Tanzania’s prominent opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, has appeared in court as his treason trial officially begins — a legal battle his party insists is politically driven. The charges were brought shortly after Lissu began advocating for electoral reforms ahead of the country’s scheduled general elections in October. Lissu, who could face the death penalty if convicted, attended the hearing on Monday. Despite the gravity of the situation, he appeared optimistic, telling supporters, “We will be fine, don’t worry at all.” The electoral commission has disqualified both Lissu and his party, Chadema, from contesting in the upcoming presidential election. This move…
Author: Tosin Onisuuru
The Vatican is set to host a monumental event this Sunday as Pope Leo officially begins his papacy with an inaugural Mass. The ceremony is attracting significant international attention, with an extraordinary lineup of global leaders expected to attend. From monarchs and presidents to prime ministers and top diplomats, this historic gathering underscores the continued global relevance of the Catholic Church. According to a statement released by the Vatican, the event will bring together high-profile representatives from over 40 countries and international bodies. The attendance of such dignitaries highlights the Pope’s influence not only within the religious world but also…
After three months on the sidelines, the Republic of Congo has been reinstated by FIFA, marking the end of a suspension triggered by governance concerns. Why FIFA Suspended Congo The suspension, imposed in February, was the result of what FIFA described as “third-party interference.” The interference stemmed from Congo’s Ministry of Sports allegedly taking control of the national football federation (FECOFOOT), including seizing its headquarters and key sporting facilities. Such actions are a direct violation of FIFA’s statutes, which strictly prohibit government involvement in the operations of national football associations. In response, FIFA—alongside the Confederation of African Football (CAF)—swiftly suspended…
Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga title in emphatic fashion as 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal delivered another breathtaking goal during a derby victory over Espanyol. Yamal sealed the title with a brilliant curling effort into the top left corner from the edge of the box, cementing Barça’s status as champions with two games remaining and an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. Fermín López added a second deep into stoppage time, finishing off a pass from Yamal to seal the win. The match was temporarily halted in the first half after reports emerged of a car plowing into fans…
Tidjane Thiam has been overwhelmingly re-elected as president of Côte d’Ivoire’s Democratic Party (PDCI-RDA), garnering 99.77% of the votes at an emergency congress held on May 14. Thiam, who ran unopposed, emphasized his mission to return the party to power, dismissing criticism and legal controversies surrounding his leadership. “What matters to me is victory,” Thiam told delegates. “I’m not here to demean anyone.” He firmly stated that no amount of criticism, slander, or false accusations would distract him from his goal. Thiam also commended the swift and efficient organization of the congress, which was pulled together in just 72 hours.…
On Wednesday, a Mauritanian appeals court sentenced former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to 15 years in prison and imposed a $3 million fine, intensifying his previous five-year sentence handed down in 2023 for corruption-related offenses. Abdel Aziz, a former military general who seized power through two coups and led Mauritania from 2009 to 2019, was convicted of money laundering and illicit enrichment. Investigations revealed he accumulated more than $70 million in assets during his time in office. He has remained in detention since his initial conviction. The case has attracted international scrutiny as a rare instance of a former…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on member states to fulfill their financial obligations toward peacekeeping missions, emphasizing that the effectiveness of these operations depends on collective commitment. Speaking at the opening of a two-day ministerial conference hosted by Germany, Guterres warned of serious financial shortfalls affecting the UN’s peacekeeping work. “UN peacekeeping is one of the most effective and cost-efficient tools for promoting global peace and security,” he said. “But it’s only as strong as the commitment of our member states.” Currently, the UN Department of Peace Operations is managing 11 missions across conflict-affected areas such as the…
Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso is once again a free man after being released from police custody on Tuesday. His release followed a court appearance at the East London Magistrate’s Court in South Africa. Omotoso was arrested on Saturday morning and appeared in court on Monday, facing allegations of violating the Immigration Act. The Department of Home Affairs claims he breached immigration regulations and is pushing for his deportation to Nigeria. Legal Challenge Against Deportation Omotoso is contesting the deportation order. His legal team argued that both his arrest and the intended deportation should be halted until his challenge is…
The United States has announced a significant reduction in tariffs on low-value parcels imported from China, cutting the “de minimis” duty from 120% to 54%, according to an executive order released by the White House on Monday. This move marks another step toward easing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The tariff cut follows a broader agreement between Washington and Beijing to roll back most of the duties imposed on each other’s goods since April, following bilateral discussions held in Geneva over the weekend. While their joint statement did not reference the de minimis issue, the U.S. executive…
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has initiated steps to revoke the legal immunity of former President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of supporting the M23 rebel group and conspiring to incite an insurrection against the state. According to Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, the government has submitted a formal request to the Senate, where Kabila currently holds the lifelong status of senator, urging lawmakers to authorize his prosecution. This move follows what Mutamba described as “compelling and irrefutable evidence” linking Kabila to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the massacre of civilians during the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. President Felix…