International

By Muhammad Abubakar

Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has died at the age of 30, a day after suffering a serious injury following a collision with a goalkeeper during a Spanish second-division match.

De Miguel, a striker for CD Tenerife, was involved in the incident during Monday’s match against FC Andorra at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López.

The forward was chasing a long ball when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his goal to intercept it. Owono’s knee struck De Miguel during the challenge, leaving the Tenerife player motionless on the pitch.

Medical personnel immediately attended to him before he was taken to hospital by ambulance. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision.

The match, which was tied at 2-2, was abandoned during stoppage time, while Owono received a straight red card for the challenge.

Tenerife confirmed De Miguel’s death in a statement on Tuesday, saying he passed away at 8:00 a.m. local time.

The club expressed deep sorrow over his death and extended its condolences to his family, friends, teammates and supporters.

Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his professional career with Leganés B in 2015 before playing for several Spanish clubs. He joined Tenerife in 2025 and helped the club secure promotion to the second division.

His death has prompted tributes from across the Spanish football community, including FC Andorra and several other clubs.

By Muhammad Abubakar 

Prominent conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson sparked intense global reaction after publishing a lengthy essay alleging that the U.S. administration is facing pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider a nuclear strike against an underground Iranian target.

In a detailed piece released over the weekend, Carlson claimed U.S. officials are weighing an attack on Pickax Mountain—a reinforced facility in central Iran where Israeli intelligence allegedly contends uranium enrichment operations have resumed. Carlson argued that conventional U.S. bunker-busting munitions cannot penetrate the 300 feet of solid granite shielding the complex, leaving a nuclear option as the primary military alternative.

According to Carlson, the push for military action is tied to Israeli domestic politics. He asserted that Prime Minister Netanyahu faces political jeopardy following recent Israeli elections and requires ongoing U.S. military backing to preserve his coalition. The essay named several high-ranking U.S. defense and diplomatic figures, claiming some key officials favor resuming major combat operations over diplomatic efforts.

Carlson issued stark warnings regarding the potential economic and ecological fallout of such an attack. Pointing to severe disruptions in global energy markets and recent damage to commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, he claimed a surface-burst nuclear strike in central Iran could trigger widespread fallout, threatening Persian Gulf water supplies for up to 100 million people. He further argued that an American nuclear strike would dismantle global non-proliferation norms, risking escalations in other active conflict zones including Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.

Despite the dire forecast, Carlson noted that decision-makers within the administration remain divided. He wrote that key advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff, are urging caution and advocating for a negotiated diplomatic settlement with Tehran. Carlson indicated that a final determination regarding military or diplomatic action could come as early as Nov. 7.

U.S. officials have not confirmed the specific military scenarios detailed in Carlson’s essay. Administration representatives reiterated that Washington maintains a range of options regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities but declined to comment on confidential operational planning. Tehran has repeatedly denied carrying out covert enrichment activity at the Pickax Mountain site.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Learjet 60 aircraft has crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, in the US state of Florida, with reports indicating that several people may have died.

Emergency response teams were deployed to the scene on Sunday afternoon following the incident, which occurred near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash in a statement, announcing the closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail until further notice.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Videos circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a sharp turn before plunging towards the ground near a mobile home park, where it reportedly struck and destroyed a trailer, triggering a massive fireball.

Flight-tracking information from ADS-B Exchange indicated that the aircraft descended approximately 27,000 feet within one minute before its tracking signal was lost.

Although reports indicated that several people had died, authorities had not confirmed the number of casualties as of the time of reporting. It was also unclear whether anyone on the ground was killed or injured.

The aircraft, identified as a Learjet 60 business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

The aircraft model typically accommodates six to seven passengers and a two-person crew.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crash would be investigated in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board to determine its cause and other circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Yemen’s Aden International Airport was damaged on October 28 after Houthi forces launched an attack that left large craters on the runway and forced authorities to suspend air traffic, according to the breaking news report.

The strike followed an evacuation warning from Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, who claimed that a Saudi military cargo aircraft carrying weapons was at the airport. The allegation has not been independently verified.

United Nations personnel had left the airport shortly before the attack, and a humanitarian flight bound for Amman, Jordan, departed safely earlier in the day. The International Organization for Migration confirmed that its personnel were safe and accounted for.

Aden airport is a critical gateway for civilian travel and humanitarian aid to southern Yemen. Repeated attacks on the facility threaten access to medical supplies, relief workers and essential services in a country already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Italian authorities rejected 2,220 Nigerian asylum applications in first-instance decisions in 2025, while 1,175 Nigerians received different forms of international or national protection, according to a new report on the country’s asylum system.

The figures are contained in the 2025 Country Report on Italy by the Asylum Information Database (AIDA), a project of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles. The report was produced by the Association for Legal Studies on Immigration using data from Italy’s Asylum Service and the European Union Agency for Asylum.

According to the report, 3,385 Nigerians applied for asylum in Italy during the year, making Nigeria the only sub-Saharan African country among the top 10 nationalities seeking asylum in the European country.

Of the 3,390 decisions recorded on Nigerian cases, 660 applicants, representing 19.47 per cent, were granted full refugee status. The report identified this as the highest refugee recognition rate among the 10 leading nationalities and nearly three and a half times Italy’s national average of 5.7 per cent.

Another 55 Nigerians, representing 1.62 per cent, received subsidiary protection, which applies to people facing serious harm who do not qualify for refugee status. Meanwhile, 460 applicants, or 13.57 per cent, received Italy’s national or special protection, known as protezione speciale.

Overall, 1,175 Nigerians obtained some form of protection, representing 34.66 per cent of decisions on their cases. This was above Italy’s national protection rate of 30 per cent in 2025.

However, the report stated that 4,120 Nigerian cases were still pending before Italian authorities as of December 31, 2025.

Among other African countries, Egypt recorded the highest number of asylum applications, with 11,790. Of the 10,685 decisions made on Egyptian cases, 8,900, or 83.30 per cent, were rejected.

Morocco recorded 9,485 applications, while 5,695 of the 6,315 decisions on Moroccan cases resulted in rejection, representing 90.18 per cent. Tunisia recorded 6,290 applications, with 5,035 of the 5,895 decisions, or 85.41 per cent, rejected.

The report also documented asylum applications by unaccompanied minors from several African countries. These included 61 children from The Gambia, 44 from Mali, 42 from Guinea, 34 from Burkina Faso, 30 from Somalia, 27 from Ivory Coast, nine from Senegal and 16 from Nigeria.

Italy registered 126,635 first-time asylum applications in 2025, down from 151,120 in 2024. However, the figure remained considerably higher than the 77,200 applications recorded in 2022.

“In 2025, 126,635 first asylum requests were registered in Italy, representing a decrease compared to 2024 (when 151,120 applications were registered), but still almost double the number of applications registered in 2022 (77,200).”

Italian authorities issued 104,560 first-instance decisions during the year. The overall protection rate, including special protection, declined to 30 per cent from 35 per cent in 2024 and 47 per cent in 2022.

The report recorded 5,965 decisions granting refugee status, representing 5.7 per cent of the total. A further 11,455 decisions, or 10.96 per cent, granted subsidiary protection, while 13,945, or 13.34 per cent, resulted in national protection.

By the end of December 2025, 234,165 asylum applications remained pending in Italy.

The country processes asylum claims through 20 Territorial Commissions and 23 sub-commissions under a three-tier protection system. Applicants whose claims are rejected can appeal to civil courts and subsequently seek recourse through the Council of State.

Italy’s asylum framework has also faced legal challenges over its designation of safe countries of origin. In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union struck down Italy’s mechanism for designating such countries, resulting in Nigeria’s removal from the list. The designation had subjected applications from Nigerians to accelerated procedures.

Further legal disputes emerged in 2025 over the Italy-Albania Agreement, which provides for migrants intercepted at sea to be transferred to Albanian territory for processing under Italian jurisdiction.

On accommodation, the report stated that 101,106 asylum seekers were housed in emergency reception centres as of December 31, 2025. Another 3,342 were accommodated in government centres, while 3,652 were housed in hotspots.

Sea arrivals in Italy totalled 66,296 in 2025, slightly below the 66,617 recorded in 2024 and considerably lower than the 157,651 arrivals reported in 2023.

Bangladesh accounted for the largest number of sea arrivals, with 20,164 people, followed by Egypt with 9,091, Eritrea with 7,579, Pakistan with 4,383 and Sudan with 4,183.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been handed a 30-day suspension and fined €255 by the Portuguese Football Federation following his departure from the national team’s camp in Denmark during the September international break.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed the development in a post on X, attributing the decision to the federation.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days plus fined for €255.

“The decision has been made by Portugal Federation after he left the national team’s camp in Denmark.

“Cristiano himself had suggested a punishment after apologizing for that,” Romano wrote.

Ronaldo reportedly left the camp ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Denmark on September 30, following tensions with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The forward later apologised for his actions and indicated his willingness to accept disciplinary measures.

According to the report, the suspension is expected to expire in time for Portugal’s November international fixtures, subject to his selection.

However, the supplied report does not include an official statement from the Portuguese Football Federation confirming the suspension or fine.

By Hassana Abdullahi

A dispute over restrictions on Islamic headscarves in Azerbaijan has sparked criticism from Turkish officials and Islamist groups, raising tensions between the two countries known for their close political and military ties.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief adviser, Oktay Saral, condemned the restrictions as “unacceptable” and urged Azerbaijan to reverse the decision, insisting that wearing a headscarf was a requirement of Islamic faith.

Several lawmakers from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) also criticised the measures, while protests were held outside Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

The controversy has drawn a sharp response from Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party, which accused Turkish officials of spreading defamatory claims and warned against interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had earlier cautioned outsiders against interfering in the country’s way of life.

The disagreement is particularly sensitive because Turkey and Azerbaijan describe their relationship as “one nation, two states”. Turkey provided strong support to Azerbaijan during its 2020 war with Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

However, the headscarf controversy has also exposed differences over Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel. Baku buys Israeli weapons and supplies oil to Israel, while Ankara’s relations with Tel Aviv have deteriorated sharply over the war in Gaza.

The tensions became more visible on Thursday when delegations from Turkey, Iran and other countries reportedly walked out of a regional security summit in Baku during an address by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Azerbaijan has sought to maintain relations with both Israel and other regional powers, but the growing dispute highlights the diplomatic challenges facing its efforts to balance competing political and religious interests.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned the Nigerian government against restoring blanket petrol subsidies, advising it to direct financial support towards vulnerable households struggling with rising fuel and transportation costs.

Rodrigo Valdés, Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, gave the advice on Wednesday during the IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

He was responding to growing calls for the reinstatement of petrol subsidies in Nigeria amid rising energy prices and political pressure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Valdés acknowledged that increases in petrol and diesel prices could create significant political challenges for governments. However, he warned that subsidising fuel consumption for everyone could place an additional burden on public finances.

He said, “At the end of the day, it’s very tempting politically speaking because it’s not trivial the political effect of the price of oil, of fuels, of gasoline, of diesel.

“But you have to explain that this is a global shock, first. Second, that it’s very, very expensive for the country not to recognise that shock.

“And third, it’s much better to use some of that money that would be spent in the subsidies channelled towards more vulnerable people.”

The IMF official argued that targeted assistance would offer greater benefits to low-income households than a universal subsidy that applies to all consumers, regardless of their financial circumstances.

He also proposed transport support as a possible alternative to reducing petrol prices across the board.

“Yeah, gasoline could go up, and perhaps bus fees may be subsidised in a way. That is a much better policy at the end of the day than just a blanket subsidy for everybody,” Valdés said.

The IMF has consistently argued that universal fuel subsidies can strain public finances while disproportionately benefiting wealthier households, which typically consume more petroleum products.

FG Introduces Temporary Petrol Price Relief

The IMF’s warning comes amid renewed concerns over petrol affordability in Nigeria, where rising international energy prices have increased pressure on household budgets and transport operators.

In response, the Federal Government recently introduced a 30-day petrol price discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) retail outlets, with public transport operators listed among the priority beneficiaries.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the arrangement required NNPC Retail to temporarily forgo its profit margin and sell petrol at cost to provide relief to consumers.

Oyedele stressed that the measure was a temporary intervention and did not represent a return to the former petrol subsidy system.

IMF Raises Concern Over Fuel Demand

Beyond the financial implications, Valdés warned that keeping fuel prices artificially low during periods of supply disruption could encourage consumption and worsen pressure on global petroleum supplies.

According to the IMF’s position, allowing fuel prices to reflect market conditions can encourage consumers to moderate demand when supplies are limited.

The fund’s recommendation places emphasis on targeted support for vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those most affected by rising living costs, rather than a nationwide subsidy that benefits consumers across all income groups.

The debate over petrol pricing remains a major economic and political issue in Nigeria, as the government faces pressure to ease the cost-of-living burden while maintaining fiscal stability.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Indian police have arrested a Nigerian national, Ezeaputa Chijioke, over allegations that he supplied cocaine to club-goers and partygoers through intermediaries in Chandigarh and surrounding areas.

According to a report published by The Times of India on Tuesday, Chijioke was arrested on October 6 with approximately 70.5 grammes of cocaine.

The arrest followed a crackdown on an alleged drug distribution network that led to the arrest of three suspected dealers, from whom police reportedly recovered a combined 113 grammes of cocaine and an ATM card.

The operation began on October 4, when officers arrested Rakesh Kumar, also known as Karan, near Sector 23-C market. Police reportedly recovered 22.1 grammes of cocaine from him.

“During interrogation, he named Jaskaran Gill as his supplier. Jaskaran was arrested in Dehradun the same day,” the police reportedly said.

Gill allegedly identified Chijioke as his source of supply, leading to the Nigerian’s arrest two days later.

The report said Chijioke was unable to produce his passport and was suspected of staying in India illegally. The allegation has not been established in court.

Police alleged that Kumar, a private cab driver, delivered cocaine to customers on Gill’s instructions and received Rs 500 for each delivery.

Gill reportedly obtained the drugs from Chijioke and coordinated deliveries through Kumar, while payments were allegedly collected through QR codes and online platforms.

Investigators also reportedly recovered 21.30 grammes of cocaine, a Mercedes-Benz, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Tata Safari and an SBI ATM card allegedly linked to financial transactions from Gill.

The vehicles were suspected by police to have been purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking. The report said Chijioke had been living in Kharar before his arrest.

Police investigations into the alleged network are ongoing.

The arrest comes less than three months after four Nigerian nationals were reportedly arrested in India over alleged links to a drug trafficking network, with narcotics valued at approximately Rs 15 crore, equivalent to about N2.1bn, recovered during several operations.

The Hindu reported that those arrests followed coordinated operations by the Narcotics Control Bureau, state police and other security agencies targeting foreign nationals suspected of drug trafficking and overstaying their visas.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over alleged criminal offences as the country continues its deportation operations.

According to the department, the individuals were arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in different locations across the country.

The allegations listed against them include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and cruelty towards a child.

According to TheCable newspaper, DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration enforcement officers.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement reads.

“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here.”

The department listed the following Nigerian nationals, the alleged offences associated with their cases and the locations of their arrests:

1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — mail fraud, Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — fraud and impersonation, Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — wire fraud, Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — amphetamine sale, Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — wire fraud, Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud, Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — fraud and impersonation, Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — fraud, Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — drug possession, Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — wire fraud, Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering, Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — drug-related offence, Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — identity theft, Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — money laundering, White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — wire fraud, White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — cruelty towards a child, Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — wire fraud, Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — wire fraud, Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — money laundering, Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property, Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — assault, Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — money laundering, Lompoc, California.

The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.

However, the DHS announcement does not establish that all the individuals have been convicted of the offences listed against them. The allegations and the circumstances of each case would need to be assessed individually.