News
Trump moves to contain fallout of abortion, IVF rows

By Mario Deepromoter
Republican White House nominee Donald Trump sought Friday to contain the blast radius of a fierce backlash over his remarks publicly backing away from right-wing positions on reproductive rights.
The ex-president has been under fire from conservatives over an announcement that in a second term, he would ensure free in vitro fertilization (IVF) — an expensive fertility procedure that many in the anti-abortion movement want to see curbed.
The rift widened as he hit out at his home state Florida’s six-week abortion ban, calling it too restrictive and suggesting he planned to vote for an upcoming ballot measure that would make the procedure legal until a fetus becomes viable.
Trump, 78, walked back the comment ahead of a rally in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Friday, telling Fox News that “I will be voting no.”
But conservatives had already begun criticizing Trump’s ever-shifting positions on abortion, with a new Republican policy platform dropping calls for a national ban and the tycoon’s recent claim that his government would be “great” for reproductive rights.
The pushback from anti-abortion groups on his latest remarks was swift, with activists warning that he risks alienating his base.
Evangelical theologian Albert Mohler said Trump’s positions appeared “almost calculated to alienate pro-life voters” while conservative commentator Erick Erickson posted that Trump’s abortion stance “will be a bridge too far for too many.”
Trump’s rally, in Johnstown, was notable for the absence of any remarks on reproductive rights, despite Thursday’s big IVF announcement.
The campaign of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris was happy to weigh in on the issue, smelling blood in the water.
“The majority of Americans support abortion access, they support IVF, they support contraception,” Mini Timmaraju, of the Reproductive Freedom for All lobby group, told reporters in a campaign call.
“(Trump) has finally figured it out, and he’ll do anything to distract from his abysmal, horrifying record on this issue.”
– ‘He is pro-life’ –
Trump has been all over the map on abortion in the last 15 years, initially describing himself as “pro-choice” before calling for “some form of punishment” for women seeking the procedure.
He boasts about appointing Supreme Court justices who ended federal protections for abortion access in 2022 but has more recently begun to worry that Republicans are out of step with the majority of voters on reproductive rights.
His IVF pledge appeared calculated to appeal to moderates but will upset conservatives who for years opposed Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act because they were against the redistributive economics of taxpayer-funded health insurance.
Almost every Senate Republican voted against assuring IVF access in a vote in June — including Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance — and more than half of the House Republican lawmakers have sponsored legislation that threatens its legality.
Republicans are divided on fertility treatments such as IVF, with many hailing them as a boost to American families.
Others, with strong beliefs that life begins at conception, oppose IVF because the procedure can produce multiple embryos, not all of which get used.
Abortion rights activists worry that the Supreme Court decision threatens IVF and were given cause by a February ruling in Alabama that frozen embryos could be considered people, causing several clinics to briefly pause treatments.
Yet if the abortion and IVF rows threatened to alienate Trump’s most loyal supporters, rally-goers in Johnstown weren’t showing it.
“It’s not enough to make me not vote for him, no way, because he is pro-life,” said Lisa Davis, a 54-year-old retired office manager from the nearby town of Somerset.
“I know he wants to give some exceptions — and I think there should be.”
“Why should I pay with my tax dollars for a baby getting killed?” added retired nurse Rosemary Drzal, 69.
A fireside chat-style appearance at the conservative pressure group Moms for Liberty later Friday did not touch on the issue.
News
SAD! Abductors k!ll soldier over delayed ransom payment

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.
Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.
He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.
His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.
A military internal memo earlier obtained by SaharaReporters had read, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.
“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”
However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.
“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”
SaharaReporters recently reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.
According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.
“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said. (SaharaReporters: Text, Excluding Headline)
News
Canada gives new guidelines For Asylum Seekers Insists Evidence Of insecurity must be proven

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Canada’s immigration authorities have clarified that seeking asylum does not provide an automatic exemption from immigration laws.
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasised that individuals seeking asylum must demonstrate that returning to their home country would subject them to serious harm in order to avoid deportation.
The asylum system is designed to offer protection to those fleeing threats such as torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.
IRCC has reiterated that the asylum process is not a shortcut to entering the country.
Applicants must provide verifiable evidence of persecution and undergo multiple checks, including medical examinations, biometric data collection, and security screenings.
The statement reads, “It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted. If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to:
Have health, criminal, security and other background checks
Get a medical exam
Provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
Provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
Declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
“Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.
“You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.”
News
OSUN LG POLLS: Gov Adeleke Orders Restriction Of Vehicular Movement

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.
The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.
Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.
He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organizations for the continued peace and security of Osun state.
-
News22 hours ago
Insecurity! Ex-presidential Candidate Reportedy Shot, Abducted in Abuja
-
News22 hours ago
Pastor Adeboye reveals how lady who claimed God asked her to marry me threatened to k!ll my wife
-
News18 hours ago
What marabout told us about IBB in 1952- Gen Abdulsalami reveals
-
News18 hours ago
FG to hold promotion exam for senior paramilitary officers
-
News22 hours ago
“I will advise Trump not to be weak with Putin – Macron
-
News18 hours ago
See photos of bowing competition at IBB’s book launch as Obj, Tinubu, Jonathan, Gowon grace event
-
News22 hours ago
President Tinubu endorses bills establishing varsities in Osun, Ekiti
-
News19 hours ago
“Be good ambassadors, imbibe leadership qualities – Senator Ipinsagba tells FUTA students