University lecturers in Nigeria have emerged among the worst paid in Africa, with professors earning an average of $366 (about ₦500,000) monthly. Findings by local publication Punch show that Nigerian professors earn around $4,400 annually, far behind their South African counterparts who make $57,471 yearly. Other African nations with far smaller economies, including Eswatini, Lesotho, Gabon, Sierra Leone, and Comoros, pay higher. Lecturers in Nigeria have warned that the disparity is worsening brain drain, poor morale, and the flight of academics to government, private, and foreign institutions.

Deportation dispute as U.S., Ghana, and Nigeria clash over returnees

Confusion surrounds the deportation of 14 West Africans from the United States to Ghana. While Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the 13 Nigerians and one Gambian were subsequently repatriated to their home countries on humanitarian grounds, lawyers for four deportees insist they remain in Ghana. Nigeria’s government has also pushed back, saying it was not briefed about its nationals being sent to Ghana, a move critics argue raises legal and diplomatic questions.

UN warns of worsening school closures in West and Central Africa

Nearly 15,000 schools have been shut across West and Central Africa, disrupting the education of more than 3 million children, according to a new UN report. The closures are linked to growing insecurity, conflict, and displacement, with Nigeria and Cameroon worst affected. In Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, more than 80% of schools are closed, affecting over 600,000 children, while in Nigeria, nearly 500 schools remain shut. UNICEF and the Norwegian Refugee Council warn that girls are particularly vulnerable, with risks of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence rising.

Solar-powered recycling plant

A new solar-powered recycling plant has been launched in Onne, Rivers State, by West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals Nigeria in partnership with Garbage In Value Out (GIVO). The facility can process up to 300 kilograms of plastic waste daily — about 90 metric tons annually. Community members will also earn income by exchanging plastic waste. Project leaders said the initiative will cut 2,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, create jobs for local youth, and provide a sustainable solution to drainage blockages in the maritime community.

Dangote Refinery exports first gasoline cargo to U.S.

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has exported its first gasoline cargo to the United States, marking a milestone in the country’s refining and global trade ambitions. About 320,000 barrels of gasoline were shipped aboard the Gemini Pearl tanker and discharged at Sunoco’s Linden terminal in New York Harbour. The sale, brokered through Mocoh Oil and global trader Vitol, highlights the refinery’s ability to meet strict U.S. fuel standards. The shipment expands Dangote’s export reach, which had previously focused on Europe and West Africa.

The terminology for automotive fuel varies significantly by region . The word "petrol" is widely used in the United Kingdom, India, Australia, South Africa, and many other former British colonies, which reflects the legacy of British English.

On the contrary, "gasoline" is standard in the United States, Canada, and much of Central and Latin America , aligning with American English usage.

In Russia, Eastern Europe, and some parts of Asia, the term "benzene" (or variants like benzin and benzina) is common. This stems from early petrochemical terminology and linguistic ties to German and Slavic languages.

Meanwhile, "essence" is the preferred term in France and many Francophone African nations, derived from historic French terminology related to refined petroleum spirits. In Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, "naphtha" (or naphta) is used, a reference to historic names for hydrocarbon distillates.

Several other nations employ unique terms based on local dialects or historical usage. Despite the differences in naming, all terms refer to the same product —refined hydrocarbon fuel designed for spark-ignition engines.

“Gasoline” originated in mid-19th-century North America, combining “gas” with chemical suffixes such as -ol or -ene. “Petrol” traces back to the Latin petroleum, meaning “rock oil,” and was commercialised by British refiners in the 1800s.

“Benzene” and its derivatives were adopted across German and Slavic-speaking nations due to the prominence of early industrial chemical classification . Similarly, “essence” has long been associated with French linguistic traditions and marketing language.

Iran has formally condemned reports that U.S. President Donald Trump may refer to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" or "Gulf of Arabia" during his visit to Arab states. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that any such move would be seen as a hostile act and would provoke strong backlash from the Iranian public. Araghchi emphasised that the name "Persian Gulf" is historically established and politically neutral, warning that efforts to change it are politically motivated and unacceptable.

Iran retains world’s lowest gasoline prices 

Iran continues to offer the world’s cheapest gasoline at IRR15,000 per litre ($0.018), according to Global Petrol Prices data released on May 8. Despite leading in low petroleum prices, the country faces economic pressure due to a sharply devalued rial and limited fiscal space. Government efforts to raise fuel prices risk triggering public unrest, as seen during past protests. Iran’s subsidised fuel costs remain less than one-third of Saudi Arabia’s rate of $0.62 per litre — the lowest among G20 nations.

Israel issues direct warning to Iran following Houthi attack

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a warning on Thursday, May 8, indicating that Iran will be held directly accountable for attacks by its regional proxies. The statement followed a recent assault on Ben Gurion Airport by Houthi rebels, a group backed by Iran. Katz stated that the proxy strategy employed by Iran is over, asserting that Iran will face the same consequences as groups such as Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, and the Assad regime in Damascus. He emphasised Iran’s direct responsibility for financing and arming the Houthis, declaring that similar retaliatory measures could be taken against Tehran.

U.S. sanctions third Chinese refinery over Iranian oil purchases

The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on China’s Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group and three companies operating a port terminal in Dongying, Shandong province. The entities were sanctioned for purchasing or facilitating the delivery of Iranian oil valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. This marks the third Chinese independent refinery, known as a “teapot,” sanctioned by the Trump administration under its renewed “maximum pressure” campaign. The policy seeks to block Iran’s oil export revenues to influence nuclear negotiations and limit Tehran’s support for militant groups in the Middle East.

India, Iran discuss bilateral ties and security concerns

India and Iran convened the 20th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) to review and advance bilateral cooperation . The meeting coincided with the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty. During the discussions, India informed Iran of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 civilian deaths. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that both sides examined a wide range of topics, including trade, agriculture, healthcare, cultural exchange, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi, on his first visit to India since taking office in August 2024, held meetings with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, President Droupadi Murmu, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. His visit followed a prior trip to Pakistan.

Cuban authorities announced on Monday, January 8, that the price of gasoline will increase by 500% starting on February 1. A litre of regular gasoline will rise from $0.20 to $1.10, and the cost of a litre of special gasoline will increase to $1.30, as reported by El País . Tourists will be required to pay for fuel in dollars. Starting on March 1, the electricity price will also surge by 25% for certain households. These measures are part of Cuba's strategy to address the ongoing crisis.

Interprovincial transportation prices

On Tuesday, the Cuban government announced an increase in interprovincial transportation costs. According to CiberCuba , the rates for buses and planes will rise by 300%, and trains by up to 700%. These new fares will take effect from March 1.

A second femicide

In the first 10 days of 2024, Cuba registered two femicides, as reported by the Cuban platform YoSíTeCreo and the Gender Observatory of the magazine Alas Tensas (OGAT). In 2023, there were 88 cases, marking the highest number since groups like those mentioned began collecting data in 2019, according to CubaNet .

Cuban doctors in Mexico

In an interview with the Mexican radio station Radio Fórmula , Julieta del Río, commissioner of Mexico’s National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection (INAI), stated that, according to an international report, Mexico granted $10,700 (181,900 Mexican pesos) to the Cuban government for each of the 585 doctors and nurses who arrived in the country during the COVID-19 crisis. The commissioner called for transparency in payment explanations and accused the Cuban government of “keeping” 94.4%.

Storm in Havana

During the early hours of this Wednesday, a severe storm occurred in the municipality of Playa. Approximately 20 homes have been affected, but no human injuries have been reported, according to Tribuna de La Habana . Authorities said that efforts are underway to restore electrical and telephone services.

What they said

“As of Saturday December 23, 2023, the sale of gasoline and diesel throughout the national territory is rationed as follows: 25 liters per vehicle, 5 liters per motorcycle and tricycle, ban on serving in cans, the circulation of tanker trucks is subject to a secure escort and a mission order,” Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, government spokesperson and Minister of Telecommunications was quoted by Guinee Matin . As regards persons who were injured, the government said in a statement, "despite the efforts by medical teams, we lament four new deaths today, bringing the total to 18. Of the 212 people treated by health workers, 127 have returned to their homes and 85 people are still hospitalised, including four in intensive care.”