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Lagos Begins Enforcement Of Ban On Single-Use Plastics July 1

By in News, Nigeria News

On July 1, the Lagos State government announced that it would start enforcing the single-use plastics ban completely.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Environment Commissioner, made this known in a statement on X on Monday.

He explained that 18 months of dialogue, engagement, and transition had resulted in the state government acting strategically and intentionally.

Wahab noted that the government had a number of stakeholder engagements with these product marketers and producers in the span of almost 18 months.

Read more about Lagos beginning the “very soon” enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics.

The state government enacted a ban on Styrofoam usage throughout the state in January 2024, which sparked outcry from residents, particularly those who were involved in a deal to sell the product.

However, the commissioner claimed that the government had taken advantage of international best practices, noting that what is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become accepted in Lagos.

“We once more emphasised this position as a result of a courtesy visit by TETRA PAK West Africa Limited’s management, led by the managing director, Haithem Debbiche.

It’s about environmental responsibility, they say. Additionally, we have taken the necessary steps to adhere to international best practices. What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot be accepted in Lagos. We must invest in our future and pursue good deeds.

“We’re not here to win any points,” the statement read. The purpose of our presence is to accomplish the work. We will insist on accountability and responsibility, just like we did with the Styrofoam ban’s successful enforcement. If everyone plays their part, we could have a cleaner, healthier Lagos.

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, destroyed 5 million pounds of Styrofoam packs in one month at various locations throughout the state.

The agency collaborated with Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) officials to carry out the exercise in the state’s Epe region.

Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole, the corps commander of the LAGESC, said there was no way to go back on the state’s declaration of zero tolerance on the sale, use, and distribution of Styrofoam packs.

The Federal Government declared a one-use plastic ban in all government ministries, departments, and agencies in June 2024.

Iziaq Salako, the minister of state for environment, made this statement after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was being led by President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja.

READ ALSO: FG Bans Single-Use Plastics In Ministries, and Other Places.

According to the minister, some types of plastic, the majority of which are single-use, will be outlawed in Nigeria by January 2025, according to the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, which was adopted in 2020.

According to Salako, the ban complied with the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s threats to climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution.

Iran summons UK charge d’affaires amid nuclear friction

By in News, World News
Tehran, Iran – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran has summoned the country’s charge of justice over the arrests of a number of Iranian nationals that it described as “suspicious and unwarranted.”

According to state media, the UK earlier this month accused several Iranian nationals of crimes without providing evidence, wilfully prevented consular access in contravention of international law, and falsely reported several of the country’s citizens, according to a statement from the ministry late on Sunday.

The arrests were also alleged to have motivated the British government to “press on Iran” in light of the allegations.

Two days after British police arrested three Iranians for allegedly espionage for Iran’s intelligence services in violation of the country’s National Security Act of 2023, the diplomatic row arises.

Between August 14 and February 16th, 2025, Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, were charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service.

They were also accused of engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance with the intention of committing or supporting serious violence against a person in the UK when they made an appearance before a Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

A central criminal court was given jurisdiction over their cases, and the upcoming hearing is set for early June.

Seven Iranians were among the eight people taken into custody in May as part of two separate operations, according to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, one of the largest investigations of their kind in recent memory.

Investigations are ongoing as a result of the four other Iranians’ arrests in a “counterterrorism” operation. Last week, the eighth man was unarmed and released.

The UK has placed Iran on its highest tier under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), in a stated effort to enhance national security against covert foreign influences.

Tie-strains

Iran and three European countries have strained ties because of Tehran’s nuclear program, which is the subject of the arrests.

Iran has been repeatedly criticized by the UK, France, and Germany for allegedly cooperating with the IAEA to ensure the security of Iran’s nuclear program.

The trio was a party to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, which the United States unilaterally rejected in 2018. They were referred to as the E3.

Iran has, however, reiterated its commitment to pursuing a new deal in the US and reopened its dialogue with Tehran in response to four rounds of Oman-mediated talks.

First meetings between senior diplomats from both countries since they started talking about nuclear weapons with Washington last month took place on Friday in Turkiye’s Istanbul. There was no breakthrough despite the two sides’ commitment to continuing diplomacy.

Iran has instead repeatedly warned that “serious ramifications” could result from the E3’s push to invoke the “snapback” mechanism of the sluggish 2015 nuclear agreement, which reinstated UN Security Council sanctions that had already been lifted as a result of the landmark agreement.

Tehran and Washington have also struggled to agree on uranium enrichment, with Iran reiterating on Monday that it will not step down from its civil nuclear program.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remarked that “unrealistic” demands would only lead to a dead end after US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff claimed Iranian President Donald Trump’s administration would not permit Iran to enrich even up to 1%.

The E3 is also concerned about Iran’s repeated rumors that it has aided Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, accusations Tehran denies.

Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, holds a weekly press conference in Tehran.

Tehran has not yet received a written proposal from the US, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, who spoke to reporters on Monday. A fifth round of negotiations is anticipated soon, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei.

He added that Iran supports a joint venture between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which it has not done before.

Bandits Kill 19 Persons, Abduct Several Others In Katsina

By in News, Nigeria News

At least nineteen people have died as a result of a deadly bandits’ attack on the Gobirawa Community in the Katsina State ward’s Dutsinma Local Government Area.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, the hoodlums invaded the neighborhood and were armed with dangerous weapons and were from the nearby Danmusa forest. They occasionally shot, causing the immediate death of several people.

Following the incident, several people were unaccounted for, and residents demanded more security.

Because, in their opinion, war is getting closer to the local government’s HQ, they requested assistance from the relevant authorities.

Sani Abdullahi Kuki, an eyewitness, confirmed the attack to Channels Television on a Monday phone call despite Abubakar Sadiq, the spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, declining to answer his calls or respond to texts he had texted.

Governor Radda Restores a 33-year-old Kankia Groundnut Oil Mill

Unknown number of people, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were abducted during the attack, according to Kuki. He claimed that residents’ stores were also destroyed, and that more than 20 homes had been set on fire.

He recalls that seven people were killed instantly when the hoodlums invaded the area last year.

Kuki noted that five of the dead were burned to death by the hoodlums, despite calling the attack completely out of control. Some patients were referred to the Katsina General Hospital for immediate medical care while others were taken in a rush to Dutsinma General Hospital.

This is completely out of control, he said. Because I couldn’t control my anger, I couldn’t even watch the funeral procession of a deceased person until the very end. He claimed that he left the cemetery when workers were digging graves for the five other victims who had been put to death.

The hoodlums set some of the residents who sought refuge inside grain silos on fire. Some were discovered on Sunday morning for burial after being burned beyond recognition.

After the incident, some of the victims were referred to Katsina Hospital and others to Dutsinma General Hospital.

On the spot, the bandits killed 19 people. There are still numerous missing people. I don’t believe there are currently at least 20 women who are residing in the neighborhood. In 20 vehicles, many people were driven away to safer locations.

The community’s entire stores were destroyed. More than 20 homes were blazed. Unnamed number of people were also abducted by the hoodlums, who were ordinarily from the nearby Danmusa forest, mostly women, children, and the elderly.

The hoodlums flee as soon as they see the Armored Protective Carrier Vehicle and head toward the community.

Farioli leaves Ajax after title miss agony

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty

After the team’s final-season collapse, which cost them the Eredivisie title, Francesco Farioli, head coach, has left Ajax.

With seven games left, Ajax held a nine-point lead over PSV Eindhoven, but they lost on Sunday to the champions.

Italian Farioli, 36, leaves after one season after signing for the club for a three-year contract last summer.

Although the management and I have the same objectives for Ajax’s future, he said, “We have different ideas and timelines for how we should work and operate in order to achieve those objectives.”

I have a deep conviction that this is the best time to split up, given the differences in the project’s foundational ideas and principles.

Even though the club did not win the title, Ajax technical director Alex Kroes claimed that his departure was “incredibly disappointing” and that the organization had succeeded in achieving its goal of Champions League qualification under Farioli.

Kroes expressed gratitude for Francesco’s contribution to enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, which they praised in particular.

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Trump-Putin call: What’s holding up a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire?

By in News, World News

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has stated that he will discuss ending the Ukrainian conflict with Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart. His announcement came a day after Turkiye’s direct negotiations with Russia and Ukraine ended poorly.

European leaders emailed the US president before Trump’s meeting with him and expressed their hope that Putin would accept a ceasefire. After speaking with Putin, Trump said he plans to speak with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine.

More than three years after Russia launched a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, discussions over a potential ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow continue.

Trump’s statement: what?

Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform that he would call Putin at 10:00 AM (14:00 GMT). Trump stated in the post that “THE SUBJECTS OF THE CALL WILL BE, STOPPING THE ‘BLOODBATH’ THAT IS KILLING, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 5000 RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS A WEEK, AND TRADE.”

He continued, adding that he would speak with Zelenskyy and various NATO members after speaking with Putin.

This extremely violent war, a war that should have never occurred, will end with a CEASEFIRE. God’s blessings on us all! “!

What transpired during the Istanbul Russia-Ukraine discussions?

For the first time since the start of the war in 2022, Turkiye held direct talks with Russia and Ukraine at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace on Friday.

The talks were originally scheduled for May 15 but were postponed by a day due to a proposal made by Putin. Zelenskyy had made it clear that he would personally attend the discussions if Putin also attended.

However, on May 14, the Kremlin announced that Putin would not attend and instead announced a negotiating team led by a former culture minister who had also led previous Russian delegations in failed Ukraine negotiations.

Zelenskyy appointed his defense minister to lead the Ukrainian delegation while he was in Ankara, where he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In the end, the discussions ended on Friday, but no agreement was reached regarding a ceasefire. However, a prisoner-exchange agreement was reached between the two parties. Each nation’s willingness to release 1, 000 war prisoners was confirmed by representatives from both sides. Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation and Putin’s adviser, predicted that the meeting would take place “in the coming days.”

The two organizations also discussed a potential meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, whose legitimacy as the country’s leader has frequently been questioned by the Russian president.

What prevents a ceasefire?

A ceasefire agreement was prevented from being developed because Russia was represented by a low-level delegation of officials who were unable to make decisions, according to Zelenskyy.

Trump appeared sympathetic despite the Ukrainian leader’s criticism of Putin. Trump made the suggestion at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, last week that Putin should not have been expected to attend the talks unless the US president also showed up.

Hours later, he contradicted that opinion. Trump said to reporters on Thursday on an Air Force One flight to the United Arab Emirates, “Nothing won’t happen until Putin and I get together,” adding that nothing will ever happen.

“Everyone could see that the Russian delegation in Istanbul was very unwell. None of them had actual decision-making experience in Russia. After the discussions in Turkiye came to an end, Zelenskyy wrote in an X-post on Friday.

What are the statements of each side?

Russian media reported that Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, had confirmed meeting with Trump on Monday.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance sat down for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass in Rome. In another X post, Zelenskyy wrote, “We discussed negotiations in Istanbul where the Russians sent a low level delegation of non-decision-makers.”

I reaffirmed my commitment to a true diplomacy in Ukraine and stressed the value of a swift, unconditional ceasefire.

Following the discussions, Zelenskyy wrote on X: “President Trump wants to end this war. We must maintain our close collaboration with him and maintain the best possible coordination. He added that it is crucial to obtain US support for a long time.

A 30-day, unconditional ceasefire is being demanded by Ukraine. However, Russia has expressed concern that Ukraine might use a truce to rearrange and mobilize more troops.

What is the message of Europe?

Leaders of the United Kingdom, the US, Italy, France, and Germany discussed the war in Ukraine before Trump’s call with Putin, according to a spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office on Monday.

Trump, Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were the subjects of the conversation, according to French President Emmanuel Macron in an X-post. President Putin must show that he wants peace by agreeing to the 30-day, unwavering ceasefire that President Trump has supported in favor of Europe and Ukraine, Macron wrote in a letter.

Merz echoed Macron’s claim that Putin must accept the ceasefire proposal in an X-post. He wrote, “We want to keep this exchange going today.”

In an X-post, Meloni claimed that Moscow should “seriously engage” through direct contact.

What is the current state of the conflict?

At least one woman was killed when Russia launched its largest drone attack since the start of the conflict on Sunday, according to Ukraine. Russia, according to the Ukrainian air force, launched 273 drones early on Sunday. The intelligence service in Kyiv later claimed that it believed Russia intended to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile to intimidate the West later that Sunday. If something actually happened, it wasn’t known. These allegations have not yet been addressed by Moscow.

England bolters, Steward’s potential switch & a ‘Carewell’

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Mike Henson
Rugby Union News Reporter for BBC Sport
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Later this week, England will release a training squad for their tour of Argentina and the United States.

There are some intriguing options pushing hard, especially players from Bath and Northampton, who are preparing for European finals, and those chosen for the British and Irish Lions.

Joe Carpenter, an uncapped full-back, contributed to Sale’s late-season success with another impressive display in the win over Bristol.

Harry Randall had scored a similar try for Bristol in the first half when team-mate Raffi Quirke came off the bench to score a strong try. With a well-weighted cross-field bomb and a zippy service from Fellow nine Jack van Poortvliet, Joe Woodward scored a try for Leicester.

It will be difficult to ignore winger Adam Radwan’s nine tries in nine games since he joined the Tigers in mid-season from Newcastle.

As Gloucester defeated Newcastle, Seb Atkinson skillfully set up Chris Harris and teenage wing Jack Cotgreave for tries and raced away for one of his own.

Tom Willis, the eighth-stringer for the Saracens, addressed some of his frustration with the Lions by scoring a big winner against Northampton.

Ethan Roots, the back rower for Exeter and whose last appearance for England came in March 2024, menacingly against the Harlequins and rattling ribs in the loose.

Will Evans was also pilfering ball onto the floor, which he shared with teammate Jack Kenningham, who leads the league in turnovers.

More inquiries are made about Dunn’s dummy.

Tom Dunn scores a try for BathRex Features

On Saturday, Tom Dunn celebrated with a landmark. Before sauntering in for the league leaders’ fourth try, he stole the party from Bath when he became the all-time top appearance-maker in Premiership history. He sold Leicester full-back Freddie Steward an outrageous dummy.

Steward has been taken down by much more agile assailants. This season, Grant Williams, Cheslin Kolbe, Grant Gibson-Park, and Jamison Gibson-Park evaded him with unsettling ease. Steve Steven revealed earlier this month on Stick to Rugby that Steve Borthwick, England coach, had advised him to practice one-on-one defense.

Steward also suggested that England have a choice when switching to the inside of the box because he is less quick and agile, and because his strong, rangy running and brave front-on tackling could give him more motivation.

In their careers, Jamie Roberts and Jordie Barrett both made similar transitions into midfield.

England to face off against Speedy Gonzalez

Juan Martin Gonzalez scores for SaracensImages courtesy of Getty

However, the Pumas will likely have the most in-form men of all.

Juan Martin Gonzalez, the flanker for the Saracens, has scored eight tries in his previous six games as the ground has firmed up and his quick, lung-burning game has developed.

The 24-year-old was forced to miss half-time on Saturday at Franklin’s Gardens due to a knock, but his team’s defeat gave him more time to recover.

Saracens must defeat a Bath team, who may well rest their front-line stars, and hope for mistakes from two of the teams above them in the final round if they are to continue their campaign into the play-offs, which would leave them in sixth place with their final-gasp, possibly-forward-pass defeat by Northampton.

Seismic semi-finals are shaping up.

Sale and Bristol compete at the line-outImages courtesy of Getty

The play-off combinations are fascinating.

Bristol will likely end up in fourth place if they can do a number on a Harlequins team with nothing to play for in a Super Saturday round of simultaneous kick-offs in two weeks.

With Bath at the Rec in the semi-finals, the result would set the stage for a West Country ding-dong.

Leicester should advance to the other home semi-final against third-placed Sale, who have won five of their past six Premiership games against Newcastle on the final day and travel to Exeter, where they are most likely to face.

Care departs on his own terms.

Danny Care on his final game for SaracensImages courtesy of Getty

A scrum, a middle-field kick, a minute left, and the Stoop chanting his name from the Exeter line, all looked set for a try-sniffing Danny Care’s try that would end his rugby career.

However, that is not how it works. Not typically. Not at this time either.

The former England scrum-half, however, kicked into touch to make the team win rather than seek for some personal glory to end the game and his career on his own terms.

The ending scenes were charming. Before carrying their departing team-mate off the field, Harlequins players sat up and waved him to the side.

The 38-year-old has no de-mob rest, though.

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