General News
Iran Launches Fresh Missile Attacks on Israel Amid Conflicting Claims Over Trump-Led Talks
Iran fired a new wave of missiles at Israel early Tuesday, escalating tensions in the Middle East just hours after US President Donald Trump claimed progress in efforts to end the conflict.
The renewed strikes came despite Tehran’s firm denial that any negotiations were underway with Washington, contradicting Trump’s assertion of “very good” talks aimed at halting hostilities.
According to Iranian state media, the missiles targeted locations in Israel, while Israeli emergency services confirmed damage to a building in the northern region but reported no casualties.
Trump’s remarks had earlier stirred global markets, easing fears temporarily as oil prices dipped. He revealed that his administration was in contact with a “top” Iranian figure and expressed optimism about reaching a deal within days. However, he warned that failure to secure an agreement could lead to intensified US military action.
Reports by Axios identified the alleged Iranian contact as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, though Tehran swiftly dismissed the claim. Iranian officials, including foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, insisted no formal discussions had taken place, accusing Washington of attempting to manipulate global oil markets.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Trump’s optimism but maintained that Israel would continue its military operations against Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Israel will not relent in defending itself,” Netanyahu said, noting that any potential agreement would need to reflect recent military gains.
The conflict has expanded beyond Israel and Iran, with Lebanese authorities reporting multiple Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut overnight. Israel has also intensified ground operations against Hezbollah, warning of prolonged fighting.
Tensions have significantly impacted global energy markets, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. Iran has threatened to disrupt traffic through the strait and target regional infrastructure in retaliation for attacks.
International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that a prolonged conflict could trigger an energy crisis surpassing previous global shocks, including those of the 1970s and the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Oil prices, which had surged above $100 per barrel amid the conflict, fell sharply following Trump’s comments, while global stock markets rallied.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear uncertain. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed speaking with Iran’s President to explore pathways to peace, offering Islamabad’s support in de-escalating the crisis.
Despite the diplomatic signals, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Thousands of US troops are being deployed to the region, reinforcing Washington’s military presence amid speculation of possible expanded operations.
Casualty figures continue to rise, with reports indicating thousands of deaths in Iran, including civilians, although independent verification remains difficult due to restricted access.
The latest developments underscore the fragile state of diplomacy as military actions intensify, raising fears of a broader regional conflict with global economic consequences.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday. He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” warning that it reflects a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of dissenting voices in the country.
Obi noted that such actions, if confirmed, undermine fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement, which he said are essential pillars of any democratic society.
He further stressed that harassment or persecution of citizens based on perceived political affiliations must not be tolerated, urging the government to uphold the rule of law in its dealings with Nigerians.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society,” Obi stated, adding that suppression and intimidation of dissent have no place in a functioning democracy.
The former Anambra State governor called on authorities and all relevant actors to refrain from actions capable of weakening the nation’s already fragile democratic system.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the alleged arrest.