US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday, though there was no indication if Iran-backed Hezbollah was on board.

Trump said the truce followed “excellent” conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, taking place two days after Israel and Lebanon held peace talks in Washington.

“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Trump said he had directed US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and top US military officer Dan Caine to work with the two countries “to achieve a Lasting PEACE.”

“It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!” said Trump, who launched the war on Iran alongside Israel on February 28.

Hezbollah then pulled Lebanon into the Middle East war, firing rockets at Israel in support of its backer, Tehran.

Since then, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country’s south.

Trump said late Wednesday that Aoun and Netanyahu were due to speak on Thursday, but there was no confirmation that any such call had happened.

AFP

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Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged illegal possession of firearms, filed against them by the Federal Government.

The Department of State Services had, on February 3, 2026, arraigned the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing, aiding terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms.

Malami was also accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers while in office, in addition to alleged unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm and ammunition.

They had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail by the court.

However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court of an amended charge dated April 14, 2026, which he said had been served on the defendants.

Kehinde urged the court to substitute the earlier charge dated February 2, 2026, with the amended one to enable the defendants to take a fresh plea.

Responding, defence counsel, Shaibu Arua (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, struck out the earlier charge and discharged the defendants in respect of it.

The court thereafter ordered that the amended five-count charge be read to the defendants.

In the amended charge, the defendants were accused of preparing to engage in acts of terrorism by allegedly possessing firearms without a licence, including a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges.

The offences are said to be contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

After the charge was read, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following the plea, Kehinde urged the court to fix a date for trial.

However, the defence counsel prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted to them.

The prosecution did not oppose the application.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed May 26 and June 16, 2026, for trial.

The amended charges read: “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without a license a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Global business and political influence took centre stage as Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and United States President Donald Trump have been named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People for 2026, underscoring their continued impact on global markets, policy, and leadership discourse.

The list, released on April 15, recognises individuals shaping global discourse across business, politics, technology, and culture. Dangote and Trump were alongside prominent figures such as Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mark Carney, and Pope Leo XIV, as well as business and technology leaders, including Sundar Pichai and Neal Mohan.

Dangote, who featured in the Titans category, is the only Nigerian on the 2026 list, though not the only African. Other Africans recognised include Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Precious Matsoso, Anok Yai, Mamadou Amadou Ly, and Zabib Musa Loro, reflecting broader African representation across leadership, health, culture, education, and peacebuilding.

This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the TIME100 list, having first been honoured in 2014 for his impact on business and philanthropy. His return more than a decade later shows the consistency and scale of his global influence.

As founder of Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate, Dangote has driven investments across cement manufacturing, sugar refining, fertiliser production, agriculture, and infrastructure, with a recent expansion into energy. These investments have significantly reduced reliance on imports while creating jobs and strengthening local production capacity across the continent.

In its citation, TIME highlighted Dangote’s long-term vision of building globally competitive industries using African resources, pointing to his large-scale investments in manufacturing and energy infrastructure as central to Africa’s economic transformation.

Other notable figures in the Titans category include Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission; Sundar Pichai; Neal Mohan; Michael and Susan Dell, founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; and Ralph Lauren, founder of the Ralph Lauren Corporation.

In the Pioneer category, individuals recognised for breakthroughs in science and social advocacy include Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas for advances in genetic therapy, as well as Aaron Williams for contributions to heart transplant readiness.

The list also features influential figures in global entertainment and culture, such as Ranbir Kapoor, Dakota Johnson, and Kate Hudson, recognised for their impact in film and broader cultural influence.

Beyond his business achievements, Dangote is widely regarded for his philanthropic leadership through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, one of Africa’s largest private foundations, which supports initiatives in healthcare, nutrition, education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment.

The 2026 recognition also comes as the Dangote Group advances its long-term growth strategy, Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the conglomerate from a $30bn regional player into a $100bn global enterprise. The roadmap is structured in phases, with the first phase spanning 2025 to 2028, focused on scaling existing businesses in cement, fertiliser, and energy, while optimising assets for global competitiveness.

The second phase, covering 2028 to 2030, is expected to drive expansion into new sectors and international markets, including planned investments in steel manufacturing, power generation, and deep-sea ports to address critical industrial gaps across Africa.

The latest TIME recognition reflects growing global acknowledgement of African leadership and enterprise, with Dangote standing out for industrial scale, while other African honourees highlight influence across governance, public health, education, culture, and peacebuilding.