BELARUS FREES NOBEL LAUREATE BIALIATSKI IN SWAP FOR US SANCTIONS RELIEF. (PHOTO).

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Belarus frees Nobel laureate Bialiatski in swap for US sanctions relief  Belarus has released Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova from prison, human rights advocate Pavel Sapelka of the Viasna group confirmed. Their release coincides with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s efforts to improve ties with the United States. Earlier, Washington announced it was lifting sanctions on Belarus’s potash sector, and in return, Lukashenko pardoned 123 prisoners. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has faced years of Western isolation and sanctions over human rights abuses and for allowing Russian military operations on its territory. Since July 2024, Minsk has released hundreds of prisoners as part of efforts to ease tensions with the West. U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale described recent talks in Minsk as “very productive” and said the countries are moving from “baby steps to more confident steps” toward normalizing relations. Opp...

UNITY TORCH LIGHTS UP NASARAWA, BENUE AHEAD OF NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL 2024.(PHOTO).


 Unity Torch Lights Up Nasarawa, Benue Ahead of National Sports Festival 2024


The excitement surrounding the 22nd National Sports Festival Gateway Games 2024 continues to build as the Torch of Unity made a historic stop in Nasarawa and Benue States on Wednesday. A delegation from the National Sports Commission (NSC) delivered the torch to Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, at the Government House in Lafia. In his address, Governor Sule praised the NSC for promoting national unity through sports and reaffirmed his state’s commitment to participating fully in the upcoming festival.


From Nasarawa, the torch made its way across the River Benue into the "Food Basket of the Nation", where it was warmly received by Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Sam Ode. Ode described the torch’s arrival as a symbol of national cohesion and a source of inspiration for sports enthusiasts across the country. “This Torch of Unity represents our shared aspirations and collective identity. It is a great honor to receive it on behalf of Governor Alia and the people of Benue State,” he stated.


The deputy governor also called on investors to support the state’s sports development initiatives, emphasizing that sports should be seen as a growing industry rather than just a recreational activity. “We are expanding into other sporting disciplines like volleyball, handball, and table tennis to nurture new talents who will proudly represent Benue State,” he added.


Ikana Mbora, who led the NSC delegation, explained that the Torch of Unity serves as both an invitation for states to actively engage in the festival and a reminder of the nation’s anticipation for the grand event. With each stop, the torch continues to ignite enthusiasm for the Gateway Games 2024, which aims to bring Nigerians together through athletic excellence and camaraderie. The torch will now proceed to other states ahead of the festival.


The National Sports Festival is set to take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from May 16 to 30, 2025.

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