Archive December 9, 2025

Coup Attempt: Tinubu Seeks Senate’s Approval To Deploy Troops To Benin Republic

By in News, Nigeria News

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup there. 

The request was contained in a letter read during plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, President Tinubu explained that the Government of Benin had urgently appealed for exceptional air support from Nigeria’s Armed Forces after soldiers attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon.

Citing Section 30 (5) of Part II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President informed lawmakers that he had consulted the National Defence Council before forwarding the request.

He noted that Senate approval was now required to authorize a regional peacekeeping mission.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Remains Committed To Regional Stability, Peace – Shettima

A file photo of President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Photo: Facebook/Aniedi Isonguyo

President Tinubu warned that Benin was facing “an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and the destruction and destabilization of democratic institutions”.

The former Lagos State governor urged the Senate to act swiftly. He added that Nigeria has a historical responsibility to support Benin under the existing Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security frameworks.

According to the President, the crisis demands “urgent external intervention” to help restore stability and prevent further breakdown of order.

READ ALSO: Benin Arrests Dozen Soldiers Over Coup Attempt – Sources

(FILES) Benin’s President Patrice Talon waits for the arrival of French President at the Marina palace in Cotonou on July 27, 2022. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.

Benin Republic’s attempted coup occurred on Sunday, when some military personnel announced the removal of President Patrice Talon.

The soldiers who called themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) took to national television to announce that they had met and concluded that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

However, the country’s military thwarted the effort and regained control.

“The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure,” sources close to Talon said. “It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”

The attempt follows two coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in as many months. Benin is bordered in the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, both of which have also experienced military takeovers.

READ ALSO: Coup Attempt ‘Foiled’, Benin Government Says

This videograb taken from handout footage released by Benin TV on December 7, 2025, shows soldiers from the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), appearing on state television in Cotonou, after a reported attempted coup in the West African nation.(Photo by HANDOUT / BENIN TV / AFP)

In the wake of the attempted coup, ECOWAS said it will deploy a standby force to the area.

“After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the regional bloc said.

“The Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana.

Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon’s go-to £11 shampoo soothes itchy scalps in one use

By in Entertainment News, News

Martine McCutcheon just shared her go-to shampoo that she uses after tap water ‘ruined her hair’ – and the £11 bottle soothes itchy, flaky scalps after just a single use

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The winter weather can be tough on our skin, and even harsher on our scalps. The lack of moisture in the air coupled with harsh winds, excess heating, and constant hat wearing can leave your scalp feeling itchy, sore and dry.

Other factors can also trigger scalp psoriasis, like hormones, genetics, or even the tap water you use, as Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon knows all too well. The actress recently became a brand ambassador for medicated shampoo brand Polytar, after revealing she swore by the brand’s Polytar Scalp Shampoo for helping ease her dry, sensitive scalp.

READ MORE: Boots just slashed 50% off this 5-star rated LED mask that makes a ‘big difference’ to your skin

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Martine shared that, after moving to London, she realised that the city’s hard water was causing endless issues with her scalp such as dandruff and scalp sensitivity. She said: “Dandruff and a sensitive scalp can be something you really worry about, especially when your hair is part of your job. I knew that because of what I do for a living, it was just another issue that I didn’t need coming back to haunt me. I’m so glad that I went back to Polytar and tried it, because it genuinely does make all the difference.”

According to Polytar’s Hard Water Hair Report, one in two Brits (52%) report experiencing dandruff, and residents of London, the South East, and the East of England are most likely to report that their local water affects their scalp health. It also showed that these hard water regions report the highest levels of scalp flare-ups and dandruff, with more than half of adults (53%) nationwide believing their local water worsens dandruff and itchiness. In London, that rises to 71%.

To tackle it you can swap your shower head for one that filters water before it reaches your scalp, like the Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0 (£60 down from £75) or the Showery Water Softening Electric Shower Head (£29.99 down from £55). However, it’s much quicker and more affordable to switch up which shampoo you use – plus it means you can make sure wherever you travel to your hair and scalp are protected from hard water.

The Polytar Scalp Shampoo uses liquid concentrated antiseptic tar to help cleanse your scalp and treat all kinds of conditions like seborrhoea, psoriasis, dandruff and itching scalp. It also helps get rid of product build up, leaving your hair feeling ultra-clean and shiny.

It’s currently on sale at Superdrug, where it’s down from £10.99 to £8.24, with two five star reviews. One said: “Whenever my scalp feels ‘itchy’, I use this shampoo. Lovely clean hair! However it is a slightly medicinal smell, & a bit drying. I cannot use conditioner due to my age and increased risk of falls. So I use it first then use Dove shampoo for 2nd wash as it is creamy.”

Meanwhile you can find more reviews on Amazon, where it’s priced at £11.24 and has more than 5000 ratings. One said: “Very easy to apply, reduces itching and flakes from first use.”

Whilst another wrote: “Received today and used this evening , felt the difference after the first wash on my ears and the nape of my hairline ! first use and although it’s expensive for a small bottle ! IT WORKS ! no embarrassing itch at all!”

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However some found it was less effective on their dandruff and dry scalp, whilst another said: “Helped with my itchy scalp. Slightly affected my hair colour.”

World Record Winning Streak Sets Up Morocco For AFCON Challenge

By in News, sport-news

A world record run of 18 consecutive victories has set up Achraf Hakimi-inspired Morocco perfectly for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on home soil.

The streak began in June 2024 when they edged Zambia 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, with the most recent a 4-0 hammering of Uganda last month in a friendly.

Spain had held the record since 2009 with 15 wins — a mark Morocco overtook by defeating Congo Brazzaville 1-0 two months ago in another World Cup qualifier.

Morocco have scored 55 goals in the 18 matches and conceded just four, while keeping 14 clean sheets.

It is this outstanding form, home advantage and the hoped-for presence of 2025 African player of the year Hakimi that has seen Morocco installed as firm favourites to be crowned African champions.

Paris Saint-German full-back Hakimi sprained an ankle after being fouled in a UEFA Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, but initial fears that he would miss the AFCON seem to be decreasing.

Speaking after the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington at the weekend, coach Walid Regragui said: “We hope he will be available for our first match against the Comoros.

“He is doing better. He is improving. He wants to be here (Morocco). He is our leader, our captain,” said the tactician who defied the odds by taking Morocco to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.

Hakimi, fellow full-back Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United, goalkeeper Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and forward Youssef En Nesyri form the core of the Atlas Lions line-up.

While Hakimi, wearing a medical boot at the awards ceremony in Rabat to protect his injury, was hailed as the best player in the continent, Saudi Arabia-based Bono won the best goalkeeper award.

Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid was not in Qatar, but has emerged as a clinical finisher. He was the leading scorer with seven goals in 2025 AFCON qualifying.

READ ALSO: Super Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong Retires From International Football Weeks Before AFCON

Treasured trophy

FILE: AFCON trophy

Winning the most treasured football trophy in Africa would not only trigger joy across the kingdom, but also huge relief.

Morocco won their sole AFCON title in 1976 in Ethiopia.

The closest Morocco have come to conquering Africa since then was in 2004 when they fell 2-1 to hosts Tunisia in the final. Regragui was part of the losing team.

“My wishes are that many people will visit our beautiful land for the AFCON and that Morocco will be crowned champions,” said the 50-year-old coach.

After facing Comoros in the December 21 opening match, Morocco meet Mali five days later and Zambia on December 29.

All the Moroccan matches in Group A will be at the 68,700-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which will also stage the final.

Mali, arguably the strongest of the 12 contenders who have never won the competition, have set a minimum target of reaching the semi-finals.

“I read an article describing us as ‘big outsiders’ — that is accurate,” said coach Tom Saintfiet, who took debutants Gambia to the 2022 quarter-finals.

“Mali are on a par with teams like Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Senegal. We may not have as many global stars, but our group is cohesive, determined and talented,” the Belgian added.

While Morocco and Mali are expected to be the two sides to progress from Group A, Comoros coach Stefano Cusin had a warning for his rivals.

“For the big African nations, playing against us is a bit like going to the dentist — nobody enjoys it,” said the Canadian-Italian.

After losing three of four home 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Zambia dumped former Chelsea manager Avram Grant. His replacement is ex-international defender Moses Sichone.

Zambia have disappointed since a stunning 2012 AFCON final triumph over Ivory Coast, but captain and defender Lubambo Musonda is optimistic, saying he is “looking forward to a great tournament”.

Real Madrid’s Mbappe Misses Training Ahead Of Man City Clash

By in News, sport-news

Real Madrid’s French superstar Kylian Mbappe did not come out to train with his team-mates on Tuesday on the eve of his team’s key Champions League clash against Manchester City.

The forward broke a finger during the defeat by Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday, and when asked by AFP, Madrid said his absence from training was because of that injury but also other discomfort he suffered in that match.

If Mbappe is unable to play against City on Wednesday, it would be a big blow for coach Xabi Alonso, with Spanish media reporting that a defeat would lead to his dismissal.

READ ALSO: Mbappe Double Powers Real Madrid To Win At Athletic Bilbao

The 26-year-old striker has scored 25 goals in 21 matches across all competitions this season and has been Madrid’s key player.