News
King Charles, siblings to hold vigil by late Queen’s coffin
As thousands of mourners stood in line for miles to pay their last respects to the late Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth during her lying-in-state, King Charles will be joined by his siblings on Friday to mount a vigil at the coffin of the late monarch.
King Charles, his sister Princess Anne, and brothers Princes Andrew and Edward will join the ceremonial guard for the 15-minute vigil at Westminster Hall in central London where their 96-year-old mother’s coffin has rested since Wednesday evening.
Already tens of thousands of people from all walks of life from Britain and around the world have patiently queued for hours for the opportunity to pass by the coffin, with the line stretching back almost 5 miles (8 km).
Officials expect about 750,000 people to view the coffin before the lying-in-state ends at 6:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) on Monday, the day of Elizabeth’s state Funeral.
Before the 7:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) vigil, Charles and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, will travel to Wales.
The trip will mark the end of a tour of the United Kingdom where he has performed ceremonial duties to acknowledge his status as the new monarch and head of state, and to greet the public mourning the loss of Elizabeth, who reigned for 70 years.
The royal couple will be greeted with a 21-gun salute, attend a cathedral service, and travel to the Welsh parliament, Charles will meet the Welsh first minister and other politicians.
Wales has a particular significance for the new king, who for five decades preceding last week’s accession had the title Prince of Wales – longer than anyone previously.
Meanwhile, the new Prince of Wales, Charles’s son William, will visit troops from New Zealand, Canada and Australia who are in Britain to take part in events surrounding Elizabeth’s state funeral on Monday.
He will be accompanied by his wife Kate, the new Princess of Wales, the title was previously held by William’s mother Diana, killed in a car crash in 1997.
Her death likewise prompted a national outpouring of grief, and William spoke on Thursday of how the solemn events of the last week had revived memories of the funeral procession for Diana.
Britain is gearing up to welcome presidents, prime ministers and royalty from around the world for Monday’s funeral, which is likely to be one of the grandest ceremonies ever seen in the British capital, involving thousands of military personnel.
King Charles, siblings to hold vigil by late Queen’s coffin
Headlines
Trump Victory Sparks Celebration in Florida, Disappointment for Harris Supporters
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
Headlines
Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Historic Re-Election, Eyes Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Ties
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
Headlines
Peter Obi Calls for Lasting Solution to Nigeria’s Power Crisis
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the federal government to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s ongoing power crisis following yet another national grid collapse, leaving Nigerians in darkness.
Posting on his X handle, Obi highlighted the frequency of grid failures, noting that since January 2024, the grid has collapsed ten times, with three incidents occurring in October alone.
Contrasting Nigeria’s power struggles with South Africa’s recent achievements, Obi stated, “Just a few days ago, on the 25th of October, South Africa, which was Africa’s second-largest economy until recently, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply. South Africa generates about 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of that.”
Obi criticised the tendency to frame Nigeria’s electricity issues through tribal or religious lenses, stressing, “Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa? I am labelled a tribal bigot. When I ask if any religion enjoys special privileges in this crisis, I am called a religious bigot. But I will continue to speak the truth about our situation today.”
He urged Nigerians to set aside “primordial sentiments” and focus on electing leaders capable of advancing development goals. “The solution lies not in tribal or religious affiliations but in visionary leadership and a shared commitment to progress,” Obi stated.
He emphasised the need to prioritize investments in critical areas such as health, education, and electricity to uplift Nigerians and shift from a consumer-driven economy to a productive one.
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