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Fire Kills One at Iran’s Largest Oil Refinery in Abadan, Officials Say

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TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — A fire at Iran’s oldest and largest oil refinery in the southwest city of Abadan killed one worker and left others injured, Iranian state media reported Sunday, marking the latest in a series of recent blazes across the country.

According to the state-owned IRAN newspaper, the fire erupted Saturday in an under-repair unit of the Abadan oil refinery after a pump began leaking. Firefighters brought the flames under control within two hours, and refinery operations reportedly continued without disruption.

Iran’s deputy parliament speaker, Ali Nikzad, confirmed on Sunday that some workers sustained injuries during the incident. Officials did not immediately release further details about the injured.

The Abadan refinery, located approximately 670 kilometers (416 miles) southwest of Tehran, has played a central role in Iran’s energy infrastructure since it began operations in 1912. It remains the country’s largest refinery, processing more than 5.2 million barrels of oil daily and producing about a quarter of Iran’s fuel supply.

The cause of the fire was linked to a technical failure during maintenance, authorities said. The blaze comes amid a string of recent fires in Iran, including several reported in residential and commercial buildings. Officials have blamed those incidents on gas leaks and electrical faults.

Iran, a major oil-producing nation, has seen its petroleum industry constrained by years of Western sanctions, which have limited its ability to export oil and modernize aging infrastructure. Despite these challenges, refineries like Abadan continue to operate at high capacity.

Saturday’s incident underscores the risks associated with ongoing operations at aging industrial facilities and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the country’s energy sector.

Messi Overtakes Ronaldo in Non-Penalty Goals After Dominant Brace for Inter Miami

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NEW YORK (BN24) — Lionel Messi has once again edged ahead of his longtime football rival, Cristiano Ronaldo — this time by surpassing the Portuguese forward in non-penalty career goals. The milestone came during Inter Miami’s emphatic 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls, where Messi netted a second-half brace and added another chapter to the sport’s most storied rivalry.

Messi’s two goals on Saturday night elevated his career total to 764 non-penalty goals, eclipsing Ronaldo’s 763. Though Ronaldo still holds the lead in overall goals scored, Messi now sits alone atop the all-time chart for goals scored from open play — a statistic often cited as a truer reflection of natural scoring prowess.

The Argentine star also assisted Jordi Alba’s first-half goal and currently leads Major League Soccer in scoring with 18 goals this season. The performance marked his sixth brace in the past seven MLS matches.

The 37-year-old Argentine showed no signs of slowing down. In the 60th minute, he rounded the Red Bulls’ goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net. Fifteen minutes later, Messi showcased his technical brilliance again, receiving a pinpoint cross from Luis Suárez, cushioning it with his first touch, and burying it in the top corner.

While the individual accolade added more fuel to the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, Messi’s impact on Inter Miami continues to grow. With 27 goal contributions so far this season — the most of any MLS player — he’s quickly becoming one of the most dominant forces the league has seen. He also became just the fifth player in MLS history to reach at least 35 goals and 25 assists across two seasons.

Inter Miami’s win came after a shaky start, trailing 1-0 in the 15th minute. But Messi’s assist and brace helped spark a turnaround, with Telasco Segovia adding two goals of his own. The Herons now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with 41 points from 21 games and remain in contention for the Supporters’ Shield.

Though the Ballon d’Or battles may be behind them, Messi and Ronaldo remain locked in a silent duel over legacy. With Ronaldo expected to continue playing with Al Nassr for another two seasons, and Messi committed to at least one more year in MLS, their rivalry still has room to evolve — and records still left to break.

Messi Leads Inter Miami to 5-1 Rout Over Red Bulls, Extends MLS Scoring Lead

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HARRISON, N.J. (BN24) — Lionel Messi once again left his mark on Major League Soccer, scoring twice and assisting two more goals as Inter Miami thrashed the New York Red Bulls 5-1 on Saturday night, cementing his place atop the league’s scoring charts and continuing his stunning run of form.

Playing at a packed Sports Illustrated Stadium, Messi orchestrated a devastating performance that marked his sixth brace in the last seven MLS games. The Argentine maestro’s brilliance came just days after Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati — a defeat that was quickly erased by a dominant attacking display against the Red Bulls.

Messi played provider in the first half, assisting Jordi Alba’s equalizer in the 24th minute before helping create the second goal just three minutes later with a brilliant pass in the buildup to Telasco Segovia’s finish. The Red Bulls had initially taken a surprise lead in the 15th minute through Alexander Hack’s first career MLS goal, but Messi and company responded with relentless pressure.

Segovia doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a chaotic defensive clearance to fire in Miami’s third goal, sending the Herons into halftime with a 3-1 lead.

Messi took center stage in the second half. In the 60th minute, he latched onto a long ball from Sergio Busquets, rounded goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and calmly slotted in his 17th goal of the season. He added his 18th just 15 minutes later, trapping a Luis Suárez cross and rifling a left-footed shot past the Red Bulls’ keeper to seal the 5-1 victory and claim the lead in the MLS Golden Boot race.

Inter Miami improved to 12-4-5 with 41 points and remains fifth in the Eastern Conference with three games in hand over many of their rivals. For New York, the night was another painful reminder of the gulf in class between them and Messi’s Miami. The Red Bulls, now 9-9-6 with 33 points, have lost three straight matches to Inter Miami, including a 4-1 defeat earlier this season in Fort Lauderdale.

Saturday’s rout marked the second time this season Miami has scored five goals in a match, having also hammered the Columbus Crew 5-1 back in May. More importantly, it underscored the threat Miami poses in the playoff race — especially for teams like the Red Bulls, who may have to face Messi again under much higher stakes come October.

With 27 goal contributions this season, Messi continues to elevate Inter Miami to title contention — and, once again, leaves no doubt who commands the spotlight in MLS.

Delta Boeing 767 Catches Fire Mid-Air After Takeoff From LAX, Forces Emergency Landing

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LOS ANGELES (BN24) — A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 was forced to make an emergency landing back at Los Angeles International Airport after one of its engines caught fire shortly after takeoff, sending flames erupting beneath the aircraft and sparking panic among onlookers.

Flight 446, bound for Atlanta, experienced a dramatic engine malfunction soon after departing from LAX, according to video footage and a statement from the airline. In the video, the plane can be seen veering slightly mid-ascent as flames shoot from its left engine. A witness recording the scene is heard reacting with alarm: “Was that a compressor stall? What’s going on?”

The harrowing footage, captured by aviation YouTube channel LA Flights, shows the wide-body jet continuing to climb despite the fiery malfunction. The blaze, which ignited as the aircraft ascended over the Los Angeles area, appeared to subside as the pilots swiftly redirected the flight back to the airport.

Moments later, the aircraft is seen descending with its landing gear deployed before touching down safely on the runway. Emergency response vehicles quickly surrounded the plane, escorting it back to its gate for inspection.

“Delta flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine,” a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to the BBC. No injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked without incident.

The affected aircraft was a Boeing 767-400, a wide-body jet typically used for transcontinental and international routes.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny over aircraft safety and follows a separate Delta Airlines emergency earlier in the week. On Monday, Delta flight 1334, a Boeing 757 traveling from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale, was forced to divert after a passenger’s lithium battery caught fire mid-flight, filling the cabin with smoke.

According to the airline, flight attendants “worked quickly” to extinguish the battery fire using onboard equipment. No serious injuries were reported in that incident, but passengers described scenes of panic as smoke clouded the cabin and crews scrambled to control the situation.

Both emergencies underscore ongoing concerns surrounding aircraft equipment reliability and onboard battery safety as the industry faces increasing pressure over operational safety.

Jake Paul Confirms Showdown With Anthony Joshua, Vows to ‘Shock the World’ at Wembley

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LONDON (BN24) — YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul has confirmed he will step into the ring with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a blockbuster clash next year at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium.

The 27-year-old American made the announcement Saturday while attending Oleksandr Usyk’s dominant fifth-round knockout win over Daniel Dubois, a bout that drew a packed celebrity-studded crowd to north-west London.

“Yeah, 100 percent it’s going to happen,” Paul told DAZN from ringside. “We’re going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing. It’s not even about whether it’s realistic — it’s going to happen. So fasten your seatbelts. And when I knock him out, I’ll go down in the history books forever.”

Speaking to talkSPORT, Paul doubled down on his ambition and predicted an earth-shaking upset. “It’s gonna happen. I want it to happen here [at Wembley]. All the odds are stacked against me,” he said. “I believe I’ll beat him and shock the world. I’ll create one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.”

Paul, who praised the passionate UK boxing fans, said he had been visiting local pubs ahead of the Usyk fight to soak in the atmosphere and hear fan opinions. “I love it — the UK fans really love boxing even more than American fans,” he said. “This is always history when you’re at Wembley.”

The match had already been teased by Saudi adviser and boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, who confirmed discussions are underway. Alalshikh, known for orchestrating major boxing events, said Paul has accepted the terms and that he will speak with Joshua in the coming week to finalize the deal.

“I’m not against what Jake Paul’s doing in boxing — it’s good for the sport to have a new generation,” Alalshikh told reporters. “I’m now thinking him against Joshua. If Joshua destroys him, great. The headache of Jake Paul goes away. If Jake Paul wins, it means Joshua is finished — and Jake deserves to be king of the ring.”

He added that he hopes for a one-sided match in favor of Joshua. “I don’t want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1.”

The proposed bout would mark a dramatic escalation in Paul’s boxing ambitions and set the stage for one of the most unlikely heavyweight matchups in modern history.

South Korea’s Former President Yoon Indicted Again as Martial Law Probe Deepens

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SEOUL, South Korea (BN24) — South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk-yeol has been indicted on new charges as the special prosecutor’s office deepens its investigation into last year’s controversial martial law declaration, which plunged the country into a constitutional crisis.

Prosecutor Park Ji-young confirmed Saturday that Yoon faces multiple charges, including abuse of power, obstruction of official duties, and falsifying government documents related to his unlawful imposition of martial law in December. Yoon, Park said, failed to convene the required full cabinet meeting before enacting the declaration and later submitted a fabricated document claiming support from the prime minister and defense minister.

Yoon has denied all charges.

The former president sparked national outrage and international condemnation when he ordered troops into South Korea’s National Assembly in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from rejecting his martial law decree. He was forcibly removed from office in January following weeks of defiance, during which he used presidential security forces to delay his arrest.

Though briefly released in March on procedural grounds, Yoon was rearrested last week after a new warrant was issued amid fears he would tamper with evidence. On Friday, he appeared in court seeking to have the arrest warrant lifted. His legal team argued that his limited mobility made it unlikely he would interfere with the investigation. The court rejected the appeal.

Yoon is already facing charges of leading an attempted rebellion, one of the gravest crimes under South Korean law, punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty. His trial on that charge is ongoing.

As the investigation expands, political tensions remain high. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Seoul and other cities on Saturday, voicing discontent with the government of President Lee Jae-myung, who took power in a snap election after Yoon’s ouster in June.

Many citizens accuse the new administration of failing to address the demands for transparency and justice that followed Yoon’s removal.

Katy Perry Nearly Falls Into Audience After Midair Prop Drops at San Francisco Show

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SAN FRANCISCO (BN24) — Katy Perry narrowly avoided a dangerous fall into the crowd Friday night after a stage prop malfunctioned during her concert at the Chase Center in San Francisco, prompting momentary alarm among fans and concert staff.

The 40-year-old pop star was performing her hit “Roar” while riding atop a giant butterfly prop suspended above the audience when the rig suddenly dropped several feet before catching again, according to fan videos widely shared on X, formerly Twitter.

The footage shows Perry abruptly stopping mid-song to regain her balance as the prop shook, then continuing her performance unfazed, drawing cheers from the stunned crowd. The incident occurred during the final portion of her set on the Lifetimes Tour, which she completed without further issue.

Perry appeared to acknowledge the scare the following day on Instagram Stories, posting a still image of her facial expression as the butterfly began to fall, captioned, “Good Night San Fran.”

Representatives for the singer have not publicly commented on the incident.

Friday’s prop malfunction is the second in recent weeks involving Perry. During a concert in Australia last month, a similar aerial mishap occurred when a flying sphere she was riding began to tilt mid-performance, forcing her to grip the supporting wires for safety, according to fan-recorded video.

Such high-concept stage setups have recently led to similar scares for other pop stars. In June, Beyoncé briefly halted a performance in Houston on her Cowboy Carter tour after her flying car prop malfunctioned while midair. “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me,” Beyoncé reassured fans from the stage.

Despite the growing trend of elaborate, suspended stage effects in pop concerts, Perry’s incident underscores the inherent risks of these high-wire performances. While no injuries were reported, fans and critics alike are now questioning the safety of such daring visuals in live shows.

Ukraine Proposes Fresh Peace Talks With Russia as Zelenskyy Offers to Meet Putin

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KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine has proposed a new round of peace talks with Russia for next week, in a renewed push to revive stalled negotiations aimed at ending the war that has dragged on for more than two years.

The offer comes after earlier rounds of talks in Istanbul in June yielded no breakthroughs on a ceasefire, though they resulted in prisoner swaps and the repatriation of fallen soldiers.

“Security Council Secretary [Rustem] Umerov also reported that he had proposed the next meeting with the Russian side for next week,” Zelenskyy announced in his nightly address. “The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up.”

Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly signaled his willingness to engage in direct diplomacy, again expressed openness to a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace – lasting peace,” he said.

Umerov, Ukraine’s former defense minister, was appointed last week to head the country’s National Security and Defense Council and is now spearheading Kyiv’s negotiation efforts. His appointment comes as Ukrainian forces continue to face mounting pressure on the eastern front, particularly in the Donetsk region where Russia is intensifying its offensive.

While the Kremlin has said it is open to continued talks, it has shown little sign of moderating its demands. In last month’s talks, Moscow reiterated sweeping conditions that included calls for Kyiv to cede additional territory and abandon all forms of Western military assistance—terms Ukraine has repeatedly dismissed as nonstarters.

The renewed offer from Kyiv follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent ultimatum to Moscow: reach a peace deal with Ukraine within 50 days or face harsh new sanctions. At the same time, Trump pledged to deliver additional military aid to Ukraine, supported by NATO allies, to help the country withstand Russia’s increasingly destructive airstrikes.

Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities continued over the weekend, killing at least three people on Saturday, according to emergency officials.

Zelenskyy’s fresh push for diplomacy comes amid growing international pressure to find a resolution, though both sides remain deeply entrenched in their positions. Whether Moscow will accept the invitation for another round of dialogue remains unclear.

Astronomer CEO Resigns After Viral Coldplay Concert Kiss Cam Sparks Company Scandal

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BOSTON (BN24) — The CEO of tech startup Astronomer has resigned after a viral video captured him embracing the company’s head of human resources on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert, sparking widespread backlash and questions over professional conduct.

Andy Byron, who led the Cincinnati-based data software firm since 2023, officially stepped down Saturday after days of scrutiny following the now-infamous moment projected on the Jumbotron during a Coldplay show in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kristin Cabot, the company’s HR chief, was also identified in the video, which circulated widely online and triggered a company review.

In a statement posted to LinkedIn, Astronomer confirmed Byron’s departure: “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”

The move follows the company’s announcement a day earlier that both Byron and Cabot had been placed on leave pending an internal review, as first reported by Axios.

Byron, who is married, had previously praised Cabot’s leadership in a 2024 hiring announcement, describing her as instrumental to scaling the company’s people strategy. Their relationship, now under intense public and media scrutiny, has raised concerns about workplace ethics, power dynamics, and corporate governance.

The viral kiss cam moment transformed what had been a relatively low-profile startup into an internet sensation. Online users were quick to identify the pair, leading to widespread debate over corporate responsibility and personal behavior in leadership roles.

In its latest message, Astronomer sought to shift the focus back to its core business, stating: “Before this week, we were known as a pioneer in the DataOps space, helping data teams power everything from modern analytics to production AI. While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not.”

The company emphasized its intention to move forward and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism: “We’re continuing to do what we do best: helping our customers with their toughest data and AI problems.”

Cabot’s employment status has not been updated, and Astronomer has not confirmed whether additional disciplinary action will follow.

The incident has reignited debate over workplace relationships and accountability among executive leadership, especially in the tech sector where scrutiny over ethics and governance remains high.

Man Charged With Hijacking Plane in Vancouver Airspace, Motive Linked to Climate Extremism

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BN24) — A Canadian man has been charged with hijacking a small aircraft and prompting a security alert that led to U.S. fighter jets being scrambled over British Columbia, in what police are now calling an ideologically motivated act.

Shaheer Cassim, 39, was charged with aircraft hijacking constituting terrorism following the Tuesday incident that began at Victoria International Airport and ended safely at Vancouver International Airport, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Investigators say Cassim took control of a Cessna 172 after threatening a flight instructor, then flew the aircraft roughly 40 miles across the Georgia Strait, triggering a swift security response.

Authorities said Cassim’s actions were driven by ideological motives, stating the suspect intended to disrupt airspace. “Investigators have determined the suspect acted with an ideological motive to disrupt airspace,” RCMP Sgt. Tammy Lobb said in a statement.

The hijacking forced the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to scramble two F-15 fighter jets as a precaution. Air traffic control recordings posted to liveatc.net captured the urgency of the moment, with one controller heard saying, “We have an incident right above our airspace here — a hijacked 172.”

The aircraft landed safely at Vancouver International Airport, where it was quickly surrounded by security vehicles. The airport halted all operations for 39 minutes, diverting nine inbound flights. Vancouver Airport communications head Stephen Smart told CBC News the response “could have lasted a lot longer” if not for the rapid coordination of emergency teams.

Online posts by a man matching Cassim’s identity show he had described himself as a “messenger of Allah” and claimed to have received divine revelations through the Angel Gabriel. He also warned of “abrupt runaway global warming,” predicting near-term human extinction. In the same posts, he claimed to be “Sam Carana,” the pseudonymous operator of the Arctic News blog, which focuses on extreme climate change scenarios.

Cassim previously worked as a pilot with KD Air, a now-defunct Vancouver Island-based airline. The former owners, Diana and Lars Banke, expressed shock at the charges. “He was one of the smartest and best pilots we had,” said Lars Banke. “He got bored and said he was going to medical school.” Diana Banke added that Cassim had been “like a kid” when he worked for them and had never expressed religious beliefs at the time.

The accused had previously drawn media attention in 2012 when he held a press conference before launching a cross-country bicycle campaign to raise awareness about climate change.

British Columbia Premier David Eby called the incident “a bizarre moment” and praised the responders’ ability to de-escalate the situation before it caused serious harm. “The fact that it ended without a more significant disruption at the airport is a testament to their skill,” he said.

The charges Cassim faces fall under Canada’s terrorism legislation. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence. A judicial process is expected to determine whether his ideological motives qualify under federal terrorism statutes.

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