28 April 2025
10:11

TOSCAD NEWS NIGERIA

News as it breaks

Category: Foreign

FeaturedForeign

Blasts in Moscow Suburb Claim Life of Putin Ally as Kremlin Faces Security Crisis

Wendy R.

A senior Russian military officer was killed on Friday when an explosive device detonated in a parked car near Moscow, in an attack reminiscent of previous high-profile assassinations attributed to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. Authorities identified the victim as General-Lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the main operational directorate of Russia’s General Staff — the body responsible for overseeing army operations. Moskalik, 59, was a key figure in military planning for Russia’s three-year offensive in Ukraine.           The explosion occurred around 10:45 a.m. local time in Balashikha, a town east of Moscow, outside a…

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FeaturedForeign

“Thai Police Aircraft Crashes Into Sea, Killing Six Officers in Cha-am”

Wendy R.

Six police officers lost their lives on Friday morning when a Royal Thai Police aircraft crashed into the sea during a test flight for parachute training in the coastal district of Cha-am, approximately 130km (80 miles) southwest of Bangkok. The incident occurred around 08:00 local time (01:00 GMT), when the small police plane was seen plunging into the water about 100 metres from the shore. Footage circulating on social media showed bystanders rushing into the sea in an attempt to reach the wreckage. According to an official statement released by the Royal Thai Police, five officers died at the scene…

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FeaturedForeign

ECOWAS Faces Tough Choices After Sahel Nations’ Exit

Wendy R.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers convened an Extraordinary Session in Accra to develop contingency measures following the formal notification of withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc. The high-level meeting, chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, gathered regional leaders to navigate the challenges posed by the departure of the three Sahelian nations. In his opening remarks, Amb. Tuggar expressed the bloc’s gratitude to the Government and people of Ghana for hosting the critical gathering and commended both Ghana and the ECOWAS Commission for successfully launching…

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FeaturedForeign

Nigeria Reaffirms Leadership Role as Tinubu Pushes for Deeper ECOWAS Integration

Wendy R.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intensify efforts in fighting poverty and youth unemployment across the region. The Nigerian leader emphasized the need for strategic investments in education, innovation, and skills development while advocating for peace, inclusion, and regional integration. Speaking through Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the official launch of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebration in Accra, President Tinubu commended the regional body for five decades of progress, unity, and resilience.           “Today, we honor the bold vision…

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FeaturedForeign

“Pope Delegates Easter Blessing Amid Recovery, Urges Peace in Gaza, End to Anti-Semitism”

Wendy R.

Pope Francis made a surprise yet moving appearance on Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s Square, addressing thousands of Catholic faithful despite ongoing health challenges that have kept him away from most Holy Week events. The 88-year-old pontiff appeared in a wheelchair on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he offered a gentle “Happy Easter” in a frail voice, drawing cheers from an estimated 35,000 worshippers gathered in the flower-adorned square. Although he traditionally delivers the “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) blessing on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis delegated the task this year to a close collaborator,…

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FeaturedForeign

Trump Threatens to Oust Fed Chair Powell Amid Push for Rate Cuts

Wendy R.

President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of the Federal Reserve this week, openly threatening to remove Chair Jerome Powell if the central bank refuses to implement interest rate cuts. The comments mark a dramatic escalation in Trump’s long-standing feud with the Fed and raise serious concerns about the institution’s political independence. “If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast, believe me,” Trump declared Thursday, taking direct aim at Powell, who is currently serving his second four-year term, set to end in May 2026. Trump has repeatedly pushed for rate cuts to stimulate economic growth amid his…

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FeaturedForeign

Nigeria Hails Zimbabwe on 45th Independence Anniversary, Reaffirms Diplomatic Ties

Wendy R.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Zimbabwe as the southern African nation celebrates its 45th Independence Anniversary.   In a goodwill message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, Hon. Professor Amon Murwira, Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the significance of April 18, 1980—the day Zimbabwe attained independence—as a monumental milestone in Africa’s history.   “The independence of Zimbabwe marks a powerful testament to the courage, resilience, and unwavering determination of its people,” Tuggar said. “It is also a moment of reflection on Nigeria’s historical support and solidarity during Zimbabwe’s…

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FeaturedForeign

Nigeria Slams Ethiopia Over Mistreatment of Citizens, Delayed MoU

Wendy R.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to expedite the signing of the long-delayed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Exchange of Sentenced Persons between both countries. The appeal was made by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a diplomatic meeting with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Geremew Haile, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.           Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed deep concern over what she described as continued harassment and mistreatment of Nigerians— including holders of official and diplomatic passports—by Ethiopian authorities in Addis Ababa.…

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FeaturedForeign

NIDCOM Demands Release of Nigeria Tourists Detained in Cape Verde Over Alleged Insufficient Funds

Wendy R.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has raised concern over the detention of six Nigerian tourists currently held at an immigration deportation camp in Cape Verde. The tourists, who traveled from Senegal to Cape Verde Island for vacation, were reportedly pulled aside upon arrival, accused of insufficient funds, had their phones confiscated, and were detained without further explanation. According to distressing reports from the detention facility, the group—which includes young Nigerians aged between 25 and 31—is undergoing significant emotional trauma. One of the detained individuals is said to be suffering from a medical condition and has been denied access to…

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FeaturedForeign

West Africa’s ECOWAS Backs Guinea’s Roadmap to Constitutional Rule

Wendy R.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reiterated its unwavering support for Guinea’s ongoing transition back to democratic governance. Leading a technical delegation to Conakry, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, met with key Guinean authorities over a two-day mission on April 10 and 11. The visit, mandated by ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, aimed to assess the progress made in implementing the transitional roadmap agreed upon by both parties. At the heart of the discussions was the ten-point agreement outlining the steps toward restoring constitutional order. Ambassador Musah emphasized ECOWAS’s…

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