Author: damazah@gmail.com

After weeks of all-out war, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week cease-fire in April that paved the way for more negotiations and held open the possibility of a lasting peace.Just days later, clashes started again over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route in the global oil trade. After the United States blockaded Iranian ports, Iran attacked vessels and declared it was closing the waterway. Seesaws between fighting and calm are common in peace processes, said Laura Wise, a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. As proposals from warring parties vie with counterproposals, some…

Nigeria’s aviation workers have issued a fresh seven-day ultimatum to airline operators and other organisations that have failed to remit the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), warning that they will embark on nationwide picketing if the outstanding debts are not settled. The notice, jointly issued by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), follows the expiration of an earlier 14-day ultimatum served on 8 July, which lapsed on 23 July without compliance from the affected operators. The five per cent Ticket Sales Charge is a…

New York-based AI detection startup Pangram is on a mission to combat the AI slop infestation spreading across the internet, and it just raised $9 million on a bet that demand for tools that distinguish human-generated content from AI-generated text will only grow.  Pangram’s fundraise — led by Menlo Ventures, with participation from Haystack, ScOp, Script Capital, and Cadenza — comes as the startup also launches its next-generation AI text detection model, Pangram 4, and an AI image detection model, Pangram Image.  Pangram says the new text detection model is over 99% accurate at finding AI-assisted writing and mixed human-AI…

An alternative approach is to ensure that everyone who is eligible, based on their needs, should get state-funded personal care that is free at the point of use.This would be provided free regardless of an individual’s means and whether it was received by an elderly person in their own house or a residential care home.Scotland has implemented such a system.However, it’s important to note that personal care takes in things like helping frail elderly people wash and dress and go to the toilet.But it does not include accommodation, food and everyday living costs which are subject to means testing.The Health…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for four newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army’s force structure. The appointments are part of a major reorganisation of the Nigerian Army aimed at strengthening command and control, expanding its operational footprint and enhancing its capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, a colonel, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. According to the statement, the newly established divisions will commence operations…

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Danny Welbeck while Jordan Henderson is set to cancel his Brentford contract to enable a move to Stamford Bridge.Henderson, 36, is under contract until 2027. Welbeck, 35, has agreed a two-year deal and been given permission by Brighton to conduct a medical at Stamford Bridge.A fee for the striker has also been agreed but remains undisclosed as Chelsea tie up the deal for him to join pre-season in Hong Kong after Chelsea’s final match in Australia against Tottenham on Saturday evening. Welbeck will become the oldest signing under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake…

French DJ ​and electro-house pop ‌musician Kavinsky has ​been found dead ​at his home in Paris aged 50.The star, whose ​real name ​was Vincent Belorgey, enjoyed a slow-burning cult hit with his 2010 track Nightcall, which soundtracked the opening credits to the stylish neo-noir crime movie Drive, starring Ryan Gosling.After being performed at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, the modern synthwave hit became the most Shazamed song in a single day of the music identifying app’s history.President of France Emmanuel Macron led the tributes to the late DJ, posting on Facebook, external that Kavinsky was “a source of French…

The bloc’s crisis management chief calls for more investment and plans to be accelerated as an ominous heatwave looms.Published On 29 Jul 202629 Jul 2026The European Union’s crisis management commissioner says the bloc needs to invest more in tackling climate change and accelerate its response, as France and Spain prepare for another crippling heatwave that could ignite new wildfires and intensify blazes already burning.Hadja Lahbib said the EU must ensure its climate strategy remains in lockstep with realities on the ground, as global warming advances faster than scientists previously projected. She has called for increased funding, better education on fire…

Laleye Dipo in Minna Despite the incessant raids on communities across the state by bandits and terrorists, the Niger State Commissioner for Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs, Alhaji Umaru Sanda Rabe, has said that there are no bandits or bandits’ camps in the state. Rabe said the bandits and terrorists that have been terrorising the state carry out the invasions from neighbouring states. Speaking to journalists in Minna yesterday, the commissioner, however, disclosed that the government has commenced the profiling of herders migrating into the state from neighbouring states as part of measures to tackle banditry, cattle rustling and other security threats.…

The Federal Government has approved ₦46 billion for the rehabilitation of the primary and secondary runways at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), as part of efforts to modernise aviation infrastructure and improve passenger experience across the country. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the approval on Tuesday during the commissioning of the newly upgraded Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the airport in Kano. Mr Keyamo said the runway rehabilitation would further strengthen Kano’s position as the major aviation gateway to northern Nigeria. FG approves N46 billion for Kano airport runway rehabilitation, upgrades domestic terminal “Earlier…