ONE WORD

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles around 155 miles into the Sea of Japan early Wednesday as it tries to pressure the US and South Korea to abandon joint military drills North Korea has fired two new short-range ballistic missiles, almost exactly a week after it tested two other missiles in an attempt to put pressure on the US to halt upcoming military drills with South Korea and restart nuclear disarmament talks. The two missiles fired Wednesday were launched at 5.06am and 5.27am local time from near the city of Wonsan on North Korea's east coast - the same area where last week's tests were conducted. South Korea said the missiles flew 155 miles out to sea at a maximum altitude of about 19 miles and appeared to be a different type from previous launches. Some experts say North Korea wants a U.S. promise to ease sanctions, accept a slow, step-by-step disarmament process by the North or for the U.S. to make other concessions once the diplomacy restart...

The Senate has confirmed all 43 ministerial nominees sent last week by President Muhammadu Buhari. The confirmation came shortly after the upper legislative chamber screened the last three candidates yesterday. The lawmaker had to postpone their yearly end of session break to get the job done – even sitting on Friday and Monday – their off days. It was learned that the ministers-designate would be assigned portfolios and sworn today. This comes as Buhari praised the swiftness of the lawmakers and the process he described as efficient. The commendation was contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu. Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks to round off the exercise, commended his colleagues for displaying what he called total devotion, urging the would-be members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to discharge their duties in a way that promotes the existing cordial relationship between the legislative and the executive arms of government. He su...

Health The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is offering free medical services to 3,000 victims of banditry from Kanoma Community in Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara. Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. ” The medical intervention, which began July 30, is designed to bring succour to villagers who were displaced by the activities of bandits prior to the commencement of the ongoing dialogue between the Zamfara Government and the bandits,” he said. Daramola said the humanitarian initiative was in furtherance of the directive by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the NAF Medical Services Branch to provide immediate medical assistance to residents of Kanoma and adjoining communities in Maru LGA. He said Mr Bala Moru, the Secretary to Zamfara Government, who represented Gov. Bello Matawale, thanked NAF for the kind gesture in assuaging the...

The Wole Soyinka interview cover design On Friday, 27 June 1980, at Oduduwa Hall, University of Ife, a memorial rally was held with speeches and poems for Walter Rodney, the Guyanese author of  How Europe Underdeveloped Africa  and other path-breaking, radical writings, who was assassinated in Georgetown, Guyana, on 13 June 1980. Organised by Positive Review  and  Socialist Forum , the hall was packed. The speakers included BiodunJeyifo, Wole Olaoye, Kole Omotoso, Ike Okafor-Newsum, Femi Falana, the Marxist historian Segun Osoba, Femi Osofisan, John Ohiorhenuan, and Wole Soyinka. Grief-stricken speaker after speaker mourned the loss of Rodney and expressed solidarity with all those who should carry on the struggle and who should keep the flame of hope kindled in their hearts.In a voice laden with pain, Wole Soyinka said that Walter Rodney, 38, who preferred actuality to cant, was not a phrase-monger and ideological mouther. Soyinka argued more fully and cle...

Super Eagles at a training session Business mogul Femi Otedola on Tuesday fulfilled his pledge of 25,000 dollars to the senior national team, the Super Eagles. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otedola, on the eve of the Super Eagles’ semifinal clash against Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, pledged the sum of 25,000 dollars for each goal scored by the team. A goal by Odion Ighalo from the penalty spot saw the Super Eagles claw their way back into the game having gone a goal down in the first half. But Riyad Mahrez’s excellently struck free kick on the dot of 90 minutes, which ensured Algeria defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the semifinal at the Cairo International Stadium. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday took to its Twitter page to announce that the business mogul had made good his promise to the Super Eagles. “Business mogul Femi Otedola has fulfilled his pledge of $25,000 to the @NGSuperEagles for their one goal against Algeri...

A final year student of Rivers State University has been gunned down by rival cultists.   Scene of the incident   Many people were left in a state of panic yesterday after a final year student of Rivers State University was shot dead by rival cultists inside campus.   The yet to be identified victim, it was gathered was shot in the stomach. Students were seen rushing to the scene as he laid on the floor before being rushed into a car.   Watch video below:   

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a reunion with Philippe Coutinho this summer One possible destination would be Paris Saint-Germain but it is claimed Barcelona would only be interested in using him as part of a move for Neymar. Following Antoine Griezmann's arrival from Atletico Madrid earlier this summer it remains to be seen if Barcelona have the financial means to bring Neymar back to Spain. It has been reported PSG have lowered their asking price to £110m for Neymar. Coutinho is expected to be part of the official presentation of the team at the Joan Gamper Trophy against Arsenal on Sunday. He will then head off to the United States on tour before the La Liga seasons gets underway. However, according to Mundo Deportivo, nobody has launched a concrete move for the £110million-rated star and he therefore looks likely to stay put in Spain. Manchester United had been linked with a move for Coutinho with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to add flair to his midfield...