Archive August 1, 2025

‘Accountability elusive’ a year after Nigeria protest killings: Amnesty

On the first anniversary of the protests, Amnesty International claimed that the Nigerian government has failed to hold accountable the police who staged massive 2024 demonstrations against rising living costs.

The human rights group stated in a statement on Friday that Nigerian police “bizarrely continue to deny strong allegations of extrajudicial execution, torture, and unlawful arrests of the protesters.”

At least 24 people were killed when police opened fire on the protests, which broke out in August of last year under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, according to an investigation conducted by Amnesty International.

Demonstrators erupted in protest of rising fuel prices and inflation, which the government had pushed to bring the economy back on track.

No one member of the security forces has been charged in the year-long ongoing human rights violations, according to Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement released on Friday.

“These atrocities must be accountable for those who perpetrate them.”

On August 2, 2024, a man protests against economic hardship in Lagos, Nigeria. [Sunday Alamba/AP Photo]

The AFP news agency contacted a spokesman for Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice for comment, but the spokesman declined to respond.

Amnesty International claimed that in all the killings, police shot protesters “at close range, frequently at the head or torso, implying that officers were killing.”

The Nigerian authorities are yet to implement necessary and effective measures to protect, defend, advance, and defend the rights to peaceful assembly, including ending the killing, detention, arbitrary arrests, and mass surveillance, Sanusi said.

The rights group also criticized the hundreds of protesters who were detained for a range of alleged crimes, calling them “sham trials.”

According to Amnesty International, the charges include “levying] war against the state in order to intimidate or overawe the president,” as well as “using WhatsApp group chats,” inciting mutiny, chanting “Tinubu must go,” and calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and” intent to destabilize Nigeria.”

Economists have praised Tinubu’s reforms, including ending a costly fuel subsidy and floating the naira currency, but they have also caused the nation’s living costs to rise.

The Nigerian government has been forced to step down from its protester prosecutions at times despite the death of no one.

Difficulty and hungry youths, many of them children, showed up in court in November, causing outcry over how they were treated in jail. Later, Tinubu gave the order to release them.

Adamawa Gov Gifts Super Falcons’ Coach ₦50m, House for WAFCON Victory

Following Nigeria’s recent victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, presented Justine Madugu with a 50 million dollar gift and a three-bedroom home.

Governor Fintiri stated on Friday that the gesture was in honor of Madugu’s patriotism and contribution to the country’s success at the tournament via his official X handle (previously Twitter).

“Today, I was honored to be honored to have Coach Justine Madugu, a true son of Adamawa and a champion of Nigeria’s victory at WAFCON 2025,” Fintiri wrote.

We have given him a 3-bedroom home and $500,000 as a reward for his bravery and patriotism. Our sporting renaissance is inspired by his success.

Madugu, a native of Adamawa State, was a member of the coaching staff that helped the Super Falcons win the 2024 WAFCON final.

The Nigerian team won the championship for the 10th time in a row on Saturday, defeating Morocco in a fiery comeback, 3-2, to claim the title.

Prior to the Falcons’ arrival in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Tinubu had hosted a presidential reception.

Every member of the technical crew, including Madugu, received $ 50, 000, three-bedroom apartments, and national honors of Officer of the Order of the Niger, while each player received $100, 000.

Molly-Mae’s parenting meltdowns ‘spark concern’ from Tommy Fury’s family

Molly-Mae Hague was branded ‘out of touch’ for complaining about having no fun during the summer, with her in-laws said to be concerned about her parenting struggles

Molly-Mae’s breakdown over parenting ‘sparks tension’ with Tommy Fury’s family(Image: Birmingham Mail)

Molly-Mae Hague’s public meltdowns over her struggles with parenting are “concerning” her partner Tommy Fury’s family, a source has claimed. The Love Island winners share two-year-old daughter Bambi, but her tantrums have tipped Molly-Mae, 26, over the edge.

The Maebe business owner previously described herself as “selfish”, admitting that as much as she wants Bambi to have a sibling, she worries she is “not cut out” for parenting. The influencer filmed herself having an emotional moment in her car last week after her daughter tested her patience.

Luckily, Molly-Mae’s older sister Zoe Rae was on-hand to give the social media star some space to compose herself, after her tot had a tantrum at a local petting zoo. Molly-Mae sobbed in the car as she took a few minutes to herself, sharing her candid glimpse into the realities of toddler-mum life. It comes after Katie Price worries fans with appearance in family photo after explaining weight loss.

Molly-Mae admitted she doesn't feel
Molly-Mae admitted she doesn’t feel “cut out” for parenting a toddler

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Molly-Mae was on the receiving end of criticism recently, after her claims that she’d not done anything fun all summer were met with backlash. The star has shared her trips to Dubai, Disneyland and Wimbledon, leading some followers to slam her as “out of touch.”

But her public displays of despair have reportedly caused tension with her partner Tommy’s family, after the couple rekindled their relationship on New Year’s Eve following a brief split. A source claimed his family are growing more and more concerned with her videos. Speaking to The Sun, an insider said: “Within the Travelling community, having a big family with lots of children is the norm.

“Tommy’s relatives have been hopeful that he and Molly will have more children after getting back on track. They care about her so much and are concerned, but also worried about how publicly she’s venting about motherhood.”

Tommy Fury with his dad John
Tommy Fury with his dad John(Image: Birmingham Mail)

The source claimed that the family have compared her sister-in-law Paris’ resilient attitude to family life with Molly-Mae’s. They added that the family finds Molly-Mae’s open struggles with being a mum “surprising”, as they have been offering support to the mother-of-one. The Mirror has contacted Molly-Mae and Tommy’s reps for comment.

Addressing the criticism she has received about her video, Molly was adamant that she would not stop showing the realities of motherhood. She was labelled as ‘out of touch’ and ‘selfish’ by fans for her previous vlog, while others slammed her parenting style with Bambi as ‘too soft’.

Speaking to her YouTube subscribers, Molly said through tears: “I’m trying so so hard to stay positive but, I feel like I need to keep my camera running all day so you can see like every single thing. Bambi is a huge problem, she screams and I can’t even get like socks and shoes on.

Tyson Fury with his wife Paris and their seven children
Tommy’s brother Tyson Fury with his wife Paris and their seven children

“I don’t care who tells me I am out of touch with reality or all this stuff thats going on on TikTok at the minute, I don’t care I’m not going to not talk about it. I feel like I don’t want to talk about anything controversial anymore because in the last video I said some things I probably could have worded better and even with all the motherhood things I am talking about at the minute, it’s just a lot.”

Molly-Mae said she found parenting a toddler to be “literally impossible” and asked fans whether she should be “finding it as hard as I do sometimes”. She added: “I want to give Bambi a sibling, but the idea of this times by two, I don’t know if I could ever do it. I don’t know if I’m cut out for it.”

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Culture secretary calls on Morecambe owner to sell

Rex Features

The culture secretary Lisa Nandy has written an open letter to Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham urging him to sell the club.

Earlier this week, the club were suspended by the National League for failing to comply with their rules and, on Thursday, prospective buyers Panjab Warriors said in a joint-statement with Morecambe ‘s minority shareholders that the club would shut on Monday without a takeover.

Nandy said the incoming football regulator would look to stop situations like this arising again but “will not be up and running in time to help Morecambe today”.

She said: “It is imperative that you act and get round the table to do so.”

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In the most recent statement from Whittingham on Sunday, he said owners Bond Group Investments were ready to sell and urged Panjab Warriors to make contact.

The sports investment company, who have been in talks to purchase the club for more than a year, released a statement on Tuesday which said they remain “ready, willing and able” to take over.

Morecambe’s suspension by the National League remains in place until the league’s compliance and licensing committee meets again on 20 August.

Despite the club’s difficulties, academy manager Neil Wainwright has said that the Shrimps’ academy has not ceased operating, and described the situation as being “paused”.

Wainwright, who has been at the club for 17 years, told BBC Radio Lancashire that he had fielded calls from other clubs enquiring about their youth players, but that the club retained almost all of their registrations until the committee meets again.

“The case is that we’re pausing activities until the club is sold or we know what is going on,” he said.

“Come 20 August that could be a different story completely. [But] it’s an academy pause rather than an academy close.

Related topics

  • Morecambe
  • Football
  • National League

Debenhams’ ‘beautiful’ lace dress is a hit with summer wedding guests and it’s now £24 off

The lace fit and flare dress has proved a hit with Debenhams customers who have been quick to snap it up and wear to weddings, and it’s now been reduced by 30%

The dress is the perfect pick for summer wedding guests(Image: Debenhams)

Searching for the perfect dress to wear at a wedding can be quite the conundrum, but the trick lies in snagging an outfit that’s both comfy for all-day wear and makes you feel utterly fabulous. The Debenhams sale is just the place for finding discounted special occasion dresses, like the much-loved Wallis number that’s captured the attention of shoppers.

The coveted Wallis lace fit and flare dress is now up for grabs at a 30% markdown, priced at £56, slashed from its original £80. Available in a striking cobalt blue or a delicate blush pink, the latter might be a tad too close to white for wedding guest etiquette.

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Customer reviews have been raving about the Wallis dress, calling it the perfect pick for its style, comfort, and affordability. One satisfied shopper wrote: “Very pretty lace. Flattering shape and very comfortable to wear.”

This Fit and Flare Lace Dress oozes class and it’s sophisticated blue colour makes it the ideal choice for a coordinating fascinator or hat. Its timeless appeal isn’t just for one-off events; many shoppers have worn it to a wedding time and again.

Another customer raved: “Love this dress, lovely material, good sizing. Bought for family wedding, beautiful. Reasonably priced.”

Wallis blue lace wedding guest dress
Shoppers say the dress ‘feels very special’(Image: Debenhams)

Meanwhile, another shared their joy: “Beautiful dress, true to size, arrived quickly, value for money. Wore dress to my son’s wedding and received loads of compliments.”

Similarly, another buyer enthused: “I bought the blue version to wear to my son’s wedding. It’s a beautiful dress and feels very special. It’s true to size, an excellent fit and midi length.”

The Wallis Lace Dress may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as one three-star reviewer remarked: “Very nice dress beautiful colour. Unfortunately it wasn’t suitable for me as cut away under armpit, I hadn’t noticed that when I ordered.”

Wallis blue lace wedding guest dress
The bold blue colour is perfect for the sunny weather(Image: Debenhams)

For those after a bit more coverage, Phase Eight’s Verity Floral Lace Dress could be just the ticket. Currently on offer for £109, slashed from £169, it comes in a stunning cornflower blue shade. Over at Next, you can snag its Dusty Blue Occasion Lace-Embellished Draped Maxi Dress for £82, exuding a dreamy charm perfect for summer nuptials, yet versatile enough for autumn or winter wear.

Pairing the Wallis Lace Dress with metallic accessories, such as glitzy silver sandals or a matching clutch bag, is a top tip, though you could just as easily keep jewellery understated to let the striking blue hue do all the talking, reports the Express.

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Yet another happy shopper said: “Lovely dress, also feels really nice on. Very happy with it.”

Bonnie Blue doc fury as kids can watch despite strict new porn age-check rules

Channel 4 is facing probes by politicians and broadcasting regulator Ofcom over the documentary about the former Only Fans content creator, who claims to have had sex with 1,057 men in 12 hours

Bonnie’s documentary has sparked outrage(Image: Rob Parfitt / Channel 4)

The shadow Home Office minister has labelled it ‘bizarre’ that children can view a TV documentary about sex marathon star Bonnie Blue, despite new stringent age checks designed to prevent them from accessing pornography.

Channel 4 is currently under scrutiny by lawmakers and Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, for airing a show about the ex-Only Fans content creator who boasts of sleeping with 1,057 men in just 12 hours.

Despite the channel’s policy requiring viewers to be at least 16 to create an account, the absence of a robust age verification system allows minors to simply falsify their birth dates to gain access. It comes after Katie Price worries fans with appearance in family photo after explaining weight loss.

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Bonnie
The programme can be viewed by kids which is sparking fury (Image: Channel 4)

The programme, which includes explicit scenes of Bonnie nude, engaging in sexual acts, and creating adult films with other porn stars, seems to contradict the Government’s fresh Online Safety Act that mandates age verification to block underage users from adult content websites.

When quizzed on Times Radio about the feasibility of a credible online safety framework given the ease of accessing such material on a public broadcaster’s platform, shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam remarked: “It seems bizarre to me,” reports the Daily Star.

She added, “There is clearly a consistency problem both in terms of content and in terms of platform.”

However, Channel 4 has defended its streaming service, insisting that it employs industry-standard controls to prevent those under 18 from viewing content that’s not suitable for their age group.

Bonnie Blue – whose real name is Tia Billinger from Nottinghamshire – has boasted of raking in as much as £1.5 million monthly through the OnlyFans platform via publicity stunts including her world record bid to sleep with the maximum number of men within a 24-hour period – until she received a ban from the platform.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson admitted she hadn’t realised just how accessible the documentary was for viewers to watch. When questioned whether Channel 4 had erred in airing the programme and if Ofcom ought to step in, she responded: “That’s an important question that I think is worth considering.”

She continued: “I am very happy to go away and consider that.”. The spokesman said: “I haven’t actually clicked on in the way that you suggested is available.”. The spokesman said: “But I’m very happy to do that and to look and to raise it with the technology secretary Peter Kyle.”

Fresh legislation called the Online Safety Act came into force last week, aimed at safeguarding youngsters on the internet by establishing fresh regulations for social media platforms and search engines.

The most robust safeguards within the legislation were crafted to stop children from viewing dangerous and unsuitable material. This encompassed age checks for adult websites like YouPorn.

Channel 4 filmed her in the lead up to her stunt
Channel 4 filmed her in the lead up to her stunt(Image: tiktok/bonniebluclips)

The documentary – titled 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story – tracks the influencer as cameras document her everyday existence. The documentary synopsis reveals that it delves ‘behind the headlines, clickbait and rage bait to discover what life’s really like in Bonnie’s wild orbit, how she got here and what’s really going on behind those steely blue eyes’.

It also probes the contentious question surrounding her – is she a ‘dangerous predator’ pandering to male fantasies and perpetuating the patriarchy, or an empowered, sex-positive businesswoman having the last laugh? Audiences were taken aback by the content.

One viewer expressed their shock on Twitter: “Literally 3 seconds in and Bonnie Blue is already disgusting.” Before its release, director Victoria Silver emphasised the importance of explicit scenes for the documentary.

She stated: “If I was making a film about a musician or some other kind of performer their work would be in there.”. The spokesman said: “I think it’s really important to see what she does.”

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Channel 4’s commissioning editor Tim Hancock argued that it was the broadcaster’s ‘job to tell stories like this that are at the edge of modern morality’.