Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a major airstrike blamed on Israel and the United States (US), an event that has jolted the Islamic Republic and intensified fears of a wider regional conflict. The death of the 86-year-old cleric was confirmed early on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump announced it on social media, describing the killing as Iran’s “ greatest chance ” to reclaim its future.  Iranian television reported that Khamenei died after his compound in central Tehran was hit in what it described as a targeted attack. Satellite imagery released by Airbus appeared to show extensive damage to the site.  State TV said Khamenei was killed at his office, adding that his presence there symbolised leadership “ at the forefront ” against what officials routinely term foreign domination. In Washington, reportedly Trump hailed the operation and warned that further “ heavy and pinpoint bombing ” would continue as part of a campaign he said was ai...

A baby boy has become the first child in the United Kingdom (UK) to be born following a womb transplant from a deceased donor, in what surgeons have described as a medical milestone with the potential to transform fertility care. Grace Bell, in her 30s, who was born without a functioning womb, said her son Hugo, now 10 weeks old, is “ simply a miracle .” It was said that Hugo was delivered just before Christmas 2025 at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in west London, weighing nearly 7lb. Bell and her partner, Steve Powell, from Kent, paid tribute to the “ kindness and selflessness ” of the donor and her family, and thanked the medical teams in Oxford and London who supported their journey. Bell has MRKH syndrome, a rare condition affecting around one in 5,000 women in the UK, in which the womb does not develop properly.  Although she has normal ovaries, she does not have periods and was told at the age of 16 that she would not be able to carry a child. Her womb transplant to...

Western tourists fled for safety in Dubai on Saturday after Iranian missiles and drones struck the United Arab Emirates (UAE), hours after United States (US) and Israeli forces carried out air raids on Iranian cities.   The Dubai media office confirmed four people were injured when a Shahed drone hit the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel, setting part of the building ablaze with ambulances later dispatched to the scene.   Footage showed the missile cutting through the air before striking the hotel’s exterior. The Fairmont, located on Dubai’s man-made Palm island, is a popular destination for international visitors.   The attack followed strikes by the US and Israel on several Iranian cities, including Tehran, where explosions were reported near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israeli media said there were indications he may have been injured or killed.   READ ALSO :  US, Israel Launch Strikes on Iran Amid Rising Tensions Iran has since...

Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, has denied claims linking him to a simmering dispute between social media personalities Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and content creator Mitchell Mukoro, also known as King Mitchy. In a statement shared on Instagram on Saturday, Seyi Tinubu described allegations of an improper relationship or secret arrangements with King Mitchy as false, saying his name had been drawn into a feud in which he played no role. Recall that the row escalated after King Mitchy announced that she had renovated a dilapidated school in six days, presenting the project as evidence that rapid change was possible with genuine intent.  Comments accompanying the announcement were widely read as veiled criticism of VeryDarkMan, who responded by accusing her of being deployed as a political pawn to polish the image of the Tinubu administration. VeryDarkMan subsequently tagged the President’s son in online posts and alleged that both Sey...

Collagen supplements can improve skin elasticity and hydration when taken consistently, but they do not eliminate wrinkles, according to the most comprehensive scientific review yet of the popular beauty product.   Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in England analysed evidence from 16 systematic reviews covering 113 randomised controlled trials and nearly 8,000 participants worldwide.  Their umbrella review, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, concluded that while collagen offers “ legitimate ” benefits for skin quality, it should not be marketed as a quick fix for ageing.   What Is Collagen? Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, providing structure and elasticity to skin, bones, cartilage and connective tissues. It also plays a role in blood clotting and organ protection.  Natural production declines from early adulthood, with smoking, sun exposure and menopause accelerating the loss. Women can lose up to a third of t...

The management of Prime Care Hospitals has denied viral reports online that popular content creator Mukoro Mitchelle, widely known as King Mitchy, died at its Abuja facility. In a disclaimer published on the hospital’s official Instagram page on Saturday, Prime Care said the reports were false, insisting that King Mitchy was never admitted to the hospital and did not die there. “ The management of Prime Care Hospitals wishes to inform the public that the announcement of the alleged death of Miss Mukoro Mitchelle, popularly known as King Mitchy, at our facility in Abuja is false. “King Mitchy was never a patient in our hospital and did not pass away here ,” the statement read. The hospital added that it was taking steps to address what it described as misinformation, including engaging relevant authorities and considering legal action against those responsible for spreading the claims.  READ ALSO :  Fake Soldier Arrested in Bayelsa POS Fraud Therefore, it urged members of the p...

United States (US) and Israeli forces carried out coordinated attacks on Iran early Saturday, describing the operation as a " pre-emptive " strike aimed at halting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Reports indicate that missiles struck multiple locations, including areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile launches targeting Israel and other parts of the Middle East.  President Donald Trump said in a social media video that the US had begun " major combat operations in Iran ," citing issues over ongoing nuclear development and missile programmes capable of reaching US territory.  Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, added that Iran had accelerated missile production, reportedly producing dozens of ballistic missiles per month, though no great hits were reported in Israel. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council confirmed that its armed forces had " commenced a decisive response to...

President Bola Tinubu has urged members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives to prioritise constitutional amendments that would allow for the establishment of state police. Tinubu warned that any reform must be carefully structured to prevent a repeat of past abuses. The President made the call on Friday at an interfaith breaking of fast he hosted for the leadership and members of the House at the State House.  Muslim and Christian lawmakers attended the gathering in a symbolic display of unity during the Ramadan and Lenten seasons. It was the third in a series of such engagements by Tinubu, following earlier dinners with state governors and the leadership of the Senate. Addressing the lawmakers, the President described the turnout as a reflection of national cohesion across party, religious and regional divides, stressing the importance of unity at a time of economic and political reform. In a lighter moment, Tinubu joked about asking legislators to pay for the dinner before prai...

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has defended his request for a substantial salary increase, saying the proposed $130,000 monthly package is intended to cover the wages of his entire technical team, not just his own remuneration. Speaking on the Histoires de Foot podcast, Chelle addressed the controversy triggered by reports that his pay could rise from $50,000 to $130,000 per month, a figure that has drawn criticism from sections of the Nigerian football public. The coach said that within African football, national team managers are often responsible for funding their backroom staff from their own contracts.  He explained that his current support structure comprises an assistant coach, a physical trainer, a goalkeeper coach and a personal assistant. “ In the $130,000 offered, potentially, if those numbers are confirmed, you have to pay your staff with all that behind. We are five ,” Chelle said. READ ALSO :  AFCON: Chelle Defends Chukwueze Penalty Call Despite Morocco Def...

British rock band Radiohead has demanded that the United States (US) government remove one of its songs from a social media video promoting a hardline federal immigration crackdown, accusing officials of using the track without permission. The song, Let Down, taken from the band’s acclaimed 1997 album OK Computer, featured in a video posted on 18 February by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Instagram and Facebook.  It was said that the post showed photographs of people the government described as victims of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The video was cross-promoted by the White House, Donald Trump, and the Department of Homeland Security, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Grammy-winning band. In a statement issued on Friday, Radiohead said officials had acted without authorisation.  READ ALSO :  Bovi Delivers Scathing Message to Super Eagles after AFCON Semi-final Exit “ We demand that the amateurs in control of the ICE social media account ta...

The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Bassey Ewah, has confirmed that five members of a family were killed during a late-night attack in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA). Ewah described the incident as tragic and assured residents that security operatives are pursuing the perpetrators. He explained that the attack occurred on Thursday night when gunmen stormed a residential area in Miango.  Police, he added, responded promptly after receiving a distress call and have since deployed additional personnel to the area. " Our men responded swiftly to the distress call and have since been deployed to the area .  " We are currently on the trail of the attackers and will not relent until they are arrested and brought to justice ," the commissioner said. He urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, calling for cooperation with security agencies and the timely reporting of suspicious movements or activities. READ ALSO :  Gunmen Kill at Least 162 in Kwara Village, Troops...

A self-acclaimed native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuku Tiwara Aki n’Oba, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by the High Court sitting in Awka. In its ruling, the court ordered that part of the sentence should run concurrently with the period already spent in custody, leaving the convict with an effective jail term of eleven months to serve at the Awka Correctional Centre. Beyond the custodial sentence, the court imposed additional measures aimed at curbing what it described as harmful practices.  Nwangwu was directed to become an ambassador for youth reorientation after completing his term, while his oba shrine is to be destroyed.  READ ALSO : Police Contain Suspected IED Blast at Bayelsa Secretariat, Arrest One In addition, he was barred from practising Oke-ite or administering related charms. The court further ruled that, upon release, he must make public statements denouncing Oke-ite and similar charm practices. Nwangwu was arrested in 20...

The management of social media influencer Mukoro Michelle, popularly known as King Mitchy, has confirmed her death following a medical emergency in Abuja. In a statement issued in the early hours of Saturday, 28 February, her team said she died at Prime Hospital despite efforts by doctors to stabilise her condition.  According to the statement, she was admitted in a critical state and could not be revived. " We are deeply heartbroken to share that our beloved Michelle has passed on . " Despite all efforts from the medical team here in Abuja, we were told her condition was critical, and sadly, she could not be revived ," part of the statement read. Describing her as " more than a talent ," the management said she was family, full of life, light and dreams, and appealed to the public for prayers and understanding while requesting privacy for her family. The statement also disclosed that Mitchy’s mother reportedly collapsed in Lagos after receiving the news and wa...

Ford has issued a sweeping safety recall covering almost 4.4 million vehicles in the United States (US) after identifying a software defect that could disable trailer lights and, in some cases, trailer brakes. The recall, filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), centres on a vulnerability in the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM).  It further said the fault can interrupt communication between the vehicle and an attached trailer, affecting stop lamps, turn signals and braking functions. In a statement cited by Bloomberg, the carmaker said the issue creates a breach of federal safety standards and may impair a driver’s ability to control a trailer while also reducing its visibility to other road users.  Ford added that it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires linked to the defect. The recall affects a broad range of pickups, SUVs and commercial vehicles produced between 2020 and early 2026, includ...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the 2027 general elections, moving both the presidential and governorship polls to earlier dates in line with a new electoral law. According to INEC, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on Saturday, 16 January 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, 6 February 2027. The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, in an official statement. Under the commission’s earlier timetable, the presidential poll had been scheduled for 20 February 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections fixed for 6 March 2027. INEC revealed the adjustment became necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which altered statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities. REA...