Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.

The decision marks a major shift in Canadian foreign policy and has drawn sharp criticism from United States President Donald Trump and was firmly rejected by Israel. Carney emphasized that the move is essential to preserving the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

With this decision, Canada becomes the third G7 nation, after France and the United Kingdom, to declare its intention to recognize a Palestinian state this September.

French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced concern over the recently announced trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, suggesting that it highlights the EU’s failure to assert itself strongly enough with U.S. President Donald Trump.

While acknowledging that the deal provides more clarity and opportunities for French businesses, Macron stressed that it is only a starting point and that further negotiations are expected.

He emphasized the need for Europe to move faster toward greater independence and competitiveness.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has confirmed that it has no plans to sell the Port Harcourt Refining Company, emphasizing its dedication to fully rehabilitating and maintaining the facility.

This announcement was made by Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari during a company-wide town hall meeting at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, putting to rest weeks of rumors surrounding the future of the nation’s major state-owned refinery. He described any proposal to sell the Port Harcourt Refining Company as ill-advised and commercially unviable.

Ojulari’s comments come in light of public concerns raised after his earlier statement at the 2025 OPEC Seminar, where he mentioned that all options are on the table concerning the future of Nigeria’s refineries. This remark led to widespread speculation about a potential sale.

He, however, clarified that the company’s current stance is not a policy shift but reflects ongoing comprehensive technical and financial assessments of the Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri refineries.

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has joined the nationwide seven-day warning strike called by the association’s national headquarters.

Mrs. Olufunmilola Faminu, branch chairperson, explained that the strike was triggered by the Federal Government’s failure to meet key demands, including the employment of more nursing staff, improved hospital facilities, and the establishment of a directorate cadre for nurses within the Federal Ministry of Health.

Additional demands include fair representation at the Ministry of Health, centralized internship training for nurses, and a review of allowances for nurses and midwives.

While expressing concern for patients, Faminu stressed that the strike was a last resort and not intended to abandon those in their care.

The National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Umar Farouk, has warned that Peter Obi risks losing the party’s 2027 presidential ticket if he continues associating with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Farouk, speaking in a recent interview, emphasized that the LP’s presidential ticket is open to all contenders and not reserved for any individual. He stated that Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, will be allowed to vie for the presidency.

Expressing dissatisfaction with Obi’s growing engagement with leaders of the coalition-backed ADC, Farouk reiterated that the 2027 LP ticket will be contested.

He added that Baba-Ahmed is just as qualified as Obi to lead the party in the next general election.