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New York Attorney General Letitia James pleads not guilty in mortgage fraud case pushed by Trump

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New York Attorney General Letitia James pleads not guilty in mortgage fraud case pushed by Trump

NewYork (BN24) – New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty Friday to federal mortgage fraud charges, accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of using the justice system “as a tool of revenge” against political opponents.

James entered her plea in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, setting the stage for a politically charged courtroom clash between the Republican president and one of his most prominent Democratic critics. The indictment accuses James of lying on mortgage documents to secure favorable loan terms when purchasing a modest home in Norfolk, where she has family ties.

“My faith is strong, and I have this belief in the justice system and the rule of law, and I have a belief in America,” James said after the hearing. Smiling as she exited the courthouse to chants of “We stand with Tish!” from supporters, she added, “There’s no fear today.”

James, who brought the landmark civil fraud case against Trump that led to a half-billion-dollar judgment against him before it was partially overturned on appeal, said her indictment is political payback. “This is about a justice system being used as a weapon against those who simply did their job and stood up for the rule of law,” she told reporters.

The indictment charges James with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. Prosecutors allege that when purchasing her Norfolk home in 2020, she falsely claimed it would serve as a second residence under a “second home rider” clause, but instead rented it to tenants, enabling her to obtain better loan rates typically unavailable for investment properties.

James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, said the defense would move to dismiss the case as a “vindictive prosecution” brought at the president’s direction. A trial date was set for Jan. 26.

Her indictment followed the resignation of Erik Siebert, the former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who stepped down after Trump administration officials pressured him to pursue charges. Siebert was replaced by Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump lawyer and White House aide with no prior experience as a federal prosecutor. Halligan personally presented the case to a grand jury after being appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Trump had publicly urged Bondi to prosecute James and other political rivals, posting on his social media platform: “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

James is the third prominent Trump adversary to face federal charges this month, fueling criticism that the administration is weaponizing the Justice Department. Former FBI Director James Comey and ex–national security adviser John Bolton also pleaded not guilty to charges brought after Trump publicly called for their prosecution.

Defense lawyers for both James and Comey have challenged Halligan’s appointment, citing political interference. James’ legal team has also filed a motion to bar prosecutors from leaking information about the case after Halligan reportedly contacted a journalist through an encrypted messaging platform to discuss details of the prosecution.

The Justice Department is also investigating separate mortgage fraud allegations involving Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, two other frequent Trump critics who deny wrongdoing.

James, who became New York’s first female attorney general in 2018, has been one of Trump’s most persistent legal adversaries. Her civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and his companies led to findings that he inflated the value of his real estate assets to deceive lenders and insurers. Although an appeals court later reduced the penalty, the case cemented James’ national profile — and made her a target of Trump’s ongoing attacks.

As the legal and political battlelines sharpen, James vowed to keep fighting. “I believe in the rule of law,” she said outside court. “And I will continue to do my job for the people of New York.”

Pentagon sends world’s largest aircraft carrier to South America amid escalating drug war operations

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Pentagon sends world’s largest aircraft carrier to South America amid escalating drug war operations

WASHINGTON (BN24) — The U.S. military is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the waters off South America in the latest escalation and buildup of military forces in the region, the Pentagon announced Friday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to deploy to U.S. Southern Command to “bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a social media post.

The deployment will dramatically increase the number of service members and ships dedicated to the Trump administration’s campaign to counter narcotics traffickers in the region.

Parnell said on X that Hegseth “has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command” area of responsibility. Southern Command is responsible for the Caribbean Sea, Central and South America and the surrounding waters.

The “enhanced U.S. force presence” will “bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” Parnell said.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, having been commissioned into service in 2017. At more than eleven hundred feet long with a displacement of one hundred thousand long tons, the carrier is the largest in the world. It is powered by two nuclear reactors and can reach a top speed of thirty-four point five miles per hour, according to the Navy.

The carrier group will join eight U.S. vessels that are already in the region, including three destroyers, one cruiser, a littoral combat ship, an amphibious assault ship and two transport ships.

The Ford is currently in the Mediterranean Sea, a defense official told CBS News, along with three destroyers.

Deploying an aircraft carrier represents a major escalation of military power in a region that has already seen an unusually large U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off Venezuela.

News of the decision to send the carrier group to Latin America comes after the U.S. launched another strike on a vessel allegedly operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua that Hegseth said was trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea.

The secretary said on X that the strike killed all six men who were on board and took place in international waters. He said it was the first strike to take place at night. “The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” he wrote. Hegseth posted a video, marked unclassified, showing the vessel as it was hit.

This latest strike appears to be the tenth carried out by the Trump administration against alleged drug trafficking boats over the past several weeks, which have now led to more than forty deaths. The first several took place in the Caribbean Sea, but this week the administration’s campaign broadened into the Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. military has conducted its tenth strike on a suspected drug-running boat, Hegseth said Friday, blaming the Tren de Aragua gang for operating the vessel and leaving six people dead in the Caribbean Sea.

The pace of the strikes has quickened in recent days from one every few weeks when they first began to three this week, killing a total of at least forty-three people since September. Two of the most recent strikes were carried out in the eastern Pacific Ocean, expanding the area where the military has launched attacks and shifting to where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled.

The aircraft carrier deployment represents the most significant military escalation in the region since the Trump administration began its aggressive counter-narcotics campaign. The addition of the Ford strike group will provide the U.S. military with enhanced surveillance, intelligence-gathering and strike capabilities across a vast maritime area.

The carrier strike group typically includes the aircraft carrier, guided-missile destroyers, guided-missile cruisers and an attack submarine, along with embarked aircraft squadrons. The Ford can carry more than seventy-five aircraft and has a crew of approximately four thousand five hundred sailors.

The deployment comes amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, where President Donald Trump has authorized CIA covert operations and disclosed plans to potentially oust President Nicolas Maduro. Trump said Venezuelan leader Maduro offered “everything” including the country’s natural resources to secure a deal with the United States.

The military buildup in Latin America has raised concerns among legal experts and Democratic lawmakers who question whether the strikes on suspected drug boats adhere to international laws of war. The Trump administration argues it is engaged in a war with narcoterrorist groups from Venezuela, making the strikes legitimate.

Admiral Alvin Holsey, who leads U.S. Southern Command, announced Thursday he would step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, in a surprise move amid the escalating Venezuela tensions. Sources indicated there had been tension between Holsey and Hegseth over operations in the Caribbean.

Less than a week ago, the Pentagon announced its counter-narcotics operations in the region would not be led by the Miami-based Southern Command but by II Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit capable of rapid overseas operations based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. That decision surprised U.S. military observers, since a combatant command like Southern Command would normally lead high-profile operations.

The expanded military presence in Latin American waters reflects the Trump administration’s determination to combat drug trafficking through aggressive military action. The deployment of an aircraft carrier provides capabilities far beyond traditional counter-narcotics operations, including air superiority, strike operations and command and control functions.

Critics have questioned the legal basis for strikes that have killed more than forty people, many of whom were never confirmed to be armed or engaged in hostile actions. The administration maintains the operations target narcoterrorist organizations that pose a direct threat to U.S. national security.

The Ford deployment will significantly expand U.S. military presence in waters where China and Russia have also increased their naval activities in recent years. The carrier provides a powerful symbol of American military might and commitment to the region.

Tinubu sacks Chief of Defence Staff, others and appoints new Service Chiefs in Nigeria

Simeon Bateren
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Tinubu sacks Chief of Defence Staff, others and appoints new Service Chiefs in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24)— President Bola Tinubu has launched a sweeping reorganization of Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing new Service Chiefs in a strategic move to reinforce the nation’s response to rising insecurity. The appointments, which take effect immediately, mark one of the most significant military leadership changes since Tinubu assumed office.

General Olufemi Oluyede has been named the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa, whose tenure was characterized by significant operational challenges in the fight against insurgency and banditry across the country. Other appointments include Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence, ensuring continuity in intelligence operations.

According to the Presidency, the shake-up reflects Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, enhancing coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and injecting fresh energy into the country’s defence operations. Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, said the changes “signal a renewed focus on professionalism, operational efficiency, and strategic synergy within the Armed Forces.”

The appointments come amid persistent security challenges across Nigeria, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and separatist agitations in the southeast. Analysts view Tinubu’s move as an effort to address longstanding operational gaps in military leadership and restore public confidence in the Armed Forces.

President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing Service Chiefs, particularly General Musa, describing them as patriots who “gave their best to protect the nation.” He urged the new commanders to embrace the responsibilities entrusted to them by prioritizing discipline, vigilance, and unity of purpose. “The expectations of Nigerians are high, and the new Service Chiefs must rise to meet them,” the President said.

Observers note that the appointments reflect a broader strategy by Tinubu’s administration to reform the defence sector and align military leadership with national security priorities. The new leadership team is expected to play a critical role in modernizing operational tactics, improving intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and enhancing coordination with other security agencies.

The decision has already sparked reactions from security experts, lawmakers, and civil society groups, who largely view the overhaul as a necessary step to tackle the country’s complex security landscape. With the new Service Chiefs in place, the Tinubu administration aims to signal resolve, strengthen accountability, and ensure that the Armed Forces remain a credible force in protecting Nigeria’s citizens and national interests.

Police officer struck and killed in the line of duty while helping motorists in another collision

Simeon Bateren
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Police officer struck and killed in the line of duty while helping motorists in another collision

La Mesa, Calif (BN24) — A 25-year-old police officer with the La Mesa Police Department was killed on Monday night after being struck by a vehicle while stopping to assist motorists involved in a traffic accident. Officer Lauren Craven, who had joined the department earlier this year, was providing aid on Interstate 8 when the fatal incident occurred just before 10:30 p.m.

According to the La Mesa Police Department, Officer Craven was driving eastbound on I-8 near Fairmount Avenue, returning to La Mesa from San Diego Central Jail, when she saw a collision involving two vehicles. She pulled over to offer assistance and exited her patrol car to help those involved in the crash. Tragically, while she was outside her vehicle, another car struck her.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers arrived on the scene shortly after and performed lifesaving efforts, but despite their attempts, Officer Craven was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officer Craven had only joined the La Mesa Police Department in February 2024 and was assigned to the Patrol Division. Described by her peers as tenacious, courageous, and compassionate, she quickly made an impact with her dedication to service.

“The La Mesa Police Department is deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Craven,” a department statement said. “Her selflessness in her final moments reflected the same unwavering commitment to public service that defined her career.”

The California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation, but no further details about the incident or the other individuals involved have been released at this time.

In a statement, the La Mesa Police Department extended its gratitude to the allied agencies supporting them during this difficult time. “We ask that the La Mesa community keep Officer Craven, her family, and the La Mesa Police Department in their thoughts and prayers,” the department added.

The loss of Officer Craven has deeply affected the La Mesa community, where she was known not only for her professional dedication but also for her warmth and compassion. Her peers remember her as a public servant who exemplified the true spirit of law enforcement.

Her legacy of service and sacrifice will be remembered as an enduring example of bravery and commitment to the safety of others. Officer Craven’s death is a tragic reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face in their daily duties.

4 people killed in Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

Simeon Bateren
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4 people killed in Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

LEBANON (BN24) — Four individuals were killed in Israeli air strikes that targeted Hezbollah positions in eastern and southern Lebanon on Thursday, raising fears of a further escalation in tensions between the two sides. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the air strikes resulted in an initial death toll of two people in the mountainous eastern region of Lebanon. Later reports confirmed that two additional individuals were killed in a separate airstrike in the southern town of Nabatieh, including an elderly woman, as reported by Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA).

The NNA had earlier detailed the air raids, describing them as “violent” and launched by Israeli warplanes targeting the eastern mountain range of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, an area located near the Syrian border. This region has been a hotspot for Hezbollah’s operations and military infrastructure. The NNA also reported that Israeli strikes targeted the Hermel range, which lies in the country’s northeast.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had launched the air strikes as part of an ongoing effort to target Hezbollah sites in both eastern and northern Lebanon. A statement from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the strikes had destroyed several Hezbollah military positions, including a military camp and a facility involved in the production of precision-guided missiles in the Bekaa Valley. In addition to these, Israeli forces reported having attacked a training camp used by Hezbollah militants, as well as a weapons storage facility located in Nabatieh.

Israel’s strikes are part of a broader campaign against Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that is backed by Iran and has been a long-standing adversary of Israel. The group maintains a heavily fortified presence in southern Lebanon, and Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that they will continue to target Hezbollah’s military infrastructure to prevent attacks on Israeli soil.


The airstrikes come despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in November 2024, which had aimed to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The ceasefire had initially ended a two-month open war in which both sides launched heavy attacks on each other. Under the ceasefire terms, Israel was expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah was to dismantle its military forces in the region. However, despite the agreement, Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes, citing Hezbollah’s ongoing military presence and activities near the border.

The Lebanese government, under increasing international pressure, particularly from the United States, has moved to disarm Hezbollah as part of efforts to prevent further escalation. However, the government faces stiff opposition from Hezbollah and its allies in the Lebanese parliament. These political factions are staunchly against any efforts to disarm the group, which has significant influence in Lebanon’s political and military spheres.


The death of the four Lebanese civilians has deeply shocked the local population and highlighted the human cost of the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. The victims were reportedly in areas that had not seen intense fighting for some time, making the attacks all the more alarming for residents.

Lebanon’s National News Agency identified one of the victims as an elderly woman who died in the southern strike near Nabatieh, a town that has historically been a Hezbollah stronghold. The strikes in the Bekaa Valley, a key Hezbollah stronghold, resulted in the other two fatalities, but the names of the victims have not yet been publicly released.

While the Israeli military justifies its airstrikes as necessary to combat Hezbollah’s military buildup in Lebanon, the death toll among civilians has raised concerns about the potential for broader conflict in the region. Many residents of Lebanon are worried that the fragile ceasefire may collapse entirely, leading to a new round of violent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.


The continued strikes have drawn significant international attention. The United Nations has called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a return to diplomatic dialogue. However, despite the UN’s calls for peace, both Israel and Hezbollah remain entrenched in their positions. Israel continues to cite security concerns stemming from Hezbollah’s missile production and military capabilities, while Hezbollah has insisted on maintaining its military presence as a deterrent against Israeli aggression.

The Lebanese government is caught between pressure from the international community to disarm Hezbollah and the political realities of maintaining stability in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s political power in Lebanon is considerable, and any move to disarm the group is likely to provoke significant political unrest. Hezbollah and its allies in Lebanon’s parliament have already rejected disarmament efforts, and many Lebanese view the group as a protector against Israeli aggression.

In the meantime, Lebanon’s civilian population bears the brunt of the violence. Families who have suffered loss, such as those affected by Thursday’s airstrikes, face the trauma of ongoing instability, with many struggling to comprehend how a ceasefire meant to bring peace is unraveling into further bloodshed.


As the situation unfolds, both Israel and Lebanon face difficult choices. The Israeli government has made clear its intention to continue striking Hezbollah targets, while Hezbollah remains firm in its resistance to Israeli incursions into Lebanese territory. Despite the growing death toll and increasing international calls for restraint, the region remains on the brink of further violence.

For now, the Lebanese people, already suffering from years of political and economic turmoil, must endure the ripple effects of an unresolved conflict that continues to claim innocent lives.

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, ending “War on Crypto”

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Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, ending “War on Crypto”

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump granted a full pardon Thursday to Changpeng Zhao, the billionaire founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, marking a decisive end to what his administration described as the “war on crypto.”

In a statement, the White House said, “President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden administration in their war on cryptocurrency. The war on crypto is over.”

Zhao, widely known by his initials CZ, pleaded guilty in 2023 to failing to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering program at Binance. The company agreed to pay $4.3 billion in fines as part of the settlement with U.S. authorities, and Zhao resigned as CEO. He was sentenced to four months in prison.

The pardon represents a sweeping victory for Zhao and Binance, following months of speculation and intense lobbying from industry figures. It also signals a major policy shift under President Trump, who has pushed to loosen regulations on digital currencies as his family builds its own multibillion-dollar crypto venture, World Liberty Financial.

Binance welcomed the announcement, calling it “incredible news.” A company spokesperson said, “We thank President Trump for his leadership and for his commitment to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.”

Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, President Trump defended the decision and dismissed Zhao’s legal troubles as politically motivated. “Are you talking about the crypto person? A lot of people say that he wasn’t guilty of anything,” Trump said. “They say what he did was not even a crime. It wasn’t a crime. He was persecuted by the Biden administration, and so I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people.”

Reports earlier this year suggested that representatives of the Trump family’s crypto enterprise had held discussions with Binance about investing in its U.S. arm, though Zhao publicly denied any connection between the talks and his pardon. “Fact: I have had no discussions of a Binance US deal with … well, anyone,” Zhao wrote on X in March. “No felon would mind a pardon.”

Binance has nonetheless been linked to the growth of World Liberty Financial, which recently launched its own digital currency. In one major transaction this year, Binance accepted a $2 billion payment from an Emirati investment fund, opting to process the funds using World Liberty Financial’s cryptocurrency—a deal that proved both lucrative and legitimizing for the Trump-backed venture.

The pardon underscores Trump’s deepening ties to the cryptocurrency world and cements his administration’s pivot toward making the United States a global hub for digital assets.

Lionel Messi extends Inter Miami contract through 2028 season, commits to new stadium and MLS future

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Lionel Messi extends Inter Miami contract through 2028 season, commits to new stadium and MLS future

MIAMI (BN24) — Lionel Messi has signed a contract extension to extend his stay at Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season, the team announced Thursday, securing the services of the world’s most decorated player for three additional years.

Messi, thirty-eight, initially joined Miami in July 2023 as a Designated Player on a two-and-a-half-year contract, breaking league precedent and team records with his deal. The club announced the new deal with a video of Messi signing the contract on what will become the field of Miami’s long-awaited new stadium, Miami Freedom Park.

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park,” Messi said in a statement. “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here. We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished — to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

Club co-owner Jorge Mas previously expressed his desire to see Messi inaugurate Miami Freedom Park in 2026, when the team makes the move from its current venue in Fort Lauderdale to the new stadium in Miami. Inter Miami will play the final matches of the 2025 campaign at Chase Stadium before kicking off the 2026 season at Miami Freedom Park.

“We promised our fans that we would dream big to build an iconic club,” Mas said. “A club that represents the passion, hard work and dedication of all those that came before us to create a Miami built on dreams. Leo signing through 2028 is an ode to our amazing city. We very much look forward to writing new chapters at our stadium at Miami Freedom Park. Together we will continue building and dreaming.”

Since his MLS debut, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has continued to set new standards on and off the pitch by leading Miami to trophies and attendance records across the country.

“Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that’s exactly what we have done,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. “We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo’s commitment to the city, to the Club, and to the game. He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win. As owners, to have a player that loves the game as much as he does, and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky.”

The Argentina captain and World Cup winner first led the team to the inaugural 2023 Leagues Cup trophy before going on to inspire Miami to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and league record for most points in a single season.

Individually, Messi has won the 2024 MLS MVP award and most recently the 2025 Golden Boot after recording twenty-nine goals in just twenty-eight games. Messi also has been nominated for the 2025 MLS MVP award and is favorite to become the first player to clinch the award on two consecutive occasions.

The club has seen a massive rise in global popularity with Messi on the roster. His pink number ten jersey has been MLS’ highest seller since he joined the league, and he has added to his massive off-field business empire since coming to the United States, even starring in a Super Bowl ad last year.

Inter Miami’s valuation has more than doubled since Messi’s arrival, climbing to a reported one point one nine billion dollars as of January 2025. The league has prospered as well, with ticketing revenue reaching an all-time high in 2025. Five clubs have broken their attendance records in matches featuring Messi and Miami.

“When Lionel Messi made MLS his league of choice, it marked a turning point — not just for Inter Miami, but for our entire sport in North America,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “Since then, we’ve witnessed something truly historic: the greatest player of all time bringing global attention to our league. We’re thrilled that Leo has chosen to stay and continue his career with Inter Miami.”

Messi will continue to play at Inter Miami without longtime teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who previously announced their retirement from football at the end of the 2025 MLS season. Busquets and Alba will compete with Inter Miami in the MLS playoffs with the hopes of clinching one final trophy as players.

Luis Suárez may also play his final games with the club, as his contract expires at the end of the 2025 campaign. Though Suárez has yet to announce an extension with the club, Mas previously insisted the door remains open for him at Inter Miami should the Uruguayan choose to stay for another season.

The contract extension represents a major commitment by both Messi and Inter Miami to continue building one of MLS’ most successful and high-profile franchises. Messi will be forty-one years old when the contract expires at the end of the 2028 season, having potentially spent five and a half years in Major League Soccer.

The timing of the announcement, coming during the playoffs, underscores the club’s confidence in its long-term trajectory and Messi’s continued ability to perform at an elite level despite his age. His performance in the 2025 regular season, culminating in the Golden Boot award, demonstrated that he remains one of the most dominant players in MLS.

The new stadium at Miami Freedom Park has been a long-anticipated project for the club and is expected to significantly enhance the matchday experience for fans. The facility will provide a permanent home for Inter Miami after years of playing at temporary venues in Fort Lauderdale.

Inter Miami and Messi will now prepare for the first game of the Round 1 playoff series against Nashville SC on Friday at Chase Stadium as the club attempts to clinch the 2025 MLS Cup. The team enters the playoffs as one of the favorites after a dominant regular season performance led by Messi’s goalscoring prowess.

The extension solidifies MLS’ position as a destination for elite global talent and validates the league’s strategy of attracting marquee players who can elevate the sport’s profile in North America. Messi’s impact extends beyond the field, driving merchandise sales, television ratings and international interest in Major League Soccer.

For Inter Miami, retaining Messi through 2028 provides stability and star power as the franchise transitions to its new stadium and continues to build a competitive roster around its Argentine superstar.

Dozens charged in illegal sports betting and rigged poker games tied to mafia families as NBA coach and player arrested

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Dozens charged in illegal sports betting and rigged poker games tied to mafia families as NBA coach and player arrested

NEW YORK (BN24) — The head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a player for the Miami Heat were arrested Thursday along with more than thirty other people in two criminal cases alleging sprawling separate schemes to rake in millions by rigging sports bets and poker games involving Mafia families, authorities said.

FILE – This combo of images shows, from left, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers’ Damon Jones. (AP Photo/File)

Portland coach Chauncey Billups was charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons that were backed by La Cosa Nostra crime families. Heat guard Terry Rozier was accused of a second scheme to concoct fraudulent bets by exploiting confidential information about NBA athletes and teams. Also arrested was former NBA assistant coach and player Damon Jones, who is charged with participating in both schemes.

The indictments unsealed in New York create a massive cloud for the NBA, which opened its season this week, and show how certain types of wagers are vulnerable to massive fraud in the growing, multibillion-dollar legal sports betting industry.

Both Billups and Rozier face money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Rozier made an initial court appearance Thursday where a federal magistrate judge said he could be released from custody by putting up his Florida home as bond and surrendering his passport.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Norway also restricted Rozier’s travel to the continental United States and prohibited him from gambling as conditions for his release. Federal prosecutors had asked for a ten million dollar bond but Rozier’s attorney said that was excessive given that the NBA star had no prior record.

“I think it’s Draconian,” said Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney. “He is a man of high character.”

In court, Rozier wore a black Charlotte Hornets sweatshirt with green lettering and was shackled and handcuffed. He did not speak much except when answering basic questions from the judge.

Rozier is facing two counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu. Each count carries no more than twenty years in prison.

Trusty described what he said was “chicanery” of prosecutors and federal agents. The defense attorney said he got a predawn call saying that federal agents were downstairs at Rozier’s hotel in downtown Orlando and that the attorney should call his client to tell him to go downstairs. Within minutes, federal agents were at the door to Rozier’s hotel room, Trusty told the judge.

“It has had a damaging effect on his career,” Trusty said.

Another condition of Rozier’s release is that he can have no contact with any others named in the indictment, as well as any listed individuals the government provides.

The six defendants in the sports betting indictment include former NBA player and coach Damon Jones, current NBA player Terry Rozier and one of Rozier’s close friends. Two of the defendants portrayed themselves on Instagram as successful sports bettors and sold sports betting picks through their profiles, according to the indictment.

Jones is also a defendant in the rigged poker game indictment, as is Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups.

The thirty-one defendants named in the second indictment include twelve people who are identified as either members or associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese or Lucchese crime families.

The indictments contain the description of several unnamed NBA players whose injury status and availability for certain games were the source of betting activity. Those players are not accused of any wrongdoing and there is no indication that they would have even known what was being said about their status for those games.

Those players include LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard. Their identities are clear based on a review of corresponding injury reports surrounding games mentioned in the indictment.

The indictments show that certain defendants shared information about the availability of those players in games on March 24, 2023, involving the Portland Trail Blazers, and two in 2023 and 2024 involving the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the Portland game, defendant Eric Earnest, investigators said, was given information that a player who had been listed as probable and then questionable to play that day would not play at all. Those details perfectly match how Lillard was listed on injury reports that day.

Similar patterns were found with Lakers games involving James and Davis, with Jones alleged to have shared their injury information before it was publicly known. In one of the cases, investigators said, Jones got the details wrong and caused some bettors who placed large wagers to lose.

Federal prosecutors asked a judge to detain thirteen defendants pending trial, including six reputed crime family members, and to not release other defendants unless they post substantial bonds.

“The Court should consider that each of those defendants has taken a lifetime oath to commit crimes and put their crime families above all else,” prosecutors said about the alleged mob associates in a court filing. “Those crime families have a long history of committing crimes, including obstruction of justice.”

Court documents also describe a violent encounter in 2023 at a poker game in Manhattan run by a Gambino crime family associate. Two members of rival crime families that had a poker game in another location on the same night busted into the Gambino associate’s game armed with a gun and baton, sparked a brawl and assaulted the Gambino member, the documents say.

Court documents say proceeds from the rigged card games were laundered through shell companies and cryptocurrency.

The cases represent one of the most significant prosecutions involving professional sports and organized crime in recent years. The involvement of high-profile NBA figures has sent shockwaves through professional basketball and raised questions about security protocols regarding confidential injury information.

The NBA has not yet commented on the arrests or whether it will take any action against the teams or individuals involved. The league has strict policies regarding gambling and the sharing of confidential information that could be used for betting purposes.

The timing of the arrests, coming just as the NBA season opened, creates significant complications for both the Trail Blazers and Heat organizations. It remains unclear whether Billups will continue in his coaching role or whether the team will place him on administrative leave pending resolution of the criminal charges.

The indictments highlight vulnerabilities in the rapidly expanding legal sports betting industry, where insider information about player availability can provide significant advantages to bettors. Sports leagues and betting operators have implemented various safeguards to detect unusual betting patterns, but the cases suggest those measures may be insufficient to prevent sophisticated schemes.

The alleged Mafia involvement adds another layer of complexity to the cases. Prosecutors detailed how organized crime families used their traditional operations in illegal gambling to exploit opportunities in the emerging legal sports betting market.

The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and represents years of work tracking financial transactions, communications and betting patterns. Authorities said the schemes involved millions of dollars in fraudulent wagers and laundered proceeds.

Legal experts said the cases could set precedents for how federal prosecutors approach fraud in the sports betting industry, particularly regarding the use of confidential information and the involvement of sports insiders.

4 family members of Illinois GOP candidate Darren Bailey killed in Montana helicopter crash

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4 family members of Illinois GOP candidate Darren Bailey killed in Montana helicopter crash

Four family members of Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in rural eastern Montana, his campaign confirmed Thursday.

The victims were identified as Bailey’s son, Zachary Bailey, his wife Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7. According to a statement from Bailey’s campaign, the helicopter went down Wednesday evening near the small town of Ekalaka, Montana. Their third child was not on board.

“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them,” the statement read.

Campaign spokesperson Aaron Del Mar, who also serves as Bailey’s running mate, confirmed that Zachary Bailey was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. The family had been in Montana on a business trip related to expanding the use of helicopters for their farm operations in south-central Illinois.

Del Mar said Zachary, who had earned his helicopter license several years ago, initially pursued aviation to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian aid to people in developing countries. “That was a driving force for him to get his license,” Del Mar said.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Carter County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to the remote crash site southwest of Ekalaka on Wednesday evening. No other individuals were on board.

Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and representative from Xenia, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a vocal critic of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s policies, including mask mandates and restrictions. He is again seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2026, following his loss to Pritzker in 2022.

Gov. Pritzker expressed condolences Thursday, saying, “I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through.”

Bailey, known for his strong conservative platform, previously campaigned on reducing crime in Chicago and rolling back state gun control measures. He also once backed a proposal to make Chicago a separate state.

Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement that the party was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. “Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” she said.

The cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation.

Associated Press

15-year old boy sentenced to 16 years for stabbing fellow student at Sheffield School

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15-year old boy sentenced to 16 years for stabbing fellow student at Sheffield School

SHEFFIELD, England (BN24) — A 15-year-old boy, Mohammed Umar Khan, was sentenced to at least 16 years in prison after being convicted of fatally stabbing his fellow student, Harvey Willgoose, during a lunch break at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield.

The violent incident took place on February 3, 2025, when Khan, carrying a hunting knife, approached Harvey and, in a brutal attack, stabbed him in the chest in front of several other students. Witnesses reported that the attack happened swiftly and without warning, leaving the school community in shock and panic.

In the aftermath of the stabbing, some students fled the scene in terror, while others locked themselves in classrooms and storage rooms, fearing further violence. Staff at the school immediately called emergency services, but Harvey, despite attempts to resuscitate him, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

At the sentencing hearing on October 22, 2025, at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Mrs. Justice Ellenbogen addressed the court, describing the attack as a “serious crime” and emphasizing the shock it caused within the school community. “This was a violent and senseless act, carried out by one pupil on another in a school where children should feel safe,” the judge said. “The public has a right to know the identity of those involved in such crimes, as it helps to understand how a child so young could commit such an act of violence.”

Khan was found guilty of murder in August 2025, following a trial in which prosecutors presented evidence that he had taken the knife to school with the intent to harm Harvey. According to the court, the motive for the attack appeared to be linked to a perceived betrayal of friendship between the two boys. Khan reportedly believed that Harvey had turned against him, which led to feelings of hurt and anger that ultimately resulted in the fatal stabbing.

During the trial, Harvey’s family, including his parents, Mark and Caroline Willgoose, and his sister, Sophie, attended proceedings. In her emotional victim impact statement, Sophie described the devastating toll the murder had taken on her family. “This was not just a crime against my brother, it was a crime against all of us who loved him,” she told the court. “The pain will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We have been left without the person we loved so dearly, and nothing can bring him back.”

Sophie also expressed her anger at Khan’s refusal to take responsibility for his actions, stating that the family had been made to “endure” the pain of watching CCTV footage of Harvey’s last moments. “We are haunted daily by what happened, knowing that he chose not to show any remorse,” she said.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about youth violence in schools and the increasing number of violent incidents involving young people. In the wake of the attack, many in the Sheffield community have called for greater efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of students, both in and out of the classroom.

During the hearing, a significant development occurred when Judge Ellenbogen lifted a court order that had previously prohibited the identification of Khan. This decision followed applications from several media outlets, including the PA news agency, which argued that the public had a right to know the identity of those involved in such a serious crime. The judge acknowledged that while the welfare of young offenders must be considered, transparency in cases of such gravity was necessary for public understanding.

Harvey’s parents were present in court to hear the verdict, though their grief was evident as they left the courtroom. Mark Willgoose, Harvey’s father, spoke briefly outside the court, expressing his family’s relief that the case had concluded but emphasizing that no sentence could ever bring back their son. “Our son is gone, and nothing can bring him back,” he said. “We just want to move forward, knowing that justice has been served.”

Khan, who will turn 16 in November, will serve his sentence in a youth detention facility. The judge told him that he would be eligible for parole after serving the minimum 16-year term. Still, his release would be contingent on a thorough review of his behavior and rehabilitation progress.

The case continues to be a tragic reminder of the destructive potential of violence among young people and the devastating impact such acts can have on families and communities. As Harvey’s family continues to mourn his loss, they are determined to ensure that his death is not forgotten and that justice is upheld in his memory.

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