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Africa

Tanzania’s VAT Refund Revolution: The Quiet Reform That Could Unlock Billions in Private Investment

August 14, 2026

When governments unveil annual budgets, headlines focus on the big numbers: spending, growth and tax collection. But sometimes the real story sits quietly in the technical annexes. Tanzania’s 2026/27 budget, due to take effect from July, includes plans for 6.3%GDP growth and the biggest spending plan in the country’s history while narrowing the deficit. Yet […]

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Africa

Malawi’s economic crisis: Can recovery begin?

August 14, 2026

Almost nine months after Malawian President Peter Mutharika returned to power, his administration finds itself grappling with a severe and protracted economic crisis. The government faces the urgent challenge of restoring foreign exchange reserves, managing a growing external debt burden, reducing inflation and addressing chronic food insecurity. When Malawi’s sixth president, Lazarus Chakwera, assumed office […]

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Africa

Ethiopia Counts Coffee at the Wrong End

August 14, 2026

On July 7, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told Parliament that Ethiopia had earned a record $3.1 billion from coffee exports. Six days later, the National Bank of Ethiopia reported that coffee export volume was down from the same period a year earlier. Both statements can be true. That is the problem. For a coffee-growing household […]

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Climate & Environment

Q&A: What does China’s 15th five-year plan for coal mean for climate action?

August 14, 2026

Print article Share China has published a new five-year plan for coal, the latest in a slew of important policy documents for the country’s energy transition. The 15th five-year plan for the development of the coal industry was published by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration (NEA) on 10 […]

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Nigeria

Alleged IVF fraud: No fresh charge against medical doctor, others – Counsel

August 14, 2026

The lawyers of Dr John Abebe, who is facing trial over alleged IVF fraud, have dismissed reports that fresh charges have been filed against the physician and his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited. Abebe, who is also a pastor with Living Faith Church AKA, Winners Chapel Durumi, Abuja, is being tried by the Inspector General […]

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Nigeria

‘Dapper, your cup don finally full’ – Singer T.I Blaze questions music executive over N1.2bn royalties

August 14, 2026

Singer, T.I Blaze, has called out music executive, Dapper Music, accusing him of failing to account for about N1.2 billion allegedly linked to royalties and the licensing of artists’ intellectual property. T.I Blaze made the allegations in a post shared on his X page while questioning the handling of music catalogues and royalty payments involving […]

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Nigeria

Police rescue five of 14 passengers abducted in Benue

August 14, 2026

Five of the 14 passengers kidnapped along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State have been rescued by security operatives. The victims were travelling in a passenger bus from Enugu to Abuja when they were intercepted by suspected kidnappers on the night of August 13. The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, […]

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Climate & Environment

New coal mine openings slow as East Asian demand plateaus

August 14, 2026

The world saw the lowest amount of new coal mine capacity brought online for at least 10 years in 2025, according to a new report, as clean energy displaces coal for electricity generation in East Asia. A report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) found that new coal mine capacity declined by nearly 40% from 2024, […]

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Nigeria

Let Ballot, Not Violence, Decide Osun Election, IPCR Warns

August 14, 2026

Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has warned political actors in Osun State against allowing violence, intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric to overshadow Saturday’s governorship election, urging all stakeholders to ensure that the ballot, rather than coercion, determines the choice of the people. The warning came on Friday, less than […]

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Nigeria

Police arrest 29-yr-old man for desecrating Qur’an for ritual in Zuru

August 14, 2026

By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested one Abubakar Musa, male, 29, of Rafin Mose Village, Zuru LGA, in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance. Kebbi Police Command spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, in a statement on Friday, […]

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Nigeria

LaLiga: ‘I was fed up’ – Mourinho reveals who forced him out of Real Madrid

August 14, 2026

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho, has opened up on the mentality issues within the squad, which ultimately contributed to his departure from the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013, three years after his arrival. The Portuguese coach joined Real Madrid following a treble victory with Inter Milan in 2010 and spent three seasons at the Bernabeu. Despite […]

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Nigeria

Osun Election: Material inducement won’t decide outcome — APC chieftain Oyintiloye

August 14, 2026

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said material inducements will not determine the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election. Oyintiloye said competence and credibility would play a more decisive role as voters prepare to elect the next governor of the state. The former lawmaker who stated this while speaking […]

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Nigeria

2027: MacIver declares governorship ambition on PDP platform in Bayelsa

August 14, 2026

Great Joshua MacIver has formally declared his intention to contest the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship ticket for the November 2027 off-cycle election in Bayelsa State. MacIver communicated his intention in a letter addressed to the Bayelsa State PDP State Working Committee, SWC. In the letter, the PDP chieftain emphasised his commitment to the welfare […]

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Nigeria

Tinubu Action against EFCC over Osun an Afterthought, States Reps Minority Caucus

August 14, 2026

Juliet Akoje In Abuja. The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, has accused President Bola Tinubu of issuing what it described as a “panicky and belated afterthought” directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts. The lawmakers said the development revealed serious contradictions within […]

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Nigeria

LAWMA’s levies on construction materials: Developers petition Lagos assembly

August 14, 2026

By Dickson Omobola Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State, AREDOLS, has petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly over what it described as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority’s, LAWMA, misclassification of construction materials as waste, urging the lawmakers to direct the agency to stop imposing levies and penalties on such materials. AREDOLS […]

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Nigeria

Police arrest 6 suspected kidnappers in Kaduna

August 14, 2026

The Police Command in Kaduna State says it has arrested six suspected kidnappers and dismantled a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ikara Local Government Area of the state. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna. Hassan said the suspects were arrested following credible information from a kidnap victim who […]

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Nigeria

PenCom to sanction PFAs as only 17% of RSA holders recaptured

August 14, 2026

By Rosemary Iwunze The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has threatened to sanction  Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) that fail to meet prescribed targets under the ongoing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) data recapture exercise. PenCom, in its first-quarter 2026 report, disclosed that only 17.03 per cent of the industry’s legacy RSA holders had completed the mandatory data recapture […]

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Nigeria

‘Your lifestyle reason for our dad’s ordeal’ – Jezco’s daughter slams brother, Jowizaza

August 14, 2026

Daughter of Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, the kidnapped businessman and chairman of Jezco Group, Blessing Ezeokafor, who is said to be the victim’s first child, has accused her younger brother, Eberechukwu Ezeokafor, popularly known as Jowizaza, of being responsible for their father’s predicament. Blessing said the flamboyant lifestyle her brother displays on social media was the […]

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Nigeria

Ogun Police, NAFDAC launch joint crackdown, vow full enforcement of liquor law

August 14, 2026

Ogun State Police Command and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have launched a joint enforcement drive to rid the state of sachet and PET bottle alcoholic drinks below 200ml and other unapproved products. The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, gave the assurance on Thursday when he received […]

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Nigeria

North-West insecurity: Gov Radda, DSS DG call for stronger security collaboration

August 14, 2026

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, have called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions and communities to tackle terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities in the North-West. They made the call on Thursday at the second North-West zonal conference of State Directors of Security, […]

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Nigeria

CDCFIB recruitment: FG disowns postponement notice

August 14, 2026

The Federal Ministry of Interior has dismissed a widely circulated notice claiming that the ongoing recruitment exercise by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, has been postponed until after the 2027 general election.  The ministry described the document with the title: “CDCFIB Recruitment Update”, dated August 11, 2026, as fake and […]

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Africa

Walking with the Herd – Why Africa Must Rethink Its Oldest Economy

August 14, 2026

When pastoralists, researchers, policymakers and development practitioners gathered in Marsabit this year to mark the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP-2026), the conversations went far beyond livestock, drought or humanitarian aid. Convened by the Centre for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD), the dialogue challenged a deeply rooted assumption that has shaped development policy […]

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Africa

The Beijing of It All: Africa’s Development Terms Are No Longer Written in Washington or Brussels

August 14, 2026

In the period that followed decolonisation, Africa’s development landscape continued to be shaped by Western partnerships. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, this Western-facing architecture took the form of policy conditionality, governance agendas and institutional reform attached to rotating credit agreements. This approach rested, at least in part, on a simple reality: countries in […]

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Climate & Environment

Will the world’s drying lands get relief from COP17 in Mongolia?

August 14, 2026

Starting on Monday, about 10,000 government negotiators, scientists, journalists and campaigners will gather at a purpose-built venue in a national park in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar to discuss how to stop land turning into desert as the world warms. Drought is currently sweeping much of the Northern hemisphere, leaving normally green urban parks looking like dry […]

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Nigeria

Katsina Moves to Block Financial Leakages, Tighten TSA Operations

August 14, 2026

Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Government has commenced moves to plug financial leakages and strengthen the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system as part of efforts to improve accountability, transparency and efficiency in the management of the state’s public funds. The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Bello Hussaini Kagara, disclosed this […]

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Foreign

Kennedy Center board votes to restore Trump name – Reports

August 14, 2026

US President Donald Trump has sought to burnish his legacy by getting his name and image placed on everything, from limited edition passports to a Florida airport. His efforts to put his stamp on the Kennedy Center arts complex in Washington — blocked earlier this year by a federal judge — moved ahead once again […]

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Nigeria

Police debunk alleged killing of four Accord members in Ilesa

August 14, 2026

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo Osun State Police Command has debunked claims by the Imole Campaign Council, TICC, that four members of Accord Party were killed in Ilesa on Thursday. The TICC spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had posted on his Facebook page that four Accord Party members were killed in Ilesa. In the said statement, he did […]

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Nigeria

Major fire disaster averted in Kwara community as tanker detaches from truck

August 14, 2026

Firefighters in Kwara State, on Thursday averted a major fire disaster at Olori town, along the new Jebba highway. The incident occurred at about 09:08hrs, following a petrol tanker spill incident. The accident involved a petroleum tanker with registration number OYO 45 AA, loaded with approximately 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and conveying the product […]

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Nigeria

MTN service disruption halts business, communication in Taraba capital

August 14, 2026

Communication has been brought to a standstill for millions of MTN subscribers in Jalingo, Taraba State, following a total disruption of services on the network. The outage, which lasted for several hours on Thursday, left subscribers unable to make or receive calls, send SMS messages, or use WhatsApp and other internet-based services through the MTN network. […]

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Climate & Environment

Pushing the climate crisis: How advertising fuels high-carbon lifestyles

August 13, 2026

Helen Phillips’ book, ‘Hum’, is set in a dystopian near future, in a city suffering the effects of climate breakdown and with dire air quality. Robots (the Hums) press advertising messages during conversations, meetings and even as they carry out medical procedures. The Hums are vehicles for these ads, which are often for products like […]

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Nigeria

Plateau North Backs Mutfwang’s Second Term, Rejects Kefas’ One-Term Agenda

August 13, 2026

A group operating under the aegis of the Plateau North Coalition has rejected the proposed one-term agenda by Kefas Ropshik of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and endorsed Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for a second term in 2027. The group said its position was aimed at ensuring the smooth running of governance and maintaining the […]

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Foreign

US sets up task force to end birth tourism, revokes over 600 visas worldwide

August 13, 2026

By Nkiruka Nnorom The United States government has established a new inter-agency task force to clamp down on birth tourism, a practice where foreign nationals travel to the US primarily to give birth and secure American citizenship for their children. The Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force, announced today by the Department of State under President […]

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Nigeria

Police rescue 10-year-old boy stuffed in sack, two suspects arrested

August 13, 2026

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto The Sokoto State Police Command has on Wednesday intensified its crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes, recording major breakthroughs in separate intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and the dramatic rescue of a 10-year-old boy abducted in Tangaza Local Government Area. The operations, according to […]

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Nigeria

Don’t turn palaces into courts, detention centres – Ondo govt warns monarchs

August 13, 2026

Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, has cautioned traditional rulers against exceeding the limits of their customary authority by converting their palaces into makeshift courts or detention facilities. Ajulo gave the warning on Wednesday in Akure during a three-day capacity-building workshop organised for traditional rulers by the Ondo State Ministry of Local Government […]

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Nigeria

Osun: Police arrest 10 over Modakeke violence, polytechnic invasion

August 13, 2026

The Osun State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects in connection with alleged violent crimes in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area, and the reported invasion of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. Four of the suspects were arrested in Modakeke over alleged conspiracy, attempted murder, assault occasioning harm and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms. The […]

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Nigeria

Police intercept suspected AK-47 procurement deal in Kwara

August 13, 2026

Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have intercepted a planned acquisition of an AK-47 rifle in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state. The suspected buyer, identified as Sanda Aliyu, was arrested following actionable intelligence that exposed the alleged illicit arms transaction before its completion. Image maker of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, […]

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Nigeria

World Bank Group Invests $25 Million in Jumia to Expand Africa’s Digital Commerce

August 13, 2026

• Targets 60,000 sellers, 1,800 direct jobs, 100,000 sales agents • Funding to strengthen digital payments across 8 African markets Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has announced a $25 million equity investment in Jumia Technologies AG to […]

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Nigeria

Rate of surrenders by terrorists rise 213% in one week— Military

August 13, 2026

The military has recorded a 213 per cent increase in the number of terrorists and associates who have surrendered to troops in the North East in the last one week. This came against the backdrop of sustained operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) which have degraded terrorist capabilities and disrupted their logistics and supply […]

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Nigeria

Osun election: Akpabio, Uzodimma, others storm Osogbo for APC mega rally

August 13, 2026

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, and other state governors have arrived in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for a mega rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in the state. Other APC members at the rally include Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi […]

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Nigeria

Transfer: Chelsea set £120m Enzo Fernandez deadline as Alonso takes charge

August 13, 2026

Chelsea have set a deadline for clubs to pay £120 million if they wish to sign Enzo Fernandez before the transfer window closes.  Manchester City have been notably linked with an interest in the Argentine player. According to football.london, the Blues have established a deadline of Friday at 5pm for City or any other interested parties to […]

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Foreign

Full list: UK shuts 13 more asylum hotels

August 13, 2026

The UK government has announced the closure of 13 more hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers, as part of its wider plan to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation. The latest closures mean hotels in several parts of England can return to normal commercial use or be repurposed to serve local communities. […]

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Sports

How AI Is Changing Sports Betting in 2026

August 12, 2026

Artificial intelligence is no longer something reserved for tech companies or research labs. In 2026, it has become part of everyday life-including sports betting. Whether you’re reading match predictions, comparing odds, or looking for betting insights on platforms like Bethap, there’s a good chance that AI has already played a role somewhere in the process. […]

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Nigeria

Reps committee fails to sit over alleged fake agency probe

August 12, 2026

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) failed to sit on Wednesday as scheduled, raising fresh questions over the next phase of the probe. The committee had adjourned its previous investigative hearing to August 12 for the continuation of proceedings, with […]

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Nigeria

2026 Budget: Fubara denies rift with Rivers Assembly

August 12, 2026

By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a fresh disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly over the delay in the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill. The government described the reports as false and misleading, saying the budget proposal was undergoing the normal […]

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Nigeria

How LASU’s Aerospace Engineering graduate, Adebanjo Oluolamide, achieved 4.97 CGPA

August 12, 2026

By Enitan Abdulatwab For Adebanjo Oluolamide, graduating from Lagos State University, LASU with a 4.97 CGPA was the culmination of years of academic discipline, research and relentless focus. The Aerospace Engineering graduate emerged as the overall best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session, earning First Class Honours and the highest graduating score recorded by […]

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Nigeria

Osun: Momodu backs Adeleke for second term; APC predicts defeat

August 12, 2026

By Dickson Omobola All Progressives Congress, APC has insisted that its governorship candidate in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, Biodun Oyebamiji, will defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke. However, media entrepreneur and ADC chieftain, Dele Momodu, expressed confidence that Adeleke would secure a second term due to his impressive performance in office. Speaking on Politics Today, a […]

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Nigeria

IYD: Government urged to empower youths, persons with disabilities

August 12, 2026

The Ogun State government and other relevant stakeholders have been urged to strengthen support for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and programmes targeted at Persona With Disabilities, PWD. The call was made on Wednesday, during the 2026 International Youth Day, themed, “Different Contexts, Common Aspiration” with the sub theme, “Empowering Youths, Women and Persons With Disabilities Through […]

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Nigeria

NHRC Demands Immediate Suspension, Arrest of Fadahunsi Over Alleged Kill Order

August 12, 2026

Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over alleged inflammatory remarks in a viral video ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election. The commission, led by the Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said […]

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