MANCHESTER, England (BN24) — Manchester United have reached a loan agreement with Turkish club Trabzonspor for goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to transfer reports, giving the Cameroon international the option to leave Old Trafford for the remainder of the season.
France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League third place play-off football match between Germany and France in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany on June 8, 2025. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)
Onana, 29, has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League this campaign, with Altay Bayindir starting in goal for Manchester United’s first three matches. Although the former Inter Milan goalkeeper had pledged to fight for his place, his opportunities have narrowed after missing much of pre-season through injury and with Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens arriving from Royal Antwerp in an £18.4 million transfer.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that the clubs have struck a verbal agreement for a season-long loan. With the English transfer window closed, Onana’s situation remains possible because the Turkish Super Lig window remains open until Sept. 12, allowing Trabzonspor to complete the deal.
Trabzonspor, currently second in the Turkish league, are not involved in European competition this season, which could ensure regular playing time for Onana if he accepts the move. The club views the Cameroonian as a major addition to strengthen their push in domestic competition.
The decision now rests with Onana, who must weigh the chance of consistent football in Turkey against his ambition to reclaim the No. 1 role at Manchester United.
NEW YORK (BN24) — Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will meet in the 2025 US Open final on Sunday, renewing a rivalry that has quickly become the center piece of men’s tennis. The match marks the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the 22-year-old Spaniard and the 24-year-old Italian, underscoring their dominance in the post–“Big Three” era.
Their duel recalls the breakthrough moment in 2022, when Alcaraz edged Sinner in a five-set US Open quarterfinal that ended at nearly 3 a.m. and was hailed as the future of the sport. Since then, the two have split titles across the majors, with Sinner claiming this year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz triumphed at Roland Garros.
Sinner, the world’s top-ranked player, has dropped just two sets during his run to the New York final despite recent concerns over illness. “We are two different players now, with different confidence too,” Sinner said. “Let’s see what’s coming.”
Alcaraz, ranked No. 2, arrives with momentum after defeating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The five-time major champion holds a 9-5 advantage over Sinner in their head-to-head matchups, including six wins in their past seven meetings. “His matches are really demanding physically,” Alcaraz said of his rival. “That’s the biggest improvement he has made in the last years.”
Both players have elevated their games while pushing each other to new heights. Sinner has won 92% of his matches over the past two seasons despite a three-month absence due to a doping case, while Alcaraz has compiled 114 victories in 133 matches and significantly improved his serve.
The showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium will be historic: no men’s players in the Open era have contested three Grand Slam finals in the same season. For Alcaraz and Sinner, it is another defining chapter in a rivalry that has already reshaped the landscape of men’s tennis.
KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russia unleashed the largest drone and missile barrage on Ukraine since the war began, striking Kyiv on Sunday in an assault that killed at least two civilians and left smoke billowing from the roof of a key government building.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 810 drones and decoys, along with 13 missiles of various types, in what officials described as the heaviest single-day air campaign since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Spokesman Yuriy Ihnat told The Associated Press that the assault was unprecedented in scale. Ukrainian forces reported intercepting 747 drones and four missiles, though debris and direct strikes were recorded at more than 30 locations across the country.
In Kyiv, reporters saw plumes of smoke rising from the Cabinet of Ministers building, the seat of Ukraine’s government. Firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene as police sealed off surrounding streets.
“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned. The world must respond not only with words, but with actions, by strengthening sanctions against Russian oil and gas.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed the appeal in an online statement, condemning the strikes as “a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war.” He urged the international community to reinforce sanctions and expedite delivery of air defense systems. “Every additional system saves civilians from these vile strikes,” he said. “The world can force the Kremlin criminals to stop killing; only political will is needed.”
The casualties in Kyiv included a mother and her 3-month-old child, who were pulled from the rubble by rescuers, according to city administration head Tymur Tkachenko. At least 10 locations in the capital were damaged, including a nine-story apartment block in the Sviatoshynskyi district and a four-story residential building in Darnytskyi district.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the assault targeted “military-industrial infrastructure,” including drone production sites, airfields, air defense radar stations and troop positions. Ukraine has not confirmed those claims.
The strike marked the second massive bombardment of Kyiv in two weeks, signaling a renewed escalation as hopes for peace talks falter. European leaders recently pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue negotiations, while 26 of Ukraine’s allies pledged to deploy a multinational “reassurance force” once the fighting ceases.
Zelenskyy has reiterated that he is prepared to meet Putin to negotiate a peace deal but has called on U.S. President Donald Trump and Western allies to apply maximum sanctions to pressure Moscow into ending the war.
The attack underscores the intensifying scale of Russia’s air campaign, which for the first time has visibly damaged one of Ukraine’s central government buildings, a symbolic escalation in a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives.
Indiana, PA (BN24) – Two Powerball players in Missouri and Texas overcame astronomical odds Saturday night to split the estimated $1.8 billion jackpot, ending the lottery game’s three-month streak without a grand prize winner and claiming the second-largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history.
The winning numbers drawn Saturday were 11, 23, 44, 61 and 62, with the Powerball number 17. The massive prize followed 41 consecutive drawings since May 31 in which no player successfully matched all six numbers required to win the top prize.
Each winning ticket holder will receive an equal share of the historic jackpot, which had grown steadily over nearly three months as the game’s notoriously difficult odds of 1 in 292.2 million prevented anyone from claiming the grand prize. Lottery officials design these challenging odds specifically to generate enormous jackpots by allowing prizes to accumulate as they roll over when no winner emerges.
The $1.8 billion figure represents the annuity option, paid out over 30 installments spanning 29 years. However, winners typically select the cash option, which would provide an estimated $826.4 million for Saturday night’s drawing, to be divided between the two successful players.
Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the second-largest in U.S. lottery history, highlighting the massive prizes that Powerball can generate during extended winning droughts. The game’s structure encourages these substantial accumulations, with prizes continuing to grow through multiple drawings until someone matches the complete winning combination.
The Missouri and Texas winners managed to beat odds that lottery officials acknowledge are designed to be nearly impossible. While the chances of winning the jackpot remain extraordinarily slim, lottery officials emphasize that players have significantly better odds of claiming the game’s numerous smaller prizes available through partial number matches.
Powerball conducts three drawings each week, providing multiple opportunities for players to attempt matching the winning combination. The game operates across 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with tickets priced at $2 each.
The three-month period without a jackpot winner demonstrates how Powerball’s mathematical structure functions to create these massive prizes. As drawings continue without a grand prize winner, the jackpot accumulates contributions from ticket sales across all participating jurisdictions, allowing the total to reach extraordinary levels.
Saturday’s winning numbers ended what had become one of the longer jackpot droughts in recent Powerball history. The last jackpot winner prior to Saturday’s drawing had claimed their prize on May 31, setting the stage for the extended rollover period that ultimately produced the $1.8 billion prize.
The two winners now face decisions about whether to take the full annuity payments over nearly three decades or accept the smaller but immediate cash payout. Financial advisors typically recommend the cash option due to investment opportunities and inflation considerations, though some winners prefer the guaranteed annual payments that the annuity provides.
Both Missouri and Texas have produced significant lottery winners in the past, but Saturday’s jackpot represents an unusually large prize for players in both states. The geographic distribution of winning tickets across two different states demonstrates the nationwide participation that contributes to Powerball’s ability to generate such substantial jackpots.
The massive prize total reflects continued strong participation in Powerball despite the challenging odds. Players across the participating jurisdictions contributed to the jackpot’s growth over the three-month accumulation period, with ticket sales driving the prize higher through each unsuccessful drawing.
Lottery officials have not yet released specific information about where in Missouri and Texas the winning tickets were purchased or whether the winners have come forward to claim their prizes. Winners typically have several months to present their tickets and begin the claim process, allowing time to assemble financial and legal advisors before accepting such a substantial windfall.
SEOUL, South Korea (BN24) — South Korea announced Sunday it has successfully negotiated a deal with the United States for the release of more than 300 South Korean workers detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Georgia.
Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said South Korea and the United States had finalized negotiations on the workers’ release following intensive diplomatic efforts. The South Korean government plans to dispatch a charter plane to bring the detained workers home once remaining administrative procedures are completed, Kang announced.
The diplomatic breakthrough comes after U.S. immigration authorities conducted one of the largest workplace raids of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. Federal agents detained 475 people during Thursday’s operation at Hyundai’s sprawling manufacturing complex in Georgia, where the Korean automaker produces electric vehicles. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun later confirmed that more than 300 South Koreans were among those detained.
The raid targeted Hyundai’s partnership facility with LG Energy Solution, which produces batteries that power electric vehicles at a plant still under construction. Georgia state officials have long characterized the Hyundai project as the state’s largest economic development initiative, making Thursday’s operation particularly significant beyond its substantial scope.
Video footage released Saturday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement captured the dramatic scene as a caravan of federal vehicles arrived at the manufacturing site. The footage showed agents directing workers to form lines outside the facility, with some detainees ordered to place their hands against buses while being searched and subsequently shackled around their hands, ankles and waist.
The operation represents the latest in an extensive series of workplace raids conducted under the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. However, Thursday’s action stands apart due to its unprecedented scale and its targeting of a major manufacturing facility central to Georgia’s economic development strategy.
Most of the detained individuals were transported to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia, located near the Florida state border. Steven Schrank, the lead Georgia agent for Homeland Security Investigations, confirmed during a Friday news conference that none of the detainees have been charged with criminal offenses, emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing.
The South Korean government, maintaining its position as a close U.S. ally, responded swiftly to the detention of its citizens. Officials expressed “concern and regret” over the raid and immediately deployed diplomatic personnel to the Georgia site to assess the situation and advocate for their nationals.
The diplomatic intervention highlights the complex international implications of domestic immigration enforcement when it involves citizens of allied nations. South Korea’s ability to secure the workers’ release demonstrates the significant diplomatic leverage available to key U.S. partners in navigating immigration-related incidents involving their citizens.
The Hyundai facility has been central to Georgia’s efforts to establish itself as a major hub for electric vehicle production and clean energy manufacturing. The plant represents billions of dollars in foreign investment and has been promoted as a cornerstone of the state’s economic diversification strategy.
The raid’s impact extends beyond immediate immigration enforcement, potentially affecting ongoing international business relationships and foreign investment confidence in U.S. manufacturing partnerships. The incident underscores the intersection of immigration policy with economic development and international trade relationships.
Federal immigration authorities have not provided detailed information about the specific violations investigated at the Hyundai facility or the legal status of the detained workers. The absence of criminal charges suggests the focus remains on immigration status violations rather than broader criminal activity.
The successful diplomatic resolution may serve as a model for how allied nations can effectively advocate for their citizens caught in U.S. immigration enforcement operations. The rapid negotiation and agreement to repatriate the workers reflects the priority both governments place on maintaining strong bilateral relationships despite domestic policy implementations.
As the Trump administration continues its expanded immigration enforcement efforts, the Hyundai plant incident illustrates the potential for workplace raids to create significant diplomatic complications when targeting facilities with substantial foreign national workforces, particularly from allied countries.
ZURICH (BN24) — Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba and former Nigerian international Mercy Akide have been appointed to a 16-member FIFA panel aimed at combating racism and discrimination in football.
The newly formed “Players’ Voice” panel includes 14 former players from 14 FIFA member associations across all six global football confederations. FIFA announced the appointment of Akide, a veteran of three Women’s World Cups, on Friday via its official social media channels.
The 50-year-old Akide, who is regarded as one of Africa’s top female footballers, will serve alongside Liberia’s president and former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah. Other notable African football icons named to the panel include Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Senegal’s Khalilou Fadiga.
The global roster also includes former international stars such as Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Formiga (Brazil), Jessica Houara (France), Maia Jackman (New Zealand), Sun Jihai (China), Blaise Matuidi (France), Aya Miyama (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Briana Scurry (United States), Mikaël Silvestre (France), and Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).
FIFA’s statement said the panel’s primary role would be to raise awareness of anti-racism measures through education in their respective regions, shed light on the personal and professional toll of racial abuse, and offer practical advice on how to tackle discrimination in football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed confidence that the diverse experiences of the former players would enhance the global fight against racism. “These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change,” Infantino said in the statement. “They will further push for a shift in football culture, making sure measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned, both on and off the pitch.”
He also stressed that racism in football is not just an issue of sportsmanship but a societal issue that must be addressed. “Let’s be clear on this: Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong – they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished both by football and across society,” Infantino added.
The Players’ Voice panel was established as part of FIFA’s broader initiative against racism, a key pillar of its global stand on the issue, which was unanimously adopted during the 74th FIFA Congress last year. Racism continues to be a pervasive problem in football, with high-profile incidents still emerging in major leagues worldwide.
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (BN24) — A devastating house fire in North Carolina claimed the lives of four young sisters early Saturday morning, leaving two other girls to escape and call for help. The fire, which broke out around 2:30 a.m. on August 30, engulfed the home on North Colony Road, claiming the lives of children aged 2 to 7.
According to Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman, there were no adults present at the time of the blaze. Two 12-year-old girls, one of whom was a sister of the deceased, managed to escape the flames. They quickly called 911, alerting authorities, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, along with a Chadbourn Rescue team, responded within minutes.
However, by the time first responders arrived, the house was already fully engulfed in flames, and attempts to enter the home to rescue the trapped children were unsuccessful. Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers explained that the fire’s intensity made it impossible for emergency crews to enter the house safely.
“Due to the severity of the fire, it was not possible to make a safe entry into the home,” Rogers said in a statement. “It was a tragic, heartbreaking scene.”
The community has been rocked by the loss, as the family is well known locally. The victims — identified as Kendall, Kalani, Josie, and Sophia — have left a profound impact on those who knew them. Reagan Powers, the girls’ mother, has been named in reports as the grieving parent.
In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, two Columbus County residents have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the tragic loss of Kendall, Kalani, Josie, and Sophia, who passed away in a house fire,” Ansley Hayes and B. Tyler Grainger wrote in a heartfelt message.
The fundraiser describes the four girls as bringing “immense joy and love” to their family and those fortunate enough to know them. Many in the community have expressed their sorrow and support as the family processes this profound loss.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the community is left to mourn the tragic deaths of these young girls, while offering comfort and assistance to the survivors. The GoFundMe campaign continues to collect donations to help the family through this heartbreaking time.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (BN24) — The United States has deployed F-35 stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico amid reports that the Trump administration is considering military strikes on drug cartels operating inside Venezuela. The deployment of 10 advanced jets is part of a broader operation against Latin American cartels that the U.S. has designated as “narco-terrorist” organizations.
The move signals a potential escalation in U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. According to reports, the Trump administration is weighing direct attacks on trafficking groups within Venezuela, a decision that would sharply increase tensions with President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Maduro has urged Washington to abandon any plans for “violent regime change” and to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty. He warned that any military action would trigger an “armed struggle” and vowed to mobilize the country’s 340,000 soldiers along with millions of militia members and reservists. President Donald Trump, however, has denied pursuing regime change, questioning the legitimacy of Venezuela’s last presidential election.
The F-35 deployment adds to a significant U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, which includes at least seven warships, thousands of Marines, and a nuclear-powered submarine positioned near Venezuelan waters. On Thursday, the Pentagon accused Venezuela of a “highly provocative” act after two Venezuelan F-16 jets reportedly flew near the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham. In response, Trump authorized U.S. forces to shoot down any Venezuelan jets that pose a threat.
This latest military escalation follows a U.S. strike earlier in the week, when American forces destroyed a speedboat in the Caribbean allegedly belonging to Tren de Aragua, a criminal group operating out of Venezuela. Trump said 11 people were killed in the attack, while Caracas condemned the incident as an “extrajudicial killing.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the aggressive approach, arguing that drug cartels pose a direct threat to national security. “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them,” Rubio said during a visit to Mexico.
PARIS (BN24) — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique will undergo surgery after suffering a fractured collarbone in a cycling accident, the club confirmed on Friday.
The 53-year-old Spaniard was involved in a crash while riding his bike and was quickly attended to by emergency services. Scans revealed the collarbone injury, but doctors have ruled out any further complications, according to the club’s statement.
“Following a bicycle fall that occurred this Friday, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was attended to by emergency services and will undergo surgery for a fractured collarbone,” PSG said on social media platform X. “Paris Saint-Germain wishes to express its full support to Luis Enrique and wishes him a speedy recovery. The club will communicate further information shortly,” the statement continued.
PSG’s next match is against Lens in Ligue 1 on September 14, followed by their Champions League opener against Atalanta just three days later.
Enrique, who joined PSG in 2023, has already achieved considerable success with the club, winning two Ligue 1 titles, two French Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. He also led PSG to a FIFA Club World Cup final appearance. Despite his setback, the Spanish manager’s influence at the club remains pivotal as PSG continue their pursuit of domestic and international glory.
RABAT, Morocco (BN24) — Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, September 5, after a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Niger in Rabat. The win secured Morocco the top spot in Group E and ensured their place in next year’s tournament.
Ismael Saibari was the standout performer for Morocco, scoring twice in the first half after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off. In the second half, Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi each added goals to complete the emphatic victory.
The win was Morocco’s sixth consecutive victory in the qualifiers, moving them to 18 points, eight clear of Tanzania. With two matches still to play, Morocco has sealed their seventh World Cup appearance.
The Atlas Lions are looking to build on their historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, defeating Spain and Portugal before falling to France. Only Ounahi, one of the scorers in Friday’s match, participated in Qatar, as coach Walid Regragui has refreshed the squad with new talents, including PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.
Elsewhere in Africa’s World Cup qualifying matches, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush scored late first-half penalties to secure the win. Egypt can join Morocco in the 2026 World Cup with a victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
In Group B, Yoane Wissa, the new signing for Newcastle United, helped the Democratic Republic of Congo to a 4-1 victory over South Sudan in Juba. Cedric Bakambu scored twice as DR Congo maintained their position at the top of the group. Senegal stayed one point behind after a 2-0 win over Sudan in Diamniadio, with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
South Africa continued their strong showing in Group C, extending their lead to five points with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. However, injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane have raised concerns ahead of their crucial clash with Nigeria on Tuesday.
Benin secured a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe with a goal from Steve Mounie, while Gambia stunned Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi, with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh scoring. Guinea won 3-0 against Somalia, with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netting his first World Cup qualifying goal. However, Guinea’s qualification hopes are nearly over as they sit eight points behind Group G leaders Algeria.
In the final match of the day, reigning African champions Ivory Coast will face Gabon on Tuesday, September 9, in a key Group F encounter that could decide the group’s winner.
