Author: damazah@gmail.com

* Public Accounts Committee to probe 2021–2023 oil sector revenues, remittances and compliance Sunday Aborisade in Abuja  The Senate has fixed Monday, next week for the commencement of a sweeping investigation into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The red chamber has therefore summoned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), major international and indigenous oil companies, regulators and several government agencies. The firms are expected to explain issues arising from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Oil and Gas Industry Audit Reports for 2021, 2022 and 2023. The investigation, to be conducted by…

A spike in mortalityThe tightening restrictions have forced the Cuban government to effectively ration care.In February, Havana announced a package of emergency energy-saving measures. Among them was the suspension of all non-essential medical services across the island.But non-essential does not mean unimportant. Fernandez, the paediatric anaesthesiologist, explained that preventive healthcare plays a major role in saving lives.Under normal conditions, he said, preventive healthcare helps doctors catch potentially fatal conditions like appendicitis sooner.But in recent months, Fernandez has observed patients arriving at his hospital in a “worsened” condition than they might otherwise have had.“All the appendicitis cases we treat now present…

A general view of the Peacock logo on a microphone during the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship game between the University of Connecticut Huskies and the Villanova Wildcats on March 9, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.Erica Denhoff | Icon Sportswire | Getty ImagesNBCUniversal’s announcement this week that it’s struck a content deal with YouTube Premium could jump-start a new chapter of the streaming wars — one that could be titled, “Aggregation.”Under the agreement, which starts early next year, YouTube Premium subscribers in the U.S. will get Peacock Premium baked into their subscription. Peacock content, including wildly popular…

Summer is normally thought of as the time for pacy potboilers and brain-soothing page-turners – airport reads that wind up sandy and sunscreen-stained. Not so for Friedrich Merz’s holiday reading list.Germany’s embattled chancellor, who has faced one rough patch after another since taking office 14 months ago, seems to be seeking spiritual guidance this year while putting his feet up.According to the conservative broadsheet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the Christian Democratic Union leader is taking Pope Leo’s encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica humanitas (Magnificent humanity), on his break.Introduced by the Guardian in May as “the first major text on safeguarding humankind…

The controversial ban under terrorism legislation of the protest group Palestine Action will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.In a major blow to the Home Office, the court confirmed on Thursday that it had given the group’s co-founder permission to appeal the ban which came into effect in July 2025.While the full details of the reasons for the appeal are yet to be published, the BBC understands they relate to Huda Ammori’s argument that the ban breaches human rights.Officials at the court say the appeal will be expedited – which means it will be heard after the summer break. The…

A naturally occurring compound found in rice bran may influence how strongly the intestines contract, according to new research from Toho University. The study, led by Dr. Keisuke Obara, Dr. Kento Yoshioka, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, found that ferulic acid (FA) can reduce intestinal smooth muscle contractions by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels. The discovery could eventually support new dietary approaches for intestinal motility disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A Common Compound in Whole Grains Ferulic acid is a polyphenol found in many plant-based foods, especially whole grains…

By Adegboyega Adeleye Premier League champions Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with reports indicating growing confidence that a deal could be completed in the coming days. According to BBC Sport, there is increasing expectation that the Brazil midfielder will complete a move to the Emirates this summer after making it clear he wants to join Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners have tracked the 28-year-old throughout the transfer window and are said to be preparing an improved offer after an initial £70 million bid failed to convince Newcastle. Reports suggest Arsenal are aiming…

European soccer governing body UEFA has voted to boycott the World Cup to protest plans by global organization FIFA to sell off stakes in the tournament to private investors. As long as the deal is still on the table, UEFA said in a statement on Thursday, no European national teams will compete in FIFA competitions, including next year’s women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027. Europe is home to some of the world’s most successful national sides. Three of the four semi-finalists of this year’s men’s World Cup were from Europe, including 2026 champion Spain. A World Cup without Europe…

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt  ‎ ‎A political pressure group, Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has declared their support for the Renewed Hope Family and Rainbow Coalition led by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.  ‎ ‎The group also declared support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Kingsley Chinda, and all candidates of the party.  ‎ ‎The group said the decision to align with the new political family was in line with Fubara’s earlier decision to return to the political family which produced him as…

Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems are expecting higher profits as governments around the world boost their defence spending.Both companies lifted their earnings guidance on Thursday morning, citing commitments from governments to increase investment in defence systems.Rolls-Royce makes jet engines for combat planes and commercial aircraft, turbines for ships and submarines, and small nuclear power plants. It lifted its forecast for underlying operating profit this year to £4.7bn-£4.9bn, up from previous guidance of £4bn-£4.2bn. It also increased its free cashflow forecast from £3.6bn-£3.8bn to £3.8bn-£4bn.Rolls-Royce has benefited from the jump in defence spending since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while…