Lagos Okada ban takes effect

The bulk of the victims did not die under the exploding shells. Most were hauled from canals into which they jumped or were driven - some still in their cars - by the huge crowds fleeing the shrapnel descending from the sky. Full video: January 27

On 27 January 2002, Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, witnessed one of the biggest disasters that have ever hit the state and country. 20 years after, the memory is still fresh. A continued blast at the military cantonment in Ikeja left many dead. The bulk of the victims did not die under the exploding shells. Most were hauled from canals into which they jumped or were driven - some still in their cars - by the huge crowds fleeing the shrapnel descending from the sky.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Saturday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Saturday.

There's unrest in India after students wearing headscarves are banned from classrooms in the state of Karnataka. For one newspaper, it's a worrying preview of PM Narendra Modi's increasingly nationalist and anti-Muslim agenda, 20 years after he was accused of turning a blind eye to Muslim killings as head of the state of Gujarat. In other news, the famed Australian soap "Neighbours" faces the axe. Finally, we bring you a bit of relationship advice!

In southern India, a debate is raging over whether the government can ban students from wearing hijabs and burqas in the classroom. Last month the Karnataka state government issued such a ban, spurring legal action and angry protests across the state.

The Indian state of Karnataka has seen major tensions after the regional government approved of a decision by schools to ban the hijab. Amid those tensions, some old videos have been doing the rounds. Also, on Saint Valentine's Day, heart-shaped icons and landscapes are being shared... but not all of them are real.

Blessing Okagbare was recently handed a 10-year ban from track and field activities for doping by the Athletics Integrity Unit. She still has a few weeks within which to appeal the ban, but with the three charges levelled against her, Okagbare’s representatives face a herculean task when they do decide to appeal the decade-lo#nigeria

The high court in Karnataka has upheld a ban on hijab-wearing in schools and colleges. The ruling could have major repercussions for the rest of the country, with India having a large Muslim minority.

The French automaker said it was suspending its industrial activities in Moscow because of the war in Ukraine. The move came after criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Bandit attacks using motorbikes have increased in northwestern Nigeria leading to the loss of lives and properties. The region has a long history of bandits raiding villages, conducting kidnappings and stealing cattle.

US President Joe Biden's speech in Warsaw had strong words for Vladimir Putin, but even stronger words in support of a free world. DW's Bartosz Dudek writes that Biden may just have made history.

Two weeks from now, France will know who is into the second round of the presidential election. The candidates will then enter a crucial final two-week period when the gloves are expected to come off in the battle to win votes. This weekend saw a last-ditch attempt by far-right pundit Eric Zemmour to win back support after losing momentum. Meanwhile, the far left’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon is rising in the polls but incumbent Emmanuel Macron, the favourite to win, remains well ahead. Andrew Smith of Chichester University spoke to us about where the campaign stands.