UK

UK Man Admits Drugging and Raping Wife for Two Decades

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UK Man Admits Drugging and Raping Wife for Two Decades

A British man in his 60s has pleaded guilty to drugging and raping his wife over a period spanning more than two decades, in the latest UK case involving drug-facilitated sexual abuse. The man, who cannot be named to protect his wife’s identity, entered the guilty plea on Monday at a court in northwest England. He had previously admitted to other sexual offences against his wife. He was scheduled to stand trial alongside 12 other men accused of conspiring to sexually abuse the woman while she was unconscious. The 12 co-defendants, aged between 28 and 73, deny the allegations. A 13th man previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to drug and rape the victim. On Monday, the husband admitted to 60 offences dating back to 2004, including administering a substance to his wife with the intention of stupefying or overpowering her. The other defendants include a paramedic and a former football coach. They are expected to stand trial at the criminal court in Manchester in the coming weeks. Latest UK Case Involving Drug-Facilitated Sexual Abuse The case adds to a growing number of UK criminal cases involving drug-facilitated sexual abuse (DFSA), in which perpetrators use drugs or other substances to render victims unconscious or unable to resist sexual abuse. Global attention on the crime increased following the high-profile case of Dominique Pelicot in France. Pelicot drugged and raped his then-wife, Gisele, for nearly a decade while allowing other men to sexually abuse her. In another UK case last week, a London man pleaded guilty to encouraging other men in an online group chat to sexually abuse their unconscious partners and share images of the abuse. Meanwhile, another man is due to receive his sentence in central England later this week after pleading guilty in July to 32 sexual offences against his girlfriend while she was allegedly drugged or asleep. The Manchester proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks. AFP

UK Mission Commends Osun Voters, Calls for Lessons from Election

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  The British High Commission has praised Osun State residents for their peaceful conduct during the August 15 governorship election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on securing a second term. In a statement issued on Monday, the High Commission said it deployed accredited observers to monitor the election after engaging with various stakeholders ahead of the poll. It said its observations, which were consistent with findings by credible independent observer groups with wider deployments across the state, showed several encouraging signs of a positive democratic process. The commission said, “This includes the opening of polls as scheduled in many locations, the commitment of security personnel to maintaining order, and the effective implementation of electoral procedures by INEC officials.” It particularly commended voters for their “patience, resilience and participation” throughout the election. However, the British High Commission noted reports of isolated incidents that generated tension before and during the election, as well as the continued challenge of voter interference, including vote-buying across party lines. It also raised concerns over access to polling facilities for persons with disabilities and elderly voters, as well as overcrowding linked to the speed and limited provision of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices for accreditation. The commission urged relevant institutions to review the identified challenges and draw lessons from the election to improve future electoral processes. “We encourage the relevant institutions to review these issues carefully and to draw lessons – including from the recommendations of credible organisations like the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room – that strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability,” it said. Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the commission noted that off-cycle elections benefited from additional personnel and resources that could be more difficult to replicate during nationwide polls. It nevertheless expressed hope that the Osun election would contribute to further improvements in Nigeria’s electoral system. “We nevertheless hope that the experience of the Osun election will help inform further improvements that strengthen the integrity, inclusiveness and credibility of future electoral processes,” the commission said. The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s electoral institutions, civil society and other partners in promoting peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections to strengthen the democratic institutions that underpin them.  

Davido Reveals Plans to Pursue Master’s Degree in Political Science in the UK

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  Afrobeats sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has disclosed his intention to pursue a master’s degree in Political Science at a university in the United Kingdom next year as part of his academic advancement plans. Speaking during a recent livestream on Wednesday, the award-winning artist clarified that he would not enrol in a course at Adeleke University, contrary to expectations. Davido made this known in a recent livestream which started trending on Wednesday, where he spoke about his academic ambitions beyond music and entertainment. Davido clarified that the postgraduate programme would not be at Adeleke University, despite assumptions from some fans due to his family’s ties to the institution. He stated, “I want to do my Master’s next year in the UK, a one-year course in political science. I already have my B.Sc” When asked if the program will take place at Adeleke University, he said no. Davido, who has often shown interest in governance and political issues, especially during election periods in Nigeria, received praise from fans following the announcement.

UK Announces Road Closures, no-fly Zones for Tinubu’s State Visit

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  Britain will impose airspace restrictions and deploy armed police officers in Windsor next week as President Bola Tinubu arrives for a state visit hosted by King Charles III. Tinubu is expected to begin the visit in the company of his wife Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday, March 18, with a reception at Windsor Castle. Thames Valley Police in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said it is working with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other security partners. The force said airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle, which are in place permanently throughout the year, would be extended on Wednesday, March 18, to cover the period from 7am to 11.59pm. Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit said the air restrictions formed part of a broader security operation for the visit. “The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not.. “As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning, and preparation has gone into this event,” Hall said. He said the force would take a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions, warning that any breach would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest. “We will be taking a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions; anyone who breaches them will be committing a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could be arrested.” The police chief said officers with specialist capabilities, including search teams, the Mounted Section, road policing, and armed units, would be deployed across Windsor, alongside neighbourhood policing and Project Servator resources. “We will also be deploying numerous police officers to Windsor with specialist capabilities, including our search teams, Mounted Section, Roads Policing and armed units, while our neighbourhood and Project Servator resources will also be on the ground engaging with the public,” he said. The authorities will also deploy an extensive closed-circuit television network, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and other undisclosed security measures for the event. Hall said, “We will also be using the extensive CCTV network in Windsor, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers, and many other security measures that you may not be able to see to make sure the event runs safely.” He urged members of the public to support the security operation by remaining vigilant. “The public plays a critical role to support us so we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything that does not seem quite right by calling 101 or speaking to one of our officers. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, then call 999,” Hall added. Road closures and parking restrictions will take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with possible temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit. Thames Valley Police said it was being supported by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the flight restrictions. Persons with legitimate reasons for drone flying were directed to email TVPAirspaceRequests@thamesvalley.police.uk

Leave Before Visa Expires, UK Warns Foreign Students

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Leave Before Visa Expires, UK Warns Foreign Students

Tens of thousands of international students in the United Kingdom are being directly contacted by the government with a warning: leave the country when your visa expires or face removal, the BBC reported on Tuesday. The Home Office has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling what it describes as an “alarming” rise in student visa holders attempting to stay in the UK by claiming asylum. In a first-of-its-kind move, the government is now proactively contacting students via text and email to issue formal warnings about the consequences of overstaying. The campaign came amid growing concern in Whitehall about students using the asylum system as a way to remain in the country after their studies end. “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” the messages read, as reported by BBC. According to Home Office data, around 15 per cent of asylum applications last year—approximately 16,000—were submitted by people who originally arrived on student visas. While the data does not specify how many of those were made after visas had expired, officials say the pattern is clear enough to warrant immediate action. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some students are “claiming asylum even when things have not changed in their home country.” She added, “We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course.” Cooper also said the growing number of students entering the asylum system is placing added pressure on already overstretched asylum accommodation and hotel services. Around 10,000 students whose visas are nearing expiry have already received direct warnings. A further 130,000 students and their families are expected to be contacted in the coming months, coinciding with the busy autumn intake period, according to the BBC. The message being sent reads in full, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused. “Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” as reported by BBC. The crackdown is part of a broader tightening of immigration rules under the Labour government. In May, the Home Office announced that universities would face stricter thresholds on visa refusal and course completion rates to maintain their ability to sponsor international students. While much public attention has focused on small boat arrivals across the Channel, ministers are increasingly concerned about legal entrants—such as students—who later switch to the asylum system. Of the 108,000 asylum applications made in the UK last year, around 40,000 came from people who arrived legally, including on work, study, or visitor visas. By contrast, about 35,000 came from small boat crossings, BBC reported. Among legal entrants, student visa holders made up the largest group seeking asylum, with numbers almost six times higher than in 2020. Although the figure has since fallen by 10 per cent, the Home Office wants further reductions. Cooper acknowledged that student visa asylum claims account for just over 10 per cent of total applications but insisted that “to fix the system, we must tackle every single bit of it.” The government has also moved to reduce the amount of time overseas graduates can stay in the UK after completing their courses, from two years to 18 months. The number of successful asylum claims from skilled worker visa holders has also declined, according to recent Home Office figures. Punch  

UK Bans 100 Occupations From Foreign Recruitment in Bid to Cut Migration

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UK Bans 100 Occupations From Foreign Recruitment in Bid to Cut Migration

  The United Kingdom Government has announced sweeping new restrictions on overseas recruitment, barring more than 100 occupations from being filled by foreign workers as part of its drive to cut net migration. The Home Office disclosed the policy shift in a statement on X Saturday morning, saying it was focused on opening up opportunities for British workers while reshaping the visa system. “More than 100 occupations are no longer eligible for overseas recruitment – opening up more jobs for British workers. A fairer, skills-focused system is now taking shape,” the Home Office wrote. This development marks the latest move by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who took office on July 5, 2024, following Labour’s landslide victory, replacing Rishi Sunak. Critics, however, have warned the policy could worsen labour shortages in sectors such as health and social care. The Home Office has not yet published the full list of restricted occupations, PUNCH Online however reports. More details to follow

Chinese Student Jailed For Life In UK For Drugging, Raping 10 Women

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  A Chinese post-graduate student convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China and suspected of having attacked more was on Thursday jailed for life by a London court. Police in London say they have evidence to suggest he may have targeted more than 50 other women. Serial rapist Zhenhao Zou, 28 — described in court as “calculated and predatory” — targeted young Chinese women whom he invited to his London flat for drinks or to study before drugging and attacking them. Zou filmed nine of the rapes with hidden or handheld cameras, but only three of the 10 victims have ever been identified. Sentencing him at Inner London Crown Court, Judge Rosina Cottage said there was “no doubt that you planned and executed a campaign of rape” that had caused “devastating and long term effects”. To the world he appeared “well to do, ambitious and charming” but this was a mask hiding a “sexual predator”, she said. He treated his victims “callously” as “sex toys” for his own gratification, and his desire to assert “power and control over women” meant that he would be a “risk for an indefinite period”, she added. Zou, wearing a dark suit and glasses, listened impassively in the dock to the sentence via a translator. He will serve a minimum of 22 years in jail, after accounting for time already spent in custody. The former engineering student at University College London was found guilty by a jury in March of 28 offences including 11 counts of rape — with two of the counts relating to one woman — three counts of voyeurism and one of false imprisonment. He was found guilty of raping three women in London and seven in China between 2019 and 2023. He was also convicted of three counts of possessing butanediol — an industrial solvent — with intent to commit a sexual offence and 10 counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image. – ‘Prolific’ rapist – Victims told the sentencing hearing in impact statements of the psychological damage they suffered including nightmares, self harm and a sense of despair and isolation. One recalled “wandering like a trapped animal trying to find an exit” after she was attacked. “What happened that night is etched into my soul forever,” she said, adding that Zou’s family was “very powerful in China” and she feared he would “seek revenge”. After the sentence, Saira Pike of the Crown Prosecution Service described Zou as a “serial rapist and a danger to women”. “His life sentence reflects the heinous acts and harm he caused to women and the danger he posed to society.” Analysis of footage and web chats showed the former student’s “meticulous planning and the horrifying execution of his crimes”. And Pike paid tribute to the “courageous women” who came forward to report his “horrific crimes” and whose evidence — combined with his own videos — helped secure his conviction and life sentence. Since he was convicted, and following an international appeal by UK police, some 24 women had come forward to say they might have been sexually assaulted by Zou. London’s Met police have said they have evidence to suggest he may have targeted more than 50 other women and urged possible victims to come forward, adding that he had also studied in Belfast in Northern Ireland in 2017. “Our investigation remains open and we continue to appeal to anyone who may think they have been a victim of Zou,” said Commander Kevin Southworth of the Metropolitan Police. “Please come forward and speak with our team -– we will treat you with empathy, kindness and respect.” AFP

UK Haults Overseas Social Care Recruitment In Major Immigration Shake-Up

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  The UK government has banned international recruitment for social care roles and announced a dramatic cutback on so-called “low-skilled migration,” declaring that “skilled must mean skilled.” The hardline move, detailed in the new 82-page Immigration White Paper released Monday, forms the backbone of the most significant immigration reset in a generation. “We will close social care visas to new overseas applications,” the Home Office stated. “This route has been exploited and overused in ways that damage public confidence and do not support long-term workforce sustainability.” This is a sweeping overhaul of Britain’s immigration system, a statement obtained from the UK Home Office website revealed. The paper, titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” marks a decisive shift toward reducing net migration, which the government says has spiralled out of control, quadrupling from 2019 to 2023. End Line For Care Worker Visas The decision to block new overseas applications for social care roles takes immediate effect. Existing care workers already in the UK will only be able to extend or switch their visas until 2028, pending the rollout of a new domestic workforce strategy. It read further, “The health and social care sector must move away from reliance on low-wage overseas recruitment,” the document declared. “We will instead support long-term workforce planning and training within the UK.” Skilled Must Mean Skilled At the heart of the reforms is a redefinition of ‘skilled work’ under the points-based immigration system. The government is raising thresholds on salary, qualifications, and English language across most routes, removing what it calls “loopholes for low-skilled migration under a skilled label.” “We are tightening the definition of skilled work — skilled must mean skilled,” the White Paper insists. “Work that does not meet the bar will not be eligible for a visa, no matter the sector.” The controversial Immigration Salary List — which allowed employers to hire workers below the general salary threshold — will be abolished. “We will remove the Immigration Salary List to prevent undercutting of UK wages and to ensure that migration supports, rather than suppresses, the labour market,” it declared. Shifting Burden To Employers In future, employers will be required to demonstrate domestic recruitment efforts before turning to foreign labour, particularly in sectors previously reliant on overseas workers. “No employer should be allowed to default to migration. We are rebalancing the system to reward training, not reliance,” the Home Office said. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the plan “a bold, necessary reset.” “We are acting to bring numbers down and restore control. We must rebuild public trust and end the perception that immigration is a substitute for skills planning,” Cooper said. The White Paper’s tone is uncompromising throughout: “We will not allow temporary migration routes to become permanent. Our reforms will restore integrity and ensure immigration works for Britain — not the other way round.”  

UK Teen Sentenced To Life For Killing Schoolgirl Over Teddy Bear

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  A London court, on Thursday, sentenced a teenage boy to life in prison for stabbing to death a 15-year-old schoolgirl in a row over a teddy bear. Hassan Sentamu, 18, was ordered to spend a minimum of 23 years in jail for knifing to death Elianne Andam in Croydon, south London, on her way to school in September 2023. She was attacked by Sentamu, the ex-boyfriend of her friend after a dispute between the pair over returning each other’s belongings, including the soft toy. Sentamu, who was 17 at the time of the killing, was found guilty of murder and having a knife in January following a trial. Passing sentence, judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb told Sentamu that he was driven by his “short temper and aggressive tendencies” condemning his actions as “senseless and evil”. “Elianne was 15 when you murdered her, she will always remain just 15, she will never realise the potential of her life,” she said. The judge added Sentamu had carried on “mercilessly killing her on the floor as she begged for mercy. You walked away showing no remorse as if her life meant nothing”. Sentamu, who the court heard acted in a “white hot rage” after feeling he had been teased by the two girls the day before the killing, sat with head in his hands in the dock and wiped away tears as he was sentenced. The killing is one of a string of fatal knife attacks involving teenagers that have horrified the nation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called rising knife crime a “national crisis”. Elianne’s father, Michael Andam, told the court: “The thought of her final moments torments me – wondering if she was calling out for me, hoping I would save her – but I wasn’t there. I couldn’t protect her”. Elianne’s mother Dorcas Andam said her daughter had dreamed of becoming a lawyer. She described her as the “kindest, most loving daughter” who was “vibrant, creative, and purposeful”. She loved to sing and braid hair. “Now the music has stopped, the laughter is gone. All that remains is a deafening silence,” she said in a victim impact statement. AFP

NCDC Confirms UK Returnee’s Lassa Fever Death, Toll Reaches 98

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  The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the death of a 31-year-old physician who succumbed to Lassa fever after returning from the United Kingdom. The agency also reported that the cumulative number of Lassa fever cases has risen to 535 out of 2,728 suspected cases, with 98 deaths recorded across 14 states in Nigeria as of March 2, 2025. The NCDC, which disclosed this in a public advisory on Sunday, stated, “On March 5, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health. The patient, a 31-year-old physician, was managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK). “The patient departed Nigeria on 19/02/2025 and returned on 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025. “Laboratory investigation confirmed the result as Lassa fever-positive through PCR testing on Tuesday, 04/03/2025. The patient was reported to have visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, before travelling.” Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat), although other rodents can also act as carriers. The public health institute stated that Lassa fever cases occur year-round, with peak transmission periods typically from October to May. “As of Epi-week 9 (February 24, to March 2, 2025), a total of 2,728 suspected cases, 535 confirmed cases, and 98 deaths have been recorded across 14 states in Nigeria, with a case fatality rate of 18.3 per cent. “Five states account for 91 per cent of confirmed cases: Ondo (31 per cent), Bauchi (24 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (16 per cent), and Ebonyi (3 per cent). “Ten local government areas make up 68 per cent of confirmed cases, namely: Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo.” Meanwhile, to strengthen both national and international coordination efforts, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified control measures, including contact tracing and listing all individuals who had contact with the confirmed case. The NCDC added that all necessary in-country structures had been mobilised to ensure proper monitoring of contacts. Port Health Services are involved in tracing in-flight contacts to bolster surveillance at points of entry, and information has been shared with relevant authorities in line with the International Health Regulations (2005). Contact tracing efforts are also ongoing in the UK. Lassa fever is transmitted through direct contact with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents; ingestion of food or drinks contaminated with the bodily fluids of infected rats; and contact with contaminated objects, household items, or surfaces. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control practices are inadequate. Lassa fever initially presents with symptoms similar to other common febrile illnesses, such as malaria. Symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings. “Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment significantly improve patient survival rates. Prompt reporting of symptoms ensures timely intervention, thereby increasing the chances of survival,” the NCDC stated. Punch

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