Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-California) announced her retirement Thursday morning via video message.

In the message posted on her social media accounts she speaks directly to San Francisco.

She said: “San Francisco, know your power,”. “We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.

“Dear San Francisco, we are fortunate to live in the most beautiful, remarkable place on Earth, but the true magic of San Francisco, the San Franciscans. There’s a reason why our city has always been synonymous with the future. Here, we don’t fear the future. We forge it from the gold rush to the miracles of science and technology. Our city has always been the cradle of innovation, buzzing with optimism and creativity.

“We are vibrant and diverse city, home to hard working families, diligent students and Heroic veterans and the dreams of entrepreneurs and immigrants from Chinatown to Japantown, from the mission to the film Hunters Point to the Castro North Beach to the sunset. We are also resilient, experiencing more than our fair share of challenges.

“When the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, we brought in federal support that ensured we would not just recover but reimagine the South of Market neighborhood, and of course, HIV AIDS tested our city to its core. But out of our agony came action. Under the leadership of UCSF and San Francisco General, we pioneered comprehensive community based care, prevention and research.

That very system served as a model, as we wrote the Ryan White Care Act, which still ensures access to life saving medical care nationwide. Fittingly, our city is home to the National AIDS memorial grove, a place of renewal, where we remember the loved ones we lost. For decades, I’ve cherished the privilege of representing our magnificent city in the United States Congress.”

In a high-stakes moment for Nigeria’s diplomacy and domestic political agenda, President Bola Tinubu has spoken publicly for the first time in response to threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump — at the same time swearing in two new ministers to his Cabinet.

President Trump recently directed U.S. military planning toward Nigeria, warning that American assistance could be cut off if Nigeria continues to “allow the killing of Christians” — and even suggesting the possibility of U.S. intervention.

In response, Tinubu’s office, via Minister of Information & National Orientation Mohammed Idris, announced that the president remains calm and is taking the matter “with the depth it requires”.

The government emphasised that Nigeria is engaging via multiple channels — including religious leaders, international organisations and regional bodies — to clarify its position and dispel narratives of religious intolerance.

Analysts say the seriousness of the U.S. approach underscores global concern about Nigeria’s security and religious-freedom situation.

At a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held earlier today, President Tinubu swore in:

• Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro (from Plateau State) to fill the vacant Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Reduction.
• Mr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN, from Enugu State) to fill the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, following the resignation of his predecessor amid allegations of certificate forgery.

Their appointments were confirmed by the Senate and came at a moment of heightened domestic and international scrutiny.

A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, officials said Monday, marking the latest in a series of deadly tremors to hit the country in recent years.

The 6.3-magnitude quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometres (17 miles) near Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the region’s largest cities, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said, “Based on the information we have so far, 534 people have been injured and more than 20 fatalities have been taken to hospitals in Samangan and Balkh provinces.”

In Mazar-i-Sharif, residents were seen rushing into the streets as buildings shook. The city’s historic Blue Mosque, a 15th-century landmark known for its vibrant tiles, sustained damage, with parts of one minaret broken and scattered across the mosque grounds. Tremors were reportedly felt as far south as Kabul, approximately 420 kilometres away.

Authorities have faced challenges in assessing damage in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions due to poor infrastructure and communication networks. The Defence Ministry reported that the main road between Mazar-i-Sharif and the town of Kholm had been cleared, with stranded residents rescued overnight.

Deputy Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said, “Numerous homes have been destroyed, and significant material losses have been incurred,” without providing specific figures.

The earthquake comes months after a devastating 6.0-magnitude tremor in eastern Afghanistan in August, which killed over 2,200 people and caused approximately $183 million in damages, according to the World Bank.

Afghanistan, located along the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, frequently experiences earthquakes. Previous major tremors in Herat in 2023 and Nangarhar in 2022 claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed thousands of homes.

The country’s humanitarian situation remains dire, with ongoing drought, economic restrictions, and the forced return of Afghan citizens from neighbouring countries exacerbating the crisis. The United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of rising hunger and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

Authorities continue rescue and relief operations, with officials urging affected communities to remain cautious and assist in emergency measures.