Author: Akintayo Adams

President Biden expressed confidence on Friday that the upcoming election would be free and fair but voiced concern about potential violence if former President Donald Trump once again refuses to accept the results. During an impromptu appearance at the White House daily briefing, Biden remarked, “I’m confident it will be free and fair. I don’t know whether it’ll be peaceful.” He referenced Trump’s previous refusal to accept the 2020 election outcome, calling his rhetoric “very dangerous.” Biden also highlighted that Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, avoided answering whether they would accept the results of the 2024 election during…

Paul Pogba’s doping suspension has been reduced from four years to 18 months, allowing the World Cup winner to return to competitive football in March 2025. The decision, announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), comes after Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA following Juventus’ Serie A match against Udinese in August 2023. Pogba, who has maintained his innocence, claimed the substance came from a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor and stated he never knowingly violated anti-doping regulations. “Finally, the nightmare is over,” Pogba said in a statement, expressing relief and eagerness to return to…

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has praised Erik ten Hag as a “very good coach” but emphasized that the decision to potentially sack the manager will not be his responsibility. Ratcliffe, who recently implemented a new football structure at the club, has delegated managerial decisions to the boardroom, including Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, CEO Omar Berrada, and Technical Director Jason Wilcox. Following United’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham and a chaotic 3-3 draw with FC Porto after surrendering a 2-0 lead, Ratcliffe was asked by the BBC about Ten Hag’s future. He declined to comment directly on…

Employers added an estimated 254,000 jobs in September, exceeding economists’ expectations and reflecting a significant bounce-back from August’s revised 159,000 figure. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report. Economist Brian Bethune from Boston College noted that the latest job figures indicate the economy is still on a path of expansion, bolstering hopes for a “soft landing” — curbing inflation without causing a recession. Job gains were driven by robust hiring in service sectors, particularly health care (+71,700) and leisure and hospitality (+78,000), while goods-producing industries, such as manufacturing, saw a slight loss…

Bandits armed with dangerous weapons invaded the Dan-Ali community in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, disrupting Jummat prayers in multiple mosques. The attack, which occurred during Friday prayers, caused panic as worshippers fled amidst sporadic gunfire. A local source confirmed the incident, stating, “We were at the Jummat prayer when the shooting started, and everyone ran. Thanks to the Security Watch Corps, who quickly responded and chased the bandits.” The source, who requested anonymity, called for reinforcement, highlighting the challenges the community faces. He noted that for over a week, the bandits have been preventing farmers from accessing…

Pakistani authorities sealed off Islamabad and suspended cellphone services on Friday to prevent an anti-government rally organized by supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protest is part of ongoing demonstrations demanding Khan’s release and contesting the legitimacy of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which Khan’s supporters claim was established through a fraudulent election. Authorities used shipping containers to barricade Islamabad’s entry points, and police enforced a ban on gatherings, bolstered by paramilitary forces. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi defended the security measures, asserting they were necessary to prevent unrest, particularly with the Shanghai Cooperation…

The Russian government has accused the United States and the United Kingdom of attempting to damage its relationship with Nigeria by falsely associating Russia with the August 1 hunger protest in the country. This was stated in a letter from the Russian government to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by Yury Paramonov, Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria. The protest saw demonstrators waving Russian flags and chanting slogans, sparking accusations that Russia was involved in stirring unrest, a claim that Russia vehemently denies. Russia has also faced similar accusations regarding its alleged involvement in political unrest in…

Meta has announced the launch of its Content Monetization beta program for Facebook, aimed at expanding the earning potential for content creators. Unveiled on Wednesday, this initiative integrates three key monetization tools—In-stream ads, Ads on Reels, and the Performance bonus—allowing creators to generate income from a variety of content types, including Reels, long-form videos, photos, and text posts. The program simplifies Facebook’s existing monetization options, providing a unified platform for creators to earn from multiple formats, unlike before when only about one-third of creators could access more than one Facebook-funded program due to varying eligibility and availability criteria. Since 2017,…

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to ban the circulation of single-use plastics, including PET bottles and sachet water, starting from January 2025. This initiative is part of the state’s effort to address environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. Mosaku Ololade, Chairperson of the Lagos chapter of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), responded to the planned ban, stating that the association has been engaging with the government on the issue and has begun sensitizing its members. Ololade emphasized the association’s willingness to collaborate with the government, noting that ATWAP has over 2,000 members in Lagos…

Following regulatory approvals, Guinness Nigeria PLC has completed the sale of Diageo’s 58.02% shareholding to Tolaram, effective 30th September 2024. This transaction makes Tolaram the new majority shareholder while maintaining long-term licensing and royalty agreements for Guinness Nigeria to continue producing and selling the Guinness brand and other Diageo products locally. This marks a new chapter in Guinness Nigeria’s over 70-year history as a key player in Nigerian culture. Under Tolaram’s leadership, the company is expected to build on its legacy with iconic brands like Guinness, Malta Guinness, and Orijin, leveraging Tolaram’s experience in the region. As part of the…