Erdogan Calls on US and Allies to Pressure Israel Over Gaza Ceasefire Violations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the United States and other nations to take stronger action to ensure Israel abides by the Gaza ceasefire agreement. He suggested that measures such as sanctions or suspending arms sales should be considered to compel Israel to stop its violations. Speaking to reporters on board a return flight from Oman, Erdogan emphasized that Hamas was adhering to the terms of the ceasefire. “Gaza is a test for the Islamic world. God willing, we will pass this test with flying colours and take our place alongside our brothers and sisters in the strongest possible way,” he said, according to an official readout. The Turkish leader reiterated that Türkiye remains prepared to assist in the implementation of the planned Gaza task force “in any way needed.” Ankara has consistently expressed support for international mechanisms aimed at maintaining stability and rebuilding Gaza following the devastation caused by the conflict. Reports in recent days suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected any involvement of Turkish personnel on the ground in Gaza. This stance underscores the deep mistrust that continues to define relations between the two countries. Since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza, relations between Türkiye and Israel—already strained—have deteriorated further. Erdogan has frequently accused Israel of committing atrocities and violating international law during its military operations. Turkish officials have also criticized what they describe as the international community’s “double standards” in holding Israel accountable. Ankara has repeatedly called on Western powers to match their statements with concrete actions to enforce compliance with ceasefire terms. Erdogan’s latest comments come amid fragile calm in Gaza, where sporadic Israeli operations and airstrikes have continued despite the ceasefire framework brokered by international mediators. Humanitarian agencies warn that violations risk reigniting a wider escalation. Türkiye has positioned itself as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, providing humanitarian assistance and calling for international unity in rebuilding Gaza. Erdogan’s appeal highlights Ankara’s ongoing effort to shape regional diplomacy and assert its influence in the post-conflict landscape.

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Palestinian Teen Killed in Israeli Raid on West Bank as Settlers Rampage

Published on October 24, 2025 A Palestinian teenager has died from wounds sustained during an Israeli military raid on the Askar refugee camp in Nablus, marking another deadly episode in the occupied West Bank as Israeli settler violence intensifies. Eighteen-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Abu Haneen succumbed to his injuries on Friday, according to the Wafa news agency, amid continuing Israeli operations and arrests across the territory. The Israeli army confirmed that 44 Palestinians were detained over the past week in operations carried out across several West Bank towns, including Hebron, Tubas, and Tal. Troops reportedly seized weapons and conducted interrogations, claiming the arrests targeted individuals “wanted by Israel.” The killing of Abu Haneen follows that of 10-year-old Mohammad al-Hallaq, who was shot dead by Israeli forces last week while playing football in Hebron. According to the United Nations, more than 1,000 Palestinians — including 213 children and 20 women — have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. At least seven victims were people with disabilities, the UN added. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, reports indicate that Israeli violence and settler aggression in the West Bank have intensified. The ceasefire led to the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, many showing signs of torture, while dozens of returned bodies have been found mutilated and bearing evidence of execution. Meanwhile, settlers — often operating with military protection — have launched near-daily attacks on Palestinian communities around Ramallah. Early Friday, settlers set fire to several vehicles in Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah, and assaulted farmers harvesting olives in Beit Iksa, northwest of Jerusalem. Witnesses described the assaults as coordinated and protected by Israeli soldiers. On Sunday, 53-year-old Afaf Abu Alia was brutally attacked by a group of settlers in Turmus Aya while picking olives, sustaining a brain haemorrhage. “The attack started with about 10 settlers, but more kept joining,” one witness told Al Jazeera. “By the end, there were at least 40 of them — all protected by the army.” Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) show that settlers have carried out nearly 3,000 attacks on Palestinians across the West Bank in the past two years, highlighting a surge in violence and lawlessness under military protection. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) also warned of “a sharp escalation in violence” since October 2023, denouncing Israel’s continued settlement expansion and de facto annexation of Palestinian lands as “a gross violation of international law.” Amid the mounting violence, the US has reiterated its opposition to Israel’s proposed annexation of the occupied West Bank. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that “Israel is not going to do anything with the West Bank,” dismissing a recent Israeli parliamentary vote to formalise annexation. Vice President JD Vance, currently visiting Israel, echoed the position, calling the move “a very stupid political stunt” and affirming that annexation “will not happen under this administration.”

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Ghana's Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76

Ghana’s Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76

Ghana is in mourning following the death of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings at the age of 76 after a brief illness. She was the widow of Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving leader, who passed away five years ago. Rawlings rose to power through two military coups and later served two terms as president under the country’s multiparty system. Presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed her passing, and her family formally informed President John Mahama later Thursday. Mahama, leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) founded by Rawlings, paid tribute to her during the swearing-in of new High Court justices. Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, Agyeman-Rawlings came from a middle-class background and attended Achimota School in Accra, where she met her future husband. She later studied art and textiles, while Rawlings joined the Air Force and became a flight lieutenant in 1978, a year after their marriage. By the time Rawlings assumed power in 1979 at age 32, Nana Konadu had become a key adviser and partner in one of Ghana’s most influential political duos. The couple had four children, including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, now an NDC member of parliament. Agyeman-Rawlings was a tireless advocate for women’s rights, playing a major role in shaping national policies. She helped pass the 1989 law guaranteeing inheritance rights for women and children and contributed to the gender equality provisions of Ghana’s 1992 constitution, which marked the start of multiparty democracy. Parliament adjourned in her honor, and tributes flooded social media celebrating her pioneering work. Richmond Rockson, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, called her “an exceptional First Lady whose visionary leadership and organizational skills left an indelible mark on Ghana’s history.” He added, “She stood firmly by Chairman Jerry John Rawlings during the revolution, displaying courage, loyalty, and resilience. Her commitment to women’s empowerment led to the creation of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she led as president.” Agyeman-Rawlings also pursued her own political career, contesting the NDC’s presidential ticket in 2012. Through the 31st December Women’s Movement, named after the date of her husband’s second coup, she focused on empowering women and advancing community development through education and entrepreneurship, leaving a lasting legacy in Ghanaian politics and society.

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53-Year-Old Mazi Alex Onu Wins SUG Presidency at Ignatius Ajuru University

Mazi Alex Onu, 53, has been elected president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt. A 400-level Political Science student, Onu won the election held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, defeating his rival to claim the top student leadership position. His election has sparked widespread discussion online. Supporters have praised his dedication, determination, and passion for education, calling him a role model for both younger and older students. Others, however, have questioned whether someone of his age should hold a student leadership role.

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Brazil’s President Lula to Seek Fourth Term in 2026

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced he will run for re-election next year, seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term. Speaking during a state visit to Indonesia on Thursday, President Lula said he remains energised despite his age. “I’m turning 80, but you can be sure I have the same energy I had when I was 30. And I’m going to run for a fourth term in Brazil,” Lula told reporters in a joint news conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. He then turned to Subianto to deliver a quip: “I’m telling you this because we’re still going to see each other many times.” Brazil’s constitution allows presidents to serve only two consecutive terms. Lula, who served two terms in 2003-2010, returned to office in 2023 after 13 years out of power and thus remains eligible to run again. The Brazilian leader is currently on a diplomatic trip across Asia. After his visit to Indonesia, Lula will head to Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. While in Malaysia, Lula is expected to meet on Sunday with United States President Donald Trump, their first in-person encounter following a conciliatory phone call earlier this month, Brazilian media has reported. The two leaders have clashed over the prosecution of former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — an ally of Trump — and international trade. Trump and Lula are expected to discuss the 50-percent trade tariff that Trump imposed on Brazil in August, in protest against the Bolsonaro prosecution. Lula had previously said his 2022 presidential bid would be his final campaign, both because of his age and because he believed the country needed political renewal. That election saw him narrowly defeat Bolsonaro in a run-off. But early in his current term — his third — Lula began hinting that he might run again. In February 2023, the president said he could seek re-election in 2026, adding that his decision would depend on the country’s political context and his health. A dominant figure on Brazil’s left, Lula is the country’s longest-serving president since its return to democracy 40 years ago. Some Brazilian politicians have expressed concern about Lula’s age and recent health issues. He underwent emergency surgery to treat a brain bleed late last year after a fall in the bathroom. Still, Lula frequently insists he remains healthy and energetic, often sharing workout videos on social media. Lula currently leads all polls for the 2026 election, though roughly half of voters say they disapprove of him. Trump’s tariffs reenergised the Brazilian leader and pushed his popularity up. His main political rival, Bolsonaro, has been barred from running for office and was sentenced in September to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. While no strong opposition candidate has yet emerged, analysts say a viable contender is likely to depend on Bolsonaro’s backing as he serves his sentence under house arrest.

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MRA Announces Call for Entries for Goodluck Jonathan FOI Awards 2026

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today announced the formal opening of its Call for Entries for the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards 2026, designed to recognize and celebrate journalistic excellence in promoting transparency and accountability through the effective use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.   Named in honour of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, who signed the FOI Act into Law on May 28, 2011, the first category of the awards will celebrate a journalist who has made the highest number of information requests under the Act, while the second category will honour a journalist who has made the most outstanding contributions in promoting the Act since its enactment by raising awareness among citizens, government officials and the media about it, including its provisions, how to use it, its benefits, and the rights it grants as well as advocating for its effective implementation.   In a statement announcing the opening of the call, MRA called on all eligible Nigerian journalists working across print, broadcast, online, and multimedia platforms to submit their entries for consideration in two distinct categories as follows:   Category 1: Most Active User of the FOI Act. This award will be given to a journalist who has made the highest verifiable number of information requests under the FOI Act between May 28, 2011, and December 31, 2025. This category aims to celebrate and encourage the active and consistent use of the Act as a tool for journalistic investigation as well as for promoting and ensuring transparency and good governance.   Category 2: Most Outstanding Promoter of the FOI Act. This award will recognize a journalist who has made the most outstanding contributions in promoting the FOI Act since its enactment in 2011. This includes raising public awareness about the Act, its provisions, how to use it, its benefits, and the rights it confers on individuals, as well as advocating for its effective implementation through news stories, feature articles, opinion pieces, or other media outputs.   Applicants must be journalists of Nigerian nationality, working in any print, broadcast, online, or multimedia outlet, and should not be under any legal constraint and must not have been adjudged by an appropriate regulatory or judicial body to be guilty of professional misconduct.   All interested journalists are required to complete an application form and attach relevant, verifiable documentation for their claims, which may include acknowledged copies of FOI requests or copies of published media outputs, depending on the category.   The deadline for all submissions is 23.59 (WAT) on January 31, 2026.   According to MRA, the winner in each category will receive a plaque, a certificate, and a prize. The Awards will be formally presented at a public ceremony to be held in Abuja on May 28, 2026, coinciding with an event to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Act.

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House of Representatives Advances Bill to Create Ijebu State

House of Representatives Advances Bill to Create Ijebu State

A bill seeking to establish a new state in Nigeria’s South-West zone passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday. Sponsored by Olufemi Ogunbanwo, representing Ijebu Ode/Ijebu Northeast/Odogbolu Federal Constituency in Ogun State, alongside three other lawmakers, the legislation proposes amending the 1999 constitution to carve out Ijebu State from Ogun State. The bill, part of a growing push to create new states in the country, was referred to the Committee on Constitutional Review by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for further examination.

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Tinubu Swears In Amupitan As INEC Chairman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the beginning of a new leadership era for Nigeria’s electoral body. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, one week after the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment on October 16, following a rigorous screening exercise. In his address, President Tinubu charged the new INEC Chairman to “protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and the entire electoral process” while building on the institutional strength and independence of the commission. Amupitan, who arrived at the State House in a white agbada and gold cap, was accompanied by presidential aides and several dignitaries. The professor of law’s nomination had earlier been endorsed by the National Council of State before Senate confirmation. The 58-year-old legal scholar succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended, becoming the sixth substantive head of INEC since its establishment. During his Senate screening, Amupitan outlined his plans to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s elections by strengthening the Electoral Act, harmonising election timelines, and improving transparency in result transmission. He told lawmakers: “We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored.” Addressing speculations linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria dismissed the claims, saying: “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties.” Following his swearing-in, Professor Amupitan is expected to assume duties immediately at the INEC headquarters in Abuja and begin the transition process at the commission.

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