Nigeria News (Standard)
Kyoto Opens World’s First Plush Toy Shrine, Honours Over 26,000 Stuffed Animals
Newly launched Nuigurumi Jinja to begin receiving visitors during Tanabata festival as families seek emotional closure
Newly launched Nuigurumi Jinja to begin receiving visitors during Tanabata festival as families seek emotional closure
Authorities in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, have inaugurated what is believed to be the world’s first shrine solely dedicated to plush toys, offering memorial and thanksgiving ceremonies for cherished stuffed animals. The site, known as Nuigurumi Jinja (Plush Toy Shrine), was established on 20 June and will officially open its doors to the public on 7 July to coincide with the annual Tanabata festival.
The founder, Komichi Horiguchi, who also created the popular Plush Toy Hospital repair service, said the idea came from observing the deep emotional bonds people form with their plushies. According to Horiguchi, more than 26,000 toys have been repaired by her organisation for owners across Japan and internationally. She noted that many people regard these toys as companions during childhood, illness and difficult periods, making it difficult for them to simply dispose of them when they get old or damaged.
The shrine is located in Kyoto’s scenic Miyama area and features plush-inspired architecture — including a torii gate with bear-like ears and a worship hall with a bear-shaped window. In keeping with Japanese tradition, the site underwent a formal Shinto spirit-enshrinement ritual before its opening, with support from an existing Kyoto shrine giving it religious legitimacy within Shinto practice.
Services at Nuigurumi Jinja will include thanksgiving rites for treasured toys, memorials for plushies beyond repair and a peaceful resting place for those being retired. Visitors will be able to collect special amulets and commemorative stamps or leave written messages of gratitude for their beloved stuffed animals. Organisers said the shrine is not just a novelty but responds to genuine emotional needs among the public.
Speaking about the project, Horiguchi said: “Many people feel real sadness when they can no longer keep a favourite plush toy. This shrine is here to help them say goodbye in a meaningful way.” Social media users have described the concept as heartwarming and uniquely Japanese. The practice aligns with broader cultural traditions in Japan where objects like dolls and sewing needles are honoured after years of service. The opening has attracted significant attention online as families prepare to visit during Tanabata festival.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Twin Earthquakes Kill 32, Injure Over 700 in Venezuela as Emergency Response Intensifies
Authorities race to rescue survivors and provide relief after deadly tremors leave widespread destruction on Thursday
Authorities race to rescue survivors and provide relief after deadly tremors leave widespread destruction on Thursday
No fewer than 32 people have lost their lives while more than 700 others sustained various degrees of injuries after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on Thursday. The incident, which occurred in the early hours, has left communities counting losses and prompted a major emergency response by local authorities.
According to official reports, the earthquakes hit densely populated areas, resulting in collapsed buildings and significant damage to public infrastructure. Emergency services were immediately deployed to search for survivors trapped under debris and to provide urgent medical attention to the injured. Many residents were seen assisting in rescue operations as authorities cordoned off unsafe zones.
The Venezuelan government has described the situation as a national emergency and called for calm among citizens. The scale of destruction is reminiscent of previous natural disasters that have tested the country’s emergency preparedness. For Nigerians with relatives or interests in Venezuela, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised vigilance and urged citizens to stay in contact with the Nigerian mission in Caracas for updates.
Officials say that medical facilities are being stretched as they work round the clock to treat those affected. “Our teams are on ground providing aid and coordinating relief efforts,” a senior emergency official said during a televised update. International humanitarian agencies have also indicated readiness to support local efforts if requested.
Authorities have begun assessment of damages with a view to mobilising additional resources for rebuilding affected areas. The coming days will focus on recovery operations and provision of shelter for displaced families, while investigations into the cause and aftershocks continue.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Onuigbo Pledges Nigeria’s Commitment to Global Climate Partnerships at UK Parliament Event
GLOBE International’s first African president says nation will deepen legislative collaboration on climate action and energy transition
GLOBE International’s first African president says nation will deepen legislative collaboration on climate action and energy transition
Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, newly inaugurated President of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE International), has assured that Nigeria will sustain and strengthen its engagement in global partnerships focused on climate action and environmental sustainability. Onuigbo made this commitment on Wednesday during his inauguration at GLOBE International’s 35th anniversary ceremony, which took place at the Churchill Room of the UK Parliament’s House of Commons in London.
Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives from Abia State (South-East), became the first African to lead GLOBE International, an organisation dedicated to uniting legislators worldwide around environmental policy. Addressing lawmakers and stakeholders at the event, he pledged that under his leadership, Nigeria and other African countries would work actively within international frameworks to combat climate change and drive energy transition initiatives that yield measurable impact for communities.
According to Onuigbo, GLOBE International has played a significant role over the past three and a half decades in shaping parliamentary responses to global climate challenges. He highlighted that African nations, including Nigeria, are positioned to contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions through enhanced legislative cooperation and adherence to international commitments.
“GLOBE’s achievements in catalysing legislative action on environmental matters are well recognised across continents,” Onuigbo said during his inaugural address. He emphasised that translating environmental commitments into real outcomes for local communities remains a central priority.
The ceremony in London was attended by parliamentarians and climate leaders from various countries, signalling broad support for Onuigbo’s vision. While official statements from opposition parties were not immediately available as at press time, stakeholders within Nigeria’s environment sector have welcomed his appointment as an opportunity to raise the country’s profile in global climate governance. GLOBE International is expected to roll out new programmes targeting stronger collaboration between national parliaments on climate legislation over the coming year.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NBS Reports Petrol Price Rises to ₦1,596 Per Litre Nationwide in May
Statistical bureau cites continued inflation as key driver, with experts warning of further hardship for Nigerian households
Statistical bureau cites continued inflation as key driver, with experts warning of further hardship for Nigerian households
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that the average retail price of petrol across Nigeria climbed to ₦1,596 per litre in May 2026. This data, released on Thursday, reflects ongoing pressures on Nigerian consumers amid sustained inflation and currency volatility.
According to figures published by the NBS, the new average marks a significant increase from previous months, highlighting the mounting challenges faced by motorists and businesses who rely on petrol for daily activities. The report did not specify regional breakdowns but indicated that the price hike was observed nationwide during the month under review.
The rise in petrol cost comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with persistent increases in food prices and transport fares. The NBS had earlier noted that headline inflation stood at 33.7 percent as at April 2026, driven mainly by spikes in energy and import costs due to naira depreciation. Many Nigerians have expressed concern that higher fuel prices will worsen living conditions and erode household purchasing power.
Economic analysts have attributed the latest increase to continued instability in the exchange rate and ongoing market reforms within the downstream oil sector. “If current trends persist, we may see further upward adjustments before year-end,” one industry expert said. The NBS report did not include direct comments from government officials on possible interventions to cushion the impact.
As Nigerians brace for potential further increases, stakeholders in the labour movement have renewed calls for targeted subsidies or social welfare programmes to mitigate hardship among vulnerable groups. The NBS is expected to release more detailed sectoral data on monthly inflation and fuel pricing patterns later this quarter.
Twin Earthquakes Kill 32, Injure Over 700 in Venezuela as Emergency Response Intensifies
Onuigbo Pledges Nigeria’s Commitment to Global Climate Partnerships at UK Parliament Event
NBS Reports Petrol Price Rises to ₦1,596 Per Litre Nationwide in May
Katsina Police Dismiss Viral Banditry Claims, Say Armed Men Are Vigilantes Supporting Security Operations
Broos Breathes Sigh of Relief as South Africa Edge Korea Republic in Tense Finish
Federal Government Discovers Platinum, Lithium and Rare Earth Deposits in Kaduna State
World Bank Ranks Nigeria Among Top Nine Gas-Flaring Nations for 2025
Kyoto Opens World’s First Plush Toy Shrine, Honours Over 26,000 Stuffed Animals
Kaduna, Zaria Residents Switch to Charcoal, Firewood as Cooking Gas Prices Surge
Onye Isi Ụlọ Ọrụ Ndị Uweojii Gara Izu Ike Kwupụtara Ihe Ụjọ Maka Ego Nchekwa Steeti Na Ihe Ụgha
Environment Minister Urges Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Green Economy Ahead of Global Climate Summit
Gọvanmenti Nigeria Kwupụtara 53 Orù Anyanwụ Maka Ike Ọhụrụ N’iru Afọ 2050
Moniepoint Graduates Second DreamDevs Cohort in Lagos to Strengthen Nigeria’s Engineering Workforce
Lagos FMCG Giants Record ₦18.9bn Rise in Production Costs, Earnings Hit by Inflation in Q1
FG Launches $500m Abuja Formula 1 Bid, Targets Africa’s First Grand Prix Since 1993
Lagos Residents Spend Over ₦50bn on US Visa Applications Amid Tighter Entry Rules
Lagos Police Arrest Doctor, Birth Attendant Over Alleged Sale of Newborn for ₦2.5m
Fresh Romance Rumours Trail Lando Norris as Alix Earle Sparks Drama in Monaco
Lagos Court Declares National Assembly’s ₦110bn Vehicle and Allowance Spending Unlawful
