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Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arrived in Amman for high-level talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, just days after an Israeli airstrike on Doha killed six people. The visit marks the emir’s first trip abroad since the September 9 attack, which targeted alleged Hamas leaders in a residential district of the Qatari capital. Sheikh Tamim was received by King Abdullah, Crown Prince Hussein, and senior Jordanian officials upon landing in Jordan’s capital on Wednesday. The visit follows an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha earlier this week, where leaders condemned the Israeli strike and pledged to strengthen regional defense cooperation. At the summit, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) committed to activating a joint defense mechanism — a move widely seen as a response to growing regional tensions following the strike. Reporting from Amman, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid described the emir’s trip as “an important bilateral visit,” particularly in light of the attack and ongoing U.S. efforts to stabilize relations with Qatar. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Sheikh Tamim in Doha on Tuesday. Beyond the strike on Doha, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza is also expected to dominate the emir’s discussions with King Abdullah. Jordan, a key player in facilitating humanitarian aid to Palestinians, has maintained a critical stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. “The symbolism is strong,” Bin Javaid noted. “Qatar wants to demonstrate its support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to regional diplomacy.” Military cooperation and regional coordination ahead of next week’s United Nations General Assembly meetings are expected to be central to the discussions between the two leaders.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Bamidele Akingboye, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2024 Ondo State election. The dismissal followed a formal request by Akingboye’s legal team to withdraw the appeal due to his recent passing. Counsel for the respondents raised no objection to the withdrawal. A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Iyang Okoro, consequently struck out the case. In a similar ruling, the court also dismissed an appeal filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its governorship candidate, following a withdrawal by their counsel.

In a shocking development today, September 16, 2025, a major fire outbreak has been reported at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch located on Lagos Island, Nigeria. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media paint a chaotic scene, with flames rapidly spreading through the building, trapping people inside and prompting desperate escape attempts. Emergency services are reportedly on the ground, but concerns have been raised about the response time in one of Lagos’ busiest commercial districts. The Incident Unfolds. According to multiple reports from the scene, the fire started earlier this afternoon, quickly escalating and engulfing parts of the UBA House. Videos shared online show thick smoke billowing from the structure, with flames visible on upper floors. In one particularly harrowing clip, bank staff can be seen jumping from a storey building to escape the inferno, highlighting the urgency and danger faced by those inside. Eyewitnesses have noted that several individuals may still be trapped, adding to the panic in the surrounding area. The Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), have been mobilized to combat the blaze and conduct rescue operations. One report mentions that at least one person has been rescued so far, but the full extent of casualties or injuries remains unclear as the situation develops. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, with no official statements from UBA or authorities at the time of writing. Public Reaction and Criticism Social media has been flooded with videos and updates from bystanders, expressing shock and frustration. Many have criticized the apparent delay in the arrival of fire services, questioning the preparedness of Nigeria’s emergency systems in a major urban center like Lagos. Comments range from calls for immediate action from government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to broader laments about infrastructure and safety standards in the country. One user described the scene as a “tragic” example of systemic incompetence, emphasizing the risks to human lives and billions in potential financial losses. Lagos Island, known for its dense markets and commercial hubs, has seen similar incidents in the past, often exacerbated by traffic congestion and limited access for emergency vehicles. This event underscores ongoing challenges in urban safety and disaster response. What We Know So Far UBA Bank has not issued an official statement as of now, but customers and the public are advised to avoid the area and monitor official channels for updates. Our thoughts are with those affected by this distressing event. We will continue to follow the story and provide updates as more details emerge.