International

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United Kingdom government has refused to grant permission for the United States to use British military facilities for any potential strike on Iran, amid escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The decision places London in a cautious diplomatic position as indications emerge that US President Donald Trump is considering military options that could involve installations located on British territory.

Reports indicate that American officials are preparing operational strategies that would depend on the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago, as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. RAF Fairford functions as a major centre for the deployment of US heavy bombers across Europe.

Under existing defence agreements between both countries, American forces require prior approval from the British government before launching operations from UK soil. However, reports state that such authorisation has not been granted should Washington proceed with military action against Iran.

Sources within government circles attribute the hesitation to legal concerns. British authorities fear violating international law, which holds both direct actors and supporting states accountable if a military strike is later judged unlawful.

The matter reportedly featured in a telephone discussion between President Trump and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday night. Trump’s ultimatum to Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions formed a key part of the conversation.

A day later, the US president criticised the UK government’s stance on the Chagos Islands agreement. He also referenced Iran in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he suggested American forces might need access to the bases if Tehran refuses negotiations.

“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime,” Mr Trump wrote.

He added that such a move would aim to prevent “an attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries,” suggesting that British involvement could fall under self-defence if Iran poses a direct threat.

Meanwhile, the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to moving forward with the Chagos Islands agreement despite signals of unease from Washington.

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones confirmed that the necessary legislation will return to Parliament once scheduling allows. The proposed bill had earlier been withdrawn from debate in the House of Lords after a Conservative-backed amendment called for a pause, citing “changing geopolitical circumstances.” Fresh delays were also reported as a possibility.

The situation highlights growing diplomatic strain as Britain attempts to preserve its strategic alliance with the United States while addressing legal and political sensitivities tied to any direct role in a potential conflict with Iran.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President, Donald Trump, has openly expressed admiration for American rapper Nicki Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.

The president spoke during a Black History Month event held in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The 79-year-old leader commended the 43-year-old music star’s appearance and showered her with compliments.

In a video that circulated widely on Thursday, Mr Trump highlighted the singer’s complexion and her long acrylic nails. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the president recalled noticing her beauty when she previously visited the White House.

He said, “How about Nicki Minaj? Do we love Nicki Minaj? I love Nicki Minaj. She was here a couple of weeks ago. She’s so beautiful, her skin’s so beautiful. I said, ‘Nikki, you’re so beautiful’ Her nails are so long.

“I said, Nikki, are they real? She didn’t want to get into that, but she was so beautiful and so great. And she gets it, more importantly.”

Growing Friendship

Mr Trump’s remarks came two days after Nicki Minaj marked Presidents’ Day by sharing photos that reflected her growing relationship with the president. She posted the images on her account on X with the caption, “Happy President’s Day.”

According to Billboard, the rapper also attended the Trump-backed World Liberty Forum on Wednesday. She appeared as a keynote speaker on a panel titled “Owning the Culture: The Business of Music in a Creator-Led Economy.”

Her first public meeting with Mr Trump took place in January during the Trump Accounts Summit in Washington, D.C. At the gathering, she stood beside the president and voiced strong support for him.

She said, “I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan. And that’s not going to change. What people have to say does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more. And it’s going to encourage all of us to help him more.

“We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him. And you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work. He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him.”

Backstory To Their Alliance

Reports indicate that Nicki Minaj’s connection with the Trump administration has become more visible during his second term in office.

Premium Times noted that the rapper addressed a press event at the United Nations last November. She spoke on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and thanked Mr Trump for what she described as “his leadership on the global stage.”

The invitation came from the United States Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, who asked her to share concerns about what he termed “religious persecution in Nigeria.”

During that speech, the rapper called for freedom for Christians in Nigeria. She said they face attacks, displacement, and killings. She stressed that protecting Christians should unite humanity rather than create division.

Reacting to Mr Trump’s recent compliments, Nicki Minaj reposted the viral video on her X page. She added an AI-generated image that showed a person holding a burning cigarette.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

New details have surfaced alleging that convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak exploited Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgency to promote surveillance technology and gain entry into key economic sectors.

The claims are contained in an investigation by Drop Site News (DSN). The outlet relied on emails released by the United States Department of Justice. The report alleged that both men saw Nigeria’s worsening insecurity as a commercial opening rather than a humanitarian concern.

Al Jazeera also cited the investigation. It reported that while Nigeria battled Boko Haram, Epstein and Barak marketed Israeli “field-proven” security systems to Nigerian authorities. The term refers to technologies tested in conflict zones, particularly in Palestinian territories.

One 2014 email referenced unrest across the Middle East and Africa, including Nigeria. Epstein wrote to Barak, saying, “isn’t this perfect for you.” Barak reportedly responded, “You’re right in a way. But not simple to transform it into a cash flow.”

Biometric Technology Promoted As Counterterrorism Measure

The investigation linked Barak to Israeli intelligence-connected technology firms whose products later reached Nigeria.

In 2015, Barak and a partner invested $15 million in FST Biometrics. The company was founded by former Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Ze’evi Farkash. It developed a biometric platform known as Basel. The system was first tested at the Beit Hanoon (Erez) crossing between Israel and Gaza to monitor movement.

As Boko Haram violence intensified, Barak allegedly helped facilitate the sale of similar biometric systems to Babcock University in Nigeria. The initiative was framed as a counterterrorism project. Promotional materials at the time said the system would “filter away all unwanted persons.”

The report added that such deals opened doors for wider Israeli cyber-security involvement in Nigeria. By 2020, DSN stated that the World Bank had engaged the Israel National Cyber Directorate and a startup linked to Barak to support Nigeria’s national cyber infrastructure planning.

Security Deals Linked To Oil, Maritime Interests

Documents cited in the investigation suggested that security partnerships also created business pathways into Nigeria’s oil and port sectors.

Epstein allegedly arranged high-level meetings on behalf of DP World, the Dubai logistics firm. The talks focused on potential acquisition of strategic port assets in Lagos and Badagry.

In 2018, he reportedly connected Jide Zeitlin, then chairman of Nigeria’s sovereign investment authority, with DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Emails indicated that Epstein tried to manage U.S. sanctions concerns involving figures in Nigeria’s mining industry to advance negotiations.

One September 2018 message quoted Zeitlin as telling Epstein: “I hope your pal’s sojourn in Tel Aviv … was more effective than his efforts on the African continent.”

According to the investigation, Bin Sulayem stepped down as DP World chairman on February 13 amid renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.

Political Access In Nigeria

The emails also pointed to high-level political access secured by Epstein and Barak in Nigeria.

In 2013, Barak attended a cybersecurity conference in Abuja. Organisers privately described the event as an opportunity to arrange meetings with then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Correspondence cited in the report quoted an organiser saying, “The dinner is one other excellent way … to meet with good Friends of Israel and make new friends for Israel as well.”

Following those contacts, Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems went ahead with an internet surveillance project in Nigeria despite objections from some lawmakers.

The documents also showed Epstein advising Barak on business strategy. After Barak shared information about a proposed oil transaction, Epstein cautioned him: “I told you on the phone before sending or asking anyone about it you should do your own homework.”

Wider Document Release

The revelations form part of a broader disclosure of millions of files detailing Epstein’s global relationships with political figures, financiers and intelligence-linked actors.

The investigation reported that Epstein funded Israeli groups such as Friends of the Israeli Army and the Jewish National Fund. It also alleged links with individuals connected to Israeli intelligence circles.

Barak, who served as Israel’s prime minister from 1999 to 2001, has previously expressed regret over his association with Epstein. Epstein was convicted in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution and served about a year in prison. Barak maintained ties with him for years afterward. He later said he did not know the full extent of Epstein’s crimes until 2019.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has spoken publicly about the circumstances that led to his controversial departure from Napoli in 2024, alleging disrespect and unfair treatment during his final days at the club.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nigerian forward said his relationship with the Italian side deteriorated after videos that mocked him were posted on the club’s TikTok page. He explained that the incident marked the beginning of the crisis between him and the club’s hierarchy.

Osimhen disclosed that he reacted by removing all photos of himself in Napoli colours from his Instagram account. According to him, the club then turned supporters against him.

Speaking on a penalty he missed during a Serie A match at the peak of the controversy, he said, “Anyone can miss a penalty, anyone can be mocked for it. Napoli only did it to me, and with certain innuendos, too. I was the victim of racist insults, and I made my decision: I wanted to leave. I deleted photos of me in a Napoli shirt from my Instagram, and they seized the opportunity to turn the fans against me.”

The striker further revealed that there had been an understanding that he would be allowed to leave the club the following summer. He alleged that the agreement was not respected.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement that I could leave the following summer, but the other side didn’t fully keep their promise.”

Osimhen said the club’s conduct afterward made the situation worse, claiming he was pushed around without regard for his career plans.

“They tried to send me to play everywhere, treating me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that. I worked so hard to advance my career, I couldn’t accept that kind of treatment. I’m not a puppet,” he said.

Following the dispute, Napoli excluded the forward from their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. He was not registered for Serie A action and was later sent out on loan to Galatasaray. He eventually sealed a permanent exit from the Italian side, completing a €75 million move to his current club last year.

Osimhen’s remarks have reignited debate among fans and analysts over the breakdown in relations between the Nigerian international and his former employers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced the sighting of the crescent that signals the start of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.

The confirmation came on Tuesday evening, 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH, corresponding to February 17, 2026. With this development, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, has been fixed as the first day of fasting in the Kingdom.

Following the declaration, Muslims across Saudi Arabia will observe the first Taraweeh prayers on Tuesday night shortly after the Isha prayer. The special prayers will take place in mosques nationwide, including the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The court’s announcement emerged despite earlier projections by major astronomical institutions such as the International Astronomy Center (IAC), which had argued that sighting the moon that evening would be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world. The body explained that the crescent would set before sunset or only minutes after, making it difficult to observe either with the naked eye or telescopes.

Saudi authorities, however, acted in line with the Kingdom’s established practice, which gives precedence to verified physical sighting once credible witnesses present testimony. Reports submitted to the moon-sighting committee were reviewed and authenticated before the ruling was issued.

Based on the confirmed commencement date, Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is projected to fall on either Thursday, March 19, or Friday, March 20, 2026. The exact date will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia and several countries that follow the Kingdom’s moon-sighting decision will now begin the sacred month devoted to fasting, prayer, and spiritual devotion. Ramadan this year falls within the winter period, with fasting expected to last about 13 hours daily.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Human rights lawyer Audu Bulama Bukarti has called for transparency following the announcement by the Defence Headquarters that about 100 United States military personnel have arrived at the Bauchi Airfield.

According to the statement, the troops are in Nigeria to support the Armed Forces in training and intelligence-sharing operations.

Bukarti raised concerns over the lack of detail in the official release, noting that it did not indicate whether the US troops will be permanently stationed in Bauchi or are simply passing through to another location.

He said, “If they are going to stay in Bauchi, the public deserves to know why that location was chosen instead of frontline theatres of terrorism such as Zamfara, Niger or Borno.”

He acknowledged that there may be tactical or strategic reasons for the deployment but warned that the absence of clear communication fuels speculation. “Given the sensitivities surrounding foreign military presence on Nigerian soil, transparency is not a luxury – it is a necessity,” Bukarti added.

The lawyer further reiterated that Nigerians should be informed about the specific scope, duration, and limits of the mission. “The public deserves to know how long the US personnel will remain, the specific nature of the training they will conduct and mechanisms for Nigerian oversight,” he wrote.

Bukarti noted that if the partnership is lawful, limited, and in Nigeria’s best interest, a straightforward explanation would build public trust. “Silence or opacity, however, risks fuelling suspicion, speculation and misinformation at a time when clarity and candour are most needed,” he stressed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A shooting disrupted a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, United States, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at Lynch Arena, an ice rink known as the home venue of the hockey team of Johnson & Wales University, according to NYPost.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect involved in the daytime attack died at the scene. Officials, however, did not immediately provide a confirmed figure for the number of injured victims as emergency responders transported the wounded to nearby hospitals.

Eyewitnesses recounted moments of panic inside the arena. Students, parents, and other spectators ran for safety after gunshots suddenly echoed during a match between rival schools, Coventry and Blackstone Valley.

An employee of a nearby Walgreens store told local media that terrified individuals rushed into the shop in search of protection shortly after the shooting started. Staff members were asked to close the store and evacuate, while some people remained hidden inside as emergency services were alerted.

Branden Mello, a local sports editor who followed the situation, said the shooting started from the spectator stands behind the Blackstone Valley team’s bench. The development sparked fear across the facility.

He added that a parent at the venue reportedly confronted the attacker and succeeded in wrestling a firearm away from him. Reports indicated that the suspect possessed another weapon at the time, which heightened the danger before order was eventually restored.

The shooting has again raised concerns about gun violence in public places across the United States, particularly at school-related events where families and students usually gather.

Law enforcement authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. Officials are also monitoring the medical condition of those who sustained injuries.

By Kamal Alkasim

It began with hope. Like many young Nigerians chasing a better life, Sulaiman Abubakar left Kano with dreams of greener pastures. But four years after crossing into Algeria illegally, his journey has become a nightmare — one of arrest, detention, and silence that has left his loved ones pleading for help.

Sulaiman Muhammad, a native of Kano, fled his hometown’s rising cost of living and crossed into Algeria illegally. After four years abroad, he was arrested and has been detained there for more than four months.

In an interview with The Daily Reality, his fiancée Khadija Abubakar, 20, shared the untold story:

“I met him before he left for Algeria. The hardship at home forced him to go. We lost touch for a long time,” she said.

“When we reconnected, he sent ₦1 million to my family so my parents could buy marriage materials (Lefe) and prepare our wedding. A month later, back in Kano, he returned to his business, and I haven’t heard his voice since.”

Her words, spoken with sorrow, highlight the human cost of irregular migration.

His Kindness and Impact on My Life

“He is generous and very good to me. If I marry him, I know he will be a supportive partner. He sent me money as capital to grow my business, and in every situation he has never failed to support me. He always told me that if he had enough capital, he would return to Kano, start his own business, and stay home rather than travel again. Missing him is a great loss to me.”

“After he went missing, I contacted his boss on WhatsApp. We spoke, and he told me to stay calm and promised to do his best to rescue him. He thought the police might have arrested him. We talk every day, but the story remains the same. I don’t know what to do.”

A Mother’s Plea

Sulaiman’s mother, Aishatu Abubakar, who asked not to be photographed, shared her anguish: “My son is one in a million. He’s obedient. If I lose him, they will finish me. He always takes on my responsibilities. The whole family is proud of him. He promised to finish building my home. This tragedy ends that hope for me. But in my body, I feel my son will escape soon.”

Final Call for Help

“I called on people who can help me to rescue him,” Khadija said. His mother, Aisha Abubakar, added, “I call on anyone who can do anything to help us. We are ready to join hands.”

What Algerian law says about illegal immigration

Algeria’s main rule for people who enter the country without a visa or proper documents is set out in Law No. 08-11 of 25 June 2008 on the conditions of entry, residence and movement of foreign nationals. The law makes “illegal entry” a punishable offence, and once caught, migrants can be detained, fined, and then deported. 

In practice, authorities often place undocumented migrants in administrative detention centres while arranging removals, and they may also issue re-entry bans. Human rights bodies have repeatedly urged Algeria to decriminalise irregular migration and to use detention only as a last resort, but the 2008 law remains the legal basis for treating unauthorised entry as a criminal matter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A review of court records has shown that judges across the United States have repeatedly ruled against the detention practices of immigration authorities under President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to Reuters, findings indicate that since October, courts have issued more than 4,400 rulings that deemed the detention of immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawful. The decisions represent a major legal setback for the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policy. Despite this, detentions have continued in many instances.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston of West Virginia criticised the government’s position in one of the cases. He wrote, “It is appalling that the Government insists that this Court should redefine or completely disregard the current law as it is clearly written,” while ordering the release of a Venezuelan detainee.

Many of the rulings stem from the administration’s shift away from a long-standing interpretation of federal law. For nearly three decades, immigrants already residing in the United States could seek release on bond while pursuing their cases in immigration courts. The policy change has triggered widespread legal challenges.

In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the administration is “working to lawfully deliver on President Trump’s mandate to enforce federal immigration law.”

Data shows that the number of people held in ICE custody has surged to about 68,000 this month. That figure represents an increase of roughly 75 percent since Trump assumed office last year.

However, the administration recorded a legal victory at an appeals court in New Orleans. U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones ruled that earlier administrations’ limited use of detention powers did not eliminate the authority to expand their application. She stated that prior restraint “does not mean they lacked the authority to do more.”

Government officials argue that the spike in lawsuits was expected. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the trend came as “no surprise” and added, “especially after many activist judges have attempted to thwart President Trump from fulfilling the American people’s mandate for mass deportations.”

Court filings show that detained immigrants have submitted more than 20,200 federal lawsuits seeking release since Trump took office. Judges have ruled in at least 4,421 of those cases that ICE held detainees unlawfully.

One example involved Joseph Thomas, an 18-year-old Venezuelan student arrested during a traffic stop in Wisconsin alongside his father. Both men were asylum seekers with legal work authorisation. Their lawyer, Carrie Peltier, argued they were targeted for “driving while brown.” Judges later ordered their release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that Joseph’s detention was illegal. He cited a lack of proof that ICE possessed a warrant at the time of arrest. In a separate decision, U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud affirmed that the teenager’s father qualified for a bond hearing. He wrote, “This raises an issue of statutory interpretation that courts in this District have repeatedly considered and rejected, and it will be rejected here as well.”

Legal experts say habeas corpus petitions have become the primary legal route for detainees seeking freedom. The constitutional mechanism allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention in court.

The wave of litigation has placed pressure on the justice system. More than 700 Justice Department attorneys are now assigned to immigration detention cases. Some have appeared in over 1,000 lawsuits each.

Judges have also faulted authorities for failing to comply with release orders. In Minnesota, Schiltz said the government violated 96 court orders across 76 cases. A federal prosecutor in the district later described the caseload as an “enormous burden” on government lawyers.

In New York, U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury ruled that ICE violated two “clear and unambiguous orders” after transferring a detainee while misrepresenting his location to the court.

The Justice Department has defended its actions. Spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre said the administration “is complying with court orders and fully enforcing federal immigration law.” She added, “If rogue judges followed the law in adjudicating cases and respected the government’s obligation to properly prepare cases, there wouldn’t be an ‘overwhelming’ habeas caseload or concern over DHS following orders.”

Advocacy groups continue to assist detainees. Lawyers often wait outside immigration courts to file emergency petitions that prevent transfers to distant detention centres.

Still, many immigrants struggle to access legal relief due to cost or lack of awareness. Judy Rall, the U.S. citizen wife of a Venezuelan detainee, said she could not afford the legal fees required to file a habeas petition. Her husband remains in detention despite having no criminal record. Reflecting on their situation, she said, “Our home burnt down, and I had told them I needed him to come help,” adding, “I assume that is the reason.”

The growing number of lawsuits continues to test the capacity of the courts as legal battles over immigration detention intensify nationwide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An Indian teacher and activist, Rouble Nagi, has won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize for her groundbreaking work in bringing education to marginalized communities across India. The award was presented on Thursday at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, an event that attracts leaders from around the world.

Nagi, founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, has established over 800 learning centers in India. These centers provide structured education for children who have never attended school and supplement learning for those already enrolled. She also paints educational murals across slum walls, teaching literacy, science, mathematics, and history.

Accepting the award, Nagi said the recognition was not just for her but for India. She recalled starting 24 years ago with 30 children in a small workshop, and now reaching over a million children.

> “I think every step has just motivated me, inspired me to take every child in India to school,” Nagi said. “You know when I was a child it was my dream to see every child at school and as you grow up fulfilling that for as many as we can reach, I think it’s a very humbling experience.”



Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, which awards the prize, praised Nagi’s dedication.

> “Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be – courage, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential,” Varkey said. “By bringing education to the most marginalized communities, she has not only changed individual lives, but strengthened families and communities.”



Nagi plans to use the $1 million prize to establish an institute that will offer free vocational training. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, added that Nagi’s recognition highlights the crucial role teachers play in shaping lives.

> “Teachers matter,” Giannini said. “We are honoured to join the Global Teacher Prize in celebrating teachers like you, who, through patience, determination, and belief in every learner, help children into school — an act that can change the course of a life.”



Nagi is the tenth recipient of the Global Teacher Prize since it was established in 2015. Past winners include educators from Kenya, Palestine, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, all recognized for their efforts to improve access to education in challenging environments.

Her work continues to inspire and redefine what is possible in education for underserved communities worldwide.