Leicester City have been relegated from the Premier League following a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, marking a dramatic end to a turbulent campaign. The loss confirms the Foxes demotion to the Championship, joining Southampton as the second club to drop out of Englands top flight this season. It is a bitter blow for a club that, less than a decade ago, stunned the world by winning the Premier League title in 2016 and lifted the FA Cup just a few years later. Now, Leicester face their second relegation in three seasons, slipping into the label of a “yo-yo” club struggling to maintain top-flight consistency. The 202425 season has been one to forget for Leicester, marred by prolonged poor form and a lack of attacking threat. The team went more than 12 hours without scoring a home goal and secured just one win in their final 19 league fixtures, a run that sealed their fate long before the final whistle at Anfield. The season began under Steve Cooper, but the Welsh manager was dismissed after just 12 games. At the time of his departure, Leicester had not dropped into the relegation zone, winning two, drawing four, and losing six matches. Coopers exit made headlines not only for its timing but also due to a viral video showing Leicester players partying in a nightclub with signs referencing former boss Enzo Maresca, suggesting player discontent behind the scenes. Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was brought in to steady the ship, but his appointment failed to spark a revival. Instead, Leicester tumbled into the relegation zone shortly after his arrival and remained there for nearly the entire second half of the campaign. Despite flashes of individual quality, the team lacked cohesion and resilience, ultimately paying the price for managerial upheaval and poor performances. The club now faces a critical summer as it prepares for life in the Championship, hoping to regroup and chart a path back to the Premier League.The post Leicester relegated from Premier League after disastrous season appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

A civil society group, Save Democracy Vanguard (SDV), has appealed to the United Nations to intervene in the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

In a letter addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General and signed by Dr. Ali Mohammed Ali, Executive Director of SDV, the group described the situation in Rivers as a national emergency and accused the Federal Government of allowing the illegal suspension of democracy in Nigeria’s oil-rich state.

It warned that the country’s democracy is “on the red line” and could collapse if the international community fails to act now.

“This is no longer an internal matter. What we are witnessing in Nigeria, particularly in Rivers state, is a complete deviation from the democratic process. The international community must not look away while constitutional order is being dismantled with the silent backing of the federal authorities,” the letter partly reads.

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“A major Nigerian state has been handed over to the military in broad daylight. The installation of a sole administrator in place of elected officials and the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara without due process amount to a civilian coup and should be treated as such.

“It is deeply troubling that while terrorists and bandits continue to sack communities and murder innocent citizens across several states without the declaration of emergency rule, the federal government chose to impose what is effectively military rule in Rivers over a political disagreement between two individuals.”

Rivers’ situation is a dangerous precedent

SDV described the actions in Rivers as setting a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the entire country if not addressed immediately.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers is an assault on the will of the people. A state that voted for its leaders now finds itself under the grip of a single individual with no mandate. The sole administrator, Ibok-Eket Ibas, has sacked local government officials and heads of government institutions in the state and he’s ruling by decree. This is a tragedy for democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.”

The group noted that the crisis in Rivers has triggered widespread protests, particularly among women who have taken to the streets to demand the reinstatement of Governor Fubara and the restoration of democratic rule.

“Our mothers, sisters, and daughters in Rivers are leading peaceful demonstrations daily. They are crying out for justice, for democracy, and for the return of their elected governor. They are not only defending Fubara but defending the principle that power belongs to the people,” it added.

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On the economic front, the group said the ongoing crisis has crippled the state and discouraged investment.

“Businesses are shutting down. Workers are afraid. Contractors have fled. The state’s economy is at a standstill. No investor wants to operate in a state where the rule of law is suspended, and the constitution is optional.

“We are calling on the UN and all lovers of democracy to step in immediately. Nigeria’s democracy is bleeding; Rivers is the latest victim. If nothing is done, this Rivers experiment will spread to other states and the country may collapse into anarchy. The people have done their part—now, the international community must not fail them,” the group said.

Philadelphia police are searching for suspects accused of k!lling a 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji Bolaji and shooting a 22-year-old man who he was picking up.  Police said the shooting happened outside the Byblos restaurant and hookah lounge in the 100 block of 18th Street at around 2 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025.  “It appears that right before the shots were fired, there was some sort of physical altercation,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small. The SUV the victims were in crashed around the corner on Chestnut Street, near the shooting. Police said it all started as the 22-year-old was leaving the hookah lounge. Surveillance video being used as part of a police investigation shows the 22-year-old hugging people goodbye in front of a black SUV when two suspects run towards them As he was getting into the backseat of an SUV driven by a 77-year-old Uber driver, police said a Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled up behind them, two males got out and started fighting with the younger man. Police said at least one of the men from the Jeep fired four shots. Investigators believe a bullet went through the headrest and struck the Uber driver, who was identified as Olatunji Bolaji, of Norristown. Bolaji was still able to drive a short distance, turning onto Chestnut Street before crashing into a light pole. “A 77-year-old male was half in the driver’s seat and his upper body was outside, lying on the street,” Small said. “He was suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the back of his head. Bolaji was pronounced d3ad at the scene. His family tells Action News they are heartbroken, adding that he was just a father doing his job to make a living. “Our hearts break for the driver’s family and loved ones in the wake of this devastating loss. We’ve reached out to police to offer our support as they work to bring those responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice,” said a spokesperson for Uber. The 22-year-old who was in the backseat was shot in the arm, stomach and chest. He is listed in critical condition at an area hospital Police said witnesses got a look at the getaway vehicle, described as a newer model-dark colored Jeep Grand Cherokee. “Possible Massachusetts tags. We’re not positive, but it appeared that it was Massachusetts tags because there was a license plate in the front and the back of that vehicle,” Small said. Police say witnesses last saw the suspect’s car on Sansom Street. Another rideshare driver said the drivers who work at night wait for bars to close. “I’m so sorry that somebody had to lose his life over this. I just hope it’s not one of the guys that I used to talk to,” said the fellow rideshare driver. Fabian Romero, who is with the Independent Drivers Guild, which represents ride-share drivers nationwide, says safety is a main concern. “Right now, we’re forgotten. Nobody sees the things we live day by day. The problem we have day by day,” said Romero. Romero says they’ll continue to advocate for better safety protocols to protect drivers, as well as honor Bolaji and his family. “We support them. If anything we can do, we’re going to do it. We’re going to fight with the companies to try to get a better system or a better way to make a living for us,” he said. People who live and work in the area say the gun violence is disturbing. “I woke up to it and it was the first thing I saw on my phone. There’s never a dull moment on this street, you know,” said Mino Brone, who lives and works near Chestnut. “I think it’s devastating. A lot of people do take Ubers back and forth, especially because of the trains. I feel like you should be safe, especially in Rittenhouse, because it is a safe area. But it’s really sad,” said Michelle Kao, who owns a spa on Chestnut.  The post 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver shot and k!lled while picking up passenger in US appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.