Headline
Biden To Honour Messi, Denzel Washington, 17 Others With Top US Award
Published
7 months agoon
By
Editor
United States President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honourees on Saturday, bestowing the highest civilian honour in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians, and diplomats.
Among those to receive the honour from the outgoing US president are singer and activist Bono, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, longtime fashion editor Anna Wintour, football superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
The honourees “are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” the White House said in a statement.
Others recognised this year include chef José Andrés, founder of the World Central Kitchen NGO, and primate researcher Jane Goodall, a leading environmentalist.
READ ALSO: Biden Announces $160bn Initiative To Aid Developing Nations
Some recipients chosen by the 82-year-old Democrat hold a more political profile, such as billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist George Soros and Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, senator, and US Secretary of State who unsuccessfully ran against Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
Soros was honoured for his global efforts supporting democracy, human rights, education, and social justice, according to a White House statement.
Clinton, meanwhile, was commended for her decades of public service, including being the first woman nominated by a major party for the US presidency.
Biden also posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Francis Kennedy, better known as “Bobby” Kennedy or “RFK.”
READ ALSO: Messi Hits 500 League Goals As Inter Miami Cruise Past Orlando
RFK, who served as US Attorney General during his brother John F. Kennedy’s presidency, was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“His legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and public service,” Biden said in a statement.
Biden’s selections for the Medal of Freedom reflect his desire to leave a lasting mark before leaving office.
On Thursday, Biden also awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming who served on the House panel investigating the 6th January 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol.
The move drew criticism from Donald Trump, who on Friday described Cheney as “totally corrupt” and accused Biden of rewarding her solely for opposing him.
AFP
You may like
Messi’s Multi-goal Streak Ends As Cincinnati Beats Miami 3-0
No Messi Or Ronaldo: Trump Names His Greatest Footballer Of All Time
Trump Orders Inquiry Into ‘Conspiracy’ To Hide Biden’s Health Decline
Messi, Inter Miami Fight Back For 3-3 Draw At Philadelphia
BREAKING: Biden Diagnosed With Aggressive Form Of Cancer
Why I’m Revoking Ex-President Biden’s Security Clearance — Trump
Headline
Russia Strikes Ukraine After Kyiv Offers Fresh Talks
Published
3 hours agoon
July 21, 2025By
Editor
Russia fired a volley of drones and missiles at Ukraine early on Monday, hitting apartment blocks and a nursery in Kyiv, days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed holding a fresh round of peace talks.
Moscow has not responded to Zelensky’s call for new negotiations this week or an ultimatum by US President Donald Trump to make progress on a peace deal or face massive sanctions.
Two people were killed across the country, Zelensky said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in the capital, Kyiv, while rescuers were still sifting through the rubble.
Zelensky condemned the strikes as an “assault on humanity” and said at least 15 other people had been wounded in the attacks, including a 12-year-old boy.
READ ALSO:Anxiety As Trump Gives Russia 50 Days To Make Ukraine Deal
Efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the three-year war have stalled in recent weeks.
The two sides last met for direct negotiations more than a month ago in Istanbul.
They did not make any progress towards a ceasefire, instead agreeing to a series of prisoner exchanges.
Six districts of Kyiv came under attack on Monday, sparking fires at a supermarket, multiple residential buildings and a nursery, authorities said.
An AFP reporter saw damage to multiple buildings, as well as debris and shattered glass on streets.
Russia launched 450 drones and missiles in total, according to Ukraine’s air force.
READ ALSO:Russian Strikes Kill Six In Ukraine
The strikes also caused damage in the western region of Ivano-Frankivsk and the eastern regions of Kharkiv and Sumy, according to Zelensky.
Meanwhile, travel chaos that began during the weekend continued in Russia, as Kyiv targeted Moscow with drones;
The attacks forced Vnukovo airport — a transport hub for the Russian government — to briefly suspend flights.
• Top French diplomat in Kyiv –
An entryway to the Lukyanivka metro station in Kyiv was also damaged by the overnight strikes.
French foreign minister Barrot condemned the attacks during a visit to the station.
READ ALSO:Ukraine Forces Capture Nigerian Fighting For Russia
“The shelters themselves are no longer entirely safe, as the metro station behind me, which is being used as a shelter for the people of Kyiv, has been targeted,” he said.
“This comes even as President Zelensky’s statement on Saturday morning, that showed Ukraine’s willingness to enter into new negotiations with Russia,” he added.
The European Union agreed on Friday an 18th package of sanctions on Moscow that targeted Russian banks and lowered a price cap on oil exports.
Barrot said the sanctions were aimed at increasing the cost of war for Russia to pressure President Vladimir Putin into negotiations.
READ ALSO:Ukraine Forces Capture Nigerian Fighting For Russia
The Kremlin said this month it was ready to continue talks with Ukraine after Trump gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal or face sanctions.
At talks last month, Russia outlined a list of demands, including calls for Ukraine to cede more territory and to reject all forms of Western military support.
Kyiv dismissed them as unacceptable and at the time questioned the point of further negotiations if Moscow was not willing to make concessions.
AFP
Headline
Iran Declares Holiday Amid Scorching Heatwave As Water Crisis Deepens
Published
18 hours agoon
July 20, 2025By
Editor
Iranian authorities have urged citizens to drastically reduce water consumption as the country battles severe shortages triggered by an intense heatwave, with temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius in some parts.
According to the national meteorological service, this is Iran’s hottest week of the year so far, and conditions are expected to worsen. In Tehran, the capital, temperatures hit 40°C (104°F) on Sunday and are forecast to reach 41°C (106°F) by Monday.
Amid the heatwave in Iran and mounting pressure on water and electricity supplies, Tehran province has declared a public holiday on Wednesday. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced the social media platform X, citing the need for resource conservation.
READ ALSO:Israel Wants Global Action Against Iran’s Nuclear Plans
“In light of the continued extreme heat and the necessity of conserving water and electricity, Wednesday … has been declared a holiday in Tehran province,” she wrote.
Water scarcity has long plagued Iran, especially in its arid southern provinces. The crisis has been attributed to a combination of climate change, mismanagement, and overexploitation of underground water resources. Officials warn that the reservoirs feeding Tehran are now at their lowest levels in a century, after years of declining rainfall.
Tehran city council chair, Mehdi Chamran, called on residents to conserve water to avoid further supply disruptions. Several provinces have issued similar advisories, urging citizens to cut down usage significantly.
READ ALSO:We Would Have Killed Iran’s Supreme Leader If Given Opportunity – Israel
Tehran’s provincial water management company has appealed for a minimum 20 per cent reduction in consumption to help ease the strain. Local reports from Javan, a conservative newspaper, revealed that authorities have already reduced water supplies in parts of the capital, resulting in outages lasting between 12 and 18 hours in some areas.
Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi, in a statement on Sunday, apologised for the disruptions, explaining that the measure was necessary “to better manage resources.”
The situation adds to the growing list of climate-related challenges facing Iran, raising fresh concerns about long-term sustainability in the face of extreme weather events.
Headline
VIDEO: Passengers Jump Into Sea As Fire Guts Ferry
Published
1 day agoon
July 20, 2025By
Editor
Dozens of passengers were forced to jump into the sea after a fire broke out onboard a passenger ferry, KM Barcelona VA, off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday afternoon.
The incident, which occurred around 1.30pm local time, saw chaos erupt as thick black smoke billowed from the lower decks of the vessel, triggering panic among those onboard.
Harrowing videos from the scene captured the moment passengers, many wearing orange life jackets, jumped into the water in desperation while flames tore through the ferry.
Footage showed dark smoke engulfing the skies above the burning vessel, with screams and cries for help echoing from the ship.
READ ALSO:Inside £3,500 Per day Elite London Clinic Where Buhari Died
Some videos also depicted ferry staff assisting passengers in fastening their life jackets before they jumped overboard, as the overcrowded deck was quickly overwhelmed by the advancing inferno.
According to TheSunUS, the KM Barcelona VA, a ferry servicing the Manado-Tahuda route and nearby islands, was en route from the Talaud Islands to Manado City when the fire broke out near Talise Island, North Minahasa Regency. The vessel had been scheduled to arrive at Manado Port.
Rescue operations remain underway, with emergency teams racing to account for all passengers. Authorities have yet to confirm any casualties, and the cause of the fire is still unknown. A search and rescue post has been established at Likupang Port to coordinate efforts.
“There are KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F,” a Manado KSOP officer confirmed, referring to the vessels dispatched to support the evacuation. Local fishermen and residents also joined the rescue operation, surrounding the burning ferry in small boats to assist in saving those trapped.
READ ALSO: Three Children Freed In Spain After Three Years Indoors
Images taken after the flames were subdued showed the once blue and white ferry reduced to a charred wreck, with its internal metal structure exposed and its hull completely destroyed.
Some survivors were seen staring in shock at the remains of the vessel from nearby boats.
The head of the Manado Search and Rescue Office, George Leo Mercy Randang, said: “More information will follow. We hope all passengers can be rescued first.”
Families of those onboard have been urged to stay calm and await official updates as authorities continue to gather details.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19R5VqxVj6
- PHOTOS: Retired Police Officers Protest Under Rain At N’Assembly Gate
- Court Freezes Firm’s Accounts Over N24.9bn Debt
- Falana, Others Slam Okpebholo As Edo Movement Ban On Obi Sparks Reactions, Controversy
- Nigerians Spent Over $3.6bn Annually On Foreign Healthcare Under Buhari
- 27-year-old Delta Man Nabbed For Lover’s Death
- Russia Strikes Ukraine After Kyiv Offers Fresh Talks
- Pension Protest: Sowore Leads Retired Policemen To Force HQ
- PICTORIAL: Moment Retired police Officers Blocked Force HQ Gate
- Coach Ikhana Discharged From ICU, Recovery Hailed As ‘Miracle’
- Doctors Warm Up For Nationwide Strike
About Us
Trending
- Politics4 days ago
BREAKING: Edo 2024 PDP Campaign DG Resigns From Party, Gives Reason
- Politics4 days ago
What Buhari Told Me During My Campaign — Peter Obi
- Headline5 days ago
Nurse Banned For Paying Patient $3,000 To Cut Off Ex-boyfriend’s Penis
- News3 days ago
How RCCG Pastor Absconded With $8,000, Marry New Wife In US — Pastor Adeboye’s wife
- News5 days ago
Why I Didn’t Attend Buhari’s Burial – Peter Obi
- News4 days ago
JUST IN: FG Renames Nigerian University After Buhari
- Metro4 days ago
How AAUA Undergraduates Were Raped, Killed, Corpses Disposed Of By Killers – Police
- News3 days ago
‘His Security Is Not Guaranteed,’ Okpehbolo Warns Obi Not To Come To Edo Without Informing Him
- Entertainment3 days ago
Gospel Singer, Eight Others Jailed For Internet Fraud In Kwara
- News4 days ago
FULL LIST: JAMB Uncovers 9,460 Illegal Admissions In 20 Tertiary Institutions