Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Starmer Ready To Deploy UK Peacekeeping Troops In Ukraine, As Europe Intensifies Effort To Halt War With Russia. As European leaders gather in Paris for emergency talks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared his willingness to deploy British peacekeeping troops to Ukraine once the war ends. Speaking ahead of the high-level meeting, Starmer affirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s security, stating: “I am willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.”   Europe Rallies Amid Ongoing Conflict  The emergency discussions in Paris, led by French President Emmanuel Macron,…

Ruben Amorim Faces Tough Task As Manchester United Struggles Continue. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted his job is “so hard” after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, leaving them 15th in the Premier League. James Maddison’s 13th-minute goal secured victory for Spurs, handing United their eighth loss in 12 league matches under Amorim. The Portuguese coach has been dealing with a growing injury crisis, with 12 first-team players unavailable, forcing him to include several academy players on the bench. Despite trailing for most of the match, Amorim made just one substitution, introducing 17-year-old Chido Obi…

Jannik Sinner Accepts Three-Month Ban After Doping Settlement. World number one Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month suspension from tennis following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over two positive drug tests last year. The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open last month, will be suspended from 9 February to 4 May, making him eligible to compete at the French Open, which begins on 19 May. Sinner had initially been cleared by an independent panel after testing positive for clostebol, a banned substance, in March. However, WADA appealed the decision, seeking a suspension of up…

Imam Muhsin Hendricks Shot Dead In South Africa. Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world’s first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa. The 57-year-old cleric, who led a Cape Town mosque known for welcoming LGBTQ+ and marginalised Muslims, was ambushed near Gqeberha on Saturday. According to South African police, two masked gunmen fired multiple shots at a vehicle in which Hendricks was a backseat passenger. Security footage circulated on social media shows a car blocking Hendricks’ vehicle before an attacker emerged and fired through the back window. “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out…

U.S. Plans Deportation Of Some Nigerians, Pledges Humane Repatriation The United States government has announced plans to deport a group of Nigerian nationals, with Lagos designated as the sole point of return. The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., confirmed that the first set of individuals to be repatriated would include convicted prisoners and those who have violated U.S. immigration laws. He clarified that there would be no alternative locations for deportation, such as Port Harcourt or Abuja. “The first group will be convicted prisoners—those who have committed crimes and are in U.S. prisons. Some have violated…

Netanyahu Praises Trump’s ‘Bold Vision’ For Gaza In Meeting With Rubio. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his support for US President Donald Trump’s plan to remove and resettle Gaza’s population, calling it a “bold vision” that he is working to implement. Speaking after a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem on Sunday, Netanyahu said both countries were cooperating on a “common strategy” for Gaza. US Takes Firm Stance on Gaza Rubio, on his first Middle East tour as the US’s top diplomat, stated that Trump’s proposal had “shocked and surprised” many but argued…

Ukraine Excluded From Russia-US Talks In Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian officials will not be attending the upcoming Russia-US talks set to take place in Saudi Arabia, as Kyiv has not been invited, a government source has confirmed. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, the discussions—believed to focus on a possible resolution to the conflict—are proceeding without direct Ukrainian involvement. President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently maintained that no agreement can be accepted without Ukraine’s participation. Former US President Donald Trump’s closest foreign policy advisers—Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, and Steve Witkoff—are reportedly travelling to Saudi Arabia tonight to take part in…

Bassey’s Header Secures Fulham’s First Home Win Of 2025. Calvin Bassey’s first goal of the season helped Fulham to a well-earned victory over third-placed Nottingham Forest, marking their first Premier League win at Craven Cottage in 2025. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute through Emile Smith Rowe, who was expertly set up by the dazzling creativity of Adama Traoré. Rather than sprinting to the byline, Traoré cut inside onto his left foot and delivered a perfectly placed cross to the back post. Smith Rowe evaded the attention of Morato and Ola Aina to head home, giving Fulham…

Bayern Hold Leverkusen To Maintain Bundesliga Lead. Defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen were unable to close the gap on league leaders Bayern Munich as the two sides played out a goalless draw at the BayArena. Leverkusen, who ended Bayern’s 11-year dominance by lifting the Meisterschale last season, had hoped to make up ground in the title race. However, Bayern, now managed by Vincent Kompany, held firm to maintain their commanding eight-point lead at the top of the table. The home side, Leverkusen were the more dominant team, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and creating the better chances.…

Merino Inspires Arsenal To Victory Amid Striker Dilemma. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have spent months searching for a reliable striker, but the answer might have been closer than expected. In a crucial Premier League clash against Leicester City, it was midfielder Mikel Merino who stepped up to deliver a match-winning performance, keeping the Gunners firmly in the title race. With Arsenal struggling to break down Leicester’s defence at the King Power Stadium, Arteta turned to Merino in the 69th minute, replacing Raheem Sterling. The Spanish international, signed from Real Sociedad for £32.6 million last summer, made an immediate…

NNPC Refutes Misleading Claims In Viral Video. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has strongly denied the claims made in a viral video alleging that its fuel does not last. The company described the assertion as baseless and lacking any scientific credibility. In a statement issued on Thursday, NNPC Ltd dismissed the video as unverified and unprofessional, stressing that its fuel is produced to the highest industry standards. The company assured Nigerians that its petroleum products are formulated for efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability. NNPC Ltd further clarified that a significant portion of the Premium Motor Spirit…

League of Imams In Yorubaland Break-Off From Sultan’s Tradition, Declares March 1 As Start Of Ramadan. The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH (2025) will commence on Saturday, 1st March 2025, breaking from the long-standing practice of waiting for an official declaration from the Sultan of Sokoto, who is traditionally regarded as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims. In a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, the decision was attributed to precise astronomical calculations and resolutions from international Islamic conferences on…