Kerry Hasenbalg 

Idolatry is often thought of as an ancient sin involving golden calves and carved images. However, it’s far more common today than we might admit.

One example of idolatry’s influence is the way public opinion shifts when admired figures experience a fall from grace. While this pattern is often seen in secular fame, it has also crept into church culture. The allure of big platforms and high follower counts pose serious threats to the credibility of the American Church.

When pastors and faith influencers stumble, their followers experience deep disappointment that can lead to disillusionment and even “church hurt.” As trust in the church erodes, the name of Christ is tarnished.

I strongly believe that the way forward is engaging in the practice of soul care. Having walked closely with Christian leaders, I have seen how unaddressed idolatry weakens spiritual foundations and has contributed to the decline of the American Church.

Yet, I have also witnessed the transformative power of soul care to restore what is broken. When we turn from misplaced worship and engage in personal renewal, God transforms brokenness into wholeness in a way only He can do. That transformation is not just for the famous but for the Church as a whole.

In psychology, the concept of BIRG-ing (Basking in Reflected Glory) refers to how “individuals bolster their self-esteem and self-worth by identifying with another group or individual’s success.” Its counter, CORF-ing (Cutting Off Reflected Failure), entails distancing oneself from the failures of others to safeguard one’s own reputation.

These concepts resonate with biblical teachings, identifying them as forms of idolatry. Idolatry is defined as “the elevation of anything above God in one's life,” and is described in the Old Testament as “doing evil in the sight of the Lord.”

An idolatrous heart is a fearful heart seeking rescue through worldly pursuits. Placing hope in our soul’s most significant distractors — power, fame, and wealth — is a dangerous game. In our household, we refer to these temptations as “the three bears” because chasing them directly can harm the soul or, even worse, lead to being devoured.

The rising trend of the Christian “celebrity” is concerning and has become more prevalent with the megachurch culture and social media exposure.

When we elevate individuals beyond their humanity, we inadvertently transform them into “mini gods,” seeking them as a source to meet our needs. We become part of the demand for an unending stream of wisdom, productivity, and influence, fueling the ego’s propensity to “play god.”

The consequences of moral leadership failures bring defamation to what we aspire to embody — Christianity itself. It's important to remember that when we look to humans for validation and guidance instead of to God, we risk our spiritual well-being and the integrity of our faith community.

My mother frequently said, “Idolatry leads to hate.” Seeking superficial glory leads us to “step over a dollar to get to a dime,” where we miss the true worth of those in front of us. If we neglect these lessons, we risk creating human kingdoms instead of building God's Kingdom.

I thought that by taking in these warnings, I could sidestep these pitfalls; however, one phone call would reveal how easy it was for me to fall into these bad patterns and justify my behavior.

My friend told me, “The pastor of the church you recommended preached against bikinis, and now he’s been exposed for cheating on his wife and a porn problem.”

I felt shocked and guilty for recommending the church. I tried to distance myself, unaware I was engaging in CORF-ing — distancing myself from the pastor’s failure and the church. Judgment clouded my perspective, just as flattery does in BIRG-ing.

The failures of Christian leaders feed disillusionment, eroding trust in the Church. Yet, this is not evidence of a powerless God. Rather, it reveals His discipline, as He answers people according to their idols (Ezekiel 14:4). The solution is not to seek better leaders to admire, but to return to true, Bible-based soul care. 

Soul care begins with acknowledging our limitations, repenting, rejecting bitterness, and seeking God as our source of wisdom (James 1:5). Many have looked to misguided sources — leaders, platforms, or influence — for identity and security. Christian leaders can guide us, but they cannot sustain us.

Through decades in ministry and Christian spaces, I’ve seen how flattery and fear of backlash allow moral compromise. Those chasing earthly rewards ultimately harm their souls and those around them. True restoration requires humility, accountability, and repentance.

One of the greatest threats to the Church today is not legalism or atheism — it is idolatry. We cannot heal by idolizing better leaders or condemning fallen ones while ignoring our own brokenness.

That is the purpose of soul care — returning to God as our source, fostering honesty, accountability, repentance, and transformation. Only then can the Church reflect His light, not our own.

Christian Post

U.S. investment bank J.P. Morgan has urged investors to exit long positions in Nigerian Open Market Operation (OMO) bills, warning that global risks—driven by falling oil prices and renewed trade tensions—could deepen Nigeria’s macroeconomic vulnerabilities.

In a research note dated April 9, 2025 seen by Nairametrics, titled“Frontier Local Markets Strategy: Reducing risk further,” the bank advised clients to close their positions in Nigerian T-bills as Brent crude oil approaches sub-$60 levels.

J.P. Morgan, which had previously backed Nigeria’s carry trade for its high yield and relative stability, has now shifted its stance, citing a changing global environment worsened by former President Donald Trump’s re-emergence as a leading candidate in the U.S. elections and his push for sweeping global tariffs.

Nigeria’s central bank had earlier in the month assured stakeholders that it expected an uptick in external reserves, after it declared a net of $23 billion

• “We anticipate a steady uptick in reserves, underpinned by improved oil production levels, and a more supporting export growth environment that is expected to boost non-oil FX earnings and diversify external inflows.” 

It also recently declared a balance of payment surplus of $6.83 billion at the end of  2024, “signalling economic resurgence” and citing ongoing monetary policy reforms.

Oil below $60 threatens Nigeria’s external balance 

However, JP Morgan noted that if oil prices remain below $60 per barrel—the estimated breakeven price for Nigeria—it could push Nigeria’s current account back into deficit.

This would place significant pressure on the naira and intensify the demand for dollar assets. J.P. Morgan had earlier forecasted that in such a scenario, the USD/NGN exchange rate could surpass the 1,700/$1 mark. The current exchange rate trades around 1,500/$1, but is highly dependent on foreign inflows.

• “While Nigeria may well avoid a recession itself,” the report stated, “the substantial decline in oil prices below its break-even of US$60/bbl… would push Nigeria’s current account balance into deficit.” 

As a result, the bank has called time on one of its “highest conviction” trades in frontier markets.

CBN’s FX interventions ramp up 

J.P. Morgan acknowledged the Central Bank of Nigeria’s proactive response in recent weeks, highlighting a 3.6% depreciation in the naira, which it considers relatively moderate.

• The CBN has reportedly sold about $550 million into the market in March to defend the currency, amid rising demand and dwindling supply.
• This trend, the bank warns, could signal increased capital flight, as foreign portfolio investors may see Nigeria as more vulnerable to external shocks—especially if oil revenues decline further.
• J.P. Morgan estimates potential portfolio outflows could total up to $10 billion, although a portion of this may be tied up in private placements or illiquid assets.

The situation reflects a critical reality for Nigeria: the FX market is still heavily reliant on central bank support, and any disruption to CBN dollar inflows—primarily from oil—could create panic in both currency and bond markets.

The CBN has reportedly sold about $550 million into the market in March to defend the currency, amid rising demand and dwindling supply. Nairametrics estimates this at over $1 billion this month.

Local market liquidity falters 

The bank also observed that while the FX market has remained relatively stable, Nigeria’s domestic fixed-income market has shown signs of stress.

• Liquidity for OMO and T-bills has been notably weak, with yields rising by as much as 300 basis points in recent weeks.
• This signals reluctance among investors to absorb short-dated government securities, likely due to inflation concerns, foreign outflows, and oil price uncertainty.
• To cushion the market and prevent disorderly price movements, the central bank has been forced to intervene more actively—either by injecting liquidity or participating directly in auctions to ensure bid-cover ratios are met.

What this means for Nigeria 

J.P. Morgan’s warning highlights the fragile balance Nigeria is walking in 2025. The country’s reform agenda—particularly the unification of its FX rate and removal of fuel subsidies—had earned it positive attention in global markets last year.

But the combination of falling oil prices and rising geopolitical tensions now threatens to undo much of that progress.

• The government had hoped for increased FX inflows through oil exports and multilateral support. However, with oil prices falling and no clear path to alternative revenue streams, the pressure on fiscal and external balances is likely to grow.
• For investors, the warning is stark: Nigeria’s asset prices are highly sensitive to global conditions, particularly oil.

With Trump’s proposed global tariffs casting a shadow over emerging markets and Brent crude slipping closer to sub-$60, Nigeria’s dollar liquidity and currency stability are under threat. 

Despite the near-term risks, J.P. Morgan maintains a medium-term constructive view on Nigeria. The bank believes that Nigeria will continue on its reform path, allowing the exchange rate to find market-clearing levels and reducing its dependence on fuel subsidies.

It also expects the government to rely more on domestic revenue mobilization, including proceeds from the oil sector through the now-commercialized Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). However, that recovery is contingent on higher oil prices and continued macroeconomic discipline.

The investment bank concluded that the outlook for Nigeria depends largely on how well the country can withstand external shocks and sustain its reform agenda amid global headwinds.

Nairametrics

Nigeria's pension fund regulator wants to diversify investments with more focus on infrastructure and private equity, a spokesperson said on Friday, a move that could unlock a major new source of capital in Africa's most populous nation.

The voluntary and privately managed Retirement Savings Account held assets of 23.26 trillion naira ($14.58 billion) as of February, with 60% of that invested in government debt and less than 10% in corporate securities.

Diversification would allow the fund to seek out higher-yield investments, National Pension Commission (PenCom) spokesperson Ibrahim Buwai told Reuters.

"The current investment strategy can be improved, especially given the issue of inflation. It's safer to have more options in the mix that guarantee real returns," he said.

He added that PenCom was seeking out commercially viable infrastructure investments rather than subsidised projects such as public housing.

The potential investment pivot comes as Nigeria - Africa's biggest oil producer - faces a significant infrastructure deficit, projected by ratings agency Augusto & Co. to reach $878 billion by 2040.

With only 30% of Nigeria's estimated 200,000 km (124,274 miles) of roads paved, the deficit, which extends to bridges, schools, and other public utilities, is a brake on economic growth and development.

In order to diversify investments and put pension resources to work to remedy the problem, however, fund managers say stringent rules for acceptable investable instruments must first be loosened.

In its December mandate, for example, PenCom restricted investment to companies with a corporate rating of A, which are typically multinationals with limited commercial paper issuance.

Pension fund administrators considering B-rated companies, meanwhile, were required to provide additional guarantees.

Buwai said PenCom was pushing for the creation of new investment vehicles that would allow for diversification and improve returns while ensuring acceptable risk levels.

"We are working with the capital market operators to enlarge the scope of qualified financial instruments available for pension fund investments," he said.

($1 = 1,594.9000 naira)

Reuters

Gazans speak out against Hamas for the first time in 18 years

For the first time since Hamas seized power 18 years ago, Gazans are speaking out against Hamas at great personal risk.

The abject desperation in the Gaza Strip is emboldening the population there. For the first time since Hamas seized power 18 years ago, they are speaking out against Hamas at great personal risk.

"Since Oct. 7 people have been blaming Hamas and recognizing Hamas started this war," Moumen Al Natour said.

A Gaza lawyer and former political prisoner of Hamas, Al Natour knows very well the risk he is taking by making public statements against Hamas. 

"I would be lying if I said I was not afraid," he said through a translator. "I am afraid like any citizen living as a hostage under Hamas rule for the last 18 years. If I don’t speak out against Hamas, we will certainly be exposed to something worse in the future."

While Al Natour is taking the dangerous step of speaking out – he even wrote an opinion piece published in The Washington Post – he is not entirely alone. 

On March 26, thousands of Palestinians took to the devastated streets in the Northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya. They chanted, "Out, out, Hamas get out" and "The people want the fall of Hamas."

A demonstration in Gaza against Hamas would have previously been a guarantee of a heavy-handed response from the terrorist organization. Now, Hamas is weakened, partially by Israeli Defense Forces, partially by the desperation of the Gazans Hamas claims to serve. 

"Recently, anger has been increasing towards Hamas because the situation is deteriorating," said Al Natour.

Power has been a rare luxury in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. Video that comes from the Gaza Strip is an accurate reflection of the pervasiveness of the destruction. Al Natour told Fox News only buildings in the center of the Gaza Strip escaped the wrath of Israel's army.

Water is scarce. "Most of the water we have is dirty, unhealthy water," Al Natour said. "It’s very hard to have access to clean water. The water they use for other purposes is seawater, and it’s very salty. It is greatly affecting people's health over here."

Life in Gaza will only return to a healthy standard when the war ends. So, Al Natour says Gazans want to liberate the Israeli hostages. "The people of Gaza are all for the release of all Israeli hostages and sending them back to their houses. But, on the other hand, the civilians in Gaza do not have anything. They do not have the tools or any ability to help in this matter."

He also said that Gazans want an end to Hamas rule, replacing them with local leadership focused less on fighting Israel, less on political affiliation, more on providing the basics of life.

"Gaza is totally destroyed," he said. "We don’t need political affiliations or political programs right now. We only want to give the people services."

The established Palestinian leadership was quick to reject President Donald Trump's proposal to evacuate and then reconstruct the Gaza Strip and call it a freedom zone. "That’s a hell of a place," the president said last Monday.

Living in the destruction, Al Natour thinks Gazans could agree, even if it means leaving the coastal strip for good. "People welcomed Trump’s recommendation because life in Gaza is hell, and no human being can stay in Gaza forever under these circumstances."

Fox News

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

US envoy Witkoff meets Putin as Trump tells Moscow to 'get moving' on Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with President Vladimir Putin on Friday in St. Petersburg about the search for a peace deal on Ukraine as Trump told Russia to "get moving".

Putin was shown on state TV greeting Witkoff in St. Petersburg's presidential library at the start of the negotiations and state news agencies later said the talks lasted more than four hours.

"The theme of the meeting — aspects of a Ukrainian settlement," the Kremlin said in a statement after the meeting concluded.

Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in the on-off rapprochement between Moscow and Washington amid talk on the Russian side of potential joint investments in the Arctic and in Russian rare earth minerals.

The Izvestia news outlet earlier released video of Witkoff leaving a hotel in the city, accompanied by Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's investment envoy.

Dmitriev called the talks on Friday productive, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

However, the talks come at a time when U.S.-Russia dialogue aimed at agreeing a ceasefire ahead of a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine appears to have stalled over disagreements around conditions for a full pause in hostilities.

Trump, who has shown signs of losing patience, has spoken of imposing secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil if he feels Moscow is dragging its feet on a Ukrainian deal.

Ukrainian officials have in recent days sent Washington a list of targets it believes Russia has struck in violation of the energy infrastructure ceasefire the two countries agreed to last month, according to two people familiar with the list.

On Friday, Trump said in a post on Truth Social: "Russia has to get moving. Too many people (are) DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war - A war that should have never happened, and wouldn't have happened, if I were President!!!"

Putin has said he is ready in principle to agree to a full ceasefire, while emphasizing that crucial implementation details remain unresolved and what he describes as the war's root causes have yet to be addressed.

Specifically, he has said that Ukraine should not join NATO, that the size of its army needs to be limited, and that Russia should get the entirety of the territory of the four Ukrainian regions it claims as its own despite not fully controlling them.

With Moscow controlling just under 20% of Ukraine and Russian forces continuing to advance on the battlefield, the Kremlin believes Russia is in a strong position when it comes to negotiations and that Ukraine should make concessions.

Kyiv says Russia's terms would amount to a capitulation.

TRUMP-PUTIN MEETING?

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Witkoff might discuss the possibility of the Russian leader meeting Trump face-to-face.

Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet in person since the U.S. leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term.

However, Peskov played down the Witkoff-Putin talks, telling Russian state media before they started that the U.S. envoy's visit would not be "momentous" and no breakthroughs were expected.

He said the meeting would be a chance for Russia to express its concerns. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of violating a moratorium on striking each other's energy infrastructure.

The meeting, the third this year between Putin and Witkoff, comes at a time when U.S. tensions with Iran and China, both close allies of Moscow, have been heightened by Tehran's nuclear programme and a burgeoning trade war with Beijing.

Witkoff, who visited a synagogue in St. Petersburg earlier on Friday, is due in Oman on Saturday for talks with Iran over its nuclear programme. Trump has threatened Tehran with military action if it does not agree to a deal. Moscow has repeatedly offered its help in trying to clinch a diplomatic settlement.

U.S. and Russian officials said they had made progress during talks in Istanbul on Thursday towards normalising the work of their diplomatic missions as they begin to rebuild ties.

A February meeting between Witkoff and Putin culminated with the U.S. envoy flying home with Marc Fogel, an American teacher whom Washington had said was wrongfully detained by Russia.

A Russian-American spa worker Ksenia Karelina, who had been sentenced to 12 years in prison in Russia, was exchanged on Thursday for Arthur Petrov, whom the U.S. had accused of forming a global smuggling ring to transfer sensitive electronics to Russia's military.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainians fear frontline encirclement – CNN

Ukrainian soldiers have been raising fear of possible encirclement as Russian forces continue to advance along the front line, CNN has reported, citing data and messages posted on social media.

The Russian military has made new gains in the southwest of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), pushing forward between strategic cities of Pokrovsk (also known as Krasnoarmeysk) and Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk), according to the Russian Telegram channel ‘Operation Z: War reporters of Russian Spring’.

Ukrainian forces still control parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, including the regional capitals of the latter two. The two Donbass republics as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions officially joined Russia in 2022 following referendums.

Some of the fiercest fighting has recently been reported south of Pokrovsk, once a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in the remaining parts of the DPR under Kiev’s control.

A Ukrainian officer deployed in the area told CNN this week, citing drone footage and intercepted radio communications, that Russian forces were bringing in additional manpower and vehicles, possibly in preparation for new assaults.

CNN’s analysis of combat engagements recorded by Ukraine’s General Staff reportedly indicated an increase in Russian activity along all parts of the front over the past two weeks.

Posts by Ukrainian soldiers on social media in recent days have described fears of an encirclement in one location and a breach of defensive lines in another, the news outlet wrote.

It quoted a Telegram post by a Ukrainian with a call-sign Muchnoy, who claimed the front line had entered an “active” phase and that “the Russians will not stop.”

“They will enter the Dnepropetrovsk Region – this is one of the key tasks set by the Russian command,” the post reportedly stated.

The potential encirclement of Pokrovsk could pave the way for a broader offensive into Dnepropetrovsk Region, with only six kilometers remaining to the border. Dnepropetrovsk Region borders DPR to the east and Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to the south.

The report suggested that the capture of even a part of Dnepropetrovsk Region could serve as a “bargaining chip” for Moscow in future negotiations, while seriously weakening Kiev’s position.

On Friday, the ‘Operation Z’ channel shared video footage from the fighting near Pokrovsk, showing the 255th Regiment destroying NATO equipment, infantry, and positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Reuters/RT

It is legitimate to pose the question – is our State drifting towards anarchy? Do we have a social contract with State institutions that provide for our security and welfare? It is a question worth posing, as we note the dramatic breakdown in security provisioning that has created a climate of disillusion in the State as a protector of citizens. Secondly, there is a significant rise and expansion of sectarian conflicts, both ethnic and religious, fuelled in part by massive disinformation and hate speech in both the traditional and social media. Thirdly, Nigeria’s elite consensus on federalism and the federal character principle as a guarantee against group discrimination and marginalisation is badly shaken. We ALL have a collective responsibility to stop the drift and seek pathways to re-establish confidence in the nation-building project.

Beneath the multiple narratives on offer concerning the crisis of the Nigerian State is a three-dimensional crisis. The first one affects the political economy and is generated mainly by public corruption over the past four decades that has created a run on the treasury at the national and state levels threatening to consume the goose that lays the golden egg. The second one is the crisis of citizenship symbolised by ethno-regionalism, the Boko Haram insurgency, farmer-herder killings, agitations for Biafra, militancy in the Niger Delta and indigene/settler conflicts. The third element relates to the frustration of the country’s democratic aspirations in a context in which the citizenry believes in “true democracy” confronted with a reckless political class that is corrupt, self-serving and manipulative. These issues have largely broken the social pact between citizens and the State. This has opened the gates to actors bent on dismantling the State.

This week, the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, raised an alarm that the state seems to be losing grounds to terrorists. He was speaking during an expanded Security Council meeting which, he noted, was convened to hear the truth from major stakeholders, including traditional rulers and heads of security agencies in the state. In attendance were the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna; sector commanders; the commissioner of police and heads of other security agencies; the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi as well as the emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira and Gwoza.

Zulum expressed concern over the recent Boko Haram attacks on major military formations across the state, saying that the state was at risk of returning to turmoil. Many military locations had been dislodged, especially in Wulgo, Sabongari, Wajirko among others he said. The peace that had been won over the years in Borno State is apparently being lost once again. It is troubling that we cannot sustain the peace.

Meanwhile, in Jos, Plateau State, Governor Caleb Muftwang also said this week that the continuous and sustained attacks in communities in the state should not be described as conflicts between herders and farmers but a genocide against the Plateau natives. This followed the killing of about 52 persons including children on Friday, 28th March, 2025, after armed men carried out attacks on communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas and their environs of the State. Similar stories are being told daily in other States such as Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Benue and Kaduna. Nigerian citizens are very concerned that there are no safe spaces in the country. The problem is that it appears that the Nigerian State is not aware.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, claimed this week also that the country has recorded over 90% improvement in security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He made this assertion in Jos, Plateau state, during a press briefing following a strategic meeting with the commander of Operation Safe Haven, Folusho Oyinlola. The meeting was convened after deadly gunmen attack on the Bokkos community, which tragically claimed the lives of hundreds of residents.

There was no surprise that Ribadu’s statement, given the context of recent violence, sparked mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. Critics argue that the NSA’s comments are aimed at shaping public perception as politicking for the 2027 general election approaches. The remarks were understood by many as part of a broader political narrative to build confidence in the administration. The problem is that we the people also live in Nigeria and we have not seen the remarkable 90% improvement in security in the country. In fact a few days before his comments, Tsiga, a retired general was released by kidnappers only after friends and relations collected money and paid a huge ransom demanded by the almighty kidnappers. Significant security improvement is tangible and would be seen by the people whose lives and livelihoods are affected. There has been some improvement in security provisioning but it has not been significant enough to be noticed by the people.

In a recent lecture, the Director-General the Department of State Services (DSS) says communities a crucial role to play in securing themselves against criminal elements, adding that they must serve as the first line of defence. He specifically stated that it was impossible for all the security agencies to protect all Nigerians across nooks and crannies of the country. If Oluwatosin Ajayi, the head of the secret police, can state this openly, it suggests that there is a shift of security responsibility at the highest level of the State. He was actually speaking in Abuja when he spoke at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in the presence of top echelons from the military, police and other para-military agencies in attendance, on the topic – “Mobilising Stakeholders to Curb Insecurity in Nigeria: A Practical Approach”. The DSS’ boss recounted historical instances where communities successfully defended themselves against insurgents, particularly in Azare and Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State. I understand his logic, that communities know their territory well and can mobilise themselves to take care of violence entrepreneurs. The reality however is that the said violence entrepreneurs have procured very sophisticated arms and often, the community simply does not have the fire power to confront them. It is also important to know that sometimes, the perpetrators are also from the community and know the layout. There are too many groups that have discovered that obtaining an AK47 can be their pathway to wealth because they are not in government where you can be wealthy by stealing without arms. Given the number of these disaffected young persons who are arming themselves to find solutions to their problems, we can easily fall into anarchy and were that to happen, we will ALL BE LOSERS as our lives would become nasty, brutish and short.

The State is based on a social contract in which it receives taxes and loyalty from the people and it offers them security – the protection of their lives and livelihoods. If it persists in its failure to provide its part of the bargain, then anarchy can loom on the horizon. The drift towards anarchy must be arrested.

** A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

PT

It can be tempting to prod your ears in a bid to shift wax.

But touching your ear with long, fake nails could cause a nasty bacterial infection that can even trigger tinnitus, an audiologist has warned.

While anyone who touches their ear with unwashed hands is at risk of infection, those with extended nails are especially vulnerable. 

'Long or false acrylic nails can be the worst culprit when it comes to the transfer of bacteria as they provide more surface area for bacteria and fungi to accumulate,' warned Hannah Samuels, an audiologist at Boots Hearingcare.

What's more, the 'long, sharp' digits can damage delicate tissues of the ear canal by creating small abrasions, she added.

'These tiny cuts then become entry points for bacteria or fungi, increasing your risk of infection.'

Bacterial or fungal infections trigger swelling in the eustachian tube — the narrow pathway that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and helps drain fluid.

This can cause a build-up of fluid and ear wax that causes temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, according to Ms Samuels.

Tinnitus affects up to ten million sufferers in the UK and involves hearing noises like hissing, ringing or buzzing that do not come from an outside source.

Around 500,000 in the UK have a 'debilitating' version of the condition, research suggests, which leaves them unable to work and sleep.

For those with irritated ears, alternative lower risk methods of ear cleaning do exist, Ms Samuels said. 

'When you’re in the shower or having a bath, gently wash the external part of your ears with some soap and warm water. 

'For a more thorough clean, use a damp washcloth to gently wipe the outer ear,' she added.

'This can help to soften the wax in your ears, making it easier for it to move naturally towards the ear opening as part of the self-cleaning process. 

'Making this a regular routine should be enough to maintain cleanliness.'  

However, some people suffer from a build-up of wax, which can be down to having narrow or damaged ear canals, lots of hair in the ears, a skin condition, hearing aids or inflammation of the canal. 

For these people, ENT UK, the membership organisation representing ear, nose and throat surgery, recommends using two to three drops of olive oil once a week to soften ear wax and help it come out.

If earwax is very hard, it advises people to use sodium bicarbonate drops, which can be bought from pharmacies for around £4.

Some GP practices can remove wax by flushing it out with water, known as ear irrigation, or sucking it out through microsuction. 

However, the NHS warns that patients may have to pay for this privately after the service was withdrawn in parts of the country in 2019.

Around 2.3million people require earwax treatment per year, with most patients being hearing aid users, elderly or suffering from a learning disability, according to the NHS. 

This is not the first time experts have warned of the dangers of long, fake nails made with acrylic or gel substances.

Dermatologists have previously warned they are seeing an increase in the number of people developing 'life-changing' allergies triggered by gel nail polishes, which can stop them having some operations like cataracts, joint replacement or dental work.

The chemicals in gel nail polishes, known as methacrylates, can cause an allergic reaction if they leak into the skin, which can see nails loosen and the skin develop a severe, itchy rash.

Those who suffer this reaction are then unable to tolerate being exposed to the chemical, which is used in routine procedures such as fillings and hip replacements.

At-home gel manicures are the most likely culprit for triggering the painful reaction.

This is caused by the ultraviolet lamp that hardens polish not being used for long enough. 

But even salon nail treatments can pose a risk if the technician is poorly-trained.

Symptoms include the nails loosening and falling off, sores appearing on fingers and red and swollen cuticles. 

It can also trigger severe rash on the face, the neck, the upper chest. Simply brushing your nails against your arms or touching your face can cause symptoms to spread to those areas.

Daily Mail

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reversed its previous gains yesterday as market capitalization fell by ₦119 billion, primarily due to widespread selling of high-value stocks.

The All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 189.73 points (0.18%) to close at 104,187.00 points, while market capitalization dropped to ₦65.470 trillion.

This downturn was driven by losses in medium and large capitalized stocks including Unilever Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), and United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Sector performance showed mixed results with banking (-1.6%) and consumer goods (-0.2%) indices declining, while insurance (+2.7%) and oil & gas (+0.5%) indices advanced. The Industrial Goods index remained unchanged.

Despite the general market decline, positive sentiment prevailed with 33 gainers outpacing 23 losers. Top performers included Livestock Feeds and VFD Group, both gaining 10% to close at ₦8.03 and ₦72.60 respectively. Nigerian Exchange Group followed with a 9.86% gain, closing at ₦35.65.

Among the decliners, Learn Africa and Haldane McCall led with 10% losses each, closing at ₦2.97 and ₦5.22 respectively. ETI fell by 9.90% to ₦26.85, while PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped 9.88% to ₦30.10.

Trading volume decreased by 18.23% to 376.617 million units valued at ₦11.888 billion across 11,576 deals. GTCO dominated trading activity with 62.882 million shares worth ₦4.095 billion, followed by Access Holdings with 51.378 million shares valued at ₦1.059 billion.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Israel kills Hamas operative who led Oct. 7 massacre

An Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip killed a Hamas militant who led the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on a kibbutz near the Palestinian enclave that left 75 soldiers and civilians dead, Israel Defense Forces officials announced Thursday.

Haitham Razek Abd al-Karim Sheikh Khalil, commander of a Hamas terror battalion, was killed in Wednesday’s strike on a command post in Gaza City half a mile from Israeli troops.

“Several Hamas terrorists operated from within the command center in order to plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDFsoldiers,” Israeli military officials said on their Telegram social media site. 

The IDF and the Israel Security Agency, commonly known as Shin Bet, said Mr. Khalil was part of Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion that raided Nahal Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel near the Gaza border two years ago.

“Throughout the war, he planned and executed terrorist attacks against IDFtroops and operated to plant explosives and bobby-trap combat zones,” IDFofficials posted on Telegram.

The officials said he assumed leadership of the Shejaiya Battalion following the death in combat of his immediate predecessor and the previous commander.

“Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence,” the IDF officials said.

Israel has accused Hamas of “systematically” violating international law by “brutally exploiting” the civilian population as a human shield for its terrorism.

“The IDF and the ISA will continue to operate against Hamas to protect the State of Israel,” the IDF officials posted.

Washington Times

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

EU divided over Russian asset seizure – Kremlin

The Kremlin is aware of divisions within the EU over the fate of frozen Russian assets, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. Some members of the bloc are opposed to seizing the funds, citing legal risks.

An estimated $300 billion worth of Russian sovereign assets was frozen by the West following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Around €200 billion ($209 billion) of this is held by Euroclear, a Brussels-based clearing house. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has repeatedly called for the funds to be tapped for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

This week, Kallas acknowledged that some member states still oppose the move, but did not specify which ones.

Peskov told journalists on Thursday that Moscow is “aware that indeed some countries do not support such an approach, as they understand the inevitable legal consequences of such actions.” 

The Kremlin has condemned the freezing of its assets and warned that seizing them would amount to “theft,” hinting at possible retaliatory measures against Western investments in Russia.

The frozen funds have already accrued billions of euros in interest, with Euroclear transferring €1.55 billion to Kiev last July to back a $50 billion loan for Ukraine provided by the G7.

Some EU members, notably the Baltic and Nordic states, along with Poland and the Czech Republic, have pushed for the immediate transfer of the frozen funds to Kiev. Others, however – including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – have been more cautious, citing legal concerns and arguing that the funds should be kept as leverage.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has warned that confiscating Russian assets would be considered “an act of war” and could provoke a response from Moscow. Other EU officials have also raised concerns that seizing the assets without a legal basis could set a dangerous precedent and alarm global investors.

The International Monetary Fund has warned that appropriating the funds without a clear legal basis could undermine global confidence in Western financial institutions.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine to receive $580 million of UK-led military support

Ukraine will receive fresh military support worth 450 million pounds ($580 million), Britain said on Friday, as European allies attempt to strengthen the country's position ahead of any peace deal with Russia.

Britain will provide 350 million pounds of the amount from its 4.5-billion-pound military support package for Ukraine this year, with Norway contributing further funding, Britain's ministry of defence said.

The funding comes as British defence minister John Healey chairs a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels along with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. The group includes NATO and other nations supporting Ukraine.

The funding will provide repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment as well as radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones.

"The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to help force him to end this terrible war," Healey is expected to say at the meeting.

"We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today's major package will surge support to Ukraine's frontline fight."

Healey on Thursday chaired a meeting of the defence ministers of the so-called "coalition of the willing", a British and French-led peacekeeping initiative in the event of a peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

RT/Reuters