ABUJA: The Nigerian government announced the release of more than 300 kidnapping victims on Wednesday, including 163 taken from a single village in the west of the country earlier this year. Kidnapping for ransom by criminal groups, militants and non-ideological gangs known as bandits has become a »»»

In tonight's edition: Hundreds of people run from the most serious fighting to break out in Tigray since 2022, with many heading to Sudan despite the conflict there. Also, Nigeria is still probing links that Mexican drug cartels may have to Africa's top economy. Plus Cape Verde's veteran goalk»»»

Jos, Nigeria: Gunmen kidnapped at least 52 people, including children, in a weekend attack on a village and military base in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state, local sources told AFP on Monday. Kidnappings have become a major source of income for armed groups in Nigeria, including jihadists in the »»»

ABIDJAN: Around 10 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in an attack by the Boko Haram group in southeastern Niger, local sources said, with the assault confirmed by state media. The attack occurred close to N’Guigmi, a garrison town in the Diffa marshy Lake Chad region shared also by Nigeria, Camero»»»

LONDON: In a move that took international commentators by surprise, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday announced the launch of a multinational naval force to counter threats to commercial maritime traffic through the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait chokepoint. The unp»»»

Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 14. The State Department said of the map that it takes "full responsibility for the confusion and misrepresentation it caused for attendees, including our African partners." File Photo by Bonn»»»

July 31 (UPI) -- Fourteen nations have backed the formation of a Saudi-led coalition to protect shipping routes from Houthi attacks in and around the Red Sea, drawing more countries into the Iran-U.S. war. The kingdom's defense ministry announced their support for the multinational defensive mariti»»»

African technology startups raised $1.44bn in the first half of 2026, broadly unchanged from a year earlier, but the number of disclosed transactions fell sharply as investors concentrated capital in fewer, larger companies. Funding increased by 1.4% from $1.42bn in the first half of 2025, while th»»»

African telecommunications group Airtel Africa (LSE:AAF; NGX:AIRTELAFRI) has selected the London Stock Exchange for the planned initial public offering of its mobile money business, reviving a listing that was postponed earlier this year because of market volatility and higher energy costs linked t»»»

Bangladesh passport holders can travel to 35 destinations in 2026 with visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VOA) or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) access, according to the latest Henley Passport Index 2026. For summer travellers planning international holidays, the list includes island escapes »»»

Minister of Labour HE Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri met separately with Ambassador of Nigeria to Qatar HE Dr. Mahmood Yakubu and Ambassador of Singapore to Qatar HE Pong Kok Tian on Sunday. The meetings discussed relations in the labour sector and ways to support and further enhance them. (QNA)»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Minister of Labor HE Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri met on Sunday with Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the State of Qatar HE Dr. Mahmood Yakubu. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of cooperation between both countries and discussed ways to further develo»»»

Accra, Ghana: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Africa World Airlines, the Accra-based carrier that has connected Ghana and the wider West African region for more than a decade, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership spanning codeshare and »»»

Dubai: Filipinos planning overseas holidays this summer have more destinations they can visit with fewer visa requirements. The Philippine passport climbed three places to 72nd in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, up from 75th last year and its best showing since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Filipin»»»

As millions of travellers prepare for the peak summer holiday season, the July 2026 Henley Passport Index highlights how global mobility has transformed over the past two decades. The 20th anniversary edition shows that the average passport now offers visa-free access to 108 destinations worldwide,»»»

JEDDAH: Former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to knock out Kristian Prenga in the second round of a dramatic non-title heavyweight fight on Saturday. Fighting for the first time since two of his best friends died in a car crash in Nigeria in December in which h»»»

The European Union has banned transactions involving Kyrgyzstan’s EcoIslamicBank. The decision is included in the EU’s 21st package of sanctions, which will enter into force on August 13, 2026. According to the EU registry, restrictions were imposed because the bank allegedly used a financial messa»»»

Tunis, July 24, 2026 (TAP) - Ambassador of Tunisia to Nigeria Mohsen Antit and head of the Tunisian delegation to the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), outlined on Thursday Tunisia's vision for the future of...»»»

PATTAYA: Tyson Fury edged closer to a blockbuster heavyweight clash with Anthony Joshua after defeating Poland’s Mariusz Wach by technical knock-out on Friday, but said he was “not convinced” his fellow Briton would face him. Fury, 37, outclassed Wach in front of 1,500 spectators in the Thai resort»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE's airlines are significantly expanding their global footprint in 2026, adding new international destinations, increasing flight frequencies on high-demand routes and deepening commercial partnerships that allow passengers to reach hundreds of cities beyond their own networks. The»»»

Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has completed a $2.5bn private placement, bringing external investors into its shareholder base for the first time as it seeks funding for expansion and future growth. The company said in a statement circulated on July 23 that it had issued an»»»

President Donald Trump's administration has imposed new tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners under a sweeping trade action aimed at pressuring governments to strengthen bans on goods produced with forced labor. The measures, announced under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, affect 99.4% »»»

McALLEN, Texas: A nun who was taken into immigration custody last month in Texas said Thursday that she went into a cold sweat as two armed men approached her while she walked to Sunday Mass in her habit, thinking about the day's Bible readings and carrying little more than her rosary and cellphone»»»

BusinessCanadaCanada-EU: Closer trade ties to counter Trump?Matt PearsonGiven they share the world's longest land border, Canada and the US have historically enjoyed fruitful trade relations. But with Donald Trump escalating his tariff war, Canada is looking to the EU and further afield. https://p.»»»

Dubai: Etihad Airways has signed a new interline agreement with Nigeria's largest airline, Air Peace, allowing passengers to book onward travel to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa on a single ticket. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The partnershi»»»

ABUJA/GUSAU, Nigeria: President Donald Trump praised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for his actions against violence, according to a letter released by Nigeria’s presidency on Wednesday, in contrast to the US leader’s threats late last year over treatment of that country’s Christians.Trump said he »»»

In tonight's edition, a deadly ambush in northern Mali leaves at least 50 soldiers dead. Also, Nigeria is facing a new challenge in its fight against jihadist insurgents as foreign fighters join armed groups. And Senegalese President Bassi»»»

After 17 years, the Nigeria military’s efforts to contend a Jihadist insurgency do not seem to be successful. The military is facing fresh hurdles with foreign fighters, including those from the Middle East joining the insurgents. The foreigners are bringing skills and technology that have proved v»»»

TUNIS, July 22 (TAP) – The Tunisian Embassy in Nigeria hosted a reception on the sidelines of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), held in Abuja from July 16 to 24, to promote Tunisia’s bid for a seat on the ATU...»»»

An armed "bandit" gang kidnapped more than 40 people in northwestern Nigeria over the weekend, a survivor of the attacks and a local government chairman told AFP late on Tuesday. Kidnappings have become a key moneymaking strategy for armed groups in Nigeria, including militants in the northeast and»»»