Hard Numbers: Nigerian inauguration, North Korean heads-up, Moscow drone attack, El Sal presidential conviction, Indian dam selfie fail

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu waves at a crowd during his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu waves at a crowd during his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja.
REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

5: On Monday, Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s fifth president since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. “The Godfather,” whose election victory is still being contested by the opposition, has promised to end costly fuel subsidies but must also tackle an ailing economy and rampant insecurity.

12: North Korea gave Japan a 12-day window (May 31-June 11) to prepare for the launch of its first military spy satellite. Tokyo responded by threatening to shoot down anything North Korean that enters its territory.

8: On Tuesday morning, residential blocks in Moscow were attacked by eight drones. Authorities blamed Ukraine for the first strike on civilian areas deep inside Russia since the start of the war. This comes less than a month after two UAVs were shot down over the Kremlin, which Moscow then claimed was an attempt to kill Vladimir Putin by Kyiv or Washington.

14: El Salvador's exiled former President Mauricio Funes was sentenced in absentia to 14 years behind bars for negotiating with gangs. Current strongman President Nayib Bukele has been accused of the same crime, but friendly lawmakers ousted the attorney general who was investigating the allegations.

2 million: A government official in drought-prone central India was suspended after ordering that 2 million liters (440,00 gallons) of water be drained from a reservoir to retrieve his smartphone. The device, which the official dropped while taking a selfie, was found but was beyond repair.

More from GZERO Media

As you start checking off everyone on your holiday shopping list, it’s important to remember that more online shopping means more opportunities for cyber scams. But don’t let the Grinch steal your holiday cheer! It’s time to make a list of essential cybersecurity tips — and check it twice — to ensure a safe and merry shopping experience. Unwrap some festive tips to keep your holiday season jolly and scam-free.

Listen: Donald Trump has promised to fix what he calls a broken economy and usher in a “golden age of America.” He’s vowed to implement record tariffs, slash regulation, and deport millions of undocumented immigrants. But what will that mean practically for America’s economic future? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is joined by Oren Cass, founder and chief economist at the conservative think tank American Compass, to discuss Trump’s economic agenda and why Cass believes it will help American workers and businesses in the long run.

- YouTube

For almost as long as Donald Trump has been in the public eye, his economic worldview has been remarkably consistent: unfair trade deals and globalization have pumped millions into foreign economies while hurting US workers and businesses. That message resonated with voters who feel left behind by the global economy. Trump’s solution? Also very consistent: tariffs. Big ones. On Ian Explains, Ian Bremmer breaks down Donald Trump’s tariff plan and what it could mean for US consumers.

Protesters hold placards during a candlelight vigil to condemn South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declarations of the failed martial law and to call for his resignation in Seoul, South Korea, December 5, 2024.
REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

On Thursday, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party, said he was opposed to impeaching Yoon because it would add to national confusion. By Friday, however, he had changed his mind.

A flag is left at the event held by Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during Election Night, at Howard University, in Washington, U.S., November 6, 2024.
REUTERS/Daniel Cole
Romanian independent far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu poses for a portrait in Bucharest Romania, on Dec. 4, 2024.
REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Romanians head to the polls Sunday for a presidential runoff that could lead to significant foreign policy changes for the country – and profound implications for the war in Ukraine.

President-elect Donald Trump attends the 2024 Senior Club Championship award ceremony at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, back in March.
REUTERS/Marco Bello

Amid all the geopolitical chaos, the best advice of the year: Don’t panic.