As of March 1, 2026, there are conflicting reports regarding whether Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is still alive following massive joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The current situation is as follows: Claims of Death: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both indicated that Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Some reports from NPR and CNN state that Iranian state media initially confirmed his death and the government declared 40 days of mourning. Claims he is Alive: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has directly disputed these reports, stating in an interview with NBC News that the Supreme Leader is alive "as far as I know" and that "almost all officials are safe and sound". Succession Plans: Amid the uncertainty, reports indicate that Iran has activated contingency plans, with longtime loyalist Ali Larijani reportedly elevated to a central governing role to manage the crisis. The strikes, part of a campaign titled ...

  On February 26, 2026, Leslie Chinedu Mba, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to 19 years (228 months) in federal prison for orchestrating a $4 million fraud scheme. Mr Mba, a 40-year-old Nigerian citizen who illegally resided in Houston, pleaded guilty to his role in a business email compromise conspiracy and for running a romance scam that targeted victims nationwide. Mba was a primary coordinator for elaborate romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) schemes that targeted vulnerable individuals and family-run businesses between 2018 and 2023. While residing in Houston illegally, Mba attempted to gain lawful residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after a previous removal order was issued against him. Deportation: As he is not a U.S. citizen, Mba faces federal deportation proceedings to Nigeria immediately upon the completion of his prison sentence. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge David Hittner in the Southern District of Texas. F...

  Kenya has officially launched the rollout of Lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, becoming the first country in East Africa to offer this twice-yearly, game-changing treatment.  The national rollout, which began in late February 2026, aims to significantly reduce new HIV infections, especially among high-risk groups, by providing an alternative to daily oral medication. The Drug: Lenacapavir (often referred to as LEN) is a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered once every six months.  Studies show the drug can reduce HIV transmission risk by more than 99.9%, making it a highly effective tool for HIV-negative individuals. The initial rollout involves 21,000 doses, targeting 15 high-burden counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Siaya. The medication will be provided free of charge in public facilities, with the government having negotiated a price of KSh 7,800 per dose (down from an ...

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...