The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, called on the international community to support Nigeria’s candidate, Dr Taoheed Olufemi Elias, as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the election scheduled for November 12, 2025.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Tuggar noted that no ECOWAS member state has occupied a seat on the ICJ bench since 2011, underscoring the need for fair representation and greater West African participation in the world’s top judicial body.

Tuggar described Dr Elias as an “eminent jurist of integrity with vast experience in international law,” adding that his election would strengthen Africa’s voice in promoting global justice.

“This long absence underscores the importance of equitable geographical representation and the need for West African voices to be heard within the world’s highest judicial body,” Tuggar stated.

In his remarks, Dr Elias expressed confidence in his qualifications and pledged to serve with dedication, impartiality, and fairness if elected.

•Sebastien Lecornu, France’s prime minister, during the handover ceremony at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

France’s new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned just weeks after his appointment, plunging the country into a fresh political crisis.

Lecornu, France’s fifth PM in less than two years, had his work cut out to convince the country — and investors — that he could unite a fractious and divided parliament enough to get a 2026 budget over the line.

With the prospect of a state budget being passed now in doubt, French markets reacted strongly to the news, with the yield on the 30-year government bond, or OAT, hitting a one-month high of 4.441% before retreating slightly.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year bond rose to a 10-day high of 3.5990%. Meanwhile, France’s CAC 40 index slumped 1.9% and the euro fell 0.7% against the dollar.

Lecornu was installed in early September against a backdrop of public unrest and dissatisfaction over the messy state of French affairs, after several successive governments failed to pass budgets detailing spending cuts and tax rises.

A former defense minister and longtime ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, Lecornu resigned just houses after naming a new cabinet on Sunday. The new cabinet, which saw most high-profile figures remain in their posts, was due to hold its first meeting on Monday.

Now, France has been plunged into a new political crisis which will put massive pressure on Macron, who has now installed three failed minority governments.

American music mogul and businessman, Sean Combs, popularly known as “P-Diddy” was sentenced on Friday to 50 months in prison on prostitution charges under the Mann Act.

Recall that Combs was convicted earlier this year on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the court had seen a “massive” amount of evidence against Combs and added that a significant sentence was required to be a deterrence and to send a message.

“A substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability,” the judge said,

Along with serving four years and two months in prison, Combs also must pay a $500,000 fine.

In his final remarks to Combs, Subramanian noted that he will still have a life after prison, adding “there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

After the judge read his sentence, Combs appeared dejected and worn out as he turned to his mother and children, letting out a sigh and telling them, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,”.

Subramanian cited law that says no limitation can be placed on the “background, character and conduct” that a judge can consider in sentencing. He said the sentence is fair for the severity of Combs’ crimes and other mitigating factors.

During Combs’ sentencing hearing, the judge heard from the rapper’s children as well as multiple defense lawyers and other character witnesses.

The defense argued that Combs should be free for his family’s sake and that he has changed and deserves a second chance to be better.

Defense lawyer Brian Steel argued that “Combs has punished himself more than anyone will be able to punish him and it will stay with him for the rest of his days.

Mr. Combs does not need any additional time in custody. That is not the way we treat drug addiction and trauma today.

”Before the judge gave his sentence, Combs was given a chance to speak, saying that he has lost his business, his career, destroyed his reputation and lost his self-respect.

‘I’ve been stripped down to nothing,” he added.

“I want to thank you for finally giving me a chance to speak up for myself. One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle is to be quiet, not able to express how sorry I am for my actions,” Combs said.

Combs was sentenced under the Mann Act, which makes it illegal to transport someone across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sex acts.

He was convicted on counts involving two former girlfriends, R&B singer Cassie and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane.

During the sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors argued that the hip-hop mogul deserved at least 11 years in prison and his defense lawyers asked for a sentence of no more than 14 months,

“Mr. Combs, you’re being sentenced for the offenses of conviction, NOT the crimes he was acquitted of.

However, under law, the court ‘shall consider’ the nature of the offense and characteristics of the defendant,” Subramanian said as he sentenced Combs,