Author: Alade Adisa

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has confirmed Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, putting a Trump loyalist atop the nation’s most prominent law enforcement agency at a time of growing upheaval. Patel was confirmed by a 51-49 vote. Two moderate Republicans, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined all Democrats in opposing Patel, but it was not enough to overcome broad Republican support. Collins and Murkowski, in opposing Patel, expressed concern about his past political advocacy for Trump and its potential effect on the FBI’s law enforcement activities. Republican supporters argued he would reform…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday he would be willing to resign from his post in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership. “If it is peace for Ukraine, and if you really want me to leave my post, I’m ready,” Zelenskyy said in Ukrainian. “Alternatively, I can trade this for NATO membership, if such conditions exist, immediately, so we don’t have lengthy discussions. I’m focusing on Ukraine’s security today, not in 20 years. And I don’t intend to stay in power for decades.” Zelenskyy’s offer is a major concession amid an…

The diesel supply crisis caused by the ongoing strike by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) may trigger a nationwide telecom shutdown if not urgently addressed, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has warned. In a statement he posted online on Sunday, ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, disclosed that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region. Emoekpere stated, “This strike, which stems from the…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not hold any other South-South zonal congress after the one held in Calabar, Cross River State on Saturday. During his speech at the event, the former Rivers State governor dismissed any objections to the congress, stating that no congress or convention has ever recorded full delegate participation. While urging party members to elect officials who will protect and strengthen the PDP, he said, “The South-South Zone is the strongest zone of the PDP in Nigeria. There is no part of the constitution…

The Nigeria Police Force Fifth Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Officers will be held from Monday, February 24, to Thursday, February 27, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja. The statement said the event, themed “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing,” aligns with the Force’s commitment to enhancing leadership capacity and fostering professional development. According to the statement, the conference will feature intensive workshops, strategic discussions, and team-building exercises, with over 170 senior officers expected to participate.…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that freeing Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal will be delayed until Hamas ends its “humiliating ceremonies” while releasing Israeli hostages. Since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in well-rehearsed handovers, with masked militants parading the captives on stage and forcing them to wave at Gazans gathered to watch. In their seventh scheduled prisoner-hostage swap, Hamas released six Israeli captives on Saturday while Israel delayed releasing Palestinian prisoners. The Palestinian militant group called the move a “blatant violation” of the truce deal. Israel was…

Succour appears on the horizon for the imprisoned leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, as South Africa’s Constitutional Court, on February 18, 2025, issued two orders that open the door for him to submit fresh applications challenging his imprisonment. These applications are expected to receive urgent consideration. According to a statement from Okah’s legal team released on Saturday, the February 18 orders followed a decision by South Africa’s Judicial Conduct Committee on February 12, which approved a judicial inquiry into Okah’s allegations of sabotage against former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Okah sought…

The Trump administration sent emails to U.S. federal government employees on Saturday evening telling them to detail their work accomplishments from the previous week by Monday night or risk losing their jobs. The emails came shortly after Elon Musk, the billionaire head of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) posted on the social media site X that not responding to the email request would be viewed as a resignation. “All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week,” Musk posted on X. “Failure to respond will be taken as a…

Manchester United staged a late comeback before being saved by VAR as they avoided plunging deeper into crisis with a dramatic draw at Everton. Everton’s resurgence under returning manager David Moyes – once of United – was poised to continue as the hosts exerted total domination in the first 45 minutes to establish a deserved two-goal lead at Goodison Park. They exposed every United flaw in that opening half, Beto turning in his fifth goal under Moyes in the 19th minute after a goalmouth scramble before Abdoulaye Doucoure headed them two ahead. The second Everton goal was a desperate moment…

The candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the local government election in Osun State have been declared winners of the 30 LGAs and 323 wards. Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Hashim Abioye announced the result after the exercise on Saturday. He said, “It was conducted in compliance with constitutional provisions and extant laws, regulations and guidelines. The election was conducted to fill the existing vacancies in the 332 wards and 30 local government areas in Osun State. “The election was contested by 18 political parties and results have been submitted to the commission. The…