The Senate has taken a major step toward reforming the nation’s contracting system by mandating its Committee on procurement to liaise with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to amend both the Public Procurement Act and the Local Content Act.
The proposed amendments aim to open up contract opportunities to newly registered companies and indigenous contractors, as part of a broader push to promote local economic development and reduce over-dependence on foreign firms
The call for reform followed a motion sponsored by Senator Suleiman Umar Sadik (APC, Kwara North), who highlighted the marginalization of local contractors in projects valued below N50 million.
READ ALSO: Senate Approves Establishment Of Bitumen Development Commission
He pointed out that many such contracts are awarded to large, non-indigenous firms, undermining the capacity and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, which he described as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
During the deliberation, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other lawmakers amplified the need for an amendment to the Act to eliminate loopholes that currently allow foreign contractors, particularly Chinese firms, to dominate government contracts.
The Palestinian group Hamas says it is studying new proposals for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, but insisted it is seeking an agreement that would bring an end to Israel’s war.
Hamas said in a statement on Wednesday that it had received proposals from the mediators and is holding talks with them to “bridge gaps” to return to the negotiating table and try to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The group said it was aiming for an agreement that would end the Gaza war and ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave.
The announcement comes a day after United States President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. Trump has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and an agreement for the group to release the Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Trump said the 60-day period would be used to work towards ending the war – something Israel says it will not accept until Hamas is defeated. Trump is due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week.
But Hamas’s announcement, which emphasised its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could materialise into an actual pause in fighting.
Shortly after the Hamas statement, Netanyahu said “there will be no Hamas” in post-war Gaza.
Israeli officials have warned that the country’s military will escalate its operations in Gaza if ceasefire negotiations do not advance soon, according to the US-based Axios news outlet.
“We’ll do to Gaza City and the central camps what we did to Rafah. Everything will turn to dust,” the outlet quoted a senior Israeli official as saying. “It’s not our preferred option, but if there’s no movement towards a hostage deal, we won’t have any other choice. ”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said any opportunity to free captives held in Gaza should not be missed, adding that there is a lot of support, both in the cabinet and within the public at large, for the US-backed proposal.
The proposal, though, has not been publicly backed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said Palestinians mistrust Trump and have been disappointed several times by mooted ceasefires that have failed to materialise.
“There are headlines that are talking about a potential agreement and an end to the genocide, but what we’re seeing on the ground, the reality tells a different story. An average of 100 to 120 Palestinians are killed every single day,” he said.
“So for a lot of people, there is a lot of hypocrisy going on. If you talk about a ceasefire, then you need to create the conditions that would lead to a ceasefire, not an escalation, and what we are seeing on the ground is definitely an escalation. ”
Hospital director killed
In Gaza, Israeli forces killed at least 78 people on Wednesday, according to Palestinian health authorities. Hospital officials said four children and seven women were among the dead.
Among the victims was Dr Marwan al-Sultan, director of the Indonesian Hospital, who was killed in an Israeli strike on a residential building in an area southwest of Gaza City, according to our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic.
His wife and children were also killed in the attack.
Al-Sultan was a key source of information from Gaza, reporting on the conditions of Palestinians in the north of the besieged enclave. He had repeatedly called on the international community to press for medical teams’ safety, including when the Israeli army laid siege or struck the Indonesian Hospital, the largest medical facility north of Gaza City.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 56,647 people and wounded 134,105, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.
The war has left the coastal Palestinian territory in ruins, with much of the urban landscape flattened in the fighting. More than 90 percent of Gaza’s 2. 3 million population has been displaced, often multiple times. The war has caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pushing hundreds of thousands of people to famine-like conditions.
Noel Gallagher, the band’s star, has revealed the secret to their massive success just days before they’re finally set to reunite after 16 years of separation.
Noel Gallagher thinks Oasis fans love the chaos of the band(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Noel Gallagher has addressed the Oasis tour’s appeal to music lovers of all ages in an interview with Noel Gallagher.
The first fans have been queuing up at the Principality stadium and Cardiff pop up shop to get their hands on the tour programme. In it Noel Gallagher spoke at younger fans and why so many people tried to get tickets for the Oasis Live 25 tour.
Noel remarked, “A new generation recognizes how Oasis was not produced. It was chaotic, flawed, and lacking in technical excellence. People recognized that we were rough-as-a-trainers in a rehearsal room.
Noel’s comments come just a couple of days after brother Liam gave an interview to Burberry, in what could be his final on screen chat before he takes to the stage in Cardiff.
Oasis will kick off their tour in Cardiff on Friday(Image: Redferns)
When asked what qualities make a great frontman, Liam responded, “I mean having good singing.” Simply getting on with your job, carrying out it, and trying to look cool and create a vibe.
Continue reading the article.
He has previously attributed Ian Brown’s influence to him as a youngster and demanded that the money for the Stone Roses be used to “help a little bit” of that.
Liam was also asked about the things he couldn’t live without, and some of these things he will undoubtedly miss whilst on tour, especially his pet. He said: “Football, my family, my missus, my kids, my dog. In no particular order by the way. My dog’s called Buttons.”
Oasis have arrived in Cardiff ahead of the the start of their sensational reunion tour – which will finally see Noel and Liam Gallagher on stage together for the first time in 16 years.
The countdown is now on for the first show of the world tour on Friday, with the band having got back together several months ago to begin jamming.
The first photos of the band leaving rehearsals in London were published in May. They showed Noel Gallagher, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Gem Archer and Andy Bell who will play guitars in the massive sold out gigs, with Andy on bass.
Liam joined on June 3 after initially being on vocal rest. Christian Madden, a keyboardist, and Joey Waronker, a drummer, both join the band on drums. He has previously performed on tour with Liam, but never with Oasis.
As their first tour stop in Cardiff will be on July 4, Noel and Liam will join forces on stage for the first time since their band split nearly 20 years ago. As part of the tour, dates will be held in Dublin, London, and Manchester.
Noel, 57, left the Manchester rock band on August 28, 2009, saying he “simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.” The brothers had previously made disparaging remarks about one another.
That all changed when the tour was announced in August of last year. The pair exchanged several photos to confirm the band’s long-awaited reunion on Tuesday, saying, “The great wait is over.
Continue reading the article.
READ MORE: Win tickets to see Oasis at Wembley in our fab competition
Fans of Oasis are preparing to descend on Cardiff on the weekend to mark their long-awaited comeback as they descend on the iconic venue.
Oasis will kick off their tour in Cardiff on Friday(Image: Redferns)
Madchester fever is set to descend on Cardiff in just a few hours as Oasis make their epic comeback in the Welsh capital. Liam and Noel Gallagher have put their decades long feud behind them and will reunite on stage at the Principality Stadium on Friday July 4.
Oasis’ mammoth world tour kicks off in the Welsh city, before they travel around the UK and Ireland then the rest of the world. Fans have already had a taste of what they can expect as rehearsals have been heard coming out of the stadium.
They have been able to piece together a rumoured setlist as anticipation builds for one of the most in demand shows in music history. Doors will open at 5pm on Friday, with plenty of time for fans to get the drinks in before the show.
The band have been getting ready at the stadium(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
First support act Cast will warm up the crowd at 6pm while Verve frontman and friend of the Gallaghers, Richard Ashcroft will then take to the stage at 7pm. At 8.15pm this Friday, Oasis will make their long awaited comeback and will play for just over two hours before they will end the set for a 22.30pm curfew.
Here, the Mirror has rounded up where to head to before and after the historic gig…
Continue reading the article.
Pre-shows and after-parties
Shaw, Steinbeck andamp;
On Friday, the bar and club will host their own pre-show and afterparty. Because they will be open until early in the morning, there is plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere.
CardiffCF103DPAddress:GreyfriarsRoad
Price: £15
Time: 2 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Walkabout
For their themed bash, The Sports Bar will play all of the Oasis hits as well as some other well-known Britpop bands. The first to arrive will receive Liam and Noel masks, respectively.
Address: 65-74 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1FA
Price: £5
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 a.m.
Mary’s
Thanks to DJ sets from DJ Joanna, DJ Krys, Amber Dextrous, and Miss Kitty, the gay cabaret bar will be having a memorable day.
Cardiff CF10 1DW Address: 89 St. Mary St.
Time: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Afterparties
Oasis’ tour kicks off in Cardiff(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
Ifor Bach, cwb
Indie DJs playing 80s, 90s, and 00s hits into the night will provide ice cold beers and three rooms of back-to-back Oasis nostalgia for the Definitely Maybe themed party.
Cardiff CF10 1BR Address: 11 Womanby St.
Price: £3+
Time: 10: 30pm to 3am
The Bootlegger
Expect an endless stream of Oasis anthems, Britpop bangers, and rock ‘n’roll floor-fillers from the 1990s and beyond, all delivered with our signature prohibition flair. This is the place to go after the gig, whether you’re a die-hard fan of Gallagher or just looking for a throwback experience.
Cardiff CF10 1BR Address: 5A Womanby St.
Price: No.
Time: 10pm to 2: 30am
Cardiff Cuban Revolucion
The bar and restaurant both promise to be dancing the night away to all Oasis classics.
Cardiff, CF10 3FA Address
Price: No.
Time: 9pm to 11: 30pm
nearby bars and pubs
There are plenty of other bar, club, and pub options close to Principality Stadium if an Oasis themed bash isn’t your thing.
Wetherspoons, The Prince of Wales
Address: 81–83 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1FA
Hours of operation: 8am to 1am
Brewhouse
Cardiff, CF10 1AD Address: 49 St. Mary Street, Brewery Quarter
Hours of operation: 10am to 2am
St. Mary Street, a work of O’Neill,
Address: 85-87 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1DW
Hours of operation: 10am to 12am
Slug and Lettuce
Cardiff, CF10 1AT Address: 84 St. Mary St.
Hours of operation: 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Brewdog
Cardiff CF10 1EH Address: 31 Westgate St.
Hours of operation: 12 noon to 12 noon
JW Bassett Pub, Queens Vaults
Continue reading the article.
Cardiff CF10 1EH Address: 29 Westgate St.
Hours of operation: 10am to 1am
READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour – how to buy yours if you missed out
Elliot Daly’s forearm was injured in the second half of the British and Irish Lions’ victory over the Queensland Reds, and he will need an X-ray.
Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, and Marcus Smith had taken the 15-shirt shirt off of Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, and Marcus Smith with his strong tour performance, but the versatile 32-year-old made his first Test start at full-back in four years in England’s victory over Italy in March.
After Keenan, who was initially named a starter after overcoming a calf strain, suffered a bout of illness, Daly was immediately assigned to the starting XV to face the Reds.
With the first Test in three and a half weeks, Daly’s team is expected to have a positive outlook, Lions head coach Andy Farrell said.
We all keep our fingers crossed for him because he has a bang on his forearm and will undergo an X-ray this evening.
In their Dublin defeat by Argentina, Daly started at fullback for both of their tour games against Australia and took the starting spot off the bench.
The Lions are still in contention for the title after winning last weekend’s Top 14 final against his French side, Kinghorn.
Farrell claims that despite only having three more warm-up games before the Lions face the Wallabies in Brisbane’s series opener on July 19, he is unconcerned.
He claimed that there are numerous full-backs.
“Blair is ready to go, and Humo will be fine tomorrow, or the following day.”
Farrell says he has not been surprised by how Daly seized his opportunity on his third Lions tour, despite being regarded by some as a left-field pick having only made two starts for England in the previous year.
“He’s returned to his good old self, hasn’t he”? Farrell remarked.
“We’ve seen him before on these tours,” he said. He is undoubtedly a character who enjoys traveling because of his personality.
He said, “Well done, you have won the golden ticket and are playing this evening,” when I called him up today. He had just come out of the gym and had a tough old session.
Cassie Ventura, P Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, has spoken out about his conviction for two crimes. In a New York courthouse, the disgraced rapper, whose real name is Sean Combs, was facing charges of a number of serious crimes.
The rapper, 55, was accused of prostitution, racketeering, and sex trafficking. All charges against him have been refuted by DJ. The jury handed the presiding judge two notes on Monday, which caused the proceedings to start. Cassie Ventura and Jane were both found guilty of carrying out prostitution, as well as other people, including but not limited to Diddy. The other three counts, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, were found not to be true by him.
34 witnesses, including famous people like Kid Cudi and Cassie, were heard by the jury during the trial that started at the Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan on May 5. Cassie discussed the 2016 incident where Diddy attacked her at a Los Angeles hotel during her testimony.
She also described how Diddy had raped her in her home’s living room. Her lawyer has now stated in a statement that her client, Cassie Ventura, who was found guilty of two counts and was cleared of other charges, “started this criminal process” in November 2023.
After Diddy’s sentencing, Cassie (Getty Images North America) has spoken out.
Combs’ “paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,” even though the jury found him not guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt. Cassie has left an indelible impression on the fight for justice and the entertainment industry as a result of her experience. We must say without reservation that we support and believe our client, who displayed exceptional courage throughout this case. She demonstrated unquestionable strength and brought attention to the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussions and the realities of powerful men in our orbit. We will continue to fight for the rights of survivors in light of this case, which demonstrated that change was long overdue.
On May 17, Cassie’s attorney, Doug Wigdor, acknowledged in a statement that her testimony had been “challenging.” This week has been incredibly challenging, but also remarkably enlightening and healing for me.
In March 2016, Diddy assaulted Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel, and the court was shown video (AP).
“The more I heal, the more I remember,” I thought. And I never forget, especially as much as I can recall. I’m grateful for all the kindness and encouragement I’ve received, and I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support.
I’m happy to end this difficult chapter of my life. I ask for privacy as I shift my attention to the pregnancy’s conclusion and my growing family.
Through www.you can find help and resources if you have been the victim of sexual assault. rapecrisis . org. Alternatively, call 0808 802 9999 or the national telephone helpline.
Call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid for confidential assistance. AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can provide specialist and expert support and advocacy if you or your family has lost a friend or family member as a result of fatal domestic abuse. Visit www. for more details. aafda . org. uk
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