Author: damazah@gmail.com

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians through targeted financing programmes, saying the country’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) extends beyond increasing health insurance enrolment to building an equitable system that leaves no one behind. The NHIA said its interventions, anchored on the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and other specialised programmes, are designed to improve access to essential health services while protecting poor and vulnerable households from catastrophic healthcare costs. The NHIA disclosed this in a statement it issued on Tuesday. It noted that the Basic Healthcare…

Sylvester Idowu in Warri  The Niger Delta Movement for Peoples Right and Development (NDMPRAD) has condemned the alleged blackmail tactics by a self-styled South South Youths Initiative (SSYI) targeting the former leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). The group, in a statement issued Tuesday in Warri and signed by its Executive Director, Dr Richard Oloige, specifically decried the targeting of the former Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Mele Kyari and the retired Executive Vice President (Upstream), Mr. Adokiye Tombomieye by the group. NDMPRAD accused SSYI and its National President, Comrade Imeabe Saviour, of spreading falsehood, misrepresentations…

The heavy downpour that swept across Lagos on Monday left thousands of motorists, commuters and residents stranded as floodwaters submerged major roads, disrupted businesses, and worsened conditions in communities already battling weeks of flooding. From Apongbon and Marina to Leventis, Ikoyi, and Lekki, several parts of the commercial capital were inundated after hours of rainfall, triggering traffic gridlock that stretched for kilometres and bringing economic activities to a standstill. Many commuters were forced to abandon vehicles and trek long distances as traffic snarled across major routes. Along the Apongbon corridor, the congestion extended through Eko Bridge to Costain, leaving workers…

On July 9, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized Reflect Orbital to build, launch, and operate a mirror satellite in low Earth orbit. The experimental satellite, named Eärendil-1, would be capable of reflecting sunlight onto specific locations on Earth during the night. The project has long drawn criticism from astronomers and environmental advocates.WIRED wrote about Reflect Orbital’s giant mirror in September 2024, when the project was still in its early stages: “The ambitious goal of the Santa Monica, California–based startup is to ensure a continuous supply of light for large solar panel installations, allowing them to generate electricity even…

Burnham says Hillsborough law being debated today can change UK by shifting power and dismantling unaccountability cultureAndy Burnham describes the Hillsborough tragedy, the police cover-up and smear campaign against fans that happened afterwards, and the long campaign by survivors, relatives and Liverpudlians for justice that has been running ever since as the story that has done most to shape his political outlook. As a young culture secretary, he gave a speech at the Hillsborough 20th anniversary memorial in 2009 which was instrumental in persuading him that the government had to redouble its efforts to ensure the full truth came out.Today…

Astronomers have described their discovery of four new hidden white dwarf stars “local” to Earth as a “surprise”.The University of Warwick team used the Hubble Space Telescope to pinpoint the small, dim stars orbiting in double systems within 65 light years of Earth. The four white dwarf stars in this “nearby region” of space each have larger and brighter red dwarf companions that had previously concealed them.University of Warwick research fellow Dr Mairi O’Brien said: “Nearby isolated white dwarfs are usually easy to find, but we couldn’t see these four stars directly in visible wavelengths because their red dwarf companions…

Two of the top three teams in FIFA rankings will meet in a World Cup 2026 semifinal on Tuesday as Spain take on France. Led by Kylian Mbappe, France are ranked No. 1 and coming off a 2-0 quarterfinals victory over Morocco. The third-ranked Spaniards, who feature teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, defeated Belgium, 2-1, in the quarters to reach their second ever World Cup semifinal. Spain are aiming for their second championship at this tournament, while France are hoping to become the fifth nation with at least three World Cup titles.Kickoff for Spain vs. France is 3 p.m. ET from…

By Ayo Onikoyi Afriwood Studios has officially released the Shutter-Bird Theme Song, the musical identity of Nigeria’s first live-action superhero character. The original track captures the values associated with Shutter-Bird — courage, focus, determination and a commitment to truth — while expanding the character’s presence beyond comics and film into music and digital entertainment. “This song embodies the spirit of Shutter-Bird and the core values of her story,” said Urenna Amadi, Founder and Creative Director of Afriwood Studios. “We want audiences, especially young people, to listen and feel inspired to stay focused, believe in themselves and stand for what is…

Key eventsWelcome to the conversationSundowners in nature, kids – and adults – unplugged from screens, escaping everyday life: camping is one of life’s unparalleled joys. Want to know what to look for in a sleeping mat, the best place to pitch a tent – or what to do when it all goes wrong? Outdoors journalist Sian Lewis has walked hundreds of miles and braved all weathers to test everything from tents to camping chairs to hiking sandals.Post your questions below in the comments and she will answer as many as she can at 1200 BST on Wednesday 15 July.Sian Lewis…

Ukraine says drones hit 11 Russian vessels in the Azov Sea, targeting tankers, dry cargo ships, and a tugboat overnight.Published On 14 Jul 202614 Jul 2026Russia says it is working to reroute ⁠grain shipments from the Sea of Azov after its vessels came under Ukrainian attacks in the sea, as Kyiv claimed it hit 11 more Russian vessels in overnight strikes.Russia was preparing to use “alternative shipping routes” and may redirect cargo “to other modes of transport”, Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe ministry added that “the situation in…