Author: damazah@gmail.com

Morning opening: Fresh corruption probes add to Zelenskyy’s problems ahead of key voteJakub KrupaUkraine’s anti-corruption agencies opened an investigation into unnamed lawmakers and presidential advisers just hours before a key vote in parliament, adding to pressure on president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.The Nabu and Sapo agencies released no further details, Reuters noted, but their announcement comes just hours before the Ukrainian parliament is due to vote on a new defence minister, Yevhen Khmara, appointed after Zelenskyy sacked his popular predecessor, Mykhailo Fedorov.Protesters carry placards as they march during a rally calling for a reform of the defence sector and the reinstatement of…

The Osun election has come and gone. Its most significant outcome is that the will of the people prevailed despite the shenanigans of the ruling APC administration, including the deployment of military personnel on the one hand and a political occupation force on the other. Despite the desperation of the ruling party to intimidate voters, the people of Osun organised themselves formidably to defend their votes. To me, that is perhaps the most important lesson from the governorship election. If voters can organise themselves, resist intimidation and vote according to their convictions, as we witnessed in Osun, there is hope…

For now, the Russian military may be considering increasing the number of Arena-M counter munitions to intercept incoming drones and other projectiles. But as Euromaidan Press explained, space constraints for the turret-mounted projectile launchers could ultimately limit that approach. Concerns beyond the war in Ukraine The limitations of active protection systems against drones have also appeared beyond the battlefields in Ukraine during the US-Israeli war against Iran. When the Israeli military sent troops into Lebanon to fight the Iranian-backed faction Hezbollah, the Israeli Merkava 4 tanks came equipped with Trophy active protection systems developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.…

Russia’s Defence Ministry says 453 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight in various regions.Published On 19 Aug 202619 Aug 2026At least five people have been killed and 11 others injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine, authorities said.A Russian drone attack on a bus in the front-line city of Kherson killed at least four people and wounded four others on Wednesday, Kherson regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe attack took place at about 8:50am local time (05:50 GMT), and all the casualties were bus passengers.In a post on the Telegram app, Prokudin said the wounded had…

A rare breed of cattle has been introduced to the grounds of a historic house in North Yorkshire as part of a 30-year conservation project.The arrival of the White Park cows, thought to be one of the most ancient species of its kind, is the latest phase of the Bog Hall rewilding scheme on the Castle Howard Estate, near Malton.Their grazing in the newly-sown meadows would “help create a more varied habitat structure”, the estate said.Head of natural environment, Guy Thallon, said reintroducing animals had been “inspiring for the whole Castle Howard team and beyond”, with further plans to release…

Aug 19, 2026, 05:34 AM ETSaudi Arabian side Al Hilal have been in talks with the representatives of Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, while Napoli have lodged enquiries for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.Transfers home page | Men’s summer grades | Women’s gradesTrending rumorsHarry Kane is in talks over a new contract at Bayern Munich. Carmen Jaspersen/picture alliance via Getty Images- Harry Kane’s representatives have reportedly held talks with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, according to TalkSPORT. The Bayern Munich forward is at the…

Turn the Volume Up! at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University highlights the activism of everyday people who have confronted injustice. New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, quoting the Bronx rapper KRS-One’s song Turn the Volume Up during his election-day victory speech inspired the name of the exhibit. Featuring work by artists such as Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems and the Guerrilla Girls, the show examines how protests and collective action can create and inspire social change. Turn the Volume Up! opens on 27 August and runs through 11 July 2027

Street Project Foundation (SPF) has called for  nominations for The Wole Oguntokun Legacy Award, which celebrates young Nigerians using theatre, storytelling and the arts to inspire change, preserve culture and champion social justice. According to the organisers, n ominations close on 22 August 2026, and the award will be presented at Do What U Love Festival 7.0, taking place in Lagos on 11 September 2026. The award is open to Nigerian residents aged 18 to 35 working across four categories: theatre practitioners, storytellers, arts and creative advocates, and performing artists. Members of the public may nominate a deserving creative, or apply…

Burnham announces drive to get thousands of rough sleepers off streets for ChristmasHello and welcome to the UK politics live blog.Andy Burnham has pledged to work to “get everyone in for Christmas” as he continues to build on his policy to end rough sleeping.Arguing in the Guardian that rough sleeping has become so common it now “feels like part of the scenery”, Burnham promised he would mount a Covid-style campaign to get everyone off the streets this winter.The announcement solidifies tackling homelessness as a central policy for Burnham’s government, and gives voters a measure by which to judge his success…

Becky Uba Umenyili The  Nigeria Police,  Ogun State Command, have  called on academic institutions, civil society organisations, parents and community leaders to join hands  in guiding young people towards productive, vice-free lifestyles. Delivering a paper titled “Substance Abuse and National Insecurity: Building Responsible Youth Through Entrepreneurship” at the 8th Set Academic Seminar of the Mass Communication Department, Al-Hikmah University (Abeokuta Study Centre), the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, noted the direct link between drug abuse and rising violent crime. He stated that in line with intelligence-led and community-driven policing, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has intensified its non-kinetic…