Author: Alade Adisa

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at gutting the parent of U.S. government-funded media outlet, Voice of America and six other federal agencies, his administration’s latest step to shrink bureaucracy on Friday. The order instructs the agencies — largely little-known entities including one that provides funding for museums and libraries and one tackling homelessness — to reduce their operations to the bare minimum mandated by the law. “This order continues the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary,” the order, disclosed late on Friday, says. Trump, who clashed with the…

A delivery driver has won $50 million in a lawsuit after being seriously burned when a Starbucks drink spilled in his lap at a California drive-through, court records show. A Los Angeles County jury found Friday for Michael Garcia, who underwent skin grafts and other procedures on his genitals after a venti-sized tea drink spilled instants after he collected it on Feb. 8, 2020. He has suffered permanent and life-changing disfigurement, according to his attorneys. Garcia’s negligence lawsuit blamed his injuries on Starbucks, saying that an employee didn’t wedge the scalding-hot tea firmly enough into a takeout tray. “This jury…

At least 17 people have been killed across the US as a storm system unleashed multiple tornadoes that struck across several states in the south and midwest, officials said. On Saturday, the Missouri state highway patrol reported three deaths in Ozark county, one death in Butler county, six deaths in Wayne county and one death in Jefferson county. “We urge residents to stay away from debris-filled areas, watch for downed power lines and follow regional emergency services for localized updates,” the state’s highway patrol warned. In Arkansas, three storm-related deaths have been confirmed in Independence county with an additional 29…

In different ways, new podcast hosts Gavin Newsom and Michelle Obama are picking up where Kamala Harris left off The current condition of the Democratic Party is nothing if not uncertain. Paralysing anxiety and insecurity are clearly its present state, but glimpses into its possible future are beginning to appear, albeit not from among the party’s troubled leadership in Congress. Case in point, recent machinations from both former first lady Michelle Obama and California governor Gavin Newsom – each of whom has recently launched a podcast. The themes of their respective efforts – Newsom’s is politics-focused, Obama’s celebrity and lifestyle-themed –…

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven (G7) leading democracies urged Russia on Friday to accept a U.S.-proposed ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war or face the possibility of additional sanctions. “We called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully,” the diplomats said in a joint statement from the site of their talks talks in Canada. “We discussed imposing further costs on Russia in case such a ceasefire is not agreed, including through further sanctions, caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means.” The statement said…

Some former ministers of the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, and other Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) chieftains in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are reportedly finalising plans to dump the ruling party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). According to Saturday PUNCH, a senator in the ninth Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least 10 former members in the Buhari cabinet are among those moving to the SDP. The source had reportedly said. “What they’re waiting for is the finalisation of the party structure in their respective states.” Also, the report stated that leading Buhari’s loyalists…

The Federal Government has dismissed recent reports alleging the targeted killing of Christians in Nigeria, describing them as part of a misleading campaign aimed at pressuring foreign governments to classify the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.” The Federal Government, in a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s Acting Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, rejected the allegations, asserting that they misrepresent the security situation in Nigeria. The development came following reports that the United States House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has authorised President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria over alleged widespread attacks…

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday, suspended its sittings indefinitely following a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule at the assembly complex in Port Harcourt. This development comes shortly after the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara officially informed the Speaker of his intention to re-present the 2025 budget for legislative consideration and approval. The governor, had, in a letter dated March 13, 2025, and addressed to Amaewhule, proposed March 19 as the fresh date for the budget presentation or any other date within the month that the Assembly finds suitable. Noting that his decision aligns with…

·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…

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,…