Author: starconnect
By Emmanuel Thomas l Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 SAKI, Oyo – Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested three young men in Saki over allegations of unnatural sexual conduct and homosexual acts. The arrests were carried out by officers attached to the Command’s Monitoring Unit, Saki Operational Base, following an intelligence-driven operation. Disclosing the development in a press statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, named the suspects as Ayomide Lukeman (22), Shuaib Aremu (22), and Abdul-Rasheed Mufeed (23). According to the police spokesperson, the operation was…
By SCM International Desk I Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 MOSCOW — In a major breakthrough for complex neurosurgery, specialists at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine have successfully executed a first-of-its-kind spinal cord transplant in Russia. The intricate 12-hour surgical procedure was performed on a patient facing imminent total paralysis, offering new possibilities in a field long constrained by the limits of central nervous system regeneration. Following the extensive operation, hospital officials confirmed that the patient is stable and has been given a viable path toward a complete recovery. A High-Stakes 12-Hour Operation The operation presented extraordinary…
By SCM International Desk I Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 LEXINGTON, Ky. — A former University of Kentucky cheerleader was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison after admitting to killing her newborn son shortly after giving birth alone at an off-campus residence, concluding a case that has ignited public outrage and intensified debate over maternal mental health and legal accountability. The defendant, 22-year-old Laken Snelling, entered a guilty plea in August to charges of first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Prosecutors had sought a 13-year prison sentence,…
By SCM International Desk I Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 ABUJA — Details of the newly signed Nigeria-United States Critical Minerals Framework have been officially released, unveiling a strategic roadmap designed to shift Nigeria away from being a mere exporter of raw ores toward becoming a hub for domestic mineral processing and value addition. The framework, signed on September 23 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, is non-binding and involves no immediate financial commitments or transfer of rights. Instead, it establishes an official expression of shared intent between both nations to cooperate across critical areas, including geological…
By SCM International Desk I Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 JERUSALEM — Heidi Levine, an award-winning American photojournalist, tearfully recounted a violent encounter with a group of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, stating that her protective armor likely saved her life as she was repeatedly kicked and beaten while on assignment. Speaking about the traumatic ordeal, Ms. Levine detailed how an aggressive crowd swarmed and attacked her without provocation. ”They just kept kicking me, about 50 times,” Ms. Levine said, her voice breaking as she described the assault. Wearing heavy tactical equipment during the encounter ultimately prevented fatal…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 ABUJA — As the global community marks World Food Day, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to immediately declare a national emergency on hunger, warning that poverty and severe food insecurity have reached crisis levels across the country. In a statement issued to commemorate the day, Obi expressed deep concern over the living conditions of millions of Nigerian families struggling to secure daily meals despite the nation’s vast agricultural potential. Reflecting on his interaction with local food producers…
By SCM International Desk I Friday, Oct. 16, 2027 BRUSSELS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has delivered a stark warning to European leaders in Brussels, declaring that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no interest in peace negotiations or territorial compromises, but remains single-mindedly focused on the total annihilation of Ukraine as a sovereign nation. Speaking during an interactive session with media representatives on the sidelines of top-level diplomatic engagements in the Belgian capital, Zelenskyy dismissed Kremlin overtures as political theatre and urged Western allies to recognize the expanding threat Russia poses to the broader European continent. Beyond the Donbas:…
By SCM News Desk I October 16, 2026 ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated four new National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill impending vacancies at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The nominations, which are subject to Senate confirmation, aim to address structural vacancies created by expiring tenures as the nation prepares for the upcoming General Elections scheduled for next January. 4 New National Commissioners Nominated: Prof. Mustapha Aliu (North West), Bashir Muhammed Umar (North Central), and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola (South West). 1 Reappointment: Dr. Bala Bila reappointed as National Commissioner representing…
Admin I Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc has won two honours at the 2026 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions Awards. The bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, received the Award for Excellence in Banking Leadership, while Fidelity Bank was named Best Bank in Oil and Gas Financing. The awards were presented at the 14th BAFI Awards held recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to BusinessDay Media Limited, the leadership award recognises banking executives who have delivered institutional growth, strengthened shareholder value, promoted innovation and…
By SCM Business Desk I Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 LAGOS, NIGERIA — Pathway Holdings has once again demonstrated its market dominance and commitment to financial excellence, securing two major honors at the prestigious BusinessDay Banks & Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards 2026. The awards recognize the stellar achievements and rapid growth of Pathway’s key subsidiaries, further establishing the group as the premier financial partner for corporations, institutions, and visionary leaders across Nigeria. The BAFI Awards are: PATHWAY ADVISORS LIMITED Best Issuing House & Financial Advisory Firm of the Year PATHWAY ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Fastest-Growing Asset Management Firm of the Year These…