At least eight people have been killed and 275 others injured after powerful thunderstorms and strong winds swept through central China, while severe flooding in the country’s south claimed two more lives and forced tens of thousands from their homes.   According to Channels Television, citing AFP, multiple areas of Hubei province were hit by severe convective weather on Monday. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the storms affected cities including Huangshi and Huanggang, where the fatalities occurred. Authorities also confirmed that tornadoes struck some areas, with one person still missing. State news agency Xinhua said all 275 injuries were recorded in Huanggang’s Huangzhou district as of Tuesday morning. Officials also evacuated 408 residents to safer locations as rescue and relief operations continued. In southern China’s Guangxi region, heavy rainfall and flooding linked to Typhoon Maysak killed at least two people and prompted the evacuation of more than 48,000 residents by Monday evening. Floodwaters overwhelmed parts of the regional capital, Nanning, prompting authorities to raise the flood control emergency response to its highest level after torrential rains breached dams. Footage aired by CCTV showed a reservoir wall collapsing, sending a torrent of muddy water rushing downstream. Homes, vehicles and riverside areas were submerged, while rescue teams in life jackets and inflatable boats searched for stranded residents. Scientists have warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide due to rising global temperatures driven by fossil fuel emissions. China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases but is also the leading investor in renewable energy, with a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

The controversy surrounding the alleged N1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal intensified on Monday after the Nigeria Police Force reportedly arrested the father of the council’s promoter, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, as investigations into the alleged “ghost agency” continue.   According to Punch, Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The Federal Government has listed the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and 10 others as prosecution witnesses. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, confirmed that police officers arrested Adeyemi’s father at the family’s residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Eyewitnesses said officers arrived in multiple vehicles and also detained a family friend, leaving Adeyemi’s elderly mother in shock. The reported arrest sparked criticism from leading legal practitioners and human rights advocates, who argued that Nigerian law prohibits the arrest of relatives solely to compel a suspect to surrender. Nigerian Bar Association President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the arrest would only be lawful if Adeyemi’s father was independently being investigated as a suspect or person of interest. Other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Sam Erugo, Isiaka Olagunju, Wolemi Esan and Wahab Shittu, cited Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which expressly prohibits substitute arrests. They also pointed to constitutional protections guaranteeing personal liberty and stressing that criminal responsibility is personal and cannot be transferred to family members. The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights also condemned the arrest, describing it as unconstitutional and calling on the Inspector-General of Police to order the immediate release of Adeyemi’s father unless credible evidence links him directly to any alleged offence. The Nigeria Police Force has yet to officially explain the basis for the arrest. Force Headquarters spokesman Anietie Iniedu said he had not been briefed, while the Oyo State Police Command referred enquiries to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja. Meanwhile, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation denied claims that public funds were released to the PFIPC. Spokesman Bawa Mokwa said the council never operated a functional government account because it failed to complete the account opening process by providing authorised signatories. He also stated that although the council appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act, implementation of the budget only began on July 1, after the controversy had already emerged, and no money was paid to the body. The Senate also defended its role in the controversy. Lawmakers insisted the National Assembly neither created the PFIPC nor originated its budget allocation, arguing that budget proposals are prepared and vetted by the Executive before being submitted to lawmakers. The latest developments have increased pressure on the Presidency over the alleged agency, which it had previously disowned despite its inclusion in the 2026 federal budget. The Senate is expected to address the controversy when plenary resumes.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have no host nation represented in the quarter-finals after the United States, Mexico and Canada were all knocked out in the Round of 16.   The United States became the last of the three co-hosts to exit the tournament after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Belgium’s convincing victory ended the Americans’ hopes of progressing on home soil. Canada were the first co-hosts to bow out, losing 3-0 to Morocco on Saturday. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice before Soufiane Rahimi added a late goal to seal Morocco’s place in the last eight. Canada’s campaign was also affected by injury concerns involving star winger Alphonso Davies. Mexico followed on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat to England at the Estadio Azteca in front of more than 80,000 supporters. Jude Bellingham struck twice within 98 seconds during the first half, while Harry Kane converted a penalty after England had been reduced to 10 men. The defeat also ended Mexico’s bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since hosting the competition in 1986. Reports indicate that head coach Javier Aguirre is expected to be replaced by his assistant, Rafael Marquez. The 2026 edition is the first FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format. The tournament, which began on June 11, is being played across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada before concluding with the final on July 19. With all three hosts eliminated, the remaining quarter-finalists are Morocco, France, Norway, Spain, Belgium, England, Argentina, and the winner of the remaining Round of 16 ties.

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced that Group Chairman Tony Elumelu will retire from the bank’s board on August 21, 2026, after completing the maximum 12-year tenure for non-executive directors permitted under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance guidelines.   The announcement was made following the bank’s board meeting on Monday, with UBA confirming that current Non-Executive Director Emmanuel Nnorom will assume the role of Group Chairman on the same date. According to a statement released by the bank and reported by Punch Newspaper, the board expressed appreciation for Elumelu’s leadership, describing his tenure as instrumental in strengthening UBA’s position as a leading pan-African financial institution. Under his chairmanship, UBA expanded its footprint to 20 African countries and established operations in four global financial centres. The bank also grew its customer base to more than 50 million across its international network. UBA said Elumelu’s retirement reflects compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance framework, which limits the tenure of non-executive directors to 12 years to promote board independence and stronger governance standards. In a farewell message posted on Facebook, Elumelu reflected on his years leading the bank, saying he had always viewed Africa as a single market with enormous potential rather than a collection of separate economies. He said his vision was to build an institution capable of connecting Africa to the world while enduring beyond individual leaders. Elumelu noted that UBA’s growth into one of Africa’s largest banking groups was made possible through the contributions of employees, management, directors, regulators, shareholders, customers and business partners. He also welcomed Emmanuel Nnorom as his successor, expressing confidence in his leadership, experience and understanding of the institution. Elumelu urged shareholders, customers, partners and employees to give Nnorom the same support they had shown him throughout his tenure. The leadership transition will officially take effect on August 21, 2026.