August 2025 | Page 18 of 31

Crunch Time in Alaska: Trump and Putin Meet in Bid for Ukraine

Trump–Putin Summit Set for Anchorage Framed as Listening Exercise by White House

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

The White House has confirmed that Friday’s summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will take place at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska — their first meeting in six years. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the talks as a “listening exercise” aimed at gaining a “better understanding” of the situation in Ukraine. The framing comes amid European concerns that the meeting — with only Putin in attendance — could sideline Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Putin’s reported demands for the remainder of Donetsk and the wider Donbas region, warning that surrendering them would dismantle key defence lines and expose Kyiv to future attacks. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are holding multiple calls with Zelenskyy and separately with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance ahead of the summit. The talks are being billed as “transparent,” though analysts see little prospect for a breakthrough, with Russia seeking territorial gains and Ukraine unwilling to concede.

Labour Party Threatens Legal Action Over Candidate Exclusion in August 16 Bye-Election

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

The Labour Party has warned it will seek to nullify the August 16, 2025 bye-election if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to publish the names of its candidates and include its logo on the ballot. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party accused INEC of serving anti-democratic interests and urged well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Commission to uphold the Constitution and the Electoral Act. The party maintained that under the 2022 Electoral Act, any political party excluded from an election has the right to pursue legal redress. Describing the situation as a waste of taxpayers’ money, the Labour Party warned it would not condone any action that damages its image or reputation. Citing a Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025—which affirmed that party leadership matters are an internal affair—the party stressed that its current leadership emerged from the March 27, 2024 convention in Nnewi, led by Barrister Julius Abure. It urged INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to comply with the court’s ruling and respect the authority of the party’s leadership.

Israel Kills 24 Palestinians in Gaza Since Dawn

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Israeli forces have killed at least 24 Palestinians across Gaza since dawn, including five children and five people seeking aid, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and medical sources cited by Al Jazeera. The latest casualties come amid ongoing global protests over Israel’s targeted assassination of four Al Jazeera journalists and two freelancers in Gaza. A Hamas delegation has arrived in Egypt for further talks aimed at securing a ceasefire, even as Israel advances its plan to seize Gaza City, forcibly displace nearly one million Palestinians, and confine them to designated zones in the south. Since the start of the war, at least 61,599 Palestinians have been killed and 154,088 wounded in Gaza. In Israel, an estimated 1,139 people were killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks, with more than 200 taken captive.

Musk Threatens Legal Action Against Apple Over Alleged App Store Bias

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Elon Musk has accused Apple (AAPL) of anticompetitive conduct, alleging that the App Store has refused to feature both his social media platform X and his AI chatbot Grok in its top app promotions. In a series of posts on X, Musk said Apple’s actions amount to “an unequivocal antitrust violation” and warned that his AI firm, xAI, would take “immediate legal action” to address the issue. “Why do you refuse to put either X or Grok in your ‘Must Have’ section when X is the #1 news app in the world and Grok is #5 among all apps?” Musk wrote, accusing Apple of “playing politics” with its rankings. He also questioned why rival ChatGPT, run by OpenAI, appeared in multiple curated lists. Apple partnered with OpenAI in 2024 to integrate its technology into Apple Intelligence, a feature embedded in Siri for content generation and device tasks. Apple says the App Store is “highly curated” with human and automated oversight. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left over strategic disputes, has an ongoing lawsuit against the company, seeking to block its transition to a for-profit model. That case is scheduled for trial in March 2026. Apple has not responded to requests for comment on Musk’s allegations.

Namadi Reaffirms Youth Empowerment Drive at International Youth Day Celebration

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, national unity, and sustainable development during events marking the 2025 International Youth Day in Dutse. Addressing corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Fanisau, Namadi assured them of safety, support, and improved camp facilities. He noted the completion of renovations to the male hostel, camp clinic, and main hall, with ongoing work on the female hostel to ensure decent and secure accommodation. At a separate Government House reception, the governor aligned the state’s youth policies with the year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” highlighting initiatives under “Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development.” Namadi outlined several programs, including entrepreneurship training, ICT skill development in partnership with NITDA, GLUWA, and NDE, as well as targeted interventions such as mobile food cart distribution, micro-retail shop support, and handpump repair training. He also cited the recruitment of nearly 10,000 youths into roles such as local security guards, agricultural extension workers, and staff under the J-AGRO, J-HEALTH, J-TEACH, and J-CARE programs. Urging young people to shun political thuggery, cultism, drug abuse, and other vices, Namadi stressed that violence undermines peaceful coexistence and unity. If you want, I can also make a short breaking-news style version that focuses only on the key announcement and headline achievements. Ask ChatGPT

Breaking: FG Makes KWAM 1 Aviation Ambassador, Frees Ms. Emmanson

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Federal Government has expressed interest plans to engage Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall as an ambassador for the aviation industry. This is contained a statement issued by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr. Festus Keyamo on Wednesday. According to the statement, “In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. “FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. “Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.” The NCAA will also restore the licenses of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA. In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, stated; “I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct. “Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week. “I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.”

Lagos Warns Institutions Against Breaching Waste Management Rules

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has warned that the government will take firm action against any institution or organisation found violating waste management regulations. Eyes Of Lagos reports. This latest warning follows action against Dowen College, which has previously faced controversy. In 2021, the school was temporarily shut down by the Lagos State Government during investigations into the death of student Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a case that drew nationwide outrage. Wahab reiterated the state’s commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation laws to safeguard public health and the environment. He urged all institutions to adopt proper waste management practices or risk sanctions, including possible closure.

FG Drops Complaints in KWAM 1 Comfort Emmanson Airport Misconduct Cases

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

The Federal Government has withdrawn criminal complaints in two high-profile cases of alleged unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports, citing stakeholder consultations and expressions of remorse from those involved. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development said the decision was taken on compassionate grounds after reviewing incidents involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1. In Ms. Emmanson’s case, Ibom Air agreed to withdraw its complaint over her alleged disruptive conduct aboard a flight on August 10, 2025. The minister confirmed she will be released from Kirikiri Prisons this week, following police formalities, while the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) will lift her lifetime flying ban. For KWAM 1, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce his flight ban to one month and withdraw its police complaint. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also engage him as an ambassador for airport security protocol. The Minister further revealed that the licences of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba — linked to the KWAM 1 incident — will be restored after a one-month suspension and mandatory professional reappraisal. Beyond the cases, all aviation agencies will hold a retreat next week to retrain security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating conflicts, while airlines will review staff conduct towards travellers. “These decisions were taken purely on compassionate grounds,” the Minister stated. “Government will not pander to politically motivated sentiments when laws are broken. However, after these acts of clemency, safety and security in aviation remain paramount.”