profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Dele Momodu Backs ADC Coalition, Warns Tinubu Against Destroying Democracy

Veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, has declared full support for the African Democratic Congress coalition, warning President Bola Tinubu against endangering Nigeria’s democracy in pursuit of a second term. Speaking on ARISE News on Wednesday, Momodu reminded Tinubu of his pro-democracy roots and warned that his legacy could suffer if he prioritises political ambition over national interest. “Once upon a time, you were one of our leaders when we were fighting for this democracy. So what shall it profit you, if you can do two terms, three terms, if you can live forever and rule Nigeria forever, by the end of the day, your name enters that book of ignominy? “If I meet him today, that’s the question I will ask, is it worth it?” He said Tinubu had already achieved what prominent Nigerian leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola and Nnamdi Azikiwe were unable to attain, and cautioned that pushing for a second term “by fire, by force” could erode those accomplishments. He criticised the PDP leadership for its indecision, saying efforts to sanction or win back aggrieved members came too late. On the future of the opposition, Momodu revealed that the new ADC coalition, backed by key figures including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi was the product of over 18 months of behind-the-scenes planning. He said meetings were held in cities like London, Morocco, and Ghana to avoid political sabotage, and that the ADC now has a functional interim leadership in place. According to him, the party is no longer a “fringe platform,” but has now become the organisational engine for the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. Momodu said concerned Nigerians had reached out to political elders for intervention, but expressed disappointment that many in the ruling APC remained unreceptive to wise counsel. “Some of them are too power-drunk to listen to anybody. “But before they collapse our democracy, some people must rise up. “That’s what the ADC did today,” Momodu said.

profile/5170OIG3.jpeg.webp

Healthwatch

Healthier Planet, Healthier People

Five small steps toward better health for you and planet Earth.

How your health and planetary health intersect

Five ways to improve personal and planetary health

Adopt plant-forward eating.

Remember, not all plants are equal.

Favor active transportation.

Start where you are and work up to your level of discomfort.

Talk about it.

dataDp/1032.jpeg

Worldnews

Brazils Leader Lula Condemns Gaza Genocide At BRICS

BRICS countries have been in disagreement over how strongly to denounce Israel’s bombing of Iran and its actions in Gaza. BRICS leaders meet in Brazil amid 'world disorder' warnings Brazil’s president says the world must act to stop what he describes as an Israeli “genocide” in Gaza as leaders from 11 emerging BRICS nations gathered in Rio de Janeiro. “We cannot remain indifferent to the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians and the use of hunger as a weapon of war,” President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told leaders from China, India and other nations on Sunday. His comments came as Gaza truce talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Doha and as pressure mounted to end the 21-month war, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel. Lula said “absolutely nothing could justify the terrorist actions” of Hamas on that day, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly Israeli civilians. But he also offered fierce criticism of Israel’s subsequent actions. Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 57,418 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians. BRICS countries have been in disagreement over how strongly to denounce Israel’s bombing of Iran and its actions in Gaza. Leaders in Rio called for reform of traditional Western institutions while presenting BRICS as a defender of multilateral diplomacy in an increasingly fractured world. With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive America First approach of United States President Donald Trump, expansion of BRICS has opened new space for diplomatic coordination. In his opening remarks, Lula drew a parallel with the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, a group of developing nations that resisted formally joining either side of a polarised global order. “BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told leaders. “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.” BRICS nations now represent more than half the world’s population and 40 percent of its economic output. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China gathered for the  its first summit in 2009. The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as members. This is the first summit of leaders to include Indonesia. Some leaders were missing from this year’s summit, however. Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his prime minister in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending online because of a warrant issued for his arrest by the International Criminal Court. Still, several heads of state were gathering for discussions at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art on Sunday and Monday, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. More than 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in BRICS, either as full members or partners. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

dataDp/1032.jpeg

Worldnews

Akash, India Win Second Cricket Test Against England At Edgbaston

Deep took six wickets in the second innings as India levelled their five-match Test series against England 1-1. Akash Deep, filling in for star bowler Jasprit Bumrah, took six wickets as India crushed England by 336 runs to level the cricket series 1-1 after they bowled out the hosts for 271 to claim their first Test victory at Edgbaston. With Bumrah being rested in the second Test, Akash was the unlikely inspiration behind the visitors’ dominant, series-tying win just before tea on the final day of the second Test on Sunday. Akash claimed the first five-wicket haul of his short Test career, removing four of the top five in England’s batting order and then top-scorer Jamie Smith (88) on the way to claiming figures of 6-99. Akash finished with the bowling figures of 10-for-187 for the match. Set a world-record target of 608, England started the final day on 72-3 with a draw its only realistic hope and was all out with about two hours still to play on Sunday as India sealed a first win at Edgbaston in nine attempts. The third Test begins at Lord’s on Thursday. India recovered well after a tough defeat at Headingley last week, when England chased down 371 on day five. Bumrah was left out to preserve his fitness, but Akash was a more-than-able deputy. At age 28, he is a late bloomer – certainly at Test level, where he has played just eight matches since his debut in February last year – but looks the part already with his nagging line and length. He will likely retain his spot for the third Test. India captain Shubman Gill was India’s other star in the second Test, making 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second innings in a record-setting performance. Follow Al Jazeera English:...