Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The running mates of White House rivals Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have agreed to face off in at least one vice-presidential debate, accepting an invitation from CBS News for an October 1 showdown. CBS posted Wednesday on social media platform X that it had offered four potential debates in September and October to Democratic Minnesota governor Tim Walz and Ohio’s Republican senator J.D. Vance. “See you on October 1, JD,” Walz replied, before the Harris campaign officially confirmed that it had accepted the date, which comes after early voting has already started in several states. Vance said Thursday he…

Four people have been arrested after a knife attack on the father of young Spanish football star Lamine Yamal in Catalonia, local police told AFP Thursday. The attack took place at 1910 GMT on Wednesday in a car park in the Catalan town of Mataro, around 30 kilometres from Barcelona, in the Rocafonda neighbourhood where Lamine Yamal is from, said a spokesman for the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force. Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed several times the police said, and is being treated at the Can Ruti hospital, who could not be reached by AFP for comment.…

A newly published report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has indicated a decline in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate to 33.40 per cent in July 2024 from 34.19 per cent in June 2024. The development marks the first since December 2022, when it last dropped to 21.34 per cent. According to the Bureau’s CPI report for July 2024, the headline inflation rate decreased by 0.79 percentage points in July 2024 compared to June 2024. A breakdown of the figure showed that on a year-on-year basis, the rate was 9.32 percentage points higher than in July 2023, when it stood…

The Plateau State Government has fully lifted the curfew imposed on the Jos-bukuru metropolis, following the peaceful conduct of residents and an improvement in the security situation. In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs Gyang Bere, Governor Caleb Muftwang said the move came after thorough consultations with security agencies. He said this will allow citizens to resume their economic and lawful activities while maintaining public order. Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the citizens for their steadfast, patriotism and cooperation during the challenging period and assured them of his unwavering commitment to their well-being. Muftwang also commended…

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed confidence that former President Goodluck Jonathan would excel in a future presidential role, highlighting the significant reforms introduced during Jonathan’s tenure. Mohammed praised the achievements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing President Olusegun Obasanjo’s contributions to telecommunications, agriculture, and infrastructure. “The only carriageways we have in the northeastern region are from the Obasanjo era,” Mohammed said. The governor was responding to a non-governmental organization’s call for him to consider a presidential run in 2027. The organisation had awarded him the title of “Champion of Peace, Unity, and Development.” In his response, Governor…

The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders has called on President Bola Tinubu, to wade into the never-ending political brawl between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The coalition said the president’s intervention was necessary to protect the state. They accused the federal government of neglecting the situation, which they said was escalating tensions in the state. Also, they warned that the continued standoff could lead to severe conflict if not addressed. Led by  Chief Sunnie Chukumele, the group condemned what they termed “the ongoing efforts by Wike’s allies to destabilise the government, ”…

Japan lifted on Thursday a week-old warning that a “megaquake” potentially causing colossal damage and loss of life could strike, with the government telling people their lives could now “go back to normal”. The alert that such a catastrophe might hit the archipelago of 125 million people prompted thousands of Japanese to cancel holidays and stock up on essentials, emptying shelves in some stores. “Since there were no abnormalities detected in seismic activity and crustal deformation, the special call for attention ended at 5:00 pm (0800 GMT),” disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura said. “But it doesn’t mean the risk (of…

Newcastle has confirmed that Sandro Tonali has been cleared to join the rest of the squad for the new season from August 28, 2024 according to a statement obtained from Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Thursday. Newcastle have received confirmation from Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio that Tonali’s ban runs up to and including August 27, allowing him to return to action from August 28. But when Tonali will return is not quite clear just yet as Newcastle have a Carabao Cup second-round match at Nottingham Forest that week which could be scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Tonali would…

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is poised to take the helm of the US Men’s National Team, according to multiple sources. This development comes after the dismissal of the previous coach, Gregg Berhalter, following a disappointing group-stage exit in this summer’s Copa América. Football journalist Fabrizio Romano stated via X on Thursday, “Mauricio Pochettino becomes the new USMNT manager, leading the U.S. to World Cup 2026. After contacts with several managers, the former Chelsea and Spurs head coach says yes to the proposal and project, as per reports in the US overnight.” The Athletic has corroborated this…

Bayelsa State would face a long period of black as the Transmission Company of Nigeria has disclosed vandalisation of 13 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line. A statement by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah on Wednesday, said the blackout will also affect some communities in Rivers State. The situation was discovered after a team led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Transmission region, Emmanuel Akpa, visited the site, and saw that all 13 towers from T52 to T64 were affected. Mbah said of the 13 vandalised towers, nine towers have collapsed completely,…