Crippling strike called off

Nigeria’s trade unions have suspended a general strike by workers that has brought economic activity to a halt this week. The decision comes after the government pledged to increase the national minimum wage to at least 60 000 naira ($40) a month. BBC News reports that it falls below the $330 that unions were demanding, but is double the current monthly wage. The strike began on Monday and led to the shutdown of the country's power grid, leaving millions without electricity. Government and union representatives say they will now meet every day for a week for further negotiations in the hopes of a permanent resolution. The strike was the fourth since President Bola Tinubu came to power a year ago.