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China Introduces K-Visa to Attract Global Tech Talent Amid US Visa Tightening

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China Introduces K-Visa to Attract Global Tech Talent Amid US Visa Tightening

China has launched a K-visa to attract foreign technology professionals, aiming to strengthen its innovation capacity and compete with the United States in the global talent race. The new visa eases entry requirements, allowing applicants to apply without a confirmed job offer, in contrast to the stricter US H-1B visa program under President Trump.

Analysts view the move as strategic, targeting a growing skills gap in China and positioning the country as a welcoming destination for global talent. Despite high youth unemployment in China, officials insist the K-visa is critical to bridging shortages in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and robotics.

The policy has already drawn interest from Chinese-Americans, top scientists, and professionals from India and Southeast Asia. While some local job seekers express concerns about increased competition, state media argue the program will ultimately bolster China’s economy and technological leadership.

Experts say the K-visa represents Beijing’s response to the US tightening immigration rules, as China seeks to reverse decades of “brain drain” and lure global talent eastward.

Senator Jarigbe Defects From PDP To APC

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Senator Jarigbe Defects From PDP To APC

Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North Senatorial District, has officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection letter was read during Tuesday’s plenary by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibril, with members of the APC caucus warmly welcoming him on the Senate floor.

Further details on the defection and its implications are expected to follow.

Former French President Sarkozy Released From Prison Pending Appeal

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Former French President Sarkozy Released From Prison Pending Appeal

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison pending appeal after his conviction for illegally raising campaign funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential bid.

Sarkozy, 70, had been imprisoned on October 21 following his September conviction, with judges describing the offense as of “extraordinary seriousness.” Speaking via video link from La Santé prison, he described his incarceration as “tough… really tough — draining, as it must be for any detainee,” while reaffirming his commitment to the judicial process.

The Paris court determined that Sarkozy did not pose a flight risk, allowing his release under judicial supervision, which includes a ban on leaving France and restrictions on contacting certain justice ministry officials.

Since leaving office, Sarkozy has faced multiple legal challenges, including convictions related to corruption, influence-peddling, and illegal campaign financing. He maintains his innocence, describing himself as a victim of political hostility, and plans to focus on preparing his appeal.

Sarkozy’s youngest son, Louis Sarkozy, celebrated the release on social media with a childhood photo of himself and his father, captioning it: “Vive la liberté” (Long live freedom).

Ex-Nigerian President Shagari’s Wife, Hajiya Saratu, Dies at 89

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Ex-Nigerian President Shagari’s Wife, Hajiya Saratu, Dies at 89

The family of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari has announced the passing of his last surviving spouse, Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari, at the age of 89.

She died on Monday following a prolonged illness, with her eldest son, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, confirming her passing around 3 p.m.

Mohammed Bala Shagari described his mother as a personification of grace, humility, and steadfast strength, highlighting her life of dignity and service.

The family noted that details of the funeral arrangements would be shared in due course.

NAFDAC Vows Full Enforcement of Ban on Sachet Alcohol by December 2025

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NAFDAC Vows Full Enforcement of Ban on Sachet Alcohol by December 2025

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enforce the ban on production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles under 200ml by December 2025.

The directive, supported by the Senate and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aims to protect public health—particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults—from the dangers of alcohol misuse.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, stressed that the agency would not compromise its duty to regulate alcohol and safeguard Nigerians’ well-being. She noted that sachet and small-volume alcohol products are cheap, easily concealable, and highly accessible, leading to abuse, especially among minors and commercial drivers. This, she added, has contributed to rising incidents of domestic violence, accidents, and other social vices.

The regulation applies exclusively to spirit drinks packaged in sachets or bottles below 200ml, and manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are urged to comply fully with the phase-out deadline, as no extensions will be granted.

BREAKING: Court Halts PDP National Convention Over Sule Lamido’s Suit

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BREAKING: Court Halts PDP National Convention Over Sule Lamido’s Suit

A Federal High Court in Abuja has again restrained the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the fresh order on Tuesday while ruling on an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged he was denied the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form, thereby unlawfully excluding him from the contest.

The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the planned convention, where new national officers were expected to emerge.

Justice Lifu said the PDP failed to comply with “relevant conditions and laws” governing such conventions, including the publication of the timetable for members’ awareness. He ruled that Lamido would suffer greater harm if the convention proceeded without due process.

The judge emphasised that strict adherence to party and constitutional procedures was vital to safeguard democracy, stating that the court must not abdicate its duty “of dispensing justice without fear or favour.”

He concluded by restraining the PDP from proceeding with the convention in Ibadan or anywhere else, and prohibited INEC from recognising any outcome arising from such an event.

Tinubu, 97 Senators Back Creation of Anioma State, Says Ned Nwoko

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Tinubu, 97 Senators Back Creation of Anioma State, Says Ned Nwoko

The campaign for the creation of Anioma State has gained major momentum, with 97 senators and President Bola Tinubu reportedly supporting the proposal, according to Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North).

Speaking at the Izu Anioma Towns Union event in Abuja, where the maiden Anioma Cultural Festival (Anioma Day) was launched, Nwoko said the initiative has reached an advanced stage following extensive consultations and bipartisan legislative backing.

He explained that the bill seeks to carve Anioma from nine local government areas in Delta North — including four in Aniocha, Oshimili, two in Ika, and three in Ndokwa — while some neighbouring communities like Igbanke have expressed interest in joining.

“Only one state will be created in Nigeria, and that one state will be Anioma,” Nwoko declared, adding that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Tinubu have both endorsed the move as part of efforts to ensure regional balance by granting the South-East a sixth state.

He noted that extensive lobbying, consultations, and stakeholder engagements were ongoing, with the Senate and House Committees on Constitutional Amendment agreeing on the need for equitable state distribution.

A high-level meeting involving governors, traditional rulers, and Anioma leaders is scheduled for next weekend in Awka, where the region is expected to be formally adopted as the South-East’s candidate for state creation.

Once approved, the proposal will move through the Presidency, state assemblies, and governors, culminating in a national referendum.

Nwoko expressed optimism that President Tinubu’s eventual endorsement would mark “a historic moment,” saying, “I did not start this struggle, but I will finish it. Anioma State will be the beginning of a new era.”

He also linked the creation of Anioma State and the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to lasting peace and stability in the South-East.

Trump Grants Pardons To 77 Allies Accused Of Efforts To Overturn 2020 Election Defeat

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Trump Grants Pardons To 77 Allies Accused Of Efforts To Overturn 2020 Election Defeat

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued sweeping pardons to 77 political allies, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and several former aides accused of attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden, according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department.

The proclamation, dated Friday and made public on Monday, described the move as an effort to “end a grave national injustice” and promote “national reconciliation.”

Among those pardoned are Mark Meadows, Trump’s former Chief of Staff; ex-Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark; and lawyers John Eastman, Christina Bobb, Kenneth Chesebro, and Boris Epshteyn — all of whom played roles in efforts to challenge the 2020 results.

The pardons apply only to federal offences, meaning ongoing state-level investigations in Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada remain unaffected.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, describing it as a reaffirmation of the “constitutional right to question election outcomes.”

Trump himself was not included among the pardoned individuals. His own federal case related to the election was dismissed last year after prosecutors cited Justice Department policy barring the indictment of a sitting president.

The mass pardon, shared on social media by Ed Martin, head of the Justice Department’s “weaponisation group,” has stirred intense political debate, with critics warning it could further erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Trump Threatens $1 Billion Lawsuit Against BBC Over Edited Capitol Speech

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Trump Threatens $1 Billion Lawsuit Against BBC Over Edited Capitol Speech

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for at least $1 billion, accusing it of defamation over what he described as a “deceptively edited” version of his January 6, 2021 speech that aired in a Panorama documentary.

In a letter obtained by Reuters, Trump’s lawyers demanded a full retraction, public apology, and compensation for alleged “overwhelming reputational and financial harm.” The letter gave the BBC until Friday to comply before legal action commences.

Trump’s legal team claimed the broadcaster “intentionally and deceitfully” removed sections of his Capitol speech where he urged supporters to march “peacefully and patriotically,” instead editing it to appear as though he incited the riot that followed.

The dispute has intensified the turmoil at the BBC after the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness on Sunday. BBC Chair Samir Shah has since apologised, describing the edit as “an error of judgment” but denied accusations of institutional bias. The documentary has been withdrawn from the BBC iPlayer platform.

Trump’s spokesperson accused the BBC of deliberately interfering in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, calling the edit “a politically motivated attack.” Legal experts note that Trump may file the case under Florida’s defamation law, which provides different standards from those in the United States federal system.

In response, Shah told British lawmakers that while “mistakes were made,” the BBC remains committed to impartial journalism. “BBC News’ DNA and culture is to be impartial — to provide the best and most trustworthy news possible,” he said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office defended the corporation’s independence but urged it to uphold its editorial standards.

The January 6 Capitol riot, which erupted after Trump’s rally near the White House, led to multiple deaths and temporarily halted Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Trump continues to claim, without evidence, that the 2020 election was stolen through widespread fraud.

The BBC, operating under a Royal Charter and funded by public licence fees, faces growing pressure to restore credibility and public trust amid the fallout from the controversy.

Kalu Receives Over 100 PDP Defectors into APC in Abia as Obingwa LGA Honours Deputy Speaker

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Kalu Receives Over 100 PDP Defectors into APC in Abia as Obingwa LGA Honours Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has received over 100 defectors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.

The defection occurred during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday.

Kalu in his remarks at the event that witnessed mammoth crowd of supporters welcomed the defectors, commending their decision to join the APC and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Led by the former PDP State Secretary, Barr. Ibe Nwadioha, the defectors pledged their support for Tinubu, Kalu and the APC, citing the party’s impact on the South East region.

Nwadioha stated that his entry into the APC marked the collapse of other political parties in Obingwa Local Government Area.

He said: “My entry into APC has marked the collapse of every other political party in Obingwa Local Government. It’s a landmark entry and it means that the wind of change which you have brought is sweeping across Obingwa and it’s coming like a hurricane. We will support Mr. President.”

Meanwhile, Obingwa APC stakeholders which included a former federal commissioner who represented the South East at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Dr Nyerere Chinenye Ayim honoured the Deputy Speaker with a traditional attire and a matchete, symbolizing strength and courage.

The gesture which highlighted the warm reception of the Deputy Speaker by the people of Obingwa further underscored the significance of Kalu’s visit and the impact of the Renewed Hope Partners in the local government area.

Signed:

Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Soyinka Says Nigeria’s Crisis Is Battle Against Extremists, Not Christian-Muslim War

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Soyinka Says Nigeria’s Crisis Is Battle Against Extremists, Not Christian-Muslim War

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, insisting that the country’s security crisis is a battle against extremists, not a religious war between Christians and Muslims.

Speaking in an interview with Democracy Now, Soyinka said Trump’s sweeping assertions distorted the reality of Nigeria’s situation and risked deepening sectarian hostilities. “We must separate Nigeria’s long-standing internal problems from President Trump’s recent response,” he stated.

He explained that the conflict stemmed from extremist violence driven by political and economic motives rather than faith-based animosity. “In truth, we are dealing with extremists — political Islamists, known sometimes as ISWAP or Boko Haram — not with Muslims as a people,” Soyinka said.

The Nobel laureate condemned political leaders for exploiting religion to gain power and failing to hold extremists accountable. He recalled the killing of a student accused of blasphemy, lamenting that her killers went unpunished, thereby fuelling the false narrative of a religious war.

Soyinka also criticised Trump’s foreign policy, saying his militaristic approach could worsen instability in Africa. “When we have sweeping statements like Trump’s, it doesn’t make things easier. It expands the regions of hostility and makes peaceful resolution even more difficult,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) urged Nigerians to unite against external threats to national sovereignty, while the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, called for collective action against terrorism.

Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) confirmed that Boko Haram and ISWAP were carrying out mass killings aimed at Islamising the country but clarified that both Christians and Muslims had been victims.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) described Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria as “reckless and dangerously provocative,” warning that such statements undermined the country’s unity.

Former Alliance for Democracy chieftain Udenta Udenta said Trump’s comments should serve as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to urgently address insecurity.

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