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Airlines Suspend Flights As Middle East Tensions Rise

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United Airlines and Delta Air Lines both suspended flights to Israel on Wednesday, halting planned flights to Tel Aviv amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

“Beginning with this evening’s flight from Newark Liberty to Tel Aviv, we are suspending for security reasons our daily Tel Aviv service as we evaluate our next steps,” United said in a statement in a statement.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews.” they added

Delta Posted a notice on its website that its flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv will be paused through Friday, saying the company “is continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports and will communicate any updates as needed.”

Air France -KLM: Air France has extended its suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until Aug. 11.

Air India: The Indian flag carrier suspended scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv through Aug. 8.

Israel has been at war with Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas ever since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, but the conflict in the region has escalated in recent days and stoked fears that Israel could face further targeting after the deaths of two leaders of Iran’s terrorist proxy organizations.

On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut targeted and killed Fuad Shukr, a key commander of the terrorist group Hezbollah. Shukr was the Hezbollah commander who was behind a drone strike that killed 12 children and teens on a soccer field in Israel over the weekend.

Then Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday, prompting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to declare that it is Iran’s duty to “take revenge” for the attack.

No one immediately took responsibility for the assassination, but Israel was quickly blamed after pledging to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the terrorist group’s Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish State, which killed 1,200 people while roughly 250 others were abducted.

While Israel did not immediately comment, it usually does not make public statements on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency.

 

 

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Telecom Operators Reject NLC’s Demand for Tariff Reduction, Justify 50% Hike

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By Emmanuel Ogbodo

Nigeria’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have rejected calls from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to negotiate a reduction in the recent 50% tariff increase, insisting the hike is necessary for the industry’s sustainability amid rising operational costs.

The NLC, opposing the adjustment, has demanded a rollback to 5% and threatened a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, if its demands are not met.

The union described the increase as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” warning it would further strain Nigerian consumers.

At a weekend forum in Lagos, representatives from the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and major telecom firms, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and 9mobile, defended the hike.

ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo likened the increase to a “lifeline” for the industry, arguing that anything lower would cripple operations.

MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, clarified that operators do not engage directly with the NLC, as ALTON manages industry-wide negotiations.

Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Femi Adeniran, added that discussions with labour unions fall under the purview of government agencies and ALTON.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which approved the tariff adjustment on January 20, 2025, defended the move, citing inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and rising energy costs.

The commission emphasized that the decision aligns with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, to ensure telecom sector viability.

Despite these justifications, the NLC remains firm in its opposition. Union President Joe Ajaero reiterated the demand for a significant reduction, warning of nationwide protests if the hike is not reversed.

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Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price to N890 Per Litre

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By Alexis Uchendu

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N950 to N890 per litre, effective February 1, 2025.

The company attributed the price adjustment to a favorable shift in global energy markets and a decline in international crude oil prices.

This follows a previous price hike on January 19, driven by rising crude costs.

Dangote Refinery expressed optimism that the price cut will lower fuel costs nationwide, ease the cost of living, and positively impact key economic sectors.

The company also urged fuel marketers to reflect the reduction at retail stations, ensuring consumers benefit from the adjustment as part of broader economic recovery efforts led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products, the refinery pledged to strengthen the country’s position as a leading oil export hub in Africa.

 

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Naira Gains Against Dollar Amid CBN Reforms

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By Adenike Lawal

The Naira appreciated by 0.78% at the official market on Wednesday, trading at N1,510.72 per dollar, an N11.96 gain from the previous day’s rate of N1,522.68, according to FMDQ Securities Exchange data.

Since December 2024, the Naira has remained relatively stable, largely due to ongoing reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

On Tuesday, the apex bank introduced additional measures, including a waiver on the 2025 annual license renewal fee for Bureau De Change (BDC), operators and the launch of the Nigeria Foreign Exchange (FX), Code to enhance transparency in forex transactions.

Dr. Aminu Gwadabe, President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), praised the CBN’s initiatives, urging continued support for policies that strengthen the local currency.

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