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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ISLAMABAD/KABUL (BN24) — Pakistan and Afghanistan announced an immediate ceasefire on Sunday after high‑stakes negotiations in Doha, marking a tentative pause in the worst cross‑border violence between the two neighbours since the Taliban takeover in Kabul in 2021.
The truce was declared after a marathon 13‑hour session in Qatar’s capital, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, in which officials from both sides agreed to halt hostilities and establish mechanisms to ensure implementation and sustainability of the agreement.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif posted on X that the ceasefire “has been finalised,” adding that both sides will reconvene on October 25 in Istanbul to address “detailed matters.”
In Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement saying the parties had agreed on “a complete and meaningful ceasefire,” pledging that “neither country will take hostile actions against the other, and support will not be provided to groups operating against the Government of Pakistan.”
The round of talks came after a week of intense clashes along the 2,600‑kilometre (1,600‑mile) frontier, where fighting and air strikes resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of wounded, the most serious escalation between the two nations in years. The spark for the violence was Islamabad’s accusation that militants, including the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan and other proxy groups, were operating from Afghan territory and launching attacks into Pakistan. The Pakistani military responded with air strikes targeting alleged militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. Kabul has rejected the accusations, insisting it does not permit its soil to be used against another country and accusing Islamabad of misinformation and violations of Afghan sovereignty.
One key flashpoint occurred on Friday when a suicide attack near the border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13. The attack significantly raised pressure on Islamabad to act decisively. During the Doha talks, Pakistan emphasised it did not seek escalation, yet it insisted that the Afghan authorities must deliver verifiable action against militant groups. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the deal as “a first step in the right direction” and underscored the need for a “concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism” in the next meeting.
From the Afghan perspective, the Taliban’s statement stressed mutual respect for sovereignty and territory, noting that future meetings will aim to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than force.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the follow‑up sessions were meant “to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation reliably and sustainably.” Turkey’s mediation was also acknowledged.
Nevertheless, the situation remains fragile. Afghan officials accused Pakistan of conducting air strikes hours after the ceasefire extension on Friday, which targeted civilians in Paktika province, including three cricketers killed in a gathering, prompting Afghanistan to withdraw from a scheduled tri‑series in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar rejected those claims and said the strikes hit verified militant camps and killed more than 100 militants, including those behind the suicide attack. Reuters could not independently verify the figures or targets.
Analysts note that longstanding mistrust between Islamabad and Kabul, unresolved border disputes over the Durand Line, and competing regional alliances complicate the prospects for enduring peace. The Doha agreement offers a window of opportunity, but its durability will depend on follow‑through and whether both sides allow monitoring and accountability mechanisms to function.
If the ceasefire holds, it could ease humanitarian pressure in the border regions, reopen key transit points, and reduce the cycle of violence that has plagued the frontier zones for decades. For now, both sides have stepped back from the brink, but the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the pause evolves into stability or merely a lull before renewed conflict.
At least three people were injured in a shooting at a residence hall at Oklahoma State University early Saturday, authorities confirmed.
The shooting happened shortly before four in the morning Central Time at Carreker Hall, university police said. People were arriving at the residence hall after attending a large private party off-campus.
University police Chief Michael Beckner said in a statement posted online that there were multiple victims, one of whom was known to be a student at the school. A university spokesperson said at least three people were shot. All were being treated at hospitals.
Police became aware of the shooting at Carreker East residence hall “after shooting victims arrived at off-campus locations and reported the incident.”
While there is no ongoing threat to the campus community, police have asked anyone with information to contact them.
The university is located in the city of Stillwater, about fifty miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
University officials have not released the names or conditions of the victims. It remains unclear whether all three shooting victims were Oklahoma State University students or if some were visitors attending the off-campus party.
Police have not announced any arrests or identified suspects in the shooting. Investigators are working to determine what led to the violence and whether it stemmed from an altercation at the off-campus party or occurred upon return to the residence hall.
The timing of the incident, in the early morning hours when students were returning from a social gathering, suggests the shooting may have been related to disputes that began at the party. However, authorities have not confirmed details about the circumstances surrounding the violence.
Carreker Hall is one of several residence halls on the Oklahoma State University campus that houses undergraduate students. The building’s location and the time of the shooting raised concerns about security protocols for residence halls during late-night hours.
University officials are expected to review security measures and provide additional information to students and families as the investigation continues. Campus police are working with local law enforcement to gather evidence and interview witnesses who may have information about the shooting.
The incident marks the latest episode of gun violence on an American college campus, where students and administrators continue to grapple with safety concerns. University officials emphasized that there is no continuing danger to the campus community based on information gathered during the initial investigation.
Oklahoma State University has approximately twenty-five thousand students enrolled at its Stillwater campus. The university typically provides counseling and support services to students affected by traumatic incidents on campus.
Students and staff were notified of the shooting through the university’s emergency alert system. The notification assured the campus community that police had determined there was no ongoing threat while asking anyone with information to come forward.
The investigation remains active as police work to identify those responsible for the shooting and establish a timeline of events. Authorities are reviewing security camera footage from the residence hall and surrounding areas to assist in the investigation.
University officials have not indicated whether any changes to campus operations or security protocols will be implemented as a result of the incident. Classes and campus activities are expected to proceed as scheduled while police continue their investigation.
Jennifer Lopez’s first husband, Ojani Noa, has publicly accused the singer of cheating and lying during their brief marriage, launching a scathing attack after she claimed in a recent interview that she had “never been truly loved” by any of her past partners.
During a candid appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Lopez, 56, reflected on her romantic history and said she had never experienced true love from any of her partners. “What I learned, it’s not that I’m not lovable — it’s that they’re not capable. They don’t have it in them,” she said.
Noa, who was married to Lopez from 1997 to 1998, took offense to the remark and responded with a blistering statement posted to Instagram over the weekend. “Stop putting us down. Stop putting me down with your victim card. The problem is not us. Not me. The problem is you,” he wrote.
He accused Lopez of infidelity, claiming she was unfaithful during their short marriage. “You’re the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants. Tell the truth for once,” he added, asserting that he had been honest and loyal throughout their relationship. Noa described himself as “an amazing, loving person” who moved out of state to support and protect her, alleging that Lopez begged him to stay in the marriage to avoid negative publicity while pursuing her fast-rising career.
Lopez’s remarks also appeared to take indirect swipes at her fourth ex-husband, actor Ben Affleck, and other former partners. She said that although they gave her “all the rings, all the things,” she did not fully love herself at the time, and her partners also needed to learn to “appreciate the little person inside of them.”
She described her February 21 divorce from Affleck after two years of marriage as “the best thing that ever happened to me,” explaining that the breakup prompted deep personal reflection involving therapy, religious coaching, and self-work.
Noa has previously discussed their turbulent relationship. “I was the first, the pioneer,” he told The Daily Mail last year. “I was there at the beginning of her career supporting her, dealing with her anxieties and insecurities. When we divorced, I was heartbroken. I feel when she got what she wanted, I was no longer needed.”
The couple met in the 1990s and married in 1997, separating just 11 months later. Noa said he initiated the divorce and received a $50,000 settlement in January 1998. “I never looked at another woman when I was with Jennifer,” he said, adding that Lopez’s team portrayed him as the bad guy to protect her image amid her rising fame.
A representative for Jennifer Lopez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
