SEATTLE (BN24) — Four masked robbers staged a brazen daytime smash-and-grab at a family-owned jewelry store in West Seattle, escaping with an estimated $2 million worth of diamonds, Rolex watches, gold, and other high-end items in a robbery that lasted less than two minutes, police said Friday.
The heist unfolded midday Thursday when the suspects shattered the store’s locked glass front door with hammers before storming inside, according to surveillance footage released by police. Once inside, the men quickly smashed open six display cases, targeting luxury timepieces and fine jewelry.
Among the stolen items was a single display containing about $750,000 worth of Rolex watches and an emerald necklace valued at $125,000, investigators said.
As the robbery unfolded, one suspect menaced employees with bear spray and a Taser. Despite the threats, no staff members were physically harmed.
“We’re pretty shook up as a staff,” said Josh Menashe, vice president of the family-run business, speaking by phone on Friday. “We’re gonna be closed for a while.” He added that workers spent much of the day clearing broken glass and assessing the scope of the losses.
Seattle police officers responded within minutes, but the suspects had already fled the scene in a waiting getaway car. A search of the surrounding area turned up no trace of the thieves, and investigators are now reviewing the store’s video evidence in hopes of identifying the crew.
The robbery adds to a growing trend of high-value smash-and-grab heists targeting jewelry stores in major U.S. cities. Police have not released descriptions of the suspects but said the speed and precision of the theft suggested the group was organized and experienced.
London (BN24) – Liverpool opened the new Premier League season on Friday night with an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, honoring the Portuguese forward just weeks after his tragic death in a car accident in northern Spain.
Jota, 28, was killed alongside his brother, André Silva, when their Lamborghini veered off the road last month. The tragedy struck just 11 days after Jota had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, deepening the heartbreak across the Liverpool community and beyond.
Anfield was draped in tributes as fans and players came together before the match against Bournemouth. A vast banner was unfurled on The Kop reading: “Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Supporters raised a giant mosaic of the initials and shirt numbers of both Jota and Silva, formed in the colors of the Portuguese flag, as the stadium fell silent for a minute’s reflection.
In a lasting mark of respect, Liverpool announced the retirement of Jota’s No. 20 shirt. A permanent sculpture commemorating him will be installed outside Anfield, while “Forever 20” will appear on players’ shirts and jackets throughout the season.
“The tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot wrote in his matchday programme notes. “I believe that Diogo’s wife, his children and his family will be in attendance, and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always.”
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and quickly became a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s side before Slot’s arrival this summer. During his five years at Anfield, he lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup, and was beloved for his energy, technical brilliance, and knack for crucial goals.
The emotional evening marked not just the start of a new campaign, but a moment of unity and remembrance for a player whose impact went far beyond the pitch.
Alaska (BN24) – A tense scene unfolded on Friday when a photocall between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spiraled into chaos, as journalists shouted pointed questions about Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to thesun.com the incident occurred in Alaska, where both leaders arrived for a historic peace summit. After landing, Putin appeared relaxed, flashing a thumbs-up before greeting Trump with a firm handshake on the red carpet. The two then shared a brief private ride in Trump’s presidential limousine, known as The Beast, before proceeding to the summit venue.
Inside, the leaders sat flanked by senior aides for a staged photocall. But the atmosphere quickly turned tense when members of the press pool shouted questions at Putin, pressing him on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. One journalist demanded: “How can the U.S. trust your word? Will you stop killing?”
Putin, smirking, appeared to raise his voice in an attempt to drown out the questioning before the live feed abruptly cut away. Lipreading expert Nicola Hickling told The Sun the Russian leader seemed to shout, “You are ignorant,” while Trump was caught whispering to an aide that he felt “uncomfortable” with the heated exchange.
The unscripted confrontation came as a surprise, since neither leader had been scheduled to speak before the talks began. Observers noted Putin appeared bemused by the media uproar, even as journalists pressed him over Russia’s civilian toll in Ukraine.
The encounter followed tense moments earlier on the tarmac, where reporters shouted at Putin about civilian deaths and pressed Trump on how he could place trust in the Russian leader.
The White House confirmed that the high-stakes summit would proceed under a revised format: a three-on-three meeting. Trump would be joined by Sen. Marco Rubio and businessman Steve Witkoff, while Putin would bring Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and senior adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a lengthy post on X, said he was “counting on America” to ensure the summit leads to “a real path toward a just peace and substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format – Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.” Zelensky stressed that “it is time to end the war,” urging Russia to take the necessary steps.
Trump, in remarks earlier this week, condemned Putin’s continued assaults in Ukraine, saying the Russian leader’s “urge to kill might be in his genes.”
The Kremlin has indicated the talks could last up to seven hours, with a press conference scheduled afterward. The opening moments of chaos underscored the high stakes of the summit, which comes amid mounting global pressure for a negotiated end to the war.
Lebanon (BN24) – Hezbollah on Friday issued a stark warning that Lebanon “will have no life” if the government proceeds with efforts to disarm or dismantle the Iran-backed group, raising the specter of renewed civil conflict.
The remarks from Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem came as the Lebanese government, under a U.S.-backed plan, seeks to place all weapons under state control following Israel’s extended military campaign against the group. Founded four decades ago with support from Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah has long resisted disarmament, insisting it will not lay down arms until Israel ends its strikes and withdraws from a southern border strip once considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
“This is our nation together. We live in dignity together, and we build its sovereignty together — or Lebanon will have no life if you stand on the other side and try to confront us and eliminate us,” Qassem said in a televised address.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the comments as an implicit threat of civil war, calling them “unacceptable.” In remarks posted on X from an interview with the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Salam reiterated that “no party in Lebanon is authorised to bear arms outside the framework of the Lebanese state.”
Qassem accused the government of carrying out “an American-Israeli order to eliminate the resistance, even if that leads to civil war and internal strife.” However, he noted that Hezbollah and its Shi’ite ally, the Amal movement, had agreed to hold off on street protests while political discussions remain possible.
“There is still room for discussion, for adjustments, and for a political resolution before the situation escalates to a confrontation no one wants,” Qassem said. “But if it is imposed on us, we are ready, and we have no other choice… At that point, there will be a protest in the street, all across Lebanon, that will reach the American embassy.”
The current standoff follows two years of Israeli military operations that have inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah, killing senior commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, and thousands of fighters while destroying much of the group’s arsenal. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel reignited in October 2023 when the group launched cross-border fire in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas during the outbreak of the Gaza war.
While Hezbollah and Amal continue to wield political influence — controlling Shi’ite seats in parliament and placing ministers in the cabinet — they no longer hold a “blocking third” of cabinet posts, a key power they previously used to veto government decisions. Support for Hezbollah remains strong among Lebanon’s Shi’ite community, but calls for disarmament have grown louder across other parts of society.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (BN24) — Former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for nearly three hours Friday in a high-profile attempt to end the war in Ukraine — but walked away without announcing any agreement or ceasefire.
“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump told reporters after the closed-door meeting, which took place at a U.S. military base in Alaska. Both leaders delivered brief statements but took no questions before leaving the stage, leaving the substance of their talks unclear.
The summit, hosted by Trump, was billed as a bold first step toward halting a war that has raged for more than three years and claimed about 1.5 million lives. While Trump described the discussion as “productive” and suggested a ceasefire was still possible, he conceded that “we didn’t get there” — though he added, “we have a very good chance of getting there.”
Putin, flanked by his top aides Yuri Ushakov and Sergei Lavrov, told the press the war might not have started if Trump had been in office. Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, listened intently and nodded, but appeared subdued compared to the warm tarmac greeting he gave the Russian leader earlier in the day.
The meeting began with symbolic gestures: a red-carpet arrival, a handshake between the two leaders on the runway, and a flyover featuring a B-2 bomber and four F-35 fighter jets. Inside, they posed in front of a “Pursuing Peace” backdrop before retreating for private talks. Trump had initially said the summit would be one-on-one, but both sides brought additional officials to the table.
Ahead of the talks, Trump had tempered expectations, describing the meeting as part of a “multi-step process” and suggesting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would need to join future negotiations. Still, he made clear his desire for rapid progress, telling reporters aboard Air Force One: “I want the killing to stop.”
The war, which began with Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has stalled into a grinding conflict. While Russia holds a slight battlefield edge, Western support has kept Ukraine in the fight. Analysts say Trump could use economic and military leverage to influence both sides — from tightening sanctions on countries buying Russian oil to limiting U.S. aid to Kyiv.
Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said Putin is “clearly in a weaker position” and facing a conflict that has “turned out to be a disaster for him.”
The choice of Alaska carried its own diplomatic weight. The U.S. purchased the territory from Russia in 1867, and while Russian commentators have tried to frame the venue as symbolic of former imperial glory, U.S. officials saw Putin’s visit to a onetime Russian colony as a concession in itself.
The talks took place under intense global scrutiny. Critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), warned that meeting Putin without securing concrete commitments risks legitimizing him despite accusations of war crimes.
One of the biggest sticking points remains land. Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted Ukraine will not cede territory, while Trump has floated the idea of territorial “swaps” — a proposal Kyiv has so far rejected.
Zelenskyy posted on X before the meeting that it should “open up a real path toward a just peace” and stressed that “necessary steps must be taken by Russia.”
Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Trump hinted at further diplomacy. “We’ll probably see you again very soon,” he told Putin as they concluded the session.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (BN24) — Singer Sean Kingston was sentenced Friday to three and a half years in federal prison for orchestrating a $1 million fraud scheme in which he used his celebrity status to obtain luxury goods without paying for them.
Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, was convicted in March alongside his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud. Turner, who prosecutors said played an active role in the scheme, received a five-year prison sentence last month.
Prosecutors said Kingston engaged in a yearslong pattern of luring sellers of high-end merchandise to his South Florida homes with promises of social media promotion in exchange for discounted prices or deferred payments. Instead, Kingston and Turner sent fake wire transfer receipts and failed to deliver payment for items including a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, luxury watches, and a massive 19-foot LED television.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton described Kingston as “addicted to his celebrity lifestyle” despite being unable to afford it, calling him “a thief and a conman, plain and simple.”
Before sentencing, Kingston addressed U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz, apologizing and saying he had learned from his mistakes. His request to self-surrender later due to health concerns was denied, and he was taken into custody immediately.
Defense attorney Zeljka Bozanic argued Kingston had the mentality of a teenager — the age when he first rose to fame — and lacked financial knowledge, relying heavily on his mother and business managers. The attorney said Kingston has already begun repaying victims and intends to make full restitution once released.
Judge Leibowitz acknowledged Kingston’s acceptance of responsibility but dismissed the defense’s portrayal of him as naive. He contrasted Kingston’s approach with Turner’s testimony at trial, which he described as obstructive.
Kingston and Turner were arrested in May 2024 after a SWAT team raided Kingston’s rented mansion near Fort Lauderdale. Turner was taken into custody at the property, while Kingston was arrested at Fort Irwin in California, where he had been performing.
Kingston, now 35, was born in Florida and raised in Jamaica. He rose to international fame at age 17 with his 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls” and later charted with “Take You There” and “Fire Burning.”
Pakistan (BN24) – Flash floods fueled by torrential rains have killed at least 49 people in northwestern Pakistan and other parts of the country in the past 24 hours, officials said Friday, as rescue teams worked to evacuate 1,300 stranded tourists from a mountainous district battered by landslides.
The latest fatalities add to the more than 360 deaths — mostly women and children — reported across Pakistan since June 26 in rain-related incidents, according to local officials. Northern and northwestern regions have been hit hardest.
In Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghazar district, at least 10 people were swept away by raging floodwaters on Thursday, regional government spokesman Faizullah Faraq said. The mountainous area has been repeatedly hit by floods since July, with landslides blocking sections of the Karakoram Highway — a vital trade and travel link between Pakistan and China.
Another 16 people, including women and children, were killed in Bajaur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after a powerful cloudburst triggered flash flooding, rescue official Amjad Khan said. Seventeen others remain missing. In Battagram district, flash floods claimed 10 lives, and 18 more people were unaccounted for, according to government administrator Saleem Khan.
Seven additional deaths were reported Thursday in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in separate rain-related incidents, the state disaster management authority said.
Emergency workers battled hazardous conditions to rescue 1,300 tourists trapped in Mansehra district’s Siran Valley by a combination of floodwaters and landslides, provincial emergency service spokesman Bilal Faizi said.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the mounting toll and urged authorities to accelerate rescue and relief operations. Pakistan’s disaster management agency has issued fresh warnings of glacial lake outburst floods in the north, advising travelers to avoid high-risk areas. Gilgit-Baltistan’s glaciers supply about 75% of Pakistan’s stored water, making the region’s stability critical to the country’s water security.
A new study by World Weather Attribution, an international scientific network, found that rainfall between June 24 and July 23 was 10% to 15% heavier due to global warming. Experts warn that sudden, localized cloudbursts — capable of unleashing deadly floods in minutes — are becoming more frequent in Pakistan.
The country’s vulnerability to extreme weather was underscored in 2022, when record monsoon rains killed more than 1,700 people and caused an estimated $40 billion in damage.
SEATTLE (BN24) — Jackie Bezos, the mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and co-founder of the Bezos Family Foundation, has died at the age of 78 after a years-long fight with Lewy body dementia, her family confirmed Thursday.
The foundation announced her death in a statement, describing her as a devoted mother whose life was defined by love, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to her children and community. Her son, Jeff Bezos, shared a deeply personal tribute on social media, saying his mother died “surrounded by so many of us who loved her — her kids, grandkids, and my dad.”
“I know she felt our love in those final moments,” Bezos wrote. “We were all so lucky to be in her life. I hold her safe in my heart forever.”
Lewy body dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s, is a progressive brain disorder that affects thinking, movement, behavior and sleep. Jackie was diagnosed with the condition in 2020.
Born Jacklyn Gise, she became a mother at 17, raising Jeff while navigating the challenges of early adulthood. “That couldn’t have been easy, but she made it all work,” Jeff Bezos wrote. “She pounced on the job of loving me with ferocity, brought my amazing dad onto the team a few years later, and then added my sister and brother to her list of people to love, guard, and nourish. For the rest of her life, that list never stopped growing.”
She is survived by her husband Mike Bezos, her three children — Jeff, Christina and Mark — 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Jeff’s wife, posted her own tribute on social media, writing, “We will miss her SO much. Love you ❤️💔.” She also reposted a message from the Bezos Scholars honoring Jackie’s legacy.
The Bezos Family Foundation remembered Jackie as someone who “created a space where everyone felt safe, heard, and cared for,” whether it was “offering a plate of food, a bit of advice, or simply a listening ear.” They recalled her countless acts of dedication — from making frequent trips to Radio Shack for Jeff’s projects to supervising Christina’s cheerleading practices and transporting Mark’s drums in the family station wagon.
“To the countless people she touched throughout a remarkable life, Jacklyn Gise Bezos was a fierce advocate and supporter, filled with heart for others, and never accepting the status quo,” the statement said.
In lieu of flowers, the family has invited people to donate to a nonprofit of their choice or perform a simple act of kindness in her memory.
YENAGOA, Nigeria (BN24) — Two suspected university students lost their lives on Wednesday in a fatal road accident involving a tipper truck and a commercial tricycle along the Tombia-Ammassoma road in Bayelsa State, renewing public concern over traffic safety on the notoriously dangerous highway.
According to eyewitnesses, the crash occurred near a sharp bend along the poorly marked and accident-prone stretch of the road. The tipper truck, reportedly descending a slope at high speed, lost control and rammed into the tricycle carrying multiple passengers. The impact of the collision left the tricycle completely mangled, with two occupants declared dead at the scene and several others critically injured.
Godspower Okolo, a trader who witnessed the crash, described the moment of impact as unavoidable and devastating. “The tricycle had no chance. The tipper came too fast down the hill. It was already too close. The damage was total,” he told Daily Trust. Okolo said nearby residents rushed to the scene to assist the injured and coordinated efforts to transport them to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa. The bodies of the deceased were moved to a nearby morgue.
The accident has reignited calls from local residents for stricter traffic enforcement and better safety infrastructure along the Tombia-Ammassoma road, a key route frequently used by students and commercial vehicles. “If nothing is done, we’ll continue to count losses,” said Mrs. Ebike Ekain, a resident who urged authorities to take immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
Bayelsa State has witnessed a troubling rise in traffic accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles and commercial tricycles, particularly along the Tombia-Ammassoma corridor. According to residents, at least 15 similar accidents have been recorded on the road in the past 18 months.
Spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, confirmed the incident and said investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has not yet issued a formal statement.
Community leaders and safety advocates continue to press for the installation of speed breakers, clearer road markings, increased patrols, and regular inspections of commercial vehicles, especially tippers, which are frequently cited in fatal accidents across the state.
The Tombia-Ammassoma road, which connects Yenagoa to the Niger Delta University campus, remains one of the busiest and deadliest roadways in Bayelsa, with many residents urging state and federal authorities to prioritize safety upgrades before more lives are lost.
ILE-IFE, Nigeria (BN24) — The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, has been thrown into mourning after a Part Two student from the Faculty of Dentistry reportedly took his own life following the release of examination results.
The student, identified as Ajibola, allegedly ended his life at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after learning he would have to repeat Part Two for another academic year. According to reports, the result was a devastating blow, as he had already repeated the same class during the previous session.
Sources said Ajibola allegedly injected himself with a fatal substance. His father, a medical doctor, and the rest of his family are said to be struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, which has also shocked friends, lecturers, and colleagues within the university community.
OAU Vice Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire described the death as a painful loss, extending condolences to the student’s parents, family members, the Faculty of Dentistry, the College of Health Sciences, and the broader university community. He called for divine comfort for all affected and urged parents and guardians to help students understand that academic or life setbacks are temporary.
Bamire stressed that moments of failure should be seen as opportunities to refocus and strive for greater success, warning against viewing such challenges as the end of the road.
