Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, three nations in West Africa run by military governments after coups in recent years, have announced their exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC), referring to it as “neocolonial repression” and accusing the judicial body of selective justice.
In a joint statement on Monday night, the three countries said the ICC had become incapable of prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and genocide without elaborating.
“[The ICC is an] instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism,” the joint statement read, adding that the countries were seeking more “sovereignty”.
The three states added that they wanted to create “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice”.
The three countries, which are ruled by military officers, have already left the Economic Community of West African States and instead formed their own bloc known as the Alliance of Sahel States.
Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have also rolled back defence cooperation with Western powers, most notably their former colonial ruler, France, and opted for closer ties with Russia.
The countries’ withdrawal from the ICC was not unexpected after the coups that brought the military to power in the three states from 2020 to 2023.
Within the three countries, the military governments are fighting armed groups linked to al-Qaeda that control territory and have staged attacks on army posts.
Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have accused the fighters, the military and partner forces of Burkina Faso and Mali of possible atrocities.
United Nations experts said in April that the alleged summary executions of several dozen civilians by Malian forces might amount to war crimes.
Moreover, the ICC has had an investigation open in Mali since 2013 over alleged war crimes committed in the northern regions of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal, which had fallen under the control of armed groups.
Withdrawal from the ICC takes effect one year after the decision is submitted to the UN General Secretariat. (AlJazeera)
Dozens of House Democrats have signed a letter to Donald Trump and secretary of state Marco Rubio, urging the administration to recognize Palestinian statehood.
The letter, led by California Democrat Ro Khanna, has 46 signatures, and lawmakers will send it to the US president on Friday, according to plans first provided to the Guardian.
The letter’s delivery will coincide with the conclusion of the United Nations general assembly. France joined the growing chorus of US allies – including the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal – and on Monday called for the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.
The conflict has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, more than 60,000 people killed in the region, and rampant famine. Most recently, the Israeli government has continued its military offensive on Gaza City, killing dozens of Palestinians this week alone. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from the capital since August.
“Just as the lives of Palestinians must be immediately protected, so too must their rights as a people and nation urgently be acknowledged and upheld,” the letter reads. “We encourage the governments of other countries that have yet to recognize Palestinian statehood, including the United States, to do so as well.”
Joining Khanna in signing the letter are several House progressives including Congressman Greg Casar of Texas, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington state and Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida. In August, the Guardian reported on the draft of the letter, which, at the time, had a little over a dozen signatures.
The letter calls for the adoption of the same framework that French president Emmanuel Macron laid out earlier this year in order to “guarantee Israel’s security”. This includes “the disarmament of and relinquishing of power by Hamas in Gaza”, as well as working with the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, Arab allies, and Israel to ensure this is possible.
Khanna told the Guardian that the letter is a “litmus test” for the Democratic party and any Democratic candidates. He added that lawmakers from his own party that are holding out on signing are “totally out of touch with our base and Democratic voters, they’re totally out of touch with the young generation, and they’re totally out of touch with the world”.
Khanna has been “surprised” by the number of signatures on the letter, and is confident that it will gain even more by Friday. “We’re expecting to cross 50,” he added.
J Street, the prominent pro-Israel advocacy group, will endorse Khanna’s letter. “In light of the explicit efforts being made by the far right in Israel to bury the idea of a Palestinian state, actions like this letter are vital to affirm the global commitment to Palestinian self-determination,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, the lobby’s president. “From the pro-Israel perspective, a Palestinian state next to Israel is vital if Israel is to remain Jewish and democratic in nature.”
Trump has disagreed publicly with foreign leaders who have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state. During his hour-long address at the UN this week, he called the move a “reward” for acts of terrorism carried out by Hamas, including the 7 October attack.
Senior cabinet members have said that the coordinated recognition is merely superficial. “It’s almost a vanity project for a couple of these world leaders who want to be relevant, but it really makes no difference,” Rubio said in an interview with CBS Mornings.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is due to address the UN general assembly on Friday, has remained resolute that a Palestinian state is not an option. “The shameful capitulation of some leaders to Palestinian terror does not obligate Israel in any way,” his office said in a statement. “There will be no Palestinian state.”
Khanna is not expecting the letter to force the president’s hand in any way. “I’m not holding my breath as he [Trump] is giving a total blank check to Netanyahu,” the congressman said. But he does hope it will send a “clear” statement.
“America has a new generation that will recognize a Palestinian state when we come to power, that vehemently disagrees with Donald Trump, and that disagrees with how Biden handled the war,” Khanna said.
The United States is currently the only permanent member of the UN security council – which includes Britain, Russia, China and France – who objects to Palestinian statehood, “hurting America’s claim to be the moral leader of the world”, Khanna said.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, a Democratic-led resolution to recognize a demilitarised Palestine state and secure Israel was introduced last week by Jeff Merkley,a senator from Oregon. The first-of-its-kind measure, however, is unlikely to clear the Republican-controlled upper chamber. (Guardian)
Tributes poured in on Thursday as the Benue State House of Assembly held a valedictory session in honour of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on August 9, 2025, at the age of 78.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, described Ogbeh as a statesman whose legacy embodied dedication, vision, and integrity.
He said, “Our father left a heritage. He demonstrated leadership quality, in fairness and served the people justly. From 2001 to 2005, Ogbeh was national chairman of PDP.
He was a workaholic and playwright, who carried the name of Benue with pride. He was an embodiment of integrity and an ambassador of the state, shining through his actions.”
Benue Assembly Speaker, Alfred Emberga, hailed Ogbeh as a selfless leader and brilliant legislator whose motions as a lawmaker consistently focused on the welfare and development of his constituents and the state at large.
Emberga said, “Chief Ogbeh demonstrated brilliance in service to his people and Nigeria. From his records as a member of the House, all his motions centred on the welfare and development of his people and the entire state. Our senior member was a very vocal and effective legislator who endeared himself to his constituents with activism. He served his people selflessly, and it behoves us to emulate him, having left an enduring legacy.”
Ogbeh’s political journey began in the Second Republic, when he represented Otukpa State Constituency of Ogbadibo Local Government Area between 1979 and 1982 and served as deputy speaker of the Benue State Assembly under the National Party of Nigeria.
He later rose to national prominence, becoming the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party from 2001 to 2005.
In later years, he became a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The valedictory session was attended by dignitaries, including a former deputy governor of the state, Steven Lawani, and several ex-lawmakers.
Representatives of the three senatorial districts — Cephas Dyakor, Jabi Sooke, and Samuel Agada — also paid glowing tributes, acknowledging Ogbeh’s immense contributions to legislative activities in the state and his enduring influence on upcoming legislators. (Punch)
Chelsea will travel to Molineux Stadium to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup fourth round, following Wednesday’s draw.
The Blues booked their place in the next stage after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium.
An excellent 20-yard strike from Tyrique George and a first Chelsea goal for Facundo Buonanotte sealed the win for Enzo Maresca’s side, despite a spirited challenge from the hosts.
There are no replays in the Carabao Cup, and extra time is not used until the semi-final stage. If a game is level after 90 minutes, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
Fourth-round ties are scheduled to be played in the week commencing October 27. (Punch)
Business mogul and chairman of the Ibru Organisation, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, has died at the age of 67.
According to a statement by his family, reported by Arise News on Wednesday, Ibru passed away after a brief illness.
Further details on the circumstances of his death were not disclosed.
A key figure in Nigeria’s corporate world, Ibru was one of the most prominent heirs of the Ibru dynasty.
He was instrumental in sustaining and expanding the conglomerate established by his late father, Olorogun Michael Ibru, whose business empire covered shipping, oil and gas, real estate, and commerce.
His passing comes less than a decade after the death of the family patriarch, Michael Ibru, in 2016.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon.
Reacting to the news on Wednesday, media entrepreneur and publisher of Ovation International, Dele Momodu, described Ibru as “an extremely friendly gentleman and a socialite per excellence.”
In a post on his Instagram page, Momodu wrote, “News has just reached me in the skies that one of Nigeria’s most recognisable businessmen, OLORUNGUN OSKAR IBRU, has passed on… He was an extremely friendly gentleman, and a socialite per excellence, who was loved so passionately by families and friends… He was the son of the business Titan, OLOROGUN MICHAEL IBRU… Rest in peace, dear Brother…” (Punch)
No fewer than 1,000 Christian pilgrims on Wednesday departed Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo, for a Holy Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, flagged off the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission’s 2025 delayed Easter pilgrimage.
Tinubu, who described pilgrimage as “a spiritual journey of faith”, cautioned the travellers against absconding.
The president further described it as a “platform for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.”
While noting that prayer remained a sustaining force for Nigeria, he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting religious harmony in the country.
Tinubu said: “I, therefore, urge you to ensure you return with your batch at the end of your pilgrimage so that you can join forces with the government to build an egalitarian society where no man is oppressed.
“It is equally germane to reiterate that NCPC, under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has put all mechanisms in place to check abscondment.
“It will interest you to know that the Commission, in all its pilgrimages from December last year to date, has been able to achieve almost zero abscondment, so be warned,” he stressed.
Tinubu emphasised that the theme of the exercise, “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration,” aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which sought to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.
He acknowledged that some governments’ policies had been tough on citizens, but assured Nigerians that “there will certainly be light at the end of the dark tunnel.”
Tinubu said his achievements in youth empowerment, infrastructure, education, and security, as well as the reductions in insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry, could be traced to the resolve to restore peace in troubled areas.
The President also lauded Governor Hope Uzodimma’s spiritual commitment and sponsorship of 1,000 Christian pilgrims this year, just as he did in 2023.
In a remark, Uzodimma thanked the President for taking a keen interest in the physical and spiritual well-being of the Nigerian citizens and for his commitment to a better country.
The governor admonished the pilgrims to see the exercise as an opportunity to seek the face of God, pray for the state and the country.
“We will work against any abuse. As you journey to the Holy lands, carry Nigeria in your heart, pray for peace, prosperity, unity, and the President for additional wisdom and guidance,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Caleb Ajagba, urged the pilgrims not to see the trip as a mere tourist exercise.
Otti encouraged them to ask themselves the question of why they wanted to go on pilgrimage rather than see it as any other journey.
Earlier, Adegbite thanked Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu, Uzodimma and Akume for their commitment towards the spiritual upliftment of the Nigerian citizens.
He commended Uzodimma for sponsoring the pilgrims, describing him as “a wonderful governor, leader par excellence, great man by all standards, beacon of hope for Imo, Pilgrimage and Nigeria.”
The NCPC boss also joined in urging the pilgrims to see the trip as purely a spiritual one and apply themselves accordingly.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that prayers were offered for the body of Christ, peace in Nigeria and the Middle East, a successful pilgrimage, and for the president, the governors, and Nigerian leaders. (Punch)
A former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh, has praised President Bola Tinubu for recognising the Ogoni 13, describing it as a long-overdue step toward justice and reconciliation in the Niger Delta.
PUNCH Online reports that Tinubu has conferred national honours on four additional slain Ogoni leaders, sometimes referred to as the Ogoni 4, bringing the total honoured to Ogoni 13.
Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Nunieh recalled that while the Federal Government previously honoured the Ogoni 9 executed under the Abacha regime, the four others, making up the Ogoni 13, were left out.
“Yes, it is. We have called for this for a very long time that the Ogoni 13 should be honoured and when the Ogoni 9 were honoured we were happy, but of course it was incomplete without the Ogoni 4,” she said.
She expressed gratitude that the recognition has finally come, calling it a sign of good governance.
“Yes, it is. We have called for this for a very long time that the Ogoni 13 should be honoured and when the Ogoni 9 were honoured we were happy but of course it was incomplete without the Ogoni 4 and so today we’re very grateful that the Ogoni 13 have been honoured.”
Nunieh, however, urged the Federal Government to go further by issuing a national apology, similar to what she said Australia did for its aboriginal population.
“And of course we asked for a national apology like it’s been done in Australia. President Rudd did that apologising to the aborigines there and so that’s what we’re asking for but today is the first step and we now see that President Tinubu has shown good governance by taking this bold step which nobody had ever done since the crisis and we’re eternally grateful for that,” she said.
The execution of the Ogoni 9, including environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, in November 1995 drew global condemnation and remains one of Nigeria’s darkest chapters.
PUNCH Online reports that earlier in June 2025, President Tinubu granted posthumous national honours and a full presidential pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other members of the Ogoni 9, nearly 30 years after their execution. (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated Super Falcons and Brighton and Hove Albion’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on her fourth-place finish at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
Ademola Olajire, Head of NFF’s Media and Communications department, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Nnadozie, who has been Africa’s Best Goalkeeper for the past two years, was also named Goalkeeper of the tournament for this summer’s Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
She played a key role in Nigeria’s 10th triumph at WAFCON.
“We heartily congratulate Nnadozie on her fourth-place finish in the race. It is a commendable feat given the calibre of goalkeepers she was up against.
“Finishing fourth is a big achievement, and we believe in her capacity to win this trophy very soon,” NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said.
Sanusi also gave kudos to Super Falcons’ Head Coach Justine Madugu, who also finished fourth in the Women’s Coach of the Year category.
“Madugu’s feat further underscores the fact that the NFF was right to have given him the Super Falcons’ job, which had earlier been validated with him leading the team to victory.
“We congratulate him on this feat and wish him victory in the awards in the coming years.”
Nnadozie finished fourth behind England and Chelsea FC’s Hannah Hampton, who took home the Trophée Yachine, Gotham FC’s Ann-Katrin Berger, and Barcelona FC’s Cata Coll.
She, however, finished above Arsenal FC’s Daphne van Domselaar in the Top Five.
Madugu was fourth in a race won by Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the UEFA Women’s Championship title, and which also included Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor, Brazil’s Arthur Elias and Arsenal FC’s Renée Slegers. (Punch)
Nakisa Bidarian has revealed that Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are still set to fight, despite numerous setbacks.
Paul and Joshua were believed to be in advanced talks, with a date pencilled in for the pair to clash in early 2026.
Although the Ring Magazine reported in August that they were facing difficulties with broadcasting rights, due to the Brit having an exclusive deal with DAZN.
Shortly after that, the announcement came that Paul would be meeting Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout instead of fighting Joshua.
As the YouTuber-turned-boxer now gears up to meet Davis on November 14, the promotional tour began on Monday night in New York.
Despite it being the launch press conference for the bout between Paul and Davis, questions were unsurprisingly circulating regarding the former’s plans to fight Joshua.
Most Valuable Promotions’ co-founder, Bidarian, confirmed to assembled media that a fight between the rivals is still on the cards.
Bidarian reiterated: “We have an agreement in principle.”
After a Seconds Out host furthered the questioning to clarify what he meant by that, Bidarian responded: “To fight each other.”
Paul made it clear that this would still be the case, after he took to social media to reveal his plan to first ‘kill David’ and then ‘slaughter Goliath’. (Punch)
President Donald Trump on Monday used the platform of the presidency to promote unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism as his administration announced a wide-ranging effort to study the causes of the complex brain disorder.
“Don’t take Tylenol,” Trump instructed pregnant women around a dozen times during the unwieldy White House news conference, also urging mothers not to give their infants the drug, known by the generic name acetaminophen. He also fueled long-debunked claims that ingredients in vaccines or timing shots close together could contribute to rising rates of autism in the U.S., without providing any medical evidence.
The rambling announcement, which appeared to rely on existing studies rather than significant new research, comes as the Make America Healthy Again movement has been pushing for answers on the causes of autism. The diverse coalition of supporters of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. includes several anti-vaccine activists who have long spread debunked claims that immunizations are responsible.
The announcement also sheds light on Trump’s own long-held fascination with autism and his trepidation about the childhood vaccine schedule, even as the president has taken pride in his work to disseminate COVID-19 vaccines during his first term.
Medical experts said Trump’s remarks were irresponsible. New York University bioethicist Art Caplan said it was “the saddest display of a lack of evidence, rumors, recycling old myths, lousy advice, outright lies, and dangerous advice I have ever witnessed by anyone in authority.”
Trump announced during the event that the Food and Drug Administration would begin notifying doctors that the use of acetaminophen “can be associated” with an increased risk of autism, but did not immediately provide justification for the new recommendation.
Some studies have raised the possibility that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy might increase the risk of autism — but many others haven’t found that concern, said autism expert David Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania.
One challenge is that it’s hard to disentangle the effects of Tylenol use from the effects of high fevers during pregnancy. Fevers, especially in the first trimester, can increase the risk for miscarriages, preterm birth and other problems, according to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Trump also urged not giving Tylenol to young children, but scientists say that research indicates autism develops in the fetal brain.
Responding to Trump’s warnings, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said they still recommend Tylenol as an appropriate option to treat fever and pain during pregnancy. The president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said Monday that suggestions that Tylenol use in pregnancy causes autism are “irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients.”
Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Monday evening that the administration “does not believe popping more pills is always the answer for better health” and that it “will not be deterred in these efforts as we know millions across America are grateful.”
Tylenol maker Kenvue disputed any link between the drug and autism on Monday and said in a statement that if pregnant mothers don’t use Tylenol when in need, they could face a dangerous choice between suffering fevers or using riskier painkiller alternatives. Shares of Kenvue Inc. fell 7.5% in trading Monday, reducing the company’s market value by about $2.6 billion.
Kennedy announced during the news conference that at Trump’s urging, he was launching a new all-agency effort to uncover all the factors that could be contributing to autism, even as scientists have already been researching that question for decades.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary also took the stage to announce it was taking the first steps to try to approve a folic acid metabolite called leucovorin as a treatment option for patients believed to have low levels of folate in the brain. That may include some people with autism.
Leucovorin is used to counteract the side effects of various prescription drugs, including chemotherapy and other high-dose medications that can negatively impact the immune system. It works by boosting folate levels, a form of vitamin B that’s critical to the body’s production of healthy red blood cells.
Women already are told to take folic acid before conception and during pregnancy because it reduces the chances of certain birth defects known as neural tube defects.
In recent years a handful of studies have suggested positive results when high-dose folic acid is used to treat children with autism, with researchers in China and other countries reporting improvements in social skills and other metrics. Those small studies have been quickly embraced by some parts of the autism community online.
The theory is that some, not all, children with autism may not properly metabolize folate, Mandell said. But the recent studies “are really tiny,” he said. To prove an effect, “we would need an independent, large, rigorously controlled randomized trial.”
During the press conference, Trump said he’s a believer in vaccines but claimed without evidence that giving vaccinations close together at the recommended ages has a link to autism. Spacing out shots as he suggests can lead to an increased risk that children become infected with a vaccine-preventable disease before returning for another visit.
Though anti-vaccine activists, including Kennedy, have long suggested a link between vaccines and autism, widespread scientific consensus and decades of studies have firmly concluded there isn’t one.
Autism is not a disease but a complex developmental condition that affects different people in different ways. It can include delays in language, learning or social and emotional skills. For some people, profound autism means being nonverbal and having intellectual disabilities, but the vast majority of people with autism experience far milder effects.
The disorder affects 1 in 31 U.S. children today, a sharp rise from just a few years ago, according to the CDC. Experts say the increase is mainly due to a new definition for the disorder that now includes mild cases on a “spectrum” and better diagnoses. They say there is no single cause to the disorder and say the rhetoric appears to ignore and undermine decades of science into the genetic and environmental factors that can play a role.
The announcement is the latest step the administration, driven by Kennedy and his supporters, has taken to reshape America’s public health landscape.
Beyond cutbacks at federal health agencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been roiled by disagreements over Kennedy’s vaccine policies. An influential immunization panel stocked by Kennedy with figures who have been critical of vaccines last week changed shot guidance for COVID-19 and other diseases. (JapanToday)
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