"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Novak Djokovic is a 24-time grand slam title winner, Olympic gold medallist and a 99-time ATP competition winner. So why, at 37 years old, does the best tennis player in the world, and arguably in the history of the sport, need a coach? Long relationship ... Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic when they played doubles together at the Australian Open in 2006. Credit: Getty Images It was a surprise when Djokovic named long-time rival Andy Murray as his new coach – a player Djokovic had a 69 per cent win record against – and the duo are set to make their debut at the Brisbane International in January before Djokovic heads to the Australian Open to chase his 25th grand slam title. But former champion-turned-Nine commentator Todd Woodbridge says the pairing isn’t as strange as it seems. “It’s intriguing. Andy Murray for me is this generation’s Lleyton Hewitt, and Ken Rosewell before him, and I say that because they just live, eat, breathe tennis,” Woodbridge says. “Andy can’t keep away from it.” Murray retired from professional tennis in 2024 as a three-time grand slam champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist. And while Djokovic had the upper hand in their head-to-head matches, beating Murray 25 of the 36 times they played, Woodbridge says Murray was the same calibre of athlete. “Andy played everyone that Novak is going to be playing against. So, they’ll be drawing up strategy, game plan, tactics, and what they’ve got to do is find ways for Novak to win matches really quickly, succinctly, keeping energy in the tank, and I think that’s part of the reason he’s been brought along. “But, you know, there’s one more [reason], which is very obvious, and that’s that Novak has had people around him in his last two coaching roles that have been there, done it... So that’s Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic. It is impossible to hire someone to come in and tell him things, when he’s already done more than they have. And Andy is on a parallel [with] him. “Yes, he’s [Djokovic] won more majors, but Andy’s won Olympics, he’s won Wimbledon, he’s won the US Open, he’s been to a final and lost to Novak. He’s one player that he’ll respect if Andy calls him out and says, ‘hey, we need to work on this’. And that’s got to be why he’s in the team.” Novak Djokovic after defeating Carlos Alcaraz for Olympic gold in Paris. Credit: Getty Images Djokovic had a mixed 2024. He finally won his first Olympic gold in Paris, completing the golden career slam , but it was also the first time since 2017 he didn’t win a grand slam title in a calendar year. But Woodbridge says Djokovic remains a threat to win his 11th Australian Open title in 2025. “He [Djokovic] didn’t have the year he wanted, and I think he has come off his level slightly, but the others still have to play at their best and when he’s there, he’s always a threat,” Woodbridge says. “It really comes down to the physical and mental, maybe more mental...but currently he’s in the top three for me to win the Australian Open – that goes [Jannik] Sinner, [Carlos] Alcaraz and Djokovic.” Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion and favourite for the 2025 title, had an intriguing year after he tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March, but was not banned in a decision by an independent tribunal because the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined he was not to blame. The off-court drama didn’t translate to Sinner’s on-court results, with the Italian winning three Masters 1000 titles and the US Open while the drama played out in the background. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA] has since decided to appeal the decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing, the outcome of which could come to a head in Melbourne. Jannik Sinner after winning the 2024 Australian Open. Credit: AP It comes as world No. 2 and French Open champion Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) . However, Woodbridge says he doesn’t think the issue will hinder Sinner as he heads to Australia to start the 2025 season. “That’s one of the things that I think Jannik Sinner has been extraordinary with,” Woodbridge said. “He’s got a great ability it seems to have had to deal with it for nearly eight months, know about it, talk about it openly, and he seems to have handled it well. “We’ll just wait and see how Iga handles it when she has to talk about it. She’s a very different personality, so we will see if it does affect her or not.” Swiatek will front the media for the first time since the positive test at the United Cup in Sydney starting on December 28. The Australian team will also be playing in Sydney, where Alex de Minaur and Olivia Gadecki will be the top-ranked Australian players. Alex de Minaur celebrates his win over Novak Djokovic at the 2024 United Cup. Credit: AP The 2024 United Cup was where de Minaur launched his season – his best year on tour to date – after beating Djokovic and then-world No. 10 Taylor Fritz . With nine men in the ATP’s top 100 – de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Christopher O’Connell, Aleksandar Vukic, Rinky Hijikata, Thanasi Kokkinakis, James Duckworth and Adam Walton – Woodbridge says Australian tennis is in its best place in years heading into the Australian Open. “One of the key things for countries in tennis is to have depth...once you get some depth, every other player thinks, well, if that guy or that girl can do that, so can I,” Woodbridge says. “On the men’s side, our programs have built that depth over the last 15 years, and it’s really, really important. You don’t realise it when you’re in it, but back in my day, in around the 2000s, you had [Pat] Rafter, Hewitt, [Mark] Philippoussis, [Mark] Woodforde. “It’s 25 years really since we [last] had what we’ve got going right now, and that’s fantastic. And so, we’ve got to ride that wave of success while we can because it does become cyclical, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to get that again. But the Australian men are pushing each other to that limit.”
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Amid the persistent challenges of violence and insecurity in Nigeria, Lucky Isaac Chima, a seasoned legal expert and peacebuilding advocate, is shedding light on effective strategies to address insurgency and militancy. With over six years of experience in legal, administrative, and management roles, Chima combines professional acumen with academic rigor to tackle some of Nigeria’s most pressing conflicts. His recent research paper, “Peace Through Amnesty: A Case Study of Niger Delta Militants and Boko Haram Fighters,” explores the successes and shortcomings of Nigeria’s peace initiatives. Nigeria, often dubbed the “Giant of Africa,” is rich in natural resources and boasts a significant population. However, decades of ethnic, religious, and political unrest have hindered its growth. Chima’s work delves into government programs such as the Amnesty Program in the Niger Delta and the Operation Safe Corridor (OSC) in the North, both of which aim to rehabilitate insurgents and militants. He emphasizes the need for sustainable peacebuilding approaches that address the root causes of these conflicts. Chima’s research highlights how violence has ravaged both rural and urban communities, displacing millions and driving poverty. The Amnesty Program, initiated in 2009, provided Niger Delta militants with vocational training and financial support to reintegrate into society. Similarly, OSC focuses on rehabilitating Boko Haram fighters, offering them skills and psychological counseling. While these programs have been praised for their immediate impact, Chima raises critical questions about their long-term effectiveness. In his analysis, Chima underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues such as corruption, inequality, and marginalization that fuel conflicts in Nigeria. He argues that without structural reforms, peace efforts may remain temporary. His findings have been lauded for their balanced critique of government policies and their focus on community-based solutions. Beyond his research, Chima’s professional experience reflects his dedication to peacebuilding. As a Corporate Relations Specialist with Rogerson Communities in Boston, he is spearheading affordable housing initiatives, forging partnerships, and implementing corporate-funded projects to uplift underserved communities. His work in the United States complements his passion for driving social and economic development globally. Prior to his current role, Chima served as a Legal Officer at Structure HQ, Nigeria, where he honed his skills in financial transactions, legal compliance, and corporate strategy. His contributions to standardizing loan documentation and developing debt recovery strategies significantly improved his employers’ operations. These experiences have equipped him with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, finance, and development. Chima’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his role as Co-Partner and Founder of FlintHills Legal Practice, where he provides consultancy services on emerging technologies, private equity, and regulatory compliance. His firm’s focus on protecting clients from legal liabilities and promoting transparency reflects his commitment to ethical practice. As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Reastat Development Initiative, Chima led grassroots peacebuilding programs in conflict-affected communities in Nigeria. His efforts to create gender-inclusive peace processes have been particularly impactful, increasing women’s participation in local governance and conflict resolution. This work aligns closely with the themes of his research paper, which emphasizes the role of marginalized groups in fostering sustainable peace. Chima’s legal and administrative expertise is matched by his dedication to humanitarian causes. He has prepared project proposals for fundraising events, supported small businesses recovering from communal conflicts, and developed strategies to enhance nonprofit operations. His ability to navigate complex social and legal landscapes has earned him recognition as a versatile and compassionate leader. In his work, Chima advocates for an integrated approach to peacebuilding that combines amnesty programs with education, economic empowerment, and political reforms. He calls for greater investment in youth development and job creation, arguing that these measures are essential to breaking the cycle of violence. His insights are informed by his hands-on experience working with affected communities and his deep understanding of legal frameworks. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Chima continues to contribute to global conversations on conflict resolution and development. He is an active networker, using platforms like LinkedIn to share his ideas and collaborate with professionals worldwide. His profile reflects a rich blend of academic inquiry and practical engagement, making him a thought leader in his field. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing insecurity, voices like Chima’s are critical in shaping effective policies. His research serves as a blueprint for addressing the root causes of violence and building a more inclusive and prosperous society. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNETEHRAN – The United Nations has underscored the stark reality for children facing the U.S.-backed Israeli genocidal war in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), took to social media to share a harrowing message about the ongoing tragedy in Gaza. In his post, Lazzarini described the devastating toll the genocidal war is taking, calling Gaza “no place for children.” Citing UNICEF figures, Lazzarini revealed that 14,500 Palestinian children have been killed since the start of the war, amounting to an unimaginable rate of “one child killed every hour”. “These are not numbers. These are lives cut short,” he wrote, stressing the unimaginable loss of young lives. Lazzarini’s post highlighted not only the fatalities but also the lasting scars on those who survive. “Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally. Deprived of learning, boys and girls in Gaza sift through the rubble,” he said. His words carried a stark warning about the long-term consequences for Gaza’s youth. “The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures, and mostly their hope,” the Commissioner-General stated. The post has resonated widely on social media, prompting calls for immediate action to protect Gaza’s children and provide humanitarian assistance. Lazzarini ended with a powerful reminder that “Killing children cannot be justified.” Childhood innocence has been overshadowed by devastation, trauma, and deprivation in one of the most heart-wrenching places on earth, UNICEF’s Communication Specialist Rosalia Bollen said. In an emotional statement, Bollen painted a harrowing picture of the daily reality for over a million children trapped in Gaza, urging the global community to take immediate action to save lives and ease suffering. “Children in Gaza are cold, sick, and traumatized,” said Bollen. “Hunger and malnutrition, coupled with dire living conditions, are putting their lives at risk. Over 96% of women and children cannot meet their basic nutritional needs. Most are surviving on rationed flour, lentils, pasta, and canned food, a diet that slowly compromises their health.” The scale of the humanitarian crisis has deepened dramatically, with aid entering Gaza at a trickle. Bollen revealed that in November, an average of only 65 truckloads of assistance entered Gaza per day, compared to 500 daily before the war. The northern part of Gaza, under siege for more than 75 days, has been particularly affected, with children in urgent need unable to access essential aid for over 10 weeks. “Gaza must be one of the most heartbreaking places on earth for humanitarians. Every small effort to save a child’s life is undone by fierce devastation,” she said. According to Bollen, over 14,500 children have been reportedly killed in the past 14 months, with thousands more injured. In a chilling briefing, Bollen shared the story of five-year-old Saad, a boy who lost his eyesight in a bombing and sustained severe injuries. “When I met him, he told me: ‘My eyes went to heaven before I did.’ Hearing those words and seeing his distress was unbearable,” Bollen recounted. As Gaza enters the cold winter months, the situation for children has worsened. Many lack adequate clothing and are forced to search the rubble for scraps of plastic to burn for warmth. Hospitals are overwhelmed, running on limited fuel and lacking basic supplies and medicines. Diseases are spreading, further endangering vulnerable children. “The suffering is not merely physical; it is also psychological,” said Bollen, sharing the heart-wrenching story of a seven-month-old baby boy, also named Saad, who died of malnutrition after months of struggling to survive. “He was born in war and left this world without being given a chance to live in peace. I cannot even start to imagine the depth of suffering of his parents.” As the world prepares for festive celebrations, Bollen called on people to reflect on the plight of Gaza’s children and use their voices, political capital, and diplomatic leverage to push for urgent action. “We must push for the evacuation of grievously injured children to seek life-saving care elsewhere and demand a ceasefire to allow aid to enter at scale,” she said. Bollen’s plea concluded with a stark warning: “Every day without action steals another day from Gaza’s children. Every delay costs more lives. This war should haunt every one of us. Gaza’s children cannot wait.” As winter tightens its grip on Gaza, the world must decide: will it stand by or stand up for the most vulnerable in society?
