Spotlights
FACT-CHECK: Did Donald Trump influence American Cardinal to be next Pope? Details Emerge
There are speculations that the United States of America President, Mr. Donald Trump is working for one of the US cardinals to become the next leader of the global Catholic Church.
They are among 10 American cardinals who will vote to elect the next Pope.
Experts say it’s unlikely the cardinals would choose an American to be pope.
Following the death of Pope Francis, 135 cardinals will vote in a conclave to elect the next leader of the global Catholic Church.
It’s among America’s swingiest states politically. So it’s perhaps unsurprising that the Wisconsin cardinals’ ideologies run the gamut from conservative to progressive. Two — cardinals Raymond Burke and Joseph Tobin — have been in the mix as contenders for the next pope. But experts say it’s unlikely the conclave would choose an American to be pope because it’s never happened before, and they may want to avoid someone with a U.S.-centric perspective.
Still, trying to predict who is in the running to succeed Pope Francis is relentless right now, so all four are worth a look.
The conclave will be made up of slightly more than half of the College of Cardinals. That’s because of the 252 members in the college, only those under 80 years old can vote in the highly secretive selection of the pope. About 80% of the electors were appointed by Francis, and they’re more diverse than in the past — there are fewer cardinals from Italy, for instance, and more from Africa, Asia and South America.
Three of the four cardinals with Wisconsin ties participated in the conclave to elect Francis, and the fourth, Tobin, was appointed by Francis.
Francis’ funeral is set for April 26. The election of the new pope must begin between 15 and 20 days after his death.
Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. If, after a voting round, no one receives two-thirds of the vote, ballots are burned in a stove with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke, a sign that tells those outside that the voting process will continue.
Once a cardinal receives the two-thirds vote and accepts his election, the ballots will be burned with chemicals producing white smoke, signaling to the outside world that a new pope has been chosen.
Raymond L. Burke
Burke, 76, had been an outspoken critic of Francis. He is seen as a leader in the traditionalist wing of the church, having publicly challenged Francis on LGBTQ issues, communion for divorced individuals, and other questions of church doctrine. He voiced concern that the Synod on Synodality, a three-year process of discussion on church issues, would foster “confusion, error and division.” He is known to wear elaborate vestments and opposes restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass.
The pope demoted Burke from a powerful position to a largely ceremonial one and later reportedly threatened to evict him from his Vatican apartment.
Born in Richland Center, Burke earned a doctorate in canon law in Rome. He was associate rector at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse and taught religion at Aquinas High School.
In 1995, he became the bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. He led the Archdiocese of St. Louis 2004 to 2008 before his appointment to various positions at the Vatican. He was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.
Timothy M. Dolan
Dolan, 75, is one of the United States’ most prominent Catholic leaders as the current archbishop of New York.
Born in St. Louis, Dolan has a reputation as a jovial, charismatic, media-savvy figure with conservative views. He was the archbishop of Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009 before being installed in New York. He also led the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for three years.
In Milwaukee, Dolan succeeded Archbishop Rembert Weakland, who had resigned amid sex abuse scandals, and the legacy of the controversy lingered throughout Dolan’s tenure. He was appointed to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI.
“Despite his general popularity, Dolan’s chances of becoming pope have been considered slim, partly due to the concern that an American pope might upset the global balance of power,” reads Dolan’s biography on The College of Cardinals Report website.
James M. Harvey
Harvey, 75, was born in Milwaukee and studied at St. Francis Seminary and later in Rome. He leads one of Rome’s four major basilicas as archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Harvey has held various administrative positions at the Vatican, including as head of the papal household for 24 years. A butler in the household during Harvey’s tenure was convicted of stealing and leaking documents. And Harvey was one of many Catholic clergy who accepted cash gifts from disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
“It never occurred to me that this would be in some way improper,” Harvey told the Washington Post, who first reported on the cash handouts. Harvey said he had received several monetary gifts from bishops as thanks for arranging papal visits.
According to The College of Cardinals Report, Harvey is known for having conservative views but rarely speaks publicly, so his opinions on issues are “largely unknown.” He was a trusted confidant of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, who made him a cardinal, the site said.
Joseph W. Tobin
Tobin, 72, the archbishop of Newark, has been a well-known ally of Pope Francis — and is a weightlifter and a recovering alcoholic. He holds progressive views on the inclusion of LGBTQ people and women in the church and is an advocate for undocumented immigrants. He has spoken out against President Donald Trump’s policies.
He was born in Detroit as the oldest of 13 children. He went to high school seminary in Edgerton, Wisconsin, at St. Joseph’s Preparatory College and earned a bachelor’s degree at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, Wisconsin, in the 1970s. Both institutions in southern Wisconsin have since closed. Tobin is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a religious order known as the Redemptorists, which ran both schools.
Tobin was a pastor in Detroit and Chicago, then led the Redemptorists as superior general, and after a short stint at the Vatican, he was appointed archbishop of Indianapolis in 2012. In 2016, he was installed in Newark and Francis made him a cardinal. Reuters reported Tobin was praised for his handling of the fallout from the McCarrick abuse revelations in Newark.
“It’s unlikely the world’s cardinals would pick the first ever U.S. pope, but if they were up for that, Tobin would seem the likeliest possibility,” Reuters reported.
FACT-CHECK reveals that it is not true that the American President Donald Trump influenced any US cardinal as the next leader of the global Catholic Church.
President Paul Biya has been declared winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, extending his rule to a record eighth consecutive term despite opposition claims of electoral fraud.
The Constitutional Council announced on Monday that Biya, 92, emerged victorious in the country’s disputed poll, cementing his position as the world’s oldest serving head of state. The result means Biya, who has ruled since 1982, will remain in power until 2032.
However, the declaration has been met with strong rejection from opposition leaders. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Biya’s main challenger, had earlier declared himself the winner, insisting that the official result would be “tainted” and “not reflective of the people’s will.”
The senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has said he feels sorry for men who have only one wife, arguing that polygamy gives men greater stability and balance.
The lawmaker stated this on Sunday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He also addressed recent allegations of domestic violence made against him by his actress wife, Regina Daniels.
When asked how he manages to live with four wives, something many men find difficult, Nwoko paused briefly before replying.
“That is a different topic for discussion on another day. Yes, every man should do that. The example I give is this: just imagine telling you to stand on one foot or leg. You know how difficult it is.
“But to stand on two, three, four is much more balanced. That’s just the example I give. So I feel sorry for those who have one wife because it’s difficult to stand on one leg,” he said.
When reminded that the Holy Bible does not support polygamy, Nwoko maintained that it does. “The Old Testament does. I am a man of faith. But that’s not what we are here for,” he said.
Asked if he had any regrets about his marital choices, the senator said he did not.
“No, I don’t have any regret. I will do the same thing again. Of course, that’s the way it should be. You should marry who you want to marry,” he stated.
Reacting to the allegations of domestic violence, Nwoko denied the claims. “No, come on. You know I am not a violent person. I respect my wives. I love them and my kids,” he said.
His comments came shortly after Regina Daniels, his estranged wife, showed off a newly acquired mansion on social media amid reports of a marital crisis.
Tribune Online reports that in a post on Instagram on Sunday, the Nollywood actress shared photos and videos of the property with the caption, “In my house, I am a Queen! I needed a roof over my head, so I got this for me and my family.”
The post came after a viral video from October 18 showed her in tears outside her Abuja residence, alleging abuse.
“In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing, but in my own house, I am a Queen. Not again. I can’t stand the violence, it’s too much,” she said.
Nigerians are experiencing a sense of relief as the naira shows significant improvement in value against major currencies such as the US dollar, British pound, and euro.
As the naira gains strength, many are optimistic that this shift could lead to a more stable financial environment and improved purchasing power for the average Nigerian.
The strong performance comes as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) formally announced Nigeria’s removal from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, known as the “grey list”, following a successful on-site evaluation of reforms implemented across the financial system.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows that the naira has appreciated against the dollar to N1,455.50, a significant rise compared to the N1,630 per dollar recorded in July.
Naira also improved against the pound and euro, exchanging at N1,946.5 per pound and N1,696 per euro, respectively.
In the parallel market, checks by Legit.ng confirmed a similar trend. The naira exchanged between N1,482 and N1,492 per dollar, down from N1,520 recorded earlier in the week.
The pound also weakened to around N2,000, while the euro fell to N1,720. Abubakar Musa, a trader, told Legit.ng “The market is in favour of naira in the last few days. There is more forex in the market reason we are selling pound below N2,000 exchange rate.”
CFA: N2.59
Yuan/Renminbi: N204.70
Danish Krona: N227.04
Euro: N1,696.33
Yen: N9.54
Riyal: N388.77
South African Rand: N84.43
Swiss Franc: N1,834.83
Pound Sterling: N1,946.52
US Dollar: N1,457.96
In February 2023, the FATF, a financial crimes watchdog based in France, placed Nigeria on the grey list.
The message from the global community was clear: the nation needed more vigorous enforcement, better coordination, and greater transparency.
The removal of Nigeria from the grey list showed that the country has made progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, said that the removal of Nigeria from the grey list means a whole lot, noting it will boost the naira. Also, Tayo Oviosu, CEO of Paga, said: “This is a big deal because it opens up the country for FDI and engagement from the West, especially.”
The CBN also welcomed the FATF decision reinforces the broader restoration of global confidence in Nigeria’s economic management.
Source: MyNigeria
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that God in heaven is a God of justice, as reported by Daily Post.
Kanu disclosed this while arriving at the Abuja Federal High Court to begin his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial.
He accused lawyers of not knowing what the law and justice is.
According to Kanu: “You are here you don’t know what law is, you don’t know what Justice is. You don’t know that God is a God of Justice, you don’t know that?
“You don’t know that God in heaven is a God of Justice, you don’t know that?”
The IPOB leader is expected to begin his defence today after he names some imminent Nigerians to testify in his trial.
Last week, Kanu had disengaged his lawyers, stressing that he would defend himself before the Justice James Omotosho-led court.
The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected baby factory and human trafficking syndicate operating in Ore, the headquarters of the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, according to Channels Television.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.
Ayanlade said the case, which originated from the Ore division, had been transferred to the Command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit for thorough investigation.
The discovery followed a report made on October 21, 2025, by a 17-year-old girl, identified as Vivian Peter from Akwa Ibom State, who told the police that she had been trafficked from her home state to Ore under the guise of securing a job opportunity.
Upon arrival in Ore, the teenager was allegedly taken to a facility posing as a clinic, which later turned out to be a baby factory.
There, she reportedly met other pregnant girls being held against their will.
She disclosed that the operator of the facility, Ada Clement, instructed her to be taken to another hospital for a medical scan, but she managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ore Police Division.
Acting swiftly on the report, police operatives from the Ore division, in collaboration with the gender unit, raided the facility, rescuing five pregnant girls and a baby boy.
One of the victims had already given birth and is currently receiving post-natal care at the General Hospital, Ore, while the others are in protective custody.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the prime suspect, Ada Clement, and some of her accomplices had confessed to operating the baby factory.
They reportedly admitted that the babies were sold to individuals seeking children, with male babies going for ₦600,000 and above, and female babies for ₦400,000 and above.
Ayanlade noted that the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, ordered a comprehensive and discreet investigation to ensure that all members of the syndicate are arrested and prosecuted.
He noted that detectives from the Command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit were already on the trail of other fleeing members of the ring.
Lawal reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in the fight against human trafficking, child exploitation, and all forms of gender-based violence.
Lawal assured the public that the Command would continue to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for victims of such heinous crimes.
Proposals for new states in Nigeria are gaining traction after successfully passing the second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bills, sponsored by lawmakers from various regions, aim to create new administrative entities by dividing existing states.
If approved, these new states could significantly alter the country’s geopolitical landscape and governance framework.
Below is a comprehensive listicle detailing each proposed state.
Ibadan State: On 9 October 2025, the Cable reported that a bill seeking to create Ibadan State from the existing Oyo State had passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Abass Adigun—who represents the Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East federal constituency—aimed to amend the 1999 Constitution to facilitate the creation of the new state.
Ijebu State: On 23 October 2025, Vanguard confirmed that the House of Representatives had passed for second reading a bill proposing the creation of Ijebu State from the present Ogun State.
The legislation was sponsored by Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, representing Ijebu Ode/Ijebu North East/Odogbolu Federal Constituency, alongside three other lawmakers.
The bill’s progression through the second reading stage depicted the growing demand for administrative decentralisation in the South-West, with proponents arguing that the Ijebu region deserved its own statehood due to its historical and economic significance.
Oke-Ogun, Ife-Ijesa, and Ijebu States featured in multi-state creation bill: In March 2025, Dailyrust reported that four bills seeking the creation of additional states had successfully passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
Among them was a consolidated bill sponsored by Rep. Oluwole Oke, which proposed the creation of three new states: Oke-Ogun State, Ijebu State, and Ife-Ijesa State.
This legislative package aimed to amend Part 1 of the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution. The inclusion of Ijebu State in this bill reaffirmed its legislative traction, while Oke-Ogun and Ife-Ijesa emerged as fresh contenders for statehood in the South-West region.
Tiga state proposal gains ground in Kano region: Also among the bills reported by Dailyrust was HB.1308, sponsored by Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijani. This legislation sought to create Tiga State from the present Kano State, with Rano proposed as the state capital.
The bill’s advancement to second reading reflected growing calls for administrative restructuring in the North-West, where population density and regional diversity have fuelled demands for more localised governance.
Orlu State: Rep. Ikweagwuonu Ugochinyere sponsored HB.1430, a bill proposing the creation of Orlu State in the South-East region of Nigeria. According to Dailyrust, the bill passed second reading in March 2025, marking a significant step in the campaign for increased representation and autonomy in the region.
The proposed Orlu State would be carved from existing territories in the South-East, aiming to address long-standing concerns over political marginalisation and resource allocation.
Etiti State: Another South-East initiative was sponsored by Rep. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi. The bill proposed the creation of Etiti State, with Okigwe designated as its capital.
It successfully passed second reading in March 2025, as reported by Dailyrust. The legislation aimed to carve Etiti State from the existing five states in the South-East, reflecting a strategic push to enhance administrative efficiency and regional development.
While the bills have cleared second reading, they must still undergo further scrutiny and approval before any new states can be officially created.
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