Author: damazah@gmail.com

…Stakeholders advocate renaming LASU after Lateef Jakande By Olasunkanmi Akoni and Juliet Umeh A professor of Political Science at Lagos State University (LASU), Sylvester Akhaine, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have stressed the need for a responsible media, transparent electoral commission and informed electorate to guarantee credible elections in Nigeria. They made the call at the Fourth Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture organised by the NGE on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: “The Media, INEC, Voters and the Path to Credible Elections.” The annual lecture is organised in honour of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Lagos…

There appears to be no respite from the war between the US and Iran as the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the conclusion of its daily strike for the 13th night in a row on Friday morning. US strikes on cities in the south of the country, including Khorramabad, Jask, Ahvaz, and Bandar Abbas, killed at least four Iranians. The command, in a statement on X, said it targeted Iranian military centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities. CENTCOM stated that the aim of the war remains diminishing the Iranian threat to “civilian mariners and…

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco on Sunday with qualification for the World Cup and a record two-million-dollar first prize on the line. A record 16-nation line-up — up from 12 at the previous edition — will compete with 10-time title-holders and defending champions Nigeria the team to beat. The last success of the Super Falcons was spectacular. Trailing Morocco by two goals at half-time, they stormed back with Jennifer Echegini scoring the late winner in a 3-2 triumph. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Echegini will be back, seeking another gold medal at the two-yearly showcase…

Charli XCX was supposed to be taking a break.Her sixth album, Brat, was the sort of record you could genuinely call era-defining, without being accused of overstating its significance. Experimental but accessible songs like Guess, Apple and 360 propelled the star to new heights of fame. Her album was co-opted into Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, and Collins English Dictionary updated its definition of Brat, to acknowledge its use as an adjective characterising the music’s “confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude”. After a punishing year-long tour, the singer accepted a few acting roles, wrote the soundtrack to Emerald Fennel’s adaptation of…

Whether you’re on a staycation or jetting away, drawstring trousers and clever layering will keep you cool Continue reading…

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Praise be to Allah, who made His religion manifest among the worlds, made firm the hearts of His believing allies, and saved them from the plots of the wrongdoing people. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah send His peace and many blessings upon him. To proceed: Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, the Noble Qur’an is the ultimate, unchanged word of Allah the Most High. It…

Burnham to hold first meeting in new No 10 North in ManchesterAndy Burnham will hold his first meeting in No 10 North in Manchester today, the new branch of Downing Street in the north-west that the prime minister has described as “the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen”.He will chair the inaugural meeting of the national economic council [NEC], a cabinet committee first launched in 2008 by Gordon Brown in response to the financial crash. It will bring together senior ministers and regional mayors to shift economic decision-making away ‌from London.Writing for the Guardian, Burnham said: “It is…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Fintech myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.Wise’s application for a US banking licence has been rejected by regulators because of “longstanding deficiencies” in the fintech’s anti-money laundering checks, as well as a lack of understanding of the banking law.The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said in a letter that Wise’s US business had not demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the money laundering rules or US banking law and responsibilities generally. “Wise US has no historical experience with fiduciary activities, and proposed management and directors failed to demonstrate…

Getting locked out of an account is no fun. Google has a few ways to help you regain access if you happen to forget your password or lose an authenticator, including recovery contacts and backup codes. Now, Google has a completely new option: your face. You can now give Google a video record of your face and sign into your account with a selfie, which sounds like something people are going to just love. You will have to set this feature up ahead of time if you want the option of regaining account access with a selfie later on. To…

One of Andy Burnham’s first policy measures as prime minister is a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues.The policy, announced on Thursday, is part of a broader agenda to support the high street and will cost £100m.So how does the policy measure up in the context of running a business and where does the money on your bar bill actually go? Also, can the rates reduction halt a trend in pub closures, running at about one a day?A pie and a pint, Red Lion, Hollington, DerbyshireYou pay: £20.50Pub profit: £2.97 Photograph: Andrew Fox/The GuardianThe…