BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and in sweeping remarks suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia and instead prepare for a negotiated peace settlement to be backed up by international troops. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We won't back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. For the first time, we're offering an ad-free experience. to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism.
Parents should be allowed to buy baby milk in supermarkets using loyalty points and vouchers, the competition regulator has said following a probe into the market. Restrictions on price promotions and discounts on formula should stay in place so mothers are not discouraged from breastfeeding, it said. But people should be allowed to use points, gift cards and vouchers to get the most for their money, its chief executive told the BBC. Samantha Knaggs is a 35-year-old mum and home-maker in Hull. But part of the reason she uses the brand she chose is because it's widely available, and has a bit of nervousness about giving her baby boy a different one, in case he has a reaction. " Buying current market leader, Aptamil, rather than Little Steps, which is one of the cheapest formulas, would cost parents £300 more per year, it said.
Thames Water has launched an appeal to allow it to increase bills by more than the regulator wants to permit. The UK's largest utility company is calling on the competition regulator to overturn a decision from the water industry regulator, Ofwat, which caps bill rises at 35% over the next five years. Thames, which is in severe financial difficulties already, is also waiting for the courts to approve a £3bn rescue from investors. Thames has argued bills need to rise by 53% over the five-year period. Other water companies are also permitted to lodge appeals against bill settlements, which are specific for each utility company. The regulator is looking into whether delays to the plans mean Thames has breached its licence.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that John McFall, a 43-year-old British surgeon and former Paralympian who lost a leg in a motorbike accident at 19, has been medically cleared for a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). McFall, selected for the ESA's astronaut reserve in 2022, expressed pride in this achievement, highlighting its significance as a cultural shift. While no specific date has been set for his mission, McFall is now awaiting assignment like other astronauts. The ESA is also exploring necessary adaptations, including prosthetics, to support McFall's participation and anticipates that advancements from this initiative will benefit prosthetic users in broader society.
At least 14 passengers narrowly avoided a fatal accident on Thursday, February 13, after a commercial bus crashed into a private vehicle along the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq. According to him, the crash happened around the Iyana-Oworonshoki axis when the bus lost control and rammed into the car. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority once again demonstrated its dedication to public safety by promptly rescuing 14 accident victims following a serious crash at Ilaje, inward Iyana-Oworonshoki, on the Third Mainland Bridge," he stated. The force of the impact led to multiple casualties, requiring immediate intervention. Following the successful evacuation of the victims, they were handed over to the Lagos Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), which quickly transported them to the hospital for medical care," he said.
Security operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, apprehended three disruptive passengers upon arrival of an Air Peace flight from London on Wednesday, February 12. A third passenger, Iwonze Benjamin, joined them in consuming alcohol they had brought onboard—an act strictly prohibited on commercial flights, Daily Trust reported. Concerned about the potential risk posed by the unruly passengers, the flight captain made several announcements urging them to comply with safety regulations. The safety and comfort of our passengers remain our top priority. The airline offers economy class tickets for its London route at N1.2 million and business class tickets at N4 million. The airline revealed the prices in a press statement on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade. Keystone Bank has disclosed that it is now fully owned by the federal government of Nigeria, saying that the takeover will boost its stability and facilitate a hitch-free recapitalisation process. The bank revealed this in a statement on social media on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following an order of the Lagos State High Court. It also reassured its customers of sound financial health and regulatory compliance. The statement further noted that the rebranding shows FirstHoldCo’s commitment to innovation, customer focus, and operational excellence.
Washington, D.C., USA – The Associated Press (AP) pushed back against the Trump administration on February 13 after one of its reporters was blocked from an event over the news organization's continued use of the name "Gulf of Mexico" in its coverage. The AP labelled the move a violation of the First Amendment. Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP's speech not only severely impedes the public's access to independent news, it plainly violates the First Amendment," Pace stated. The AP's style guide, widely used by newsrooms across the country, published an update on January 23, noting that Trump's order to rename the Gulf of Mexico only carries authority within the United States. And if necessary, we will file a civil suit." Trump signed executive orders renaming the Gulf of Mexico and reverting the name of North America's highest peak, Denali, back to Mount McKinley soon after his January 20 inauguration.
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade. LAMATA disclosed that the fare increase became necessary because of rising operational costs to ensure continued bus service availability for Lagosians. The authority said the new fare structure would become effective from Monday, February 17, 2025. According to reports, the Red Line has eight stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Iju, and Agbado. The development follows the refinery’s reduction of petrol prices from N970 to N890 per litre.
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market. It made this known in its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on X detailing what needs to be known about the transaction fee. Responding to questions on the ‘On us’ and “Not on us transactions”, it stated that the "On Us" transaction involving withdrawal at the customer’s bank attracts no charges. The apex bank further said international ATM withdrawals would be subjected to cost recovery charges, reflecting the exact fees imposed by international acquirers. For further information, it urged customers to call 08176657060 or contact it via any of its social media handles.
A man has been found guilty of the rape and murder of an Irish woman backpacking in India. A post-mortem examination found brain damage and strangulation as the cause of death. Vikat Bhagat was found guilty at the District and Sessions Court in south Goa, India, on Friday and could face a sentence of life imprisonment, but prosecutors have asked for the death penalty. In a statement afterwards, Danielle's mother Andrea Brannigan and her sister Joleen McLaughlin Brannigan, said justice "has finally been achieved". " Rape victims cannot usually be named under Indian law. Ms McLaughlin, who grew up in Buncrana, had travelled to India in February 2017.
Projections suggest more than one in 10 boys and one in six girls born in 2023 will live to at least 100 years old. The survival gap between the sexes is narrowing, partly down to men leading healthier lifestyles, experts say. Boys born in the UK in 2023 can expect to live on average to the age of 86.7, and girls to 90, latest data suggest . Overall, men born in 2047 could have a life expectancy of 89.3 years, and women 92.2 years. Kerry Gadsdon from the ONS said the statistics show that the life expectancy gap between men and women is closing, and has been for decades.
Parents should be allowed to buy baby milk in supermarkets using loyalty points and vouchers, the competition regulator has said following a probe into the market. Restrictions on price promotions and discounts on formula should stay in place so mothers are not discouraged from breastfeeding, it said. But people should be allowed to use points, gift cards and vouchers to get the most for their money, its chief executive told the BBC. Samantha Knaggs is a 35-year-old mum and home-maker in Hull. But part of the reason she uses the brand she chose is because it's widely available, and has a bit of nervousness about giving her baby boy a different one, in case he has a reaction. " Buying current market leader, Aptamil, rather than Little Steps, which is one of the cheapest formulas, would cost parents £300 more per year, it said.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said Nigeria has decided to set up a special security team to protect its power installations and infrastructure. According to the minister, “power rangers” will be created with officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to stop the vandalism of power infrastructure. “ We have decided now with the Minister of Power to have what we call the power rangers,” Tunji-Ojo, said on Friday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily. But we said no, you cannot have one specific medication that can treat all illnesses,” he said. We’ve already agreed on the modus operandi and as I speak to you, the offices are being screened,” he said. “ Don’t forget that we are going to have officers in all 36 states plus the FCT because there is no state without a power infrastructure; it is just like the solid mineral sector.
A report by SBM Intelligence, a research firm, has shown that many Nigerians are splurging more on gifts for 2025 Valentine’s Day celebrations than they did in 2024. Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14 all over the world. It was initially set out to honor a martyr called Valentine, but has become an annual celebration of romantic love and friendship. The report by SBM Intelligence however noted that the country’s rising inflation has affected Valentine’s Day celebrations in recent years. Prices for popular gifts such as flowers, chocolates and dining out have surged, making celebrations more expensive,” the report read in part. This year 33% of respondents plan to spend between N51,000 and N100,000, compared to 32.4% last year who spent N10,000 and N50,000,” the report read in part.
A stalwart of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has said the ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the second term in office remains sacrosanct. Is it now that it is too late, do they want to start defending the North? They should be told that it is no longer business as usual. Kwankwaso reminded Solomon Dalung, who is in the forefront of attacking Tinubu and his Government, that, “were you not silent after grabbing power in the Government of Buhari despite your critical position of Anti-misgovernment. He insisted that Ganduje’s positions that Tinubu’s contribution in the Northern region in just a few months of his administration, suppresses so many others who have nothing to show, were completely on record. “ He applauded Ganduje for his leadership in the party which has made opposition members defect to the APC. “
A new advisory body created by US President Donald Trump and led by the world's richest man has been tasked with cutting US government jobs and other spending. Elon Musk is leading this effort to drastically reduce the federal workforce and weed out what he sees as taxpayers' money being wasted. But his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has encountered legal obstacles, allegations of conflicts of interest, and fears that it will wreak serious damage. Polling suggests cutting government spending has widespread support. Many of Doge's staff appear to be young people with tech backgrounds.
He had heart failure at 30 and believes taking steroids will reduce his life by 20 years - but Joey Farrell continues using muscle-building drugs for "the sake of his career". Meanwhile former Love Island contestant Tom Powell had breast tissue removed after taking steroids, and also said people should not start doing it "whatsoever". This carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Seizures of anabolic steroids increased by 26% in the UK last year to 995,830 doses, most were found at the UK border. As there's no clinical guidance, some bodybuilders experiment with different compounds, with advice passed between steroid users. Public Health Wales and Bangor University research found 14% of the 1.5 million men in Wales have taken steroids. "
Thames Water has launched an appeal to allow it to increase bills by more than the regulator wants to permit. The UK's largest utility company is calling on the competition regulator to overturn a decision from the water industry regulator, Ofwat, which caps bill rises at 35% over the next five years. Thames, which is in severe financial difficulties already, is also waiting for the courts to approve a £3bn rescue from investors. Thames has argued bills need to rise by 53% over the five-year period. Other water companies are also permitted to lodge appeals against bill settlements, which are specific for each utility company. The regulator is looking into whether delays to the plans mean Thames has breached its licence.
Two US lawmakers have strongly condemned what they call the UK's "dangerous" and "shortsighted" request to be able to access encrypted data stored by Apple users worldwide in its cloud service. They urge her to give the UK an ultimatum: "Back down from this dangerous attack on US cybersecurity, or face serious consequences." This uses end-to-end encryption, where only the account holder can access the data stored. The move by the UK government has stunned experts and worried privacy campaigners, with Privacy International calling it an "unprecedented attack" on the private data of individuals. In 2016, Apple resisted a court order to write software which would allow US officials to access the iPhone of a gunman - though this was resolved after the FBI were able to successfully access the device. That same year, the US dropped a similar case after it was able to gain access by discovering the passcode of an alleged drug dealer.
The number of foreign workers seeking help over claims of exploitation, bullying, underpayment and poor living conditions on UK farms significantly increased last year, the BBC has learned. Nearly 700 foreign seasonal agricultural labourers complained to the Worker Support Centre (WSC) charity in 2024 they were being treated unfairly by farmers who had brought them over to work, compared to just over 400 in 2023. One former fruit picker told the BBC more must be done to protect migrants from being treated like slaves. The company said Ms Casimiro worked at Hayford for 11 days before leaving with a free air ticket home, and her claims were based on a "short-lived, snapshot, atypical experience". " She added that the company took any allegations of misconduct "very seriously" and had "co-operated fully with investigations by the GLAA". Haygrove is "committed to fair employment practices and the wellbeing of all our workers", she said.
As Nigerians join the rest of the world in celebrating Valentine’s Day, some couples in long-distance relationships have shared creative ways to make the day memorable despite living miles apart. A Banker, Tolani Olawale, she and her husband who is based in the United States, plan to have a virtual dinner date. “ We will meditate together over video call and also have a virtual breakfast date. They can have virtual dates, exchange gifts and messages, and stay connected despite the distance. “ Sending them a sexy and erotic message will keep the flame of love burning between you two,” Okoye said.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has cautioned that the introduction and expansion of Sharia law in the South-West could heighten tensions and lead to conflict in the region. Speaking at the 5th Media Parley of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of the Mission and Dialogue Department, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Emehel, emphasised the need for careful deliberation to uphold religious freedom and prevent favoritism in the country’s multi-religious landscape. “ Without proper guidance, they are easily swayed. To combat the allure of corruption and neo-paganism, we must focus on shaping consciences. Without a solid moral foundation, people struggle to differentiate between right and wrong.