Four years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. As the war enters its fifth year, here is the current state of the conflict: The United Nations has confirmed over 15,000 civilian deaths, though the actual figure is likely much higher. Estimates for military casualties (killed, wounded, or missing) range drastically, with some reports suggesting they could reach 2 million soldiers by this spring. Ukraine has suffered over $195 billion in assessed damages. Ongoing Russian aerial strikes continue to target energy infrastructure, causing widespread power and water outages. The Territorial Status Occupied Land: Russia currently occupies nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. Annexation Demands: Moscow continues to demand full control over the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which it illegally annexed in 2022. Diplomatic and Political Landscape U.S.-Led Peace Ta...

  Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23 for arraignment. The DSS filed a three-count charge against him over the alleged unlawful interception of communications, following comments he made during a television interview. The court had earlier fixed February 25 for the former governor’s arraignment. The former governor was absent during Wednesday’s proceedings. Counsel for the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoyin, informed the court that the former governor is still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds. This prompted the judge to adjourn the case to April 23 for arraignment.

Tunji Disu As of February 24, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly removed Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of Nigeria. Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Tunji Disu has been appointed as the new Acting Inspector-General of Police. Reports vary on whether it was a direct firing or a forced resignation. Some sources indicate the President directed Egbetokun to resign during a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday, February 23. Other reports state Egbetokun cited "family considerations" in his resignation letter. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a release disclosed that the President  received Mr Egbetokun’s resignation earlier on Tuesday and expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation. While official statements from the Presidency have focused on gratitude for his service, his tenure faced public criticism regarding human rights concerns and ...

Image for illustration purposes only A baby boy named Hugo Richard Norman Powell has become the first child in the UK born to a mother who received a womb transplant from a deceased donor. The birth, which took place in December 2025 at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London, was announced as a major medical milestone on February 24, 2026. Key Details of the Breakthrough The Mother: Grace Bell, an IT programme manager from Kent, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare condition that meant she was born without a functioning womb.  The 10-hour transplant operation was performed in June 2024 at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. It was led by consultant surgeons Miss Isabel Quiroga and Professor Richard Smith. Hugo was delivered via Caesarean section, weighing 6lb 13oz (3.1kg). He is the second baby born via womb transplant in the UK, following the birth of baby Amy in early 2025 from a living donor.   The womb came from a deceased donor...

House Speaker Mike Johnson has denied a request for the late civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It was noted that recent requests for others, including former VP Dick Cheney and activist Charlie Kirk, were also reportedly turned down under similar guidelines. Speaker Johnson's office cited past precedent, stating the honor is typically reserved for former presidents, military leaders, and select government officials. The request was made by the Jackson family and House Democrats following Jackson’s death at age 84 on February 18, 2026. Criticism: The decision drew sharp rebuke from organizations like the NAACP, whose president called it a "gross disregard" for Jackson's legacy as a civil rights legend. Critics point to historical exceptions, noting that non-presidents such as civil rights icon Rosa Parks (2005) and Rev. Billy Graham (2018) were previously allowed to lie in honor in the Rotunda. While the Capitol request w...

A new 10% tariff on U.S. imports is set to take effect on February 24, 2026, for a 150-day duration following a Supreme Court ruling that limited previous trade measures.  The new duty, imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, impacts most imports but includes exemptions for certain,2026 critical minerals, agricultural products, and pharma. The Decision: In a 6-3 ruling for Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, the conservative-majority court struck down the administration's broad use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. The Rationale: Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the IEEPA "does not authorize the President to impose tariffs," noting that if Congress intended to grant such extraordinary power, it would have done so explicitly. Impact: The ruling invalidated many of Trump's previous "Liberation Day" tariffs, though it did not affect sector-specific duties on steel and aluminum. Trump's Respons...

  As of February 2026, President Trump has confirmed he is considering "limited strikes" against Iran as a deadline for nuclear negotiations approaches. This escalation follows a year of intense military and diplomatic pressure aimed at forcing Tehran into a new, more restrictive nuclear agreement. On February 19, Trump set a firm ultimatum, stating that Iran has 10 to 15 days "maximum" to reach a "meaningful" deal or face "unfortunate" consequences. The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups, along with additional fighter jets and destroyers. Despite the military threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a draft proposal could be finalized within days following recent indirect talks in Geneva. The U.S. is demanding "zero enrichment" of uranium and the total dismantlement of facilities l...