ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin online voter pre-registration on August 18, 2025, as part of its national Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) program ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during a visit by officials of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
“The nationwide continuous voter registration is scheduled to commence in about three weeks, with the online pre-registration of voters scheduled for the 18th of August,” Yakubu said during the meeting.
He added that the in-person segment of the registration exercise will begin one week later, on August 25, 2025, at designated registration centers across the country.
According to the INEC chairman, the rollout of the CVR is a critical component of the commission’s electoral calendar, which includes the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, and the general elections in 2027.
The voter registration process will allow eligible Nigerians to register for the first time, update their existing details, and request transfers or replacements of voter cards. INEC said it will prioritize accessibility and transparency throughout the exercise, with both digital and physical platforms made available to ensure nationwide participation.
The commission is expected to release further guidelines in the coming days regarding requirements, registration portal access, and the operational framework for both online and offline CVR phases.
ENUGU, Nigeria (BN24) — The Enugu State Police Command has made significant strides in tackling violent crime, announcing the arrest of 13 male suspects linked to armed robbery, conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and cult activities. These arrests, part of a series of tactical and intelligence-driven operations, also led to the recovery of several firearms, stolen vehicles, and other incriminating items.
In a statement issued by SP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu Police, the operations began on July 30, 2025. Acting on the confessions of one suspect, Ekene Akpata, also known as Odumodu, a 35-year-old man under investigation for armed robbery and cultism, police raided the town of Oyofo-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area (LGA). This operation led to the capture of three additional suspects — Ebuka Odinko (35), Chiemerie Amano (25), and Onyebuchi Onyekwere (24). According to Ndukwe, initial investigations suggest that these suspects are members of a cult group involved in multiple armed robbery incidents where they forcibly took valuables from local residents.
A subsequent operation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between July 23 and 28, 2025, led to the arrest of two more suspects, Udofia Richard (43) and Richard Arinzechukwu Nwaomu (32). Based on the confessions of two other suspects, Okechukwu Ogbonna (65) and Ezeonuji Charles (52), who are under investigation for conspiracy and armed robbery, police forces in Port Harcourt tracked down the suspects. During this operation, officers seized two stolen vehicles — a red Toyota Camry XLE and an ash-colored Kia Soul.
Further highlighting the coordinated efforts of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, a previous operation on July 21, 2025, in Umuasi Ngwo, Udi LGA, led to the arrest of three men: Stephen Chidiebere, also known as Shaggy (42); Arinze Udeh, aka Anonymous (30); and Onuigbo Kingsley (49). Police recovered a cut-to-size double-barreled gun, and their arrest followed the earlier detention of Ikemefuna Ani, also known as Majority (31), who was captured for his involvement in conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism. Preliminary investigations have linked this group to the notorious Black Axe Confraternity, a cult group known for its violent activities.
In an unrelated incident on July 15, 2025, police operatives from the Ogui Division arrested a 30-year-old armed robbery suspect, Ifeanyi Ede, during a joint operation with the Neighbourhood Watch Group. The arrest came after Ede and an accomplice used a fake gun — later identified as a Spark-L electronic gas lighter — to rob a taxi driver in Enugu. The robbers took ₦30,000 in cash, the driver’s car key, a mobile phone worth ₦17,000, and the victim’s bank ATM card. Ede was arrested shortly after the incident, and the stolen phone was recovered. His accomplice, however, managed to flee, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
SP Ndukwe emphasized that all suspects are currently under active investigation, and the police are intensifying efforts to capture those still at large. Once investigations are completed, the cases will be taken to court for prosecution.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (BN24) — The body of German Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier may remain on the slopes of Pakistan’s Laila Peak following her tragic death this week, as authorities weigh a decision aligned with the athlete’s final wishes.
Dahlmeier, 31, a former biathlon champion who won two gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, was struck and killed by falling rocks while mountaineering in the Karakoram range. The accident occurred near the 18,700-foot mark on Laila Peak, a notoriously challenging summit located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The German athlete had been climbing alongside fellow mountaineer Marina Eva Krauss when the rockfall struck. Krauss contacted emergency services on Monday, prompting a search effort that was delayed by severe weather conditions. Helicopters were able to access the site on Tuesday, and Dahlmeier’s body was located the following day.
In a statement released on her official Instagram account, her family confirmed that Dahlmeier had left explicit written instructions not to risk lives in an attempt to recover her body in the event of a fatal accident. “Her wish was that in this case her body should be left behind on the mountain,” the statement read, adding that her relatives have requested these wishes be fully respected.
Local authorities in Pakistan are currently deliberating on whether to honor the request. Faizullah Faraq, a regional government spokesperson, confirmed the family’s communication and reiterated that Dahlmeier’s expressed desire was to be buried in the mountains. “That was her dream,” he said. “Now her wish has been fulfilled, so we are considering whether we can leave her body there.”
Laila Peak, known for its sharp, spear-like summit, has been successfully ascended by only a handful of climbers—seven in total—due to its technical difficulty and dangerous conditions. The past week brought extreme weather to the area, including heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and dense cloud cover, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
Dahlmeier retired from professional biathlon in 2019 at the height of her career, shifting focus to mountaineering and environmental advocacy. Her death has sparked widespread mourning in Germany and the global sporting community.
WUKARI, Nigeria (BN24) — A 38-year-old lecturer at Taraba State University, Engineer Joshua Saleh, was abducted Thursday evening by gunmen along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari highway in southern Taraba State, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. between the Janda-Ikula and Ikyior communities in Wukari Local Government Area. Saleh was reportedly traveling in a private vehicle with another passenger, identified as 42-year-old businessman Emmanuel Haggai Bibinu, when they came under attack.
Bibinu, a member of the Ichen ethnic group, told police that four armed men emerged from the roadside and opened fire, targeting the front tires of their vehicle to force it to a halt. The assailants were armed with a firearm and three machetes, he said.
After disabling the vehicle, the attackers robbed the occupants of their belongings, including a Samsung Galaxy G10 smartphone valued at N1.7 million and N83,000 in cash, before marching both men into the nearby bush.
Bibinu managed to escape during the ordeal and fled to Ikyior village, where he encountered a local hunter. The hunter assisted him in reaching a police station to report the abduction.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, but the whereabouts of Saleh remain unknown. Security forces are working in coordination with local vigilantes to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
The abduction underscores the growing security concerns along the Abuja–Jalingo route and highlights the persistent threat posed by armed groups in Taraba and other parts of northeastern Nigeria.
SALOU, Spain (BN24) — A tragic accident unfolded on July 29 when two British siblings, aged 11 and 13, drowned while swimming at a beach in Catalonia, Spain. Ameiya and Ricardo Junior, affectionately known as Maya and Jubs, were vacationing with their family in the coastal resort town of Salou when the tragedy occurred. The family, hailing from Birmingham, UK, had been enjoying their first major holiday abroad when the fatal incident struck.
The siblings were swept away by powerful rip currents while swimming in the waters of Llarga Beach, located near their hotel. Despite their father’s desperate attempts to rescue them, the children were pulled over 100 meters apart by the surging tides. The incident took place in front of their horrified family, who had been enjoying the last moments of their summer vacation.
Shanice and Ricardo Senior, both 31, were staying at a nearby hotel with their six children. That evening, Shanice had taken some of their children to the bathroom, leaving her husband and the two siblings behind for a brief swim. Upon her return, Shanice, unable to locate her children, immediately grew frantic. Her sister, Macalia Del Brocco, 46, recounted the harrowing moment to the Daily Mail.
“Shanice came back and couldn’t see any of them. She panicked, and that’s when the police arrived and things started happening,” Macalia said. Emergency services were called shortly after 8:45 p.m. local time, according to Catalonia’s Civil Protection agency.
Despite the best efforts of local emergency responders, the siblings were unable to be revived. Ricardo Senior, who had been in the water attempting to rescue his children, was pulled from the sea after swallowing significant amounts of seawater. Though exhausted, he was revived at the scene. Macalia spoke to the emotional toll the tragedy has had on Ricardo Senior. “Ricardo is feeling very pained because he was in the water with them. It’s going to hit him hard. He’ll have to deal with that mental trauma. But, as a family, we will pull together.”
The two children have been remembered by family and friends as “beautiful” and “bright.” Their younger brother, Casius, 6, spoke of his siblings’ tragic deaths with a heartbreaking innocence. “Did you know Maya and Jubs are in heaven now? Juby went to heaven in a helicopter,” he told his aunt.
The beach rescue efforts were complicated by high winds and dangerous waves. Officer Younes A., one of the first responders, shared with DiariTots21 that the current was so strong, it pulled the children apart despite their entering the water together. He recounted the urgency of the situation, describing how hotel staff attempted to assist the family before first responders arrived.
“Hotel workers were trying to pull one of the three out when we arrived. We immediately jumped into the sea and were told two other people, likely minors, were still in the water,” Younes said. “We found one child, a young girl, and began resuscitation efforts while another police team recovered the other child. When emergency services arrived, they took over but soon informed us that they could do nothing more.”
Though the circumstances leading to the siblings’ struggles in the water remain unclear, Younes emphasized the perilous conditions. “The waves were intense, and the wind was powerful. It was a very dangerous situation.”
The family’s devastating loss has drawn an outpouring of support from their community back home in Birmingham. The tragedy has also raised awareness of the dangers posed by rip currents, which are responsible for many similar incidents each year at beaches around the world.
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (BN24) — Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, delivered a dominant performance on Thursday to defeat Cameroon 83-47 and advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament.
The quarter-final matchup at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan saw the reigning champions assert their dominance from the opening tip, securing their sixth consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the continental competition—an unbroken streak that began in 2013.
D’Tigress opened the game with intent, outscoring Cameroon 21-9 in the first quarter and maintaining their momentum to carry a 41-29 lead into halftime. The third quarter proved decisive, as Nigeria surged ahead with a 25-2 run, overwhelming Cameroon with aggressive defense and fluid offensive play. By the final buzzer, D’Tigress had stretched their lead to 36 points.
Amy Okoronkwo led all scorers with 18 points, while Victoria Balogun and Nicole Enabosi contributed 12 points each in a balanced team effort that left little doubt about Nigeria’s title ambitions.
With the win, D’Tigress move on to face Senegal in Saturday’s semi-final, as the team continues its pursuit of a fifth consecutive Afrobasket title—a feat that would further cement their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Nigeria, already the most successful team of the modern Afrobasket era, remains undefeated in the 2025 tournament and appears poised to defend its crown with the same authority that has defined its run over the past decade.
ISTANBUL, Turkey (BN24) — A 38-year-old British man has tragically died following a hair transplant procedure in Istanbul, Turkey, sparking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, had travelled to Turkey for the procedure at a private clinic, CINIK, located in the Besiktas area of the city.
According to reports from Turkish news outlet OdaTV, the man underwent a five-hour hair transplant surgery. However, shortly after the operation, he began feeling unwell and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Upon arrival, he was placed in the intensive care unit, where, despite ongoing medical efforts, he passed away.
The man’s body has been transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy, after which it will be repatriated to the UK. Turkish authorities have launched a formal investigation into the death, with officials looking into allegations of “reckless homicide” related to the surgery.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that the British government is offering support to the deceased man’s family and is in contact with local authorities in Turkey. “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities,” the spokesperson stated.
Turkey has become a prominent destination for cosmetic procedures, particularly hair transplants, due to significantly lower prices compared to other countries. However, this incident has raised concerns about the safety standards of some medical establishments catering to medical tourists.
Meta Description:
A 38-year-old British man dies after undergoing a hair transplant at a clinic in Istanbul. An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of his death.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing new tariffs on Canada, increasing the tariff rate from 25% to 35%, effective Friday, August 1. The move follows the administration’s criticism of Canada for not taking sufficient action to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States.
The White House stated that the tariff increase is a response to Canada’s failure to help combat the trafficking of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has contributed to a growing drug crisis in the U.S. President Trump, on Thursday, signed an executive order aimed at holding Canada accountable for its role in the flow of these dangerous substances. The order also includes provisions to modify tariff rates for certain countries in an effort to address the United States’ persistent trade deficits.
“The United States is taking necessary and bold steps to protect its national security and economy by securing fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade relationships,” the White House explained in a statement. This tariff escalation is part of Trump’s broader strategy to address foreign threats to U.S. security, including drug trafficking and unfair trade practices.
The 35% tariff on Canada follows a broader tariff initiative Trump launched earlier this year. On April 2, the president announced a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, with higher rates applied to nations with which the U.S. has significant trade deficits. This strategy has resulted in several high-profile trade agreements, including deals with the European Union and Japan.
In its agreement with the EU, the bloc committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and making $600 billion in new investments by 2028. The EU also agreed to a 15% tariff rate on U.S. exports. Similarly, Japan has pledged $550 billion in investments to rebuild American industries, along with commitments to open its market further to U.S. exports and accept the same 15% tariff rate.
Along with Canada, other nations face varying tariff rates as part of the new adjustments. Syria will see a tariff of 41%, while Myanmar and Laos will be charged 40%. Countries like Switzerland, Serbia, and Iraq will have tariffs of 39% and 35%, respectively. Several African nations, including Algeria, Libya, and South Africa, will face a 30% tariff.
The Trump administration has consistently defended the use of tariffs as a “necessary and powerful tool” to rectify what it considers long-standing unfair trade practices that threaten both U.S. economic stability and national security. The flow of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, has become a central issue in this narrative, with Trump’s administration drawing attention to the role of both Canada and Mexico in facilitating drug trafficking.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), more than 74 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the northern border in fiscal year 2025 alone. U.S. officials have raised concerns that drug trafficking organizations based in Canada are responsible for operating “super labs” capable of producing large quantities of fentanyl, often in rural and isolated regions. These labs are allegedly linked to Mexican drug cartels, which are accused of moving fentanyl and nitazene through Canada into the U.S.
The tariff hike on Canadian goods comes after Trump had previously threatened to impose such a measure, citing Canada’s inaction on the fentanyl issue. The U.S. has made it clear that any further delays in addressing the problem could lead to additional trade penalties.
LAFIA, Nigeria (BN24) — Unknown gunmen abducted Enock Maku, the Senior Special Assistant on Information and Protocol to the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, in the Agyaragu area of Lafia Local Government Area late Wednesday night, prompting heightened security concerns in the region.
The incident, which occurred under the cover of darkness, sent shockwaves through the local community, as residents expressed growing fears over the recent uptick in abductions and armed violence in Nasarawa State.
Confirming the abduction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said officers responded swiftly to the attack and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle. During the operation, two individuals were rescued, but Maku remains in captivity.
“The command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt to ensure the safe return of Mr. Maku,” Nansel told reporters on Thursday. He emphasized that all security agencies are working in coordination to track down the perpetrators and secure the victim’s release.
Nansel also urged residents to remain calm and assist the police with any useful information that could aid the ongoing operation. “We appeal to the public to cooperate with law enforcement. Every effort is being made to ensure Mr. Maku is safely reunited with his family,” he added.
The abduction is the latest in a series of security challenges facing Nasarawa, where local authorities have been grappling with kidnappings, armed robbery, and communal violence. The state government has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.
KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russia declared Thursday that its forces have taken full control of Chasiv Yar, a strategic town in eastern Ukraine, following nearly 16 months of intense combat. The announcement signals what could be a pivotal gain in Moscow’s drawn-out eastern offensive, though Ukrainian officials are rejecting the claim and insisting fighting continues.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement that its troops had “liberated” Chasiv Yar. The town, west of the destroyed city of Bakhmut, has long been seen as a critical defensive barrier for Ukraine in the Donetsk region. Its capture, if confirmed, would mark another hard-fought milestone for Moscow, whose troops have inched forward through a grinding campaign since spring 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly dismissed Russia’s statement as “disinformation,” while a military spokesperson labeled it “propaganda.” Nonetheless, video footage posted online by a Russian military unit — and later verified by Reuters — showed Russian soldiers raising a paratrooper banner and the Russian national flag over the shattered ruins of the town.
The Ukrainian blog DeepState, which tracks battlefield developments using open-source intelligence, also disputed Moscow’s claim, asserting that Ukraine’s defense forces remain active in the area.
The battle for Chasiv Yar began in April 2024, when Russian airborne troops first reached the town’s eastern outskirts. Since then, Russian forces have applied relentless pressure, slowly gaining ground in a campaign marked by high casualties and little strategic maneuvering. The town, once home to more than 12,000 residents and centered around a concrete and clay production plant, has been reduced to rubble.
Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, co-founder of the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said that while Russia may have made significant advances in Chasiv Yar, pockets of Ukrainian resistance likely persist. He noted that the town’s geography — including forests, waterways, and varying elevations — allowed Ukrainian forces to mount a year-long defense that stalled Russian gains to a crawl.
“If the fall of the city is confirmed, it would open the way for Russia to move closer to Kostiantynivka,” Kastehelmi said. “But this progress is still expected to be slow. The terrain and logistics continue to favor the defenders.”
The capture would also bring Russian drone teams nearer to key Ukrainian supply routes, potentially complicating logistics and forcing redeployments, according to analysts.
Ukrainian military commanders have maintained that their forces are holding firm. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said units around Chasiv Yar continue to “defend our positions,” and highlighted ongoing heavy fighting in nearby Pokrovsk, where he said Russia’s most intense assaults were now focused.
He added that sabotage and reconnaissance efforts by Russian units are being countered daily in Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
The drawn-out fight for Chasiv Yar, like the earlier siege of Bakhmut, has come to symbolize the brutal nature of the conflict’s eastern front, where territorial gains are measured in meters and paid for in blood. Talks to end the war — now entering its fourth year — remain stalled. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and its global trade partners starting next week in response to continued military escalation.
Chasiv Yar’s reported fall, though disputed, may offer Russia a morale boost in its campaign, while underscoring the continued strain on Ukraine’s defensive lines in the east.
