Author: damazah@gmail.com

Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are testing two technologies designed to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a vast family of industrial chemicals known for resisting natural and conventional breakdown processes. The first approach uses hydrodynamic cavitation, which creates and collapses tiny vapor bubbles in contaminated water. The second combines cold atmospheric plasma with gas dispersion. Analyses performed by specialists at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) confirmed that PFAS molecules were being degraded and that fluoride was released during treatment. Once the technologies are sufficiently developed for commercial use, they could help industries treat contaminated wastewater before…

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now concluded, Ballon d’Or organisers have moved to dispel the long-held belief that winning football’s biggest international prize automatically guarantees the sport’s most prestigious individual honour. As debate intensifies over who could succeed Lionel Messi as Ballon d’Or winner, organisers examined the award’s history and concluded that while World Cup success boosts a player’s chances, it is far from a guarantee. According to the analysis, only seven players have won both the FIFA World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in the same cycle. England’s Bobby Charlton achieved the feat in 1966, followed by Italy’s…

Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has opened up about his reported fallout with Nigerian music star Davido. In a viral video circulating online, VDM claimed their relationship deteriorated after he turned down an alleged N50 million offer to campaign for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is Davido’s uncle. His comments come amid growing speculation over why the pair are no longer seen together publicly. Speaking in Pidgin English, VDM recounted the alleged offer, saying: “Davido and his crew offered me money, when they call me say make I come meet the uncle governor, say…

The curtain has finally fallen on the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, and after 104 matches across three host nations, Spain stood alone at the summit of world football. La Roja defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a gripping final at the New York New Jersey Stadium, bringing an end to over a month-long spectacle that delivered unforgettable drama, stunning upsets, emerging stars and tactical innovation. Beyond Spain’s deserved triumph, the tournament reshaped narratives, broke long-standing records and offered several lessons about where modern football is heading. Here are six defining takeaways from the FIFA World…

•Koka under bridge, now home for miscreants. By Egufe Yafugborhi Delta State grapples with balancing human rights with public safety as squatters swell under Asaba overpass. It’s 8:12am and traffic on the Asaba-Onitsha Highway is already heavy. Above, vehicles race across Koka Flyover. Underside, on bare concrete, men are just waking up. More had left earlier. Mats are rolled. Bedspreads folded. A few polythene bags with clothes are tucked to one side.    No cooking pots. No heavy luggage. Just the barest safeguards needed to push back mosquitoes and cold through the night. By evening, they’ll be back.  For months, the underbelly…

• Ekpo says project will unlock Nigeria’s 215.19 Tcf gas reserves  •6,900km pipeline to traverse 13 countries, first gas due in 2031 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved the implementation of the $27 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, a 6,900-kilometre energy infrastructure project designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco before linking with Europe. The milestone was reached at the weekend in Lungi, Sierra Leone, where Heads of State and Government of the regional bloc signed the…

By Providence Ayanfeoluwa Nigeria’s growing exposure to drug trafficking through its seaports is posing a serious threat to the country’s international trade reputation, economic competitiveness and investment prospects, the Sea Empowerment & Research Center (SEREC) has warned. In its July 2026 Policy Bulletin released yesterday, SEREC said the persistent use of Nigerian seaports as transit routes for narcotics could trigger stricter cargo inspections by destination countries, resulting in longer cargo clearance times, higher logistics costs and disruptions to legitimate trade. The organisation warned that the continued exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime gateways by international drug trafficking syndicates could undermine confidence in the…

Australia’s biggest media company, Nine Entertainment, has blamed the “extreme state of disruption” from AI for its decision to cut another 30 newsroom jobs at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age.On Tuesday, the managing director of publishing, Tory Maguire, told staff the company was looking to cut “around 30” positions, made up of voluntary and targeted redundancies. Maguire said the exercise was not simply a matter of cutting costs, but was an “evolution” to adapt to structural change.“In the last 12 months, as we have discussed many, many times at the publishing town halls, we are in an extreme…

Earlier today I set you a puzzle about keeping homes cool in a heatwave. Here it is again with the solution.Imagine a room with a set of curtains. When the Sun is shining, its energy comes through the windows where it is absorbed by the curtains. The curtains get hotter and hotter until they reach a temperature at which they are radiating as much heat as they absorb. The curtains radiate 50 per cent of this heat back towards the window, and 50 per cent of the heat into the room.In other words, curtains stop 50 per cent of the…

Eight Division I conferences are trying to improve the experience in women’s college basketball with an official alliance that aims to “enhance the quality, consistency and development of officiating,” the leagues announced on Monday. The conferences involved are the ACC, American Conference, BIG EAST, Atlantic 10, Big South Conference, Coastal Athletic Association, Ivy League and Metro Conference (formerly Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference).This group will be led by Pualani Spurlock-Welsh, who has been a full-time official for multiple conferences since 2011 and last month was named supervisor of officials for the ACC, Big East and American Conference. “When you look at the…