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.
NEW YORK (BN24) — The 2025 US Open is poised to make history as the richest tennis tournament ever staged, with organizers announcing a record-breaking $90 million total prize purse — a significant 20% increase from last year’s $75 million fund.
Tournament officials confirmed Wednesday that both the men’s and women’s singles champions will walk away with $5 million each — a 39% jump from the $3.6 million awarded in 2024. This makes the US Open the first Grand Slam in history to offer such a high payout to its singles champions.
Substantial pay increases have also been introduced across the board for players reaching the later stages. Singles finalists will earn $2.5 million (up 26%), semifinalists will take home $1.26 million, and quarterfinalists will receive $660,000 — reflecting the tournament’s commitment to equitable reward at all levels of competition.
For the first time, champions of the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles will each receive $1 million per team, signaling a major boost in support for doubles athletes.
The sweeping financial overhaul comes after reports surfaced of a letter signed by several top-ranked players urging all four Grand Slam events to raise prize money. In response, US Open organizers emphasized that the increases were designed to benefit all participants, not just those at the top, promising “double-digit percentage increases from 2024 in all rounds of all events.”
In addition to prize money, the US Open has set aside $5 million for player support expenses. Every competitor will receive a $1,000 travel stipend, plus lodging at the official hotel — two rooms per player — or a $600 per day allowance for private accommodations.
Qualifying rounds begin August 18, with the main draws for men’s and women’s singles running from August 24 through September 7 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
This year’s tournament also introduces a new format for the mixed doubles competition. Scheduled ahead of the main event, the revamped draw will take place August 19–20 and feature high-profile teams including Carlos Alcaraz & Emma Raducanu, Jannik Sinner & Emma Navarro, Casper Ruud & Iga Świątek, and Aryna Sabalenka & Grigor Dimitrov.
The early scheduling aims to increase exposure and reduce calendar strain for top players. The USTA says the format change is designed to “elevate mixed doubles” by giving the discipline a standalone spotlight before the marquee singles matches commence.
However, not all players support the adjustment. Defending mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori criticized the restructured event as a “pseudo-exhibition” that undermines the integrity of the format and disrespects established doubles specialists.
Half of the 16-team draw will consist of wild card entries, while the remaining teams are determined based on combined singles rankings.
Despite the criticism, the USTA remains firm, stating that the change is aimed at enhancing fan engagement and showcasing mixed doubles on a bigger stage.
With record prize money, a fresh approach to doubles, and a growing list of star-studded matchups, the 2025 US Open is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile and financially rewarding events in tennis history.
LONDON (BN24) — The Premier League has officially ended its longstanding partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and will no longer feature rainbow captain armbands or laces as part of its matchday inclusivity campaigns, marking a significant shift in the league’s public stance on LGBTQ+ representation.
According to a report from The Telegraph, the decision was made during a closed-door meeting involving captains from all 20 top-flight clubs on Thursday. The move brings to a close the eight-year Rainbow Laces partnership, which had become a visible symbol of support for LGBTQ+ inclusion across English football.
While rainbow-themed matchday visuals and accessories will no longer be part of the league’s seasonal schedule, officials emphasized that inclusion efforts would continue in other forms. The Premier League is reportedly preparing to launch its own internal campaign tied to LGBTQ+ History Month in February 2026, redirecting its messaging and engagement through community-based education initiatives.
A spokesperson for Stonewall acknowledged the end of the collaboration but underscored the impact of the Rainbow Laces movement on football culture. “Rainbow Laces has helped improve LGBTQ+ inclusion, acceptance and participation in sport at all levels — whether player, participant or fan,” the charity said. “It has significantly shifted the dial. While it can still prove difficult for elite players to be openly LGBTQ+ on the pitch, there are now some role models. At the grassroots level, it is easier to participate, and as a fan, the LGBTQ+ community has increasingly felt more accepted.”
Despite the shift, the Premier League has reaffirmed its commitment to other social causes. Players will continue taking the knee ahead of select matches this season as a stance against racism — a gesture that began in 2020 during the global rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and remains symbolic of the league’s anti-discrimination message.
The removal of high-profile symbols like rainbow armbands has sparked debate among supporters and advocacy groups. While some view the move as a step back in visibility, others interpret it as a strategic refocusing of efforts toward sustained impact rather than performative gestures.
As the 2025–26 Premier League season approaches, clubs and fans alike are watching how the league balances representation, activism, and evolving expectations in one of the world’s most watched sports competitions.
The Trump administration is pursuing a $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles, following federal accusations that the school fostered a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students in violation of civil rights laws, a White House official said Friday.
The move comes just weeks after the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division determined that UCLA had violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by “acting with deliberate indifference” toward antisemitic harassment on campus. Federal officials say the alleged misconduct created a climate that denied Jewish and Israeli students equal access to education.
UCLA becomes the first public university to face such a high-stakes financial demand under the Trump administration, which has already frozen or paused hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to private colleges accused of similar civil rights violations involving antisemitism and affirmative action. The university said this week that the administration had suspended $584 million in federal research grants.
The Justice Department’s findings followed a series of high-profile protests in 2024, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators were accused of blocking Jewish students’ access to classes and campus facilities. Last month, UCLA agreed to a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor who had sued over the incidents. As part of that agreement, the university pledged $2.3 million to eight organizations that combat antisemitism, established an Office of Campus and Community Safety, and implemented new rules for managing campus demonstrations.
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk—whose family history includes Jewish relatives fleeing Nazi Germany—also launched an initiative to address antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias.
UC President James B. Milliken said Friday that the administration’s $1 billion demand would “completely devastate” the university system and harm students across California. “As a public university, we are stewards of taxpayer resources, and a payment of this scale would inflict great harm on our students and our state,” he said, adding that UCLA had offered to engage in “good faith dialogue” with federal officials.
The White House did not detail additional conditions for settlement, but officials indicated that the UCLA case could follow the model of last month’s $200 million settlement with Columbia University, which also restored more than $400 million in research grants. That agreement is now viewed by the administration as a template for financial penalties in other high-profile cases.
BEDFORD, England (BN24) — A 19-year-old man has been convicted of murdering a teenager in what police described as a brutal knife attack near Bedford bus station, east of England, that claimed the life of a 17-year-old with years of potential ahead of him.
Bennett Ndenkeh. Pic: Bedfordshire Police
Bennett Ndenkeh was found guilty of murder following a seven-week trial at Luton Crown Court for the fatal stabbing of Thomas Taylor on January 8. The attack occurred just before 6 p.m. near Bedford bus station, where Taylor and two others were confronted in what prosecutors characterized as a senseless act of violence.
Ndenkeh produced a knife during the confrontation and fatally stabbed Taylor in an assault that unfolded on Greenhill Street. Emergency services responded to the scene and transported Taylor to hospital, where he died shortly after arrival despite medical efforts to save his life.
The court also convicted 18-year-old Riaz Miah of manslaughter in connection with Taylor’s death, though Miah was found not guilty of the more serious murder charge. Two other teenagers faced murder charges but were acquitted, while the jury was unable to reach a verdict on a fifth defendant.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Stott from Bedfordshire Police described the attack as a devastating loss that has altered multiple lives forever. “This was a brutal and senseless act of violence that has ended the life of a young man who had so many years and experiences still in front of him and devastated the lives of those who knew him,” Stott said.
The investigation revealed a complex background to the fatal confrontation. During the trial, the court heard that Miah had been assaulted by someone connected to Taylor in the days preceding the stabbing incident. This prior altercation appears to have set the stage for the deadly encounter that followed.
Thomas Taylor was attacked outside Bedford bus station. Pic: Bedfordshire Police
On the day of the attack, Taylor and Miah exchanged messages that provided insight into the escalating tensions. Taylor warned against retaliation in their communications, but the two ultimately agreed to meet in Bedford’s town center, where the fatal altercation occurred.
Police investigators used closed-circuit television footage to track the movements of the defendants, who scattered within minutes after the stabbing. The technological evidence proved crucial in identifying and locating the suspects in the immediate aftermath of the crime.
Ndenkeh and Miah were arrested within three days of the attack, demonstrating the rapid response by Bedfordshire Police to apprehend those responsible. The swift arrests came as investigators worked around the clock to piece together the events leading to Taylor’s death.
Evidence presented during the trial included messages found on seized electronic devices that showed Miah’s attempts to coordinate a response to the investigation. Hours before his arrest, Miah advised someone else present during the altercation to “no comment everything,” suggesting awareness of potential legal consequences.
The convictions represent the culmination of an extensive investigation that relied on multiple forms of evidence, including witness testimony, CCTV footage, and digital communications. The seven-week trial examined the complex relationships and events that led to the tragic confrontation.
Riaz Miah. Pic: Bedfordshire Police
Detective Chief Inspector Stott emphasized how the crime has fundamentally changed the trajectory of all involved. “It has also drastically altered the path of the two people found guilty today, who are now facing the prospect of spending many of the prime years of their life behind bars,” he noted.
Both Ndenkeh and Miah are scheduled to receive their sentences on October 10, when the court will determine the length of their imprisonment. The murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, while the manslaughter conviction allows for judicial discretion in sentencing.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of knife crime among young people, demonstrating how disputes can escalate into irreversible tragedy. Taylor’s death has left a community mourning the loss of a teenager whose future was cut short by violence.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — The United States has sharply escalated its pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, doubling the reward for his arrest to $50 million over allegations of international drug trafficking and links to terrorist-designated criminal groups, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.
In a video posted to X, Bondi accused Maduro of operating hand-in-hand with powerful transnational criminal networks, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, intensifying Washington’s long-standing charges that the Venezuelan leader has transformed his regime into a criminal enterprise.
“Maduro is not just a corrupt politician—he’s a narco-terrorist responsible for poisoning our communities with illegal drugs while aligning with violent gangs and cartels,” Bondi said. “This reward reflects our commitment to bringing him to justice.”
The increased bounty marks the latest escalation in the U.S. government’s strategy to isolate Maduro, who has already been under federal indictment since 2020. The original reward of $15 million was first announced under then-President Donald Trump when prosecutors accused Maduro and senior officials of running a state-sponsored drug ring known as the Cartel de los Soles. It was raised to $25 million in January 2025, coinciding with his inauguration for a third term following disputed elections.
Thursday’s announcement follows a series of U.S. designations targeting criminal organizations linked to Venezuela. In February, the U.S. State Department labeled Tren de Aragua—Venezuela’s largest and most violent gang—a foreign terrorist organization. That designation came alongside sanctions on other groups such as MS-13 and Mexico’s CJNG. More recently, in July, the Cartel de los Soles was formally declared a global terrorist organization by the State Department.
In a statement issued late Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Maduro has served as “a key figure” within Cartel de los Soles for more than a decade, facilitating the flow of cocaine into the United States and laundering the proceeds through corrupt state channels.
The Venezuelan government reacted with outrage. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the reward announcement as “the most ridiculous smokescreen ever seen,” accusing the U.S. of waging psychological warfare in an effort to destabilize the country.
“While we expose terrorist plots originating from the U.S., they respond with cheap media stunts to satisfy the fractured far-right opposition in Venezuela,” Gil wrote on Telegram. “The dignity of our homeland is not for sale.”
The Venezuelan Ministry of Information has not responded to further requests for comment.
The announcement comes at a critical political juncture in Venezuela, where opposition parties have accused the Maduro government of intensifying repression ahead of the 2026 general elections. Washington’s move is likely to further strain already-frozen diplomatic talks, even as international pressure mounts for free and fair elections in the oil-rich South American nation.
Despite being internationally isolated and facing multiple rounds of U.S. and European sanctions, Maduro has managed to retain power, propped up by loyal military factions, support from allies including Russia, China, and Iran, and a deeply fractured opposition.
With a $50 million reward now on his head—matching that of the world’s most-wanted drug lords—Maduro faces growing international legal jeopardy even as he consolidates political control at home.
PARIS (BN24) — The nominees for the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony have been announced, with Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, and Mohamed Salah among the headline names vying for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Dembele, fresh off a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, is the front-runner to win his first Ballon d’Or after scoring 36 goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions for club and country. The 28-year-old winger also played a key role in PSG’s domestic league triumph and their UEFA Champions League victory, marking a career-best season for the French international.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is also among the top contenders after helping the Reds clinch the Premier League title. The Egyptian forward continues to be one of the most consistent performers in world football, maintaining a high level of output in both domestic and European competitions.
Another notable name is Brazilian winger Raphinha, who lifted the La Liga title with Barcelona and impressed with his dynamic performances throughout the season.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, who recently completed a high-profile transfer from PSG, is once again on the shortlist. Despite intense competition, the French striker remains a regular fixture among football’s elite due to his consistency and goal-scoring prowess.
Surprisingly, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi were omitted from this year’s list. Ronaldo, who won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in June, was expected by some to be included, while Messi, currently playing with Inter Miami in MLS, also failed to make the cut.
The prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, where the world’s top footballer of the 2024–2025 season will be crowned.
This year’s nominees include a diverse mix of talent from Europe’s top clubs, with strong representation from PSG, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Barcelona. Among them are Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), and Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), as well as emerging stars like Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich).
The list also features standout performers from less traditionally dominant nations, including Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia), reflecting the increasingly global nature of the sport.
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Paris to see whether Dembele can cap his exceptional season with the Ballon d’Or — or if one of the other global stars will emerge to claim football’s ultimate individual honor.
NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — Six people were killed and at least two others injured Wednesday afternoon when a light aircraft operated by AMREF Flying Doctors crashed in a densely populated residential area of Mwihoko in Kiambu County, just outside Nairobi, Kenya.
The Cessna Citation XLS jet, registration 5Y-FDM, had departed Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 2:17 p.m. and was en route to Hargeisa, Somalia, when it lost both radio and radar contact with air traffic control just three minutes after takeoff. The aircraft went down under still-unclear circumstances, slamming into a neighborhood in Githurai, near the capital, and bursting into flames.
Authorities said the aircraft was carrying four medical personnel — two doctors and two nurses — who were all killed in the crash. Two civilians on the ground also died when the plane struck the residential structure. Two additional individuals suffered serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
AMREF Flying Doctors, a leading medical charity that provides emergency air evacuations across Africa, confirmed the aircraft was on a humanitarian mission when it crashed. In a statement, CEO Stephen Gitau said the organization is fully cooperating with aviation authorities and emergency teams to uncover what led to the fatal crash.
“At this time, we are cooperating fully with relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to establish the facts surrounding the situation,” Gitau said.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. Patricia Kombo, who was traveling in a taxi with friends near the crash site, told the BBC they were approaching Githurai when a sudden explosion lit up the sky.
“There was a red flash and then it was gone — followed by heavy smoke. People were screaming and running. We stopped our trip and soon saw the crater the plane had created in the ground,” Kombo said.
Emergency responders from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, and fire departments swiftly cordoned off the area, launching search and recovery operations in the debris. The charred wreckage of the plane was visible amid the rubble of damaged homes.
Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula confirmed the fatalities and said an aviation investigation team had been dispatched to determine the cause of the crash. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported that contact with the plane had been lost within minutes of its departure, raising questions about potential mechanical failure or other flight anomalies.
The crash comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in Kenya, particularly involving humanitarian and chartered flights that frequently operate in remote or unstable regions across East Africa.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest crashes involving a medical evacuation flight in recent Kenyan history and has cast a shadow over AMREF’s long-standing operations in the region.
NAIVASHA, Kenya (BN24) — At least eight people were killed and several others critically injured Thursday when a commuter bus belonging to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) was struck by a train near the town of Naivasha, in a devastating collision that left emergency responders scrambling to pull victims from the mangled wreckage.
The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. near Morendat Farm, just off the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway, when the company bus attempted to cross a railway line amid heavy rains and poor visibility. Police said the driver failed to properly assess the oncoming train and drove into its path. The train reportedly dragged the bus for more than 200 meters after impact.
Naivasha sub-county police commander Antony Keter confirmed that eight people died at the scene, all believed to be KPC staff returning home after their morning shift at a training facility nearby. Keter said dozens of others sustained injuries and were rushed to Naivasha sub-county hospital, with several in critical condition.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the force of the impact tore apart the bus, trapping passengers inside. “It was raining heavily, visibility was very low,” said Simon Kimani, who was near the crossing when the crash happened. “The bus seemed to cross without caution, and then we heard the crash and screaming.”
Rescue teams from the Kenya Red Cross and local police responded immediately, using cutting tools and equipment to extract victims from the twisted wreck. Red Cross workers confirmed that four bodies had initially been recovered before the toll later rose to eight.
The Kenya Pipeline Company issued a statement expressing its condolences and confirming that the bus was transporting staff from a training session. “All injured staff have been evacuated to hospitals within Naivasha for medical attention,” the company said. It added that airlifts would be arranged for those in critical condition.
The collision brought traffic along both the Naivasha-Kasarani road and the Naivasha-Nakuru railway line to a halt as authorities secured the area.
Although Kenya’s rail crossings often lack modern warning systems, initial reports suggest human error played a major role in the crash. Police say a full investigation is underway to determine whether mechanical failure or negligence contributed to the tragedy.
The fatal crash is the latest in a string of transportation disasters in Kenya that have raised fresh concerns over infrastructure safety and driver awareness.
UNITED NATIONS (BN24) — Russia’s deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy indicated Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet with U.S. President Donald Trump next week, though he said he was not aware of any planned meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Polyanskiy told reporters that while multiple locations have been discussed for a potential Putin-Trump summit, the two leaders have agreed on arrangements they prefer not to disclose publicly. The Russian diplomat suggested the meeting timeline points to next week, based on statements from both presidents.
“As far as I heard, there are a number of locations, but they agreed to something that they don’t want to disclose. The timeline is, I think, next week, but that’s again judging from what presidents said themselves,” Polyanskiy explained during his remarks to reporters.
When asked about potential discussions between Putin and Zelenskiy, the deputy ambassador acknowledged his limited knowledge of such diplomatic arrangements. “I haven’t heard about any meeting planned with President Zelenskiy, but I am not in the loop,” he added.
The potential Trump-Putin meeting would mark the first summit between U.S. and Russian leaders since Putin met with former President Joe Biden in Geneva in June 2021. That meeting occurred months before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which Moscow justified by citing perceived threats to its security.
Ukraine and its Western allies have characterized Russia’s invasion as an imperial-style territorial grab rather than a defensive action. The conflict has continued for nearly three years, fundamentally reshaping European security dynamics and straining international relationships.
Trump had campaigned on promises to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, presenting himself as capable of negotiating a resolution to the conflict. However, almost seven months into his second presidential term, that pledge remains unfulfilled as fighting continues across multiple front lines in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda (not pictured) at Belvedere Palace in Warsaw, Poland July 8, 2024. REUTERS/Lukasz Glowala
The timing of potential high-level diplomatic engagement comes as the war has reached a relative stalemate, with both sides seeking to strengthen their positions through military and diplomatic means. Any Trump-Putin meeting would likely focus heavily on Ukraine, given the conflict’s central role in current U.S.-Russia tensions.
Polyanskiy’s comments represent the most specific indication yet of concrete planning for a Trump-Putin summit, though the secrecy surrounding location and agenda details reflects the sensitive nature of such diplomatic engagement during an active conflict.
The Russian diplomat also used his media availability to condemn Israeli plans for expanded control over Gaza. “We think that this is a very bad step in an absolutely wrong direction and we condemn this kind of actions,” Polyanskiy stated in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Thursday announcement that Israel intends to take military control of all of Gaza.
Netanyahu’s declaration came despite intensifying global criticism of Israel’s devastating assault on the Palestinian enclave, which has lasted almost two years and caused a severe hunger crisis while killing tens of thousands of civilians.
The potential Putin-Trump meeting would occur against the backdrop of complex international dynamics, with Russia seeking to maintain its position in Ukraine while managing relationships with China and other global powers. Trump’s approach to the conflict has drawn scrutiny from both supporters and critics who question whether meaningful progress is possible given current battlefield realities.
Any diplomatic breakthrough would require addressing fundamental disagreements about Ukraine’s territorial integrity, security guarantees, and the broader European security architecture that has been severely damaged by the ongoing conflict.
