Dembele 1st-ever PSG player to score hat-tricks in consecutive matches
…Beating Mbappe, Neymar, Ibrahimovic Ousmane Dembele etched his name into Paris Saint-Germain’s history by netting three goals against Brest, which was his second hat-trick of the week. *Dembele scored three goals against Stuttgart in UCL*Followed that up with another hat-trick against Brest*French forward sets incredible record with the Parisians ·WHAT HAPPENED? Dembele’s remarkable goal-scoring week began with a stunning hat-trick against Stuttgart in the Champions League on Wednesday. He followed that up with another three-goal performance in Ligue 1, marking a personal milestone in what has been the most prolific season of his career. Despite the club boasting legendary strikers such as Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, none had previously managed back-to-back hat-tricks in PSG colours. WHAT DEMBELE SAID After the match, Dembele credited his recent success to his positioning and role in the squad. “I’m well placed, I’m in the role of number nine and I have to score goals. It was a game where I played a bit of a carrot behind the defence,” Dembele said. While celebrating his individual accomplishment, the French winger was quick to emphasize the importance of his teammates’ contributions. He specifically highlighted the quality of service he received, particularly from Kang-In Lee, who provided an assist for one of his goals. “I think you have to congratulate the team and especially the passers. Because on the first goal, all I had to do was push it home. And on the third, Kang-In’s pass was exceptional,” Dembele said. THE BIGGER PICTURE Dembele’s heroics helped PSG secure their 15th league victory of the season, bringing them to 50 points from 20 matches. Their commanding lead at the top of the table now stands at 13 points over second-placed Marseille, though their rivals have a game in hand. With the Ligue 1 title race seemingly in their control, PSG is well on track to clinch their fourth consecutive domestic championship. WHAT NEXT FOR PSG? The league leaders will now prepare for their upcoming home fixture against Monaco on Friday, where they will look to further solidify their grip on the title by clinching another three points.
Ronaldo admits to ‘anger’ over Ballon d’Or defeats to Messi
…Real Madrid icon claims award has lost all ‘credibility’ after Vinicius Junior’s 2024 snub Cristiano Ronaldo admits to being left feeling “angry” over some of his Ballon d’Or defeats to eternal rival, Lionel Messi. *Portuguese icon won Golden Ball in 2008*Has taken his tally to five*Argentine rival has eight triumphs on his CV *WHAT HAPPENED? Portuguese superstar Ronaldo was the first of that pair to claim a Golden Ball in 2008. He then saw Messi enjoy a run of four successive triumphs, before emerging victorious in four out of five years between 2013 and 2017. *THE BIGGER PICTURE Ronaldo has been unable to add to his tally since then, while Messi has pulled clear with eight successes. CR7 feels he was treated a little harshly at times, with remarkable standards being maintained at Real Madrid as he became their all-time leading goalscorer. *WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID Current Blancos star Vinicius Junior was beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Manchester City midfielder Rodri in 2024, a decision that Ronaldo disagrees with, and he has told La Sexta of the prize not always going to the most worthy recipient: “There is no credibility, Vinicius should be the Ballon d’Or winner. I have felt it many times and I felt angry. Over time I understood it, these are battles that you cannot win.” *DID YOU KNOW? Ronaldo has never been one to waste energy reflecting on the past, with the Al-Nassr forward – who is still going strong as he prepares to turn 40 years of age – adding on his achievements: “Something often has to happen to you for you to appreciate everything you’ve been through. I’m such a competitive person that sometimes I forget what I’ve achieved. If someone else were in my position, I would have quit football 10 years ago. I’m different.” *WHAT NEXT? It is that drive that has kept Ronaldo at the top of his game for so long, with there no sign of him stepping aside any time soon. He considers himself to be the greatest player of all-time, regardless of what Messi fans may think of that, and still has more trophy targets and historic goal records to chase down.
Trump signs executive order to withdraw US from UN human rights council
By Michael Damilola The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. As part of the order signed by Trump on Tuesday, the United States will also withdraw from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The U.S. was UNRWA’s largest donor, contributing nearly $500 million annually. Additionally, the president has directed a review of American involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “I have always believed that the UN has tremendous potential, but it is not living up to it. The UN needs to be fair to countries that deserve fairness,” Trump stated. Upon taking office on January 20, Trump signed several executive orders, including the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. According to New Daily Prime, the WHO expressed regret over the U.S. decision to withdraw from the global health body, urging the nation to reconsider. “We hope the United States will reconsider and look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain this partnership for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the world,” the WHO said. In January 2024, former President Joe Biden suspended funding to UNRWA after Israel accused nearly 12 UNRWA staff members of participating in the Hamas attack that triggered the war in Gaza. As a result, Congress formally halted contributions to the agency until at least March 2025.
Shocking study finds human brains have spoonfuls of microplastics
Researchers have discovered that microplastics are increasingly accumulating in human brains, surging by 50% in just eight years. This raises serious concerns about potential links to cognitive decline and neurological diseases. The study also highlights that the brains of individuals with dementia had five times more microplastics, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce plastic contamination. Microplastics have infiltrated every nook and cranny of our environment, however, the tiny plastic particles, some of them way thinner than a hair, are also accumulating in our brains at alarming levels, much more than any other body organ. It seems the plastic concentration in our brain is increasing with each passing year which raises concerns about its potential links to cognitive decline and neurological diseases. With microplastics present everywhere, from food to drinking water, exposure is increasing rapidly, making the need to reduce contamination more urgent than ever. “There’s much more plastic in our brains than I ever would have imagined or been comfortable with,” said Matthew Campen, Regents’ Professor and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. How much plastic is hiding in our brain? The study published in Nature Medicine on Monday found that on an average, the brain samples that were studied had about seven grams of microplastics — roughly the weight of an average plastic spoon. The study examined 24 brain samples from individuals who passed away in early 2024. When researchers compared these findings with 28 brain samples collected in 2016, they discovered a staggering 50% increase in micro- and nanoplastic levels in less than a decade. The results were even more alarming when analyzing the brains of 12 individuals diagnosed with dementia before their passing. On average, these samples contained more than five times the amount of plastic particles detected in the 2024 group, raising serious concerns about potential links between microplastic exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. To confirm their findings, researchers examined brain tissue from samples collected between 1997 and 2013. They found a clear rise in plastic levels, more than double in the 2016 samples and nearly four times higher by 2024. While the effects on human health are still unclear, the study highlights the need for more research.Campen noted that this alarming rise is linked to an increase in plastic waste. Polyethylene, used to pack materials like bottles and cups, emerged as the most common microplastic detected by researchers from the University of New Mexico. The tiny fragments were capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, although the exact process of it reaching the brain remains unclear. The scientists suspect that they may be entering the brain through our food, particularly meat. “The way we irrigate fields with plastic-contaminated water, we postulate that the plastics build up there,” Campen said. “We feed those crops to our livestock. We take the manure and put it back on the field, so there may be a sort of feed-forward biomagnification.” Microplastics are known to trigger inflammation, damage cells, disrupt organ function, and alter immune responses. Plastic exposure is also linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as some cancers. How to minimize microplastic exposure *Avoid single-use plastics and swap plastic storage containers for glass or metal. *Never reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave. *Filter your tap water and get high-quality air filters for your home. *Keep your living space dust-free. *Eat less processed foods as they may have higher levels of these tiny particles.
Gunmen kidnap 10 passengers on Ondo highway
Gunmen abducted about 10 passengers along the Owo-Benin highway in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday. According to reports, the gunmen attacked the commercial bus the passengers were travelling in and marched them into the bush. NEW DAILY PRIME gathered that the passengers were on their way from Akwa Ibom to Akure when the incident happened. An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the driver of the space bus had initially thought that the gunmen were security operatives but only realised that they were criminals when they shot sporadically into the air. The source said, ”The passengers were kidnapped on the Owo-Ipele road on Saturday morning at about midnight. Their vehicles were stopped, and they were dragged into the bush to an unknown destination. “The hoodlums ambushed them and whisked all the occupants of the vehicle into the bush. All the occupants of the vehicle were abducted and nobody heard anything about them since then.” However, the police image maker in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami, stated only seven people were kidnapped. “The police received information that a vehicle was attacked along the Owo/Ifon road, and seven people were suspected to have been abducted. “Seven travellers were involved; they were coming from Akwa Ibom State in a commercial bus. Our men are already making efforts to rescue the victims from the kidnappers and arrest the perpetrators.”
FG strengthens cancer care with revamped nuclear medicine task force
The Federal Government (FG), through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has restructured the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) as part of the 2025 World Cancer Day initiatives. In the statement shared on their X page, it noted that the move reinforces FG commitment to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The 2025 theme, “United by Unique: United in Our Goals, Unique in Our Needs,” highlights collective efforts while addressing distinct healthcare challenges. The Ministry aims to bridge cancer care gaps with targeted strategies. Key stakeholders attendees are Nuclear Medicine experts, regulatory bodies, research institutions, civil society, international partners, and media representatives. It was revealed that the NM-TWG will serve as an advisory body, enhancing Nuclear Medicine services nationwide. Read Also: World Cancer Day 2025: United by Unique – A Call for Personalized Cancer Care Minister of State, Dr. Adekunle Iziaq Salako, reaffirmed cancer care as a priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing various achievements. They include immunization of 12 million girls against HPV to prevent cervical cancer, expansion of cancer insurance coverage to ease financial burdens and establishment of six Federal Teaching Hospitals (FTH) with advanced radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities. The NM-TWG will be led by Dr. Ololade Kehinde, with Dr. Uchechukwu Emmanuel Nwokwu as Secretary. The group will address infrastructure gaps and strengthen collaborations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Dr. Salako acknowledged support from local and international partners and emphasized expanding pediatric cancer care in alignment with the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC). In a call to action plan, the Ministry urges Nigerians to prioritize cancer prevention through early screenings and support efforts to improve care. “Together, we can build a cancer-free Nigeria,” Dr. Salako declared, reaffirming the government’s vision for a healthier future.
Remi Tinubu donates N100m to Niger tanker explosion victims
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N100 million to victims of the recent tanker explosion in Niger State. She announced the donation during a visit to Governor Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna on Tuesday, where she expressed her condolences over the tragic incident. NEW DAILY PRIME recalls that the explosion, which occurred on January 18 along Diko-Maje Road in Gurara Local Government Area, claimed several lives and left many others injured. Mrs Tinubu said the donation would provide relief to about 70 affected families, with each receiving N1 million through the governor’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Bago. “The remaining funds will be used for additional support, including food supplies,” she added. She commended Governor Bago’s commitment to rehabilitating the victims and praised his administration’s efforts in agriculture. In his response, Bago expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s visit and her financial support, describing it as a morale booster for the affected families. “We deeply appreciate your kind gesture and personal visit, which will uplift those impacted by the explosion,” he said. During her visit, the First Lady also paid a private courtesy call on former military leaders, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar. She was accompanied by Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, and Hajiya Fatima Bago, wife of the Niger State Governor.
Ogun monarch lands in court for assaulting 73-yr-old man
Suspended Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Ogun State, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi has been charged to court by the Nigeria Police Force for assaulting and dehumanising an elderly man, Areola Abraham. Confirming the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) said, “The Kabiyesi Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, who assaulted one elderly man in a viral video, in Ifo Ogun State, has been charged to court today 4th February 2025, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. “He was granted bail while the case was adjourned to 06/03/2025. The police will continue to uphold the rule of law and the core values of the noble profession.” Oba Ogunjobi had sparked outrage after a viral video surfaced showing him verbally and physically assaulting 73-year-old Areola. In the footage, some men with Ogunjobi were seen slapping the septuagenarian and forcing him to kneel and prostrate. Following this, the Ogun State Government, in a bid to ensure the dignity of individuals and protect the sanctity of the traditional institution, placed the monarch on a six-month suspension for his uncivil conduct, adding that it does not befit the status of an Oba. This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, on Monday. NEW DAILY PRIME reported earlier that the Ogun Police Command grilled the embattled Olorile of Orile Ifo, Oba. Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Police Command, confirmed this, saying the Command condemns any form of assault, harassment and violence regardless of the individuals involved. CSP Odutola added that the command would ensure that justice is served.
Nigerian woman arrested in UK for saying ‘drugs’ instead of ‘medication’
A Nigerian woman was arrested in the United Kingdom after using the word “drugs” instead of “medication,” which led to confusion and her eventual detention by authorities. The lady identified as @shakels95, shared her shocking experience of being arrested due to a simple misunderstanding of Nigerian jargon. According to her, she had gone to a pharmacy to purchase medications for her husband when an innocent remark during a phone conversation led to her unexpected arrest. While speaking to her husband on the phone, she casually used the word “drugs” instead of “medications,” unaware that people around her at the pharmacy misinterpreted it. –Moments later, the police arrived and took her into custody. Recalling the incident in a TikTok video, she said, “I got arrested yesterday, last night, and got detained. Now, I am going home. Story time. “Then, when I was done, I was on call to say, ‘Ah, I got the drugs, I got two drugs for you. So, when I get home, when you use it, you are going to be strong.’ “Ok. Not knowing people closer to me were like, ‘drugs, drugs, drugs,’ but I wasn’t bothered ’cause I felt I didn’t do anything wrong. Before I knew it, the police came. When they came, they were like, ‘we heard there is drugs.’ “And I said what drugs? This (displaying the medications she got) was literally what I was referring to as drugs, Ibuprofen, for my husband because he wasn’t feeling well…” Despite her attempts to explain the situation, the police refused to take her word for it. She revealed that they detained her at the station and even searched her home in a bid to verify their claims. Meanwhile, this has generated mixed reactions from netizens while some claimed there’s nothing wrong in the words, others said it’s basically profiling of people of colour. Read some of the reactions: @larrybanky1 on X wrote, “The dictionary (in their language) has it that a drug is a substance recognized by an official pharmacopoeia or formulary. It is a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.T’aa ló wọ wii ninuu wọn? Sue wọn jọ!” Another user @OdoThomasIke said, “This is absurd. Firstly, the term “drug” is official and an acceptable synonym for ‘Medication’.The D in NAFDAC means Drug. Secondly, the synonymous use of “Drug” in place of “Medication” is not limited to Nigeria.The D in FDA (in the USA) also means Drug. @EkezuIkpa_II in his reaction said, “I am surprised about the over-reaction by the Police. I’ve been telling our people here to stop calling medications “drugs” as it is quite embarrassing. Same way our people keep mispronouncing Google as “goggle”. When our people say “goggle it,” people don’t even understand them.” @GICKENG commented, “It’s interesting how language varies across cultures. In Nigeria, “drug” commonly refers to medication, while in the UK, it often has a different connotation. It’s all about context!” @Jeffr2b2 reacted, “All medications are drugs, but not all drugs are medication. You’re not so wrong to use the word “drug”. Part of the reason you were arrested is because you’re black.”
Oyebanji calls for enhanced military cooperation to combat crime
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the Nigerian Army to strengthen its collaboration with other security agencies in the state to enhance security and eliminate criminal elements. He made the call on Tuesday while receiving the new Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Brigadier-General Justin Ifeanyi, during a courtesy visit to his office in Ado-Ekiti. Governor Oyebanji emphasised that such cooperation and increased military presence would complement the efforts of other security operatives already active in Ekiti, contributing to a more secure environment. He commended the existing synergy among security chiefs in the state, which has helped Ekiti maintain its status as the most peaceful state in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Gov Abiodun appoints Anthony Joshua as Sports Ambassador Highlighting the continued challenge of sporadic criminal activities, the Governor stressed the need for a united approach to address these issues and eliminate criminal elements. He noted that while Ekiti enjoys relative peace, it was vital to work together to keep the state safe for its citizens. The governor assured Brigadier-General Ifeanyi of the full support of his administration, pledging that the state government would continue to back the Nigerian Army in their efforts to maintain security. He also praised the army’s role in securing the nation, recognizing their sacrifices and commitment to ensuring peace. “As a government, we are grateful to the Nigerian Army for your gallantry and sacrifices. Without your efforts, the security situation would be far worse. We are happy to have you back, as this is not a new terrain for you. “Ekiti has been ranked as the most peaceful state, but we still face some criminal challenges. The synergy among all security agencies in the state has been key, and I ask that you continue to strengthen this cooperation,” Governor Oyebanji said. READ ALSO: Ekiti Airport set for operation, says Oyebanji In response, Brigadier-General Ifeanyi expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and assured the Governor that the Nigerian Army would intensify its efforts to combat crime in the state. He reaffirmed the army’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across Ekiti.
