Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Algeria defender Youcef Atal has been suspended by Nice after allegedly posting an antisemitic video on social media that related to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Atal, 27, has now deleted the Instagram post and apologised. The Nice public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation into Atal on charges “of defending terrorism”. Nice said they had suspended Atal “until further notice”. “The player has acknowledged his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and has offered a public apology in writing,” Nice said in a statement. “Nevertheless, given the nature of the publication shared, and its seriousness, the club…

Elon Musk has kicked off his plan to charge users of X, formerly known as Twitter, to post content to the social network. X said in a post on its website that it has started testing “Not A Bot,” a new subscription tier for new users. However, new users in the Philippines and New Zealand are the first to be asked for an annual payment in the latest change to the platform. The “Not a Bot” subscription plan will cost $1 annually, according to X (adding that prices vary by country and currency). New users on X on the plan…

The Senate, on Wednesday, appointed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator representing Kwara South, Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, as the new Deputy Leader of the Red Chamber. The Upper Legislature also appointed the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Nwebonyi Peter Onyeka, as the new Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate. Senator Onyeka is a member of the ruling APC. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the new appointments during Wednesday’s plenary on the floor of the Senate. Ashiru, who was the former Deputy Chief Whip, was elevated to the position of Deputy Senate Leader, which became vacant following the appointment of…

No fewer than 178,864 pre-paid meters were installed in the Q2 of 2023, representing an increase of 3,586 against the 175,281 installed in Q1 of the same year. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) made this known in its Q2, 2023 report pasted on its website on Wednesday. The commission said a total of 168,397 meters were installed under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework while 9,302 meters were installed under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) framework. It said that the vendor and Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) financed framework recorded 1,143 and 22 meter installations respectively. ”The commission expects…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has approved single dose of Gardasil vaccine in the treatment of cervical cancer in the country. Consequently, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, is to commence the introduction of the off-label use of quadrivalent Gardasil vaccine as a single dose schedule into the routine immunization. NPHCDA is expected to do this in the last quarter of 2023. Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who disclosed this at a joint press conference with NPHCDA in Abuja yesterday, said there was an urgent need for effective and sustainable…

The Labour Party, LP, has made known its displeasure towards the idea of the House of Representatives to purchase luxurious SUVs for all Lawmakers in the lower chamber. The party through its National Chairman, Julius Abure accused the Presidency of being insensitive to plight of Nigerians. Abure said it is a saddening news that the Federal Government had decided to enrich the pockets of Few individuals who found themselves in public offices, while insisting that it cannot afford to review upward the National minimum wage for workers. He wondered why the Federal Government would not boost the economy by patronizing…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has condemned the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip. WHO said in a statement released on Tuesday that the attack reported large scale casualties. “The hospital was operational, with patients, health and care givers, and internally displaced people sheltering there. “Early reports indicate hundreds of fatalities and injuries,” it said. According to the statement, the hospital is one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military. It said that the order for evacuation had been impossible to carry out given…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a two-week deadline for governors to commence negotiations on the N35,000 wage award for workers in their states. The organised labour unions are making the demands in line with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Federal government. State chapters of NLC and TUC on Tuesday disclosed that they have written to governors to fast-track the necessary protocols and implement the award meant to assuage the subsidy removal pains. According to the unions, the deadline for payment of the wage award would expire in the next…

The Senate on Tuesday stepped down the consideration of a motion calling for the reopening of Nigeria-Niger borders.  The Nigerian government had, in August, closed all its land borders with Niger Republic as part of the sanctions on the Niger military junta, which toppled President Mohamed Bazoum. Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano), in a motion during Tuesday’s plenary, said the border closure had deteriorated economic activities in many border towns in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno states. According to him, the closure runs contrary to the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria that guarantees the security…

At least 500 people were killed when an airstrike from Israel hit Al-Ahi Baptist Hospital in Gaza, on Tuesday. According to Palestinian health officials, the hospital was packed with wounded patients and others seeking shelter. Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment. Israel has launched massive strikes into Gaza since Hamas crossed into the country on October 7, killing over 100 and taking about 200 hostage. The Middle East country had declared Operation Iron Sword and vowed to turn Gaza into rubble. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari,…

Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi has been suspended from training and games by his club side Mainz for a social media post about the Israel-Gaza conflict. The 28-year-old has since deleted the post which his club felt was “unacceptable”. Bundesliga club Mainz said El Ghazi “took a position on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that was deemed unacceptable by the club”. Former Aston Villa and Everton winger El Ghazi joined Mainz in the summer. He has played three league games for club after joining on a free transfer. In a statement on Tuesday, the club said: “Prior to making…

Harry Kane netted a brace as The Three Lions qualified for Euro 2024 courtesy of a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley. Gareth Southgate’s side only needed a point to secure their place in next summer’s finals but they clinched the victory to seal it in style along with top spot in Group C. Italy had threatened to spoil the party when former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca lashed home Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cutback to net his first goal in Azzurri colours on 15 minutes. England responded and Kane levelled from the spot with his 60th goal for his country…