Nineteen-year-old bodybuilder Fiorella Martínez has been confirmed among those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela.

Fiorella, a rising star in Women’s Artistic Fitness, died alongside her mother, Carmen, and her younger sister, Miranda, when the earthquake struck on June 24.

According to reports, rescue teams recovered Fiorella’s body from beneath the rubble of her family’s home.

Her boyfriend, Fedor Prieto Olivares, was also confirmed dead hours after the earthquake.

The Venezuelan Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (FVFC) announced her passing in a heartfelt tribute, remembering both her accomplishments and the impact she made in the sport.

The tribute reads:

“In the name of athletes, coaches, judges and the Board, we express our deepest sorrow at the passing of the athlete from La Guaira, Fiorella Martínez, South American runner-up in Women’s Artistic Fitness.

“We pray for her eternal rest, we pray for the thousands of Venezuelans suffering this tragedy.

“Rest in peace, Fiori.”

Fiorella had earned recognition as one of the country’s promising young athletes, particularly after finishing as the South American runner-up in Women’s Artistic Fitness.

The earthquake has left widespread destruction across parts of Venezuela, with at least 235 people confirmed dead, according to reports.

Ekene Agala, the man who was allegedly beaten by a mob and security operatives over claims that he stole ₦2 million, has resurfaced in a recent photo shared by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu.

The development comes days after a video of Ekene went viral, showing him insisting on his innocence during the incident, which reportedly occurred on June 28, 2026.

In a post shared on his Facebook page, Harrison alleged that the woman who accused Ekene of stealing the money has now changed her account of what happened.

According to Harrison, the woman had initially claimed there was CCTV footage showing Ekene taking the money. However, she later stated that there was no CCTV footage and that the allegation was based on what a young child reportedly told her.

Reacting to the development, Harrison wrote:

“What happened to Ekene Agala is a painful reminder of why we must never rush to judgment,”

“A woman initially accused Ekene of stealing N2 million and claimed there was CCTV footage to prove it. Based on that allegation, estate security and others nearly lynched him through jungle justice.

“Today, the story has changed. The same woman now says there is no CCTV footage and claims it was a little child who allegedly saw Ekene taking the money.

“This raises serious questions and reinforces an important lesson. Never follow the crowd without knowing the facts.

“Tomorrow, we will begin the process of ensuring that Ekene Agala gets justice. We thank God he survived the mob attack.

“Let this serve as a reminder to everyone, don’t be quick to judge based on viral videos, rumours, or public sentiment. The truth often lies beyond the first story you hear.

“Emerging facts now point to Ekene’s innocence in the allegation against him. We will find out.”

A Dollar General store manager, Alexis Hill, was fatally shot following an argument involving the purchase of hamburger buns at a store in Columbus, Georgia.

According to authorities, the incident occurred on Tuesday morning at a Dollar General location on Victory Drive.

Reports indicate that a customer, identified as 33-year-old Jerome Willis, was purchasing hamburger buns priced at $1.58 when an altercation occurred at the checkout counter.

Investigators said Willis handed over two crumpled $1 bills as payment. As Alexis attempted to straighten the cash, Willis reportedly stepped away, pulled out a firearm, and shot her.

The Muscogee County Coroner’s Office said the shooting occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Alexis was pronounced dead at around 10:45 a.m.

Following the shooting, Willis fled the area, prompting a police search.

According to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), officers later located Willis in a parking lot and issued verbal commands for him to surrender. Authorities said he refused to comply.

Police then deployed a K-9 unit in an attempt to apprehend him. Investigators stated that Willis opened fire on the police dog and pointed his weapon at officers.

Officers returned fire, striking Willis multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The GBI said both a police officer and the K-9 sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the confrontation.

Family members of Willis later stated that he and Alexis did not know each other prior to the incident.

In a statement, Dollar General expressed condolences over the tragedy.

“We are deeply saddened over the tragic loss of our Columbus store manager Alexis Hill. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with our employee’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

The company added:

“We have been in direct contact with the family to offer support and condolences. Currently, the store remains closed, and grief counselors will be available for area employees.”

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A woman has taken to social media to express concern over the alleged marriage of a 15-year-old girl to an elderly man in Ebonyi State.

In a post shared on Facebook, she claimed that the teenager was given in marriage to a man she described as being old enough to be her grandfather.

The woman condemned the situation, blaming poverty for what she described as a troubling incident.

She wrote:

“A 15yr old girl was handed over to a man old enough to be her grandfather all in the name of marriage,. This happened in Ebonyi state Nigeria, God Punish poverty.”

The Nigerian Police Force has arrested a 21-year-old man, identified as Samson Onilewaji, during a stop-and-search operation along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos State.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspect was arrested while travelling in an unregistered commercial shuttle bus carrying six occupants.

The police said the vehicle was stopped for inspection due to its lack of registration, leading officers to conduct a search of both the vehicle and its occupants.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Mrs. Adebisi, officers allegedly recovered a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and five ATM cards from the suspect.

She said:

“During a search of the vehicle and its occupants, the suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, ‘M’, aged 21 years, was found in possession of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, one POS terminal machine, and five ATM cards.”

According to Mrs. Adebisi, the suspect confessed to recently robbing three individuals of their personal belongings, including the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards.

She added that efforts are ongoing to identify and contact the victims so their belongings can be returned.

The police also stated that investigations are continuing to determine the identity of the owner of the suspected human hand, the circumstances surrounding its possession, and its intended use.

Authorities said the suspect remains in custody as the investigation progresses.

A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record by reading the Bible continuously for 144 hours.

The record attempt is aimed at encouraging more people to spend time studying the Bible and strengthening their relationship with God through regular scripture reading.

At the time of this report, Habibat had successfully completed 100 hours of the challenge and was steadily approaching the final stage of the 144-hour marathon.

According to her, the initiative is not only about breaking a world record but also about inspiring others to discover the importance of Bible study and personal devotion.

If successfully completed and verified, the attempt will be subject to the official review process by Guinness World Records before it can be recognized as a new world record.

Popular actress and television presenter Yorgelis Delgado has died after the Coral Beach residential building collapsed during the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela.

According to reports, Delgado was among the victims after the building in La Guaira collapsed during the powerful earthquakes that hit the country.

Rescue teams were able to pull her 14-year-old daughter from the rubble alive, although she sustained injuries. Her husband was also rescued, but Delgado did not survive.

Before stepping away from the entertainment industry, Delgado was widely known for her role on the popular children’s and teenagers’ programme “El Club de los Tigritos,” where she worked as an actress, dancer, and presenter.

Originally from La Guaira, she also appeared in several Venezuelan telenovelas, including “De sol a sol” and “Un poquito de suerte” in 1996, as well as “Entre tú y yo” in 1997. She retired from acting in 2009 and welcomed her only child, Miranda, in 2012.

La Guaira is among the areas worst affected by the twin earthquakes, which measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.

The disaster caused widespread destruction, with more than 100 buildings reported to have collapsed as rescue teams continue searching for survivors. Authorities initially confirmed at least 235 deaths, though officials have warned that the toll could continue to rise as recovery efforts progress.

Thousands of Shiite Muslims gathered in Iraq to observe Ashura, one of the most significant events in the Shiite Islamic calendar, with traditional mourning rituals commemorating the death of Imam Hussein.

Ashura marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed during the Battle of Karbala in the seventh century. The annual observance is a time of mourning for Shiite Muslims around the world.

As part of the commemorations, some male participants performed acts of self-flagellation, cutting their scalps with sharp blades and striking themselves with chains fitted with blades in a ritual intended to express grief and remembrance of Imam Hussein’s death.

Many participants were seen wearing white garments that became stained with blood during the rituals.

The largest gatherings took place in the holy city of Karbala, the site of the historic battle where Imam Hussein was killed. The city is home to the Imam Hussein Shrine and attracts millions of pilgrims each year during Ashura.

Similar processions were also held in Baghdad, where thousands of worshippers marched through the streets. Among them were participants who carried out the traditional self-flagellation rituals using blades and razors.

A 15-year-old herder has been arrested after leading cattle that destroyed a farmland in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 1:00 p.m. in Rakwok village.

The sources said a distress call was received after cattle reportedly invaded and damaged a farm belonging to a local farmer identified as Benjamin Pam.

Security personnel attached to Sub-Sector 41 in Gashish were said to have responded swiftly to the report. However, on arrival, they discovered that the herders had fled with their cattle after noticing the approaching security team.

A chase was immediately launched, leading to the arrest of one of the herders, identified as 15-year-old Muhammadu Bashir.

The suspect was taken into custody, where he is being held while the relevant legal and administrative processes continue.

Security sources also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the other herders who reportedly escaped from the scene.

Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the extent of the damage to the farmland or when the suspect will be formally charged.

British influencer Brooke George has been charged with murder in Dubai following the death of a British man she reportedly met through social media.

Brooke is accused of fatally stabbing Bill Treeby during an incident in the UAE. However, she maintains that she acted in self-defence after allegedly being subjected to repeated physical assaults.

The 23-year-old is currently being held at Bur Dubai prison while investigations continue. Reports indicate that she could face severe penalties if convicted under local laws.

According to Brooke, she met Treeby on Facebook and initially travelled with him to Dubai for a week-long trip, which she described as an enjoyable experience.

However, she claims that during a second visit, his behaviour changed significantly. Brooke alleged that he became controlling and abusive and that she later discovered he had only purchased a one-way ticket for her, leaving her concerned about her ability to return home.

She further claimed that after a night out at McCafferty’s Bar in Jumeirah Village, Treeby became intoxicated and assaulted her both in a vehicle and later at their apartment.

According to her family, Brooke contacted them in a distressed state after the incident and appeared visibly injured.

Her relatives said she had arranged a flight home with assistance from friends and returned to the apartment only to retrieve her passport before leaving the country.

Brooke alleges that while attempting to recover the document, she was attacked again and feared for her life. She claims she reached for a kitchen knife and acted in self-defence.

She was arrested on June 22 after police stopped her at Dubai International Airport.

Human rights organisation Detained in Dubai has called on authorities to investigate the case as a possible domestic violence incident and to consider granting Brooke bail while the investigation is ongoing.

The organisation’s CEO, Radha Stirling, said:

“She reached for a knife after being attacked and punched in the face. Authorities must treat her as a domestic violence survivor while they investigate.”

The group also alleged that Brooke faced difficulties accessing legal assistance and consular support following her detention.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed that British officials are in contact with the detained woman, her family, and local authorities.

Brooke’s mother, Thereza, said her daughter appeared frightened and emotionally distressed when they spoke after the incident.

She said:

“When I spoke to Brooke right after the incident, she was absolutely terrified. I have never seen my daughter so frightened in my life. She was crying uncontrollably.

“I could see that one of her eyes was badly swollen and was beginning to close.”

Detained in Dubai has urged investigators to fully examine Brooke’s allegations of abuse and ensure she receives appropriate legal representation, medical care, and a fair trial.

The case remains under investigation.