US and Iran warn of war readiness as ceasefire deadline approaches
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The United States and Iran have both declared their readiness for war as a ceasefire approaches its deadline, casting uncertainty over the resumption of talks that President Donald Trump had announced. While the White House indicated Vice President JD Vance was prepared to return to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations, Tehran's government has not confirmed its participation. Iran accused the US of violating the truce through its blockade of Iranian ports and the seizure of a ship. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, stated that Iran would not accept negotiations under threat and had been preparing for new battlefield strategies. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned against vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without permission. Trump, in turn, accused Tehran of truce violations by harassing vessels in the Strait, a critical passage for global oil. Trump also maintained that the blockade was severely impacting Iran and would continue until a deal was reached regarding Iran's nuclear program. Despite Trump's assertion that Iran was expected at the talks, Iran's foreign ministry stated that its enriched uranium stockpile would not be transferred and that the option was never discussed with US negotiators. Separately, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, including Hezbollah, was announced, with a second round of talks scheduled in Washington. However, sporadic violence continued, and the UN Security Council condemned the killing of a
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, in connection with an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism. The defendants, retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, are scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is also listed in the charge but is at large. The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired in 2025 to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act but failed to alert authorities or take preventive steps. Specific terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, include conspiring to commit acts of terrorism, attending meetings to destabilize Nigeria's constitutional structure, and providing support for terrorism. Several defendants are also accused of handling funds linked to terrorism financing, with Bukar Kashim Goni alleg
The Abia State Government is moving forward with modern transportation, urban renewal, and housing development initiatives, as announced by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu. Discussions are advanced with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for a new train station in Umuahia, which will be integrated with commercial activities and located near the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal. Access roads will also be developed to improve connectivity. In urban renewal, arrangements are complete to relocate traders from Isi Gate to the Relief Market in Afara, with compensation paid to landowners and construction ongoing. Commercial vehicles from Okigwe Park will move to the new bus terminal, and traders will temporarily use Okigwe Park until the Afara market is finished. The Umuahia Central Bus Terminal is nearing completion and will soon be commissioned, along with infrastructure for the Abia Green Shuttle Bus Scheme, including charging stations and bus shelters. Several projects by the Greater Ohafia Development Authority, including roads and a new daily market, are awaiting inauguration. Groundwork for a Federal Housing Authority estate in Umuahia, a joint initiative with the Federal Ministry of Housing, is set to begin on April 21, 2026. The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, clarified the state's significant role in the housing project.
Must ReadAfrican cocoa and coffee farmers are facing worsening economic conditions despite record growth projections in the global sectors, according to the Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa COCEFAAA. Adeola Adegoke, Global President of COCEFAAA, stated that while the cocoa and chocolate market is projected to rise from $169 billion in 2025 to nearly $246 billion by 2031, and the global coffee market from $284 billion today to around $486 billion by 2035, this growth is not reflected in farmer incomes. Smallholder producers are exposed to unstable pricing structures often falling below production costs, impacting their ability to afford essentials like fertilisers and healthcare. COCEFAAA describes farmers as "economic shock absorbers" and warns that this imbalance, compounded by climate change, undermines long-term sustainability. The association calls for three major policy shifts: increased investment in agricultural research and development, greater investment in local processing and value addition, and stronger regional cooperation among African producing countries. They also urge global buyers to adopt long-term purchasing agreements and invest in farmer training and climate adaptation, emphasizing that farmers must be central to the value chain for global projections to be realized.
Russian strikes across Ukraine wounded 25 people in at least four regions, officials said on Tuesday. In Sumy, 15 people were wounded and apartment buildings and a medical facility were damaged by Russian drones. Emergency services released images of rescue workers dousing burning cars and evacuating residents, noting that operations were suspended multiple times due to the threat of repeated attacks. Three people were wounded in the Kharkiv region and another three in Sloviansk. Four more were wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to the governor. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched two missiles and 143 drones, with air defense units intercepting one missile and 116 drones.