Google has expanded its artificial intelligence-powered search features to include Yoruba and Hausa, two of the most widely spoken languages in Nigeria. The update integrates the languages into Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode, enabling both voice and text-based interactions for millions of speakers across the country.  Users can now ask questions, explore topics and receive summaries in either language. According to the company, the expansion forms part of a broader rollout covering 13 African languages, including Swahili, Amharic and isiZulu.  Google announced the languages were selected based on strong search activity and levels of digital engagement across the continent. READ ALSO : Scientists Develop Injectable ‘Mini Livers’ to Support Organ Failure The development follows the recent launch of Nano Banana 2 in Nigeria, a high-fidelity image generation model that allows creators to produce professional-quality visuals using simple text prompts. Google stressed that the en...

A Nigerian human rights lawyer, Ikechukwu Obasi, has threatened legal action against Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh over a viral video allegedly showing her conducting a deliverance session on a school child. In a statement released on Friday, Obasi described the incident as abusive and degrading, warning that the act could amount to a violation of the rights and dignity of the minor involved. According to the lawyer, the video circulating on social media appeared to show the actress carrying out a deliverance ritual in which the child was laid on bare ground while being pressed against the stony surface during the exercise. Obasi condemned the scene as a “ primitive , nasty and reckless display ,” arguing that the conduct resembled child exorcism and had no place in modern-day Nigeria. “ The sight of the display is even vicious to behold in the 21st century ,” he said. He added that it was troubling that a public figure who identifies as a born-again Christian could subject a child to ...

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has rejected allegations that Iran sponsors Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of a global network promoting terrorism, warning that such claims could inflame religious tensions in the country. In a statement issued on Saturday, MPAC criticised remarks attributed to Michael Freeman, which suggested Tehran was backing Islamic groups in Nigeria, describing the accusations as reckless and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s fragile social harmony. The statement, signed by the organisation’s Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, said comments of that nature could heighten suspicion among religious communities and undermine efforts to maintain peaceful coexistence in a multi-faith society. MPAC said it was particularly troubled that the allegations surfaced amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, cautioning against attempts to draw Nigeria’s religious groups into external conflicts. According to the organisation, linking Nigeria’s Shia Muslim ...

Twelve residents kidnapped in Ette community, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Garrison under Operation Eastern Sanity. The military disclosed the victims were freed during a swift security operation carried out on Friday following a distress call reporting that several community members had been abducted by suspected kidnappers. In a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s official X account on Saturday, the army said troops moved quickly to the area alongside police operatives, Forest Guards and members of the local Neighbourhood Watch. According to the statement, security personnel launched search and fighting patrols across locations believed to be used by the kidnappers. READ ALSO :  Tinubu Reacts as Air Strikes Kill 50 Boko Haram Fighters After Ngoshe Attack The army added that the suspects fled the area after encountering the troops. “ The kidnappers, overwhelmed by the superior combat readine...

Dubai International Airport was temporarily closed on Saturday morning after a suspected Iranian drone interception triggered a large explosion close to the complex, forcing passengers off planes and halting flights. Explosions were reported near the airport at about 8 am local time (4am GMT), with flames and thick smoke seen rising near the site.  Footage circulating online appeared to show a projectile heading toward the airport moments before a powerful blast. In the video, a man filming the sky can be heard shouting: “ It’s coming, it’s coming to the airport ,” before the explosion erupts and smoke billows into the air. Authorities in Dubai said there had been “ no incident ” at the airport itself but confirmed that air defences had successfully intercepted a drone and that no injuries had been reported. Passengers already seated on aircraft preparing to depart were ordered to disembark while terminals were evacuated.  Emergency alerts were also sent to mobile phones as a...

Over 64,000 residents of Pflugerville, just north of Austin, are facing a potential water crisis after a pipeline feeding Lake Pflugerville failed, sending the city’s primary water source to historic lows. Officials declared a water emergency on Wednesday, warning that the decline presents an “ imminent public water supply failure ” and immediately activated Stage 3 emergency restrictions, limiting all water use to indoor purposes only. “ This declaration gives us the tools and resources we need to respond quickly and protect our community’s water supply . “ Lake levels are at a critical point, and we must act now to ensure we can continue providing essential services. City staff is working around the clock to stabilise the situation, but conservation by our community is critical. Every drop counts ,” said Mayor Doug Weiss.  Lake Pflugerville, the city’s primary raw water source, draws from the Lower Colorado River and provides water to more than 64,000 customers.  READ ALSO ...

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent terrorist attack on Ngoshe community in Borno State, as the military confirmed that more than 50 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were killed in retaliatory air strikes. The strikes were carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai following a coordinated assault by insurgents on Nigerian Army artillery positions in Ngoshe, located in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) near the Cameroon border. According to security sources, the militants launched the attack at about 7:30 pm on 3 March, attempting to overrun the military position in the border community, roughly 12 kilometres south of Pulka. Troops reportedly responded by carrying out a tactical withdrawal under heavy fire to protect personnel and equipment while reinforcements were mobilised to defend Ngoshe and nearby communities. Air support was later deployed after ground forces provided real-time intelligence on the movement of the attackers...

US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “ unconditional surrender ,” dramatically escalating rhetoric a week into a conflict launched by the United States alongside Israel. Trump made the demand in a post on social media on Friday, hours after Iran’s president indicated that several countries had begun mediation efforts, one of the first signs of diplomacy aimed at ending the fighting. “ There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER !” the US president wrote.  He added that once a new and “ acceptable ” leader was selected in Iran, the United States and its allies would help rebuild the country’s economy. The statement raised questions that prospects for a swift diplomatic settlement may be slipping further away.  Financial markets reacted sharply, with European stocks falling soon after the post and Wall Street opening greatly lower. Earlier, Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview that he wanted the right to help select Iran’s next supreme leader f...

President Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate to Nigeria’s foreign missions, months after their nominations were confirmed by the Senate. Among the appointments, former presidential aide Reno Omokri has been posted to Mexico, while former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany. Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has been assigned to Qatar, while Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo South, will serve as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN). The presidency confirmed the postings in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.  Onanuga disclosed Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners immediately. Below is the full list of the envoys and their postings: Non-Career Ambassad...

Suspected gunmen opened fire on the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday as he arrived to register with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in his hometown of Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. Witnesses said bursts of gunfire rang out in parts of the community as the former minister’s convoy approached the venue of the registration exercise, sending residents and supporters who had gathered for the event scrambling for safety. Security operatives later moved into the area and restored calm, preventing further disruption to the gathering. Despite the incident, Amaechi proceeded with the registration and later addressed supporters in the community. The Rivers State Police Command had not issued an official response to the incident at the time of reporting. Speaking after the event, Amaechi condemned the attack but praised the swift response of security agencies, saying their intervention helped stabilise the situation. He said...

Jobs in the United States (US) fell unexpectedly last month, raising fresh doubts about the strength of the country’s labour market. Although economists had widely expected hiring to remain broadly stable, official figures released by the US Labor Department showed payrolls declined by 92,000, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.4 per cent.  It represents the sharpest monthly fall in employment since October, when a federal government shutdown disrupted economic activity. The figures also come amid wider economic uncertainty, with analysts warning that rising oil prices linked to tensions surrounding the US-Israel war involving Iran could weigh on global growth. Job losses were recorded across nearly every sector, including healthcare, typically one of the most resilient sources of employment, posted declines after strikes disrupted services during the month. Federal government employment also continued to shrink, with the Labor Department reporting that the sector lost a fur...

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will mobilise an additional 50,000 graduates in 2026, following approval from President Bola Tinubu. NYSC's Director-General, Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu made the announcement on Friday during the commissioning of a remodelled clinic at the scheme's headquarters to mark his first year in office. Nafiu explained that the move was intended to ease delays in mobilisation and expand opportunities for prospective corps members. “ Government listens and acts when people bring up issues that are in their name. In response to long waits for mobilisation, Mr President approved an additional 50,000 corps members in the 2026 budget ,” he said. With the new addition, the NYSC plans to mobilise 418,000 corps members next year, reflecting the scheme’s growth since 1973.  Nafiu stressed that while only some graduates are eligible each year, mobilisation has increased alongside the expansion of tertiary institutions nationwide. READ ALSO : Kidnapped NYSC Mem...

The Imo State Government has completed the reconstruction of the 33.1-kilometre Owerri–Onitsha Road, a key transport corridor linking several communities and serving as a major gateway into the state. Governor Hope Uzodimma said on Friday that the project forms part of the administration’s wider effort to upgrade road infrastructure across Imo to improve mobility, stimulate commerce and strengthen economic activity. According to the governor, the newly rebuilt highway was designed to withstand heavy traffic and provide smoother, safer and faster travel for commuters and businesses moving goods within and beyond the state. The road passes through five local government areas, Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Mbaitoli, Oru East and Oru West, connecting urban and rural communities along the route. READ ALSO : Tinubu Approves Six Major Road Projects, New Carter Bridge Design Uzodimma stated the reconstruction also addressed a previously deteriorated section at the Mgbidi–Oguta intersection, w...

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed injectable “ mini livers ” designed to support failing organs, offering a potential new treatment for patients with severe liver disease. Researchers say the technology could eventually help thousands of people awaiting liver transplants by providing temporary or long-term support without the need for major surgery. The team, led by biomedical engineer Sangeeta Bhatia, described the engineered tissues as “ satellite livers ” capable of performing key biological functions normally handled by the organ. “ If we could deliver these cells into the body while leaving the sick organ in place, that would provide booster function ,” Bhatia said in a statement. In experiments conducted on mice, the miniature grafts produced several enzymes and proteins typically generated by the liver and remained functional in the body for at least eight weeks. The liver, the body’s largest internal organ, carries out around 500 essen...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the diplomatic postings of 65 Nigerian ambassadors to various countries and international missions, including the United Nations (UN). The appointments cover 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career envoys, whose nominations were confirmed by the Senate in December 2025. In a statement issued on Friday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the ambassadors-designate had now been assigned to their respective missions abroad following the president’s approval. READ ALSO :  Nigeria Denies Plans for US Military Base Among the non-career ambassadors given postings are former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who will serve in Mexico, and former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, posted to Germany. Others include former presidential adviser Ita Enang, assigned to South Africa, and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, who will represent Nigeria in Qatar. The statement revealed that the appointments ...