Nekede Polytechnic suspends lecturer for assaulting student
The authorities of Federal Polytechnic Nekede have issued a suspension letter to a lecturer, Mr. Okoroafor Ifeanyichukwu, who assaulted a male student, Mr Chidera for not adhering to his instructions. This action followed the widespread reactions from netizens after a video of the incident went viral, prompting calls for disciplinary action against the lecturer. The management has withdrawn Mr. Ifeanyichukwu from his role as a facilitator at the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre. The incident occurred on Thursday while students were queuing to enter a hall for an entrepreneurship training session. Video description In the video, the lecturer was seen pursuing the male student before slapping him and delivering a kick, which caused the student to fall backward onto the concrete ground. After the lecturer left the student on the ground, he was heard saying, “Why don’t you stay there and tell me since I said nobody should enter?” Meanwhile, other students around the assaulted student were repeatedly pleading, “Sorry sir, sorry sir, sorry sir.” A statement signed by the Director of TEDC, Dr. Okoye P.C., read, “You are hereby suspended from duty as a facilitator in the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre pending the outcome of the investigation into the incident that occurred yesterday, 13th March 2025, at the site of your entrepreneurship training.” Assault on pupil: School shuts downRead Also: Meanwhile, according to Punch publication, the lecturer has apologized to the student. Lecturer’s Apology Letter “Dear Chidera, LETTER OF APOLOGY TO MR CHIDERA. I am writing to offer my sincerest apologies for my behavior towards you. I am deeply sorry for the way I treated you, and I realize that my actions were unacceptable and hurtful. As your teacher, I should have provided a safe and supportive learning environment, but instead, I bullied and intimidated you. “My behavior was not only unprofessional, but it also caused you harm and distress. I want you to know that I take full responsibility for my actions, and I am truly sorry for the pain and suffering I caused you. I understand that my apology cannot erase the past, but I hope it can be a step towards healing and moving forward. “Please know that I am committed to changing my behavior and ensuring that all my students feel safe, respected, and supported in the classroom. I will do everything in my power to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. If you are willing, I would like to meet with you to discuss how I can make amends and support you in any way possible. Please let me know if this is something you would be open to, and we can arrange a time and place that works for you. Once again, I offer my sincerest apologies for my behavior. You deserved better from me, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Sincerely, Ifeanyichukwu.” Netizens shared the suspension letter on social media, commending the institution’s swift action, though some questioned the lack of a fair hearing. Read Also: Ogun govt suspends monarch over assault Reactions from Netizens An X user, Awoniyi Michael, wrote, “Assaulting a student in school is unacceptable. The lecturer must apologize, but he should also be sacked and arrested for this unlawful act.” Another user, Agu-Izuwa, called on the attention of security forces, saying, “That lecturer should be sacked and arrested by @PoliceNG. No matter the provocation, he should not have stooped this low!” Ik_Balarabe, another user, stated, “This is outright abuse of power and a disgrace to the teaching profession. A lecturer who physically assaults a student has no place in any academic institution. If a lecturer was sacked for merely administering corporal punishment, then this one should not only be dismissed but also prosecuted. Enough of this barbarism in Nigerian schools!”
Asake responds to father’s allegations
Popular Nigerian singer Asake has responded to allegations from his father, who accused him of neglect and abandonment despite struggling with health issues. The father, Fatai Odunsi who says he is battling a stroke, alleged that his son has not visited or supported him in any way. He also claimed that the last time he saw Asake was in March 2022 and has not had any contact with him since. The accusations have sparked widespread reactions, with many people debating whether Asake has truly neglected his father or if there is more to the story. Asake’s father appeals for help In a heartfelt plea, Asake’s father reached out to Nigerians, asking for support as he struggles with his health and financial difficulties. His public statement quickly went viral, triggering mixed opinions online. Some social media users criticized Asake, accusing him of turning his back on his father despite his success in the music industry. Others, however, defended the singer, arguing that personal family matters should not be judged without understanding the full context. Asake’s response: A cryptic song Instead of issuing a direct statement, Asake took to TikTok to share his response through music. In a video, he sang a song that appeared to address the controversy without mentioning his father explicitly. His lyrics conveyed a message of resilience and faith, suggesting that he remains unshaken by external criticism. His lyrics included:“You can’t satisfy people, keep doing everything you are doing for God. And remember the day we will be buried, don’t you see how it is going my brother? Even my father wants to cajole me. But I stand fit, and you cannot off my light. I give financially with one heart, my life doesn’t want problem, and I am close to God—it’s God that is carrying me.” These words imply that Asake believes he has been generous with financial support but feels pressured by those around him, including his father. He also emphasized his faith, suggesting that he is focused on his spirituality rather than public opinion. Social media reacts As expected, the situation has divided fans and the general public. Some criticised him for not addressing his father’s health concerns directly and for responding with a song rather than a clear statement. They argued that his father’s condition is serious and deserves more than a vague musical response. Others, however, supported the singer, insisting that family matters should remain private. Some pointed out that it is not uncommon for celebrities to face public criticism from relatives who feel entitled to financial support. A Twitter user commented, “Asake’s father calling out his own son in public is not the best way to handle things. He should have settled it privately.” Another added, “If Asake is really neglecting his father, then he should do better. Family comes first, no matter what.” However, some fans defended Asake, suggesting that the situation may be more complicated than it appears. One person wrote, “Sometimes, parents can be the toxic ones. We don’t know what happened between them.” Celebrity-family conflicts: A common trend This is not the first time a celebrity has been accused of neglecting family members after achieving success. Many artists and public figures have faced similar allegations, often leading to public debates about responsibility and family obligations. However, these disputes are usually complex, and the public rarely gets to see both sides. It is possible that Asake has provided financial help in the past but has reasons for maintaining distance from his father. Since rising to fame, he has faced various controversies. While some admire his music and dedication, others question certain aspects of his personal life. This latest situation has once again put him in the spotlight, with fans eager to see how he will handle the issue moving forward. What happens next? For now, he has chosen not to directly address his father’s claims. It remains unclear whether he will make a more detailed statement or if his father will respond again. Regardless of public opinion, the story has generated significant attention. Many will be watching closely to see if there will be a resolution—or if the conflict will continue to unfold in the public eye. Read Also: Asake’s father accuses singer of neglect, cries out for help
Bauchi govt to administer MR-vaccine to children under 15
Aiming to halt the spread of measles, a viral infection disease among children, the Bauchi State Government has commenced a vaccination plan targeting children below the age of 15. The state government revealed that the viral infection is becoming endemic in the state, recording 218 cases between January and March 2025. In a one-day sensitization programme held recently, Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, highlighted the significance of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine. The programme aims to create awareness among the wives of local government chairmen ahead of the vaccination exercise, which is set to begin in October. During the enlightenment programme, Mohammed described measles as a deadly disease that must be resisted while emphasizing the importance of the vaccine introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health. Read Also: Lagos vaccinates 3.5 million children against measles, others Mohammed further stressed the collaborative nature of the campaign, noting that governors’ spouses are taking the lead in advocacy efforts ahead of its rollout. Bauchi State health officials have emphasized the importance of the newly introduced Measles-Rubella vaccine, highlighting its potential to support healthcare workers in their immunization efforts. Speaking on the initiative, Mohammed explained that while measles vaccination is already familiar in the country, the addition of the Rubella component marks a new development. Meanwhile, the convener of the sensitization campaign, Bauchi State First Lady Aisha Mohammed, affirmed that women will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the immunization program introduced by the federal government. She explained that women are being prioritized for awareness efforts due to their vital role in preventing the spread of the disease. Aisha described the launch of the Measles-Rubella vaccine as a major step in safeguarding children’s health. She further warned that the disease could lead to severe complications, including blindness and cognitive impairments, particularly in young children and pregnant women.
Hamas agrees to release last living American hostage, Edan Alexander
Hamas said Friday it would be releasing Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage held in Gaza. The 21-year-old New Jersey native will be the only living hostage in the next release, which will include the bodies of four dual nationals who died in captivity, the terror group said, as negotiations forged ahead on the second phase of a cease-fire deal with Israel. Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American, will be released along with the bodies of four other hostages. It wasn’t immediately clear when the transfer would take place, or which parties participated in negotiating the deal. Hamas didn’t release any further details. There was no immediate comment from Israel. Alexander, an American-Israeli who enlisted with the Israeli military, was 19 when he was taken from his base in southern Israel during the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack that sparked the war. The Trump administration has been pushing for his release as a “top priority.” “Edan Alexander is very important to us — as all the hostages are — but Edan Alexander is an American, and he’s injured, so he’s a top priority for us,” Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said just last week. Meetings between Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler in recent days had been focused on securing his freedom. It comes after the White House made a surprise announcement last week, saying that American officials had been engaging in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials — stepping away from a long-held US policy of not directly engaging with terrorists. It wasn’t immediately clear, though, if those talks were in any way linked to Hamas’ announcement about Alexander’s release. Still, Hamas’ Friday announcement comes as talks continued in Qatar to try to broker the next stage of the cease-fire. The US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to bridge differences between the terror group and Israel to restart negotiations in order to release the remaining hostages held in Gaza and facilitate the entry of aid into the war-torn enclave. Israel had blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on March 2 as a standoff over the truce escalated — with Hamas calling on mediators to intervene. Fighting in Gaza, meanwhile, has been on pause since Jan. 19 under the first phase of the three-part cease-fire deal. So far, Hamas has exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Tesla warns Trump’s trade war could hurt U.S. automakers
Electric vehicle maker Tesla is warning that the Trump administration’s trade policies could be detrimental to U.S.-based EV companies. In an unsigned March 11 letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the company — owned by billionaire Elon Musk, who is currently a special adviser to President Trump — encouraged the administration to consider how its trade policy could “harm” domestic automakers like Tesla. “As a U.S. manufacturer and exporter, Tesla encourages USTR to consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices,” Tesla wrote. The company raises concerns over retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. that would make their vehicles more expensive, and could dent overseas demand. President Trump increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25% on Wednesday, claiming they would help create U.S. factory jobs. The European Union quickly announced it would retaliate with steps that will take effect April 1. The U.S. previously imposed levies of 25% on Canada and Mexico, which automakers warned could drive up the cost of cars by thousands of dollars. President Trump has tapped Musk, the CEO of Tesla, to lead the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, established to slash federal spending, in part by culling the federal workforce. DOGE has abruptly terminated thousands of federal workers over the past three weeks, causing turmoil across multiple agencies. Tariffs could pose undue burden In the letter, Tesla underscored its commitment to investing in a domestic supply chain, including by building battery manufacturing and processing facilities stateside. But the company highlighted the complexity of the automobile supply chain, and urged the USTR to consider how companies like Tesla could be “unduly burdened by trade actions” taken by the White House. President Trump has claimed that the tariffs will spur more domestic manufacturing and create jobs for Americans, while Tesla argues in the letter that “even with aggressive localization of the supply chain, certain parts and components are difficult or impossible to source within the United States.” Tesla sent the letter to USTR the same day President Trump said on social media that he would purchase a Tesla to support Musk and his company’s slumping stock. Some buyers have been turned off by Musk’s political actions, which appear to be weighing on the company’s sales both in the U.S. and abroad.
Rashford, Henderson in Tuchel’s first England squad
·Myles Lewis-Skelly, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah selected·No place for Grealish, Gibbs-White or Gallagher Thomas Tuchel has named Marcus Rashford in his first England squad, bringing the Aston Villa forward in from the international wilderness to complete a stunning turnaround in his fortunes. There is also a surprise return for Jordan Henderson, who is at Ajax and last played for England in November 2023, and Tuchel has given first call-ups to Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Jarell Quansah, Reece James and Kyle Walker are also included along with Rashford’s Villa teammates Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa. England squad: Notable absentees are Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis, together with James Maddison, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes. Also on the outside are Adam Wharton, who has been regaining fitness after a groin injury, and Ben White. Tuchel said White was not ready having made his first start in four months only this week but that the Arsenal defender had made himself available to return. There is also no place for Jarrad Branthwaite. Rashford has shown flashes of his old self since his loan move to Villa from Manchester United in the winter transfer window, even though he has not scored and has started only once in the Premier League. The 27-year-old has supplied four assists in all competitions for Villa. Tuchel, who confirmed Harry Kane would continue as the captain, has seen enough and he pointed to Rashford’s work off the ball at Villa as he prepares for the World Cup qualifiers at Wembley against Albania next Friday and Latvia the following Monday. Thomas Tuchel at the press conference following the announcement of his first England squad. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters “He had a huge impact lately in the matches of Aston Villa,” Tuchel said in an FA video. “I was delighted to see his effort [without] the ball, his effort to be the best teammate possible, his consistent energy in defence with Aston Villa. There is no doubt about his talent, about his quality, but to see him be so decisive, to be so physically involved, gave me the impression that it is the right moment to call him up and give him the extra push that he stays on that level.” Thomas Tuchel at the press conference following the announcement of his first England squad. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters Rashford won the most recent of his 60 England caps in the 1-0 friendly loss to Brazil at Wembley last March when he came on as a 75th-minute substitute and struggled sorely – a performance of a piece with his toils last season when his form nose-dived under Erik ten Hag at United. Rashford had enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2022-23, scoring 30 goals in all competitions, but the situation became untenable for him at United under Ruben Amorim over the first half of this campaign. The United manager repeatedly questioned his attitude and at one point, even said that he would rather name the 63-year-old goalkeeper coach, Jorge Vital, as a substitute than Rashford. Henderson fell out of favour under Gareth Southgate after a disastrous move from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, and a subsequent transfer to Ajax in January 2024 was not enough to earn him a recall. Tuchel talked up the energy that Henderson will bring to the squad as he explained the inclusion.
Tinubu to Catholic Bishops: We must endure reforms to secure Nigeria’s future
President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that while current economic reforms are challenging, they are necessary to build a resilient nation and secure the future of the next generation. The President made this statement on Friday at the State House in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri and CBCN President. Addressing the bishops, President Tinubu emphasised the importance of national investment and unity in tackling poverty, stating that economic hardship knows no religious boundaries. “Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was a hard decision, but it was necessary. We cannot bankrupt our country. We were spending the investment meant for our children’s future. Poverty has no religious colour; it affects everyone, and we must fight it together,” he said. He highlighted the tax reform initiative as an opportunity for Nigerians to contribute to national development and expressed his administration’s commitment to ensuring economic stability. Responding to requests from the bishops regarding mission schools previously taken over by the government, the President clarified that such schools fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, not the federal government. READ ALSO: Gov Oyebanji reaffirms commitment to quality healthcare However, he cited his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, where he facilitated the return of mission schools, as an example of his commitment to education. President Tinubu also acknowledged the role of religious institutions in education and healthcare. He reassured the bishops that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established to prevent students from dropping out due to financial constraints and promised to explore support options for students in private institutions. On security, he stressed that the government’s efforts were yielding positive results, noting improvements in national security. “Insecurity affects everyone—Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias, and I will never be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church, yet we must think of our country first. This nation must rise above religious divisions,” Tinubu said. Archbishop Ugorji congratulated the President on his electoral victory and commended his administration’s efforts to reposition the country. He acknowledged the economic difficulties caused by subsidy removal but praised the tax reform initiative as a long-term solution for national prosperity. He also recognised security improvements but urged the government to do more to restore public confidence. “Your government’s mantra is Renewed Hope. Interestingly, Pope Francis has declared this year as the Jubilee Year of Hope. We share this vision and came to present the final fruits of our deliberations with you,” the CBCN President stated. The bishops also called for a clear national vision that upholds religious tolerance, ensuring that faith fosters unity rather than division. They advised the government to withdraw from funding religious pilgrimages, arguing that public funds should be redirected toward urgent national needs. “The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organizing pilgrimages. The current structure of national and state pilgrimage boards does not serve the broader interest of the nation. READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints director for China-Nigeria strategic partnership “Instances of corruption have led to the removal of some board executives, highlighting the need for greater efficiency and accountability,” Archbishop Ugorji added. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who was present at the meeting, reiterated the need for Nigerians to support the government through temporary hardships, emphasising that reforms take time to yield results. “Economic reforms worldwide often come with short-term difficulties. However, today, the federal government has more funds to fulfil its promises and secure the future of our children and generations unborn,” he said. He highlighted security improvements, particularly in the North, where movement along previously unsafe routes, such as Abuja to Kaduna, has significantly improved. He also revealed that the National Value Charter, first introduced in the President’s 2025 New Year message, would soon be launched to restore national values. The event was also attended by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and other key government officials. President Tinubu expressed gratitude for the prayers of religious leaders and noted growing optimism about Nigeria’s economic future. “Investors are coming in, and people are speaking positively about Nigeria. What seemed like a difficult beginning is now showing signs of hope, and we are not even halfway through,” he said. He assured the bishops that his administration remains open to dialogue, pledging continued engagement with religious leaders in the pursuit of national unity and development.
YouTuber stabbed to death as she livestreamed on Tokyo street
Police in Japan said Friday that they had arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a YouTuber while she was livestreaming on a downtown Tokyo street. Tokyo metropolitan police said they had arrested Kenji Takano, 42, on the spot on suspicion of attempted murder Tuesday. He has since been sent to the prosecutors but has not been charged yet. The victim, Airi Sato, 22, was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries after the attacker stabbed her repeatedly in her upper body, police said, and was later pronounced dead. Witnesses and livestream viewers said that they heard her screaming for help, and the stream suddenly went black. Kyodo News reported that a witness said she saw a man wearing a black hat and mask attacking woman at the scene, and after she fell down, he held a smartphone toward her. The New York Times reported that following the attack, Sato’s followers posted messages, including “Where did she go?” and “Someone help!” The suspect told police that he got to know Sato through her livestreaming and had seen her in person a number of times, and that they had a financial dispute, according to media reports, including the Asahi newspaper. Japanese police investigators work near the scene of a stabbing of a woman in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Kyodo News, citing police, reported that it is believed that he began lending her money around 2022. According to Kyodo News, Sato was attacked while livestreaming on an app called WhoWatch and walking alone near the Takadanobaba train station in Shinjuku Ward. Broadcast NHK reported that Takano had lent Sato a large sum of money and that she did not pay him back despite a court order to do so. Takano traveled from the Oyama city, about 60 miles north of Tokyo, to carry out the attack after Sato announced the livestream and tracked down her location by watching the footage, media reports said, quoting police.He told police he did not intend to kill her. Violent crimes are still rare in Japan, where gun control is extremely strict, but there have been a number of high profile knife attacks and others using handmade guns in recent years amid a bleak wage and employment outlook.
Putin praises Trump for ‘doing everything’ to improve US-Russia relations
Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump for “doing everything” to improve relations between Moscow and Washington, after Trump said the US has had “very good and productive discussions” with Putin in recent days. Putin told a meeting of his security chiefs that improved relations with the US were now on the agenda. “We know that the new administration headed by President Trump is doing everything to restore at least something of what was basically destroyed by the previous US administration,” he said. Putin also responded to an appeal by Trump to save the lives of “thousands” of surrounded Ukrainian soldiers, and said he would heed it as long as the soldiers surrendered. But no evidence has emerged to back up Putin and Trump’s claims that there is a large-scale encirclement of Ukrainian troops, a claim explicitly denied by military chiefs in Kyiv. The exchange of warm words between Trump and Putin is likely to cause further alarm in Kyiv and European capitals, already spooked by signs of the new US administration cosying up to Moscow while exerting pressure on Ukraine. The remarks came after Steve Witkoff, Trump’s close ally and special envoy to the Middle East, held late-night talks with Putin on Thursday to discuss the US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the war on Ukraine. Kyiv has already accepted the proposal, while Putin on Thursday set out a series of sweeping conditions that would need to be met before Russia would agree to the truce, which includes the condition that Ukraine should neither rearm nor mobilise during the 30-day truce. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, however, Trump said there was a “very good chance” the war between Russia and Ukraine could “finally come to an end.” Trump also said he had appealed to Putin to save the lives of “thousands of Ukrainian troops” supposedly surrounded by the Russian army. Putin first made the claim earlier in the week when he said Ukrainian troops had been surrounded during a retreat from Russia’s Kursk region, and had the choice to “surrender or die.” Trump repeated Putin’s claim, writing that thousands of troops had been “completely surrounded” during the retreat. He wrote “I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all.” Putin told his security council that he had heard Trump’s appeal, and said the lives of Ukrainian troops would be spared if they surrendered. The Ukrainian military and independent analysts, however, denied there was an encirclement of troops. Ukrainian general staff wrote in a statement published on their media channels: “Reports of the alleged ‘encirclement’ of Ukrainian units by the enemy in the Kursk region are false and fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners. There is no threat of encirclement of our units.” Ukrainian security sources, independent military analysts and even pro-Russian Telegram channels disputed the encirclement claims by Putin and Trump. Soldiers fighting in the region say a staged withdrawal has been under way for two weeks, and while many soldiers have faced a dangerous and challenging route to withdraw, they do not believe there is a mass encirclement of troops. “After seven months, we simply withdrew. There was no encirclement,” one senior security official told the Guardian on Thursday. Michael Kofman, a military analyst at Carnegie Endowment, described the claims of a mass encirclement as “fiction”. Some influential Russian pro-war military bloggers have cast doubt in recent days of the encirclement claims by Russian officials, saying none of the signs of such an action have been visible. Earlier on Friday, the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said Putin had sent Trump a message via Witkoff about his proposal for a ceasefire, adding that it saw grounds for “cautious optimism” that a deal could be reached. Peskov’s statement was echoed by the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, who said there were “reasons to be cautiously optimistic.” “We’ll examine the Russian position more closely and the president will then determine what the next steps are. Suffice it to say, I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic,” Rubio said. “Obviously, we will see what Russia and others are willing to do. It’s not just Russia, obviously, it has to be acceptable to Ukraine.” Despite apparent optimism from the White House, US intelligence services have reportedly assessed that Putin remains committed to achieving “his maximalist goal of dominating Ukraine.” The Washington Post reported on Friday citing an intelligence report circulated among Trump administration policymakers on 6 March, which stated that Putin remains determined to maintain control over Kyiv. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterated on Friday that Russian attempts to set up conditions for the 30-day ceasefire only “complicate and drag out the process.” “Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down,” Zelenskyy said on X after a call with the secretary of state of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. “Putin will not end the war on his own. But the strength of America is enough to make it happen.” Zelenskyy emphasised Ukraine’s commitment to upholding the ceasefire, describing it as an opportunity to establish a lasting peace. “During the period of silence, we could prepare a reliable peace plan, put it on the table, discuss the details, and implement it. We are ready,” the Ukrainian president said.
Mark Carney sworn in as Canada’s PM, succeeds Trudeau
Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau, as the country faces questions about its sovereignty from US President Donald Trump and a trade war with Canada’s largest trading partner, the United States. Carney, a former central banker who has never held public office in Canada, is stepping in to confront numerous challenges facing the country, including leading the Liberal Party into an election to be held later this year. In a press conference after his swearing in, Carney addressed Canada’s growing tensions with its southern neighbor head-on, saying: “We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States. America is not Canada.” Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada become the 51st US state. Carney also said that he currently does not have plans to visit the US, though he said he will have “discussions” with the leaders of the United Kingdom and France. Speaking to the country’s most immediate crises, Carney said that his two biggest priorities are “protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified foreign trade actions, and second, growing this great country by putting more money in Canadians’ pockets, by ensuring that government spends less so Canada can invest more by building millions of homes.” Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, was elected Liberal Party leader in a landslide on March 9. During his decades-long career in finance, Carney steered governments through major global crises and periods of upheaval — experience he’s hoping to now leverage. The Liberals have been courting Carney for more than a decade, and he advised Trudeau on Canada’s economic recovery from Covid-19. But the banker-turned-politician did not make his official entrance until Trudeau announced his resignation in January. All of his competitors were sitting politicians: Carney is in the unusual situation of becoming Canada’s prime minister without holding a seat in parliament. Carney, who must call an election before October 20, joked that Canadians “should expect to go to the polls before November” but did not give a date for when the election might be. A new cabinet Ministers of Carney’s new cabinet, including Chrystia Freeland and Dominic LeBlanc, also took their oaths of office on Thursday in English and French in Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario. Mark Carney is sworn in as prime minister of Canada in Ottawa on Friday. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP Carney and his cabinet swore allegiance to King Charles III in their oaths. Canada, like some other Commonwealth countries, recognizes the monarch as its head of state. The first to be sworn in was LeBlanc as Minister for Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs. LeBlanc, who served as Minister of Finance in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, has been a key interlocutor in the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, and traveled to Washington yesterday for a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. François-Phillippe Champagne, who succeeded LeBlanc as Minister of Finance, also attended yesterday’s meeting in Washington. Other cabinet members will stay on in their roles they held in Trudeau’s cabinet, such as Mélanie Joly, who will be sworn in later as foreign minister. Freeland – a former deputy prime minister who resigned from Trudeau’s cabinet and lost the Liberal Party leader’s race to Carney – joins Carney’s cabinet as minister of transport and internal trade. “This team is built for immediate action and focused on protecting Canadian workers, supporting their families, and growing this great country,” Carney said of his new cabinet in a press release posted on the prime minister’s office website. “We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster – and we have an experienced team that is made to meet the moment we are in. Our government is united and strong, and we are getting right to work,” he added. The transfer of power came after outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down earlier Friday, concluding nearly a decade in power. The outgoing Trudeau had announced his resignation in January as polls showed his Liberal Party would likely face defeat in an upcoming election. But the party’s fortunes have since improved amid growing Canadian antipathy toward Trump and his policies. In a farewell message posted on X on Friday, Trudeau said: “Thank you, Canada – for trusting in me, for challenging me, and for granting me the privilege to serve the best country, and the best people, on earth.”
