DENVER (BN24) — Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were forced to evacuate using emergency slides after the plane aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport on Saturday due to a reported issue with its landing gear. One person was transported to a hospital with minor injuries, officials said.
The incident involved American Airlines Flight 3023, which was bound for Miami when it experienced what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described as a “possible landing gear incident during departure.” The FAA confirmed it is now investigating.
According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft—a Boeing 737 Max 8—reached a takeoff speed of 127 knots (nearly 150 mph) before the pilot called off the departure. In air traffic control audio obtained from LiveATC.net, the pilot informed the tower, “We’re aborting on the runway,” to which the controller replied, “You got a lot of smoke.” The controller then added, “There was some flames—it looks like the smoke’s kind of dying down a bit.”
Following the aborted takeoff, 173 passengers and six crew members exited the plane onto the runway using inflatable emergency slides. Video footage showed passengers sliding down and being escorted to safety by emergency crews. Buses transported the evacuees back to the terminal.
The Denver Fire Department responded quickly, extinguishing flames observed from the aircraft. Denver International Airport reported that six people were evaluated by medical personnel, and one individual was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In a statement, American Airlines said the aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection, and passengers would be rebooked on a replacement flight to Miami later Saturday. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience,” the airline said.
The aborted takeoff and emergency evacuation come amid ongoing safety concerns surrounding Boeing aircraft. The FAA’s investigation will focus on the aircraft’s landing gear systems and any mechanical or procedural issues that may have contributed to the emergency.
FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro addresses government loyalists gathered at the presidential palace in support of his reelection one month after the presidential vote, in Caracas, Venezuela, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)
WASHINGTON (BN24) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury has formally designated the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization, alleging that the powerful criminal group is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other senior members of his regime.
FILE – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro addresses government loyalists gathered at the presidential palace in support of his reelection one month after the presidential vote, in Caracas, Venezuela, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Friday that the cartel has been added to the U.S. terrorist blacklist for its ties to foreign terrorist organizations including Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, both of which were previously labeled as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) earlier this year.
The designation comes amid intensified efforts by the Trump administration to target violent transnational networks fueling the U.S. drug crisis, with a renewed focus on Latin American syndicates. According to OFAC, Cartel de los Soles supports terrorist-linked groups engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering, and sexual exploitation.
“This action reflects President Trump’s commitment to put America First by cracking down on violent organizations—including Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and their facilitators like Cartel de los Soles,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
The cartel, long suspected of having deep ties within Venezuela’s military and political elite, has now become a central focus of U.S. law enforcement and national security policy in Latin America. The OFAC ruling will result in the blocking of all assets tied to the cartel and prohibits U.S. individuals or entities from engaging in transactions with its members.
Senator Rick Scott of Florida praised the designation, saying on X (formerly Twitter), “Americans are safer now that it’s harder for this disgusting gang to terrorize our country by flooding it with deadly drugs.”
The decision follows a dramatic move earlier this year when the U.S. deported 250 Venezuelans—believed to be linked to the Tren de Aragua gang—to El Salvador under wartime provisions invoked by Trump. The deportations were part of a broader prisoner exchange that also saw the release of 10 American detainees held by the Maduro regime.
Though the U.S. recently eased restrictions on Chevron Corp. to resume oil operations in Venezuela, this latest action signals that the Trump administration has not softened its stance toward Maduro, who is still subject to an outstanding U.S. warrant and considered illegitimate by Washington.
Tren de Aragua, which operates across Latin America and has gained a foothold in the U.S., is accused of trafficking women and children, running extortion rackets, and conducting drug operations in cooperation with the Sinaloa Cartel.
The Venezuelan government has not yet issued a response to the designation. Newsweek has contacted the Venezuelan foreign ministry for comment.
As pressure builds on Caracas and President Maduro’s inner circle, the U.S. is signaling that cooperation with terrorist-linked organizations will come at steep economic and political costs.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the sexual abuse crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, was granted conditional immunity by the Department of Justice before sitting for two days of interviews with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to multiple reports.
Sources told ABC News that the immunity—formally known as “proffer immunity”—was extended to protect Maxwell from self-incrimination during the interviews, unless she was found to have lied. The rare meeting between Maxwell and Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, comes amid escalating political pressure on the Trump administration to unseal confidential records tied to the Epstein investigation.
The Department of Justice and the White House have not yet responded to requests for comment, while Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, denied that his client had sought any leniency or favors in return for her cooperation.
“We haven’t asked for anything. This is not a situation where we are asking for anything in return for testimony,” Markus said. “Of course, everybody knows Ms. Maxwell would welcome any relief.”
Maxwell’s legal team acknowledged she had answered questions about “probably 100 people,” including many high-profile individuals allegedly linked to Epstein’s inner circle. Markus also addressed speculation about a potential pardon from Trump. “We haven’t spoken to the president—or anybody—about a pardon,” he said. “The president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in a right and just way.”
Trump, asked by ABC News whether he would consider granting a pardon to Maxwell, replied, “I can’t talk about that now because, you know, it’s a very sensitive interview going on.”
The revelation of the DOJ’s conditional immunity offer has intensified scrutiny over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein probe. This past week, a House Oversight subcommittee voted to subpoena the DOJ for full disclosure of documents related to the Epstein case after GOP leadership blocked an earlier vote to release the files before the August recess.
Lawmakers from both parties have also voted to compel Maxwell to testify before Congress, a move that could further shake the Republican Party amid lingering accusations of stonewalling the Epstein investigation.
Maxwell reportedly initiated the meeting with Blanche as part of her ongoing appeal of her 2021 conviction. The New York Times reports that Blanche plans to release more information from the Maxwell interview “at the appropriate time.” In the meantime, Congress is expected to revisit efforts to obtain Maxwell’s testimony during a session set for the week of August 11.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the DOJ’s handling of the meeting, writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Trump sending his personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell stinks of high corruption and conflict of interest.”
Alan Dershowitz, a former attorney for Epstein, told Fox News that Maxwell is “the Rosetta Stone” of the Epstein case. “She arranged every single trip with everybody. She knows everything.”
As Maxwell continues to appeal her conviction, her meetings with the DOJ and the prospect of her testifying before Congress have renewed public and political demands for transparency in a scandal that continues to engulf global elites.
RABAT, Morocco (BN24) — Nigeria’s Super Falcons staged a breathtaking second-half turnaround to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a pulsating final on Saturday night, sealing their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in dramatic fashion.
In front of a packed 21,000-seat Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the Atlas Lionesses appeared on course for their first-ever continental crown after racing to a 2-0 lead at halftime. But Nigeria, invoking their self-styled “Mission X” mantra, overturned the deficit with a dominant second-half display, capped by a late winner that left the Moroccan crowd silenced.
The triumph not only returned the Super Falcons to the pinnacle of African women’s football for the first time since 2018 but also preserved their perfect record in WAFCON finals—10 wins from 10.
Morocco Dominates Early, Nigeria Struggles to Respond
Morocco drew first blood in the 13th minute when Halimatu Ayinde surrendered possession deep in Nigeria’s half, allowing veteran captain Ghizlane Chebbak to curl a superb left-footed shot just inside the post. The home side doubled their lead 11 minutes later as Sanaa Mssoudy scuffed a low shot across goal that beat goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Nigeria, Africa’s highest-ranked women’s side, appeared rattled and unable to impose their trademark tempo and physicality during a sluggish opening 45 minutes. Head coach Justin Madugu’s tactical setup looked flat against Jorge Vilda’s organized Moroccan press.
Super Falcons Soar After Break
But the complexion of the final shifted decisively in the second half.
Esther Okoronkwo emerged as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s revival. In the 64th minute, she converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed that Nouhaila Benzina had handled a cross from Folamide Ijamilusi inside the area.
Okoronkwo was involved again seven minutes later, slicing through Morocco’s backline before laying the ball off for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake in slotting home the equalizer. The Super Falcons’ bench erupted, and the momentum had firmly shifted in Nigeria’s favor.
Morocco were handed a lifeline in the 79th minute when Imane Saoud’s cross struck Nigerian defender Blessing Demehin’s arm from close range. Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa initially awarded a penalty, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned.
That reprieve set the stage for Nigeria’s crowning moment. In the 88th minute, Okoronkwo delivered a pinpoint free kick into the area, where substitute Jennifer Echegini darted in front of Benzina to tuck the ball past the Moroccan keeper from close range. The goal sparked scenes of euphoria as the Nigerian players collapsed in celebration at the final whistle.
A Bitter Night for Morocco
The loss marked Morocco’s second consecutive defeat in a WAFCON final, following their 2022 loss to South Africa. The country had invested heavily in both men’s and women’s football, with backing from King Mohammed VI, and brought in 2023 Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda following his controversial departure from Spain.
Despite flashes of promise, Morocco’s route to the final was fraught. They came from behind in three of their five matches and needed penalties to overcome Ghana in the semifinals. While Vilda has introduced tactical improvements, the team ultimately fell short against a battle-tested Nigerian side.
Captain Chebbak, who won the tournament’s Golden Boot with five goals, had hoped to follow in the footsteps of her late father Larbi Chebbak, a 1976 AFCON champion with Morocco. At 35, her chance of matching that family legacy may have passed.
Nigeria Makes History — Again
With Saturday’s win, Nigeria became the first team to lift the redesigned WAFCON trophy and were awarded $1 million in prize money, double the amount offered in the previous edition.
It also marked the third time the Super Falcons have beaten a host nation in the final, following similar triumphs over South Africa in 2000 and Cameroon in 2016.
Despite the magnitude of the occasion, the Olympic Stadium had emptied significantly by the time FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe arrived for the trophy presentation.
For Nigeria, the title completes a journey they openly dubbed “Mission X” — a goal to claim their 10th continental crown. With their dominance reaffirmed, attention will now turn to the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the West Africans will look to carry this momentum onto the global stage.
CHICAGO (BN24) — Joseph Czuba, the Illinois man convicted of murdering a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in a brutal 2023 hate crime that drew national outrage, has died in prison, authorities confirmed Saturday.
Czuba, 73, was serving a 53-year sentence for the stabbing death of Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of the child’s mother, Hanan Shaheen. The Will County Sheriff’s Office said Czuba died Thursday but did not disclose a cause of death.
The killing, which occurred just days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and the launch of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, sparked nationwide condemnation and highlighted a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes during a time of heightened Middle East tensions.
In February, a jury convicted Czuba of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and hate crimes. Prosecutors said he targeted the family “due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.”
Shaheen and her son had been renting a room in Czuba’s Plainfield Township home, a suburb southwest of Chicago. They had lived there peacefully for nearly two years, sharing common areas with Czuba and his wife. But following the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Shaheen testified, Czuba’s demeanor changed. He accused her people of “killing Jewish people” and demanded she move out.
On the day of the attack, Czuba reportedly forced his way into their room, stabbed Shaheen 12 times while shouting “You must die!” and assaulted her so violently that he attempted to break her teeth with his fingers. Her son, Wadee, stood frozen in the corner.
Shaheen testified that Czuba turned to the boy and said, “Wadee, I will take care of you. I will raise you,” and “Don’t tell people I killed your mom,” before stabbing him 26 times. Shaheen managed to escape to the bathroom and called 911 while her son was being attacked. “He is killing my baby,” she cried repeatedly on the recorded call played in court.
The case gripped the nation and prompted statements from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, both condemning the murder as a hate-driven tragedy that had no place in the United States.
“This horrific act of hate has no place in America,” Biden said at the time. “The child’s Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek — a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace.”
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office, responded to Czuba’s death in a statement Saturday, saying: “This depraved killer has died, but the hate is still alive and well.”
Shaheen, who immigrated to the U.S. from the West Bank nearly 15 years ago, survived the attack but remains deeply traumatized. Her attorney did not immediately comment on Czuba’s death.
FORT WHITE, Fla. (BN24) — Four members of a Florida family have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after investigators discovered nine children living in disturbing conditions, including being locked in a homemade cage and subjected to physical and psychological torment, authorities said Friday.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as Brian and Jill Griffeth and their adult children, 21-year-old Dallin Griffeth and 19-year-old Liberty Griffeth. The four were taken into custody following a criminal investigation that revealed what deputies described as systemic abuse in their Fort White home, located about 35 miles northwest of Gainesville.
According to investigators, the children — five biological and four adopted, ranging in age from 7 to 16 — were subjected to beatings with a cane, locked in their bedrooms for extended periods, and sprayed in the face with vinegar as a form of punishment. Some were reportedly given medication that had not been prescribed to them.
Authorities said a wooden enclosure made of plywood had been constructed under a bunk bed to confine some of the children. The sheriff’s office added that the victims were instructed to lie about their situation and were denied basic education, leaving many of them unable to read or write.
All nine children have been removed from the home by court order.
The investigation began after a mandatory reporter from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in nearby Branford raised concerns. The sheriff’s office said the tip came after one of the children was found with a functioning electronic stun gun at a church camp days earlier.
During a subsequent home visit by the Florida Department of Children and Families, investigators observed a clear disparity in treatment between the Griffeths’ biological and adopted children. The adopted children were forced to complete chores while the biological children watched TV or played, officials said.
Some of the adopted children reportedly did not know their full names or birthdays. Investigators also believe the adopted children were treated more harshly than the biological ones.
The sheriff’s office said each adult is being held on a $500,000 bond. It remains unclear whether they have secured legal counsel.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (BN24) — At least 11 people were injured in a stabbing attack at a Walmart in northern Michigan on Sunday evening, prompting a major law enforcement response and ongoing investigations into the violent incident. Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody.
Michigan State Police said the suspect was apprehended shortly after the attack at the Walmart in Traverse City, a lakeside community approximately 255 miles northwest of Detroit. The exact number of injured individuals remains unclear, as officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional victims or suspects.
Emergency personnel transported 11 people to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, where they are currently being treated. Catherine Dewey, a hospital spokesperson, said medical teams are still evaluating the patients and the severity of their injuries. Specific details regarding the victims’ conditions or whether the wounds were life-threatening have not yet been released.
Authorities have so far described the incident as a “multiple stabbing,” though questions remain about the full scope of the violence. A spokesperson for Michigan State Police said it was not immediately clear whether the incident involved gunfire or if multiple assailants were involved.
The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with support from state and local agencies. Police cordoned off the Walmart while collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
As of late Sunday, officials had not released the identity of the suspect or provided a possible motive. Law enforcement is expected to give further updates as the investigation develops.
The attack has shocked the Traverse City community, a popular tourist destination known for its quiet neighborhoods and proximity to Lake Michigan.
BOKKOS, Nigeria (BN24) — A fresh wave of violence swept through Plateau State on Thursday, July 24, leaving at least 14 villagers and a mobile police officer dead in two separate attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area, local officials confirmed.
The more deadly of the twin attacks unfolded around 4:00 p.m. when suspected gunmen ambushed a group of marketgoers returning from Bokkos Market to Mangor Village. Most of the victims were from the Chirang community. According to eyewitness accounts and local authorities, the attackers opened fire without warning, killing 14 and injuring three others.
Kefas Mallai, Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, confirmed the incident to reporters late Thursday. “Yes, it is true. Fourteen natives were ambushed and killed by suspected terrorists while three others were injured on their way back from Bokkos Market,” Mallai stated. He added that security forces had since arrived in the area to stabilize the situation and prevent further violence.
The attack came just hours after another deadly incident earlier in the day. A mobile police officer stationed at a security checkpoint along Richa Road was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen, marking a separate but related assault on law enforcement within the same local government area.
“Our hearts are bleeding,” Mallai said. “This morning, a MOPOL was killed at his duty post. Then this evening, 14 of our people were also murdered. This is what happened in Bokkos today.”
Reacting to the twin tragedies, the Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Amalau Amalau, described the situation as a full-scale emergency. “I’m driving. We have an emergency in Bokkos following attacks on our people,” he said while transporting victims to Jos University Teaching Hospital. “Let’s talk later, please.”
Sources within Plateau State’s police command confirmed that additional security personnel have been deployed to Bokkos and its surrounding communities in response to the escalating violence. Authorities are yet to announce any arrests or identify those responsible for the attacks.
The dual assaults come amid rising insecurity in Nigeria’s central and northern regions, where rural communities frequently face deadly raids by unidentified armed groups. Residents in Plateau State, in particular, have repeatedly called for more decisive government action to stem the violence and protect vulnerable populations.
As investigations continue, security agencies are urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. The latest bloodshed adds to the mounting toll of lives lost in Plateau’s deepening conflict, underscoring the urgency of restoring peace in the volatile region.
LOS ANGELES (BN24) — A Nigerian national residing in California has been sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison for orchestrating a $1.3 million COVID-19 benefits fraud scheme and using the stolen funds to build a luxury resort hotel, nightclub, and shopping mall in Nigeria.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, that Abiola Femi Quadri, 43, of Pasadena, was handed a 135-month prison sentence by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu. In addition to the prison term, Quadri was ordered to pay $1,356,229 in restitution and a $35,000 fine.
According to court records and ICE’s statement, Quadri submitted over 100 fraudulent applications for pandemic unemployment and disability insurance benefits using stolen identities across California and Nevada. The scheme ran from 2021 until his arrest in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport, where he was preparing to board a flight to Nigeria.
Authorities revealed that Quadri funneled at least $500,000 of the stolen funds overseas to finance the construction of the Oyins International, a lavish 120-room resort hotel in Nigeria that includes a nightclub, shopping mall, and other luxury amenities.
Quadri, a Nigerian citizen who gained U.S. permanent residency through what he allegedly described in private messages as a “fake wedding,” pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Despite being under investigation, he failed to disclose his ownership of the multimillion-dollar resort in financial declarations to the court.
Investigators discovered extensive evidence of fraud, including 17 counterfeit checks worth over $3.3 million stored on Quadri’s phone. Some of these checks were made payable to shell companies registered under aliases he controlled. Messages on his phone also revealed negotiations involving the fraudulent checks.
Quadri had also been receiving payments from the state of California for providing daycare services to developmentally disabled children through his business, Rock of Peace, located in Altadena. When law enforcement searched his residence, they found misused food-aid debit cards meant for the children.
The case was jointly investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Employment Development Department’s Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section led the prosecution.
Quadri’s sentencing adds to a growing list of pandemic-era fraud cases that have exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. emergency benefit systems, with international implications and millions in taxpayer losses.
TURNBERRY, Scotland (BN24) — A sweeping security operation was in full force Saturday as President Donald Trump played a round of golf at his Turnberry resort on the first full day of his UK visit, with roads closed, armed personnel deployed and helicopters circling overhead.
The President’s arrival at the famed Scottish course, which he purchased in 2014, was marked by an extraordinary show of force. Police, military and navy teams swept the area in advance, employing sniffer dogs and snipers while a boat monitored from offshore. Trump, dressed in golfing attire, was accompanied on the green by a fleet of golf carts as tight security kept journalists and the public at a considerable distance.
Trump’s visit to Scotland follows a tense arrival in the UK, where just hours earlier he sharply criticized Europe’s immigration policies, warning they were “killing” the continent. Yet he struck a more conciliatory tone upon landing in Ayrshire, offering praise for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling him a “good man” though “slightly more liberal than I am.”
The president is expected to meet with Starmer and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney in the coming days, as well as hold trade discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump is also said to be promoting Turnberry as a potential host site for The Open, the prestigious golf championship.
In anticipation of his visit, Police Scotland ramped up its presence, with assistance requested from forces across the UK. Demonstrations were expected in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and potentially near the golf course itself, posing the first major test for the police during Trump’s visit. Law enforcement agencies warned of a possible strain on local policing resources, even as they vowed to ensure safety and freedom of expression.
First Minister Swinney urged protesters to remain peaceful and lawful. By midday Saturday, demonstrators had gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, waving anti-Trump banners and Palestinian flags, with at least one protester donning a papier-mâché caricature of the U.S. president.
Trump’s visit also includes plans to visit his other golf property in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, where a second course is expected to open soon.
