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Biden honours fallen heroes as U.S. observes Memorial Day

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U.S. President, Joe Biden, has honoured 7, 036 Americans who died fighting in the nation’s service.

Biden, in his speech to commemorate the Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, said America’s fallen heroes defended “vital, beating heart of our nation.’’

The U.S. president said walking though Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery; he was reminded of the cost of war.

“Hundreds of graves are here from recent conflicts. Hundreds of patriots gave their all … each of them leaving behind a family who live with their pain in their absence every single day.

“I want to assure each of those families – we will never forget what you gave to our country. We will never fail to honour your sacrifice.”

Biden said as vice president, he began to carry with him in his pocket the number of troops who had died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, he said, that number stands at 7,036.

“7,036 fallen angels who have lost their lives in these conflicts and on this Memorial Day, we honour the legacy and their sacrifice: duty, honour, country.

“They lived for it. They died for it. And we as a nation are eternally grateful,” he said.

What America is grateful for, the president said, is the freedom those men and women secured by conducting operations on the nation’s behalf and dying while doing so.

“Our freedom and the freedom of innumerable others has been secured by young men and women who answered the call of history and gave everything in the service of an idea,” he added.

According to him, the idea is that every American is created equal.

Biden pointing out that democracy must be defended saying, it is democracy that makes possible the idea that is the U.S.

“Democracy – that’s the soul of America, I believe it’s a soul worth fighting for, and so do you – a soul worth dying for.

“Heroes lie in eternal peace in this beautiful place, this sacred place, and they believed that too,” Biden said.

Memorial Day originated 153 years ago to commemorate the lives of those who died defending the U.S. during the Civil War.

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UK Announces Tight Security, Road Closures Ahead of President Tinubu’s State Visit to Windsor Castle

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President Bola Tinubu with King Charles
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Authorities in the United Kingdom have announced road closures and temporary airspace restrictions ahead of the arrival of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a state visit hosted by Charles III.

President Tinubu is expected to begin the visit on Wednesday, March 18, accompanied by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. An official reception for the Nigerian leader is scheduled to take place at Windsor Castle.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Thames Valley Police said it is working closely with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household, and other security partners to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly and securely.

As part of the heightened security arrangements, authorities confirmed that the permanent airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle will be extended on March 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of the police force’s Joint Operations Unit said the airspace limitations form only one aspect of a comprehensive security operation planned for the high-profile diplomatic engagement.

“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,” Hall said.

He added that the police have extensive experience managing security during royal events in Windsor, noting that significant planning and preparation have gone into the operation.

Hall also warned that the authorities would strictly enforce the restrictions, stressing that any violation would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.

Security deployment during the visit will include specialised police units such as search teams, mounted officers, road policing personnel, and armed officers. These units will operate alongside neighbourhood policing teams and resources from the Project Servator.

Officials said additional safety measures would include Windsor’s extensive closed-circuit television network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers positioned around key locations.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by contacting police through 101 or speaking directly with officers on duty. Emergencies should be reported through the 999 service.

Meanwhile, road closures and parking restrictions are set to take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with temporary traffic disruptions expected in and around Windsor during the visit.

Thames Valley Police added that it is working in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the temporary flight restrictions. Individuals with legitimate reasons to operate drones during the restricted period have been advised to seek prior clearance from the police.

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Tinubu Dispatches Delegation to Represent Nigeria at Burial of Rev. Jesse Jackson

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Late Rev Jesse Jackson
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a five-member delegation to represent Nigeria at the burial of American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84 in Chicago.

The delegation is headed by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Other members include Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs Brian Browne; and Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.

According to a State House statement issued on March 4 by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation will formally convey President Tinubu’s condolences to Jackson’s family and associates.

In an earlier tribute, Tinubu described Jackson as “a great friend of Nigeria and Africa,” highlighting his vocal opposition to apartheid in South Africa. The Nigerian leader recalled Jackson’s advocacy for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress, as well as his role in mobilising international support for sanctions against the apartheid regime.

Funeral events began on February 26 with a lying-in-state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. Additional memorial services have been held in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., including a lying-in-state at the South Carolina Statehouse from March 1 to 5.

A “People’s Celebration” is scheduled for March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, followed by a private homegoing service on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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UK Court Jails Nigerian Man for Life Over Murder of Ex-Girlfriend

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Adedapo Adegbola and his Girlfriend
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A United Kingdom court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, to life imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Stephanie Irons, following the end of their relationship.

Adegbola was sentenced on Thursday at Nottingham Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge last month.

The court heard that Adegbola and Irons met as colleagues and were briefly in a relationship, which later ended due to what the trial judge described as Adegbola’s controlling behaviour. Prosecutors said he became fixated on Irons and planned the attack after she broke off the relationship.

On 21 October, Adegbola went to Irons’s residence in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, where she was killed. He fled the scene but surrendered himself to the police in Hull the following day.

During sentencing, members of Irons’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as compassionate and kind-hearted. Her mother told the court she was devastated by the loss, saying her daughter had a warm personality and always sought to make others happy.

Delivering judgment, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Adegbola’s refusal to accept the end of the relationship ultimately led to the fatal incident.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson commended the victim’s family for their strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 40-year-old woman, Mary Onolunosen, has been charged with assisting an offender. She is scheduled to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on March 6.

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