Lagos airport reopens after terminal fire
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has announced the reopening of the airspace at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following a fire outbreak. FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, told journalists on Monday that no fatalities were recorded, although six people sustained injuries during the incident. She disclosed that three international flights operated by Emirates, British Airways, and Lufthansa were diverted as a precaution.
Kuku also disclosed that the agency was yet to ascertain the remote cause of the fire incident at the old terminal, but affirmed that the airspace, which was temporarily closed, was later reopened when a mobile control tower was activated in conjunction with NAMA. Preliminary findings from the Airport Fire Service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal 1.
25 Mexican soldiers killed in reprisal attacks after cartel leader’s death
Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” during an operation in the western state of Jalisco, triggering violent clashes across Mexico. Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said that 25 members of the National Guard had been killed in fighting with criminal groups in the state of Jalisco after the raid.
The mastermind of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel died in custody after being injured in a military operation by Mexican special forces in the town of Tapalpa. Mexico Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla said that information leading to Oseguera’s capture and death stemmed from a romantic partner of the crime boss. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who also confirmed the cartel leader’s death, described him as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins”.
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Former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson arrested over Epstein ties
Embattled former UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson has been detained as part of a misconduct investigation into his ties with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement: “A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation”. Emails released in late January by the US Department of Justice allegedly showed Mandelson disclosed potentially market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The latest Epstein files appeared to show Mandelson forwarding internal Downing Street emails about tax policy proposals to Epstein while serving as a member of then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet in 2009. Mandelson’s arrest comes less than a week after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of Britain’s King Charles III, was also arrested for questioning as part of a similar probe stemming from his ties to Epstein.
Malami’s money laundering cases reassigned to a new judge
Fresh developments have emerged in the multi-billion naira cases involving former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, as the matters have been reassigned to a new judge of the Federal High Court ahead of their scheduled hearing on February 27. The cases have now been assigned to Joyce Abdulmalik, who has fixed February 27 for proceedings. The reassignment follows the withdrawal of Obiora Egwuatu from the matter, who had on February 12 recused himself from presiding over the two cases, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.
On February 27, Mr Malami, his wife, and their son will be re-arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik on the 16-count money laundering charge following the case’s reassignment. The EFCC is prosecuting the former AGF on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, with the anti-graft agency saying it traced properties worth N212 billion to Malami as part of an investigation into his tenure in office.
Fresh US tariffs on imported goods take effect today
Fresh US tariffs on imported goods came into effect on Tuesday after President Donald Trump signed a 10 per cent global tariff following a Supreme Court decision that struck down his previous tariff regime. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorise the President to impose tariffs. Within hours of the ruling, Trump issued an executive order declaring that the United States is experiencing fundamental international payments problems within the meaning of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, and imposed a 10 per cent tariff for a period of 150 days, effective February 24, 2026.
Trump said earlier that he would enact the 10% global tariff under Section 122, though these tariffs can only be in place for 150 days absent an extension from Congress. Vice President JD Vance blasted what he called “lawlessness from the Court” in a post on X responding to the Supreme Court striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
