Author: damazah@gmail.com

100 US dollar banknotes symbols of the global economy spread out on a table in Clermont-Ferrand France on June 12 2025. (Photo by Romain Costaseca / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ROMAIN COSTASECA/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty ImagesHow soon we forget that bitcoin and cryptocurrencies were billed as a response to centuries worth of fiat currency instability. The latter is worth noting for a variety of reasons, including a recent interview of Milken Institute senior advisor Michael Piwowar about money. Let’s start with Piwowar on bitcoin. Piwowar observed that “The problem with Bitcoin is price volatility.…

On a quiet summer morning, above a small mid-western town, an American flag is waving in the breeze. The camera cuts to a father helping his son at the wheel of a tractor, and flits to a smiling couple on a grass-lined pavement, moments before flashing to grainy images of “crypto insiders” in suits.“American families don’t want experiments with their money,” a voice booms. “They want jobs, growth, and available credit. When crypto gets a free pass, communities pay the price.”Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) says it’s now its turn to get its message across. Photograph: Postmodern Studio/AlamyThe 30-second…

Powerful, influential and stupendously wealthy. These are just a few words often used to describe the former Governor of Zamfara State and senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’aziz Yari. A man blessed with immense political clout and remarkable staying power, Yari has built a reputation for achieving almost every goal he sets his sights on. However, one ambition has continued to elude him—the exalted office of President of the Senate. In 2023, Yari mounted a spirited and formidable bid for the Senate presidency. He spared neither energy nor resources, mobilising support across political divides and engaging in extensive lobbying efforts. For…

The project also contributes to wider conservation efforts across the region, including habitat restoration work at Kinver Edge, also cared for by the National Trust, where southern red wood ants are being reintroduced.They help maintain the balance of woodland habitats by influencing soil health, insect populations and the wider food web.They also provide natural pest control, preying on insects such as caterpillars and aphids that can damage trees, helping to regulate insect populations and support the long-term health of the woodland.Their large dome-shaped nests also act as biodiversity hotspots.Across the UK, the ants have declined due to habitat loss, woodland…

The debate on who is football’s greatest player ever resurfaced again at the ongoing 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States after Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 defeat of Algeria in their opening match. His brace in the 2-0 defeat of Austria reinforced the belief by his fans that he is the G.O.A.T (greatest of all times). However, a Nigerian fan, Aniele John Ukpe disagrees. He reasoned that Messi may be greater than Pele in some aspects of football but concludes by saying that Pele remains football’s greatest player till date considering so many…

More than 40 years later, Rob Lowe and friends are getting closer to reigniting St. Elmo’s Fire with a long-awaited sequel. The 6x Golden Globe nominee, who has previously noted there’s interest in a follow-up, recently revealed that the team is “working on” a script, which they want to get just right. “I’m trying to get it done, but I’m excited,” he said on The Kelly Clarkson Show. “I think the reason that St. Elmo’s continues to mean a lot to people is because it’s such a great snapshot of your 20s.” Lowe added, “Everyone wants to do it. We…

Femi Fani-Kayode Happy birthday to my dear friend and brother Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilla, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. We grew up together with the likes of Folabie Caxton Martins, Wole Atunrase (both of whom lived just round the corner from you in Surulere), Deremie Ajidahun and so many others in those heady yet great days of the 1970’s and 1980’s in Lagos and London and have been closer than brothers for at least 50 years. In all that time you have never let me or any…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has raised concerns over what it described as possible consumer exploitation in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector following the failure of fuel prices to decline significantly despite a sharp drop in global crude oil prices. The commission said its ongoing market surveillance showed that local refiners, depot operators, marketers and filling station owners had implemented only marginal reductions in fuel prices, a development it said was not commensurate with the steep decline in international crude oil prices. In a statement issued on Sunday by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the commission…

At least two killed in drone attacks, Russian authorities say, as Ukraine continues to target energy facilities.Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026Ukraine says it has carried out drone strikes on two Russian oil refineries as it continues to ramp up its air attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the military hit the Slavyansk and the Yaroslavl refineries, about 300 and 700 kilometres (190 and 435 miles) from the front line, respectively, overnight with long-range drones.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“We continue our operations that weaken Russia’s ability to wage this war,” Zelenskyy wrote…

Nigeria’s Niger Delta Power Holding Company is using artificial intelligence to predict when its gas-fired turbines will break down before they actually do, the company’s chief executive said, as the state-owned generator races to cut the chronic outages that have long strangled economic activity across Africa’s most populous nation. Jennifer Adighije, managing director and CEO of NDPHC, told the Nigerian Economic Summit Group that the company has deployed AI-powered predictive maintenance systems that allow plant engineers to catch equipment faults early, flagging deteriorating components through continuous sensor feeds, machine-learning algorithms, and real-time data analysis rather than waiting for scheduled service…