A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has said the US government will closely monitor how Nigeria conducts its 2027 general elections.   Speaking in an interview with NoireTV published on Monday, Moore said both he and the US administration would pay close attention to the conduct and outcome of the polls. “We’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. That’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” he said. Moore also revealed that the US House of Representatives is considering legislation that could significantly affect relations with Nigeria, particularly regarding religious freedom and security cooperation. According to the lawmaker, the proposed appropriations bill, also known as the State Foreign Operations Bill, contains provisions relating to Nigeria, including the persecution of Christians, restrictions on US security assistance, and conditions the Nigerian government must meet. He said the bill is expected to become law after consideration by the House. Moore added that he would continue discussions on the issue with Donald Trump, describing it as an issue of importance to the US president. The congressman is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced alongside Chris Smith in February. The proposed legislation seeks to impose conditions on US financial assistance to Nigeria until the government addresses violent attacks in parts of the country. The comments come as political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gradually gather momentum.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has visited worshippers from Eda-Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area who were released after spending more than two months in captivity.   According to Channels Television, the governor met the survivors on Sunday at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), where they are receiving medical treatment following their release on Saturday. Sharing details of the visit on his official X account, Oyebanji said he was encouraged by the victims’ recovery, especially after a young child regained consciousness. He announced that the Ekiti State Government would cover the full cost of the survivors’ medical treatment and psychological rehabilitation. The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving security across the state, describing security as a fundamental human right. He said the state government would continue working with President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to eliminate criminal elements operating in Ekiti. Oyebanji commended the Eda-Oniyo community and security personnel for their efforts, praising their bravery and cooperation during the ordeal. A community representative and former commissioner, Rufus Ajayi, revealed that residents borrowed money to raise a ₦25.5 million ransom despite losing one person during the incident. He, however, supported the government’s position against paying ransom, warning that it could encourage more kidnappings. The worshippers were abducted in April 2026 when gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked an open-air revival organised by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eda-Oniyo. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the congregation, killing the revivalist, Pastor Aregbe, injuring several worshippers and abducting others. The incident sparked widespread outrage across Ekiti, with residents staging protests in early June over the prolonged captivity of the victims.

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 to book a historic place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, ending the five-time champions’ hopes of lifting a sixth title.   According to Channels Television, Brazil dominated much of the first half but failed to capitalise on their chances. Bruno Guimarães missed a golden opportunity to put his side ahead in the 14th minute when Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland brilliantly saved his penalty after a VAR review awarded the spot-kick. Vinícius Júnior, Gabriel Martinelli and Rayan all threatened for Brazil before the break, while Martin Ødegaard and Haaland tested Alisson as both teams went into half-time level. Norway returned with greater intensity after the restart, with substitute Andreas Schjelderup making an immediate impact. Brazil introduced Neymar and Endrick in search of a breakthrough, but it was Norway who struck first in the 79th minute. Schjelderup delivered a pinpoint cross that Haaland powered past Alisson with a towering header. The Norwegian striker sealed victory in the 90th minute after Schjelderup threaded another precise pass into his path. Haaland calmly slotted home his second goal to put Norway 2-0 ahead. Brazil were handed a late lifeline deep into 12 minutes of added time when referee Ismail Elfath awarded a second penalty after Leo Østigård was ruled to have fouled Neymar in the area. Neymar converted from the spot in the 100th minute, but there was not enough time left for a comeback. Nyland’s first-half penalty save, Haaland’s clinical finishing and Schjelderup’s two assists proved decisive as Norway secured one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. The result sends Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals, while Brazil exit the competition after failing to convert their dominance into goals.

Super Typhoon Bavi has battered the United States Pacific territories of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, leaving reports of major damage on the island of Rota as powerful winds and heavy rain swept across the region.   According to AFP, as published by Channels Television, the National Weather Service (NWS) said the eye of the storm passed directly over Rota early on Monday, packing sustained winds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h), equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Authorities on Rota, home to about 1,500 residents, reported significant destruction, although communication outages made it difficult to determine the full extent of the damage. “We are hanging in there. We are experiencing heavy winds and flooding here. Some people are already reporting major damages,” Rota Municipal Operations Center public information officer Lou Rosario said, adding that some mobile phone services had failed after a communications tower collapsed. Before the storm made landfall, the NWS warned residents to seek immediate shelter, saying the extreme winds should be treated like an approaching tornado. The agency also cautioned that a direct hit could leave much of Rota uninhabitable for weeks, with widespread tree damage and prolonged power outages. Neighbouring islands including Tinian, northern Guam and southern Saipan experienced hurricane-force winds, while forecasters said conditions would gradually improve as the storm moved westward. Authorities in Guam warned that between eight and 12 inches (20 to 30 centimetres) of rainfall could trigger flash flooding. Residents were advised to remain indoors as winds of 50 to 80 mph, with stronger gusts, continued through the afternoon. Many residents had already endured severe weather earlier this year. Tinian resident Edwin Santa Theresa said electricity to his home had only been restored four days earlier after April’s Typhoon Sinlaku before being cut again by Bavi. In Guam, hotels sheltered hundreds of residents seeking safety from the storm. Businesses also boarded up their premises ahead of landfall to minimise damage. Meteorologists said warmer ocean temperatures and the return of El Niño could contribute to a more active tropical cyclone season across the Pacific. The World Meteorological Organization recently confirmed that El Niño has developed in the tropical Pacific, raising concerns over increased storm activity in the coming months.