Author: Akintayo Adams

Footage has surfaced showing Labour MP Mike Amesbury involved in a physical altercation in Cheshire, reportedly striking a constituent multiple times. The video reveals him addressing the man, saying, “You won’t ever threaten me again,” with onlookers expressing shock. Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn, was surrounded by bystanders, some questioning the fight. The incident, published by the Daily Mail, raises concerns for the Labour Party shortly before the Chancellor’s Budget announcement. Mr Amesbury said in a statement yesterday: “Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out…

Universities across Nigeria might be in for a lockdown as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) embarks on an indefinite strike on Monday. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which represents non-teaching university staff, has directed members nationwide to participate. The strike is driven by the government’s failure to pay four months of withheld salaries, which were stopped during a joint industrial action with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the Buhari administration. The indefinite strike by NASU and SSANU will begin on Sunday night, October…

The Federal Government of Nigeria is offering a 50% tax relief to companies that raise salaries or provide transportation allowances for low-income workers. This initiative is part of a new legislative bill aimed at overhauling the country’s tax system to support workers amid rising living costs. The proposed law, titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide for Taxation of Income, Transactions, and Instruments, and Related Matters,” is dated October 4, 2024, and was obtained from the National Assembly. This…

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has expressed concern for Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s safety, citing issues with the “faulty” presidential aircraft. Shettima had to cancel his planned trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa after an incident where a “foreign object” struck his plane at JFK Airport in New York. The Presidency confirmed the incident, raising safety questions about the aircraft. In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the capital Borno state, on Sunday, Lawan asked the Nigerian Government to purchase a new jet for Shettima. He said: “I want to sympathize with the Nigerian…

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has been appointed as the Commonwealth’s new secretary-general, as announced at the closing of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. This summit, attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, brought leaders from the 56-member states together to address significant global issues, including slavery and climate change. “Today at #CHOGM2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,” the Commonwealth posted on X. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a strong advocate for reparations for colonialism and…

Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously approved Luong Cuong as the new president, marking the fourth individual to hold the position in under two years. Cuong, an army general, replaces To Lam, who concurrently served as general secretary amid a significant anti-corruption campaign. The presidency in Vietnam is largely ceremonial, involving diplomatic engagements. All 440 assembly deputies supported Cuong’s nomination during the session, as reported by state television. In his inaugural speech he committed to boosting defense capabilities and pursuing an independent and multilateral foreign policy. He vowed to “strengthen national defense and security, build up an army force that is…

A building collapsed in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja on Saturday, trapping numerous individuals inside. Residents were seen attempting rescues amid the rubble, while emergency services worked throughout the night to reach those trapped. Reports indicate that the structure was still under construction at the time of the incident. “No fewer than 40 persons are currently trapped in the building,”one eyewitness said. “People are under this rubble. It is a building under construction. We are calling on the government and relevant agencies to come and rescue those who are trapped here.” Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the federal capital territory…

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has announced an ₦80,000 minimum wage for civil service workers, effective November 1, 2024. He also approved an increase in the monthly pension for retirees and allocated ₦7 billion to address outstanding gratuity liabilities. He said: “To address the harsh times and in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment Act 2024), the Prosperity Administration of His Excellency Senater Douye Diri has approved the sum of ₦80,000 as minimum wage for the state’s workers. “Governor Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of state retirees. “The related consequential adjustments for the various…

Russia’s defense ministry reported that it shot down 51 Ukrainian drones across various regions, including areas close to the border. Specifically, 18 drones were intercepted in the Tambov region, while 16 were downed near Belgorod. Additional interceptions occurred in Oryol, Bryansk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh. Notably, one drone was intercepted in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been actively conducting a ground offensive since August, gaining control over several hundred square kilometers of Russian territory. Russia reports almost daily that it has destroyed Ukrainian drones. Kyiv claims that these strikes, which often target energy infrastructure, are in response to Russian…

Commemorative ceremonies were held in Israel on October 7 to mark the anniversary of the Hamas attack that led to the current conflict in Gaza. Events took place at Mount Herzl military cemetery, honoring the 1,206 lives lost in the attack. Flags were flown at half-mast on public buildings starting at 6:29 AM, the time the assault began. Top officials attended the memorials to pay tribute to both military personnel and civilians affected by the tragedy. The attack led to Israeli retaliatory strikes and ground combat that have resulted in the deaths of 42,924 Palestinians, according to data from Gaza’s…