With a GDP of $259 billion based on purchasing power parity (PPP), Lagos State solidified its standing as one of Africa's economies. Lagos now has the second-largest economy on the continent, after Cairo, Egypt, thanks to this milestone. This was announced on Wednesday during the Lagos Economic Development Update (LEDU) 2025 official launch.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state in 2023 was US$259.75 billion, according to the study.

For investors hoping to take advantage of Nigeria's thriving economy, Lagos continues to be a top location. Opportunities exist in manufacturing, technology, real estate, and infrastructure development as a result of the state's sustained economic growth and deliberate policy initiatives.

Nigeria's GDP will be rebased this year by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which will use 2019 as the new base year rather than 2010. After being used for the previous 15 years, 2010 is being replaced by 2019 as the base year for GDP calculations. The breadth of economic activity recorded has been extensively updated as part of the rebasing process, with an emphasis on emerging sectors such as pension fund administration and modular refineries, as well as digital economic activities. Additionally, social programs include initiatives by the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

After arranging their meeting with 15-time European champion Real Madrid, Arsenal manager Arteta has now emailed the Gunners. The Basque tactician has also emphasized how crucial it is to avoid mistakes and give a side like Real Madrid opportunities in a game of this magnitude.

"Well, the first thing that you have to be at your best when it comes to that," Arteta said following the victory over PSV. "For the two games, for every minute, don't give anything away because they're going to take it. Today, we've seen the two goals that we conceded. So, that's a big lesson. And again, back in the boxes, when the real talent, the real performance is crucial. And then creating an unbelievable atmosphere when we can play at home."

That is very important. Arteta also discussed the significance of Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League's round of eight. "Why is it important?" he asked. Since we're hoping to win. You will also need to proceed through the stages to win. Moreover, the club requires it. We are a team and a club that aspires to be the greatest and compete with the world's top clubs. And you have to be there all the time to accomplish it. And it's challenging. However, we have been doing it for the past two years. And we are capable of doing it even more effectively."

UEFA Round of 16 Draws

Draw Results:

Aston Villa vs Club Brugge

Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille

Bayern vs Leverkusen

Real Madrid vs Atletico

PSV vs Arsenal

Inter Milan vs Feyenoord

Benfica vs. Barcelona

PSG vs Liverpool

The dates for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 Tue and Wed 4th and 5th of March

According to Fire Chief Todd Aitken, a jet crash at Canada's Toronto Pearson International Airport left at least 18 people hurt. One passenger reported hanging "like bats" inside the plane after the Delta Air Lines flight carrying 80 people from Minneapolis flipped upside down on the runway. Deborah Flint, the CEO of the airport, attributed the fact that no fatalities occurred to the "textbook response" of first responders.

However, she stated that until investigators investigate the reason for the incident, two runways will stay blocked for the next few days. Following fatal incidents involving Jeju Air and Azerbaijan Airlines, the incident occurred less than three weeks after an American Airlines aircraft crashed in midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.

The catastrophe "could have been much worse," equating it with a 1987 Denver incident in which a DC-9 plane overturned under the same conditions, killing 28 people. According to the expert, the major difference between the two instances was enhanced safety and stronger, more secure seating. Additionally, Soucie noted that in 1987, after the plane overturned, the wings remained on it and destroyed it. But in Toronto, the wings were intentionally released, "and that's a good thing," the analyst stated.

Peter Koukov, a passenger, described how "we were upside down hanging like bats" as the plane came to a stop. While some passengers needed assistance getting down from their seats, he managed to unbuckle himself and stand up on the plane's ceiling. Although some passengers still left with their baggage in tow, Koukov's video demonstrates that flight attendants assisted customers in crawling out of the exit doors while advising them to leave personal things behind.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has related a startling story of a woman who insisted that God had told her that he was her husband. A married woman went to considerable measures to support her allegation, including threatening Pastor Adeboye's wife, in the incident that occurred years ago. During the 2025 Special Victory Hour program's grand conclusion on Wednesday, Pastor Adeboye spoke about the strange encounter. He clarified that one morning the woman, a married mother and senior officer at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), showed up at his office with a peculiar declaration.

"A woman came to my office one morning a few years ago and said, 'God has told me that you are my husband.'" "How can God tell you that?" I asked. I am happily married and a preacher. In addition to being married, she appeared to be older than me, Pastor Adeboye recounted. Despite his attempts to persuade her to change her mind, the woman resisted. As her fixation deepened, she even threatened to hurt Mrs. Folu Adeboye, the wife of Pastor Adeboye. Pastor Adeboye and his staff were worried about the issue and reached out to the woman's husband in the hopes that he could assist in finding a solution. Unfortunately, she didn't back down.

She remained the same even after we sent for her spouse. She was instructed to cease visiting the camp after we brought the issue to the attention of the police DPO. You're kidding, she said. "I will kill you if you don't let me marry him," she threatened my wife. Demons have existed for a very long period, therefore this was no joke," he said. According to Pastor Adeboye, he then prayed for help from God. He further reminded her that, in contrast to Nigeria, London officials could not be swayed and threatened to contact the police.

In contrast to Nigeria, the police there are unresolvable, therefore I had to scare her with them. Then I said, "What is this?" to the All-Powerful God. "The mountain will remain as long as you permit it to do so," God declared. I said a short prayer as a result. They took her body back to Nigeria, but I'm not sure how it happened," he said.

Only three players are "more talented" than Chelsea great Eden Hazard, according to Manchester City standout Kevin De Bruyne. Hazard played four outstanding years with Lille, helping the French team win Ligue 1 before Paris Saint-Germain's reign of supremacy. In 2012, Chelsea paid £32 million to acquire Hazard from Lille. Hazard became the first non-French player to win Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year in his first full season with Lille. Because of his heroics during Lille's championship campaign, the Belgian also became the youngest player to ever win Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

After his heroics in France, Hazard was held to high expectations, and he delivered, becoming one of Chelsea's most talented and captivating players over the ensuing ten years.

Hazard won six major championships at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues, and scored more than 100 goals for Chelsea. However, Chelsea supporters will point out that Hazard is one of the most captivating and dynamic players to have ever played in the English top division, and his legacy should go beyond statistics.

Hazard made his ideal transfer to Real Madrid in 2019, but he played just 76 games for the La Liga powerhouses after four injury-plagued seasons before being cut loose and retired from the game. According to six-time Premier League champion De Bruyne, Hazard was in the "top-five in the world" in terms of talent and is still regarded as the most iconic Belgian to have ever played in the Premier League. In fact, according to De Bruyne, Hazard's peak talent was second only to that of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar.

It must be Eden for me. When asked who he thinks is the greatest famous Belgian to have played in the Premier League, De Bruyne responded. "He is incredibly talented."In terms of talent, I believe he ranks in the top five worldwide, behind Neymar, Ronaldo, and Messi. On his day, Eden was amazing.

He was just playing football, and he never seemed to care about his dribbling or one-on-one skills. He's a genuinely great person, and I've played with him since we were both sixteen. Regretfully, he suffered injuries upon arriving in Madrid and retired. His son was attending the Chelsea game, so I chatted with him the other day before it started. He was such a gifted player, and I'm glad he's content with his life.

Hazard won 126 caps for Belgium, the fourth-most in history, in addition to being a standout for several domestic teams.

Donald Trump and his richest supporter, multibillionaire Elon Musk, gushed about each other and blamed the media for attempting to separate them. During their joint White House interview, the two spoke so highly of one another that Sean Hannity, the interviewer, was moved to remark, "I feel like I'm interviewing two brothers here."

The united front was maintained to reject accusations that Musk’s so-called “Department of Government of efficiency” (Doge) – which has upended huge swaths of the federal bureaucracy in a supposed attempt to find “waste, fraud, and corruption” – is a violation of the US constitution, saying their critics were themselves guilty of this. They also dismissed complaints that Musk, who has billions of dollars in government contracts through his ownership of companies such as SpaceX and Tesla, had serious conflicts of interest that could lead him to skew federal spending in his favor.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has urged African countries to shift their attention from relying on foreign aid to mobilizing indigenous resources to draw investments and spur economic growth. African leaders must change their perspective, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized, pointing out that the continent is endowed with abundant untapped natural and financial resources that might promote sustainable development.

The WTO chief suggested that foreign aid should be viewed as a thing of the past while addressing the fringes of the African Union conference in Ethiopia.

"Africa has to shift its perspective on aid access," she stated. We ought to start considering it a thing of the past. "We should concentrate on two main areas: mobilizing domestic resources and attracting investment." Africa has over $250 billion in pension funds, but most of them are invested outside the continent instead of going into local economies, she claims. South Africa is home to the largest pension funds, with Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Botswana, and Namibia following closely behind. We must figure out how to use these resources since they are so important," she stated.

The former finance minister also demanded that the African Finance Corporation and other multilateral development banks in Africa be recapitalized. According to her, this would boost funding for important projects and broaden their financial sheets.

These organizations have a combined balance sheet of roughly $70 billion, yet our infrastructure requirements alone cost more than $200 billion a year. We need to bolster our institutions rather than seeking outside funding," she revealed. She also emphasized how critical it is that African countries seize control of their enormous mineral resources, especially copper, manganese, and lithium.

Those are essential resources for the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles.

To increase intercontinental trade, generate jobs, and stop exporting raw materials without value addition, she urged Africa to grow its processing industries.

The plant used to make chocolate is called cocoa. Roasted cocoa kernels (seeds) are pressed between hot rollers to create bitter chocolate. Squeezing the fat (cocoa butter) out of bitter chocolate and grinding the rest into powder is how cocoa powder is made. When bitter chocolate is combined with sugar and vanilla, sweet chocolate is created. Sugar, cocoa butter, and milk solids are ingredients in white chocolate. Cocoa was once thought of as a culinary delight, but some individuals now utilize it as medicinal. Asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea, infectious intestinal illnesses, and lung congestion can all be treated with cocoa seeds.

The seed coat is used as a tonic, a general remedy, and a treatment for diabetes, liver, bladder, and renal problems. High cholesterol can be treated with cocoa butter. You've undoubtedly heard the rumors that chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, may be good for your heart. Based on the research they sponsored about the possible role of cocoa flavonoids in cardiovascular health, the candy company Mars, Inc. intends to apply for a health claim for chocolate from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the coming years.

Chemicals called flavonoids may help decrease blood pressure. Compared to milk or white chocolate, dark chocolate has more flavonoids. Additionally, Mars, Inc. is funding studies to see whether cocoa flavonoids can lessen memory loss brought on by aging. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy and to alleviate wrinkles, some people apply cocoa butter topically.

Drug manufacturers utilize cocoa butter as a foundation for a variety of ointments and suppositories. Parts Flavonoids, which are antioxidants, are among the many compounds found in cocoa. Although their exact mechanism of action is unknown, they seem to relax veins. Lower blood pressure could result from this.

Elevated blood pressure. According to the majority of studies, individuals with normal or high blood pressure can reduce their systolic blood pressure by 2.8–4.7 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure by 1.9–2.8 mmHg by consuming dark chocolate or cocoa goods for 2–18 weeks. Elevated cholesterol. In general, the majority of research indicates that cocoa products do not lower cholesterol in individuals with elevated cholesterol.

Heart condition. According to certain studies, healthy older men who consume a lot of cocoa in their diet have lower average blood pressure than those who consume less. Additionally, those who consume chocolate are less likely to die from heart disease and other causes. Additionally, eating chocolate or cocoa appears to enhance the endothelium, the blood vessel's inner lining, which may lower the risk of heart disease.

Syndrome of chronic weariness. According to preliminary studies, individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome may benefit from eating 45 grams of chocolate every day for eight weeks to improve their general functioning and lessen feelings of exhaustion, worry, and sadness. Cirrhosis. According to research, individuals with cirrhosis may benefit from eating dark chocolate (Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa, Lindt & Sprungl Espana) along with a liquid meal (Ensure Plus). Mental processes. There is conflicting evidence on cocoa's ability to enhance mental function. According to certain studies, cocoa may enhance certain facets of mental health. No advantage, according to other research.

Constipation. According to preliminary studies, children with constipation may experience fewer firm stools if they take cocoa husks and beta-fructans daily. Diabetes. Cocoa may increase sensitivity and lower insulin resistance, according to a preliminary study. Cocoa, however, doesn't seem to have an impact on blood sugar levels. Repellent for insects. Applying cocoa oil on the skin may lessen black fly insect bites, according to preliminary studies. Isolated systolic hypertension is high blood pressure where only the systolic pressure, the initial reading, is excessive.

Since the start of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost 1.5 million troops, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. His claim, which has not been verified by official sources, coincides with continuing debates concerning the war's current status and its effects on both nations.

During a recent public speech, Trump claimed that Russia has suffered crippling soldier losses, implying that the protracted war has significantly reduced its military prowess. However, Independent war analysts, Ukrainian officials, and the U.S. government have not confirmed his assertion. Although there is no denying that both sides have suffered considerable losses in the conflict, estimates from defense and intelligence specialists in the West show much lower numbers than what Trump claims.

According to a Newsweek report, Trump's remarks have generated controversy, with supporters claiming that his statement highlights the toll the war has taken on Russia and critics questioning the accuracy of his figures. Some analysts speculate that Trump may have exaggerated the numbers to emphasize the costs of the invasion on Russian forces. Official figures from the Ukrainian military, NATO, and independent monitoring groups estimate Russian troop losses in the hundreds of thousands, though exact numbers remain difficult to verify due to the nature of the conflict.

Trump's accusation has not received a clear response from the Kremlin, which has continuously denied reports of significant casualties. Ukrainian officials, however, have applauded conversations that draw attention to Russia's military conflicts but have also declined to support the particular number Trump brought up. With military and financial assistance from Western partners, Ukraine is steadfast in its will to protect its land as the crisis rages on. Russia has continued its offensive operations and has shown no signs of leaving captured territory, despite reported losses and logistical difficulties.

With both sides fighting fiercely on several fronts, the result of the war is still up in the air. Despite disagreements over Trump's death toll, the war's incalculable human and financial costs continue to influence world politics.