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Alake of Egba Land Urges FG to Declare July 13 Wole Soyinka Day

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Alake of Egba Land Urges FG to Declare July 13 Wole Soyinka Day

The Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare July 13 as a national day to honor Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, in recognition of his immense contributions to humanity and literature both in Nigeria and globally.

Oba Gbadebo also recommended that the Federal Government award Soyinka the Grand Commander of Order of Niger (GCON), the nation’s second highest honor, as the literary icon approaches his 90th birthday.

The traditional ruler announced that Egba Land has already decided to celebrate July 13, Soyinka’s birthday, as Wole Soyinka Day annually. This initiative aims to promote Soyinka’s ideals and his outstanding scholarship to future generations.

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As the first African Nobel Prize winner in Literature and an acclaimed international playwright, Soyinka’s work and activism have garnered global recognition. Oba Gbadebo made this appeal during a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, outlining the events planned for Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebration.

The monarch highlighted Soyinka’s status as a global icon, a living legend, and a respected elder statesman with deep roots in Ake, Abeokuta. The theme for the 90th birthday celebration is “Defiance and Creativity: A Celebration of Soyinka’s Artistic Ingenuity and Impact on Nigeria, Africa, and The Entire World.”

Oba Gbadebo stated, “It is fitting for the Federal Government to adopt July 13 as a national day to celebrate Prof. Wole Soyinka, considering his contributions to literature and humanity on a global scale. New Orleans in the United States of America has already designated a day in his honor, so it is only right that we do the same for our own distinguished figure.”

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Macron to Address France After Historic Collapse of Barnier Government

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Macron to Address France After Historic Collapse of Barnier Government

French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a national address on Thursday evening following the dramatic collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government in a no-confidence vote. This marks the first time in over six decades that a French government has been brought down by parliament.

Barnier’s government fell late Wednesday after 331 MPs—well over the required 288—voted to censure him. The motion was backed by an unusual alliance between Marine Le Pen’s far-right faction and the left-wing New Popular Front. The catalyst for the no-confidence vote was Barnier’s decision to bypass parliament and push through the national budget using special executive powers.

Following protocol, Barnier tendered his resignation Thursday morning. He is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister until Macron appoints a successor, a process that could be drawn out due to sharp divisions among parliamentary factions.

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Potential candidates for the role include Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist veteran François Bayrou. However, political observers warn that reaching a consensus on a new leader may take weeks, as seen last summer when Gabriel Attal temporarily held the role for two months.

As France grapples with political turmoil, Macron remains constitutionally insulated from the fallout. Nevertheless, calls for his resignation and demands for early presidential elections are growing louder, particularly from opposition leaders. Macron, however, has firmly dismissed the possibility of stepping down or advancing the presidential election timeline.

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Vancouver Stabbing Incident Leaves Multiple Victims, Suspect Shot by Police

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Vancouver Stabbing Incident Leaves Multiple Victims, Suspect Shot by Police

Authorities in Vancouver have reported a stabbing incident involving multiple victims near the city’s central library. The suspect, who was shot by police, is in custody, but the extent of the injuries to both the victims and the suspect remains unclear.

The incident reportedly unfolded at a convenience store, with witnesses describing a chaotic scene. According to the CBC, at least two people were taken from the scene in ambulances, though official confirmation of the total number of injured has yet to be provided.

Footage obtained by Canadian Press shows officers aiming their weapons and firing over the counter of the store while shouting commands, including “move over.” Another video appears to capture first responders administering chest compressions on a man.

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Police have not disclosed the motive or circumstances surrounding the attack, and investigations are ongoing.

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South Korea Opposition Pushes to Impeach President Yoon

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South Korea Opposition Pushes to Impeach President Yoon

The political turmoil in South Korea deepened as Kim Yong-jin, a central committee member of the Democratic Party, declared that democracy must be preserved and called for President Yoon Suk Yeol to face charges of “crimes of rebellion.” The party also named Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min as key figures involved in the controversial martial law declaration, advocating for their prosecution alongside the president.

Despite these accusations, the ruling People Power Party, to which President Yoon belongs, announced its decision to oppose any impeachment motion. To pass, the opposition requires at least eight of the 108 ruling party lawmakers to support the bill, a challenging but not impossible feat given the growing dissent.

The impeachment motion was introduced in the early hours of Thursday without any ruling party lawmakers present. Meanwhile, life in Seoul, including schools, banks, and government offices, continued as usual, but protests demanding President Yoon’s resignation have intensified. Demonstrators flooded the streets, chanting, “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,” and calling for justice.

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Adding to the tension, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the country’s largest labor organization, announced an indefinite strike, vowing to sustain the pressure until the president steps down.

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