ACCRA, Ghana (BN24) — Water supply to several parts of Accra has been disrupted following a fire outbreak at the Dodowa Booster Station, Ghana Water Ltd (GWL) announced Saturday.
The utility company said operations at the facility were shut down to allow engineers to carry out urgent repair works. The Dodowa Booster Station is a key distribution point, and the shutdown has caused widespread shortages and low water pressure across multiple communities in the North-Eastern corridor of the capital.
Areas affected include East Legon, Agbogba, Haatso, Atomic, Frafraha, Ashaley Botwe, Adjiringanor, Ashongman, Dome, Adenta, Madina, Oyarifa and surrounding communities.
“Engineers are currently on site working tirelessly and around the clock to restore the system to full operation,” the company said in its statement.
GWL management expressed regret over the inconvenience and appealed to residents and institutions for patience as restoration efforts continue. The company assured that measures were being taken to prioritize uninterrupted supply to essential facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Institutions running low on stored water have been advised to contact their Municipal Chief Executives, Assembly Members, or Unit Committee Members for emergency assistance. Dedicated helplines have also been made available.
“We are grateful for the patience and understanding of our valued customers and stakeholders during this period,” the statement added.
NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — The British government has agreed to pay $4 million in compensation to more than 7,000 Kenyan residents after a wildfire sparked during a British Army training exercise swept through Laikipia County in 2021.
The fire broke out in March 2021 near Lolldaiga Hills Conservancy during joint drills with Kenyan forces. Large sections of the protected conservancy were destroyed, and unexploded ordnance left behind injured local residents. Communities later reported health problems linked to smoke and damage to the environment.
Anger grew after a British soldier appeared to admit responsibility in a social media post. That prompted a Royal Military Police investigation and fueled demands for justice from affected families.
Lawyer Kelvin Kubai, who represented the victims, confirmed Friday that compensation payments have been issued. He said the settlement was described as relief for “smoke nuisance” caused by the fire but noted that residents continue to face the longer-term effects.
The British High Commission in Nairobi called the fire “extremely regrettable” and acknowledged frustrations over the delay in compensation.
The British Army Training Unit Kenya, which maintains a permanent base in Nanyuki, has faced renewed scrutiny over the impact of foreign military training on local communities following the case.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BN24) — Immigration officials said they intend to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, his defense attorneys told a federal court Saturday.
The Costa Rica offer came late Thursday and included a requirement that Abrego Garcia remain in jail for the time being and then serve whatever sentence he would receive for pleading guilty to the federal charges, according to a brief filed in Tennessee where the criminal case was brought. After Abrego Garcia left jail on Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement notified his attorneys that he would be deported to Uganda and should report to immigration authorities on Monday.
Later on Friday, “the government informed Mr. Abrego that he has until first thing Monday morning — precisely when he must report to ICE’s Baltimore Field Office — to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica, or else that offer will be off the table forever,” his defense attorneys wrote in the court filing.
The attorneys declined to say whether Abrego Garcia is still considering the government’s offer.
Filed along with the brief was a letter from the Costa Rican government stating that Abrego Garcia would be welcomed to that country as a legal immigrant and would not face the possibility of detention there.
Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin responded to the brief with a statement defending the prosecution. “A federal grand jury has charged Abrego Garcia with serious federal crimes, underscoring the clear danger this defendant presents to the community,” Gilmartin said. “This defendant can plead guilty and accept responsibility or stand trial before a jury. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people.”
Abrego Garcia’s case became a flash point in President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, despite a judge’s earlier determination that he faced a “well-founded fear” of violence there. Facing a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the United States in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges.
He pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and asked the judge to dismiss the case, claiming that it is an attempt to punish him for challenging his deportation to El Salvador. The Saturday filing came as a supplement to that motion to dismiss, stating that the threat to deport him to Uganda is more proof that the prosecution is vindictive.
“Despite having requested and received assurances from the government of Costa Rica that Mr. Abrego would be accepted there, within minutes of his release from pretrial custody, an ICE representative informed Mr. Abrego’s counsel that the government intended to deport Mr. Abrego to Uganda,” his attorneys wrote in their filing.
The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. There were nine passengers in the car, and officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. However, Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue driving with only a warning at that time.
Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years. Although he was deemed eligible for pretrial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. A recent ruling in a separate case in Maryland required ICE to provide 72 hours’ notice before initiating deportation proceedings, providing time to allow a prospective deportee to mount a defense. An email from ICE sent to attorneys at 4:01 p.m. on Friday refers to that decision.
“Please let this email serve as notice that DHS may remove your client, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to Uganda no earlier than 72 hours from now, absent weekends,” it states. Uganda recently agreed to take deportees from the United States, provided they do not have criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors.
Federal officials have argued that Abrego Garcia can be deported because he came to the United States illegally and because a U.S. immigration judge deemed him eligible for expulsion in 2019, just not to his native El Salvador.
Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, Abrego Garcia’s lead attorney in the Maryland lawsuit against the Trump administration, said in a statement Saturday that the government is trying to use the immigration system to punish his client by “attempting to send him halfway across the world, to a country with documented human rights abuses and where he does not even speak the language.”
MANCHESTER (BN24) — Manchester City’s perfect start to the 2025/26 Premier League season was shattered on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium.
Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha scored first-half goals for Spurs, sealing a historic victory that handed City their first loss of the campaign. Just a week after an emphatic 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, City were left frustrated by a disciplined Tottenham side under new manager Thomas Frank.
The defeat is an early setback in City’s title defence, while Spurs sent a clear statement of intent with a well-organized, tactically astute performance that disrupted Guardiola’s side at every turn. Tottenham capitalized on a defensive mix-up between City’s Ric Lewis and debutant goalkeeper James Trafford to double their lead, adding a touch of drama to their otherwise clinical display.
Despite enjoying nearly 60% possession, Manchester City struggled to break down Tottenham’s defensive block. The visitors absorbed the pressure effectively and struck with precision when chances came their way, keeping Guardiola’s men at bay for the full 90 minutes.
“We came to the Etihad looking to make a statement, and we did just that,” Tottenham’s post-match report read. “Goals from Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha saw us leave Manchester with a well-deserved 2-0 victory. It was a perfect display of composure and tactical discipline from the team.”
Tottenham’s approach earned praise for its defensive organization and quick counter-attacking play, which stifled City’s usual rhythm. While the hosts tried to assert dominance, they found few openings against a resolute Spurs defense that maintained its shape throughout.
The win is Tottenham’s second consecutive victory to start the season, lifting them to the top of the Premier League standings. For Guardiola’s men, it was a sobering reminder of the challenges they will face in their quest to retain the title.
This result also marks City’s first home defeat of the season, leaving them to regroup and refocus ahead of the upcoming fixtures. For Tottenham, the victory is a promising sign under Frank’s leadership, showcasing their ability to perform against one of the Premier League’s biggest teams.
HONG KONG (BN24) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for his first trophy with Al-Nassr continued on Saturday as the Riyadh giants were defeated 5-3 in a penalty shootout by Al-Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup final. The match, which was part of Saudi Arabia’s global sporting initiative, ended 2-2 after regulation time before Al-Ahli held their nerve in the shootout to lift the trophy.
Ronaldo had given Al-Nassr the lead in the 40th minute, calmly converting a penalty after Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. The Portuguese forward’s cool finish sent the packed stadium into raptures and appeared to set him on course for a long-awaited piece of silverware in Saudi football.
However, Al-Ahli, featuring an array of international talent, responded swiftly. Franck Kessié, the former Barcelona midfielder, capitalized on poor defending from Al-Nassr to score a crisp equalizer, shifting the momentum in favor of the Jeddah side.
The second half was even more dramatic. Marcelo Brozović put Al-Nassr back in front with a well-taken strike, only for Al-Ahli’s Ibanez to score in the dying moments of the match, sending the contest to penalties.
In the shootout, Al-Ahli showed more composure, converting all their spot-kicks. Al-Nassr, on the other hand, faltered, with missed penalties from Ronaldo, Brozović, and Felix costing them the match. The final penalty from Al-Ahli secured their victory, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates with yet another final defeat.
This was Al-Nassr’s sixth appearance in the Saudi Super Cup final, the most by any club in the competition, while it was only Al-Ahli’s second. The defeat marked Ronaldo’s third loss in a final since joining the club in 2023. He had previously fallen short in the King’s Cup and the 2023 Saudi Super Cup.
For a player with one of the most decorated careers in football, the wait for silverware in Saudi Arabia has been frustratingly elusive. His only title with the club remains the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, a competition not officially recognized by FIFA.
The loss in Hong Kong is another painful reminder for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr that their quest for domestic dominance is far from complete. Despite the star power in their ranks, the club’s journey toward silverware remains unfinished.
LONDON (BN24) — Viktor Gyokeres marked his home debut in style with a brace, helping Arsenal to a dominant 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday, extending their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Arsenal were already two goals ahead by halftime, courtesy of Jurrien Timber’s header and a stoppage-time strike from Bukayo Saka. The second half saw Gyokeres, who was introduced to the Emirates crowd alongside fellow new signing Eberechi Eze before kick-off, make an immediate impact. Just two minutes into the second half, the striker powered through Leeds’ defence and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
“We found ourselves 2-0 ahead at the break thanks to Timber’s header and Saka’s injury-time strike,” Arsenal’s match report noted. “Gyokeres quickly made his mark, with his goal early in the second half sending the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium to new heights.”
While injuries to captain Martin Ødegaard and Saka posed concerns for the Gunners, their depth in attack was on full display. Timber, typically a defensive asset, doubled his tally with another header from a Declan Rice corner. The night also belonged to 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman, who became the third-youngest player in Premier League history at 15 years and 235 days. Dowman’s electric run in stoppage time earned a penalty, which Gyokeres coolly converted to complete his brace and seal the win.
“In stoppage time, Dowman’s pace forced a foul from Anton Stach in the box. Gyokeres stepped up and powered home the penalty, capping off an unforgettable evening for the team,” the report read.
The victory sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League standings, with a trip to Anfield next weekend to face reigning champions Liverpool looming large. The comprehensive win highlighted the attacking depth and youth development that has become a hallmark of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has addressed a surprising myth surrounding his personal grooming habits, saying some Nigerians believe his strength lies in his armpit hair—similar to the biblical figure Samson.
In a new interview with an American host on Apple Music, the Afro-fusion star was asked to clarify a common misconception about himself.
“What would you say is a common misconception about Burna Boy? What is something that people assume about you but they’re wrong?” the host asked.
Burna Boy replied with a smile, “One is that I don’t like to shave my armpit. People think that is some… you know how Samson in the Bible is, right?”
“With the hair?” the host responded.
“With the hair,” Burna Boy confirmed, adding that some Nigerians have spread a rumor that his power, like Samson’s, resides in his body hair—specifically under his arms.
When asked whether this belief was rooted in Yoruba tradition, the Port Harcourt-born singer clarified that the misconception isn’t limited to any ethnic group.
“No, it’s just Nigerians,” Burna said, laughing off the myth.
The lighthearted exchange quickly gained attention online, with fans reacting to Burna Boy’s humorous take on public perception and superstition in Nigerian pop culture. Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, has become known not just for his music, but also for his candid personality in interviews. The artist continues to challenge stereotypes and public narratives, both in Nigeria and on the global stage.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Washington, D.C. on December 5, calling it “the biggest event in sport.”
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest in the competition’s history, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches. The draw ceremony will be held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where Trump currently serves as chairman.
The event had been widely expected to be staged in Las Vegas, echoing the draw location from the last U.S.-hosted World Cup in 1994. However, the decision to move it to Washington aligns with Trump’s close ties to the venue and the symbolic importance of the nation’s capital.
“This is probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump said during a joint appearance at the White House with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who brought the World Cup trophy to the Oval Office to mark the announcement.
Infantino praised the scale of the upcoming tournament, noting the global impact and visibility of the draw. “The draw will be broadcast live all over the world and will be watched by one billion viewers,” he said. “It will feature 48 participating teams. There will be 104 matches — 104 Super Bowls!”
During the joint appearance, Infantino handed Trump the iconic trophy. “Can I keep it?” the president asked, holding the prize aloft with a smile.
The draw will divide the 48 qualified nations into 12 groups of four teams. From there, the top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-place finishers, will advance to the expanded knockout stages — a first for the World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the first time the tournament will be hosted by three countries and the first edition under the new 48-team format. Matches will be played in major cities across North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City. With global anticipation building and logistics for the expanded format underway, the December draw will be a crucial milestone in the build-up to what FIFA and U.S. officials are calling the most ambitious tournament in football history
MUNICH (BN24) — Harry Kane opened his Bundesliga season in emphatic fashion, netting a hat-trick as reigning champions Bayern Munich dismantled RB Leipzig 6-0 on Saturday in a dominant display that underscored their title credentials.
In Vincent Kompany’s first league match in charge, Bayern wasted no time asserting control at the Allianz Arena. Michael Olise broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a thunderous strike into the far corner, capitalizing on a loose ball that fell kindly into his path.
Serge Gnabry played a pivotal role in Bayern’s fluid attack throughout the match. Five minutes after the opener, his incisive play helped set up Luis Díaz, who marked his Bundesliga debut with a powerful shot off the underside of the bar, opening his account since joining from Liverpool in the summer.
The third came just before halftime. Gnabry again pulled the strings, feinting a shot that wrong-footed the Leipzig defence before laying it off to Olise, who blasted home his second of the night.
After the break, Kane added his name to the scoresheet with clinical precision. In the 64th minute, the England captain finished off a rapid counterattack, cutting inside and sliding the ball past Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
RB Leipzig briefly thought they had reduced the deficit, but substitute Antonio Nusa’s goal was ruled out after a VAR check confirmed the ball had been rolling during the free-kick in the buildup.
Kane responded minutes later with his second of the match, curling a precise effort inside the far post from the edge of the area. He completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute, ghosting into space to tap in after Leipzig’s exhausted defense failed to track his movement.
Bayern were relentless from start to finish, showing cohesion and energy in all phases. Olise and full-back Konrad Laimer formed a dangerous tandem on the right wing, repeatedly combining to stretch Leipzig’s shape and open space in the final third.
Kane, operating in a deeper role than usual, was a constant menace, linking play while maintaining his trademark poise in front of goal. Gnabry and Joshua Kimmich dictated the tempo through midfield, exploiting gaps left by a disorganized Leipzig side that struggled to maintain composure under pressure.
Newly appointed Leipzig manager Ole Werner faced a harsh reality check. His team looked disjointed, with defensive lapses, misplaced passes, and a general lack of awareness that Bayern exploited ruthlessly. Even with reinforcements, the visitors looked overwhelmed and unable to cope with the pace and precision of their opponents.
The result sends an early warning to the rest of the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich, chasing a 13th consecutive league title, appear every bit the powerhouse they’ve been, now with added firepower and tactical fluidity under Kompany.
Bayern next face Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB Pokal first round on Wednesday, before a Bundesliga trip to Augsburg on August 30. RB Leipzig will aim to rebound at home against Heidenheim on the same day.
ROME (BN24) — An Italian humanitarian organization has rescued ten migrants off the Libyan coast, claiming they were thrown into the sea by armed militiamen. The Mediterranea Saving Humans group reported the incident, which occurred around 30 nautical miles north of Tripoli overnight Thursday into Friday.
According to the NGO, the attackers, described as armed men aboard a “military-type” boat, approached their rescue vessel and forcibly pushed the migrants into the rough Mediterranean waters. The group released footage showing the boat, which appeared to be military-like, as it neared the NGO’s vessel. The rescue crew swiftly pulled the migrants from the water, with reports indicating the attackers punched and kicked the individuals before forcing them into the sea.
In recent days, Mediterranea Saving Humans has faced repeated harassment from the Libyan Coast Guard and masked men aboard unmarked speedboats, despite operating in international waters. The group has called attention to the increasingly dangerous environment for humanitarian missions in the region.
Libya remains a primary departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, often under perilous conditions. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recorded nearly 24,500 deaths or disappearances along the migration route over the past decade, making it one of the deadliest corridors for migrants globally.
The attack on these migrants is the latest example of growing hostility towards humanitarian efforts in the Mediterranean, as both state and non-state actors continue to target vessels attempting to provide aid in the re
