Author: damazah@gmail.com

For many Nigerians, the dream of a better life abroad has become so compelling that they are willing to risk everything to pursue it, sometimes through dangerous and irregular routes. But behind the images of success often shared on social media lie stories of exploitation, trafficking, trauma, debt and, tragically, death. In this interview with Michael Olugbode, International Organisation for Migration’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Dimanche Sharon, warns Nigerians against gambling with their lives, urging them to pursue opportunities abroad only through safe, orderly and regular migration pathways I rregular migration is often discussed in terms of numbers and statistics.…

Published On 15 Aug 202615 Aug 2026Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has denied Iran’s claims that three Iranian pilots are being held in secret detention following the downing of their aircraft during hostilities earlier this year.A ministry spokesman expressed surprise on Saturday at “misleading statements” from Iranian officials and reaffirmed that Qatari forces are not holding any surviving aircrew.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“We are surprised by the misleading statements regarding the Iranian pilots amid the continuation of diplomatic efforts,” said Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari, according to our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic.His statement followed public demands from…

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State had said he is not opposed to the Enyimba Economic City project. He, however, insists that all the processes surrounding the development must be transparent and properly executed. Mr Otti disclosed this on Thursday when members of the reconstituted Board of the Enyimba Economic City Development Company paid him a courtesy visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia. He said that his administration remained pro-business and committed to supporting investments that complied with due process and protected the interests of the state and its people. “So I’m not against any…

Secondhand booksellers in the UK and Ireland are reporting a flurry of bulk orders from mystery buyers, amid speculation AI companies are acquiring the tomes for their data.Bookshops contacted by the Guardian say they have been receiving orders from buyers in the US, Canada, continental Europe and the UK. The increase has been replicated around the world, with booksellers in the US, Australia and Europe also reporting unusual orders.Stuart Manley, the co-owner of Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland, said the orders, which began arriving three months ago, were unusual because they did not follow the typical pattern of being grouped…

Westminster council is making it “impossible” for soup kitchens to operate by complaining about the “crowds of vulnerable people” who turn up to be fed, a charity has said.Steven Stuart, who founded Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH) with his wife, Cheryl, a decade ago, said constant complaints from the council could force the soup kitchen to shut down.The council is also facing a licensing battle with the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has objected to its restrictive new draft policy that would ban new bars and pubs from opening in Soho and the West End. The council also…

Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned residents to brace for “an incredible amount of water”.He said on X: “Damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf are possible across the state through the weekend.”Dozens of flights have been cancelled.At Ellison Onizuka Kona International – Big Island’s largest airport – 40% of flights were grounded, according to flightaware.com. Some 80% of flights were called off at its other main airport, Hilo International.The more dire forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) have been issued for areas within Big Island’s south-east. “Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues,” the NWS…

Morocco suffered more penalty shootout heartache in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, losing 3-2 to Algeria after a 1-1 draw in the third place play-off. The WAFCON hosts were eliminated in the semi-finals on Wednesday after losing a shootout to Cameroon after having three consecutive kicks saved. Against Algeria in Rabat there was a repeat as Morocco converted their first two penalties, then missed the following three. Algeria failed to score from two of four penalties, then Ines Belloumou netted to give Algeria bronze. Kautar Azraf had put Morocco ahead in the 37th minute of regular time…

Legendary singer Bonnie Tyler has made a final journey to her Mumbles home, with thousands of emotional fans lining the streets to pay their respects.The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer died “unexpectedly” on 8 July, aged 75, at a hospital in Portugal.At the time, tributes poured in from a host of friends and stars including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart.Despite Tyler’s career taking her all over the world, she has been described by those living in the coastal suburb of Mumbles as a “Swansea girl through and through”, and someone who “never forgot where she came from”.Huge…

I met Jennifer at a Guy Sebastian concert in Kuala Lumpur in 2005. It was strange I was there because I’m kind of anti-pop music, but we were introduced there by a mutual friend. We didn’t talk that much but I immediately liked Jen and invited her to dinner the following week.That first date wasn’t in a fancy restaurant and we sat in the corner and talked for over an hour. I liked that she wasn’t at all bothered by the simplicity of the dining room. Being a foreigner in Malaysia, I immediately felt with Jen that there wasn’t as…

Alaves beat 10-man visitors Getafe 3-0 on Saturday as La Liga’s 2026/27 season began in Vitoria. Kiko Femenia’s red card late in the first half for a high lunge set Getafe back and Nahuel Tenaglia nodded home the opener for the hosts after 73 minutes. Former Real Madrid striker Mariano curled home a fine second from the edge of the box in stoppage time as Quique Sanchez Flores’s team got off to a winning start. Mikel Rodriguez smashed home the third after being teed up by Mariano as Getafe crumbled during added time. Later Saturday, Sevilla host Rayo Vallecano, while…