UK plans mass deportation, Nigerians, others on edge (Sun)
The United Kingdom Labour-led Government has vowed to continue its clampdown on irregular migration saying the rules need to be respected and enforced.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, in an interview on GBN station and on the Home Office website, said 19,000 irregular migrants inherited from the Conservative government have been deported since Labour took over.
“To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show that the rules are respected and enforced. That’s why, as part of the government’s plan for change, we have put significant additional resources into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible,” she said. Read more
Bamise’s Murder: Parties to adopt final addresses in court on March 3 (Channels)
The Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square has fixed March 3 for adoption of final written addresses in the case of a State Bus Rapid Transport, driver Andrew Ominikoron, who is standing trial for allegedly raping and murdering a 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike fixed the date following the absence of the defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora.
This is the third time the court is adjourning at the instance of the defence counsel for adoption of final written addresses. Read more
Policeman remanded for allegedly raping teenager inside Lagos office (Punch)
An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 56-year-old policeman Owolabi Akinlolu at the Maximum Correctional Centre Kirikiri for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his office.
Owolabi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, allegedly raped the survivor in his office after promising to help recover her phone, which was stolen by one-chance robbers while she was returning from Ikeja with her grandmother and siblings.
Akinlolu reportedly summoned the teenager to his office on June 29, claiming they had apprehended the suspect who had stolen her phone two weeks earlier. Read more
10 Ibadan Poly students hospitalised after inhaling gaseous substance (Guardian)
No fewer than 10 students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, on Tuesday, collapsed and landed in hospitals after inhaling a substance suspected to be poisonous gas.
At the time of filing this report on Tuesday, they were receiving treatment in government hospitals.
The Oyo State government swiftly responded to the emergency situation at the tertiary institution after receiving a distress call. Read more
Customs suspends 4 percent FOB charge (Nation)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the suspension of 4 percent Free-on-Board charge on value of imports.
The action was the outcome of the ongoing consultations with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun and other stakeholders.
NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a press statement. Read more
El-Rufai: I might be arrested, detained where Emefiele was forced to resign (DailyTrust)
Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, has alleged that his political opponents are plotting to arrest, detain and torture him in one of the offices of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
El-Rufai, however, vowed that he wouldn’t be intimidated by such threats.
He said this in response to a warning from an X user, @IU_Wakili, who warned him of plans to arrest him whenever he returns to Nigeria. Read more
Umo Eno nominates 27 for new cabinet, retains 9 former commissioners (Vanguard)
Thirty-three days after dissolving his foundation cabinet, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has forwarded 27 names to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners and special advisers.
In a letter dated February 10, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, Governor Eno stated:
“In line with Section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward the listed nominees for appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers for confirmation by the State House of Assembly.” Read more
Don’t leave Nigeria, Minister tells Edo hospital staff (Tribune)
Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, on Monday, urged the newly recruited staff of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, to remain in the hospital where they have been employed with the view of contributing their quota to the growth of the country rather than ‘Japa’ (leaving the country).
He made the appeal while touring the hospital facilities on Tuesday in Benin
Dr Salako said that the country belongs to them and it is their duty to join hands to make it work and not by migrating to other countries. Read more
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance is now the most-watched Halftime Show ever (NME)
Just a few days after Kendrick Lamar headlined the 2025 Halftime Show, his showcase has been named the most-watched Super Bowl performance in history.
On Monday (February 10), the Compton rapper made history by becoming the first solo rapper to headline the coveted Halftime Show.
Following the head-turning performance – which NME has ranked the third best in Super Bowl history – it has now been revealed that Kendrick Lamar’s showcase is now the most-watched Halftime Show ever, per Apple Music and Roc Nation. Read more
Aimee Lou Wood reveals her Mancunian accent helped land her role in The White Lotus (DailyMail)
She was bullied as a child for her thick Stockport accent.
Now Aimee Lou Wood has revealed that her Mancunian voice was key to getting cast in the latest series of The White Lotus.
The actress, 30, posed at the red carpet Los Angeles premiere of HBO hit The White Lotus on Monday evening, alongside co-stars Patrick Schwarzenegger and Jason Isaacs.
In the new series, which is set in Koh Samui, Thailand, Ms Lou Wood plays free-spirited Chelsea among the latest batch of luxury hotel guests. Read more
Legendary grime producer Terror Danjah has died (MixMag)
Legendary grime producer Terror Danjah has died, his record label Planet Mu has confirmed to Mixmag.
News of Terror’s death first emerged online yesterday when a friend of the late producer and fellow artist, D Power Diesle, told fans: “Terror Danjah has sadly passed away”.
The news was confirmed today by Planet Mu, an imprint he regularly released with. “RIP Terror Danjah. You will be missed,” the label wrote in tribute on Twitter this morning. “The best ever grime producer.” Read more
“I was dying”: Salman Rushdie relives horror stabbing in court (FilmNews)
Sir Salman Rushdie has told a court that he thought he was dying after being stabbed repeatedly on stage two years ago.
The attack left him blind in one eye.
The British-Indian author gave evidence at the trial of his alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and attempted murder.
The writer told the court that in the moments afterwards, “It occurred to me quite clearly that I was dying – that was my predominant thought.” Read more
Rebels attack DR Congo army ending lull in fighting (BBC)
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have attacked Congolese government forces in the South Kivu province, breaking a two-day lull in fighting.
Heavy shelling began on Tuesday morning, three days after a summit of East and Southern African leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The rebels have seized vast swathes of land in the eastern DR Congo, including the major city of Goma. Read more
Marc Fogel, American teacher held in Russia for 3.5 years, is released (NBC)
An American teacher held by Russia for three and a half years for a minor medical cannabis infraction has been released and is on his way to the United States, the White House said Tuesday.
Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old Pennsylvania native, had been sentenced to 14 years in prison by Russia and was considered “wrongfully detained” by the United States.
“By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership,” national security adviser Mike Waltz said Tuesday in a statement. Read more
How pause in US foreign aid is impacting South, Central Asia (VOA)
In Kabul, Afghanistan, a major midwifery program — girls’ only higher education option — has closed.
Across Pakistan, dozens of development programmes have ground to a halt.
In Bangladesh, a health research center has laid off more than 1,000 employees.
The fallout comes two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration suspended foreign aid amid a widespread review, leaving thousands of development programs in limbo. Read more
Dele-Bashiru counts gains of joining Lazio (Nation)
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is thrilled with the decision he made to join Lazio at the beginning of the season from Turkish Super Lig side, Hatayspor adding that it has been a fantastic decision thus far which he is enjoying.
Bashiru emerged from the bench to score his third Serie A goal on Sunday in their 5-1 annihilation of Monza and the Nigerian hailed the impact of his coach, Marco Baroni, for his role in his recent improvement on the field.
The midfielder dedicated his goal to his teammates and expressed his appreciation for the support he has received in the few months he has spent with Lazio. Read more
Awoniyi scores, suffers broken nose in Forest’s win vs Exeter (CompleteSports)
Taiwo Awoniyi was on target for Nottingham Forest who edged out lower division side Exeter on penalties in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night.
Forest went through to the fifth round 4-2 on penalty shootout after 90 minutes and extra-time ended 2-2.
Awoniyi’s Nigerian teammate Ola Aina was not included in Forest’s squad for the Cup tie. Read more
Bellingham strikes late as Real Madrid pile misery on Man City (JapanToday)
Jude Bellingham scored the winner in stoppage time as Real Madrid twice came from behind to inflict more misery on Manchester City with a 3-2 Champions League play-off, first leg win at the Etihad on Tuesday.
Erling Haaland twice put City in front with his first goals in five games against Madrid.
But the holders hit back through Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz before Bellingham stroked home in the 92nd minute on his return to England. Read more
Sam Kerr found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of police officer (Guardian)
Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment after calling a police officer “fucking stupid and white” after he doubted her claims of being “held hostage” in a taxi.
Kerr showed no emotion during the reading of the verdict, which the jury delivered after a little over four hours of deliberation, but gave a thumbs up to her barrister Grace Forbes.
Afterwards, she issued a statement saying she was “thankful” for the verdict and “can finally put this challenging period behind” her. Read more
Suspension of Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach Stefano Vukov “remains in place,” WTA says (ESPN)
The suspension of Elena Rybakina’s former coach Stefano Vukov “remains in place,” the WTA Tour said Tuesday after confirming it had completed its investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct.
The governing body did not specify how much longer Vukov, who had been provisionally suspended initially, would remain banned. The Croatian coach has denied wrongdoing.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, said last month at the Australian Open that Vukov “never mistreated me” in their years working together and that she disagreed with the provisional suspension. Read more
Chloe Watson European title fight added to Natasha Jonas vs Lauren Price unification undercard (LiverpoolEcho)
Chloe Watson will defend her European flyweight title against Jasmina Zapotoczna on the historic all-women’s card at the Royal Albert Hall next month. Watson captured the European flyweight crown with a unanimous points win over Justine Lallemand in December 2023.
The 24-year-old was scheduled to make the first defence of her belt against Zapotoczna in September 2024, but a shoulder injury forced the fight to be postponed. Zapotoczna earned her shot at Watson’s European title with an impressive victory over the previously unbeaten Maisey Rose Courtney.But Birkenhead-born Watson is relishing the chance to fight on the undercard of Natasha Jonas’ huge welterweight unification showdown against Lauren Price. The 24-year-old said: “I think Jasmina is a good fighter, but it’s a very dangerous time to be fighting me and I’ll be looking to put on my best performance yet come March 7, and what a platform and show to do it on. Read more