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Coal no longer accounts for majority of India’s energy capacity in major landmark for renewables
2 mn read The share of coal in India’s power sector dropped to less than half for the first time in decades, indicating a major milestone in the South Asian country’s shift towards renewables. In the first quarter of 2024, India added a record-breaking 13,669MW of power generation capacity, with renewable energy accounting for a substantial 71.5 per cent share. This marks […]
Indian comedian blocked from running against Modi: ‘Democracy was murdered today’
3 mn read A comedian seeking to take on Narendra Modi as an independent candidate in India’s general election said his application was rejected by the authorities on a technicality he was not aware of. Stand-up comedian Shyam Rangeela, who is known for his viral impressions of the prime minister, said he had submitted all the documents needed for his […]
Massive manhunt in France for prison-break gang that gunned down officers
2 mn read A massive manhunt was underway in France on Wednesday for armed assailants who ambushed a prison convoy, killing two prison officers, seriously injuring three others and springing the inmate they were escorting. The prime minister vowed the gang would be caught, saying, “They will pay.” “We are tracking you, we will find you and we will punish […]
Ukraine’s Zelensky cancels foreign visits as Putin’s forces advance around Kharkiv
3 mn read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all his upcoming foreign trips as he looks to concentrate on Russia’s advance in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region. It comes as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced a new $2 billion (£1.6bn) weapons deal during a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, before suggesting Washington could sign a bilateral agreement with Ukraine in […]
Israel’s defence minister hits out at Netanyahu over post-war Gaza plan
2 mn read Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant has publicly hit out at prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for a post-war Gaza – vowing to oppose any long-term military rule by Israel. Pressure has been growing on Mr Netanyahu for weeks over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, with the international community calling for a ceasefire and even staunch ally the US baulking at […]
Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico shot in ‘politically motivated’ attempted assassination
6 mn read Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico was left fighting for his life after a shooting described by government officials as an assassination attempt. The incident took place in Handlova, a small mining town about 120 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, after a government meeting on Wednesday. The 59-year-old premier was hit in the stomach during the broad daylight attack, […]
6 new podcasts to listen to this week
5 mn read 1. That Was Us Streaming platform: All streaming platforms Genre: TV I think This Is Us is one of the best TV shows to have ever been written. So listening to the new rewatch podcast, That Was Us, hosted by Mandy Moore, Sterling K Brown and Chris Sullivan, was a real treat. The first episode took me back to how […]
‘Undeniably the blueprint for Afrobeats’ – Adekunle Gold hails 2Baba
< 1 mn read Singer Adekunle Gold has poured encomiums on the legendary musician, Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba, as his debut solo album, ‘Face2Face’ turns 20. According to Gold, the project is “undeniably the blueprint for Afrobeats.” He noted that the ‘African Queen’ hitmaker’s timeless artistry and influence continue to inspire generations of musicians. Sharing the album cover via […]
Senate advances bill to establish federal polytechnic in Ebonyi
2 mn read Abill for an act to establish the Federal Polytechnic in Onueke, Ezza LGA of Ebonyi, scaled second reading in the Senate on Wednesday. This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Kenneth Eze (APC-Ebonyi), at plenary on Wednesday. Presenting the bill, Mr Eze said it was read first on […]
Sokoto Assembly summons health commissioner over hospital contract, missing facility
< 1 mn read The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the state Commissioner for Health, Asabe Balarabe, to appear before its committee next Tuesday after failure to honour previous invitations. The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Kabiru Dauda (APC-Gada East), announced the resolution after the committee’s meeting with the contractor handling the construction of Premier Hospital […]