Author: Chief Editor

Gazprom says it cuts off gas supplies to GasTerra Russians cite refusal to pay in roubles Danish also on watch for possible cut Move a day after EU agrees to slash Russian oil imports Russia widened its gas cuts to Europe on Tuesday with energy giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM) turning off supplies to top Dutch trader GasTerra escalating the economic battle between Moscow and Brussels. The move comes a day after Denmark flagged a potential end to its Russian gas supply and the European Union’s toughest measure yet against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, an agreement to halt sea-borne imports of its oil.…

Embargo aims to hit Russian ability to finance war Ban gives carveout to Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic Countries split on more EU sanctions targeting Russian gas Leaders discuss how to mitigate soaring energy prices European Union leaders handed Hungary concessions to agree an oil embargo on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, sealing a deal in the wee hours on Tuesday that aims to cut 90% of Russia’s crude imports into the bloc by the end of the year. By making a promise that the EU’s embargo excludes the pipeline that landlocked Hungary relies on for Russian oil, the bloc…

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Samuel Uche and two others. In a statement on Monday, CAN also called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to give an order to the security agencies to “free them immediately and stop the incessant abduction of clerics and other innocent Nigerians forthwith”. Uche was abducted on Sunday in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State along with the Methodist Bishop of Owerri and the Prelate’s Chaplain, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, by gunmen. The statement titled, ‘CAN asks…

Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, met with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Abuja, The PUNCH has learnt. Atiku had defeated Wike at the party’s presidential primary in Abuja on Saturday night. The Monday meeting, it was gathered, was to reconcile the two party chieftains and give the PDP a robust outing in the 2023 presidential election against the ruling All Progressives Congress. The meeting was also attended by former Ekiti State Governor and PDP presidential aspirant, Ayodele Fayose, amongst other PDP chieftains. During the PDP presidential primary held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Saturday, Atiku polled…

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is scheduled to be screened today. The PUNCH had reported that the APC would hold its presidential screening for two days, starting today. This is as the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan is missing on the list of spirants expected to be screened. Twenty-three aspirants are included in the list obtained by The PUNCH. A source told our correspondent that the screening would hold in a top hotel in Abuja. Apart from Tinubu and Osinbajo, others included in the list are Senate President Ahmed Lawan and former…

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu has condemned abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu. Kalu, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, described the incident as devastating and evil. The Prelate alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Dennis Mark and the Prelate’s chaplain, were kidnapped on Sunday along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Ummuneochi Local Government Area of Abia. The former governor of Abia urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations in a bid to ensure safe release of the victims. “The abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist…

The former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday pleaded not guilty to the 17-count of money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) brought against him and six others. Okorocha took his plea alongside a chieftain of the All Progressives (APC), Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, and five companies – Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited. When the charges were read to him before trial Justice Inyang Ekwo, the former governor, said: “I understand the charge against me, but I am not guilty…

Nigeria has recorded 21 cases of monkeypox since the start of the year, one of which was fatal, the country’s disease control agency said. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said late Sunday 66 suspected cases had been reported in nine out of the country’s 36 states and the administrative capital Abuja. Of these, 21 cases were subsequently confirmed as monkeypox, one of which — a 40-year-old man who also had kidney disease — was fatal. “Among the 21 cases reported in 2022 so far, there has been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus,…

The month of May is significant for the African continent because it is during this month that we celebrate Africa Day. Africa Day commemorates the formation of the African Union on May 25, 1963. It is a day when Africans celebrate the continent’s independence, freedom, and liberation from colonialism. Reflecting on the significance of Africa Day, we have accomplished much in terms of colonial liberation, but much work remains to be done in achieving liberation from persistent challenges such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment that continue to plague the African continent. I am fortunate to work in the dynamic and…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on Nigerians to ensure adequate protection of telecom infrastructure spread across the 36 states of the country. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, disclosed this yesterday, during the Telecom Consumer Village Square Dialogue held at Kano State. Dambatta said members of the public are expected to allow installation of equipment and maintenance/repairs on sites by technical staff of service providers for quality telecoms service delivery. The Executive Vice Chairman spoke through Engr. Bako Wakil said: “There is the need for the public to guard against destruction of Telecoms…