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UK finally approves US use of bases for missile strikes on Iran

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The United Kingdom has approved a request by the United States to use British military bases for strikes on Iran-linked targets tied to threats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Downing Street confirmed the decision on Friday after a ministerial meeting, emphasizing that Britain will not take part directly in the military action but will permit expanded US operations from its territory.

 

A government spokesperson said the bases would support US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships.”

 

Despite the approval, the UK struck a cautious note, stressing the need to avoid further escalation. “Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war,” the statement added.

 

Previously, Britain had restricted US access to its bases to operations specifically targeting missile threats linked to British interests.

 

The move comes amid rising tensions, as former US President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies, describing them as “cowards” for declining to deploy warships.

All their leaders wiped out—Trump announces victory against Iran

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United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s leadership structure has been largely dismantled amid ongoing joint military operations involving the U.S. and Israel, stating that Washington now has “nobody to talk to” as tensions persist.

Trump made the remarks on Friday at the White House during an event honoring the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen football team for winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

 

Referring to the ongoing operations involving Iran, Trump said, “Their leaders are all gone, their next set of leaders are all gone, and their next set of leaders are mostly gone.”

 

He added that the situation has made diplomatic engagement difficult, noting, “Nobody wants to be a leader over there anymore—we are having a hard time. We want to talk to them, and there’s nobody to talk to. We have nobody to talk to, and you know what? We like it that way.”

It’s Nigerians only—Presidency speaks on acceptance of foreign deportees from UK

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President Tinbu

The Presidency has refuted claims that Nigeria agreed to receive foreign deportees under a new migration arrangement with the United Kingdom, stating that the deal strictly applies to Nigerian nationals residing illegally in the UK.

Earlier reports had indicated that the Nigerian government signed an agreement with the UK to facilitate the deportation of failed asylum seekers and convicted criminals.

However, reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the narrative as false and misleading in a statement posted on X.

He emphasized that Nigeria has no obligation to accept non-Nigerians under the agreement.

Ajayi stated, “For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria and Home Secretary Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood on behalf of the UK government only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.

“The Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens.

“This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery.

“The agreement guarantees that returnees who are citizens of Nigeria will be treated with dignity, retain rights under domestic law, and may re-enter in the future if they meet the applicable immigration requirements.”

The presidency further cited a statement from the Ministry of Interior, which noted:

“It also provides detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of NIGERIANS who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.

“This arrangement includes the use of secured travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals and potential victims of trafficking.

“This framework also sets out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, including information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.”

Nigerian troops gun down top ISWAP commander in Adamawa

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly killed a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Abou Ameer, during a failed attempt by insurgents to infiltrate a military formation in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

 

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, security sources said Ameer led the attack on the troops.

 

He was said to have recently assumed the role of Ameer (Qaid) of Pulka after his predecessor, Modu Kunduli, was neutralized in Mayanti village, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

 

The report stated that the insurgents were met with intense resistance from the troops and were forced to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

 

It added that several senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ali Jango, Jundulla, and Saleh Madagali, sustained gunshot wounds during the clash.

 

Troops were also said to have recovered weapons and intelligence materials from the scene, underscoring sustained military pressure on insurgent operations in the Northeast.

War: Iran’s spokesperson Naini killed in US-Israel strike

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The spokesman of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ali Mohammad Naini, has been killed in an attack, according to reports by the Tasnim news agency.

In a statement published on its Sepah News platform, the IRGC said Naini “was martyred in a criminal and cowardly terrorist attack at dawn,” accusing both the United States and Israel of carrying out the strike.

 

His death occurred just hours after he issued a strong warning challenging US naval activities in the Gulf. Naini, described as a veteran commander, had served the Islamic Republic for over 40 years.

 

The development adds to a growing list of senior Iranian figures reportedly killed in recent strikes, including security chief Ali Larijani and intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib. b.

 

Reports also claim that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the early hours of the coordinated attacks and has been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

UK to depot failed Nigerian asylum seekers after deal with Tinubu’s govt

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05/07/2024. London, United Kingdom. The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official portraits upon his official appointment by His Majesty The King. Picture by Simon Dawson/ No 10 Downing Street

The administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has entered into a new agreement with the UK Home Office to facilitate the return of Nigerians who have failed to secure asylum as well as convicted offenders.

The development was disclosed on Thursday by the UK authorities, following President Tinubu’s recent visit to the United Kingdom.

Under the arrangement, individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected and have exhausted all legal avenues will be deported back to Nigeria.

Reports indicate that about 961 Nigerian asylum seekers in the UK have reached the end of their appeal process and are no longer eligible for refugee status.

In addition, around 1,110 Nigerian nationals convicted of various offenses are currently awaiting deportation.

The agreement also covers Nigerians who have overstayed their visas, as both countries move to strengthen immigration enforcement and bilateral cooperation.

They can do quadruple—Osman names team to win EPL, Champions League, FA Cup

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Former Everton F.C. midfielder Leon Osmahttps://x.com/i/status/1960799776607195491 believes Arsenal F.C. are well-placed to chase an unprecedented quadruple this season following their strong performances across all competitions.

The Gunners booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after eliminating Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the round of 16, sealing a 3–1 aggregate victory earlier this week.

 

Mikel Arteta’s side also holds a nine-point advantage over Manchester City F.C. at the top of the Premier League table. Both teams are set to meet again in Sunday’s EFL Cup Final, with silverware at stake.

 

After the international break, Arsenal will turn their attention to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they face a trip to Southampton F.C.

 

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Osman said Arsenal has a realistic chance of winning all four major trophies this season.

 

“It [the quadruple] is on. I know it’s a big ask and incredibly difficult to do still at this stage, but it is,” Osman said.

 

He added that Arsenal’s route in both domestic and European competitions appears favorable compared to their rivals, giving them a genuine opportunity to achieve a historic clean sweep if they maintain their current form and squad fitness.

AFCON 2025: Why CAF’s verdict stripping Senegal of Title faulty—Rooney 

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Former England captain Wayne Rooney has condemned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for overturning Senegal’s victory and awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco.

CAF’s Appeal Board reversed Senegal’s 1–0 win, ruling that the Teranga Lions violated Articles 82 and 84 after walking off the pitch in protest of a stoppage-time penalty decision.

As a result, the match was declared a 3–0 forfeit in favor of Morocco.

Reacting to the verdict, Rooney described the decision as unfair and controversial.

“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square,” he said.

“The Senegal team beat them fairly.”

Meanwhile, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has announced it will challenge CAF’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Iran expels top footballer Sardar Azmoun from national team

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Iran has removed prominent striker Sardar Azmoun from its national team following a controversy linked to his recent social media activity.

The decision reportedly came after Azmoun shared a photograph of a meeting with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a move said to have angered authorities in Iran.

 

According to Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an informed source within the national team confirmed that the 31-year-old forward has been dropped from the squad.

 

The development comes amid wider tensions in Iranian football. Earlier this week, members of the country’s women’s national team returned home after a brief asylum scare in Australia. Seven individuals had initially sought refuge, but five—including captain Zahra Ghanbari—later reversed their decision.

 

Uncertainty also surrounds Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has become a point of concern due to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving one of the host nations.

 

Football authorities in Iran are reportedly in talks with FIFA, requesting that their matches be moved away from the United States and played in Mexico instead.

NYSC staff arrested for corps member’s death from pregnancy complications in Ogun

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The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Abass Olalekan, has been arrested in connection with the death of a female corps member, Victoria Ariyo.

Ariyo, who was serving in the area, reportedly died on Tuesday following complications linked to a terminated pregnancy.

Sources disclosed that Olalekan allegedly announced her death informally and directed some corps members to arrange her burial. Her remains were said to have been interred at Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.

It was further alleged that the LGI had a personal relationship with the deceased, which resulted in the pregnancy and its subsequent termination.

The incident comes barely a month after another corps member, Adeleye Mary, described as Ariyo’s friend, died under unclear circumstances. Mary was also serving in Abeokuta South and was posted to Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment.

A police source confirmed that Olalekan is currently in custody at the state command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, did not respond to inquiries regarding the arrest or the allegations. However, he confirmed that an investigation into Ariyo’s death is ongoing.

“I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi said briefly.