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By Florencemary Nwabueze

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters during a raid on an alleged cybercrime training facility in the Federal Capital Territory.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, April 9, 2026, targeted a building located in Becki Estate, Karu, within Abuja. According to the anti-graft agency, the facility was being used as a so-called “Yahoo Academy,” where individuals were trained in internet fraud.

The suspects, said to include two alleged ringleaders and several trainees, were apprehended during an ongoing tutorial session.

Items recovered at the scene include multiple mobile phones, 18 laptop computers, and other electronic devices believed to have been used for fraudulent activities.

Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that some of the trainees had been lured from Benue State with promises of legitimate employment.

However, upon arrival, they were reportedly provided with digital tools and software and enrolled in cybercrime training programs.

The agency further disclosed that the recruits were confined within the premises, with their movements strictly restricted. Their mobile phones were allegedly confiscated, effectively isolating them from the outside world.

In addition, authorities reported that strict disciplinary measures were enforced, including physical punishment for those who failed to comply with instructions or showed reluctance during training.

The EFCC stated that the suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

The post EFCC busts ‘Yahoo Academy’ in Abuja, arrests 31 suspects appeared first on Vanguard News.

Inflation in the United States rose sharply in March, government data showed Wednesday, as higher energy prices due to the war in the Middle East hit Americans hard.

The nationwide sticker shock put pressure on President Donald Trump, who has ordered peace talks with Iran and faces mid-term elections in November.

The rate of inflation rose to 3.3 percent year-on-year in March, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). By comparison, this same consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.4 percent year-on-year a month earlier.

Gasoline prices surged by 21.2 percent between February and March — the largest monthly increase since the government began publishing a related index in 1967, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said.

Excluding volatile energy and food prices, the inflation rate rose 2.6 percent compared to 2.5 a month earlier.

Markets had anticipated the surge, according to the consensus published by MarketWatch.

The United States and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28 and Tehran retaliated by blocking traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway used to carry a fifth of the world’s oil and gas deliveries.

Despite being the world’s top producer of crude oil, the United States also felt the pain, as prices at the gas pump shot up.

A gallon (3.78 liters) of regular gasoline currently costs an average of $4.15 in the United States, compared to approximately $3 just before the war.

– More price pain ahead –

The Trump administration — elected in part on a promise to quash inflation — maintains that the war’s economic disruptions will be temporary.

US Vice President JD Vance said Friday he hoped for a “positive” outcome as he departed Washington for US-Iran peace talks being held in Pakistan this weekend.

But experts predicted more economic pain ahead due to the war in Iran, especially for middle and lower-income households in the United States already squeezed by rising energy and airfare prices.

Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, said that inflation soared in March to the highest level in almost two years.

“This is only the beginning. Food prices, travel and shipping costs are all going up in April and will exacerbate the pain,” she said.

“March CPI was as expected, so no surprises. But there is a huge increase in fuel prices, boosting inflation” Christopher Low of FHN Financial told AFP.

“And we got the news last night that the ceasefire is not being honored by either side, apparently,” he said. “There’s still very little traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.”

When Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, inflation was falling, compared to a peak in the spring of 2022.

The war in Ukraine, which had started a few months earlier, had driven prices at the pump even higher than they are today.

The CPI index was rising by 2.3 percent year-over-year in April 2025 — coinciding with the US president’s announcement of a sharp increase in tariffs on imported goods.

Inflation started to creep up, though Washington refused to acknowledge this as a consequence of the tariff war.

Price growth slowed again late last year, largely thanks to gasoline prices, relatively moderate at the time.

During the Federal Reserve’s most recent meeting in mid-March, Chairman Jerome Powell explained that the war risked delaying efforts to bring inflation under control in the United States.

The US central bank’s target for inflation is two percent — an objective it has not met in five years due to a succession of shocks to the economy: the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and tariffs.

myl-ksb/dw

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Spain of adopting a hostile stance toward Israel, escalating tensions between the two countries after Madrid was excluded from a US-backed coordination centre focused on post-war Gaza.

The Israeli government on Friday confirmed that Spain had been barred from participating in the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) located in Kiryat Gat, a facility established to oversee ceasefire arrangements and support humanitarian operations in Gaza.

Speaking in a video statement, Netanyahu said the decision was a direct response to what he described as Spain’s consistent opposition to Israel’s position.

“I have instructed today to remove Spain’s representatives from the coordination centre in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel,” he said.

He added that countries critical of Israel while failing to confront what he termed “terrorist regimes” would not be considered partners in shaping the region’s future.

The CMCC, a U.S.-led initiative launched after the Gaza ceasefire took effect on October 10, brings together military officials and diplomats from several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, to coordinate security efforts and facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Spain had previously been part of the arrangement before its removal.

The diplomatic fallout follows a steady deterioration in relations between Israel and Spain, particularly after Madrid formally recognised a Palestinian state in 2024. Both countries have since withdrawn their ambassadors, reflecting the depth of the rift.

Netanyahu defended the latest move, saying Israel would not remain passive in the face of international criticism.

“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility,” he said. “I will not allow any country to conduct a diplomatic war against us without facing an immediate price.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been among the most outspoken European critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which followed the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.

He has also opposed broader regional military actions involving Israel, including recent tensions linked to Iran.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has previously criticised Spain’s stance, accusing its government of aligning with hostile actors and undermining Israel’s security efforts.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations date back to 1986, following Spain’s transition from dictatorship, but current tensions mark one of the lowest points in bilateral ties in decades.

Netanyahu Accuses Spain Of Hostility, Bars It From Gaza Centre is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A new report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has warned that millions of workers worldwide remain exposed to economic and social risks due to significant gaps in social protection systems, calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms to address the growing vulnerabilities in an increasingly volatile global economy.

The report, titled Universal Social Protection in Changing Labour Markets: Protecting Workers in All Types of Employment, underscores the critical need to strengthen and expand social protection frameworks to ensure that all workers, regardless of employment status, are adequately protected throughout their working lives.

It highlights that inadequate coverage, insufficient benefits, and weak financing mechanisms continue to undermine the effectiveness of existing systems.

According to the ILO, social protection systems encompass a range of policies, programmes, and employer-provided benefits designed to safeguard workers against risks such as unemployment, illness, disability, and old age. These systems also play a vital role in reducing poverty, improving overall welfare, and promoting economic stability.

Speaking on the findings, Director of the ILO’s Universal Social Protection Department, Shahra Razavi, stressed that reform is no longer optional but essential.

She noted that countries must develop systems that are inclusive, provide adequate levels of support, and are financed in a fair and sustainable manner. Such systems, she said, are fundamental to building resilience, advancing social justice, and ensuring a fair transition in the evolving world of work.

The report places particular emphasis on the need to extend social protection coverage to workers who are often excluded from formal systems.

These include individuals in temporary and part-time roles, the self-employed, and workers in micro and small enterprises, agriculture, domestic work, and other informal or non-standard forms of employment. Expanding coverage to these groups, the ILO argues, would not only enhance social and economic outcomes but also facilitate the transition from informal to formal employment.

Beyond expanding access, the report stresses the importance of ensuring that benefits are both adequate and comprehensive. It calls for a shift away from fragmented and reactive measures toward more integrated systems that provide continuous support across the life course, from early childhood and entry into the workforce to parenthood, periods of unemployment or illness, and old age.

Financing remains a central challenge, the report notes. The ILO advocates for sustainable funding models based on domestic resource mobilisation, including social security contributions and progressive taxation. It also highlights the role of targeted public subsidies to support workers with limited capacity to contribute.

For countries with constrained fiscal space, the report emphasises the continued importance of international support in building resilient and inclusive social protection systems.

The findings come at a time of significant global transformation driven by climate change, technological advancements, and demographic shifts. In this context, the ILO stresses that robust social protection systems are essential to helping workers and businesses adapt to change, support transitions to more sustainable economic activities, and strengthen social cohesion.

Overall, the report calls for coordinated and decisive action by governments, employers, and international partners to close existing gaps and build universal social protection systems capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing labour market.

Gaps In Social Protection Leave Workers Vulnerable, Says ILO Report is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has called on the Lebanese government to avoid what he described as “free concessions” to Israel, as both countries prepare to enter negotiations in Washington next week.

In a written message aired on the group’s Al-Manar television network, Qassem said Lebanon must take a firm stance in the upcoming talks.

“We will not accept a return to the previous situation, and we call on officials to stop offering free concessions,” he stated.

Qassem also condemned recent Israeli military actions, referring to what he described as “bloody criminality” following strikes on Wednesday. Lebanese authorities said the attacks killed more than 300 people.

His remarks come a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel was ready to begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible.”

According to Netanyahu, the proposed talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and working toward a broader peace agreement between the two countries.

The planned negotiations mark a potentially significant diplomatic development, although tensions remain high following recent violence and longstanding hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah Chief Warns Lebanon Against Concessions Ahead Of Israel Talks is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Gombe, has declared that aspirants above the age of 55 will no longer be allowed to contest for elective positions under its platform.

Gombe disclosed this during an interview with BBC Hausa, describing the move as part of a broader effort to reposition the party and prioritise generational change in Nigeria’s political landscape.

According to him, the directive is targeted particularly at the party’s presidential primaries, effectively shutting out older politicians from seeking its ticket ahead of the next general elections.

He said the decision was driven by the need to create opportunities for younger Nigerians to actively participate in governance and leadership.

“Under my leadership, anyone above the age of 55 will not be eligible to contest for office under the ADC. We are giving the youth their rightful chance to lead,” Gombe said.

“It is time to show these elders, some of whom are between 75 and 90 years old, that the era of the youth has arrived,” he added.

The development is expected to affect several high-profile politicians, particularly recent defectors who may have been eyeing the party’s presidential ticket for 2027.

The announcement also comes against the backdrop of a lingering leadership crisis within the ADC, with Gombe leading a faction that continues to challenge the legitimacy and tenure of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

During the interview, Gombe maintained that some individuals parading themselves as party leaders are not recognised members of the ADC, citing violations of the party’s constitutional provisions.

“Article 9 of our constitution clearly outlines the procedure for becoming a registered member of the ADC. One cannot simply receive a membership card at an event and be declared a leader. Such an act is a direct violation of our constitutional process. Officially, these individuals are not members of our party because they did not follow due process,” he said.

He also clarified his presence at the July 2, 2025 event where the party unveiled an interim leadership led by former Senate President David Mark and ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola, insisting that his attendance did not amount to endorsement.

“I attended the event, but not with the intention of endorsing David Mark as our leader. My purpose was to support those adopting the ADC as the platform they would join to challenge the current administration,” he explained.

Gombe further dismissed reports of a meeting with former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, stating that he was neither part of the engagement nor bound to honour such invitations.

“Regarding the meeting hosted by Kwankwaso, he invited David Mark, Musa Ungoggo, and others to his home. However, any membership card signed by David Mark is illegal, as David Mark himself is not a recognised leader under our statutes,” he said.

“As the legitimate leader of the ADC, I am currently overseeing our preparations for the upcoming elections. Given the weight of this responsibility, I am not a person who can simply be summoned to a private residence on a whim,” he added.

The factional chairman also alleged that he had been disrespected by some party members, who referred to him as a ‘small boy’ and a ‘son of nobody’.

He further claimed that the courts had already ruled on the leadership dispute, stating that an appeal filed by the opposing faction was dismissed, with a N2 million fine imposed.

“The judiciary has already spoken. They appealed the case, but the court dismissed their appeal and fined them N2m. Furthermore, the court directed INEC to remove their names and cease all communication with them regarding party affairs.

“If they truly want peace within the party, they must go back and register through the proper legal channels,” he said.

ADC Will Bar Aspirants Above 55 From Elections, Says Nafiu Gombe is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday accused Spain of waging a diplomatic campaign against Israel after he barred Madrid from taking part in the work of a US‑led centre created to help stabilise post‑war Gaza.

Relations between Israel and Spain have deteriorated significantly since Madrid recognised a Palestinian state in 2024.

Both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors.

“I have instructed today to remove Spain’s representatives from the coordination centre in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

“Those who attack the State of Israel instead of confronting terrorist regimes will not be our partners in shaping the region’s future.”

The Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, a US-led initiative, was set up after the Gaza ceasefire took effect on October 10, with the goal of monitoring the truce and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.

As part of the CMCC, military personnel and diplomats from several other countries including France, Britain and the United Arab Emirates are present and participate in meetings on security and humanitarian issues in Gaza, devastated by more than two years of war.

Representatives of Spain had also been taking part.

Earlier on Friday, Israel’s foreign ministry announced Israel had barred Spain from the centre.

“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us,” Netanyahu said.

“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I will not allow any country to conduct a diplomatic war against us without facing an immediate price,” he said, referring to the decision to bar Madrid from the CMCC.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, which was sparked by Palestinian movement Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

He also opposed the US-Israeli war with Iran that began with strikes on February 28.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr has previously accused the Spanish government of “standing with tyrants” by opposing the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

He also accused Spain of being “complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes” after it recognised a Palestinian state

Spain only established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1986 following the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975.

Under Franco, Spain avoided recognising Israel and maintained closer diplomatic ties with Arab states.

AFP

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US First Lady Melania Trump made a surprise statement on Thursday denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender.

The 55-year-old’s rare on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a scandal that has long haunted her husband President Donald Trump.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.”

It was not clear why the Slovenian-born former model decided to give the public statement, and she did not detail any specific allegations about her and the late, convicted sex offender.

Melania and Donald Trump had previously been photographed with Epstein, but she said that she had met her husband independently two years prior to meeting Epstein.

“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” Melania Trump said.

She said “fake images and statements about Epstein and me” had been circulating on social media “for years now. Be cautious about what you believe: these images and stories are completely false.”

The first lady also urged Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors of Epstein’s abuse to “give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath.”

But some Epstein survivors and their families, including the brother of Epstein’s main accuser Virginia Giuffre, called the speech a “deflection of responsibility.”

“First Lady Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors under political conditions that protect those with power” including “the Trump Administration, which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” according to a joint statement posted on social media.

Two of Epstein’s accusers, sisters Maria and Annie Farmer told US media in a separate statement: “We can’t speak for other survivors, but what we want is accountability, transparency and justice.”

The sisters called for the release of “the remaining records held by the Department of Justice — including my complete FBI records from 1996.”

Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, but the scandal has repeatedly overshadowed Trump’s second presidency.

– ‘Epstein’s abuse’ –

The US Justice Department has over the past year released huge tranches of files related to Epstein. Trump, 79, has also denied any link to Epstein’s crimes.

One widely-seen picture in the files showed Donald and Melania Trump at their Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida along with Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant. Was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” Melania Trump said.

“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behavior.”

Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, who sits on the congressional committee probing Epstein, called on Melania Trump to “testify under oath.”

Speculation ran riot on social media about why the US first lady had decided to put the Epstein scandal back in the headlines after weeks of relative quiet.

It comes just two days after her husband announced a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran, which critics say has left the crucial Strait of Hormuz still largely shuttered by Tehran.

Melania Trump has long been an elusive and often mysterious presence at the White House, who only rarely gives public remarks of the kind she delivered on Thursday.

Donald Trump told MS Now that he didn’t “know anything about” the statement ahead of time.

The last time the first lady was seen with her husband was at an Easter Egg Roll with hundreds of children on Monday.

The post Melania Trump blasts ‘lies’ linking her to Epstein appeared first on Vanguard News.

Spanish police announced Friday the arrest of a man suspected of defrauding young South Americans by promising them access to major football clubs in Spain in exchange for up to 3,000 euros ($3,500), only for many to end up abandoned and on the street.

At least six alleged victims reported the suspect, arrested in Madrid, “as the presumed perpetrator of the crimes of facilitating illegal immigration, document forgery and fraud,” Spain’s national police said in a statement.

The man allegedly offered the young players the chance to travel to Spain, obtain the necessary legal documents and sign for some of the country’s most prestigious football clubs’ youth academies.

He asked the victims, most of whom had very limited financial means, for sums that could reach up to 3,000 euros to supposedly help pay for the paperwork.

Once in Spain, however, the young men were given access to trials with lower-division teams and, as they were unable to obtain the required federation licenses, many were left without funds and neglected.

Some of them, according to the police, ended up spending nights on the street or taking out loans.

The suspect contacted the young men in their home countries after learning, through their sporting circles, of their aspirations to become professional footballers.

He then assured them that he had contacts in prominent Spanish clubs through whom he could facilitate their entry to the country and the processing of their documents.

To prove it, he presented the players with a series of “invitation commitments” supposedly issued by the clubs, guaranteeing their incorporation into the first team for three months.

However these documents turned out to be falsified, as police confirmed after checking with the clubs.

The detainee also coached the young men on what they had to say at border controls.

During the investigation, officers also became aware of players being recruited through the same scheme to be taken to other European countries such as Italy.

The post Man arrested for defrauding young footballers with fake European club trial appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Chairman of Abia Online Media Publishers Association (OMPAN) Promise Uzoma Okoro has commended Governor Alex Otti for advocating for an increased female representation, particularly in the Abia State House of Assembly.

Okoro in a Facebook post on Friday from his verified Facebook account explained that the current 8th Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa does not have a single female member. According to him this was also the reality in the 7th Assembly.

“The implication of this gap is significant, even the House Committee on Women Affairs has consistently been chaired by male lawmakers, which raises critical questions about representation, perspective, and inclusiveness in governance.

“The Abia State House of Assembly comprises 24 members, with 20 lawmakers now fully with the Labour Party (LP), while 4 members belong to the opposition All Progressives Congress. Given this composition, the direction of the ruling party in the state will largely determine the future structure of the Assembly”, he emphasize.

Okoro while further explaining the Governor’s position noted that, “out of the 24 constituencies, at least 4 seats should be occupied by women is not just a suggestion, it is a strategic policy signal. It points to a likely intentional move by the Labour Party to allocate tickets to qualified female aspirants ahead of the next election cycle”.

He emphasized that if properly implemented will mark a turning point in the political history of Abia State by breaking the long-standing cycle of male-dominated legislative representation.

The OMPAN chairman also acknowledge that the vision is already being reflected at the grassroots level. “Across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state, women are actively serving in key leadership roles such as Deputy Mayors, Secretaries of Local Government, and Chiefs of Staff. This demonstrates that the capacity is not lacking, what has been missing is structured opportunity.

“This renewed push by Governor Alex Otti is therefore not just symbolic; it is practical, timely, and necessary.

“To the women of Abia State, this is more than encouragement, it is a clear political opening.

“If you have the competence, the leadership capacity, and the passion to serve, now is the time to step forward. The political climate is gradually aligning in your favor, and importantly, there is visible executive support.

“However, stepping forward will require preparation, structure, and strategic positioning. Representation is not just about occupying space, it is about delivering value, influencing policy, and shaping the future of our state.

“Abia cannot afford to continue excluding women from its legislative process. Inclusive governance is not a favor, it is a necessity for balanced development. The moment is here. The signal has been given. The responsibility now lies with capable women to rise and take their place”, he concluded.

OMPAN Backs Otti’s Call For Increased Female Representation In Abia Assembly is first published on The Whistler Newspaper