Russia to Import 1 Million Indian Workers to Fill Labor Gaps Amid Ukraine War Strains

Russia to Import 1 Million Indian Workers to Fill Labor Gaps Amid Ukraine War Strains

Russia plans to bring in up to one million Indian workers by the end of 2025 to combat severe labor shortages in its industrial sectors, especially in the Sverdlovsk region, officials say. Andrey Besedin, head of the Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCPP), disclosed the initiative during a recent event, noting that the move comes amid mounting workforce gaps caused by military mobilization and declining interest in factory jobs among Russian youth. The labor plan, reportedly developed in coordination with Indian counterparts, will be facilitated by the opening of a new Indian consulate in Yekaterinburg. The recruited workforce will include both general laborers and highly skilled specialists. Besedin added that Russia is also in talks with Sri Lanka and North Korea for similar labor supply agreements, as the country scrambles to maintain productivity in key sectors while facing international sanctions and wartime disruptions. He acknowledged that while the influx could help stabilize industries, integrating the foreign workers would present cultural and operational challenges. “We must prepare for a complex adaptation process,” he said, citing differences in work ethics and practices. The mass recruitment drive highlights the growing internal strain on Russia’s economy amid its prolonged war in Ukraine, which has pulled tens of thousands of working-age men into military service and reduced the available industrial workforce.

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After N15tr Award to Chagoury’s Firm, Tinubu Govt Secures Fresh ₦1.2tr Loan for Lagos-Calabar Highway

Despite allocating over ₦15 trillion to Hitech Construction Company Ltd for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Bola Tinubu administration has now secured an additional $747 million (about ₦1.2 trillion) loan to finance the first phase of the same project. In a statement released Tuesday, Mohammed Manga, Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Finance, announced that the syndicated loan—the largest of its kind for road infrastructure in Nigeria—was arranged by Deutsche Bank, which also served as the Global Coordinator, Mandated Lead Arranger, and Bookrunner. The loan, earmarked for Phase 1 Section 1 of the coastal highway, is supported by multiple global financial institutions, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Afrexim Bank, ADEX (Abu Dhabi Exports Office), ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Nexent Bank N.V., and Zenith Bank (through its UK, Paris, and Nigeria branches). The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) is also providing partial political and commercial risk insurance for the facility. The project remains under the purview of Hitech Construction Company Ltd—owned by Lebanese-Nigerian businessman and Tinubu ally, Gilbert Chagoury—sparking renewed public scrutiny over transparency in procurement and financing. According to the finance ministry, the loan is structured under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction + Financing) model, aiming to ensure efficient technical execution and financing synergy between the government and the private sector. “The facility is a strong signal of global investor confidence in the country’s reform trajectory and infrastructure pipeline,” the statement read, adding that the project emphasizes long-term resilience and efficiency. Amid criticism over awarding the project to Chagoury’s firm without a competitive bid process, Minister of Works Dave Umahi defended the decision, stating that Hitech was chosen based on its expertise in concrete road construction and prior performance on major projects, including the Oworonshoki-Apapa Road. The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is expected to connect multiple coastal states, boosting trade and transport—but its ballooning cost and politically connected contractor have continued to draw public concern.FG Plans End to Power Subsidy as Electricity Debt Hits ₦5tr — AdelabuFG Plans End to Power Subsidy as Electricity Debt Hits ₦5tr — Adelabu

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FG Plans End to Power Subsidy as Electricity Debt Hits ₦5tr — Adelabu

The Federal Government is set to eliminate subsidies in the electricity sector by transitioning to a fully cost-reflective tariff regime, according to Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. This is part of broader reforms aimed at addressing the sector’s mounting debt and ensuring sustainability. Speaking during the Mission 300 Stakeholders’ Engagement in Abuja, Adelabu revealed that Nigeria owes power generation companies over ₦4 trillion in unpaid subsidies as of December 2024. Recent data also shows that an additional ₦1.1 trillion was incurred in the first half of 2025, pushing the total debt to about ₦5 trillion. He emphasized that continuing with the subsidy model is unsustainable and threatens economic development. “To stop the accumulation of further debt, the government is working to transition the sector to a fully cost-reflective regime, while implementing targeted subsidies for the economically vulnerable,” he said. Under the current structure, the allowed tariffs are far lower than the actual cost-reflective tariffs. For example, Band A customers are charged ₦209.50 despite the cost being over ₦220. Band B and C customers pay as little as ₦67 and ₦56, even though the real cost exceeds ₦200 per unit. Adelabu said the reforms would include: The minister noted that the breakdown of local government administration has forced lawmakers to take on executive roles, including power-related infrastructure, thus complicating sector responsibilities. Finance Minister Wale Edun, speaking virtually from Brazil, backed the reforms, saying they were essential for boosting job creation and unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential. He claimed power distribution improved by over 40% in Q1 2025. Consumer Pushback Despite government assurances, consumer rights advocates and energy analysts warn that raising tariffs without service improvements will worsen public dissatisfaction. Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, said the public would be unfairly burdened without corresponding improvements in electricity supply. “Between 2015 and now, we’ve only added about 400 megawatts to the grid. Increasing tariffs won’t solve the performance gap,” he said. Bode Fadipe, CEO of Sage Consulting, noted that while liquidity is critical, focusing only on tariff hikes without addressing structural and policy deficiencies will not fix the sector. Consumers like Abubakar Aliyu in Band C areas say they often receive less than six hours of electricity daily. “If service doesn’t improve, any tariff hike will be unjustifiable,” he said. As the nation faces rising inflation and economic strain, stakeholders are urging the government to approach the power sector reforms with a balanced mix of pricing, investment, and accountability.

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Olympique Lyon Saved from Relegation

Olympique Lyonnais have pulled off the great escape, with French football’s financial watchdogs at the DNCG reversing their previous decision to relegate the historic Ligue 1 club. After months of bureaucratic posturing over debts running into the hundreds of millions, the Commission of Appeal has ultimately decided the seven-time champions can stay in the top-flight of French football. “Olympique Lyonnais (OL) are pleased with today’s decision by the DNCG to allow the club to remain in Ligue 1,” came the official word from the Groupama Stadium. “The Commission of Appeal has acknowledged the ambition of the new leadership, committed to ensuring a serious and responsible financial management moving forward.” The latest chapter in the ongoing saga of OL began in late June when the DNCG made good on an initial threat of administrative relegation made last November. The fiasco led to the departure of John Textor as club president, with Michelle Kang stepping in. Kang – an investor in OL owners Eagle Football Holdings and outright owner of several women’s teams including OL Lyonnes – helped go about with the financial restructuring of the club. Even PSG played their part, fast-tracking a €45 million payment for Bradley Barcola to inject much-needed liquidity. “The new management, supported by the commitment and dedication of our shareholders and lenders, is extremely grateful for all the support received both within and outside the club,” OL added. “Today’s decision is the first step in restoring confidence in Olympique Lyonnais. We can now focus our attention on our sporting objectives, fully preparing for next season.” The ruling is a vote of confidence in OL’s revised financial roadmap, albeit with payroll restrictions imposed by the DNCG, with the broad support from players, staff, and local authorities clearly resonating with decision-makers. Now the real work begins. OL can finally turn their attention back to what matters most – football. The 2025/26 season will be the ultimate test of whether this new regime can rebuild the credibility the club needs to reclaim its place among French football’s elite.

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Nigerian Army Eliminate 24 Boko Haram Insurgents, Recover Weapons

In continuation of the series of coordinated offensive operations across the North East Theatre of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), bolstered by close air support from the Air Component and collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, have carried out successful kinetic operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in theatre between 4 – 9 July 2025, eliminating several terrorists. In one of the ambushes conducted at Platari on 4 July 2025, the gallant troops, while lying in wait, made contact with JAS/ISWAP terrorists mounted on bicycles moving from the Sambisa Forest axis to the Timbuktu Triangle. The terrorists were immediately subdued with heavy fire, leading to the neutralization of 3 terrorists. Similarly, following intelligence on movements of the insurgents around Komala general area, troops sprang another ambush on the terrorists, neutralizing another fighter. On exploitation of the general area, troops recovered motorcycles and spare parts, knapsack sprayers, pesticides, and terrorists’ food items. Relatedly, troops conducted a night ambush on the same day at terrorists’ hideouts around the Kawuri general area in Konduga Local Government. During the deliberate operations, the resilient troops came into contact with the insurgents. Consequently, 2 terrorists conveying logistics were immediately eliminated, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents, and other sundry items. In the same vein, troops on 5 July 2025, intercepted terrorists attempting to access the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Konduga Local Government Area. The troops swiftly engaged the insurgents, killing one terrorists, while others escaped with traces of gunshot wounds. Troops subsequently recovered several rounds of ammunition during the exploitation of the area. In another development, troops conducted a fighting patrol to terrorists’ enclaves at Leno Kura. Resultantly, the troops came into contact with the insurgents and engaged them with simultaneous gunfire from different directions. Accordingly, 3 terrorists met their Waterloo, while troops continued exploitation of the area. Furthermore, on 6 July 2025, troops carried out a night ambush at a suspected terrorists’ crossing point along the roads Ngoshe – Gava, Ngoshe – Ashigashiya, as well as Amuda – Gava areas.Troops made contact, and an insurgent was neutralized while others fled. On 7 July 2025 also, troops sprang another ambush following an intelligence report close to Sabsawa village. During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists’ logistics suppliers and successfully neutralized 2 insurgents. On exploitation of the area, the gallant troops recovered bicycles, sacks of slippers, several torchlights, batteries, detergents, salt, and rubber shoes, amongst other sundry items. On 8 July 2025, troops in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force, under close air support provided by the Air Component of OPHK, conducted clearance operations at Bula Marwa, a known ISWAP/JAS enclave. In the course of the operation, the troops eliminated an insurgent and recovered a gun, terrorists’ uniforms, while their life-supporting structures were totally destroyed. Additionally, troops in a joint operation with hunters and the Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted fighting patrol at terrorists’ hideouts at Pambula village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. During the patrol, contact was made with JAS/ISWAP terrorists, who were immediately engaged with a high volume of fire, forcing the terrorists to disperse in disarray. The troops neutralized a terrorist, recovering four motorcycles and his weapon. The determined troops continued exploiting the general area to rid it of any terrorists activities.

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Akon’s £5billion Senegal City Plans Scrapped

Plans for Akon’s £5 billion Senegal city have been scrapped after seven years. The proposed city named after Senegalese-American pop star, real name Alioune Badara Thiam, will not come to fruition at the 800-hectare site in Mbodiène, 100km south of capital city Dakar, BBC reports. “The Akon City project no longer exists,” head of Sapco, Senegal’s tourism development body, Serigne Mamadou Mboup told the BBC. “Fortunately, an agreement has been reached between Sapco and the entrepreneur Alioune Badara Thiam. What he’s preparing with us is a realistic project, which Sapco will fully support.” Initially announced in 2018, Akon City was planned to run on a new, custom cryptocurrency called Akoin and renewable energy, with phase one, including a hospital, mall, school, police station and waste plant, estimated for completion in 2023. In 2022, Akon said the city’s plans were “100% moving”. Today, the location’s one structure is an “incomplete” reception building, with no roads, housing nor power infrastructure. A local resident told BBC: “We were promised jobs and development… Instead, nothing has changed.” The Akoin cryptocurrency has also struggled with repaying investors and questions of legality. “It wasn’t being managed properly — I take full responsibility for that”, Akon said in 2022. In 2021, Akon announced plans to build a second city in Uganda, set to finish in 2036. There’s no new word on the future of the Akon City Uganda project.

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Ganduje Inaugurated as FAAN Board Chairman

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, the immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, has been officially inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). His appointment was made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2025, with the formal inauguration taking place on July 9, 2025, in Abuja. The inauguration ceremony was conducted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and included other board members such as FAAN Managing Director Ms. Olubunmi Kuku, Ms. Dorothy Duruaka, Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman, Nasiru Muazu, Omozojie Okoboh, TP Vembe, and Bridget Gold. Dr. Ganduje assumed this new role shortly after resigning as APC National Chairman, a position he held from August 2023 until his resignation in mid-2025, citing urgent personal matters. His resignation cleared the way for his full assumption of duties at FAAN, aligning with President Tinubu’s directive that board chairpersons maintain non-executive roles without interfering in daily management. This appointment marks a significant transition for Dr. Ganduje from partisan leadership to a strategic role in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where he is expected to enhance oversight and operational efficiency within FAAN.

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Arsenal Submits £50M Bid for Madueke

Arsenal has submitted an initial bid for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke said to be around £50M. The England international has been a target for the North London side for the past week and now manager Mikel Arteta, alongside sporting director Andre Berta have made an official bid for the 23-year-old as reported by Fabrizio Romano. “Arsenal have submitted initial bid for Noni Madueke around £50m package, add-ons included. “Chelsea want more than £50m fixed as Elanga similar deals remain their reference. “Good relationship between clubs as talks continue, Madueke agreed terms with Arsenal.” Madueke featured in 32 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League games and started in 27 of them, provided seven goals and three assists. Arsenal have been linked with Real Madrid winger Rodrygo and Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze but it looks like they have found their new winger in Madueke who has reportedly agreed to join the side.

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