Amidst a backdrop of currency volatility, the Nigerian naira continued its downward slide, reaching a new low of 1,300/$ against the United States dollar on tuesday. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has responded by injecting additional dollars into the market in an effort to stabilize the currency. In a circular released and signed by Dr. Hassan Mahmud, the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, the apex bank disclosed its sale of $10,000 to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators at a rate of N1,021 per dollar. Additionally, the CBN directed these operators to maintain a spread not exceeding 1.5…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
A recent study conducted by Dublin City University sheds light on the concerning trend of TikTok and YouTube Shorts recommending misogynistic and toxic content to young male viewers. The study, which tracked the content recommended to 10 “sockpuppet” accounts created by researchers, revealed that it takes an average of 23 to 26 minutes of video watching for these platforms to start suggesting harmful content. The accounts, designed to mimic the interests of 16 and 18-year-old boys, were directed towards regular content such as sports and video games, as well as content associated with misogynistic themes deliberately sought out online. Over…
On the occasion of the 54th Earth Day, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to combating plastic pollution, a pressing environmental issue threatening ecosystems worldwide. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken emphasized the significance of this year’s Earth Day, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Over the past five decades, environmental diplomacy spearheaded by the United States has played a pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges, such as repairing the ozone layer and reducing acid rain pollution. This year, the…
United States President Joe Biden travels to Florida on Tuesday, hoping – and not without reason – his push for abortion rights will resonate in the conservative-leaning state. Won by Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and led by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, the southeastern state has seemed out of reach for Democrats for nearly a decade. But since the Supreme Court under Trump’s presidency stripped the federal right to abortion, voters have rallied on the issue, even in solidly Republican states. Trump, meanwhile, will be attending his hush money trial in New…
The United States Congress is on the brink of passing a comprehensive foreign aid package totaling billions of dollars for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This comes after the House of Representatives broke a months-long stalemate, approving the assistance in a rare Saturday session. The package, comprising four bills, includes $61 billion earmarked for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8.12 billion designated to counter communist China in the Indo-Pacific region, and provisions such as a potential ban on the social media app TikTok, measures for the transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine, and new sanctions on Iran. With…
In an effort to combat the rampant misuse of commercial spyware, the United States has announced visa restrictions on 13 individuals involved in the development and sale of such technology. The announcement, made by Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, stated the government’s commitment to accountability and safeguarding human rights. The Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has brought to light the pervasive misuse of commercial spyware, which has targeted journalists, academics, human rights defenders, dissidents, and even U.S. Government personnel. These visa restrictions target individuals who have either facilitated or financially benefited from the exploitation of…
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party he has been associated with since its inception in 1998. In a statement titled “Resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party,” Ihedioha cited the party’s inability to carry out internal reforms and provide credible opposition as the primary reasons behind his decision. “I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding members since 1998,” Ihedioha stated in his resignation letter. “However, regrettably, in recent…
In order to tackle Nigeria’s ongoing forex crisis, Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for the urgent need to revive the nation’s refineries. Speaking during a meeting with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of Nigerian Refineries led by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah at the Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori highlighted the potential benefits of functional refineries in saving foreign exchange spent on fuel importation. Governor Oborevwori emphasized that the cessation of petroleum product importation would alleviate pressure on the naira against the dollar. He urged the Federal Government to expedite efforts in revitalizing the country’s…
As Russia intensifies its onslaught on Ukraine, calls are mounting for European Union (EU) countries to ramp up their contributions of air defense systems. The urgency has spiked following renewed Russian attacks utilizing drones and missiles, resulting in the destruction of critical infrastructure, residential buildings, and the loss of civilian lives. Germany recently announced its intention to send a third Patriot battery, an advanced air defense system capable of intercepting incoming projectiles, to Kyiv. In addition, Germany has initiated efforts to encourage other EU nations to donate additional air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy has underscored…
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate response efforts at all levels through the Emergency Operations Centre. The centre made this known on its official website. The NCDC said the move became necessary because it recorded 5,669 suspected cases of Lassa fever, resulting in 152 deaths, equating to a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.3 per cent. The Centre noted that 832 cases had been confirmed across 27 states and 126 Local Government Areas from January to April 14. The News Agency of Nigeria…
Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has expressed his readiness to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to respond to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Despite his absence during his arraignment, Bello briefed a team of lawyers who represented him in court on Tuesday. Bello’s legal team, led by Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that their client was willing to attend the proceedings but was apprehensive about being arrested. Adedipe argued for the setting aside of the ex parte order of arrest issued against…
The United Kingdom readied on Tuesday to start detaining migrants within days for deportation to Rwanda after the controversial plan got parliament’s approval, sparking outrage from the United Nations and rights groups. The new legislation – a flagship policy of the Conservative government that aims to curb irregular cross-Channel migration from northern France – cleared its final hurdle after a marathon late-night parliamentary tussle on Monday. Just hours later French police said at least five migrants, including a child, died overnight during an attempt to cross the busy shipping lane in a small boat. Under the UK scheme, undocumented asylum…