News
Putin warns West of nuclear war risk

By Francesca Hangeior
President Vladimir Putin warned of a “real” risk of nuclear war if the West escalates the conflict in Ukraine, offering a defiant and emboldened stance in his annual speech to Russians.
Speaking in Moscow, Putin said his soldiers were advancing in Ukraine and warned the West of “tragic consequences” for any country that dared to send troops to Kyiv.
“They have announced the possibility of sending Western military contingents to Ukraine… The consequences for possible interventionists will be much more tragic,” he said in his address to the nation.
“They should eventually realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. Everything that the West comes up with creates the real threat of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilisation,” said Putin.
His comments appeared to be a response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal earlier this week to rule out sending troops to Ukraine — a stance that drew swift rejection from other leaders in Europe.
Nevertheless, the debate has struck a nerve in Moscow, which has long seen its conflict with Ukraine as part of a wider “hybrid war” being waged against it by NATO.
Western leaders have repeatedly criticised Putin for what they see as his reckless use of nuclear rhetoric.
After pulling Russia out of arms control treaties with the United States and previously warning he was “not bluffing” when he said he was ready to use nuclear weapons, Putin had appeared in recent months to dial down his nuclear threats.
But the fresh warning comes with the Kremlin buoyed by recent gains on the battlefield in Ukraine, but also an economy that has largely defied sanctions and ahead of an election certain to extend Putin’s term in the Kremlin until 2030.
The current state of affairs marks a sharp reversal in fortunes for Moscow over the last 12 months.
Last year at this time, Russian troops were reeling from Ukrainian counteroffensives that pushed them back in northeastern and southern Ukraine.
But after a Ukrainian campaign in the summer of 2023 failed to bring similar results, Kyiv is back on the defensive.
The initially strong Western support for Ukraine also appears to be fraying, with a $60-billion US aid package stalled in Congress.
Outgunning Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, Putin’s troops seized the eastern stronghold of Avdiivka and are attempting to build on their advances.
News
Former Plateau deputy governor is dead

Former Plateau State Deputy Governor Professor Sonnie Gwanle Tyoden has died.
He passed away at the age of 74, though the cause of his death was not confirmed as at the time this report was filed.
Tyoden served as the deputy governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023, working under Governor Simon Lalong during the administration of the All Progressives Congress.
Before his time in government, he was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, a role he held between June 2006 and June 2011.
Born on September 22, 1950, Tyoden was a professor of political science known for his work in academia and politics.
His contributions to the development of Plateau State were well-known, and his death has drawn attention across the state and beyond.
News
“I’m not thinking of a third term agenda -Trump

US President Donald Trump has denied that he is considering running for a third presidential term, a move which experts agree is banned under the US Constitution.
“I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker in an interview that will air on Sunday.
Trump has previously said that he was “not joking” about wanting to serve a third, or even fourth, term as US president.
He later said his statements were meant to troll the “fake news media.”
His company, The Trump Organization, has been selling “Trump 2028” hats, fuelling armchair speculation that he may seek to remain in office after his second term ends in January 2029.
In the interview, recorded from his residence in Florida, Trump said that he has had many “requests” from people asking that he consider seeking to remain in office.
“So many people want me to do it,” Trump said, just days after celebrating his first 100 days of his second term.
“It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do. I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not allowing you to do it or anything else,” Trump said.
He added that “there are many people selling the 2028 hat.”
“But this is not something I’m looking to do,” he said, going on to list several Republicans who could take his place, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I think four years is plenty of time to do something really spectacular,” he added.
The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment says that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Changing the constitution would require two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as approval from three-quarters of the country’s state-level governments.
However, some Trump supporters say there is a loophole in the constitution, which has been untested in court.
Asked by NBC whether anyone has approached him with these theories, Trump deflected, answering that “in a capacity of being a big supporter, many people have said different things.”
During the interview, Trump also rejected criticism of his handling of the economy.
“Look, yeah. Everything’s OK,” he said after his tariff plan roiled international economies, leading the US economy to shrink for the first time since 2022.
“I said, this is a transition period. I think we’re going to do fantastically,” he added.
Asked if the US economy may continue to shrink, he responded: “Anything can happen. But I think we’re going to have the greatest economy in the history of our country.” [BBC]
News
VDM: Release my guy now, singer Davido tells EFCC

Popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has appealed to the EFCC to immediately release his guy VeryDarkMan.
The reason for his arrest is still at the time of writing unknown, and the anti graft agency is yet to acknowledge having him in their custody.
Davido took to his X page to remark on the support displayed by individuals for Verydarkman.
Davido speaks up for Verydarkman, calls for his release
Verydarkman.
He noted that the display of support makes him wants to do more for the masses.
The singer asked the powers that be to free his friend, Verydarkman.
His words …
“Outside all the noise it’s good to see that the good one does actually impacts lives and Pple actually appreciate! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging.. makes one want to do more for the masses FREE MY GUY”
Check out reactions…
@bigwizarrdd said: “So you for address this one but you no fit address wetin Spotify do you, we your fans are tired of the fraud you’re doing on Spotify.. FIX UP”
@TheDamiForeign wrote: “I’m giving Gtbank 24hours to release VDM, or else I will step in!”
@Street__lawyer wrote: “@davido
has the fame, power and resources to bring VDM out. We should all remember his a national figure. OON, is not a small name.”
-
News15 hours ago
Five Asian countries Nigerians can visit without a visa
-
Entertainment16 hours ago
Old Prophecy Of Pastor About VeryDarkman Goes Viral After His Arrest
-
News15 hours ago
Tompolo Launches Door-to-Door Campaign for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election!
-
News16 hours ago
Insecurity! Bandits abduct 25 female wedding guests
-
News15 hours ago
Ezekwesili slams political establishment over harassment allegation, defends Natasha
-
News3 hours ago
Former Plateau deputy governor is dead
-
News9 hours ago
INTERPOL uncovers 150 stolen vehicles from Canada in Nigeria, Gambia, other W.A. countries
-
News15 hours ago
Kyari breaks silence: “I’m not in EFCC custody, I served God, country, not corruption”