Author: starconnect
By SCM International Desk I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 JERUSALEM — Relations between Israel and the United Kingdom descended into a sharp diplomatic crisis on Tuesday after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel will shut down the British Consulate in East Jerusalem and expel British personnel from a major coordination center in the region. The retaliatory measures follow London’s decision to impose trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking one of the most severe ruptures in Anglo-Israeli diplomatic ties in decades. Speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem, Sa’ar confirmed that the…
•Seeks N570,000.00 refund Admim I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 LAGOS – Nigerian journalist, Mr Iwuchukwu Francis, has petitioned the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) over an alleged dispute concerning a rented apartment in the MATERIAL Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State. Iwuchukwu Francis, in a statement made before the Nigeria Police Force at Imota and Araro respectively, on June 8, 2026, said he was seeking police intervention after paying a total of N570,000 in rent through an estate agent, Bolaji Ojo, who operates under the name Ojo’s Properties (Land and Property Consultancy). According to the journalist, his initial…
By SCM International Desk I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 LONDON — The Palestinian Presidency issued a swift and emphatic statement of welcome following the British government’s landmark announcement on Tuesday imposing a comprehensive import ban on goods produced in illegal West Bank settlements alongside targeted economic sanctions. Describing the diplomatic shift as a “long-overdue step toward justice,” the official statement from Ramallah commended Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government for moving beyond vocal criticism to concrete accountability. Palestinian officials urged other global powers, particularly in North America and across the European Union, to mirror the restrictions and align their…
By Our Reporter I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 ABUJA — Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, was on Tuesday morning intercepted and blocked by political thugs while traveling to extend condolences to victims of the recent Yelwata massacre in Benue State. The incident occurred barely 24 hours after Obi attended the opening of the national campaign office of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja. His attendance at the opposition event was aimed at promoting cross-party civility, political tolerance, and mutual respect within Nigeria’s democratic space. Obi, who…
By Our Reporter I Tuesday, Sept.08, 2026 LAGOS — Former Kano State Governor and politician, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (RMK), has strongly condemned the alleged attack on the convoy of opposition presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in Benue State, describing the development as “another dark day for our democracy”. Kwankwaso’s reaction followed reports that suspected thugs blocked major roads—including areas around the Air Force Base along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway—in a bid to prevent Obi and his entourage from entering Makurdi and proceeding to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area. Expressing deep concern over the incident, Kwankwaso stated:…
By SCM International Desk I Tuesday, Sept 08,2026 BRITAIN and 11 key international allies have launched a massive economic crackdown by slapping a total ban on goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements. In an unprecedented joint declaration, global leaders—including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—struck a unified blow against West Bank expansion. The coalition confirmed national bans targeting products manufactured or harvested in disputed West Bank communities considered illegal under international law. A total of 12 nations have signed up to the tough embargo: United Kingdom France Canada Denmark…
By SCM International Desk I Tuesday, Sept. 08, 2026 LONDON — In one of the most significant diplomatic ruptures between Britain and Israel in decades, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced an $8.1 billion trade ban on goods and services originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Addressing the House of Commons, Miliband delivered a scathing indictment of Israeli settlement policy, warning that expanding outposts and systemic settler violence are rapidly destroying any realistic prospect of a two-state solution. The measures, scheduled to take effect fully over the coming months, target all commercial imports from West…
T By Emmanuel Thomas , Tuesday, Sept. 08, 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria — Prominent human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore issued a fiery statement on Tuesday, condemning what he characterized as a “state-sponsored blockade and attack” against Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi. The condemnation follows footage circulating on social media showing a political convoy belonging to Mr. Obi encountering barricades and violent disruptions staged by armed individuals and political thugs while attempting to access a state capital for campaign events. Mr. Sowore, a long-standing critic of the ruling establishment who ran under the African Action…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria — Facing mounting frustration from citizens living abroad over delays in obtaining travel documents, Nigeria’s government on Monday sought to reassure its sizable diaspora in the United Kingdom that an emergency processing initiative carries no extra official costs. The Nigerian Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said in a statement that a “special passport intervention exercise” introduced in the U.K. was meant to streamline applications and reduce massive backlogs, not extract additional funds from citizens. Addressing complaints regarding the processing of international travel documents, Mr. Tunji-Ojo clarified that fixed official…
By SCM International Desk I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 BEIJING — Qatar has joined forces with China in an ambitious diplomatic effort to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table, seeking to head off further escalation and secure crucial global trade routes. A spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Doha is actively coordinating with regional and international partners to revive direct dialogue between the United States and Iran. The push comes as Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Beijing. High on their…