News
North Korea to Reopen Borders to International Tourists in December
In December, North Korea is set to reopen its borders to international tourists, focusing initially on the northeastern city of Samjiyon, according to tour operators.
This development suggests that the isolated nation is preparing to allow larger groups of foreign visitors after maintaining strict COVID-19 border restrictions for several years.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours announced on Wednesday that it had received confirmation from local partners about the resumption of tourism in Samjiyon and potentially across other parts of the country starting in December 2024.
This marks a significant shift, as North Korea has largely been closed to international travellers since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
Although international flights to and from North Korea resumed last year, and a select group of Russian tourists were allowed a private visit in February, the country has not fully opened its doors to broader international tourism.
Koryo Tours expressed enthusiasm about the development, noting that after a four-year wait, they are eager to welcome tourists back to North Korea.
The company highlighted that its local partner would soon provide more details regarding travel itineraries and specific dates.
Samjiyon, located near the Chinese border, has been a focal point for North Korean development efforts.
The city is being transformed into what North Korean officials describe as a “socialist utopia” and a model of a “highly-civilized mountain city.”
This transformation includes the construction of new residential areas, hotels, a ski resort, and various commercial, cultural, and medical facilities.
The development project has faced scrutiny, leading to the recent dismissal or demotion of senior officials by Kim Jong Un due to what was termed as “irresponsible” management of the Samjiyon initiative.
KTG Tours also confirmed that they would be offering trips to Samjiyon starting this winter, signalling a broader reopening of North Korean tourism.
News
‘He Was a Giant’ — President Tinubu Mourns Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
News
Deji Adeyanju Demands Action From Tinubu Over Counterfeit Products
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
News
‘Two Hours on the Road’ — Lagosians Groan Over Kara Bridge Traffic
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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