Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

The Lagos State House of Assembly finds itself at the centre of a potential leadership crisis as two lawmakers lay claim to the Speaker’s position. Security around the Assembly Complex is likely to be tightened today amid speculation of a showdown. This follows former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s declaration on Saturday that he remains the rightful Speaker, despite being removed on January 13, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and financial misappropriation. Obasa, who was replaced by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, has been absent from the last two plenary sessions presided over by Meranda. Speaking to supporters in Lagos, Obasa denied all…

Doorstep deliveries of knives bought online are set to be banned in the UK, following a government crackdown aimed at preventing tragedies like the Southport killings carried out by Axel Rudakubana. Rudakubana exploited an online loophole to purchase knives despite being under 18. The new measures will prohibit tech companies, including Amazon, from handing over knives to anyone other than the individual who placed the order. This will allow delivery personnel to verify the buyer’s ID and age directly during delivery. This third verification step will supplement the two-stage online purchase process, which already requires ID, such as a passport,…

ChatGPT usage among U.S. teens for schoolwork has doubled to 26% in 2024, with older students and Black and Hispanic teens leading the trend. Awareness and debates on its role grow. A new report from  Pew Research Center indicates that the use of ChatGPT among U.S. teens for schoolwork has doubled in just a year, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The share of teens aged 13 to 17 who say they use the AI chatbot for academic tasks has risen to 26% in 2024, up from 13% in 2023. Despite this increase, most teens (73%) have yet to turn…

The UK government has acknowledged a growing issue with immigration loopholes and signalled its intention to take decisive measures to prevent the misuse of student visas as a backdoor route into the labour market. This comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreign students transitioning to work-related visas, a trend that has sparked comparisons to the firm stance on immigration policies championed by US President Donald Trump. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal a significant shift in migration patterns. Nearly 38% of individuals who entered the UK on student visas in the year ending…

Come make your product in America, and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth – Donald Trump President Donald Trump has called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to leverage China’s influence to help end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking via video link at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump stated that China holds significant power over the conflict and revealed that he had discussed the issue directly with President Xi during a recent phone conversation. “Hopefully, China can help stop the war between Russia and Ukraine. They have a great…

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has become a nationally recognized voice for justice, inclusion, and social change. Known for her boldness and conviction, she made headlines again this week with her direct appeal to former President Donald Trump, urging him to show compassion to marginalized communities. Bishop Budde said: “We must recognize the dignity of all humans by refusing to mock, discount, or demonize. Mr. President, I ask you to have mercy. We were all once strangers in this land.” She emphasized the need for compassion…

Labour MPs have voted to block a Conservative-led amendment calling for a national inquiry into historic child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs, sparking outrage among victims’ advocates and political opponents. The amendment, aimed at pressuring the government to initiate a statutory inquiry, was defeated by a vote of 364 to 111 on Wednesday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision, arguing that victims seek immediate action rather than delays from another inquiry. “Victims want action now, not the delay of a further inquiry,” Starmer stated. However, critics have accused the government of avoiding transparency on the issue, with fears of…

The United Kingdom’s 10-year borrowing costs soared to their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis on Wednesday, intensifying concerns about the Labour government’s fiscal plans. The 10-year gilt yield rose by 0.13 percentage points to 4.82%, driven by a global bond market sell-off compounded by domestic economic pressures. The sell-off also dragged sterling to its weakest level against the dollar since April, falling 1.1% to $1.234. Market analysts attributed the spike in UK yields to concerns over heavy government borrowing requirements, sluggish economic growth, and persistently high inflation. “It’s a global sell-off, but the UK’s challenges are exacerbated by…

In a significant move to enhance efficiency and ensure nationwide accessibility, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the division of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), located in Zaria, Kaduna State, into six regional campuses across the country’s geopolitical zones. This decision, aimed at expanding the college’s reach and improving operational effectiveness, was revealed by the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The campuses will be strategically distributed across the country to reflect Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. They will be located in Akure (Southwest), Osubi…

Obese patients and smokers face delays for NHS surgeries under new reforms requiring them to be assessed as “fit to proceed.” Obese patients and smokers could see their surgeries delayed under reforms announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The new plan requires patients to be assessed as “fit to proceed” before receiving a surgery date. The measures aim to boost NHS productivity and tackle extensive waiting lists. Patients waiting for procedures like hip and knee surgeries will first be encouraged to complete a 12-week weight-loss program or quit smoking. The government argues that “prehabilitation” can improve surgical outcomes by…