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French Prosecutors Seek Criminal Trial for PSG’s Achraf Hakimi Over Rape Allegation

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French Prosecutors Seek Criminal Trial for PSG’s Achraf Hakimi Over Rape Allegation

PARIS (BN24) — French prosecutors on Friday requested that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco national team defender Achraf Hakimi stand trial for the alleged rape of a 24-year-old woman in 2023, a charge the footballer has consistently denied.

The request was made by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, which asked the investigating magistrate to refer the case to a criminal court. “It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order,” the office said in a statement provided to Agence France-Presse.

Hakimi, 26, was charged in March 2023 following accusations made by a woman who told authorities she met the footballer on Instagram in January of that year. She alleged that he invited her to his home, sending a taxi to pick her up. According to police sources cited by AFP at the time, the woman claimed that once at the residence, Hakimi initiated non-consensual sexual contact and raped her. She later managed to contact a friend, who came to retrieve her. Although the woman did not initially file a formal complaint, prosecutors opted to move forward with the charges based on the information provided.

The Paris Saint-Germain full-back, who played a key role in Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and scored in PSG’s 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, has denied the allegations.

In response to the prosecutors’ request for a trial, Hakimi’s attorney, Fanny Colin, called the move “incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case’s elements,” and stated that they would appeal any decision to proceed with a trial. “If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal,” she told AFP.

Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the woman, Rachel-Flore Pardo, described the development as a positive step. “My client welcomes this news with immense relief,” she said.

A final decision from the investigating judge on whether the case will go to trial is expected in the coming weeks.

Tiger Kills Zookeeper During Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo

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Tiger Kills Zookeeper During Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo

JERUSALEM (BN24) — A zookeeper at Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo was killed Friday morning after being mauled by a tiger that escaped from its enclosure during a behind-the-scenes tour, authorities said.

Uriel Nuri, 36, who headed the zoo’s carnivore team, suffered fatal injuries to his upper body in the attack and was rushed to the trauma unit at Hadassah University Hospital-Ein Kerem. Despite extensive efforts by medical staff, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“After prolonged resuscitation efforts, the team was forced to declare him dead,” Hadassah Medical Center said in a statement. “The hospital staff is accompanying his family at this difficult time and shares in their grief.”

According to the zoo, the incident occurred as staff prepared a routine enrichment activity for the tigers while visitors observed from behind a protective glass barrier. During the preparation, a tiger broke free from its enclosure into an inner courtyard and attacked Nuri.

“The tragic event occurred this morning, when during a routine activity to prepare the tigers for enrichment, which took place as part of a behind-the-scenes tour for visitors to the zoo, a tiger managed to escape from the tiger enclosure into the inner courtyard and attack one of the zoo employees who was preparing the activity,” the zoo said in a statement.

Zoo officials emphasized that visitors were never in physical danger, noting that all guests remained safely behind glass windows throughout the incident.

The zoo, located in southwest Jerusalem and closed to the public following the attack, is cooperating with Israeli police in an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tiger’s escape. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that authorities are examining whether a faulty or unsecured door may have allowed the animal to leave its enclosure.

Nuri, known for sharing videos of his daily work with the zoo’s carnivores on social media, was a well-respected figure within the facility. “Our pain is immense and our hearts go out to Uriel’s family,” the zoo said in a statement mourning his death.

The 62-acre zoo, formally known as the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, is home to a variety of species mentioned in the Bible and critically endangered animals, including Sumatran tigers. Last year, a separate incident at the zoo left a staff member seriously injured after being bitten by a crocodile.

Prosecutors Reject Diddy’s $50M Bail Bid, Warn of Longer Prison Term and Danger to Public

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Prosecutors Reject Diddy’s $50M Bail Bid, Warn of Longer Prison Term and Danger to Public

NEW YORK (BN24) — Federal prosecutors have rejected music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ $50 million bail request, arguing that the 55-year-old poses a serious flight risk and remains a danger to the community; while also warning he could face a significantly longer prison sentence than previously expected.

In a court filing on Thursday, prosecutors said Combs may receive a sentence “substantially higher” than the initial 4–5 year estimate following his conviction on two federal charges related to the transportation of individuals for prostitution. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The new assessment suggests sentencing guidelines could justify a term beyond what was originally anticipated.

Combs was acquitted earlier this month of more severe charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, both of which carried potential life sentences. However, he was convicted on two counts involving the arrangement of sexual encounters with both women and male sex workers—acts prosecutors say he sometimes filmed.

Prosecutors have asked that Combs remain at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until his sentencing, which is scheduled for October 3. They assert that Combs has failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” that would justify his release ahead of sentencing, and pointed to what they described as an “extensive history of violence” that makes his continued detention necessary.

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has argued for Combs’ release, citing what he called inhumane jail conditions, the music executive’s ongoing commitment to his seven children, and his claim that the case has been unfairly politicized. Agnifilo characterized Combs’ lifestyle as consensual and non-criminal, describing it as “a swingers lifestyle” and denying that he poses any danger to the public.

Still, prosecutors contend that Combs’ past conduct and the risk of flight override any claims about improved behavior or family obligations. They argue that his access to wealth and international connections further increase the chances he could flee the country if released.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who previously denied Combs’ initial bail motion, is expected to make a final ruling on the renewed request in the coming days.

 Trump Orders U.S. Nuclear Submarines Repositioned After Russia’s Medvedev’s “Provocative” Remarks

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 Trump Orders U.S. Nuclear Submarines Repositioned After Russia’s Medvedev’s “Provocative” Remarks

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Friday ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines to reposition in response to what he called “highly provocative” remarks made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in a move signaling heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow.

160801-O-N0101-111 GROTON, Conn. (Aug. 1, 2016) The future Virginia-class attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) conducts sea trials. Illinois is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat/Released)

Posting to his Truth Social platform, Trump said the deployment was triggered by inflammatory rhetoric from Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council. “I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that,” Trump wrote. He added, “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”

Though the U.S. Navy does not typically disclose the locations of its ballistic missile submarines, which regularly patrol global hotspots, the announcement introduces a new flashpoint amid a volatile chapter in U.S.-Russia relations.

The move comes as Trump continues to press Moscow for a cease-fire in its war with Ukraine. He recently dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia with a demand that the Kremlin make tangible progress toward ending hostilities. Trump has shortened his original 50-day deadline for a cease-fire to just 10 days, with that period set to expire next week.

Trump’s warning followed an early Thursday post in which he labeled Medvedev a “failed former President of Russia” and told him to “watch his words.” Hours later, Medvedev replied on Russian social media, declaring, “Russia is right on everything and will continue to go its own way.”

Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012 during a constitutional interlude that barred Vladimir Putin from a consecutive term, was once seen as a liberal reformer. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, however, he has become a firebrand voice in Russian politics, frequently making bellicose statements and issuing veiled nuclear threats toward the West.

Observers say Medvedev’s transformation is aimed at currying favor with hardline Kremlin elites, as he routinely attacks Western leaders and supports escalated military action. Trump and Medvedev have clashed publicly in the past, often trading jabs online.

On July 15, following Trump’s announcement to boost military support for Ukraine through NATO and introduce additional tariffs on Moscow, Medvedev mocked the effort as a “theatrical ultimatum,” claiming “Russia didn’t care.”

More recently, Medvedev ridiculed Trump’s countdown for a cease-fire, stating: “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10. He should remember two things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war—not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.”

As diplomatic tensions escalate and U.S. strategic forces respond accordingly, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining whether the rhetoric remains symbolic or escalates into direct confrontation.

Ghislaine Maxwell Moved to Texas Prison Camp Amid Renewed Focus on Epstein Case

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Ghislaine Maxwell Moved to Texas Prison Camp Amid Renewed Focus on Epstein Case

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, has been transferred from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Friday, as public scrutiny of the Epstein sex trafficking case intensifies once again.

The federal agency did not elaborate on the circumstances of Maxwell’s move. Her attorney confirmed the transfer but declined to provide details on the rationale or timing behind the decision.

Maxwell, 62, was sentenced to 20 years in 2021 after being convicted of multiple charges, including conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls between 1994 and 2004. Her high-profile trial captured global attention and became a focal point in the broader reckoning over elite complicity in sex trafficking.

Until recently, Maxwell had been serving her sentence at a low-security facility in Tallahassee, Florida. Her new placement at the Bryan Federal Prison Camp—a minimum-security facility without perimeter fencing—signals a continued classification as a low-risk inmate. The camp also houses other high-profile inmates, including Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” cast member Jen Shah.

Minimum-security camps are designed to house inmates who pose little security threat and typically perform support work such as groundskeeping or maintenance. The facilities generally operate with more lenient movement policies than traditional federal prisons.

Maxwell’s transfer comes amid renewed political and public pressure on the Department of Justice to be more transparent about the Epstein investigation. Last month, the DOJ sparked widespread backlash by stating that it would not release additional documents tied to the case.

In response, administration officials have made efforts to appear more forthcoming. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell over two days last week at a Florida courthouse, signaling potential new investigative interest.

Separately, the House Oversight Committee has announced plans to question Maxwell as part of its probe. Her legal team said she is open to speaking with lawmakers, but only under a grant of immunity that would protect her from further prosecution based on any statements made during the interview.

The Epstein case continues to draw intense interest due to the late financier’s powerful social connections and the murky circumstances surrounding his 2019 death in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

INEC to Launch Online Voter Pre-Registration August 18 Ahead of 2027 Elections

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INEC to Launch Online Voter Pre-Registration August 18 Ahead of 2027 Elections

ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin online voter pre-registration on August 18, 2025, as part of its national Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) program ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during a visit by officials of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

“The nationwide continuous voter registration is scheduled to commence in about three weeks, with the online pre-registration of voters scheduled for the 18th of August,” Yakubu said during the meeting.

He added that the in-person segment of the registration exercise will begin one week later, on August 25, 2025, at designated registration centers across the country.

According to the INEC chairman, the rollout of the CVR is a critical component of the commission’s electoral calendar, which includes the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, and the general elections in 2027.

The voter registration process will allow eligible Nigerians to register for the first time, update their existing details, and request transfers or replacements of voter cards. INEC said it will prioritize accessibility and transparency throughout the exercise, with both digital and physical platforms made available to ensure nationwide participation.

The commission is expected to release further guidelines in the coming days regarding requirements, registration portal access, and the operational framework for both online and offline CVR phases.

Credit: Punching.com

13 Arrested in Enugu as Police Dismantle Armed Robbery and Cult Networks

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13 Arrested in Enugu as Police Dismantle Armed Robbery and Cult Networks

ENUGU, Nigeria (BN24) — The Enugu State Police Command has made significant strides in tackling violent crime, announcing the arrest of 13 male suspects linked to armed robbery, conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and cult activities. These arrests, part of a series of tactical and intelligence-driven operations, also led to the recovery of several firearms, stolen vehicles, and other incriminating items.

In a statement issued by SP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu Police, the operations began on July 30, 2025. Acting on the confessions of one suspect, Ekene Akpata, also known as Odumodu, a 35-year-old man under investigation for armed robbery and cultism, police raided the town of Oyofo-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area (LGA). This operation led to the capture of three additional suspects — Ebuka Odinko (35), Chiemerie Amano (25), and Onyebuchi Onyekwere (24). According to Ndukwe, initial investigations suggest that these suspects are members of a cult group involved in multiple armed robbery incidents where they forcibly took valuables from local residents.

A subsequent operation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between July 23 and 28, 2025, led to the arrest of two more suspects, Udofia Richard (43) and Richard Arinzechukwu Nwaomu (32). Based on the confessions of two other suspects, Okechukwu Ogbonna (65) and Ezeonuji Charles (52), who are under investigation for conspiracy and armed robbery, police forces in Port Harcourt tracked down the suspects. During this operation, officers seized two stolen vehicles — a red Toyota Camry XLE and an ash-colored Kia Soul.

Further highlighting the coordinated efforts of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, a previous operation on July 21, 2025, in Umuasi Ngwo, Udi LGA, led to the arrest of three men: Stephen Chidiebere, also known as Shaggy (42); Arinze Udeh, aka Anonymous (30); and Onuigbo Kingsley (49). Police recovered a cut-to-size double-barreled gun, and their arrest followed the earlier detention of Ikemefuna Ani, also known as Majority (31), who was captured for his involvement in conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism. Preliminary investigations have linked this group to the notorious Black Axe Confraternity, a cult group known for its violent activities.

In an unrelated incident on July 15, 2025, police operatives from the Ogui Division arrested a 30-year-old armed robbery suspect, Ifeanyi Ede, during a joint operation with the Neighbourhood Watch Group. The arrest came after Ede and an accomplice used a fake gun — later identified as a Spark-L electronic gas lighter — to rob a taxi driver in Enugu. The robbers took ₦30,000 in cash, the driver’s car key, a mobile phone worth ₦17,000, and the victim’s bank ATM card. Ede was arrested shortly after the incident, and the stolen phone was recovered. His accomplice, however, managed to flee, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.

SP Ndukwe emphasized that all suspects are currently under active investigation, and the police are intensifying efforts to capture those still at large. Once investigations are completed, the cases will be taken to court for prosecution.

Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier May Be Left on Mountain After Fatal Rockfall in Pakistan

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Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier May Be Left on Mountain After Fatal Rockfall in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (BN24) — The body of German Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier may remain on the slopes of Pakistan’s Laila Peak following her tragic death this week, as authorities weigh a decision aligned with the athlete’s final wishes.

Dahlmeier, 31, a former biathlon champion who won two gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, was struck and killed by falling rocks while mountaineering in the Karakoram range. The accident occurred near the 18,700-foot mark on Laila Peak, a notoriously challenging summit located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The German athlete had been climbing alongside fellow mountaineer Marina Eva Krauss when the rockfall struck. Krauss contacted emergency services on Monday, prompting a search effort that was delayed by severe weather conditions. Helicopters were able to access the site on Tuesday, and Dahlmeier’s body was located the following day.

In a statement released on her official Instagram account, her family confirmed that Dahlmeier had left explicit written instructions not to risk lives in an attempt to recover her body in the event of a fatal accident. “Her wish was that in this case her body should be left behind on the mountain,” the statement read, adding that her relatives have requested these wishes be fully respected.

Local authorities in Pakistan are currently deliberating on whether to honor the request. Faizullah Faraq, a regional government spokesperson, confirmed the family’s communication and reiterated that Dahlmeier’s expressed desire was to be buried in the mountains. “That was her dream,” he said. “Now her wish has been fulfilled, so we are considering whether we can leave her body there.”

Laila Peak, known for its sharp, spear-like summit, has been successfully ascended by only a handful of climbers—seven in total—due to its technical difficulty and dangerous conditions. The past week brought extreme weather to the area, including heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and dense cloud cover, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Dahlmeier retired from professional biathlon in 2019 at the height of her career, shifting focus to mountaineering and environmental advocacy. Her death has sparked widespread mourning in Germany and the global sporting community.

Gunmen Abduct University Lecturer Along Taraba state, Nigeria

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Gunmen Abduct University Lecturer Along Taraba state, Nigeria

WUKARI, Nigeria (BN24) — A 38-year-old lecturer at Taraba State University, Engineer Joshua Saleh, was abducted Thursday evening by gunmen along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari highway in southern Taraba State, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. between the Janda-Ikula and Ikyior communities in Wukari Local Government Area. Saleh was reportedly traveling in a private vehicle with another passenger, identified as 42-year-old businessman Emmanuel Haggai Bibinu, when they came under attack.

Bibinu, a member of the Ichen ethnic group, told police that four armed men emerged from the roadside and opened fire, targeting the front tires of their vehicle to force it to a halt. The assailants were armed with a firearm and three machetes, he said.

After disabling the vehicle, the attackers robbed the occupants of their belongings, including a Samsung Galaxy G10 smartphone valued at N1.7 million and N83,000 in cash, before marching both men into the nearby bush.

Bibinu managed to escape during the ordeal and fled to Ikyior village, where he encountered a local hunter. The hunter assisted him in reaching a police station to report the abduction.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, but the whereabouts of Saleh remain unknown. Security forces are working in coordination with local vigilantes to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.

The abduction underscores the growing security concerns along the Abuja–Jalingo route and highlights the persistent threat posed by armed groups in Taraba and other parts of northeastern Nigeria.

Credit: Punching.com

Two Siblings Drown After ‘One Last Swim’ at Spanish Beach

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Two Siblings Drown After ‘One Last Swim’ at Spanish Beach

at Spanish Beach

SALOU, Spain (BN24) — A tragic accident unfolded on July 29 when two British siblings, aged 11 and 13, drowned while swimming at a beach in Catalonia, Spain. Ameiya and Ricardo Junior, affectionately known as Maya and Jubs, were vacationing with their family in the coastal resort town of Salou when the tragedy occurred. The family, hailing from Birmingham, UK, had been enjoying their first major holiday abroad when the fatal incident struck.

The siblings were swept away by powerful rip currents while swimming in the waters of Llarga Beach, located near their hotel. Despite their father’s desperate attempts to rescue them, the children were pulled over 100 meters apart by the surging tides. The incident took place in front of their horrified family, who had been enjoying the last moments of their summer vacation.

Shanice and Ricardo Senior, both 31, were staying at a nearby hotel with their six children. That evening, Shanice had taken some of their children to the bathroom, leaving her husband and the two siblings behind for a brief swim. Upon her return, Shanice, unable to locate her children, immediately grew frantic. Her sister, Macalia Del Brocco, 46, recounted the harrowing moment to the Daily Mail.

“Shanice came back and couldn’t see any of them. She panicked, and that’s when the police arrived and things started happening,” Macalia said. Emergency services were called shortly after 8:45 p.m. local time, according to Catalonia’s Civil Protection agency.

Despite the best efforts of local emergency responders, the siblings were unable to be revived. Ricardo Senior, who had been in the water attempting to rescue his children, was pulled from the sea after swallowing significant amounts of seawater. Though exhausted, he was revived at the scene. Macalia spoke to the emotional toll the tragedy has had on Ricardo Senior. “Ricardo is feeling very pained because he was in the water with them. It’s going to hit him hard. He’ll have to deal with that mental trauma. But, as a family, we will pull together.”

The two children have been remembered by family and friends as “beautiful” and “bright.” Their younger brother, Casius, 6, spoke of his siblings’ tragic deaths with a heartbreaking innocence. “Did you know Maya and Jubs are in heaven now? Juby went to heaven in a helicopter,” he told his aunt.

The beach rescue efforts were complicated by high winds and dangerous waves. Officer Younes A., one of the first responders, shared with DiariTots21 that the current was so strong, it pulled the children apart despite their entering the water together. He recounted the urgency of the situation, describing how hotel staff attempted to assist the family before first responders arrived.

“Hotel workers were trying to pull one of the three out when we arrived. We immediately jumped into the sea and were told two other people, likely minors, were still in the water,” Younes said. “We found one child, a young girl, and began resuscitation efforts while another police team recovered the other child. When emergency services arrived, they took over but soon informed us that they could do nothing more.”

Though the circumstances leading to the siblings’ struggles in the water remain unclear, Younes emphasized the perilous conditions. “The waves were intense, and the wind was powerful. It was a very dangerous situation.”

The family’s devastating loss has drawn an outpouring of support from their community back home in Birmingham. The tragedy has also raised awareness of the dangers posed by rip currents, which are responsible for many similar incidents each year at beaches around the world.

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