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ISWAP Executes 7 Civilian JTF Members And Hunters in Borno, Nigeria

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Simeon Bateren
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MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (BN24) — Militants from the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have executed seven civilians, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), local hunters, and community watch members, in a violent incident in Magumeri, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

The executions were recorded in a graphic six-minute video circulated online, marking another gruesome show of force by the terror group amid Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency crisis. In the footage, a masked ISWAP fighter is seen interrogating the captives individually before they are killed. The victims, all dressed in red jumpsuits, are shown kneeling while armed militants stand behind them, wielding rifles and knives.

According to a translation reported by Daily Trust, the ISWAP commander accuses the detainees of “hypocrisy” and collaboration with “infidels” — a charge the group routinely uses to justify its acts of violence. The video then shows the militants slitting the throats of all seven men before disposing of their bodies in a shallow trench.

A senior official from Magumeri Local Government Area, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed the killings in an interview with Daily Trust. The official identified at least four of the victims as members of the CJTF and local hunters who had been abducted days earlier.

“We were aware they had been taken and were hoping for their safe return,” the official said. “Unfortunately, we woke up to this horrific news. We pray Allah forgives them and gives their families the strength to endure this tragedy.”

The CJTF is a government-backed civilian militia formed to support Nigerian security forces in their fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP. Operating across Borno and neighboring states, the group has played a critical role in intelligence gathering and local defense efforts.

ISWAP, which split from Boko Haram in 2016, has increasingly targeted local vigilante groups and civilians perceived to be cooperating with state authorities. The group remains active in the Lake Chad region, launching attacks on both military and civilian targets.

The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but the killings underscore the persistent threat posed by ISWAP, particularly in rural areas of Borno State where security remains fragile.

Human rights organizations and regional observers have condemned the terror group’s continued use of execution videos as a propaganda tool. The United Nations has repeatedly called for greater protection of civilians and more coordinated counter-insurgency efforts in the region.

As of now, the identities of all the victims have not been made public. Local authorities say efforts are ongoing to recover the remains and support affected families.

Credit: punching.com

NDLEA Officer Shot Dead During Drug Raid in Ondo, Nigeria

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Simeon Bateren
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Nigeria (BN24)– NDLEA officer, identified simply as Jide, was fatally shot during a raid on a suspected drug hideout in Ondo town, Ondo State, Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

The tragic incident occurred during a sting operation in the Ita’nla area, where the agency was acting on intelligence reports about narcotics allegedly hidden in the ceiling of a residential building.

According to eyewitness accounts, the NDLEA team had just entered the building to recover the illicit substances when gunmen believed to be part of the drug syndicate launched a surprise attack. Jide, who was posted outside to provide security, was shot in the neck.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, said four suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack. A single-barrel gun was also recovered from the scene.

“We have taken four prime suspects into custody and recovered a weapon used during the attack. Investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the NDLEA to apprehend all those responsible,” Ayanlade stated.

The incident highlights the growing dangers faced by security operatives in the fight against drug trafficking across the country.

Credit: punching.com

Appeals Court Rules Trump’s Move to End Birthright Citizenship Unconstitutional, Upholds Nationwide Block

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FILE - Demonstrators holds up a banner during a citizenship rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (BN24) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, ruling the directive unconstitutional and affirming a nationwide block on its enforcement.

FILE – Demonstrators holds up a banner during a citizenship rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld an earlier ruling from a federal judge in Seattle that barred the Trump administration from enforcing the order. The executive action, signed during Trump’s first term, aimed to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil to parents who are either undocumented immigrants or in the country temporarily.

“The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Order’s proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree,” the court’s majority opinion stated.

Judges Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould — both appointed by President Bill Clinton — authored the majority opinion, reaffirming U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour’s initial injunction. Coughenour condemned the order as an effort to circumvent the Constitution for political purposes.

The decision marks the first time an appeals court has ruled on Trump’s attempt to alter the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment, and it moves the issue closer to a potential hearing before the Supreme Court.

The ruling emphasized that the Constitution’s Citizenship Clause, part of the 14th Amendment, guarantees citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” The Supreme Court upheld this standard in an 1898 decision involving a San Francisco-born child of Chinese immigrants.

Despite recent Supreme Court limitations on the use of nationwide injunctions by lower courts, the 9th Circuit found that the broad scope of the order’s impact warranted such an exception. States that filed the lawsuit — including Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon — argued they needed a uniform ruling to avoid having birthright citizenship recognized in some states but not others.

“We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief,” the majority wrote.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, dissented, contending that the states lacked standing to sue. He warned against the increasing use of “universal relief” as a way to bypass judicial norms but did not rule on the constitutionality of the order itself.

Trump’s order argued that children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents — including those without legal status or those on temporary visas — should not automatically receive citizenship. The Justice Department had claimed that the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction” in the 14th Amendment permits such an interpretation, but courts have repeatedly rejected that view.

At least nine lawsuits challenging Trump’s order have been filed across the country since it was signed. Neither the White House nor the Justice Department responded to requests for comment following the 9th Circuit’s ruling.

With this decision, the courts continue to reaffirm the constitutional protections of birthright citizenship, casting further doubt on Trump’s broader immigration agenda as legal challenges unfold.

Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona Debut Cancelled After ‘Serious Breach of Contract,’ Club Issues Statement

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BARCELONA (BN24) — Marcus Rashford’s highly anticipated debut for Barcelona has been abruptly postponed after the club canceled the first match of its pre-season tour due to what it described as “serious contractual breaches” by event organizers in Japan.

The Manchester United forward, who completed a loan move to the La Liga side on Wednesday, was scheduled to make his first appearance in Barca colors this Sunday in a friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. However, hours after confirming Rashford’s arrival, Barcelona announced it would no longer participate in the match.

“FC Barcelona announces that it has been obliged to suspend its participation in the game scheduled for next Sunday in Japan due to serious contractual breaches on behalf of the promoter,” the club said in a statement. “FC Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact it will have on the many, many Barça fans in Japan.”

The Catalan giants said they are evaluating whether to proceed with the remainder of their Asia tour, which includes two matches in South Korea — against FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu FC on August 4 — pending the fulfillment of certain conditions by the same event promoter.

Though fans will have to wait to see Rashford take the field for his new club, the delay gives the 27-year-old England international more time to integrate with Hansi Flick’s squad during training sessions. Rashford, who will wear the No. 14 shirt, expressed excitement during his unveiling and described joining Barcelona as “feeling like home.”

“I’m very excited to be here,” Rashford said at a press conference streamed live on the club’s YouTube channel. “This team is hungry to win trophies, and the coach has made that very clear. There’s a lot of young talent, especially Lamine Yamal — last season he was one of the best in the world. I’m eager to play with them, to learn, and to help.”

Rashford’s first competitive appearance for Barcelona is now expected to come on August 16 in their La Liga opener against Mallorca. The terms of the deal see Barcelona covering his full £325,000-a-week salary — a figure the club may not maintain should he make the switch permanent in 2026.

The loan agreement includes a £26 million buy option and does not include a recall clause for Manchester United, effectively ending Rashford’s 20-year association with the club if a full transfer is completed. The move will save United around £15 million in wages over the next 12 months, potentially giving manager Rúben Amorim extra resources to reshape his squad.

Barcelona’s acquisition of Rashford, who had publicly declared his desire for a new challenge in December after falling out of favor at United, reflects the club’s continued ambition amid ongoing financial constraints. Rashford is the first English player to join the Catalan side since Gary Lineker, who played for the club from 1986 to 1989.

U.S. Building Massive 5,000-Bed Immigrant Detention Camp in West Texas as Trump Expands Deportation Efforts

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EL PASO, Texas (BN24) — The U.S. government is constructing a vast detention facility capable of holding 5,000 immigrants in West Texas, a move that marks a significant expansion of President Donald Trump’s escalating crackdown on illegal immigration.

According to a Department of Defense contract released Monday, Acquisition Logistics—a Virginia-based firm—has been awarded $232 million in Army funds to build the new facility. The compound will house single adult migrants and is described in federal procurement documents as a “soft-sided facility,” a term commonly associated with large-scale tent camps.

The detention site is set to be constructed in El Paso, a city already home to the sprawling Fort Bliss Army base that spans both Texas and New Mexico. The location is seen as strategically important in the Trump administration’s ongoing push to increase detention capacity along the southern border.

The announcement comes on the heels of Florida’s rapid construction of a controversial detention complex, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” located on a remote airstrip in the Everglades. That facility has raised concerns among civil rights advocates over its isolation and accessibility.

President Trump recently signed legislation allocating a record $170 billion toward border and immigration enforcement, including $45 billion dedicated specifically to detention efforts. Over the next five years, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to receive $76.5 billion—nearly ten times its current annual budget.

Despite a sharp decline in illegal border crossings in recent months, the administration is pressing ahead with expanded detention infrastructure as Trump renews his pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

Ex-Flight Attendant Sentenced to 18.5 Years for Secretly Filming Girls in Airplane Lavatory

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BOSTON (BN24) — A former American Airlines flight attendant has been sentenced to 18.5 years in federal prison for secretly recording girls in an airplane bathroom, a case prosecutors say involved “appalling” violations of trust and privacy at 30,000 feet.

Estes Carter Thompson III, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced Wednesday in Boston federal court after pleading guilty to attempting to sexually exploit children and possessing child sexual abuse material. Judge Julia Kobick handed down the prison term, followed by five years of supervised release, saying Thompson’s conduct had left his young victims with lasting emotional scars.

“Their innocence has been lost,” the judge said, citing the disturbing nature of the offenses and the trust Thompson violated in his role as a crew member.

The investigation began in January 2024 after a 14-year-old girl traveling on a flight Thompson was working discovered his cellphone taped to the toilet lid inside the lavatory. Authorities later found multiple videos of girls between the ages of 7 and 14 recorded using aircraft restrooms over a nine-month span.

Thompson was indicted on charges that included attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of explicit material involving a prepubescent child. In court, he expressed remorse, calling his actions “selfish, perverse and wrong.”

According to a sentencing memo, prosecutors said Thompson “robbed five young girls of their innocence and belief in the goodness of the world,” noting the psychological toll the violations had on the victims and their families.

Thompson, 38, will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina, where his defense attorneys say he intends to participate in sex offender-specific treatment. His legal team declined to comment further after sentencing.

Venus Williams Wins Doubles Match in Triumphant Return to Tennis at Age 45

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Simeon Bateren
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WASHINGTON (BN24)—Venus Williams made a victorious return to professional tennis on Tuesday after a 16-month break due to health issues, teaming up with American partner Hailey Baptiste to defeat Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard and rising star Clervie Ngounoue 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round of the DC Open.

The 45-year-old tennis legend’s comeback marked her first competitive appearance since undergoing surgery last year. Williams admitted returning through doubles was challenging, given it’s not her usual format.

“Hailey asked me how it felt afterward. Honestly, it’s probably harder coming back through doubles because it’s not my usual game,” Williams said. “But having her alongside me helped a lot. She’s been playing regularly and performing well, and that gave us momentum.”

Williams described this year as a stark contrast to 2024, when her focus was solely on recovery. “It’s night and day compared to last year,” she said. “Back then I wasn’t even thinking about tennis — I just wanted to heal and be healthy.”

Her singles comeback is scheduled for Tuesday night, where she will face fellow American Peyton Stearns on the main court.

Approximately 3,000 fans witnessed Williams’ return, including NBA superstar and Washington native Kevin Durant. Williams expressed excitement at seeing Durant in the crowd.

“I was like, ‘Let me show KD what I’ve got,’” she joked. “But they hit every ball to Hailey!”

Baptiste echoed the enthusiasm: “It’s so cool that he came out to support us,” she said, noting the energized atmosphere as fans chanted “K-D.”

For Williams, returning to the court represented a personal triumph. “You can play all the matches in the world, but if your health is gone, everything else fades into the background,” she said. “That puts things in perspective — it made coming back easier, and now I’m playing with more freedom.”

Williams also emphasized the joy of sharing the moment with fans. “You train for months for this, and you never know if you’ll win until the final point. It’s special to share that emotion with the fans.”

Her opponent, Eugenie Bouchard, who announced her retirement next week in Canada, expressed admiration for Williams.

“It’s always special to play Venus,” Bouchard said. “She’s 14 years older than me and still out here competing. I have nothing but respect for her — she’s a legend.”

Credit: punching.com

England to Face Spain in Women’s Euros Final, a Rematch of 2023 World Cup Showdown

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BASEL, Switzerland (BN24) — England will meet Spain in the Women’s European Championship final on Sunday, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, where Spain clinched a historic 1-0 victory in Sydney.

Spain secured their spot in the Basel final with a dramatic 1-0 win over Germany in extra time on Wednesday. Aitana Bonmatí, the reigning Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, struck the decisive goal in the 23rd minute of added time, catching the German defense off guard with a sharp shot from a narrow angle after shaping up for a cross.

The victory marked a significant milestone for Spain, who are into their first-ever Women’s Euros final. It also signaled the end of a remarkable streak for Germany, who had never been eliminated at the semifinal stage since 1997 and had only failed to score in four of their previous 50 matches in the tournament’s history.

Defending champions England, who lifted the Euro 2022 trophy at Wembley, will now have a chance to reclaim their continental crown and avenge last year’s World Cup heartbreak. The final will be held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. local time (5 p.m. in the UK).

Sunday’s clash will rekindle one of the fastest-growing rivalries in international women’s football. Spain’s tactical precision and attacking flair under manager Montse Tomé will once again test Sarina Wiegman’s well-drilled England squad, which is looking to reaffirm its status as Europe’s dominant force.

The final not only pits the reigning European champions against the current world titleholders, but it also promises to be a defining moment in the evolving balance of power in women’s football.

Wrongly Deported Migrant Kilmar Abrego Wins Legal Victories, Remains in U.S. Custody

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BN24) — Kilmar Abrego, a Salvadoran migrant whose controversial deportation became emblematic of President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, secured two significant court victories on Wednesday. Yet, despite the legal momentum in his favor, Abrego will remain in custody for now on federal human smuggling charges.

In separate rulings, federal judges in Tennessee and Maryland rebuked the government’s handling of Abrego’s case. A U.S. district judge in Nashville upheld a lower court’s decision granting Abrego bail, while another judge in Maryland ordered that U.S. immigration officials provide three days’ notice before attempting to deport him to any third country.

“These rulings are a powerful rebuke of the government’s lawless conduct and a critical safeguard for Kilmar’s due process rights,” said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, Abrego’s attorney.

However, Abrego, 29, will remain in criminal custody in Tennessee for at least 30 more days. His attorneys, fearing a repeat of his earlier deportation, requested a delay in any release order to prevent federal immigration authorities from quickly detaining and removing him again.

Abrego had been living in Maryland when he was deported to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 court order barring his removal due to the risk of persecution by gangs. His forced return sparked criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration practices, with opponents citing the case as a clear infringement on constitutional protections.

The Supreme Court in April upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis that required federal officials to facilitate Abrego’s return to the U.S. He was flown back in June, but only after being indicted on charges related to an alleged migrant smuggling operation. Abrego has pleaded not guilty.

U.S. authorities allege that Abrego helped transport undocumented migrants, including children, across the country. Prosecutors have attempted to justify his continued detention, citing these allegations. But U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw ruled Wednesday that the government failed to demonstrate that Abrego posed a danger to the public or a flight risk.

Still, Crenshaw allowed for a future hearing on whether additional allegations involving children warranted pretrial detention. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes, who had previously ordered Abrego’s release, agreed to delay her ruling for 30 days to allow time for legal review and potential federal intervention.

Simultaneously, in Maryland, Judge Xinis ruled that if Abrego is eventually released from criminal custody, federal immigration agents in Tennessee may not re-detain him there. Instead, jurisdiction over his immigration case must return to Maryland, where Abrego had been living before his deportation. Xinis also required that immigration authorities give his legal team at least three days’ notice before attempting to deport him to any third country.

Despite the legal wins, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin doubled down on the administration’s stance, labeling Abrego an alleged member of the MS-13 gang and declaring he “will never walk America’s streets again.” Abrego has strongly denied any gang affiliation.

McLaughlin criticized Judge Xinis, calling her decision “insane” for limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s authority. However, Xinis’ ruling did not prohibit ICE from detaining Abrego in Maryland, only from doing so in Tennessee without proper notice.

As the case unfolds, it remains a legal flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration enforcement and due process under the Trump administration.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Former Attorney Roy Black Dies at 80

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MIAMI (BN24) — Roy Black, the influential criminal defense attorney who helped negotiate Jeffrey Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal, has died at the age of 80, his law partner confirmed Monday.

Black died at his Coral Gables home following an illness, ending a legal career that spanned more than five decades and placed him at the center of some of the most high-profile trials in the United States.

“For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor, and friend,” said fellow attorney Howard Srebnick in a statement to The Associated Press. “The personal and professional loss I feel is immeasurable.”

Black gained national attention in 1991 after winning an acquittal in the televised rape trial of William Kennedy Smith, a member of the Kennedy family. The case was groundbreaking, not just for its courtroom drama, but for its unprecedented media exposure, as much of the trial aired live with the accuser’s identity concealed.

Yet Black’s legacy remains inseparable from his role in defending Epstein, the disgraced financier later charged with sex trafficking of minors. In 2006, Black was part of the legal team that defended Epstein against state charges in Florida for soliciting sex from underage girls. Two years later, Epstein struck a secretive plea deal with federal prosecutors, allowing him to avoid more serious federal charges by pleading guilty to lesser state offenses. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail but served just 13 months, much of it on work release.

The plea agreement later came under intense public scrutiny. Two victims filed a lawsuit claiming that the deal violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act because they were never notified or consulted. In response, Black defended the legality of the agreement, insisting in court filings that it was not a “sweetheart deal,” as critics alleged, and denied any effort to conceal facts from victims or the public.

In 2015, Black and attorney Martin Weinberg filed motions seeking to block the release of private communications between Epstein’s legal team and federal prosecutors during the plea negotiations, arguing such disclosures would cause “irreparable harm” to Epstein. The financier died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on new federal charges.

Beyond the Epstein case, Black’s client list included a mix of celebrities and high-profile figures. He represented pop star Justin Bieber, who was arrested in Miami in 2014 for drag racing and DUI; Bieber ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Black also successfully defended IndyCar champion Helio Castroneves in a high-profile federal tax evasion case.

Colleagues and fellow attorneys praised Black’s legal brilliance and commitment to criminal defense. David O. Markus, a fellow Miami defense lawyer, described Black as “the GOAT” — the greatest of all time — and likened his courtroom prowess to Michael Jordan’s dominance on the basketball court.

“He worked harder than any lawyer I know,” Markus told the AP. “And he outlawyered every prosecutor he ever went up against. His impact on criminal defense is beyond measure.”

Jackie Perczek, another of Black’s law partners, said he taught her the importance of standing up for the vulnerable. “It’s a lawyer’s duty to fiercely battle the oppressors and support the underdog,” she said. “This generation and many to come stand on his shoulders.”

His wife, Lea Black, told the Miami Herald that her husband always fought for civil rights and second chances. “He understood that we all have our flaws,” she said. “He was able to separate people’s behavior from their character. He wanted the best for everyone.”

Roy Black is survived by Lea, their son RJ, and daughter Nora. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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