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Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the rescue and repatriation of 28 nationals, mostly young people, who fell victim to a human trafficking network in Côte d’Ivoire.

The victims arrived safely in Ghana on May 10 following what the Ministry described as a successful operation involving security operatives and officials from the Ghana Embassy in Abidjan.

In a press release issued in Accra on May 10, the Ministry said the rescued persons were currently assisting with investigations aimed at dismantling the trafficking network and prosecuting those behind the operation.

“The rescued human trafficking victims are safely in Ghana and currently assisting with further investigations,” the statement said.

The Government of Ghana commended the authorities in Côte d’Ivoire for their cooperation and intelligence sharing during the rescue mission, saying the Mahama Administration was deploying every effort to bring the masterminds of the criminal network to justice.

The Ministry also cautioned Ghanaians to remain vigilant against fraudulent travel and employment schemes, particularly those promoted by unlicensed recruitment agencies, urging the public to verify all travel and job offers with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment Relations, and Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The Ministry further emphasized that the welfare of Ghanaians remains its utmost priority

The rescue comes amid a wider crisis of Ghanaian nationals being trafficked across West Africa.

28 Ghanaians Rescued From Human Trafficking Network In Côte d’Ivoire is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

British pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, seeking $15 million in damages over allegations that the tech giant used her image without permission to market its television sets.

According to court documents filed Friday in a California federal court, Samsung allegedly featured a copyrighted image of the singer on the front of cardboard boxes containing televisions for retail sale, creating the impression that she endorsed the product.

The lawsuit states that the image in question, titled “Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024,” is fully owned by the pop star, who holds all rights, title, and interest in the photograph.

Besides copyright and trademark infringement, Dua Lipa has also accused Samsung Electronics of violating her publicity rights.

Lipa’s legal team attached screenshots of social media posts and consumer comments to support the claim that her image influenced purchasing decisions. One of these screenshots shows a fan commenting that they would get the TV “just because Dua is on it.”

The “Levitating” singer became aware of Samsung’s alleged infringement in June last year and demanded that Samsung stop using her image, but the electronics manufacturer repeatedly refused to do so, her lawyers said.

Samsung’s alleged unauthorised use of Dua Lipa’s image has “caused and continues to cause dilution” of the pop star’s “brand identity ⁠and ​commercial goodwill by falsely conveying to the consuming ​public that she approves of and endorses” the products in question, they added.

A spokesperson for Samsung Electronics declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation, while Dua Lipa’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to media inquiries.

Dua Lipa Sues Samsung for $15m Over Alleged Image Misuse is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Faizu Alfindiki, has said many people in the North are surprised by the perceived political closeness between former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Alfindiki made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Kano on Monday, where he questioned Kwankwaso’s political direction and priorities.“Many Northerners were surprised that Kwankwaso appears more interested in aligning with Obi’s political camp instead of building stronger unity among Northern leaders,”he said.The APC stalwart stressed that the region currently needs cooperation among its political leaders to protect its interests and strengthen its voice at the national level.According to him, “the North needs leaders who will focus on unity and work together for the development of the region.”Alfindiki who is also the former chairman of Kano Municipal Council also criticised Obi.He said he has not shown enough concern for key issues affecting the North.“He is rarely heard speaking on major Northern challenges like insecurity, agriculture and economic development in the way many people would expect,” Alfindiki added.Alfindiki further argued that Kwankwaso’s political decisions could give the impression that personal ambition is being placed above collective regional interest.“In politics, one is judged by their stance and the type of alliances they build. The people of the North need leaders who will unite to protect the region’s political integrity,” he said.He, however, called on politicians across the country to form alliances that would promote national unity rather than deepen divisions.The APC chieftain also praised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying ongoing projects in infrastructure, road construction and agriculture show commitment to national development.According to him, such efforts justify continued support for the President ahead of future elections.

2027: Many northerners surprised by Kwankwaso, Obi alliance – Faizu Alfindiki

Former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has raised concerns over what he described as the slow pace of development in Taraba state, 35 years after its creation.
Sambo stated that the state has not achieved the level of growth expected of states created during the same period, noting that his decision to join the governorship race was motivated by a desire to rebuild and transform Taraba.

The former minister made the remarks via a statement shortly after undergoing screening over the weekend for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Sambo, who noted that the time had come to reposition Taraba for meaningful development and improved governance, said he could no longer remain on the sidelines while the state continued to face developmental challenges.

“Rather than sit and complain about the backwardness of our state after thirty-five years of its creation, I would rather throw my hat into the ring and contest,” he said.

Sambo also commended the leadership of the All Progressives Congress for adopting direct primaries, describing the process as a true reflection of democratic principles.

“This is democracy. With direct primaries, you are bound to test your popularity and acceptability rather than rely on games and gimmicks associated with indirect primaries or consensus candidacy,” he stated.

Speaking on his chances against the incumbent administration, Sambo maintained that the current realities in Taraba underscored the need for new leadership.

“Go and check the developmental index of my dear state. Check our debt profile and human capital indicators; the records are there. I am tired of complaining. I would rather join the race to salvage my home state than sit on the fence. To liberate Taraba, I have decided to run. Above all, this is democracy,” he added.

The governorship aspirant also applauded the conduct of the screening committee, particularly the chairman of the gubernatorial screening panel, Benjamin Obi Nwoye, for what he described as professionalism and ethical leadership throughout the exercise.

“I must candidly appreciate the humility and professionalism of the committee. Dr. Benjamin Obi Nwoye-led committee impressed me deeply. Their commitment to ethical standards, simplicity, and camaraderie was commendable. The national leadership of the party got it right, and I hope this same level of organisation is replicated at the state level,” he said.

Taraba has fallen behind after 35 years – Ex-minister, Mu’azu Sambo

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is considering a rule change that would allow Americans to mail handguns through the

The post US considers allowing handgun shipments through mail appeared first on Tribune Online.

Zamfara State has introduced uterine prolapse surgeries into its Special Modified Medical Outreach Programme, marking a significant step in expanding specialised gynaecological care to women across the state.

The new procedure is being performed by Prof. Isma’il Mungadi, chairman of the outreach committee, who is personally leading the current phase of the programme targeting 350 additional patients.

Uterine prolapse, a condition in which the uterus descends into or protrudes out of the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic muscles and ligaments, disproportionately affects women who have experienced multiple childbirths, a common circumstance in many rural communities across Zamfara.

Officials described the introduction of the surgery as a major expansion of healthcare services for women with complex medical conditions who would otherwise have little or no access to such specialised treatment.

The outreach, which has operated across the state’s 14 local government areas since August 2023, has carried out 4,795 surgical procedures for 4,185 patients and provided free treatment for hypertension and diabetes to more than 1,200 residents.

It also addressed conditions including vesicovaginal fistula, cataracts, groin swellings and rare cases such as intersex anomalies and undescended testes, recording a surgical success rate of 99.98 per cent.

The government said the new phase would further close healthcare gaps and extend specialised care to vulnerable residents across the state.

Zamfara Introduces Uterine Prolapse Surgeries In Expanded Medical Outreach is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A French woman evacuated from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for the virus, France’s health ministry has confirmed, marking the first confirmed case in the country.

The woman, who developed symptoms after returning to France, tested positive by PCR and is being treated in a hospital specialising in infectious diseases. The country’s Health Minister, Stéphanie Rist, told France Inter on Monday that “her condition deteriorated overnight.”

The French case follows the confirmation on Sunday of a mildly positive U.S. passenger who showed no symptoms. That American was transferred to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for monitoring.

The MV Hondius docked at Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife on Sunday after departing South America on April 1. Three people have died in the outbreak.

Five French nationals were among those evacuated and flown out of Tenerife on Sunday. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said one of the five developed symptoms during the repatriation flight and that all were placed in strict isolation pending tests.

The total number of confirmed and probable cases linked to the ship now stands at nine, including two people confirmed to have died from the virus and one person whose death is suspected to be linked to it.

The strain involved is the Andes virus, the only hantavirus species known to be capable of limited human-to-human transmission, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

WHO has urged the public not to panic, stating that it does not expect a large-scale outbreak and that there is no evidence of a widespread risk to the general public.

France Confirms First Case Of Hantavirus is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A legal practitioner, Frank Tietie, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is ceding a lot of influence and control of its primary elections to the various state governors.

Tietie made this statement in an interview on Arise Television on Sunday while reacting to the current political activities in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the act might install the position of the president, stressing that it is his political decision to make.

The lawyer added that where there is a problem is the protection of the individual rights of the aspirant, who has indeed submitted a voluntary withdrawal form that he agrees to a consensus candidate.

He further said that full disclosure of the process should be available upon obtaining the form, warning that if the process is breached, the individual can approach the courts.

“The APC and the president are ceding a lot of influence and control of the primary election process to the governors. It might tend to ensconce his own position. It’s a decision that is political. That’s left for him.

“The protection of the individual’s right, who has indeed submitted a voluntary withdrawal that he will agree to a consensus candidate.

“I think he might ultimately be aggrieved if he does approach the court to say the processes of achieving the consensus were actually breached. 

“So those processes ought to be disclosed to him at the time he was collecting the form and submitting the form.

“Process could be that there would be a ballot or it could just be by way of throwing dice, whatever it is,” he said.

2027: APC giving lot of influence, control of primary process to governors — Frank Tietie

Fresh controversy has emerged in Taraba state following the arrest and continued detention of frontline Taraba Central Senatorial aspirant, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, with allegations that pressure is being mounted on him to withdraw from the 2027 senatorial contest.

He also urged Bodejo’s supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the matter is being resolved.

Bodejo was reportedly arrested in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, on May 7, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, before being flown to Abuja overnight. 

Sources disclosed that he was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he has remained in detention till now.

Sources close to the matter alleged that barely 48 hours after his detention, authorities approached the senatorial hopeful with a request to withdraw from the 2027 race as part of conditions for his release.

The sources further claimed that Bodejo, who also serves as National President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association, was advised to shelve his ambition until 2031.

Reacting to the development, Bodejo’s Campaign Director, Adamu Isa, condemned the manner of the arrest and subsequent transfer of the aspirant to Abuja.

Describing  the incident as humiliating, Isa  alleged that Bodejo was treated “like a common criminal” in the presence of his supporters.

“Bodejo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, had made significant contributions to the party, including supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election through personal resources and political networks.

Those opposed to Bodejo’s senatorial ambition should have pursued dialogue rather than allegedly resorting to intimidation through security agencies,” Isa stated.

According to him, Bodejo remains a law-abiding citizen with the constitutional right to contest or withdraw from the race at his discretion, stressing that any resolution must come through peaceful dialogue among stakeholders.

He further alleged that the consensus committee reportedly set up by the Taraba chapter of the APC never invited Bodejo for discussions before his arrest.

The campaign director appealed to the national leadership of the APC and other key stakeholders to intervene and ensure justice, including the immediate release of the aspirant.

Controversy deepens over detention of Taraba senatorial hopeful, Bodejo

The Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has advised all political actors and citizens to ensure that Nigeria remains a thriving multi-party constitutional democracy in line with the nation’s inalienable history and political development.

The leaders of SMBLF made the observation at the end of an emergency meeting held in Abuja, saying: “That the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall remain in the southern region thereof in the next four years, consequent upon the 2027 general elections, in the interest of national political stability, particularly as such zoning arrangement, having been established even by political parties, has been the trend and is emerging as part of the national democratic culture since 1999.”

The communiqué was signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader of Afenifere and Chairman of SMBLF; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Amb. Godknows Igali (CON), Chairman of PANDEF. The group advised all political parties to zone and elect their presidential candidates from Southern Nigeria.

SMBLF also stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be, and be seen by Nigerians to be, truly independent in handling the affairs of political parties and the conduct of all elections.

The group expressed concern over the unabated controversy surrounding certain sections of the Electoral Act, which it said could significantly affect the integrity of elections and cause avoidable tension in the polity, and urged the National Assembly to review them.

SMBLF stated: “That in view of the importance of the Electoral Act to free and fair elections and credible democratic processes, a special committee of the SMBLF was inaugurated for a holistic review of the concerned sections of the Act.

“That the judiciary should remain truly independent and ever alert to its constitutional role of interpreting the Constitution and the laws in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the nation and its democracy.”

The forum advised the Nigerian press to remain vigilant as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, in line with its acknowledged historic role in the struggle for Nigerian independence and as a veritable defender of democracy.

SMBLF passed a vote of confidence in the capacity and patriotism of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to protect lives and property, as well as the nation’s territorial integrity, but lamented inadequate personnel commensurate with the size and population of the country.

The group also observed with dismay the “red-carpet treatment and incentives given to purportedly repentant terrorists” by the Nigerian state and some sub-national governments under the guise of amnesty, while victims of their genocidal crimes remain involuntary guests in IDP camps, wallowing in squalor, with their homes still occupied by terrorists and no hope of return.

On state and community policing, SMBLF noted the efforts and steps taken by the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police on the convocation of state and community policing, following the memorandum presented to the National Assembly by the Inspector General of Police.

On xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, SMBLF expressed concern over what it described as misguided xenophobic aggression by some South Africans against Nigerians and other Africans on the spurious grounds that immigrants were taking their jobs, alongside sweeping allegations of criminal activities.

On restructuring and the economy, SMBLF insisted on the restructuring of the federation to give federating ethnic nationalities and constituent states the required autonomy in line with true federalism, upon which Nigeria was built by its founding fathers. The group also called on the Federal Government to redouble efforts to address the suffering of Nigerians amid the prevailing global economic situation.

2027: Southern, Middle-Belt leaders insist on zoning presidency to South, cautions INEC, others