Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Five Dead In Strike On Russia’s Kursk Region Following Attack On Kyiv. Five people have been confirmed dead in the Kursk region of Russia after a reported Ukrainian strike on the town of Rylsk. The attack, which occurred at 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT) on Friday, also left nine people hospitalised and caused significant damage to a cultural centre, a fitness complex, a school, and several homes, according to acting governor Alexander Khinshtein. Initial reports had indicated six fatalities, including a child, but Khinshtein clarified on Saturday that there were five deaths, with no children among the victims. …

ICPC Releases 2024 Ethics And Integrity Compliance Scorecard.   The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has unveiled its 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), highlighting significant disparities in the ethical performance of government institutions. Prominent bodies, including the Supreme Court and the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), scored zero in the assessment, while organisations such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) excelled with scores exceeding 80 percent. Unveiled on Thursday at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, the report also listed…

Court Grants N30 Million Bail To Human Rights Activist Dele Farotimi. A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has granted bail to human rights activist Dele Farotimi, setting the amount at N30 million. The ruling was delivered on Friday by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, following Farotimi’s application for bail. The court outlined specific conditions, including the provision of two sureties who are deemed responsible members of society. Additionally, Farotimi is required to surrender his international passport to the court. As part of the bail conditions, the defendant is prohibited from granting media interviews while the case remains in progress. The…

Former Ikorodu City Player Emmanuel Uchenna Joins Sparta Prague. Former Ikorodu City FC standout, Emmanuel Uchenna, has officially joined Czech football giants Sparta Prague. This move marks a significant step in the promising career of the talented player, who previously showcased his skills for Ikorodu City in 2022. Uchenna’s transfer highlights the growing recognition of Nigerian football talents on the international stage, as Sparta Prague adds him to their roster in pursuit of continued success. This development is a proud moment for both Uchenna and his former club, Ikorodu City, whose efforts in nurturing young talents continue to…

Lagos State Enhances Security With Major Investment In Police Resources. The Lagos State Governor announced a major boost to security operations during the 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security. He revealed that 250 brand new patrol vehicles, alongside essential hardware, communication devices, and protective gear, had been handed over to the police force to improve their effectiveness. The Governor described the initiative as a significant step forward in strengthening security across Lagos State. He emphasised the importance of security in maintaining economic stability and safeguarding communities, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring safety for all residents. He also acknowledged…

Tottenham Edge Past Manchester United To Secure Carabao Cup Semi-Final Spot. Tottenham Hotspur survived a dramatic second-half comeback by Manchester United to claim a 4-3 victory and secure their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Despite cruising with a 3-0 lead, Spurs endured a nervy finish after a series of errors from goalkeeper Fraser Forster nearly handed United an unlikely revival. The match began with Spurs taking the lead in the 15th minute as Dominic Solanke capitalised on a mistake by United keeper Altay Bayindir. The first half was tightly contested, but Spurs went into the break ahead. Seconds…

Marc Guiu Scores Hat-trick In Chelsea’s Conference League Triumph Against Shamrock. Eighteen-year-old Marc Guiu stole the show with a first-half hat-trick as Chelsea cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers, securing top spot in their Conference League group and maintaining their perfect record in the competition. Chelsea, already guaranteed a place in the last 16, showcased their dominance under Enzo Maresca with a youthful side that made it six wins from six in the group stage. Guiu opened the scoring early on, capitalising on a mix-up between Rovers’ Darragh Burns and goalkeeper Leon Pohls. Although Shamrock Rovers…

North Korean Hackers Steal $1.3bn In Cryptocurrency In 2024. North Korean hackers have been linked to the theft of $1.3 billion (£1.04bn) in cryptocurrency this year, making up more than half of the $2.2 billion stolen globally, according to a report by research firm Chainalysis. The figure marks a significant increase from last year’s $600 million attributed to hackers from the reclusive state. The report highlights a pattern of North Korean hackers infiltrating cryptocurrency and technology firms by posing as remote IT workers. This tactic has allowed them to breach security systems and steal digital assets, particularly by compromising private…

US Government Shutdown Looms As Trump-Backed Bill Fails In House. The United States faces the imminent prospect of a government shutdown as a Republican-backed spending bill, supported by President-elect Donald Trump, failed to pass the House of Representatives on Thursday night. The revised funding proposal, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, fell short after 38 Republicans joined most Democrats in voting against it. The bill had sought to avert a shutdown by tying government funding to a two-year suspension of the federal debt limit, a move strongly criticised by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who called it “laughable.”…

Flamingos To Face Ghana In WAFU U-17 Girls’ Cup Final. Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, will face arch-rivals Ghana in the final of the inaugural WAFU U-17 Girls’ Cup on Sunday. This showdown will take place at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the same venue where the Flamingos secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 victory over Benin Republic on Thursday night. Sunday promises a double dose of football rivalry between the two nations, as Nigeria’s home-based senior men also face Ghana in the first leg of their African Nations Championship qualifier in Accra. …

Gisèle Pelicot’s Ex-Husband Jailed For 20 Years In Historic Rape Trial. Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of drugging and raping her, while also orchestrating the abuse of her by dozens of strangers over nearly a decade. The verdict marks the conclusion of France’s largest-ever rape trial, which has shocked both the nation and the world. The 72-year-old defendant was convicted of all charges in Avignon, southern France, and wept as he received the maximum sentence. He was tried alongside 50 other men, all of whom were found…

Six Sentenced For Extortion Plot Against Paul Pogba. Six men, including Mathias Pogba, the brother of France international Paul Pogba, have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to eight years for their involvement in an extortion scheme targeting the footballer. The sentences were handed down on Thursday, according to French media reports. The case dates back to 2022 when Paul Pogba revealed he had been the target of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang. Among the accused was Mathias Pogba, who was placed under formal investigation. Paul Pogba, 31, informed the Paris prosecution office…