuja, along with 24 other African diplomatic missions, starting August 1, 2026. This operational consolidation will shift routine visa applications to 20 centralized regional processing hubs to improve national security vetting, optimize government resources, and create uniform vetting standards as established during the Trump administration. Embassies and consulates that will lose their routine visa processing capabilities include: Abuja (Nigeria) Antananarivo (Madagascar) Asmara (Eritrea) Bamako (Mali) Banjul (The Gambia) Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo) Bujumbura (Burundi) Conakry (Guinea) Cotonou (Benin) Durban (South Africa) Freetown (Sierra Leone) Gaborone (Botswana) Harare (Zimbabwe) Juba (South Sudan) Libreville (Gabon) Lilongwe (Malawi) Lusaka (Zambia) Maputo (Mozambique) Maseru (Lesotho) Mbabane (Eswatini) N'Djamena (Chad) Niamey (Niger)...

Inter Miami CF has officially secured the signing of five-time UEFA Champions League-winning midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer. The 34-year-old Brazilian international joins the team after leaving Manchester United, but this high-profile acquisition has immediately triggered a formal investigation by Major League Soccer (MLS) regarding potential tampering. The contract is set to last until the end of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, with an option for the club to extend it until June 2029. Notably, Casemiro will not take up a Designated Player (DP) slot, as he is joining through a different mechanism, allowing Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Germán Berterame to occupy Miami's three DP positions. He will don the No. 5 jersey, which was previously worn by Sergio Busquets.    While Inter Miami completed the transfer, MLS concurrently initiated an investigation into the adherence to league regulations. The LA Galaxy initially held Casemiro's. Casemiro, who represented Brazil in...

The U.S. military has carried out its 11th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth officially confirming that the ongoing war, which has lasted five months, has cost American taxpayers $37.5 billion to date. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has focused on Iranian military operations centers, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and logistics infrastructure. Recent strikes targeted Larak Island, areas near Qeshm Island, and activated air defenses around Tehran, the capital city. Additionally, an electrical installation close to the Bushehr nuclear power plant was struck. President Donald Trump has cautioned that the U.S. military may soon intensify its focus on Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified underground site believed to contain significant Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the ongoing military actions, asserting that they are essential to prevent Iran from establishing lasting hostility a...

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared the elimination of VAT on household electricity bills, reducing the tax rate from 5% to 0%, effective October 1. This initiative is projected to save the average household approximately £45 each year and is financed by discontinuing the previous government's Digital ID programme. The objective is to provide immediate "breathing space" for families facing challenges due to the escalating cost of living. However, Burnham has indicated that he will "consider" the possibility of allowing individuals to earn more before they begin paying income tax, thereby adjusting the so-called personal allowance. During his inaugural address as Prime Minister, he acknowledged that implementing such a change would be "difficult" given the current economic conditions. According to existing government policy, the thresholds for income tax and National Insurance have been frozen until April 2031 in England, Wales, and Northern Ire...

  Spain secured their second Men's FIFA World Cup title on July 19, 2026, by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  Substitute Ferran Torres netted the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time, clinching the victory and preventing Lionel Messi from achieving a final championship. Spain's first Men's FIFA World Cup victory occurred on July 11, 2010. In a landmark final at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Spain triumphed over the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time. The crucial goal was scored by Andrés Iniesta in the 116th minute, marking the nation's inaugural global title. Spain's preparation for the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup was characterized by a carefully crafted strategy that integrated advanced data analytics, tactical adaptability under head coach Luis de la Fuente, and a strong emphasis on overall physical conditioning. Under the leadership of RFEF coaching director Eduardo Gutiérrez, Spain adjusted to the i...

The Hall County Sheriff's Office is currently seeking Antwane Sintell Thurmond, aged 45, who is wanted in connection with the murder of his former live-in girlfriend, Tia Vidon Keith, aged 44.    The tragic shooting occurred on the night of Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Subhanallah Food Mart located on Mountain View Road. According to investigators, Thurmond ambushed Keith while she was in her vehicle, shooting her multiple times, and then pursued her into the convenience store where she sought refuge, continuing to fire at her. Thurmond is actively evading capture in the Metro Atlanta area and is deemed armed and dangerous. Authorities have provided the following description: He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs approximately 212 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.Distinguishing features include a prosthetic lower left leg, which results in a slight limp, and a neck tattoo that reads "ROMANS 12:19," along with various other tattoos on his body.    Deputie...

South African law enforcement has apprehended 69 individuals following an anti-immigrant demonstration that escalated into public disorder and extensive looting. This unrest occurred on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the coastal town of Jeffreys Bay, situated in the Eastern Cape province.   The protest was orchestrated by an anti-migrant organization known as "March and March".  The demonstration spiraled into chaos, leading to the looting of at least 23 foreign-owned tuck shops (spaza shops).   At least three individuals required medical assistance, with one person hospitalized. Several foreign nationals were relocated to temporary shelters for their safety.   However, the 69 individuals detained range in age from 18 to 52. They face charges of public violence and are set to appear before the Humansdorp Magistrate Court. This incident is part of a broader trend of anti-immigrant protests that have emerged across South Africa. Notably, prominent anti-migr...

The European Commission has mandated binding antitrust measures that require Google to grant access to essential Android system features for competing AI assistants and to share its extensive search data with rival search engines. This significant ruling, implemented under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union, seeks to create a more equitable environment and prevent Google from exploiting its dominant Android ecosystem to monopolize the swiftly advancing artificial intelligence industry. Google is obligated to provide access to 11 specific system-level features for competing artificial intelligence models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude. Competing AI agents must be permitted to achieve the same level of system integration as Google’s own Gemini, which includes enabling comprehensive voice activation and the ability to perform background tasks, such as making restaurant reservations through third-party applications. Additionally, to dismantle Goog...

Sincere Camps, aged 14, has been apprehended and charged as an adult with murder in relation to the execution-style shooting of a 28-year-old pizza delivery driver in North Philadelphia. On June 5, 2026, Anshul Kuncha was enticed to a vacant site at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex located on the 2300 block of Edgley Street. Investigators report that a fraudulent order for three pizzas was placed to set up an ambush.  Surveillance footage captures Kuncha making the delivery, after which two individuals dressed in dark clothing followed him. He was shot once in the back of the head during a robbery. Anshul Kuncha relocated to Philadelphia from India roughly four years ago. He graduated from Drexel University in 2024 and worked as a data analyst while also delivering part-time for Pete's Pizza.   After a month-long investigation, Philadelphia police arrested Camps on July 10, 2026. Due to the severity of the crime, he faces adult charges including:Murder Robber Cons...

. Abubakar Malami Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the definitive forfeiture of 48 properties, which include Rayhaan University. Located in Birnin Kebbi, associated with former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government. The decision comes in response to a civil forfeiture petition submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-corruption agency demonstrated that the assets were reasonably believed to be the proceeds of illegal activities. Justice Abdulmalik rejected multiple applications and claims of ownership presented by Malami, his relatives, and affiliated companies. The judge highlighted that the matter before the court was not about the ownership of the properties, but rather the legitimacy of the funds utilized to acquire them. The court's ruling was made under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. It concluded ...

The United States has initiated its third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran and is officially reinstating a naval blockade on Iranian ports. This significant military escalation effectively dismantles the fragile ceasefire that was established in April 2026. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed five hours of extensive strikes aimed at coastal military infrastructure, missile bases, and drone facilities. The objective of this operation is to diminish Tehran's capacity to assault commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions and missile impacts have been recorded at several strategically important locations in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and the Gulf Islands. President Donald Trump informed Congress that limited military action has recommenced after accusing Iran of breaching a June memorandum of understanding.  CENTCOM will officially reinstate the naval blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports. Any unauthorized ships attempting to enter the blockade...

A second American humanitarian worker who contracted the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been safely evacuated and admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital in Germany. This transfer was organized after U.S. authorities sought assistance to facilitate quicker medical treatment in a specialized high-level isolation unit. German health officials, including Dr. Timo Wolf, who leads the special isolation unit, have confirmed that the patient is in stable condition and is receiving excellent early treatment. The individual is being kept in complete isolation—segregated from the rest of the facility—and poses no risk to the general public or other patients. The U.S. State Department and the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated the transfer to Germany instead of directly to the United States for two main reasons: The flight duration from the DRC to Europe is considerably shorter than a trans-Atlantic flight to the United States. Given that evacu...

Manchester United has successfully finalized an agreement to acquire Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans after activating a £35 million release clause in his contract. This unexpected deal advanced swiftly after United's intended £35 million transfer for Atalanta midfielder Éderson fell through due to a medical concern identified during his assessment. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has provided his signature "Here we go" confirmation for Tielemans, who has opted for the Old Trafford project over other competing offers. The 29-year-old Belgian international is set to undergo his medical examination tomorrow. United triggered a specific £35 million (€41m) release clause, facilitating straightforward negotiations despite Aston Villa's hesitance to part with the player. In the meantime, Tielemans rejected a new contract proposal from Aston Villa as well as other external offers, demonstrating a strong inclination to play under manager Michael Carrick. Tielemans e...

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed "until further notice". The IRGC indicated that no vessels will be allowed to transit this vital international waterway until the United States ceases what Tehran refers to as its regional interventions. This announcement has effectively dismantled a fragile interim ceasefire agreement established the previous month, significantly heightening tensions throughout the Middle East. The closure follows an IRGC assault on a Cyprus-flagged container ship navigating the strait. Iranian state media reported that the military launched warning cruise missiles after the vessel disregarded instructions and traveled along an "unapproved" route. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the targeted commercial vessel sustained considerable damage to its engine room, resulting in a fire that compelled the crew to evacuate...

The statement from South Africa's Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, addresses the unexpected and tragic death of Jayden Adams, a midfielder for Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns, who passed away at the age of 25. His death was confirmed on July 11, 2026, occurring just weeks after he played a pivotal role in his nation's remarkable journey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Adams participated in all three group-stage matches, contributing to South Africa's advancement to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time in history. Earlier that year, he celebrated victory in the CAF Champions League with the prominent domestic club, Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. McKenzie disclosed that Adams competed while enduring profound personal sorrow during the tournament, taking to the field against the Czech Republic mere hours after receiving the news of his grandmother's passing. His body was found at a residence in Cape Town, leading local authorities to initiate an investigat...