The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Nigerian doctor wins Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award

    Nigerian doctor wins Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award

    A Nigerian medical doctor, Dr. Festus Oluseye Babarinde, has been honoured with the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award in the United States, in recognition of a lifetime of volunteerism, public service, and unwavering commitment to underserved communities across Nigeria and the diaspora.

    Babarinde received the award at the 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Ceremony, held at the Chevy Chase Auditorium, Johns Hopkins Hospital, on the East Baltimore campus, United States of America. The annual event celebrates individuals whose work reflects the ideals of service, equity, compassion, and social justice championed by the late American civil rights icon.

    He was honoured alongside professors and senior research fellows from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, in acknowledgement of his exceptional contributions to community health and human capacity development in Nigeria and the United States.

    Currently an intern at the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Centre (JHHCMC) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Babarinde’s recognition is rooted in years of impactful service that predate his relocation to the United States.

    His journey in public service began in Nigeria, where he volunteered as a camp doctor, providing medical care to vulnerable populations. He later played a key role in rebuilding the Igboore Primary Health Centre, Abeokuta strengthening access to basic healthcare for rural communities. Demonstrating a strong passion for medical education and mentorship, he also established The Concept Academy, an initiative that supports Nigerian doctors preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

    Through The Concept Academy, Babarinde provides subscription-based and free tutoring and mentorship to doctors and students in Nigeria and the United States.

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    He remains actively involved in supporting health-focused organisations such as the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria and is a co-founder of the BAARD-Concept Programme, an initiative aimed at improving the professional competence and personal wellbeing of doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

    A graduate of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ibadan, where he completed his training in 2017, Dr. Babarinde hails from Okeho in Oyo State, South-West Nigeria. His commitment to service had earlier earned him national recognition as a recipient of the NYSC Presidential Award for the2019/2020 service year, an honour reserved for corps members who demonstrate exceptional dedication and community impact.

    Organisers of the MLK Commemoration described the 2025 award recipients as individuals whose work continues to deliver measurable social impact, noting that Dr. Babarinde’s record of service exemplifies the enduring relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals in contemporary society.

    Dr. Babarinde’s achievement further underscores the growing global influence of Nigerian-trained medical professionals, reinforcing their role in advancing healthcare delivery, education, and humanitarian service within and beyond the shores of Nigeria.

  • UAE, Nigeria record growth in diplomatic, trade, other ties

    UAE, Nigeria record growth in diplomatic, trade, other ties

    The United Arab Emirates and Nigeria continue to deepen their bilateral relationship, anchored in mutual respect and cooperation across diplomacy, economy, society and culture.

    As economic ties accelerate, both nations are reaffirming their commitment to long-term collaboration and regional integration.

    The UAE is widely recognised as Nigeria’s most important trading partner in the Gulf region, while Nigeria serves as a strategic gateway for UAE investment and trade across West Africa.

    This dynamic partnership has gained momentum since the UAE inaugurated its Consulate General in Lagos in 2019.

    In 2022, non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached approximately $ 2.4 billion.

    Nigerian exports to the UAE totalled USD 520 million, including Gold: $489 million, Spices: $11.9 million, Charcoal: $7.24 million.

    In 2023, the UAE exports to Nigeria exceeded $1.61 billion, comprising refined oil: $ 352 million, broadcasting equipment: $ 159 million and automobiles: $149 million.

    Financial flows from the UAE to Nigeria have also increased significantly, positioning the UAE among the top sources of foreign investment into Nigeria in recent years.

    This growth has been supported by frequent trade delegations and high-level exchanges between public and private sector representatives.

    Read Also: Nigerians to feel impacts of new spectrums opening before end of 2026, says NCC

    A joint committee between the two countries plays a central role in advancing cooperation across political, economic, cultural, judicial, and security domains. The committee facilitates commercial and investment collaboration, promotes knowledge exchange, and oversees the implementation of bilateral agreements and protocols.

    In line with efforts to elevate economic engagement, the Dubai International Chamber inaugurated its representative office in Lagos, with the ceremony attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The office aims to strengthen UAE–Nigeria business ties and support Emirati companies seeking opportunities in West Africa.

    The economic team at the UAE Consulate General in Lagos continues to champion initiatives that promote mutual trade and investment, working closely with institutions and private sector stakeholders in both countries to foster sustainable growth and strategic alignment.

    As both nations look to the future, UAE–Nigeria relations stand as a model of cross-regional cooperation—driven by shared values, economic ambition, and a commitment to inclusive development.

  • 39 dead in Spain after two high-speed trains collide

    39 dead in Spain after two high-speed trains collide

    No fewer than 39 people died in southern Spain after a high-speed train derailed and collided with an oncoming one on Sunday night in one of the worst railway accidents in Europe in the past 80 years.

    Twelve were in intensive care after the accident near Adamuz in the province of Cordoba, about 360 km (223 miles) south of Madrid, according to emergency services. Experts studying the crash site say a faulty rail joint may be key to determining the cause of the crash.

    “The train tipped to one side… then everything went dark, and all I heard was screams,” said Ana Garcia Aranda, 26, who was travelling back to Madrid and was being treated at a Red Cross centre in Adamuz.

    Limping and wrapped in a blanket, her face covered with plasters, she described how fellow passengers dragged her out of the train covered in blood. Firefighters rescued her pregnant sister from the wreckage and an ambulance took them both to hospital.

    “There were people who were fine and others who were very, very badly injured. You had them right in front of you and you knew they were going to die, and you couldn’t do anything,” she said.

    The collision occurred in a hilly, olive-growing region, which could only be accessed by a single-track road, making it difficult for ambulances to enter and exit, Iñigo Vila, national emergency director at the Spanish Red Cross, told Reuters.

    Emergency teams were struggling to bring in heavy machinery that could lift the wreckage to get access to more of the dead, the Andalusia region’s President Juan Manuel Moreno said.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria ready for front seat in global economy’

    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and Transport Minister Oscar Puente visited the crash site  yesterday.

    Police drone footage showed how the trains came to a standstill 500 metres apart. One train’s carriage was split in two, and the locomotive was crushed like a tin can.

    Experts studying the crash site found a broken joint on the rails, which created a gap between the rail sections that widened as trains continued to travel on the track, according to a source briefed on initial investigations into the disaster.

    The technicians believe the faulty joint could prove important in identifying the precise cause of the accident, the source said.

    Spain’s Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF), which has been tasked with the overall investigation into the causes of the disaster, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Paqui, an Adamuz resident who with her husband rushed to help rescue survivors, described seeing body parts along the tracks between the two crash sites.

    “(My husband) found a dead child inside, another child calling for his mother. You’re never ready to see something like this,” she said.

    Police said they had opened an office in Cordoba for relatives to provide DNA samples to help identify the dead.

    The Iryo train was travelling at 110 kph from Malaga to Madrid when it derailed, Renfe President Álvaro Fernandez Heredia said on radio station Cadena Ser.

    Twenty seconds later, the second train, heading to Huelva at 200 kph, either collided with the final two carriages of the Iryo train or with debris on the line, he said. The Iryo train lost a wheel that has not yet been located.

    It was too early to talk about the cause, but it happened in “strange conditions”, Fernandez Heredia said, adding that human error was virtually ruled out.

    The death toll is among the top 20 highest from a train crash in Europe in 80 years, according to Eurostat data, and the highest in Spain since 2013, when a train derailed in the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela, killing 80 people and injuring 145.

    Spanish train drivers had warned state-owned rail infrastructure administrator Adif of “severe wear and tear” on the Madrid-Andalusia line and others, according to a letter seen by Reuters sent to Adif by train drivers union Semaf in August.

    They had notified the operator daily of their concerns, calling for stricter speed restrictions until the issues were addressed.

    Adif had no immediate comment.

    The Iryo train, a Frecciarossa 1000, was under four years old and the railway line near Adamuz had been completely renovated last May as part of an investment of 700 million euros ($813.5 million), Puente said. Iryo said the train was last inspected on January 15.

    Spain’s high-speed railway network is the largest in Europe and second-largest in the world after China with 3,622 km of tracks, according to Adif.

    Around 10 million people used the high-speed railway connection between Madrid and Andalusia in 2024, according to competition authority CNMC.

    The government was criticised last year for a series of delays to high speed rail, caused by power outages and the theft of copper cables from the lines.

    Spain opened up the network to private competition in 2020 in a bid to offer low-cost alternatives to Renfe’s Ave trains.

    Iryo is a joint venture between Italian state railway operator Ferrovie dello Stato, airline Air Nostrum and Spanish infrastructure investment fund Globalvia.

  • Trump links Greenland threat to Nobel Peace Prize snub

    Trump links Greenland threat to Nobel Peace Prize snub

    • European Union prepares to retaliate

    United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump has linked his drive to take control of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he no longer thought “purely of Peace” as the row over the island threatened to reignite a trade war with Europe.

    Asked by NBC News in a brief telephone interview yesterday if he would use force to seize Greenland, Trump said “No comment,” adding he would “100 per cent” follow through on plans to hit European nations with tariffs without a Greenland deal.

    Trump has intensified his push to wrest sovereignty over Greenland from fellow NATO member, Denmark, prompting the European Union to weigh hitting back with its own measures.

    The dispute is threatening to upend the NATO alliance that has underpinned Western security for decades and which was already under strain over the war in Ukraine and Trump’s refusal to protect allies which do not spend enough on defence.

    Trump’s threat has rattled European industry and sent shockwaves through financial markets amid fears of a return to the volatility of 2025’s trade war, which only eased when the sides reached tariff deals in the middle of the year.

    In a text message on Sunday to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, Trump said: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”

    Read Also: Alleged terror financing: DSS arrests ex-AGF Malami

    Norway’s government released the messages yesterday under the country’s freedom of information act.

    Stoere had sent an initial message on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, calling for de-escalation of tensions and suggesting a call, eliciting a response from Trump less than half an hour later.

    The Norwegian Nobel Committee annoyed Trump by awarding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize not to him but to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

    In his message, Trump also repeated his accusation that Denmark cannot protect Greenland from Russia or China.

    “… And why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway?” he wrote, adding: “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”

    Trump vowed on Saturday to implement a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on EU members Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, along with Britain and Norway, until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland, home to only 57,000 people.

    “We are living in 2026, you can trade with people, but you don’t trade people,” Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to London  yesterday.

    In a post on Facebook, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the territory should be allowed to decide its own fate.

    “We will not let ourselves be pressured. We stand firm on dialogue, on respect and on international law,” he said.

    Denmark’s military told Reuters that planes carrying Danish soldiers and Army Commander Peter Boysen would land in Kangerlussuaq, western Greenland,  yesterday, describing it as a “substantial contribution” to the Arctic Endurance military exercise.

    Norway’s Stoere amended his schedule, announcing that he would attend the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday and Thursday, overlapping with Trump’s planned appearance at the annual gathering of the global political and business elite.

    Trump is expected to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday in his first appearance at the conference in six years.

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he too would try to meet Trump on Wednesday, adding that a trade dispute was not wanted. “But if we are confronted with tariffs that we consider unreasonable, then we are capable of responding,” Merz said. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it would be “very unwise” for European governments to retaliate.

    “I think it’s a complete canard that the president will be doing this because of the Nobel prize. The president is looking at Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States,” he told reporters in Davos.

    EU leaders will discuss their options at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday. One option is a package of tariffs on 93 billion euros ($108 billion) of U.S. imports that could automatically kick in on February 6 after a six-month suspension.

    Another option is the “Anti-Coercion Instrument” (ACI), which has never yet been used and which could limit access to public tenders, investments or banking activity or restrict trade in services, in which the U.S. has a surplus with the bloc, including in digital services.

    The EU said it was continuing to engage “at all levels” with the U.S. but said the use of its ACI was not off the table.

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for calm discussion between the allies, adding that he did not believe Trump was considering military action to seize Greenland.

    Russia declined to comment on whether the U.S. designs on Greenland were good or bad but said it was hard to disagree with experts that Trump would “go down in… world history” if he did take control of the island.

  • Over 200 migrants in secret underground prison in Libya

    Over 200 migrants in secret underground prison in Libya

    Libya’s security authorities have freed over 200 migrants from a secret prison in Kufra in southeast of the country after they were held captive in inhumane conditions, security sources told Reuters.

    The security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the security authorities had found an underground prison, nearly three metres deep, which the sources said was run by a Libyan human trafficker.

    One of the sources said this person had not yet been detained.

    “Some of the freed migrants had been held captive for up to two years in the underground cells,” this source said.

    The other source said what the operation had found was “one of the most serious crimes against humanity that has been uncovered in the region.”

    “The operation resulted in a raid on a secret prison within the city, where several inhumane underground detention cells were uncovered,” one of the sources added.

    Up to ten survivors in the group bore signs of having been tortured before they were freed from captivity, security sources told Reuters.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria ready for front seat in global economy’

    The migrants are from sub-Saharan Africa, mainly from Somalia and Eritrea, including women and children, the sources said. Kufra lies in eastern Libya, about 1,700 kilometres from the capital Tripoli.

    Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe via dangerous routes across the desert and over the Mediterranean since the toppling of Muammar Gadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

    The oil-based Libyan economy is also a draw for impoverished migrants seeking work, but security throughout the sprawling country is poor, leaving migrants vulnerable to abuses.

    At least 21 bodies of migrants were found in a mass grave in eastern Libya last week. Libya’s attorney general said in a statement on Friday the authorities in the east of the country had referred a defendant to the court for trial in connection with the mass grave on charges of “committing serious violations against migrants.”

    In February, last year, 39 bodies of migrants were recovered from about 55 mass graves in Kufra. The town houses tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled the conflict that erupted in Sudan in 2023.

    Many contingents of Somali migrants have been deported from Libya in recent months.

  • Rotarian wins Martin Luther King Legacy Award

    Rotarian wins Martin Luther King Legacy Award

    A Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, Ijeoma Pearl Okoro  has been named a recipient of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Award for Global Leadership and Humanitarian Impact.

    This, according to a statement by Victor Ojelabi, on behalf of the District 9112 Public Image Committee , is in recognition of her outstanding service, leadership, and contribution to global development.

    The award was announced by the organisers of the International Salute to the Life and Legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., ahead of its 34th annual celebration which was held at the weekend in Washington, DC, United States.

    According to the organisers, the annual event honours individuals whose work reflects the values and vision of Dr King through leadership, justice, service, and bridge-building across cultures and nations. Ijeoma Okoro was selected among a distinguished group of global leaders spanning government, diplomacy, advocacy, philanthropy, and education.

    Read Also: Alleged terror financing: DSS arrests ex-AGF Malami

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the MLK Jr International Salute, Madeline Y Lawson, said the 2026 honourees exemplify the kind of impact Dr King challenged society to pursue through service and moral leadership.

    The award ceremony was held at The Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC, as part of activities commemorating Dr King’s birthday.

    Other recipients of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Awards include United States Congressman Jamie Raskin, who received the King Legacy Award for Government and Public Service, Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Dr Petra Schneebauer, who won the award for Global Diplomacy, and Ms Ricki Fairley, Chief Executive Officer of The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, who received the Dr Dorothy I Height Leadership Award.

    Also honoured were Mrs Nell Chennault Calloway for Advocacy and Community Service, Bishop Brett Fuller for Global Unity, Philip Qiu for Global Philanthropy and Service, and Dr Jason Wingard for Academic and Executive Leadership.

    Ijeoma Okoro joins a long list of previous award recipients that includes former United States Secretary of State General Colin Powell, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, civil rights leader and US Congressman John Lewis, and former US Senator Bob Dole.

    The leadership of Rotary International Zone 22, which covers all Rotary districts across Africa, congratulated Okoro on the recognition, describing the award as a testament to her enduring commitment to humanitarian service and global leadership.

    Ijeoma Pearl Okoro currently serves as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation for the 2024 to 2028 term and is a member of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Rotary International Zone 22 comprises all Rotary districts across Africa and operates under Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.4 million members committed to humanitarian service, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

  • China’s population in another free fall

    China’s population in another free fall

    • Birth rate drops to lowest since 1949

    A decade after ending China’s longtime one-child policy, authorities are pushing a range of ideas and policies to encourage more births — ranging from cash subsidies to taxing condoms to eliminating a tax on matchmakers and daycare centres.

    The efforts haven’t paid off yet. At least, that’s what population figures released yesterday show for the world’s second-most populous nation. China’s population of 1.4 billion continued to shrink for the fourth straight year, new statistics show. Population in 2025 was 1.404 billion, three million less than previous year.

    Measured another way, birth rate in 2025 — 5.63 per 1,000 people — is the lowest since 1949, the year Mao Zedong’s Communists overthrew the Nationalists and began running China. Figures before that were not available.

    China was long the world’s populous nation until 2023, when it was surpassed by regional neighbour and sometime rival, India. Yesterday’s statistics show the stark demographic pressures it faced as it tries to pivot from a problem it is working hard to overcome: status as a nation with a growing but transitional economy that, as is often said, is “getting old before it gets rich.”

    The number of new babies born was just 7.92 million in 2025, a decline of 1.62 million, or 17%, from the previous year. The latest birth numbers show that the slight tick upward in 2024 was not a lasting trend. Births declined for seven years in a row through 2023.

    Most families cite the costs and pressure of raising a child in a highly competitive society as significant hurdles that now loom larger in the face of an economic downturn that has impacted households struggling to meet their living costs.

    Across the region, “it’s these big structural issues which are much harder to tackle, whether it’s housing, and work and getting a job and getting started in life and expectations around education…,” said Stuart Gietel-Basten, director of the Center for Aging Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “It’s gonna be difficult to make a major change in those number of births until those are addressed.”

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria ready for front seat in global economy’

    Another potential factor in the numbers, at least for 2025: Last year in China was the year of the snake, considered one of the least favored years for having a child under the Chinese zodiac. The government’s official Xinhua News Agency, however, did say early last year — perhaps optimistically — that the snake “is shaking off its negative connotations.”

    Like many other countries in Asia, China has faced a declining fertility rate, or the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. While the government does not regularly publish a fertility rate, last saying it was 1.3 in 2020, experts have estimated it is now around 1. Both figures are far below the 2.1 rate that would maintain the size of China’s population.

    For decades, the Chinese government barred people from having more than one baby and often sanctioned those who did — a policy that produced more than two generations of only children. In 2015, the government raised the permitted amount of offspring to two and then, facing demographic pressure, further revised the limit to three in 2021.

    The push for more births is about the economy. China now has 323 million people over 60, or 23% of the entire population. That number has continued to rise, while the working-age population is shrinking, meaning there are fewer workers to support the older population.

    This demographic shift is happening while China is in the process of trying to transition away from labor-intensive industries like farming and manufacturing into a consumer-driven economy built with high-tech manufacturing.

    While China’s rapid development in manufacturing with high-tech and robotics can reduce the impact of a shrinking labor force, “the bigger concern is whether economic growth can stay afloat with a shrinking population,” said Gary Ng, senior economist for Asia Pacific at French investment bank Natixis.

    China reported a 5% annual economic growth for 2025  yesterday, based on official data. But some analysts expect growth to slow over the next few years.

  • Nine high-demand jobs in Europe for degree holders

    Nine high-demand jobs in Europe for degree holders

    Europe’s job market continues to reward specialised skills and advanced degrees, with employers prioritising candidates who combine formal education with hands-on experience. Across sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, and engineering, certain careers consistently offer competitive salaries, rapid career growth, and international opportunities for degree holders.

    If you’re a graduate or professional seeking lucrative opportunities in Europe, these nine careers are currently in high demand:

    1. Medical Specialists

    Doctors, surgeons, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, and other medical professionals remain among Europe’s top earners. These roles require extensive education, residency, and specialist certifications. Countries like Germany, Switzerland, and the UK offer particularly competitive salaries, with private hospitals often providing premium compensation.

    2. Software Engineers and IT Specialists

    As Europe accelerates its digital transformation, software engineers, developers, and IT specialists are in high demand. Professionals skilled in programming, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and system architecture can access lucrative roles in tech hubs such as Berlin, Amsterdam, and Dublin.

    3. Data Scientists and AI Experts

    Data scientists and artificial intelligence (AI) professionals help businesses make sense of complex datasets, develop predictive models, and improve decision-making. Their expertise is sought after across finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and manufacturing, making them some of the most valuable talent in the European job market.

    4. Investment Bankers and Financial Analysts

    Investment bankers, financial analysts, and corporate finance experts manage mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments. Financial centres like London, Zurich, and Paris remain hotspots for high-paying roles, offering substantial bonuses alongside competitive base salaries.

    5. Engineers and Engineering Managers

    From civil and mechanical engineering to aerospace, energy, and automotive sectors, engineering professionals are crucial for Europe’s industrial base. Engineering managers overseeing teams and projects are especially valued for their leadership and technical expertise. Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands offer some of the highest-paying positions in this field.

    Read Also: European military forces arrive in Greenland as Trump presses U.S. claim

    6. Airline Pilots and Aviation Professionals

    Senior airline pilots and aviation specialists enjoy some of the highest salaries in Europe’s transport sector. These roles require strict certifications, extensive flight experience, and rigorous training. Pilots flying international routes for major airlines earn particularly lucrative packages.

    7. Corporate Directors and Senior Managers

    Executives, including corporate directors, CEOs, and senior managers, drive strategy, operations, and business growth in multinational companies. Key cities such as London, Frankfurt, and Paris host high-paying leadership roles that demand strong decision-making and management skills.

    8. Pharmacists and Biotech Specialists

    Beyond doctors, healthcare professionals like pharmacists, biotechnologists, and medical researchers are in growing demand. Countries investing heavily in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology—such as Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland—offer competitive salaries and cutting-edge research opportunities.

    9. Renewable Energy and Sustainability Experts

    Europe’s transition to green energy has created a surge in demand for sustainability managers, renewable energy engineers, and environmental consultants. Professionals skilled in solar, wind, and energy efficiency projects can access high-paying roles, particularly in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, where green energy initiatives are rapidly expanding.

  • UN urges restraint as Iran protests ease

    UN urges restraint as Iran protests ease

    UN Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee on Thursday urged action to prevent escalation as nationwide protests in Iran appeared to ease after nearly three weeks of unrest.

    Pobee spoke while briefing an emergency Security Council meeting in New York, convened by the United States to address the Iranian crisis.

    She described the situation as “fluid and deeply concerning”, noting that protests continued, “albeit reportedly at a smaller scale than last week”.

    Pobee warned against public statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran, saying such rhetoric heightened risks.

    “This external dimension adds volatility to an already combustible situation. All efforts must be undertaken to prevent any further deterioration,” she said.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres believes concerns over Iran, including nuclear issues and protests, are “best addressed through diplomacy and dialogue”.

    He urged “maximum restraint at this sensitive moment” and called on all actors to avoid actions that could cause further deaths or regional escalation.

    Protests erupted on Dec. 28 after Tehran shopkeepers demonstrated against currency collapse, soaring inflation and worsening living conditions.

    The unrest spread nationwide, becoming the largest anti-government protests since those sparked by Jina Amini’s death in custody in Sept. 2022.

    Authorities imposed a near-total communications blackout, while hundreds, possibly thousands, were reportedly killed and over 18,000 detained, figures unverified by the UN.

    Pobee said Iran’s government claimed it acted against “organised terrorists” and “rioters” accused of infiltrating protests and provoking foreign intervention.

    The UN chief expressed deep concern over reported excessive force and reaffirmed rights to free expression, association and peaceful assembly.

    Iranian journalist, Masih Alinejad, told the Council that “real and concrete action” was needed to bring justice for those ordering massacres.

    Human rights activist, Ahmad Batebi, recounted his arrest as a student protester, death sentence, torture and forced confession as a paid American spy.

    U.S. Ambassador, Mike Waltz, said Iran’s repression “has repercussions for international peace and security” and pledged U.S. support for Iranian protesters.

    He said the regime alone was responsible for economic misery and repression, adding it would be held accountable.

    Iran’s deputy envoy, Gholamhossein Darzi, denounced the civil society briefers, accusing them of serving U.S. and Israeli political agendas.

    He accused the United States of “lies, distortions of facts and deliberate disinformation” to conceal its alleged role in fuelling violence.

    (NAN) 

  • US suspends immigrant visa processing for Nigeria, 74 others

    US suspends immigrant visa processing for Nigeria, 74 others

    The United States Wednesday said it was suspending the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, including Nigeria.

    “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries,” a State Department spokesperson said.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X that the countries affected would include Somalia — whose people Trump has attacked in heated terms after immigrants were involved in a funding scandal in Minnesota — as well as Russia and Iran.

    Leavitt posted on a Fox News article that said other countries affected would include a number of countries with friendly relations with the United States, including Brazil, Egypt, Ghana and Thailand.

    Read Also: Gold, lithium position Nigeria as Africa’s minerals supply hub

    Trump has made no secret of his desire to reduce immigration by people who are not of European descent. He has described Somalis as “garbage” who should “go back to where they came from, and instead said he was open to Scandinavians moving to the United States.

    It added that the freeze would remain active until the U.S. could ensure that new immigrants would not extract wealth from the American people.

    The pause applied specifically to immigrant visas and was expected to remain in place indefinitely while U.S. authorities reassessed immigration processing procedures.

    The latest move does not affect tourist or business visas, although the Trump administration has vowed to vet all applicants’ social media histories.