US designates two Ecuadorian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations

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September 4, 2025

WASHINGTON(BN24) — U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey has announced his engagement to Alexis Lewis, his longtime girlfriend, following a romantic surprise proposal during a trip to Hawaii. The engagement comes as Booker, 56, faces renewed speculation over a possible 2028 presidential run.

Booker, who previously sought the Democratic nomination in 2020, shared the details of the proposal this week, describing how he surprised Lewis during a musical performance on the island. “She was dancing and singing with the performers, and then she runs over to them and says, ‘Oh my god, this is the song I wanted at my wedding,’” Booker recalled. “Then I told her, ‘Honey, this is actually the song being performed at your engagement.’”

According to Booker, Lewis was so overwhelmed she “blacked out” from the moment, only fully realizing what had happened after he showed her a photo of himself down on one knee.

Lewis is the vice president of investments at Brasa Capital Management, a real estate investment firm. She previously worked in public service as an economic development aide for the mayor’s office in Los Angeles. This is the first marriage for Booker, who has often been the subject of media scrutiny over his personal life throughout his political career.

During his initial 2013 Senate campaign, questions about his private life prompted Booker to push back forcefully. “The question really should not be whether I’m gay or straight,” he said at the time. “The question should be why the heck are you asking the question in the first place? It doesn’t make a whit of difference to what kind of senator I’m going to be.”

Booker’s past relationship with actress Rosario Dawson made headlines during his 2020 presidential bid. Dawson offered her congratulations to the couple on social media, commenting on Instagram: “Love Love! Congratulations you two!”

The engagement adds a personal milestone to a period of heightened political activity for Booker, who reignited talk of a 2028 presidential campaign earlier this year after delivering a record-breaking 25-hour Senate speech warning that the “country is in crisis.” The extended address, in which he passionately criticized the state of national politics, sparked fresh interest in his future on the national stage.

Booker is once again positioning himself as a leading progressive voice in Congress, particularly as lawmakers brace for a potential budget showdown. He vowed this week to resist Republican-led proposals tied to former President Donald Trump’s agenda. “I’m not giving my vote away to Donald Trump on a budget that’s going to hurt people,” Booker said. “I am standing and fighting against any kind of budget proposal that’s going to hurt Americans or hurt people in New Jersey.”

Framing the current political climate as a turning point, Booker added: “This is a crossroads. I believe there comes a time when everyone should stand up and fight for what’s right — and that’s what I intend to do.”

As Booker steps back into the spotlight, both politically and personally, the engagement has drawn national attention, blending the private joy of a major life event with the public momentum of a potential return to the presidential arena.

World’s biggest illegal streaming network shut down

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September 4, 2025

CAIRO (BN24)— Authorities have dismantled what officials describe as the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, Streameast, in a major international anti-piracy operation. The service, which generated an estimated 1.6 billion visits in the past year across 80 domains, illegally broadcasted premium live sports content to millions of users worldwide.

The takedown, led by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), targeted Streameast’s extensive digital infrastructure, which had become a hub for pirated access to live sports. The platform was particularly popular in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, and the Philippines, offering unauthorized live streams of some of the most-watched sporting events globally.

Streameast had illegally distributed matches from Europe’s top domestic football leagues — including the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, France’s Ligue 1, and Portugal’s Primeira Liga. It also streamed UEFA club competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, along with international fixtures including FIFA World Cup qualifiers, UEFA Euro qualifiers, Nations League matches, and South America’s CONMEBOL Copa America.

The platform also made available unauthorized streams of top-tier American sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, in addition to pay-per-view boxing events, Formula One races, and MotoGP competitions — drawing widespread condemnation from rights holders and broadcasters.

“This is a resounding victory in the global fight against digital piracy,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman of the Motion Picture Association and head of ACE. “We will continue our efforts to shut down illegal streaming networks that undermine legitimate content creators and broadcasters.”

Ed McCarthy, chief operating officer of DAZN Group, one of the major sports broadcasters affected, hailed the enforcement action as a pivotal moment for the sports ecosystem. “This operation was a major victory for everyone who invests in and relies on live sports. Piracy strips value from every level of the industry and exposes fans to dangerous content,” McCarthy said.

The shutdown comes amid a broader crackdown on illegal sports streaming services, which industry officials estimate cost the global sports and entertainment sector hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Earlier this year, Sky Group COO Nick Herm issued a warning over the growing use of jailbroken streaming devices like modified Amazon Fire Sticks, which provide easy access to pirated services.

Law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions have stepped up efforts in recent years, with several high-profile arrests and convictions. In July, a UK man, Stephen Woodward, 36, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for running three illegal sports streaming sites. Authorities said Woodward used proceeds from his piracy operations to finance a luxury lifestyle that included designer clothing, overseas vacations, and a £91,000 Jaguar F-Type V8.

Streameast’s takedown marks one of the most significant victories to date in the ongoing global effort to combat online sports piracy. Rights holders, broadcasters, and anti-piracy groups say they remain committed to pursuing the operators of illegal streaming services and safeguarding the integrity of live sports broadcasting.

U.S. approves $32.5 million in aid to Nigeria to tackle growing hunger crisis-AP

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September 3, 2025

Somalia East Africa Famine — Holding their pots Somali children from southern Somalia, lineup to receive cooked food in Mogadishu, Somalia, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011. The World Food Program said Saturday that it is expanding its food distribution efforts in famine-struck Somalia, where the U.N. estimates that only 20 percent of people needing aid are getting it.(AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — The United States has approved $32.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria as the country battles a worsening hunger crisis fueled by insecurity and global aid cuts.

Holding their pots Somali children from southern Somalia, lineup to receive cooked food in Mogadishu, Somalia, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011. The World Food Program said Saturday that it is expanding its food distribution efforts in famine-struck Somalia, where the U.N. estimates that only 20 percent of people needing aid are getting it.(AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

The U.S. mission to Nigeria said Wednesday the funding will provide food assistance and nutritional support to vulnerable communities, including those displaced by conflict in the northeast. The aid marks a notable policy shift after President Donald Trump suspended most foreign assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development during his first term.

According to the mission, the package will benefit more than 764,000 people across northern Nigeria, including 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and 43,235 children who will receive additional nutritional support through electronic food vouchers.

The World Food Program (WFP) has repeatedly warned that Nigeria is at the epicenter of an “unprecedented hunger crisis.” In July, WFP regional director for West Africa Margot van der Velden said more than 1.3 million people in Borno state alone could be left without food and that 150 nutrition clinics risked closure due to aid shortages. The WFP later suspended food assistance across several West and Central African countries as funding cuts from the U.S. and other donors forced its operations to a halt.

Northern Nigeria has long struggled with overlapping crises. In the northeast, a 14-year insurgency by extremist groups has left around 35,000 civilians dead and displaced more than 2 million, according to United Nations figures. Elsewhere, rising violence in the northwest and north-central regions — often tied to clashes between farmers and herders over scarce land and water — has further deepened food insecurity. In June, at least 150 people were killed in one such attack in north-central Nigeria.

The U.S. mission said the newly approved assistance aims to help stabilize access to food for families facing severe shortages, but international agencies caution that without sustained aid, millions in Nigeria and across the wider region remain at risk of starvation.

Kenya suspends exhumations at cult site after 34 more bodies found for DNA analysis

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September 3, 2025

KILIFI, Kenya (BN24) — Authorities in Kenya have suspended exhumations at a cult-linked site where hundreds of shallow graves have been discovered, saying DNA sampling must be completed before further digging resumes.

The latest operation, carried out over the past two weeks at Chakama Ranch in Kilifi County, uncovered 34 bodies and more than 100 body parts. Police said the pause is necessary to allow for DNA analysis, which will help identify victims as investigators continue unraveling the case.

The area, already notorious as the site of mass graves linked to Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s Good News International Church in nearby Shakahola, has once again drawn scrutiny amid what police describe as the regrouping of former cult members.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said Wednesday that a multi-agency team remains on the ground to establish the full circumstances of the deaths. “We have our best team working here, and very soon we will complete the investigation,” Kanja told reporters.

Government pathologist Richard Njoroge said postmortem examinations would begin once X-rays are complete.

Authorities confirmed that 11 suspects were arrested last month following a complaint from a woman who said her children had died under the group’s watch. Court filings show investigators are examining money transfers made to the suspects’ phones, which police believe were used to fund the cult’s operations.

The group reportedly rented homes in Malindi town before relocating to Chakama Ranch, where mud huts were built near the graves now being unearthed. Police say the isolated, forested area made detection difficult and law enforcement presence weak.

“This is a very expansive and forested area, and for that reason, it needs all of us to come together so that we can overcome these challenges,” Kanja said, adding that many of those missing and presumed dead are not local residents.

The new exhumations are taking place roughly two kilometers from Shakahola, where more than 400 bodies were recovered in 2023. Pastor Mackenzie, accused of convincing followers to starve to death in anticipation of salvation, remains in custody on murder charges.

The Chakama Ranch case underscores the ongoing challenge of policing remote areas of Kenya, where law enforcement has struggled to contain cult activity and prevent further mass deaths.

Associated Press

Putin and Xi muse about living to 150 through organ transplants, sparking debate on immortality-Politico

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September 3, 2025

BEIJING (BN24) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were overheard privately discussing the possibility of living to 150 years old through advanced medical technology, according to a hot-mic moment captured during China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing.

The two leaders, both 72, were caught on CCTV cameras musing about biotechnology, organ transplants and the potential for human immortality. “Earlier, people rarely lived to 70, but these days at 70 you are still a child,” Xi reportedly told Putin through an interpreter. Putin replied, “With the development of biotechnology, human organs can be continuously transplanted and people can live younger and younger, and even achieve immortality.” Xi then added, “Predictions are, this century, there is also a chance of living to 150.”

The exchange took place on Wednesday as Xi hosted 26 world leaders, including Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and China’s victory over occupying forces. It was the first public appearance featuring all three leaders together.

China’s medical system has long faced scrutiny over organ harvesting practices, which officially ended in 2015 but, according to human rights groups, continue in secret. International watchdogs allege that Uyghurs and other targeted minorities in western China remain vulnerable to forced organ donation. Beijing denies the claims.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, has been openly investing in longevity research. Last year, The Times of London reported that Putin had directed Russian scientists to accelerate anti-aging programs focusing on cellular degeneration, cognitive decline, and immune system resilience.

Though the hot-mic remarks were lighthearted, analysts noted they reflect both leaders’ long-standing fascination with medical advances and the political symbolism of appearing to embrace ideas of near-immortality. For Putin and Xi, the conversation also underscores how biotechnology and organ transplantation have become part of global competition — and speculation about whether authoritarian governments could harness life-extending science for their own elites.

Epstein accusers say they are compiling list of his associates

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September 3, 2025

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, demanding the release of more government files and revealing plans to compile a confidential list of the financier’s associates whom they accuse of being complicit in his crimes.

Lisa Phillips, one of nine women who spoke during the two-hour news conference, said the list would be created privately by survivors. “We will confidentially compile the names we all know were regularly in the Epstein world,” she said. “It will be done by survivors, and for survivors.” Phillips urged the Justice Department to release its full trove of documents, saying many victims feared retaliation if they identified associates themselves.

The press event, organized by lawmakers seeking further disclosure from the Epstein investigation, drew emotional testimony. Marina Lacerda, speaking publicly for the first time, said she was 14 when she began working for Epstein. “I was one of dozens of girls I personally know who were forced into Jeffrey’s mansion in New York City when we were just kids,” she said. Her voice broke as she recalled being paid $300 for what was described as a massage but quickly became sexual abuse.

Other survivors said the secrecy surrounding Epstein’s powerful network perpetuated their trauma. Annie Farmer, who said she was taken to New Mexico at age 16 to spend a weekend with Epstein, questioned why her report of abuse was ignored. “We still do not know why that report wasn’t properly investigated, or why Epstein and his associates were allowed to harm hundreds, if not thousands, of other girls and young women,” she said.

Liz Stein, who has sued Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, told reporters she attended the rally to “humanize survivors,” adding, “This is a crime of sex trafficking. This isn’t a political issue, but it’s being politicized because of the people involved.”

Some survivors addressed Epstein’s ties to high-profile figures. Chauntae Davies said Epstein often bragged about his friendship with President Donald Trump, keeping a framed picture of the two of them on his desk. Trump told reporters Wednesday that the ongoing focus on Epstein files was “a Democrat hoax that never ends” and insisted that “enough” documents had already been released. He said the controversy was meant to distract from his record in office.

A day earlier, the House Oversight Committee released 33,000 pages of files and several videos, most of which were already public. Democrats on the panel said 97% of the documents offered nothing new. “There is no mention of any client list or anything that improves transparency or justice for victims,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat.

Lawmakers from both parties have pressed for full disclosure. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., are gathering signatures to force a vote that would compel the Justice Department to release all documents related to Epstein. “It’s shameful this has been called a hoax,” Massie said. “There are real victims to this criminal enterprise, and the perpetrators are being protected because they are rich and powerful.”

The White House and Republican congressional leaders oppose the move, arguing a full release could unfairly expose innocent individuals. But survivors insist continued secrecy allows those tied to Epstein’s abuse to evade accountability.

Indian man sentenced to death for burning wife alive over her skin color

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September 3, 2025

NEW DELHI (BN24) —An Indian man has been sentenced to death for murdering his wife by setting her on fire, a brutal crime driven by prejudice against her dark skin tone, in a case that has reignited national conversations around colourism and gender-based violence.

The sentencing was delivered over the weekend by a court in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, nearly eight years after the horrific attack on the woman, Lakshmi, took place on June 24, 2017. According to court documents reviewed by the BBC, Lakshmi’s husband, identified as Kishandas, doused her with a corrosive liquid and set her ablaze using an incense stick, after years of verbal abuse related to her complexion.

Lakshmi, who had married Kishandas in 2016, reportedly endured ongoing humiliation and body-shaming for being dark-skinned. She told investigators before succumbing to her injuries that her husband regularly called her “kali,” a derogatory term referring to her skin color, and made repeated derogatory comments about her appearance.

On the night of the attack, Kishandas arrived home with a plastic bottle containing a brown liquid, which he claimed was a skin-lightening treatment. After applying it to her skin, Lakshmi reportedly complained about the sharp, acidic odor—at which point he ignited her body. As she burned, Kishandas poured the rest of the substance over her and fled the scene. Her family rushed her to the hospital, but she died from her injuries soon afterward.

In a sharply worded judgment, Additional Sessions Judge Rahul Choudhary described the act as not merely murder, but “a crime against humanity.” He characterized Kishandas’s actions as displaying “excessive cruelty,” stating that the case qualified as the “rarest of the rare,” a legal standard in India that justifies capital punishment.

“It will not be an exaggeration to say that this heart-rending brutal crime was not just against Lakshmi, but against humanity,” Judge Choudhary said in court. “It shocks the conscience of humanity, which cannot even be imagined in a healthy and civilised society.”

The prosecution hailed the verdict as a landmark moment in the fight against domestic violence and gender-based discrimination. “A young woman in her early 20s was brutally murdered,” the public prosecutor told reporters. “She was someone’s daughter, someone’s sister. If we don’t protect our daughters, who will?”

The case has drawn renewed attention to the deeply ingrained issue of colourism in Indian society, where lighter skin is often unfairly associated with beauty and social status. Despite decades of activism and growing public awareness, dark-skinned women in India continue to face discrimination in marriage, media portrayals, and everyday life.

Activists argue that until societal attitudes shift and accountability is consistently enforced, such acts of violence will continue to occur.

Lakshmi’s death is now being seen as both a tragedy and a rallying point for those pushing to end violence against women and dismantle toxic beauty standards in India. As the country grapples with this deeply rooted prejudice, the court’s ruling is being viewed not just as a punishment for a horrific crime, but as a statement against the normalization of colourism.

Xi, Putin and Kim attend China military parade in rare public unity

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September 3, 2025

BEIJING (BN24) —In a striking display of military strength and political alignment, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared together in public for the first time on Wednesday at a massive military parade in Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia.

The highly choreographed event in Tiananmen Square featured tens of thousands of troops, cutting-edge weaponry, and an unmistakable message of unity among three of the world’s most sanctioned nations.

President Xi, standing alongside Putin and Kim, used the occasion to deliver a veiled critique of Western power structures, declaring that the world faces a choice between “peace and war.” His five-minute speech avoided direct reference to the United States but emphasized international cooperation over confrontation, warning that humanity must “never return to the law of the jungle.”

Xi toasted to “common prosperity for all humankind” during a luncheon at the Great Hall of the People, where global dignitaries were served traditional Chinese wine after the spectacle concluded with a release of doves and balloons.

The parade served as both a domestic show of patriotism and an international signal of China’s rising military and political confidence. Xi inspected the troops from atop a vehicle along Changan Avenue, observing elite divisions from all branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as well as a dramatic unveiling of China’s most advanced weapons systems.

On display were nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), stealth attack drones nicknamed “loyal wingmen,” laser-directed energy weapons, robotic battlefield units, and underwater nuclear drones—a lineup seen as China’s declaration of its intent to rival Western military dominance.

The appearance of Putin and Kim alongside Xi captured global attention, overshadowing even the military technology. Before the parade began, Xi welcomed Kim with a long handshake, followed by a greeting to Putin. The three leaders then walked together to the viewing platform in what observers see as a coordinated message of defiance to Western-led international systems.

The gathering marked a rare in-person trilateral engagement, as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un later held a two-and-a-half-hour bilateral meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, reportedly discussing military cooperation and North Korea’s role in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to sources cited by Russian media, North Korea has deployed an estimated 15,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces and has provided ammunition in exchange for financial aid and weapons development assistance. Putin praised Pyongyang’s contributions and reaffirmed strategic alignment between the two nations.

In addition to the three leaders, the Beijing event drew 24 international dignitaries, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Vietnamese military chief Luong Cuong, and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Two European leaders—Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić—were also present and were seen posing for photos with Putin after the parade.

However, several key leaders declined invitations, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite having met Xi earlier in the week, and South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung. The absence of former Chinese President Hu Jintao was also noted, fueling speculation about internal political dynamics.

Most Western nations abstained from attending altogether, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions between China and the U.S.-led bloc over trade, technology, and military posture in the Indo-Pacific.

Following the event, U.S. President Donald Trump—who did not attend—responded on his Truth Social platform, accusing Xi, Putin, and Kim of “conspiring against the United States.” The Kremlin dismissed the claim as “ironic,” with spokesperson Yuri Ushakov stating that the leaders “are not even thinking about a conspiracy” and instead are focused on adapting to the current international landscape.

While officials in Beijing have not explicitly named the United States, Chinese diplomats have previously criticized U.S. policies—particularly sanctions and tariffs—as manifestations of global bullying.

Wednesday’s parade was more than a historical commemoration—it was a performance of power, unity, and intent. With an advanced arsenal on full display and three leaders bound by mutual interests standing shoulder to shoulder, the event sends a clear message to the world: China, Russia, and North Korea are not only aligned politically, but increasingly militarily.

As geopolitical tensions rise, the rare joint appearance by Xi, Putin, and Kim is likely to be scrutinized by analysts and governments alike—not for what was said, but for what was clearly signaled.

Credit: BBC

3 killed in rare stabbing attack at pizza restaurant in Seoul

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September 3, 2025