UK opinion polls tracker: Labour ahead as general election campaigning continues
After 14 years of Conservative rule, Keir Starmer’s Labour has been consistently ahead in the polls since the start of 2022. The Scottish National party (SNP) is not included in the data the Guardian is using in the chart above. In Great Britain-wide polls, the SNP vote sits between 2% and 4% of national vote share. But its geographical concentration in Scotland means it will win many more seats than other small parties with a similar national vote share, such as the Greens. Source: Electoral Calculus .
Source:The Guardian
May 29, 2024 16:34 UTC
Men’s transfer window summer 2024 – all deals from Europe’s top five leagues
VfB sign 'one of Germany's most exciting young attackers' on four-year deal after he impressed in regional leaguesNorth Macedonia No1 leaves Rayo after 191 games, and may replace Giorgi Mamardashvili who is on Newcastle radarMidfielder seals permanent move after 14 loan appearances since January, having been named in Euro 2024 preliminary squadKeeper leaves third-tier side to join VfB as backup and 'important part of goalkeeping group'Former Real Madrid academy player will stay in Lisbon after successful loan, with €6m initial fee agreedMidfielder joins promoted Saudi Pro League side after performances in Serie A this season drew interest from Roma21-year-old impressed on loan before ankle injury and will return to third-tier club on permanent basisClub confirm 'exceptional striker' is leaving after five seasons, having scored 118 goalsVfB continue busy start to summer with move for centre-back available on €4m relegation release clauseSaints' playoff triumph triggers permanent deal for centre-back who was a mainstay during promotion campaignForward confirms Old Trafford exit after 'nine incredible years' as contract comes to an endSpurs secure new season-long loan deal with £8.5m buy option for the former Chelsea attackerAfter two years on loan, Canary Islands club buy Real's 50% stake in versatile wide playerCentre-forward 'so happy to be heading back' on four-year deal after scoring twice during loan spellWhy not make a small transfer of your own? If you like this interactive, and would like to support our journalism, you can make a contribution from as little as £1. It only takes a minute.
Source:The Guardian
May 29, 2024 16:23 UTC
Ekpo flags off Decade of Gas initiative
MINISTER of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, yesterday, flagged off the Decade of Gas Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme, aimed towards the conversion of 250,000 households yearly to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 2030, providing a cleaner and more efficient cooking fuel. The minister, in Abuja, urged stakeholders in the gas sector to work towards achieving the Federal Government’s goal of having inexpensive, safe, and clean cooking energy available to every household in Nigeria. Ekpo, in a statement by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, said the free LPG cylinder distribution scheme would continue in different states in the six geopolitical zones of the country. “The goal of this effort is to improve women’s inclusion and provide employment opportunities for our youth. Transitioning to clean cooking will be especially beneficial for women, who are disproportionately affected by the health hazard of traditional cooking methods,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
May 29, 2024 15:03 UTC
Subsidy removal: Good intentions are not enough
However, on day one of his administration the first policy pronouncement was the removal of fuel subsidy. Of course, the goals of subsidy removal are to enhance fiscal savings, encourage investment in the energy sector and promote economic diversification. There are noticeable missteps in the implementation of subsidy removal. For several reasons, exploring the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria is essential. At the outset of fuel subsidy removal, the government should have developed a clear strategy for attaining its objectives.
Source:Punch
May 29, 2024 12:12 UTC
4,416 killed, 4,334 abducted in Tinubu’s first year – CSOs
Ahead of the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, a group of 84 local and international Civil Society Organisations says at least 4,416 persons were killed. In contrast, 4,334 others were abducted in incidents of mass atrocities across the country, in the last year, the CSOs said. “Since the commemoration of the last National Day of Mourning #NDOM2023 on May 28th, 2023, and President Tinubu’s first year in office, our records show that at least 4416 people were killed and at least 4334 were abducted in incidents of mass atrocities across the country. For example, at least 82 Boko Haram insurgents were killed in an inter-insurgent group clash in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State,” the CSOs asserted. The Southeast recorded the highest number of killings in the Southern part of the country with at least 344 killed, with most of the massacres occurring in Imo and Anambra states.
Source:Punch
May 29, 2024 07:38 UTC
David Umahi walks out on journalists at scheduled press briefing
Correspondents assigned to cover the Ministry of Works were shocked on Tuesday, when the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, walked out on journalists invited for a media parley. The press conference was scheduled for 2pm but Umahi came 48 minutes after the scheduled time to hold the briefing. Umahi, who arrived 48 minutes late to the event he scheduled for 2pm said there was no press in attendance, therefore he would not address the media. ALSO READ: 7 Most Effective Ways to Learn a New Language“There is no press here, this meeting will not be held today until another time.”Enraged by the comment, the over 40 journalists from the traditional platform and online protested the comment but the minister who came in with the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata ignored their protest and walked off. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 28, 2024 22:37 UTC
Tomato price hike, scarcity caused by infestation – Agriculture minister
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has disclosed that the rise in the price of tomatoes is a result of an infestation known as Tomato Ebola, which reduced its availability. Kyari stated this in a post on X.com on Monday while responding to a user who asked that something be done as “the cost of tomatoes is out of control; it’s like they are charging us per seed.”In his post, the minister wrote, “A significant number of our tomato farms have been affected by a severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner. This has drastically reduced the availability of tomatoes and contributed to rising costs.”Kyari added that the ministry has outlined plans to combat the issue, which include deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to control and eliminate the infestation and supporting farmers with resources and guidance to recover their crops quickly. “We understand the impact this has on your daily lives and are working tirelessly to resolve the situation and restore the supply of affordable tomatoes. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time, he added.”PUNCH reported earlier in May that the prices of basic food commodities such as rice, beans, maize, plantains, and tomatoes surged by 25.34 per cent to 40.01 percent as of March 2024.
Source:Punch
May 28, 2024 21:09 UTC
Murder in Punch Lane (Jane Sullivan, Echo)
Jane Sullivan’s third novel, Murder in Punch Lane, transports readers to the grizzly underbelly of 1860s Melbourne. Please log in or subscribe to access all of Books+Publishing's premium content. Subscribe Purchase a subscription to access Books+Publishing‘s premium content. Subscribe Login Email: Password: Forgot my password By clicking LOGIN, you are accepting terms and conditions and allowing cookies to identify your browser and keep you logged in. IP access If you have purchased IP access, please click the button below to activate your service.
Source:Punch
May 28, 2024 20:33 UTC
Nigeria, Egypt, Eight other top countries indebted to China
The external debt situation for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has significantly worsened over the past decade, with debt growing faster than economic development. This issue is particularly severe in poorer countries, where external debt has surged the most. BangladeshBangladesh’s $6.05 billion debt to China has financed many key infrastructure projects, like power plants and bridges. LaosLaos has a notable debt to China due to infrastructure projects like railways that aim to improve connectivity within the region. NigeriaNigeria ranks high among countries indebted to China, with specific debt figures not provided.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 28, 2024 16:11 UTC
Collective effort crucial to Tinubu’s govt success
The statement was titled, “One Year of Tinubu Administration: Ex-President Buhari Conveys Good Wishes to President.”Buhari urged citizens to continue fostering national unity and goodwill, emphasizing that collective effort is crucial for the success of the Tinubu administration. “The former president appealed to all citizens to continue to strengthen the thread of national unity and goodwill,” it read. According to the statement, Buhari appealed to the public to offer their blessings and unwavering support to Tinubu. “President Buhari expressed his wish for a successful tenure in office by the Tinubu administration,” it added. PUNCH Online reports that Buhari, like Tinubu, was elected president under the ruling party, All Progressives Congress in 2015.
Source:Punch
May 28, 2024 15:26 UTC
Economic hardship, poverty inflict mental illness on more Nigerians - Psychiatrist
“I cannot say I have seen any major shift when it comes to policies, when it comes to decisions and when it comes to the health and mental health of Nigerians. And this may predispose more Nigerians to develop mental health conditions,” Obindo said. The APN President, therefore, called for swift implementation of Nigeria’s National Mental Health Act, to pave the way for adequate protection of Nigerian's mental health. “The department is meant to be in the forefront of seeing to the rights of people with mental health conditions; setting up a review committee, an assessment committee and mental health fund, but, up till now, we have not seen much. Obindo said there was a need for the integration of mental health services into the Primary Health Care system in Nigeria.
Source:The Guardian
May 28, 2024 14:45 UTC
South African woman stabbed 20 times by boyfriend fights for life
A 27-year-old woman, Khanyisile Mndayi, is reportedly in a coma and critical condition after being stabbed over 20 times by her boyfriend in front of their children on Sunday. According to a Facebook post by one Gillian Mogale, Mndayi arrived home late from her shift and was allegedly subjected to physical assault and ultimately stabbed multiple times by her boyfriend, identified as Bongani. “Upon her arrival home at Metropolitan flat in Berea, she was insulted, beaten, and ultimately stabbed multiple times right in front of her kids by her boyfriend, BONGANI, who is known as Luuk De Jong on Facebook. The statement read, “Khanyisile Vanessa Mndayi, 27, was stabbed more than twenty times, allegedly by her boyfriend, in front of their children on May 26, 2024. “It is alleged that the boyfriend stabbed Khanysile multiple times in their home in Berea, Johannesburg.
Source:Punch
May 28, 2024 09:04 UTC
Presidency explains rationale behind single-digit loans for media
The presidency has revealed why single-digit interest-rate financing was extended to media organisations across the country. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Tinubu’s desire to support the media to thrive informed his decision to extend single-digit interest-rate financing to media organisations in the country. The Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, revealed this in a statement on Monday. He said, “We are also creating an enabling environment for all players and stakeholders in the media and information ecosystem to thrive. One highlight here is the recent directive by Mr. President to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, through the Bank of Industry (BOI), to extend its single-digit interest-rate financing to media organizations in the country.
Source:Punch
May 27, 2024 21:58 UTC
Tinubu approves purchase of 2000 tractors
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the direct purchase of 2000 tractors from John Deere, an Agro-equipment manufacturing company to support the government’s mechanisation of agriculture in Nigeria. Kyari said 500 of the tractors are already on the way to Nigeria and adding that the government is determined to ensure that farmers increase their production. “We supported 107,429 wheat farmers with inputs resulting in output of 474,628 metric tonnes, injecting an estimated value of N309 billion into the economy. “In response to Presidential directive, we released to NEMA for distribution 42,000mt of assorted food commodities from the FGN Strategic Food Reserve. He noted that interventions by the federal government in the agriculture sector has generated nearly 60,000 jobs in various rural economies.
Source:The Guardian
May 27, 2024 17:31 UTC
Panic as truck rams into Anambra residential building
There was panic at No 161 Beverly Hills Estate, GRA in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Sunday, when a 40-foot truck with registration no Delta ASB 405YZ, laden with cement rammed into the building. Although no life was lost in the incident, PUNCH Metro gathered that the driver lost control of the vehicle while navigating the hilly road and rammed into the residential building smashing two exotic cars, a perimeter fence gate, and pillars, among others. When I looked outside and saw that people had gathered, I went into a coma before regaining consciousness later. “My two cars, including the one I newly bought and a Venzer jeep were all smashed by the truck. The truck rammed into the compound, smashed the fence gate, wall, pillars and many other items beyond recognition.
Source:Punch
May 27, 2024 15:38 UTC