News
Russia declares a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8

Russia, on Monday, April 28, 2025, declared a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with its most sacrosanct national holiday.
The National holiday is to mark the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, Victory Day.
Russia has therefore called on Kyiv to agree to the pause.
Ukraine was quick in its response, which came soon after the Russian proposal on Monday.
“If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, according to his ministry.
He reiterated that Ukraine is ready for a “lasting, reliable, and complete ceasefire” for at least 30 full days.
“Why wait for May 8? If we can cease fire now from any date and for 30 days, so that it is real, and not just for a parade,” he said.
He however did not confirm whether Kyiv would accept the truce proposal.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Monday also dismissed the three-day truce.
“Now there’s a new attempt at manipulation: for some reason, everyone has to wait until May 8”, he said in his daily address.
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said Russian forces would halt fighting from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11.
The announcement came amid rising pressure from the United States to agree to a full ceasefire in the conflict.
Russia will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War.
This is supposedly the term it uses for its war with the Third Reich from 1942 to 1945, commonly known as World War II, on May 9.
“During this period, all hostilities will cease,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Putin made the decision on “humanitarian grounds”, it added.
The Kremlin statement called on Kyiv to join the ceasefire.
However, it pledged that in the event of any violations by the Ukrainians, Russia’s armed forces would give an “adequate and effective response”.
Zein Basravi reporting from Kyiv for Al Jazeera, said:
“Ukrainians aren’t really taking this seriously, they are responding to it rather harshly with a great deal of criticism … The response from military officers, as well as those in the field, various military spokespeople are far more critical, far more harsh, far more plainly spoken (than the government) “.
One Ukrainian officer, Basravi said, thought the ceasefire is pure insanity and honestly infuriating.
“Putin is simply trying to whitewash himself, show that the Russians are good guys.
“In fact, he never respected any ceasefire agreements and they don’t plan to, even during this so-called ceasefire, talking about Easter Sunday, our men continued to die, they will continue to die during this so-called ceasefire and nothing about it will bring us any closer to peace”, the officer added, according to Basravi.
US pressure
Monday’s announcement was Putin’s second surprise pause declaration in quick succession, following a 30-hour Easter truce on April 19-20.
On the truce, both countries have accused each other of violating.
The announcements of the Easter truce and the May pause have been made while US President Donald Trump has been signalling that he was growing impatient with Putin.
This is as he sought to oversee a peace agreement.
US proposals on ending the three-year war in Ukraine have reportedly ceded to Russia’s demands so far.
It called for recognition of Moscow’s control over Crimea as well as de facto recognition of Russia’s hold on other parts of Ukraine.
However, after meeting Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, Trump adopted a more critical tone towards Russia.
He voiced concern that Putin was “just tapping me along”.
On Sunday, Trump told Putin to “stop shooting”.
He told the Russian leader to also sign an agreement, while also reiterating threats to ditch the role as broker, indicating he would give the process “two weeks”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the week ahead would be “critical”.
“We’re close, but we’re not close enough,” he said.
However, Ukraine and its European allies have persistently warned Trump not to be taken in by Russian prevarication over a deal, while it continues to bombard Ukrainian cities.
‘Ball not in our court’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in comments published by Brazil’s O Globo newspaper on Monday that his country is “open to negotiations”.
However, he stated that the ball is not in their court, and it was up to Ukraine to make the first move to launch direct talks.
He said that Ukraine needs to “cancel” a 2022 decree ruling out negotiations with Russia, introduced after Russia annexed four regions that year.
This he suggested would happen before doubling down on demands for international recognition of Crimea and Sevastopol, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhia as a condition for a truce.
He also reiterated Moscow’s demands on “demilitarizing and denazifying” Ukraine and barring the country from joining the NATO military alliance.
Zelenskyy said last Friday that Ukraine would “not legally recognise any temporarily occupied territories”.
He has previously called the demilitarisation demand “incomprehensible”.
Trump, whose meeting with Zelenskyy on Saturday was the first since the pair clashed in the Oval Office in February, suggested on Sunday that Ukraine might be ready to give up Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula seized by Russia in 2014.
‘Plain lies’
Before Putin’s announcement. Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram on Monday that continuing Russian attacks contradicted the Kremlin’s statements about wanting peace.
“All the Russians’ statements about peace without ceasing fire are just plain lies,” he said.
Russia and Ukraine targeted each other with long-range strikes, officials said on Monday.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said its forces downed 119 Ukrainian drones overnight, most of them over its Bryansk border region.
In Ukraine, air raid sirens rang out across the country on Monday morning.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
A Russian attack on a Ukrainian village near the front-line city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region killed three residents, regional prosecutors said.
Over the weekend, Russia announced it had taken full control of its Kursk region with the help of North Korean troops.
Ukraine insisted that fighting was ongoing in the region.
News
VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.
The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.
Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.
INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.
During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.
He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.
Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”
Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.
He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”
He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.
The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.
He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.
Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”
Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.
The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.
He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.
Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.
Watch the video below.
Africa
Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.
“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.
Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.
He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.
The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.
He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.
Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”
General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.
He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”
Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.
He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.
They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.
General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.
He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”
He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.
Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.
He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”
The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.
General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.
Health
Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.
The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.
DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.
According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.
A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.
Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.
The health centre has since been found abandoned.
DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.
Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.
News
Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”
Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.
If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.
Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.
Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.
The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.
Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.
Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.
The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.
“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.
Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.
“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.
The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.
News
2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.
“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.
“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.
“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.
I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.
The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.
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