Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a change in his stance regarding the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal, expressing interest in a “partial deal” that would secure the release of some hostages while allowing Israel to continue its military operations in Gaza. This new position diverges from the previously agreed-upon three-phase proposal that sought the release of all remaining 120 hostages and aimed for sustainable peace in the region. Netanyahu’s remarks, made during an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, directly contradict statements from Biden administration officials who had indicated Netanyahu’s support for the full proposal. The proposal had been publicly endorsed by…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
European regulators have declared that Apple is in breach of the new tech rules established by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The primary contention is that Apple is preventing app developers from steering customers toward alternative purchasing options outside the App Store. Under the DMA, developers should have the freedom to inform customers of cheaper purchasing alternatives and direct them towards these offers. The European Commission has highlighted that Apple’s current business terms restrict developers from freely communicating and sharing information about these alternatives within their apps. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, emphasized the importance of…
In what promises to be a high-stakes showdown, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first debate ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Both candidates bring significant vulnerabilities and opportunities to the stage, with each needing to navigate their challenges carefully to win over a national audience. At 81 years old, Biden faces scrutiny over his physical and mental capabilities. Despite his strong State of the Union address earlier this year, the debate format poses a different challenge. Biden must project energy and strength to counteract the narrative pushed by Trump and his allies…
The United States Agency for International Development said it has awarded $26.6m in co-investment grants to 33 companies in Nigeria through its global hunger and food security initiative. The Director of Economic Growth, Agriculture and Power, USAID, Michelle Corzine, announced this at a partnership meeting on Monday in Abuja. Corzine said the grants were given through partnerships with the USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Trade Hub Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment activity. The event, titled “Collaborating for Enhanced Food Security in Nigeria,” aimed to showcase the impact of public-private partnerships on Nigeria’s food security and economic growth. “Through…
Gunmen on Sunday attacked synagogues and churches in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan, killing a priest, six police officers, and a member of the national guard, security officials said. The attacks took place in Dagestan’s largest city of Makhachkala and in the coastal city of Derbent, where gunfights were ongoing. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had opened criminal probes over “acts of terror”, while the hunt for the gunmen was ongoing. Witnesses could hear shooting near a church in Makhachkala while shootouts were continuing in Derbent, the TASS state news agency reported. Dagestan’s interior ministry said it had killed…
Senegal said Monday it had implemented voluntary Covid-19 screening tests and reimposed the wearing of masks at Dakar’s international airport for returning pilgrims fearing the virus was linked to the deaths of some Mecca pilgrims. Dakar suspects that a number of the some 1,300 deaths — according to a Saudi tally — are down to a respiratory syndrome ailment such as Covid-19, Health Minister Ibrahima Sy said on Sunday. “Initially, we thought it was related to heatwaves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realised that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death,” Sy said…
Shoprite has announced the closure of its branch at Novare Central Mall in Wuse Zone 5 Abuja. The store, which has been a fixture in the area, will cease operations on June 30, 2024, a decision they said was made after an evaluation of the Company’s financial performance and the prevailing business climate. The announcement, contained in a circular signed by Shoprite’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Folakemi Fadahunsi, outlines the company’s regret over the necessity of this move but emphasizes that it is essential for the long-term growth of Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited. The decision will also impact…
Despite police warnings, supporters of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, defied orders and staged a protest on Monday over the local government tenure elongation crisis in Rivers State. The protesters, numbering about 100, gathered near the post office along Azikiwe Road and marched to the Port Harcourt City Local Government Secretariat on Bank Road, where they encountered a police barricade. The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “Police keep to your words, CTC is unconstitutional” and “Let the court decide,” expressing their dissatisfaction with the current situation and their support for the police to…
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has declared that Higher National Diploma (HND) holders must undergo a one-year mandatory training before their conversion from the Executive to Officers cadre in the civil service. This policy was revealed during a virtual interactive session commemorating the 2024 Civil Service Week. The session, themed “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Life-long, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa,” highlighted the necessity for continuous, inclusive, and high-quality education to meet modern demands. The disparity between…
Senior US officials assured their Israeli counterparts of robust support in the event of a full-scale war with Hezbollah, according to a senior administration official. This comes amid escalating cross-border attacks between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, raising concerns of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Key Israeli officials, including Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, met with top US figures such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and White House Middle East Coordinator Brett McGurk. The discussions covered a range of issues, focusing particularly on the…
According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Government has expended $15.55 billion on debt servicing between 2019 and 2024. In 2019, Nigeria’s debt service payments amounted to $588.33 million between January and May. This figure soared to $5.40 billion in 2020, marking the highest annual debt servicing cost within the five-year period. The subsequent years saw payments of $2.02 billion in 2021, $2.34 billion in 2022, and $3.43 billion in 2023. Between January and May 2024 alone, the country has paid $2.18 billion in debt service, a 270.9 percent increase compared to…
Saudi Arabia said Sunday that more than 1,300 faithful died during the hajj pilgrimage which took place during intense heat, and that most of the deceased did not have official permits. “Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301, with 83 percent being unauthorised to perform hajj and having walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort,” the official Saudi Press Agency reported. An AFP tally last week, based on official statements and reports from diplomats involved in their countries’ responses, put the toll at more than 1,100. The dead came from more than 10 countries stretching from…