On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Catholic priests and faithful from the Dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo staged a massive "solidarity walk" in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, to protest ongoing mass killings in southern communities. Key Details of the Protest Targeted Areas: The clergy highlighted sustained attacks in the Takum, Donga, and Ussa Local Government Areas (LGAs), particularly in the Chanchanji Ward. Protesters condemned the recent deaths of over 80 people within 90 days. Reports indicate that thousands have been displaced, and rural parishes have been abandoned due to the violence.  Carrying placards, the priests called for: The immediate deployment of professional, neutral security personnel to the affected regions. The arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. Urgent humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Church leaders warned that if the Nigerian government fails to guarantee the safety of its citizens, they may be forced to seek interventio...

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso In February 2026, five Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 7457, the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.  The bill seeks to address alleged systemic religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria, specifically targeting the following individuals and groups for sanctions: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso: Former Governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN): A major advocacy group for Fulani pastoralists. Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore: Another prominent Fulani socio-cultural organization. Fulani-ethnic nomad militias: The bill mandates an assessment to determine if these militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Key Provisions of the Bill Sanctions: Recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for those responsible for religious freedom violatio...

In February 2026, the United States is deploying approximately 200 troops to Nigeria to provide training and technical support to the Nigerian military. Both U.S. and Nigerian officials emphasize that this is a non-combat mission. Primary objectives Purpose: To train Nigerian forces in countering Islamist militants, specifically groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Roles: Troops will focus on technical training, intelligence sharing, and helping coordinate complex air and infantry operations. Command: Nigerian forces will retain full command authority over all security decisions and lead all missions on their territory. Timeline: The personnel are expected to arrive and be stationed at various locations across Nigeria in the coming weeks. This move follows a period of heightened U.S. concern over extremist violence in West Africa. In late 2025, President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" due to attacks on re...

  A mass shooting occurred yesterday, February 10, 2026, in the remote town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The attack left 10 people dead, including the suspect, and at least 25 others injured. Incident Details Locations: The shooting began at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. local time. A second, related crime scene was identified at a nearby residence. Casualties: 6 people were found dead inside the high school. 1 person died while being transported to the hospital. 2 people were found dead at the residential property. 25 others sustained injuries; at least two were airlifted to hospitals with life-threatening wounds. The Suspect: An individual believed to be the shooter was found dead inside the school from an apparent self-inflicted injury. While police have identified the suspect, they have not yet released a name or confirmed a gender, though an initial emergency alert described the individual as a "female in a dress with brown hair". Conte...

Nigerian superstar Tems (Temilade Openiyi) has officially become the first African female artist to secure seven entries on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This historic milestone was reached on February 10, 2026, when her song "What You Need" debuted at number 93 on the chart. With this seventh entry, Tems is now tied with fellow Nigerian artist Burna Boy and the South African band Seether for the most Billboard Hot 100 appearances by any African act. Tems' Billboard Hot 100 Entries Her record-breaking run includes the following tracks: "Wait For U" (with Future & Drake) – Debuted at No. 1, making her the first African artist to do so. "Essence" (with Wizkid & Justin Bieber) – Peaked at No. 9. "Fountains" (with Drake). "Free Mind" – A solo entry that broke records for longevity on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. "Move" (with Beyoncé & Grace Jones). "Raindance" (with Dave). "What You Need...

Malaysia is preparing to launch a new digital platform that will allow employers to directly recruit foreign workers, bypassing private recruitment agents. Announced by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan in early February 2026, the initiative aims to curb worker exploitation, reduce excessive recruitment fees, and eliminate the "middleman problem". Key Features of the Platform Direct Matching: Employers can connect directly with prospective workers via a centralized digital system, ensuring job descriptions and terms are clear before contracts are signed. Virtual Interviews & AI Translation: To overcome language barriers, the platform will feature virtual interview tools with AI-powered real-time translation (e.g., translating Bahasa Malaysia into a worker's mother tongue). Integrated Identification: The system is expected to utilize MyDigital ID for worker identification, salary crediting, and administrative tracking. Government-to-Government (G...

In a thrilling comeback fueled by a passionate home crowd in Busan, South Korea defeated Argentina 3-2 in the first round of the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers on February 8, 2026. The victory was particularly dramatic as the South Korean team trailed 1-2 heading into the final singles matches. The "ride home support" was the decisive factor, with the vocal Busan fans pushing the Korean players to overcome higher-ranked opponents. Key Highlights Home Crowd Advantage: Soon-Woo Kwon, who is currently completing his mandatory military service, credited the Busan fans for his pivotal fourth-rubber win, stating their loud cheering helped him remain focused while down a break in the final set. Hyeon Chung's Return: The former world No. 19, continuing his comeback from physical setbacks, secured the decisive fifth point in straight sets against Marco Trungelliti. Inexperienced Argentina Squad: Argentina competed without their top seven players, who declined to travel citing schedulin...