AU - Africanews

1. Beyond the hustle: Nigerian rock artist brings love to Lagos streets

   In the relentless hustle of Lagos, a city of over 20 million where love often gets lost in the daily grind, musician Bianca 'Clayrocksu' Okorocha is on a mission—taking romance off the stage and onto the streets with surprise serenades and single-stem roses.

2. SA: Cape Town gears for army deployment as police raid gang strongholds

   Western Cape police are preparing to receive South African National Defence Force members deployed to combat gang violence, following President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of military intervention in crime hotspots.

3. Meloni pledges deeper ties, tackling migration at 2nd Africa- Italy summit

   Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday for the second Italy-Africa Summit, the first held on African soil, reaffirming Rome's strategic pivot toward investment-led cooperation with the continent under its Mattei Plan.

4. Turkey: Unusual footage shows water buffaloes soaking in hot springs

   In eastern Bitlis, farmers lead water buffaloes and horses into 40-degree Budakli thermal springs to bathe, heal and keep milk quality high during sub-zero winter temperatures.

5. Brazil’s iconic carnival opens in Rio with Carmelitas street party

   Rio’s Carmelitas parade draws thousands to Santa Teresa, with samba, costumed revellers and a nod to a runaway nun legend.