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Ukrainian Sniper Codenamed ‘Chili’ Emerges as Frontline Hero in War Against Russia

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Ukrainian Sniper Codenamed ‘Chili’ Emerges as Frontline Hero in War Against Russia

A Ukrainian sniper known only by her codename “Chili” has become a symbol of resistance in the country’s war against Russia, using her expertise with an armor-piercing rifle to neutralize threats on the frontlines. 

Chili, a trained sniper, serves alongside an all-male unit in Ukraine’s armed forces. Her weapon of choice is the Barrett .50 caliber semi-automatic sniper rifle, capable of penetrating body armor and disabling lightly armored vehicles. 

Chili trained extensively in Ukraine and Norway before taking on her first combat mission. She described the intensity of her role, saying, “The sniper’s task is to disarm the enemy. It doesn’t matter whether you kill or maim. The main thing is that he is no longer a threat.” 

Her first mission was fraught with danger as enemy fire came within 15 meters of her position. Despite the risks, Chili pressed on, realizing her suitability for the role. “When I got to the position, my comrade said, ‘No way—you have balls of steel.’ That was the moment I realized I was made for this job,” she said. 

Chili’s decision to fight has come at a personal cost, particularly within her family. Her two brothers fled Ukraine at the start of the conflict, a choice that has strained their relationship. She also has a 10-year-old son who understands her commitment but longs for her return. 

“My son draws pictures of me with a rifle and writes, ‘Mum, I love you.’ It’s nice, but it hurts so much,” she said. “I’m here so he won’t have to fight in the trenches someday. We must end this war now, not years later.” 

Chili has embraced the risks of her role, knowing snipers are often prioritized targets. “I’ve prepared myself for this. I know I can die,” she admitted. 

Her journey echoes that of historical Ukrainian snipers like Lyudmila Pavlichenko, who famously killed 309 Nazis during World War II. 

As the conflict continues, Chili remains focused on her mission but admits to uncertainty about life after the war. “I will be looking for myself for a long time because, apart from the army, I no longer know what to do,” she said. 

Source: the-sun.com

Liverpool Beat Ipswich Town 4-1 as Mohamed Salah Surpasses Thierry Henry’s Premier League Goal Record

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Liverpool Beat Ipswich Town 4-1 as Mohamed Salah Surpasses Thierry Henry’s Premier League Goal Record

Liverpool strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League with a commanding 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Anfield on Saturday. Mohamed Salah reached a new milestone, surpassing Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to become seventh on the league’s all-time scoring list with 176 goals. 

Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 11th minute with a precise strike from outside the box. Salah added his 19th league goal of the season shortly after, before Cody Gakpo netted twice, including a second-half finish that sealed the result. Ipswich managed a late consolation goal through Jacob Greaves, converting from a corner, though Liverpool’s defense, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, missed out on a clean sheet. 

The win puts Liverpool six points clear at the top of the table with 53 points, holding a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal. Meanwhile, Ipswich remains in 18th place, level on 16 points with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 17th. 

Despite Salah’s consistent performances, questions linger over the club’s failure to secure a contract extension for the Egyptian star. Salah now boasts 19 goals and 13 assists in the league this season, further highlighting his value to Liverpool’s title push. 

With a strong position in the Premier League and potential silverware in sight, manager Arne Slot may focus on multiple competitions as his side continues to deliver. For Ipswich, defensive frailties remain a concern, having conceded 10 goals in their last two matches. Manager Kieran McKenna faces a tough challenge to steer his team clear of the relegation zone. 

Manchester City Defeats Chelsea 3-1 After Early Defensive Error

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Manchester City Defeats Chelsea 3-1 After Early Defensive Error

Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, extending the Blues’ winless streak against City to 11 matches. An early defensive error from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov allowed Chelsea to take the lead before Pep Guardiola’s side staged a commanding comeback.

Khusanov, the first Uzbekistani player to feature in the Premier League, made his debut alongside fellow newcomer Omar Marmoush. Despite the fresh additions, City looked to recover from a recent 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea opened the scoring just three minutes in when Khusanov misjudged a looping ball, inadvertently setting up Nicolas Jackson, who laid it off for Noni Madueke to score into an empty net. The visitors nearly doubled their lead shortly after, but Cole Palmer’s misdirected pass stalled a promising counterattack.

Manchester City regained momentum as Phil Foden struck the post and Joško Gvardiol missed from a promising position. Gvardiol redeemed himself later, capitalizing on Matheus Nunes’ incisive run to equalize before halftime.

The second half saw City dominate. Erling Haaland missed a warning shot before converting a long ball from goalkeeper Ederson, chipping past Robert Sánchez. Haaland then assisted Foden for the third goal, solidifying the victory and marking Foden’s sixth Premier League goal in four matches.

The win lifted Manchester City to fourth place, while Chelsea dropped to sixth. The loss marks a setback for Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on his return to the Etihad Stadium.

9 South African Soldiers Killed as Eastern Congo Conflict Intensifies

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9 South African Soldiers Killed as Eastern Congo Conflict Intensifies

Nine South African soldiers have been killed in eastern Congo as fighting escalates between Congolese forces, U.N. peacekeepers, and M23 rebels, South Africa’s defense department confirmed Saturday. The clashes occurred as the Rwanda-backed insurgents advanced toward Goma, a city of over one million people near the Rwandan border. 

Congolese troops and their allies repelled an overnight assault on Goma, with heavy bombardment heard on the city’s outskirts. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the soldiers “put up a brave fight” to halt the rebels’ progress, adding that the M23 had been pushed back. 

The three-year M23 insurgency in the mineral-rich eastern Congo has intensified, with the group seizing more territory than ever before. The conflict has drawn warnings from the United Nations of a potential regional war. 

The fatalities include two U.N. peacekeepers and seven members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force, deployed to support Congo. The situation in Goma appeared tense but calm on Saturday, with residents cautiously resuming daily activities under heavy police presence. 

Amid the deteriorating security, the U.N. announced the temporary relocation of non-essential staff from Goma. The conflict has displaced over 400,000 people this year, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. 

The Congolese government, the United Nations, and other international entities have accused Rwanda of providing support to M23 rebels through troops and weapons—a charge Rwanda denies. The European Union on Saturday called for Rwanda to “cease its support for the M23 and withdraw.” 

The M23 previously captured Goma during a rebellion in 2012 but held less territory then compared to now. The group’s recent gains have alarmed regional and international actors, with the U.N. Security Council scheduled to discuss the crisis on Monday. 

The conflict’s resurgence has deepened the already critical humanitarian situation in Congo’s eastern provinces. Human Rights Watch warned Saturday of the growing risks to civilians in Goma, stating that “the humanitarian needs are enormous.” 

Pete Hegseth Confirmed as U.S. Defense Secretary After Narrow Senate Vote

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Pete Hegseth Confirmed as U.S. Defense Secretary After Narrow Senate Vote

Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the U.S. defense secretary on Friday following a historic 50-50 vote in the Senate, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. The confirmation marks a significant victory for President Donald Trump amid staunch opposition from Democrats and some Republicans to the controversial nominee. 

Hegseth, a decorated veteran and former Fox News personality, was sworn in on Saturday by Vice President Vance. In a statement to the military, Hegseth emphasized his commitment to “restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and re-establishing deterrence.” He outlined his priorities, including deterring aggression from Communist China in the Indo-Pacific and supporting the administration’s goal of responsibly ending wars while addressing key threats. 

The confirmation process was marked by intense partisan debate, with three Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell—joining all Democrats and independents in opposing the nomination. McConnell, who recently stepped down as the Senate’s Republican leader, criticized Hegseth’s qualifications, stating, “Mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these shoes.” 

Hegseth’s appointment is one of the most divisive in recent history, with critics questioning his managerial experience, temperament, and positions on women in combat roles. His confirmation is the second time a cabinet nominee has required a tie-breaking vote by a vice president, following Betsy DeVos’s confirmation as education secretary in 2017. 

Historians note the unprecedented nature of Hegseth’s selection for a role traditionally filled by candidates with significant bipartisan support and extensive experience managing large organizations. His leadership of the Pentagon is expected to face intense scrutiny as he seeks to implement substantial changes within the U.S. military. 

Nigerian Soldiers Kill 79 Militants and Suspected Kidnappers in Nationwide Operation

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Nigerian Soldiers Kill 79 Militants and Suspected Kidnappers in Nationwide Operation

Nigerian soldiers have killed 79 militants and suspected kidnappers over the past week as part of a military campaign targeting insurgencies in the northeast and violent armed groups in the northwest, the Nigerian army announced Friday. 

The operation, aimed at combating Boko Haram and other militant activities, also led to the arrest of 252 individuals and the rescue of 67 hostages held by insurgents, said military spokesperson Edward Buba. This effort is part of Nigeria’s heightened response to a conflict that has left 35,000 people dead and displaced over 2 million in the northeastern region, according to the United Nations. 

Kidnappings remain rampant in the northwest, where armed groups exploit the region’s weak security to attack villages and travelers. Victims are often released only after hefty ransoms are paid, adding to the region’s insecurity. The 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok by Boko Haram extremists drew global attention to Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with militant groups. 

The operation also addressed economic sabotage in the oil-rich south, where 28 suspects were arrested for crude oil theft. Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil producers, loses billions annually due to such theft. Between 2009 and 2020, the country lost over $46 billion to crude oil theft, according to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. 

Additionally, the military apprehended seven members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group advocating for an independent state in southeastern Nigeria. IPOB’s campaign revives echoes of the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War, during which an estimated 1 million people died. In November, one of its prominent figures, Simon Ekpa, was arrested in Finland for allegedly inciting violence online. 

Governor of Congo’s North Kivu Province Dies from Wounds Amid Intense Rebel Fighting

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Governor of Congo’s North Kivu Province Dies from Wounds Amid Intense Rebel Fighting

Maj. Gen. Peter Cirimwami, the governor of Congo’s North Kivu province, has died from injuries sustained while visiting the front line as fighting intensifies between Congolese forces and M23 rebels, officials said Friday. The conflict has brought M23 forces closer to Goma, a critical city of 2 million people and a hub for humanitarian and security operations. 

Cirimwami, who was also leading military operations in the region, sustained fatal injuries on Thursday during a visit to troops in Kasengezi, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Goma. He was evacuated to a hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The Congolese army spokesperson, Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, confirmed the governor’s death, stating, “He fell on the field of honor.” 

The death comes as M23 rebels continue their advance, capturing several key towns, including Sake, only 27 kilometers (16 miles) from Goma, cutting off one of the last main routes into the city. Fighting has escalated in Kibumba to the north and Sake to the west, displacing more than 178,000 people in the past two weeks, according to U.N. reports. 

The M23 rebel group, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, has been active in the mineral-rich eastern Congo for over a decade. The group seized Goma briefly in 2012 and has since sought to establish control over strategic territories. Congo, the U.S., and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23, allegations Rwanda denies. However, Rwanda acknowledges deploying troops to eastern Congo, citing border security concerns. 

The humanitarian impact is devastating. Tens of thousands of displaced people have fled to camps near Goma, which already host nearly 600,000 individuals. The U.N. refugee agency reports that the camps in Lushagala and Bulengo, located just meters from the front line, face imminent danger. 

In Goma, fear and uncertainty prevail. Heavy weapon explosions echoed through the city Friday, prompting widespread shop closures and increased police and military presence. Alliance Gentil, a 25-year-old mother of two, expressed her despair after being displaced multiple times. “I am fleeing, but I don’t know where I am going,” she said. 

The situation in eastern Congo remains dire, with the conflict contributing to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, displacing over 7 million people and leaving the region in turmoil. 

Police Shoot Man Who Set Himself on Fire Outside Tunisian Synagogue

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Police Shoot Man Who Set Himself on Fire Outside Tunisian Synagogue

A man who set himself on fire in front of the Grand Synagogue in Tunisia’s capital was fatally shot by police Friday evening, according to the Interior Ministry. The incident left a police officer and a passerby hospitalized with burns. 

The man ignited the fire shortly after sundown, coinciding with Sabbath prayers at the synagogue. According to the ministry’s statement, the man advanced toward an officer while engulfed in flames, prompting another officer to open fire to protect his colleague. Authorities have not disclosed the man’s identity or motive, only noting that he had a history of psychiatric disorders. 

The Grand Synagogue, located in central Tunis, stands as a significant symbol for Tunisia’s small Jewish community, which now numbers approximately 1,500 people. Historically, Jewish sites in Tunisia have faced sporadic attacks. 

In 2023, a national guardsman killed five people at the El-Ghriba synagogue, a 2,600-year-old Jewish site on the island of Djerba. Later that year, pro-Palestinian demonstrators vandalized a historic synagogue in El Hamma, and a garden outside a synagogue in Sfax was set ablaze. 

Tunisia’s history also bears the weight of another self-immolation, which sparked massive political change. The 2010 death of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, in protest against economic hardship and corruption, ignited the Arab Spring uprisings across the region. 

AP

Pakistani Court Sentences Four to Death for Blasphemy Over Social Media Posts

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Pakistani Court Sentences Four to Death for Blasphemy Over Social Media Posts

A court in Pakistan on Saturday sentenced four individuals to death for blasphemy after they were accused of posting sacrilegious content about Islamic religious figures and the Quran on social media. The defendants’ lawyer announced plans to appeal the verdict. 

Blasphemy laws in Pakistan mandate severe penalties, including the death sentence, for insulting Islam or its sacred figures. While no death sentences for blasphemy have been carried out in the country, such accusations often incite mob violence and vigilantism. 

Judge Tariq Ayub, presiding over the case in Rawalpindi, described blasphemy, desecration of the Quran, and disrespect toward holy figures as “unforgivable offenses,” allowing no room for leniency. In addition to the death sentences, the court imposed collective fines totaling 4.6 million rupees (approximately $16,500). Each defendant also received supplementary prison terms should their death sentences be overturned on appeal. 

Manzoor Rahmani, the lawyer representing the four defendants, criticized the court’s decision, citing insufficient evidence and procedural flaws. 

“The doubts and uncertainties in these cases are often overlooked by the courts due to fear of religious backlash or mob violence against judges if the accused are acquitted,” Rahmani said. “We are preparing to file appeals in the High Court.” 

Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy laws, enacted during the 1980s, make it a criminal offense to insult Islam, desecrate its sacred texts, or defame religious figures. Critics argue that the laws are frequently misused to settle personal disputes or target minorities. 

AP

Hamas Releases Four Female Israeli Soldiers in Exchange for 200 Palestinian Prisoners Amid Ceasefire

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Hamas Releases Four Female Israeli Soldiers in Exchange for 200 Palestinian Prisoners Amid Ceasefire

Four female Israeli soldiers captured during the attack that ignited the Gaza conflict were released by Hamas on Saturday and returned to Israel. The handover, facilitated by the Red Cross, was part of a prisoner exchange under a fragile ceasefire. In return, Israel freed 200 Palestinian detainees, including individuals convicted of deadly attacks.

TOPSHOT – Four Israeli hostages stand on a stage before Hamas fighters hand them over to a team from the Red Cross in Gaza City on January 25, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

The exchange took place in Gaza City, where the four soldiers were paraded before a large crowd in Palestine Square. Hamas militants, masked and armed, stood alongside the hostages as part of a public display.

The released Israelis later crossed into Israel, while thousands gathered in Ramallah to celebrate the return of the Palestinian prisoners. Some of the freed prisoners wore Hamas headbands and were greeted with cheers as they arrived in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel’s Prison Service confirmed the release of the Palestinian detainees, including 121 individuals serving life sentences. The exchange is the second under the ceasefire agreement brokered by international mediators. 

The deal faced a significant challenge on Saturday as Israel announced it would delay allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. Israeli officials cited the failure of Hamas to release a civilian hostage, Arbel Yehoud, as previously agreed. Hundreds of Palestinians had gathered near the Netzarim corridor, waiting to return north when Israeli forces reportedly shot and killed a Palestinian man. Palestinian medical officials confirmed the fatality, but Israel’s military has not commented.

The ceasefire, while holding, remains fragile as both sides navigate the complex terms of the agreement. The situation continues to unfold under the watchful eyes of international mediators and humanitarian organizations. 

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