World News
Kim Jong Un Unveils New Housing for Families of Fallen Troops in Pyongyang
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has presided over the inauguration of a newly constructed housing district in Pyongyang dedicated to families of soldiers who lost their lives during overseas military deployments, according to state news agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Speaking at the ceremony on Monday, Kim described the development as a tribute to the “spirit and sacrifice” of the fallen troops. He said the project was designed to ensure that grieving families could take pride in the service of their loved ones while enjoying improved living conditions.
The North Korean leader noted that he had personally urged officials to complete the construction “even one day earlier,” expressing hope that the gesture would offer some measure of comfort to the bereaved families.
Images released by KCNA showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, as they met relatives of the deceased soldiers and toured the newly completed homes. Ju Ae has appeared with her father at an increasing number of high-profile state events over the past three years from weapons tests to military commemorations and national celebrations, fueling speculation that she may be positioned for a future leadership role.
Under a mutual defence agreement with Russia, North Korea reportedly deployed around 14,000 troops in 2024 to support Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western sources have estimated that more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers were killed during the conflict, though Pyongyang has not publicly confirmed those figures.
In recent months, North Korea has organized several ceremonies to honour its war casualties, including the unveiling of a memorial complex in Pyongyang featuring sculptures of soldiers.
The housing project’s opening comes just weeks before the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, scheduled for late February. The gathering is widely expected to serve as a key political platform for Kim to highlight policy priorities and showcase his administration’s achievements.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of South Sudan’s revitalised peace agreement, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other detained opposition figures.
Tinubu made the call at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee meeting on South Sudan, known as the C-5 Plus Summit, held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Nigerian leader urged South Sudanese authorities to convene an all-inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation forum, stressing that national unity and elite consensus are crucial for a successful transition He also called on stakeholders to prioritise inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections to build trust in the country’s leadership.
Tinubu noted that insecurity and political tensions in South Sudan have slowed progress in key transitional areas, including security sector reforms and constitution drafting. He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to support efforts toward lasting peace and sustainable development in the country.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has pledged to host and provide full infrastructural support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea. According to Shettima, Nigeria will supply office facilities, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel to enhance maritime security and combat transnational organised crimes in the region.
The commitment was announced during the AU summit, where Nigeria also advocated stronger continental collaboration to address security threats, debt challenges, and mineral exploitation across Africa.
The presidency said the moves reflect Nigeria’s broader push for peace, stability, and institutional strengthening on the continent.
China has confirmed that citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom will be able to travel to the country without visas starting Tuesday, February 17.
The announcement follows official visits to Beijing in January by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who both met with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
According to China’s foreign ministry, holders of ordinary passports from the two countries can enter visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, or transit for stays of up to 30 days. The policy will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.
Beijing said the move is intended to “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges” and improve relations with the two Western nations.
The visa waiver is seen as part of broader diplomatic engagement efforts following the recent high-level visits, which both leaders described as productive in advancing cooperation with China.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has cautioned citizens against participating in overseas armed conflicts, stating that Nigerians who enlist outside official channels do so at their own risk.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar issued the warning in a statement released Sunday by ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, expressing concern over what he described as a growing trend of Nigerians being illegally recruited into foreign wars, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the minister, reports indicate that some Nigerians were lured abroad under false pretences such as offers of lucrative jobs, security work, education opportunities, or migration incentives. He said victims were sometimes misled into signing military contracts, occasionally in foreign languages without proper legal guidance, after which their travel documents were allegedly confiscated.
Tuggar warned that such activities could violate both Nigerian and international laws governing mercenary involvement and foreign enlistment, stressing that participation in foreign conflicts without government approval exposes individuals to serious danger.
He disclosed that the government is working with relevant domestic and international partners to investigate the alleged recruitment networks and to raise awareness about the risks. Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad have also been directed to intensify consular monitoring and provide timely advisories to citizens.
The minister urged parents, community leaders, and educational institutions to sensitise young people about deceptive recruitment schemes, advising Nigerians to verify overseas job or study offers through official channels and report suspicious activities to authorities.
He reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of its citizens worldwide and will not tolerate exploitation or trafficking of its nationals into foreign conflicts.