Mehmet Oz, a heart surgeon, television personality, and author, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator.

Mr Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, highlighting Mr Oz’s extensive experience in medicine and public communication as central to tackling what the U.S. president-elect described as America’s “healthcare crisis.”

In his statement, Mr Trump expressed strong confidence in Mr Oz’s abilities to reform the healthcare system.

“Dr Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake,” said Mr Trump.

He also emphasised Mr Oz’s focus on disease prevention, fraud elimination, and ensuring that every healthcare dollar yields world-class results.

Dr Oz first rose to prominence as a pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon, earning acclaim for innovations in heart valve surgery.

His reputation as a medical expert expanded with appearances on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’, leading to his long-running syndicated ‘The Dr. Oz Show’.

Over the years, Mr Oz became a household name, advocating for health and wellness while addressing diverse medical topics for a general audience.

Mr Oz recently entered the political arena, running as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania during the 2022 midterms.

Although unsuccessful, his candidacy demonstrated his willingness to engage in broader national issues.

The CMS administrator position is one of the most influential in the U.S. healthcare system, overseeing a budget of over $1 trillion annually.

His collaboration with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine sceptic and public health advocate, suggests a potentially unconventional approach to tackling chronic diseases and healthcare inefficiencies.

Mr Oz’s confirmation process is expected to draw significant attention, given his high-profile career and the sweeping healthcare reforms promised by Mr Trump’s administration.

If confirmed, Mr Oz will oversee a massive agency responsible for managing federal healthcare programmes that serve millions of Americans, including Medicare for the elderly and Medicaid for low-income individuals.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, former WWE executive and administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), as the U.S. next education secretary.

Ms McMahon, a leading advocate for school choice and parental rights, will play a pivotal role in shaping education policy under the Trump administration.

In a statement, Mr Trump praised Ms McMahon’s extensive leadership experience, highlighting her work as board chair at the America First Policy Institute, where she championed universal school choice in 12 states.

“Linda will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every state in America and empower parents to make the best education decisions for their families,” he said.

Ms McMahon’s background in education includes serving for two years on the Connecticut Board of Education, where she helped oversee public education and technical high schools statewide.

She also served on the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut for over 16 years.

Ms McMahon is best known for her tenure as the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a company she co-founded with her husband, Vince McMahon.

After stepping away from WWE, Ms McMahon transitioned into public service, leading the SBA from 2017 to 2019, where she focused on supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Her political involvement has deepened over the years. As Chair of AFPI, she worked to promote education reform, particularly school choice, advocating for policies that give parents greater control over their children’s education.

She also serves as co-chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, reflecting her growing influence in Republican policy-making circles.

As education secretary, Ms McMahon is expected to advance policies that prioritise school choice and decentralise federal oversight of education, returning more control to state governments.

The head of the Osun State Park Management System, Wakeel Nurudeen, popularly known as Alowonle, was reportedly arrested on Monday night by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Osun State Police Command.

Alowonle was allegedly found in possession of police-issued arms and ammunition.

His arrest is also linked to the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of several residents in the state.

According to a reliable security source, he was apprehended at the Ring Road area of Osogbo while allegedly attempting to attack a resident who had filed a petition against him.

Reports indicate that Alowonle and his associates arrived at the scene in a Previa bus with registration number RBC 275XK.

However, a distress call alerted the police, leading to his arrest.

The source continued: “Police reinforced and he was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo alongside eight others. They were taken to the Osun State Command.”

A police source disclosed that “during the arrest, a Barrett pistol and six rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private Toyota Highlander unregistered jeep.”

“When he attempted escaping again, he was maimed by police shot.”

It was gathered that a Hummer bus with Reg No. AWK 480YD, Nissan Almera unregistered and Toyota Sienna with Reg no. GNN 595 XD were also reportedly recovered from him.

The source stated that he had been taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola has not yet responded to news of the arrest as she did not pick up calls and text messages sent to her.

Marius Hoiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, was arrested on Monday in Oslo on multiple charges, including rape and abuse.

Police in the capital confirmed the arrest, with the charge relating to “sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons is unable to resist the act.”

Alongside this charge, Hoiby faces additional accusations of “abuse in close relationships,” breaching a restraining order, and driving without a valid driver’s licence, NBC News reports.

The charges stem from an ongoing inquiry into alleged abuse involving four women.

The Royal Palace has declined to comment on the matter, referring all inquiries to law enforcement and Hoiby’s defence team.

His attorney, Oyvind Bratlien, confirmed that his client denies the rape accusation but is cooperating with authorities.

The arrest followed a series of troubling incidents involving Hoiby.

In August, he was involved in a violent altercation in Oslo’s Frogner district, where he admitted to bodily harm and property damage. He also pleaded guilty to issuing a death threat in a separate case.

Hoiby’s arrest came after a violent incident earlier this year in which he apologised for his actions, attributing them to a combination of alcohol and drug use during an argument.

He also acknowledged mental health struggles, pledging to seek treatment.

While not officially part of the Norwegian royal family, Hoiby has been a public figure in the royal circle since his mother’s marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.

He has attended royal events and lived on royal property with his family.

Despite past media appearances, including a feature in Vogue and roles in Norwegian television, Hoiby’s recent controversies have overshadowed his public persona.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Hoiby’s legal future will depend on the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Nigeria has solidified its position as a leading source of international students in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.

The US Embassy disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

For the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in US colleges and universities, marking a 13.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

The report, released during International Education Week, revealed that US institutions now host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students, the highest in history.

Nigerian students represent a significant share of this population, known for their academic excellence and commitment to higher education.

More than 55 per cent of Nigerian students in the US are pursuing graduate-level studies, enriching the academic and cultural environment of American universities.

“The report reveals that US colleges and universities host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year, marking an all-time high for international enrolment.

“This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States.

“Notably, Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally,” the statement said.

The steady growth in Nigerian student enrolment reflects the high demand for US education and the strong ties between the two nations.

These connections are further strengthened by educational exchanges, which promote mutual understanding and global collaboration, the statement added.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest-growing region for international education, with a 13 per cent increase in student mobility this year, following an 18 per cent rise in 2022/2023.

“Sub-Saharan Africa’s student mobility grew by 13 per cent in 2023/24, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing region for the second year, following an 18 per cent increase in 2022/23.

“The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the US and Nigeria,” it added.

The Open Doors Report, published by the Institute of International Education in collaboration with the US Department of State, serves as a benchmark for global educational exchange.

It was unveiled as part of International Education Week, an initiative aimed at fostering cross-cultural learning and inspiring future leaders to pursue studies in the United States.

A Nigerian Catholic sister, Francisca Ngozi Uti, has been announced as the 2024 Opus Prize laureate with a prize award of $1 million.

Ms Uti was recognised for her humanitarian work as the founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Abuja during the award ceremony at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit university in Silicon Valley.

The Opus Prize is a prestigious award that recognises unsung heroes worldwide and acknowledges their selfless efforts to address pressing social needs.

“Did I ever imagine being nominated as the laureate? Honestly, no. Words seem inadequate to capture the depth of my joy,” said Ms Uti. “My heart overflows with gratitude.”

She added, “I never dreamed that the work my team and I have been doing in these remote communities would gain recognition not only within our state but beyond our nation’s borders, crossing the Atlantic and reaching as far as the United States of America.”

The Opus Prize award, which totals $1.2 million, was distributed among three honorees, with Ms Uti receiving $1 million and the two other finalists (Father Zachariah Presutti of Thrive for Life Prison Project and Bianca and Cătalin Albu of Jesuit Refugee Service-Romania) each receiving $100,000.

The CWSI is a centre that focuses on addressing issues of marginalisation, oppression and violence against women and girls in all forms, especially by culture and poverty, while also advocating for policies to combat gender-based violence.

The organisation has significantly impacted Nigeria, helping over one million beneficiaries through more than 100 projects.

The Nigeria Youths Frontiers and Peace Advocates (NYFPA) has knocked social media activist, Reno Omokri for his recent comments about Nigerian clerics, particularly Pastor Becky Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.

Omokri recently referred to Pastor Enenche as a “Yahoo girl on the altar,” sparking outrage among members of the Christian community.

His comment came after the Pastor harped on the essence of paying tithes.

However, the NYFPA described Omokri’s remarks as “inflammatory, baseless, and deeply irresponsible,” adding that they were unbecoming of someone who presents himself as a political activist and public commentator.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Samuel Geofrey, the group said, “Reno Omokri’s statements are an affront to millions of Nigerians who revere their faith and spiritual leaders.

“His choice of words reflects a profound lack of respect for Christianity and the principles of dialogue and mutual understanding in a civilized society.”

The NYFPA further criticized Omokri’s controversial public record, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in his career, personal life, and political affiliations.

It accused him of using divisive rhetoric to maintain relevance, often at the expense of unity and constructive discourse.

NYFPA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting truth, justice, and peace, urging Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and focus on building a society rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

“Omokri’s statements represent not only an attack on Pastor Becky Enenche but also an affront to the millions of Nigerians who hold their faith and spiritual leaders in high esteem.

“His choice of words betrays a profound lack of respect, not only for Christianity but for the principles of dialogue and mutual respect that underpin a civilized society.

“It is unfortunate that Omokri, who portrays himself as a moral and political compass, has a history marred by inconsistency, self-serving motives, and a penchant for stirring unnecessary controversies,” the statement said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has dismissed two of its staff members over allegations of corruption.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.

Olukoyede, who stated that the two officials were dismissed two weeks ago, said besides dismissal, erring workers would also be prosecuted henceforth.

“So many other reforms are going on, the issue of our staff and all of that.

“Just two weeks ago, I caused the dismissal of two staff members. You can’t be fighting corruption and your hands are dirty. He who comes to equity, your hands must also be clean.

“And I say I will not only be dismissing them, I will also be prosecuting them because that is what we prosecute others for.

“So you will see that; we are preparing the case files of some of the people we have dismissed,” he stated.

The EFCC boss said he was once subjected to investigation for two years as EFCC secretary, adding that integrity was needed to survive, even as legal practitioners.

He said he had given a standing directive that no prosecution should be more than a 15-count charge.

The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that the recently amended law establishing the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, grants the corps prosecutorial powers.

This clarification follows what the Assembly describes as a deliberate misinterpretation of the amended law by certain groups.

In a statement issued by Olamide Tiamiyu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, on Monday, the Osun State Assembly noted that Section 4(1)(k) of the amended law explicitly mandates the Amotekun Corps to forward case files to the office of the Attorney-General upon completing investigations.

The Assembly stressed that this provision aligns with Sections 174 and 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which assign prosecutorial powers exclusively to the federal and state attorneys-general.

The Assembly noted that the Amotekun Corps was created as a response to escalating security challenges that have overwhelmed the police force, not as a political tool.

While urging critics and stakeholders to refrain from politicising security matters, it cautioned that such actions undermine the corps’ effectiveness and public trust.

According to the statement: “The law was passed with the aim of strengthening crime deterrence and ensuring justice for the people of Osun State. Politicising the operations of Amotekun is not only unhelpful but also dangerous.

“The Assembly further advised individuals and groups with questions or concerns about the law to seek clarification from the appropriate channels instead of spreading false narratives.”

Amotekun, described as a “child of necessity,” was established to address gaps in the security architecture and protect the lives and property of Osun residents.

The Assembly reiterated its commitment to ensuring the corps operates efficiently and free from undue hindrance.

The Assembly urged the public to disregard misinformation and trust in its efforts to safeguard the state’s security interests.

The organised Labour in Cross River says they will not guarantee industrial harmony starting Wednesday if the government fails to concretise plans to implement the N70,000 national minimum wage.

The labour unions made their stand known after staging a walkout at a scheduled meeting with the Joint Public Service Negotiating and Implementation Committee on the new wage on Monday in Calabar.

The committee, chaired by the State Head of Service, Innocent Eteng, also has representatives of the various labour unions, including the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

TUC chair in Cross River Monday Ogbodum said the government appeared not committed to the implementation of the new wage.

Mr Ogbodum noted that labour’s position had earlier forced the government to set up the committee.

“From the look of things, this same committee seems not ready for anything. We have heard from the grapevine that the government is not looking at commencing implementation until January 2025,” he said.

The TUC state chairman said that the labour unions received a directive from their national leadership that implementing the new wage begins in October.

“Our worry is that the Cross River governor was a member of this committee that gave birth to the new wage. He was the South-South representative in that committee, and he is the one lagging behind while other states have already made pronouncements on this new wage for the workers,” he said.

Mr Ogbodum disclosed that the governor had promised the workers that he would implement whatever was agreed upon.

Also speaking, the chairman of NLC in Cross River, Gregory Olayi, said that labour staged a walkout because the government representative in the committee appeared not serious.

He said that aside from the fact that the government had not put anything on the table, the government representative seemed not to be acting on the governor’s mandate.

“We had on Thursday given them (the government) a seven-day ultimatum, which expires Monday at midnight. We will be meeting with all the organs, and whatever decision is taken, we will all see to it after the meeting on Tuesday,” said Mr Olayi.

On Monday, the Edo House of Assembly approved the Revised Supplementary Budget of N485.6 billion for 2024.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, on November 13, in a letter, requested the parliament to consider and pass the Revised Supplementary Budget for the continuous development of Edo.

The motion to dissolve the parliament into a committee of supply to consider the budget was moved by the majority leader of the parliament, Charity Aiguobaruehian and seconded by the minority leader, Eric Okaka.

At the committee of supply, the parliament considered and passed the budget estimates.

The Revised Supplementary Bill of N485.6 billion had N283.1 billion as capital expenditure, while the recurrent expenditure was N202.5 billion.

After the budget passage, the speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, directed the house clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to give the bill its third reading and forward clean copies to the governor for his assent.

Meanwhile, the House screened and cleared Cyril Adams Oshiomole as commissioner for health-designate.

The police command in Akwa Ibom has confirmed the crisis between the Ibeno and Esit Eket local government areas of the state.

ASP Timfon John, the command`s spokesperson, said in an interview with journalists in Eket on Monday that the attack was carried out by suspected hoodlums from neighbouring communities at midnight on Saturday.

She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, had visited the area with the State Security Service (SSS) director for an on-the-spot assessment.

Ms John said the places attacked were farms, schools, homes, clinics, and public utilities worth millions of naira.

She said the state police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was currently investigating the matter on the directive of the commissioner of police.

Ms John said no casualty had been recorded since the incident started.

The paramount ruler of Ibeno, Owong Effiong Achianga, attributed the crisis in Ibeno communities to the enormous natural resource deposits in the area.

He said Ibeno is blessed with oil and gas, which the entire Akwa Ibom benefits from, adding that his people would not tolerate further aggression from their neighbours.

“I have appealed to Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to elders, council chairmen of our neighbouring council areas, to call their youths to order,” he said.

He appealed to the state government to intervene and bring peace to the destroyed community and others earlier torched by the hoodlums.

“The government should replace the damaged property and help the displaced people recover from the shock of the atrocities,” he said.

He called on the police to deploy security personnel to Ibeno to protect lives and property, adding that the hoodlums must be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.

Hezbollah confirms death of spokesman in Beirut attack
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its Spokesman, Mohammed Afif, in an Israeli attack in Beirut.
1
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA • 1111!NOVEMBER 18, 2024
Beirut attack
Beirut attack [Credit: Al Jazeera]
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its Spokesman, Mohammed Afif, in an Israeli attack in Beirut.

He was a “pillar” of Hezbollah’s media and political work, the pro-Iranian group said on Telegram.

Mr Afif was one of the few remaining publicly known faces of Hezbollah after the killing of the group’s leadership and had recently led press conferences.

He was a confidante of the militia’s former Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike at the end of September.

Mr Afif died in an Israeli attack in the densely populated Ras Al Naba district near the centre of Beirut.

At the time of the attack, he is said to have been in an office of the Baath Party, which is active in several Arab countries, including as the party of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.

According to Lebanese authorities, at least three other people were killed in the attack, and 14 people were injured.

Thousands of people in Slovakia took to the streets on Sunday to protest against the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, with the largest demonstration taking place in Bratislava.

Opposition media reported that between 17,000 and 18,000 people participated in the rally in the capital.

The protests, organised by two liberal and one conservative opposition parties, were held to mark the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution against the Communist regime of what was then Czechoslovakia.

The Velvet Revolution began with a violent crackdown on a peaceful student protest on Nov. 17, 1989, which led to mass pro-democracy demonstrations that ushered in a regime change.

The day is now celebrated as Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the two independent states that Czechoslovakia peacefully split into in 1993.

Opposition leaders accuse the government, led by Fico and made up of two social democratic parties and a right-wing populist party, of showing authoritarian tendencies.

Demonstrators warn that Slovakia’s democratic freedoms are at risk, calling for action to defend liberty and democracy.

In Bratislava, protesters displayed signs reading, ‘’The government takes away our democracy and freedom. In return, it offers us revenge and hatred.’’

During the rally, Michal Simecka, leader of the largest liberal opposition party Progressive Slovakia, criticised Mr Fico’s leadership.

Mr Simecka said that freedom and democracy are no guarantee of good governance, “otherwise, Robert Fico would not have been ruling us for 14 years already.”

Mr Fico, who won last year’s parliamentary elections, is serving his fourth term as prime minister after a short absence from office.

Türkiye Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Monday that authorities have detained 1,644 irregular migrants and 51 human trafficking organisers in nationwide operations.

Mr Yerlikaya said on his social media platform X that among the detained organisers, 11 were foreign nationals, adding that deportation procedures for the detained migrants have already been initiated.

The minister did not specify the time frame of the operations but gave details of the operations, dubbed “Kalkan-30,” which targeted abandoned buildings, public venues, truck depots, terminals, ports, and public transit hubs.

Mr Yerlikaya added that a total of 17 vehicles, three boats, eight unlicensed firearms, and various quantities of illegal narcotics were seized during the operations.

Earlier, Mr Yerlikaya reported that Turkish security forces had conducted nearly 6,339 operations against human trafficking organisations throughout the year, resulting in the arrests of 3,924 smugglers.

Türkiye faces significant challenges in managing illegal migration due to its strategic geographic position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The country serves as a critical transit route for migrants attempting to enter European nations.

As a destination and transit point for refugees from conflict-stricken regions, particularly Syria and Afghanistan, Türkiye has intensified border security measures in recent years.

The government has also strengthened the legal framework and enhanced international collaboration to combat the growing activities of human smuggling networks.

A Jos magistrates’ court on Monday sentenced a security guard, Collins Ibrahim, 21, to nine months in the correctional centre for alleged N41,300 theft.

The magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Delivering his judgment, Mr Bokkos sentenced the convict to three months in jail but granted him an option of a N10,000 fine.

Equally, the magistrate ordered the convict to make restitution of the money stolen to the complainant and, if otherwise, to spend an additional six months in a correctional facility.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Ijuptil Thiawur, told the court that the case was reported on August 16 at the “A” Division Police station by one Enoch Mangchin, the complainant.

Mr Thiawur said the convict fraudulently collected the complainant’s phone and manipulated the bank application to transfer money from the account.

The prosecutor told the court that the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code Law.

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20).

Mr Tinubu, who arrived on Sunday at 11.03 p.m. local time (Monday 3. 03 a.m. Nigerian time), was received by Breno Costa in the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil.

Mr Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit to advance Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms.

Mr Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, is hosting the 2024 G20 summit, having held the group’s rotating presidency since December 21, 2023. His tenure ends on November 30.

The Brazilian presidency will also treat as a priority the Israel-Hamas war and rising bloc confrontation between the U.S. and China.

The conclusion of the work carried out by the country holding the G20 rotating presidency is usually presented at the annual summit. It is the moment when heads of state and government approve the agreements negotiated throughout the year and point out ways of dealing with global challenges.

The Leaders’ Summit, the climax of the G20 work carried out over the year through ministerial meetings, working groups, and engagement groups, would be presented for adoption at the summit.

In line with the summit’s theme, Mr da Silva declared a three-point agenda of combating hunger, poverty and inequality at the summit scheduled for November 18 to 19.

Mr Tinubu is attending the 2024 G20 summit as the organisers invited representatives of the African Union and the European Union.

President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia.

According to the New York Times, officials said the decision was driven by escalating tensions, particularly Russia’s recent deployment of North Korean troops to strengthen its forces in the Kursk region of western Russia.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky denied reports that Ukraine had received permission for strikes, stressing that military actions speak through their results, not public announcements.

“Today, many in the media are talking about the fact that we have received permission to take appropriate actions,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address. “But blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”

The move allows Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of nearly 190 miles, to target Russian and North Korean troops operating near its borders.

This comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, with a stated aim to reduce American support for Ukraine.

The decision has reportedly divided Mr Biden’s advisers, highlighting the complexities of balancing immediate military strategy with broader political considerations.

The policy shift follows months of escalating cross-border attacks.

In May, Russia launched an offensive towards Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

In response, Mr Biden permitted Ukraine to utilise U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), albeit with a restricted range of 50 miles, targeting Russian forces just across the border.

The latest decision to authorise the more powerful ATACMS comes amid mounting pressure to counter Russia’s intensified aggression.

Officials noted that this decision underscores the evolving nature of the conflict, with Ukraine requiring more advanced capabilities to defend against threats beyond its borders.

The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian forces has added a new dimension to the war, prompting an urgent reassessment of U.S. military aid restrictions.

The police command in Ebonyi State has said an investigation is ongoing to unravel the identity of a decomposed body found behind a power transformer in Abakaliki.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said on Saturday that the investigation would also seek to confirm what must have caused the death.

Mr Ukandu explained that the corpse was found along Onogoro Street leading to the international market.

He said, “Yes, the command has received a report of a corpse found around the market. We are going to carry out an investigation in order to get details of what actually happened. The command has reached out to the DPO covering the area and I am sure plans are ongoing to evacuate the body. For now, nobody knows what happened and how the corpse was dumped behind the transformer. Whether he or she was into vandalism, we do not know yet.’’

Boxing legend Mike Tyson has disclosed the harrowing health ordeal he faced months before stepping into the ring with YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Despite losing the high-profile bout in front of a sold-out crowd at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, Tyson’s journey to the fight itself was a testament to his resilience.

In a tweet reflecting on the event, Tyson shared: “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets about getting in the ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you “

Tyson’s health scare, which left him hospitalised and dangerously underweight, stemmed from severe blood loss that required eight transfusions. The 58-year-old fighter admitted that the recovery process was gruelling, making his return to the ring even more remarkable.

The fight marked a major moment for both Tyson and Paul. For Tyson, it was a chance to showcase his enduring grit and inspire his children. For Paul, the bout cemented his reputation as a serious contender in the boxing world.

Though Tyson ultimately fell short on the judges’ scorecards, the former heavyweight champion made it clear that the outcome didn’t define his success. Instead, he emphasized the victory of overcoming his health battle and making it to the ring.