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  African Development Bank Group Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade met on Tuesday with Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss closer collaboration between the two organizations on migration and development across Africa. The meeting, held at the Bank Group’s headquarters in Abidjan, featured exploratory talks on the possibility of a formal partnership building on earlier successful collaborations, including joint production   of a 2023 report on migration and development in Africa. The IOM delegation also included Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa; David Preux, IOM Chief of Mission, Côte d'Ivoire; and Bawele Tchalim, Regional Desk Officer. In addition to the senior vice president, the African Development Bank Group was represented by Catherine Baumont-Keita, Director, Office of the Senior Vice President and Management Operations; Director and Special Advisor in...

   Starting January 21, 2025, Canada will overhaul its Family Open Work Permit (FWOP) program, introducing stricter eligibility criteria for spouses of international students and foreign workers. The changes aim to better align temporary resident programs with the country’s economic priorities and address labor shortages in key sectors. Here are 10 key things you need to know about the new rules:   1) Revised Eligibility for Spouses of International Students Only spouses of students enrolled in select programs—such as master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, and certain professional programs—will qualify for Family OWPs. 2) Stricter Criteria for Spouses of Foreign Workers Eligibility is limited to spouses of foreign workers employed in TEER 0 or 1 occupations or in specific TEER 2 or 3 roles within sectors experiencing labor shortages, including healthcare, education, and construction.   3) Work Permit Duration for Foreign Workers ...

  The World Bank and African Development Bank laid out the terms African nations will need to meet to win $40 billion in finance to tackle the continent’s electricity crisis.   The two multilateral lenders are backing a program called Mission 300 that aims to bring electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030 with a pledge of $30 billion in finance, on top of which they expect $10 billion from private institutions. To get the support of the institutions, countries will need to undertake a number of steps including putting in place regulation that makes it attractive for private investment and committing to using the lowest cost electricity, which is generally renewable power.  Thirteen countries will present their plans at a head of state Mission 300 energy summit in Tanzania at the end of this month. “Of the 680 million people globally without electricity access 570 million live in sub-Saharan Africa,” Franz Drees-Gross, director of infrastructure in Western ...

  Yeni Kuti, singer and daughter of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has reacted to actress Ngozi Ezeonu’s comments on inappropriate dressing at auditions, urging the actress to reconsider her stance. Ngozi recently criticised aspiring actresses who attended auditions without wearing bras, calling their attire inappropriate and declaring she would disqualify such candidates. “How can you come to an audition ground without a bra?” she asked. However, speaking during the latest episode of Your View on TVC, Yeni said Ngozi’s remarks were unnecessary and suggested that the actress could simply reject candidates who do not meet her preferences instead of criticising them publicly. “I think it was not really any of her business. All she had to do was reject them, saying, ‘I do not want people who dress like you.’ I do not want to be a hypocrite because I wore tight jeans and a small top when I was that age,” Yeni said. Reflecting on her younger years, she no...

  The European Union has announced an initial humanitarian assistance of €510 million to Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries in 2025. The European Commission said in a statement on Thursday that “these funds are set to be channelled across “West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, North-West Nigeria, Central Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Greater Horn of Africa”. According to the statement, a further €470 million of the funding is destined for the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular emphasis being on delivering aid to Gaza and Yemen. The statement said: “The EU continues to remain a leading global humanitarian aid donor. With more than 300 million people estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2025, the EU on Thursday announced an initial humanitarian budget for 2025 of €1.9 billion.” EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “With more than 300 million people needing hum...

  Singer Spyro has claimed Davido indeed owns multiple mansions on Banana Island, contrary to Burna Boy’s subtle shade implying otherwise. ‘The Who’s Your Guy’ hitmaker made this statement in a recent interview on the Echo Room podcast According to Spyro, Davido has not only one but several houses on the island and recently moved into a new mansion from a previous one.   “Davido doesn’t own just one house in Banana Island. In fact, he has moved from his previous house to another one,” Spyro said. The confirmation from Spyro comes after Burna Boy made a comment that implied Davido does not own a house on Banana Island.

  The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has urged  members of the public to discountenance purported recruitment announcement for the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC)) circulating in certain online platforms.  The Company clarified that there is no separate recruitment process for the Port Harcourt Refinery other than the one which started last year, which also includes all NNPC Ltd.’s businesses, with successful candidates at the Computer-Based Aptitude Test proceeding for the interview stage this week.   Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi clarified this in a statement on Friday.  The statement explained :“The purported recruitment link being circulated in various online platforms is the handiwork of fraudsters who are keen on taking advantage of the newly revamped Port Harcourt Refinery to fleece unsuspecting members of the public with a phantom recruitment announcement. We, therefore, call on memb...

  Nigerian music star, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun,  aka Wizkid, has once again proven his global influence by becoming the highest-earning African artiste on Spotify. According to a report released by music data platform, Chart Masters, on Wednesday, Wizkid raked in $1 million from Spotify monthly streams. This achievement cements his position as one of Africa’s most successful musical exports. The data, which also unveiled the earnings of other global artistes, showed that Wizkid led a list of Africa’s top earners, with fellow Nigerians dominating the top 10. The only non-Nigerian on the list is South Africa’s rising star, Tyla.   Who made the top 10? Wizkid sits at the summit of the list, followed by Burna Boy with $782,148, and the Grammy-nominated singer, Tems, with $660,210. Tyla claimed the fourth spot, earning $607,804, while Davido, the “Timeless” crooner, rounded out the top five with $458,615.   Others on the list include Afrobeats sensations Asa...

  The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) says the production of petroleum products by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the importation of refined products from Europe.   In its Monthly Oil Market Report published on January 15, 2025, the global body said with the refining efforts of the Lagos-based refinery, gasoline volumes produced in the international markets would have to find new destination markets. “The ongoing operational ramp-up efforts at Nigeria’s new Dangote refinery and its gasoline exports to the international market will likely weigh further on the European gasoline market. “ Continued gasoline production in Nigeria , a country that has relied heavily on imports to meet its domestic fuel needs in the past, will most likely continue to free up gasoline volumes in international markets which will call for new destinations and flow adjustments for the extra volumes going forward,” the report partly read.   NNPCL tr...

  Manchester United faced an unexpected challenge in their 3-1 win against struggling Southampton, who were bottom of the Premier League table.   The match seemed to be heading for disaster as the visitors led 1-0, thanks to an own goal by United's Manuel Ugarte in the first half.   Southampton’s dominance early on came as a surprise, given their record of just six points this season and their dismal away form.   Despite their relegation-threatened status, Southampton put up a spirited performance at Old Trafford.   Kamaldeen Sulemana and Tyler Dibling caused chaos for the United defense, with the Saints breaking the deadlock through a corner kick—an area where United’s defensive frailties have been exposed all season.   United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, reacted swiftly by making several changes, including bringing on Antony and removing Kobbie Mainoo at halftime.   However, the hosts continued to struggle , with Antony missing a golden opportunity to l...

  Image caption, Eric Chelle led Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast   New Nigeria boss Eric Chelle will face the biggest challenge of his managerial career when the Malian takes charge of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in March. The 47-year-old, who makes history as the first non-Nigerian African to assume the role of Super Eagles head coach , gained the attention of his new employers when he led Mali to a rare victory over Nigeria last year. After missing out on the last edition of the World Cup in Qatar, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has tasked Chelle with reaching next year's tournament. However, he must hit the ground running given the Super Eagles have failed to win any of their first four games in Group C.   Some in the country are already criticising his appointment, with one student association describing it as "a slap in the face" of homegrown coaches. Chelle has been described as a "kind, courteous ...

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas designated for returning workers in the first half of fiscal year 2025. The visas are available for workers with start dates on or before March 31st, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule. The final receipt date for petitions requesting these visas was January 7th, 2025. According to USCIS, the petitions for the 20,716 H-2B visas for returning workers have now been fully submitted. These visas were allocated as part of the Fiscal year (FY) 2025 temporary final rule (TFR) that was published on December 2nd, 2024. The rule increased the number of available H-2B visas for the first half of FY 2025. As of January 7th, 2025, USCIS had processed enough petitions to meet the cap for returning workers, which allows for the continued employment of nonimmigrant workers in temporary or seasonal positi...

  Dalyce Curry , an actress known for her roles in Blues Brothers, Lady Sings the Blues, and The 10 Commandments, has tragically passed away at the age of 95. Her remains were discovered after her home in Altadena was destroyed in a wildfire, according to TMZ. The devastating incident occurred as the Eaton Fire ravaged areas east of Los Angeles, engulfing homes and prompting widespread evacuations in Altadena and Pasadena.   Curry’s granddaughter confirmed her passing in a heartfelt in her Facebook post.    She shared that she had last seen her grandmother on Tuesday, January 7, after dropping her off at her Altadena residence. Later that day, the wildfire erupted, causing chaos and destruction throughout the region. When the granddaughter returned the following day to check on Dalyce Curry, she was unable to access the area due to police barricades. An officer informed her that the property had been destroyed and directed h...

Suspended South Korea in President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive a salary increase for 2025, despite being embroiled in an impeachment trial and facing an insurrection investigation. Official documents from the Ministry of Personnel Management and sighted by AFP revealed that Yoon’s annual salary will rise by three per cent to 262.6 million won ($178,400). Although suspended, Yoon retains his presidential status while the Constitutional Court deliberates on his impeachment, allowing him to continue receiving his salary and associated benefits. “It makes my blood boil. He’s (Yoon) getting paid for doing nothing,” one user wrote in a post on social media platform X that quickly went viral.  Yoon’s impeachment followed a controversial decision to suspend civilian rule on December 3, during which soldiers were deployed to parliament The move sparked South Korea’s most significant political crisis in decades, leading to his suspension hours later. He now faces a separate p...

  ARSENAL 1 (5)-(3) 1 MANCHESTER UNITED: Penalties were required to separate the Premier League rivals as Joshua Zirkzee's spotkick saw United through to the next round of the FA Cup Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the winning penalty Manchester United have pulled off a determined FA Cup victory after pushing Arsenal to penalties at the Emirates Stadium. Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning spotkick after Kai Havertz missed for the Gunners. The offside flag prevented Gabriel Martinelli from opening the scoring after he found the net in the first period. The Brazilian was left furious after he felt he took advantage of a deflection from   Harry Maguire   in a half that saw few chances. Arsenal showed little in the way of threat, and Manchester United served up a lesson early in the second-half. Alejandro Garnacho drove into space towards the Gunners box before laying the ball to   Bruno Fernandes   who smashed the ball past   David ...

  Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday welcomed the election of his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun after the country went more than two years without a head of state, saying unity will “defeat” Israel. “There is no doubt that reinforcement of stability and unity will defeat the greed of the Zionist enemy against Lebanese territory,” Pezeshkian said in a message to Aoun published by the official IRNA news agency after his election on Thursday.   Pezeshkian expressed hope that “this election will bring political stability, economic growth and greater progress as well as peace and comfort to the dear people of Lebanon.”  He added that Iran was ready to further develop cooperation with Lebanon “in all areas”. Iran backs Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, a political heavyweight that was weakened by a year of war with Israel and the ouster in Syria of its ally president Bashar al-Assad. After his election, Aoun vowed that the state would hav...

  At least three women died and five children suffered severe fractures and bruises on Friday in a stampede at the Umayyad Mosque in the Syrian capital, Damascus while attempting to get free meals in a charitable activity. The Syrian Civil Defense said the incident occurred during a banquet promoted by a well-known chef, Abu Omari al-Dimashqi, who had invited the public to a free meal in the yard of the historic mosque in the Old City of Damascus. According to local sources and eyewitnesses, large crowds flocked into the mosque’s courtyard and nearby areas amid an apparent shortage of crowd control measures, leading to chaotic scenes. It was gathered that security personnel arrived at the scene, closing off roads to manage the influx of attendees. The Umayyad Mosque , which is one of the most iconic landmarks of Damascus, typically hosts religious and cultural events. Large-scale public gatherings are rarely held there and usually require prior co...