The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anambra governorship election, Abayomi Shogunle, has explained why 45,000 police personnel were deployed across the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s special programme Anambra Decides, Shogunle said the deployment was necessary to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, and materials during the exercise.
Meanwhile, voting began early in several polling units across the 21 local government areas, with accreditation starting around 8:30 a.m. The exercise was largely peaceful, though reports of vote-buying and low voter turnout surfaced in some areas.
Situation Room observer Dimma Nwobi confirmed incidents of voter inducement, prompting the EFCC to intensify its monitoring operations. The commission later arrested three suspects in connection with alleged vote-buying.
Blur’s bassist Alex James has addressed the bands long-standing rivarly with fellow Britpop icons, Oasis, and he couldn’t be happier for Liam and Noel Gallagher
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Alex James has spoken exclusively to the Mirror(Image: Oliver Dixon)
Alex James, Blur’s once floppy-haired bassist, says he couldn’t be happier for the Britpop legends’ infamous rivals Oasis, amid their recent resurgence – and thinks the world would be a very boring place indeed without the Gallagher brothers in it.
Speaking to the Mirror from a vast wooden barn which serves as an ‘office-come-studio’ on his Cotswolds farm, Alex, 56, has nothing but praise for the Manchester rockers’ hugely successful reunion tour.
“I’m absolutely delighted for them”, he says. “So many bands end up totally hating each other, or dying, or hating what they do. It’s really great to see Noel and Liam finally reconciled – and bloody smashing it.”
Oasis and Blur were regularly pitched as arch rivals at the height of Britpop – but looking back on it all, Alex says, “I just thought it was funny, at the time. I found the whole thing hilarious, to be honest. I have nothing but respect for Oasis. And the world would be a duller place without them, wouldn’t it?”
“But look, Radiohead are back on the road now… it feels like all these bands have suddenly come of age, like a fine wine. And people at the gigs know every single word of every song – but the music of your teenage years never leaves you.”
They’ve done some mighty gigs in the last few years, but asked if Blur would embark on a huge Oasis-style comeback, Alex laughs. adding that he doubts frontman Damon Albarn would have the time.
“I went to see an opera Damon did in the spring, then a few months later a Gorillaz show, and now he’s doing Africa Express. He does make the rest of us look lazy, Damon. But no, I’m quite happy poodling away at Britpop Classical.“
A ten-date tour kicking off next March at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the concerts – which see a host of beloved Britpop hits reimagined with a full symphony orchestra – were first tested out at Alex’s festival, The Big Fesstival last year – and he knew from the 20,000-strong crowd’s euphoric reaction that he’d hit on something huge.
“Those songs still resonate to the people who loved them when they were young, plus you have a whole new audience (including my kids!) who love them, as there’s not a lot of new stuff like it coming through.
“Now, you don’t really need a guitar player or a drummer – you just ask ChatGPT to write you a bassline. But there’s still something really special about a bunch of leery kids with guitars. There’s a magic to it.”
There are a couple of huge Oasis numbers towards the end of the set – one of which is their biggest hit, 1995’s Wonderwall, which Alex once confessed he wished he’d written himself.
The father-of-five says, “I bumped into Oasis’ bassist Andy Bell the other day, actually. I’ve known him for decades and I’m a big fan – I loved his old band, Ride. I was like, mate, that groove on Wonderwall, on the bass is so sexy. I confessed it had taken me a while to get it. He just laughed and said yeah, took me a while too.”
The Britpop Classical shows include stunning orchestral versions of classics like The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, and Radiohead’s Creep. Says Alex, ‘When we were rehearsing Radiohead – wow, I realised half way through I was crying. I said to myself yeah, I think this is going to f***ing work, you know.”
And one of the special guests fans can expect to see during the tour is Phil Daniels, whose voiceover on Blur’s 1994 anthem, Parklife is nothing less than iconic.
Alex got to know the Cockney legend back in the 90s, when the bassist lived in the West End. “For a long while, Phil was in a musical in a theatre opposite my house at the top of Endell Street, and we became quite good buddies.
“There was an hour where he didn’t have to do anything in the play, so he’d head to the pub near the theatre and I’d have a pint with him there! It’s so good to have him on board again.”
As for Blur’s frontman, Alex saw Damon recently and says. “He’s great – it was so good to see him. I was like, I don’t need you any more though, I like you, but you can f** off!”
Meanwhile, he’s excited for fans across the country to enjoy Britpop Classical. “it’s a rock band, with a symphony orchestra, a chorus and a vocalist. There’s no Liam or Damon impersonators involved and no, I don’t think we’ll get the real Damon or Liam. But I think it’s going to be incredible.”
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Britpop Classical kicks off at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 11th. For tickets, seehttps://britpopclassical.com.
Strictly professional Amy Dowden has recently opened up about needing a second mastectomy, two years after she had to have an operation following a breast cancer diagnosis
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Amy Dowden had a heart-breaking Strictly admission(Image: ITV)
Amy Dowden admits she “wouldn’t be alive” if it weren’t for Strictly Come Dancing, following her devastating battle with cancer. The 35-year-old professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.
She subsequently underwent a double mastectomy. However, doctors later discovered Amy had “another type of cancer” which required chemotherapy treatment, causing her to miss the 2023 series of Strictly.
Welsh dancer Amy received the news there was “no evidence of the disease” during a check-up in August 2024. Sharing on social media, she said these were the “words she’s been dreaming of” since her diagnosis, but concedes it could take up to five years to receive the “all clear”.
Now, appearing on the Dr Hilary Show, Amy credits her participation in Strictly for leading her to discover the lump on her breast.
She shared: “That show has changed my life for the better and yeah, I’m so grateful, and if it wasn’t for the show, I wouldn’t have been paired with Tom Fletcher, who was my partner in 2021.”, reports Wales Online.
“I got on so well with Tom and his partner Giovana which then led me to get involved with a breast cancer charity, Coppafeel, which then led me to check my chests, and a few months later find the lump.
“If it wasn’t for Strictly I probably wouldn’t be alive because they paired me with Tom which led me to find my cancer. The universe somehow went right for me there.”
Amy, who was paired with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner in this year’s series, revealed earlier this week that she was undergoing a second mastectomy. However, Amy reassured fans that it was “not to treat a new cancer diagnosis”.
In an Instagram post, where she can be seen petting her dog, Amy shared: “They’re [the medical team] confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery. Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my Strictly family.”
She informed her followers that she would “of course” miss participating in the show but would be “watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on”.
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After a year’s hiatus, Amy made a comeback to Strictly in 2024, dancing alongside JLS star JB Gill. However, she had to withdraw midway through the series, being replaced by Lauren Oakley.
She returned once more this series but was eliminated in the second week. Earlier this year, Amy was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn’s disease.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy is set to live on at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards, with his protégé Yungblud being nominated for his live performance at Ozzy’s final concert
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Ozzy Osbourne receives final honour at Grammys(Image: PARAMOUNT)
Ozzy Osbourne’s influence lives on, with the late music legend’s concert receiving recognition at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards. The rock legend passed away aged 76 last July, leaving behind his wife Sharon Osbourne, 73, along with his children and legions of devoted fans worldwide.
Now, a performance from his final concert has received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance. The Prince of Darkness’ 28 year old protégé Yungblud earned a nomination alongside Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman and II for their rendition of Changes at the Back to Beginning concert shortly before Ozzy’s death.
Yungblud has consistently spoken candidly about Ozzy’s profound impact on him and his musical approach. The Zombie singer delivered a remarkable homage to the late rock icon at the 2025 VMAs, putting on a dynamic show that would have earned Ozzy’s seal of approval.
Meanwhile, Ozzy’s family played a large role in announcing the Grammy nominations yesterday. Ozzy’s wife Sharon and their kids Kelly and Jack presented the nominees for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance while paying tribute to the late icon.
Sharon began: “Hello, we are the Osbournes and music has always been the centre of our lives. Today we are so proud to be presenting Ozzy.
“I remember how thrilled he was to be nominated in for Best Rock Album for his last album, Patient Number 9. He was truly honoured when he won.”
Kelly added: “It warms out hearts to pay tribute to our dad and announce the Grammy nominees.” While Jack explained: “Our dad won Grammys in both of these categories so they are particularly special to us.”
Following his passing, Yungblud posted an emotional tribute to Ozzy on Instagram, accompanied by two monochrome photographs of the pair together.
“I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room,” Yungblud wrote.
“But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own,” reports the Mirror US.
He added: “You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”
The Black Sabbath frontman died at his Buckinghamshire home, which is understood to have been his “final chapter” following years residing in the United States.
The Osbourne family released a statement regarding the heavy metal legend’s death this summer: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Ozzy is expected to feature in the In Memoriam segment of the 2026 Grammys.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of devastation across Southeast Asia, killing hundreds in the Philippines and at least five in Vietnam, flattening homes, uprooting trees and knocking out power to millions, but there could be more suffering to come.
Rescue operations were suspended and mass evacuations began on Saturday as another storm, Typhoon Fung-wong, approached the Philippines, just days after Kalmaegi killed at least 204 people.
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Authorities warned that Fung-wong, expected to strengthen into a super typhoon before landfall, could blanket nearly the entire country. “Its radius is so wide it could cover almost the whole Philippines,” a government meteorologist said.
Officials have urged residents in coastal and low-lying areas to seek safety, fearing more flooding and landslides after last week’s destruction.
Emergency shelters were prepared nationwide as the country braces for what could be one of the season’s most powerful storms.
In the Philippines, grief and exhaustion swept through the province of Cebu in Kalmaegi’s destructive and deadly wake. Families gathered around rows of white coffins, mourning loved ones lost to floods and landslides.
Jimmy Abatayo, who lost his wife and nine relatives, was overcome with guilt as he touched his wife’s coffin. “I told my family to swim, be brave and keep swimming,” he said, breaking into tears. “They did not hear what I said because I would never see them again.”
Climate crisis
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of national emergency as the country braces for Typhoon Fung-wong, which is expected to strike early next week. Marcos said the sheer volume of rainfall had overwhelmed flood defences, forcing residents to flee to rooftops for safety.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, Kalmaegi displaced more than half a million people. Nearly 450,000 sought shelter in evacuation centres or with relatives, as rescue crews continued to search for more than 100 missing people.
In Vietnam, state media reported five deaths, three in Dak Lak province and two in Gia Lai, and three people missing in Quang Ngai city. The storm destroyed or damaged nearly 2,600 homes and cut power to more than 1.6 million households. In Quy Nhon, residents emerged to find metal roofs and furniture scattered across streets, while shopkeepers laid out soaked goods to dry.
A resident looks on next to the debris of a structure destroyed in high winds in Nhon Hai fishing village near Quy Nhon in the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi in Gia Lai province, central Vietnam, on November 7, 2025 [nhac Nguyen/AFP]
Authorities said more than 537,000 Vietnamese had been evacuated before the storm hit, with Kalmaegi dumping up to 600mm (24in) of rain before weakening into a tropical storm and moving into Cambodia.
The Philippines and Vietnam, two of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, face typhoons almost yearly. But scientists warn that climate change is causing stronger and more frequent storms.
Gordon Ramsay is known for his infamous Beef Wellington, which he charges £190 for (serving two people) at his restaurants, but what is his secret to making the tasty dish?
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Gordon Ramsay is renowned for the dish (Image: Getty Images North America)
With celebrated chef Gordon Ramsay marking his 59th birthday today, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to examine one of his signature recipes – his Beef Wellington. The restaurateur, television personality and author is famous for his exceptional Beef Wellington, which costs £190 (serving two) at his establishments. But what makes his version of this classic dish so special?
The Scottish chef demonstrates his technique in a TikTok video, where fans have crowned him “King of Beef Wellingtons”. In the footage, he describes it as his “million dollar wellington”, declaring it “beautiful”. Gordon begins by explaining he uses the central portion of beef fillet, instructing: “Get that pan nice and hot first”. He then applies salt and pepper to season the meat.
The chef advises removing the beef from the refrigerator “at least 10 minutes” before cooking and wrapping it in cling film to “get a nice cylinder shape”.
After the meat is properly seasoned and the pan is “smoking”, he introduces a small amount of oil.
He continues: “The secret here is that we’re searing it for 60 seconds each side. Nothing more than that,” explaining he’s “locking in those juices”.
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Gordon suggests rolling the meat away from yourself, followed by rolling it back towards you. “Let the pan do the work,” he advises.
Both ends must be sealed on each side too “because that’s where the juice is going to run out if you don’t sear that meat in”. The celebrity chef then instructs viewers to remove the beef and coat it in its own juices before brushing it with Dijon mustard.
Gordon emphasises the “important part” is applying the mustard whilst the steak is still warm. “If you do this when it’s nice and warm, the actual mustard seeps into the centre,” he explains.
Gordon’s complete Beef Wellington recipe is available on his website.
TikTok users were enthusiastic about the cooking tips, with one viewer declaring: “Looks awesome!”.
Another commented: “My toxic trait is thinking i could easily make this.”
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A third confidently remarked: “I feel like I can cook this.”
Beyond spending £190 on Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Beef Wellington Experience’ for two at his restaurants, diners can also pay £240 for two people to sample it at his Savoy Grill location.
