Friedrich Merz has indicated he is considering leveraging the current parliament to ease the nation’s stringent limits on public borrowing, following Sunday’s election results that produced a minority coalition capable of obstructing any proposed measures. Merz remarks come in the wake of a tightly contested election that has left the German Bundestag with a fragmented representation. The implications of this scenario are profound, particularly as the newly formed minority coalition, which includes various parties with differing agendas, poses challenges to any sweeping reforms, especially those related to fiscal policy and public finance. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Merz emphasized that…
Author: Olamilekan Botti
The United States and Europe are locked in tense negotiations at the United Nations and G7 over the question of accountability for Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. This conflict has been exacerbated by a notable shift in stance from former President Donald Trump, which threatens to fracture the longstanding unity among Western nations. This week, the Trump administration and the European Union have submitted competing resolutions at both the UN Security Council and the General Assembly. As G7 diplomats engaged in discussions over the weekend, a key point of contention emerged: whether a forthcoming joint statement from the wealthy nations…
Former military President General Ibrahim Babangida has expressed that Nigeria missed critical opportunities during its oil boom years due to a culture of “profligacy” and “conspicuous consumption” that ultimately hindered the country’s long-term economic development. In a candid assessment of the nation’s financial management during a period of significant oil revenue, Babangida offered insights into the challenges that plagued Nigeria’s economy. Addressing concerns about the spending of the $12.4 billion oil windfall during his administration, Babangida defended his government’s financial decisions, arguing that such expenditures were not atypical for the time. “What I have done is not unusual in this…
Governor Dapo Abiodun praised the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by the Nigerian Armed Forces in defending the nation. Speaking at a civic reception in honor of Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga, newly promoted Fleet Commander of the Eastern Fleet of the Nigerian Navy, Abiodun emphasized that his administration is committed to recognizing and appreciating the sacrificial roles played by military personnel in safeguarding the country. The governor’s remarks were delivered by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, during a celebration organized by the Ijebu Ife Community in the Ijebu East Local Government Area. The event marked not only Oguntuga’s recent promotion to…
Former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has offered a deeply personal and revealing account of the 1985 foiled coup allegedly masterminded by his childhood friend, General Mamman Vatsa. In his autobiography, A Journey of Service, launched on February 20, 2025, Babangida grapples with the agonizing dilemma he faced: choosing between a lifelong friendship and safeguarding the stability of the Nigerian nation. The book provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of military leadership and the heavy burdens of command. Chapter 10, aptly titled “The Challenges of Leadership,” delves into the intricate web of events leading up to…
Mr. Jamiu Olawumi, former Special Adviser on Education to the Osun State Governor, has urged the public to exercise caution regarding videos circulating on social media that depict voters participating in the recent local government elections. His comments come amid varying accounts of the election’s integrity and execution. In an exclusive interview with New Daily Prime on Saturday, Olawumi, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that the election was not conducted in several areas, particularly in Ife Central Local Government. He highlighted specific incidents that he believes compromised the electoral process. “At Ilare Ward 3 in…
President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged that Russia indeed initiated an attack on Ukraine, marking a significant departure from his earlier positions, where he characterized the situation in Ukraine as a complex geopolitical conflict without direct attribution of responsibility to Russia. During a recent press conference, Trump stated, “It is clear that Russia has acted aggressively towards Ukraine. We cannot ignore the evidence of their military actions.” His comments come at a time when the international community is grappling with the ongoing war that has resulted in thousands of casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europe. The former president’s…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed that he is “not ready” to finalize a critical minerals agreement with the United States, as reported by a Ukrainian source. This development comes amid discussions that had previously suggested the possibility of a deal nearing completion. In recent statements, White House officials indicated that negotiations were progressing, and a deal was imminent. However, the Ukrainian president’s rejection of an initial draft last week has raised significant questions about the viability of the agreement. According to a source within the Ukrainian government, the current draft is “not yet ready to be signed” due to…
Labor group have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that tens of thousands of probationary federal employees were unlawfully terminated as part of a broader initiative to reform the federal workforce. The complaint, lodged on Wednesday evening in a federal court in San Francisco, raises serious questions about the authority of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in overseeing federal employment practices. According to the labor groups, the OPM issued directives on February 13 that led to the mass firing of probationary employees under the pretext of performance issues. The plaintiffs argue that such actions exceeded the OPM’s…
Hamas, parading the coffins of four hostages, has drawn severe condemnation from the United Nations Human Rights chief, Volker Turk, who described the act as “abhorrent and cruel,” asserting that it contravenes international law. This event, characterized as a “disgusting spectacle,” took place in Khan Yunis, a city in central Gaza, where the coffins were believed to contain the remains of Shiri Bibas, four-year-old Ariel, his infant brother Kfir, and 85-year-old Oded Lifthitz. During the event, Hamas supporters watched as masked fighters clad in black carried the coffins through crowds of onlookers, culminating in a presentation on stage. Behind the…
