Author: Prima News

Estimates indicate that around 28 million people in Afghanistan were living in poverty in 2025, with the situation compounded by mass population returns, worsening drought and shrinking international aid.While Afghanistan recorded a second consecutive year of economic growth, real GDP expanded by just 1.9 per cent in 2025, down from 2.3 per cent the previous year. Population growth, however, reached 6.5 per cent, resulting in an estimated 2.1 per cent decline in real GDP per capita. UNDP’s report, Afghanistan Socioeconomic Review, found that the share of Afghans facing subsistence insecurity remained largely unchanged, but an additional 1.4 million people were pushed…

In a creepy case against one of Nigeria’s barracudas of corruption, an unusual judicial whammy judgment was etched in the spine of history two days ago in a Nigerian court.  A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, a very powerful figure in Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was sentenced to 75 years in prison after he was convicted of pilfering a whopping sum of ‌N33.8bn ($24.71m) meant to dissipate looming darkness over every nook and cranny of the Nigerian nation. Instead of funnelling the funds into solving Nigerians’ protracted darkness menace, Mamman laundered 33.8 billion naira through private companies, funds that prosecutors…

Global technology companies are accelerating workforce reductions and internal overhauls as artificial intelligence moves fast from experimental tool to core operating infrastructure, triggering one of the most significant labour shifts in the sector in years. The latest move came last week, when US cloud security group Cloudflare announced plans to cut about 20 per cent of its global workforce, affecting more than 1,100 employees. The company, which also has a presence in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, said the decision was linked to a rapid surge in AI adoption across its operations, noting internal usage of AI tools had risen by…

A Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of harassing and assaulting him and other hospital workers during an attempt to arrest him over an alleged fake medical report. Ekpe, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, made the allegation during a press conference on Wednesday while narrating the events that led to the confrontation between the EFCC operatives and hospital staff. Videos seen by PUNCH Metro on Thursday on X showed the professor insisting that…

Tribest Corporate Service Group has announced the appointment of seasoned human resources and corporate administration expert, as Group Executive Director, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the Group’s leadership capacity and accelerating its growth across its manpower, outsourcing, and energy support businesses. The appointment comes as Tribest Corporate Support Group continues to deepen its position as a leading provider of recruitment, outsourcing, workforce management, and energy support solutions for organizations across Nigeria. With over 35 years of professional experience spanning banking, manufacturing, oil servicing, and public sector operations, Abel Fadebi brings to the Board a wealth of leadership expertise…

By John Alechenu, ABUJA The leadership of the Labour Party has constituted a National Screening Committee to oversee the screening of aspirants ahead of the party’s nomination primaries for the 2027 General Elections. The decision was announced in a statement issued by the party in Abuja on Friday, citing Articles 20(1B)(d), 20(2)(d), and 27 of the Labour Party Constitution and provisions of the Electoral Guidelines for the 2026 Primaries. Nenadi Esther Usman will chair the committee. Members include Mrs Oluchi Oparah, Comrade Mohammad Salisu, Pastor Mrs Martina Umana, Mrs Deborah Yusuf, Dr Chibuzo Okereke, Dr OluAyewoh, and Hon. Iheanacho Obioma,…

By Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA The League of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria, yesterday, questioned the fairness and evidential basis of the ongoing United Kingdom trial involving former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, insisting that the case must be determined strictly on credible evidence and proof beyond reasonable doubt. The group said its review of proceedings already in the public domain revealed contradictions in testimony, gaps in documentary evidence and concerns over the handling of exhibits central to the prosecution’s case. Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, the group’s National Secretary, Priscilla Makoshi Marcus, noted that the organisation’s intervention was based strictly on legal and…

World record holder Tobi Amusan says she is still hungry for more success after winning her third continental title at the ongoing CAA Senior African Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, The PUNCH reports. Amusan claimed Nigeria’s first gold medal at the 2026 championships in the women’s 100m hurdles, crossing the line ahead of Zimbabwe’s Ashley Miller, while another Nigerian, Adaobi Tabugbo, finished third to win her first individual medal for the country. Amusan’s latest title adds to her maiden triumph on home soil in 2018 and her victory in Mauritius in 2022. She did not compete in the…

Global superstar Shakira has officially released “Dai Dai,” the anthem for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, in collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats star, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy. The Colombian singer announced the release directly to fans via social media on Friday. She posted: “Dai Dai is here. The @FIFAWorldCup 2026 starts now!” The Fédération Internationale de Football Association also announced the song in a statement posted on its X handle on Friday, saying the track is now available on major streaming platforms. “Today, excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continues to build with the release of…

A 12-year-old girl was among at least five civilians killed in a massive Russian drone and missile strike on Ukraine over the past 48 hours. The girl’s body was found under the rubble of a residential building in the capital, Kyiv.The strike also disrupted essential services, according to local authorities, with the water supply cut off across parts of the left bank of Kyiv and traffic restricted in several areas.Nearly 24 hours of continuous strikes Overnight, the Russian military launched nearly 800 drones and 56 missiles against Ukraine. The strikes included ballistic missiles, air-launched ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, making…