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At least 15 dead after Lisbon’s historic Gloria Funicular derails near Avenida Da Liberdade

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LISBON, Portugal (BN24) — At least 15 people were killed and 18 others injured after Lisbon’s historic Gloria funicular derailed and crashed near the city’s central Avenida da Liberdade on Wednesday evening, according to emergency services.

The accident, which occurred around 6:05 p.m. local time, left the iconic yellow cable railway overturned and nearly destroyed. Dramatic footage circulating on social media showed the wreckage strewn across the tracks as smoke filled the air and bystanders fled the scene. Emergency responders confirmed that all passengers who had initially been trapped were later freed.

Portugal’s National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM) reported that five of the injured are in serious condition, while the remaining 13—among them a child—suffered minor injuries. Officials also confirmed that foreign nationals are among the deceased, but their identities and nationalities have yet to be verified.

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas called the crash a “tragic moment” for the city, writing on social media, “Lisbon is in mourning.” President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed “deep sympathy and solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended her condolences to the victims’ families.

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation. However, local newspaper Observador reported that a loose cable may have caused the funicular to lose control and collide with a nearby building. Transport operator Carris, which runs the Gloria funicular, stated that it has launched a full inquiry into the incident, emphasizing that all standard maintenance procedures had been followed.

The Gloria funicular, a symbol of Lisbon’s historic transit system, has been in operation since 1885, ferrying passengers between the Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto district. The steep incline and vintage appearance of the tram have made it a popular attraction for tourists and a fixture in daily city life.

As authorities continue to investigate, the derailment has prompted widespread shock and mourning across Portugal, raising fresh concerns over the safety of historic transport infrastructure in urban settings.

Trump says U.S. strike on Caribbean vessel targeted Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, killed 11

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a U.S. military strike in the southern Caribbean destroyed a vessel operated by Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, killing 11 people in what marks one of the most significant American operations in the region in recent years.

Trump announced the strike in a social media post, calling it a direct action against narcotics trafficking networks attempting to move drugs from Venezuela toward the United States. He shared a short video showing a speedboat erupting in flames, describing the incident as a warning to cartels and criminal groups across Latin America.

“The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in international waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike. Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America.”

The video, grainy and filmed largely in black and white, showed what appeared to be a long, multi-engine speedboat before a bright flash engulfed the vessel. While Trump said 11 people were killed, the footage offered no clear evidence of those aboard nor visible confirmation of drug cargo.

Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization that originated in the notorious Tocorón prison more than a decade ago, has expanded its reach as millions of Venezuelans fled the country’s economic collapse. The gang has been blamed by U.S. officials for fueling violence and drug trafficking across Latin America and into American cities. Trump repeated his assertion — disputed by U.S. intelligence agencies — that the group operates under the protection of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Maduro, appearing with first lady Cilia Flores on Venezuelan state television after Trump’s announcement, avoided addressing the strike directly but denounced U.S. actions as part of an effort to seize Venezuela’s natural resources. “In the face of imperialist threats, God is with us,” he told supporters in Caracas. Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez went further, alleging the video Trump posted may have been fabricated using artificial intelligence, calling it “an almost cartoonish animation.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, traveling to Mexico and Ecuador for talks on drug cartels and regional security, stood alongside Trump in announcing the strike earlier Tuesday. Rubio declined to provide details, saying questions should be directed to the Pentagon, but argued the vessel’s drugs were likely bound for the Caribbean. He reiterated his long-standing view that the U.S. should confront cartels “wherever they are operating against the interests of the United States.”

The strike followed last month’s announcement that the U.S. would expand its maritime presence in the Caribbean with additional destroyers to counter Latin American drug cartels. In response, Maduro deployed troops to Venezuela’s coastal and border regions while urging civilians to join local militias. He has accused Washington of fabricating a narrative of Venezuelan complicity in drug smuggling to justify intervention.

The United Nations World Drug Report shows most cocaine shipments flow through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, while Venezuela plays a comparatively smaller role. Still, U.S. officials have insisted Venezuelan waters serve as a corridor for traffickers connected to transnational criminal networks.

Maduro warned Monday that if U.S. forces attempted direct action against Venezuela itself, he would “constitutionally declare a republic in arms” to defend the nation.

The strike highlights an escalating clash between Washington and Caracas as Trump intensifies efforts to choke off narcotics routes and put new pressure on Maduro’s government.

Judge rules against Trump administration’s $2.6 billion funding cuts to Harvard University

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BOSTON (BN24) — A federal judge on Wednesday overturned the Trump administration’s decision to strip Harvard University of more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding, ruling that the cuts were an act of unlawful retaliation against the Ivy League school.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard, finding that the administration’s move violated federal law after the university refused to comply with sweeping White House demands to alter its governance, admissions, and academic policies.

The ruling marks a major victory for Harvard, which had accused the Trump administration of targeting the school in response to its rejection of an April 11 letter from a federal antisemitism task force. That letter had demanded significant changes related to protests, academics, and admissions amid allegations that the university tolerated anti-Jewish harassment and fostered a culture of liberal bias.

Harvard argued the demands amounted to political interference in higher education. President Alan Garber said the university remains committed to combating antisemitism but warned that no government “should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”

The decision reverses funding freezes and subsequent cuts that had severely disrupted Harvard’s research enterprise, jeopardizing hundreds of projects across medicine, science, and technology. If upheld, the ruling could restore Harvard’s access to federal funds and revive programs that had been stalled for months.

The administration had also threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and restrict its ability to host international students. President Donald Trump insisted Harvard should pay at least $500 million as part of a potential settlement, though no agreement has been reached. While Columbia and Brown universities have struck separate deals with the administration, talks with Harvard remain unresolved.

The court’s ruling underscores a broader clash between the Trump administration and elite universities, with Harvard emerging as a central battleground in disputes over academic independence, free speech, and federal oversight.

Suicide bombing near political rally in southwestern Pakistan kills 13, injures dozens

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QUETTA, Pakistan (BN24) — A suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a political rally in southwestern Pakistan late Tuesday, killing at least 13 people and wounding more than 30 others, authorities said Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the insurgency-plagued region in recent months.

Police chief Majeed Qaisrani said the explosion struck near a graveyard on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, as supporters of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) were leaving a stadium following a rally. He confirmed that body parts of the attacker were recovered at the blast site.

Hospital spokesman Waseem Baig said at least 13 bodies were brought to Quetta Civil Hospital, while dozens of the wounded remained in critical condition.

The rally was organized to commemorate the anniversary of veteran nationalist leader Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a former provincial chief minister. BNP leader Akhtar Mengal, a frequent critic of the federal government, was not harmed in the attack, though police confirmed some of his supporters were among the casualties.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing. Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban have previously carried out attacks in the region, often targeting government officials, security forces, or gatherings linked to political leaders.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as a “cowardly act of the enemies of humanity,” vowing a high-level probe and directing authorities to provide the best possible medical care for the injured.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking in Islamabad, also denounced the bombing, alleging without evidence that “India-backed terrorists and their facilitators” were responsible for attempting to destabilize Pakistan by targeting civilians. Pakistan’s government has often accused New Delhi of supporting separatist and militant groups in the country, charges India has consistently denied.

Balochistan, rich in natural resources, has long witnessed a simmering separatist insurgency led by groups such as the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army, which demand independence from the central government. While authorities claim the insurgency has been largely contained, sporadic violence continues to strike the province.

The attack comes amid a broader surge in militant violence across Pakistan. On Wednesday, gunmen killed five Sunni Muslims when they opened fire on a vehicle in Kurram, a district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, before fleeing into nearby mountains. A day earlier, militants attempted to storm the paramilitary Federal Constabulary headquarters in Bannu, triggering a firefight that left six soldiers and five attackers dead, according to local police and the military.

The string of attacks underscores Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with insurgency and sectarian violence ahead of political rallies and events in volatile regions.

Associated Press

Kim Kardashian explains why she doesn’t assign homework to children

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LOS ANGELES (BN24) — Kim Kardashian is speaking out against homework, arguing that school-aged children need time to unwind and live their lives after a full day of academics.

The reality television star and entrepreneur made the comments during an appearance on streamer Kai Cenat’s Mafiathon 3 event on Monday, Sept. 1. During the livestream, Kardashian, who has been open about her legal studies and recently took the California bar exam, explained why she believes the traditional model of assigning homework after school hours is outdated and unnecessary.

“I don’t believe in homework. Seriously, seriously,” Kardashian said during the broadcast. “Kids are in school for eight hours a day. When they come home, they need to also do sports, have a life, spend time with their family. I think the homework should be left for in school.”

While stressing that she supports students completing their academic work, Kardashian emphasized that such tasks should be integrated into the school day, not added to it. She noted that children learning from home or in flexible educational settings are a different case but maintained that traditional students should not be burdened with assignments after hours.

“If you go into school or you stay online and you’re doing your school eight hours a day, the last thing you wanna do is then get off of your school program and then do a book report,” she said. “You should be doing that with your professor and with your teacher, and eight hours a day is enough of schoolwork, in my opinion.”

Kardashian, who shares four children with ex-husband Ye (formerly Kanye West), also offered insight into how she handles academic challenges within her own household. She described how one of her children, who struggles with enjoying school, has been encouraged to pursue creative interests like Japanese language and fashion design, which incorporate learning through alternative approaches.

“They need to know the basics, obviously, but I have one child who really hates school,” she said. “So you have to get creative. Instead, she takes Japanese class or fashion design and has to do more tallying up of different numbers in other ways. But she still goes to school. But it’s a fight.”

Kardashian said she focuses on helping her children find joy in education by tailoring subjects to their interests and making learning feel more engaging and personalized.

The comments have sparked renewed conversation around the growing debate over homework in American schools, with some educators and parents questioning its effectiveness and impact on children’s mental health and family time.

Six dead in fatal road crash in Lagos, Nigeria

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Simeon
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LAGOS (BN24) — Six people, including two men, three women, and a child, were confirmed dead following a road crash at Ibeju Bus Stop along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos on Tuesday, September 2.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported that the collision involved a blue Volvo FL6 truck carrying wooden planks and a white commercial bus bearing registration number AKD 336 YD. The tragic accident occurred in the afternoon, resulting in multiple casualties.

In addition to the fatalities, nine survivors—three men and six women—were rescued by LASTMA officials with assistance from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The survivors were promptly taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Epe, and Hammond Hospital for medical treatment.

The bodies of the deceased victims were deposited at the Federal Medical Centre morgue in Epe as investigations continue.

Preliminary findings from the Lagos traffic agency suggest that the crash was caused by excessive speeding and reckless driving, underscoring ongoing concerns about road safety in the region. LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed deep condolences to the families affected by the accident. He also issued a stern warning to motorists, urging caution and adherence to speed limits, particularly during the Ember Months— a period known for increased traffic and accident risks.

Nigerian ‘Cybercrime Kingpin’ James Junior Aliyu pleads guilty to $6m fraud scheme in U.S.

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Simeon
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BALTIMORE (BN24) — James Junior Aliyu, a 30-year-old Nigerian national residing in South Africa at the time, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering tied to a $6 million business email compromise (BEC) scheme.

Aliyu is the last of three defendants to enter guilty pleas in connection with the multi-million-dollar fraud operation, which targeted individuals and businesses by hacking email accounts and sending fraudulent wiring instructions. Eight other defendants previously pleaded guilty in related cases within the District of Maryland.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, announced Aliyu’s plea on August 26, 2025, alongside Acting Special Agent in Charge Evan Campanella of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Baltimore. Aliyu was arrested and extradited from South Africa to the United States to face federal charges.

According to a federal indictment unsealed in July 2022, Aliyu, along with co-defendants Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo and Henry Onyedikachi Echefu—also Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa—conspired from February to July 2017 to gain unauthorized access to email accounts. They sent “spoofed” emails with false wiring instructions designed to trick victims into transferring money into “drop accounts” controlled by the perpetrators.

In addition to wire fraud, Aliyu and his co-conspirators engaged in money laundering by moving the stolen funds through a series of transfers, withdrawals, and check transactions to conceal the origin and ownership of the assets.

Documents from Aliyu’s plea agreement state the intended loss amount for the transactions he controlled exceeded $4.1 million, with actual losses of at least $1.57 million. Aliyu directly controlled over $1.19 million of the stolen funds. He is required to pay a money judgment of at least $1.19 million and restitution totaling no less than $2.38 million to the victims.

Aliyu faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison when he appears for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman on November 24, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the investigative work of the HSI Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force and acknowledged critical assistance from South African law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs. The DOJ’s Canadian International Assistance Group also supported the arrests and extraditions of co-defendants Echefu and Simon-Ebo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy is prosecuting the case.

Burkina Faso bans homosexuality, imposes up to 5-years in prison

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Simeon
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OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (BN24) — Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law banning homosexuality, imposing prison sentences of up to five years on offenders. The legislation, passed unanimously on Monday by the 71-member unelected parliament, also tightens rules on nationality and stateless persons.

The new Persons and Family Code law marks Burkina Faso as the latest African nation to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activities, joining a number of conservative countries across the continent that maintain strict anti-LGBTQ laws.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, speaking on state television, said the law provides prison terms ranging from two to five years along with fines. He added that those convicted of repeat offenses who are not Burkinabe nationals could face deportation.

“The law goes into effect immediately,” Bayala said, condemning homosexual acts as “bizarre behaviour.”

Burkina Faso’s military junta, led by Ibrahim Traore following a 2022 coup, has shown increasing intolerance toward dissent and minority rights amid escalating Islamist militant violence in the West African nation.

Anti-gay laws remain widespread in several African countries including Senegal, Uganda, and Malawi. However, some countries such as South Africa, Botswana, and Angola have decriminalized LGBTQ practices or enacted protective legislation.

While Western governments and human rights groups have criticized such laws, they continue to enjoy broad support within many African societies where homosexuality is often viewed as foreign to local cultures rather than an inherent sexual orientation.

The legislation now awaits the signature of military leader Ibrahim Traore to become law.

‘I’m here to entertain’ – Alcaraz books semi-final spot

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Simeon
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NEW YORK (BN24) — Carlos Alcaraz delivered another commanding performance at the US Open 2025, defeating Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to secure a spot in the semi-finals and continuing his bid for a sixth Grand Slam title.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, who won the US Open in 2022, needed just under two hours to dispatch the 20th-seeded Czech player 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday. Alcaraz broke Lehecka’s serve in the opening game and never looked back, maintaining sharp focus throughout while showcasing the electrifying shot-making that has become his trademark.

“Sometimes I play a shot that I should not play in that moment, but it’s the way I love playing tennis,” Alcaraz told Sky Sports after the match. “I’m here to entertain the people, myself, and the team.”

Despite a pair of double faults in his opening service game, Lehecka showed resilience midway through the first set. Yet any momentum he gained was quickly erased as Alcaraz broke again to start the second. The world No. 2, who was beaten by Lehecka earlier this year at the Qatar Open, appeared in complete control, losing only six points on serve in the second set.

Alcaraz’s flair was on full display in the third, including a highlight-reel forehand drop shot played on the slide that left Lehecka motionless at the baseline. The shot drew roars from the New York crowd and reinforced Alcaraz’s reputation not just as a champion, but a performer.

This marks the third time Alcaraz has reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows. Remarkably, it’s the first time in his career he has reached the last four of a Grand Slam without dropping a set — making him the youngest man to achieve that feat since Rafael Nadal at the 2008 French Open.

Alcaraz, the tournament’s second seed, will face either fourth-seeded American Taylor Fritz or 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.

As he continues to chase his second US Open title and sixth overall major, Alcaraz’s message remains simple: winning is crucial, but entertaining is essential.

Credit:BBC

Cardi B wins lawsuit filed by security guard who claimed the rapper assaulted her during pregnancy

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California (BN24) – A California jury delivered a swift and unanimous verdict in favor of rapper Cardi B on Tuesday, rejecting a lawsuit brought by a security guard who alleged the Grammy-winning artist assaulted her at a Beverly Hills doctor’s office during her first pregnancy in 2018.

The case, heard in a small courthouse in Alhambra, centered on claims from plaintiff Emani Ellis, who said the hip-hop star scratched her face with a fingernail and spat on her during an altercation in the hallway of an obstetrician’s office. Ellis further claimed the incident left her scarred, traumatized, and in need of cosmetic surgery.

After hearing two days of testimony, including Cardi B’s own account of the encounter, the jury of six men and six women deliberated for just about an hour before siding entirely with the rapper. Although only nine jurors were needed for a civil verdict, all 12 voted in Cardi’s favor.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Cardi B celebrated the outcome and condemned what she described as a pattern of frivolous lawsuits against celebrities. “The next person who tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to counter-sue, and I’m gonna make you pay, because this is not OK,” she said, posing for photos with fans. “I am not that celeb that you sue, and you think is going to settle. I’m not gonna settle. Especially when I’m super completely innocent.”

The rapper, who said she missed her children’s first day of school because of the trial, added that the experience had been emotionally draining, even down to the elaborate wig changes she made each day, which she joked left her own lawyer unsure which hairstyle was real.

During testimony livestreamed last week, Cardi B acknowledged arguing with Ellis but insisted she never laid a hand on her. She told jurors that at the time she was four months pregnant and worried Ellis might reveal the pregnancy, which she had not yet made public. “I will say it on my deathbed. I did not touch that woman,” Cardi said after the verdict. “I didn’t lay my hands on that girl.”

According to Cardi, Ellis followed her into the building, appeared to be filming her, and even spoke her name into a phone before apologizing when confronted. The argument escalated, Cardi said, but remained verbal. A receptionist who intervened largely corroborated the rapper’s account.

Ellis testified that she felt humiliated and traumatized by the incident, claiming she was left with a facial scar that required surgery and ultimately cost her job. In her lawsuit, she sought compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional suffering, and punitive damages. Cardi B testified that Ellis was demanding $24 million in damages.

Ellis’s attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, said outside court that his client intends to appeal. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the verdict.

Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, told jurors she had been in Los Angeles at the time promoting projects around the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. The obstetrician’s office, she said, had been closed to ensure her privacy during the pregnancy, which at that point had only been disclosed to her close inner circle.

The jury’s ruling marks another courtroom victory for Cardi B, who in recent years has successfully defended herself in multiple defamation and civil cases. For the Bronx-born rapper, Tuesday’s verdict was not only a legal win but also a public statement against lawsuits she views as attempts to exploit her fame.

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