Storytimes Newspapers

  According to Fairfax County Police, officers responded around 5 a.m. to an apartment on the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive near Mantua following 911 calls reporting a stabbing. Upon arrival, they encountered 54-year-old Chhatra Thapa actively stabbing his son-in-law with a 10-inch curved dagger resembling a meat cleaver. The son-in-law, who had briefly left the apartment and returned to the scene, reportedly witnessed Thapa attacking his wife (the son-in-law's mother-in-law) and daughter before turning on him. Despite repeated commands from officers to drop the weapon, Thapa continued the assault, prompting one officer to fire his service weapon, striking and killing Thapa. Thapa's wife, Binda Thapa (52), and daughter, Mamta Thapa, were transported to area hospitals but succumbed to their injuries. The son-in-law sustained serious but non-life-threatening wounds and is expected to recover. A 1-year-old grandchild was present in the apartment during the incident but was unharme...

  A Nigerian woman identified as Chinonso Onuoha has publicly shared her harrowing experience of alleged domestic violence, infidelity, emotional, and psychological abuse during her marriage. In a series of detailed Facebook posts that have since gone viral, Chinonso recounted enduring years of torment in what she describes as an abusive relationship. One particularly shocking incident she highlighted was being physically assaulted by her then-husband after she confronted him about his alleged side chick's persistent harassing phone calls. “I was beaten for asking my ex-husband to tell his side chick to stop calling to harass me,” she wrote, detailing how the simple request for intervention escalated into violence. Chinonso claimed the abuse included repeated physical beatings, emotional manipulation, and infidelity that severely impacted her mental health. She alleged that despite her efforts to address the issues, including pleading for the harassment to end, her ex-husband respo...

  Two months after United States Tomahawk missiles slammed into ISIS-linked camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, Nigeria’s security crisis has only deepened. Instead of deterring bandits, Boko Haram factions, and killer herdsmen, the strikes appear to have triggered a fresh wave of killings, abductions, and attacks across the North and parts of the South-West. Frustrated citizens are now openly calling on Washington to “bomb terrorists harder” – with some demanding that future operations bypass Nigeria’s own military to prevent intelligence leaks.8ab741fe778c The December 25 operation, coordinated with Nigerian authorities and announced by President Donald Trump as a blow against groups targeting Christians, killed multiple terrorists according to U.S. Africa Command. Yet reports from across the country suggest the militants have responded with increased boldness rather than retreat. Kidnappings for ransom, village raids, and highway ambushes continue unabated, leaving many...

  A High Court judge, Justice Jude Obiora, sentenced Nwangwu to 11 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges related to promoting and involvement in "Oke Ite" (get-rich-quick ritual practices) and associated offenses. Some reports vary slightly on the sentence length (e.g., mentions of 2 years in certain outlets, possibly due to aggregated fines or adjustments), but the core elements align: imprisonment, destruction of the shrine, and additional orders. As part of the judgment, the court explicitly ordered the demolition of his Oba shrine, required Nwangwu to cease all "Oke Ite" practices upon release, make a public renunciation of such rituals, and serve as an ambassador for youth re-orientation against get-rich-quick schemes. A fine (reportedly up to N60 million in some accounts, later waived due to remorse and plea bargain) was also noted in variations. Immediately after the ruling, operatives from the state's Agunechemba security outfit—supervis...

   The Former President Bill Clinton appeared before the Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Friday, delivering hours of closed-door testimony about his connections to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In his opening statement, shared publicly on social media ahead of the session, Clinton emphatically denied any awareness of Epstein's criminal activities. "I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing," he stated. "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong." He described their relationship as a "brief acquaintance" that ended years before Epstein's crimes became public, adding that he stopped associating with Epstein long before his 2008 guilty plea in Florida. Clinton emphasized that, given his own upbringing in a household affected by domestic abuse, he would have reported Epstein immediately if he had any suspicion of wrongdoing. "Not only would I not have flown on his plane if I ...

 In a dramatic display of traditional justice, a woman has been expelled from Umekpu Village in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, after being accused of selling her sister-in-law's young son for ₦800,000. A viral video circulating on social media platforms captures the moment community members, including village elders and residents, publicly declared the woman persona non grata. In the footage, a spokesperson for the community is heard stating: “We are banishing her from our community, Umekpu Village, Ogbaku, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. She sold her sister-in-law’s son—that is, the son of her brother’s wife—for ₦800,000, and for that reason, we have to banish her.” The act was described by villagers as an abomination, prompting swift communal action to ostracize the accused woman. Reports indicate the decision was made collectively by the village leadership after the allegations surfaced. The incident has sparked widespread discussions online...

  A massive genetic and cohort study has uncovered an unexpected downside to tyrosine — an amino acid commonly found in protein foods and sold as a popular brain supplement for enhanced concentration and mood. Published in Aging and drawing from data on over 270,000 people, the research indicates that higher circulating tyrosine levels are associated with reduced life expectancy specifically in men, potentially shortening lifespan by nearly one year. Tyrosine is a building block for key neurotransmitters like dopamine, which is why it's a staple in many nootropic formulas marketed for better focus, motivation, and cognitive performance. While naturally occurring in foods like dairy, meat, nuts, and eggs, supplemental forms are widely available over-the-counter. Led by researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia, the study first observed links between both tyrosine and its precursor phenylalanine with higher mortality. However, advanced analysis — incl...

 The Osun State House of Assembly has witnessed a major political realignment, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun and 24 other lawmakers defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party. This development, announced on Friday, February 27, 2026, brings the total number of defecting lawmakers to 25—all of whom were elected on the PDP platform in the previous general elections. The move leaves the 26-member Assembly with only one opposition member: Mr. Femi Popoola of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection follows Governor Ademola Adeleke's earlier exit from the PDP to the Accord Party in December 2025. Sources indicate that the lawmakers' decision stems from a desire to align closely with the governor, consolidate his political base, and advance the collective interests of Osun State's people while sustaining ongoing development initiatives. In a statement confirming the shift, the Speaker's spokesperson, Olamide Tiamiyu, noted that the...

  Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has congratulated the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji (Tunji) Disu, describing his elevation as a timely and deserving appointment. In a statement, Governor Kefas hailed Acting IGP Disu's track record and expressed strong confidence in his leadership to bring renewed vigor to the Nigeria Police Force's efforts in combating insecurity across the country. "I have full confidence that the new IGP will bring fresh value to the collective effort of making Nigeria safer for all," the governor stated. Governor Kefas further reaffirmed Taraba State's unwavering commitment to partnering closely with the Nigeria Police Force under Disu's leadership. He pledged the state's full support, including resources and collaboration, to strengthen policing operations and restore lasting peace, particularly in vulnerable areas of Taraba. The commendation comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu decora...

 The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, alongside a delegation of prominent Rivers State politicians, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Senator Barinada Mpigi in London on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Senator Mpigi, who represented the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly and chaired the Senate Committee on Works, passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 64 following a prolonged illness. A staunch ally of Wike and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mpigi had previously served two terms in the House of Representatives before his election to the Senate in 2019 and reelection in 2023. Wike, accompanied by his sons Jordan and Joaquin, led the high-powered delegation, which included the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule; Senators Magnus Abe, Allwell Onyesoh, and Olaka Nwogu; PDP State Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka; and other Rivers leaders. The group met with the late senator's w...

  The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six suspected fraudsters posing as pastors for allegedly staging fake miracles to scam residents in Idanre, Ondo State. The arrests occurred following a coordinated intelligence-led operation by the command's Tactical Teams and Community Safety Officers on February 16, 2026. The suspects reportedly posed as religious leaders, performing staged "miracles" and spiritual interventions to build trust with victims before defrauding them. The arrested individuals are all male and identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola. They were apprehended in Idanre, the headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area, where they allegedly carried out their activities. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, preliminary investigations confirm the syndicate's modus operandi involved using these deceptive tactics to exploit unsuspecting members of the public. The suspects are ...

  In a firm ruling underscoring the state's commitment to protecting children from sexual violence, the Sokoto State High Court has sentenced 19-year-old Yasir Muhammad to 21 years imprisonment for raping a four-year-old girl. Justice Amina Modi-Yabo delivered the judgment on Tuesday after finding the convict guilty of the heinous offence. The incident reportedly occurred when Muhammad accosted the minor on her way to school in Sokoto State. The court described the crime as "grievous and profoundly reprehensible," highlighting its severe violation of the child's bodily integrity, dignity, and innocence. Justice Modi-Yabo emphasized that the sentence aligns with Section 260 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019, which prescribes life imprisonment or a minimum term of 21 years for rape convictions. This landmark judgment is seen as sending a strong warning nationwide against sexual crimes targeting minors, reinforcing zero tolerance for such acts in Sokoto State and ...

  In a significant milestone for public health, Kenya today launched the national rollout of Lenacapavir (also known as LEN), a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. The first doses were administered at Riruta Health Centre in Kawangware, a Nairobi slum, marking the beginning of this innovative prevention tool in the country. The event was overseen by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who described it as "a moment of hope for thousands of Kenyan families" and a key step toward the national goal of reducing new HIV infections to zero by 2030. Kenya joins a select group of countries—among the first globally—to introduce Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, following its approval and use in places like the United States (since mid-2025), South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and others. Key Details on Lenacapavir: It is a long-acting injectable administered twice a year (every six months), offering highly effective protection against HIV for people a...

 The UK Home Office released its latest immigration statistics for the year ending December 2025, revealing a modest decline in asylum claims amid ongoing debates over migration policy, small boat crossings, and processing backlogs. Key figures from the data: A total of 100,625 people claimed asylum in the UK in 2025. This represents a 4% decrease compared to 2024 (when figures were around 104,000–105,000, depending on exact counting including dependants). Despite the drop in overall claims, small boat arrivals across the English Channel rose by 13% to approximately 41,000–41,262 people (with some sources citing slight variations like 45,774 in related contexts, but the consensus points to around 41,000 for 2025). About 40% of asylum claimants arrived via small boats. The asylum grant rate fell to 42% (down from 47% in 2024), with notable declines for certain nationalities (e.g., Syrians from 98% to 9%). Processing improvements led to a sharp reduction in the initial decision backl...

  The House of Representatives is closely scrutinizing Nigeria's projected revenue for the 2026 fiscal year, as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) sets an ambitious target of N40.7 trillion from taxes, petroleum royalties, mineral revenues, and other sources. This development came to light during a session before the House Committee on Appropriations, where NRS Executive Chairman Zach Adedeji appeared alongside members of President Bola Tinubu's economic team—including Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu—to review 2025 budget performance and defend 2026 projections. Key Details from the Session Adedeji attributed the bold N40.7 trillion target primarily to ongoing tax reforms, which have expanded the NRS's mandate. These reforms transferred responsibilities for collecting petroleum royalties (previously handled by entities like the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission) and mineral royalties to the NRS. He expressed confidence in achieving...

 In a shocking incident that has further heightened fears over escalating insecurity in Nigeria's North-West region, suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group attacked a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on Wednesday evening, killing at least six worshippers and injuring three others. The gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque while congregants were observing evening prayers, opening fire indiscriminately on the defenceless worshippers. Security authorities have described the assault as a reprisal attack following an earlier failed ambush by the group on a military convoy belonging to troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army. According to the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the attackers targeted the mosque in retaliation after their attempt to ambush the convoy of a General Officer Commanding (GOC) was thwarted in a forested area near Mayama Hill. The military engagement reportedly inflicted heavy ...

  President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the State House, Abuja, in a ceremony that came just 48 days before Disu's scheduled retirement. The appointment follows the resignation of the previous IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. Speaking to State House correspondents shortly after the decoration, Disu expressed profound surprise and gratitude for the President's trust. "My appointment took me off-guard," Disu said. "It came at a time I was not expecting it. That makes me give thanks to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his magnanimity to see me fit to be appointed as the Inspector-General of Police." The new acting IGP described the role as humbling and pledged to build on ongoing reforms while prioritizing discipline, welfare, and effectiveness within the Force. He delivered a strong message to officers and men of the Nigeria Police For...

  In a society where respect for elders is deeply ingrained, Nigerian music icon ID Cabasa is stirring thoughtful debate by questioning one of its core assumptions: that growing older automatically makes someone wiser. The veteran producer, born Olumide Ogunade and founder of Coded Tunes, made the bold statement during a recent episode of The Clarity Zone podcast. At 50 years old, Cabasa directly confronted the notion that age equates to superior judgment or insight. "The general assumption that the older you get, the wiser you are is an assumption that has never been true," he asserted, according to reports from Vanguard and other outlets covering the interview. Cabasa emphasized that true wisdom comes from competence, deliberate study, real-life experiences, reflection, and personal choices—not merely from the passage of time. He pointed out that there are remarkably insightful young people in their 20s, while some individuals in their 50s or beyond remain immature or lacki...

  Nigeria's pension industry has recorded robust growth, with total assets under management rising to N27.45 trillion as of December 2025, according to the latest unaudited portfolio report from the National Pension Commission (PenCom). This represents a significant 22% increase (or approximately N4.94 trillion added) over the year, up from N22.86 trillion in January 2025. The surge is largely attributed to attractive yields on investments in Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) securities, which remain the dominant asset class in pension portfolios. PenCom data shows FGN securities accounted for about N16.33 trillion—or roughly 59.5%—of total assets in December 2025, serving as the stable backbone amid macroeconomic challenges. This allocation provided resilience through predictable returns, even as other asset classes like domestic equities saw strong gains (up 64.36% year-to-date in some reports). The growth reflects a combination of factors: Sustained contribution inflows from t...