ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (BN24) — Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, delivered a dominant performance on Thursday to defeat Cameroon 83-47 and advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament.
The quarter-final matchup at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan saw the reigning champions assert their dominance from the opening tip, securing their sixth consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the continental competition—an unbroken streak that began in 2013.
D’Tigress opened the game with intent, outscoring Cameroon 21-9 in the first quarter and maintaining their momentum to carry a 41-29 lead into halftime. The third quarter proved decisive, as Nigeria surged ahead with a 25-2 run, overwhelming Cameroon with aggressive defense and fluid offensive play. By the final buzzer, D’Tigress had stretched their lead to 36 points.
Amy Okoronkwo led all scorers with 18 points, while Victoria Balogun and Nicole Enabosi contributed 12 points each in a balanced team effort that left little doubt about Nigeria’s title ambitions.
With the win, D’Tigress move on to face Senegal in Saturday’s semi-final, as the team continues its pursuit of a fifth consecutive Afrobasket title—a feat that would further cement their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Nigeria, already the most successful team of the modern Afrobasket era, remains undefeated in the 2025 tournament and appears poised to defend its crown with the same authority that has defined its run over the past decade.
ISTANBUL, Turkey (BN24) — A 38-year-old British man has tragically died following a hair transplant procedure in Istanbul, Turkey, sparking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, had travelled to Turkey for the procedure at a private clinic, CINIK, located in the Besiktas area of the city.
According to reports from Turkish news outlet OdaTV, the man underwent a five-hour hair transplant surgery. However, shortly after the operation, he began feeling unwell and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Upon arrival, he was placed in the intensive care unit, where, despite ongoing medical efforts, he passed away.
The man’s body has been transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy, after which it will be repatriated to the UK. Turkish authorities have launched a formal investigation into the death, with officials looking into allegations of “reckless homicide” related to the surgery.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that the British government is offering support to the deceased man’s family and is in contact with local authorities in Turkey. “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities,” the spokesperson stated.
Turkey has become a prominent destination for cosmetic procedures, particularly hair transplants, due to significantly lower prices compared to other countries. However, this incident has raised concerns about the safety standards of some medical establishments catering to medical tourists.
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A 38-year-old British man dies after undergoing a hair transplant at a clinic in Istanbul. An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of his death.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing new tariffs on Canada, increasing the tariff rate from 25% to 35%, effective Friday, August 1. The move follows the administration’s criticism of Canada for not taking sufficient action to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States.
The White House stated that the tariff increase is a response to Canada’s failure to help combat the trafficking of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has contributed to a growing drug crisis in the U.S. President Trump, on Thursday, signed an executive order aimed at holding Canada accountable for its role in the flow of these dangerous substances. The order also includes provisions to modify tariff rates for certain countries in an effort to address the United States’ persistent trade deficits.
“The United States is taking necessary and bold steps to protect its national security and economy by securing fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade relationships,” the White House explained in a statement. This tariff escalation is part of Trump’s broader strategy to address foreign threats to U.S. security, including drug trafficking and unfair trade practices.
The 35% tariff on Canada follows a broader tariff initiative Trump launched earlier this year. On April 2, the president announced a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, with higher rates applied to nations with which the U.S. has significant trade deficits. This strategy has resulted in several high-profile trade agreements, including deals with the European Union and Japan.
In its agreement with the EU, the bloc committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and making $600 billion in new investments by 2028. The EU also agreed to a 15% tariff rate on U.S. exports. Similarly, Japan has pledged $550 billion in investments to rebuild American industries, along with commitments to open its market further to U.S. exports and accept the same 15% tariff rate.
Along with Canada, other nations face varying tariff rates as part of the new adjustments. Syria will see a tariff of 41%, while Myanmar and Laos will be charged 40%. Countries like Switzerland, Serbia, and Iraq will have tariffs of 39% and 35%, respectively. Several African nations, including Algeria, Libya, and South Africa, will face a 30% tariff.
The Trump administration has consistently defended the use of tariffs as a “necessary and powerful tool” to rectify what it considers long-standing unfair trade practices that threaten both U.S. economic stability and national security. The flow of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, has become a central issue in this narrative, with Trump’s administration drawing attention to the role of both Canada and Mexico in facilitating drug trafficking.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), more than 74 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the northern border in fiscal year 2025 alone. U.S. officials have raised concerns that drug trafficking organizations based in Canada are responsible for operating “super labs” capable of producing large quantities of fentanyl, often in rural and isolated regions. These labs are allegedly linked to Mexican drug cartels, which are accused of moving fentanyl and nitazene through Canada into the U.S.
The tariff hike on Canadian goods comes after Trump had previously threatened to impose such a measure, citing Canada’s inaction on the fentanyl issue. The U.S. has made it clear that any further delays in addressing the problem could lead to additional trade penalties.
LAFIA, Nigeria (BN24) — Unknown gunmen abducted Enock Maku, the Senior Special Assistant on Information and Protocol to the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, in the Agyaragu area of Lafia Local Government Area late Wednesday night, prompting heightened security concerns in the region.
The incident, which occurred under the cover of darkness, sent shockwaves through the local community, as residents expressed growing fears over the recent uptick in abductions and armed violence in Nasarawa State.
Confirming the abduction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said officers responded swiftly to the attack and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle. During the operation, two individuals were rescued, but Maku remains in captivity.
“The command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt to ensure the safe return of Mr. Maku,” Nansel told reporters on Thursday. He emphasized that all security agencies are working in coordination to track down the perpetrators and secure the victim’s release.
Nansel also urged residents to remain calm and assist the police with any useful information that could aid the ongoing operation. “We appeal to the public to cooperate with law enforcement. Every effort is being made to ensure Mr. Maku is safely reunited with his family,” he added.
The abduction is the latest in a series of security challenges facing Nasarawa, where local authorities have been grappling with kidnappings, armed robbery, and communal violence. The state government has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.
KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russia declared Thursday that its forces have taken full control of Chasiv Yar, a strategic town in eastern Ukraine, following nearly 16 months of intense combat. The announcement signals what could be a pivotal gain in Moscow’s drawn-out eastern offensive, though Ukrainian officials are rejecting the claim and insisting fighting continues.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement that its troops had “liberated” Chasiv Yar. The town, west of the destroyed city of Bakhmut, has long been seen as a critical defensive barrier for Ukraine in the Donetsk region. Its capture, if confirmed, would mark another hard-fought milestone for Moscow, whose troops have inched forward through a grinding campaign since spring 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly dismissed Russia’s statement as “disinformation,” while a military spokesperson labeled it “propaganda.” Nonetheless, video footage posted online by a Russian military unit — and later verified by Reuters — showed Russian soldiers raising a paratrooper banner and the Russian national flag over the shattered ruins of the town.
The Ukrainian blog DeepState, which tracks battlefield developments using open-source intelligence, also disputed Moscow’s claim, asserting that Ukraine’s defense forces remain active in the area.
The battle for Chasiv Yar began in April 2024, when Russian airborne troops first reached the town’s eastern outskirts. Since then, Russian forces have applied relentless pressure, slowly gaining ground in a campaign marked by high casualties and little strategic maneuvering. The town, once home to more than 12,000 residents and centered around a concrete and clay production plant, has been reduced to rubble.
Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, co-founder of the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said that while Russia may have made significant advances in Chasiv Yar, pockets of Ukrainian resistance likely persist. He noted that the town’s geography — including forests, waterways, and varying elevations — allowed Ukrainian forces to mount a year-long defense that stalled Russian gains to a crawl.
“If the fall of the city is confirmed, it would open the way for Russia to move closer to Kostiantynivka,” Kastehelmi said. “But this progress is still expected to be slow. The terrain and logistics continue to favor the defenders.”
The capture would also bring Russian drone teams nearer to key Ukrainian supply routes, potentially complicating logistics and forcing redeployments, according to analysts.
Ukrainian military commanders have maintained that their forces are holding firm. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said units around Chasiv Yar continue to “defend our positions,” and highlighted ongoing heavy fighting in nearby Pokrovsk, where he said Russia’s most intense assaults were now focused.
He added that sabotage and reconnaissance efforts by Russian units are being countered daily in Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
The drawn-out fight for Chasiv Yar, like the earlier siege of Bakhmut, has come to symbolize the brutal nature of the conflict’s eastern front, where territorial gains are measured in meters and paid for in blood. Talks to end the war — now entering its fourth year — remain stalled. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and its global trade partners starting next week in response to continued military escalation.
Chasiv Yar’s reported fall, though disputed, may offer Russia a morale boost in its campaign, while underscoring the continued strain on Ukraine’s defensive lines in the east.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he is granting Mexico a 90-day extension to reach a new trade agreement, postponing the implementation of sweeping tariffs that were set to take effect Friday.
The announcement came just a day before the White House’s previously announced August 1 deadline, which would have triggered 30% tariffs on a broad range of Mexican imports. Trump had warned earlier this month that the tariffs were necessary because Mexico was not doing enough to curb what he described as the transformation of North America into a “Narco-Trafficking Playground.”
In a message posted on social media, Trump said the delay followed what he called a “very successful” phone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. He said both sides agreed to continue negotiations over the next three months, aiming to finalize a comprehensive trade deal within that window — or possibly beyond it.
“We will be talking to Mexico over the next 90 days with the goal of signing a trade deal somewhere within the 90-day period of time, or longer,” Trump wrote, adding that existing tariff measures would remain in place during the talks.
According to Trump, the extended trade framework includes a 25% tariff on fentanyl-related imports, a 25% tariff on Mexican-made automobiles, and a 50% tariff on industrial metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper — matching the rates under the prior agreement with Mexico.
The president has made aggressive tariff policies a cornerstone of his administration’s trade strategy, using them as leverage to extract concessions he says will benefit American workers and reduce long-standing trade deficits. The 90-day extension for Mexico follows a flurry of deal-making with other trading partners. In recent weeks, the White House has finalized new trade agreements with five Asian countries, the United Kingdom, and the European Union — all ahead of the original August 1 deadline.
While the administration touts tariffs as a tool for economic leverage, economists continue to warn of their potential inflationary effects. Though inflation has remained relatively stable in 2025, recent data suggest import duties may be beginning to impact consumer prices. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, rose in June, with noticeable increases in the prices of imported goods.
Furniture costs climbed 1.3% last month, while appliance prices rose 1.9% and computers increased by 1.4% — all categories heavily reliant on imported components. Analysts say these price pressures are likely tied, in part, to tariff policies that shift the cost burden onto U.S. importers and, ultimately, consumers.
Despite the economic concerns, Trump’s decision to delay the Mexico tariffs signals a willingness to give diplomacy another chance — even as he maintains pressure with steep penalties still looming.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — Elon Musk may have distanced himself from President Donald Trump and the White House, but the billionaire tech mogul is once again positioning himself as a heavyweight in Republican politics.
Newly filed campaign finance reports show Musk donated $5 million each to two major Republican super PACs — the Senate Leadership Fund and the Congressional Leadership Fund — on June 27, less than a month after resigning from his White House advisory role. The contributions make Musk the top individual donor to both groups during the first half of 2025, a stretch when political cash is critical ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The donations came just days before Musk publicly floated the idea of launching a third political party — a prospect that has stirred speculation about his broader political ambitions. But the timing of the contributions suggests that, for now, Musk is still firmly investing in the Republican establishment despite an acrimonious departure from the Trump administration.
In addition to bolstering GOP-aligned super PACs, Musk also injected $45.3 million into his personal political vehicle, America PAC, between January 1 and June 30. That sum includes $17.9 million in direct donations and another $27.4 million in in-kind contributions, much of it used to fund prize campaigns aimed at incentivizing voter engagement. The PAC’s total spending reached $47.3 million in the same period, with significant expenditures in the lead-up to the April 1 elections for Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court and a series of special House races in Florida.
The group reported $6 million in spending on field and canvassing operations, with several million more allocated to digital ads, mail campaigns and voter outreach via phone banking.
Musk’s full financial footprint in 2025 political spending remains incomplete. Additional super PAC disclosures were still being filed Thursday ahead of a midnight deadline with the Federal Election Commission. Moreover, many politically active nonprofits are not legally required to identify their donors, making it difficult to capture the entirety of Musk’s political giving.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had previously spent close to $250 million on the 2024 election cycle, mostly in support of Trump’s reelection campaign. But since stepping down from his White House post as the face of Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” Musk’s relationship with the president has deteriorated. He has publicly denounced the administration’s marquee tax and spending package and has openly criticized Trump’s past association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Still, Musk’s June donations suggest he remains a pivotal financial force in Republican politics, even as he contemplates breaking ranks with both major parties.
LOS ANGELES (BN24) — The Pentagon has ordered the withdrawal of 1,350 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, scaling back a controversial deployment initially authorized by the Trump administration to confront widespread protests over federal immigration enforcement operations. The move leaves only 250 troops to continue guarding federal assets, according to a statement from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
The decision, confirmed this week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marks a significant rollback of the military presence that had drawn intense criticism from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The remaining troops will remain stationed to protect federal personnel and property.
Two months earlier, the Trump administration dispatched approximately 5,000 troops—comprising both National Guard members and Marines—to Los Angeles in an effort to suppress protests sparked by ICE raids and broader immigration enforcement actions. The deployment was immediately met with resistance from local officials, civil rights groups, and residents, many of whom viewed the move as federal overreach.
Newsom, who filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the deployment, argued that maintaining public order should fall within the jurisdiction of local law enforcement. He also noted that the deployment had diverted National Guard resources from critical missions, such as drug enforcement operations and wildfire containment efforts.
The operation has reportedly cost taxpayers an estimated $134 million. It has also been plagued by criticism over lack of clarity in mission objectives and troop morale. The Los Angeles Times reported that many guardsmen found themselves without clear directives, while The Guardian documented widespread dissatisfaction, low morale, and questionable federal actions during the operation, including false claims and dismissed charges against protesters.
In one high-profile incident, a military operation in MacArthur Park led to the brief detention of a 27-year-old man who was later released after it was determined he was en route to a Department of Veterans Affairs appointment. The raid produced minimal results, highlighting what critics described as the federal government’s overreaction.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration defended the deployment. “We greatly appreciate the support of the more than 5,000 Guardsmen and Marines who mobilized to Los Angeles to defend federal functions against the rampant lawlessness occurring in the city,” Parnell said in a statement.
Newsom welcomed the drawdown but called on the administration to go further. “The President should allow the remaining soldiers to go back to their families, communities, and civilian professions as doctors, law enforcement and teachers,” he said.
As the 1,350 troops prepare to depart Los Angeles, the debate over the militarization of domestic protest response remains far from over, with state and federal officials still divided over the balance of security and civil liberties.
BEIRUT, Lebanon (BN24) — Israeli warplanes carried out a series of heavy airstrikes Thursday on multiple regions across Lebanon, including deep in the eastern Bekaa Valley and the northeastern city of Baalbek, in one of the most expansive military operations since last year’s ceasefire with Hezbollah. The strikes mark a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities as political pressure mounts on Hezbollah to relinquish its weapons.
The Israeli military said it was targeting what it called the “largest precision missile production facility belonging to Hezbollah” in Lebanon, a claim Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed in a televised statement. He warned that any attempt by the group to “recover or reposition” would be met with overwhelming force.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported at least seven strikes on locations in the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek’s mountainous outskirts, far from the traditional flashpoints along Lebanon’s southern frontier with Israel. Additional strikes hit the Ghaziyeh region in southern Lebanon, sparking a large fire in a commercial warehouse.
The renewed attacks come as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated a controversial demand that Hezbollah hand over its arms to the national army. In a nationally televised address, Aoun emphasized that only the Lebanese Armed Forces and international peacekeepers should hold weapons inside Lebanon, echoing the long-unimplemented United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
“We must extend the state’s full authority over all Lebanese territory,” Aoun said. “Weapons must be withdrawn from all non-state groups, including Hezbollah, and handed over to the army.”
Hezbollah swiftly rejected the call, with senior official Naim Qassem asserting that any disarmament talk “serves the Israeli agenda.” The Iran-backed faction, which maintains significant influence in both Lebanese politics and military matters, has said it will not consider disarmament until Israel withdraws from occupied Lebanese territories and halts its ongoing strikes.
The latest aerial assault is part of Israel’s continued military operations against Hezbollah despite the November ceasefire agreement brokered after weeks of intense fighting. Under the truce, Hezbollah had agreed to pull its forces north of the Litani River, while Israel was to withdraw from five strategic points in southern Lebanon. Neither side has fully honored those terms.
Israel’s strikes targeted the outskirts of the towns of Brital and Nasiriyah, the Tallet al-Sunduq area in Bekaa, as well as Jarmak in Jezzine and areas near Mahmoudiya and Khardali. Verified footage from the bombings showed thick plumes of smoke billowing above civilian infrastructure.
In his speech, Aoun proposed a roadmap that includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli custody, and a comprehensive ceasefire. He also called for international donors to provide $1 billion annually for a decade to strengthen the Lebanese army, alongside a donor conference to rebuild war-ravaged areas.
Diplomatic sources told Reuters that the United States has urged Lebanon’s government to formally commit to disarming Hezbollah as a precondition for renewed negotiations aimed at halting Israeli military operations. Aoun acknowledged that Lebanon had submitted proposals to amend American demands, and said the issue would be addressed in a cabinet meeting next week.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited in October 2023 after the Lebanese group launched attacks in solidarity with Hamas amid Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Despite the ceasefire announced in November, Israeli airstrikes have continued almost daily, further destabilizing the fragile calm along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Thursday’s strikes underscore how far-reaching the Israeli campaign has become, with air raids now extending far beyond the southern combat zones into Lebanon’s heartland. As both sides remain entrenched, prospects for a lasting peace appear increasingly elusive.
ISLAMABAD (BN24) — More than 100 members of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party have been sentenced to prison by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court for their roles in the violent 2023 riots that targeted military installations across the country, according to a court order released Thursday.
In what marks one of the largest mass convictions in recent Pakistani history, the court handed down 10-year prison sentences to 58 of the accused, including prominent parliamentarians and senior officials of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The remaining defendants received sentences ranging from one to three years. The court declared that prosecutors had proven their case “without a shadow of doubt.”
Among those convicted are Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz, who serve as PTI’s leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, respectively. A total of 77 other individuals were acquitted due to lack of evidence, the court said, in connection to an attack on the intelligence agency office in Faisalabad during the May 2023 unrest.
The violent protests erupted on May 9, 2023, after Imran Khan was arrested on corruption and national security-related charges. Demonstrators stormed military and government facilities, including the army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi. The government accused Khan and top party leaders of orchestrating the attacks. Khan, who remains in prison facing a litany of separate charges, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and says the legal campaign against him is politically motivated. The Pakistani military, widely seen as the country’s most powerful institution, has rejected claims of orchestrating a crackdown on the former prime minister’s party.
Thursday’s sentencing does not directly impact Khan’s own incitement case, in which prosecution is still presenting witnesses. However, the ruling is a major blow to PTI, with party leaders confirming that at least 14 of their lawmakers are among those convicted. Under Pakistani law, convicted lawmakers will lose their parliamentary seats, further weakening the party’s presence in the legislature.
The PTI party announced plans to appeal the ruling and has vowed to launch new nationwide protests beginning August 5, marking the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment. The party insists that Khan’s incarceration is unjust and has called for immediate elections and his release.
The ruling is the third such mass conviction involving PTI supporters this month, reflecting the intensified judicial and political campaign against Khan’s party ahead of the next general election.
