Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections

The incident, which occurred around 7 a.m. near the Kogi State Polytechnic staff quarters, involved a heavily loaded trailer that lost its brakes and collided with a tricycle (Keke NAPEP). Witnesses reported that the trailer rammed into the tricycle, throwing passengers into its path. The deceased were identified as Covenant Omolola Isaac, a student from the Department of Geology at FUL and Abu Taiwo Abimbola, an HND II student of Science Laboratory Technology at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja. Abimbola was reportedly on her way to take her final paper in the ongoing first-semester examinations when the tragic incident occurred. Jubril Adama, a student of the polytechnic who witnessed the accident, recounted the events: “The two students were not so lucky as the collapsed Keke NAPEP threw them out into the path of the trailer. “Both were crushed to death instantly. Fortunately, the Keke driver survived with minor injuries.” The President of the National Association of Science Laboratory and Technology Students at Kogi State Polytechnic, Comrade Akor Caleb Kelvin, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Abimbola, describing her as a cherished member of the department. In a statement, Kelvin said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of our cherished member, Abu Taiwo Abimbola. “This devastating loss has left all of us in shock and deep sorrow.” The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Aya, confirmed the incident. He stated that the bodies of the deceased students had been evacuated and deposited in a hospital in Lokoja. “Two persons lost their lives one student from Federal University Lokoja and another from Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.” The authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to pummel Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be some lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement after it was presented by Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troopsand U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it says are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon as the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed.

Middle East latest: Syria's forces withdraw from Homs, a key link between the capital and coast

Saquon Barkley is the NFL's version of Shohei Ohtani: Analysis

Thousands of pro-EU protesters march on Georgia parliament

Influencer girl blogger talking smartphone,live recording video blog on social network at ... [+] home.Social media live streaming concept.Focus on the phone, the girl in the background in a blur. As we end 2024 and enter a new year, the creator economy is projected to grow. As stated in Deloitte’s Creator Economy in 3D report, the creator economy is now projected to represent a $250 billion opportunity. The creator economy encompasses influencers, content creators, celebrities, musicians, chefs, and anyone who creates content online and shares it on digital platforms. Here are a 5 key insights about the creator economy in 2025: 1. Creator Marketing Is A Top Marketing Investment In 2025 A recent study conducted by LTK x Northwestern University found that 93% of brands reported that they’ll either increase their creator budgets or increase the role of creators in their overall strategy. The surveyed brands also shared that 41% are investing at least half their digital marketing budget on creators and influencers. 2. 43% Of Brands Shared They Plan To Use Creator Content In connective TV While boosting creator content on social media has continued to be a part of the brand’s creator/influencer strategy, creator content will start to be leveraged outside of social media platforms. Creator content is used and repurposed across at least four channels within and outside digital media. About 43% of the brands surveyed in the LTK x Northwestern University study shared that they plan to use creator content in connective TV (CTV) ads. The 85 Best Black Friday Deals So Far, According To Our Editors 60+ Early Black Friday Deals Worth Shopping Right Now A few other ways brands plan to use creator content include: - Content marketing (56%) - Sponsorships (44%) - Television Advertising (39%) - Affiliate Marketing (31%) 3. News Influencers Are Rising In Popularity . People may have their favorite beauty or fashion influencers. Still, one type of influencer on the rise is a “news influencer,” as described in a Pews Research Center . News influencers are individuals who share current news, issues, political events, and more on social media. While a news influencer may be a journalist, they may also be an independent content creator without a news organization affiliation. 4. Gen-Z and Millennial Consumers Reported Having 5-10 Favored Creators. Gen-Z and millennials consume more time on social media, about 26%-37% more than other generations, as Deloitte’s Creator Economy in 3D report reported. The two generations shared that there are creators on social media they catch up with, like a favorite TV show. The average Gen-Z consumer reported having 10 favored creators that they actively seek out for new content and updates, while the average millennial consumer reported having 5 favored creators they engage with. Some Gen-Z and millennial consumers (45%) report admiring these creators for their lifestyles. These generations shared that these favored creators provide more relatable and personable content on digital platforms compared to what they see in traditional media. 5. Creators Are Helping Brands Solve Marketing Challenges Like Increasing Brand Awareness. Brands reported that awareness is one of the most important metrics for creator campaigns. 58% of the brands surveyed in the LTK x Northwestern University study shared that creators helped increase brand or product awareness and higher in categories like beauty (72%) and fashion (67%). Other brand priorities for in working with creators include:Mikel Arteta hailed the best away European performance of his Arsenal reign after watching his side dismantle Sporting Lisbon 5-1. The Gunners delivered the statement Champions League victory their manager had demanded to bounce back from a narrow defeat at Inter Milan last time out. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track, lifting them to seventh place with 10 points in the new-look 36-team table. It was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League since beating Inter by the same scoreline in 2003. “For sure, especially against opposition we played at their home who have not lost a game in 18 months – they have been in top form here – so to play with the level, the determination, the purpose and the fluidity we showed today, I am very pleased,” said Arteta. “The team played with so much courage, because they are so good. When I’m watching them live they are so good! They were all exceptional today. It was a big performance, a big win and we are really happy. “The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, and that creates belief.” A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners took the lead after only seven minutes when Martinelli tucked in Jurrien Timber’s cross, and Saka teed up Havertz for a tap-in to double the advantage. Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Declan Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after David Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved. A miserable night for prolific Sporting striker Gyokeres was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.

Longtime NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson will take over as head coach at Delaware State, Victory Formation Media and ESPN reported Thursday. If confirmed, it would be the latest data point in a growing trend of FCS football teams hiring well-known former players -- with little to no prior coaching experience -- in an effort to stand out. Jackson, 38, has no connection to Delaware State but according to ESPN, "it has always been a dream" of his to coach at an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). Earlier this month, Norfolk State hired Michael Vick to take over the Spartans' program. Vick, who also reportedly heard from Sacramento State, hails from the Norfolk, Va., area. Norfolk State is one of Delaware State's rivals in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Colorado coach Deion Sanders spent three seasons (2020-22) as the head coach of Jackson State before moving up to the FBS level. His only prior coaching experience came at the high school level, including at his own short-lived charter school in Texas, "Prime Prep Academy." Jackson last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. He is best known for two stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-13, 2019-20) and played for a total of six teams in a 15-year NFL career. Jackson caught 641 passes for 11,263 yards and 58 touchdowns, adding four rushing touchdowns and four punt return touchdowns in 183 career games. Delaware State went 1-11 in 2024 (0-5 MEAC) and fired coach Lee Hull after the season. The Hornets have not had a winning season since going 6-5 in 2012. --Field Level MediaPhrank Shaibu, ex-VP Atiku Abubakar's aide, has cautioned the Tinubu administration to exercise caution in its dealings with France Shaibu's warning comes as France's influence in the region wanes, with countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger rejecting French dominance He advised that Nigeria must prioritise its sovereignty and regional leadership aspirations, scrutinising any alliance with France through the lens of national interest CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Abuja , FCT - Phrank Shaibu, special assistant on public communication to ex-VP Atiku Abubakar, has warned that the Tinubu administration must tread carefully in its dealings with France, citing concerns about Paris's neo-colonial ambitions in West Africa. Shaibu made his position known in an op-ed titled See Paris And Die! released on Thursday, December 26. France's waning influence in West Africa Shaibu's warning comes amidst a backdrop of France's waning influence in the region, with several countries rejecting French dominance. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! France is facing a diplomatic crisis in Africa , particularly in West Africa, where it has maintained significant influence over its former colonies for decades. Read also FG breaks silence on terror links with France to destabilise Niger Republic: “A dangerous attempt” However, countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger are increasingly rejecting French dominance, with military coups leading to the expulsion of French troops and businesses. France and Nigeria: A new alliance? Amidst this backdrop, France appears to be seeking a new alliance with Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. In November, President Tinubu embarked on a three-day working visit to France following President Emmanuel Macron's invitation. However, Shaibu raised concerns about this development, recalling the historical tensions between France and Nigeria. According to him, France has traditionally viewed Nigeria as a competitor and threat to its influence in West Africa, while Nigeria has not forgotten France's support for Biafran secessionists during the civil war. Tread carefully, Shaibu advises Tinubu's govt Shaibu warned that the brewing alliance has far-reaching implications for Nigeria. He cautioned that Nigeria risks becoming a pawn in France's neo-colonial ambitions, undermining its sovereignty and regional leadership aspirations. Read also Year in review: 7 political events that shaped Nigeria in 2024 He urged the Tinubu administration to tread carefully, emphasising that Nigeria cannot afford to become a stepping stone for France's resurgence in West Africa. Shaibu stressed the importance of scrutinising any alliance with France through the lens of national interest and historical experience. His words: "The Tinubu administration must tread carefully. Nigeria cannot afford to become a stepping stone for France’s resurgence in West Africa, nor can it allow itself to be manipulated into a subservient role in a relationship historically marked by exploitation. The romance with France must be approached with vigilance and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty, dignity, and leadership in Africa. "The question, therefore, is not just where this alliance is heading, but whether it is worth the price Nigeria may have to pay. Only time will tell if this partnership will serve Nigeria’s interests or if it will reduce the nation to yet another pawn in France's relentless quest for dominance in Africa." Read also Presidency spits fire as Peter Obi addresses tragic stampedes across Nigeria: “You lack decency” Read more about Nigeria-France relations Nigerian state visit signals shift in France's Africa strategy Peter Obi Knocks Tinubu Over Visit to France FG Breaks Silence on Alleged Links with France to Destabilise Niger Republic Nigerian president woos French investment on state visit Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu said Nigeria is "open for business" as he embarked on a state visit to France, with Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent. The 72-year-old president met with his French counterpart, Macron, during the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades. Macron, 46, who has sought a "renewal" between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election, said his country would "continue to invest" in Nigeria when France's influence on the continent wanes following military coups and changing attitudes. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng