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Manchester United Complete Signing of Slovenia Striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig

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Manchester United Complete Signing of Slovenia Striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig

MANCHESTER, England (BN24) — Manchester United announced the signing of Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko from Germany’s RB Leipzig on Saturday, securing the 22-year-old on a contract running until 2030. The transfer fee reportedly stands at €76.5 million ($89 million), with an additional €8.5 million ($9.9 million) in potential bonuses.

Sesko, who moved to Leipzig from Austrian side RB Salzburg in 2023, scored 39 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions for the German club. The towering 1.95-meter forward has also made his mark on the international stage, netting 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia.

“The history of Manchester United is obviously very special, but what really excites me is the future,” Sesko said upon completing the transfer. “When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon.”

Sesko praised the club’s environment and expressed eagerness to work under new manager Ruben Amorim. “From the moment that I arrived,I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created. It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions,” he said.

The signing comes as Manchester United look to strengthen their attacking options after a disappointing 15th-place finish in last season’s Premier League. Current forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined for only 18 goals last term, contributing to the club’s record 18 losses and lowest points total (42) in the Premier League era.

Jason Wilcox, Manchester United’s director of football, described Sesko as a rare talent with a blend of pace and physical dominance. “We have followed Benjamin’s career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United,” Wilcox said. “Working under the guidance of Ruben and our excellent performance team, Benjamin is joining the perfect environment to support him to reach his world-class potential.”

Sesko has drawn comparisons to former Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, not only for his height but also for flashes of technical skill. He scored six goals in 28 Champions League appearances for Leipzig and Salzburg combined.

United’s new season begins at home against Arsenal on August 17. Alongside Sesko, the club has also secured forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to bolster their attack.

Israeli Fire Kills 34 in Gaza Amid Escalating Conflict

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Israeli Fire Kills 34 in Gaza Amid Escalating Conflict

GAZA CITY (BN24) — At least 34 people were killed Saturday in Israeli military strikes across Gaza, including more than a dozen civilians waiting to collect humanitarian aid, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that nine people were killed and 181 wounded when Israeli forces opened fire near a northern Gaza border crossing frequently used for aid deliveries. Another six people were killed and 30 injured after Israeli troops targeted civilians gathered near an aid distribution point in central Gaza.

Further strikes in central Gaza caused multiple casualties, while a drone attack near the southern city of Khan Yunis killed at least three people and wounded several others, Bassal said. Due to media restrictions and limited access in Gaza, independent verification of the death toll and details remains difficult.

Thousands of Palestinians daily gather near food distribution sites across Gaza, including those managed by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Since late May, Israeli forces have repeatedly been reported firing on aid recipients in the territory, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation.

Israeli restrictions on essential supplies entering Gaza, imposed since the war began nearly two years ago, have created severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel critical for hospital generators. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire to prevent widespread famine and to secure the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants.

Despite global condemnation and rumored dissent within Israeli military leadership, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans early Friday for a major ground operation to seize Gaza City. Netanyahu remains resolute, stating on social media, “We are not going to occupy Gaza — we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.”

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the current war, condemned the planned escalation as a “new war crime.”

The ongoing conflict has exacted a heavy toll. According to Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed—a figure the United Nations considers credible. The Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, based on AFP tallies using official sources.

Credit: Punching.com

Iran investigates 20 arrested over alleged links with Israel

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Iran investigates 20 arrested over alleged links with Israel

TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Iranian authorities are investigating 20 individuals arrested for allegedly collaborating with Israel, the country’s judiciary confirmed Saturday, following weeks of escalating tensions and direct conflict between the two regional adversaries.

Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said the cases were opened under the supervision of senior investigators and are actively progressing. “These cases were immediately filed under the supervision of the esteemed investigators and are being investigated,” Jahangir told reporters in Tehran. He noted that additional details would be released as the process continues.

The arrests stem from an intelligence operation disclosed in late July, when Iran’s intelligence ministry claimed to have detained 20 individuals described as spies, Mossad operatives, and support agents allegedly connected to Israeli intelligence. The detentions occurred in Tehran and across multiple provinces.

The crackdown follows Israel’s mid-June airstrikes on Iranian territory — an unprecedented military campaign that targeted nuclear sites, military installations, and residential areas. The attacks reportedly killed senior Iranian commanders, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes, marking a rare period of open warfare between the two countries.

Iranian officials have vowed swift and harsh judicial responses to those accused of espionage. “The judicial system will not show any mercy in dealing with spies and Zionist agents and will teach a lesson to all spies… with firm rulings,” Jahangir said.

Earlier this week, Iran executed Roozbeh Vadi, a former employee of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, for allegedly passing sensitive information about nuclear facilities and scientists to Israel. State-linked Fars News Agency reported that Vadi had collaborated with two scientists — Ahmad Zolfaghar and Abdolhamid Minouchehr — who were later killed during the Israeli strikes.

State media published a screenshot of a research paper co-authored by Vadi and the two slain scientists, reinforcing Tehran’s allegations of a deep-rooted Israeli intelligence network operating inside the country.

Iran has not indicated when the remaining suspects might be formally charged or brought to trial, though officials have said the process will be expedited in light of national security concerns.

Ukraine Will Not Give Up Land, Zelensky Says Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting Next Week

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Ukraine Will Not Give Up Land, Zelensky Says Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting Next Week

KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that Ukraine will not surrender territory to Russian occupiers, responding defiantly to announcements of a scheduled Trump-Putin summit next week that could involve territorial concessions as part of a peace settlement.

Zelensky issued his first reaction to the planned meeting through a statement on the messaging platform Telegram, asserting that Ukraine “will not give their land to occupiers” and warning that any solutions negotiated without Ukrainian participation would be “solutions against peace.”

The Ukrainian president’s firm stance came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15, to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump signaled that territorial compromises might be necessary, telling reporters that any peace deal would likely involve “some swapping of territories.”

CBS News, the BBC’s U.S. partner, reported that the White House is attempting to persuade European leaders to accept a peace agreement that would require Ukraine to surrender substantial territory, including the strategic Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions to Russian control.

Under the proposed terms being discussed, Russia would retain the eastern Donbas region and Crimea while withdrawing forces from other Ukrainian territories where Moscow currently maintains some control. The White House has not confirmed these specific details, though Trump’s comments about territorial exchanges align with the reported framework.

Zelensky has consistently rejected any preconditions involving territorial concessions throughout the conflict. His latest statement emphasized that decisions made without Ukraine would “not achieve anything” and characterized such arrangements as “stillborn decisions” that are “unworkable.”

The Ukrainian leader directly addressed the Trump-Putin summit, noting that the meeting would occur “very far away from this war, which is raging on our land, against our people, and which anyway can’t be ended without us, without Ukraine.”

In a text and video statement released on social media platform X, Zelensky declared that “this war must be brought to an end, and Russia must end it. Russia started it and is dragging it out, ignoring all deadlines, and that is the problem, not something else.”

Despite his rejection of territorial concessions, Zelensky expressed willingness to collaborate with Trump on peace efforts. “We are ready to work with President Trump, together with all our partners” to achieve a “real” peace, the Ukrainian president stated.

The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Trump has increased pressure on Ukraine to reach a settlement. The U.S. president recently told Zelensky he must “get ready to sign something,” suggesting urgency in finalizing any potential agreement.

Trump had previously established a Friday deadline for Putin to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine, but that deadline passed without any announced breakthrough or additional sanctions against Russia.

The conflict began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, when dozens of missile strikes targeted Ukrainian cities before dawn. Russian ground forces initially advanced rapidly, controlling large areas within weeks and reaching Kyiv’s suburbs while bombarding Kharkiv.

Russian forces initially captured territory extending from the east to the southern city of Kherson and surrounded the strategic port of Mariupol. However, they encountered strong Ukrainian resistance and faced serious logistical challenges, with poorly motivated troops suffering shortages of essential supplies.

By October 2022, the military situation had shifted dramatically. Having failed to capture Kyiv, Russia withdrew completely from northern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces recaptured Kherson the following month, marking a significant territorial recovery.

Since then, fighting has concentrated in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have slowly gained ground over many months. In 2024, Ukrainian forces achieved a notable success by capturing parts of Russia’s Kursk region, though they have since been pushed back from some of those positions.

The territorial discussion occurs against this backdrop of shifting front lines and sustained conflict that has lasted nearly three years. Any peace agreement involving territorial exchanges would formalize some of the geographic changes that have occurred through military action.

Zelensky’s firm rejection of land concessions reflects Ukraine’s consistent position that territorial integrity remains non-negotiable, even as international pressure mounts for a negotiated settlement to end the prolonged conflict.

Trump, Putin to Hold Alaska Talks in Bid to End Ukraine War

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Trump, Putin to Hold Alaska Talks in Bid to End Ukraine War

Washington,D.C (BN24) – President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15 for high-stakes negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Trump announced Friday.

The meeting, set in Anchorage, comes as Trump claims the U.S., Russia and Ukraine are edging closer to a ceasefire deal after more than three years of fighting. Speaking at the White House, Trump suggested the agreement could involve “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” though such concessions would mean Ukraine formally losing about a fifth of its territory — a politically fraught outcome for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an evening address, said a ceasefire is possible if sufficient pressure is applied to Moscow. His government has maintained contact with Washington and other allied capitals, but Kyiv remains wary of any settlement that cements Russia’s hold over occupied regions.

Putin claims control over Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea, though Russian forces do not fully occupy all four eastern and southern regions. Bloomberg News reported that under a tentative framework, Russia would halt offensives along current battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The Alaska summit will mark the most significant U.S.-Russia meeting on American soil since 2021, when Anchorage hosted tense talks between Biden administration officials and Chinese diplomats. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has alternated between praising and criticizing Putin while pushing for an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Trump has recently threatened new sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and its trade partners unless Putin agrees to halt military operations. This week, his administration imposed a 25% tariff on certain imports from India over its Russian oil purchases — the first direct financial penalty against Moscow in Trump’s second term.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, after talks with Zelenskiy on Friday, said there were signs a pause in the fighting could be near, though he stressed the outcome was uncertain. “There are hopes for this,” Tusk said, noting Zelenskiy remained “very cautious but optimistic.”

Child Among Four Others Died In Fatal Abia Auto Crash In Nigeria

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Child Among Four Others Died In Fatal Abia Auto Crash In Nigeria

NTIGHA, Nigeria (BN24) — A tragic auto crash in Abia State claimed the lives of four individuals, including a young child, when an 18-seater bus somersaulted off the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road near Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the fatal accident occurred late Tuesday morning.

Sector Commander Ngozi Ezeonu of the FRSC Abia Command said on Thursday that one female child was confirmed dead at the scene, while three other adult female passengers later died during hospital treatment, raising the death toll to four.

“The crash initially claimed the life of a female child at the spot,” Ezeonu said. “Upon hospital follow-up, we discovered three additional fatalities, all adult females, bringing the total to four.”

The vehicle, a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number MBA 124 XB, was reported to have been traveling from Ebonyi State to Aba when the accident occurred around 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday. According to the FRSC, the lone accident was caused by a sudden tyre burst that forced the vehicle to veer off the road and somersault into nearby bushland.

Kelechi Igbonekwu, Public Relations Officer for the FRSC in Abia, earlier confirmed that 14 other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. Of the injured, nine were adult males and five were adult females. Emergency response teams, including the Abia State Emergency Response Team led by Obioma Analaba, quickly arrived on the scene to administer aid and evacuate victims to local hospitals.

Eyewitnesses at the crash site described the harrowing scene. Chinaza, a nearby resident, recounted hearing a loud bang before the vehicle flipped multiple times. “The tyre burst suddenly, and the next thing we saw was the bus tumbling into the bush,” he said.

The FRSC has reiterated the importance of road safety, urging motorists to maintain proper vehicle conditions and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies. Commander Ezeonu emphasized the need for drivers across Nigeria to exercise caution, especially on high-speed highways prone to such incidents.

The crash site on the busy Enugu-Port Harcourt Road remains a focal point for traffic authorities as investigations continue into what may have contributed to the tyre failure.

Credit: Punching.com

Five Injured as Speeding Fuel Tanker Collides with Passenger Bus in Lagos, Nigeria

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Five Injured as Speeding Fuel Tanker Collides with Passenger Bus in Lagos, Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — At least five people sustained injuries after a high-speed fuel tanker lost control and collided with a fully loaded commercial bus at Toyota Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, on Thursday, authorities confirmed Friday.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported that the crash occurred near the Guardian newspaper headquarters and involved a petrol-laden tanker with registration number T28128LA and a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus bearing the plate GGE 526 YG.

In a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, preliminary investigations from the Oloto Police Division revealed that the tanker suffered a sudden brake failure while traveling at excessive speed. The vehicle subsequently veered into the passenger bus, which was operating under full capacity at the time of the incident.

Emergency responders from LASTMA, in conjunction with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), carried out what was described as a “precise and seamlessly coordinated rescue operation.” Five individuals, including the bus driver—three women and two men—were pulled from the wreckage.

“One victim was quickly transported to a nearby hospital by a good Samaritan, while others were stabilized and moved by official emergency services for further treatment,” LASTMA noted.

Acting General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy to the injured and emphasized the need for stricter adherence to traffic safety measures. He attributed the incident to what he called “a brazen disregard for statutory speed limits, which are conspicuously signposted along Lagos highways.”

“The tragic outcome could have been avoided with proper vehicle maintenance and strict speed regulation,” Bakare-Oki said. He urged tanker and heavy-duty vehicle operators to prioritize routine mechanical checks, particularly of braking systems, and to invest in continuous driver training.

He added, “The sanctity of human life must remain the paramount consideration in all road transport operations.”

Authorities have since cleared the accident scene and reopened the affected stretch of road to traffic.

Credit: Punching.com

Backstreet Boys Challenge *NSYNC to Golf Tournament in Unexpected Boy Band Faceoff

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Backstreet Boys Challenge *NSYNC to Golf Tournament in Unexpected Boy Band Faceoff

LOS ANGELES (BN24) — Two of the biggest names in pop music history may soon trade microphones for golf clubs as the Backstreet Boys have officially challenged *NSYNC to a five-on-five golf tournament, hinting at a nostalgic faceoff of legendary boy bands—offstage and on the green.

During a recent break from their headlining Las Vegas residency at The Sphere, Backstreet Boys members Nick Carter and Brian Littrell spoke with TMZ Sports at California’s iconic Pebble Beach golf course. There, they issued the light-hearted but serious challenge to their long-standing pop rivals.

“You hear it first on TMZ,” Littrell announced, smiling between swings. “It’s going to be the ‘Boy Band Mania Golf Tournament!'” Carter quickly added, “We’re challenging *NSYNC right now to a five-on-five!”

While the rest of *NSYNC has yet to publicly respond, the matchup could pit two of the most recognizable names from the golden era of late-’90s pop against one another in a completely new arena. Littrell, who revealed he carries a 6.8 golf handicap, could find his stiffest competition in *NSYNC’s Justin Timberlake—an experienced and passionate golfer with a similar skill level.

Carter admitted to a 19 handicap, but expressed full enthusiasm to step up to the tee. “We’re in this, win or lose,” he said, underscoring the good-natured competitive spirit behind the challenge.

The Backstreet Boys have maintained their relevance through continued touring and their current Vegas residency, drawing enthusiastic crowds and even celebrity fans. One recent show was attended by NBA star Luka Dončić, who joined the audience to celebrate his new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

As both Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC enjoy a resurgence fueled by millennial nostalgia and renewed interest in Y2K-era pop culture, the idea of a golf match between the two acts is igniting buzz among longtime fans. Whether or not *NSYNC responds, the playful rivalry has once again put both boy bands in the spotlight—and possibly on the fairway.

With pop history, competition, and camaraderie driving the moment, all eyes are now on *NSYNC to see if they’ll tee up for what could become the most unexpected boy band event of the decade.

John Cena Admits to Hair Transplant After Fans Mocked His Balding: ‘They Pushed Me Into It’

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John Cena Admits to Hair Transplant After Fans Mocked His Balding: ‘They Pushed Me Into It’

LOS ANGELES (BN24) — WWE superstar and 17-time world champion John Cena has confirmed he underwent a hair transplant procedure in late 2024, citing relentless fan mockery as the driving force behind his decision.

Speaking candidly in an interview with People magazine, the 48-year-old wrestling icon, currently on his farewell retirement tour, reflected on the very public way his hair loss became a running joke among fans during live events. Signs reading “Bald John Cena” and chants from packed arenas made it difficult to ignore what had once been a private insecurity.

“When I’m trying to hide my hair loss, the audience is just bringing it to light, like, ‘You’re going bald,’” Cena said. “I also want the audience to know I see your signs — the one that says ‘Bald John Cena,’ I get it. But I also know it’s something I’m going through.”

Rather than shy away from the attention, Cena chose to face it directly. He explained that the fans’ bluntness actually spurred him to take action. “I want to be genuine with that audience… letting me know, either do some work or shave your head. They pushed me into going to see what my options were,” he said.

After weighing those options, Cena opted for a hair transplant in November 2024. By January 2025, he returned to the spotlight with a fuller head of hair and a renewed sense of self as he launched his retirement tour.

“So I’m like, alright, successful surgery but I’ve got to get out there and go. It was not easy,” he admitted, referencing the emotional and physical aspects of both the procedure and his transition into the final chapter of his wrestling career.

Known for his authenticity and strong connection with fans, Cena’s decision to go public with his hair restoration adds another layer to his storied legacy. By turning a personal struggle into a public conversation, he joins a growing number of male celebrities helping normalize cosmetic procedures for hair loss.

As Cena continues his retirement tour — a victory lap marking the end of a two-decade era in WWE — his openness and humor remain consistent trademarks of his public persona. Whether in the ring or offstage, John Cena continues to command attention, this time not for a title match, but for his honesty and vulnerability.

Active Shooter Prompts Lockdown at Emory University in Atlanta, Officer Injured

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Active Shooter Prompts Lockdown at Emory University in Atlanta, Officer Injured

ATLANTA (BN24) — Police and emergency responders swarmed the area near Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, late Thursday afternoon after reports of an active shooter prompted urgent lockdown alerts for the campus and surrounding areas, including the nearby headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Atlanta Police Department confirmed officers were on the scene investigating the incident near Emory Point, a retail and residential complex adjacent to the university. Authorities urged residents, students and staff to avoid the area as they worked to secure the scene.

In a series of emergency alerts, Emory University warned of an “active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS” and instructed people to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.” A later message told everyone to continue sheltering in place as police remained on site.

The CDC, located roughly a mile away, also went into lockdown. In an internal email shared with NBC News, the agency instructed staff at its Roybal Campus to immediately take shelter.

A DeKalb County police officer was injured during the incident and transported to a local hospital. Officials have not released the officer’s condition or the nature of the injuries.

One Emory employee described a chaotic scene after receiving the alert through the university’s phone app. “It was saying there was an active shooter and that we needed to hide. Immediately, I just go into the nearest building I can,” he told NBC affiliate WXIA. “I’m just trying to be safe… we don’t feel safe, and some of my co-workers want to leave.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on X that “deranged criminals” had targeted innocent Georgians twice in one week. He praised the “brave first responders” who rushed toward danger, adding, “We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center.”

The incident remains under active investigation. Authorities have not confirmed whether Emory University or the CDC was the intended target.

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