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BW Rockers, Ikot Ebido oku, Uyo (2026)

06/09/2026

OBA OF BENIN SUSPENDS ROYAL PRAISE SINGERS INDEFINITELY OVER ALLEGED BREACH OF PALACE RULES

The Oba of Benin, His Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has indefinitely suspended the Isikhuan, the palace royal praise singers, over an alleged breach of palace rules and Benin tradition.

The suspension was announced on Saturday by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, in a statement issued from the Oba’s Palace.

According to the palace, the Isikhuan were suspended following investigations into conduct said to be contrary to the customs and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

The statement did not give full details of the alleged breach, but palace sources said it relates to unauthorized public performances and comments made by some members of the group that were deemed disrespectful to the throne.

“The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has approved the indefinite suspension of the Isikhuan for acts of indiscipline and violation of palace protocol,” the statement read.

The Oba directed that the affected praise singers should stay away from all palace functions, ceremonies, and events with immediate effect pending further directives.

The Isikhuan are a hereditary group of royal praise singers charged with chanting the history, genealogies, and praises of the Oba and the Benin monarchy during major palace ceremonies, festivals, and rites.

They are regarded as custodians of oral history and play a central role in events such as Igue, Ugie, and the coronation anniversary of the Oba. Their chants are considered sacred and must conform strictly to palace guidelines.

Palace chiefs noted that members of the Isikhuan are expected to undergo training and clearance before performing in public or representing the palace.

The Benin Traditional Council said the suspension was necessary to preserve the sanctity of the throne and uphold standards that have guided the kingdom for centuries.

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06/09/2026

GREEN PARTY DEPUTY LEADER LINKED TO BUY-TO-LET PROPERTIES DESPITE PARTY’S ‘ABOLISH LANDLORDS’ POLICY

Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali is linked to two rental properties in Leeds, despite his party’s newly adopted policy to “effectively abolish” private landlords.

The revelation, first reported by The Sunday Times and confirmed by BBC News on September 6, 2026, has raised questions about the party’s stance on housing as it campaigns on renters’ rights.

Ali, 44, a Leeds city councillor for Gipton and Harehills, is the sole director of MA Holdings Ltd, a company incorporated in December 2021. Companies House lists him as the person with significant control, owning more than 75% of shares.

Through that company, Ali owns two buy-to-let properties in Leeds:
- June 2022: A three-bed former council house bought for £165,000
- March 2025: A second property bought for £157,000

Both properties are believed to be occupied by tenants and are held with buy-to-let mortgages. Company accounts show MA Holdings had £22,341 in the bank in 2024.

Ali does not appear to profit from either property, according to BBC reporting.

The timing has drawn attention because the Greens adopted a motion in October 2025 titled “Abolish landlords”. The policy commits the party “to seek the effective abolition of private landlordism” by building more council housing and moving rented homes under public control.

Other measures in the motion include rent controls, ending buy-to-let mortgages, giving tenants first right to buy, and taxing short-term lets. Party leader Zack Polanski has described private tenants as “cash cows” due to lack of regulation.

Both of Ali’s property purchases — in 2022 and 2025 — happened before the October 2025 conference vote.

A Green Party spokesperson told the BBC that Ali “has acted solely in the interests of vulnerable close family members for whom he has caring responsibilities”.

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06/09/2026

NCC SEIZES N7 MILLION WORTH OF PIRATED BOOKS AT GARKI MARKET

The Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, has confiscated several cartons of pirated literary works with an estimated street value of N7 million during a raid at the popular Garki Market in the Federal Capital Territory.

The operation was carried out by the Commission’s Abuja Enforcement Team in collaboration with security operatives.

According to the NCC, the team acted on intelligence about bookshops and warehouses within Garki Market allegedly stocking and distributing pirated copies of academic textbooks, novels, and educational materials.

Officials said the books were counterfeits of titles published by both Nigerian and foreign authors, including works used in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

“The Commission confiscated several cartons of pirated literary works with a street value of about N7 million at Garki Market,” a statement from the NCC said. “The materials were being sold without the authorization of the copyright owners.”

The pirated books were immediately evacuated from the market and taken to the NCC Abuja office for documentation.

*No arrests yet, investigation ongoing*
The Commission said no arrest was made during the raid as the suspected dealers fled on sighting enforcement officers.

NCC Director of Enforcement, Mr. Obi Ezeilo, stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the owners of the shops and warehouses involved.

“Piracy robs authors, publishers and legitimate booksellers of their livelihood. We will not relent until those behind this criminal trade are brought to book,” Ezeilo said.

He added that the Commission will work with market associations to sensitize traders on the dangers of copyright infringement.

The Book Publishers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Publishers Association have repeatedly raised concerns over the circulation of pirated books, especially ahead of resumption periods when demand for textbooks peaks.

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06/09/2026

IRAN TO RAISE FUEL PRICE FOR HEAVY USERS IN NEW RATIONING PLAN

Iran’s government has announced plans to increase fuel prices for heavy users, as part of a new targeted subsidy scheme aimed at curbing consumption and reducing smuggling.

The decision was confirmed on Saturday by officials from the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, NIORDC, and the Ministry of Petroleum.

Under the plan, Iran will maintain the current subsidized petrol price for a basic monthly quota per vehicle. Consumption above that quota will be charged at a higher “heavy user” rate.

Officials said the move is designed to protect low- and middle-income households who use fuel within normal limits, while making large consumers and smugglers pay closer to market rates.

A senior NIORDC official said: “The government is not removing subsidies for ordinary citizens. This reform only targets excessive consumption. Those who use more than the standard quota will pay a higher price.”

The exact price for heavy users and the size of the basic quota have not yet been finalized. The government said details will be announced in the coming weeks after cabinet approval.

Iran has one of the cheapest petrol prices in the world due to long-standing subsidies. The current price is about 15,000 rials per liter for the first 60 liters per month, and 30,000 rials for additional amounts under the existing two-tier system.

But officials say subsidized fuel is being over-consumed and smuggled to neighboring countries where prices are 10 to 20 times higher. The government estimates billions of liters are lost annually to smuggling, costing the treasury heavily.

The new measure is also tied to efforts to reduce Iran’s budget deficit and manage fuel supply amid sanctions that limit oil exports and refining capacity.

The announcement comes as Iran faces high inflation and pressure on household budgets. Lawmakers said any price hike must be accompanied by transparency and direct support for vulnerable families.

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06/09/2026

FCCPC BEGINS PROBE INTO UBER’S EXIT FROM NIGERIA OVER UNFULFILLED CUSTOMER OBLIGATIONS

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has commenced an examination into Uber’s exit from Nigeria, focusing on whether the ride-hailing company left behind unfulfilled services and obligations to customers.

The Commission confirmed the development on Saturday, saying it is reviewing complaints received from riders and drivers following Uber’s withdrawal of certain operations in the country.

FCCPC said it received multiple reports from consumers alleging that Uber discontinued services abruptly without resolving pending issues such as wallet refunds, disputed trips, driver incentives, and customer support tickets.

The Commission noted that under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, companies operating in Nigeria have a duty to ensure orderly exit and adequate consumer protection even when winding down operations.

“The FCCPC has begun examining Uber’s exit from Nigeria, particularly whether the company left behind unfulfilled services and obligations to customers,” a statement from the Commission read.

Areas under investigation
According to the FCCPC, the review will cover:

- Customer refunds: Outstanding balances in Uber Cash wallets and refunds for cancelled or disputed rides.
- Driver obligations: Unpaid earnings, bonuses, and incentive programs promised to drivers before the exit.
- Consumer complaints: Pending support requests and unresolved disputes logged before Uber scaled back operations.
- Data and account access: Whether users can still access ride history, receipts, and personal data after service reduction.

The Commission said it will also assess if Uber provided adequate notice to customers and drivers before reducing services, as required by consumer protection regulations.

Uber launched in Lagos in 2014 and later expanded to Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major cities. It became one of Nigeria’s largest ride-hailing platforms, alongside competitors like Bolt and inDrive.

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06/09/2026

NewsUpdate A Prime Air Boeing 767-300 freighter overran the runway at Miami International Airport this afternoon, coming to rest near a warehouse complex.

The airframe caught fire after the crash.

06/09/2026

GOV ADELEKE BEGINS EUROPE VACATION, ORDERS PROBE INTO KOKA TOWNSHIP KINGSHIP DISPUTE

State Governor, Senator Ademola , has commenced a working vacation in Europe, even as he directed an immediate investigation into the disputed kingship of Koka town in Obokun Local Government Area.

The Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, confirmed both developments on Saturday in a statement from the Government House.

According to the statement, Governor Adeleke left the country on Friday for a short vacation in Europe. The Governor said the trip is to rest and also engage in some diplomatic and investment engagements.

“The Governor remains fully in charge and will be monitoring governance activities through virtual channels. Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, will oversee daily administration in his absence,” Rasheed stated.

Adeleke assured Osun residents that the vacation will not affect governance, adding that all key commissioners and agency heads have been placed on alert.

Before departing, the Governor ordered the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to set up a panel to investigate the kingship tussle in Koka town, Obokun LGA.

The dispute followed conflicting claims to the stool after the demise of the previous monarch. Two rival families have been laying claim to the throne, leading to tension in the community and protests at the palace.

Adeleke directed security agencies to maintain peace in Koka and its environs pending the outcome of the investigation.

“There shall be no breakdown of law and order. I have ordered a thorough probe to ensure that due process, tradition and the law are strictly followed in the selection of the next Oba of Koka,” the Governor said in the directive.

He urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate the crisis, warning that government will not tolerate violence or forceful occupation of the palace.

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06/09/2026

JAMAICA TO BRING SLAVERY REPARATIONS PETITION TO KING CHARLES

Jamaica is taking its decades-long push for slavery reparations to a new legal level, with a government delegation set to formally petition King Charles III in the UK on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Culture Minister Olivia Grange is leading the delegation to deliver what officials describe as a “groundbreaking” petition asking the King, in his capacity as Jamaica’s Head of State, to seek legal guidance from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The petition does not ask King Charles to award compensation directly. Instead, it requests that he refer three specific legal questions to the Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest court of appeal.

According to Minister Grange and government documents, the questions are:
1. Whether the forced transport of Africans to Jamaica and their enslavement until 1833/1838 was lawful, or contrary to fundamental principles of common law, making any local laws that authorized slavery void.
2. Whether the transatlantic trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement up to 1838 constituted ‘crimes against humanity’ under international law, for which the UK bears responsibility.
3. Whether, in light of those actions, the UK is under a legal obligation to provide a remedy to the Jamaican people for slavery and its continuing consequences.

“This novel legal approach is being taken after years of deliberations and is intended to ensure the long outstanding settlement for the hundreds of years of the most horrific abuse that our African ancestors endured — the gravest crime against humanity,” Grange said.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who chairs CARICOM, said the region broadly supports the move and called it a “watershed moment for CARICOM and the broader global movement for reparatory justice”.

The timing is symbolic. September 6 marks the date in 1781 when the slave ship _Zong_ departed West Africa for Jamaica with 442 enslaved Africans. During the voyage, at least 132-140 people were thrown overboard so the crew could claim insurance.

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06/09/2026

FAR-RIGHT AFD WINS HISTORIC VICTORY IN GERMANY’S SAXONY-ANHALT, BUT GOVERNING REMAINS UNCERTAIN

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany, AfD, is set to win the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, exit polls showed Sunday, in what would be the first time a far-right party takes first place in a German state vote since World War II.

But it remains unclear whether the result will be enough for the AfD to actually govern.

According to exit polls by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, the AfD won 44.5% of the vote in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. That is more than double its 20.8% result in 2021.

The result puts the AfD far ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Christian Democrats, CDU, which collapsed to 18.5% from 37.1% in 2021. The CDU has governed the state of 2.3 million people since 2002.

AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund, 35, celebrated in Magdeburg: “We have achieved exactly what we wanted to achieve. We have made history in this state”.

Co-leader Alice Weidel called it a “historic” result and said the party has a “clear mandate to govern”.

Despite the big win, the AfD appears to have narrowly missed an absolute majority in the 83-seat state parliament. Initial estimates suggest it may be 1 seat short.

That matters because all other mainstream parties in Germany maintain a “firewall” policy — a refusal to work with the AfD in government. The party is also under investigation for right-wing extremism by Germany’s domestic intelligence service.

“If the AfD is unable to rule outright, it could trigger a protracted process of coalition building by mainstream parties who are determined to keep out of power” a party labeled extremist.

The only party that has not ruled out cooperation is the left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, BSW, which was on course to clear the 5% threshold. If BSW enters parliament, a populist AfD-BSW coalition could command a majority.

Other parties entering parliament according to ARD include the Social Democrats, Greens, and Die Linke.

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06/09/2026

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AGAIN ASKS SUPREME COURT TO ALLOW USPS MAIL BALLOT PLAN AHEAD OF MIDTERMS

The Trump administration on Sunday renewed its emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the U.S. Postal Service to implement new rules restricting mail-in ballots, just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.

The filing comes after a federal judge blocked the USPS plan indefinitely, and as states including North Carolina have already begun mailing ballots to voters.

In the emergency application, Solicitor General John Sauer urged the Supreme Court to lift a preliminary injunction issued by Boston-based U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. The administration said each day the block remains in place “risks sowing confusion and chaos” as more states send out mail ballots.

The appeal marks the third time the administration has asked the high court to intervene on the issue. Shortly after filing on Sunday, the Justice Department withdrew an earlier Sept. 3 appeal “out of an abundance of caution” to simplify proceedings.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson set a deadline of Wednesday for responses to the administration’s request.

The regulation was issued to implement a March executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Under the new USPS rule:

- States must provide the Postal Service with lists of mail ballot recipients
- All outbound and return ballot envelopes must have agency-approved unique barcodes and design features
- USPS could refuse to deliver ballots that don’t comply or are associated with voters not on the approved lists

The administration describes the requirements as “only modest envelope-design and addressee-information requirements” and says they fall within USPS authority to regulate the mail.

Mail ballots for the midterms are already going out. North Carolina began mailing on Sept. 4, and Alabama is set to start Sept. 9, with at least five other states the week of Sept. 13.

“Once those ballot envelopes enter the mailstream, there is no retrieving them,” Sauer wrote.

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BW Rockers

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