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New Taiwan president sworn in, vows to defend island’s democracy

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New Taiwan president sworn in, vows to defend island’s democracy

By Francesca Hangeior

New Taiwan President Lai Chinese on Monday vowed to defend the island’s democracy, as he called on China to end its military intimidation of the self-ruled island.

In an inauguration speech, Lai also directly addressed the threat of war following years of growing pressure from China to bring Taiwan under mainland rule.

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Lai said a “glorious era of Taiwan’s democracy has arrived” and thanked citizens for “refusing to be swayed by external forces, for resolutely defending democracy”.

“In face of the many threats and attempts of infiltration from China, we must demonstrate our resolution to defend our nation and we must also raise our defence awareness and strengthen our legal framework for national security,” said Lai, 64.

China has described Lai as a “dangerous separatist” for his past comments on Taiwan’s independence — rhetoric that he has moderated in recent years.

On Monday, he said his government will “neither yield nor provoke, and (will) maintain the status quo” — a balance that preserves Taiwan’s sovereignty while not declaring formal independence.

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“I also want to call on China to cease their political and military intimidation against Taiwan,” Lai said.

He urged Beijing to “share with Taiwan the global responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait… and ensure the world is free from the fear of war”.

Lai has made repeated overtures to resume high-level communications with China, which Beijing severed in 2016 when his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen took power.

Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 when nationalists fled to the island following their defeat by communist forces in a civil war on mainland China.

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For more than 70 years, China has considered Taiwan as part of its territory and has long threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but remains the island’s most important partner and biggest arms supplier.

Lai is expected to further boost defence ties with Washington during his four-year term.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday congratulated Lai, saying he was looking forward to Washington and Taipei deepening ties and maintaining “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.

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As Lai took office, Chinese state media reported Beijing imposed sanctions on three US defence companies over their sales of weapons to Taipei.

Chinese social media Weibo also blocked hashtags referencing the inauguration, preventing them from trending on the platform used by hundreds of millions in China.

Ahead of the inauguration, Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office said that “Taiwan independence and peace in the strait is like water and fire”.

Chinese warplanes and naval vessels maintain a near-daily presence around the island, but in the days leading up to the inauguration, there has not been a significant uptick in the numbers.

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Tinubu Is Beatable in 2027, I Know Him Well — Makinde’s Running Mate, Daura

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Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is beatable in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he knows the President personally and understands his political strengths and weaknesses.

Daura, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Asked whether Tinubu could be defeated at the polls, Daura responded, “Very well,” arguing that the administration had made several mistakes that could work against the President in the 2027 election.

The former intelligence chief also dismissed the perception that Tinubu was unfamiliar to him, saying their relationship extends beyond politics.

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“President Bola Tinubu is not a stranger to me. Even though he is the President of the nation, he’s the leader, the Commander-in-Chief; in another class, we’re friends. We know ourselves very well,” he said.

Daura, however, cautioned that some claims and actions attributed to Tinubu did not necessarily reflect the President’s true position.

“There are lots of things being ascribed to him which he’s not,” he added.

‘I Took Bullets for Buhari’

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Reflecting on his years in government, Daura said he still misses former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whom he served as DSS Director-General.

“I do miss Muhammadu Buhari. I took bullets for him,” he said, recalling the risks he faced while serving the former President.

Daura also criticised individuals he described as sycophants who surrounded Buhari, accusing them of betraying the former President’s trust and exploiting his administration.

“There were so many sycophants around Buhari; they betrayed the trust he gave them and took advantage of that government,” he said.

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Why Makinde-Daura Ticket

Defending his partnership with Oyo State Governor and APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, Daura said the duo shared a common vision and understanding of the country’s challenges.

“We are a pair that seems to really understand each other; we share the same passion for this country,” he said.

Daura added that the ticket’s central message was to “reset” the country and chart a new direction for Nigeria.

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His comments came shortly after the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja.

The event was attended by several political figures, including former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

Obi described Makinde as qualified to serve as President and urged Nigerians to freely choose their preferred candidate in the 2027 election.

He also called on political leaders to work together in the national interest, regardless of who eventually emerges victorious at the polls.

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17-Year-Old Makes History as Ghana Premier League’s Youngest Captain

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At just 17, Labaran Majeed Alidu is already making history in Ghanaian football after taking on the captaincy of Vision FC in the Ghana Premier League.

Born on February 24, 2009, Alidu has emerged as one of the league’s most promising young defenders and is recognised as the youngest player to captain a Ghana Premier League side.

His appointment is particularly remarkable given the demands of leading a senior professional team at an age when many players are still competing in youth football.

Alidu has been a key part of Vision FC’s commitment to developing young talent, earning valuable experience in Ghana’s top-flight league while taking on increasing responsibility within the squad.

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His progress has also been recognised by the club. At Vision FC’s end-of-season awards, Alidu was named Young Player of the Season, highlighting his rapid development and growing importance to the team.

The teenage defender featured regularly for Vision FC during the 2025/26 season, further strengthening his reputation as one of Ghana’s emerging young footballers.

Beyond his defensive abilities, Alidu’s leadership qualities have set him apart. Wearing the captain’s armband at 17 represents a significant vote of confidence from the club and places him in a unique position to develop both as a player and a leader.

Vision FC’s willingness to give young players opportunities at senior level has provided Alidu with a platform to test himself against experienced professionals and accelerate his development.

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His breakthrough could also serve as a model for Ghana’s youth development system, demonstrating the potential rewards of giving talented youngsters meaningful opportunities in the domestic league.

With much of his career still ahead of him, Alidu will now be hoping to build on his historic breakthrough, improve his game and establish himself as one of Ghana’s leading young defenders.

For now, his remarkable rise has already secured him a place in Ghana Premier League history.

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Crocodile Handler Dies After Being Mauled at Papua New Guinea Wildlife Park

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A crocodile handler has died after being attacked by a crocodile while working inside an enclosure at a wildlife park in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The worker, whose identity has not been released, was attacked at Adventure Park on Saturday, September 5, while reportedly attempting to feed a crocodile.

He was rushed to 3 Mile General Hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries at about 7am on Sunday, September 6.

Footage of the horrifying incident circulated on social media, showing the injured worker clinging to the edge of a pool as bystanders desperately tried to assist him.

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The crocodile appeared to have its jaws locked around the man’s legs while a person outside the enclosure used a pole in an attempt to help free him. Another individual was also seen supporting the victim as onlookers gathered around the enclosure.

An eyewitness, Gibson John, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the attack occurred as the handler approached the crocodile with a chicken.

“He brought the chicken to the fence and the crocodile attacked the person and tried to bring him into the pool,” John said.

He said he contacted St John Ambulance after witnessing the attack but claimed the crocodile kept hold of the man’s legs for more than an hour before emergency responders arrived.

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According to John, security guards at the park did not have firearms and instead gave the victim a small iron rod to use while they waited for the police and ambulance crew.

“He was in severe pain but he couldn’t scream,” John said, describing the victim’s condition during the ordeal.

“The only thing I could hear him say was, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’”

John said he later learned that the victim had lost a leg before he was taken to hospital.

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The deceased worker was reportedly from the Western Islands in northern Papua New Guinea and had worked at the wildlife park for about two years.

Following the tragedy, Adventure Park has been closed indefinitely, while colleagues who witnessed the attack are reportedly mourning the handler at a funeral home.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.

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