Schools, libraries, and parks were closed on Monday in Valencia in eastern Spain after heavy rains prompted a red alert and fears of a repeat of deadly floods that hit the area last year.
Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, warned of a “very complicated situation” in the Mediterranean region.
The overnight downpours caused localised flooding and a ravine to overflow in Aldaia, one of the towns hardest hit by October 2024’s floods that killed more than 230 people. No injuries have been reported.
AEMET warned of “extraordinary danger” in the provinces of Valencia and Castellón, as well as the province of Tarragona in the neighbouring region of Catalonia.
Schools and universities will stay closed in the city of Valencia on Monday, as well as public spaces including libraries, parks, gardens, markets, and cemeteries, local officials said.
Last year’s disaster sparked public anger over warning systems and emergency response, fuelling tensions between Spain’s left-leaning central government and conservative regional authorities.
Residents continue to protest, accusing officials of failing to provide timely alerts.
Because a warmer atmosphere holds more water, climate change increases the risk and intensity of flooding from extreme rainfall.
Nepal has imposed travel bans on ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli and four former senior officials as part of an investigation into deadly unrest earlier this month, the interior minister said Monday.
Youth-led protests that began on September 8 over a brief social media ban, economic hardship and corruption quickly morphed into nationwide fury after a deadly crackdown.
Two days of violence left at least 73 people dead, the parliament and government offices were burned down, and forced the government’s collapse.
In addition to Oli, travel bans have been placed on former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, former head of the National Investigation Department security agency, Hutaraj Thapa, and two other senior bureaucrats.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who is leading the Himalayan nation until elections in March 2026, set up a commission to probe the violence.
The restrictions were recommended Sunday by the commission.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal told AFP on Monday that the ban is “already in effect.”
Commission member Bigyan Raj Sharma said in a statement on Sunday that the five men must obtain permission to even leave the Kathmandu Valley as they “may need to appear for investigation at any time”.
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) estimates the private sector, including automobile, hotel and retail industries, endured losses worth $600 million.
Former prime minister Oli has blamed “infiltrators” for inciting bloodshed and alleges rifles used in the protests came from another source.
Ukraine said Sunday that Russia pounded the country with “hundreds” of drones and missiles overnight, wounding at least 10 people, as neighbouring Poland scrambled jets to secure its airspace.
The attacks came after Russia warned NATO against taking sterner action in response to alleged incursions into airspace covered by the military alliance.
They also followed the revelation by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv had received a US-made Patriot air defence system from Israel for use against Russian assaults.
“Russia launched another massive air attack on Ukrainian cities while people were sleeping,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on X.
“Again, hundreds of drones and missiles, destroying residential buildings and causing civilian casualties,” he said.
He posted footage of flames bursting from the windows of a multi-storey apartment block, which Sybiga said was as a result of the attack.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that the Ukrainian capital was under a “massive” assault and urged people to stay in shelters.
He said at least six people had been wounded “as a result of the enemy’s attack”, five of whom were treated in hospital and one at the scene.
The governor of the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region said Russian strikes there had wounded at least four people.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, accused Moscow of waging a “war against civilians”.
“There will be a response to these actions. But the West’s economic blows against Russia must also be stronger,” Yermak said.
Poland’s armed forces said on X that they had scrambled fighter jets in its airspace and put ground-based air defence systems on high alert in response to the Russian strikes in Ukraine.
The moves were preventive and aimed at securing Polish airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas close to Ukraine, the forces said.
– ‘They will regret it’ –
In recent weeks, several European countries have accused Russia of violating their airspace with drones and fighter jets, in what NATO has viewed as a test of its resolve.
Russia has denied that it is responsible for the incursions or that it plans to attack any NATO nation.
Speaking during an address at the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response”.
Speaking later to reporters, Lavrov said that if any country downs objects still within Russian airspace, “they will very much regret it”.
After returning from his own trip to New York, where he also addressed the UN, Zelensky told reporters that “the Israeli (Patriot) system is operating in Ukraine”, adding that Kyiv would receive two more this autumn.
While initially neutral in the conflict, Israel’s ties with Moscow have cooled as Russia has drifted closer to Iran and condemned Israel’s war in Gaza.
Kyiv and Moscow also said on Saturday that the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — Europe’s largest — had been off the grid for four days, stoking fears of a potential nuclear incident.
The International Paralympic Committee on Saturday decided to lift a partial suspension of Russia and Belarus imposed since Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This decision, taken at the IPC’s general assembly meeting in Seoul, opens the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games next year.
However, competition in the six sports on the programme is governed by international federations that have so far maintained a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
To be eligible, each athlete must have an active licence for the 2025/26 season from their international federations for para Alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing, para snowboarding, para biathlon, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling, which have currently suspended both countries.
The partial suspension was adopted by the IPC General Assembly in 2023, authorising Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games under a neutral flag and strict neutrality conditions.
The IPC had excluded the Russian and Belarusian Paralympic Committees from the Beijing 2022 Games.
The IPC’s latest decision comes eight days after the International Olympic Committee authorised the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games under a neutral flag and strict neutrality conditions.
Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing Celebrates the Coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland
The Aare Apesinola of Ibadanland and Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, KOF, has felicitated with His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, FNSE, on the historic occasion of his coronation as the 44th custodian of the revered throne of Ibadanland.
In his congratulatory message, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing described the coronation as “a sacred fulfillment of divine destiny and a powerful confirmation of the timeless heritage of Ibadanland.” He noted that the Olubadan stool is a living symbol of authority and the embodiment of the Ibadan people’s indomitable spirit, collective wisdom, and resilience through the centuries.
“This enthronement is evidence of Your Imperial Majesty’s decades of service, sterling integrity, and selfless leadership. Today, Ibadan has been blessed with a king, a father to all, a custodian of tradition, and a paragon of truth, justice, and peace. Your emergence at this pivotal time assures us that Ibadan’s future is anchored on wisdom, prosperity, and unity,” he declared.
He further emphasized that the new reign marks a new dawn of hope and progress, not only for Ibadanland but also for Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. He pledged his loyalty and support to His Imperial Majesty, expressing confidence that under his guidance, Ibadan will continue to flourish as a cultural, political, and economic force.
He prayed for divine strength, sound health, and a long, peaceful reign for the monarch. He also urged all sons and daughters of Ibadanland to rally behind their king in unity of purpose.
“Kabiyesi o! Long may you reign in peace, honor, and greatness. May your throne continue to be a fountain of wisdom and a pillar of unity for generations to come,” he concluded.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has lauded the donation of a newly built canine facility by the German government, stating that it will strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
The Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), stated this on Friday at the commissioning of the modern canine complex in Lagos.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the German government’s intervention demonstrates the importance it attaches to supporting Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
Marwa assured stakeholders that the provision of the facility would significantly boost the Agency’s capacity to fulfil its core mandate.
“The quality of the infrastructure at the new NDLEA dog facility is commendable. It speaks volumes of the commitment, goodwill and tenacity of our partners,” he said.
He commended the German government for its support over the years, noting that the Canine Unit had played a critical role in several successful operations, including the seizure of 74.119kg of captagon at Apapa Port in 2021.
While acknowledging the progress made, Marwa stressed that more work is required to sustain the current level of operational excellence.
“This newly commissioned facility will, without doubt, provide a comfortable and dignified environment that will motivate our Canine Unit personnel to discharge their duties effectively,” he said.
Marwa highlighted that NDLEA’s sniffer dogs have been instrumental in the seizure of more than 17.9 metric tonnes of illicit substances since their deployment, but that poor infrastructure had previously limited the Unit’s capacity.
He noted that the construction of the new complex, sponsored by the German Federal Criminal Police through its Liaison Office, commenced in August 2024 and was delivered on schedule.
The NDLEA boss expressed gratitude to German Consul General Daniel Krull, and officials of the German Federal Criminal Police for their role in the project.
In his remarks, Krull said NDLEA’s success benefits not only Nigeria but also Germany and the wider region.
“The amazing work of your Agency under your leadership is important for Nigeria, for the region, and for Germany. I encourage all members of NDLEA to keep up the good spirit,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Florian Bulow, Deputy Head of Section IZ14, BKA Berlin, described the collaboration with NDLEA as one of the longest-running projects in police capacity building.
“Like in a marriage, cooperation needs trust. We share the same goals and values in the fight against drug smuggling and abuse, and our long-standing teamwork has yielded these achievements,” he added.
The NDLEA has intensified its anti-drug campaign under the leadership of Marwa, recording record seizures and high-profile arrests in recent years.
The Canine Unit, established to detect concealed narcotics, has become a critical component of its operations at airports, seaports, and land borders.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday congratulated the leader of the All Progressives Congress in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Adebisi Yusuf, on his birthday.
The President conveyed his congratulations through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“I join your family, friends, and the people of Lagos State to celebrate you today and always. You have proven your mettle as a people’s leader, mobiliser of consciences, lawmaker, financial expert, humanitarian, and, more importantly, reliable political ally.
“As the leader, you have steadied the turf, rallying members and resources for our administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This agenda aims to spread prosperity and transform the lives of Nigerians at the critical stratum of society—the grassroots.
“Owing to your pedigree of excellence and dedicated stewardship, you served as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Alimosho Constituency 1, for 12 years—from 2011 to 2023. You also served as Chairman of Ipaja/Ayobo Local Council Development Area,” Tinubu said.
The statement also added that in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Yusuf chaired several committees, including public accounts (local) and commerce, where your impact was immensely felt.
“Through the Prince Hope Turns to Reality Foundation, a non-profit organisation you founded, you have made a difference in the lives of many, providing healthcare and empowerment to vulnerable individuals and communities in Alimosho, Lagos.
“On this special day, I wish you many years of good health, wisdom, and strength as you continue to provide leadership and guidance in your community and beyond,” the statement read.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has cancelled its ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative, citing “misunderstandings and confusion” over the programme.
JICA announced the withdrawal in a statement on its website on Thursday, weeks after reports claimed Japan would create a special visa category for Nigerians who wished to relocate to Kisarazu, a city designated as “hometown” to Nigerians and other Africans under the scheme.
On August 26, the Japanese government denied the visa plan after the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, issued a statement relaying that Japan would introduce a “special visa category” for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.
Clarifying its position, JICA said the use of the term “hometown” and the idea of “designating” Japanese municipalities as such led to “misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities.”
The statement read, “Originally, under this initiative, it was envisioned that exchange programs would be coordinated and implemented among the Japanese local governments, relevant African countries, and JICA. The specific details were to be determined later.
“However, JICA believes that the very nature of this initiative—namely, the term “hometown” and the fact that JICA would ‘designate’ Japanese local Governments as “hometowns”—led to misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities. JICA sincerely apologizes to the municipalities involved for causing such situation.
“JICA takes this situation seriously. After consulting with all parties involved, JICA has decided to withdraw the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative.”
The initiative was launched in August during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development with the goal of promoting exchanges between four Japanese municipalities and four African countries through cultural and educational programmes.
JICA, however, stressed that it had never undertaken initiatives to promote immigration and has “no plans to do so in the future,” adding that it would continue supporting other forms of international exchange.
In August, confusion arose after the State House announced that Japan had designated Kisarazu city as the “hometown” for Nigerians and would introduce a special visa category for young, skilled Nigerians wishing to live and work there.
However, the Japanese government quickly dismissed the claim.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan clarified that while the JICA Africa Hometown initiative aimed to promote cultural and developmental exchanges between selected African countries and four Japanese cities, it did not involve immigration benefits or special visas.
The clarification came after Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu’s Mayor, Yoshikuni Watanabe, publicly received a certificate naming the city the “hometown” of Nigerians, further fuelling reports of migration opportunities.
A sighting of a suspected drone briefly shuttered a Danish airport on Friday for the second time in a few hours, after the country’s prime minister said the flights were part of “hybrid attacks” that may be linked to Russia.
Drones have been seen flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, causing one of them to close for hours, after a sighting earlier this week prompted Copenhagen airport to shut down.
That followed a similar incident in Norway, drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a video message on social media on Thursday — referring to a form of unconventional warfare.
She warned that such drone flights “could multiply”.
Investigators said they had so far failed to identify those responsible, but Frederiksen stressed: “There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia.”
Moscow said Thursday it “firmly rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in the Danish incidents. Its embassy in Copenhagen called them “a staged provocation”, in a post on social media.
Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier said the aim of the attack was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us”.
He added that Copenhagen would acquire new enhanced capabilities to “detect” and “neutralise drones”.
Denmark will on Friday join other EU countries, mostly along the eastern border with Russia, in the first talks on proposals to build a “wall” of anti-drone defences in the face of the tensions with Moscow.
– Russia sabotage warning –
Drones were spotted on Wednesday and early Thursday at airports in Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg and at the Skrydstrup air base before leaving on their own, police said.
Aalborg airport, located in northern Denmark, was initially shut down for several hours, and closed again for about an hour from late Thursday into early Friday morning due to another suspected sighting.
“It was not possible to take down the drones, which flew over a very large area over a couple of hours,” North Jutland chief police inspector Jesper Bojgaard Madsen said about the initial Aalborg incident.
The head of Denmark’s military intelligence, Thomas Ahrenkiel, told a news conference the service had not been able to identify who was behind the drones.
But intelligence chief Finn Borch said: “The risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high.”
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a news conference the flights appeared to be “the work of a professional actor… such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time”.
He said it had posed “no direct military threat” to Denmark.
Frederiksen said Thursday that she had spoken with NATO chief Mark Rutte about the incidents.
Lund Poulsen said the government had yet to decide whether to invoke NATO’s Article 4, under which any member state can call urgent talks when it feels its “territorial integrity, political independence or security” are at risk.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his country stood ready “to contribute to the security of Danish airspace”.
Copenhagen is set to host a summit of European Union leaders next week.
– ‘Feel rather insecure’ –
Police said investigations were under way with the Danish intelligence service and the armed forces.
The drone activity shook some in Denmark, including 85-year-old Birgit Larsen.
“I feel rather insecure. I live in a country where there has been peace since 1945. I am not really used to thinking about war,” she told AFP in central Copenhagen.
Others were less concerned.
“It’s probably Russia, you know, testing the borders of Europe. They fly close to the borders and stuff and try to provoke, but not threaten,” said 48-year-old Torsten Froling.
The drone flights came after Denmark announced it would acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time, as Russia would pose a threat “for years to come”.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has disclosed that Nigeria went over a decade without attracting any new investments in the oil sector until the advent of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the minister, the stagnation crippled growth and weakened confidence in the industry, but recent reforms are beginning to restore investor interest.
The minister made this known in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Thursday, following his keynote address at the United States–Nigeria Council’s session on oil sector collaboration, held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“At the heart of Nigeria’s renewed energy agenda is a clear and deliberate policy direction: to open our oil sector to deeper, smarter, and more strategic partnerships. The time to invest is not just now, it is ripe.
“Recall that for over ten years, prior to the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria did not have any new investment in the oil sector, but with the reforms we have carried out, which have created an atmosphere that is globally competitive and attractive, we now have new investments running into billions of dollars”, the minister stated.
“All inactive blocks during the period of no investments are in the basket now and up for grabs. We have a longstanding relationship with the US and US companies; beyond these relationships, there are new opportunities for new investors, both in the upstream sector and other sectors.”
The minister noted that, under the leadership of Tinubu, Nigeria’s oil sector has witnessed significant progress over the past two years, including increased production output and a more attractive investment climate.
He urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s rapidly transforming oil industry, citing ongoing reforms, enhanced production capacity, and the country’s growing regional influence as key drivers of growth.
“Thanks to bold reforms and globally competitive fiscals, Nigeria has significantly ramped up production and repositioned itself as a dependable energy hub across West Africa and the continent,” he said.
]Lokpobiri attributed this transformation to the successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, which he described as a “robust, investor-friendly legal framework” that is driving growth and restoring investor confidence.
He also emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to energy transition efforts, affirming that the country would continue to leverage its fossil fuel reserves to finance its energy mix, while adhering to international climate agreements.
“We are fully aligned with the Paris Agreement, and remain committed to cleaner, more sustainable exploration,” he said.
“Our doors are open, our laws are clear, and our environment is conducive; now is the time for U.S. and global investors to become part of Nigeria’s energy success story.”
The current administration has repeatedly assured international partners that Nigeria remains committed to energy transition goals, but argues that oil and gas revenues will play a crucial role in financing renewable energy expansion.
Recent policy shifts, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, efforts to deregulate the downstream sector, and renewed emphasis on gas monetisation, have also been positioned as signs of Nigeria’s seriousness in reforming its energy industry.
These reforms are part of the government’s efforts to attract $30bn in sectoral investments by 2027 and at least $60bn by 2030.
