Thailand to Review Pardon Rules After Drug Trafficker’s Release
By Oluwakemi Kindness Thailand’s justice minister has ordered a review of pardon criteria following public outrage over the release of an 85-year-old drug trafficker who served less than a decade of a life sentence. Laota Saenlee, a former anti-communist guerrilla linked to powerful Myanmar drug networks, was released from a maximum-security prison north of Bangkok […]
Two Students Killed in Philippines School Shooting
By Oluwakemi Kindness Two students have been killed in a school shooting in the Philippines on Tuesday after a ninth-grade student allegedly opened fire on a schoolmate before taking his own life. The incident occurred at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, a Catholic private institution in western Mindanao. Regional police spokeswoman Shella Chang said the suspect […]
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 6,438
By Oluwakemi Kindness The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June has risen to 6,438, according to the latest official figures. Parliament Speaker, Jorge Rodriguez announced the new toll on Monday, up from 6,301 deaths recorded last week. The 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck off Venezuela’s coast on June 24, destroying […]
Trump Threatens Oman Over Iran Talks, Strait of Hormuz
By Zainab Bakare US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if the country interferes with American efforts to secure a deal with Iran over navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump made the threat during an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst on Monday, as tensions over the vital waterway […]
Indonesia Earthquake: 12,800 Displaced as Death Toll Hits 54
By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul Thousands of people displaced by a powerful earthquake in eastern Indonesia are spending nights in schools, police stations and government buildings as they await aid. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island early Saturday, killing 54 people and injuring more than 100 others. Indonesia’s national disaster agency said the number of people unable […]
IEA Cuts 2026 Oil Demand Forecast as Hormuz Stays Shut
By Oluwakemi Kindness The International Energy Agency has sharply cut its forecast for global oil demand this year, citing the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and high fuel prices. The IEA now expects oil demand to fall by 1.6 million barrels per day in 2026. That is significantly higher than its previous forecast […]
Luxon Survives Leadership Challenge Ahead of Election
By Oluwakemi Kindness New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon has survived another leadership challenge, securing the backing of his ruling National Party ahead of November’s general election. Luxon called an urgent meeting of his party’s caucus on Wednesday amid growing speculation about his leadership. The meeting lasted more than three hours. Speaking afterwards, Luxon said […]
Lebanon Becomes First Middle East Nation to End Death Penalty
By Oluwakemi Kindness Lebanon’s parliament has abolished the death penalty, making the country the first in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment. Parliament approved a bill abolishing the death penalty on Tuesday, according to the speaker’s office. Lebanon had not carried out an execution since 2004, although courts continued to hand down death […]
Iran Races to Restore Gas Output Ahead of Winter Supply Crisis
By Gbemisola Azeez Iran is accelerating efforts to repair damaged gas-processing facilities after losing 95 million cubic metres per day in production capacity, as the country faces growing pressure on its energy supply ahead of winter. Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said four damaged facilities in Asaluyeh, a major gas-processing hub in Bushehr Province, are […]
Diplomatic Efforts Advance as Red Sea Security Risks Persist
By Gbemisola Azeez Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East are showing signs of movement, even as a deadly attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea highlights the continuing risks to regional security and international shipping. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, said negotiations between Oman and Iran over arrangements for […]