Author: Mayor

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday. Putin’s absence is linked to the travel restrictions imposed on him by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader. The warrant accuses him of orchestrating the forced deportation of children amid Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters about whether Putin would travel for the burial ceremony, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “No. The president has no such plans.” Pope Francis’ funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (9 a.m. BST). Ahead…

Gold prices soared to an unprecedented high on Tuesday, reaching $3,500.10 per ounce before slightly retreating to $3,467.87, as fears of a looming recession in the United States and escalating political tensions gripped global markets. The historic spike comes amid renewed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. In a heated social media post on Monday, Trump labeled Powell a “major loser” for refusing to cut interest rates, fuelling speculation that the President may be planning to remove the Fed chief. Rania Gule, a senior market analyst at trading group XS.com, attributed the surge in…

U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind two Republican contenders in the race for Arizona’s governorship. The candidates are businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson and Representative Andy Biggs. In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump expressed admiration for both candidates and explained his decision to endorse them. “I like Karrin Taylor Robson of Arizona a lot, and when she asked me to Endorse her, with nobody else running, I Endorsed her, and was happy to do so,” Trump wrote. He added that things changed after Biggs unexpectedly joined the race. “When Andy Biggs decided to run for…

The Federal Government has announced the complete closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos State starting April 27, 2025, to enable critical repair works. This was disclosed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, during an inspection of the bridge on Monday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to Kesha, Ijora Bridge—which connects the Ijora Causeway to Apapa—requires comprehensive maintenance, particularly the replacement of worn-out bearings beneath the bridge deck. She stated: “This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases. We are now at the final phase, which…

Burnley and Leeds United have secured automatic promotion to the Premier League, following pivotal results in the Championship on Monday. Burnley confirmed their top-flight return with a 2-1 victory over third-placed Sheffield United at Turf Moor, a result that also ensured Leeds’ promotion after their commanding 6-0 win against Stoke City earlier in the day. Club captain Josh Brownhill was the hero for Burnley, netting twice to seal the win and cap off a dominant season in which the Clarets have conceded just 15 goals with two games to spare. “I’m speechless,” Brownhill told Sky Sports. “All that hard work…

Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88 following complications from a stroke, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. According to his official death certificate, the stroke led to a coma and eventually caused “irreversible” heart failure. The pontiff died on Monday morning, nearly a month after he was discharged from a five-week hospital stay due to double pneumonia. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official cause of death. The Holy See Press Office released the medical report Monday evening. The report noted that Pope Francis had…

Leeds United are on the cusp of securing promotion back to the Premier League after a dominant 6-0 win over Stoke City, with Joel Piroe netting four goals in a sensational performance at Elland Road. The Dutch striker, who had been on a goal drought since February, found his form in style—completing a hat-trick within 20 minutes before adding a fourth later in the first half. Junior Firpo made it 4-0 before the break, and Wilfried Gnonto added the sixth just before the hour mark. Leeds’ emphatic victory piles pressure on Sheffield United, who must beat second-placed Burnley in the…

With the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the Catholic Church enters a defining moment as preparations begin to elect a new pontiff. The Vatican announced that the Pope died peacefully at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. Among the leading contenders to succeed him is Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana. If elected, he would make history as the first Black Pope. A seasoned Church leader and respected voice in global Catholicism, Turkson gained international recognition after serving as a peace envoy to South Sudan under Pope Benedict XVI. Currently serving as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy…

China on Monday issued a stern warning to countries considering new economic agreements with the United States, cautioning against doing so at Beijing’s expense as tensions deepen in the ongoing Sino-U.S. trade war. In a statement, China’s Commerce Ministry accused the United States of weaponizing tariffs and undermining fair trade practices. “Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China’s expense and will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner,” the ministry said. The warning follows a Bloomberg report suggesting that the Trump administration is preparing to pressure countries seeking tariff reductions or exemptions from the U.S.…

The Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki of Baruten Local Government Area in Kwara State, has voiced deep concern over the growing presence of a new terrorist group known as ‘Mahmuda,’ which he claims is now occupying parts of Kwara North Senatorial District and neighbouring Niger State. In an exclusive interview with Daily Post on Sunday, the monarch expressed frustration at what he described as the government’s inaction and denial of the group’s activities. “The situation is that we are totally demoralized, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our…