Runner Blessing Solomon banned three years for failed drugs test

 

Nigerian long-distance runner Blessing Solomon has been banned from athletics for three years after testing positive for a prohibited substance at the Abuja Premium Trust Half Marathon. 

This was confirmed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). 

In a ruling issued from its Monaco headquarters, the AIU stated that the 28-year-old committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations after Trimetazidine was detected in a urine sample collected during the race on December 6, 2025. 

The sample, coded 1701980, was analysed by a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Lausanne, Switzerland, which reported an Adverse Analytical Finding on January 20. 

The AIU confirmed that Solomon did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance, and there were no irregularities in testing or laboratory procedures that could explain the positive result. 

Three more suspects added in e-hailing driver murder case

 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson, Gauteng Division: Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

“Mabutla is facing charges of premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances,” the statement read.

"Senwamadi is charged with premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances as an accessory after the fact.

"Mothwa faces a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances as an accessory after the fact.

Sevilla coach Almeyda suspended for seven matches for confronting referee

 

Sevilla head coach Matías Almeyda has been handed a seven-match suspension following his red card during last weekend’s La Liga draw with Alavés.

The 52-year-old Argentine was sent off after protesting a decision and went on to enter the pitch at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium, where he angrily confronted the referee for more than a minute.

In a statement released on Wednesday,February 18, the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee detailed the breakdown of the ban. Almeyda received a two-match suspension for his protests, one match for failing to leave the field after being dismissed, three matches for displaying an “attitude of contempt” toward match officials, and an additional one-match ban for unsporting conduct.

Vatican declines Participation in President Trump's International 'Board of Peace'

 

The Vatican has announced that it would not take part in US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace despite an invitation issued in January to Pope Leo XIV to join the board.

 

The Holy See "will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which ‌is evidently not that of other states," said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the top Vatican diplomat.

 

The "Board of Peace" was initially meant to supervise Gaza's temporary governance following the latest conflict there, but Trump has since said that the body, with him as chair, would be expanded to deal with global conflicts.

 

While announcing that the Vatican would not participate, Parolin stressed that the United Nations was the body currently entrusted to deal with world crises.

 

"For us, there are ... some critical issues that should be resolved, let's say," he said.

Actor Jonathan Majors cries over Meagan Good's support through trial

 

Rising actor Jonathan Majors became emotional while speaking about the support he received from his wife, Meagan Good, during his assault and harassment trial, crediting her with standing by him through one of the most difficult periods of his life.

During a Tuesday appearance on the podcast “For The Fellas,” the actor broke down in tears as he described Good’s presence throughout the legal proceedings. He praised her unwavering loyalty and said she consistently showed up for him in the ways he needed most, referring to her as his “everything.”

‘RoboCop’ actor Tom Noonan dies at 74

 

Tom Noonan, the actor best known for his roles in “RoboCop 2” and “Last Action Hero,” has di£d at the age of 74. 

Karen Sillas, Noonan’s “What Happened Was” co-star, announced the devastating news on Wednesday, Feb 18. 

She confirmed that the late actor “passed peacefully” on Saturday, Feb. 14. 

No cause of death has been revealed. 

“My dear friend and co-star, Tom Noonan passed peacefully on Valentine’s Day 2026,” Sillas began her touching Instagram announcement. 

At least 11 dead in mass shooting at Mexican football field

 

At least 11 people have d!ed with 12 others injured after gunmen opened fire at a football pitch in central Mexico on Sunday, January 25, authorities said.

 

Members of the Mexican National Guard were stationed where the attack took place on January 25 during a football match in the city of Salamanca, Guanajuato state, western Mexico.

 

Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto said the gunmen arrived at the end of a match at around 5.20pm at a soccer field in the Loma de Flores community in Salamanca.

 

Witnesses said several armed men arrived in two pickup trucks, got out, and fired 'indiscriminately' at players and spectators.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is not going anywhere, says NSC Director General

 

Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has dismissed speculation linking Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle with a move away from Nigeria amid reported interest from Tunisia, Gabon and Angola.

 Chelle has attracted attention following Nigeria’s bronze medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Malian coach currently has less than a year remaining on his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, sparking rumours about his future.

However, Olopade insisted that Chelle remains fully committed to the Super Eagles and will not be leaving his role.

 “Eric Chelle is not going anywhere. The countries claiming interest in him don’t have the kind of superstars that make his job easier,” Olopade said.

Former oil minister Alison-Madueke’s corruption trial begins in UK

 

The corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian minister of petroleum resources and the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is set to begin in London on Monday, January 26.

Alison-Madueke, 65, faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister between 2010 and 2015, during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Prosecutors allege that she accepted “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to two energy companies between 2011 and 2015. The alleged benefits include the use of several London properties, refurbishment work and staff costs at those properties, furniture, chauffeur-driven vehicles, a private jet flight to Nigeria, and £100,000 ($137,000) in cash.

India and Europe finalize ‘mother of all deals’ trade agreement

 

India and the European Union have finalized a long pending landmark trade deal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, as the two sides seek to hedge against fickle ties with the US.

After nearly two decades of on-off negotiations, the deal will pave the way for India to open up its vast and guarded market to free trade with the 27-nation EU, its biggest trading partner.

“Yesterday, a big agreement was signed between the European Union and India,” Modi said.

“People around the world are calling this the mother of all deals. This agreement will bring major opportunities for the 1.4 billion people of India and the millions of people in Europe,” he said.

Ukraine Pres. Zelensky says US security deal is 100% ready to be signed

 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said a US-backed document outlining security guarantees for Ukraine is “100 per cent” ready to be signed, describing it as a major step toward ending the war with Russia.

Zelensky said he was waiting for confirmation of the time and venue for the signing, after which the agreement would be sent to the US Congress and the Ukrainian parliament for ratification.

“For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees of security from the United States,” Zelensky said. “The document is 100 per cent ready, and we are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place when we will sign it.”

The announcement comes despite the absence of an immediate breakthrough from weekend trilateral talks involving Russian and Ukrainian negotiators and American mediators in Abu Dhabi. Shortly after the talks ended, Russia launched a fresh wave of overnight attacks on Ukraine, killing at least one person and leaving millions without electricity and heating during subzero temperatures.

Police launch manhunt as gunmen shoot (HRM} Ogoni king in Rivers Sate

 

The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation after gunmen attacked King of the Bangha Kingdom in Khana Local Government Area Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Suanu Timothy Baridam. 

The monarch was shot in the leg while returning from an engagement in Okwale community on Sunday, January 25, 2026, according to sources. 

The attack occurred between Taabaa Junction and Sogho when armed assailants attempted to stop his vehicle. 

The driver reportedly refused to halt, prompting the gunmen to open fire, injuring both the king and his driver.

The monarch is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt, the state capital. 

The motive for the shooting has not been confirmed, though initial reports suggested the attackers intended to assassinate the traditional ruler.

Former Disney actor Matt Prokop arrested in Texas on child porno charge

 Former Disney actor Matt Prokop has been arrested in Texas on allegations including possession of ch!ld p0rnography, TMZ has confirmed. Authorities in Victoria County said the former child star is being held without bail at the county jail following his arrest on Christmas Eve.

According to police, the charges include alleged possession of ch!ld p0rnography as well as resisting arrest. Local outlet Crossroads Today reported that Prokop was taken into custody for allegedly violating bond conditions linked to an earlier criminal case.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian calls on citizens not to join "rioters and terrorists" in protests

 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has urged his country’s citizens not to join what he called “rioters and terrorists” participating in demonstrations across Iran, calling on parents not to allow their children to participate in the action.

In a televised speech made today, he said there was a difference between people peacefully protesting and the “rioters” who set out to “disrupt the entire society.”

“If the people have concerns, it is our duty to resolve their concerns, but the higher duty is that we must not allow a group of rioters to come and disrupt the entire society,” he said.

Super Eagles qualify for 2025 AFCON semi-finals after defeating Algeria

 

Nigeria Super Eagles have qualified for the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The team defeated Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, January 10.

Two second-half goals from Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen and Sevilla's Akor Adams ensured the Eagles made it through to the semi-finals.

Super Eagles will now face the host nation Morocco in one of the two semi-final matches of the competition with the hope of reaching the finals.

Gunmen abducted family of 4 in Kogi State

 

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted four members of a family during a midnight raid in Zone 12 of Zango community, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

 Zango is a satellite community within the Lokoja metropolis, the Kogi State capital.

 

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, said the attackers struck late Friday night, January 9, 2026, throwing the community into panic.

"We were invaded last night. Regrettably, four individuals, including women and children, were abducted during the invasion,” the source told Guardian.