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As Nigeria marked International Youth Day on Wednesday, the Frontline Advocacy Initiative (FAI) urged young people to reject illicit drugs and called on governments to increase investment in addiction treatment and rehabilitation services. International Youth Day is observed annually on 12 August to draw attention to issues affecting young people and promote their participation in social and economic development. The theme for the 2026 commemoration is, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.” In a statement, the Founder and Executive Director of FAI, Shakirudeen Bankole, expressed concern about illicit drug use among young people and what he described as inadequate treatment and rehabilitation…

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says his administration built the 300-bed Enugu International Hospital to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment. Mr Mbah, who spoke to reporters on Wednesday after a pre-launch tour of the facility, said the hospital was established to retain the substantial resources spent on healthcare abroad. “This is not a facility that is knee-jerk or that was accidentally put here. If you recall, during our campaign for this office, we made it clear that we were committed to making Enugu a medical tourism hub on the continent. “We knew the size…

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 10th (NB: this is not necessarily Andy Hunter’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 13thProspectsA season stripped of the fear of relegation, featuring more proactive, front-footed football and the return of some hope: had Everton been offered that package before their relocation to Hill Dickinson Stadium last summer it would have been accepted gratefully given the turmoil of the previous four years. For four fifths of last season it was accepted gratefully, but then came a collapse that transformed perceptions of David Moyes’s first full season back in charge. Talk of progress…

Their shared history means they’re comfortable and convincing as a couple talking – and singing – about their lives together.”It’s just easy to be with Alan,” Henderson said.”We have a good chemistry. We don’t over analyse it.””I come to see you before the show, each night,” said Cumming, “and I say, ‘let’s have fun’. If we can, because it’s terrifying.”Because you’ve got this incredible roller coaster of emotions. Even in the happy bits, I want to cry.””You just can’t help but feel something,” said Henderson.”It’s like when the first snows come. It’s a tenderness, but there’s a rawness to it…

Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991 has finally been punctured. On Thursday night in Casablanca, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2-1 to effectively extinguish the country’s slim hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Super Falcons had hoped to recover from their disappointing WAFCON quarter-final exit against Cameroon, but South Africa proved too strong in Thursday’s crucial play-off. South Africa’s goalkeeper Kaylin Swart stood stoutly against the Super Falcons, ensuring Banyana Banyana advanced to FIFA’s Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament alongside Ghana’s Black…

Albanese says he had ‘productive’, ‘substantial’ call with Trump and Aukus still ‘full steam ahead’Anthony Albanese is speaking in Canberra after he held a “productive” and “substantial” call with Donald Trump. He said the pair spoke about a “number of global and regional issues”, including the conflict in the Middle East and recent developments in the Pacific.Albanese said the pair spoke about the Aukus submarine deal, which “remains full steam ahead”. double quotation markWe agreed it was a project that is and will continue to deliver benefits for the United States, for Australia, and for the United Kingdom. He said…

Latest Israeli attacks kill police official Jamal Abu Kamil in Gaza City and another person in Khan Younis.Published On 13 Aug 202613 Aug 2026An Israeli drone strike has killed the head of the civil police force in Gaza City.Gaza’s Ministry of Interior said Colonel Jamal Abu Kamil, 43, was killed on Thursday when a drone fired three missiles at his vehicle on al-Rashid Street, southwest of Gaza City, also injuring two others.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemsend of listThe killing comes a day after Israel ended a weeklong pause in air raids on the strip. The pause did not see…

Good morning, happy Friday and welcome to FirstFT. In today’s newsletter:The battle for control of Tata GroupAnthropic investors bet on $2tn valuation in record IPOSeoul’s Incheon airport becomes the world’s busiest international hubN Chandrasekaran’s surprise announcement on Wednesday that he would step down in February from running Tata Sons marked a victory for family scion Noel Tata, the 69-year-old head of the charitable trusts that control India’s biggest conglomerate.  The two men had clashed repeatedly in recent months over strategy and a potential role for the next generation of Tatas in the business, with the feud regularly making headlines in…

As students across the country return to school this month, many will be confronting a new reality: classrooms without smartphones.Educators and parents have long fronted the fight against the debilitating influence technology can wield. Yet, many young people say they have been left out of important conversations around school phone policies, which are now in effect in at least 39 states and Washington DC.Student organizers told the Guardian they support screen-time bans in schools, but such policies are often haphazardly enforced and don’t address the root causes of screen addiction, such as intense social pressure and feelings of isolation. In…

Votes are being counted in the Clacton by-election, with results expected in the early hours of Friday.