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Gaza Talks: Pick A Side Between Us Or Hamas — Israeli PM Tells Qatar
Published
3 months agoon
By
Editor
Israel has called out Qatar to clarify its position in the ongoing Gaza conflict, accusing the Gulf state of playing both sides in its role as mediator between Israel and Hamas.
In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office urged Qatar to “stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if it’s on the side of civilization or if it’s on the side of Hamas.” Qatar swiftly rejected the remarks as “inflammatory”.
According to the Reuters, the sharp exchange comes amid continued diplomatic efforts led by Egypt and Qatar to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
READ ALSO: Gaza Protesters Vandalise Trump’s Scotland Golf Resort
However, both sides remain entrenched in their demands, with little sign of compromise.
Israel maintains that any ceasefire deal must include the disarmament of Hamas and exclude the group from any future governance of Gaza.
It also demands the return of 59 hostages still held in the enclave. Hamas, on the other hand, insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal and a permanent halt to military operations before agreeing to release the hostages.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari responded early Sunday, stating, “The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility.”
Al-Ansari went further to challenge Israel’s framing of the conflict, drawing comparisons to historical regimes that “used false narratives to justify crimes against civilians.”
READ ALSO: Hamas: Israel Cuts Off Electricity Supply To Gaza Strip
He questioned the effectiveness of military action in securing hostages, contrasting it with the success of diplomatic mediation.
He also highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing what he described as a “suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion.”
Meanwhile, signs of escalation persist. On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet reportedly approved plans for an expanded military operation in Gaza, indicating a lack of progress in negotiations to halt the conflict and free the remaining hostages.
The war was sparked by the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, which killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and led to 251 hostages being taken.
Since then, Israel’s military response has killed over 50,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins. Aid organisations continue to warn of an impending humanitarian catastrophe under the ongoing blockade.
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News
17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London
Published
4 hours agoon
August 5, 2025By
Editor
…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries
Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.
The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.
READ ALSO: Fake Labubu Dolls Worth Millions Seized In London Raid Amid Growing Safety Fears
The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.
Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”
Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.
News
FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General
Published
4 hours agoon
August 5, 2025By
Editor
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.
The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.
“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.
Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N1.7bn Falsely Declared Goods Across South-West Zone
“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.
“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”
READ ALSO:Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs
Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.
“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.
He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”
“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.
He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.
READ ALSO:Davido Thrills In Toronto, Brooklyn As US Tour Heats Up
“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.
“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.
“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.
He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.
READ ALSO:Davido Withdraws From 50 Cent’s London Concert
“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.
“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.
“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”
READ ALSO:Davido, Asa To Perform At National Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremony In Abeokuta
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.
“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.
“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”
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