STARS REPORTERS

The United States on Friday, November 7, accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, in what officials say was another attempt to extend the countries’ escalating conflict beyond the Middle East.   A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force initiated the plan in late 2024, and that it was successfully disrupted earlier this year.   “The plot was contained and does not pose a current threat,” the official said. “This is just the latest in a long history of Iran’s global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence.”   No further details or evidence were provided on how the alleged operation was stopped. Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment.   US intelligence agencies have long warned that Iranian operatives seek targets in Latin Amer...

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr believes that Nigeria possesses the superior talent necessary to defeat Gabon in the 2026 World Cup African playoff semi-final. The crucial single-leg match is scheduled for November 13 in Rabat, Morocco.   The Franco-German manager, who currently manages the Benin Republic and has coached both Nigeria and Gabon in the past, emphasized that despite the individual talent, a strong collective team performance will be essential for victory. Rohr, known for his deep knowledge of West African football, cautioned the Super Eagles against underestimating Les Panthères, acknowledging that Gabon has the quality to cause an upset. "Gabon and Nigeria are two good teams," Rohr stated. "Some of their (Gabonese) players are still the same ones I worked with between 2010 and 2012 when we reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)." The veteran coach specifically highlighted former African Footballer of the...

 Angela Okorie has spoken out in defense of her junior colleague, Regina Daniels, who is currently experiencing a family crisis.  Angela condemned the use of one's influence to oppress others.  She added that she has forgiven Regina for their fight months ago and she called for fair treatment for her  Angela wrote: GOD's power stands above all, greater than human strength or any authority. When God elevates us to a place of influence, it is not for control or oppression, but to uplift inspire, and make a lasting positive impact on others.  "Dear Gina, despite the hurt, misunderstandings. and distance that have come between us, I have chosen peace. It breaks my heart to see you go through difficult times, but my love for you remains steadfast.  "I hold no bitterness toward you. I continue to pray for your safety, happiness, and peace of mind. No matter what has happened, my love as a mother will never change. You are, and will always be, my daughter, the one...

Actress Regina Daniels has responded to Nigerians mocking her over her marital crisis. In a video she shared on her page, Regina said its okay for people to laugh at her and say when she was flaunting the wealth from Ned Nwoko, no one was enjoying it with her.   Regina in her video said no one ever flaunts their sadness because people will mock them. ‘’As long as you were never in my shoes, you will never understand. What were you guys expecting me to show off? That I was being beaten? I was sad?'' She went on to threaten she will break her phone.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has denied claims that its officers seized the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the airport today, November 4.    In an interview with Channels TV, the spokesperson of the service, Akinsola Akinlabi, explained that the incident was part of routine immigration procedures. “NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel,” the service’s spokesperson said. Speaking further, Akinlabi clarified that officers were only performing their statutory duties. “The NIS officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged. She has since been allowed to travel. Perhaps while waiting for the checks to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped from travelling” he said   The immigration spokesperson noted that the Kogi senator made her video during the routine p...

Businessman, Ikechukwu Ogbonna aka IVD, has taken to social media to lament over his recent life challenges.    In a post shared on his Instagram page this evening, IVD alleged that some persons are after him and wondered if they will rest in their pursuit if he is finally unalived. He says he can't chest the p@in no more as it is too much for him to bear.   IVD came into limelight following the controversial demise of his ex-wife, Bunmi Martins Ogbonna.

The widow of the assassinated anti-narcotics mayor of Uruapan, Mexico, has vowed to carry on her late husband’s fight against organized crime after being sworn in as his successor on Wednesday, November 5.   Grecia Quiroz took the oath of office before the Michoacan state congress, delivering an emotional address in which she accused federal authorities of ignoring repeated pleas for help from her husband, Carlos Manzo.   “Carlos Manzo’s legacy will continue, even if his voice has been silenced,” she said. “This will go on.”   Manzo, 40, was shot dead on Saturday, November 1, during a Day of the Dead public event in Uruapan — a city at the heart of Mexico’s vast avocado-producing region and one of the country’s hotspots for cartel violence. He had been in office just over a year, campaigning aggressively against drug trafficking groups and regularly denouncing their activities both in interviews and on social media.   His killing triggered public outrage ...

FIFA has appointed a team of South African match officials to oversee the Super Eagles’ World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon, a decision that has sparked backlash among Nigerian fans.   Nigeria will face Gabon on November 13 in Morocco in one of two African playoff semi-finals. The winner will advance to the final, where they will meet either Congo DR or Cameroon for Africa’s sole spot in the intercontinental playoff.   South Africa’s Tom Abongile has been named centre referee for the Nigeria–Gabon clash. His compatriot Zakhele Siwela will serve as one of the assistant referees, while Akhona Makalima will oversee the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Hughes Ndjovi of the Benin Republic has been appointed referee assessor.   The appointments immediately triggered anger on Nigerian social media, as Nigeria, South Africa and Benin Republic were all in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.   Nigeria defeated Benin 4-0 on the final day to secure a playo...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government to submit proposals on the possible resumption of nuclear weapons testing in response to President Trump instructing the Pentagonto do so "on an equal basis" with other countries. In a meeting Wednesday with his Security Council, Putin said Russia has adhered to the international Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which prohibits nuclear test explosions.  But, he said, "if the United States or any other state party to the Treaty was to conduct such tests, Russia would be under obligation to take reciprocal measures." Mr. Trump claimed in an interview with 60 Minutes that Russia is among a handful of countries testing nuclear weapons when asked about his order. "Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it," Mr. Trump told CBS News correspondent Norah O'Donnell. "We're gonna test, because they test and others test. And certainly Nor...

The Federal Government has indicated that it may sell off Nigeria’s state-owned refineries as part of ongoing economic reforms aimed at attracting investment, boosting competition, and improving efficiency in the downstream oil sector.   Nigeria’s four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd) but have remained largely inactive for decades, despite multiple costly turnaround maintenance projects that have drained billions of dollars from public funds.   Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, disclosed the plan during an interview with Bloomberg TV anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).   “It’s one of the options that you have to consider if you find the right technical partner with the right capital,” Verheijen said, referring to a potential sale or partnership deal for the...

Passengers aboard a Delta Airlines flight were evacuated on Tuesday night after crew members reported a bomb threat just before takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.   According to Port Authority police, the Minneapolis-bound flight was preparing to depart Terminal C around 8 p.m. when the alert was raised. The aircraft was immediately moved away from the gate, and all passengers were ordered to deboard.   One passenger told TMZ that the pilot announced there would be a delay but assured everyone that there was no immediate danger. Witnesses also reported seeing one individual escorted from their seat before the rest of the passengers were removed from the plane.   Emergency vehicles surrounded the aircraft as authorities conducted a thorough search. After nearly two hours, no explosive device was found, and officials cleared the plane around 10 p.m.   Television host Jason Matheson of Fox’s The Jason Show, who was on the flight, shared updates from ...

Media personality, Toke Makinwa dedicated her daughter, Yaya, in church today.    She also had a lavish reception ceremony which was well attended by celebrities.

Football pundit, Gary Neville has identified Liverpool as the sole team he believes is capable of preventing Arsenal from ending their more than two-decade wait to lift the Premier League trophy, though he concedes it would require a minor miracle. The Gunners have continued their phenomenal start to the new campaign, securing their ninth successive victory in all competitions with a comfortable 2-0 triumph at Burnley on Saturday. That win extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points, solidifying Arsenal as the firm favourites to secure their first top-flight title since 2004. Meanwhile, Liverpool managed to halt a run of four successive league defeats by seeing off Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday. This result provided a crucial morale-boosting win for their manager, Arne Slot, ahead of a tough week of fixtures.   Arsenal FC merchandise Despite the clear issues the reigning Premier League champions have faced this season, Neville asserts that they remain the ...

Arsenal midfielder, Max Dowman has etched his name into the football history books, becoming the youngest-ever player to feature in the UEFA Champions League.   The 15-year-old prodigy came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute—replacing Leandro Trossard—during Arsenal's commanding 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday, November 4.   At just 15 years and 308 days old (or 309 days, according to some reports), Dowman shattered the previous record held by German striker Youssoufa Moukoko, who was 16 years and 18 days old when he made his debut for Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Dowman is the first 15-year-old to ever play in Europe’s premier club competition. Speaking at the post-match press conference in Prague, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the teenager's composure and talent, highlighting his "personality" and "courage." “He comes in, the first ball he takes, he takes people on, he starts to dribble, he gets a fo...

Former England football captain, David Beckham received his Knighthood from King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, November 4, calling the prestigious moment his "proudest moment." The 50-year-old football icon, who earned 115 caps for England and played for world-class clubs including Manchester United and Real Madrid, was knighted for his dedicated services to sport and charity. Beckham shared that it was "quite a moment" for someone from the east end of London to be at Windsor Castle, "being honoured by His Majesty the King—the most important and the most respected institution in the world." He reiterated to the PA news agency, "This is without doubt my proudest moment." Beckham, famously known for his sharp sense of style, attended the investiture ceremony in a grey suit designed by his wife, pop star-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham. Victoria accompanied him, along with his parents, Ted and Sandra. ...

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has delivered a strong caution to former United States President Donald Trump, warning him not to “create another Sudan” through "false allegations of religious persecution" in the West African nation. Speaking in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, November 4, Minister Tuggar emphasized that “careless remarks from influential global figures risk inflaming divisions across Africa.”   Drawing parallels with Sudan’s tragic experience, he pointed out how sectarian and ethnic manipulation once tore the nation apart, plunging the region into crisis and years of instability. "We've seen what has happened with Sudan, with agitations for the partitioning of Sudan based on religion, based on tribal sentiments And you can see the crisis," Tuggar said.   Minister Tuggar stressed that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy committed to peace, unity, and religious freedom, directly contradicting claims sugg...

The Chinese government has issued a stern warning against any form of external interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs, following threats by United States President Donald Trump of possible military action over alleged persecution of Christians.   Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, November 4, the spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, said Beijing “firmly supports the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”   Ning described Nigeria as China’s “comprehensive strategic partner,” stressing that Beijing stands by the West African nation amid growing international tension.   “China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force,” she said.   China's remarks comes after Trump redesignated Nigeria ...

Former England football captain, David Beckham will be among the distinguished figures accepting honors today, November 4 as he receives a knighthood at Windsor Castle.   The football star, who is 50, is being recognized for his profound services to sport and charity. Earlier this year, Sir David expressed that he was “immensely proud” of being named in the King’s Birthday Honours.   The sports figure made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995. He was famously part of the team that secured a dramatic Champions League final victory in 1999, beating Bayern Munich with two late goals.   Throughout his career, he scored 85 goals and collected numerous honors, including six Premier League titles and two FA Cups, before retiring from professional football in 2013.   Beyond the pitch, Beckham has passionately supported several charitable causes, notably serving as a goodwill ambassador for the humanitarian aid organization UNICEF since 2005. Las...

US President Donald Trump claimed "60 Minutes" paid him "a lotta money" during his recent interview, a boast that was conspicuously cut from the main television broadcast but appeared in the full transcript and online "Overtime" video.   During his interview with Norah O’Donnell at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump brought up the $16 million settlement his team received from CBS News' former parent company, Paramount Global, an event that occurred earlier this year.   "And actually '60 Minutes' paid me a lotta money. And you don’t have to put this on, because I don’t wanna embarrass you," the President told O'Donnell. That exact exchange was edited out of the Sunday night CBS broadcast, though it was included in the extended Overtime segment posted online and the full transcript.   Trump claims the settlement stemmed from an October 2024 interview 60 Minutes conducted with his Democratic opponent at the time, then-Vice Presi...

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tochi, has shared a thought-provoking message on his Instagram story about what he believes is Nigeria’s biggest problem.   According to him, the country’s real issue has never been oil, corruption, or elections — but rather tribal and religious divisions among its people.   He wrote:   “Nigeria’s biggest problem has never been oil, never been corruption alone, never been elections, it has always been tribe and religion. Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa. Christian, Muslim. We divide ourselves before the government even tries to divide us. We carry identity on our heads so strongly that we forget humanity is the first identity. And that is why we are stuck.”   In another post, Tochi added that Nigeria is “too big, too scattered, and too mentally conditioned to be one,” stressing that until tribal and religious sentiments are addressed, no constitution, election, or president will be able to fix the country.

US President Donald Trump has expressed his sympathy for the British monarchy as it tries to douse the scandal surrounding the former Prince Andrew's ties to the late s£x offender Jeffrey Epstein.   It comes as reports claim that Andrew “refused to sign off” on royal statements that supported the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuse.   A source close to the King and Queen said the former prince would veto references to abuse victims in all statements since his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview, blocking the Palace from acknowledging them, according to  The Times .   But in the King’s latest statement, in which he stripped Andrew of his royal titles, he made clear his support for survivors in the line: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”   When questioned about the King’s decision t...

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has revealed that he is still battling sickle cell crisis.   In a recent interview with Nandoleaks, the 38-year-old singer got candid about his ongoing struggle with the disease, sharing that he has been on lifelong medication since childhood.   “I still have crises,” he said, recalling how his journey with sickle cell began when he was just a child.   “The first time I ever heard of sickle cell was when I used to fall sick every time — my joints would hurt, my legs, sometimes my stomach. One night, my dad wasn’t home, and my mum carried me on her back for miles to the hospital. That’s when the doctor told me I had sickle cell and that I would be taking folic acid and B complex for the rest of my life. And that’s my life — even till now,” he said.   Adekunle Gold also stressed the importance of knowing one’s genotype before marriage, urging Nigerians to take genotype testing seriously to prevent more children from suffering t...

The military has arrested an additional 15 officers of various ranks in connection with an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, bringing the number of detained officers to over 40, according to Vanguard.    The new arrests followed revelations made during interrogation of the initial 16 officers taken into custody, sources told the publication.    Legal defense services The detained officers reportedly disclosed the roles the newly arrested personnel were expected to play in the alleged coup plot.    According to the sources, security agencies are analysing communication exchanges among the suspects, raising the possibility of further arrests as the investigation deepens. 

Music executive, Tunji Balogun aka Teebillz, has taken to social media to share on what the death of his mum did to him.   Teebillz lost his mum in June last year and has been grieving her loss since. In a post shared on IG this evening, the dad of four said the de@th of his mum broke him but also woke up something in him. In his post, he apologized to his kids, their mothers, his family and loved ones for every hurt he must have caused them.  ‘’After all the pain and loss, losing my mother broke me, but it also woke something in me.....! To my kids, their mothers, my family, and my loved ones..... I’m sorry for the hurt I caused. I’m trying… and trusting God to fix what I can’t.''

There was chaos at Wadata Plaza, the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, today November 3, as supporters loyal to the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, stormed the premises demanding the immediate exit of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).   Chanting solidarity songs and waving placards, the protesters accused the Damagum leadership of “mismanaging party affairs” and vowed to “reclaim the party’s soul” for the Abdulrahman-led faction.   “We are here to take back our party. The era of impunity and manipulation is over,” one of the protesters declared.   The demonstration followed the latest twist in the PDP’s escalating leadership crisis. Last week, Abdulrahman was announced as the Acting National Chairman following the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for one month, a decision that further divided t...

Former Manchester City striker  Mario Balotelli has celebrated the sacking of his former manager, Patrick Vieira by Genoa.   Arsenal legend Vieira left the Italian club, who are bottom of Serie A and still without a win this season, on Saturday, two-and-a-half years after he departed Premier League side Crystal Palace.   Before his sacking, Balotelli was signed by Genoa under Vieira, but things quickly went south as their feud from their time at Nice was reignited in Italy.   He posted on Instagram after news of Vieira's sacking: 'Now Genoa can finally focus on people who truly love the atmosphere, the fans, and the crest, and who deeply believe in the idea and the fact that Genoa deserves to be at the top!   'The great work experienced firsthand by Gilardino and Zangrillo [former manager and president] hasn't been wasted: it was just exploited selfishly and badly by those who came after, taking advantage of what they had built with hard work, respec...

US President Donald Trump has threatened to take military action against Nigeria if the government fails to stop the ongoing killings of Christians in the country.   In a fiery post on social media, Trump warned that the United States would halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria and could launch direct intervention if attacks on Christians persist.   “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said. “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”

Cuban prosecutors have formally charged former economy minister Alejandro Gil with espionage and a range of other serious offences, including bribery, embezzlement, tax evasion, and money laundering, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Friday evening.   Gil, 61, served as Minister of Economy and Planning from 2019 until February 2024, when he was abruptly removed from office. Soon after, authorities revealed that he was under investigation for what they described at the time as “committing serious errors,” though no further details were provided.   In the new statement, prosecutors said they had asked that Gil and other unnamed individuals be held accountable for “crimes of espionage” and “acts detrimental to economic activity.”   The statement also cited a long list of alleged offences, including embezzlement, bribery, falsification of public documents, influence peddling, money laundering, tax evasion, and violation of classified document protection r...

Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has penned an emotional message to veteran actress Peju Ogunmola, who recently opened up about her healing journey following the loss of her son.   Peju Ogunmola, in a heartfelt video shared online, expressed deep gratitude to her colleagues and fans who stood by her during what she described as one of the darkest seasons of her life. The actress thanked everyone who reached out, supported, and encouraged her through her mourning period, adding that she now feels stronger and ready to fully return to work.   In response, Wumi Toriola reposted the video on her page and showered praises on the veteran actress, describing her as “a strong woman and more.”   Wumi wrote: “Your strength and resilience is everything. Returning to your craft with courage and determination is a testament to your unbreakable spirit

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has opened up about a phase in her university days when she briefly got hooked on smoking before deciding to quit completely.   Speaking in a recent interview  With Chude , the “Johnny” crooner revealed that curiosity led her to try smoking while in school, but it quickly became something she started depending on before bedtime.   According to her, the habit almost became an addiction.   “When I was in university, I tried smoking. It just didn’t work for me. Before it didn’t work out, it worked out a bit too much. I started needing to smoke before I went to bed — I was getting addicted to that lifestyle,” she said.   Yemi said that although she tried to keep the habit private, the feeling of hiding it made her realise she didn’t want to continue.   “In public, I would hide the cigarettes, and I just told myself, if I have to hide to do something, I won’t do it. I like to be aware of my decisions,” she added. ...

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Latest Fagbemi (SAN), given reasons why President Tinubu reviewed the list of 175 convicts that were initially penciled down for presidential pardon.   In a statement released, the  Attorney-General said the review was to ensure that only persons that met stipulated legal and procedural requirements benefitted from the prerogative of mercy. Legal aid services   “During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise'' the statement reads   Earlier today, the Presidency released the final list of persons that were granted clemency. According to the list released, 86 persons whose sentences were reduced by President Tinubu, included Maryam Sanda, the daughter in-law of a former C...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally signed three legal instruments granting clemency, commutation of sentences, and presidential pardons to 34 individuals, in the exercise of his constitutional powers under Section 175 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Legal document templates   According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the move follows consultations with the Council of State and takes into account public opinion on the matter.   The president’s review led to the removal of individuals convicted of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms from the list of beneficiaries. Tinubu explained that the decision reflects the administration’s sensitivity to the feelings of victims and the need to strengthen national security and public confidence in law enforcement.   The approved lists, signed on October 21, 20...

Media personality, Tolu Oniru-Demuren, better known as Toolz, has responded to an X user who tried to shame her over her views.  Toolz had stated that if people were having better s£x, they would be less angry.    Public speaking course An X user responded to Toolz' statement with a tweet that reads: "Toolz is 40+ and she is not married."    Toolz saw the tweet and gave a sarcastic response.    She wrote: "Can you imagine?? Instead of her to goan marry and born children!"   Toolz is married to a pilot, Tunde Demuren, and they have two sons.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a landslide re-election victory, winning 97.66 percent of the vote, according to official results announced by the Tanzanian electoral commission on state television on Saturday, November 1.   The result came after a highly controversial election marked by the jailing or disqualification of key opposition candidates, widespread violence, and a nationwide communications blackout.   State TV reported that Hassan would be swiftly sworn in following the announcement of results.   The main opposition party, Chadema, claimed that hundreds of people were killed by security forces after protests erupted across the country on election day, Wednesday, October 29. “Around 700 people have been killed,” a Chadema spokesman told AFP, citing figures gathered from hospitals and health clinics nationwide.   Security and diplomatic sources in Dar es Salaam also confirmed that the death toll was “in the hundreds.”   H...

American rapper, Nicki Minaj, has hailed the U.S. President, Donald Trump's decision to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.   In a post on X, Minaj said she is grateful to live in a nation where people can freely practise their faith, stressing that no one should face hostility for their religious beliefs. She noted that persecution against Christians in various countries is a global crisis that should not be ignored, urging people to pray for victims and show mutual respect despite differing beliefs.   The rapper tweeted ‘’Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God.   No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.   Numerous countries all around the world are being affected by this horror & it’s dangerous to pretend we don’t notice. ...