TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Iranian authorities on Tuesday carried out a public execution of a man convicted of murdering a family of four in Fars province, state media reported.
The execution took place in the southern city of Beyram on August 19 after the man was found guilty of killing a mother and her three children during a robbery in October 2024, according to Mizan, the judiciary’s official news outlet.
Mizan said the man and his wife were both charged in connection with the killings. They were sentenced to death in February 2025, and the country’s Supreme Court upheld the verdict in April.
While the man was hanged in public, officials confirmed that his wife’s execution will be carried out inside prison at an unspecified date.
Iran imposes the death penalty for crimes including murder and rape, with rights groups such as Amnesty International reporting that the country carries out the second-highest number of executions worldwide, after China.
LIVERPOOL, England (BN24) — A 47-year-old man has been banned from attending all football stadiums across the United Kingdom after he was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League season opener at Anfield.
The incident occurred during the 29th minute of the match between Liverpool and Bournemouth on Friday, prompting a temporary halt in play after Semenyo reported the abuse to the match official. The Premier League forward alerted the referee immediately, leading to swift intervention and subsequent police involvement.
Merseyside Police confirmed the man, a resident of Liverpool, was taken into custody the following day. He was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and has since been conditionally bailed. His bail conditions include a comprehensive ban from attending any regulated football matches in the UK and a one-mile exclusion zone around any designated stadium on matchdays.
The force said the investigation remains ongoing and that officers are working in close collaboration with Liverpool Football Club to support both the case and broader anti-racism efforts.
Semenyo, 25, later addressed the incident in a statement posted on social media, saying the night at Anfield was one he would never forget. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from his AFC Bournemouth teammates, Liverpool players, fans, and Premier League officials, all of whom he praised for their “professional” and united response.
The Premier League, clubs, and players continue to reinforce their zero-tolerance stance on racism in football, with governing bodies encouraging fans to report abuse and stand in solidarity with those affected.
LAFIA, Nasarawa State (BN24) — The Nasarawa State Police Command, Nigeria, has arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered N6.9 million in cash alongside sophisticated firearms following a lone vehicle crash in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area. The incident unfolded Monday morning, August 18, 2025, according to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel.
At approximately 9 a.m., officers from the Garaku Police Division responded to a distress call from Angwan Mayo community about a lone crash involving an Opel Vectra with registration number Plateau BLD 566 ST near the Vehicle Inspection Office checkpoint. Two occupants fled the scene immediately after the crash. However, a vigilant Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) retrieved a G3 rifle and some cash from the vehicle and handed them over to the police.
A subsequent search of the towed vehicle at the police station uncovered one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and the large sum of N6.9 million in cash. Following the discovery, the police, in collaboration with the military, launched a manhunt that led to the arrest of Mohammed Tahir, a resident of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State.
During interrogation, Tahir confessed to being a member of a seven-person kidnap gang responsible for abducting a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, where a ransom was paid. He disclosed that he and an accomplice were en route to Jos to divide the ransom proceeds when the accident occurred.
Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing. The arrested individual and recovered items have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro-Mohammed.
The police spokesperson reassured the public of the command’s commitment to working with other security agencies to eradicate crime in Nasarawa State and its environs. He also commended the vigilance of community members and urged sustained collaboration to ensure safety.
LOS ANGELES (BN240 — Federal immigration agents raided an underground nightclub in El Monte, California, arresting nine people living in the U.S. illegally and seizing drugs and thousands of fraudulent gift cards tied to an international financial scheme, authorities said.
The operation, carried out July 19 by ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, targeted what officials described as a hub for Asian organized crime in Southern California.
Agents executed a federal search warrant and detained 66 individuals at the nightclub. Nine were determined to be in the country illegally — seven from China, one from Malaysia and one from Mexico — and are now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
In addition to the arrests, agents confiscated narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a box filled with thousands of re-encoded gift cards that investigators believe were linked to money laundering and fraud.
“The HSI El Camino Real Task Force is unwavering in its commitment to dismantling illegal operations, as exemplified by our recent execution of a search warrant on an underground nightclub operated by Asian organized crime,” said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Al Rossi.
Since March, investigators have been tracking Asian organized crime groups suspected of extorting warehouse-based nightclubs in the Los Angeles region. Officials say these clubs serve as venues for smuggling and money laundering, as well as distribution points for drugs including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy.
The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including the DEA, FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Authorities say the case remains active as they continue to pursue the criminal networks behind the nightclub operations.
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (BN24) — New York social media influencer Ariela La Langosta, a close friend of controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine who appeared in his 2023 music video, was found dead in her vehicle on a Westchester County parkway Sunday morning, authorities said. She was 33.
Ariela Mejia-Polanco, 33, who has addresses in Westchester and Rockland counties, was found deceased about 8 a.m. behind the wheel of her car on the eastbound Cross County Parkway near the Broad Street exit in Mount Vernon, the Westchester County Police Department announced Monday.
The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Mejia-Polanco died from gunshot wounds, and investigators have determined her death was not a random act of violence, police said in a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page.
Police described the killing as a targeted attack, stating that preliminary investigation indicated the Dominican content creator was “likely targeted for violence.” The homicide remains under active investigation by detectives from the General Investigations Unit, with assistance from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
“Due to that ongoing investigation, additional details are not being disclosed at this time,” the police statement concluded.
The social media personality, who went by the moniker La Langosta, had amassed more than 566,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shared fashion and modeling content. She gained wider recognition through her association with Tekashi 6ix9ine, appearing in his “Wapae” music video released in 2023.
The Brooklyn-born rapper, whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez, took to his Instagram Story Sunday night to pay tribute to his longtime friend, calling her a “tremendous woman” and the “queen of New York” in a series of emotional videos.
“You supported me in everything,” the rapper wrote in his tribute, which was accompanied by a snippet of Aventura’s early 2000s hit “Obsesión.” He added in both English and Spanish: “My sister. NY won’t ever be the same. I loved you.”
Mejia-Polanco’s death has sent ripples through New York’s nightlife and social media communities, where she was a well-known figure. Ikon New York in Inwood, where she worked, announced it would temporarily close its doors “out of respect for one of our beloved team members.”
“Today we lost our shining star,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram Sunday. “Our hearts are broken. Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out.”
The establishment described Mejia-Polanco as “a brilliant, humble soul with incredible energy — the kind of person who could light up any room she entered.”
Queens-based lounge Starlet of NY also honored the model, with staff members expressing they were “deeply saddened by the loss.”
“She was a one-of-a-kind soul — a beautiful friend, loving mother, and daughter whose smile and energy lit up every room she entered,” the nightclub wrote on Instagram. “Her energy will forever be missed, but her spirit will always live on with us.”
The investigation into Mejia-Polanco’s death continues as authorities work to identify suspects and determine the motive behind the targeted killing. Police have not released information about potential suspects or whether any arrests have been made.
The Cross County Parkway, where Mejia-Polanco was discovered, is a major east-west highway that connects the Bronx River Parkway to the Hutchinson River Parkway, serving as a key thoroughfare for commuters traveling through Westchester County.
Geneva (BN24) – Switzerland announced Tuesday it would not arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin should he travel to the country for potential peace talks with Ukraine, despite an outstanding International Criminal Court warrant accusing him of war crimes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said the Alpine nation would grant Putin immunity if he came to Geneva to attend a “peace conference,” citing Switzerland’s neutral role and Geneva’s status as the European headquarters of the United Nations.
The statement came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump held intensive discussions with European leaders at the White House, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Trump phoned Putin and proposed a summit to push for a negotiated end to the war. Trump later claimed on Truth Social that he had begun organizing such a meeting, though he offered few details.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani both suggested Geneva as the most suitable venue for the summit. Cassis added that Switzerland had already “clarified the legal situation” and could host such a gathering despite the ICC warrant, underscoring that “it naturally depends on the will of the major powers.”
Still, the Kremlin has not committed to the idea. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that any direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy would require careful preparation, signaling Moscow’s reluctance.
Trump reiterated on Fox News that he had “sort of set up” the potential summit, but Putin has yet to indicate whether he would attend.
Greece (BN24) – A Condor Airlines Boeing 757 was forced into an emergency landing in southern Italy after one of its engines burst into flames mid-flight, terrifying passengers — with one admitting they sent “goodbye texts” to loved ones, fearing the worst.
Flight DE 3665, carrying 273 passengers and eight crew members from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, experienced a turbine airflow disruption at about 36,000 feet on Saturday evening, according to German broadcaster WDR. Just after 8 p.m. local time, travelers reported seeing flames shooting from the jet’s right engine.
The flight diverted to Brindisi Airport in southern Italy, touching down safely at 8:15 p.m. — only 40 minutes after takeoff, per FlightRadar24 data.
Passengers described panic in the cabin as the aircraft lost power briefly. “Suddenly, the power went out for a few seconds, and we realized we were no longer climbing,” one passenger told Bild. Another recounted, “It was an incredibly horrible experience. I already sent goodbye texts because I thought, ‘It’s over now.’”
Condor Airlines said the malfunction stemmed from a chemical reaction inside the combustion chamber that disrupted airflow to the engine. Despite dramatic footage circulating on TikTok and other platforms — including clips showing bursts of flame and loud booms — the airline insisted that “none of the guests were ever in danger.”
After landing, passengers and crew faced further disruption. Limited hotel space in Brindisi meant some were forced to spend the night at the airport with vouchers and blankets, while others were later transported to Düsseldorf aboard a replacement aircraft on August 17.
“Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning not all guests could be accommodated,” the airline said in a statement. “Passengers who made their own arrangements may submit expenses for reimbursement.”
Condor apologized for the ordeal but stressed that safety was prioritized. “Due to a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by an airflow disturbance, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi,” the statement read.
The Boeing jet remains grounded for a full technical inspection.
Washington, DC (BN24) – The U.S. State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas, citing violations of American law, overstays, and security threats, in what officials describe as part of the Trump administration’s continued crackdown on immigration and international students.
In a statement provided to the BBC, the department said the “vast majority” of the violations were tied to assault, driving under the influence, burglary, and what it broadly categorized as “support for terrorism.” While officials did not clarify what constituted support for terrorism, critics note that the administration has increasingly targeted students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, accusing some of antisemitic behavior.
Of the visas revoked, roughly 4,000 were rescinded due to direct violations of U.S. law. Another 200 to 300 were revoked under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that define terrorist activity as acts endangering human life or violating American law.
The move follows earlier measures this year when the State Department temporarily paused visa appointments for international students before restarting them in June with stricter screening rules. Applicants are now required to provide access to their social media accounts, with officials instructed to flag “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”
Officers were also ordered to screen for individuals who might “advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to national security,” or who commit unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in May that thousands of student visas had already been rescinded since January and that the effort would continue. “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities,” Rubio said.
The crackdown has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that the broad revocations amount to an attack on due process and unfairly target international students.
Despite the mass cancellations, international students remain a vital presence in U.S. higher education. More than 1.1 million students from over 210 countries were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2023-24 academic year, according to Open Doors, a group that tracks foreign student enrollment.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump categorically ruled out deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine as part of any security guarantees for a peace deal, while indicating that European allies are prepared to provide ground forces to ensure Ukrainian security.
Speaking to reporters following Monday’s White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, Trump was unambiguous when asked whether the United States would have boots on the ground as part of security arrangements for Ukraine.
“You have my assurance and I am president,” Trump declared. “I’m just trying to stop people from being killed.”
The president suggested that European nations, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, are among those who “want to have” boots on the ground in Ukraine, adding “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.” Trump emphasized that these countries are “willing to put people on the ground” when it comes to Ukrainian security arrangements.
Trump explained the European willingness to deploy forces by noting the geographical proximity of the conflict to European nations. “So it’s a different kind of a thing for them. When it comes to security, they’re willing to put people on the ground,” he said, referencing how the Ukraine conflict is “closer to them because we have an ocean that’s separating us.”
While ruling out U.S. ground troops, Trump indicated American support would come through other means. The president said the United States is willing to help with aspects of security, for instance through air support, but stressed that joining NATO cannot be the key form of security Ukraine relies on.
When pressed about potential territorial arrangements discussed during the White House talks, Trump offered an optimistic assessment for Ukraine’s future. “Ukraine is going to get their life back,” he said. “They’re going to get a lot of land.”
However, Trump acknowledged the military realities of the conflict, stating “But this was a war” and noting that “Russia is a powerful military nation… whether people like it or not.”
The president characterized Monday’s discussions with world leaders as productive, calling them “good people” who “want to end the war.” The meeting brought together Zelensky with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would face consequences if he fails to cooperate in the peace process, suggesting Putin would face a “rough situation” without his participation in reaching a settlement.
Zelensky praised the White House meeting as “significant” and indicated that Ukraine is already working on “concrete” security guarantees following the discussions. The Ukrainian president’s positive assessment suggested progress in developing alternative security arrangements that could substitute for immediate NATO membership.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the gathering as “constructive,” with the “coalition of the willing” planning to hold further talks with their American counterparts in the coming days. The continued diplomatic engagement signals sustained effort to develop comprehensive security frameworks for Ukraine.
Adding to the diplomatic momentum, Switzerland announced its readiness to host a potential Zelensky-Putin summit, responding to Trump’s suggestion during a call with the Russian president. The Swiss offer provides a neutral venue for direct negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders if peace talks advance.
The White House meeting represents a significant diplomatic effort to align American and European approaches to Ukrainian security while the war continues. Trump’s explicit rejection of U.S. ground forces deployment, combined with European willingness to provide such support, suggests an emerging division of labor among Western allies in supporting Ukraine.
The discussions come as international pressure mounts for a negotiated settlement to the conflict that has claimed hundreds of thousands of casualties since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. Trump’s emphasis on stopping casualties while maintaining security commitments reflects the delicate balance between achieving peace and ensuring Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty.
In Kyiv, residents expressed mixed reactions to the diplomatic developments. While some expressed hope following the White House talks, others remained skeptical about Putin’s trustworthiness, with one resident noting “I’m not sure I trust [Putin]” and another describing it as “very painful to watch all this happening.”
Congo (BN24) – Rebels affiliated with the Islamic State carried out a wave of massacres in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 52 civilians with machetes and hoes in the territories of Beni and Lubero, according to United Nations officials and local authorities.
The killings were attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militia with longstanding ties to the Islamic State group. Lieutenant Elongo Kyondwa Marc, a regional spokesperson for Congo’s army, said the attacks were an act of revenge after the ADF suffered heavy losses in recent battles with government forces.
Local leaders described the scenes of horror. “When they arrived, they first woke the residents, gathered them in one place, tied them up with ropes, and then began to massacre them with machetes and hoes,” Macaire Sivikunula, chief of Lubero’s Bapere sector, told Reuters.
Alain Kiwewe, the military administrator for Lubero territory, confirmed that around 30 people were killed in the village of Melia alone. He said women and children were among the victims, many of whom were executed in their homes. Several houses were also torched during the assaults.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, condemned the violence “in the strongest possible terms,” noting that the death toll could climb higher as search operations continue. Officials said the confirmed fatalities so far include eight women and two children.
The ADF, which originated in neighboring Uganda, is one of several armed groups vying for control of eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth. The region has endured decades of conflict, with civilians often bearing the brunt of the violence.
Congo’s army, supported by Ugandan forces, has intensified its offensive against the ADF in recent weeks. Still, the militia continues to strike back with lethal raids on villages. Just last month, ADF fighters stormed a church in eastern Congo, killing at least 38 worshippers.
