Archive September 28, 2025

Moldova’s pro-EU party takes lead in election as vote counting under way

By in News, World News

Published On 28 Sep 2025

With 46% of the votes counted, Moldova’s ruling pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), compared with the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, where 90 percent of the votes were counted, is now in the lead in the parliamentary election.

There have been numerous allegations of Russian interference in Sunday’s parliamentary election, which is viewed as a geopolitical choice between entering the European Union and returning to Moscow’s fold.

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More than 1.59 million people, or 51.9 percent of eligible voters, cast their ballots at 9 p.m., according to the Central Electoral Commission, including 264, 000 Moldovans in polling facilities set up abroad. Turnout for the parliamentary elections of 2021 was significantly higher than 48%.

A new 101-seat parliament will be chosen in the crucial vote, and the incumbent president of Moldova will nominate a prime minister, typically from the ruling bloc or party. The new parliament will then attempt to form a new coalition. The government’s proposal needs to be approved by the parliamentary body.

Maia Sandu, Moldova’s pro-Western president, reiterated her long-held assertions that Russia “massively interfered” in the election by saying she voted “to keep the peace” and that the EU is the EU’s future.

After the polls closed, PAS leader Igor Grosu claimed that “state institutions made efforts to ensure the security and integrity of the voting process” and that “Russia’s attempts to hijack the electoral process have been significant.”

At this time, he said, “The effects of this intervention are difficult to predict.” The election results are being anticipated. We appoint calm and patience.

Since 2021, pro-Western PAS has enjoyed a significant parliamentary majority. There was a lot of uncertainty about the outcome of the election race, which pitted the party against several pro-European opponents and no real pro-European allies.

Fears of Russian interference

A number of incidents marked Sunday’s tense race.

According to the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bomb threats have targeted polling stations set up in various foreign cities, which have occasionally prevented people from casting ballots for up to two hours.

Additionally, according to the nation’s information technology and cybersecurity service, cyberattacks targeted the government’s cloud services and electoral infrastructure but were quickly stopped.

Three members of Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region in Moldova, were allegedly planning “mass destabilizations and disorder” after the election, according to police.

The 2.5 million-strong nation has recently chosen to move westward and become a member of the EU in 2022. Soon after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, tensions between Russia and Moldova, a former Soviet Union republic that is encircled between Romania and the EU’s member country, soared.

AC Milan Beat Champions Napoli To Make Serie A Title Statement

By in News, sport-news

After leading 2-1 over Napoli, AC Milan asserted their position as the league’s top team despite having to play for more than 30 minutes with 10 men and had to play for more than 30 minutes.

Milan’s lead was doubled after the half-hour mark thanks to Christian Pulisic’s third-minute opener, Alexis Saelemaekers, and subsequent double-figure.

On goal difference, the American forward’s winning performance against a Napoli team that was hurt put Milan in first place with 12 points, ahead of both the champions and Roma, who lost 2-0 to Verona.

“What we did today was incredible,” he said. According to Pulisic, “it was a top, top performance.”

“The manager did a fantastic job of getting the best out of each player here,” said the manager. We demonstrated our quality on the pitch.

Youssouf Fofana was sent through on goal by Pulisic with a sensational pass that evoked his teammate Luka Modric shortly before he finished off a brilliant passing move. The forward has already scored six goals this season across all competitions.

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The 27-year-old made way for Davide Bartesaghi just before Napoli’s coolly slotted penalty in the 60th minute that brought them back into the match. Milan supporters applauded him as he made way for him.

Following Pervis Estupinan’s red card for pulling back Giovanni Di Lorenzo just as the Napoli man looked set to net from close range, Pulisic was shown the yellow card by coach Massimiliano Allegri.

As a result, Milan had to sit back and absorb the pressure from Napoli as Antonio Conte’s team advanced in an effort to reintroduce something to southern Italy.

When David Neres’ deflected shot in stoppage time struck the woodwork in the first minute of stoppage time, home fans screamed in delight as Milan won for the fourth time in a row.

After slipping to the top flight of Italy, Napoli now turn their attention to Sporting Lisbon’s Champions League game.

“We have to do better for their goals; it wasn’t easy going back so far, but we pressed hard and created chances,” Conte told DAZN.

Because we’re giving our opponents too much, there needs to be improvements.

Roma in The Hunt ,

With 11 minutes left, Matias Soule made it look like Roma would briefly finish second in the standings with Artem Dovbyk scoring his first goal of the season at the Stadio Olimpico.

After a sloppy performance in gloriously sunny Rome, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team hosts Lille on Thursday in the Europa League, level with two title contenders.

As this was our first three games in a week this season, a number of players had issues, according to Gasperini, who spoke to DAZN.

You could see that some players weren’t at their best, and we struggled more than we should have. “We had problems that we’ve not had in other games.”

Although Verona are 16th in the third and yet to win this season, Paolo Zanetti’s team performed well and should have equaled in the 28th minute when Gift Orban somehow hit the bar when given the opportunity to score from less than six yards out in front of an open goal.

Pisa, who had been on the verge of a first victory in a more than three decades, were forced to settle for a goalless draw with Tuscan rivals Fiorentina.

In the 71st minute, Henrik Meister headed home what appeared to be the opening goal, but VAR officials found him handling the ball in the lead-up to his shot.

Juan Cuadrado then struck the post shortly after, preventing Alberto Gilardino’s promoted team from relegation after two points in their first top-flight campaign since 1990/91.

Hezbollah a ‘legitimate political party’ within Lebanon, US envoy says

By in News, World News

The Lebanese government’s Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, has told Al Jazeera that the US is not interested in pressuring anyone to give up its weapons, and that the US is doing so.

The Lebanese government’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah, which was one of the key components of the November ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, were once again rejected by Barrack’s comments a day later.

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Naim stated on Saturday that “we will never give up our weapons, nor will we give up them,” adding that Hezbollah would continue to “confront any project that benefits Israel.” The Lebanese government’s disarmament plan, according to Hezbollah, only serves Israel’s interests.

Israel, the US’s closest regional ally, and Israel have been working together to end Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, a day after Israel began its occupation of Gaza. More than 4, 000 people had already died as a result of Israel’s strikes on Lebanon on November 27.

Hezbollah, which has lost ground in the conflict, continues to be a significant political force for the Shia community and its allies are members of the parliament.

Hezbollah is “a legitimate political party in Lebanon,” according to Barrack in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic.

Israeli attacks occur almost daily.

Hezbollah, which the US describes as a “terrorist” foreign organization, was described by the US envoy as “a fundamental component of the Lebanese political system.”

The Lebanese political leaders who agreed to the goals of a US-backed plan for Hezbollah’s arsenal, described as “a complex problem for them.”

Despite Hezbollah’s outright refusal to disarm, the plan was approved by Lebanon’s cabinet on August 7, raising concerns that Israel might launch additional attacks against Lebanon.

Since the November ceasefire agreement, Israel has been occupying Lebanese territory and has carried out nearly daily attacks in southern Lebanon.

A drone strike on a home in Humin and a series of Israeli air strikes near the towns of Kfar Rumman and Jarmak, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency on Sunday.

The US envoy, Barrack, claimed that aiding Lebanon “would not be our responsibility.” He said, “We don’t put pressure on anyone, and we won’t let Israel or Lebanon dictate what they should do.”

We said this was your internal issue, and we were right. You must disarm the parties and organizations that don’t adhere to the constitution in order to have a united army and a true state.

The envoy claimed that Israel would continue to be at odds with it as long as Hezbollah was seen as “hostile, rebuilding, and rearming.”

US considering the future of Gaza and Syria.

According to Barrack, US President Donald Trump was “eager” and “looking for the “right solution” to put an end to the Gaza war.

According to him, “I think the president understood the importance of moving forward and getting it done quickly,” he told Al Jazeera.

After former President Bashar al-Assad’s ousting opened the door for the nation’s readmission, the envoy also praised Syria’s first UN General Assembly appearance in nearly 60 years.

In the months since al-Assad was removed in January, Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has established new institutions, plans to hold elections, and promoted foreign investment.

In July, the US removed the Syrian-led “foreign terrorist organizations” (HTS), which al-Sharaa led, from its “foreign terrorist organizations” list, reflecting a change in policy toward post-Assad Syria.

Barrack praised al-Sharaa’s efforts to end the country’s lingering conflicts in the southern and northeastern regions, saying that Trump had chosen to “give them a chance.”

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff rekindle romance after ‘money issues cause split’

By in Entertainment News, News

After breaking up due to money issues, the couple, who are frequently referred to as “Strictly curses,” are back together.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff have re-lit their romantic spark after breaking up amid money troubles. The couple, who got together on the show, are thought to be victims of the Strictly curse.

In March, it was reported that rugby star Ben and dancer Kristina had broken up, just six months after Ben said he was “fighting” to save his relationship and family. But the pair were seen getting close again at a fashion event on Saturday (27 September). At the event, where one of Ben’s daughters was walking the catwalk, Kristina was seen with her arm around her ex.

They’ve decided to try again, according to a source who spoke to the press. They appeared to be deeply in love.

The couple ran a few businesses together, including a yoga studio, but during Covid, they started to accumulate debt. Ben claimed in a court hearing last year that he must “fight not to lose everything — my cars, my house, and my relationship.”

Since both of their splits were still residing there, Ben and Kristina decided to sell their £1.75 million Northants home. However, the property has not yet been sold.

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Ben and Kristina teamed up for Strictly in 2013. Ben and his wife Abby divorced after the show. Before her series with Ben began, Kristina broke up with her boxing partner, Joe Calzaghe.

The couple are believed to be a result of the “Strictly curse,” a pattern in which a celeb or professional dancer ends their existing relationship with their dance partner, as was rumored to begin before Ben left his wife.

The curse is said to have caused Kristina’s relationship with Joe. The boxer split from his 5-year girlfriend in just one week of his time on Strictly in 2009. He and Kristina started dating soon after that.

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole are reportedly the curse’s victims, with both rumored to be Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup, who reportedly left their fiancee for his celebrity partner in 2004. However, Natasha refuted the claims that this occurred: “I did not fall in love with Brendan, but there was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing.”

Famously, Seann Walsh and Katya Jones were spotted kissing after a night out whilst paired up on the show. The kiss resulted in the end of Seann’s relationship and Katya’s marriage to fellow dancer Neil Jones.

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Shehu Sani Urges PENGASSAN, Dangote Refinery To Embrace Dialogue, Avert Strike

By in News, Nigeria News

Senator Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, has urged Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to engage in constructive dialogue to stop a strike.

He warned that every Nigerian would suffer if there was a nationwide shutdown during his speech on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

According to Sani, “I think Dangote and the union can come to terms and resolve this problem.”

Sani praised Dangote for building Africa’s largest refinery, calling him “one son Nigeria is proud of.”

He did, however, insist that the Constitution requires that workers have the right to join unions.

He said that “only when employees disrupt operations should measures be taken,” but that firing them for joining unions is improper.

He warned against labor union disputes, which could harm the refinery’s reputation abroad.

[Dangote Refinery] PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike

Sani argued that the conflict was between Dangote’s desire for uninterrupted production and the unions’ duty to protect workers as the source of the crisis.

Sani remarked that “the world views Nigeria as a petroleum power thanks to Dangote refinery.”

He warned that “without unions, workers will be abused, exploited, and their rights unprotected.”

He acknowledged Dangote’s apprehension about strikes but argued that dialogue was the only way to get rid of it.

Sani praised the government’s media efforts, noting that “the government’s interest in solving this is demonstrated by the Ministry of Labour’s invitation to both sides.”

PENGASSAN Sets Orders for the shutdown

PENGASSAN claimed Dangote Refinery ersted 800 Nigerians and installed “more than 2, 000 Indians” in their place.

The strike directive forbade the reinstatement of workers until the job was done.

Members were told to stop receiving crude oil and gas from the refinery.
Its circular read, “Every control room and field operation must end without delay.

“An injury to one is an injury to everyone,” the saying goes. No other person is greater than our nation, the union continued.

TUC Threatens to strike

Dangote Refinery’s allegedly sacking employees who joined PENGASSAN was condemned by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Nuhu Toro, the TUC’s secretary general, claimed in a statement that the dismissal violated the ILO and the constitution of Nigeria.

Toro declared, “We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers.”

He demanded that the refinery issue a public apology and the reinstatement of the sacked staff. Toro alerted affiliates to a potential nationwide strike.

He declared that “no company will be permitted to violate workers’ rights.”

Dangote’s response

Dangote Refinery refuted accusations of wrongdoing, arguing that the restructuring was necessary “to prevent sabotage and ensure safety.”

More than 3, 000 Nigerians remained employed, compared to just a few workers, according to the report.

PENGASSAN was charged with “criminal conduct” and economic sabotage by the refinery.
No law gives PENGASSAN the authority to halt supplies, it said.

The company warned that the government’s revenues and fuel supplies might be impacted by the shutdown. It demanded that the Federal Government step in and put an end to what it termed “reckless conduct.”

FG Injures

The Federal Government urged PENGASSAN to postpone its planned strike against Dangote Refinery in the midst of the dispute.

Muhammad Dingyadi, the minister of labor, claimed that his government had started conciliation efforts to stop escalation on Sunday.

The Ministry confirmed invitations to Dangote Refinery management and PENGASSAN in an official statement signed by Patience Onuobia, the head of information and public relations, on Monday.

Big Brother line-up with new cast including Nigel Farage ‘milkshake girl’

By in Entertainment News, News

Twelve housemates are ready to wreak havoc on ITV’s most famous house, but Big Brother has returned for another season with a lineup that is more upbeat than ever.

Big Brother returned to ITV this evening as 12 new housemates entered into through the iconic abode for the first time, ready to live in close quarters for the next seven weeks. While the social experiment usually sees a variety of people from different age ranges, backgrounds, ethnicities and genders, this year’s cohort are a noticably young bunch.

In fact, only two of the housemates are not in their twenties, with the rest of the group ranging from 18 to 27; Pizza Shop Manager Gani, 39, and PR company owner Caroline, 56, are the exception. The latter decided to go on the show after struggling to know which direction to take her career in, and says she’d like a pair of new patio doors if she won the show’s prize pot, which is often £100,000.

While Gani is hoping for both fame and fortune, as he says: “I’d like to be known by millions. I see this as an opportunity not only for my personal growth, but also to help build the future of my personal brand.” He might get some tips from his fellow housemates, as one is already known online as an influencer and content creator.

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Elsa Rae, age 21, is renowned for having influencer status and has over 120,000 TikTok followers. She is also known for having a close relationship with Ed Matthews, a social media personality.

From Jojo Siwa and Chris Hughes to Jordan Sangha and Henry Southan, Big Brother has produced plenty of in-house romances over the years.

And with hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best recently admitting they get invested in the show’s relationships, this series could be one to rival Love Island with it’s young and beautiful cast.

Alongside Essex girl Elsa, 18-year-old Teja was another one to enter the Big Brother house during the live launch show, and is this year’s youngest contestant this year. With a goal of winning the show and buying her own house, Teja says she might have some crossed words in the house.

“I think I’m alright to live with, but I can be a bit loud. I do also say what’s on my mind. If I have a problem I will say. Sopeople might take that the wrong way and see it as me being rude. But I do like to just get things off my chest; people might not like the directness of it,” says Teja, who describes herself as “loud”.

Although both Farmer Cameron and Marcus, a mechanical engineer, are 22 years old, there are no greater differences. The former is hoping that Marcus’ genuine charm will pique people’s interest while Marcus has been given the advice to “play the game” and says he’s looking forward to “a new experience.”

With a lot of early morning workouts and plenty of opportunities for making new friends, Sam, a 27-year-old Zumba instructor, says: “I’m looking forward to making new friends, hopefully learning some new life skills, and seeing what things come out of this experience.

Emily, a 25-year-old political events manager, hopes to win over her male counterparts and play the game in the house. “I haven’t really thought about a strategy, despite the fact that I think people will see me and think I’m very sexy because of my blonde hair and fake nails,” she said.

“So,I think that could definitely play to my advantage, because they better watch out! I’m actually a lot cleverer,” she says. Emily shot to fame when she was falsely accused of flinging a milkshake at Nigel Farage.

Jenny, 20, from Derry says she wants to “provide the house with plenty of craic,” something she’ll undoubtedly connect with Glasweigen Nancy, 22, over. Tate, 27, is the second Scottish housemate of the year, and he claims that he will be entertaining with plenty of other skills up his sleeve.

Tate, a personal trainer, claims he doesn’t care about anything else and is just trying to make “one good friend” in the house. Although I have my opinions, I don’t want to be in a position where someone might nominate me.

“I’m going to talk it out in those circumstances.” I believe that there might be other reasons for me to be nominated besides food (or lack thereof). I can become extremely agitated. The South London native said, “That might appeal to people.”

At 9 p.m., Big Brother airs on ITV2 and ITVX every night.

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