NIGERIAN
Airtel Africa Q2 profit rises 16% to $254 million
Airtel Africa has revealed a remarkable 15.9% jump in its quarterly net profit, reaching $254 million, fueled by robust revenue growth. The total revenue escalated to $1.97 billion, showcasing a 25.7% rise in reported currency. Operating profit surged by 28.5% to $659 million, while customer numbers soared by 11.6%, pointing to the growing demand for data and mobile money services. The company achieved a record underlying Ebitda margin of 50.
'Ebola is like Covid pandemic': African CDC chief says no country in the world is safe now
In light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, Dr. Jean Kaseya from the Africa CDC underscores the urgent need for global readiness. With over 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 fatalities reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the situation is grave. Neighboring nations such as Uganda and Kenya are also facing linked cases, and the absence of effective vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus presents significant challenges for containment.
UK student visa refusals for Indian applicants rise to 8%, complicating international recruitment for universities
The refusal rate for student visas in the UK for Indian applicants has surged to eight percent, sparking worry among universities that heavily depend on international students from higher-risk backgrounds. Many institutions are now reevaluating their recruitment strategies variously as they face application backlogs resulting in increased refusals. While some universities have halted recruitment from certain nations, others are reshaping their approaches to continue attracting foreign students.
Farmer finds door of private jet that fell off within 3 minutes of takeoff from Nigeria’s capital, 3000 feet in the air
A private plane operated by Triton Aviation experienced an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Abuja. The incident occurred when a door fell off the aircraft, requiring immediate return to the airport. Quick responses from the crew ensured safe landing, and emergency crews were ready on arrival. The missing door was later discovered in nearby farmland by a local farmer.
UK study visa refusals impact university offers for foreign students: Report
British universities are changing their approach to international admissions following new regulations from the UK Home Office. With the visa rejection threshold lowered from 10% to 5%, schools are proactively rescinding offers, especially for candidates from countries such as Pakistan and Nigeria where rejections are rising sharply. This shift signifies a trend towards prioritizing applicants from regions with a history of lower refusal rates to mitigate compliance issues.
Who is Geoff Ogunlesi? Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife Jennifer Meyer marries billionaire heir in Hawaii, with actor officiating the wedding
Jennifer Meyer tied the knot with Geoffrey Ogunlesi in a beautiful ceremony in Hawaii on October 10, with her ex-husband Tobey Maguire officiating the event. The couple, who have been romantically involved since 2023 and share a daughter, celebrated their nuptials surrounded by an array of celebrity guests. Read on!

No Fitch, Moody's or S&P, please: The Big 3 face a new challenge
The African Union established the Africa Credit Rating Agency to provide better assessments for African economies. This initiative aims to address global rating agencies' perceived biases and shortcomings. Credit ratings for African nations currently suffer from a significant information gap compared to other regions. The new agency could enhance local capital markets by focusing on domestic debt markets and investments.

India holds soybean cargoes over doubts about Niger origin, sources say
Indian customs authorities have held about 1,500 tonnes of soybean cargoes at JNPT after importers failed to provide documents proving the shipments originated in Niger and qualified for duty-free entry. The scrutiny follows a sharp surge in soybean imports declared as coming from Niger and concerns that Nigerian beans may have been mis-declared to avoid import duties.

Motivational quote of the day: 'Until the lions have their own historians, history will always glorify the hunter' - A timeless teaching on how history of world is shaped by the Nigerian novelist-poet Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe’s famous quote, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter,” offers a powerful message about perspective and who gets to tell history. The traditional African proverb, popularised by Achebe, reflected his belief that African stories should not be shaped only by colonial and European accounts.

Sunidhi Chauhan lives in Mumbai home featuring warm wooden interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, red-brick accent wall, soft lighting, cosy dining space and a separate creative room where she practises choreography and works on new music
Sunidhi Chauhan home tour: The singer lives in a warm apartment in Mumbai. Her home features wooden accents and ample natural light, creating a cozy atmosphere. A separate creative space in the building allows her to practice choreography and brainstorm music. Personal achievements are displayed throughout her home, showcasing her successful career in music. Lighting plays a key role in enhancing the overall ambience of her living space.

School Assembly News Headlines, October 7, 2026: Check national, international, business, sports updates and thought of the day
School assemblies are set to provide essential updates on both national and international matters significant to students. Highlights include India's Vice President pushing for a broader sharing of ancient wisdom. In sports, Jannik Sinner's unfortunate knee issues will sideline him for the remainder of the year. Additionally, Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the head coach for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2027.

Nigeria air force lowers plane crash toll to 25, civilians among victims
The Nigerian Air Force reported that its plane crash had 25 fatalities, with no survivors found. This incident occurred during a routine mission from Benin city to Lagos and affected several civilian family members. President Bola Tinubu declared a three-day mourning period for the victims. Investigations have been ordered by military officials into the tragic event. It marks one of Nigeria's deadliest air disasters in recent history.

Nigeria military aircraft crashes with 32 people on board; search and rescue operation underway
On Monday, a Nigerian military aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo state during a routine mission. The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42, was traveling from Edo state to Lagos when it disappeared from radar. Authorities initiated a search and rescue operation shortly after the crash was detected. As of now, there are no confirmed reports regarding casualties from this incident.

Meet Chinyere Ukeje, the 25-year-old Philadelphia computer scientist who won $300,000 NASA prize for Mars food system
Chinyere Ukeje, an innovative computer scientist hailing from Philadelphia, has emerged victorious in NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge with her groundbreaking idea of Adaptive Nourishment Infrastructure. This pioneering concept is designed to assist in food production for astronauts on Mars, establishing a modular ecosystem that meets half of the necessary nutritional requirements for extended missions. By prioritizing familiar meals, Ukeje seeks to mitigate psychological challenges faced during long space journeys.

Engineers India lands $450-million Dangote deal for mega Kenya refinery
The contract underscores India's growing role as an engineering and technical-services exporter to Africa's energy sector, deepening commercial ties between New Delhi and one of the continent's most influential industrial groups. For Dangote, the plant is intended to cut East Africa's reliance on imported refined fuel, bolster regional energy security, and create additional volumes for export to global markets.

At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say
At least 48people have died in southern Nigeria after consuming a local alcoholic drink. Around one hundred others are receiving medical treatment for suspected methanol poisoning. Officials reported the incident occurred in Odigbo and Irele local government areas. Police have arrested fifteen individuals in connection with the deadly concoction. Investigations are ongoing into the production of the unsafe drink.

Africa's richest man's first business was selling sweets at school, now Aliko Dangote is wealthier than China's Jack Ma and Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott
Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, saw his net worth significantly increase after the Dangote Refinery IPO. The massive oil facility is now available to investors on the Nigerian Exchange. This offering aims to raise approximately 2.15 trillion Naira for the refinery. The refinery's equity is valued at around 63 trillion Naira, or $47.6 billion. Future plans include expanding production capacity to 1.4 million barrels daily by 2029.

India-Africa partnership holds immense potential for sustainable, industrial growth: Naveen Jindal
At the BRICS Summit, Naveen Jindal, a prominent industrialist, met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Their talks emphasized the importance of fostering economic ties and strategic investments, laying the groundwork for potential sustainable growth and industrial progress. With a goal of reaching USD 200 billion in India-Africa trade by 2030, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held discussions with other world leaders during the summit.

EAM Jaishankar meets Nigeria, Cuba, Belarus counterparts on BRICS sidelines
India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, focusing on cooperation and sustainability. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Nigerian and Cuban foreign ministers. Discussions covered economic ties and South-South cooperation between nations. He also reviewed bilateral relations with Belarus, including trade and investments. Leaders will deliberate on shared priorities and international matters during the summit.
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