AWKA, Nigeria (BN24) — Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has taken disciplinary action following the death of a 100-level law student, Isabella Chioma Ajana, who died on July 9, 2025, after reportedly being denied access to her insulin medication due to a dispute over a spare hostel key.
In a statement released Friday, August 22, the university confirmed that medical personnel involved in Ajana’s care at the UNIZIK Medical Centre have been suspended for three months, pending the outcome of a full investigation. The disciplinary move marks the university’s first official step in addressing widespread outrage sparked by the student’s death.
Ajana, who was managing a diabetic condition, was rushed to the university’s medical facility on July 6 but succumbed to complications three days later. Her death drew public attention after her roommates at Elmada Hostel alleged that critical delays in accessing her insulin medication contributed to her condition deteriorating.
According to the roommates, they lost access to their room after misplacing their key and approached the hostel mistress for a spare. The mistress allegedly demanded a N120,000 fee—N40,000 per occupant—before releasing the replacement key. Despite the roommates pleading that Ajana urgently needed her insulin, the hostel staff reportedly refused to relent, leading to a critical delay that may have worsened her health.
UNIZIK, while confirming Elmada as a hostel jointly owned with the institution but privately managed, distanced itself from the handling of the matter by the hostel management. The university has formally requested that the hostel immediately terminate the employment of the hostel mistress involved, calling her actions “deeply troubling.” The statement also noted that the university will reevaluate its partnership with the Elmada Hostel in light of the incident.
The institution assured students and the public that it is committed to uncovering the full facts surrounding the tragedy and will not hesitate to take further action against any individuals found culpable in the events that led to Ajana’s death.
VALENCIA, Spain (BN24) — Barcelona stormed to the top of the LaLiga standings with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Levante on Sunday, maintaining their perfect start to the season under new manager Hansi Flick.
The reigning Spanish champions were forced to dig deep at the Estadi Ciutat de València after falling two goals behind in a first half that saw Levante strike with confidence. Iván Romero opened the scoring for the hosts in the 15th minute, finishing coolly on the break after a swift counterattack exposed Barcelona’s defensive line.
Levante doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a controversial penalty decision. Referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz pointed to the spot after a lengthy VAR check confirmed that Barcelona defender Alejandro Baldé had handled the ball inside the area. José Luis Morales stepped up and converted calmly in the seventh minute of added time, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Barcelona’s response was emphatic. Just four minutes after the restart, Pedri ignited the comeback with a stunning long-range strike that beat Levante keeper Andrés Fernández, injecting belief back into the Catalan side. The momentum quickly shifted in the visitors’ favor, and by the 52nd minute, they were level. Ferran Torres met a well-weighted cross from Raphinha with a daring high-footed volley, silencing the Levante support and showcasing the attacking fluidity Flick has instilled in his early tenure.
The comeback was completed in stoppage time when a teasing ball from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal forced Unai Elgezabal into an own goal, his attempted clearance instead glancing past his own keeper to give Barcelona a deserved lead.
With the win, Barcelona sit two points clear at the top of LaLiga, ahead of Real Betis, having taken six points from their opening two fixtures. The result also marks a statement of intent from Flick, whose side displayed both resilience and attacking flair in overcoming a two-goal deficit away from home.
VENICE, Italy (BN24) — Diego Borella, an assistant director working on the fifth season of the Netflix series Emily in Paris, has died after collapsing during filming in Venice. He was 47.
According to La Repubblica, Borella collapsed in front of colleagues on Thursday evening as the crew was preparing to shoot the final scene of the upcoming season. Emergency services arrived at the Hotel Danieli around 7 p.m., where filming was underway, but despite immediate intervention, Borella could not be revived.
Borella was a well-regarded figure in the Italian film and television industry. A native of Venice, he trained in Rome, London, and New York, building a career that spanned assistant directing, writing, and storytelling. In addition to his behind-the-camera work, he was also a published author of fairy tales and children’s literature.
The unexpected tragedy has brought production of Emily in Paris to a standstill. Filming for the fifth season began on August 15 and was expected to wrap by August 25. The season is set to premiere on December 18, with filming locations spanning Venice and Rome.
Lead actress Lily Collins reprises her role as Emily Cooper, now based at Agence Grateau in the Italian capital. Earlier this year, Collins was seen shooting scenes at iconic Roman landmarks, including the Fendi store and navigating the city on a scooter. The storyline for season five follows Emily’s growing relationship with Italian character Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini, further cementing the show’s expansion into Italy.
The production had recently made headlines in April when French actress Camille Razat, who plays Emily’s rival Camille, announced her departure from the series via Instagram.
Netflix has not yet released an official statement regarding Borella’s death. It remains unclear when production will resume. Cast and crew are reportedly receiving support as they process the loss of one of their colleagues.
Borella is remembered in the Italian creative community as a dedicated professional and a passionate storyteller whose contributions extended well beyond the screen.
MOSCOW (BN24) — A fire at a nuclear power facility in Russia’s western Kursk region was extinguished after a Ukrainian drone strike damaged a transformer on Sunday, according to Russian officials. The incident, which occurred on the same day Ukraine marked its Independence Day, has intensified tensions between the two countries amid stalled peace efforts.
The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant confirmed via Telegram that radiation levels remained normal following the blast and that there were no casualties. According to the statement, the drone was intercepted by Russian air defenses but detonated upon impact, causing minor infrastructure damage.
Russian authorities have squarely blamed Ukraine for the attack, describing it as an escalation timed to coincide with the symbolic holiday. Ukraine has not publicly responded to the allegation.
The incident comes as the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to urge both Russia and Ukraine to exercise maximum restraint around nuclear facilities. The safety of such sites has been a persistent concern throughout the war, especially after repeated clashes near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, which remains under Russian control.
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on Sunday, commemorating its break from the Soviet Union in 1991. As a sign of solidarity, the United Kingdom announced that Ukrainian flags would be flown over Downing Street. UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated that Britain is “ramping up” its support for Ukraine, calling it a “special day for the freedom and democracy of the Ukrainian people.”
The UK Ministry of Defence also announced an extension of Operation Interflex, its military training programme for Ukrainian forces. Under the updated timeline, British military instructors will continue to train Ukrainian recruits through at least the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Russia claimed its forces had seized two more villages in the eastern Donetsk region. The advances come slowly and at a high cost, as Russia now controls an estimated 20% of Ukrainian territory nearly four years after launching a full-scale invasion in 2022.
International diplomacy has gained momentum in recent weeks. On August 15, U.S. President Donald Trump held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, a meeting billed as a critical step toward ending the conflict. While both leaders described the talks as “productive,” Trump has since expressed growing frustration over the lack of a peace agreement.
“I’m going to make a decision as to what we do and it’s going to be a very important decision,” Trump said Friday. “That’s whether or not it’s massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both — or we do nothing and say it’s your fight.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to call for an unconditional ceasefire, urging greater cooperation from Moscow and the international community. He has accused Russia of deliberately obstructing progress toward peace by refusing to engage directly.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded by saying that President Putin remains willing to meet Zelensky, but only when a summit agenda is agreed upon. Lavrov accused the Ukrainian leader of rejecting all proposals, stating that “this agenda is not ready at all.”
As Ukraine marks another year of independence, the conflict with Russia remains unresolved — with fighting ongoing, diplomacy in flux, and tensions surrounding nuclear security once again in focus.
ACCRA, Ghana (BN24) — Water supply to several parts of Accra has been disrupted following a fire outbreak at the Dodowa Booster Station, Ghana Water Ltd (GWL) announced Saturday.
The utility company said operations at the facility were shut down to allow engineers to carry out urgent repair works. The Dodowa Booster Station is a key distribution point, and the shutdown has caused widespread shortages and low water pressure across multiple communities in the North-Eastern corridor of the capital.
Areas affected include East Legon, Agbogba, Haatso, Atomic, Frafraha, Ashaley Botwe, Adjiringanor, Ashongman, Dome, Adenta, Madina, Oyarifa and surrounding communities.
“Engineers are currently on site working tirelessly and around the clock to restore the system to full operation,” the company said in its statement.
GWL management expressed regret over the inconvenience and appealed to residents and institutions for patience as restoration efforts continue. The company assured that measures were being taken to prioritize uninterrupted supply to essential facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Institutions running low on stored water have been advised to contact their Municipal Chief Executives, Assembly Members, or Unit Committee Members for emergency assistance. Dedicated helplines have also been made available.
“We are grateful for the patience and understanding of our valued customers and stakeholders during this period,” the statement added.
NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — The British government has agreed to pay $4 million in compensation to more than 7,000 Kenyan residents after a wildfire sparked during a British Army training exercise swept through Laikipia County in 2021.
The fire broke out in March 2021 near Lolldaiga Hills Conservancy during joint drills with Kenyan forces. Large sections of the protected conservancy were destroyed, and unexploded ordnance left behind injured local residents. Communities later reported health problems linked to smoke and damage to the environment.
Anger grew after a British soldier appeared to admit responsibility in a social media post. That prompted a Royal Military Police investigation and fueled demands for justice from affected families.
Lawyer Kelvin Kubai, who represented the victims, confirmed Friday that compensation payments have been issued. He said the settlement was described as relief for “smoke nuisance” caused by the fire but noted that residents continue to face the longer-term effects.
The British High Commission in Nairobi called the fire “extremely regrettable” and acknowledged frustrations over the delay in compensation.
The British Army Training Unit Kenya, which maintains a permanent base in Nanyuki, has faced renewed scrutiny over the impact of foreign military training on local communities following the case.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BN24) — Immigration officials said they intend to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, his defense attorneys told a federal court Saturday.
The Costa Rica offer came late Thursday and included a requirement that Abrego Garcia remain in jail for the time being and then serve whatever sentence he would receive for pleading guilty to the federal charges, according to a brief filed in Tennessee where the criminal case was brought. After Abrego Garcia left jail on Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement notified his attorneys that he would be deported to Uganda and should report to immigration authorities on Monday.
Later on Friday, “the government informed Mr. Abrego that he has until first thing Monday morning — precisely when he must report to ICE’s Baltimore Field Office — to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica, or else that offer will be off the table forever,” his defense attorneys wrote in the court filing.
The attorneys declined to say whether Abrego Garcia is still considering the government’s offer.
Filed along with the brief was a letter from the Costa Rican government stating that Abrego Garcia would be welcomed to that country as a legal immigrant and would not face the possibility of detention there.
Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin responded to the brief with a statement defending the prosecution. “A federal grand jury has charged Abrego Garcia with serious federal crimes, underscoring the clear danger this defendant presents to the community,” Gilmartin said. “This defendant can plead guilty and accept responsibility or stand trial before a jury. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people.”
Abrego Garcia’s case became a flash point in President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, despite a judge’s earlier determination that he faced a “well-founded fear” of violence there. Facing a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the United States in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges.
He pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and asked the judge to dismiss the case, claiming that it is an attempt to punish him for challenging his deportation to El Salvador. The Saturday filing came as a supplement to that motion to dismiss, stating that the threat to deport him to Uganda is more proof that the prosecution is vindictive.
“Despite having requested and received assurances from the government of Costa Rica that Mr. Abrego would be accepted there, within minutes of his release from pretrial custody, an ICE representative informed Mr. Abrego’s counsel that the government intended to deport Mr. Abrego to Uganda,” his attorneys wrote in their filing.
The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. There were nine passengers in the car, and officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. However, Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue driving with only a warning at that time.
Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years. Although he was deemed eligible for pretrial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. A recent ruling in a separate case in Maryland required ICE to provide 72 hours’ notice before initiating deportation proceedings, providing time to allow a prospective deportee to mount a defense. An email from ICE sent to attorneys at 4:01 p.m. on Friday refers to that decision.
“Please let this email serve as notice that DHS may remove your client, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to Uganda no earlier than 72 hours from now, absent weekends,” it states. Uganda recently agreed to take deportees from the United States, provided they do not have criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors.
Federal officials have argued that Abrego Garcia can be deported because he came to the United States illegally and because a U.S. immigration judge deemed him eligible for expulsion in 2019, just not to his native El Salvador.
Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, Abrego Garcia’s lead attorney in the Maryland lawsuit against the Trump administration, said in a statement Saturday that the government is trying to use the immigration system to punish his client by “attempting to send him halfway across the world, to a country with documented human rights abuses and where he does not even speak the language.”
MANCHESTER (BN24) — Manchester City’s perfect start to the 2025/26 Premier League season was shattered on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium.
Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha scored first-half goals for Spurs, sealing a historic victory that handed City their first loss of the campaign. Just a week after an emphatic 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, City were left frustrated by a disciplined Tottenham side under new manager Thomas Frank.
The defeat is an early setback in City’s title defence, while Spurs sent a clear statement of intent with a well-organized, tactically astute performance that disrupted Guardiola’s side at every turn. Tottenham capitalized on a defensive mix-up between City’s Ric Lewis and debutant goalkeeper James Trafford to double their lead, adding a touch of drama to their otherwise clinical display.
Despite enjoying nearly 60% possession, Manchester City struggled to break down Tottenham’s defensive block. The visitors absorbed the pressure effectively and struck with precision when chances came their way, keeping Guardiola’s men at bay for the full 90 minutes.
“We came to the Etihad looking to make a statement, and we did just that,” Tottenham’s post-match report read. “Goals from Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha saw us leave Manchester with a well-deserved 2-0 victory. It was a perfect display of composure and tactical discipline from the team.”
Tottenham’s approach earned praise for its defensive organization and quick counter-attacking play, which stifled City’s usual rhythm. While the hosts tried to assert dominance, they found few openings against a resolute Spurs defense that maintained its shape throughout.
The win is Tottenham’s second consecutive victory to start the season, lifting them to the top of the Premier League standings. For Guardiola’s men, it was a sobering reminder of the challenges they will face in their quest to retain the title.
This result also marks City’s first home defeat of the season, leaving them to regroup and refocus ahead of the upcoming fixtures. For Tottenham, the victory is a promising sign under Frank’s leadership, showcasing their ability to perform against one of the Premier League’s biggest teams.
HONG KONG (BN24) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for his first trophy with Al-Nassr continued on Saturday as the Riyadh giants were defeated 5-3 in a penalty shootout by Al-Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup final. The match, which was part of Saudi Arabia’s global sporting initiative, ended 2-2 after regulation time before Al-Ahli held their nerve in the shootout to lift the trophy.
Ronaldo had given Al-Nassr the lead in the 40th minute, calmly converting a penalty after Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. The Portuguese forward’s cool finish sent the packed stadium into raptures and appeared to set him on course for a long-awaited piece of silverware in Saudi football.
However, Al-Ahli, featuring an array of international talent, responded swiftly. Franck Kessié, the former Barcelona midfielder, capitalized on poor defending from Al-Nassr to score a crisp equalizer, shifting the momentum in favor of the Jeddah side.
The second half was even more dramatic. Marcelo Brozović put Al-Nassr back in front with a well-taken strike, only for Al-Ahli’s Ibanez to score in the dying moments of the match, sending the contest to penalties.
In the shootout, Al-Ahli showed more composure, converting all their spot-kicks. Al-Nassr, on the other hand, faltered, with missed penalties from Ronaldo, Brozović, and Felix costing them the match. The final penalty from Al-Ahli secured their victory, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates with yet another final defeat.
This was Al-Nassr’s sixth appearance in the Saudi Super Cup final, the most by any club in the competition, while it was only Al-Ahli’s second. The defeat marked Ronaldo’s third loss in a final since joining the club in 2023. He had previously fallen short in the King’s Cup and the 2023 Saudi Super Cup.
For a player with one of the most decorated careers in football, the wait for silverware in Saudi Arabia has been frustratingly elusive. His only title with the club remains the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, a competition not officially recognized by FIFA.
The loss in Hong Kong is another painful reminder for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr that their quest for domestic dominance is far from complete. Despite the star power in their ranks, the club’s journey toward silverware remains unfinished.
LONDON (BN24) — Viktor Gyokeres marked his home debut in style with a brace, helping Arsenal to a dominant 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday, extending their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Arsenal were already two goals ahead by halftime, courtesy of Jurrien Timber’s header and a stoppage-time strike from Bukayo Saka. The second half saw Gyokeres, who was introduced to the Emirates crowd alongside fellow new signing Eberechi Eze before kick-off, make an immediate impact. Just two minutes into the second half, the striker powered through Leeds’ defence and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
“We found ourselves 2-0 ahead at the break thanks to Timber’s header and Saka’s injury-time strike,” Arsenal’s match report noted. “Gyokeres quickly made his mark, with his goal early in the second half sending the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium to new heights.”
While injuries to captain Martin Ødegaard and Saka posed concerns for the Gunners, their depth in attack was on full display. Timber, typically a defensive asset, doubled his tally with another header from a Declan Rice corner. The night also belonged to 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman, who became the third-youngest player in Premier League history at 15 years and 235 days. Dowman’s electric run in stoppage time earned a penalty, which Gyokeres coolly converted to complete his brace and seal the win.
“In stoppage time, Dowman’s pace forced a foul from Anton Stach in the box. Gyokeres stepped up and powered home the penalty, capping off an unforgettable evening for the team,” the report read.
The victory sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League standings, with a trip to Anfield next weekend to face reigning champions Liverpool looming large. The comprehensive win highlighted the attacking depth and youth development that has become a hallmark of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
