Author: Prima News

Renowned American snger, actor and activist, Harry Belafonte, is dead. His longtime spokesperson, Ken Sunshine, announced on Tuesday that the versatile showbiz icon died of Congestive Heart failure.  Belafonte made his first mark on the American entertainment scene when racial segregation was the vogue. Despite making it a rarity for blacks to find a footing on the screen, he broke through and lept to the top following the footsteps of the legendary Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and his other precursors. In particular, Belafonte was an instant hit with his brand of folk music that took him above his other peers,…

The state funeral for the late Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which had been planned for Wednesday evening, has been “postponed”, according to state TV. The decision comes as Tehran comes under further bombardment. Iran announced that the funeral was postponed “in anticipation of unprecedented turnout”, state television reported. “The farewell ceremony for the martyred Imam has been postponed. The new date will be announced later,” Iranian television said. Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes over the weekend.

At the top end, in the period from last December to March 2026 around 1.25 million people will be in ‘emergency’ levels of acute food insecurity, characterised by large food gaps and high levels of acute malnutrition –  the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report revealed. Immediate lifesaving assistance is needed to prevent a “catastrophe” for the over a million people in emergency levels of food insecurity.   Drivers of crisis  Residual 2025 monsoon flood impacts, drought, and localised insecurity have weakened agriculture and pastoral livelihoods, reduced production, disrupted markets, and squeezed coping capacity. Seasonal factors have also added to the crisis with the lean season (December to February) reducing farm labour and income opportunities and in some areas harsh winter conditions have further constrained access and livelihoods. In…

This year’s annual election, which begins on 17 August, will include candidates for IEEE president-elect and other officer positions up for election.To see who is running for 2027 IEEE president-elect and the petition candidates, visit the election website.The ballot also includes nominees for delegate-elect/director-elect offices submitted by division and region nominating committees, as well as IEEE Technical Activities vice president-elect; IEEE-USA president-elect; and IEEE Standards Association board of governors members-at-large.Those elected take office on 1 January 2027. IEEE members who want to run for an office, except for IEEE president-elect, who have not been nominated, must submit their petition intention…

DSS has arrested Yakubu, Inuwa among three  others over El-Rufai Airport Security Breach. NewsOnline Nigeria reports that five security officers have been arrested and are set to face prosecution over the February 12, 2026 security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, in an incident authorities say involved former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Joint Security Investigation The arrests followed a coordinated investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation. Those detained include: ASP Ayuba Yakubu of the Nigeria Police Force Murtala Inuwa of the…

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered electricity distribution companies to refund a total of N20.33 billion in outstanding meter costs. This was from a judgment contained in Order No: NERC/2026/025, which amends the previous 2023 order, was signed by the NERC Chairman, Mr Musiliu Oseni, and the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing & Compliance at NERC, Mr Dafe Akpeneye, on February 27, 2026. According to the new order, DisCos are to recover and fully disburse the fund to affected customers over 12 months from March 1, 2026. Under the Meter Asset Provider framework (MAP) scheme, customers pay…

By Olasunkanmi Akoni The League of Imams in Lagos State has urged Nigerians to refrain from protests that could disrupt peace, emphasizing that this is a time for prayer and reflection, not demonstrations. The call follows protests in parts of the country, including Lagos, over the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which reportedly led to the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and heightened global tensions. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Chief Missioner of the Ansarudeen Society, made the appeal on behalf of the guild during the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir programme held at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday evening. Ahmad…

 Thailand’s election commission ​said on Wednesday it has certified 499 of ‌500 parliamentary seats won in last month’s general election, clearing the way for a new house to ​convene and a new government to be ​formed. Under the rules, the new parliament must ⁠meet within 15 days of certification. It ​will elect a speaker and deputy speaker ​and will then choose a prime minister, who will move to form a government. The certified results show Prime Minister Anutin ​Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party winning 191 seats, followed ​by the People’s Party on 120, the Pheu Thai ‌Party ⁠on 74 and Kla Tham on 58. Bhumjaithai has…

Nigeria’s senior women’s team, the Super Falcons, have returned home as questions continue over the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to confirm if the tournament will go ahead in Morocco as planned. Originally, the competition – which also serves as Africa’s qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – was set for March 17 to April 3, 2026. With less than two weeks to kick-off, there has been no official update from CAF. Important pre-tournament preparations, such as media accreditation and formal announcements, have also not taken place, leaving teams…

Russia said on Wednesday that France’s plan to expand its nuclear arsenal was a highly ​destabilising move that posed a potential threat to ‌Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan on Monday, saying other European countries would also be able to take part ​in French nuclear exercises. France and Germany said ​they had set up a nuclear steering group ⁠to discuss deterrence issues. Macron first said in March ​2025 that he would launch a strategic dialogue on extending ​the protection of France’s nuclear umbrella to European allies that have until now relied on the United States. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman ​Maria Zakharova told…