PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 "Anyone with useful information about this man with tiktok handle @ONE_BOR 001, Will be rewarded handsomely.He is the one that made a video saying that our father Chief Pete Edochie is dead."- Leo Edochie, Chief Pete Edochie's first son. Recall that a few days ago, a very disturbing rumour broke out about chief Pete Edochie. Today, the first Son Leo Edochie has identified the young man who first made a video that alleged that Pete Edochie is dead. Leo has promised to reward anyone with useful information about the said man.

 EFCC Arrests Three for Suspected Naira Mutilation in Maiduguri    The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  have arrested three individuals over alleged Naira mutilation.   The suspects are: Adam Muhammad, Muhammad Muhammad and Bashir Musa.   Adam, Muhammad and Musa were arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where they were seen cleaning mucus from their nose using N500 Naira note.   Following the release of the video, the Commission traced the trio and arrested them in the Maiduguri metropolis area.   The suspects are currently under investigation at the Maiduguri detention facility while investigation is ongoing.   The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

 Britney Spears sells ownership of her music catalog Britney Spears has sold the rights to her music catalog to the publishing company Primary Wave, according to a source familiar with the agreement. The deal is reportedly worth around $200 million. Representatives for Spears and Primary Wave did not immediately comment on the sale. Spears, 44, first rose to fame with her 1999 debut album and has produced a string of iconic hits, including “...Baby One More Time,” “Oops!… I Did It Again!,” “Gimme More,” “Circus,” and “Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.” She was freed from a 13-year conservatorship in 2021. In her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, Spears detailed how her life had been controlled by others. Since then, she has married and divorced Sam Asghari and continues to attract attention online with Instagram posts, often featuring dance clips or cryptic imagery. Last week, she posted a message expressing fear of her family and gratitude for surviving her past, though she later removed t...

Hilary Duff announces first tour in almost 20 years Pop star Hilary Duff revealed on Thursday that she will embark on her first global tour in nearly 20 years. Dubbed “The Lucky Me Tour,” the trek will cover seven countries and include 28 stops across North America. The tour is scheduled to kick off in the summer of 2026 and continue into early 2027. Duff shared the announcement on Instagram with a playful video of her pulling clothes from a closet before the tour name and dates appeared on screen. The tour comes ahead of the release of Duff’s sixth studio album, luck… or something, set for Feb. 20. Her last headlining tour was the “Still Most Wanted” Tour from 2005 to 2006. Presale tickets for North American dates will begin Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. local time, with early sign-ups available on Ticketmaster before Feb. 16. Duff began her career as a child actor in the late 1990s, gaining fame through Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire franchise, and released her debut album in 2002. More recent...

 James Van Der Beek’s family could lose home due to medical debt, fundraiser claims The family of the late “Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek is facing the possibility of losing their home after exhausting their savings during his cancer battle, according to an online fundraiser. “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds,” the fundraiser stated. “They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.” Last November, Van Der Beek auctioned off memorabilia from “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues” to help cover medical expenses. Items included the necklace his character Dawson gave Joey for prom, valued between $26,400 and $52,800, and his outfit from the 1998 “Dawson’s Creek” pilot, expected to sell for nearly $4,000. The fundraiser quickly reached its $1.5 million goal within 24 hours of Van Der Beek’s...

 President Tinubu Congratulates Bello Matawalle, Minister Of State For Defence, On His Birthday  President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle the Minister of State for Defence, on his birthday. This is contained in the President's congratulatory message commending  Matawalle's immense contributions to the country as a teacher, minister, and member of the Renewed Hope team, and to his home state of Zamfara, which he had served as governor from 2019 to 2023.  A statement by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, says  President Tinubu notes the minister's efforts in the battle against banditry and terrorism, and saying all hands must be on deck to bring the agents of evil to justice. It adds, the President says this special occasion of the minister's birthday has come at an auspicious moment in his life, when he also performed the marriage ceremony for his children.  President Tinubu prayed and  wi...

 Governor Inuwa Yahaya Visits NMDPRA CEO, Expresses Confidence in His Ability to Provide Effective Leadership Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has visited the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja. A statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director General Press Affairs, Government House  Gombe indicates that the visit was to identify with the NMDPRA helmsman following his recent appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and to reaffirm the Governor’s confidence in his capacity to provide effective leadership in one of the most strategic sectors of the nation’s economy. Governor Inuwa Yahaya described Engr. Mohammed as a worthy ambassador of Gombe State, whose remarkable rise in the oil and gas industry reflects years of exceptional technical competence and uncommon professionalism. The governor urged him to deliver on the critica...

 BENUE STUDENT RECLAIMS STOLEN MOTORCYCLE FROM EX-LOVER A female student of the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, has joyfully recovered her motorcycle and other valuables from a man who allegedly tricked her under the guise of a romantic relationship. The suspect, identified as Mr. Aondoaseer Hyacinth Iortyom, reportedly approached the student along Ugbema Junction while she was travelling for the weekend. Claiming he needed a lift to Turan-Kwande, he allegedly gained her trust before making away with her bike and other possessions. The student recounted helping him secure accommodation in Jato-Aka when he became stranded and later dropping him off at Ugbema Junction the next day, unaware of his intentions. Police have since recovered the motorcycle and officially returned it to the student. People reacted, with many expressing support and relief over the proper handover. The student’s story serves as a cautionary tale about trust, safety, and vigilance even when dealing with see...

 The biggest misconception about me is that I’m a womaniser- 2Face Idibia Veteran singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, says the biggest misconception about him is that he is a “womaniser”. 2Baba made this clarification during an interview with Voice of Nigeria, which was shared on Wednesday, where he reflected on love, fame, fatherhood, family, marriage and the pressures of public scrutiny. “The biggest misconception about me is that I’m a womaniser. I like women; I’m just straightforward. But I’m a lover boy. I love hard’’ he said  Reflecting on fatherhood, the legendary singer revealed that one of his greatest personal struggles has been striking a balance between his music career and raising his children. He said that although he feels grateful to have eight children, his regret is the lack of opportunity to spend time with them. However, he described his children as a constant source of pride and joy in his life. “I have eight kids now. I feel blessed and happ...

 El-Rufai’s Media Aide Alleges Security Agents Attempted Arrest, Seized Passport at Airport Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Adviser to former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, stated today that security agents attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival on a flight from Cairo. According to Adekeye, El-Rufai declined to accompany the agents without a formal invitation, after which they took his passport from an aide. The full statement from Adekeye reads:   "Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir elrufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal Invitation. They however snatched his passport from an aide." Watch video below. 

 Olukoyede Decries Drop in Whistleblowing Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has lamented the sharp drop in whistle blowing in Nigeria. According to the EFCC Boss "by December 2025, the policy has been close to a decade in operation in Nigeria; but my interest is not in its longevity but impact. In the first two months of its introduction in Nigeria, over $178 million stolen money was recovered for the Federal Government through the policy". The Chairman who was represented by Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE II Kamilu Ibrahim Gebi, spoke while presenting a paper titled: "Benefits of the Whistleblowing Policy in the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria" at a nationwide sensitization program on Whistleblowing Policy Implementation organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday, 12th February, 2026 in Sokoto. Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for details and more stories.

Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych barred from Olympics for wearing helmet honoring fallen soldiers   Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, a top medal contender at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, was barred from competing Thursday after refusing the International Olympic Committee’s request to remove a helmet honoring more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia. The decision came just 45 minutes before his scheduled race, ending a three-day standoff over the helmet, which the IOC said violated rules against political or personal statements on the field of play. Heraskevych had worn the helmet during training, but the IOC offered alternatives, including wearing a black armband or displaying the helmet after his run. “I believe, deeply, the IBSF and IOC understand that I’m not violating any rules,” Heraskevych said, calling the decision discriminatory since other athletes had expressed personal messages without repercussions. IOC President Kirsty C...

 American Airlines flight attendants protest as CEO meets with frustrated staff American Airlines flight attendants’ union plans to hold a picket outside the airline’s headquarters on Thursday, demanding stronger leadership as the carrier struggles to match rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in profitability and on-time performance. Ahead of the protest, CEO Robert Isom addressed employees in a video from the airline’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters, highlighting expected improvements for the year, including higher profits, better schedules, and upgraded cabins. “We look forward to working with all of you to make it happen,” he said. The picket follows a vote of no confidence in Isom by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, representing 28,000 cabin crew members—the union’s first such action against the CEO. Pilots’ and mechanics’ unions have also expressed concerns about reliability and financial performance, requesting meetings with the airline’s board to di...

 Trump administration to shut down Minnesota immigration enforcement operation, says Homan Border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday that President Donald Trump has approved ending the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, known as “Operation Metro Surge.” Homan said the operation, which deployed thousands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers to the Twin Cities region, has “greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action.” Last week, Homan had already begun drawing down 700 agents, roughly a 25% reduction, leaving about 2,000 officers still in the area. The full withdrawal is expected to continue into next week. The operation had been launched less than three weeks ago after Homan replaced Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino to oversee the enforcement mission. The deployment came amid heightened tensions following the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens shot by federal agents i...

 "All my men have gone to Bola Ahmad Tinubu's Camp, but regardless I still Stand with Peter Obi." -Mazi Tunde Ednut  SOCIAL INFLUENCER/POLITICAL activist One of the top social media influencers/political activist, Mazi Tunde Ednut has expressed his dissatisfaction over the political unfolding in Nigeria, particularly the APC CITY BOYS MOVEMENT which has attracted a lot Igbo billionaires. Reacting to the recent video where billionaires like Zenco, Obi Cubana and others donated buses for the City Boys Movement, he said he feels like all hope is lost in the pursuit for Peter Obi to become the president, which according to him is the best candidate. Regardless of the happenings, Tunde Ednut has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Peter Obi candidacy once ADC give him the party ticket, even if he is the only one standing. He also Encouraged the Obidient movement not to be discouraged in pushing forward the candidate of Peter Obi, that he is very optimistic that Peter will ...

 Judy Austin's family must provide my children before 14th Feb. 2026 otherwise I will Expose them."- Mr. Obasi E. Mr Obasi Emmanuel, the former husband to present Yul-Edochie's acclaimed wife Judy Austin, has called out the moughalu's family for allegedly withholding his children and preventing him from seeing them.  Mr Emmanuel in the video posted on his Facebook page today, threatened to expose the family and cause more trouble for them, if he can't access his children on or before 14th Feb. According to him, after he separated with Judy Austin, he purposely allowed the children to stay with her while he visited them in Judy Austin's family house in Umuoji, but all of a sudden, one particular day, he came to visit as usual and discovered that Judy Austin has disappeared with the children without his notice. He noted that after the incident, he has written to the kindred of Judy Austin on several times to provide his children, but all his requests proves abort...

 Shortage of court halls and magistrates in Anambra is creating serious operational challenges, particularly in Awka.- Barr. Ken Nwanna (Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Awka Branch) Lawyers and some judiciary stakeholders have expressed concern over the conditions of magistrates in the country saying that no magistrate in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States earn above N250,000 as monthly salary. The stakeholders made the observations separately while responding to surveys carried out by Nigerian News Direct, on the “Welfare of Magistrates in the country”. They also decried the working conditions of the magistrates including inadequate infrastructure and manpower in Magistrate’s Courts saying that the situation hampered effective justice delivery in the zone. In Anambra, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Awka Branch, Mr Ken Nwanna, said the shortage of court halls and magistrates was creating serious operational challenges, particularly in Awka. ...

 NDLEA UNVEILS DGITAL DRUG INTEGRITY TEST FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS Nigeria is taking a new step towards protecting young people and promoting integrity across its  tertiary institutions, as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency rolls out a digital Drug Integrity Test aimed at early detection of drug use, strengthening student wellbeing, and aligning the country with global best practices. Fatima Sanusi Karaye reports that  following rising concern over drug abuse in Nigerian schools, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has introduced a new Drug Integrity Test for tertiary institutions. The move aligns with resolutions from the 68th National Council on Education in Akure, aimed at strengthening student protection and early intervention. The evidence-based, non-punitive test is designed to detect early drug use, support counselling and rehabilitation, and promote campus-wide wellbeing, to be implemented via a centralised digital platform ensuring transparen...

 TROOPS OF 144 BATTALION (REAR) NAB SUSPECTED CRIMINALS, RECOVER STOLEN TRUCK IN SWIFT OPERATION In line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu NAM’s Command Philosophy, which seeks to decisively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment. troops of 144 Battalion (Rear), operating under Operation EASTERN SANITY, have successfully arrested three suspected criminals and recovered a stolen Mack truck during a routine night patrol. The operation was conducted in the early hours of 11 February 2026 at the Akpaa area following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminal elements within the locality. Acting swiftly on the intelligence received, troops mobilised to the scene and effected the arrest of three suspects namely: Mr Darlington Ubochi -25 from Ugwunagbo LGA; Mr Chinedu Abara -33 and Mr Julius Chinemem Godwin - 29, both from Obingwa LGA of Abia State. The suspects were apprehended in pos...

 Strange circumstances surround the deaths of two siblings.  What happened inside of a North Carolina home that left two teenage siblings dead? The tragic and untimely deaths of a 17-year-old and 13-year-old have left residents in Henderson, N.C., searching for answers.  Deputies in Vance County were called to a home on Torri Drive at 9:40 p.m. on Monday, February 9th. The caller appeared to be a sibling and informed dispatchers that they had discovered their 13-year-old sister and 17-year-old brother unresponsive. When dispatchers encouraged the caller to perform lifesaving measures, they were informed that the two children were sadly "clearly beyond saving". When the first responders arrived on the scene, they located the two siblings and pronounced both deceased on scene. The children's father and two other siblings were inside of the home, but no one else was harmed or in any type of medical distress.  Investigators are working the scene, and there is no official...

 A high school in Maine has suspended 19 students after they banded together to confront a suspected bully. The 19 students at Oxford Hills High School have all been suspended after administration learned they banded together and confronted a potential bully. The entire situation is in regard to a report that a student was bullying a non-verbal autistic boy at the bus stop. The school principal, Paul Bickford, contends they had investigated the initial bullying allegations and stated, "There was no intended violence, bullying, or actual physical harm involving the bus line interaction."  Bickford continued, "This action (by the 19 students) created an intimidating and threatening environment." However, some parents of children at the school believe the children did the right thing. One parent whose son attends the school said that the confronted student was, in fact, "verbally bullying the autistic child".  She stated "the group was only standing up f...

 Bandits Kidnap Catechist, Pregnant Wife, 30 Others In Kaduna – Catholic priest The Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Rev. Fr. Linus Matthew Bobai, has revealed that bandits attacked their community and abducted the church’s catechist, his pregnant wife, and about 30 other residents. Fr. Bobai disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, where he described the situation in the community as tense and distressing.  He said many residents have fled to nearby villages out of fear. According to him, soldiers from a neighbouring community arrived shortly after the attack and conducted a brief patrol before leaving. “We are helpless at the moment. The entire community is gripped by fear. More than 98 percent of residents have relocated to a nearby village. Those of us who slept here last night were fewer than 40,” he said. The priest added that even more people left later in the evening due to ongoing...

 Two cattle thieves are going to prison for 10 years Thabazimbi Regional Court delivered the sentence on 10 February 2026. A night theft in Northam ended with arrests, a failed escape, and a final conviction. Ariel Matsape, 43, and Joseph Tshinto, 30, were found guilty of stealing nine cattle from Koedoeskop Farm in June 2024. Community members spotted the herd being moved and alerted police. Officers and the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit tracked the suspects and arrested them the same day. Tshinto later tried to evade justice before judgment, but police rearrested him on a warrant. He remained in custody until sentencing. Charges against a third suspect were withdrawn. Both men were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

 Border bust at Beitbridge, over 800 bottles of South African medicine seized Zimbabwean authorities intercepted more than 800 bottles of South African medicine at the Malume Zone near Beitbridge Border Post. The seizure followed an illegal border crossing by a Zimbabwean national returning from South Africa. Officials are investigating the source and intended distribution of the medicine.

 Kogi Govt to Sanction Churches Violating Security Protocols as Troops Overrun Terrorists Kogi State Government has issued a warning to Churches, violating the State Security Protocol, banning late religious activities as well as worship in vulnerable places without security cover and clearance, citing credible security intelligence of planned attacks by bandits. A press statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo says, intelligence report at the disposal of the government reveals a plot by criminal elements to attack a Church in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state. According to the Commissioner, the targeted Church had continued to operate late into the night, making it vulnerable for attack. Fanwo says that although coordinated security measures have since been activated to avert the planned attack, the development has reinforced the need for strict compliance with the state’s preventive security order. He reiterates that no Ch...

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE   PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS BANK OF INDUSTRY OVER N636 BILLION DISBURSEMENT TO BUSINESSES IN 2025, SAYS PERFORMANCE VALIDATES ECONOMIC REFORM AGENDA   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Bank of Industry (BOI) for achieving N636 billion in loan disbursement to businesses in 2025, the highest annual financing volume in the institution’s history.   The President described the milestone as concrete evidence that ongoing macroeconomic reforms are strengthening development finance institutions and unlocking capital for productive sectors of the economy.   The N636 billion was disbursed to more than 7,000 enterprises nationwide. A breakdown of the financing shows that N202 billion was allocated to agro-allied enterprises, N100 billion to critical national infrastructure, including broadband, power, aviation, and transportation, N79 billion to manufacturing, N77 billion to extractive industries, and N55 billion to services.   In addition...

 Nigerian Army University professor dies in Boko Haram captivity almost one year after abduction A professor with the Nigerian Army University Biu, Borno State, Abubakar Mohammed El-Jummah, has d!ed in Boko Haram captivity.  The professor was abducted along Damaturu-Big Road on March 2, 2025  Family members announced his passing in a statement on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, expressing deep sorrow over the loss.   According to the family, the professor d!ed in the early hours of the day at about 2:45 a.m. after a brief illness said to have followed the hardship he endured in the hands of his abductors. He has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. Salat al-Ghaib (funeral prayer in absentia) is scheduled to hold on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at the Ngomari Old Airport Juma’at Mosque behind his residence in Maiduguri by 2:00 p.m. The late academic was described as a distinguished scholar, mentor and a man of integrity whose contributions to education and co...

 The Islamic regime has been executing injured protesters in hospital beds by shooting them in the head, according to an Iranian doctor.   Dr R, a member of the Aida Health Alliance, said that many wounded civilians had been found lying in their treatment beds, still attached to machines, with bullet holes in their heads.   They accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of murd£ring those injured following the Tehran protests and also arresting several medical staff suspected of treating them.   ‘If the patient already had the sh0t in the head [when they arrived at the hospital], nobody would put the tube or catheter in because they’re already de@d…,’ the doctor told The Jerusalem Post.   ‘So it means they went into the hospital and they k!lled them on the treatment bed.’   Dr R also shared chilling images with the newspaper of bodies in black bags with bullet wounds to the head, surrounded by blood, and still connected to medical tubes and cathe...

 Actor Uzor Arukwe reacts after being dragged into viral divorce rumour involving BBN Star BamBam Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has spoken out after being linked to a viral rumour circulating online about actress BamBam’s marriage. In a post shared on X, the actor revealed that a specific account had been identified as the source of what he described as false rumours and baseless accusations about him and a colleague in the industry. He stated that he deliberately refused to quote the account so as not to give it attention, but warned that the individual would face consequences. Uzor wrote that the person would be “made a scapegoat” so others would learn to respect boundaries and stop chasing clout at the expense of people’s reputations.

 FG warns against money bouquet ahead of Valentine's Day. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has classified “money bouquets” as a form of naira abuse, adding it to offences such as spraying, squeezing, selling, and defacing banknotes. Money bouquet is when money is folded to look like a flower petal and then arranged together to create a bouquet. The CBN made this known in a flier shared on its Twitter handle that listed forms of abusing the naira. The apex bank captioned the post, “It is your civic duty to protect the naira. Report naira abuse today.” Under the CBN Act, anyone caught tampering with the naira faces a minimum of six months in prison or a fine of at least ₦50,000. Nigerians have been urged to protect the naira and report violations as enforcement agencies step up actions against offenders nationwide. The CBN also provided toll-free hot-lines through which the apex bank could be reached to report such activities.  This comes just days before the celebration of Val...

 Yahaya Bello: Witness Narrates How N2.1b Loan was Repaid with Funds from Kogi State LGAs   The trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Tenth Prosecution Witness, PW10, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank giving a detailed movement of public funds through multiple bank accounts.   Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the witness, who testified, pursuant to a subpoena, disclosed that there was a loan disbursement credit in the sum of ₦2.1 billion into Keyless Nature Limited account on December 14, 2021, captured in Exhibit AU. Asked if the loan was utilised, he responded: “Yes, it was utilised by the customer.”   He further testified that from December 24 up to July 5, 2022, there were multiple credit entries from various Kogi State local government accounts.   On...

 Russia Moves to Re-Open Multiple Embassies Across Africa in Strategic Diplomatic Push Russia has announced plans to re-open approximately ten embassies across African countries, signalling a renewed diplomatic expansion on the continent at a time of intensifying global geopolitical competition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow intends to restore diplomatic missions that were previously closed, with personnel expected to be redeployed from scaled-down operations in Europe.  The move is widely viewed as part of Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen political, economic and security ties with African nations. Over the past three years, Russia has increased engagement with several African governments through security cooperation agreements, energy partnerships, grain diplomacy and high-level summits.  The decision to expand its diplomatic footprint now underscores the continent’s growing strategic importance in global power alignments. Analysts say the dev...

Attention-seeking Food Influencer Dies After Eating ‘Devil Crab’ for Social Media Clout Philippine authorities have warned the public to be cautious after a food influencer reportedly died from consuming a poisonous crustacean known as a “devil crab.” The victim, 51-year-old Emma Amit, allegedly ate the toxic shellfish while filming content for social media, according to Viral Press.  In the video, Amit and her friends were seen harvesting shellfish from a mangrove forest on February 4 near her home in Puerto Princesa, a coastal town in Palawan. Officials say the incident highlights the dangers of consuming unfamiliar seafood and have urged the public to seek proper guidance before trying wild or exotic species.

 ANAMBRA POLICE ARRESTS A MOTEL OWNER AND TWO OTHERS: RECOVERS FIREARM AND HARD DRUGS IN UKE, IDEMILI NORTH LGA The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 39-year old man, Mr Ifeanyi Ibeabuchi, Abdullahi Shaibu ‘M’ aged 26 years and Obah Chima ‘M’ aged 18 years respectively over unlawful possession of a firearm and involvement in illicit drug activities at Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area. The Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, acting on credible information in the late hours of 9th February 2026, stormed a motel located in Uke where the criminals were arrested.  During the search, one Jojef pump action gun with breach number 21SA-0724, loaded with three live cartridges was recovered at the scene. Also, Mr Ifeanyi confessed to the crime as investigations led to the arrest of the other two suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, Crystal Methamphetamine, Colos, and Mkpuru-mmiri.  The Command reiterates it...

 India pulls out of Russian-backed Mali lithium project over security risks, sources say Security risks are prompting India to pull out of a lithium project in Mali backed by Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, sources said, as New Delhi seeks to safeguard its investments in the politically unstable West African nation. Western nations, from Britain and France to the United States, have urged citizens to leave the landlocked nation as security concerns rise in its battle with al Qaeda-linked militants targeting economic assets and foreign investment. Last year Rosatom approached India's government-backed Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) and NLC India Ltd for lithium exploration in Mali, an emerging producer of the metal critical in making batteries for electric vehicles. "The project is on hold because we cannot be spending on something where there is a chance we will lose our investment," one of the sources said, Reuters reported. Both sources, who were direct...