*THE LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF*

.President Tinubu Sacks Special Adviser

One of President Bola Tinubu’s appointees has been relieved of his duties.

Fegho John Umunubo, who served as the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy (Office of the Vice President), has been disengaged with immediate effect.

The announcement was made on Monday in a statement signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House.

The statement noted that Umunubo no longer represents the administration in any capacity and warned stakeholders and members of the public against engaging him on behalf of the government.

“Anyone who interfaces with him in the name of President Tinubu’s administration does so at his or her own risk,” the notice read.

.Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun showcased the state's economic potential at the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers, Algeria, positioning Ogun as Nigeria's top investment destination. The state offers:

1. Multi-modal infrastructure (airport, ports, roads, gas networks)

2. Economic development clusters and free trade zones

3. One-stop investment center (OgunInvest) and GIS-enabled Land Bank

4. Strategic location with access to Lagos ports, ECOWAS markets, and Benin Republic border

The governor highlighted policy certainty, risk-sharing partnerships, and structured government-industry dialogue as key attractions. Ogun State aims to unlock shared prosperity for Africa through scale, speed, and certainty in investment.

*Nigerian Railway Corporation Announces Resumption of Port Harcourt-Aba Train Services*

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the resumption of train services between Port Harcourt and Aba, effective Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The services were suspended due to a train breakdown at Imo River on September 3, 2025.

- *Cause of Suspension*: The train developed an unusual fault while en route from Aba to Port Harcourt, prompting engineers to deploy an alternative engine, Loco 2306, to rescue the stranded train.

- *Repairs and Quality Control*: The faulty train has undergone thorough repairs in Port Harcourt to ensure it meets enhanced quality control standards.

- *Passenger Support*: Affected passengers can visit NRC stations in Port Harcourt or Aba with evidence of payment for possible refunds or replacement train rides.

The NRC reaffirms its commitment to transforming the corporation under the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rail Revitalization Programme, prioritizing safer, more reliable, and customer-friendly rail services nationwide.

Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi, a democrat and human rights activist, shares his views on Nigeria's political landscape. Key points include:

1. *African Democratic Congress (ADC) adoption*: Akinyemi emphasizes the need for ideological rebirth and principled coalition-building, warning against recycled ambitions.

2. *2027 elections*: He sees potential for an alternative platform but stresses the importance of moral courage, constitutional clarity, and a plan to end power monopolization.

3. *President Tinubu's performance*: Akinyemi advises Tinubu to focus on restructuring Nigeria, ending tenure elongation, and securing borders.

4. *Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket*: He criticizes the ticket for widening distrust and undermining Nigeria's plurality.

5. *Coalition's chances*: Akinyemi believes the coalition can unseat the ruling APC if it demonstrates strategic discipline and grassroots synergy.

6. *Peter Obi's potential candidacy*: He suggests Obi could be a viable candidate if the ADC is truly progressive and Obi remains committed to reform.

7. *Personal political stance*: Akinyemi identifies as an apostle, public intellectual, and crusader for national rebirth, committed to building bridges across sectors.

.The Lagos State Government has fixed an open manhole along the Ikeja axis leading to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, just 24 hours after a viral video highlighted the hazard. The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, stated that the government mobilized its agencies overnight to address the issue.

- *Quick Response*: The government responded promptly after broadcast journalist Deji Badmus erected a billboard inside the open manhole and shared a viral video describing it as deadly.

- *Warning Against Vandalism*: Mr. Daramola warned against vandalism and abuse of road infrastructure, emphasizing that road abuse is a grave offense.

- *Theft of Manhole Covers*: The incident has renewed focus on the theft of manhole covers across Lagos, with the state House of Assembly previously urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to enforce laws against scavengers stealing covers.¹

- *Appreciation for Quick Response*: Mr. Badmus appreciated the government's immediate response but hopes they will also fix other open manholes across the city.

- *Public Safety Concerns*: The open manhole had been a hazard for about three months, with several cars already running into it, and Mr. Badmus narrowly escaped an accident at the site.

.The US has proposed new ceasefire principles to Hamas, aiming to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages. According to the proposal, Hamas would release all 48 hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, and Israel would freeze its assault on Gaza City. The plan would then involve immediate negotiations for a comprehensive end to the war, with President Donald Trump ensuring the ceasefire holds as long as talks continue.

- *Ceasefire Terms*: Immediate release of all hostages, freeze on Israel's assault on Gaza City, and negotiations for a comprehensive end to the war.

- *Hamas Response*: Hamas has confirmed receiving the proposal and expressed readiness to negotiate, but emphasized the need for a clear Israeli commitment to end the war and withdraw forces from Gaza.

- *Israeli Stance*: Israel is seriously considering the proposal, but doubts remain about Hamas' willingness to accept it.

- *US-Israel Coordination*: The proposal was closely coordinated between the US and Israel, reflecting their ongoing collaboration on the issue.

- *Hostages and Missing Families Forum*: The forum welcomed the proposal as a "true breakthrough" and urged the Israeli government to support it fully.

- *President Trump*: Trump posted on social media that Israel has accepted his terms and gave Hamas a "last warning" to accept the proposal.

. Australian triple murderer jailed for life over toxic mushroom lunch

Murder convict Erin Patterson wearing brown and emerging from a court house

Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years

She was convicted in July for killing three relatives and trying to kill another at a family lunch in 2023, where she served them beef Wellingtons laced with toxic death cap mushrooms

The 50-year-old showed little emotion throughout Monday's hearing, our correspondent writes, keeping her eyes closed for the most part and opening them only as the judge read out her sentence

Patterson's in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson died days after the meal in 2023

Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving lunch guest, called for kindness in his first public remarks, which he made to reporters outside the courtroom on Monday

.Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has resigned, effective immediately, following a series of bruising election losses that stripped his coalition of its majority in both houses of parliament. Ishiba, 68, will continue to serve until a new leader is elected.

- *Election Losses*: Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered significant losses in the July upper house election, prompting calls for his resignation.

- *Voter Anger*: Rising living costs and weak economic growth contributed to voter dissatisfaction.

- *Trade Deal*: Ishiba finalized a trade deal with the US, reducing tariffs on Japanese car imports, and cited this achievement as a reason for passing the baton to the next generation.

- *Shinjiro Koizumi*: Agriculture minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, known for his efforts to curb soaring prices.

- *Sanae Takaichi*: LDP veteran and advocate of looser fiscal and monetary policy, criticized for opposing Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes.

- *Policy Paralysis*: Ishiba's resignation may lead to a lengthy period of policy uncertainty.

- *Economic Impact*: Markets are concerned about potential successors' economic policies, particularly Takaichi's expansionary fiscal approach.

- *Snap Election*: The new leader may choose to call a snap election to seek a mandate, given the LDP's lack of majority in both houses.

.New Zealand fugitive dad believed to have been shot dead by police

A New Zealand man on the run with his three children for almost four years in the wilderness is believed to have been shot dead, according to the police

The man believed to be Tom Phillips was fatally shot while police responded to an armed robbery in western Waikato early on Monday morning

One of his children was with him at the time of the shootout - the child is unharmed, police say

Officers are searching for his two other kids in near-freezing temperatures - their mother says she's "deeply relieved"

The case has gripped the attention of New Zealand for years - Phillips' family directly appealed to him to come home as he was recently spotted with a child during a grocery store break-in caught on a CCTV camera

.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned Europe against pursuing a "reckless" approach to the nuclear deal, accusing Britain, France, and Germany of aligning with Washington and diminishing Europe's global standing. Here's a summary:

- *Accusations against Europe*: Araghchi claims Europe's decision to trigger a "snapback" sanctions process lacks legal standing and is bound to fail. He argues that Europe has abandoned its role as a moderating force and is instead enabling American excesses in the Middle East.

- *Iran's stance on diplomacy*: Despite the snapback sanctions process, Iran remains open to a "realistic and lasting bargain" that entails ironclad oversight and curbs on enrichment in exchange for the termination of sanctions.

- *Criticism of European actions*: Araghchi criticized European leaders for failing to uphold their obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and for cheerleading Washington's aggressive approach, including military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

- *Warning of consequences*: Araghchi warned that ignoring this chance for diplomacy could plunge the region into deeper instability, especially amid escalating tensions with Israel. He emphasized that Iranian armed forces are ready to defend against Israeli provocations, which could drag the US into costly conflicts.

- *US position*: The US has welcomed the European countries' move, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the US remains available for direct engagement with Iran and that snapback sanctions do not contradict their readiness for diplomacy.

.Zelensky condemns 'ruthless attack' after Russia hits main government building in Kyiv

Ukraine's main government building in Kyiv has been hit for the first time in the war during Russian attacks, the Ukrainian prime minister has said.

Yulia Svyrydenko said the building's roof and upper floors were damaged and a fire ignited "due to an enemy attack".

At least four people were killed in strikes across the country, including a baby and a young woman who died after a nine-storey residential building was hit in Kyiv's Svyatoshynsky district, officials said.

Ukraine's air force reported that a record number of drones and missiles were launched by Russia in the latest nightly attack - more than 800 in total.