United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh outrage after describing Somali immigrants as “garbage” during a cabinet meeting at the White House.
Trump reportedly claimed that Somali immigrants “contribute nothing” and said he did not want them in the United States, adding that they should go back to where they came from and “fix” their country.
He also attacked Somalia itself, allegedly saying the country “stinks” and referring to it as a place where people “come from hell”, comments that critics have condemned as openly racist and dehumanising.
The president further targeted Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Somali‑born US lawmaker, labelling her “garbage” along with her allies, and accusing Somalis in Minnesota of abusing welfare and “ripping off” the state.
Civil rights advocates, immigrant groups, and political opponents have condemned the remarks, warning that such language from the president fuels hatred, endangers immigrant communities, and undermines America’s image as a country of immigrants.
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Niger turns to Nigerian ports amid diplomatic row with Benin Republic
The move comes as Niger and Benin continue efforts to resolve a border dispute that has disrupted cross-border trade and complicated Niger’s use of Benin’s ports.bbc+1 Niger has depended heavily on Benin’s ports, particularly the Sèmè-Kpodji terminal, to move crude oil and other imports and exports. However, relations deteriorated after the July 2023 military coup in Niger, with disputes over border closures, security concerns and the movement of goods deepening tensions between Niamey and Cotonou.wikipedia+3 Benin previously blocked Niger’s oil exports through its territory, insisting that Niger reopen its side of their shared border to goods from Benin. Nigerien authorities maintained that the border restrictions were driven by security concerns, while also accusing Benin of violating trade agreements.bbc+2 Nigeria’s ports offer Niger an alternative route to international markets, particularly for imports and transit cargo. This could support trade flows while […]
Tension in Anambra as suspected cultists kill popular advertiser, one other
The attacks were reported in Awka on Sunday, with residents expressing fear as police and other security agencies moved to investigate the killings. Aiza was widely known in Awka as a mobile advertiser, DJ and media personality. Reports said he was shot by gunmen in an attack believed to be linked to cult-related violence, though police had not publicly established a motive at the time of reporting. A second man was also reportedly killed in a separate shooting incident, heightening anxiety among residents. The Anambra State Police Command has previously urged witnesses to provide useful information confidentially as it investigates violent attacks and works to identify those responsible.premiumtimesng+3 Authorities are expected to provide further details on the identities of the victims, the circumstances of the attacks and any arrests as the investigation progresses.
Iran FM accuses ‘serpent’ Netanyahu of tricking US into war
Araghchi alleged that Netanyahu privately boasted in Hebrew about influencing Washington, while publicly praising US President Donald Trump’s leadership in English.arabnews+1 “In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi said in a post on X. He further alleged that the Israeli leader had spoken about influencing America through “1,000 hours of airtime on US networks.”english.aawsat+1 Araghchi contrasted those alleged remarks with Netanyahu’s public comments in English commending President Trump’s leadership, ending his message with the word, “Serpent.” The accusation comes amid renewed tensions after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.abs-cbn+3 The US said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway, while Iran later launched missiles and drones toward US […]
US strikes Iran for first time in a month, Tehran retaliates
US Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when American forces struck the launchers on Sunday.globalnation.inquirer+1 The strikes came as hostilities between Washington and Tehran had appeared to be subsiding, nearly six months into the conflict. CENTCOM said it was closely monitoring the area and remained ready to protect the free flow of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.abs-cbn+3 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently launched a missile-and-drone attack targeting US air bases in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Jordan said its military intercepted eight missiles after they entered the country’s airspace, with no damage reported. The US action was its first military strike against Iran since late July, after President Donald Trump shifted towards an economic-pressure campaign aimed at securing concessions from Tehran. The Strait […]
Nepal begins burials as flood death toll rises to 752
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said decomposing bodies were being temporarily buried to protect public health, with DNA samples taken so families can later retrieve remains for traditional funeral rites.economictimes In Hindu-majority Nepal, the dead are normally cremated, but authorities said they lacked sufficient freezer capacity and appealed for international support, estimating a need for more than 1,000 additional units. Rai told reporters that all buried victims were carefully recorded and marked, following Red Cross protocols, and that families would be allowed to exhume the bodies for necessary rituals once identified.economictimes The updated toll from Nepal’s disaster ministry on Sunday stood at 752 bodies recovered and 2,502 people missing, including 589 foreign nationals. Chinese state media reported 16 dead and 546 missing in Tibet, bringing the combined death toll to 768 and the total number unaccounted for to more than […]
2027: Don’t set Nigeria on fire, NILDS boss warns political actors
Speaking on the Newsmen Personality Interview Series in Abuja, Sulaiman urged politicians to embrace issue-based campaigns and inclusive politics to protect the country’s democracy.vanguardngr+1 Sulaiman cautioned against vulgar statements, hate speech and actions capable of threatening national unity or heightening tensions unnecessarily as electioneering activities gather momentum. He said NILDS is finalising plans to convene a political communication summit to address the quality of campaign messaging and public discourse.vanguardngr+1 “Our appeal is that our campaign utterances should be issue-based. We should avoid vulgar statements. We should avoid statements that could set the country on fire,” he said. He also appealed to political parties and politicians not to take Nigerians for granted, but to promote inclusive politics for marginalised groups, especially women and youth
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Iran FM accuses ‘serpent’ Netanyahu of tricking US into war
Araghchi alleged that Netanyahu privately boasted in Hebrew about influencing Washington, while publicly praising US President Donald Trump’s leadership in English.arabnews+1 “In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi said in a post on X. He further alleged that the Israeli leader had spoken about influencing America through “1,000 hours of airtime on US networks.”english.aawsat+1 Araghchi contrasted those alleged remarks with Netanyahu’s public comments in English commending President Trump’s leadership, ending his message with the word, “Serpent.” The accusation comes amid renewed tensions after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.abs-cbn+3 The US said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway, while Iran later launched missiles and drones toward US […]
US strikes Iran for first time in a month, Tehran retaliates
US Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when American forces struck the launchers on Sunday.globalnation.inquirer+1 The strikes came as hostilities between Washington and Tehran had appeared to be subsiding, nearly six months into the conflict. CENTCOM said it was closely monitoring the area and remained ready to protect the free flow of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.abs-cbn+3 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently launched a missile-and-drone attack targeting US air bases in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Jordan said its military intercepted eight missiles after they entered the country’s airspace, with no damage reported. The US action was its first military strike against Iran since late July, after President Donald Trump shifted towards an economic-pressure campaign aimed at securing concessions from Tehran. The Strait […]
Nigerian man sentenced to 8 years in US prison for $7.5m charity scam
Adejorin was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after completing his 96-month prison term, following his conviction on wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and unauthorised computer-access charges.dailyvoice+2 US District Judge Theodore Chuang sentenced Adejorin on Friday after a federal jury found him guilty in December 2025 following a six-day trial in Maryland. The 32-year-old was extradited from Ghana to the United States in August 2024 to face the charges.patch+2 Prosecutors said the fraud took place between June and August 2020 and targeted a Maryland-based charitable organisation that provided investment services for another charity in New York. Adejorin allegedly accessed employee email accounts, registered fraudulent lookalike web domains and impersonated staff of the New York charity.dailyvoice+3 Using the compromised accounts and fake identities, he sent instructions requesting withdrawals and transfers from the Maryland organisation. The scheme caused more […]
Nepal floods: Nearly 1,500 missing, including tourists, as death toll rises
Rescuers used helicopters to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies after a wall of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, triggering devastating floods in Nepal and neighbouring Tibet. The disaster struck on Wednesday along a route linking Kathmandu with Lhasa that is popular with trekkers and pilgrims. Nepalese authorities said more than 650 foreign nationals remained unaccounted for, while the number of missing local residents was still being assessed.reuters+1 In Nepal, officials had located around 100 previously missing Indian visitors and 25 Chinese workers in the worst-hit Trishuli area. India said 288 of its nationals were still missing in Nepal, while a further 200 were stranded in China. Across the border in Tibet’s Gyirong County, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported 558 people missing, including 260 foreign nationals. Reuters reported that the missing foreign visitors in Nepal […]
Iran denies negotiating with US after Trump announces talks
Tehran rejected Trump’s claim that talks were set to begin as part of efforts to end the conflict, saying no negotiations are currently taking place with Washington. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the country is “not currently negotiating with the United States,” adding that Iran’s talks are instead with Oman over passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The denial came after Trump said he had postponed further strikes to allow diplomacy to continue and claimed new discussions would start Monday. The exchange came amid a war that Reuters described as being in its sixth month, with tensions also affecting oil markets after Trump’s remarks. Iran’s response suggests there is still a gap between Washington’s public claims and Tehran’s position on the status of talks.
US introduces $20,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others over overstay concerns
The United States says the new rule is aimed at curbing visa overstays and improving compliance among visitors from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weak identity or document verification systems. Under the policy, consular officers will decide whether an applicant must post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on factors such as travel purpose, employment, income and ties to the home country. The bond will be refunded without interest if the visitor leaves the US within the approved period and complies with visa conditions, but it will be forfeited if the holder overstays or violates the terms of the visa. The policy formalises and expands a pilot programme launched in August 2025, which the US State Department says showed a sharp drop in overstays among affected applicants. It also said the pilot reduced demand significantly, […]