The House of Representatives in Nigeria has advanced a bill for the establishment of state police to the second reading. Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, and 14 others, the bill aims to transfer "Police" from the "Exclusive Legislative List" to the "Concurrent Legislative List," granting states control over policing. It proposes 16 alterations to the constitution, including the establishment of State Police Service Commissions and provisions for federal support in funding state police forces. Proponents argue that decentralizing law enforcement is essential for addressing local security challenges effectively. Despite past opposition due to concerns about potential abuse by governors, the bill received widespread support during the debate, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for a tailored, community-centric policing system. The bill will undergo further legislative processes before potentially becoming law.

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 10. Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the discontinuation of support for several leveraged token services, including those linked to Bitcoin and Tether. Trading and subscription services for these tokens will be suspended on February 28, 2024, with all trade orders automatically removed at that time. Users are advised to convert their holdings into other assets before the deadline. Starting April 1, Binance will gradually delist and cease redemption of the tokens. If users fail to redeem their tokens by the deadline, Binance will convert them into USDT based on their value on the delisting date and distribute them to users' accounts within 24 hours. Binance's leveraged tokens provide investors with leveraged exposure to crypto assets without requiring collateral or maintenance margin levels, but the exchange warns of associated risks, including price movements in the perpetual contracts market. 

 9. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida has charged Adam Todd, the CEO of Digitex Futures Exchange, with intentionally causing his company to violate the Bank Secrecy Act. Todd allegedly operated Digitex as an unregistered crypto futures trading platform from January 2018 to April 2022, failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) programs. This indictment follows a default judgment issued by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) against Todd last year for manipulating the price of Digitex's native token, DGTX. If convicted, Todd faces up to five years in federal prison and will be sentenced by a federal district court judge. Additionally, the court imposed a permanent injunction, disgorgement, and civil monetary penalty on Todd and his companies in the CFTC's enforcement action. 

 South Korea's ruling People Power Party is pushing for a two-year postponement on cryptocurrency taxation, aligning with their campaign pledges for the upcoming elections. The party emphasizes the need for a robust regulatory framework before implementing taxation, citing risks and the absence of a regulatory structure akin to stock exchanges. The proposed extension aims to allow time for necessary amendments and the establishment of comprehensive regulations. But then, discussions within South Korea's legislative body hint at potential reforms to harmonize crypto taxation thresholds with stocks, aiming for a more equitable tax framework. Additionally, recent policies mandate high-ranking officials to disclose cryptocurrency holdings to uphold ethical standards. The party's stance contrasts with the government's broader initiative to eliminate taxes on various financial investments, including stocks and funds, signaling ongoing debates surrounding crypto taxation reform in South Korea. 

 Asian nations, particularly Japan and South Korea, are intensifying efforts to enhance oversight and consumer protection in the cryptocurrency market. Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) proposes measures to prevent "unlawful transfers" to crypto exchanges, potentially impacting peer-to-peer transactions. South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) plans to tighten scrutiny by implementing a pre-emptive trading suspension system for suspicious transactions and expanding its crypto team. Meanwhile, the European Parliament moves forward with the AI Act, aiming to regulate artificial intelligence across various sectors and establish safeguards against potential threats to citizens' rights. 

 Y Combinator, a prominent Silicon Valley incubator, has highlighted stablecoins, metaverse technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as key areas for startup innovation. Stablecoins are seen as transformative in cross-border payments, akin to the evolution of digital music. The potential for growth is significant, given the large population in countries with high inflation rates. AR and VR technologies are envisioned to extend beyond gaming, with recent advancements indicating progress. AI holds promise in customizing enterprise software and automating back-office processes, although addressing biases remains a challenge. Y Combinator's focus underscores the importance of these sectors in driving innovation across various industries. 

 The United Kingdom is moving towards enacting legislation to regulate stablecoins and crypto staking, aiming to accomplish this goal within the next six months. Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Bim Afolami, emphasized the government's commitment to passing these laws before the upcoming general election during a recent crypto event hosted by Coinbase in London. While details remain scarce, Afolami assured that efforts are underway to expedite the process. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's vision to position the UK as a "global crypto hub," fostering an environment conducive to investment, innovation, and scaling within the crypto sector. Despite previous pledges, progress on crypto regulation has been limited, prompting calls from industry players for clearer guidelines. The government signaled its intent to introduce crypto-specific regulations in 2024, including oversight of fiat-backed stablecoins by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  

 Napoli has decided to part ways with head coach Walter Mazzarri, only three months into his tenure. Despite his previous experience with Watford, Mazzarri managed just six victories in 17 games, leaving Napoli in ninth place in the Serie A table following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Genoa. To steer the team for the remainder of the season, Francesco Calzona, currently managing the Slovakia national team, will take the helm. Calzona will juggle both roles, guiding Napoli while also preparing Slovakia for the upcoming European Championships in Germany. Mazzarri's departure marks Napoli's third coaching change this season, following Rudi Garcia's short-lived stint after replacing Luciano Spalletti, who departed after clinching the club's first league title in 33 years. 

 FG, Cement manufacturers agree on N7,000 to N8,000 for 50kg per bag 

The Federal Government of Nigeria and Cement Manufacturers have agreed on a N7,000 to N8,000 per 50 kg bag of cement to halt the astronomical rise in the price of the product. The price hike is linked to the astronomical inflation rate biting hard in the country and partly due to the Federal Government’s decision to now build concrete roads in place of asphalt.
 

 GIRONA OUT OF STEAM?
It seems like Girona's strong performance at the beginning of the 2023/2024 Laliga season has taken a hit in the second leg. Despite their initial fight to stay at the top alongside Real Madrid, recent matches have seen them losing momentum. In the last three games alone, Girona has dropped a total of 8 points. As a result, Real Madrid has pulled ahead, now leading by a clear margin of 6 points.
 

 Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, veterinary technologist, who has been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over a decade at Obafemi Awolowo University, was attacked on Monday afternoon, 19th February, 2024, by a 9-year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological Garden of the University. Mr Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago but, tragically, the male Lion killed the man who had been feeding them.  

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