Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Russian strikes on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday killed two people and wounded 15, regional governor Oleg Synegubov said. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is close to the Russian border and has been severely damaged in repeated attacks. Russia launched a fresh offensive in the Kharkiv region in May, making the most significant territorial gains for 18 months. Synegubov wrote on Telegram that Russian soldiers “hit a residential building with guided bombs” on Saturday afternoon. “According to initial information from emergency medics, two people were killed. The number of wounded from the occupier’s strikes has risen to 15”,…

The PDP leadership at Ward M1, Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos says the party’s former State Chairman, Otunba Segun Adewale (aka Aeroland) remains a bonafide PDP member at the ward. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Adewale, whose political base is Alimosho, was suspended by the LGA exco for allegedly causing disaffection in the party and tarnishing the party’s image. Adewale’s suspension was announced by Alhaji Isiaka Shodiya, the PDP Chairman in Alimosho LGA, at a news conference on June 11 in Lagos. Similarly, the Lagos State PDP Executive Committee on Friday ratified the indefinite suspension…

Roberto Martinez insisted on Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to play for Portugal at Euro 2024 as the ageing icon prepares to face Turkey in a potentially crucial Group F clash. Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 130 goals in a record 208 international appearances and is playing at his sixth European Championship at the age of 39. He moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia last year but is still a fixture in his national team despite no longer being the player he was, and Martinez said that he will play in Dortmund on Saturday. “I think what’s…

R&B star Chris Brown has expressed gratitude for the power of music. In a recent Instagram story, Brown shared appreciation for the role music has played in his life, stating that it has saved him and provided an outlet for his emotions. Brown specifically mentioned his song “Residual” from his album “11:11”, which he said always brings out raw emotions when he performs it. He expressed thankfulness for the ability to express his true vulnerability through music, allowing him to connect with others who have experienced similar struggles, regrets, and love lessons. “I’m thankful music saves me and allows me…

France and the Netherlands edged towards the last 16 of Euro 2024 after a 0-0 draw in Leipzig that failed to catch fire in the absence of Kylian Mbappe. The French captain sat out the whole match from the bench after breaking his nose in France’s opening 1-0 win over Austria just four days ago. Xavi Simons had a goal controversially ruled out for the Dutch, while Antoine Griezmann wasted two glorious chances for France. A share of the spoils leaves the sides level on four points at the top of Group D, one ahead of Austria who beat Poland…

Several American Airlines employees have been put on leave for their involvement in an incident in which black passengers were removed from a flight after a complaint about body odour. Three passengers filed a lawsuit against the carrier in May, alleging racial discrimination in the January 5 incident. In a note to employees, CEO Robert Isom said the incident was unacceptable and that the company “fell short” of its commitment to customers. “We are holding those involved accountable, including removing team members from service,” the airline said in a statement. The company also announced a number of initiatives aimed at…

As the aftermath of the China-Nigeria Business event in Beijing, China held on Friday, the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has claimed that over 200 Chinese businesses have shown interest in investing in the Nigerian economy. This is acoording to Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China and communicated in a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir. The event, jointly organised by the Nigerian Embassy and Yingke Law Firm, was designed to ease increased bilateral trade and investment, and foster business matchmaking to deepen economic ties between…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari, has assured assurance the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project will be delivered in the end of the first quarter of 2025. A statement by the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye, noted that Kyari said major segments of the job have been completed. He said this was made known during the visit of three cabinet Ministers to the AKK Gas Pipeline Project Site where they inspected the River Kaduna crossing milestone of the project in Kaduna. According to statement, Kyari gave the assurance…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has admitted positive developments in the fight against inflation. The CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso told leaders of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) that there is a deceleration in month-on-month inflation rates and expressed expectations for continued moderation in the coming quarters. Cardoso recently met with leaders of the Organised Private Sector to discuss the state of the economy, monetary policy direction, and fostering collaboration. A key focus of the meeting was the CBN’s commitment to improved communication and transparency. Cardoso emphasized the Bank’s intention to utilize forward guidance, a strategy of communicating future monetary…

Paris, on Friday, reported nearly 200 cases of cholera on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte. They are now struggling to contain the deadly epidemic. “As of June 18, 2024, 193 cases of cholera have been reported in Mayotte,” France’s SPF public health agency reported in its weekly update. Of those, 172 were locally acquired cases, while 21 were in people infected abroad in the neighbouring Comoros archipelago and countries on the African continent. Cholera is an infectious disease. It typically causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle cramps. It spreads easily in unsanitary conditions. Mayotte, which is home to…