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Trump warns Hamas will be eradicated if Gaza ceasefire fails, says group must honor truce deal

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he would give Hamas a chance to honor the Gaza truce deal with Israel but warned the group would be “eradicated” if it fails to do so.

“We made a deal with Hamas that they’re going to be very good, they’re going to behave, they’re going to be nice,” Trump told reporters at the White House as he hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “And if they’re not, we’re going to go and we’re going to eradicate them, if we have to. They’ll be eradicated, and they know that.”

Trump’s comments came as two of his top envoys met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after weekend violence threatened to wreck the fragile ceasefire the U.S. president brokered nearly two weeks ago.

Trump insisted that American forces would not be involved against Hamas, saying dozens of countries that have agreed to join an international stabilization force for Gaza would “love to go in.”

“In addition, you have Israel would go in in two minutes, if I asked them to go in,” Trump said. “But right now, we haven’t said that. We’re going to give it a little chance, and hopefully there will be a little less violence. But right now, you know, they’re violent people.”

Trump said Hamas was now far weaker, especially given that regional backer Iran was now unlikely to step in on its behalf following U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year.

The president’s warning came amid growing concerns about the stability of the ceasefire agreement, which has faced challenges including disputes over hostage releases and the return of remains. Weekend violence in Gaza raised questions about whether both sides would continue to honor the terms of the truce.

The United States deployed approximately two hundred troops to Israel to help establish a civil-military coordination center for facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza and monitoring the ceasefire. U.S. officials have emphasized that no American troops will be deployed inside Gaza.

Trump has portrayed the Gaza ceasefire as a major diplomatic achievement and the first step toward broader reconciliation in the Middle East. His special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner have been involved in negotiations and implementation efforts.

The ceasefire agreement’s first phase called for the release of all living hostages held by Hamas, exchange of Palestinian prisoners and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. All twenty living hostages were released earlier this month, though complications have arisen regarding the return of remains of deceased hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not compromise on demands that Hamas fulfill ceasefire requirements, particularly regarding the return of hostages’ bodies. Three former senior managers at hospitals where hostage remains were handled are being investigated following confusion over body identifications.

Trump’s threat to “eradicate” Hamas if the group violates the ceasefire echoes similar warnings he has made regarding other adversaries. The president has previously authorized CIA covert operations inside Venezuela and threatened massive tariffs against China over trade disputes.

The international stabilization force for Gaza that Trump referenced would include participation from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and other nations. Western and Arab countries met in Paris to discuss peacekeeping arrangements and reconstruction assistance for Gaza once fighting stops.

Hamas has been militarily decimated by Israel’s assault on Gaza but remains organizationally intact and could potentially rebuild if there is an extended period of calm. The group has indicated it handed over all hostage remains it had access to, though Israeli officials dispute this claim.

More than sixty-seven thousand Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza, launched after Hamas-led militants stormed through Israeli towns and a music festival on October 7, 2023, killing twelve hundred people and capturing two hundred fifty-one hostages.

The ceasefire represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war began, though substantial challenges remain regarding Gaza’s postwar governance, the territory’s reconstruction and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm completely.

Trump’s approach to the Middle East has included aggressive rhetoric combined with diplomatic initiatives. He has emphasized his administration’s support for Israel while also pressuring both sides to reach agreements.

U.S. Appeals Court clears Trump to deploy National Guard to Portland despite Oregon opposition

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A U.S. appeals court ruled Monday that President Donald Trump acted within his legal authority when he federalized Oregon’s National Guard and ordered troops to be deployed to Portland, overturning a lower court’s decision that had temporarily blocked the move.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling represents the latest escalation in a power struggle between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states, particularly Oregon, over what state officials have described as “authoritarian overreach.” The court’s majority opinion found that the president likely “lawfully exercised his statutory authority” in authorizing federal deployment amid protests and unrest in the city.

The decision allows 200 National Guard troops to be dispatched to protect federal buildings, which authorities say have been repeatedly targeted by demonstrators — some reportedly wearing animal costumes — in protest against immigration enforcement policies.

The court’s 2-1 ruling lifts a prior stay issued by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, who had ruled that Portland’s unrest did not rise to the level of a national emergency requiring federal military intervention. Immergut had previously criticized Trump’s characterization of Portland as “war-ravaged,” writing that his claims were “simply untethered to the facts.”

In her ruling, Immergut noted that while isolated acts of vandalism and assaults had occurred, the administration failed to show that such violence was “part of an organized attempt to overthrow the government.” She concluded that “regular law enforcement forces” were sufficient to maintain order and that the protests posed no imminent “danger of rebellion.”

However, the appellate majority disagreed, emphasizing that the president possesses broad powers under the Insurrection Act and related federal statutes to ensure federal operations and personnel are protected. The court held that Trump’s actions did not violate constitutional boundaries and that the urgency of protecting federal property justified the decision to federalize Oregon’s National Guard.

Circuit Judge Susan Graber issued a strong dissent, warning that the ruling undermines state sovereignty and First Amendment rights. “Given Portland protesters’ well-known penchant for wearing chicken suits, inflatable frog costumes, or nothing at all when expressing their disagreement with the methods employed by ICE, observers may be tempted to view the majority’s ruling, which accepts the government’s characterization of Portland as a war zone, as merely absurd,” Graber wrote. “But today’s decision is not merely absurd. It erodes core constitutional principles, including sovereign States’ control over their militias and the people’s right to assemble.”

The ruling marks a significant victory for the Trump administration, which has clashed with local officials in several major U.S. cities over the handling of protests and immigration enforcement. Portland now joins a list of cities — including Los Angeles, Washington, Memphis, and Chicago — where Trump has authorized National Guard or federal deployments to quell unrest and protect federal facilities.

France24/AFP

White House demolishes part of East Wing to begin Trump’s $250 million Ballroom project

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Construction crews have begun demolishing part of the East Wing of the White House to make way for President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated $250 million ballroom — one of the largest construction projects on the presidential estate in more than a century.

Photos published by The Washington Post on Monday show heavy machinery tearing through sections of the East Wing façade, with piles of debris and shattered windows scattered across the grounds. The demolition reportedly began early Monday morning, marking the official start of a project Trump has described as “a long-overdue addition” to the historic residence.

According to the Post, eyewitnesses confirmed that portions of the East Wing exterior have already been removed. Additional images published by the New York Post show similar demolition scenes, signaling significant progress toward the ballroom’s development. The White House has not yet issued a public comment on the construction.

The ballroom, designed to span approximately 90,000 square feet and accommodate nearly 1,000 guests, is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s second term in January 2029. The president has said he commissioned the project because the existing East Room is “too small” and because he dislikes hosting formal events in temporary tents on the South Lawn.

“In the White House, for 150 years, they’ve wanted to have a ballroom,” Trump said in July when plans for the expansion were unveiled. “There’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms. I’m good at building things — and we’re going to build quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful, top of the line.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously announced that the project would be privately funded by Trump and unnamed donors. She said the new structure would be equipped with bulletproof glass and would have enough space to host up to 999 guests for formal galas, dinners, and even potential inaugurations.

During a donor dinner at the White House earlier this month, Trump reportedly unveiled early construction work by opening the East Room curtains and pointing out the site of the new ballroom. Guests in attendance included executives and representatives from major U.S. corporations such as Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin.

Trump has emphasized that the new structure will not interfere with the current White House building. “It’ll be near it but not touching it — and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he told reporters in July. “It’s my favorite place. I love it.”

The massive expansion represents the most ambitious architectural addition to the White House since the West Wing was rebuilt under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.

theguardian.com

Nigeria police fire tear gas, arrest dozens as protesters demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release

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ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — Police fired tear gas and arrested dozens of demonstrators in Nigeria’s capital on Monday as protesters gathered to demand the release of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, whose prolonged detention has intensified political tensions in the country’s southeast.

The demonstrations, organized under the hashtag #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, drew civil rights activists, pro-democracy groups and supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which advocates for independence for Nigeria’s southeastern region. Protesters were initially dispersed near the Maitama district after police fired multiple tear gas canisters, forcing many to flee in panic through nearby streets around the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

Despite the initial crackdown, protesters regrouped in the Utako area of Abuja, where they resumed chanting solidarity songs and waving banners demanding the government obey a 2022 Court of Appeal ruling that discharged and acquitted Kanu. Security forces responded again, using tear gas to break up the crowd for a second time.

Witnesses and journalists reported hearing gunfire during isolated clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Authorities also briefly detained a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP), who was later released.

Police deployed heavily across the Federal Capital Territory, with soldiers, officers, and operatives of the Department of State Services stationed at key locations including Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the Three Arms Zone. At Berger roundabout, witnesses saw a large number of soldiers and a gun truck positioned to deter further gatherings.

Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, and electric barriers to disperse protesters along major roads in central Abuja, disrupting traffic and stranding commuters. The confrontations underscore the ongoing sensitivity around Kanu’s detention, which remains a flashpoint in Nigeria’s southeast. Many members of the Igbo ethnic group say they face systemic marginalization by the federal government.

Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has been held in Nigerian custody since his arrest in 2021 despite court rulings ordering his release. His detention continues to stir secessionist sentiment in the southeast and has led to repeated street protests across the country.

saharareporters/AP/Punchng

Nigerian man who posed as female nurse at Lucy Letby hospital, UK, avoids jail

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CHESTER, England — A Nigerian man who posed as a female nurse and worked at the same NHS hospital in the United Kingdom, where Lucy Letby was employed has avoided jail after admitting fraud.

Lucius Njoku, thirty-three, used the name of agency nurse Joyce George to work as a healthcare assistant at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Between February and April he washed and dressed patients and carried out observations on the accident and emergency ward.

It was at the same NHS site where killer nurse Lucy Letby had worked on the neonatal unit that Njoku found fraudulent employment. Three former senior managers at the hospital are being investigated for gross negligence manslaughter following Letby’s imprisonment.

Njoku worked shifts under a woman’s name with her identification badge pinned to his chest. Colleagues failed to spot the deception despite the fact he was wearing an NHS badge complete with a clear photograph, Chester Magistrates Court was told.

Njoku’s deception was only uncovered when a patient confronted him and he blurted out “My name is Joyce but I am a man.”

The court heard how George, a Nigerian national living in Ellesmere Port, obtained a job at the hospital after a successful interview. She would then allow Njoku to use her name and do her shifts at the hospital. It remains unclear where Njoku obtained an NHS uniform to complete his cover.

Police raided George’s home, finding Njoku there, and discovered mobile phones belonging to the pair. Text messages were recovered from the devices showing the two Nigerian nationals discussing shifts at the Chester hospital.

Both Njoku and George refused to comment during police interviews.

Njoku, who lives with his NHS worker wife at a different property in Ellesmere Port, admitted a charge of fraud by false representation. He was sentenced to sixteen weeks in prison suspended for twelve months and instructed to pay two hundred thirty-nine pounds in costs and surcharge. A judge also ordered him to complete eighty hours of unpaid work.

Njoku is a dependent on his wife’s work visa. It remains unclear if he will be deported.

George fled the UK after she was charged with fraud. It is thought that she returned to Nigeria. An arrest warrant has been issued for the former agency nurse.

Lisa McGuire, prosecuting, said: “She permitted Njoku to do her shifts under her name. Fortunately, no harm was done and there were no complaints about Njoku’s work. But it is the access which is the serious concern.”

Njoku came to the UK as a student and had no prior convictions. His solicitor Steven Alis said it was “surprising” that Njoku’s presence had “not been picked up by management.”

Alis said Njoku was a qualified nurse but that “safeguarding checks had not come through” during the period he was working at the hospital. “He accepted the seriousness of the matter,” Alis added. “Since then, he has obtained the appropriate authorization but has chosen not to work in the care industry. Instead, he now has employment at Vauxhall through an agency.”

Njoku’s wife originally came to the UK as a dependent on his visa but he is now a dependent on her visa for work purposes.

Sentencing Thursday, District Judge Jack McGarva told Njoku: “You deceived your way into a job which requires safeguarding checks. That undermines the system. Although you were qualified and you did the work without complaint, that is not the point.”

The case raised serious questions about security protocols and identity verification procedures at NHS hospitals. The incident occurred at a facility already under scrutiny following the Lucy Letby case, in which the nurse murdered seven babies and attempted to murder six others on the neonatal unit.

Hospital officials have not commented publicly on how Njoku was able to work multiple shifts without anyone questioning the discrepancy between his appearance and the photograph on the identification badge he wore.

The fraud highlights vulnerabilities in NHS staffing procedures, particularly regarding agency nurses who may work at multiple facilities. Healthcare security experts have called for enhanced verification systems to prevent similar incidents.

The Countess of Chester Hospital has faced significant criticism over its handling of the Lucy Letby case, with concerns raised about management’s failure to act on warnings from doctors about the unusual deaths on the neonatal unit.

The simultaneous occurrence of two major security and safety failures at the same hospital has intensified calls for comprehensive reviews of NHS safeguarding procedures and management oversight.

thesun.co.uk

Morocco stuns Argentina to claim historic first Under-20 World Cup title

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SANTIAGO, Chile (BN24) — Morocco made history on Sunday night by defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final to win its first-ever Under-20 World Cup title, capping off a remarkable tournament run in Chile that captured global attention.

Yassir Zabrini, the FC Famalicão striker who has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the competition, scored twice in the first half to secure Morocco’s place in the history books. Zabrini struck in the 12th and 29th minutes, giving Morocco a commanding 2-0 lead that held until the final whistle. The result marked the first World Cup triumph for Morocco at any age-group level.

With this victory, Morocco became the first African nation to lift the U20 World Cup since Ghana accomplished the feat in 2009. The North African side’s path to the trophy was anything but easy. Morocco topped a challenging group that included Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, then knocked out South Korea, the United States, and France in the elimination rounds before facing Argentina in the final.

Argentina, a six-time U20 world champion, was seeking a record-extending seventh title but fell short for the first time in the tournament. The team reached the final despite missing its two most promising young stars — Claudio Echeverri of Bayer Leverkusen and Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid — both absent from the competition.

The loss comes as Argentina’s senior national team, the reigning World Cup champion, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in North America after reaching the semifinals in Qatar in 2022. Morocco’s victory is being hailed as a watershed moment for African youth football, demonstrating the continent’s growing strength on the global stage.

2 Dead After Cargo Plane Skids Off Hong Kong Runway Into Sea in Deadly Early Morning Crash

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HONG KONG (BN24)— Two airport ground staff lost their lives early Monday when a cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plunged into the sea. The Boeing 747-481 cargo aircraft, operating Emirates flight EK9788, was arriving from Dubai at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time when the accident occurred, shattering the city’s otherwise strong aviation safety record.

According to Hong Kong Airport Authority officials, the aircraft veered sharply off the runway after touchdown, crashing through the airport perimeter fence and colliding with an airport patrol vehicle that was traveling on a road located outside the runway’s secured area. Both occupants of the vehicle, aged 30 and 41 with seven and twelve years of service at the airport, were killed instantly. The four crew members aboard the plane escaped injury and were safely evacuated within minutes.

Airport operations executive director Steven Yiu provided crucial clarifications during a Monday morning news briefing. He stressed that the patrol vehicle was on a designated road outside the runway fence, at what officials deemed a “safe distance.” You categorically denied claims that the patrol car entered the runway itself, stating, “The car definitely did not run out onto the runway.” According to Yiu, the plane’s unexpected deviation toward the sea after landing remains puzzling. “Normally, the plane is not supposed to turn towards the sea,” he said, adding that the aircraft did not emit any distress signals during its final approach or landing.

Initial reports indicated that the plane was a Boeing 747-481 freighter, wet-leased and operated by Turkish airline Act Airlines on behalf of Emirates. A wet lease means the aircraft, crew, and insurance are provided by Act Airlines, which operates the flight under Emirates’ flight number. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was not carrying any cargo.

Emergency crews responded swiftly, arriving at the scene within two minutes of the crash. Firefighters assisted the four crew members in opening the emergency doors and evacuating the plane. Visual evidence from the crash site revealed that the fuselage had fractured into two parts, with the forward section partially submerged in the water. Significant structural damage was visible, including large cracks along the body of the aircraft. At least one evacuation slide was reported to have deployed successfully during the emergency exit.

Divers were dispatched to search the surrounding waters and recovered the bodies of the two patrol car occupants from the sea. Their identities and years of service highlight the loss to the airport community, prompting the Hong Kong Transport Bureau to issue a statement expressing deep sadness and extending condolences to the bereaved families.

In the wake of the crash, the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) confirmed it is conducting a thorough investigation. Teams are actively searching underwater for the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—commonly known as the black boxes—which are critical to determining the sequence of events leading to the accident. Authorities have also indicated that criminal investigations have not been ruled out pending further findings.

The accident caused the immediate closure of the affected runway, though the airport’s other two runways remained operational to minimize disruption. The closure led to at least 11 cargo flights being canceled on Monday, according to the Hong Kong Airport Authority’s website, highlighting the wider impact on the airport’s logistics and operations.

This incident marks one of the most serious aviation accidents to occur at Hong Kong International Airport since its opening at Chek Lap Kok in July 1998. Previously, the only other fatal accident at the airport happened in August 1999, when a China Airlines passenger plane crash-landed during a typhoon, resulting in three deaths.

As investigators continue to piece together the cause of the cargo plane’s abrupt departure from the runway, questions remain about possible mechanical failure, pilot error, or other contributing factors. The incident underscores the challenges and risks involved in managing one of Asia’s busiest air cargo hubs.

Amazon web services outage disrupts snapchat, Robinhood and numerous online platforms worldwide

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NEW YORK (BN24) — Amazon’s cloud computing service was recovering from a major outage Monday that disrupted online activity around the world, affecting popular applications including Fortnite, Snapchat and Robinhood.

Amazon Web Services, which provides remote computing services to many governments, universities and companies including The Associated Press, reported it was seeing increased “error rates and latencies” for multiple services. “We are working on multiple parallel paths to accelerate recovery,” the company said in its latest update.

The AWS outage represents the first major internet disruption since last year’s CrowdStrike malfunction that hobbled technology systems in hospitals, banks and airports globally.

AWS provides on-demand computing power, data storage and other digital services to companies, governments and individuals. Disruptions to its servers can cause outages across websites and platforms that rely on its cloud infrastructure. AWS competes with Google’s and Microsoft’s cloud services.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment but directed inquiries to its status page.

AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and trading app Robinhood attributed their outages to AWS problems. “Perplexity is down right now. The root cause is an AWS issue. We’re working on resolving it,” Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said in a post on X.

Amazon’s shopping website, Prime Video and Alexa were all facing issues, according to Downdetector, a website that tracks online outages.

Fortnite, owned by Epic Games, Roblox, Clash Royale and Clash of Clans were among the gaming platforms that went down, while PayPal’s Venmo and Chime were among the financial platforms that faced issues, the outage tracking website said.

Uber rival Lyft’s app was also down for thousands of users in the United States. Messaging app Signal’s President Meredith Whittaker confirmed on X that the company’s platform was hit by the AWS outage as well.

Britain’s Lloyd Bank, Bank of Scotland and telecom service providers Vodafone and BT were also facing issues, according to Downdetector’s UK website. The country’s tax, payments and customs authority HMRC’s website was also hit by the outage.

However, billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media company X, said his platform continued to work. “X works,” he said, without commenting further.

The first signs of trouble emerged around three eleven in the morning Eastern Time, when Amazon Web Services reported on its Health Dashboard that it was “investigating increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS services in the US-EAST-1 Region.”

Later the company reported “significant error rates” and said engineers were “actively working” on the problem.

Around six in the morning Eastern Time, the company said it was seeing recovery across most of the affected services. “We can confirm global services and features that rely on US-EAST-1 have also recovered,” it said, adding that it was working on a “full resolution.”

AWS customers include some of the world’s biggest businesses and organizations. The widespread impact of the outage highlighted the vulnerability of modern digital infrastructure to disruptions at major cloud computing providers.

“So much of the world now relies on these three or four big (cloud) compute companies who provide the underlying infrastructure that when there’s an issue like this, it can be really impactful across a broad range, a broad spectrum” of online services, said Patrick Burgess, a cybersecurity expert at U.K.-based BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

The US-EAST-1 region referenced in AWS status updates is one of the company’s primary data center locations on the East Coast of the United States. Many companies rely on this region for critical services, making outages there particularly disruptive.

The incident underscored concerns about the concentration of internet infrastructure among a small number of major cloud providers. While cloud computing offers efficiency and scalability benefits, it also creates single points of failure that can affect millions of users simultaneously.

Companies affected by the outage scrambled to communicate with customers and implement contingency plans. Some were able to reroute traffic to backup systems, while others simply waited for AWS to restore services.

The outage affected diverse sectors including gaming, finance, e-commerce, communications and government services. The breadth of impact demonstrated how deeply integrated cloud computing has become in modern digital operations.

Financial technology companies were particularly affected, with users unable to access trading platforms and payment services during the disruption. Gaming platforms saw players disconnected from online matches and unable to access game servers.

AWS has experienced similar outages in the past, though they are relatively rare given the scale of operations. The company typically provides post-incident reports detailing root causes and remediation steps taken to prevent recurrence.

The recovery process for such outages can be complex, requiring careful coordination to restore services without causing additional disruptions. AWS engineers work to identify the root cause while simultaneously implementing fixes across affected systems.

As cloud computing continues to grow, questions about reliability and redundancy become increasingly important. Many experts recommend that critical services maintain backup infrastructure across multiple cloud providers to mitigate risks from single-provider outages.

Sources: AP/Reuters

EPL: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (BN24) – In what could be a defining moment for Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United, the team claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory at Anfield, snapping a ten-year winless streak against Liverpool on their home turf. The match, which had been set up as a potential sacking moment for Amorim, may just prove to be the turning point United desperately needed.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United’s legendary manager, was a picture of satisfaction as he stood in the Main Stand at Anfield at halftime. A wide grin spread across his face as he held a bag of chocolates, offering one to Sir Kenny Dalglish, his counterpart from Liverpool’s glory days. Ferguson’s rare smile on the hallowed ground was a symbol of United’s resurgence, and the sight of Harry Maguire, often derided for his shortcomings, rising to score a late winner in front of the Kop completed the picture of redemption.

The victory marked United’s first at Anfield since January 2016 and was particularly sweet given the dire predictions surrounding Amorim’s future. Just days before, many had speculated that Amorim’s position as manager was on the line. A loss at Anfield would likely have sealed his fate, but instead, United delivered a cohesive, determined performance. They exploited Liverpool’s vulnerabilities, despite their own struggles, to grab a much-needed win.

Amorim, who had already felt the weight of intense scrutiny following United’s humbling losses to rivals in previous seasons, was aware of the precariousness of his situation. He was fully aware that a poor result against Liverpool could mean the end of his reign. Yet, against all odds, his team responded with a performance that offered hope of a revival. United played with a blend of guile and grit, suggesting that, perhaps, the club’s fortunes could be on the mend after years of inconsistency.

For Liverpool, the result was yet another blow in what has been a season of unexpected struggles. At the beginning of the campaign, the Reds looked like contenders, strengthening an already powerful squad. But as the weeks have gone on, their title aspirations have begun to fade, and their growing uncertainty has begun to show. Arsenal fans, watching with interest, celebrated United’s victory, which added to Liverpool’s growing list of missteps.

Various issues have marked Liverpool’s season. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has not been able to provide the same level of assurance as Alisson, while new defensive partnerships, particularly between Milos Kerkez and Virgil van Dijk, have yet to find stability. The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose vision and passing have been crucial to Liverpool’s attacking game, has been keenly felt. Furthermore, Mohammed Salah’s form has dipped noticeably, with the arrival of Alexander Isak appearing to unsettle the once-unshakeable forward.

In the early moments of the match, United took a controversial lead. A clash in the air between Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Mbeumo resulted in Mac Allister being left on the ground. Play continued despite concerns for Mac Allister, and Mbeumo capitalized on the situation, threading a pass through to Amad Diallo, who set up the opening goal. Mamardashvili’s poor positioning left him exposed, and United were in front after just 65 seconds.

The early goal sparked tension in the Liverpool camp, with the crowd growing more anxious as the half wore on. Liverpool fought to claw their way back into the match, with Mo Salah’s brilliant assist to Cody Gakpo coming agonizingly close to an equalizer. Gakpo’s curling shot struck the post, and United escaped unscathed.

United, however, had its own missed opportunities to extend its lead. Bruno Fernandes, presented with a gaping net, hit the post instead of scoring. Liverpool, though, continued to threaten, hitting the woodwork again when Gakpo’s cross was inadvertently blocked by Fernandes, sending the ball looping toward goal. Yet, somehow, it remained 1-0 at halftime.

After the break, it seemed as though Liverpool were fated for more frustration. Despite creating more chances, including an incredible three hits on the post from Gakpo, the home side couldn’t find the breakthrough. Salah, struggling to find his best form, squandered a golden opportunity to level the score after being found in space at the back post. It was yet another symbol of Liverpool’s decline this season.

However, in the 78th minute, Liverpool finally broke through. A simple pass from Florian Wirtz found Enrico Chiesa, who whipped a low ball across the face of the goal. Gakpo pounced, prodding the ball home for the equalizer. But United, refusing to be undone, responded swiftly. Just six minutes later, Mbeumo’s shot rebounded to Fernandes, who delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box. Harry Maguire, often the target of criticism, rose above the defense to head home the winner.

There was still time for more drama, as Jeremie Frimpong’s cross found Gakpo in front of an open goal. Yet, inexplicably, Gakpo glanced the ball wide of the post, ensuring United’s victory.

This match, while imperfect, offered a glimpse of the resilience United had been missing for years. Amorim’s side had often lacked direction, but today, they showed the potential to rise from their struggles. For Liverpool, the loss only deepened the sense of uncertainty around their title hopes. With an increasingly competitive Premier League, time will tell if this defeat signals the end of their dominance or if they can regroup and fight for the top spots once more.

For Manchester United, this victory is more than just three points; it’s a possible turning point in their recovery. For Ruben Amorim, it’s a stay of execution and perhaps the beginning of a new chapter in what has been a turbulent time at Old Trafford.

Thousands attend funeral of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga after week of deadly mourning violence

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BONDO, Kenya (BN24) — Thousands of mourners, relatives and dignitaries paid their final respects to Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday as he was laid to rest close to his farm in Bondo near Lake Victoria in western Kenya.

Sunday’s Anglican service and burial took place without major incident after an outpouring of national grief this week in which at least five people were killed and hundreds injured when surging crowds eager for a glimpse of his body overwhelmed authorities.

“Now finally Baba is home,” said his son and namesake, Raila junior, as his father’s casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, stood under a marquee. Odinga senior had died Wednesday aged eighty in India where he was receiving medical treatment.

Odinga, a democracy champion, was accorded full military honors that included a seventeen-gun salute by the army and was buried next to his father, Jaramogi, who fought for Kenya’s independence and was the country’s first vice president.

Thousands of Kenyans and dignitaries from across Africa attended the final interment of a man described as a “selfless pan-Africanist.” The wailing mourners breached a security cordon to gain access to the burial site, which was initially only for family members and leaders.

Leaders present at the burial, who included President William Ruto who signed a political pact with Odinga early this year, talked about the need for Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement party to remain united and either form or join the next government after the 2027 election.

Ruto said he would support Odinga’s party to remain united and honor the political pact signed earlier in the year that saw opposition members appointed as ministers. “I am very proud today that Raila Amolo Odinga is being rested when one of his own students — a man he has mentored — is today the president of Kenya,” he said.

Ruto had said Friday that Odinga helped him “steady the country” after a political pact signed in March this year, following months of anti-government protests that saw young Kenyans storm and burn part of parliament buildings.

Odinga’s party officials were divided in their tributes, with some insisting they would honor the pact with government, while others hinted at an intention to steer clear of his former political rivals who tear-gassed him during opposition protests.

Though he never succeeded in his five campaigns to be president, Odinga entered into political agreements with three of the country’s five presidents when tensions rose after elections.

In a message on social media platform X, former U.S. President Barack Obama praised Odinga as a champion of peace who placed his country’s interests ahead of personal ambitions. “Like few other leaders anywhere, he was willing to choose the path of peaceful reconciliation without compromising his core values,” Obama said.

Tributes also came from former Kenyan and Nigerian presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Olusegun Obasanjo, who were at the service in Bondo.

Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and struck political pacts with Kenyatta in 2018 and with Ruto last year in a career of shifting alliances. He was once imprisoned for treason and ran unsuccessfully for president five times.

Odinga was widely referred to as “Baba” or “father” in the Swahili language. After the main service at a local university, the funeral cortege headed to a private interment with a military band gun salute.

Odinga unsuccessfully ran for the African Union chairperson position but previously mediated political impasses on the continent. Former AU Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha said Odinga’s influence was continental. “I see him as one of those who fought for the second liberation,” he said, adding that some African countries are still struggling for democracy.

While serving as prime minister in 2010, Odinga played a critical role in constitutional review. Since his death, dozens of world leaders have hailed his statesmanship.

The first public viewing of his body Thursday turned deadly when officers opened fire to disperse crowds after they breached a stadium gate in Nairobi. On Friday, another two people were killed and more than one hundred sixty others injured at the state funeral in the capital, while dozens of mourners were injured Saturday after his body was flown to the city of Kisumu, the political heartland of his Luo tribe.

“I’m feeling so low having lost him and this feels like a bad dream … I still can’t believe Baba is gone,” Ainea Opilu, a twenty-five-year-old tutor, told Reuters.

The violence that marked Odinga’s public viewings reflected the intense devotion he commanded among supporters, especially in his Luo community in western Kenya, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud over decades of political competition.

The deadly stampedes raised questions about crowd control measures and security planning for high-profile state events. Authorities had struggled to manage the massive numbers of mourners who turned out to pay respects to a figure who dominated Kenyan politics for more than four decades.

Odinga’s survivors include his wife Ida and children Rosemary, Raila Junior and Winnie. His political legacy includes a history of imprisonment during Kenya’s more authoritarian periods and persistent advocacy for democratic reforms and social justice.

The peaceful conclusion to Sunday’s burial service provided some relief to a nation that has previously been marred by post-election violence and anti-government protests. Kenya now faces political uncertainty as Odinga’s party navigates its future without its longtime leader.

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