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US troops arrive in Nigeria to help train its military

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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — About 100 U.S. troops plus equipment have arrived in Nigeria to help train soldiers in the West African country as the government fights against Islamic militants and other armed groups, the Nigerian military announced Monday.

The arrival followed a request by the Nigerian government to the U.S government for help with training, technical support and intelligence-sharing, the military said in a statement.

The deployment follows an easing of tensions that flared between the U.S. and Nigeria when U.S. President Donald Trump said the country wasn’t protecting Christians from an alleged genocide. The Nigerian government has rejected the accusation, and analysts say it simplifies a very complicated situation in which people are often targeted regardless of their faith.

Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, spokesman for Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, previously has said that the U.S. troops won’t engage in combat or have a direct operational role, and that Nigerian forces will have complete command authority.

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In December, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on Islamic State group-affiliated militants in northwestern Nigeria. Last month, following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of U.S. Africa Command confirmed a small team of U.S. military officers were in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.

Nigeria is facing a protracted fight with dozens of local armed groups increasingly battling for turf, including Islamic sects like the homegrown Boko Haram and its breakaway faction Islamic State West Africa Province. There is also the IS-linked Lakurawa, as well as other “bandit” groups that specialize in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.

Recently, the crisis has worsened to include other militants from the neighboring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year. Several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed, according to data from the United Nations. Analysts say not enough is being done by the government to protect its citizens.

While Christians have been among those targeted, analysts and residents say the majority of victims of the armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-dominated north, where most attacks occur.

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Industry fans devastated over apparent character exit: ‘This can’t be the end’

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Industry fans devastated over apparent character exit: ‘This can’t be the end’

The latest episode of Industry has left fans devastated with what seemed to be a sudden farewell to one of its main characters.

After the fourth season of HBO’s twisty finance drama brought a long-awaited alliance between Eric Tao and Harper Stern — played by Ken Leung and Myha’la, respectively — viewers were stunned when the sixth episode, “Dear Henry,” ended with Eric abruptly exiting their joint fund due to being blackmailed.

Without Eric ever giving Harper the real reason for his exit, the episode ended with the credits rolling over footage of Eric walking down a long road, away from the camera — marking the first time that Mickey Down and Konrad Kay’s show featured a character in its end-credits scene.

Leung confirmed to TV Insider that the scene was his final time appearing in season four, and to his knowledge, the rest of the show, which has not yet been renewed for season five.

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However, some viewers could not accept the shocking ending, with one writing on X: “This can’t be the end of Eric Tao in Industry.”

The latest episode of HBO's 'Industry' brought the end of this season's story for character Eric Tao, played by Ken Leung — a twist that left fans devastated

The latest episode of HBO’s ‘Industry’ brought the end of this season’s story for character Eric Tao, played by Ken Leung — a twist that left fans devastated (HBO)
Eric Tao, played by Ken Leung, walked away from the camera during the end-credits scene of the latest episode of 'Industry'

Eric Tao, played by Ken Leung, walked away from the camera during the end-credits scene of the latest episode of ‘Industry’ (HBO)

“Pleaseee don’t tell me this is Ken Leung’s final episode,” another commented on Instagram. A third fan chimed in on X: “I’m gonna be honest if Eric really is gone gone on Industry, I’m gonna be extremely disappointed bc the Eric/Harper dynamic is one of the best parts of the show and I don’t really know how they’re gonna replace that.”

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One person claimed on Instagram: “Eric is the reason most people watched. Now that he’s been written out of the show, there’s no point in watching the final two episodes. We all know how it’s going to end.”

Leung’s castmates also shared their shock at his character’s exit from the season.

Myha’la, who has anchored the show since its premiere in November 2020, recalled in multiple interviews how the twist stunned her when she first read the script for the episode.

“I literally was like, that’s crazy,” Myha’la told the Hollywood Reporter. “And it’s so sad. We worked so hard to build this thing and now you’re just going to leave me.”

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For his part, Leung said that filming his goodbye with Harper, who is emotionally wrecked by Eric’s abandonment, was cathartic in more ways than one due to filming it with his longtime scene partner Myha’la.

“As far as I know, it’s our last scene. So there was that in it,” Leung told Insider. “And even though we’re friends and remain friends, and hopefully we’ll be friends forever, to have what we created the past six years come to an endpoint, it’s very poignant. It’s not just sad. There’s celebration in it. It’s everything. It’s beautiful.”

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The season’s final two episodes are set to air February 22 and March 1.

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Emma Raducanu beaten by ‘lucky loser’ after needing medical help in Dubai

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Emma Raducanu beaten by ‘lucky loser’ after needing medical help in Dubai

Raducanu finally registers her first point of the match, courtesy of an error from Ruzic, who finds the net with a backhand. That then gives Raducanu to win the next point with a strong backhand across the court to go 30-0 up.

Raducanu sends down her first ace of the match, with Ruzic unable to get across to her right to return. Raducanu thought she was going to win the game to love but a forehand shot that should have been the winner goes out. Ruzic keeps the game alive with a lovely forehand winner and now Raducanu is under a bit of pressure; she looked like she was easing to the game to love but now needs to win the next point to save the game going to deuce.

Raducanu goes long and we do go to deuce. Ruzic then wins the next point at the end of a lengthy rally and suddenly the Croatian has gone from 40-0 down to now having a break point. Raducanu needed that though, at risk of being broken, as she brings the game back to deuce with a fantastic forehand winner hit with some venom.

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A fantastic ace down the centre gives advantage to Raducanu, but she is unable to take it. Now is not the time for a double fault for Raducanu as Ruzic now has a second break point. This time the Croatian takes the break point opportunity and moves 2-0 up in this match. Not a great start for Raducanu.

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Lunar New Year prayers and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse

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Lunar New Year prayers and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse

People are marking the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with prayers, fireworks and festivities.

The activities ushered in the Year of the Horse, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, succeeding the Year of the Snake.

The Lunar New Year is the most important annual holiday in China and some other East Asian nations and is celebrated outside the region, too.

Temple crowds at midnight in Hong Kong

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Incense smoke wafted into the air at a temple in Hong Kong where people line up every year to make wishes for the new year at midnight.

Holding up a cluster of incense sticks, many bowed their heads several times before planting the sticks in containers placed in front of a temple hall.

Fireworks light up skies in Vietnam

Entertainers in Vietnam sang at an outdoor countdown event before multiple fireworks shows at several cities in the Southeast Asian nation, where the festival is called Tet.

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Light shows lit up bridges and skyscrapers as the fireworks went off and crowds clapped in rhythm to live pop music performances.

Chinese street fairs in Moscow

People sampled Chinese cuisine from stalls and strolled along snowy streets decorated with red lanterns and dragons as two weeks of events got underway Monday at various venues in the Russian capital.

The third annual Lunar New Year celebration comes at at time of warming relations between China and Russia — ties that have frustrated many European governments because of the war in Ukraine.

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A temple bell rings 108 times in Taiwan

The solemn peal of a temple bell rang out 108 times — an auspicious number — as people flocked to the Baoan Temple in Taipei on Tuesday morning.

They lit incense sticks, bowed their heads and left offerings of colorful flower bouquets on outdoor tables on the temple grounds in Taiwan’s capital city.

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Age when adults ‘start to notice aches and pains in their body’ confirmed

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Daily Mirror

A survey of 2,000 adults found that two in five people over 45 can’t touch their toes while standing up, as adults typically notice body aches in their mid- to late-40s

A recent study has revealed that seven in ten adults over the age of 40 enjoy being active, but nearly a third (31 per cent) feel held back by aches and pains.

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The survey, which involved 2,000 adults in their fifth decade, found that two in five people over 45 can’t touch their toes while standing up. Only three in ten have tried yoga, with knees and lower back being the first areas to cause discomfort.

Adults typically start noticing these pains in their mid- to late-40s, with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) saying their issues are chronic.

However, 65 per cent wish they could be more active, with 59 per cent prioritising their physical and mental health as they age. The research was commissioned by Voltarol to coincide with the launch of its Movement Coach website, which offers free advice on holistic pain management.

A spokesperson commented: “It’s interesting to see how little people are truly aware of the importance strong balance can have, particularly later in life. It’s not something you tend to think about but when you stop and give it some thought, it’s actually crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle as you get older.”

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They also highlighted the desire for increased activity, despite aches and pains proving a hindrance. The research discovered that nearly half of the population (46 per cent) were unaware of the link between good balance and overall health, with 28 per cent claiming their discomfort is bothersome but not limiting them.

Meanwhile, an enthusiastic 57 per cent believe that embracing ageing with youthful energy is crucial, as demonstrated by the 47 per cent who adopt a “grin and bear it” approach towards bodily aches.

What’s more, a revealing indicator of advancing years for an overwhelming three-quarters of those polled is making sounds when getting up from a bed or chair, according to the research by OnePoll.

Following these findings, Voltarol created an amusing video putting people’s balance to the test. A spokesperson from the company emphasised the uniqueness of balance, stating: “Everyone’s different, and balance varies from person to person, but it’s important to continue to work on this, even if there’s niggly aches and pains.”

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They added: “By focusing on balance, you may be able to help alleviate pain and discomfort, which could open doors to a more active lifestyle.”

Voltarol’s objective was evident as they aimed to provide a personalised pain management plan featuring exercises and expert guidance, offering hope for an active future despite age-related obstacles.

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Special one-off Coronation Street episode to air amid death

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Special one-off Coronation Street episode to air amid death

Coronation Street is set to air the special episode tonight (February 16), with a glimpse into future events that will send shockwaves through Weatherfield.

The episode will open with a tense police interview featuring Betsy Swain, played by Sydney Martin, who is questioned about discovering a dead body.

She tells detectives the body was found on the day her mother, Lisa Swain, married Carla Connor.

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5 potential victims for Corrie’s shocking flashforward episode revealed

Taking viewers into the future to April, the episode will then rewind to the present day, revealing a list of characters who could be at risk.

The five potential victims are: Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon), Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn), Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown) and Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard).

Each character has been drawn into dark and dangerous plotlines, setting the stage for what could be a fatal outcome.

Megan Walsh finds herself increasingly anxious that her secret relationship with teenage student Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson Wale) will be exposed.

Complicating matters, Will was arrested on Christmas Day for attacking her boyfriend, Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).

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Megan’s growing paranoia that the truth could come out may be putting her in danger.

Maggie Driscoll is also at risk due to her decision to give Will a false alibi for the Christmas Day assault.

As the pressure builds, her involvement could put her directly in harm’s way.

Carl Webster is facing the consequences of letting his mother, Debbie (Sue Devaney), take the blame for the accident that killed Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).

With guilt and family tensions bubbling beneath the surface, Carl’s storyline could be heading toward a tragic end.

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Theo Silverton’s storyline has taken an even darker turn as his controlling relationship with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) escalates when Todd is seen gripping a knife menacingly.


Corrie’s top 5 villains


The scene suggests Todd may be planning something desperate to break free from Theo’s toxic hold.

Jodie Ramsey also appears to be in danger as her secrets begin to unravel.


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When will viewers find out who dies in Coronation Street?

With each of the five characters facing mounting threats, the flashforward episode leaves viewers guessing who will meet a violent end.

The special episode ends with all five suspects on the cobbles during the wedding fireworks before Betsy is heard screaming.

Viewers will have to wait until Thursday, April 23 to find out which of the five is going to meet a brutal end.

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Robert Duvall hailed as ‘great actor’ by Francis Ford Coppola

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Robert Duvall hailed as ‘great actor’ by Francis Ford Coppola

The White Lotus actor Walton Goggins, who starred alongside Duvall in 1997’s The Apostle, thanked him for “changing” his life and for his years of friendship, in an emotional tribute on Instagram, while Michael Keaton – who acted alongside Duvall in 1994’s The Paper – said he “was greatness personified as an actor”.

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Winter Olympics 2026: GB men’s curlers’ semi-final hopes on line after shock defeat

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Eras: Phil Collins

British two-man bobsleigh team Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence suffered a disappointing start to their Olympic campaign – now sitting eighth at the halfway point of the competition.

Their combined time of 1:51:54 after two heats leaves them 1.64 seconds off the pace of German team Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer in top spot with two more German teams occupying the other podium places before Tuesday’s medal-deciding runs.

Hall and Lawrence, who is a serving Royal Marine, were unable to improve on their run-one position after a heavy bump near the top of the track on their second heat led to more errors and a struggle to make up time.

“It was definitely a very difficult day. The track is extremely difficult to be consistent down, especially in a bobsleigh,” said Hall, who is GB’s most decorated bobsleigh World Cup pilot.

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“We didn’t quite do well enough on our second run, we lost quite a bit of time to some and gained on others. We need to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do better tomorrow.”

Pilot Hall will also lead the charge for a medal in the four-man event later this week. While Germany’s Francesco Friedrich, who is currently third, is aiming to do the treble double – win two and four-man gold for the third Games in a row.

Meanwhile, Adele Nicoll said she was “speechless” after a disappointing final run meant she finished 18th in the women’s monobob.

The Welsh slider, who is also a three-time British shot put champion, produced three solid runs before clocking 1:01:03, which she described as “the worst run of my life”, in the fourth heat.

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“I know everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong and it is just one of those nightmare performances that I’ll hopefully move on from. I need to pull it together for the two-woman,” she said.

American Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, took gold to become the oldest Olympic champion at a Winter Games while Germany’s Laura Nolte was second and another American, Kaillie Armbruster Humphries was third.

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Donald Trump skewered in blistering takedown amid row over Potomac sewage leak

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Daily Mirror

A pipe rupture sent sewage flowing into the Potomac River northwest of Washington last month, and the fallout has been severe — with Donald Trump’s team “shirking its responsibility”

Donald Trump’s team has been accused of “shirking its responsibility” following a sewage leak in the US.

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The US President was taunted by foes in the wake of what has been described as one of the largest sewage spills in US history, and saw raw waste spew into the Potomac River northwest of Washington, Maryland. Ammar Moussa, a spokesman for Maryland Governor Wes Moore, said the Trump administration is “shirking its responsibility” on the repair and cleanup.

He added: “The President has his facts wrong — again. Apparently the Trump administration hadn’t gotten the memo that they’re actually supposed to be in charge here. For the last four weeks, the Trump Administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting people’s health at risk”

Mr Trump had taken aim at Gov Moore over what he said is a lagging response to the pipe rupture, but a District of Columbia-based water authority and the federal government have jurisdiction over the busted pipe. Mr Moussa was quick to point out the Pesident was wrong with his assertion as he took the leader to task.

Author avatarGraham Hiscott

READ MORE: Donald Trump braces for war in Iran lasting ‘many weeks’ as US beefs up mass of warships

In fact, the 1960s-era pipe, called the Potomac Interceptor, is part of DC Water, a utility based in Washington that’s federally regulated and under the oversight of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Regardless, Mr Trump, 79, took to social media to say he “cannot allow incompetent local ‘leadership’ to turn the Potomac into a Disaster Zone.” He said he has ordered federal authorities to step in to coordinate the response.

“There is a massive ecological disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of the gross mismanagement of local democrat leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland,” Mr Trump added in his social media post.

But Mr Moussa, representing the governor, swiftly hit back and said EPA officials did not participate in a recent legislative hearing about the cleanup. He then pointed the finger at Mr Trump for what he described as failing to take charge.

Researchers at the University of Maryland say the leak is one of the largest sewage spills in US history. The 72-inch (183-centimeter) diameter sewer pipe collapsed last month, leading to millions of gallons of wastewater shooting out of the ground and into the river.

DC Water CEO and general manager David L Gadis said in a statement on Monday: “We have been coordinating with US EPA since the Potomac Interceptor collapsed.” In a public hearing on Friday, DC Water officials said the rupture could take several weeks to fix – and that it could take months to make permanent repairs to the collapsed line.

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Man charged with terrorism offences over Taylor Swift concert attack plot | World News

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Taylor Swift called off her Vienna dates due to a terror plot. Pic: PA

A man has been charged with terrorism-related offences over a plot to carry out an attack at a Taylor Swift concert in 2024.

The now 21-year-old has been charged by Austrian prosecutors following his arrest shortly before the singer’s first Eras tour date in Vienna was due to take place.

Swift cancelled her three-night run in the city less than 24 hours before it was set to begin in August 2024.

Image:
Police on patrol in Vienna after the concerts were cancelled. Pic: Reuters

The suspect is accused of planning to carry out an Islamist militant attack, and the Vienna prosecutors’ office plans to bring a criminal case against him in Wiener Neustadt, a town near the Austrian capital.

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The man allegedly produced a small amount of the explosive triacetone triperoxide and attempted to purchase weapons illegally, a statement released on Monday said.

Read more:
Teenagers guilty of manslaughter after man lured to beach
Blackouts inside Russia after ‘massive’ Ukrainian attack

The statement referred to the suspect’s arrest in August 2024, in the same month Swift’s three Eras tour dates in Vienna were cancelled at short notice after Austrian authorities said they had foiled an attack.

It added that he was a member of Islamic State and is accused of carrying out online research into a type of shrapnel bomb used by the group, and of spreading Islamic State “propaganda material” online.

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The suspect’s lawyer was ​not immediately available ​for comment, but has previously disputed accusations made against his client.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

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Sydney stabbing: One dead and two critical after ‘multiple people stabbed’

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Manchester Evening News

A man has been arrested following the incident

One person has tragically lost their life, whilst two others are critically injured following a stabbing incident, according to police.

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New South Wales (NSW) police confirmed that the trio were stabbed west of Sydney, Australia on Tuesday, February 17. Emergency services were called to a reported stabbing in Merrylands, approximately 30 kilometres from Sydney city centre, around 10am.

Officers from Cumberland Police Area Command arrived at the scene and were informed that a man had stabbed several people before fleeing the area on foot.

Paramedics from NSW Ambulance attended the scene and treated three individuals for severe injuries.

A representative for New South Wales Police stated: “The deceased is yet to be formally identified.”, reports the Mirror.

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“Police have established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation.

“Following inquiries, a man was arrested on Smythe Street, Merrylands, and has been taken to Granville Police Station.

“As inquiries are ongoing, anyone with information is asked to contact Cumberland Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

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