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Nnamdi Kanu’s secret trial illegal and obnoxious — Onwubiko says

The head of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko has condemned the secret trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as unconstitutional, primitive, illegal and obnoxious.

This was contained in a press release issued by Mr. Onwubiko on Thursday and made available to Tori Media.

In the statement, Onwubiko described the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government as “days of military tribunal whereby citizens were simply chopped off the streets and made to face organised trial with predetermined outcome”.

He said: “Secret trial for the leader of the now proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after he was abducted forcefully from Kenya in East Africa by Nigeria’s secret services in collaboration with their Kenyan counterparts, after being subjected to horrendous ordeals and illegal rendition which offends relevant international humanitarian laws, is unconstitutional, primitive, illegal and obnoxious.

“It is as if Nigeria is back to the days of military tribunal whereby citizens were simply chopped off the streets and made to face organised trial with predetermined outcome.

“The decision on the Nnamdi Kanu’s case is totally unlawful and irregular.

“If the government believes it has a case against him, which is very doubtful, why is government afraid of the light and has chosen to try him in the dark?

“This may escalate the security situation in the South East because most people will see this as not being transparent, open and justifiably carried out.

“Whatever outcome from such a secret trial is ab initio null, void and of no moment.

“We in the Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) reject this appalling demolition of judicial transparency by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

“This will adversely damage constitutional democracy,” he concluded.

US Lawyer on Nnamdi Kanu’s case drags Buhari and the Nigerian Justice before International Criminal Court

Bruce Fein, the United States counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a criminal complaint with the International Criminal Court, ICC, against the Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court.

He accused Malami and Nyako of conspiring with President Muhammadu Buhari and Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, “to commit crimes against humanity”.

In a tweet on Thursday, April 7, Fein wrote: “Today, I filed a criminal complaint with the International Court of Justice against Nigerian Attorney General Malami and Federal High Court Justice Nyako charging them with conspiring with Nigerian President Buhari and Kenyan President Kenyatta to commit crimes against humanity.”

Nnamdi Kanu?s American lawyer drags Malami, Justice Nyako, Buhari before International Criminal Court

Kanu is expected to appear before Justice Nyako on Friday, April 8, for charges bordering on terrorism.

Pope Francis kisses a Ukrainian flag as slams Russia for Bucha horrors (Photos)

Pope Francis slammed the ‘atrocities’ and ‘ever more horrendous cruelties’ by Russian forces in Ukraine as he prayed with child refugees this morning.

The pontiff also kissed a ragged Ukrainian flag brought from Bucha, the Kyiv suburb where war crimes are alleged to have taken place in recent days.

He said: ‘The recent news about the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, instead attests to new atrocities, such as the Bucha massacre.

‘Ever more horrendous cruelties, also perpetrated against defenceless civilians, women and children. These are victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and begs for mercy’, AFP reported. 

The pope looked to the children and said: ‘These children had to flee in order to arrive in a safe land. This is the fruit of war. Let’s not forget them and let’s not forget the Ukrainian people.’ 

He also lamented the ‘powerlessness’ of international organisations and said ‘the old history of competing great powers’ has continued despite the hope which followed World War Two.
 

Pope Francis slams

He pleaded with Putin in March: ‘In the name of God I ask you, stop this massacre.’

Images of what are claimed to be civilian massacres carried out by Russian forces in Bucha before they withdrew have attracted public outcry.

President Zelensky described the targeting of innocent Ukrainians, including women and children, as ‘war crimes’ and ‘genocide’.

Cadillac shopping: Governor Matawalle buys brand new 260 Cadillac for Zamfara traditional rulers (photos)

Zamfara Sate Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has distributed 260 cars including Cadillac to the traditional rulers in the state. 

The distribution was done by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at Government House, Gusau on Wednesday. 

The Sultan expressed gratitude to Matawalle for his interest in the welfare of the traditional institution, which he said still remains the thread that holds society together.

He also called on the beneficiaries of the gesture to continue supporting the administration of Governor Matawalle by rendering their best in ending the challenges facing the people.

Matawalle said the gesture was done in recognition of the status of the traditional institution as the custodians of religion and culture and vehicle of cohesion and peace in societies.

“It is in view of the high esteem with which my administration regards our traditional leaders and institutions that we decided to procure brand new cars, Cadillac 2019 Model, for 17 Emirs, 13 Senior District Heads and 230 District Heads across the State,” the Governor said.

Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers
Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers
Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers
Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers
Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers
Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers
Governor Matawalle buys brand new expensive cars, Cadillac for 260 Zamfara traditional rulers

Blaise Compaore, ex. Burkina Faso President, goes for life imprisonment for killing Thomas Sankara

Burkina Faso’s former president, Blaise Compaore has been sentenced to life imprisonment for complicity in the 1987 murder of his predecessor Thomas Sankara in a coup, a military tribunal ruled on Wednesday, April 6.

The charismatic Marxist revolutionary Sankara was gunned down in the West African nation’s capital Ouagadougou at the age of 37, four years after he took power during the 1987 coup d’état that brought Compaoré to power.

Burkina Faso

Thomas Sankara

Compaore was charged in absentia along with his former head of security Hyacinthe Kafando, who was also sentenced to life imprisonment. Both have previously denied any involvement in Sankara’s death along with 12 other defendants accused of involvement in the plot, three of whom were declared innocent on Wednesday.

“The court finds Blaise Compaoré and Hyacinthe Kafando guilty of attack on state security, complicity in murder and concealment of a corpse,” the tribunal said in its ruling.

Compaore went on to rule for 27 years before being ousted in another coup in 2014 and fleeing to Ivory Coast, where he is still believed to live.

Sankara took power on a promise to thwart corruption and post-colonial influences, denouncing foreign aid as a control mechanism. He rolled out mass vaccination against polio, banned female circumcision and polygamy, and was one of the first African leaders to publicly recognise the growing AIDS epidemic as a threat for the continent.

A former fighter pilot, Sankara won public support in the impoverished nation by selling a government fleet of Mercedes, lowering the pay of well-off public servants and forbidding first class state travel.

He cut his own salary, refused to work with air conditioning and jogged through Ouagadougou unaccompanied.

Innovation: Kenyan-based doctors design device to ease menstrual pain

A team of medical experts in Nairobi,  Kenya, has designed an innovative device that helps ease menstrual pains.

NTV Kenya said Wednesday, April 6, that the device, which is already in circulation at a moderate price has leads that are connected to some sticky pads called electrodes, which help deliver small electrical impulses to the painful area of a woman’s body and subsequently ease the pain.

One of the leading innovators of the device, who is also the chief executive and co-founder of Swift Wellness, Peter Arina, said watching his friend struggle with menstrual pain prompted him to devise a solution.

Arina said: “The device has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes. To relieve pain, you attach the pads directly to your skin and turn the device on. The pads will deliver small electrical impulses to the area in pain.”

According to the innovators, the electrical impulses are capable of reducing the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles. They may also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

The health informatics expert reveals that the device’s working mechanism is inspired by a science called gateway control theory, which dictates that in the human body, an external impulse is given priority over an internal impulse.

During menstruation, the pain from the menstrual periods is the internal impulse, and it travels all the way to the brain such that when you place the electrodes and the impulse transmission starts, the external impulse is sent to the brain, which forces it to focus on the external impulse, thereby reducing pain from the abdomen.

A co-author of the invention and general practitioner at Karen Hospital, Dr Jane Wavinya said: “During menstrual periods, there are hormones produced called prostaglandins that cause pain. Pain is also caused by uterine contractions and ischaemia, which results from a mechanism where the blood vessels in the uterus constrict, reducing blood supply to the uterus.”

She noted that women with a tendency to produce more blood clots are also predisposed to more pain because the uterus has to contract more to expel these blood clots. She explains that besides disrupting the pain pathway to the brain, the electrical stimulation also stimulates the production of endorphins, the feel-good hormones which relieve pain and boost moods.

“We have sold 207 units so far. We have received orders in the evenings from clients who are stuck to their seats because of the pain. We have made deliveries at night, and we have had to deal with clients agitated because of pain,” Mr Arina added.

A physiotherapist at Aga Khan University Hospital, Dr Irene Onyimbo, says the mechanism used by the device is safe and similar to the devices they use to manage pain in physiotherapy.

“We use Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation technology to treat body pains,” she says.

Although it is safe for most people, experts recommend that pregnant women should avoid using TENS in the abdominal and pelvic regions while applying electrodes to the head or neck of people with epilepsy as this could induce seizures.

People with heart problems and those with another type of electrical implant should also avoid it. The duration of pain relief after using the TENS unit can vary.

Some people may experience pain as soon as they switch off the device while others experience adequate relief for up to 24 hours. Children and teenagers under 16 are exempt from using the device,  and it cannot be used underwater.

The device comes with a manual, its electrodes and a charger. Its battery lasts for six hours if used continuously and it has to be charged fully before use.

“Use it for 30 minutes, take a one-hour break, and use it again depending on your pain. Pressing on the M (mode) button, you can adjust the frequency depending on your pain. You can use it at work, working out, and even while sleeping,” Dr Wavinya said.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez is on €100K monthly salary

It has been claimed that Manchester United and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo pays his partner Georgina Rodriguez €100,000 per month to fund her lavish lifestyle

The Portuguese striker is one of the best-paid players in world football, having signed a bumper deal when he returned to United in Old Trafford, and earns a staggering £385,000 per week.

According to Catalan publication El Nacional, the €100,000 (£83,000) sum relates to “expenses and care of the children”. The couple had their first child together in late 2017, a daughter named Alana, while Ronaldo has older children from surrogates.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly pays his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez ?100,000 monthly salary

As a stay-at-home mum, Italian publication Corriere dello Sport also claimed that Ronaldo is happy to give 26-year-old Rodriguez a hefty wedge every month as she also looks after surrogate twins Eva and Mateo and Cristiano Jr.

Rodriguez met Ronaldo, who she describes as her “Prince Charming”, in 2016, when she was working at a Gucci store in Madrid, and they have been together since then. 

Several tonnes of cocaine found in boxes of banana

In one of the biggest cocaine hauls in UK history, authorities have confiscated nearly four tonnes of cocaine found in boxes of bananas in Southampton.

Authorities say it is the largest seizure of the Class A substance in the UK for seven years, according to the Home Office.


The containers recently arrived in the Southampton’s dock from Colombia.


Once the goods arrived, the UK’s Border Force and National Crime Agency (NCA) targeted them for inspection where they discovered more than 3.7 tonnes of cocaine hydrochloride, used to make crack cocaine, concealed within a container of 20 pallets of bananas.

Almost four tonnes of cocaine found in boxes of banana


The white powdery substance estimated to have a value of around £300 million was found on March 17, 2022, authorities said on Wednesday, April 6.


Reacting to the development, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

‘This is the largest seizure of cocaine in the UK since 2015. It should serve as a warning to anyone trying to smuggle illegal drugs into the country that we are out to get them.


‘A key focus of our beating crime plan is disrupting the supply chain and relentless pursuit of the criminals peddling these narcotics, making the drugs market a low-reward high risk enterprise.


‘The police and Border Force have my 100% backing to use all available powers to stop devastating drugs from coming into our neighbourhoods and destroying lives.’

The NCA branded the seizure ‘monumental’ and said it denied organised crime groups massive profits.


‘There’s no doubt some of this cocaine would have been cut up and sold across UK streets, feeding crime and misery in our communities’, Peter Stevens, the organisation’s regional head of investigations, said.

Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt to be auctioned approx. £4M

The shirt Diego Maradona wore in the game against England when he scored the infamous “Hand of God” goal is expected to be sold for at least £4million at auction.

Maradona scored two of the most memorable goals in World Cup history to knock the Three Lions out at the quarter-final stage in the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

During the quarter-final, the late great former Argentina captain rose above Peter Shilton to punch his side into the lead at the Azteca Stadium and the officials failed to spot that he had handled the ball.

Diego Maradona

At the time, the forward described the goal as being made “a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God”.

The mercurial Napoli legend swapped shirts with England midfielder Steve Hodge after the last-eight showdown.

The shirt has been on loan to the National Football Museum in Manchester, but will be on display at Sotheby’s in London for a bidding period between April 20th to May 4th and it will not come cheap.

Brahm Wachter, head of Streetwear and modern collectables at Sotheby’s, said: “The Hand of God is truly a singular moment not only in the history of sports, but in the history of the 20th century.

“The moment resonated far beyond the world of football, coming soon after the Falklands conflict, and has in turn inspired books, films, and documentaries. Maradona is now remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game of football – and this particular game is an instrumental part of his legacy.

“Of course, not only was ‘The Hand of God’ goal scored in this game, but also, the ‘Goal of the Century’ which is widely considered to be one of the greatest individual goals of all time.”

Woman hospitalized holding in farts around boyfriend

A woman said she landed in hospital and needed emergency surgery because she held in farts around her boyfriend for two years.

Cara Clarke, 19, was at work when she developed “extreme stomach pain” on Tuesday, March 29.

She was rushed to a hospital where she was diagnosed with appendicitis.

It turned out the condition can be triggered by blockages and pressure build-up. Cara believes her suppressed farts around her boyfriend and the subsequent pressure build-up is what led to her condition.

The barista, who has been with her 21-year-old boyfriend Kyle Duffy for two years, recalled he was “dying laughing” after finding her efforts not to fart in his presence left her needing surgery.

Woman, 19, rushed to hospital after holding in farts around boyfriend for 2 years

Cara vowed to just “let it out from now on”, after admitting she had no idea how dangerous holding in fart could be.

Cara, from Louth, Ireland, said: “I do hold in my farts but I didn’t think I would be in hospital over it.

“I’m pretty easy-going other than the burps and farts. I was at work on Tuesday and I had this real extreme pain in my stomach.

“I went to the doctor in hysterics and he referred me straight to the hospital. I was in so much pain I couldn’t hold in my tears.

Woman, 19, rushed to hospital after holding in farts around boyfriend for 2 years

“My doctor said to me ‘I’m so, so sorry you’re in so much pain’. I was limping when I was walking all hunched over.

“At hospital, I started blaming my boyfriend because I do always hold my farts in around him. We’ve been together two years and it’s still the case.

“Kyle was dying laughing. He honestly didn’t know what to say. He said, ‘God, people are going to think you’re afraid of everything with me.'”

“At this stage, I’ll just have to let it out from now on.”

Cara left the hospital two days later, on Thursday evening, March 31.

She said: “It wasn’t one of those hectic surgeries that it used to be a while ago. I’m on strong painkillers and I should be back to work in the next week or so.

“I’m just chilling now and taking advantage of everyone catering for me.”

Just last month, singer Viviane de Queiroz Pereira, known by her stage name Pocah, was hospitalised after she held in fart all day while with her boyfriend

US has pledged $100 million (£75m) in anti-armour weapons to Ukraine

The United States has pledged $100 million (£75m) in anti-armour weapons to Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for military assistance to help destroy Russian tanks, UK Telegraph reports.

President Joe Biden is also preparing to impose new sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, including a ban on all new investments, following fresh evidence of war crimes in the city of Bucha.

The Pentagon said the extra funding would be used “to meet an urgent Ukrainian need for additional Javelin anti-armour systems.”

The Javelin is a shoulder-fired portable missile system, manufactured in the US at a cost of $80,000 apiece, which has proven invaluable in holding back the columns of Russian tanks.

The new sanctions will target the Kremlin’s financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, as well as government officials and their family members, the White House said.

“The goal is to force them to make a choice. The biggest part of our objective here is to deplete the resources that Putin has to continue his war against Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

US military aid to Ukraine now comes to “more than $1.7 billion since the beginning of Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked invasion on February 24”, and more than $2.4 billion since the beginning of Mr Biden’s term in office, she added.

Separately, the Treasury Department will block any Russian government debt payments with dollars from accounts at US financial institutions, making it harder for Russia to meet its financial obligations.

The European Commission has proposed new sanctions including banning Russian coal imports and halting trade worth nearly £16.6 billion in retaliation over the atrocities in Bucha.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, compared the behaviour of Russian troops to that of the Nazis in an impassioned speech by videolink to the 15-member UN Security Council on Tuesday.

“They cut off limbs, slashed their throats, women were raped and killed in front of their children,” Zelensky said.

In towns around Kyiv, civilians had been tortured, thrown down wells, blown up with grenades in their apartments and crushed to death by tanks while in cars, he said.

Those who carried out the killings and those who gave the orders “must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes” in front of a tribunal similar to the Nuremberg trials after the Second World War, he said.

Photos and video footage from Bucha, 16 miles north-west of Kyiv, show unarmed civilians shot in the head at close range with their hands tied behind their backs.

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said the images revealed “not the random act of a rogue unit” but “a deliberate campaign to kill, to torture, to rape, to commit atrocities.”

The reports of atrocities were “more than credible,” he said.

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court at The Hague opened an investigation a month ago into possible war crimes in Ukraine.

Vassily Nebenzia, Moscow’s UN ambassador, claimed that while Bucha was under Russian control, “not a single local person has suffered from any violent action.”

Reiterating what the Kremlin has contended for days, he said that video footage of bodies in the streets was “a crude forgery” staged by the Ukrainians.

Insecurity: Boko Haram kills 10 ISWAP commanders and their fighters in Lake Chad

Boko Haram attack a community in Borno state, Nigeria

Over 10 members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), including their top commanders have been executed by its affiliate, Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (JAS).

According to reports, the incident happened in the North East of Lake Chad recently.

The Bakura Buduma-led Boko Haram faction in Lake Chad overpowered the ISWAP insurgents in a gun battle which led to the killing of many fighters in the river bank between Kadunan Ruwa and Kandahar axis of Niger Republic.

Many fighters reportedly drowned in the water while ten ISWAP fighters were apprehended alive by the Buduma-led faction. Also, two ISWAP top commanders were interrogated before being taken to an unknown destination and slaughtered.

A top ranking officer of the Buduma group said in a video that God has continued to give them the opportunity to defeat their enemies (ISWAP).

His words, “We are the Mujahideens from the Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad faction in Lake Chad. As you are aware, there have been an intensified infighting between we and our enemies for the past few months and Allah has been giving us victories to eliminate them.

“We have arrested about ten of them including some of their top commanders and we have asked them why they are waging war against us. And the Commander said, they don’t have any reason but they are just fighting us.

“Initially, we are doing the same thing and practicing the same religion before you deviated from all the teachings.

“We are therefore assuring you that Almighty God will continue to give us victory to eliminate all of you from the surface of earth.”

The violent clashes between the two groups of the terrorists has continued, especially in the axis of Lake Chad, Abadam, Niger Republic, Sambisa forest and Mandara Mountain, with many casualties recorded so far on both sides within the last one year.

In March, the JAS terrorists loyal to Buduma, ambushed and eliminated about 45 terrorists in Yauma Wango and Ngaama, in Abadam Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State in Nigeria.

Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, threatens its neigbor, South Korea, with nuclear weapons

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un has said that North Korea will nuke South Korea if it violates “even an inch” of its territory.

The threat was issued just after the secretive country ramped up its ballistic missile testing with nine launches so far this year.

State media quotes Kim as saying; 

“If the South Korean army were to injure even an inch of our land, they would face a catastrophe that we had never imagined before.

“If a situation arises where South Korea chooses a military confrontation with us, it will inevitably force our nuclear warfare force to carry out its mission.

“This is not just a threat. This is a detailed explanation of our reaction to possible reckless military action by south Korea.”

Her outburst was prompted by comments from South Korea’s defence minister which said the country now has significantly improved missiles.

These now have “the ability to accurately and quickly hit any target in North Korea” said Suh Wook.

Yo-jong who’s a senior official in the government and ruling party, also said Suh’s comments were a “very big mistake”. She said Pyongyang opposes war, which would leave the peninsula in ruins, and does not view South Korea as its principal enemy.

She added; 

“But if south Korea, for any reason – whether or not it is blinded by misjudgment – opts for such military action as ‘preemptive strike’ the situation will change.

“In that case, south Korea itself will become a target.

“The senseless and scum-like guy dare mention a ‘preemptive strike’ at a nuclear weapons state.

“South Korea may face a serious threat owing to the reckless remarks made by its defence minister.”

Yo-jong is seen as her brother’s closest confidant and has been confirmed as his top official for relations with the South.

North Korea has test-fired a range of increasingly powerful missiles this year. Officials in Seoul and Washington fear it may be preparing to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time since 2017 amid stalled negotiations.

Nigerian Law Makers considering bill seeking to ban cross-dressing in Nigeria

Umar Muda, a member of the House of Representatives has introduced a bill to prohibit cross-dressing in Nigeria.

The bill, read on the floor of the House on Tuesday, April 5, seeks to ban cross-dressing with the exemption of those using it for entertainment.

If the proposed law is passed, cross-dressers will be sentenced to 6 months in prison.

“A person engaging in cross-dressing is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment of 6 months or to a fine of five hundred thousand naira,” the bill says.

The bill seeks to amend the same-sex marriage (prohibition) act of 2013 by including cross-dressing as one of the offences under the act.

Recall that same-sex couples and gay persons face 14 years in jail if convicted by a court.

Tigers Woods is back !

Tiger Woods has confirmed he plans to make his long-awaited return to action at The Masters on Thursday April 7.

Woods, a five-time green jacket winner, has not featured in a top-level event since playing at Augusta National in November 2020, with the former world No 1 unable to compete on the PGA Tour since suffering career-threatening injuries in a serious car crash last February.

The 15-time major champion made an impressive comeback alongside his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship in December but was still non-committal on a return date when discussing his future at the Genesis Invitational in February, saying he “didn’t know” when he would next compete.

Following further practice time on Monday April 4, the five-time champion announced on Tuesday he is ready to tee it up at The Masters, starting on Thursday live on Sky Sports.

“As of right now I feel like I am going to play,” Woods told the media on Tuesday. “I’m going to play nine more holes tomorrow. My recovery has been good. I’ve been very excited about how I’ve recovered each and every day.”

Woods described his rehabilitation as the toughest of his career, admitting his initial goal was “just looking forward to getting outside” after being immobile for several months.

Most Central Banks are considering the adoption of digital currencies — PwC

The vast majority of central banks in the world are considering launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC), according to analysts at professional services and accounting firm, PwC.

In the firm’s annual index of CBDCs and stablecoins, which was released on Tuesday, the analysts stated: “CBDCs will facilitate more effective, lower cost and 24/7/365 cross-border payments for the financial services industry.

“We expect that CBDCs will greatly benefit cross-border transactions and economies of all relevant jurisdictions.”

Overall, retail CBDC projects, which are digital currencies designed for public use, have reached greater maturity levels than wholesale projects, which are digital currencies used by financial institutions that have accounts with central banks,” the report noted.

There has been an increase in wholesale pilots in recent years though, analysts said.

China became the first major economy to pilot a retail CBDC in 2020 with the digital yuan. The pilot is running in 12 cities as of March 2022.

The Sand Dollar, issued by the Central Bank of the Bahamas as legal tender in October 2020, was the first retail project of its kind. Nigeria’s central bank launched the first CBDC in Africa, the eNaira, shortly afterwards.

On the wholesale side, PwC ranked the combined effort from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand to launch mBridge as the top product.

The central banks are working to develop a proof-of-concept prototype to enable real-time, cross-border foreign exchange payments on distributed ledger technology.

Other top projects include efforts by Canada, Singapore, France and South Africa.

“Wholesale CBDCs have the potential to streamline security token post-trade operations through atomic delivery-versus-payment and increase the market efficiency for several asset classes,” said PwC France and Maghreb Financial Services Risk and Blockchain Partner, Benoit Sureau.

PwC analysts for the first time included a stablecoin overview in the annual CBDC index report, noting that privately issued tokens will continue to evolve and exist alongside CBDCs.

Stablecoins reached a market capitalization of around $190 billion in early 2022 and will continue to grow as the tokens offer many of the same benefits as a CBDC without the surveillance that comes with a government-issued currency, the report noted.

Transparency around reserve assets, particularly for stablecoins that are backed with fiat currency, will be a major concern going forward, though, as the asset class continues to grow and regulation ramps up, analysts added.

“The role of the stablecoin in the crypto markets has and will continue to evolve as adoption of crypto increases, forcing a more prominent role of stablecoins across the larger financial ecosystem.

“Regulation will only strengthen the importance and give credence to the role that stablecoins will play,” said Matt Blumenfeld, director and digital asset specialist at PwC.

Over 7.1M Ukrainians internally displaced by Russia’s invasion – UN says

More than 7.1 million people are estimated to have been internally displaced by Russia’s war in Ukraine, having fled their homes but remained in the country, the United Nations said Tuesday, April 5.


Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, causing millions to flee their homes — including more than 4.2 million Ukrainians who have left the country entirely.


The new figure issued by the UN’s International Organization for Migration is up from the 6.48 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) estimated in a first study by the IOM on March 16.

“People continue to flee their homes because of war, and the humanitarian needs on the ground continue to soar,” said IOM director general Antonio Vitorino.


“Humanitarian corridors are urgently needed to allow the safe evacuation of civilians and ensure the safe transportation and delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid in order to rapidly assist those internally displaced.”

“I am ‘very happy’ and ‘at peace’ with Pete Davidson” – Kim Kardashian says

Reality show star and mother of four, Kim Kardashian has disclosed that she has found “peace” with comedian Pete Davidson.

The reality star gushed over her relationship with the “Saturday Night Live” comedian during her sit-down interview with Robin Roberts, which airs on Wednesday night. 

In a preview of the interview which was released on Tuesday April 5, the mother of four says she feels “at peace” amid her romance.

“How serious is it?” Roberts asks.

“I am a relationship kind of girl, for sure, and I wouldn’t be with someone if I didn’t plan on spending a lot of my time with them,” Kardashian tells Roberts.

“Obviously, I want to take my time, but I’m very happy and very content. And, it’s such a good feeling just to be at peace.”

Also during the interview, Roberts asked momager Kris Jenner about her thoughts on Davidson dating her daughter. “Pete’s great, Pete’s great,” Jenner says. “He’s a really nice guy.”

Khloé Kardashian adds, “He just makes her laugh and she laughs all the time.”

Davidson, 28, and Kardashian, 41, were first romantically linked last October after they were spotted holding hands on a rollercoaster at Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park, California. They also shared an onscreen kiss earlier that month on SNL when she made her hosting debut.

In February, Davidson called Kardashian his “girlfriend” for the first time in an interview with PEOPLE (The TV Show!) host Kay Adams. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum finally made their relationship Instagram official last month, shortly after being declared legally single.

Kardashian filed for divorce from ex-husband Kanye West in February 2021. The exes got married in May 2014 and they share daughters North, 8½, and Chicago, 4, and sons Saint, 6, and Psalm, 2½.

Their divorce turned contentious in recent months, with West, 44, bringing their children into the dispute. He also faced controversy over his recent “Eazy” music video, which depicted him kidnapping, tying up and burying a claymation Davidson alive.

Do you know that Mubarak Bala, An Atheist, Got 45-Year Jail Sentence in Kano?

A self-confessed atheist, Mubarak Bala, has been sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment for blasphemy by Kano State High Court sitting at Audu Bako .

Bala, who is the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, pleaded guilty to committing blasphemy against Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He made the headlines in 2020 when he was arrested at his residence in Kaduna over blasphemy and incitement.

The convict who had been in a correctional facility for almost two years, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday when he was brought before the court on an 18-count charge.

While pleading with the court on Tuesday to tender justice with mercy, Bala promised not to repeat the said blasphemous post, saying he did not know it would elicit the sort of reactions it got when he shared them.

Earlier, the judge, Justice Farouk Lawan, and the convict’s lawyer, James Ibori, had tried to convince him against his guilty plea but the convict insisted he knew what he was doing and maintained his plea.

In view of his plea, the judge sentenced him to 24 years’ imprisonment.

The lawyer had earlier told the court that his client had a mental problem, for which he was treated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

Is Tunde Bakare a Pastor? 

It has been revealed that the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, had his bank accounts paded with the whooping sum of $5m by Senator Ahmed Tinubu former Governor of Lagos State who is currently in the tussle to clinch the presidential ticket of the APC his party.

The idea is for Bakare who was recently seen in a viral video spewing hate speech from the pulpit, to do the hatchet job of setting fire between the North and the South East in order to clear the way for Tinubu to clinch the APC ticket. ( Recall that sometime in January this year 2022, Tinubu had said in a televised interview that he is ready to fight dirty). Little surprise about this therefore.

In the viral video Bakare had claimed that Tafawa Balewa cursed the Igbos the day he was killed. He said they removed his turban, poured wine on his head and forced him to drink before he was shot dead. He cursed them saying that no one from the Igbo tribe will rule the country.

However, in a previous interview with Chief. Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State who was a young reporter for the Daily Times during the period of the coup in 1966, he had stated that he saw the bodies of both Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Okotiebo somewhere by the road side along Lagos Abeokuta Road.

Chief. Osoba said the body of Abubakar that he saw on the day in question was fully clothed and fresh with no bullet holes. That lengthy interview is online and can be read with the newspaper cuttings as Chief. Osoba reported it in 1966.

It is on record that Mr. Tunde Bakare was just 11 years in 1966 when these sad events occurred. Furthermore, all the books written on the war and the coup and counter coups of 1966 and 1967, none of them has Bakare’s version of this story.

These and many more unanswered questions have led people to begin to ask questions about who Bakare is working for and what their mission is with this satanic version from the pit of hell!

Please consider these

Balewa’s Body was Found Beside Okotie-Eboh’s, Along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

Both bodies found Jan 21st, 1966 after 6 days of death, in decomposing state.

Balewa’s body found by Segun Osoba a young Daily Times reporter ~born 15/7/39 aged 26yrs 6mnths.

Tunde Bakare was born 11/11/1954 ~was 11yrs 2months 4 days old when Balewa was killed Jan 15th, 1966. He was in zero position@11, to have known the circumstances of the PM’s death, when Osoba @26 and as a reporter did not know!

After the so called “Balewa’s curse”, the next person to rule Nigeria after Balewa ~ was Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi an Igbo. That makes Bakare a religious quack, sadly.

Bakare preaching Falsehood from the pulpit, is a stalking horse, an evil proxy for others in the shadows, who want to rule in Hell called Nigeria, even if on the dead body of other Ethnic Groups.

Bakare conveniently forgets Nigeria is Hell today, a Hell that they helped create in 56 years absence of Igbo leadership. Or is Nigeria paradise today? Why do we have the Banji Akintoyes, the Sunday Igbohos & co in South West today?

Bakare is a Fake Pastor & an ethnic bigot like his bedfellows. He remains a charlatan indeed. Sadly that is the story of Nigeria today!!

Black Lives Matter Movement founders allegedly used donations to buy $6M mansion (photos)

Three leaders of the social justice movement, Black Lives Matter secretly bought a swanky Southern California mansion for nearly $6 million using donation cash.

Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Melina Abdullah recorded a video last June outside the “secretly bought” home while marking the first anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, New York magazine reported.

Black Lives Matter founders reportedly used donations to buy $6 million Southern California mansion (photos)

Cullors at the time said she was weeks removed from being in “survival mode” after The Post’s exclusive reporting in April revealed her purchase of four high-end US homes for $3.2 million.

“It’s because we’re powerful, because we are winning,” Cullors said of what she characterized as right-wing media attacks. “It’s because we are threatening the establishment, we’re threatening white supremacy.”

But Cullors and her colleagues didn’t reveal any details on the upscale home seen behind them in the video,  a 6,500-square-foot spread with more than six bedrooms and bathrooms, fireplaces, a pool, and parking for more than 20 cars, according to a real estate listing cited by the magazine.

The property was purchased in October 2020 with funds that had been donated to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, according to the explosive report.

Black Lives Matter founders reportedly used donations to buy $6 million Southern California mansion (photos)

The seven-bedroom residence was purchased by a man named Dyane Pascall two weeks after BLMGNF received $66.5 million from its fiscal sponsor earlier that month. Pascall is the financial manager for Janaya and Patrisse Consulting, an LLC operated by Cullors and her spouse, Janaya Khan, New York Magazine reported.

Ownership was transferred within a week to an LLC in Delaware, ensuring the property’s owner wouldn’t be disclosed, according to the report.

Cullors, BLM’s co-founder, resigned in May as the group’s executive director amid criticism over buying three homes in the Los Angeles area and another outside Atlanta.

The purchase of the nearly $6 million home had not been previously reported and BLM officials tried to keep its existence a secret from a journalist looking into the transaction, according to the report.

Black Lives Matter founders reportedly used donations to buy $6 million Southern California mansion (photos)

The residence was purchased with the intention for it to serve as “housing and studio space” for recipients of the Black Joy Creators Fellowship, BLMGNF board member Shalomyah Bowers told the magazine in a statement Friday.

The foundation had “always planned” to disclose the home’s legal filings this May and it doesn’t serve as anyone’s personal residence, Bowers said.

But the statement did not spell out why little content has been produced there over some 17 months if it was in fact intended to be a creative space, according to the report.

One nonprofit organization expert said the sheer size of the buy might subject BLM to more criticism about its lackluster transparency.

“That’s a very legitimate critique,” Candid co-founder Jacob Harold told the outlet. “It’s not a critique that says what you’re doing is illegal or even unethical; it might just be strategic.”

Harold, who helped create a service that tracks US nonprofits, questioned whether the funds could’ve been better spent elsewhere.

“Why aren’t you spending it on policy or, you know, other strategies that an organization might take to address the core issues around Black Lives Matter?” Harold asked.

The property was acquired in “furtherance of BLM’s mission,” as well as for any ancillary usages as needed, Bowers said in a statement to The Post Monday.

“The organization always planned to disclose the property on the upcoming 990 due May 15th as part of BLMGNF’s ongoing transparency efforts,” Bowers’ statement continued. “BLMGNF has and continues to utilize the space for programming and leadership off-sites. The property does not serve as a personal residence.”

El-rufai accepts Tinubu’s N50M aid for train victims but fails to endorse him

The executive governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai says Nigeria is at “critical crossroads” following what he described as “multiple quagmires.”

El-Rufai made this remark while receiving National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu who was in the state, on a condolence visit over the terrorists’ attack on a Kaduna-Abuja bound train.

The governor commended Tinubu for cancelling his 70th anniversary colloquium in honour of the victims of the attack.

El-Rufai, who also said he was aware of Tinubu’s presidential ambition, failed to endorse the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, but said God will choose the best leader for Nigeria.

“This gesture by Asiwaju is a show of powerful leadership, empathy and concern for the lives and property of Nigerians. It’s unprecedented in our history in Nigeria. The government and people of Kaduna state will never forget this gesture. We are very grateful to you for service, sacrifice and commitment to the unity and that of our country. We appreciate your call for people to contribute to enable us rehabilitate the victims of this tragedy.

“We are aware of your aspiration to be president of this country, we look forward to further engagement so that we can progress that aspiration.

“Nigeria is at crossroad, critical crossroad, and we must take very difficult decisions to get the right leaders that would take us out of the multiple quagmires that we are going through. These are human challenges and they can be solved by human ingenuity. I pray for God to choose who is best for Nigeria, so that we will be the better, united, progressive and exemplary country that is fair and just to everyone.”

Tinubu in his remarks, lamented the spate of banditry and terrorism being witnesses in the country saying “Nigeria is bleeding.”

He however, called for a serious efforts to tackle the tide of banditry and terrorism in the region after donating 50 million naira to the state.

“Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo should leave Manchester United” – Wayne Rooney suggest

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney has told Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United for the second time this summer.

Pogba departed Old Trafford in 2012 as a teenager before returning to the club three years later. The French star has been unable to turn things around for his club, and Rooney believes the Frenchman should start looking for a new club when his contract expires in June.

‘I think it’s probably got to a point where it probably is better for him to move on,’ Rooney told Sky Sports.

‘I think if Paul is honest with himself, he probably hasn’t had the impact he would have liked since he returned to Manchester United. 

‘I watch him play for France, and it’s a completely different player. The ability, his vision, control of the game is there every game for France. It just hasn’t quite worked at Manchester United for him.’

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is also back at United for his second spell at the club, having rejoined from Juventus last summer.

Speaking on Ronaldo’s impact since he returned to England, Rooney admitted that the move is actually a bad move.

‘You’d have to say no,’ Rooney said, when asked if Ronaldo coming back to the Premier League had benefitted United.

‘He’s scored, he’s scored important goals in the Champions League games early on in the season. He scored the hat-trick against Tottenham. 

‘But I think if you’re looking to the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to do their best to lift Manchester United over these next two or three years.’

Church deacon dies while preaching against ritual killing in Ogun (video)

A deacon at Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Onikoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been confirmed dead after slumping while preaching during service. 

The incident occurred on Sunday April 3, while Ogunnusi was preaching against the ‘get-rich-quick’ syndrome.

The church was thrown into confusion after the deacon who is also the  Baale of Onikoko, a community, near the Panseke area in Abeokuta metropolis,  suddenly slumped with a microphone in his hand.

Delivering his sermon in Yoruba, Ogunnusi said “The money you make through unlawful means, killing people, sucking human blood; when death comes, it will belong to another person.”

The interpreter was still trying to present the words in the English language when the deacon slumped. 

Daily Trust reported that he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, where he was pronounced dead.

A congregant told the publication; 

“The man was not the pastor of that church, he was just an elder. He was the Baale of Onikoko. But he was the one that delivered the sermon on Sunday.

“He was talking about death and people who make money by killing other people. All of a sudden, he collapsed. He was rushed to the FMC, but he died. We don’t know what happened. I was very scared. Everything was disrupted. We just shared the grace and went home.”

It is however not clear if he had any health challenges. Corpse of Chief Ogunnusi has been deposited in the mortuary.

Watch the video below…………

Bucha Massarce: Germany and France To Expel Over 40 Russian Diplomats

No fewer than 40 Russian diplomats have been declared as “undesirable persons” by the German government.

The announcement made on Monday is an act that is tantamount to expulsion from the country, according to foreign minister Annalena Baerbock.

The decision follows similar moves by European partners in recent days as a reaction to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Shortly after the German announcement, France said it would expel 35 Russian diplomats as part of a joint European action. Earlier on Monday, Lithuania threw out its Russian ambassador.

Speaking as Russia faced growing global criticism over allegations that its forces had committed atrocities in Bucha, a town near Kyiv, Germany’s Baerbock said the move was a response to the “unbelievable brutality” the Kremlin had unleashed in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reports.

“The images from Bucha speak to unbelievable brutality by the Russian leadership and by those who follow its propaganda with a boundless will to exterminate,” Baerbock said.

Later on Monday, France announced it would expel dozens of Russian diplomats.

“France decided this evening to expel a number of Russian personnel with diplomatic status stationed in France whose activities are against our security interests,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Kremlin has denied Western allegations that Russian forces were responsible for killing civilians in Bucha.

However, Baerbock said “similar images” were to be feared “in other places that Russian troops have occupied.”

She said it was essential to “stand up for our freedom and be prepared to defend it”.

“That is why the German government has decided to declare a significant number of staff of the Russian embassy, who have worked every day here in Germany against our freedom, against the cohesion of our society, as persona non grata,” she said.

Baerbock described the diplomats’ presence “as a threat” to the more than 300,000 Ukrainians “who have sought protection here” since the invasion began.

“We will no longer tolerate that, we communicated that to the Russian ambassador this afternoon,” she said.

Baerbock said Germany would take further steps “with our partners” including “imposing harsher sanctions on Russia, decisively expanding support for Ukraine’s fighting forces and bolstering NATO’s eastern flank.”

The US and its allies have sought to punish Russia for the invasion by imposing sweeping sanctions but fear further harm to the global economy, which is still recovering from the pandemic. Europe is in a particular bind, since it gets 40 percent of its gas and 25 percent of its oil from Russia.

Putin’s February 24 invasion has left thousands of people dead, according to Ukrainian authorities, and forced more than 4 million Ukrainians to flee their country.

Putin has said the attack is aimed at eliminating a security threat and has demanded that Ukraine drop its bid to join NATO. Kyiv and its allies say the invasion is a war of aggression.

Ramadan: Kano Hisbah Police warns against eating openly during Ramadan

The Kano State Hisbah Board, an agency established to enforce Sharia law in the state, has warned Muslims against refusal to observe fasting in the month of Ramadan deliberately.

In a WhatsApp audio message sent to media organizations in Kano, the commander general of Hisbah, Haroun Ibn-Sina, said the board would not spare anybody found eating in the daytime without cogent reason.

According to him, Hisbah would not fold its arms to see Muslim youths violating Islamic injunctions in the state, especially in the holy month, during which the Muslims are required to give full of devotion to Allah.

“We are reminding the people of Kano that Hisbah is ever ready to thwart any act of immorality, especially those who flout Islamic Sharia by coming out openly during daytime to eat food, without any reason accepted by Shariah,” he said.

Mr Ibn-Sina added that Hisbah would not rest on its ores in ensuring full Islamic Shari’a compliance in the month of Ramadan and even beyond, adding that whoever is found flouting the Shari’a would be dealt with accordingly.

The CG emphasised that Hisbah would not relent in discharging its responsibilities of fighting immorality in Kano.

While congratulating Muslims around the world of the coming of yet another Ramadan season, Mr Ibn-Sina called for intense prayers for Nigeria.

Donald Trump’s Truth Social Tech executives ‘quit as app was branded a failure’

Two key executives who were hired to launch former President Donald Trump’s social media startup Truth Social have resigned.

Sources told Reuters that Josh Adams, the chief of technology, and Billy Boozer, Trump’s product development chief have both left the company. Their departure comes less than one year after joining the former President on his project.  This is the latest development at the nascent venture that has struggled to get off the ground.

The specific circumstances behind the executives’ resignations or whether they have been replaced or their duties reassigned couldn’t immediately be determined, according to the report.

This is also coming after some critics deemed Truth Social a failure and disaster, with hundreds of thousands of users apparently dropping off.

Adams and Boozer were key players in launching the app on February 20 and their departure could stymie its effort to compete with Twitter and other social media platforms. 

The departures followed the troubled launch of the company’s iPhone app on Feb. 20. Weeks later, many users remain on a waiting list, unable to access the platform.

‘If Josh has left… all bets are off,’ said one of the sources, referring to him as the ‘brains’ behind Truth Social’s technology.

Trump Media & Technology Group chief executive Devin Nunes, a former Republican congressman, said publicly that the company aimed to make the app fully operational within the United States by the end of March.

The company has an app for iPhones but none for Android phones, which make up more than 40% of the US market, though the company has advertised seeking an engineer to build one.

Marketed as a free-speech platform, Truth Social was launched by Trump after he was banned in the fallout from the deadly January 6 Capitol riot by YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook for allegedly inciting or glorifying violent actions.

Alert ! Kinder eggs recalled after salmonella outbreak, severa people infected in Britain

Over 63 people in Britain, mostly young children, have become infected with salmonella in an outbreak linked to Kinder Surprise eggs.

Chocolate firm Ferrero is recalling some batches of the eggs as a precaution while investigations continue into the link, the Food Standards Agency, FSA, said.

More cases had been reportedly recorded in Europe, including Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The eggs were made in Belgium.

No deaths had been reported in Britain but most cases involved children aged 5 and below.

In an alert, the FSA said the recall was due to a potential link to a salmonella outbreak.

The products affected were the 20g eggs or the three-pack of eggs, all with a best-before July 11, and Oct. 7.

Ferrero had recalled the products and people were being advised not to eat them.

The FSA said the eggs had all been manufactured at the same factory, and other Ferrero products were not thought to be affected.

Investigations so far had been led by the UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA, Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland.

Symptoms of salmonella included diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

While most cases resolved in a few days, symptoms could be severe and lead to hospital admission, especially in the very young and those with weakened immune systems.

Abuja Administration to spend $272m for construction of 5.76km track of Abuja light rail

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Transportation Secretariat has revealed plans to begin construction of 5.76 km rail track in the nation’s capital.

The Mandate Secretary for the secretariat, Zakari Dobi, made the disclosure when he inspected the vandalised Abuja Light Rail Track, Station and Idu Training Centre on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Dobi explained that the secretariat was working assiduously to go back to site for the construction of the 5.76 km rail track and fixing of the vandalised areas of the track.

According to him, the total bill for embarking on the construction of the rail track as approved is 272 million dollars.

Mr Dobi said that the bill for the construction of the rail track was before the FCTA Permanent Secretary on its way to the FCT minister’s table.

He expressed optimism that the minister, who had so much concerned about the Abuja Light Rail would quickly return the file.

”Two things informed this outing. Firstly, to be able to again evaluate and asses the level of vandalisation on the track.

”Secondly, to also look at the Training Centre at Idu Rail Station with a view to be able to relocating some departments of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Transportation Secretariat due to challenges of office spaces in Area 11.

”What we saw was quite bad even though when I assumed office, I have been briefed about the issue of vandalisation.

”We have intention to go back to site for the construction of 5.76 km rail track in Abuja. The cost of the construction of also fixing of the vandalised areas.

”We have seen some of the fresh areas that were vandalised and I want to believe that the projection made earlier on fixing the vandalised areas will still accommodate what we saw.”

He said that the vandalisation occurred as a result of lack of operation, adding that if operation was on constantly, it would reduce the level of vandalisation.

He assured that the FCTA would fix all the vandalised areas to ensure proper utilisation of the already completed areas with the four Diesel Multiple Units on ground to put an end to vandalisation.

”We are going to look at issues to see if we can come up with possible ways on how to stop the vandalisation completely but I do know that the first thing to do is to resume operation.”

‘Anonymous’ have released ‘personal data of 120,000 Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine’

Anonymous hacked CBN,

Hacking group Anonymous has claimed to have released ‘personal data of 120,000 Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.’ 

The collective had declared ‘cyber war against the Russian government’ days after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began.  

Anonymous announced that its latest attack has ‘leaked’ the personal details of the military. 

According to the Sun, these details include dates of birth, names, home addresses and passport numbers.   

The collective said:  ‘All soldiers participating in the invasion of Ukraine should be subjected to a war crime tribunal.’ 

Hackers Anonymous release

It comes after Russia’s attack on Ukraine and its civilians was branded ‘genocide’ by President Volodymyr Zelensky.   

A recorded message was sent to President Putin featuring videos and images of the invasion from news outlets in the background days after the war began, Unilad reported.  

In the footage, a spokesperson said:  ‘This is a message to Vladimir Putin, from Anonymous.

‘Mr. Putin. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine has shown that your regime has no respect for human rights or the self-determination of your neighbours.’ 

Anonymous called Putin the ‘instigator’ of violence, referring to the killing of innocent people.

They added: ‘Members of Anonymous have declared cyber war against your aggressive regime […] soon you will feel the full wrath of the world’s hackers.’

The group also alleged on 31 March that it had hacked 62,000 emails from the Marathon Group.

Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich allegedly begged his friends to lend him $1M to pay staff

As the Russian and Ukrainian war lingers, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is reportedly begging his Hollywood and US power broker friends to each lend him $1 million to keep him afloat as his assets are frozen by worldwide authorities.

Page Six reported that the Chelsea Football Club owner Abramovich whose bank accounts are frozen in the US and the UK, has been asking for loans from his prominent and powerful friends to maintain his whispered $750,000-a-week staff payroll, which includes those keeping afloat his multiple luxury super-yachts.

His associates are however said to be wary about lending him money, even as he takes part in the peace talks between Russia and the Ukraine.

A source told the publication; 

“Roman is asking some of his his closest powerful friends to let him borrow $1 million.

“He is saying he has never missed payroll for his staff, which is $750,000 a week, and with his assets frozen he can’t pay his people.

“He has reached out to Hollywood producer and director Brett Ratner and the Rothschild family, among many others for money, but – while they are good friends with Roman – they have not agreed to give him money, because either they do not have that in liquid cash, or moreover it is not clear what are the repercussions under international law.”

Abramovich who has hosted a series of starry celebrity parties on his boats and at his sprawling St Barth’s estate, has many close friends in Hollywood, Wall Street and the tech world.

The United Kingdom and the European Union sanctioned Abramovich who has a net worth of $14.3 billion, according to Bloomberg, in early March following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

His assets were also frozen by US hedge funds. The sanctions also prevented Abramovich from profiting from $3 billion sale of Chelsea Football Club.

Dropping Nnamdi Kanu as director of Radio Biafra is a genuine move towards his release — By Ifeanyi Chijioke

Ralph Uwazurike during his time was released to bury his mother and from there, he never went back to the prison.

Sunday Igboho was released few weeks ago to take care of his health and may likely not return to the prison.

Nnamdi Kanu will get his release as soon as Buhari hears his plea or he convinces him that he will go and sin no more. Whether Buhari will listen and believe him again having been betrayed before remains to be seen.

Conditions were given to Kanu which he agreed for bail in 2017. But he betrayed Buhari and neglected conditions of bail Buhari gave him. Hard to get Buhari’s heart again but there is no harm in trying.

These actions are not hard; they are the easiest decisions to make in government. Containment is the best approach to an ideological question; so; to release already contained secessionist is the finest thing that could happen to a government.

When a government arrests a secessionist; the plan is not to get rid of him or imprison him indefinitely, rather, it is to contain him or positively manage the situation.

But to achieve this; the agitator must surrender and that was Sunday Igboho’s situation. Sunday Igbo ultimately agreed to deescalate and stop what he was doing; once you make peace with Nigeria; you regain your freedom because the reason for the imprisonment was to break you. Being killed like Ken Sarowiwa is not ruled out in extreme situation.

While fielding questions from journalists few months ago; Muhammadu Buhari said Nnamdi Kanu was still misbehaving and as such, nobody should disturb him over his release.

It was a clear message from Buhari- surrender and go home or continue your business and die. Immediately; IPOB- DOS under the command of Nnamdi Kanu began to quickly deescalate and called off all forms of protest to release Nnamdi Kanu. To please Buhari; they even went further threatening to physically deal with those enforcing sit-at-home protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

They went further to release numerous press statements telling the government of Muhammadu Buhari that they are ready to embrace peace and calling for dialogue cum political solution- which was a sign of retreat.

Perhaps, Nnamdi Kanu can no longer be trusted; so, verbal concessions could not be enough to convince the presidency- they needed more than words.

The main barrier Nnamdi Kanu has remains how to trick the people into believing he is still there and fighting while surrendering everything to save his soul. Kanu needs to be as controversial as possible to avoid losing his cash cow (IPOB members)

One of the options was to controversially exit as the director of radio Biafra to show he has surrendered but while going about his surrender, IPOB is trying to make it discreet to avoid losing the support of the few left with them.

Nelly Ofoegbu was used to test the water; by renaming Biafra to Idu; so Nnamdi Kanu could have a legal edge over Nigeria and also help his release but that appeared counterproductive, hence he decided to remove himself from IPOB directorate to show commitment towards his surrender.

There is practically no way out for Nnamdi Kanu. He is at the mercy of the Nigerian government and his only option is to do what others did. Allowing the government capture him was his worst mistake.

Igboho has done his own like many others did; but Nnamdi Kanu might find it hard for his plea or repentance to be accepted because he betrayed the trust the government had in him before.

He may need to show more than others showed that they have surrendered. Removing himself from the position of director is one but it might need public announcement of surrender to convince Buhari to release him.

Nnamdi Kanu got to the point he had to admit there was nothing anybody could do about his predicament except surrendering to finding a common ground.

Through DOS; he shunned every move by his members to fight for his release because the fight would be fruitless. For him; it is better to align with the government than trust in the people’s ability to fight successfully.

Achieving Nnamdi Kanu’s release is not a rocket science. His biggest mistake was to be caught in a lawless country like Kenya and brought back to lawless Nigeria.

Legal battle is as fruitless as it has been over the years of Nigerian existence. Igboho has been released; he agreed to play to the gallery and Nnamdi Kanu could be released if he agreed to play to the gallery.

Nnamdi Kanu is DOS and this is why Simon Ekpa of Autopilot is finding it hard to move the train of the struggle forward. Kanu has derailed through his DOS to save his life and Simon Ekpa cannot do anything about it except to fight disjointedly.

Nnamdi Kanu would go a long way before his plea could be accepted by the government- to release him. He must prove to Muhammadu Buhari that he has totally and sincerely surrendered before his release could be considered.

Exiting as director of Radio Biafra is one of the visible and big concessions he must make to be released. If not; the gate to life imprisonment or execution is as wide as the road to hell.

Ifeanyi Chijioke- Independent/Investigative Journalist
Writes from Enugu
Address: ifeanyichijioke97@gmail

Senior pastor demolishes church after catching wife passionately kissing assistant pastor

The senior pastor of Evangelical Church in Tana River County, Kenya, has demolished his church in anger after he caught his wife and the assistant pastor having a romantic moment after a prayer vigil.

According to Nairobi News, the preacher is said to have caught his wife kissing the assistant pastor in the church.

Joan Mulei, a member of the worship team, said the pastor and the wife left immediately after the service only for the pastor’s wife to return a few minutes later.

“People had already left and only the assistant pastor and a few worship team members stayed behind for a meeting when she walked in and joined in the meeting that would later end prematurely,” she said.

Ms Mulei says the pastor’s wife kept making the meeting as brief as possible by interjecting in each statement and giving immediate proposals.

The group ended the meeting with a prayer and proceeded home, leaving behind the youthful assistant pastor and the Reverend’s wife who appeared to be holding another exclusive meeting.

“While we were walking home, we met the senior pastor at the junction to the church, he looked worried and asked if we had seen his wife, we told him she was still held in a meeting with his assistant,” she said.

The pastor headed towards the church to pick up his wife as he feared the insecurity in the town following a rise in murder incidents by the Kayole Brothers gang.

On arrival at the Church, he found the lights switched off and the main door closed. He decided to use that rear door where he was shocked to find his wife entangled in the arms of his assistant, lost in a passionate kiss.

“We heard a man scream, Yesuuu!!!Yesu!!! And we thought he had been attacked so we ran to his rescue since we knew the voice of the pastor only to find him bringing down the church while the wife was pleading with him to settle,” said Ali Mohammed, a resident living near the church.

The man of God in tears demolished the iron-sheet-made building in the night and immediately hired some youth to carry them away.

Immediately after, he left the town for an unknown place and has not picked up calls since.

The wife has since left for her matrimonial home, leaving the church members in a dilemma.

Reached for comment, the youthful assistant pastor noted that all that happened was the devil’s work.

He claimed that the pastor’s wife coerced him into the act, denying that they have been having an affair.

“I don’t even know how it got that far, I only came to my senses when the pastor shouted my name upon catching us,” he said.

Church Members have resolved to rebuild the church and cleanse the altar of sin.

Some church elders have also resolved to dismiss the assistant pastor from the church and look for their senior pastor for talks and counselling.

Putin lost over ‘18,000’ soldiers in Ukraine – Ukraine Defense Opines

Russian president, Vladimir Putin has suffered another devastating blow after his force’s death toll rose to 18,300 in the war in Ukraine, according to Kyiv estimates. 

Russia has only admitted 1,351 of its troops have died fighting in Ukraine since Putin invaded on February 24, a fraction of the figure estimated by Ukraine’s armed forces.

In a further blow to Putin’s war, Ukrainian forces have also retaken some towns in the northern Chernihiv region, whilst Russian forces no longer occupied any areas in the Sumy region, in Ukraine’s northeast. 

Ukrainian soldiers also blitzed a Russian military convoy in an effort to disrupt deliveries of fuel and supplies to Putin’s troops on the frontline, as what appears to be a rocket before bursting into flames. 

But Russian attacks on civilian areas have continued, with eight people killed and 34 wounded after shelling hit the southern Ukrainian cities of Mykolaiv and Ochakiv on Sunday, prosecutors in Kyiv said. 

‘The Russian armed forces attacked the cities of Ochakiv and Mykolaiv. Shelling damaged residents’ homes, vehicles and civilian infrastructure,’ the Ukrainian prosecutor general said in a statement today. 

‘As a result of enemy shelling, seven residents in Ochakiv were killed and another 20 were injured. In the city of Mykolaiv one person died and 14 people were wounded, among them a child,’ it added.

Meanwhile, Russia is continuing to build up both its soldiers and mercenaries from the notorious Wagner Group, a private military company known as ‘Putin’s private army’, in eastern Ukraine, British intelligence chiefs said. 

Across the country, Ukrainian forces are also preparing for what its general staff said were about 60,000 Russian reservists called in to reinforce the offensive there.   

‘Russian forces are continuing to consolidate and reorganize as they refocus their offensive into the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine,’ Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence briefing today.   

It said Russian troops are being moved into the area, along with mercenaries from the Wagner private military group. Moscow says it is currently focusing its offensive on the Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for years.  

Meanwhile Russian shelling hit the eastern city of Kharkiv on Sunday, killing at least seven people and wounding 34, including three children, local prosecutors said.

Missiles also struck near the southern port of Odesa, with Russia saying it had destroyed an oil refinery used by the Ukrainian military. The Odesa city council said ‘critical infrastructure facilities’ were hit. 

Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of eastern Luhansk region, said Russia was building up forces to break through Ukrainian defences.

‘I am urging residents to evacuate. The enemy will not stop, it will destroy everything in its path,’ he said in comments carried on Ukrainian television. 

Overnight, the UK said Russia was still trying to take the southern port city of Mariupol, which has seen weeks of intense fighting. 

Intelligence chiefs said ‘the city continues to be subject to intense, indiscriminate strikes, but Ukrainian Forces maintain a staunch resistance, retaining control in central areas.’

‘Mariupol is almost certainly a key objective of the Russian invasion,’ the MoD said, ‘as it will secure a land corridor from Russia to the occupied territory of Crimea,’ in the south, which Moscow annexed in 2014. 

Elon Musk buys $3B worth of shares in Twitter, currently the company’s largest shareholder

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk has bought a 9.2% stake in Twitter, according to a US securities filing, which makes him the company’s largest shareholder.

The Tesla founder and tech guru bought 73,486,938 Twitter shares on 14 March, according to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which is worth $2.89bn (£2.20bn), and is more than four times the 2.25% holding of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.


The news sent Twitter shares soaring about 25% in pre-market trading on Monday, April 4.


Musk, a regular Twitter user with more than 80 million followers, recently he said he is giving “serious thought” to building a new social media platform, after asking his followers whether they thought the social media platform encouraged free speech.


“Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?”


He then asked: “Is a new platform needed?”

Allah Not Happy With Nigeria Over Kanu’s Illegal Detention – Alhaji Galadimma

A Northern Muslim who is also a human right activist, Alhaji Shehu Galadimma has noted that Allah is not happy with Nigeria over the illegal detention of IPOB Leader, MAZI NNAMDI KANU.

Galadimma in his tweet, suggested immediate release of KANU in order to avoid the impending destruction awaiting Nigeria. Galadimma likened the impending doom with the biblical destruction of the Egyptians by God when Pharaoh blatantly refused to let the people of Israelite go in accordance with God’s instructions.

Galadimma tweeted:“Release that young man from the east now,to avoid what took place in Egypt to repeat in Nigeria !I have seen handwriting on the wall , Allah is not happy with Nigerian govt for holding his own.

The anger of Allah is on people of Nigeria for holding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”

Thief caught with 3 stolen live chickens hidden in his pants (video)

A man was caught with three stolen chickens hidden in his pants.

The man, from Ghana, had placed the stolen chickens in his boxers and then wore his trousers to conceal them.

However, his plans to escape unnoticed failed and was caught before he could make away with the chickens.

Locals who caught him made him remove all three live chickens from his boxers while they filmed.

See the video below.

FIFA World Cup 2022: France to meets Denmark while Qatar faces Senegal

The draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup took place today in Doha, Qatar, as the group stage for the 32 nations is announced.

Of the 32 teams involved, only 29 have been confirmed, as two intercontinental play-off matches will take place in June, while in Europe one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine will book their place at the tournament, too.

Host nations, Qatar take on Senegal, Netherlands and Ecuador, while England will face Iran and USA.

The tournament kicks off on Monday November 21 at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor with a match that will feature the host country.

See the full draw below. 

Group A

Qatar

Ecuador

Senegal

Netherlands

Group B

England

Iran

USA

European playoff

Group C

Argentina

Saudi Arabia

Mexico

Poland

Group D

France

Interconinental playoff 1

Denmark

Tunisia

Group E

Spain

Interconinental playoff 2

Germany

Japan

Group F

Belgium

Canada

Croatia

Morocco

Group G

Brazil

Serbia

Switzerland

Cameroon

Group H

Portugal

Ghana

Uruguay

South Korea

FIFA World Cup 2022 draw: England to meet USA while Ghana face Portugal

Bruno Fernandes signs up with Man. United for £250,000 a week contract

Russian president, Vladimir Putin is ‘constantly’ accompanied by a doctor specialising in thyroid cancer, a new investigation shows.

Surgeon Yevgeny Selivanov, of Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital, has flown to the Russian leader no less than 35 times in Black Sea resort Sochi, his favourite place of residence.

The respected doctor’s thesis – showing his area of medical expertise – was entitled: ‘Peculiarities of diagnostics and surgical treatment of elderly and senile patients with thyroid cancer’.

The discovery by investigative media Project (or Proekt) media – blocked in Russia and now functioning from abroad – backs recent theories that Putin declared war when he was suffering medical problems hidden from the Russian people.

One version is that he has been treated with steroids, leading to a bloated look around the face and neck.

There has been widespread speculation in the West that Putin had serious medical issues when he launched a war in Ukraine that estimates say has killed 17,000 Russian troops plus many Ukrainian defenders and civilians.

‘We promised to reveal to you the main secret of the Kremlin. Of course, we are talking about the health of Vladimir Putin,’ said Project media.

The report identified medics who regularly travel with Putin – who will be 70 in October – on trips, and especially in Sochi which Putin prefers to Moscow.

Apart from the thyroid cancer specialist, another was a neurosurgeon.

The report stated: ‘It is generally accepted that in the 23rd year of his reign, the President of Russia is only interested in geopolitics.

‘In fact, there is at least one other issue that Putin is hardly less worried about – his own health.’

It stated: ‘Putin has publicly shown interest in the problem of thyroid cancer.

‘In July 2020, he met with the head of the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ivan Dedov, who is the boss of Putin’s eldest daughter Maria [Vorontsova].’

Maria is a geneticist, aged 36, from his marriage to former Russian first lady Lyudmila Putina.

Dedov told the president about the high prevalence of thyroid cancer and spoke about the new hormonal drug Tyrogin, which fights metastases after surgery.

‘”Recovery of 95-98%?” Putin asked and heard an affirmative answer.’

The report went on: ‘There is indeed talk in medical circles about the president’s health problems.

‘Especially these conversations intensified in the early autumn of last year, when Putin behaved especially strangely.

‘After a long stay in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of state finally began to get out to meet people.

‘On September 13, he met with the Paralympian’s and even allowed the athletes to tightly surround him.

‘That is how, standing in a crowd of people, Putin suddenly announced that he had to go into isolation, because there were too many people around who were sick with the coronavirus.

‘The news came as a surprise even to the president’s entourage.

‘His press secretary was at first confused and refuted the chief – allegedly the president, speaking of isolation, expressed himself “figuratively”.

‘Nevertheless, the next day, Putin went into isolation, took part in the Duma elections from his own office and did not appear in public all September.

‘Whether the president was then undergoing some kind of medical manipulation is unknown, but after that he began to communicate with people at a very great distance – sitting on opposite sides of huge tables.

‘In other words, if before Putin moved away from people in a figurative sense of the word, now he began to do it in the most direct way.’

The medical problems appeared to get worse from 2016-17.

Putin was at this time treated by another specialist Dr Dmitry Verbovoy, an expert in acute illnesses, injuries and poisonings.

Another was Dr Konstantin Sim, an orthopaedic traumatologist, possibly helping with ice hockey injuries.

‘The president was regularly accompanied to Sochi by an average of five doctors,’ said the report.

‘For example, on the same day he was with Sim, four more doctors lived in Rus [sanatorium], including ENT specialist Alexei Shcheglov and infectious disease specialist Yaroslav Protasenko.’

In November 2016, 12 doctors were ‘settled’ in the Run sanatorium.

‘First, a group of Putin’s personal doctors arrive, headed by Verbov.

‘Then a group of operating neurosurgeons from the Central Clinical Hospital, headed by department head Oleg Myshkin, joins them for two days.’

Resuscitator of the Central Clinical Hospital Dr Pavel Sharikov was present along with Dr Elena Rastrusina, a specialist in the neurosurgical department, and at the same time, head nurse Lyudmila Kadenkova.

A rehabilitation specialist was also there – Dr Mikhail Tsykunov.

‘The treatment obviously went well – on December 1, Putin was already addressing the federal assembly.

‘A year later, the President awarded Myshkin the title of Honored Doctor of Russia.’

The report said that Putin has five times suddenly disappeared from view on medically related absences.

Grammy Awards 2022: See the full list of winners

The 2022 Grammy Awards winners were announced Sunday, April 3, at a live ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada. Early winners included Jon Batiste, Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, Foo Fighters, St. Vincent, H.E.R. and comedian Louis C.K.; Central New York native Joe Bonamassa, on the other hand, lost in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category.

Highlights at the beginning of the broadcast included performances by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak), Rodrigo (”Driver’s License”), J Balvin, and K-pop sensation BTS. The night also featured a career-spanning medley by rap legend Nas, a tribute to Tony Bennett performed by Lady Gaga, an address by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a moving in memoriam segment bookended by late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Broadway great Stephen Sondheim, and performances by Billie Eilish, Brandi Carlile, Lil Nas X, H.E.R., Travis Barker and Lenny Kravitz.

Silk Sonic, a superduo composed of Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak, were the first performers to take to the stage and also to pick up a major award, winning the Grammy for Song of the Year with Leave the Door Open. The track came out highly decorated, also snagging Record of the Year, Best R&B Song, and tied with Jazmine Sullivan for Best R&B Performance.

Silk Sonic won all the categories it was nominated for, with Paak calling the night “a clean sweep.”

Jon Batiste, a multi-genre artist who garnered the most Grammy nominations this year, being acknowledged in 11 categories, took home Album of the Year for his LP We Are. He earned another four Grammys at the Premiere Ceremony for a total of five wins.

Here is a complete list of all the nominees in the major categories. Final winners will are in bold letters. 

Album of the Year
We Are, Jon Batiste
Love For Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Back of My Mind, H.E.R.
Montero, Lil Nas X
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
evermore, Taylor Swift
Donda, Kanye West

Record of the Year
“I Still Have Faith in You,” ABBA
“Freedom,” Jon Batiste
“I Get a Kick Out of You,” Tony Bennett, and Lady Gaga
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Ceasar, and Giveon
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat feat. SZA
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X
“drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic

Song of the Year 
“Bad Habits,”Fred Gibson, Johnny McDaid, and Ed Sheeran, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)
“A Beautiful Noise,” Ruby Amanfu, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Alicia Keys, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry, and Hailey Whitters, songwriters (Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile)
“drivers license” Daniel Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo, songwriters (Olivia Rodrigo)
“fight for you,” Dernst Emile II, H.E.R., and Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“Kiss Me More,” Rogét Chahayed, Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lukasz Gottwald, Carter Lang, Gerard A. Powell II, Solána Rowe, and David Sprecher, songwriters (Doja Cat feat. SZA)
“Leave the Door Open,” Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II, and Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, Omer Fedi, Montero Hill, and Roy Lenzo, songwriters (Lil Nas X)
“Peaches,” Louis Bell, Justin Bieber, Giveon Dezmann Evans, Bernard Harvey, Felisha “Fury” King, Matthew Sean Leon, Luis Manuel Martinez Jr., Aaron Simmonds, Ashton Simmonds, Andrew Wotman, and Keavan Yazdani, songwriters (Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon)
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth, and Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

Best R&B Performance
“Lost You,” Snoh Aalegra
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon
“Damage,” H.E.R.
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic (tie)
“Pick Up Your Feelings,” Jazmine Sullivan (tie)

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“I Need You,” Jon Batiste
“Bring It on Home to Me,” BJ The Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, and Kenyon Dixon feat. Charlie Bereal
“Born Again,” Leon Bridges feat. Robert Glasper
“Fight for You,” H.E.R.
“How Much Can a Heart Take,” Lucky Daye feat. Yebba

Best R&B Song
“Damage,” Anthony Clemons Jr., Jeff Gitelman, H.E.R., Carl McCormick, and Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Good Days,” Jacob Collier, Carter Lang, Carlos Munoz, Solána Rowe, and Christopher Ruelas, songwriters (SZA)
“Heartbreak Anniversary,” Giveon Evans, Maneesh, Sevn Thomas, and Varren Wade, songwriters (Giveon)
“Leave the Door Open,” Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
“Pick Up Your Feelings,” Denisia “Blue June” Andrews, Audra Mae Butts, Kyle Coleman, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Michael Holmes, and Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)

Best Progressive R&B Album
New Light, Eric Bellinger
Something to Say, Cory Henry
Mood Valiant, Hiatus Kaiyote
Table for Two, Lucky Daye
Dinner Party: Dessert, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, and Kamasi Washington
Studying Abroad: Extended Stay, Masego

Best R&B Album
Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies, Snoh Aalegra
We Are, Jon Batiste
Gold-Diggers Sound, Leon Bridges
Back of My Mind, H.E.R.
Heaux Tales, Jazmine Sullivan

Best Rap Performance
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Up,” Cardi B
“m y . l i f e,” J. Cole feat. 21 Savage and Morray
“Way 2 Sexy,” Drake, Future, Young Thug
“Thot Shit,” Megan Thee Stallion

Best Melodic Rap Performance
“p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l,” J. Cole feat. Lil Baby
“Need to Know,” Doja Cat
“Industry Baby,” Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow
“Wusyaname,” Tyler, the Creator feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign
“Hurricane,” Kanye West feat. The Weeknd and Lil Baby

Best Rap Album
The Off-Season, J. Cole
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
King’s Disease II, Nas
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, The Creator
Donda, Kanye West

Best Rap Song
“Bath Salts,” DMX feat. Jay-Z and Nas
“Best Friend,” Saweetie feat. Doja Cat
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Jail,” Kanye West
“m y . l i f e,” J. Cole

Best Music Video
“Shot in the Dark,” AC/DC
“Freedom,” Jon Batiste
“I Get a Kick Out of You,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Ceasar
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X

Pop Solo Performance
“Anyone,” Justin Bieber
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“positions,” Ariana Grande
“drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo

Best Pop Duo Or Group Performance
“I Get a Kick Out of You,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
“Lonely,” Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco
“Butter,” BTS
“High Power,” Coldplay
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat feat SZA

Best Pop Vocal Album
Justice, Justin Bieber
Planet HER, Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Positions, Ariana Grande
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Love for Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
’Til We Meet Again (Live), Norah Jones
Tori Kelly Christmas, Tori Kelly
Ledisi Sings Nina, Ledisi
That’s Life,Willie Nelson
A Holly Dolly Christmas, Dolly Parton

Best Rock Performance
“Shot in the Dark,” AC/DC
“Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A),” Black Pumas
“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Chris Cornell
“Ohms,” Deftones
“Making a Fire,” Foo Fighters

Best Metal Performance
“Genesis,” Deftones
“The Alien,” Dream Theater
“Amazonia,” Gojira
“Pushing the Tides,” Mastodon
“The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition),” Rob Zombie

Best Rock Song
“All My Favorite Songs,” Rivers Cuomo, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson and Ilsey Juber, songwriters (Weezer)
“The Bandit,” Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
“Distance,” Wolfgang Van Halen, songwriter (Mammoth WVH)
“Find My Way,” Paul McCartney, songwriter (Paul McCartney)
“Waiting On A War,” Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear, songwriters (Foo Fighters)

Best Rock Album
Power Up, AC/DC
Capitol Cuts — Live From Studio A, Black Pumas
No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1, Chris Cornell
Medicine at Midnight, Foo Fighters
McCartney III, Paul McCartney

Best Alternative Music Album Vocal or Instrumental
Shore, Fleet Foxes
If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power Halsey
Jubilee, Japanese Breakfast
Collapsed in Sunbeams, Arlo Parks
Daddy’s Home, St. Vincent

Best Dance/Electronic Recording
“Hero,” Afrojack & David Guetta
“Loom,” Ólafur Arnalds, Bonobo
“Before,” James Blake
“Heartbreak,” Bonobo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
“You Can Do It,” Caribou
“Alive,” Rüfüs du Sol
“The Business,” Tiësto

Best Dance/Electronic Album
Subconsciously, Black Coffee
Fallen Embers, Illenium
Music Is The Weapon (Reloaded), Major Lazer
Shockwave, Marshmello
Free Love, Sylvan Esso
Judgement, Ten City

Best Country Solo Performance
“Forever After All,” Luke Combs
“Remember Her Name,” Mickey Guyton
“All I Do Is Drive,” Jason Isbell
“camera roll,” Kacey Musgraves
“You Should Probably Leave,” Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“If I Didn’t Love You,” Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
“Younger Me,” Brothers Osborne
“Glad You Exist,” Dan + Shay
“Chasing After You,” Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris
“Drunk (And I Don’t Want To Go Home),” Elle King & Miranda Lambert

Best Country Song
“Better Than We Found It,” Jessie Jo Dillon, Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Maren Morris)
“camera roll,” Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)
“Cold,” Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)
“Country Again,” Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley & Thomas Rhett, songwriters (Thomas Rhett)
“Fancy Like,” Cameron Bartolini, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins & Shane Stevens, songwriters (Walker Hayes)
“Remember Her Name,” Mickey Guyton, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram & Parker Welling, songwriters (Mickey Guyton)

Best Country Album
Skeletons, Brothers Osborne
Remember Her Name, Mickey Guyton
The Marfa Tapes, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall & Jack Ingram
The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, Sturgill Simpson
Starting Over, Chris Stapleton

Best New Age Album
Brothers, Will Ackerman, Jeff Oster, Tom Eaton
Divine Tides, Stewart Copeland, Ricky Kej
Pangaea, Wouter Kellerman, David Arkenstone
Night + Day, Opium Moon
Pieces of Forever, Laura Sullivan

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Double Dealin’, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal
The Garden, Rachel Eckroth
Tree Falls, Taylor Eigsti
At Blue Note Tokyo, Steve Gadd Band
Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2, Mark Lettieri

Best Remixed Recording
“Back to Life (Booka T Kings of Soul Satta Dub),” Soul II Soul
“Born for Greatness (Cymek Remix),” Papa Roach
“Constant Craving (Fashionably Late Remix),” K. D. Lang
“Inside Out (3Scape Drm Remix),” Zedd, Griff
“Met Him Last Night (Dave Audé Remix),” Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande
“Passenger (Mike Shinoda Remix),” Deftones
“Talks (Mura Masa Remix),” PVA

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Cinema, The Marías
Dawn, Yebba
Hey What, Low
Love for Sale, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga
Notes With Attachments, Pino Palladino, Blake Mills

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Archetypes, Sérgio Assad, Clarice Assad, Third Coast Percussion
Beethoven Cello Sonatas: Hope Amid Tears, Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Manfred Honeck, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Chanticleer Sings Christmas, Chanticleer
Mahler: Symphony No. 8, Symphony of a Thousand, Gustavo Dudamel, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Luke McEndarfer, Robert Istad, Grant Gershon, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, National Children’s Chorus, Pacific Chorale, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Best Music Film
Inside, Bo Burnham
David Byrne’s American Utopia, David Byrne
Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter to Los Angeles), Billie Eilish
Music, Money, Madness…Jimi Hendrix in Maui, Jimi Hendrix
Summer of Soul, Questlove, David Dinerstein, Robert Fyvolent, Joseph Patel

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
“Sackodougou,” Christian Scott Atunde
“Kick Those Feet,” Kenny Barron
“Bigger Than Us,” Jon Batiste
“Absence,” Terence Blanchard
“Humpty Dumpty (Set 2),” Chick Corea

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Generations, The Baylor Project
SuperBlue, Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter
Time Traveler, Nnenna Freelon
Flor, Gretchen Parlato
Songwrights Apothecary Lab, Esperanza Spalding

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Jazz Selections: Music From and Inspired By Soul,Jon Batiste
Absence, Terence Blanchard feat. the E Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet
Skyline, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Akoustic Band LIVE, Chick Corea, John Patitucci, and Dave Weckl
Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV), Pat Metheny

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Live At Birdland!, The Count Basie Orchestra Directed by Scotty Barnhart
Dear Love, Jazzmeia Horn And Her Noble Force
For Jimmy, Wes And Oliver, Christian McBride Big Band
Swirling, Sun Ra Arkestra
Jackets XL, Yellowjackets + WDR Big Band

Best Latin Jazz Album
Mirror Mirror, Eliane Elias With Chick Corea and Chucho Valdés
The South Bronx Story, Carlos Henriquez
Virtual Birdland, Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Transparency, Dafnis Prieto Sextet
El Arte del Bolero, Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo

Best Gospel Performance/Song
“Voice Of God,” Dante Bowe, Steffany Gretzinger, Chandler Moore
“Joyful,” Dante Bowe
“Help,” Anthony Brown, Group Therapy
“Never Lost,” CeCe Winans
“Wait On You,” Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“We Win,” Kirk Franklin, Lil Baby
“Hold Us Together (Hope Mix),” H.E.R., Tauren Wells
“Man Of Your Word,” Chandler Moore, KJ Scriven
“Believe For It,” CeCe Winans
“Jireh,” Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine

Best Gospel Album
Changing Your Story, Jekalyn Carr
Royalty: Live At The Ryman, Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition, Maverick City Music
Jonny X Mali: Live In LA, Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music
Believe For It, CeCe Winans

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
No Stranger, Natalie Grant
Feels Like Home Vol. 2, Israel, New Breed
The Blessing (Live), Kari Jobe
Citizen Of Heaven (Live), Tauren Wells
Old Church Basement, Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music

Best Roots Gospel Album
Alone With My Faith, Harry Connick, Jr.
That’s Gospel, Brother, Gaither Vocal Band
Keeping On, Ernie Haase, Signature Sound
Songs For The Times, The Isaacs
My Savior, Carrie Underwood

Best Latin Pop Album
Vértigo, Pablo Alborán
Mis Amores, Paula Arenas
Hecho A La Antigua, Ricardo Arjona
Mis Manos, Camilo
Mendó, Alex Cuba
Revelación, Selena Gomez

Best Música Urbana Album
Afrodisíaco, Rauw Alejandro
El Último Tour del Mundo, Bad Bunny
Jose, J Balvin
KG0516, Karol G
Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), Kali Uchis

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Deja, Bomba Estéreo
Mira Lo Que Me Hiciste Hacer (Deluxe Edition), Diamante Eléctrico
Origen, Juanes
Calambre, Nathy Peluso
El Madrileño, C. Tangana
Sonidos de Karmática Resonancia, Zoé

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
Antología de la Musica Ranchera, Vol. 2, Aida Cuevas
A Mis 80’s, Vicente Fernández
Seis, Mon Laferte
Un Canto por México, Vol. II, Natalia Lafourcade
Ayayay! (Súper Deluxe), Christian Nodal

Best Tropical Latin Album
Salswing!, Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
En Cuarantena, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
Sin Salsa No Hay Paraíso, Aymée Nuviola
Colegas, Gilberto Santa Rosa
Live in Peru, Tony Succar

Best American Roots Performance
“Cry,” Jon Batiste
“Love and Regret,” Billy Strings
“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free,” The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bela Fleck
“Same Devil,” Brandy Clark feat. Brandi Carlile
“Nightflyer,” Allison Russell

Best American Roots Song
“Avalon,” Rhiannon Giddens, Francesco Turrisi
“Call Me a Fool,” Valerie June feat. Carla Thomas
“Cry,” Jon Batiste
“Diamond Studded Shoes,” Yola
“Nightflyer,” Allison Russell

Best Americana Album
Downhill From Everywhere, Jackson Browne
Leftover Feelings, John Hiatt with the Jerry Douglas Band
Native Sons, Los Lobos
Outside Child, Allison Russell
Stand for Myself, Yola

Best Bluegrass Album
Renewal, Billy Strings
My Bluegrass Heart, Béla Fleck
A Tribute to Bill Monroe, The Infamous Stringdusters
Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions), Sturgill Simpson
Music Is What I See, Rhonda Vincent

Best Traditional Blues Album
100 Years of Blues, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite
Traveler’s Blues, Blues Traveler
I Be Trying, Cedric Burnside
Be Ready When I Call You, Guy Davis
Take Me Back, Kim Watson

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Delta Kream, The Black Keys feat. Eric Deaton and Kenny Brown
Royal Tea, Joe Bonamassa
Uncivil War, Shemekia Copeland
Fire It Up, Steve Cropper
662, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

Best Folk Album
One Night Lonely (Live), Mary Chapin Carpenter
Long Violent History, Tyler Childers
Wednesday (Extended Edition), Madison Cunningham
They’re Calling Me Home, Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi
Blue Heron Suite, Sarah Jarosz

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Live in New Orleans!, Sean Ardoin and Kreole Rock and Soul
Bloodstains and Teardrops, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
My People, Chia Wa
Corey Ledet Zydaco, Corey Ledet Zydaco
Kau Ka Pe’a, Kalani Pe’a

Best Reggae Album
Pamoja, Etana
Positive Vibration, Gramps Morgan
Live N Livin, Sean Paul
Royal, Jesse Royal
Beauty in the Silence, Soja
10, Spice

Best Global Music Performance
“Mohabbat,” Arooj Aftab
“Do Yourself,” Angelique Kidjo and Burna Boy
“Pà Pá Pà,” Femi Kuti
“Blewu,” Yo-Yo Ma and Angelique Kidjo
“Essence,” Wizkid feat. Tems

Best Global Music Album
Voice of Bunbon, Vol. 1, Rocky Dawuni
East West Players Presents: Daniel Ho and Friends Live in Concert, Daniel Ho and Friends
Mother Nature, Angelique Kidjo
Legacy +, Femi Kuti and Made Kuti
Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition, Wizkid

Best Children’s Music Album
Actívate, 123 Andrés
All One Tribe, 1 Tribe Collective
Black to the Future, Pierce Freelon
A Colorful World, Falu
Crayon Kids, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)
Aftermath, LeVar Burton
Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation, Don Cheadle
Catching Dreams: Live at Fort Knox Chicago, J. Ivy
8:46, Dave Chappelle & Amir Sulaiman
A Promised Land, Barack Obama

Best Comedy Album
The Comedy Vaccine, Lavell Crawford
Evolution, Chelsea Handler
Sincerely Louis CK, Louis C. K.
Thanks For Risking Your Life, Lewis Black
The Greatest Average American, Nate Bargatze
Zero F**cks Given, Kevin Hart

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
Cruella (Various Artists)
Dear Evan Hansen Various Artists)
In the Heights (Various Artists)
One Night in Miami… (Various Artists)
RESPECT Jennifer Hudson
Schmigadoon! Episode 1 (Various Artists)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Andra Day

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media
Bridgerton, Kris Bowers, composer
Dune, Hans Zimmer, composer
The Mandalorian: Season 2 — Vol. 2 (Chapters 13-16), Ludwig Göransson, composer
The Queen’s Gambit, Carlos Rafael Rivera, composer (tie)
Soul, Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, composers (tie)

Best Song Written For Visual Media
“Agatha All Along,” [From WandaVision: Episode 7], Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez feat. Kathryn Hahn, Eric Bradley, Greg Whipple, Jasper Randall & Gerald White)
“All Eyes On Me,” [From Inside], Bo Burnham, songwriter (Bo Burnham)
“All I Know So Far,” [From P!NK: All I Know So Far], Alecia Moore, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (P!nk)
“Fight For You,” [From Judas and the Black Messiah], Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Here I Am (Singing My Way Home),” [From RESPECT], Jamie Hartman, Jennifer Hudson & Carole King, songwriters (Jennifer Hudson)
“Speak Now,” [From One Night in Miami…], Sam Ashworth & Leslie Odom, Jr., songwriters (Leslie Odom, Jr.)

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff
Rogét Chahayed
Mike Elizondo
Hit-Boy
Ricky Reed

Best Historical Album
Beyond the Music: Her Complete RCA Victor Recordings, Marian Anderson
Etching the Voice: Emile Berliner and the First Commercial Gramophone Discs, 1889-1895, Various Artists
Excavated Shellac: An Alternate History of the World’s Music, Various Artists
Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967), Joni Mitchell
Sign o’ the Times (Super Deluxe Edition), Prince

Best Classical Compendium
American Originals – A New World, A New Canon, Agave & Reginald L. Mobley
Berg: Violin Concerto; Seven Early Songs & Three Pieces for Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas
Cerrone: The Arching Path, Timo Andres & Ian Rosenbaum
Plays, Chick Corea
Women Warriors – The Voices of Change, Amy Andersson

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Akiho: Seven Pillars, Andy Akiho
Andriessen: The Only One, Louis Andriessen
Assad, Clarice & Sérgio, Connors, Dillon, Martin & Skidmore: Archetypes, Clarice Assad, Sérgio Assad, Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin & David Skidmore
Batiste: Movement 11’, Jon Batiste
Shaw: Narrow Sea, Caroline Shaw

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Confessions, Laura Strickling
Dreams of a New Day – Songs by Black Composers, Will Liverman
Mythologies, Sangeeta Kaur & Hila Plitman
Schubert: Winterreise, Joyce DiDonato
Unexpected Shadows, Jamie Barton

Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Alone Together, Jennifer Koh
An American Mosaic, Simone Dinnerstein
Bach: Sonatas & Partitas, Augustin Hadelich
Beethoven & Brahms: Violin Concertos, Gil Shaham
Mak Bach, Mark Grgi?
Of Power, Curtis Stewart

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Jack Quartet, Adams, John Luther: Lines Made by Walking
Sandbox Percussion, Akiho: Seven Pillars
Sérgio Assad, Clarice Assad & Third Coast Percussion, Archetypes
Yo-Yo Ma & Emanuel Ax, Beethoven: Cello Sonatas – Hope Amid Tears
Imani Winds, Bruits

Best Choral Performance
“It’s a Long Way,” Matthew Guard, conductor (Jonas Budris, Carrie Cheron, Fiona Gillespie, Nathan Hodgson, Helen Karloski, Enrico Lagasca, Megan Roth, Alissa Ruth Suver and Dana Whiteside; Skylark Vocal Ensemble)
“Mahler: Symphony No. 8, ‘Symphony of a Thousand,’” Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Grant Gershon, Robert Istad, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz and Luke McEndarfer, chorus masters (Leah Crocetto, Mihoko Fujimura, Ryan McKinny, Erin Morley, Tamara Mumford, Simon O’Neill, Morris Robinson and Tamara Wilson; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, National Children’s Chorus and Pacific Chorale)
“Rising w/ the Crossing,” Donald Nally, conductor (International Contemporary Ensemble and Quicksilver; The Crossing)
“Schnittke: Choir Concerto; Three Sacred Hymns; Pärt: Seven Magnificat-Antiphons,” Kaspars Putnins, conductor; Heli Jürgenson, chorus master (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir)
“Sheehan: Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom,” Benedict Sheehan, conductor (Michael Hawes, Timothy Parsons and Jason Thoms; The Saint Tikhon Choir)
“The Singing Guitar,” Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Estelí Gomez; Austin Guitar Quartet, Douglas Harvey, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Texas Guitar Quartet; Conspirare)

Best Opera Recording
“Bartók: Bluebeard’s Castle,” Susanna Mälkki, conductor; Mika Kares and Szilvia Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor (Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
“Glass: Akhnaten,” Karen Kamensek, conductor; J’Nai Bridges, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Zachary James and Dísella Lárusdóttir; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)
“Janá?ek: Cunning Little Vixen,”” Simon Rattle, conductor; Sophia Burgos, Lucy Crowe, Gerald Finley, Peter Hoare, Anna Lapkovskaja, Paulina Malefane, Jan Martinik and Hanno Müller-Brachmann; Andrew Cornall, producer (London Symphony Orchestra; London Symphony Chorus and LSO Discovery Voices)
“Little: Soldier Songs,” Corrado Rovaris, conductor; Johnathan McCullough; James Darrah and John Toia, producers (The Opera Philadelphia Orchestra)
“Poulenc: Dialogues Des Carmélites,” Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor; Karen Cargill, Isabel Leonard, Karita Mattila, Erin Morley and Adrianne Pieczonka; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

Best Orchestral Performance
“Adams: My Father Knew Charles Ives; Harmonielehre,” Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor (Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
“Beethoven: Symphony No. 9,” Manfred Honeck, conductor (Mendelssohn Choir Of Pittsburgh & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
“Muhly: Throughline,” Nico Muhly, conductor (San Francisco Symphony)
“Price: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3,” Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (Philadelphia Orchestra)
“Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Scriabin: The Poem Of Ecstasy,” Thomas Dausgaard, conductor (Seattle Symphony Orchestra)

Best Album Notes
Beethoven: The Last Three Sonatas, Ann-Katrin Zimmermann, album notes writer (Sunwook Kim)
The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia And RCA Victor Studio Sessions 1946-1966, Ricky Riccardi, album notes writer (Louis Armstrong)
Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology, Kevin Howes, album notes writer (Willie Dunn)
Etching The Voice: Emile Berliner And The First Commercial Gramophone Discs, 1889-1895, David Giovannoni, Richard Martin & Stephan Puille, album notes writers (Various Artists)
The King Of Gospel Music: The Life And Music Of Reverend James Cleveland, Robert Marovich, album notes writer (Various Artists)

Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package
All Things Must Pass: 50th Anniversary Edition, Darren Evans, Dhani Harrison & Olivia Harrison, art directors (George Harrison)
Color Theory, Lordess Foudre & Christopher Leckie, art directors (Soccer Mommy)
The Future Bites (Limited Edition Box Set), Simon Moore & Steven Wilson, art directors (Steven Wilson)
77-81, Dan Calderwood, Jon King & Bjarke Vind Normann, art directors (Gang Of Four)
Swimming In Circles, Ramón Coronado & Marshall Rake, art directors (Mac Miller)

Best Recording Package
American Jackpot / American Girls, Sarah Dodds & Shauna Dodds, art directors (Reckless Kelly)
Carnage, Nick Cave & Tom Hingston, art directors (Nick Cave & Warren Ellis)
Pakelang, Li Jheng Han & Yu, Wei, art directors (2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group & The Chairman Crossover Big Band)
Serpentine Prison, Dayle Doyle, art director (Matt Berninger)
Zeta, Xiao Qing Yang, art director (Soul Of Ears)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“The Bottom Line,” Ólafur Arnalds, arranger (Ólafur Arnalds & Josin)
“A Change Is Gonna Come,” Tehillah Alphonso, arranger (Tonality & Alexander Lloyd Blake)
“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire),”Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)
“Eleanor Rigby,” Cody Fry, arranger (Cody Fry)
“To The Edge Of Longing (Edit Version),” Vince Mendoza, arranger (Vince Mendoza, Czech National Symphony Orchestra & Julia Bullock)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
“Chopsticks,” Bill O’Connell, arranger (Richard Baratta)
“For The Love Of A Princess (From Braveheart),” Robin Smith, arranger (HAUSER, London Symphony Orchestra & Robin Smith)
“Infinite Love,” Emile Mosseri, arranger (Emile Mosseri)
“Meta Knight’s Revenge (From Kirby Superstar),” Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman, arrangers (The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Button Masher)
“The Struggle Within,” Gabriela Quintero & Rodrigo Sanchez, arrangers (Rodrigo y Gabriela)

Best Instrumental Composition
“Beautiful Is Black,” Brandee Younger, composer (Brandee Younger)
“Cat And Mouse,” Tom Nazziola, composer (Tom Nazziola)
“Concerto For Orchestra: Finale,” Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza & Czech National Symphony Orchestra Featuring Antonio Sánchez & Derrick Hodge)
“Dreaming In Lions: Dreaming In Lions,” Arturo O’Farrill, composer (Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble)
“Eberhard,” Lyle Mays, composer (Lyle Mays)

Producer Of The Year, Classical
Blanton Alspaugh
Steven Epstein
David Frost
Elaine Martone
Judith Sherman

Best Immersive Audio Album
Alicia, George Massenburg & Eric Schilling, immersive mix engineers; Michael Romanowski, immersive mastering engineer; Ann Mincieli, immersive producer (Alicia Keys)
Clique, Jim Anderson & Ulrike Schwarz, immersive mix engineers; Bob Ludwig, immersive mastering engineer; Jim Anderson, immersive producer (Patricia Barber)
Fine Line, Greg Penny, immersive mix engineer; Greg Penny, immersive mastering engineer; Greg Penny, immersive producer (Harry Styles)
The Future Bites, Jake Fields & Steven Wilson, immersive mix engineers; Dave Kosten & Steven Wilson, immersive producers (Steven Wilson)
Stille Grender, Morten Lindberg, immersive mix engineer; Morten Lindberg, immersive mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, immersive producer (Anne Karin Sundal-Ask & Det Norske Jentekor)

Best Musical Theater Album
Cinderella
Some Lovers
Girl From the North Country
Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (The Sensational 2020 Live Recording)
Snapshots
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical

Pope Francis condems Putin for “infantile” war and may visit Ukraine

Roman Catholic church leader, Pope Francis has said that he is studying a possible visit to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine as he blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching a “savage” war.


Speaking on Saturday, April 2 as he arrived in Malta, he delivered his most pointed and personalized denunciation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Pope Francis says he may visit Ukraine, condems Putin for "infantile" war

Pope Francis avoided referring to Russia or Mr Putin by name, but described him as as “some potentate” who had unleashed the threat of nuclear war on the world in an “infantile and destructive aggression” under the guise of “anachronist claims of nationalistic interests.”


Speaking to Maltese authorities, Pope Francis said: “We had thought that invasions of other countries, savage street fighting and atomic threats were grim memories of a distant past.” 

The pope added that a possible visit to Kyiv was “on the table”, but no dates have been set or a trip confirmed.

The mayor of the Ukrainian capital had invited Francis to come as a messenger of peace along with other religious figures.

Francis also said that the war has pained his heart so much that he sometimes forgets about the pain in his knees.

Saturday’s personalization of Putin marked a new level of criticism by the pope, just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of mines outside the capital, Kyiv.

Fulani militia attack Plateau cultural festival, 12 feared dead

Twelve persons have been killed and 28 others injured after gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias attacked celebrants at a cultural festival at Chando Zerreci community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred as the people of Irigwe ethnic nationality of the state were celebrating ‘Zerreci’, an annual festival meant to usher in the rainy/farming season.

According to a member of the community, Michael Danjuma who escaped the attack by the whisker, said the incident happened on Saturday, April 2, at about 11:45 pm.

Danjuma added that ten people were initially killed while another two were also killed on the festival ground.

“12 people were gunned down instantly while 28 others sustained a gunshot wound and now receiving treatments at various hospitals in Jos,” the survivor said.

‘Zerreci cultural festival 2

The Irigwe Development Association (IDA) in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Davidson Mallison confirmed the incident adding that the attack was carried out by the Fulani militia.

“Early this morning Sunday they also attacked our people at Ritivo while observing the traditional and cultural festival and two persons have been confirmed killed with others wounded as a result of bullet injury.

“In total,12 people have been killed while about 28 people have sustained varying degrees of injuries. At the time of compiling this report, searching for victims is still on, that is to say, the report can be updated in case of any incoming information,” the statement disclosed.

It added that the attack was a coordinated one executed by the marauders as they targeted spots where the Rigwe people usually observed their cultural ritual.

Speaking with PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary, Irigwe Youths Movement, Lawrence Zongo, who confirmed the killings in Jos on Sunday, said ten people were killed while 19 others injured.

“We have a tragedy in our land right now as our people have been attacked and killed again. This time, during our annual ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ the festival that will usher them into the rainy and farming season,” Zongo said.

“They were attacked by Fulani militants normally referred to by Government authorities as ‘Unknown Gunmen’ on 2nd, April 2022 at 11 pm at the ritual ground Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State.

“10 people were killed and 19 people survived with bullet wounds, they are undergoing medical treatment at Enos Hospital Miango, while others have been moved to Jos,”

“Brutal attacks on Rigwe communities are becoming rampant and frequent. This is unacceptable. The government must take more concrete steps to protect lives and property across Rigwe chiefdom and neighboring communities,”

“Nigeria authorities both at federal and state levels failed to protect the lives and properties of the Rigwe people allowing them to be at the mercy of gunmen

“The government must as a matter of urgency investigate the attack in Rigwe land and bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure families and other victims are adequately compensated.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ubah Gabriel Ogaba, who confirmed the attack added that men of the Command have been deployed to the affected community.

Russia convenes an ‘extraordinary’ UN Security Council meeting over Bucha war crimes accusations (graphic photo, 18+)

Moscow will convene an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council over an incident in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, Russia’s dep. permanent rep of the organization declared Sunday.

Ukraine has accused Russia of massacring civilians in the town, while Moscow dismissed the incident as having been staged by Kiev forces.

Bucha Massacre2

Graphic footage from Bucha emerged over the weekend, showing multiple bodies clad in civilian clothing scattered around. Kiev was quick to blame the Russian military, with several top Western politicians swiftly backing and amplifying their claims.

Bucha Massacre 3

Moscow has firmly rejected any involvement, accusing Kiev of staging the whole affair to frame Russian troops. The Defense Ministry said Russian forces pulled out of the town on March 30, with the local mayor confirming this in a video address a day later without mentioning “any local residents laying shot in the streets.”

Scientists develop ‘brand new’ antibiotic that could save millions of people, research reveals

UK scientists hailed a “game-changing” antibiotic in a new study released on Tuesday, which could save millions of people worldwide from drug-resistant superbugs.

The team of researchers, working in association with the University of Lincoln, achieved the breakthrough by developing new versions of the molecule teixobactin, successfully killing bacteria without damaging the tissue of the mammals it was tested on.

Using a study involving mice, the researchers managed to successfully wipe out a superbug known as MRSA, which has previously been resistant to antibiotics.

“Our ultimate goal is to have a number of viable drugs from our modular synthetic teixobactin platform which can be used as a ‘last line of defence’ against superbugs to save lives currently lost due to AMR,” Dr Ishwar Singh, who led the research, said.

Teixobactin has been previously hailed as a “game-changing” antibiotic, following a study in 2015, but the new research managed to develop “synthetic” classes of the drug, allowing for easier global distribution of the treatment, the scientists revealed.

Public Health England warned back in 2017 that antibiotic resistance is creating “one of the most dangerous global crises facing the modern world today,” as scientists fear antibiotics could eventually no longer treat serious infections.

The Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance report, published in The Lancet in January, found that more than 1.2 million people died from drug-resistant infections in 2019. A further 4.95 million deaths were indirectly associated with antimicrobial resistance in the analysis of 204 countries and territories.

A review of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that was commissioned by the UK government has warned that, by 2050, an extra 10 million people will die each year from drug-resistant infections.

Elon Musk Says He Is Sometimes Lonely And His Own Death ‘Would Come As A Relief’ To Him

The founder of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, has given an in-depth interview in which he has stated that his own death ‘would come as a relief’.

The world’s richest man gave insight into everything from the possibility of life-extending technologies to his own personal life, in which he expressed loneliness.In the interview with Insider’s Mathias Döpfner, Musk stated he did not believe in potential future life-extending technologies as such things would have a terrible impact on democracy, due to the fact that it would not allow for an evolution of ideas, and result in leaders who were too out of touch.

He said:”I don’t think we should try to have people live for a really long time. That it would cause asphyxiation of society because the truth is, most people don’t change their mind. They just die. So, if they don’t die, we will be stuck with old ideas and society wouldn’t advance.”For a democracy to function, the leaders must be reasonably in touch with the bulk of the population. And if you’re too young or too old, you can’t say that you will be attached.

“Speaking of his own death:”I think it would come as a relief.”Musk’s views on life-extending technology seems to be somewhat opposed to that of fellow mogul Jeff Bezos, who has recently invested billions in businesses developing solutions to ageing and death.When talking about his own life and his relationships, Musk said:”I think there are degrees of love. But certainly, for one to be fully happy, I think you have to be happy at work and happy in love.

So, I suppose I’m medium happy.””There are times when I’m lonely. I’m sure there are times when everyone is lonely. But it’s pretty basic. Say if I’m working on the Starship rocket and I’m just staying in my little house by myself, especially if my dog is not with me, then I feel quite lonely because I’m just in a little house by myself with no dog.”

Poland offers NATO a space for stationing US nukes in eastern Europe

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, has spoken in favor of US nuclear weapons being deployed in eastern Europe, citing Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine.

In an interview with Germany’s Die Welt news outlet published on Sunday, Kaczynski said that “fundamentally, it makes sense to expand nuclear sharing to the eastern flank,” apparently referring to a NATO concept by which “the benefits, responsibilities and risks of nuclear deterrence are shared across the Alliance.” The Polish official noted, however, that such an initiative should come from the US.

On top of that, Kaczynski called on the military bloc to set up a new command center in Poland, akin to the one in the Dutch town of Brunssum, “from where joint NATO deployments will be planned and conducted.” According to the deputy, that would send a clear signal to Russia that the military alliance is now present in Eastern Europe at command level as well.

In addition to the adoption of the NATO concept, Warsaw “would welcome it if the Americans in the future increased their presence in Europe from the current 100,000 soldiers to 150,000,” Kaczynski in this instance citing “Russia’s growing aggressiveness” as the main threat. The Polish official proceeded to break down the numbers, explaining that “75,000 troops should be permanently stationed on the eastern flank, that is, on the border with Russia.” He also told Die Welt that Warsaw would want to see 50,000 US service personnel in the Baltic states and Poland alone.

Kaczynski’s calls for Washington to beef up its military contingent on the European continent comes despite NATO having already agreed to deploy additional battle groups to Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

Part of the deputy premier’s interview was devoted to criticism of Germany over its refusal to impose an embargo on Russian oil, and to the extent of support it is providing to Ukraine. He told journalists that he was “very unhappy about the German government’s behavior,” adding that Berlin “could deliver more weapons,” as well as “speak out in the EU in favor of an oil embargo.” Kaczynski also opined that Russian oil could be replaced with relative ease, acknowledging at the same time that finding a viable substitute for Moscow’s natural gas was far more problematic.

“You cannot continuously support a great power like Russia with billions out of energy sales,” the 72-year-old official insisted, describing the current state of affairs as “unacceptable from a political and moral point of view.” According to Poland’s deputy prime minister, “Germany ought to finally take an unequivocal stance on this.”

Kaczynski accused the German federal government of turning a blind eye for years to “what Russia under Putin is doing.” He concluded that “it has panned out badly, as we now see,” adding that it was not at all “difficult to foresee” where the situation was heading.

Since the start of Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine on February 24, the European Union has slapped Moscow with unprecedented economic sanctions, targeting numerous government and private entities, individual business people and entire industries. Yet, Poland, the Baltic states and Ukraine are calling on Brussels to go even further and ditch Russian hydrocarbons altogether, which are currently exempt from the bloc’s sanctions. However, Germany – Europe’s major industrial powerhouse – has so far opposed the total phasing out of Russian gas over concerns that it could wreak havoc on the German economy, with 34% of the gas consumed in the country last year coming from Russia.

Berlin has made it clear that it will be gradually weaning itself off Russian energy, looking for alternative sources though adding, however, that such a transition cannot happen overnight.

In late March, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki vowed to stop importing Russian gas, oil and coal by the end of the year, with Lithuania, too, announcing on Saturday that it has ceased buying Russian gas “from this month on.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday requiring countries that have imposed sanctions against Moscow to pay for Russian gas in rubles starting from April 1. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that failure to pay this way would mean the end of gas supplies, which Moscow was not going to give away “free of charge,” he remarked, also noting that Western sanctions had left Russia no other option but to switch to its own national currency, as dollars and euros could be “taken away.”

However, France, Germany and several other European nations have made it clear that they are not going to comply with Russia’s demands, calling these a “blackmail” that runs counter to the terms of existing gas contracts.

Manuel Lanzini, West Ham Star, miraculously survives car crash after £70K Mercedes flips

West Ham football star, Manuel Lanzini has miraculously survived a dramatic car crash with the Argentine walking out of accident unhurt

The 29-year-old midfielder was being driven by a chauffeur in a £70,000 Mercedes people carrier when it lost control on Wednesday afternoon after 2:30pm. 

The vehicle, a V-Class Mercedes with a West Ham number plate landed on its side leaving many onlookers fearing for the worst.

But a club spokesperson confirmed to Sportsmail that Argentina international then emerged from the crash unhurt as firefighters and police raced to the scene, and confirmed Lanzini did not sustain any injuries.

Lanzini was checked for any injuries at the scene of the accident and again at his original destination, West Ham’s Rush Green complex in east London, where he was due for training.

The player was being driven back to the training ground after returning to the UK after being called up to the Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador. 

Speaking about the accident involving Lanzini – whose partner Jennifer Reina gave birth to their child in January – a source told The Sun: ‘It’s a miracle he’s alive, from what I’ve heard.

‘This was an incredibly near miss and could have killed Lanzini and the driver.

‘It’s common for West Ham players to use a chauffeur service – especially for those who live in town. They were on a dual carriageway so it could have caused complete carnage.

‘Just goes to show, it doesn’t matter how much cash you have – we’re all just as vulnerable to a smash like this.’ 

Lanzini – who joined West Ham on loan from Al Jazira Club in 2015-16 before making the move permanent – has made 193 appearances for the east London side, scoring 28 goals.

He has also played for his country five times, with his last appearance for the Albicelestes coming in 2019.

His only goal for Argentina came in a 2-0 win in a friendly against Italy at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in March 2018. 

France intelligence chief sacked for not predicting Russian Invasion in Ukraine

General Eric Vidaud is set to lose his job after being blamed for “inadequate briefings” that concluded it was unlikely Russia forces would begin their special operation in Ukraine.

This comes despite his job description being to provide intelligence on “operations, not premeditation” according to one military source quoted by AFP – but it appears his head is rolling for more.

Emmanuel Macron was apparently left embarrassed after regular contact with Putin days before Russian troops entered Ukraine and Vidaud’s department oversaw a humiliating loss of a major submarine contract with Australia after the controversial AUKUS deal.

Nigerian cyber scammer allegedly behind ‘sophisticated’ bank e-fraud in India (video)

The Hyderabad City Police in India has arrested a Nigerian national said to be one of the masterminds of what is considered among the most sophisticated financial frauds busted in the State in recent times. 

The accused identified as Ikpa Stephen Orji, was arrested on Wednesday, March 29, at Mehdipatnam, Noida. 

Orji is said to be the key conspirator of the AP Mahesh Cooperative Urban Bank Limited e-fraud case, which saw four accounts of the bank being hacked, bank balances being manipulated and then, Rs.12.48 crore being transferred from the four accounts to 115 accounts and then to another 398 accounts, before being withdrawn from 938 ATMs across India. 

Police arrest Nigerian kingpin allegedly behind

According to City Police Commissioner CV Anand, as the scam broke out and the Cybercrimes Police Station registered a case on January 24, teams fanned out to over 14 States and cities including Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, with around 100 officers working simultaneously on the case.

These teams found the IP logs for Internet Banking for the 500-plus accounts, which were then identified as proxies with locations indicating the USA, Canada and Romania. Police also found the hackers had used VPN services of a Bihar-based firm from whom proxy IPs were allocated to persons in the UK.

The police believe Orji is just one among the several conspirators in the case, with the others, including one known only by his nickname of Capital, still at large. The police are now writing to the Interpol to nab Capital, believed to be holed up somewhere in Nigeria.

Anand, informing that the police recovered Rs.2.09 crore while another Rs.1.08 crore was refunded to the Mahesh Bank because of incorrect beneficiary details, said Orji and Capital had come to the city in January and sitting in a mall in Kukatpally, hacked into the servers of Mahesh Bank servers, triggering the chain of fraudulent transactions.

On how the gang set the entire hacking plan into motion, Anand said the hackers sent around 200 phishing mails between November 4 and November 16 to employees of the bank.

The mails contained Remote Access Trojans (RAT), and with the employees clicking on the phishing links, the RAT got embedded in the bank’s computers.

Since all computers in the bank were interconnected, the hackers could remotely access the core banking server, using which they altered the balance in four accounts that were earlier opened under their supervision.

The cash was then transferred to various accounts, the handlers and account holders of which were paid a commission of 10 per cent.

So far police has arrested 21 other suspects including three other Nigerians. Other accused are various bank account holders and associates of Nigerian handlers. 

“The main hacker is yet to be identified. We do not know him, where he or she is. We have to approach Interpol for details of proxy server addresses and if the respond, Red Corner notice will be issued,” the CP

Ukraine accused of helicopter attack on oil depot inside Russia

A fire at an oil facility in the Belgorod Region, Russia was caused by a Ukrainian air raid, Governor Vyacheslav Galdkov said Friday morning.

The terminal was struck by “two Ukrainian military helicopters that have entered the territory of Russia while flying at low altitude,” Galdkov said. Exact details of the incident are yet to be clarified.

Galdkov stated two workers received non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have begun evacuating people from nearby areas.

Britain sanctions Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, accused of ordering the massacre at Mariupol Theatre, Ukraine

Russia’s bloody ‘Butcher of Mariupol’ and a host of Kremlin television executives have been added to Britain’s sanctions list.


Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, who ordered a strike on a theatre that killed 300 civilians, is among 14 people and organisations hit in the latest wave of punitive economic measures unveiled by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.


The latest names added to the sanctions list include propagandist Sergey Brilev and Kremlin-funded TV-Novosti, which owns the RT news channel.


Aleksandr Zharov, chief executive of Gazprom-Media, Alexey Nikolov the managing director of RT, and Anton Anisimov, the head of Sputnik International Broadcasting were also sanctioned.


Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: ‘Putin’s war on Ukraine is based on a torrent of lies. Britain has helped lead the world in exposing Kremlin disinformation, and this latest batch of sanctions hits the shameless propagandists who push out Putin’s fake news and narratives.


‘We will keep on going with more sanctions to ramp up the pressure on Russia and ensure Putin loses in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table.’  


Mizintsev is facing demands for a war crimes prosecution over the attack on the theatre which killed 300. 

Video released at the weekend showed injured civilians at the Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre after it was near-totally destroyed by Russian bombs aimed at building on March 16 despite a large inscription saying ‘children’ being clearly visible on the pavement outside.


In a chilling intercepted phone call he also appeared to berate a junior officer for not cutting off the ears of a private who had been caught not wearing his uniform properly.


Olexander Scherba, Ukraine’s ex-Austrian ambassador, this week branded Mizintsev the ‘Butcher of Mariupol’ while Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Civil Liberties, called on him to face war charges. 


A Foreign Office source said: ‘Liz wants to keep on hitting Putin with sanctions to debilitate the Russian war economy and put Ukraine in the strongest possible negotiating position. There’ll be plenty more sanctions to come.’ 
 

Vladmir Putin threatens to cut off energy supply to ‘unfriendly EU countries’ today

European countries have reacted after Russia threatened to cut off natural gas supplies to Western countries that refuse to pay in rubles, .

Moscow said last week it wanted to be paid in rubles, rather than US dollars or euros, and senior Russian lawmakers said supplies could be cut if customers refused.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Thursday, March 31 that requires buyers of natural gas from “unfriendly countries” to hold accounts at Gazprombank — Russia’s third-largest bank — and settle contracts in rubles.


“If these payments are not made, we shall deem this as non-performance on the part of the buyers and that will lead to consequences,” Putin said in a televised address. “Nobody gives us anything for free and we’re not about to be charitable,” he added.


Putin also gave the Russian central bank and state-owned gas giant Gazprom until Thursday March 31 to come up with detailed proposals to switch the payment currency for gas to rubles.

According to the decree which takes effect on Friday, Gazprombank would open accounts on behalf of Western gas buyers, purchase rubles on their behalf and then transfer the cash to Gazprom’s accounts.


The European Union, has passed severe sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, even though most of them are dependent on Russia for majority of their oil and gas supplies.


The US has promised to ease the burden of gas supplies on European countries as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has passed the one month mark, means Russia can’t be trusted not to blackmail European nations using oil and gas.


Following the decree by Putin, European countries have now reacted saying they signed contracts with Russia to pay for gas in Euros and that won’t change. They went as far as saying their citizens should prepare for gas shortages if Russia goes ahead with its threats.


Germany, Russia’s biggest energy customer in Europe, had described the plan as “blackmail” and a breach of contract.

“The contracts are in euros and must be paid in euros and will be paid in euros,” French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said during a joint press conference with his German counterpart Robert Habeck. 

“We will not accept the method of payment for [Russian] gas in any other currency than stated in the contract,” Le Maire added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said that Berlin will make payments for Russian gas only in euros.

“We have looked at the contracts on gas delivery and other deliveries. [The contracts state] that payments are to be made in euros, sometimes in US dollars, but mostly in euros. And I made clear in my conversation with the Russian president that this will remain as it is,” Scholz told reporters in Berlin.


UK Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng had made it clear that “this is not something that the UK would be looking into,” the spokesperson added.

Also in response, the German government on Wednesday activated a three-stage plan for managing gas reserves in a crisis, issuing an “early warning” of possible shortages. The gas crisis plan could lead to rationing if supplies are significantly disrupted, with major industrial customers hit first to protect households, hospitals and other essential services.

The European Union depends on Russia for about 40% of its natural gas. EU leaders have set a target of reducing consumption of Russian gas by about 66% by the end of this year and are scrambling to find alternative sources, including extra shipments of liquified natural gas from the United States.

Isaac, Didier Drogba’s son, refused to return to his Portuguese club after he travelled to France to study

Isaac Drogba, the son of former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, has gone AWOL with his Portuguese club Academica claiming they do not know his whereabouts.

The 21-year-old hit the headlines a year ago when he scored his first goal while playing for Serie D side Folgore Caratese in Italy. He joined up with the B team of Academica, a second-tier club in Portugal from the famed student city of Coimbra in September after leaving the Italian side Catarese.

However, Isaac allegedly took time off from football in order to head to France to undergo some school exams.

A report from Portuguese outlet ZeroZero claims that while the forward has a contract in place with the club, neither his coaches nor his teammates know of his whereabouts. They claim that no contact has been made by Isaac in over two months.

The side’s U23 team coach Miguel Carvalho said: “He is a fun, fast, technically good striker, he needed time to grow.”

“The one who comes from outside always he needs some time and he didn’t have it.

“He left and we don’t know if he’ll come back. It’s a shame to be a bit settled because the quality is there.

“We agreed on a return date and he didn’t show up. We haven’t heard anything more about him.”

Carvalho added: “I met a good boy. The difference is that he didn’t need to work to earn money at a higher level.

“I met many footballers and the ones who really want are the ones who fight.

“In January he said goodbye to us, he said he was going to spend the weekend in France with his family and he didn’t come back.

“Honestly, I don’t even know if he’s going to come back.”

Isaac Drogba began his career at Chelsea, the club his father helped to several Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He left them for French side Guingamp in 2018 before heading to Italy just over a year ago.

2023 Presidential Elections: “Don’t vote for Atiku, Saraki, Peter Obi, Obasanjo warn Nigerians”

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, has asked Nigerians not to vote for presidential aspirants “lying” that some persons bought nomination forms for them.

Ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Aminu Tambuwal; former governor Peter Obi, are among the long list of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, who have said nomination forms were bought for them.

Speaking in Lagos during a colloquium with the theme, “The African Christian Leadership: Radical Transformation in Unsettled Times” to mark the 61st birthday of Pastor Itua Ighodalo, Obasanjo said Nigeria’s problem is entirely about leadership.

He said the constitution, which many have attributed Nigeria’s challenges to, was crafted by the military that gathered the best brains in the land at that time to draft it.

“Today, they are paying N40m. Some of them (aspirants) even said it is some youths who bought it for them. In fact anybody who would come out to tell you such a lie, you shouldn’t vote for him. Which youths gathered N40m? If you want to buy it, buy it and tell us. You don’t need to lie to us.”

The former President said the problems confronting Nigeria at the moment can only be surmounted by good leadership, noting that Nigeria needed a change of leadership.“If you say, ‘what is wrong with Nigeria’, leadership. If you say, ‘what do you have to do about Nigeria’, leadership. If you say, ‘where are we taking Nigeria? Leadership.’

He however argued that Nigeria can gather the best constitutions in the world, if those who would implement were not people with the right attitude and orientation, nothing can be achieved.

Largest US embassy in the World, to be constructed in Nigeria (photos)

United States of America on Thursday began the construction of a new consulate at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos State adding that this would directly benefit the Nigerian people.

The move, according to a statement is geared at strengthening the enduring U.S.-Nigeria relationship, investing in the partnership for the benefit of the two nations.

At a historic groundbreaking ceremony highlighting the enduring bilateral friendship and partnership between the US and Nigeria, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, joined the US Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, and US Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, on Thursday to officially mark the beginning of construction on a new, modern U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

The consulate located on a 12.2-acre site in the rapidly developing Eko Atlantic City will support diplomatic and commercial relations between the US and Nigeria and will provide American and Nigerian Consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace.

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New US embassy2
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According to the statement, the new Consulate construction project which is worth $537million will directly benefit the Nigerian people.

”Throughout the project, an estimated $95 million will be invested in the local economy, and the project will employ approximately 2,500 Nigerian citizens, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff.

These workers will have the opportunity to learn new technical skills and safety awareness that will help distinguish them in the local market.”

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard stated, “Our vision for this remarkable Consulate campus is to create a facility that both honors the vibrant relationship between the United States and Nigeria and communicates the spirit of American democracy, transparency and openness.”

“Nigeria and the United States have a long-standing history of people-to-people engagement fostering bridges between our two nations. We look forward to the many accomplishments we will continue to achieve together in the future,” Consul General Claire Pierangelo said.

The construction project targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification ––a globally recognized designation for achievement in high performance, best-in-class, green buildings –– and incorporates many features designed to make the building more sustainable.

Ennead Architects LLP of New York is the design architect, Pernix Federal, LLC of Lombard, Illinois, is the design/build contractor, and EYP, Inc. of Albany, New York, is the architect of record.

The construction project will take approximately five years, with completion expected in 2027.

Georgia rejects plans by breakaway region plans to join Russia

Georgia has denounced plans by the breakaway region of South Ossetia to hold a referendum on joining Russia, stating that is unacceptable .


Russia recognized the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent after fighting a war with Georgia in 2008. 


Also, Russia has placed thousands of troops in both regions while also giving them financial support.

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On Thursday, March 31, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani was quoted by TASS news agency as saying: 


“Of course talk of holding any kind of referendum (in South Ossetia) is unacceptable… when this territory in Georgia is occupied.”


A lawmaker from the Georgian Dream ruling party, Beka Davituliani, said South Ossetia’s plans amounted to a provocation, the Interfax news agency reported.


Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he couldn’t talk about South Ossetia’s plans.


“No legal or any other action has been taken in this respect,” he said. “But at the same time we treat the expression of the opinion of the people of South Ossetia with respect.”

The other breakaway region of Georgia, Abkhazia on the Black Sea coast, said it supported South Ossetia’s aspirations but did not share its goal to join Russia.


“Russia is our strategic partner, a dear and close state, but we in the republic (of Abkhazia) have no intention of joining the Russian Federation,” parliamentary speaker Valery Kvarchia told Interfax.

This is not the first time that Moscow has used official recognition as an excuse  to maintain an armed presence in breakaway regions of the former Soviet Union states.

In Ukraine, Russia’s long-standing support for armed separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk gave it a platform to launch a full-scale invasion on February 24.

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