Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Liverpool Eye Historic 20th League Title As Slot Urges Focus And Responsibility. Liverpool manager Arne Slot says his players have a “big responsibility” as they prepare for Sunday’s pivotal Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, with just a single point needed to secure the club’s 20th top-flight title. The Reds were handed a major advantage after Arsenal’s midweek draw with Crystal Palace, meaning a draw at Anfield will be enough to crown them champions with four games still to play. It would mark Liverpool’s second Premier League title and first under Slot, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp last summer.…

Klitschko: Ukraine May Consider Temporary Land Concessions For Peace. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has suggested that Ukraine may be forced to give up some of its territory in pursuit of peace with Russia, amid increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to accept territorial concessions. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s *Today* programme from his office in the Ukrainian capital on Thursday, Klitschko said: “One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary.” The former world boxing champion, now one of Ukraine’s most…

India’s Suspension Of Indus Waters Treaty Raises Questions Over Water Control Feasibility. India’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has sparked debate over whether it can truly halt the flow of the Indus River and its tributaries into Pakistan, in response to mounting tensions following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. The 1960 treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has long governed the sharing of six rivers in the Indus basin between India and Pakistan. Despite surviving two wars and numerous political tensions, India’s decision to suspend the agreement marks an unprecedented shift in its water diplomacy.…

California Overtakes Japan To Become World’s Fourth Largest Economy. California has surpassed Japan to become the fourth largest economy in the world, according to newly released data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. The figures reveal that California’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached $4.10 trillion (£3.08 trillion) in 2024, nudging past Japan’s $4.01 trillion. The Golden State now sits behind only Germany, China, and the United States as a whole in the global economic rankings. Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the development as a testament to California’s economic strength and innovation. “California…

Elon Musk To Step Back From Government Role As Tesla Faces Financial Struggles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced his intention to step back from his role with the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as his electric vehicle company grapples with a significant drop in earnings. The news, which has sparked speculation about the future of both DOGE and Musk’s involvement in government, comes amid a reported 71% plunge in Tesla’s profits. The billionaire’s announcement follows weeks of global protests and boycotts targeting Tesla, some of which have turned destructive. While White House…

Eddie Howe Returns To Newcastle Duties After Recovering From Illness. Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has officially returned to work at the club’s training centre after recovering from a recent illness, the Premier League side confirmed on Thursday. The 47-year-old was hospitalised earlier this month with pneumonia, forcing him to miss key fixtures against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. During his absence, assistant manager Jason Tindall took charge of first-team duties. In a statement released by the club, Newcastle expressed their delight at Howe’s return: “Newcastle United are delighted to confirm that Eddie Howe has returned…

FCTA Shuts Down Event Centre In Abuja Over Noise Pollution. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered the immediate closure of the Myra Event Centre in Guzape, Abuja, for persistent noise pollution and other environmental contraventions. Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), issued the directive on Thursday, confirming that the event venue, located at Plot 135, Mustapha Bello Street, has been disturbing residents, particularly at night, in violation of established environmental laws. Obuah stated that the closure forms part of a broader campaign to clamp down on noise pollution and ensure compliance…

Lagos Government Begins Demolition Of Illegal Shops Under High-Tension Cables At Adamo Market Ikorodu. The Lagos State Government has begun the demolition of illegal shops constructed directly beneath high-tension power lines at Adamo Market in Ikorodu, in a move aimed at safeguarding public safety and upholding environmental laws. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. He explained that the action aligns with the state’s ongoing commitment to enforcing the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. According to the commissioner, the illegal structures pose significant…

Outrage As Tinubu Government Defends N10bn Solar Power Project For Presidential Villa. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of a ₦10 billion solar power project for the Presidential Villa, describing the initiative as a damning indictment of Nigeria’s failing electricity sector. The announcement has ignited widespread debate, with HURIWA accusing the government of mismanaging priorities and admitting, albeit indirectly, to the chronic dysfunction within the national grid. Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, argued that shifting the Villa to solar energy underscores the “gross…

Colombian President Rejects Drug Addiction Claims Amid Political Feud With Ex-Minister. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has firmly denied fresh accusations of drug addiction made by his former ally and ex-foreign minister, Alvaro Leyva, who in an open letter claimed the president disappeared for two days during a state visit to Paris in 2023. Leyva, aged 82, alleged that the Paris incident offered him first-hand confirmation of Petro’s supposed drug use, calling it an “embarrassing moment” during his tenure as minister. However, he failed to provide specific evidence or further details to support the claim. Responding on social media…

World Bank Projects Rise In Nigerian Poverty By 2027 Amid Economic Fragility. A new report by the World Bank has projected that poverty in Nigeria will rise by 3.6 percentage points between 2022 and 2027, further deepening concerns over economic hardship in Africa’s most populous nation. The projection was revealed in the World Bank’s latest *Africa Pulse* report, released during the ongoing Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C., USA. The report paints a sobering picture of poverty trends in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo identified…

Defection Sparks PDP Disappointment As Damagum Calls 2027 ‘APC Vs Nigerians’ Showdown. Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, has expressed deep disappointment over the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and key political figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal of the party’s magnanimity. Speaking on Tuesday during the presentation of the Certificate of Return to the PDP’s Anambra governorship candidate, Chief Ezenwafor Jude, Damagum lamented what he called a shocking realignment by Delta stakeholders, stating that the party had given the state unwavering support…