Author: Naija Daily News

By Deborah Nnamdi A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 passenger aircraft, carrying approximately 50 people, crashed on Thursday in a remote area of Russia’s Far East, with initial reports indicating that all those on board may have perished, according to Russian emergency services. The aircraft, nearly five decades old and operated by the Siberian regional carrier Angara Airlines, disappeared from radar while approaching its destination, the remote town of Tynda in the Amur region near the Chinese border. The plane had departed from the city of Blagoveshchensk. Authorities confirmed that the fuselage of the aircraft was discovered engulfed in flames on the…

By Deborah Nnamdi Canada has once again secured its place among the world’s top 10 most powerful passports, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 22. The index, published quarterly by global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, ranked Canada eighth globally, tied with the United Arab Emirates and Estonia. Canadian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations — a slight dip from January 2025, when the Canadian passport offered access to 188 destinations and held the seventh spot. The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport…

By Deborah Nnamdi The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yiltwada, as the new National Chairman of the party. Yiltwada succeeds Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down from the position on June 27. His nomination was put forward by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and was seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas. The NEC meeting, where the appointment was made, is currently taking place at the Presidential Villa.

By Deborah Nnamdi Several players from Nigeria’s Super Falcons have visited South African forward Gabriela Salgado, who suffered a serious injury during Tuesday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-final clash in Morocco. Salgado was stretchered off in the 88th minute following a gruesome leg injury that left players from both teams visibly shaken. Despite the emotional moment, Nigeria clinched a dramatic 2-1 win thanks to a late goal from Gloria Alozie, securing a place in the tournament final. The South African Football Association later confirmed that Salgado sustained a mid-shaft fracture of her left leg. She underwent successful surgery…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 25 students of Bayero University Kano (BUK) over alleged involvement in internet fraud. EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operation took place on Monday near the university’s New Site in Kano. According to Oyewale, the arrest followed actionable intelligence and weeks of surveillance linking the suspects to cybercrime, identity theft, and financial scams. “All suspects apprehended are confirmed to be undergraduate students of BUK,” he said. Items recovered during the sting operation include mobile phones, laptops, internet routers, and…

By Deborah Nnamdi Tragedy struck on Wednesday at Sowo Village along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway, as a speeding vehicle ploughed into schoolchildren walking by the roadside, killing four people on the spot. According to the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), the fatal crash occurred around 3 p.m. and involved a reckless driver who lost control and rammed into the victims. Among the deceased were schoolchildren returning home. The horrifying incident sparked immediate outrage in the community, with angry youths attempting to lynch the driver. However, he was quickly rescued by security operatives who arrived at the scene to…

By Deborah Nnamdi French media giant Canal+ has officially acquired full ownership of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, in a landmark $3 billion (approx. 55 billion rand) deal. The acquisition, which secures the remaining 55% stake Canal+ did not previously own, was approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23. The green light follows months of negotiations and regulatory scrutiny, setting the stage for the deal’s completion by October 8, 2025. However, the Tribunal imposed several public interest conditions aimed at safeguarding local content and preserving South Africa’s media sovereignty. For Canal+, the acquisition…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convened a late-night National Caucus meeting on Wednesday at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. The closed-door session, which commenced at 9:00 p.m., was presided over by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. In attendance were key party stakeholders, including Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau). Also present were former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George; and several members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees…

The Federal Government has introduced a new, simplified import fee structure, replacing the previous system of multiple hidden charges with a single, transparent 4% “unified charge.” Previously, importers had to deal with confusing fees like the 1% CISS and 7% collection charges. The new system streamlines everything, making it easier to understand and plan for. With this change, importers can better predict their costs and avoid unexpected fees. It’s a move toward greater transparency and efficiency. In addition, the import process has now shifted to the B’Odogwu digital platform. This upgrade speeds up cargo clearance, reduces human interference, and minimizes…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the House of Representatives to approve an amendment to the Federal Government’s External Borrowing Plan for the 2025–2026 period. The proposed amendment seeks an additional $47 million in external financing for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, increasing the project’s total cost from $700 million to $747 million. According to the communication sent to the House, the request is part of broader efforts to realign government spending with evolving infrastructure needs and ensure the timely delivery of critical national projects. The letter, signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,…