Blog

The United States has announced the destruction of two Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz, marking a fresh escalation in the protracted conflict between Washington and Tehran as efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement remain deadlocked.

The latest military action comes nearly 100 days into the crisis, which has seen repeated exchanges of fire, diplomatic standoffs, and growing instability across the Middle East.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the drones were intercepted after being identified as a threat to international maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.

The operation followed earlier strikes by US forces on four additional drones and several Iranian coastal surveillance facilities.

In response, Iran reportedly launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward Bahrain and Kuwait, further intensifying tensions in the Gulf region. US officials said most of the missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets.

The attacks triggered strong reactions from Gulf states, with Bahrain and Kuwait condemning the strikes as a dangerous escalation capable of undermining regional security.

Residents in parts of Bahrain reported hearing explosions and air raid sirens as air defence systems responded to the threat, while similar scenes were reported in Kuwait.

Iran, however, accused the United States of violating existing ceasefire understandings through continued military operations and maintained that Washington’s actions were undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The latest hostilities have cast further doubt on negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and restoring normal shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to global energy markets.

Iranian officials insist that broader regional issues, including ongoing hostilities in Lebanon, must be addressed as part of any comprehensive peace arrangement.

DAILY POST reports that political analysts say the negotiations remain stalled over key demands, including sanctions relief, access to frozen Iranian assets, and the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, the conflict has continued to spill beyond the Gulf. Lebanon remains a flashpoint, with renewed clashes involving Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters despite previous ceasefire arrangements.

Lebanese authorities reported casualties following recent Israeli airstrikes in the country’s south, while the Israeli military also confirmed the deaths of two of its soldiers during ongoing operations.

The crisis has also triggered a diplomatic dispute ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup after reports emerged that some members of Iran’s football delegation were denied entry visas to the United States.

Iranian officials condemned the move, describing it as political interference, while US authorities cited security concerns as the basis for the decision.

With military confrontations continuing across multiple fronts and diplomatic negotiations showing little progress, fears are growing that the conflict could further destabilise the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies in the coming weeks.

US downs Iranian drones as Gulf tensions deepen amid stalled peace talks

Dangote Salt has stepped up efforts to deepen consumer engagement and showcase the industrial uses of its products through a series of outreach activities targeting artisan communities and market centres in Kano State.

According to a statement from the company, the initiative formed part of its Eid celebration activities and was designed to highlight the importance of salt in traditional industries as well as everyday household consumption.

The campaign began at Yan Mota, one of Kano’s historic leather-processing communities, where artisans engaged in tanning and leather production and discussed the role of salt in preserving and treating animal hides before processing.

During the visit, Dangote Salt donated 50kg industrial bags of salt to members of the tanning community as part of its support for local industries.

The outreach team also visited the renowned Kofar Mata dye pits, where local craftsmen demonstrated traditional textile dyeing techniques and explained how salt contributes to fabric treatment and dye preparation, helping to improve quality and consistency. Members of the dyeing community also received 50kg industrial bags of Dangote Salt.

The company said the engagements were aimed at strengthening relationships with communities whose economic activities rely on salt and related products.

The campaign concluded with a consumer activation programme at Sabon Gari Market, where Dangote Salt and Dangote Seasoning interacted with traders, shoppers and residents through product exhibitions and educational sessions on nutrition, healthy eating and food preparation.

Speaking during the event, Sales Operations Manager at NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Salisu Balarabe, described traditional markets as critical platforms for connecting with consumers.

“Markets remain at the heart of our communities and everyday interactions. Bringing this experience directly to people allows us to engage beyond transactions and build stronger relationships with consumers and trade partners,” he said.

As part of the activation, medical practitioner Amina Sa’id Muhammad led a wellness session focusing on the benefits of refined and iodised salt, proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.

Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions about iodine intake, salt consumption and other health-related concerns. Discussions also addressed the role of salt in hydration, muscle function and overall wellbeing, while clarifying common misconceptions about its use.

The Head of Marketing at NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Zainab Abbas, said the initiative was intended to strengthen the company’s connection with consumers at the community level.

“At Dangote, we believe brands become stronger when they become part of the communities they serve. This activation is not only about showcasing our products but also about creating meaningful connections with consumers,” she said.

The event featured an appearance by actor and musician Umar M Shareef, who engaged with traders and visitors before entertaining attendees with a live performance.

Field Sales Officer at NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Kamal Jibrin Yakubu, expressed appreciation to market participants for their enthusiastic response to the programme.

According to the company, the campaign reflects its ongoing commitment to engaging consumers across traditional industries, local communities and retail markets while promoting awareness of the diverse uses of its products.

Dangote Salt Promotes Industrial Use Through Kano Community Outreach is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have released 416 women and children abducted from the Ngoshe community in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The development was confirmed on Sunday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Kaigama, who said the captives regained their freedom on June 6 following sustained engagement and advocacy efforts by the group.

Speaking with journalists, Kaigama said BOSYA played a key role in facilitating discussions that led to the release of the victims.

“We have secured the release of all the 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe. They were released on June 6,” he said.

“We are delighted and thankful that our persistent efforts, continuous appeals, and extensive discussions have yielded positive results.”

Kaigama urged the federal government, the Borno State Government, and relevant local authorities to conduct proper screening and profiling of the released captives to ensure their welfare and security.

BOSYA had previously served as an intermediary between the abductors and the affected families. In April, the group disclosed that it had maintained communication with the insurgents after the victims were displayed in captivity.

The abduction followed a Boko Haram attack on March 4, during which insurgents reportedly overran a military base in Ngoshe, set operational vehicles ablaze, forced security personnel to retreat, killed an unspecified number of people, and abducted scores of residents.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, were unsuccessful, as calls made to his phone were not answered at the time of filing this report.

Boko Haram Frees 416 Abducted Women, Children In Borno is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The rising cost of cooking gas is forcing many households and businesses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to switch to charcoal and firewood.

The post FCT residents turn to firewood, charcoal as cooking gas prices hit N2,000/kg appeared first on Tribune Online.

Famous Nollywood comic actor, Nkem Owoh, popularly called Osuofia, has described his adventure into acting as “an accident”.

The veteran explained that he wanted to remain a scriptwriter but his colleagues, who noticed his comedy skills behind the scenes pressurized him into acting.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, Owoh said, “My coming in front of the camera was an accident. I was a scriptwriter behind the scenes and people started telling me to start performing in front of the camera.

“I remember ATV created a 7-minute programme for me to do stand-up comedy in the 80s. They told me to come in front of the camera because I was making people laugh behind the camera. With much pressure, I came in front of the camera. And I saw that what I was doing people were buying it so that was how my acting career began.”

On the downside of his career, Owoh said being famous robbed him of his freedom.

“Fame took away my freedom. A lot of people want to be celebrities, they only know the benefits but not the downsides. When you become famous you can’t do a lot of the things you were doing freely before. You become restricted in a lot of ways,” he explained.

‘I was forced into acting’ – Nkem Owoh

At least 12 people were injured in a shooting near a community festival in the US state of Ohio, prompting a police search for…

The post Gunmen shoot 12 people near Ohio festival in US appeared first on Tribune Online.

Lottery organisers said the winning ticket matched all six numbers in the draw, while urging players across the country to…

The post Lucky Lotto player scoops £12m jackpot in UK appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Israeli military on Sunday said it had killed Sakr Abu Karim, a Hamas Nukhba cell commander, in a recent operation.

In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, alleged that Abu Karim was among the leaders involved in the infiltration of the Kisufim area during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The military claimed that throughout the ongoing war, Abu Karim planned and carried out attacks against Israeli troops.

According to the IDF, Abu Karim had recently been involved in efforts to rebuild Hamas’ military capabilities and was allegedly storing a large cache of weapons at his residence.

The Israeli military also said that another Hamas operative who served as a communications specialist was killed in the same strike.

IDF wrote: “ELIMINATED: Sakr Abu Karim, a Hamas Nukhba cell commander who was among the leaders of the infiltration into the Kisufim area during the October 7 massacre.

“Throughout the war Abu Karim advanced and executed attacks against IDF troops, and recently violated the ceasefire by attempting to rebuild Hamas’ forces and keeping a large weapons cache in his home.

“An additional Hamas terrorist who served as a communications operative was also eliminated in the strike.”

Hamas had not immediately commented on the Israeli claims as of the time of filing this report.

Israeli military eliminates Hamas commander, Abu Karim

Veteran Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia, has reacted to the current trend of some producers casting actors based on social-media fame rather talent. 

Speaking in a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, the thespian said the trend is isn’t a threat to talented actors.

He argued that social media-fame can never replace real talent.

“I don’t think social-media fame is replacing real talent. It can’t. There is no way social media-fame can replace real talent,” he stated.

DAILY POST reports that a cross section of Nigerian actors including Shine Rosman, Bolaji Ogunmola, and Osereme Inegbenebor, recently accused Nollywood filmmakers of favouring beauty, social media popularity, physical endowment and even complexion over real talent in separate interviews. 

Despite the repeated allegations, Nollywood filmmakers haven’t done much in addressing it.

Social media-fame can’t replace real talent – Nkem Owoh

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike has urged Nigerian youths to embrace leadership as a platform for service rather than personal enrichment.
Speaking at the 36th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt, Wike told graduating students that Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who prioritise public interest above personal gain.

“Leadership is service. It is not an avenue for self-glorification, but a covenant with the people,” he said.

The minister warned that corruption, abuse of office and self-interest have weakened institutions and slowed national development.

He challenged the graduates to become leaders defined by courage, integrity and accountability.

“The true leader does not ask, ‘What do I gain from this office?’ but rather, ‘What do the people gain from my stewardship?’” Wike stated.

According to him, leadership should be measured by the positive impact it has on people’s lives and the institutions it leaves behind.

Future leaders must choose service over power – Wike at UNIPORT lecture