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Niger Republic rejecting Entry of Traders and Travellers with ECOWAS passport- Official

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An immigration officer has confirmed that the Republic of Niger no longer recognising Nigerians travelling into the country holding the ECOWAS Travel Certificate (ETC) or ECOWAS passport.

The ECOWAS Travel Certificate (ETC) and ECOWAS passport are travel documents that allow holders to move freely among the member countries of ECOWAS.

The development is coming after Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

While Niger maintains an open border with Nigeria, new immigration measures are being enforced at key border crossings, including Illela in Nigeria and Konni in Niger.

Consequently, Cross-border traders and commuters are now facing significant challenges as the Nigerien authorities no longer recognise the ECOWAS passport as a valid travel document.

In a phone interview with an immigration officer at the Jibia/Magama Border in Katsina State late Tuesday, the officer (name withheld), confirmed that Nigerien authorities had begun enforcing the ban.

The officer also mentioned that Nigerian immigration authorities are not yet applying the same restrictions to Nigerien citizens, waiting for further directives from higher authorities to fully implement the measures.

Although no official communication from the Nigerien government yet, affected travellers fear that the situation could worsen, disrupting trade and movement across the border.

When contacted, the Head of Communication ECOWAS Commission, Joel Ahofodji, said the regional bloc was unaware of Niger Republic’s policy to bar ECOWAS passport holders.

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International

Newborn baby buried alive in India fights for her life

The baby was found by chance when a shepherd, who had taken his goats to the area for grazing, heard faint cries coming from under a mound of earth.

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The baby is being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit of the government-run medical college and hospital there.

A 20-day-old baby girl who was found buried alive in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is fighting for survival, hospital authorities say.

BBC News reported that the baby was found by chance when a shepherd, who had taken his goats to the area for grazing, heard faint cries coming from under a mound of earth.

Once he went closer, he saw a tiny hand sticking out of the mud. After he alerted the villagers, police were called in who came and dug out the baby.

Police have not said who they suspect for the crime, but similar cases of abandonment and attempts to kill female children are blamed on India’s preference for sons, which is widely acknowledged to be the reason for its skewed gender ratio.

The incident took place in Shahjahanpur district in India’s most populous state. The baby is being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit of the government-run medical college and hospital there.

Medical college principal Dr Rajesh Kumar told the BBC that the infant was brought in on Monday, smeared in dirt and gasping for air as mud had gone into her mouth and nostrils.

“She was in a critical condition, she was showing signs of hypoxia or oxygen deficiency. She had been bitten by insects and also some animal,” Dr Kumar said.

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International

Nestle shareholders wants chairman Paul Bulcke to step down

Mr Freixe’s removal came a year after predecessor Mark Schneider suddenly departed and 2½ months after Mr Bulcke said he would step down in 2026.

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PHOTO: AFP

Nestle investors have called for chairman Paul Bulcke to step down over the departure of a second chief executive in just over a year.

The Financial Times (FT) reported that shareholders are concerned about the manner the former chief executive Laurent Freixe and the way investigations into his conduct were handled exacerbated their concerns over governance at Nestle and led them to question Mr Bulcke’s decision-making.

“I don’t think Mr Bulcke will move on before April but he should have left when Mr Mark Schneider was forced out,” Mr Alexandre Stucki, founder of AS Investment Management, which represents founding family investors in Nestle,” said.

The Swiss food giant abruptly dismissed Mr Freixe at the beginning of September for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate.

Mr Freixe’s removal came a year after predecessor Mark Schneider suddenly departed and 2½ months after Mr Bulcke said he would step down in 2026.

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Crime

JUST IN: FBI Releases Video of Charlie Kirk Shooter, Recovers Weapons Nearby (Photos)

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The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office on Friday released video footage of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk fleeing a rooftop after the incident on September 10, 2025.

The bureau, in a statement accompanied by the video link shared on X on Friday, noted that the video shows the shooter climbing onto a rooftop shortly before the attack and then jumping off and fleeing the scene after firing the fatal shots.

Investigators also reportedly found the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting in a wooded area near the university.

The agency wrote, “The FBI has released a video and more photos of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting.

Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.
Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.

“Around 12 pm Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university.

“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.”

Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.
Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.

The bureau added that it is working closely with law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Credit: X| FBISaltLakeCity

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