Author: starconnect
By SCM International Desk I Monday, August 31, 2026 TEHRAN — The Iranian military launched a swarm of explosive-laden drones early Monday targeting U.S. military assets and personnel at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement released by Iran’s state media. The Public Relations department of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that its forces targeted locations housing U.S. helicopters and military personnel. Tehran described the assault as direct retaliation for recent operations targeting Iranian military assets and civilians on Larak Island, located strategically in the Strait of Hormuz.…
By Blaise Udunze I Sunday, August 30, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Another Nigerian journalist is dead. The newsroom mourns. Photographs flood WhatsApp platforms. Colleagues, readers, and listeners write emotional tributes. Media associations issue condolence messages. Politicians describe the deceased as a “great professional.” Friends gather at the funeral. The body is buried. Politicians crave journalists around during campaigns, only to become adversarial once power is secured. Corporate organizations rely on publicity, yet spend far more on ad campaigns than on supporting the welfare of the institutions producing the news. Meanwhile, media organizations struggling under shrinking revenues frequently…
By SCM Reporter I August 30, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria — Meta Platforms is set to overhaul the cost structure of its popular messaging service in one of its largest African markets. Starting Oct. 1, 2026, the company will begin charging enterprises roughly ₦14 ($0.0101) for every transaction alert, customer support response, and delivery update sent to Nigerian users via the WhatsApp Business Platform. The move eliminates a long-standing “free tier” cushion that previously allowed commercial entities to exchange unlimited customer service replies inside an open 24-hour interaction window. The new rates will apply exclusively to enterprises connected to…
Admin I Sunday, August 30, 2026 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Sunday that it would exact “punishment” against American forces following a U.S. military strike on Larak Island, a highly strategic Iranian outpost in the Persian Gulf. The statement, issued by the IRGC’s Public Relations Department, reported that the strike caused casualties and fatalities among Iranian soldiers and civilians, though official counts were not immediately disclosed. “In a blatant act of aggression, [the enemy] attacked Larak Island, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of several of our soldiers and fellow citizens,”…
Equity, Representation and the Idoma Question. A call for justice, inclusive governance and equal belonging in Benue State By Dr Paul Ede Agbo | [email protected] The Idoma people increasingly perceive themselves as politically and socioeconomically marginalised in Benue State. The pattern they see whether in infrastructural development, educational opportunities, institutional leadership, public appointments and security assurance, raises an urgent question: are all communities still regarded as equal partners in the Benue project? No young person should become academically unqualified merely because of ethnicity or because the institution is owned by the state in which that person was…
Admin I Sunday, August 30, 2026 OSUN – A gender rights organisation, Centre for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagem has documented 51 incidents of online gender-based violence (OGBV) against women during the Osun State governorship election held on August 15. The organisation, in its post-election report signed by its Executive Director, Evelyn Ugbe, said the incidents were recorded between August 1 and 16, 2026, using its AI-enabled Online GBV Tracker. According to her, the attacks targeted not only the four women who appeared on the ballot but also female voters, mobilisers, party officials and agents, INEC/Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) officials,…
Admin I Sunday, August 30, 2026 IKEJA, Lagos – The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has extended its Sustainable Empowerment Programme (NSEP) to Lagos State, empowering 1,000 beneficiaries with clean energy solutions, livelihood support and practical skills training as part of efforts to deploy technology that directly improves the lives and economic opportunities for Nigerians. The Lagos edition of the programme, held on Friday, 28th August 2026 at the LTV Blue Roof, Ikeja, featured the distribution of 400 NASENI Power Stoves, 100 NASENI Home Solar Solutions and NASENI Support Packs, as well as practical skills training…
Archbishop Daniel Okoh By SCM Reporter I Sunday, August 30, 2026 MINNA, Niger State – Following the disturbing mass abduction of worshippers and residents in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, has made a passionate appeal to government authorities and security agencies to scale up armed protection across all religious centres in the state. The religious body specifically demanded a visible and proactive security presence during peak worship periods, including Friday Jumu’at prayers for Muslims and Sunday services for Christians, to prevent further incursions by armed non-state actors.…
By SCM International Desk I Sunday, August 30, 2026 KATHMANDU — The death toll from catastrophic floods and landslides along the volatile Nepal-China border has climbed to 750, while more than 3,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations entered a grueling fifth day. Nepalese emergency officials confirmed on Sunday that at least 734 bodies have been recovered within Nepal, primarily across the central and southern river corridors including Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, and Nuwakot. Across the northern border in Tibet, Chinese authorities reported an additional 16 deaths and 546 missing persons, bringing the combined cross-border casualty count to…
By Emmanuel Thomas l August 30, 2926 ASABA — Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for flagging off the reconstruction of the critical 15.4-kilometre failed section of the Benin–Sapele Expressway. Speaking through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, during the official flag-off ceremony on Friday at Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area, the Governor highlighted that the long-awaited project will drastically ease the hardship faced by commuters and boost commerce across the regional transit corridor. Addressing attendees at the site, Oborevwori noted that the…