Author: Mayor

President Donald Trump is facing a rare backlash from within his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) coalition over the possibility of a U.S. military strike against Iran. The growing rift highlights tensions between Trump’s longstanding isolationist stance and emerging pressures to support Israel’s escalating campaign against Iran. Several of Trump’s influential allies are urging caution, warning that military intervention could lead to another prolonged Middle East conflict — a scenario many in Trump’s base have long opposed. “We can’t do this again,” said Steve Bannon, one of Trump’s closest allies and a key figure in the America First movement. Speaking…

Manchester City began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday, with manager Pep Guardiola praising the impact of new signings Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki. Played under intense heat at the Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, the Group G match saw immediate contributions from City’s fresh additions. Dutch midfielder Reijnders, signed from AC Milan, and French attacker Cherki, brought in from Lyon, were both handed starting roles. “He is a really, really good player. You feel it, you smell it. The pace, in the final third, with the ball, when he will…

Al Hilal held Real Madrid to a dramatic 1–1 draw in their FIFA Club World Cup Group H opener at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with Yassine Bounou pulling off a crucial stoppage-time penalty save to deny Federico Valverde and preserve the Saudi side’s unbeaten start. The result marks the end of Real Madrid’s perfect record against Saudi Arabian opponents (previously W2, D1) and introduces a new chapter under manager Xabi Alonso, who took charge of Los Blancos for the first time. It was also a night of firsts for Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, both making their Real Madrid debuts.…

At least 140 Palestinians were killed across Gaza in the past 24 hours following intensified Israeli strikes, according to local health officials. The latest wave of violence has unfolded as global attention increasingly pivots to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Gaza’s health ministry reported that around 40 deaths occurred on Wednesday alone due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire. Many of the victims were among crowds seeking humanitarian aid—a grim pattern that has persisted since Israel partially lifted a complete blockade three weeks ago. Separate air raids struck residential areas in the Maghazi refugee camp, the Zeitoun neighbourhood, and…

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled a pre-dawn attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on the Naval Base at Lake Chad Fish Dam, killing scores of insurgents during a fierce gun battle. The attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Nigerian Army on its official X handle. The terrorists, the Army said, had attempted to destroy swamp bogeys recently procured by the Borno State Government to aid in clearing waterways across the Lake Chad region. However, the attempt was met with stiff resistance by soldiers stationed at the naval base, with…

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the Islamic Republic to surrender unconditionally, stating that Iran will never submit to threats or pressure. In a televised statement read by a presenter on Wednesday, Khamenei stressed that Iran’s future would not be dictated by foreign powers. His comments come days after Israel launched a major aerial assault on Tehran, intensifying a volatile situation in the region. “Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,”…

WhatsApp has expressed concern that its platform may be banned in Iran after the country’s state broadcaster called on citizens to delete the messaging app. The Iranian state television channel, IRIB, made the appeal on Tuesday, accusing WhatsApp of sharing user data with Israel, the country’s longtime adversary. According to IRIB, WhatsApp allegedly collects personal data such as “last known locations and communications” and shares them with Israeli authorities. The broadcaster’s warning comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries, which have exchanged fire for six consecutive days. Israel recently claimed to have targeted a nuclear site near Tehran. Responding…

The Niger State Government has disclosed that more than 700 people remain unaccounted for following the devastating flood that struck Mokwa town, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area. Governor Umaru Bago, represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, made the revelation on Tuesday in Minna while receiving a condolence delegation led by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha. So far, 207 deaths have been confirmed, and over 3,000 households have been displaced due to the disaster. Additionally, about 400 houses sustained damage, while 283 homes and 50 shops were completely destroyed. Describing the…

The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.12 trillion earmarked for the Anchors Borrowers Programme (ABP), initially designed to support farmers across Nigeria. At the investigative hearing held in Abuja on Tuesday, Committee Chairman Chike Okafor expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the disbursement process involving various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly disbursed the funds to over 4.67 million farmers cultivating crops such as maize, rice, and wheat, using 563 anchors and 24 participating financial institutions.…

Despite its status as Africa’s top crude oil producer, Nigeria imported crude oil worth N1.19 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the nation’s struggle to meet local refining needs due to inadequate domestic supply. This was revealed in the latest Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for Q1 2025. The report listed crude oil imports—classified as “Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude”—as Nigeria’s third most imported commodity for the quarter, accounting for 7.7% of total imports. Only gas oil (N1.83tn) and motor spirit (N1.76tn) surpassed it. A breakdown…