Posts

Showing posts from June, 2025

Messi’s Miami Dreams Shattered by PSG’s Power

Image
By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Atlanta, June 29, 2025 – In a brutally one ‑ sided contest, Paris Saint ‑ Germain crushed Inter   Miami 4 – 0 at Mercedes ‑ Benz Stadium, ending Lionel Messi ’ s Club World Cup journey for 2025. Toc in quick succession, Jo ã o   Neves scored twice (6 ′ , 39 ′ ), Inter Miami ’ s Tom á s   Avil é s inadvertently turned one in (44 ′ ), and Achraf   Hakimi sealed a dominant first ‑ half performance (45’). PSG fresh off Ligue   1, Coupe   de   France, and Champions League triumphs waved an unmissable statement of their superiority over Messi ’ s squad. Lionel Messi Messi’s Muted Return to the Scene of His Past Meeting PSG, his former club from 2021–23, seemed destined to spark fireworks. Yet Messi remained subdued. Despite a few second ‑ half chances a header and inside ‑ penalty appeal he struggled to influence the game, largely contained by PSG ’ s disciplined structure. German media even described it as a “quiet exit from the big stage,” noting both ...

Arsenal’s Summer Transfer Blitz: Wingers & Striker In Focus

Image
By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Arsenal’s transfer front is heating up as Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta ramp up efforts to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2025‑26 campaign. Arsenal Coach, Mikel Arteta Ademola Lookman in the Mix A recurring name on Arsenal’s radar is Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman. Reports suggest Berta is "holding numerous talks," and Atalanta could be open to a sale around the €42   million mark or roughly £42   million thanks to an alleged “ agreement ” with the Italian club. The Nigerian international scored 20 goals and tallied seven assists in 39 outings last season, making him an attractive offensive option.                             Nigerian International and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman   Eberechi Eze: Exploring a £60   Million Move Arsenal are understood to be exploring the conditions to sign England international Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace....

Aliko Dangote to Take Africa’s Largest Refinery Public by 2026

Image
  By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Nigeria’s industrial titan, Aliko Dangote, has announced his ambitious plan to list the Dangote Refinery, the continent’s largest oil refinery on the stock market by the end of 2026. This strategic move aims to broaden its shareholder base and alleviate monopoly concerns surrounding its dominance in African fuel markets.                     Aliko Dangote Built at a cost of $20   billion, the refinery began operations last year and has a massive capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, producing a diverse range of fuels, including aviation fuel, diesel, gasoline, and naphtha. At the African Export-Import Bank annual meeting in Abuja, Dangote also revealed plans to list the company’s urea fertilizer plant capable of producing 2.8   million tonnes per annum, on the Nigerian stock exchange this year. “It’s important to list the refinery so that people will not be calling us a monopol...

APC National Chairman Ganduje Resigns Amid Political Strains, Receives Praise from Peter Obi

Image
  By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Abuja, June 28, 2025 – Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has formally resigned, citing deteriorating health and mounting internal pressures as key factors behind his unexpected departure on Friday, June 27. Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, Outgoing National Chairman of APC Although Ganduje’s resignation letter, submitted to the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, referenced health concerns, multiple insiders say deeper political motivations were at play. A notable trigger appears to be the looming defection of former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the NNPP to the APC, a move that escalated long-standing tensions between the two and reportedly prompted Ganduje’s decision to step aside. According to sources, senior APC officials, including Bashiru, appealed to Ganduje to reconsider, but by around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, he had submitted his resignation. Additional repo...

Iran Launches Retaliatory Missile Strikes on U.S. Bases in Qatar and Iraq, No Casualties Reported

Image
  By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka June 23, 2025 — In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Iran launched missile strikes early Monday targeting U.S. military installations in Qatar and Iraq, in what it described as a “measured act of retaliation” following last week’s suspected Israeli-American strike on its nuclear facilities in Arak. A general view of the Al-Udeid U.S. military air base, south of Doha, on October 23, 2002. Qatar on June 23, 2025 condemned an Iranian attack on the largest U.S. military base in the region, hosted in the Gulf state, calling it a “flagrant violation of its sovereignty.” According to Forbes, the missile ba rrage targeted Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses a large contingent of U.S. and coalition forces, and Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq, one of the most significant American military outposts in the region. The Pentagon confirmed the attacks but reported no injuries or fatalities, adding that all personnel were accounted for and that ...

Iran Condemns U.S. Strikes, Warns of Long‑Term Consequences

Image
By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Iran has delivered a fierce rebuke following a U.S.-led airstrike targeting its core nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Described by Iranian officials as a “heinous crime,” the attack has triggered a stern warning from Tehran of “everlasting” consequences, with high-stakes diplomacy now on pause. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivers a speech during a press conference at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 22, 2025 Iran’s Strong Response At the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the strikes as a blatant breach of Iran's sovereignty and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, calling the act a "heinous crime" carried out in reckless alliance with Israel. He demanded an emergency session of the Security Council, underscoring that "silence in the face of such blatant aggressio...

"Operation Midnight Hammer": Tensions Escalate as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Warn U.S. Bases Following Airstrikes on Nuclear Sites

Image
  By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka The fragile balance of power in the Middle East took another blow this week as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning to U.S. military installations across the region. This development follows closely on the heels of confirmed U.S. involvement in strikes against key Iranian nuclear sites, marking a dangerous uptick in hostilities that analysts fear could spiral into direct confrontation.                         Air Force General Caine details Operation Hammer                                In a bold and public statement, the IRGC vowed retaliation for what they described as “aggressive provocations” by the United States and its allies. The warning, delivered through Iranian state channels, specifically referenced U.S. bases in Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf as being within the ...

Israel Strikes Inactive Arak Reactor as Iran Fires Back

Image
By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Israel’s military launched a targeted airstrike early Thursday on the heavy-water reactor located in Arak, Iran an inactive facility at the heart of the nation's nuclear ambitions. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the strike destroyed core components critical for producing plutonium, aiming to prevent future weaponization. Israel' Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu This action comes amid an escalating seven-day conflict between Israel and Iran. Earlier, Iran retaliated by firing dozens of ballistic missiles and drones into Israeli territory. Among the sites struck in Israel was Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, where more than 200 civilians were injured, including hospital staff. Reactor Attack Details The Arak reactor, part of the IR‑40 complex, was inactive at the time of the strike but held strategic importance due to its capacity for plutonium production. Israeli forces issued evacuation warnings for Khondab and surrounding area...

Israel/Iran War: Israel Strikes Back at Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

Image
 By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Israeli air forces swiftly retaliated, targeting Iran’s heavy-water and nuclear sites, including Arak, Natanz, and Khondab. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the Arak reactor sustained damage but reported no radiation leaks. Reports indicate Israeli strikes have caused hundreds of casualties in Iran, both military personnel and civilians. Israel/Iran War: Israel seeks retribution for hospital strike; Trump knocks report that he’s OK’d attack plan   Escalating Rhetoric from Nation Leaders Israeli leaders have escalated their rhetoric with unrestrained language. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared Iran’s Supreme Leader “can no longer exist” explicitly naming Ayatollah Khamenei as responsible and threatening retribution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Iran would “pay a heavy price” for what he described as a war crime. In Teheran, Iran remains defiant, reaffirming its nuclear ambitions and sharpening its warnings in...

Middle East: Iran’s Supreme Leader Rejects Trump’s Call for Unconditional Surrender

Image
Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Tehran — Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah   Ali Khamenei, has categorically rejected U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s recent demand for Iran ’ s “ unconditional surrender. ” In a televised address, Khamenei described Trump ’ s ultimatum as “cheap and petty bullying,” asserting that surrender would compromise Iran’s sovereignty and dignity . Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah   Ali Khamenei Khamenei further warned that any U.S. or Israeli military intervention would inflict “irreparable damage” on the region, heightening the risk of a broader, more devastating conflict.   Backdrop: Rising Regional Conflict The Supreme Leader’s remarks come amid escalating Israeli airstrikes targeting over 60 military and nuclear-linked sites in and around Tehran, reportedly causing hundreds of casualties, including civilians. Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drone strikes against Israel, resulting in additional casualties on both sides. President Donald ...

Benue Killings: Tor Tiv Declares ‘Genocide’, Urges Tinubu to Act

Image
  By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Makurdi, Nigeria — June 18, 2025 In a powerful and emotionally charged address, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, has decried the ongoing violence in Benue State as “genocide” and not the often-described herder-farmer conflict. Speaking during a high-level security meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Makurdi, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation emphasized that what is happening in the state is a systematic and targeted attempt to displace the indigenous people from their ancestral lands. Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse “This is not a dispute between herders and farmers. This is genocide. Our people are being wiped out and their lands taken,” Tor Tiv declared. He called on President Tinubu to immediately recognize the gravity of the situation and deploy meaningful federal action to end the bloodshed. A Cry from the People On the streets of Makurdi, the capital of Benue, the grief of the people has turned ...

Middle East: Israel Eliminates Iran’s New War-Time Military Chief Amid Escalating Hostilities

Image
By Chukwuebuka Chukwuemeka Tehran, June 17, 2025 – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of Major General Ali Shadmani, Iran’s newly appointed war-time Chief of Staff, in a high-precision airstrike that struck central Tehran. This marks the second major blow to Iran’s top military leadership within days, following the June 13 assassination of Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, Shadmani’s immediate predecessor. Gen. Ali Shadmani According to NBC News and multiple Middle East correspondents, General Shadmani was among the most trusted military advisers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was overseeing operations of both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s conventional army. His sudden death is a major setback for the Iranian military command, which has now lost multiple senior figures in less than a week. A Calculated Israeli Strategy The IDF has emphasized that this strike was the result of advanced intel...