North Korea says its most recent launch test was for the development of a reconnaissance satellite system, state news agency KCNA reports. “The DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science conducted an important test on Sunday under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite,” KCNA reported. The test helped the two bodies “confirm the characteristics and working accuracy of high definition photographing system, data transmission system and attitude control devices,” according to the agency. Reconnaissance satellites are primarily used for military purposes. North Korea did not provide any details about the projectile used to transport…
Author: Newsdesk
European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia’s central bank came into force after being published in the EU’s Official Journal in the early hours of Monday. They include a ban on transactions with the Russian financial institution, according to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. All of the bank’s assets in the EU will also be frozen in a bid to block financing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. The measure is considered just as hefty as the planned exclusion of Russian financial institutions from the SWIFT banking network. The EU sanctions combined with those of its G7 partner’s mean around…
Indian government has announced indefinite suspension of commercial international flights into and out of the country, officials said Monday. According to a circular issued by the country’s civil aviation Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday, the restriction shall not be applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA. “The competent authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India till further orders. “However, flights under air bubble arrangement will not be affected.” Commercial flights were suspended when the country imposed a complete nationwide lockdown late in March…
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday reported 24 new cases of COVID-19 in six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The NCDC made this known on Monday. The centre said Nigeria’s total number of COVID-19 cases increased to 254,525. The NCDC said that Abia reported the highest with seven cases followed by Lagos, Edo and the FCT with six, four, three cases respectively. It added that Kaduna state reported two cases, Osun and Rivers reported one case each. The centre said it did not record any fatality for nine days. It also said 20 people recovered from the…
The governments of Hungary and Romania have approved visa free access to all Nigerians fleeing Ukraine, the federal government has said. This is contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Mission in Hungary. The federal government that arrangements are underway for transportation of Nigerian nationals to enable them stabilize, The government advised affected Nigerians to approach the borders with their valid documents and cooperate with immigration officials to ease the process. “The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Budapest, Hungary wishes to inform nationals arriving from Ukraine, that the Government of Hungary has enacted Decree 56/2022 (24.II). “Which…
The Presidency has frowned at the reported inhuman and discriminatory treatments of Nigerians and other citizens of African countries, who are being denied the same right of passage out of Ukraine. Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said all citizens should be treated with dignity irrespective of the colour of their passports or their skin. “From video evidence, first-hand reports, and from those in contact with their wards and/or Nigerian consular officials there have been unfortunate reports of Ukrainian police and security personnel refusing to allow Nigerians to board buses and trains heading…
The widow of Gen. Domkat Bali, Esther Bali says contrary to falsehood surrounding the Ponzhi Tarok stool, her husband declined to be made the traditional ruler of the community. She disclosed this at a public presentation of the Book “Gen Domkat Yah Bali As Ponzhi Tarok Designate: A Contextual Analysis of the Imbroglio, 1990-2020 on Sunday night in Abuja. The widow said that the book was meant to set the record straight regarding the falsehood and rumours on the stool, in the build up to the deceased selection and appointment as Ponzhi Tarok designate. “The book is sequel to my…
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are at loggerheads over the pump price of petrol. As fuel scarcity worsened in many parts of the country in the last fortnight, many fuel stations increased the pump price of petrol higher than the official N165 per litre. In Bayelsa for instance, price of a litre of petrol went as high N300 per litre. NUPENG issued a 24-hour ultimatum to IPMAN members on Sunday to revert to the official pump price of N165 per litre of petrol, but IPMAN says…
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof Itse Sagay has alleged that there are plans for former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 General elections. He told Daily Independent that those behind the plot want Jonathan to serve as President for one term with Yobe state governor, who is also the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni as his running mate. “Now we are hearing from the sides, former President, Goodluck Jonathan wants to join APC. Why would a man…
A non profit organization, “Masjid1001 Initiative” says it is committed to providing safe and befitting community mosques and prayer centres across the country. A statement by Dr Musa Rabiu, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) on Saturday, said that one million Nigerians had benefited from Masjid1001’s support to community mosques across the country, through developmental interventions in Kaduna, Osun, Rivers, Kwara, Sokoto, Kogi and Edo states. He said that the initiative was set up in 2017 by a group of respected Muslim professionals, who volunteered their expertise in the renovation and refurbishment of community mosques towards providing befitting prayer centres for…