Author: David Great

Donald Trump’s pardon of more than 1,500 of his supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol four years ago drew criticism on Tuesday from police who battled the mob, their families and at least one of the president’s fellow Republicans. Trump granted clemency to everyone charged with joining the Jan. 6, 2021, assault in a failed bid to overturn his election defeat. Some 140 police officers were injured in the rampage which sent lawmakers running for their lives. Craig Sicknick, whose brother, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, was assaulted during the riot and died of multiple strokes the next day, called…

Portugal intends to boost its acquisitions of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States and Nigeria, as it seeks to end its declining supplies from Russia, stated Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho on Tuesday. In 2024, Portugal imported 49,141 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of natural gas, with approximately 96% of this volume being LNG, according to data from the electricity and gas grids operator REN. Nigeria represented 51% of the LNG deliveries, with approximately 40% sourced from the United States and around 4.4% from Russia. In 2021, Russia provided 15% of Portugal’s LNG supply but after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…

Nigerian environmental groups on Tuesday criticised a government plan to restart oil production in the troubled Ogoniland, calling for a pause until substantial discussions with local communities are finalised. Ogoniland, located in Nigeria’s coastal Rivers state, serves as a critical area of concern for pollution within the oil-rich Niger River delta region. A significant cleanup effort, amounting to $1 billion, was initiated in 2018 after an extensive study conducted by the United Nations Environmental Programme in 2011. Over 20 organisations, such as Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum, have…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Benjamin Okoye, Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere, and Eboh Thaddeus were charged with one count of tampering with a forfeited property. They were brought before Justice A. O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The count reads: “That you, Ilongwo Angela (NOW AT LARGE), Benjamin Okoye, Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere, and Eboh Thaddeus, sometime in July 2024 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without due authorisation, dealt with the property of Obinna Ezenwaka situate…

A 43-year-old Chinese man, Su Donghai, and two Nigerians, Stanley Tochukwu Okafor, 41, and Ogunade Oladele Oluwaseun, have been charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged conspiracy, forgery, fraud of N1 billion, and money laundering. The three men, alongside two firms, WNW Energy Technical Development Limited and Haoti International Limited, were charged before the court presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko on an 11-count amended charge marked FHC/L/695c/2024. In the charge, the police, through the office of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, stated that the defendants and others at large conspired among themselves…

In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the agency’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. The decision, announced hours after the president’s inauguration on Monday, was accompanied by strong criticism of the WHO. The president accused the agency of succumbing to undue political influence from member states and burdening the U.S. with disproportionate financial obligations compared to countries like China. “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump declared.…

Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol four years ago as he moved swiftly to impose his will on the U.S. government just hours after reclaiming the presidency on Monday. After a day of ceremony, Trump signed a series of executive actions to curb immigration and roll back environmental regulations and racial and gender diversity initiatives. He did not take immediate action to raise tariffs, a key campaign promise, but said he could impose 25% duties on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. His decision to pardon supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on…

Nigeria intends to update its gross domestic product and inflation data by the end of the month to account for changes in specific sectors of the economy and to better represent current consumption patterns, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. The statistics office reported that certain sectors of Nigeria’s economy have seen considerable growth since the last GDP rebasing in 2014 and now need appropriate representation. According to the report, the sectors included the marine economy, arts, culture and tourism, as well as information and communication technology and e-commerce activities. Although it is premature to determine the…

Manchester City announced on Monday that it has signed Uzbekistan central defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens of Ligue 1 on a four-and-a-half-year contract. Khusanov, 20, played in 13 of Lens’ 16 league games this season, and City paid a £33.5 million transfer fee for him, according to British media. “For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick,” City said in a statement. The centre-back is the Premier League’s first player from Uzbekistan. He will wear the number 45. “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that…

Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly decided to step down as Real Madrid head coach at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 campaign, according to Spanish radio station Onda Cero. The Italian tactician, often criticized in recent years for his team’s playing style, has nonetheless achieved remarkable success during his second spell with the club. Since returning in 2021, Ancelotti has added two Champions League titles (2022, 2024) to his name, complementing the one he secured during his first stint in 2014. His tenure also includes two LaLiga titles, a Copa del Rey triumph, and a Club World Cup victory. Despite his achievements,…