Following Manchester City’s stunning 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League last November, a game where they squandered a 3-0 lead in a mere 15 minutes, a palpable sense of concern permeated the dressing room. The worry wasn’t solely about the team’s performance, but rather the unsettling demeanor of Pep Guardiola. The result served as a stark confirmation: City was in crisis, their season teetering on the brink of collapse. The dream of lifting the European Cup once again, a goal Guardiola had passionately shared with City owner Sheikh Mansour the previous summer in Abu Dhabi, appeared increasingly unattainable.…
Author: Olamilekan Botti
On Thursday, foreign ministers from the world’s top economies convened in South Africa, marking a significant moment amid escalating tensions over the ongoing Ukraine conflict and contentious trade disputes. Notably absent from this critical gathering was the United States’ Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who opted to stay away due to a diplomatic rift with the host nation. The G20, comprising nations that collectively account for approximately 85% of the global GDP and three-quarters of international trade, has historically faced challenges in reaching consensus. However, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, these divisions have deepened, making discussions among member…
Protest across Indonesia as student took over the streets in a series of dubbed ‘Dark Indonesia,’ voicing their concerns over recent budget cuts and various policies implemented by President Prabowo Subianto. Many students fear that these measures will jeopardize essential social support systems and threaten their future prospects. In the vibrant city of Yogyakarta, approximately a thousand students clad in black rallied through a bustling thoroughfare, brandishing placards and chanting calls for change. This demonstration came just four months after Prabowo’s decisive victory in the presidential election, which has left many young Indonesians feeling uncertain about their future. The protests…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of unity both at home and across Europe, while expressing hope for pragmatism from the United States. This conciliatory message follows a surprising public rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump, who described Zelenskiy as a “dictator without elections” and urged him to act swiftly to secure peace or risk losing his country. Such rhetoric marks a stark departure from the traditionally supportive stance of the U.S. towards Ukraine, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago. Trump’s comments have raised eyebrows among European leaders, who have long viewed the United States as a…
Russia has unleashed a barrage of 161 drones and approximately a dozen missiles overnight, targeting critical gas infrastructure in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region. This onslaught also struck power supplies in the southern Odesa region for the second consecutive night, according to Ukrainian officials on Thursday. This assault is part of a broader, intensified campaign against Ukraine’s energy system, which has ramped up over the past month. As discussions regarding the potential end of the war in Ukraine unfold with the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump—who has controversially blamed Ukraine for Russia’s invasion—the Kremlin appears to be ramping up…
EU capitals have unanimously agreed on a new sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow while enhancing support for Ukraine. This development comes despite a rapid initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The latest measures specifically target Russia’s aluminium and oil exports, signaling the EU’s commitment to maintaining a robust response in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics. Brussels is particularly concerned that Trump may consider easing U.S. sanctions on Russia as part of a potential peace deal negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly sidelining European interests. After…
The Russian president thinks he is a better poker player Vladimir Putin appears closer than ever to achieving his objectives in the war against Ukraine. Despair has settled among Europeans as President Donald Trump disrupts the post-1945 transatlantic alliance, incorrectly assigning blame to Ukraine for the conflict. “You should have never started it,” Trump declared on February 18th from Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Yet, three years following Putin’s invasion, the definition of “winning” remains ambiguous. The Russian leader’s ambitions are shrouded in mystery. His “special military operation” was orchestrated in secrecy, leaving even his government and the Russian populace in the dark.…
Russia and the United States have agreed to “lay the groundwork for future cooperation” aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and ultimately resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This agreement follows the first high-level discussions about the war since the early days of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The negotiations took place in Riyadh on Tuesday and extended over four-and-a-half hours. The U.S. State Department announced that both nations would appoint “high-level teams” to pursue an end to the war and establish a diplomatic channel for addressing various bilateral issues. U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the importance of achieving a…
Turkish police detained nearly 300 PKK suspects individuals allegedly connected to the outlawed militant group, the government announced on Tuesday. Among those apprehended are journalists, politicians, and academics, highlighting the broad scope of the crackdown that has drawn widespread concern. Over the past five days, police raids have targeted various locations across the country, reflecting the Turkish government’s intensified efforts to dismantle alleged networks associated with the PKK. This surge in detentions coincides with the ongoing removal of elected pro-Kurdish mayors from their positions, further escalating tensions in the region. The government claims these officials have ties to the PKK,…
Lebanon has formally demanded that Israel withdraw all its military forces from Lebanese territory, stressing that any remaining troop presence would constitute an “occupation.” This urgent call comes as Tuesday marked the deadline for Israel to complete its withdrawal under a U.S.-brokered agreement aimed at ending a devastating offensive in southern Lebanon. The conflict, which began in September, followed months of cross-border skirmishes between Israel and the militant group Hizbollah. The ceasefire deal, reached in November, brought an end to the most intense fighting between Israel and Hizbollah in nearly two decades. According to the terms of the agreement, Israel…
