IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

South Korean ministries and police announced on Thursday that they have blocked access to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, after the company failed to respond to inquiries from South Korea’s data watchdog regarding its user data management practices.

DeepSeek, which launched its R1 chatbot last month, claims to rival leading U.S. AI models at a fraction of the investment cost. However, South Korea, along with France and Italy, has sought clarification on how the company handles user information.

Following DeepSeek’s lack of response, several government agencies, including the defense ministry, police, and trade ministry, confirmed they have implemented access restrictions to prevent potential security risks. The defense ministry stated that it has blocked DeepSeek on military-related PCs with internet access and reinforced security guidelines for soldiers regarding generative AI use.

Similar restrictions have been placed by the finance, unification, and foreign ministries, with Italy and Australia also taking action against DeepSeek.

Amid the increasing global AI competition between China and the U.S., Beijing criticized the ban, asserting that it does not require companies to illegally collect or store data and accused countries of politicizing economic and technological issues.

Meanwhile, South Korea continues to strengthen its AI and semiconductor industries, announcing a $23.5 billion investment to support high-tech sectors. 

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has assured Nigerians of better days ahead under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Wike, who was in Ibadan to commiserate with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on the loss of his elder brother, asked the citizens to be patient with the President.

According to the minister, Tinubu means well for Nigerians as the policies initiated by the current administration were designed to achieve results. “On the current state of the nation, I would just say that the people should be patient. But this country was something else a few years ago. This country was gone and if we want a remedy, with what Mr President is doing today, we need to be patient. It will take time,” Wike said.

“So, on the policies that Mr President is putting in place, they will have some effects and people will have to feel them but, at the end of the day, we will achieve what we are supposed to achieve. “For me, nobody should panic, because Mr President means well for the country and Nigerians should expect better things.” The minister recalled that the country was at the brink before the current administration came to power.

According to him, the policies introduced by the Tinubu administration were necessitated by the need to change things for the good of the country. Wike was accompanied to the South-Western state by some members of the former G-5 Governors Forum. They included former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

Others are Senators Sandy Onor, Philip Aduda, Olaka Nwogu, Mao Ohuabunwa, and former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche. 

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie.

The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, announced the suspension in a statement on Thursday.

He said the governor also approved the suspension of the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani. The two top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions,” the SSG noted. The suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.

“The suspension is with immediate effect. Consequently, the governor has ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to investigate the allegations levelled against them and make appropriate recommendations accordingly. “The suspension of Osagie and Lawani became necessary to enable the government carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them. 

The suspension is pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said. The suspension came less than three months after the two officials were appointed. 

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury which the club believe is set to rule him out for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old was taken off on a stretcher late on during the home defeat by Crystal Palace on Sunday with an issue United boss Ruben Amorim described at the time as a "serious situation".

"Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation," Manchester United said on Thursday. "Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."

Martinez's absence will be a blow for Amorim as he tries to improve the fortunes of the Old Trafford side. United are 13th in the Premier League after the defeat by Palace, which was the club's seventh loss in 13 home games this season. The news comes at a time when there are renewed doubts over the fitness of left-back Luke Shaw, who has not started a game for United in almost 12 months.

"Licha [Martinez] is really important for us, not just as a football player but the character he has, especially in this hard moment," Amorim said after the Palace game. "Now it's time for us to help Licha." 

Renowned Nollywood actor, Columbus Irisoanga, widely known as ‘Igbudu’, has passed away.

The news of his death was shared by veteran actress and politician, Hilda Dokubo, in an Instagram post, describing the loss as a significant blow to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Nollywood.

“There can’t be a shortage of Angels in heaven that the few here are called home like this! This one is heavy on Uniport, Rivers State, and Nollywood,” she wrote.

His passing comes just days after the death of Nollywood actress Pat Ugwu, who died at the age of 35. 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender women from competing in female sports.

Trump signed the "No Men in Women’s Sports" executive order on National Girls & Women in Sports Day at the White House, emphasizing the exclusion of biological males from women’s competitions.

In response, NCAA President Charlie Baker stated that the order establishes a "clear, national standard" for sports eligibility. He added that the NCAA Board of Governors would review the policy and take necessary steps to align with it in the coming days.

“We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve student-athletes, rather than a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court rulings,” Baker said, as reported by Fox News.