Nigeria (BN24) – A 47-year-old Indian national, Kalidass Arunachalam, died suddenly after collapsing while on duty at Green Hills Agricultural Products Ltd. in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the company premises, where Arunachalam served as production manager.
Following the collapse, company representatives—including fellow Indian national Tushar Tukaram Phadtare, Managing Director Suleman Dauda, and Chief Security Officer Lt. Col. Thompson Udom (retired)—immediately rushed him to God’s Spring Best Care Hospital in the Obaretin Community for urgent medical treatment. Despite efforts to revive him, medical doctor Dr. Kingsley Dele confirmed Arunachalam’s death.
Officials later visited the hospital where his body was found lying face up on a hospital bed with an intravenous drip attached. There were no visible signs of violence on the body.
The deceased’s remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary. Authorities are currently working to notify the Indian Embassy to inform Arunachalam’s next-of-kin and assist with the necessary diplomatic procedures.
SOKOTO State, Nigeria (BN24) — Troops of the Nigerian Army, operating under Operation FANSAN YANMA, have neutralized a notorious bandit leader known as Dan Dari Biyar during a targeted clearance operation in the western axis of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in Nigeria.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the operation took place Thursday in the forest corridor between the villages of Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango. Dan Dari Biyar was killed as he attempted to collect ransom money from relatives of kidnapped victims — a tactic for which he had gained infamy in the region.
Dan Dari Biyar, whose moniker reportedly stems from his chilling catchphrase, “I prefer N500 to a Hausa man,” was widely feared for his cruelty. He was known to psychologically torment captives while demanding exorbitant ransoms, often flaunting his disdain for his victims’ suffering.
Military sources say he operated from deep within the Tidibale forest, where he coordinated brutal attacks on surrounding communities, including Lalle, Tsamaye, and parts of Gwaronyo. His reign of terror was linked to several raids, ambushes, and arson attacks — most notably, the razing of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis, which left widespread destruction and displacement in its wake.
Thursday’s operation was part of a broader military offensive aimed at dismantling armed bandit networks entrenched in the remote forest enclaves of Sokoto East senatorial district. It was executed by a joint force of Nigerian Army personnel and local security volunteers operating under the Sokoto State Government’s community protection initiative.
Troops reportedly recovered arms, ammunition, and communication equipment from the site of the operation. A pursuit of fleeing members of Dan Dari Biyar’s gang is currently underway, with officials vowing to maintain pressure until remaining cells are eliminated.
The Nigerian military has intensified clearance operations in the northwest as part of ongoing efforts to restore stability to regions plagued by armed banditry and rural terrorism. The successful neutralization of Dan Dari Biyar is being hailed as a significant blow to the operational capacity of criminal syndicates in Sokoto State.
LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — A Nigerian man has called off his upcoming wedding, scheduled for August 2, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, after claiming he uncovered an ongoing sexual relationship between his fiancée and a Catholic priest.
The man, identified as Nwandu Chibuike, took to social media to announce the cancellation, citing what he described as a “betrayal” that continued even after a formal family introduction had been held. Chibuike alleges that his bride-to-be maintained a relationship with her parish priest, which he says persisted well into their engagement.
“It should have taken place on the 2nd of August 2025 but is now cancelled,” Chibuike wrote in a public post. “I discovered that she was still in an active sexual relationship with her Rev. Father, even after the introduction. I have her confession on tape.”
The post has since gained traction online, sparking widespread commentary and criticism on social media platforms, particularly around the involvement of a clergyman in the alleged affair. Neither the priest in question nor representatives from the local Catholic diocese have publicly responded to the allegations as of Sunday.
While the identity of the woman involved has not been disclosed, the case has fueled renewed debate in Nigeria over clerical celibacy and the ethical responsibilities of religious leaders. The Catholic Church mandates celibacy for its priests, and accusations of sexual misconduct, though relatively rare in public discourse in the country, have historically been met with internal investigations.
As the situation continues to unfold, questions remain about possible disciplinary actions from the Church hierarchy and whether legal steps could follow based on the alleged evidence mentioned by Chibuike.
The cancelled wedding, which had been set to take place in southeastern Nigeria, is now at the center of a broader scandal that underscores tensions between religious authority and personal accountability in one of Africa’s most devoutly religious nations.
JERUSALEM (BN24) — Two Israeli soldiers were killed Sunday in southern Gaza during ongoing combat operations in the city of Khan Yunis, the Israeli military said, as hostilities in the war-torn territory continued to claim lives on both sides.
The soldiers, aged 20 and 22, were members of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) elite Golani Infantry Brigade, specifically the 51st Battalion. According to Israeli military sources, their armored vehicle was struck by a powerful blast believed to have been triggered by a militant hiding in an underground tunnel.
Military correspondents from several Israeli news outlets reported that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated by a Palestinian militant who emerged from the tunnel network during an IDF operation. An official investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The deaths come just a day after the military confirmed the passing of another Israeli soldier who succumbed to wounds sustained earlier in the week. The cumulative toll brings the number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground offensive in Gaza on October 27, 2023, to 462, according to the IDF.
“We have lost three young heroes, some of our finest, who gave their lives for the security of our state and the return of all our hostages,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The conflict continues to exact a devastating toll. Israel’s military campaign was launched following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,219 people dead — most of them civilians — based on an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
Since then, the Gaza health ministry, operated by Hamas, reports that 59,733 Palestinians have been killed — a majority of them civilians — in Israeli airstrikes and ground operations. The densely populated enclave has seen near-continuous bombardment, particularly in areas like Khan Yunis and Rafah, where Israeli forces say Hamas maintains a stronghold.
Sunday’s deaths underscore the persistent dangers faced by troops engaged in the urban and tunnel-laced battlegrounds of southern Gaza, as well as the mounting human cost of the nearly ten-month-long war.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (BN24) — Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by FC Cincinnati on Saturday in Major League Soccer, failing to capitalize on an opportunity to close the gap in the Eastern Conference standings amid the absence of star forward Lionel Messi.
The Argentine captain and his teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for the high-stakes home match at Chase Stadium after withdrawing from the midweek MLS All-Star Game in Texas — a move that drew widespread criticism. Both players remained sidelined throughout the contest, watching from the bench as Miami labored to break down a disciplined Cincinnati defense.
Despite a few promising chances, the Herons were largely stifled in the final third, while Cincinnati looked poised to snatch all three points deep into stoppage time. Defender Miles Robinson appeared to have found the breakthrough with a late header, but the goal was disallowed after the referee adjudged him to have fouled Miami’s Noah Allen in the buildup a contentious decision that preserved the deadlock.
The result leaves Inter Miami seven points behind Cincinnati in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The frustration of a missed opportunity was partly offset by the club’s pre-match announcement of a major new addition.
Rodrigo De Paul, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina and former Atletico Madrid midfielder, was officially unveiled to fans before kick-off. The 31-year-old is expected to make his debut during Miami’s upcoming Leagues Cup campaign.
“What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club’s history,” De Paul said following the announcement of his transfer. “It’s a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team.”
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham praised De Paul’s leadership and winning mentality, expressing confidence that his arrival would elevate the squad.
“Rodrigo is a player I’ve admired for many years,” Beckham said. “As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for especially with his national team Argentina. I’m excited to welcome another World Cup-winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS.”
With De Paul set to bolster a roster that already includes several high-profile names, Miami now turns its attention to the Leagues Cup, hoping to regain momentum as the season intensifies.
This photo released by Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov's Telegram channel on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, firefighters extinguish a burning car in the courtyard of an apartment building after a missile attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod region of Russia. (Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov Telegram channel via AP)
MOSCOW (BN24) — Russia’s Defense Ministry said Sunday that its air defense systems shot down 291 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones in a sweeping overnight operation, as Moscow intensifies efforts to thwart aerial attacks amid the ongoing war with Kyiv.
This photo released by Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov’s Telegram channel on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, firefighters extinguish a burning car in the courtyard of an apartment building after a missile attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod region of Russia. (Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov Telegram channel via AP)
In a statement posted to its official Telegram channel, the ministry reported that, in addition to the drones, air defense forces intercepted two guided aircraft bombs and three rockets launched from Czech-made Vampire multiple launch systems.
The announcement comes as Russian forces continue to escalate their aerial campaign against what the Kremlin says are Ukrainian drone production and command facilities. The ministry added that Russian warplanes and drones struck “production sites and control centers” inside Ukraine, though it did not specify locations or provide casualty details.
The reported mass drone interception marks one of the highest numbers of downed aerial vehicles claimed by Russia in a single day since the war began in February 2022. Ukraine has increasingly relied on long-range drone strikes and sabotage missions to push back against Russian advances, targeting military infrastructure deep inside Russian-held territory.
The scale of Russia’s air defense response underscores growing concern in Moscow over the evolving role of Ukrainian drones in the conflict. Kyiv has not commented on the reported drone losses or the airstrikes claimed by Moscow.
TEHRAN, Iran (BN240 — Iranian authorities have executed two men affiliated with the outlawed Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) organization for launching attacks on civilian infrastructure using improvised projectiles, the judiciary’s official news agency Mizan reported Sunday, amid fresh international condemnation over the fairness of their trial.
The executions of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo, whom authorities labeled as “operational elements” of the exiled MEK group, were carried out following a September 2024 death sentence that was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court. The court denied the men’s request for a retrial, finalizing the sentence after more than a year of legal proceedings, according to Mizan.
In its report, Mizan stated the men were involved in the construction of homemade launchers and hand-held mortars under the direction of MEK leadership abroad. Authorities alleged that the two launched projectiles indiscriminately at civilian areas, including residential buildings, public service offices, schools, and charitable facilities, as part of an effort to “undermine national security.”
The two were convicted of “moharebeh,” an Islamic legal term meaning “waging war against God,” as well as membership in a terrorist organization and the destruction of public property.
International human rights groups condemned the executions. Amnesty International had earlier described the trial as “grossly unfair,” asserting that the defendants were denied legal representation during interrogations and were subjected to torture, including prolonged solitary confinement and beatings, to extract forced confessions.
“According to informed sources, agents interrogated them without lawyers present and subjected them to torture and other ill-treatment… to extract self-incriminating statements,” Amnesty said in a January report.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted a surge in executions in Iran in 2024, reporting at least 901 cases — the highest total recorded since 2015.
The MEK, also known as the People’s Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, was once a prominent revolutionary group that targeted the shah’s regime and U.S. interests in the 1970s. It later fell out with other factions during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has since operated from exile, with its political leadership now based in Paris. Although previously designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, it was delisted by both in 2012.
Iran has consistently accused the MEK of attempting to destabilize the state and orchestrating violent plots from abroad. The group denies involvement in recent attacks inside the country and has not commented on the executions.
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon (BN24) — Cameroon’s electoral commission has barred opposition leader Maurice Kamto from contesting the country’s October 12 presidential election, a move that intensifies fears of political unrest and increases the likelihood of another term for longtime President Paul Biya.
The national elections body, known as ELECAM, announced Saturday that it had approved 13 candidates for the ballot. Kamto, the prominent head of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) and a former government minister, was not among them. The commission offered no explanation for his exclusion, though it confirmed that Biya, 92, will once again be a candidate.
Kamto, who placed a distant second in the 2018 presidential race with 14% of the vote, was widely regarded as Biya’s main challenger. His disqualification is expected to fuel public outrage and deepen skepticism over the credibility of the upcoming election, already shadowed by past accusations of fraud and voter suppression.
Cameroon has been ruled by Biya since 1982, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders and currently the oldest head of state still in power. Last month, despite persistent rumors about his declining health, Biya announced his intention to run again, sparking both domestic criticism and international concern.
The political environment surrounding Saturday’s announcement was tense. Security forces were heavily deployed throughout the capital Yaoundé and the commercial hub Douala, particularly around ELECAM’s headquarters and major roadways. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had issued a warning Friday, anticipating that the publication of the candidate list could provoke demonstrations.
While Kamto has not publicly reacted, he has two days to file an appeal challenging ELECAM’s decision. His exclusion, if upheld, would effectively remove the most formidable opposition to Biya’s decades-long rule.
Biya’s administration has been marred by recurring allegations of corruption and has struggled to manage a separatist conflict in the country’s English-speaking regions. That crisis has displaced tens of thousands and shuttered schools, adding to widespread discontent.
As the country edges closer to the election, the removal of a high-profile opposition figure has stirred fears of further instability in a nation already gripped by political and social upheaval.
JERUSALEM (BN24) — Israel’s military announced Sunday it will implement daily 10-hour pauses in specific areas of Gaza to enable the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid, as images of emaciated Palestinians and rising child deaths from starvation prompt global alarm.
According to the Israeli army, military activity will halt daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time in several parts of the besieged enclave, including Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone along the coast, as well as central Deir al-Balah and northern Gaza City. The army also said new aid corridors and secure convoy routes will be opened from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., starting Sunday.
The announcement follows growing international pressure and deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where the Gaza Health Ministry says at least 127 people, including 85 children, have died of malnutrition since the start of the war. On Saturday, a five-month-old girl, Zainab Abu Haleeb, died of severe acute malnutrition at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, her grieving parents said.
U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher confirmed humanitarian teams will intensify operations during the new daily pauses. “Our teams on the ground … will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window,” Fletcher said on X.
The Egyptian Red Crescent, meanwhile, announced the dispatch of over 100 aid trucks carrying 1,200 metric tons of food through the Kerem Shalom crossing into southern Gaza. Israel has also resumed airdropping supplies in an attempt to ease deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Still, many aid groups say Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are experiencing widespread hunger and aid is not reaching those who need it most.
The United Nations has welcomed the temporary halts in fighting, calling them a necessary measure to “scale up humanitarian assistance,” but criticized Israel for not providing sufficient access routes for humanitarian convoys in previous weeks. The U.N. has said it is operating under severe logistical constraints due to Israeli restrictions.
Israel says it remains committed to allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza but insists it must maintain strict controls to prevent supplies from being seized by Hamas militants. Israeli officials have repeatedly blamed Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s civilians, while arguing that enough food has been permitted into the territory.
Tensions within the Israeli government over the aid decision became public Sunday when far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned the move, which he claimed was made without his input. He called it a “capitulation to Hamas’ deceitful campaign” and renewed calls to cut off aid entirely, reoccupy the strip, and encourage Palestinians to leave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to requests for comment on Ben-Gvir’s statement.
Reactions from inside Gaza were mixed, with some residents expressing cautious optimism while others voiced skepticism over the safety and fairness of aid distribution. “People are happy that large amounts of food aid will come into Gaza,” said Tamer al-Burai, a local business owner. “We hope today marks a first step in ending this war that burned everything up.” But displaced resident Suhaib Mohammed warned that airdropped aid had previously injured people and caused damage. “Aid should enter in a logical way,” he said.
Sunday’s announcement comes amid faltering ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. On Friday, Israel and the United States indicated that negotiations had broken down, accusing Hamas of not seeking a genuine agreement.
The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen stormed across the border into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages. In the months since, Israel’s offensive has left nearly 60,000 people dead in Gaza, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave, most of them civilians. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, and nearly the entire population has been displaced.
KOMANDA, Democratic Republic of Congo (BN24) — At least 21 people were killed early Sunday when suspected Islamic State-backed militants launched a deadly assault on a Catholic church compound in eastern Congo, a local civil society leader said.
The attack occurred around 1 a.m. in Komanda, a town in Ituri province, where members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed the church grounds, shooting worshippers and burning homes and shops in the surrounding area. The ADF is a Uganda-rooted rebel group with longstanding ties to the Islamic State and a violent track record of targeting civilians in eastern Congo.
Dieudonné Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, told The Associated Press that at least 21 people were gunned down both inside and outside the church, and that three charred bodies were also recovered among the ruins. “The search is continuing,” he added, suggesting the death toll could rise as responders comb through burned structures.
The Congolese army acknowledged the attack but offered a lower initial toll. Lt. Jules Ngongo, spokesperson for the army in Ituri province, said that about 10 people were “killed and massacred” by armed men wielding machetes during the incursion near Komanda. He confirmed that several shops were set ablaze in the violence.
The ADF has been one of the deadliest rebel groups operating along the porous border region between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the past decade, the group has intensified its brutality and was officially designated by the Islamic State as its Central Africa Province affiliate in 2019. Since then, its attacks have increased in both frequency and scale, often targeting remote villages, churches, and humanitarian convoys.
Sunday’s attack marks the latest in a string of atrocities in Ituri and neighboring North Kivu province, where Congolese security forces and a regional military coalition continue struggling to contain militant violence.
