ongoing

SAMANTHA Fox has been forced to cancel her upcoming show on ‘medical advice’ after suffering from ‘ongoing pain.’

She became one of the country’s most famous women almost overnight after her debut on The Sun in February 1983.

Her Page 3 career also became the launch pad to a world of lavish celebrity parties and later for her global success as a pop star, with 30million record sales.

Samantha, 60, continues to perform and was set to appear at Hard Rock Live in Florida at the end of August alongside a string of other stars.

However, she has cancelled her appearance and took to Instagram to share a statement with fans.

She captioned the image: “Sorry, I’m truly so upset about doing this, I think in 40 years this is only the 3rd time I’ve had to cancel a show.

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“Getting the right treatment now but the worst is the pain, love you Foxys. I’ll be fighting fit soon love Sammy.”

In the statement, Samantha explained that she had been struggling with ongoing back and hip pain for some time and following medical advice, it wasn’t possible for her to make a long-haul journey.

She explained: “I absolutely hate letting my fans down, as well as everyone who worked so hard and was looking forward to the show.”

Samantha also revealed she was heartbroken to withdraw from the event as she was so excited to be back performing in America.

She added: “This isn’t goodbye America, I am determined to get myself properly fit and well.

“I very much hope to return to the USA for a live show again very soon.”

Fans flocked to comment and one wrote: “I hope you get better soon and sending you so much love and positive energy!

“Us fans in the US will be here with open arms when you return someday, until then, I hope you stay healthy and get well.”

Another said: “Sending lots of love and well wishes!”

“Your health is the most important! I wish a speedy recovery for you,” wrote another fan.

A fourth added: “I am so sorry that you have to cancel but your health is the most important! Get well soon.”

Before Devlin had even departed, there was a new head coach in charge. The process to appoint Vrancken was quick and initial signs were promising.

Here was a man who had been named Belgian coach of the year, had taken Racing Genk to within minutes of the title, and had been linked with Anderlecht and Burnley.

As well as a glowing CV, his previous style of play in Belgium was highlighted. It was not quite labelled all-out attack, but it was certainly going to be the style of football fans want to see.

Explaining his tactics in an early supporter forum, the man himself said he wanted “chaos within a structure”.

In his first match in charge it was mostly chaos, not so much structure.

However, the 4-0 scoreline does not feel truly reflective of the game itself. The attacking stats showed Hearts did not lag behind their Austrian hosts by any means.

They created two chances in the first half that should have been buried, but Pierre Landry Kabore shot straight at the keeper and Alexandros Kyziridis nudged his effort wide when one-on-one.

By the time it came to creating any more, they were already 4-0 down. Inefficient in attack, torn apart at the back. It was a nightmare beginning.

“Early impressions are that Hearts have got a really good head coach,” said Hearts Standard editor Joel Sked on a recent Scottish Football Podcast. “At the same time, just with everything that’s happened, there will have to be some patience.”

Patience is in short supply in football these days. For every Ange Postecolgou, there’s a Wilfried Nancy. For every Jens Berthel Askou, a Russell Martin.

It is too soon to tell in which camp Vrancken will fall, but for the most part, Hearts fans remain cautiously optimistic.

They’ve been through it all in the past two months, nothing can surprise them. Not even this.

In the city of Nabatieh, ambulance teams, civil defense units, scouts, municipal workers, and residents joined forces in a large cleanup campaign to remove rubble and reopen streets following extensive destruction caused by the Israeli war on Lebanon.

In the afternoon of May 31, 2026, the Anguwan Hausawa area of the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, North-Central Nigeria, was thrown into mourning. The news of Abubakar Usman’s death in the lodge water had spread through the area, and people were trooping to the house to extend their condolences to his parents.

Abubakar, a 13-year-old, had gone out to play with his friends. Hours later, he was brought back lifeless while his other friend was rushed to the hospital, having drowned in floodwaters caused by a blockage the construction workers working on a culvert had put in to hold the water as they worked. 

As the lastborn of his parents, Abubakar was the kind of boy whose presence lit up every corner of the community. He attended the Islamic school close to his house, and his teachers admired how brilliant he was. Residents say he was respectful, and the elders in his community often praised him as he never passed by without greeting people warmly—a rare quality that made him beloved by all.

His father, Usman Shekare, an elderly man in his late sixties, stood heartbroken at the sight, lying on a mat, fixing his gaze on his beloved son. The only words he had the courage to utter were, “God gave him to me, and He has collected him back.”

What broke him further was a simple question: “What message do you have for the government?” He instantly broke down in tears, unable to speak further.

This tragedy is not an isolated incident. Just weeks earlier, residents told HumAngle that three boys fell into the clogged waters and were luckily rescued. The water continues to gather at last year’s Mokwa Flood site, fed by the heavy downpour flowing from the Zugurma and Yagbagba axis, and worsened by another source from gully erosion sites in nearby communities. 

Hussaini Ibrahim, the Spokesperson of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), told HumAngle almost a month after the incident that the agency is not aware of any loss of life due to the blockage but will reach out to the community leader and affected family for further actions.

In Mokwa, the echoes of last year’s devastating flood still haunt the community. Residents told HumAngle that farmers had raised alarm before last year’s disaster, warning that water was accumulating, but their concerns were ignored until after the flood struck. Now, the same warnings are being repeated, with little sign of preventive action.

“Barely a year after the flood, Mokwa is once again staring at water lodging in the same vulnerable zones,” Isah Mokwa, a community leader and activist in the community, told HumAngle. “The bridge and waterway reconstruction, meant to symbolise recovery, has inadvertently blocked water channels, creating a dangerous buildup. As we speak, the town is sitting on a ticking bomb.”

Residents told HumAngle how the first rainfall they witnessed in May made them apprehensive. That evening, they revealed, the sound of rushing water sent shivers down their spines. Mothers were seen rushing to gather their children as fathers stood at the site of collapsed structures, staring at the lodging of water in the same flood-prone channel that swallowed over 150 lives and many homes last year, with hopes of it not wreaking havoc again. 

Studies indicate that the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, especially children affected by flooding in Nigeria, can deteriorate for extended periods, often lasting months or even years after the event.

The cumulative stress of rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and coping with displacement has been shown to exert a heavier toll on affected populations than the initial impact of the flood, underscoring the need for comprehensive psychosocial support in disaster management strategies.

“The water was coming right from Yagbagba,” Ndako Usman, a resident, said. “It’s accumulating just behind the blockage. Once it gets bigger and more powerful, it could hit our homes again.” 

Hussaini told HumAngle that the blockage was caused by construction workers working on the ongoing drainage construction, and the management has taken swift action to address the issue.

“During last year’s flood, we were taken unaware, but we have taken proactive measures to ensure that it does not repeat itself this year. We have a monitoring team, and also volunteers who constantly update us on the flow of water so that we take immediate action.”

“Regarding the culvert, we have written to relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Water Resources, to study and assess the situation of the culverts to see if they can handle the water volume in case of a flood-related disaster and advise appropriately,” Hussaini added.

A catastrophe remembered

The fear is not irrational. In May 2025, Mokwa was the epicentre of one of Nigeria’s deadliest flood disasters in recent memory. Torrential rains combined with structural failures to unleash devastation that claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands, and left the town grappling with hunger and grief. 

Flooding has become one of Nigeria’s most persistent natural disasters, wreaking havoc on communities across the country almost every year. Heavy rainfall, poor drainage systems, deforestation, and the release of water from dams often combine to create devastating outcomes. 

In 2024 alone, floods claimed over a thousand lives, displaced millions, and destroyed farmlands and infrastructure worth billions of naira, but the situation dropped in 2025, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). 

The agency revealed that floods killed 241 people and affected 459,995 residents across 27 states and 128 local government areas. Also, the disaster displaced 158,588 people, injured 839, and damaged 54,684 houses while destroying 96,649 farmlands. 

Early warnings had been issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), but local authorities failed to act.

The disaster struck suddenly. Heavy rainfall battered Mokwa, but the real trigger was the collapse of a railway embankment and blocked drainage channels that redirected torrents into residential areas. 

Within hours, homes were submerged, bridges collapsed, and farmlands were washed away. Reports varied, but estimates suggested between 200 and 700 people lost their lives, and about 3000 houses and properties were destroyed, leaving families stranded in makeshift camps.

In the wake of the disaster, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that President Bola Tinubu approved the release of ₦16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge, which was destroyed by flooding, noting that the project would involve constructing a bridge with 10 spans. 

In the months that followed, HumAngle published a damning investigation into the Mokwa flood, among other issues. Our findings painted a picture of systemic neglect. The investigation established that gully erosion in Mokwa has remained a destructive force despite years of significant financial allocations. The erosion continues to expand, damaging infrastructure and farmland and worsening during rainy seasons. 

Equally, the report uncovered that billions of naira from ecological funds and World Bank loans were earmarked for erosion control, yet no substantial work has been executed. While officials claimed contractors were engaged, there was no evidence of transparent bidding processes. Field assessments confirmed that erosion control activities remain absent, exposing a gap between official pronouncements and actual implementation.

Last month, NEMA listed Mokwa among high flood-risk local government areas in Niger State for 2026. Yet on the ground, little seems to have changed. 

Isah Mokwa, the activist based in Mokwa, confirmed to HumAngle that the bridge constructed to contain the water has proven inadequate. According to him, the community braces for the worst, fearing that heavier downpours could unleash destruction far greater than before.

“Nothing has changed. In fact, the situation has deteriorated even further. In the same direction where the water started gathering before the flood, farmers have raised the alarm that water is already accumulating,” he said.

“We believe there is no accountability for the funds contributed to the state government. What happened to the billions donated after the 2025 flood? Even the shelter that was promised for victims of last year’s flood has not been provided. Just recently, there was a flag-off ceremony, but no contractor has been mobilised to the site, no details were given about the number of houses to be built, and no project timeline was shared,” he said.

According to residents, some of the affected families who were lucky to receive ₦500,000 ($360) in financial support last year to rent houses have exhausted their funds, and the majority are now struggling to renew their rent. 

For many in Mokwa, the suspicion is that the tragedy of 2025 has been reduced to a political talking point, while the lived reality of survivors remains ignored.

However, experts warn that Mokwa cannot afford another disaster. 

Abbas Idris, the president of the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON), in an interview with HumAngle, said that before now, the government should have taken a proactive disaster management approach through risk assessment and hazard categorisation.

This, according to the risk expert, would help not only the government and state emergency management agency but also residents to put in place measures or tackle the disaster even before it strikes.

In the longer term, Abbas revealed that the Niger State government must enforce urban planning regulations, preventing construction on floodplains and investing in climate adaptation strategies. 

“Neglecting risk assessments leaves communities defenceless when disaster hits,” Abbas stressed. “We must address corruption, weak governance, and poor ecological management as root causes of the crisis and pave the way for transparent, science-driven interventions to mitigate future disasters.”

It has been a year since the flood, and despite repeated appeals from the community, the state government, under the leadership of Umar Bago, has yet to provide a lasting solution. Families like the Shekare’s are still left to brace for waters that rise too quickly and claim too much.

And until their demands are met, Mokwa remains vulnerable — a place where the memory of one brilliant boy reminds everyone of both the fragility of life and the urgency for change.

Drone footage from Catia La Mar in Venezuela’s La Guaira shows widespread destruction after twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes devastated the region. Authorities say at least 1,430 people have been killed, more than 3,200 injured and over 50,000 remain unaccounted for as rescue teams continue searching collapsed buildings for survivors.

England captain Ben Stokes has made a stunning announcement to end his international career at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand.

All-rounder Stokes, one of the finest cricketers to ever play for England, was in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge when a statement was released confirming his intention to end a 15-year international career.

The 35-year-old missed England’s second Test after being involved in an incident in a London nightclub.

Before his return to the leading the team in Nottingham, he referred only to leading the team “this week”.

DAVID Beckham has snapped “That’s a private matter’ as he shut down any questions on his son Brooklyn amid their ongoing family rift.

The soccer legend was being interviewed ahead of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Beckhams have been embroiled in an ugly fallout with Brooklyn, 27, and his wife Nicola Peltz, 31, for months, with things coming to a head in when Brooklyn posted an explosive statement about the row. 

However, David wasn’t happy when asked what toll the media coverage on the fallout had on him.

He replied: “To be honest, I’m sorry to stop you there, but that’s a private matter. That’s the one thing that I don’t want to talk about.”

However, he did open up about the key to his 26-year marriage with Victoria and creating their “four incredible kids.”

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David told Variety: ‘We’ve got four incredible kids. We’ve got businesses that we work hard on.

“But we always make time for each other, and we always have. I want Victoria to be the best version of herself, and vice versa. 

“And as busy as we are, our family always comes first.

“That’s our priority, and that’s what makes it work when you’ve been together for so long. Our priority will always be our family.”

David grafted for his star under the category of Sport Entertainment after becoming the UK’s first billionaire sportsman.

Singer-turned-fashion-designer Victoria Beckham will of course be on hand during the ceremony as she’s poised to share her support for David.

Former Spice Girl Victoria is said to be showing up for her man by speaking at the event alongside their pal Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

But it is thought Brooklyn is unlikely to attend, despite living just a short distance away in Los Angeles.

The star will be located less than five miles from the Beverly Hills mansion Brooklyn shares with Nicola.

A source previously told The Sun: “Brooklyn snubbing David’s special day will be a very public humiliation as he lives in Hollywood.

“Of course, David is hopeful the family will have mended their relations by then, especially after he has offered an olive branch to Brooklyn.

“The rift has been a great cause of heartache.”

TENS of thousands of flights face being cancelled this winter as fears continue to grow over the high cost of jet fuel.

Airlines have already been forced to scrap thousands of flights in recent months since the Iran war broke out.

However, experts have warned that unless costs go down, cancellations could now affect winter schedules.

Italy‘s ITA chief executive Joerg Eberhart said they could be forced to cut as may as a fifth of flights from October to April, he told the FT.

Turkish Airlines echoed this, saying they could be forced to make “frequency cuts of even stop destinations” after summer if it continues.

Others have warned that is puts added pressure on airlines to fill planes, which is often not the case during the quieter winter season.

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Most UK airlines have said that they don’t see any immediate threats to upcoming flights, as many have ‘hedged’ fuel costs, which is paying a set price for a period of time.

However, Ryanair has warned that budget airlines face the biggest struggle, due to the low margins.

The budget carrier’s boss Michael O’Leary previously warned: “If pricing stays higher for longer this summer, we think a number of our airline competitors in Europe are going to face real financial difficulties. I think there will be failures.”

Spirit Airlines has already been a victim of the ongoing fuel crisis, having gone into administration last month.

And while UK flights might not be cancelled, the cost of flights is expected to only go up.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus, said it will likely pass on extra costs to cover the additional £1.72billion costs of its fuel this year.

And Virgin Atlantic has added a new fuel surcharge, ranging from £50 to £360.

Experts have said costs could continue to go up, due to the UK’s reliance on US jet fuel.

This is because US suppliers could divert their fuel inwards due to it being the busy American holiday season, particularly for “driving season” (when domestic holidays boom).

S&P Global’s research director for fuels Eleanor Budds told Telegraph: “Prices could rise again. The UK is replacing a good part of its imports. If the US can’t keep up those volumes, [the UK] is very exposed”.