LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kira Kimura won Japan's first-ever men's snowboard big air Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games on Saturday, producing a stunning final run to seal the title. Kimura scored 179.5 points to top the podium under the lights at Livigno Snow Park, edging out compatriot Ryoma Kimata and defending Olympic champion Su Yiming of China. Scores from two highest-scoring runs in the three rounds are combined to determine the athlete's overall score. Japan and China are the dominant forces in the discipline but Japan had never won a medal of any colour since big air made its Olympic debut in 2018. In the big air event, snowboarders launch themselves into the air from a steeply banked jump and complete as many tricks as they can.

At least 51 kidnapped, 3 killed in Nigeria attacksKANO, Nigeria, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 51 people have been kidnapped and three killed in attacks over the past three days in four different villages in Nigeria's northern Kaduna State, security forces said Saturday. On Saturday, armed men abducted 11 people, including a priest, in the Kajuru Local Government Area, security sources told AFP. A nearby attack on Saturday left three people dead and 38 kidnapped, including a local imam and four members of his congregation. The day before, two people were kidnapped on the road to Maro, also in Kajuru. In response, the Nigerian president declared a state of emergency and launched a recruitment drive for military and police personnel.

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - South Africa will withdraw its 700 troops deployed under the United Nations' peacekeeping mission in the conflict-plagued Democratic Republic of Congo, the presidency said Saturday. President Cyril Ramaphosa informed the UN's secretary-general Antonio Guterres of the South African government's decision to "withdraw its contribution of soldiers", the presidency said in a statement late Saturday. They were withdrawing their soldiers from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), the statement added. The withdrawal of South African forces -- among the top 10 troop contributors to MONUSCO -- would be finalised before the end of the year. The United Nations has said it would soon send a mission to the volatile region to help enforce a ceasefire.

Jason Houghtaling, former offensive coordinator for the Red, will be on the New England Patriots as an assistant offensive line coach for the big game. Following his departure from Wagner, Houghtaling transitioned into an offensive line coach at Colgate University for the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. Houghtaling joined the Titans as assistant offensive line coach before quickly being promoted to the head offensive line coach. When it came to the Patriots’ offensive line, the unit was one of the team's worst areas. The Patriots’ offensive line improved significantly to ninth in run-block win rate and 14th in pass-block win rate.

“We never were defeated,” said senior forward Mckenna Van Gelder. Gutsy shot blocks from senior forward Avi Adam and Van Gelder allowed the Red to clear the puck and survive a dangerous-looking Union power play. “That was all Avi [Adam] and Karel [Prefontaine] on that one,” Van Gelder said. The Red ended the game in command, adding three more goals in the third period, the first of which came on the power play. Cornell’s dominance continued as the Red earned a five-on-three power play, albeit going scoreless on the two-skater advantage.

GENEVA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Countries on Saturday elected Chile's COP climate summit chief negotiator to drive forward stalled talks on striking a landmark global treaty tackling the scourge of plastic pollution. Career diplomat Julio Cordano was elected by countries meeting in Geneva following a drawn-out battle. "Plastic pollution is a planetary problem that affects everyone: every country, every community and every individual," he said after being elected. The plastic pollution problem is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks and in the oceans' deepest trench. The talks process has been taking decisions by consensus -- which has proved impossible to find, with tiny island states drowning in foreign marine plastic and oil-producing countries pulling in opposite directions.

PARIS, France, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Veteran French politician Jack Lang, a former minister, offered his resignation from a key cultural post on Saturday as pressure grows on him over revelations in the latest release of the Epstein files. "I offer to submit my resignation" at the next board meeting, the 86-year-old wrote in the letter, seen by AFP. Before he offered his resignation, Lang on Saturday told AFP that the accusations against him were "baseless" and he welcomed the probe. - Pressure -Public pressure had grown on Lang throughout the week despite his insistence that he had done nothing wrong and would not step down. Lang has said he was introduced to Epstein by American actor-director Woody Allen.

MILAN, Italy, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen claimed the first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as he blasted to victory in the men's downhill on Saturday, hours after the Games opened. In bright sunshine, reigning world champion Von Allmen mastered the fearsome Stelvio course while Marco Odermatt, his Swiss teammate and the pre-race favourite, could only finish fourth. Von Allmen, 24, denied the host nation by finishing 0.20sec ahead of Italian Giovanni Franzoni and another Italian Dominik Paris, who took bronze. "At the moment I can't tell you in words what it means to me, at the moment it feels like a movie," a grinning Von Allmen said. Demonstrators and police clashed following a march through Milan in protest at the Winter Olympics and its environmental impact.

"The first half was not how Barca want to play, (but) the second half was much better." The 18-year-old made amends in the second half with a superb shot from outside the area which left Roman with no chance. "He kept his energy for the second half and the goal. - Bernal's breakthrough -Midfielder Marc Casado struck the crossbar with a deflected effort as Barca could have opened up a wider lead. "His technique is unbelievable, his body language is top," said Flick, adding that the Spaniard may be able to start playing regularly for Barca next season.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump's lead Iran negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, the US military said, with Washington and Tehran due to hold further talks soon. The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said the two top officials visited the nuclear-powered vessel in a post on social media. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday he hoped talks with the United States would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran's red lines and warning against any American attack. The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Middle East in January, as Trump ramped up threats against Iran over its crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. Friday's negotiations were the first since nuclear talks between Iran and the United States collapsed last year following Israel's unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, which triggered a 12-day war.

General Daily Insight for February 08, 2026 Surprises could rock the boat, but they shouldn’t capsize it. Your 11th House of Friendship hosts Venus, who squares rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources, pushing group plans against changing costs. Your 10th House of Jobs and your very own sign are the recipients of the chaotic energy from today’s Venus-Uranus square. Under this clash of Venus and Uranus, a blind spot could impact your literal plans or more metaphysical beliefs. Virgo August 23 – September 22 Change doesn’t have to be shocking right now (even though today’s aspects involve Uranus).

In previous elections, BNP and Jamaat were allies, and BNP often left the seat for Jamaat. BNP's prospects hinge on maintaining internal party unity, while Jamaat's chances could improve if BNP experiences division, according to voters and election observers. BNP candidate SM Monirul Hasan Bappi is facing Jamaat-e-Islami's Abul Kalam Azad. Local political leaders said BNP last won the seat in 1979, while Jamaat secured victories in 1991 and 2001. Jamaat candidate Abul Kalam Azad alleged that previous representatives' corruption and inactivity led to misuse of government funds.

EC Abdur Rahmanel Masud spoke at an exchanging views with local journalists at Rangpur Circuit House on Saturday. Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner (EC) Abdur Rahmanel Masudtoday said that there will be no election engineering this time and there isa sufficiently supportive environment for the upcoming national polls. The Election Commissioner said that there is no pressure on the ElectionCommission regarding the current situation in the country. EC Abdur Rahmanel said that there have been major changes in the country'spolitical environment and voting culture. Rangpur District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad EnamulAhsan presided over the meeting.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: CollectedBUDAPEST, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban saidSaturday that he will be going to Washington "in two weeks" to attend thefirst meeting of US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", which has a UNmandate to focus on Gaza. Orban, speaking at a political campaign event, said that, late Friday, "I gotan invitation: two weeks from now we will meet again (with the US president)in Washington, because the Board of Peace, the peace body will have aninaugural meeting".

DHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has issued directive to ensure the polling centres smoke-free areas during voting for February 12 national election and referendum. The EC has recently sent a letter to all returning officers in this regard.