Author: damazah@gmail.com

Shabana Mahmood’s controversial plans to increase the forced removal of people refused asylum, introduce stringent age checks for people claiming to be children and limit applications under human rights laws are scheduled to be placed before MPs within days.The immigration and asylum bill is expected to be put before parliament next Tuesday and will face opposition from some Labour, Lib Dem and independent MPs. Andy Burnham’s team, widely expected to be in No 10 within weeks, is understood to be aware of the bill and its contents.The legislation is expected to direct how article 8 of the European convention on…

Chiemelie Ezeobi The Nigerian Navy has unveiled a broad healthcare reform agenda aimed at strengthening its medical system, improving personnel welfare and enhancing operational readiness, with senior military leaders describing quality healthcare as a critical component of national security. The push formed the centrepiece of discussions at the 2026 Nigerian Navy Annual Medical Conference in Lagos, where participants examined strategies for building a more resilient, sustainable and efficient health system capable of meeting the evolving needs of naval personnel and their families. Speaking at the conference held at the IMION Auditorium, NNS Quorra, Lagos, the Chief of the Naval Staff,…

The temperature rose to 36.0C in Wisley, Surrey on Wednesday afternoon, setting a new June temperature record for the UK.Widely temperatures soared into the low to mid thirties elswhere across southern England and the Midlands.In advance of the stifling heat, the Met Office extended its red warning further south towards England’s south coast. It remains in effect across parts of southern England, the Midlands and south Wales until 11.59pm on Thursday.There is also an amber warning for extreme heat in place for a wider area of England for the whole of Friday, and another focused on the east and south-east…

Two late goals earned Morocco a hard-fought 4-2 win against Haiti in their final Group C game, which saw them finish as runners-up.

Jeff Olson, a veteran visual effects producer and modelmaker who spent a quarter-century at Industrial Light and Magic and worked on projects including Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace, Star Trek films and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, died June 21. He was 77. ILM confirmed his passing in an Instagram post, writing in part: “His career spanned momentous change in the art form and industry, and no matter the techniques employed on a given show, Jeff was always committed to the team, leading his crews with humor and kindness.” Olson joined Industrial Light + Magic in 1985 and worked as…

It has been credited with bringing the Knicks its first N.B.A. Championship final win in 53 years. It has been blessed by New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani. It even enjoyed the V.I.P. treatment at a celebratory parade. It is now going to be exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum.Jordyn Woods’s $125 orange, faux ostrich leather clutch bag has become a talisman for Knicks fans and players, many of whom credit it for buoying the basketball team to victory. Woods, who is engaged to the Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, wore the purse to all but one of the games in the…

By Chioma Obinna Medical experts have raised the alarm over the growing culture of self-medication in Nigeria, warning that the dangerous practice is fueling liver-related diseases and putting millions at risk of irreversible organ damage. The experts said indiscriminate use of painkillers, antibiotics and herbal mixtures, often without proper diagnosis or medical supervision has become a silent but serious public health threat. The experts spoke during a webinar titled: “The Hidden Costs of Self-Medication on Liver Health,” organised by SYNLAB Nigeria as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and health awareness. Speaking at the…

The Metropolitan police have been granted a 12-month extension to a pilot project with the spy-tech firm Palantir while the force carries out a procurement process.The development comes weeks after the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, blocked a £50m deal between the Met and the US company to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations.Last month the mayor’s office said there had been a “clear and serious breach” of procurement rules and said police had seriously considered only one supplier.Palantir’s lawyers subsequently wrote to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) saying they intended to challenge the decision in court,…

England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted the Three Lions “desperately” need Bukayo Saka as they prepare for their final Group L fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Panama at MetLife Stadium on Saturday. Tuchel also hinted at changes to his starting line-up following England’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana in their second match. Read Also: World Cup 2026: Resilient Ghana hold England to frustrating goalless draw Saka Closing In on Return Noni Madueke has started both of England’s matches on the right flank, but Tuchel revealed that Saka, who has been recovering from an Achilles problem, is edging…

Microsoft’s claims it has made major breakthroughs in quantum computing have been questioned by a UK-based physicist, in a paper published by the science journal Nature.Dr Henry Legg, a long-term critic of Microsoft’s quantum work, argued a software tool used by the tech giant to check its research contained coding errors and was not sufficiently accurate.Legg also said Microsoft had still not proved its assertion that it has managed to create a theoretical quasi-particle called Majorana, which underpins its approach to quantum computing.The tech giant has consistently stood by its conclusions despite scepticism from experts in the field.It has invested…