Author: starconnect
By Foreign Affairs Correspondent ISLAMABAD — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly thanked US President Donald Trump for his decision to temporarily pause “Project Freedom,” a highly contentious American naval initiative aimed at guiding stranded commercial vessels through the volatile Strait of Hormuz. The pause comes directly in response to diplomatic interventions from Pakistan and other key regional allies, notably the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who feared the operation was bringing the region to the brink of a wider maritime war. Taking to the social media platform X, Prime Minister Sharif expressed deep appreciation for the sudden shift…
By SCM Reporter An ordinary afternoon in a Moscow suburb nearly turned into an unimaginable tragedy for one young family this week. A two-year-old boy is recovering in a Russian hospital after managing to lodge an open safety pin deep inside his nasal cavity—sparking a frantic, high-stakes medical emergency that has left doctors issuing an urgent warning to parents worldwide. The drama began when the adventurous toddler, whose identity has been withheld by authorities, found the stray sewing item. With the lightning-fast speed known all too well by parents of two-year-olds, the boy curiously shoved the metal pin directly…
By SCM Staff Writer MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday directly challenged Washington’s use of financial warfare against international judicial institutions, formally requesting that the European Commission activate a rarely used legal shield to protect European entities and individuals from United States sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.). In a sharply worded letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mr. Sánchez argued that the European Union could no longer passively witness American attempts to penalize judicial officers investigating alleged war crimes in Gaza. ”The E.U. cannot remain idle in the face of this…
Admin I Wednesday, May 06.26 TEHRAN — Amid fracturing diplomatic efforts and a highly volatile maritime standoff in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday staunchly defended its tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz. The government asserted that restricting and regulating traffic through the world’s most critical oil chokepoint is an act of sovereign self-defense against Western hostility. Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the safe passage of commercial vessels through the waterway remains a matter of “extreme importance” for the Islamic Republic. However, he emphasized that…
By Our Religion Correspondent VATICAN CITY — In a striking escalation of words between the Vatican and Washington, Pope Leo issued a fierce defense of the Catholic Church’s global ministry on Wednesday, directly responding to recent political attacks from President Donald Trump. Speaking from the Apostolic Palace, the pontiff reaffirmed the Church’s foundational commitment to global pacifism and issued a pointed challenge to his political critics to adhere to the truth. ”The Church’s mission is to preach peace,” Pope Leo said, his voice steady but resolute during an address captured by Reuters footage. “If anyone wants to criticize me for…
Admin I Wednesday, May 06.2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa selected to join pioneering project that will accelerate the adoption of solutions to advance sustainable construction and renovation. Led by national Green Building Councils (GBCs) and delivered through multi‑stakeholder coalitions, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) will support these countries to develop or advance national climate action roadmaps for the building sector. These initiatives set out clear, practical steps to cut emissions, improve resilience and transform the built environment between now and 2050. Driving climate action through national building sector roadmaps Buildings and construction account…
Admin I Wednesday, May 06.2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Stanbic IBTC is strengthening its position as a trusted leader in home financing in Nigeria through its ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF). The organisation’s Banking business continues to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and married couples in Nigeria and the diaspora achieve homeownership with greater ease and confidence. In a market where housing supply significantly lags demand and traditional mortgage penetration remains low, Stanbic IBTC Bank is enabling more eligible Nigerians with the financial capacity to take the important step toward ownership. The Bank…
Admin I Wednesday, May 06. 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Engr. Mustafa Bello as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. The appointment, which takes immediate effect, has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and ratified by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2026. Engr. Bello’s appointment represents a strategic step to ensure the continuity, stability, and sustained effectiveness of the Board, while reinforcing the high standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight for which Zenith Bank is widely respected. He joined the…
Admin I Wednesday, May 06.26 ABUJA, Nigeria – The NNPC Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership in support of the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries. The MoU was signed by the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari; Chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong and Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi, in Jiaxing City, China, on Thursday, April…
By Our Football Correspondent LAGOS, NIGERIA — The scorching West African heat was nothing compared to the blistering, star-studded performance produced by Ikorodu City FC on Tuesday afternoon. In a Matchday 36 encounter that had everything—breathtaking goals, high-stakes continental drama, and international royalty in the directors’ box—the “Oga Boys” firmly announced themselves on the big stage. They dismantled a struggling Wikki Tourists FC side 3-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos. This was no ordinary Tuesday afternoon kick-off. Watching closely from the stands was none other than the newly minted Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle. The national…