The United Kingdom has sanctioned 25 targets who are allegedly involved in smuggling of people, undera new financial sanctions’ regime targeting those facilitating the travel of refugees and migrants across the English Channel via small boats. The individuals and entities targeted on Wednesday include a small boat supplier in Asia and gang leaders based in the Balkans and North Africa. “Middlemen” putting cash through the hawala money transfer system in the Middle East, which is used in payments linked to Channel crossings, are also targeted.
It is unclear how effective the new sanctions regime will be, since British authorities can only freeze assets that are in the UK, and most of the smugglers are based elsewhere. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Wednesday that it was a “landmark moment in the government’s work to tackle organized immigration crime [and] reduce irregular migration to the UK”.“From Europe to Asia, we are taking the fight to the people smugglers who enable irregular migration, targeting them wherever they are in the world and making them pay for their actions,” he added. The move follows legislation being introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to ramp up enforcement powers for police forces and partners to investigate and prosecute people smugglers. As part of the new sanctions regime, which was introduced two days ago, the government can now freeze assets, impose travel bans and block access to the country’s financial system for individuals and entities involved in enabling irregular migration, without relying on criminal or counterterrorism laws.
1376 According to legend, the Pied Piper got rid of all the rats in the German town of Hamelin. When the townspeople refused to pay, the Pied Piper led all the towns children away. This is the date given by Richard Rowland Verstegan in 1605 – the earliest version in English. In ‘The Anatomy of Melancholy’ (1621) Robert Burton gives the date as June 20, 1484. Other dates range back to 1284 AD.
1461 Charles VII of France was born. His mistress, Agnes Sorel, was a celebrated cook who created several dishes, and had several culinary creations named in her honor. (Agnes Sorel soup garnish, Agnes Sorel Timbales, etc.).
1796 The city of Cleveland, Ohio was founded by General Moses Cleaveland of the Connecticut Land Company. The original spelling of Cleaveland was changed in 1831 when the ‘Cleveland Advertiser’ dropped the first “a” in the name to reduce the length of the newspaper’s masthead.
1822 Gregor (Johann) Mendel was born. Mendel was an Austrian botanist whose work was the foundation of the science of genetics. Working mainly with garden peas (some 28,000 plants over 7 years), he discovered what was to become know as the laws of heredity.
1915 Sir Sanford Fleming died. He devised the present system of time zones while working for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
1926 Dorcas Bates Reilly was born (died Oct 15, 2018). As Campbell’s test kitchen supervisor, she created the classic Green Bean Casserole. She also made hundreds of recipes throughout her career.
1942 Gasoline rationing with coupons began on the Atlantic coast of the U.S.
1952 Frank L. Zybach of Strasburg, Colorado received U.S. patent No. 2,604,359 for a “Self-Propelled Sprinkling Irrigating Apparatus.” This is the now familiar center-pivoting system that waters large circles of crops.
1956 Curnonsky (Maurice Edmond Sailland) died. At the age of 84, he leaned too far out of his window and fell to his death. French writer, novelist, biographer, and gastronome. Curnonsky was known as the “Prince of Gastronomes,” a title he was awarded in a public referendum in 1927, and a title no one else has ever been given.
Africa is not just blessed with flora and fauna. The continent boasts a wide array of cultures and traditions, giving it a unique blend of diversity. One of the outstanding heritages of Africa is its culinary variety. Let’s look at the eight (8) most popular cuisines of Africa.
1 Jollof Rice (West Africa): A beloved dish made with rice, tomatoes, and various spices
2.Ugali (East Africa): A thick, starchy porridge made from maize flour and water.
3 Bunny chow (South Africa): A fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with
4 Chicken kebabs (North Africa): Grilled skewers of marinated chicken.
5 Injera (East Africa): A sourdough flatbread made from teff flour
6 Couscous royale (North Africa): A dish made from steamed semolina wheat.
7 Moambe chicken (Central Africa): A chicken stew made with palm fruit sauce.
8 Pap en Vleis(South Africa): A traditional South African dish of meat and maize porridge.
Ginger water is a natural remedy used to help conditions like nausea and morning sickness. It has several health benefits. Making ginger water correctly is important because you want to get the dose right.
Ginger is native to Southeast Asia. It’s common in food and herbal remedies around the world. The ginger plant is rich in natural chemicals that can promote health and wellness.
Ginger water, also known as ginger tea, is one way to enjoy the benefits of ginger. Read on to learn more about the possible health benefits benefits, uses, and side effects of ginger water.
Benefits of Ginger Water
As with many herbal medicines, more research is necessary to better understand and prove the uses of ginger and ginger water.
Many anecdotes about uses for ginger water can’t be guaranteed to be healthy or effective. However, limited research does back several potential benefits.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is one of your body’s natural self-preservation functions. Diet and lifestyle changes may be necessary to fight chronic inflammation.
Consuming ginger may help prevent and heal inflammation. 2020 research found that oral and topical ginger helped reduce inflammation in cases of delayed onset muscle soreness.
According to research, human and animal studies have suggested that certain compounds in ginger helped reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis
While a doctor may recommend medical treatments to directly address inflammatory conditions, you may wish to discuss with your doctor the possible benefits of adding ginger to your diet.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants fight reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause oxidative stress and damage your cells. Your body naturally makes ROS, but some lifestyle choices — like drinking large quantities of alcohol, smoking, or experiencing chronic stress — can make you produce too much ROS.
Consuming foods and drinks with antioxidants, like ginger water, may help prevent and fight the negative side effects of ROS.
Research showed that numerous clinical studies have identified the antioxidant properties of ginger. The review suggests that ginger may be a complementary treatment for conditions such as obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease.
You may wish to talk with your doctor about the possible benefits of ginger’s antioxidant properties for your specific condition.
Anti-nausea and digestion aid
Cultures around the world regularly take ginger to help ease indigestion and nausea.
Ginger may help manage nausea and vomiting. The article also indicates that further studies could help better understand which ginger constituents may be most beneficial.
Manage blood pressure
Research in 2019 showed that ginger could help lower both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
The review notes that further studies are necessary to learn more about the possible benefits of ginger on blood pressure.
Balance blood sugar
Ginger improves fasting blood sugar in people with diabetes. These and other findings show promise that ginger can help treat health concerns caused by chronic diabetes.
However, a 2019 study found that consuming ginger did not significantly alter fasting blood sugar. It did improve the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from the baseline, though.
Cholesterol
A study in 2018 showed that ginger could help manage triacylglycerol (TAG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
It also found that a low dose of no more than 2 grams of ginger per day could help lower TAG and total cholesterol.
Weight loss
Reports show that ginger supplements significantly decreased body weight and waist-to-hip ratio.
However, the review found that ginger did not affect body mass index (BMI).
Hydration
While ginger may not directly help with hydration, taking your ginger in water may help.
Starting your day with a glass of ginger water, or finding another regular time to drink one each day, can help you hydrate.
The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) and the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/WCA) have refuted as misleading a recent report alleging that massive onion imports from the Niger Republic are responsible for falling prices in Nigeria.
In a joint statement issued in Sokoto on Sunday, the associations described the report as “false, unfounded, and unsupported by any credible trade or market data.”
The bodies emphasised Nigeria’s dominance in onion production within Sub-Saharan Africa, asserting that the country remains a net exporter of onions—not an importer—especially to neighbouring countries like Niger Republic.
“Nigeria’s domestic production far exceeds that of Niger Republic, which actually depends on our supply during its lean seasons,” the statement noted.
To expatiate their position, the associations presented current market price data revealing that importing onions from Niger is commercially unviable.
“As of July 2025, onions in Niger Republic cost between 35,000 to 50,000 CFA (₦95,000 – ₦135,000) per bag, excluding transport and duty costs. Meanwhile, prices in Nigeria range from ₦90,000 to ₦100,000 per bag,” they explained.
The groups stressed that such pricing patterns clearly demonstrate that the alleged influx of cheaper onions from Niger is economically unrealistic.
Recalling a similar market scenario from March 2025, the statement added that while Nigerian onions sold for ₦40,000 per bag at that time, Nigerien onions were priced at 15,000 CFA (about ₦50,000), further debunking any narrative of cheaper imports flooding Nigerian markets.
Rather than foreign imports, the associations identified internal factors—such as seasonal production cycles, inadequate storage infrastructure, and local supply-demand dynamics—as the real causes of onion price volatility in the country.
The groups expressed concern over what they called “sensational journalism” that threatens to distort public understanding and policy around Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“We urge reputable media houses like The Guardian to verify facts with recognised stakeholders before going to press. Such inaccuracies can damage the integrity of our agricultural value chain,” the statement warned.
In a related note, NOPPMAN and ORO/WCA commended the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), for ongoing interventions aimed at supporting onion farmers, especially those affected by recent floods.
Looking ahead, the organisations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding onion production through modern storage systems, processing facilities, and stronger market linkages to ensure long-term food security and economic development.
They called on policymakers, researchers, and the public to rely on data from credible sources such as NOPPMAN and ORO/WCA when engaging with agricultural trade issues.
“As the backbone of onion production in the region, we remain committed to transparency and collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural prospects,” the statement concluded.
