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Oil Prices Surge as Markets Brace for Potential Iranian Retaliation

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Oil Prices Surge as Markets Brace for Potential Iranian Retaliation

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Global oil prices soared Sunday evening amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, reaching their highest point since President Donald Trump returned to office, as markets await Tehran’s response to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures surged more than 6%, hitting $78 per barrel, surpassing prices recorded on Trump’s inauguration day in January. The sharp increase is expected to trickle down to consumers at the gas pump, just days ahead of the busy Fourth of July travel weekend.

The average U.S. price for regular gasoline is already nearing $3.22 per gallon, approximately 10 cents higher than it was at the start of Trump’s term. Analysts say prices could climb further depending on how aggressively Iran chooses to retaliate.

The prospect of Iran disrupting traffic in the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, through which nearly 25% of global seaborne crude flows — has rattled energy markets. Though Iran’s parliament has voted in favor of closing the Strait in response to U.S. aggression, only a decree from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s appointee can make that decision legally binding.

The extent of Iran’s retaliation remains unclear. While Tehran has not formally acted against global oil shipments, Western intelligence reports suggest the Islamic Republic may opt for limited harassment tactics, such as targeting commercial tankers or escalating military presence near the Strait — rather than initiating a full-scale blockade.

Amid rising fears of regional escalation, the White House has reportedly signaled to Iran that no further strikes are imminent, according to officials familiar with backchannel communications. The Trump administration’s apparent attempt to de-escalate — while maintaining military readiness — is seen by analysts as an effort to contain oil market panic.

“This choreography underscores that both sides want to calibrate this crisis, not lose control of it,” said Scott Modell, CEO of Rapidan Energy Group. “We expect Iran’s response to be stage-managed: think harassment of commercial shipping, symbolic seizures of tankers, and limited rocket fire on U.S. outposts — but not a full-scale campaign to choke energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.”

While some in the industry are optimistic that alternative producers such as Saudi Arabia and U.S. shale operators can step in to stabilize the market, others warn that the worst may still lie ahead.

“True, these oil market dynamics indicate that investors have incorporated a greater risk premium to account for the increased probability of an oil supply shock,” said Roukaya Ibrahim, senior analyst at BCA Research. “Yet the more important question is whether this pricing adequately reflects the level of risk. Our sense is that crude price pressures will remain tilted to the upside over the near term.”

An extended disruption in Hormuz, even if not a full blockade, could easily push crude prices above $100 per barrel, potentially undermining Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda and reversing his earlier promises to cut fuel costs for American consumers.

As global leaders monitor the next move from Tehran, energy traders and motorists alike are bracing for more turbulence in the weeks ahead.

Kenyan Police Officers Charged in Death of Blogger Albert Ojwang as Protests Intensify

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Kenyan Police Officers Charged in Death of Blogger Albert Ojwang as Protests Intensify

NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — Three Kenyan police officers were formally charged with murder on Monday in connection with the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, whose killing in police custody has ignited a nationwide outcry over police brutality and misuse of state power.

Ojwang, 31, died earlier this month after being arrested for allegedly defaming Deputy Police Inspector General Eliud Lagat in a series of social media posts. While Lagat has denied any role in the incident, he temporarily stepped aside last week pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

The officers — Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani — appeared in court alongside three civilians who also face charges related to the case.

Authorities initially reported that Ojwang died of self-inflicted injuries, but an independent post-mortem examination contradicted that claim, citing blunt force trauma as the cause of death. The findings have sparked widespread public outrage and triggered mass protests across several cities, including Nairobi and Kisumu.

The case has become a symbol of rising anger toward Kenya’s security forces, who are frequently accused by rights groups of excessive force and extrajudicial killings with little accountability.

Tensions intensified last week when a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, was critically injured after being shot during a protest in Nairobi. Witnesses said Kariuki, who was selling face masks at the time, was shot at close range by a police officer attempting to disperse demonstrators.

Civil society groups condemned the shooting and described it as a continuation of a pattern of unprovoked violence by Kenyan security forces.

In response to Ojwang’s death and the mounting violence, activists have called for a nationwide shutdown on Wednesday, marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly crackdown on anti-tax demonstrations. Organizers say the event will highlight ongoing abuses by police and the state’s failure to enact reforms.

“Albert’s death must not be in vain,” said Lydia Atieno, a spokesperson for the National Human Rights Coalition. “This is about more than one case. It’s about a culture of impunity that has gone on for too long.”

The government has faced mounting domestic and international pressure to ensure accountability in Ojwang’s death and broader allegations of police misconduct. Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed it is investigating multiple incidents related to recent protests.

“The prosecution of these officers is a welcome but long overdue step,” said Amnesty International’s East Africa Director, adding that “it must be the beginning of systemic reform, not just a single response to public outrage.”

As protests continue to spread, Ojwang’s name has become a rallying cry for demonstrators demanding justice, transparency, and an end to police violence in Kenya.

Iran Says It Targeted U.S. Forces at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base in Retaliation for Nuclear Strikes

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Iran Says It Targeted U.S. Forces at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base in Retaliation for Nuclear Strikes

DOHA, Qatar (BN24) — Iran claimed responsibility Monday night for launching a direct missile attack on U.S. forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, declaring it a powerful act of retaliation following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.

The announcement aired on Iranian state television, accompanied by martial music and bold captions hailing the launch as “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”

The strike marks a significant escalation in the growing confrontation between Tehran and Washington, and is the first time Iran has admitted to attacking the Al Udeid base, a key U.S. and coalition military hub in the Middle East.

Shortly before Iran’s televised claim, explosions reverberated across Doha, with witnesses describing missile trails in the skies and loud detonations echoing through the Qatari capital. There was no immediate acknowledgment from Qatari authorities regarding the incident, though Qatar had preemptively closed its airspace earlier Monday amid escalating Iranian threats.

Al Udeid, located just outside Doha, houses U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters and is the largest American air base in the region. It also supports British and coalition forces.

A senior White House official confirmed Monday evening that both the White House and Department of Defense are closely monitoring threats to the Al Udeid base. “We are aware of credible threats and are taking all necessary precautions,” the official said.

Although no casualties or structural damage have been confirmed, the situation remains fluid, and U.S. officials are conducting assessments.

The reported strike follows the Trump administration’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan over the weekend. Iran’s military vowed retaliation, and Monday’s action signals Tehran’s readiness to escalate the confrontation into direct attacks on U.S. positions in the Gulf.

Military analysts warn that Iran’s direct targeting of U.S. assets in Qatar — a close American ally — dramatically widens the conflict’s scope and places additional pressure on regional powers to navigate an increasingly unstable security landscape.

“The attack on Al Udeid signifies Tehran’s willingness to push the confrontation beyond proxies and into the heart of America’s military infrastructure in the Gulf,” said one regional defense expert.

The Trump administration has yet to formally respond, but President Donald Trump warned Sunday of “additional action” if Iran refused to engage in talks over its nuclear program and regional military behavior.

As night fell over Doha, U.S. aircraft were reportedly on standby, and regional air defense systems remained on high alert. The full scale of Iran’s attack remains unverified, but its implications are being felt across the Middle East — and far beyond.

Explosions Rock Doha After Iranian Missile Attack on U.S. Base in Qatar

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Explosions Rock Doha After Iranian Missile Attack on U.S. Base in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar (BN24) — Multiple explosions echoed over the Qatari capital Monday evening after Iran launched a missile barrage targeting U.S. military assets in the Gulf, including the strategic Al Udeid Air Base, in what appears to be retaliation for American strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

A Reuters correspondent in Doha reported hearing several blasts over the city, as U.S. officials confirmed that Iran had fired at least six missiles toward American forces stationed in Qatar.

The Al Udeid base, located just outside of Doha and serving as the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), was under heightened alert for days amid warnings from Tehran. British military personnel also operate at the facility under a joint rotational agreement.

The attack follows the Trump administration’s weekend bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities — at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — an operation that Iran’s military leadership vowed to answer with force. Tehran had warned of “everlasting consequences” following what President Donald Trump described as a “spectacular military success.”

According to U.S. and allied sources cited by Axios and The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s latest strikes were aimed at undermining America’s regional posture and testing U.S. resolve amid a broader conflict that now openly spans multiple Middle Eastern territories.

The Pentagon has confirmed it is tracking a credible threat to U.S. bases across the Gulf, and satellite imagery reviewed by defense analysts shows that the U.S. had relocated over a dozen aircraft from Al Udeid in recent weeks, anticipating a possible Iranian reprisal.

“Al Udeid has been a primary concern since the Fordow strike,” a senior administration official told reporters. “We’ve taken every precaution to protect American lives and allied personnel.”

U.S. officials in Washington were seen convening emergency briefings Monday afternoon following the missile attack, though no American or allied casualties had yet been confirmed at the time of reporting.

The strike marks the first known direct missile attack by Iran on U.S. assets in Qatar, a country that hosts one of Washington’s most critical military installations in the region. Al Udeid’s 24-hectare compound not only directs U.S. operations across the Middle East but also houses key coalition command centers for partner nations.

Iran has previously relied on proxy militias across Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to carry out retaliatory strikes. But this move—firing from Iranian territory at a U.S. base in a Gulf state—represents a stark escalation and a significant strategic gamble by Tehran.

Iran’s retaliation comes amid rising tensions throughout the Middle East, as both Iran and Israel exchange long-range strikes. The targeting of Al Udeid underscores how vulnerable even heavily fortified Western assets have become, as Tehran’s missile capabilities evolve.

Military experts warn that Monday’s attack on Al Udeid could further destabilize the Persian Gulf, a region already on edge due to conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. It may also strain the strategic cooperation between Qatar and its Western allies.

While the Trump administration has emphasized that the U.S. does not seek a wider war, President Trump’s recent social media posts — including open musings about “regime change” in Tehran — have signaled a more aggressive posture.

As of Monday evening, search-and-rescue teams and damage assessment crews were reportedly mobilized at Al Udeid, while Qatari authorities maintained there was no immediate danger to civilians in Doha.

Further retaliatory steps by Iran or allied militia groups remain a concern, with CENTCOM officials warning of additional attacks in coming days.

U.S. Vows Kilmar Ábrego García ‘Will Never Go Free’ Despite Judge’s Release Order

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U.S. Vows Kilmar Ábrego García ‘Will Never Go Free’ Despite Judge’s Release Order

WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration declared Monday that Kilmar Ábrego García “will never go free” in the United States, despite a federal judge’s decision to release the Salvadoran national from criminal custody while he awaits trial on human smuggling charges.

Ábrego García, who entered the U.S. illegally as a teenager and was granted deportation protections in 2019, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March amid a sweeping immigration crackdown under the Alien Enemies Act, a centuries-old wartime law revived by the Trump administration. He was detained at the notorious Cecot mega-prison before eventually being returned to the U.S. earlier this month.

On Sunday, Judge Barbara Holmes ruled that federal prosecutors failed to demonstrate that Ábrego García posed a risk to minors, might flee, or would obstruct justice. She ordered his release from pretrial detention in Tennessee, where he faces federal charges related to a yearslong human trafficking conspiracy.

However, U.S. immigration authorities are expected to re-detain him immediately for removal proceedings.

“Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a dangerous criminal illegal alien,” said Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, in a social media post. “We have said it for months and it remains true to this day: he will never go free on American soil.”

Ábrego García, now in his 30s, faces a federal indictment accusing him of coordinating the movement of undocumented migrants from Texas to Maryland and other U.S. states more than 100 times between 2016 and 2020.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Federal prosecutors have also alleged that he is affiliated with the MS-13 gang, a claim his attorneys and Ábrego García himself have vehemently denied.

His initial deportation in March triggered outrage among immigration advocates and legal scholars after government attorneys acknowledged that he was removed due to an “administrative error.” Despite that admission, the Trump administration initially refused to facilitate his return to the U.S.

Only after a U.S. Supreme Court order mandated that the government “facilitate” his return did Ábrego García re-enter the country to face criminal prosecution.

Judge Holmes emphasized in her decision that Ábrego García’s release from criminal custody does not shield him from immigration detention, noting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) retains full authority to detain him and pursue deportation.

In 2019, an immigration judge granted him relief from deportation, ruling that he would likely face gang persecution in El Salvador. But with the Trump administration’s crackdown intensifying, legal experts say that earlier protections for asylum seekers and individuals with prior relief orders have eroded sharply.

Ábrego García’s current legal team is now battling on two fronts: defending him against human smuggling charges and seeking to halt any immediate deportation efforts by ICE.

Ábrego García’s case has drawn fresh attention to the Trump administration’s revival of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which has been used in recent months to fast-track deportations of non-citizens from countries the administration deems adversarial.

His arrest and deportation have become a symbol of the expanding powers of U.S. immigration enforcement, particularly under policies that seek to sideline judicial discretion and prioritize mass removals.

Legal advocates say that Ábrego García’s ordeal illustrates the potential for overreach, even as administration officials maintain that strict enforcement is essential to national security.

“The court recognized that Kilmar doesn’t meet the standard for pretrial detention,” said Emilia Rivera, one of his attorneys. “But unfortunately, we still face the possibility that he will be detained again—this time by ICE.”

As of Monday, immigration authorities have not confirmed the timeline for Ábrego García’s expected transfer to an ICE detention facility, but DHS sources have indicated that removal efforts are being actively pursued.

Kremlin Signals Readiness to Assist Iran as Tehran Weighs Response to U.S. and Israeli Strikes

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Kremlin Signals Readiness to Assist Iran as Tehran Weighs Response to U.S. and Israeli Strikes

MOSCOW (BN24) — The Kremlin signaled Monday that Russia is prepared to assist Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, but said any concrete help will depend on Tehran explicitly defining its needs.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Russia has extended an offer of mediation and remains committed to supporting Iran as it confronts direct military action from both the United States and Israel.

“It all depends on what Iran needs,” Peskov told reporters, according to state news agency TASS. “We have offered our mediation efforts. That’s a tangible step. And we’ve stated our position — that in itself is a significant form of support for the Iranian side.”

Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will hold talks Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the fallout from the U.S.-led bombing campaign and explore how Moscow might aid Tehran more directly.

“Just today, the Iranian Foreign Minister will meet with President Putin, where they will be able to exchange views in the wake of this traumatic escalation,” Peskov said.

The announcement comes just two days after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on three of Iran’s most guarded nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — marking a major escalation that pulled the United States into active participation in the ongoing regional war launched by Israel on June 13.

According to U.S. military officials, six bunker-buster bombs were deployed against Fordow, a fortified site deep within a mountain, while over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired at Natanz and Isfahan.

While Iran has yet to retaliate directly against U.S. military targets, its leadership has vowed vengeance and warned that the attacks have expanded the range of “legitimate targets”.

Moscow, which signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran earlier this year, has repeatedly warned against Western military intervention in the region, saying it risks plunging the Middle East into “an abyss of chaos.”

Though the treaty stops short of a mutual defense pact, Russian officials have indicated that support — logistical, political, or otherwise — could intensify if the situation further deteriorates.

Peskov did not elaborate on what form Russian assistance might take, but defense analysts have speculated that options could include intelligence sharing, diplomatic protection at the United Nations, or even military-technical aid such as electronic warfare or air defense support.

As Putin prepares to meet with Araghchi, Russia finds itself walking a strategic tightrope. While it remains one of Tehran’s closest allies, the Kremlin also maintains diplomatic and military ties with Israel, complicating its role in a rapidly escalating conflict.

Russia’s offer of mediation positions it as a potential broker in a crisis that threatens to ignite a broader regional war — one involving not just Iran, Israel, and the U.S., but also key oil chokepoints and international energy markets.

With Tehran demanding international condemnation of the attacks and signaling further retaliation, the coming days could determine whether Russia’s backing will remain diplomatic or evolve into more overt support for Iran’s war effort.

Israel Strikes Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site as Trump Hints at ‘Regime Change’ Following U.S. Bombing Campaign

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Israel Strikes Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site as Trump Hints at ‘Regime Change’ Following U.S. Bombing Campaign

JERUSALEM/TEHRAN (BN24) — Israel’s military confirmed Monday that it carried out airstrikes targeting Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, just days after the United States launched a barrage of bunker-busting bombs on the same facility. The strikes came amid soaring tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Jerusalem, with President Donald Trump openly speculating about a possible regime change in Iran.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its latest attack was aimed at “obstructing access routes” to the heavily fortified Fordow complex, which is buried deep within a mountain in Qom province. Iranian officials, through the IRNA and Tasnim news agencies, confirmed the strike but downplayed the immediate risk, stating there was “no danger or threat to citizens.”

In a bold escalation, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli forces were “striking with unprecedented force” against Iranian government facilities in Tehran, targeting what he called “regime oppression entities.”

According to a statement posted to social media and translated from Hebrew, the strikes included:

  • The Basij headquarters, the volunteer paramilitary arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  • Evin Prison, notorious for housing political prisoners and regime dissidents.
  • The “Destroy Israel” clock in Palestine Square.
  • Additional “regime targets,” such as internal security buildings and ideological command centers of the IRGC.

These strikes followed the Saturday night U.S. air assault that hit Iran’s three most sensitive nuclear installations—Natanz, Esfahan, and Fordow—with over 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

While U.S. officials have repeatedly denied that regime change is a goal, President Trump revived the conversation Sunday, posting to Truth Social:

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

He described the operation—codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer”—as a “spectacular military success,” and warned Iran that further aggression would be met with even greater force.

Despite the damage inflicted by the strikes, Iran has yet to respond directly against U.S. targets, though missile sirens sounded across Israel throughout Monday morning as Iran launched further salvos aimed at Israeli cities. The IDF reported successful intercepts but noted ongoing security risks nationwide.

The strike on Fordow, already damaged by the U.S. attack two days prior, underscores Israel’s determination to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and cripple its ability to reconstitute enrichment capabilities. Satellite imagery and intelligence assessments suggest significant structural damage, though Iran maintains that the site remains operational and vital to its energy ambitions.

The Fordow site has long been a focus of Western scrutiny due to its deep underground location and its suspected role in Iran’s high-level uranium enrichment program, capable of refining nuclear material to weapons-grade levels.

As diplomatic efforts falter and retaliatory threats mount, the latest escalation marks a dangerous phase in a conflict that now openly targets core state institutions in Tehran.

Whether Iran chooses to retaliate against U.S. forces, close the Strait of Hormuz, or escalate proxy warfare through regional allies remains unclear. However, both Israel and the United States appear prepared for a prolonged confrontation—with regime change no longer a whispered possibility but a debated policy direction.

With President Trump invoking nationalist rhetoric and Israeli strikes reaching deep into the capital, the situation inches ever closer to a broader war that could redraw the strategic landscape of the Middle East.

Netherlands Returns 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in Landmark Colonial-Era Restitution

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Netherlands Returns 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in Landmark Colonial-Era Restitution

BENIN CITY, Nigeria (BN24) — In a historic act of restitution, the Netherlands on Thursday returned 119 looted artifacts known as the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking the largest single repatriation of stolen African treasures from the colonial era.

The artifacts—among them human and animal figures, bronze plaques, ceremonial regalia, and a traditional bell—were formally handed over during a ceremony held in Edo State, the heart of the former Benin Kingdom. For decades, the items were held in Dutch collections, most prominently in the Wereld Museum in Leiden, after being plundered by British troops during the violent 1897 sack of Benin.

Addressing dignitaries and traditional leaders at the handover, Oba Ewuare II, the spiritual and cultural monarch of the Benin people, described the long-awaited return as a “divine intervention” and a powerful affirmation of the resilience of Benin’s heritage.

“These artifacts are not just art pieces. They are our history, our identity,” the Oba said, calling their return an answer to the prayers and persistence of generations of Benin people who never stopped demanding justice.

The repatriation follows years of diplomatic pressure and advocacy by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), which has spearheaded Nigeria’s global campaign to recover thousands of cultural artifacts looted during colonial conquests.

“This is the most significant return of Benin artifacts in a single gesture,” said Olugbile Holloway, director of the NCMM. “It sends a clear message: stolen heritage must be returned, no matter how long it has been kept.”

Marieke Van Bommel, director of the Wereld Museum, acknowledged the Netherlands’ role in housing stolen cultural property and said her country remains committed to correcting the wrongs of its colonial past.

“These pieces don’t belong in Dutch museums. They belong in Benin, where their cultural and spiritual value is immeasurable,” she said during the handover.

The Dutch return follows similar moves by other Western institutions, including the Horniman Museum in London, which returned 72 items to Nigeria in 2022, and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, which repatriated 31 objects the same year.

The Benin Bronzes—crafted with extraordinary artistic and metallurgical skill between the 13th and 19th centuries—were seized in 1897, when British forces led by Admiral Sir Henry Rawson razed the royal palace in Benin City, looting thousands of cultural treasures and exiling the reigning monarch, Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi.

The artifacts were later sold across Europe and the United States, ending up in private collections and museum displays from Berlin to Boston.

Their return marks more than a symbolic victory. For many Nigerians, it represents a broader reckoning with colonial plunder and cultural erasure, and a step toward reclaiming a stolen narrative.

Nigeria’s campaign to retrieve its cultural heritage has gained momentum in recent years as more institutions confront the moral and legal implications of colonial-era acquisitions. In 2022, Nigeria made formal requests for the return of hundreds of looted objects from global museums.

The latest return from the Netherlands is likely to galvanize further action. Holloway confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with museums in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to secure additional repatriations.

“The world is waking up to the injustice of cultural theft,” Holloway said. “Today is a victory not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and all nations seeking justice for their past.”

As the artifacts return to their rightful home, the Benin Royal Court and Nigerian authorities say they will be housed in a new museum complex in Benin City, currently under construction, that will honor their significance and ensure their preservation for future generations.

Death Toll Rises to 25 in Rare Church Attack Near Damascus Amid Fears of Extremist Resurgence

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Death Toll Rises to 25 in Rare Church Attack Near Damascus Amid Fears of Extremist Resurgence

DAMASCUS, Syria (BN24) — The death toll from a rare and deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church near Damascus has climbed to 25, Syrian state media reported Monday, marking one of the worst assaults on a religious site in years and highlighting growing concerns about Islamist extremist sleeper cells in the war-battered country.

The bombing occurred during Sunday morning’s Divine Liturgy at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dweil’a, a suburb of Damascus. The Syrian Interior Ministry said a gunman opened fire on congregants before detonating an explosive vest, leaving dozens dead and at least 63 others wounded. According to church officials, approximately 350 worshippers were attending the service at the time.

“This was a deliberate act of terror,” Father Fadi Ghattas told The Associated Press, adding that many of the wounded included women and children gathered for a major feast day in the Orthodox Christian calendar.

The attack drew swift international condemnation. The United States, the European Union, and several Middle Eastern governments denounced the bombing as a terrorist atrocity targeting Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

No group has yet claimed responsibility, but Syrian authorities immediately pointed to the Islamic State group, whose cells remain active in parts of the country despite the formal collapse of its so-called caliphate. Syria’s Interior Minister accused IS militants of exploiting the country’s instability to reignite sectarian violence.

The violence comes at a precarious moment for Syria, which has been under de facto Islamist rule since President Bashar Assad was ousted in December by a rapid insurgency that fractured the country’s power structure.

His successor, President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has struggled to consolidate control and has made appeals to non-Sunni minority groups, including Christians and Alawites, promising security and inclusion in a new political order. Sunday’s attack threatens to undermine those efforts by stoking fear among minorities already uneasy under a dominant Islamist leadership.

“Sleeper cells of extremist groups are the most serious threat facing Syria right now,” said a Damascus-based security analyst who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. “Their strategy is to destabilize the capital and weaken public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.”

Although church attacks were once common during the height of Syria’s civil war, Sunday’s bombing is the first such incident targeting a Christian site in years, underscoring a shift in violence from front-line clashes to urban terrorism. The targeting of Mar Elias, a centuries-old religious site, also carries deep symbolic weight for Syria’s Christian communities, who fear erasure amid growing Islamization of political life.

The Syrian Health Ministry confirmed the casualty figures late Monday and said medical teams remain overwhelmed, with many of the wounded requiring intensive care. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and carnage, with bodies scattered inside the church and survivors frantically searching for loved ones.

Calls for a transparent investigation and for greater protections for religious minorities have intensified. While Syria’s transitional government has pledged to bring those responsible to justice, experts say that sectarian and extremist violence is likely to continue unless there is a broader regional strategy to dismantle jihadist networks operating covertly within the country.

As the investigation unfolds, President al-Sharaa faces growing pressure from both domestic and international actors to prove that his government can maintain stability and protect all communities in post-Assad Syria.

For now, the people of Dweil’a mourn yet another tragedy, as churches across Damascus toll their bells in remembrance of those lost in the latest chapter of Syria’s ongoing turmoil.

Russian Attacks on Ukraine Kill at Least 10 and Injure Dozens as Kyiv Suffers Direct Missile Strikes

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Russian Attacks on Ukraine Kill at Least 10 and Injure Dozens as Kyiv Suffers Direct Missile Strikes

KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — A fresh wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight killed at least 10 civilians and injured dozens more, with the brunt of the damage and casualties reported in Kyiv, where a section of a residential building collapsed following a direct missile hit.

Ukrainian officials said the Kremlin launched a combined aerial assault involving 352 drones, 11 ballistic missiles, and five cruise missiles. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the majority—339 drones and 15 missiles—were intercepted, but enough penetrated to cause widespread destruction and loss of life.

Among the worst-hit areas was Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, where six people were confirmed dead. The blast reduced part of a five-story apartment block to rubble and left dozens of others wounded, including a pregnant woman rescued from a damaged high-rise. Mayor Vitali Klitschko described it as one of the deadliest attacks on the capital in recent weeks.

Rescue workers continued to dig through debris into Monday afternoon in search of survivors, with shattered cars and scorched debris littering the scene. Emergency officials said more than 30 people were injured in the capital alone.

The assault marked a grim echo of last week’s Russian strike, which killed 28 people, including 23 residents of a Kyiv apartment tower. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the renewed bombardment, saying it demonstrated Moscow’s intent to terrorize civilian populations and destroy morale.

“Russia continues its war against civilians with impunity,” Zelenskyy said, linking the latest barrage to Moscow’s use of foreign-supplied weaponry.

Preliminary Ukrainian assessments suggest that North Korean-made missiles were used in the attack. Zelenskyy denounced the growing alliance between Russia, North Korea, and Iran—the latter of which continues to supply Shahed drones for Russian use—as a “coalition of murderers.”

International leaders reacted with outrage. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the strikes evidence of Moscow’s “unlimited cruelty” and vowed further European sanctions. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, traveled to London for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with the war and future NATO support expected to dominate the agenda ahead of this week’s NATO summit in The Hague.

In Kyiv, shell-shocked residents described scenes of terror as missiles tore through neighborhoods. Oleksii Pozychaniuk, who lives in a neighboring building, recalled hearing the rocket’s approach: “We barely made it downstairs with my child. Everything was on fire, and the smoke made it impossible to see the neighboring building.”

Emergency personnel worked through the wreckage of collapsed buildings and destroyed vehicles, while dozens of volunteers helped clear glass and debris. Subway entrances, long used as shelters during Russian air raids, were also damaged, including Sviatoshyn station, where two people were lightly wounded.

The Russian onslaught extended beyond the capital. In the Chernihiv region, a short-range drone strike killed two civilians and injured 10, including three children. In Bila Tserkva, located 85 kilometers southwest of Kyiv, one person died and eight were wounded in a separate strike.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had shot down 23 Ukrainian drones overnight in what appeared to be a retaliatory exchange amid the intensifying air war.

Though Russia has escalated its military campaign along Ukraine’s 620-mile front line, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say its gains remain marginal. The latest strikes, they said, reflect Russia’s growing reliance on long-range missile and drone attacks to compensate for faltering ground operations.

“These attacks are about wearing down civilian morale, not battlefield success,” the institute said.

The use of Iranian and North Korean weaponry in Ukraine signals a deepening reliance by Moscow on its authoritarian allies. Western leaders are growing increasingly alarmed at the implications of these partnerships, with concerns that the Tehran-Pyongyang-Moscow axis could broaden the conflict’s reach.

For the people of Ukraine, however, the consequences remain immediate and devastating. In Kyiv and beyond, families are once again counting the cost of Russia’s escalating war of attrition, with no clear end in sight.

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