NEWS

Norwegian authorities have opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland following fresh revelations about his ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The probe was launched after documents released by the United States Department of Justice revealed years of communication between Jagland and Epstein, including emails suggesting the former Norwegian leader may have stayed at Epstein’s residence. Jagland served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and later held influential international roles, including head of the Nobel Committee and secretary-general of the Council of Europe. Økokrim, Norway’s agency responsible for investigating white-collar and financial crime, said it found “reasonable grounds” to suspect ag...

US president Donald Trump has announced plans for a national prayer event at the National Mall in May to "rededicate America as one nation under God" during the yearlong celebration of the country's 250th anniversary. Trump discussed the event, dubbed the National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving and planned for May 17, during remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5 as he touted his administration's efforts to return "religion back" to the public arena. "To support this exciting renewal, this morning I'm pleased to announce that on May 17, 2026, we're inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks." "We're going to rededicate America as one nation under God," he added, drawing long applause from th...

Canada and France will open consulates in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, on Friday, February 6, in a strong show of support for the Danish autonomous territory, as both countries oppose US President Donald Trump’s stated desire to control the island. Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly argued that Washington needs to control the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island for security reasons. Last month, however, he appeared to soften his stance, saying he had reached a “framework” agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to secure greater American influence without taking control. A joint US–Denmark–Greenland working group has since been set up to address Washington’s security concerns in the Arctic, although details of the discussions have not been...

A Catholic priest has di£d after collapsing suddenly in front of the congregation during Sunday mass. The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he "suddenly" collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna. "Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church," the statement said. The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes. The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highl...

Ten inmates of the Old Abeokuta Custodial Centre, Ibara, Ogun State, have gained admission into Yewa Central College of Education to study various courses for free. The inmates, comprising of seven males and three females, were admitted into the departments of English Language/Social Studies, Economics/Social Studies, Political Science/Social Studies, Business Education, Physical Health Education, Economics/Political Science and  Economics/Computer Science. Speaking at the matriculation ceremony held at the correctional facility on Friday, the Provost of the College of Education, Dr Mary Bamgbose, welcomed the newly admitted inmates into the 2025/2026 academic session and urged them to be of good conduct. She maintained that they have been corrected and reformed, express...

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has hailed the life imprisonment of Okpara Onyekachi as a landmark victory for justice and road safety enforcement in Nigeria. The Lagos State High Court, TBS Division, delivered the judgment in suit number LD/24692C/2024, arising from a fatal accident that claimed the life of a serving FRSC officer. In a statement on Friday, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed explained that the incident occurred on November 16, 2023, at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, during a routine traffic patrol. The officer, Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, was on duty when a container-laden truck, driven by Onyekachi at excessive speed, collided with a stationary mini truck flagged down for inspection. “Investigations established that the driver failed to exercise due care...

The Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO) in Kajola Local Government, Oyo State, has scheduled its pioneer resumption for Friday, March 6, 2026. This announcement follows the university’s inaugural statutory Senate meeting, which was held on Wednesday, February 4, 2025, at which the academic roadmap for the institution’s first-ever cohort of students was ratified. In a statement released on Friday by the Registrar and Secretary to the University Senate, Amuni Mohammed Olayinka, the university confirmed that the Senate’s decision was informed by comprehensive reports on the institution’s readiness for its historic takeoff. In the statement, Olayinka said, “The University Senate, at its 1st (Inaugural) Statutory meeting, received reports from the Universit...

Yoruba Nollywood actor and content creator, Bamidele Tope Saint, widely known as Okemesi, has made a public appeal for help after suffering what he described as a severe spiritual attack that reportedly left him paralysed. According to Naija News, the actor, who has been absent from the movie scene for nearly a year, shared his ordeal during an interview with fellow actor Tony Montana on Thursday. Okemesi revealed that the incident has drastically affected his life, leaving him without a home and in dire need of financial assistance. Expressing concern during the interview, Tony Montana said he was deeply saddened by Okemesi’s condition, noting that it had become difficult even for fans to recognise him, and asked what had happened. Responding, Okemesi attributed his condition ...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly distanced himself from former UK ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, apologising to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and accusing Mandelson of misleading him prior to his appointment to Washington. Starmer is facing mounting pressure from Labour Party lawmakers over his decision in December 2024 to appoint Mandelson despite awareness of his past association with the late convicted sex offender. The controversy intensified following the release of new US Justice Department documents last week, which detailed the extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein. The files reportedly include emails suggesting Mandelson leaked government documents, as well as records indicating Epstein made payments to Mandelson or his former pa...

Suspected political thugs have reportedly attacked the Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City, vandalising property and attempting to set the building on fire. According to reports, the incident took place on Ogbelaka Street on Wednesday night, sparking tension in the neighbourhood. Residents were said to have confronted the attackers, successfully preventing them from carrying out the alleged arson. Sources disclosed that the assailants poured fuel on parts of the building in an attempt to burn it down but were forced to retreat after meeting resistance from people in the area. Before fleeing, they reportedly smashed windows and damaged other items inside the secretariat. A video circulating on social media showed the aftermath of the attack,...