Author: damazah@gmail.com

Reform UK begin their annual conference in Birmingham a bigger party than they were a year ago, their numbers swelled at Westminster, at Holyrood, in the Senedd and in local authorities.But they also gather amid significant political headwinds, much of which revolve around money.There was that whopping £5m gift to Nigel Farage from Christopher Harborne, the Thailand based British billionaire, and the long running row about whether the money should have been declared by Farage once he became an MP.Then there is, among other things, the Metropolitan Police investigation into donations to the party during the last general election campaign.Reform…

A former member of the House of Representatives, Rufus Omeire, has rejected claims that the Ideato Federal Constituency seat in Imo State is subject to a zoning arrangement between Ideato North and Ideato South. Mr Omeire, who is the Action Peoples Party (APP) senatorial candidate for Imo West, said the latest agitation over the constituency’s 2027 representation was an attempt to undermine the incumbent lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere (APP, Imo). Mr Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Omeire argued that…

Months before Travis Kelce tied the knot with pop superstar singer Taylor Swift, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end closed on a new home.The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Kelce closed on a $5.35 million lakefront home in Bratenahl, Ohio, just miles from Cleveland Heights, where Kelce and his older brother Jason grew up. Kelce, 36, purchased the home back in March from Figurati Construction Group, owned by Gary Pellegrino.The home was built in 1895 and now spans 21,140 square feet. It contains multiple fireplaces, a five-car garage, a media room and a resort-style pool, according to Realtor.com.…

Donald Trump told GOP congressional candidates visiting the White House on Wednesday evening that “the media has gained respect for us, they cannot believe what we’ve done.” The New York Times might beg to differ, at least when it comes to artificial intelligence. Almost a day after the Justice Department filed paperwork in federal court backing OpenAI in its consolidated copyright infringement battle with the New York Times, Florida and Arkansas papers, The Intercept, other outlets and a galaxy of scribe stars, the NYT took the tech-lord-friendly administration to the woodshed. “The Administration is siding with a handful of trillion-dollar AI…

7Wrestler’s trick with bad acne (4,4) 7 across. Wrestler’s trick with bad acne. 4 letters and 4 letters.9Small opening in Gogglebox you once rejected (6) 9 across. Small opening in Gogglebox you once rejected. 6 letters.10Sample from Lulu apparently repulsed my colleague (4) 10 across. Sample from Lulu apparently repulsed my colleague. 4 letters.11Musicians performing late in ancient city (3,7) 11 across. Musicians performing late in ancient city. 3 letters and 7 letters.12Stuff clinging to the back of Pete Best? (6) 12 across. Stuff clinging to the back of Pete Best? 6 letters.14Militant going into business with John Denver here…

Vanuatu climate minister says Australia ‘not doing enough’AAP reports Ralph Regenvanu, the Vanuatu climate change minister who led a successful case to the international court of justice finding high-emitting countries have a legal duty to stop climate harm, said Australia needs to do more to tackle the warming world.“Australia is not doing enough. Australia is a major producer of fossil fuels. We all know fossil fuels are the primary driver of the climate crisis,” Regenvanu said at the Pacific Islands Forum. He went on, per AAP: double quotation markThe very least a country like Australia should be doing is stopping…

United States President Donald Trump has threatened more attacks on Iran, warning that Washington could hit Iran “anytime we want”, as the death toll from the latest US strikes climbed to 18, with at least 108 others wounded.Trump’s threat on Wednesday came after the US and Iran exchanged their biggest barrage since July. The US military struck cities and areas along Iran’s southern coast, near the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, including a wedding party in the city of Kuhestak.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listIran retaliated with attacks on US bases across the Middle East, including Bahrain, Iraq and Jordan.Speaking…

Karl Von Batten, founder of US-based policy advisory and lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that he was offered $3 million and invited to a confidential meeting in London to end the firm’s campaign over allegations concerning President Bola Tinubu. The firm, which is linked to Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, made the allegation in a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, saying the offer was made “a few days ago” by a highly placed individual it was told was connected to Tinubu. The firm said Von Batten rejected the offer and preserved copies of the communications, adding…

Uber beat out Waymo in launching a commercial robotaxi service in London, the city’s first. The vehicles use autonomous driving tech developed by Wayve, a UK-based startup, and will initially feature safety drivers behind the wheel.The launch is a milestone for Uber, which has been plotting a UK launch with Wayve for several years. In beating Waymo to the punch, it allows Uber to set the standard for the robotaxi experience for thousands of Londoners. It’s also an early test of whether there’s appetite for driverless ridehailing beyond the US and China, where most of the world’s robotaxis are currently…

In this rare interview, the Director General of the State Security Service, Oluwatosin Ajayi, speaks on the agency’s institutional reforms, international cooperation and the fight against terrorism and other crimes. EXCERPT: PT: Thank you for finally honouring our request for an interview after several failed attempts. DG SSS: You are welcome. I changed my mind to encourage the improved relationship between the media and security agencies in Nigeria. Moreso, it is not unusual with intelligence organisations globally to do this when the need arises. Our counterpart, the current Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), held a televised briefing…