Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

A Kurdish migrant has been jailed for seven years after raping a woman and later telling her he “didn’t actually want to do this but couldn’t stop” himself. Mehmet Ogur, 27, who had arrived in Britain on a small boat weeks before the attack, forced himself on the woman last January while living at a migrant hotel in Tamworth. The victim met Ogur via a social media app, and the assault occurred after consensual cuddling and kissing during a meeting in a secluded park near the town centre. Ogur was convicted of rape and attempted rape at Stafford Crown Court…

Scott Chilton accused of sexual relationships with colleagues, including one while on duty The former chief constable of Hampshire Police, Scott Chilton, is set to face a gross misconduct hearing over allegations that he engaged in sexual relationships with colleagues, including one encounter while on duty. Mr Chilton resigned from the force in April while under investigation, following claims that he failed to disclose two workplace relationships and repeatedly lied about them. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that he has a case to answer for potential breaches of police standards relating to honesty and integrity, authority, respect…

The White House has attacked Sir Keir Starmer for Labour’s refusal to support legislation banning first-cousin marriage in the UK, with Donald Trump’s free speech tsar, Sarah Rogers, framing the issue as a “civilisational” concern. First-cousin marriage, particularly common among some South Asian communities, remains legal in Britain despite increasing the risk of genetic disorders in children. Rogers, an undersecretary in the US State Department, shared a video on X showing Starmer declining to back a private member’s bill on the matter during Prime Minister’s Questions last March. “I’ve received questions about what we mean in our National Security Strategy…

 Plans for a vast new Chinese embassy complex in central London are facing renewed scrutiny amid revelations about an extensive underground structure whose purpose remains unclear and which lies close to some of Britain’s most sensitive communications infrastructure. China purchased the former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London in 2018 for £255 million, a move that attracted attention both for its scale and symbolism. At the time, British officials were assured that the site would be used for standard diplomatic purposes. However, planning documents later submitted by Beijing revealed proposals far more ambitious than a conventional embassy. Read…

Tehran says it is “ready for war but also dialogue” as demonstrations spread nationwide and the death toll climbs past 500  Iran has signaled a willingness to negotiate with the Trump administration after the U.S. president warned that Tehran was “crossing a line” by using lethal force against protesters, even as nationwide demonstrations intensified and the reported death toll surged beyond 500. President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran had reached out to Washington seeking talks, following his public threats of potential military action in response to what he described as an increasingly violent crackdown on civilians. “Iran called. They…

A senior pro-Kremlin commentator –  Vladimir Solovyov has openly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to broaden Moscow’s military ambitions beyond Ukraine, arguing that Russia should abandon restraint and explicitly define a “zone of influence” where it would tolerate no anti-Russian governments. The remarks, broadcast on Russian state media, called for Moscow to “make clear that the games are over” and dismiss international law in favour of securing perceived national interests. The comments underscore rising tensions on the global stage, coming as  Donald Trump has again intensified his controversial push for American control of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory of major…

The number of people sleeping rough on the streets of the capital has risen by 63 per cent since Sadiq Khan became mayor, new figures reveal – yet the London mayor insists he is “confident” he can reverse the trend and end rough sleeping entirely by 2030. According to data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), rough sleeping in London increased from 8,096 in 2015/16 to 13,231 in the most recent count – a sharp rise that has fuelled criticism of the mayor’s record on homelessness. Sir Sadiq Khan, speaking exclusively to the Local Democracy Reporting Service during…

In a world where economic volatility hits hard, the naira has been on a rollercoaster – dipping to record lows against the pound and dollar amid inflation woes and forex shortages. But stronger ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offer a lifeline, potentially easing these pains through boosted remittances, smart investments, and trade pacts. For Nigerians at home or in the UK diaspora – over 270,000 strong – this could mean steadier finances, better exchange rates, and fresh business avenues. As global partners like the UAE deepen links with Africa, Nigeria stands to gain if leaders like President Bola…

Abuja/Abu Dhabi, January 12, 2026, President Bola Tinubu has jetted into Abu Dhabi, the gleaming capital of the United Arab Emirates, for the kick-off of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week – a star-studded global summit on green energy and climate action. The 73-year-old leader arrived late Sunday evening local time, greeted with open arms by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, in what aides call a “strategic push” to snag vital investments for Nigeria’s shift from oil dependency. Tinubu’s private jet landed around 11:30pm, with the president looking sharp in a crisp suit…

Plateau State’s All Progressives Congress has kicked off its electronic membership drive with a bang, as Governor Caleb Mutfwang , sets sights on delivering one million votes for President Tinubu in 2027. The launch signals APC’s aggressive push to solidify its hold in the north-central state amid opposition disarray. Mutfwang, who switched from PDP last month, hailed the exercise as a “milestone” for consolidation. “We’re building a massive base for victory,” he said at the flag-off. The e-system requires NIN and voter’s cards for over-18s, aiming for transparency and growth. Plateau’s move mirrors nationwide efforts: Enugu eyes two million, FCT…