Category: Refined Living

The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday began impeachment proceedings against the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust. The impeachment notice was presented during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dala, and read by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore. Lawmakers said the action is based on Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), which empowers a state legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor accused of gross misconduct. A total of 38 lawmakers signed the impeachment notice, and the Speaker directed that Abdulsalam be formally served in accordance with constitutional procedures. The development comes amid ongoing political tensions in Kano State following the defection of Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress last year. Abdulsalam declined to follow the governor in the defection and chose to remain with the NNPP. His decision reportedly intensified divisions within the state government, fueling speculation about his political future and contributing to the ongoing impeachment process.

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the temporary closure of the U.S. Embassy Abuja for routine services, citing concerns about possible protests in the nation’s capital. In a notice posted on its official account on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the mission said the embassy would remain closed for routine business until Monday, March 9, 2026. The statement explained that visa appointments scheduled for March 4 and 5, along with American Citizen Services appointments set for March 5, had been moved to new dates next week. Applicants seeking visas were advised to check their email or their AVITS account for updated appointment details, while those with American Citizen Services appointments were also urged to review their email notifications for rescheduling information. The mission added that visa applicants who do not receive a new appointment date should request assistance through the Visa Navigator platform and encouraged the public to monitor its official website and social media channels for further updates. The development follows earlier reports that visa appointments scheduled for March 4 had been cancelled due to security concerns linked to planned demonstrations in Abuja amid tensions related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Security agencies were reportedly heavily deployed across Abuja on Wednesday over the possibility of protests by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. Similar demonstrations had previously taken place in states including Niger State, Sokoto State, Kaduna State, Yobe State, Bauchi State, Gombe State, and Lagos State. The group was reported to have described the demonstrations as a peaceful show of solidarity with Iran following reports about the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in airstrikes allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

Britain’s defence secretary, John Healey, arrived in Cyprus on Thursday, according to a defence source, days after a drone targeted a British air base on the island. The visit follows an attack on the runway of the Royal Air Force base at RAF Akrotiri on Monday, where an Iranian-made drone struck the facility. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK would deploy helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and a naval warship, HMS Dragon, to Cyprus as part of what he described as ongoing defensive operations in the region. HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air-defence destroyers. It is equipped with the Sea Viper missile system, which can launch eight missiles in less than 10 seconds and guide up to 16 missiles at the same time, according to Britain’s defence ministry. The helicopters being deployed are Wildcat aircraft armed with Martlet missiles designed to intercept and destroy drones. On Wednesday, Cyprus’s High Commissioner to the UK, Kyriacos Kouros, said many Cypriots were disappointed with the level of information shared with residents after the strike on RAF Akrotiri and the interception of additional drones. Speaking on the Newsnight programme, he said people felt concerned and had expected clearer communication following the incident. Starmer had initially ruled out any involvement in the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, but later approved a request from United States authorities to use two British military bases for what was described as a specific and limited defensive purpose. The facilities are located in Gloucestershire and at the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. Starmer has also stated that RAF Akrotiri is not being used by US bombers. British officials said Monday’s drone strike caused only minor damage and no injuries. As a precaution, families of service personnel stationed at the base have been temporarily relocated.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been banned from driving for six months after exceeding a 20 mph speed limit in London. The 51-year-old FA Cup-winning coach was recorded by a speed camera driving his BMW at 29 mph along Old Kent Road in Bermondsey, south London, last July. According to court documents, Glasner already had previous driving offences, which led to an automatic disqualification. The Austrian admitted the offence in a letter to Willesden Magistrates’ Court in northwest London, acknowledging he had been speeding on a road with a 20 mph limit. In a handwritten note submitted to the court, he accepted responsibility for his actions and assured authorities that he would not repeat the offence. He also chose not to contest the ban. A magistrate imposed the six-month driving disqualification last Tuesday. Glasner was also ordered to pay a £660 fine, along with £130 in court costs and a £264 victim surcharge. In May, Glasner guided Crystal Palace to victory in the FA Cup during his first full season in charge, securing the club’s first major trophy. However, the team was knocked out of this season’s FA Cup in the third round by non-league side Macclesfield in January. A week later, Glasner announced he would leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, a decision that appeared linked to dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer policy, which saw several key players depart while those remaining at Selhurst Park were, according to him, left without adequate support from the club’s leadership. Crystal Palace are scheduled to face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday in an important Premier League match, with both teams battling to avoid relegation. Glasner submitted his guilty plea in writing on January 27 and later confirmed in another letter on February 16 that he accepted the expected ban without requiring a public court hearing. Details of the case emerged after Britain’s Press Association obtained access to the court documents earlier this week.

China’s manufacturing activity continued to weaken in February, official data released on Wednesday showed, falling short of forecasts and prolonging a slowdown ahead of key policy announcements. The world’s second-largest economy has been grappling with sluggish domestic demand and investment, putting pressure on its extensive manufacturing sector. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 49.0 in February, below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. This was down from January’s 49.3 and slightly below the Bloomberg survey forecast of 49.2. NBS statistician Huo Lihui attributed the decline primarily to slower activity during the Spring Festival holiday, which fell entirely in February this year. Huo added that sectors such as textiles, apparel, and automobiles remained below the critical point, reflecting continued weak market activity. China’s non-manufacturing PMI, which measures performance in services and construction, rose slightly to 49.5 in February, improving modestly from January’s reading. The figures were released just a day before Chinese leaders are scheduled to unveil the new Five-Year Plan at the annual Two Sessions political gathering in Beijing. The announcements, expected on Thursday, will include this year’s growth target and the defence budget. “Economic activity contracted at the start of the year,” said Zhiwei Zhang, President and Chief Economist at Pinpoint Asset Management. He noted that the government’s policy approach remains flexible and expects that moderate investment support may be introduced to ease pressure on the economy if the slowdown continues in the coming months.

Ecuadorian and US forces have launched coordinated operations in Ecuador targeting groups involved in drug trafficking and related criminal activities, the US Southern Command announced on Tuesday. The operation is part of efforts to combat illicit drug flows, with details of the missions not immediately disclosed. The move comes after Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa said the US and other regional partners are participating in a “new phase” of the country’s campaign against drug cartels. Noboa noted that Ecuador’s major ports handle roughly 70% of the world’s cocaine shipments, making the country a key hub for trafficking networks. The operations follow discussions in Quito between Noboa and senior US military officials on improving information sharing and coordination at airports and seaports. The US Southern Command said the collaboration is aimed at confronting narco-terrorist groups that have long contributed to violence and corruption across the region This initiative also follows a temporary US deployment to the former base in Manta earlier this year, as part of broader efforts to tackle organized crime and reduce drug trafficking in the region.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has firmly responded to US President Donald Trump’s threat to cut trade with Spain, reiterating his opposition to war and his commitment to upholding international law. In a 10-minute televised address, Sánchez referenced conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and the 2003 Iraq War, summarising Spain’s stance as “no to war.” Trump had threatened a full trade embargo after Spain refused to allow the US to use jointly-run bases at Morón and Rota for potential strikes on Iran. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump described Spain as “terrible” and said, “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.” Merz later clarified that a separate trade agreement with Germany or the rest of Europe could not exclude Spain. Trump has also criticised Spain for not meeting NATO defence spending targets and labelled it a “poor partner.” Earlier this year, Sánchez had drawn Trump’s ire by opposing the US military presence in Venezuela. From his residence at La Moncloa in Madrid on Wednesday, Sánchez said the government was reviewing measures to mitigate the economic impact of global conflicts on Spanish citizens, without directly referencing Trump’s trade threat. “The question is not if we are on the side of the ayatollahs nobody is. The question is whether we are in favour of peace and international legality,” he said. Sánchez emphasised that Spain’s position on Iran aligns with its approach to Ukraine and Gaza. He has openly criticised Israel’s response to Hamas attacks in 2023 and has described the situation in Gaza as “genocide,” recognising Palestinian statehood ahead of many EU members. Looking back at the 2003 Iraq invasion, Sánchez warned that strikes on Iran could have similarly serious economic consequences. He recalled the “Azores trio” George W. Bush, Tony Blair, and Spain’s José María Aznar whose pre-Iraq summit he said left Europe in a “more insecure world and worse life.” Unlike other NATO allies such as the UK, France, and Greece, Spain has not committed to military action in response to the conflict in Iran. Sánchez stressed that Spain supports countries that have been “illegally attacked by the Iranian regime.” Domestically, Sánchez faces political pressure from a fragmented coalition and allegations of corruption within his party, but standing up to the US president may bolster his public support. A recent CIS poll found that 77% of Spaniards hold a “bad” or “very bad” opinion of Trump, suggesting broad backing for Sánchez’s position, even among some right-wing voters. Despite this, uncertainty remains over whether Trump will follow through on economic threats, leaving Spaniards watching developments with concern.

France will convene a meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors to address the Middle East crisis, Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure announced on Wednesday. Speaking to Franceinfo radio, Lescure said he had discussed the initiative with several counterparts, including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and that they agreed to hold the meeting early next week. He explained that the delay would allow time to observe how the conflict and financial markets evolve. The gathering will bring together finance ministers and central bank governors for what he described as an exchange of views. France currently holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven, whose members are Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The first finance ministers’ meeting under France’s presidency took place on January 27. According to Lescure, the upcoming talks will focus on assessing developments on the ground, including feedback from businesses and economists across affected regions. The aim is to evaluate the broader situation and determine whether coordinated action may be required. He emphasised the importance of collaboration, noting that although the conflict is geographically contained, it carries global economic implications. Recent hostilities in the Middle East have unsettled financial markets, triggering notable declines across major indices. Since the start of the week, France’s CAC 40 has dropped by more than five percent, Germany’s DAX has fallen by nearly six percent, and London’s FTSE 100 has shed close to four percent. Investor concerns have centred on rising energy prices and potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed control of the waterway, warning that vessels could face risks, while US President Donald Trump stated that the US Navy stood ready to escort tankers through the passage. French authorities are closely monitoring the potential impact on domestic fuel prices. Junior Energy Minister and government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said a modest short-term rise of a few centimes was expected, though she stressed there was no threat to fuel supplies due to existing reserves and diversified import sources. When asked about possible government measures to cushion any price increases, Bregeon said it was premature to discuss such steps, adding that priority should be given to restoring secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Lescure added that checks would be carried out to ensure that any increases in fuel prices remain justified and proportionate.

At least eight people have been killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine, including in a strike on a civilian passenger train, Ukrainian officials said on Monday. Russia has continued targeting Ukrainian cities and critical energy facilities, even as the United States presses Kyiv to consider a potential peace agreement with Moscow. In the eastern city of Kramatorsk, a key Ukrainian-held area that Russian forces are steadily approaching, three people lost their lives, according to the head of the city’s military administration. The governor of the broader Donetsk region one of four Ukrainian territories Moscow claimed to annex in 2022 reported that two people were killed and 13 others injured in the nearby town of Druzhkivka. In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, emergency responders recovered the body of a 55-year-old man from the debris of a destroyed home. Later the same day, a drone strike on a moving train in the region claimed the life of a 75-year-old man and left nine others wounded, Ukrainian and local authorities said in separate statements. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said the train’s locomotive crew brought it to an immediate halt following the attack, after which passengers were safely evacuated and provided with first aid. Last month, Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi noted an increase in Russian strikes targeting rail infrastructure, describing it as an effort to isolate certain regions of the country. In the northern Chernigiv region, which borders Russia, officials confirmed that a woman born in 1937 was also killed. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II and resulting in hundreds of thousands of military and civilian casualties.

NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo) has issued a strong advisory to investors, cautioning against speculative trading and encouraging market participants to make decisions based on company fundamentals rather than rumours or unverified information. In a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos, the independent regulatory subsidiary of the Nigerian Exchange Group addressed the recent price swings recorded in the shares of some listed companies during recent trading sessions. The regulator explained that the advisory forms part of its routine market surveillance efforts aimed at maintaining a fair, orderly, and transparent marketplace. Speaking in the statement, the Chief Executive Officer of NGX Regulation Limited, Olufemi Shobanjo, said the organisation’s core mandate is to uphold a level playing field where investors can trade confidently, supported by timely and accurate disclosures. He noted that the communication serves as a reminder that sustainable investment outcomes are driven by sound fundamentals rather than short-term speculation, reaffirming the regulator’s commitment to protecting market integrity and stability. NGX RegCo urged investors to adopt disciplined and informed investment strategies by relying on publicly available data, including a thorough review of company fundamentals, financial performance, and risk exposure. The regulator also advised market participants to avoid acting on rumours or unverified tips, recommending that investors seek guidance from licensed intermediaries such as stockbrokers or investment advisers when necessary. While acknowledging recent volatility in certain stocks, NGX RegCo reassured stakeholders that the broader market remains stable, resilient, and well-regulated. It emphasised that robust oversight and transparent operations continue to support investor confidence. The advisory underscores the importance of focusing on long-term value creation rather than reacting to short-term price movements. In recent weeks, share prices of several tier-one and tier-two Nigerian banks have experienced notable gains, driven largely by year-end positioning, attractive valuations, and dividend expectations. NGX RegCo further explained that it employs advanced technology to monitor trading activities in real time. When a stock records price movements beyond established statistical thresholds such as a 10 or 20 per cent change without any corresponding corporate disclosure an alert is automatically triggered for review.