Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has announced that the Northern region of Nigeria will soon determine its political direction in preparation for the 2027 general election.
This announcement aligns with Baba-Ahmed’s established reputation as a strong advocate for Northern interests. He recently resigned from his position as Special Adviser to President Tinubu to resume his advocacy for the region.
In a video interview that circulated widely on social media on Sunday, featuring him alongside Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Baba-Ahmed asserted that no politician can secure the presidency without Northern support.
He indicated that the North will solidify its political stance within the next six months, and the rest of the country will subsequently align or pursue a separate course.
Baba-Ahmed emphasized the region’s historical hardships, particularly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all Northern demographics. “We want a government that understands our problems and can address them,” he stated, urging Northerners to resist divisive and deceitful political tactics leading up to the upcoming elections.
He also cautioned against further marginalization of the North, warning of potential repercussions. “If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria,” he said.
Read also: Umahi declares Ebonyi APC stronghold
Baba-Ahmed stressed that the North is closely monitoring the political landscape, and that community leaders, the general public, and interest groups will soon voice their discontent with injustice and exclusion. “The injustice and sidelining must stop,” he reiterated.
He highlighted the significant impact the North’s decision will have on the 2027 elections. “No politician can become president without northern support, making the region’s stance crucial to any aspirant’s success,” he declared.
He concluded by warning against electoral manipulation and marginalization, emphasizing the importance of fair elections for national stability and progress. “The Northern region’s support is crucial in determining the outcome of the 2027 elections,” he reiterated.
Manchester United have explained the absence of Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in the match squad against Wolverhampton Wanderers today.
The 27-year-old’s missing place on the bench was filled by Tom Heaton, who has recently returned from injury.
Bayindir has not featured extensively this season, but has impressed in his limited minutes on the pitch.
Most notably, he was excellent against Arsenal in the FA Cup in January, where he made numerous saves, including two penalties, as Manchester United progressed.
His most recent start came against Newcastle United, after Andre Onana had been dropped from the squad.
The goalkeeper was unable to make a positive impression, however, as his loose pass in the second half fell to Bruno Guimaraes, who finished calmly.
Bayindir was missing today against Wolves, but Manchester United have confirmed it was due to injury issues.
In a statement before the game, United confirmed that the goalkeeper “suffered a small issue in training but has no major problem, and is left out purely as a precaution.”
United would go on to narrowly lose the match 1-0, with Pablo Sarabia’s expertly taken free kick in the second half enough to see Wolves walk away with all three points.
It is not yet clear when Bayindir will return to the Manchester United squad, with key games rapidly approaching.
A Premier League trip to Bournemouth is next on the calendar, followed by the crucial first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
That semi-final will be decided on the 8th May, when the Spanish club travel to England to take on United at Old Trafford.
With attentions diverted away from the remaining fixtures of the Premier League season, it is possible Bayindir may see himself given a chance to start, with Ruben Amorim likely keen to protect number one Onana.
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In Gaza, where loss is immeasurable and grief beyond expression, families search for their missing children…
Some lost in the rubble, others in the silence of war.
This documentary on the missing children of Gaza uncovers their stories, reveals the extent of the Israeli regime’s inhumane brutality, as a generation of Palestinians is slipping away, and the fight to keep their memory alive for the score of missing innocents.
Run time 25 min Narrated by Nizar Sadawi Production: TRT World (2025)
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A Georgia man is accused of threatening to harm Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her family, prosecutors said Monday.
Aliakbar Mohammad Amin, 25, of Lilburn, was arrested Friday and charged with transmitting interstate threats after he allegedly sent text messages that stated how Gabbard and her family are “going to die soon” and that he will “personally do the job if necessary,” according to the Department of Justice.
“Threatening to harm public officials is a criminal act that cannot be excused as political discourse,” acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. said in a statement. “Our office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will vigorously prosecute individuals who commit these acts of violence.”
Gabbard, a former Democrat, served Hawaii’s second congressional district from 2013 to 2021. She joined the Republican Party in 2024 and is now the eighth director of national intelligence after being appointed by President Donald Trump.
On March 26, while speaking before the House Intelligence Committee, she said it was a “mistake” for national security officials to discuss sensitive military plans on a group text chain. That was after The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg said he was added to a Signal messaging app group chat hours before strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen were ordered by the president.
The administration has faced backlash for allowing the reporter to be added to that chat and observe the sensitive material.
Amin allegedly sent his text messages across state lines between March 29 and April 1, according to a complaint.
“Death to America means death to America literally, Tulsi is living on borrowed time,” one message read.
The second stated that “the home you two own … is a legitimate target and will be hit at a time and place of our choosing.”
“Prepare to die, you, Tulsi, and everyone you hold dear. America will burn,” another read, according to prosecutors.
Federal law enforcement also found other “similar threats” allegedly made by Amin on social media in which he posted images of guns being pointed at both Gabbard and her husband, according to the DOJ. Agents later recovered a firearm during a search of Amin’s home in the 700 block of Stacey Court in Lilburn, according to police and prosecutors.
“It was their op, we just went along for the ride,” Lilburn police Capt. Scott Bennett said.
Amin was charged Friday via a previously sealed criminal complaint alleging a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c), the DOJ said. That section prohibits the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce for any demand of random, threat to kidnap or injure, whether they intend to extort that person or not. It also includes threats to harm the property or reputation of any person or a threat to accuse that person of a crime, the DOJ added.
In a social media post, FBI Atlanta said Amin also sent threatening communications to both Trump and the White House.
Amin recently made his first appearance in federal court, and his trial is pending, officials said. The case is being investigated by the FBI.
“The FBI sees all threatening communications as a serious federal offense. We will employ every investigative tool and resource available to identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Special Agent of FBI Atlanta Paul Brown said in a statement. “Let this arrest serve as a clear warning: If you engage in this kind of criminal behavior, you will be caught and you will go to prison.”
Amin is the latest person accused of threatening to harm politicians and national officials in recent years.
In 2017, a Georgia man sent messages threatening to “physically injure” U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and Republican Sen. Timothy Scott of South Carolina. Jason Bell, of Cochran, pleaded guilty to two counts of anonymous telecommunications harassment and was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2018.
Also in 2018, federal prosecutors in New York arrested Donald DeRisi after he threatened to kill and assault two U.S. senators for their support of Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. DeRisi was sentenced to 18 months in prison in June 2019.
In 2021, a Georgia man was arrested after sending text messages threatening to kill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Cleveland Grover Meredith was sentenced to 28 months in prison.
“Thinking about heading over to Pelosi (expletive) speech and putting a bullet in her noggin on Live TV,” one text read.
In 2023, Tabitha Davis was sentenced to jail after she sent messages that threatened Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. They were sent through the governor’s constituent services website, officials said. Davis was sentenced to four months of probation and 20 days in jail.
Then, earlier this month, a Pennsylvania man was charged after he allegedly made threats to assault and kill Trump, other U.S. officials and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Shawn Monper, 32, who went by “Mr. Satan” online, is accused of sending threatening statements between Jan. 15 and April 5, according to the DOJ.
Israel has acknowledged “professional failures” in a deadly military operation in Gaza that resulted in the death of 15 Palestinian emergency workers, including medics and a U.N. staff member.
A military investigation concluded that an Israeli deputy battalion commander on March 23 misidentified ambulances as hostile vehicles in poor night visibility, leading to the attack in Rafah’s Tel al-Sultan district.
Initially, Israeli authorities claimed the vehicles lacked emergency signals, but later retracted the statement after cellphone footage from one of the victims revealed flashing lights and visible medical logos.
Video showed medics calmly approaching a previously attacked ambulance before coming under prolonged gunfire that lasted over five minutes.
The victims included eight Palestinian Red Crescent staff, six Civil Defense workers, and one United Nations employee.
Following the attack, Israeli troops reportedly evacuated the bodies and ambulances, burying them in a mass grave. It took rescue teams a week to recover the remains.
The investigation revealed that the attack was due to an “operational misunderstanding” and admitted that the destruction of the ambulances was unjustified.
However, it denied any deliberate attempt to hide the event or that the victims were executed or bound. One medic survived and remains in Israeli custody.
The report also noted a separate violation in which Israeli forces opened fire on a U.N. vehicle minutes after the initial incident.
There is no confirmation whether any of the victims were members of Hamas, despite Israel’s earlier claims that nine of them were militants.
The findings have been forwarded to Israel’s Military Advocate General, who will determine whether charges are needed. There are no international investigations currently underway.
Israel has long accused Hamas of using ambulances and civilian infrastructure to transport fighters, a claim denied by medical organizations.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.
Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, with 24 of them believed to be alive.
Israel’s offensive efforts in Gaza have since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities. Around 90% of the population is displaced, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed buildings.
Gaza: Israel Admits ‘Professional Failures’ In Killing Of 15 Palestinian Medics is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
In broad terms, mortgage acceleration or an accelerator loan is any program that “helps homeowners pay off their mortgage balances much earlier, resulting in significant interest savings over the life of the loan and reducing the payment duration by several years,” says Robert Bullara, owner of Fine Realty International in Austin, Texas.
“With mortgage accelerator programs, you pay a little extra each month toward your mortgage’s principal,” says Bullara.
Keep in mind: A mortgage acceleration program isn’t the same as an acceleration clause in your loan contract — more on that below.
What is an acceleration clause?
An acceleration clause, also referred to as a “demand feature,” is a provision in your mortgage contract that allows the lender to require a full repayment of the loan. You can find out if your mortgage includes this stipulation on page four of your closing disclosure. If your loan does, the conditions under which the clause can be imposed are typically spelled out in your mortgage note documents.
Types of mortgage accelerator programs
There are formal mortgage accelerator loan programs — that means those you apply and pay for — as well as less formalized strategies you can use to get similar payoff results over the life of your mortgage. Here’s an overview of the two main types of programs:
HELOC accelerator: A HELOC accelerator combines a bank account with a mortgage and HELOC, or home equity line of credit. With this kind of program, you’ll deposit your paychecks into a HELOC and use that line of credit to pay your mortgage. You’ll then draw funds from the line to pay other expenses like car payments and utilities. After that, the remaining cash goes toward the mortgage.
Biweekly mortgage payment accelerator: In a biweekly mortgage payment accelerator setup, you’ll make an accelerated mortgage payment every two weeks, typically by auto-withdrawal. The accelerator loan provider either pays your loan on your behalf every two weeks or once per month.
Pros and cons of mortgage accelerator loans
While the benefits might sound tempting, mortgage accelerator programs also have some drawbacks. If you’re considering one of these loans, weigh the pros and cons first:
Pros of mortgage acceleration
Lets you pay off your mortgage quicker
Reduces how much you pay in interest
Helps you become debt-free faster than you would with a traditional mortgage
Cons of mortgage acceleration
Interest rates can be higher than traditional mortgages
May have steep upfront, annual or transaction fees
Requires steady income and good money management
Alternatives to mortgage accelerator programs
When you get right down to it, the best way to accelerate your mortgage payoff is to simply pay more as fast as you can. Some tried-and-true strategies include:
Add a bit of extra money toward your principal each month.
Contribute an extra mortgage payment each year.
Schedule a half-mortgage payment every two weeks, also known as biweekly payments. Since there are 26 two-week periods in a year, that’s effectively one extra mortgage payment annually.
No matter what alternatives you use, always notify your mortgage lender or servicer of your plans to ensure those extra payments go toward your principal rather than the interest on the loan.
When in doubt, it’s smart to sit down with a trusted financial adviser to determine if an early mortgage payoff aligns with your goals.
What borrowers should know about mortgage accelerator loans today
Mortgage accelerator loans aren’t for everyone. For a less-than-disciplined borrower, the draw of having a home equity line of credit could actually enable them to live above their means, adding years and hefty interest debt over time.
“Accelerator mortgages tend to be of particular value for higher rate or additional rate taxpayers, as well as for people with large savings who don’t rely on accrued interest to finance their day-to-day lives,” says Bullara. “The major advantage for high-end taxpayers is that they do not have to pay tax on their savings interest. This type of loan is better for a high-net worth borrower that doesn’t live on a tight budget each month.”
Plus, with higher interest rates and fees than other mortgage types, mortgage accelerator loans aren’t always a smart financial choice.
“If it looks like you’ll pay more than you’ll save, it may be worth considering a more basic home loan with a lower rate and no fees,” says Bullara.
The hope Christians have is not a sign of avoiding reality but of trusting in the power of God to defeat sin and death as the resurrection of Jesus clearly shows, Pope Francis wrote in his Easter message.
“All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey,” said the message, read before Pope Francis gave his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) April 20.
The pope’s voice was weak, as it has been since he was released from the hospital March 23, and he barely raised his arms as he made the sign of the cross, but the tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square were appreciative and clapped loudly after saying, “Amen.”
“Together with the risen Jesus,” he wrote in his message, those who trust in God “become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of life.”
The 88-year-old pope, who is still recovering from pneumonia, was not present at the Easter morning Mass in St. Peter’s Square but arrived shortly after noon to give the solemn blessing.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family did not attend the Mass either, but Vance arrived at the Vatican at about 11:30 a.m. for a private meeting with Pope Francis in the papal residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The Vatican said the meeting lasted just a few minutes and allowed the two to exchange Easter greetings.
Pope Francis meets briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his translator, in the papal residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican April 20, 2025. The Vatican said the meeting was an opportunity to exchange best wishes for Easter. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Vance had met April 19 with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and with Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister. The Vatican said they discussed efforts to defend religious freedom as well as the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees and prisoners.”
Security in and around St. Peter’s Square was tight. Just outside the square, an Italian army officer manned a large anti-drone gun, which he said uses electromagnetic pulses to disable the drone operator’s ability to control it.
With his voice still weak, Pope Francis wished everyone a Happy Easter and then asked his master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to read his message, which insisted that “Easter is the celebration of life!”
“God created us for life and wants the human family to rise again,” he wrote. “In his eyes, every life is precious! The life of a child in the mother’s womb, as well as the lives of the elderly and the sick, who in more and more countries are looked upon as people to be discarded.”
Pope Francis condemned the “great thirst for death” seen in violence and wars around the world and in the “contempt” people, including government leaders, direct toward “the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants!”
As is traditional for the message, the pope also prayed for peace in war-torn nations, mentioning by name: Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Congo and Myanmar.
Pope Francis condemned “the growing climate of antisemitism throughout the world.” But he also called attention to “the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation.”
“I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” the papal message said.
Pope Francis had chosen Cardinal Angelo Comastri, retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, to be his delegate to preside over the morning Mass and read his homily.
Some 50,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, roses and other flowers and bushes decorated the steps leading up to St. Peter’s Basilica while garlands framed the main entrance to the atrium of the basilica and adorned the central balcony.
Because Easter fell on the same day on the Julian and Gregorian calendars, meaning Catholic and Orthodox were celebrating on the same day, the Vatican added Byzantine “stichera” or hymns and “stichos” or Psalm verses after the chanting of the Gospel in Latin and in Greek.
The homily the pope prepared focused on the Easter Gospel’s description of Mary Magdalene running to tells the disciples that Jesus had risen and Peter and John running to verify the news.
Running, the pope wrote, “expresses the desire, the yearning of the heart, the inner attitude of those who set out to search for Jesus.”
And because he has risen from the dead, people must look for Jesus in someplace other than the tomb, the pope’s text said.
“We must take action, set out to look for him: look for him in life, look for him in the faces of our brothers and sisters,” he said. “We must look for him without ceasing. Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere, he dwells among us, he hides himself and reveals himself even today in the sisters and brothers we meet along the way, in the most ordinary and unpredictable situations of our lives.”
Jesus “is alive and is with us always, shedding the tears of those who suffer and adding to the beauty of life through the small acts of love carried out by each of us,” Pope Francis wrote.
After the Mass, the Easter blessing, Pope Francis got in the popemobile and rode around St. Peter’s Square, waving to the crowd and blessing babies.
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We are looking for a smart, social media-savvy individual to join our team and take charge of growing and engaging our community on different platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You will play a key role in crafting and executing our social media strategy – from ideation to content creation, posting, and community engagement.
This is a great opportunity for a young, creative graduate who loves social media, understands trends, and wants to build a career in digital marketing and content creation.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement social media growth strategies across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Create engaging, original content (video, text, and graphics) aligned with brand voice and audience interests.
Stay on top of trends, memes, and relevant conversations to keep our content fresh and relatable.
Manage the social media calendar and post content consistently.
Engage with our audience – respond to comments, DMs, mentions, and foster community conversations.
Track performance using analytics tools and provide regular reports with actionable insights.
Collaborate with the content, design, and marketing teams as needed.
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A recent graduate (any discipline) with strong interest in social media and digital content.
Very familiar with Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube – you probably use them daily.
Clinical competence in accordance with relevant Scope of Practise
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High energy levels and tolerance for stress
Well-developed interpersonal and organisational skills
The ability to function effectively under pressure
Liaison between parents, doctors and personnel
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BLS competent
Supervise and orientate junior staff members and students
Competently administering Intravenous and Intramuscular medication
High energy levels and tolerance for stress/pressure
Problem analysis/solving skills and accurate record keeping
Ad hoc duties
Adhere to hospital policies, protocols and best practices
Requirements
Current Registration with SANC as a Registered Nurse
Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in an Operating Theatre
A qualification in Operating Theatre Nursing Science will be an advantage
Theatre Scrubbing skill is essential
Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, build relationships with Doctors and work in all disciplines
Must be flexible to work overtime, do standby duty and do call
Professional indemnity
A 25-year-old soldier, Private Yahaya Yunusa, has been apprehended by the Nigerian military for being in possession of ammunition in Jaji, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
According to SaharaReporters, Yunusa, who was attached to the 197 Special Forces Battalion in Zamfara State was arrested around 11:55 a.m. on Friday while unlawfully carrying 214 rounds of various calibres of linked ammunition.
The report revealed that the soldier was found with the unapproved ammunition alongside his military identification card, and several Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards at the time of his arrest.
The breakdown of the ammunitions Yunusa was reportedly caught with include 50 rounds of 12.7×108mm and 69 rounds of 7.62×54mmR—both sets linked by chains—35 rounds of unlinked 7.62×54mmR, and 60 rounds of 5.56×45mm.
He was also alleged to be in possession of personal ATM cards of Opay, Unity Bank, Access Bank, and First Bank at the time of the arrest.
Yunusa reportedly confessed during interrogation to have retrieved the ammunition during operations, stating that he was the operator of the Anti-Aircraft (AA) machine gun mounted on a military vehicle.
“About 1155hrs of 18th April 2025, one Yahaya Yunusa, a 25-year-old military Private (PTE), was apprehended in Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The suspect said he is a member of the 197 Special Forces Battalion, Zamfara State,” an operational report was quoted as saying
