Home Blog Page 451

Fuel Tanker Explosion Kills At Least 70 in Nigeria

admin
-
0
Fuel Tanker Explosion Kills At Least 70 in Nigeria

A petrol tanker truck explosion in northern Nigeria killed at least 70 people and injured dozens more on Saturday, according to the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). 

Firefighters extinguish fire from a tanker that exploded in Suleja, Nigeria, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Arise News)

The incident occurred in Niger State after the tanker overturned, spilling fuel that ignited and caused widespread destruction. Officials reported that over 70 bodies had been recovered, 56 people were injured, and more than 15 shops were destroyed in the blast. 

“The injured have been transported to hospitals for treatment, while recovery efforts for the deceased are ongoing,” NEMA said in a statement. 

Local residents and officials were seen digging graves Saturday night to bury victims in line with Islamic traditions. Niger is a predominantly Muslim state in Africa’s most populous country. 

Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander for Niger State, said many victims were impoverished locals who had gathered to collect fuel from the overturned truck despite warnings. 

“A large crowd of people gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them,” Tsukwam said in a statement, adding that firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze. 

The accident mirrors a similar tanker explosion in Jigawa State last October, which claimed 147 lives and ranks among Nigeria’s worst fuel-related disasters. 

Such incidents are common in Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, where poverty and unsafe practices often lead to fuel-related tragedies. The country is grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis, worsened by the removal of a decades-old fuel subsidy in May 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. 

The subsidy’s removal has led to a more than 400% increase in petrol prices, pushing many Nigerians into deeper economic hardship. 

Bologi Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Niger State governor, urged residents to prioritize safety during fuel tanker accidents. 

reuters

Trump to Issue Executive Order to Extend TikTok U.S. Ban Deadline

admin
-
0
Trump to Issue Executive Order to Extend TikTok U.S. Ban Deadline

President-elect Donald Trump announced Sunday he will issue an executive order Monday granting TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, more time to find an approved buyer before the popular video-sharing app faces a permanent U.S. ban. 

The announcement follows the app’s removal from Apple and Google digital stores in compliance with a federal law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by Sunday due to national security concerns. Millions of users in the United States reported they could no longer access the app as of Saturday night. 

In a Truth Social post, Trump said his order would “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” and ensure that companies maintaining TikTok services before the executive order would not face legal liability. 

“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump wrote. 

The law, passed with bipartisan support in April and signed by President Joe Biden, allows the sitting president to grant a 90-day extension if credible negotiations for a sale are underway. ByteDance has declined to sell TikTok despite receiving offers, with Trump suggesting Sunday that he favors a joint venture with 50% U.S. ownership, though specifics were unclear. 

“By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up,” Trump said. “Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it could be worth trillions.” 

The federal law stems from concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and potential risks to national security. ByteDance’s legal challenge to the ban on First Amendment grounds was dismissed last week when the Supreme Court upheld the statute. 

On Saturday night, TikTok users attempting to access the platform were met with a message explaining the app’s unavailability due to the law. The ban prevents app store downloads but allows users with existing installations to retain access temporarily. Experts said updates to the app would eventually cease. 

Content creator Tiffany Watson, 20, expressed frustration over the disruption, noting she plans to shift her focus to Instagram and YouTube. 

“The community on TikTok is like nothing else, so it’s weird to not have that anymore,” Watson said Sunday. 

Incoming TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration Monday. In a video posted Saturday, Chew thanked Trump for his commitment to resolving the issue and preserving the platform for its 170 million U.S. users. 

Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Michael Waltz, confirmed the president-elect discussed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the weekend. The two leaders reportedly agreed to work together to resolve the situation. 

Investors, including former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary, have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance, however, has yet to identify a clear buyer. 

TikTok’s suspension has drawn criticism in China, where commentators accused the U.S. of suppressing free speech. Hu Xijin, a former editor at the state-run Global Times, said the ban marked “the darkest moment in the development of the internet.” 

TikTok does not operate in China, where ByteDance runs Douyin, a similar app subject to Beijing’s censorship laws. 

While Trump’s executive order aims to facilitate negotiations and prevent TikTok from going permanently offline, the controversy highlights the ongoing tension between technology, national security, and free speech. 

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live Updates: First Three Hostages Released from Gaza Safely Return to Israel

admin
-
0
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live Updates: First Three Hostages Released from Gaza Safely Return to Israel

Israel’s military has confirmed that the first three hostages released by Hamas have safely crossed into Israeli territory. 

The hostages, identified as Doron Steinbrecher, 31, dual British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, and Romi Gonen, 24, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City before being transferred to Israeli military custody. 

“A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, the released hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated. “They are now at an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will undergo medical assessments.” 

The IDF also released footage of the emotional reunion between the hostages and their mothers at the Re’im military base near the Gaza Strip, highlighting the relief and joy of families after 15 months of separation. 

In exchange for the three hostages, 90 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released from Israeli custody. Live footage from outside Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank showed Red Cross vehicles entering the facility to collect the prisoners. 

Hamas, which controls Gaza, reportedly orchestrated the hostage transfer as part of a broader ceasefire agreement. The group aimed to reinforce its dominance in Gaza amid growing tensions and opposition from rival factions. 

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the ceasefire, calling it a significant step forward. “After so much pain, death, and loss of life, today the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” Biden said. He also stated that Hamas has been significantly weakened, with its leadership destabilized. 

Experts warn that hostages returning from Gaza may face severe physical and psychological trauma. Prof. Hagai Levine of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized the multi-systemic health impacts of captivity, including malnutrition, infections, and mental health challenges. Israeli medical facilities are prepared to provide comprehensive care, with hostages being transported to hospitals across the country based on their condition. 

This development marks the first stage of a negotiated hostage release that will continue in the coming weeks, as 33 hostages are expected to return to Israel. 

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sells Late Girlfriend Kim Porter’s Los Angeles Home for $6.5 Million

admin
-
2
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sells Late Girlfriend Kim Porter’s Los Angeles Home for $6.5 Million

Hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold a nearly 10,000-square-foot Los Angeles home for $6.51 million. The Toluca Lake property was home to Kim Porter, an actress and model who shared three children with Combs and lived there until her passing in 2018 at the age of 47. 

The six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom home is located on half an acre in the prestigious San Fernando Valley neighborhood, approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Porter tragically died from pneumonia on the property. 

The traditional-style estate, described as “one of the largest and grandest homes in Toluca Lake” by the listing agent Carl Gambino of Compass, features a two-story entry foyer with a gallery level, a great room with a fireplace that opens to the pool and spa area, and a spacious eat-in kitchen. Other amenities include a media room, an outdoor fireplace, a sports court, and a three-car garage. 

The six bedrooms showcase bold and vibrant color palettes, including black, aqua, and bright pink, as highlighted in listing photos. 

Diddy, a three-time Grammy-winning artist known for hits like *I’ll Be Missing You* and *It’s All About the Benjamins*, purchased the property in 2009 for $5.25 million through a limited liability company associated with one of his longtime advisors. 

The sale was facilitated by Ted Fleming of Rodeo Realty, who represented the buyer. Neither Gambino nor Fleming commented on the transaction, and property records have yet to reveal the buyer’s identity. 

Porter lived in the residence with the couple’s three children until her untimely death. The sale marks the end of an era for the home, which was central to their family life. 

Colombia Suspends Peace Talks with ELN Rebels, Accuses Group of War Crimes

admin
-
0
Colombia Suspends Peace Talks with ELN Rebels, Accuses Group of War Crimes

Colombia has suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the second time in less than a year, accusing the rebel group of being responsible for recent violence in the northeastern region of Catatumbo.

President Gustavo Petro announced the halt in negotiations on Friday, stating on his X account, “The dialogue process with this group is suspended, the ELN has no will for peace.” The suspension comes amid escalating clashes between the ELN and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Catatumbo, a region near the Colombia-Venezuela border.

The ELN has been expanding into areas left behind by FARC after the latter’s peace deal with the government in 2016. On Thursday, a former FARC leader accused the ELN of killing at least four former rebels. Authorities have launched an investigation into additional deaths.

President Petro condemned the ELN’s actions, calling them “war crimes” but did not provide further details on the allegations. The Colombian government previously suspended peace talks with the ELN in September 2022 after blaming the group for the deaths of two soldiers.

The peace negotiations began in November 2022 when Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, initiated talks with the ELN and other armed groups as part of his “total peace” policy. The ELN, founded in the 1960s by union leaders and university students inspired by the Cuban Revolution, is estimated to have around 6,000 fighters in Colombia and Venezuela. The group funds its activities primarily through drug trafficking and illegal gold mining.

Bolivian Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Evo Morales in Sex Abuse Case

admin
-
0
Bolivian Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Evo Morales in Sex Abuse Case

A Bolivian judge has issued an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales after he failed to attend a court hearing regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor. The case claims Morales, 65, had a child with a teenage girl in 2016, a relationship that would qualify as statutory rape under Bolivian law.

Judge Nelson Rocabado, speaking after a hearing in the southern region of Tarija, confirmed the warrant for Morales’ search and arrest. The alleged victim resides in this area, and Morales’ absence from court proceedings has led to increased legal pressure.

Morales, who has denied the allegations, dismissed the case as part of a “legal warfare” orchestrated by his political rival, President Luis Arce. He further claimed he was being targeted due to their growing political tensions, particularly as both leaders vie for control of Bolivia’s ruling party ahead of the August presidential elections.

In December, the Bolivian prosecutor’s office had already ordered Morales’ detention, but Friday’s warrant escalated the situation. Morales is believed to be barricaded in Chapare, his stronghold in central Bolivia, where he remains protected by security forces and the local coca growers’ union.

A group of women outside the courthouse on Friday displayed banners reading, “Evo Morales abuser, girls are not to be touched,” voicing their support for the victim.

Sandra Gutiérrez, the prosecutor handling the case, stated that they would now investigate whether Morales committed a crime by failing to appear in court. Morales’ defense team had previously cited health concerns, including bronchopneumonia and heart conditions, but the judge dismissed these excuses, asserting that the ailments were treatable.

As of now, neither Morales nor President Arce have commented publicly on the arrest order.

AI Brad Pitt Scam Leaves Woman Homeless After £700k Lost to Fraudster Posing as Actor

admin
-
0
AI Brad Pitt Scam Leaves Woman Homeless After £700k Lost to Fraudster Posing as Actor

A woman who fell victim to an elaborate scam involving an AI impersonating Hollywood star Brad Pitt has been left homeless and penniless after handing over nearly £700,000 for fake cancer treatment.

The victim, identified only as Anne, sent the money after being convinced she was helping the actor through a difficult divorce and health battle. A lawyer for the woman is now calling for compassion, as Anne has been subjected to intense online ridicule, leading her to delete her social media profiles.

Laurène Hanna, Anne’s Paris-based lawyer, said the situation highlights the risks of online fraud. “Anne is not the only one to fall for such a scam,” Hanna remarked. “What my client needs now is support and dignity during this difficult time.”

Anne, an interior designer, initially came into contact with the scammer after sharing photos from a lavish ski trip on Instagram. She was contacted by someone posing as Brad Pitt’s mother, followed by messages from an account claiming to be the actor himself. Over time, their relationship deepened with exchanges of love poems and frequent communication via AI-generated images and videos of Pitt, who allegedly required funds for urgent cancer treatment.

The scam escalated when “Brad” asked Anne to contribute up to £7,566 to receive gifts. He claimed that his ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie had made him unable to access funds for the medical treatment he desperately needed. Despite some initial doubts, Anne sent the money after being reassured by the AI-generated content and text conversations.

Her suspicions were ultimately raised after seeing real photos of Brad Pitt with his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, in the media. The authorities have since launched an investigation into the fraud.

Anne’s mental health has suffered as a result of the scam and subsequent online attacks. She has revealed that she attempted suicide three times before seeking professional help and checking into a mental health clinic.

Two Prominent Iranian Judges Killed in ‘Planned Assassination’ in Tehran

admin
-
0
Two Prominent Iranian Judges Killed in ‘Planned Assassination’ in Tehran

Two senior Iranian Supreme Court judges were shot dead in Tehran in what authorities have described as a “planned assassination.” The assailant, who had no pending legal cases according to state media, took his own life after the attack. 

The judiciary’s media office stated that the attacker carried out the killings inside a court building and attempted to escape before committing suicide. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir confirmed that a guard was injured during the incident, according to reports from the Mizan News Agency. 

The victims, Judge Mohammad Moghiseh and Judge Ali Razini, were long-serving justices known for their roles in high-profile cases involving political activists, artists, and protesters. 

Judge Moghiseh had faced international sanctions for his judicial actions. The United States sanctioned him in 2019, accusing him of overseeing trials marked by unsubstantiated charges and the dismissal of evidence. The European Union had imposed sanctions on him earlier in 2011. 

Moghiseh was known for issuing harsh sentences, including sentencing eight Iranian Facebook users to a combined 127 years in prison for alleged anti-regime activities and religious insults. He also convicted filmmakers, poets, and activists on charges of “propaganda against the state.” In 2019, he sentenced prominent human rights lawyer and women’s rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes, according to Amnesty International. 

Judge Razini had previously survived a 1999 assassination attempt when a bomb was attached to his vehicle. He was also accused of being part of the infamous “Death Commission,” a committee that oversaw the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. 

The incident highlights growing tensions and raises questions about security within Iran’s judiciary. 

Pakistani Court Sentences Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan and Wife in Corruption Case

admin
-
0
Pakistani Court Sentences Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan and Wife in Corruption Case

A Pakistani court on Friday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, after finding them guilty in a high-profile corruption case, according to officials and Khan’s lawyer. 

The couple was accused of accepting land as a gift from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for laundered money during Khan’s tenure as prime minister. Prosecutors alleged that Riaz used funds—amounting to £190 million ($240 million)—returned to Pakistan by British authorities in 2022 to pay fines imposed on him in an unrelated case. Instead of depositing the money into the national exchequer, the funds were allegedly misused in the deal involving Khan and his wife. 

Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the charges as politically motivated efforts by his rivals to block his return to office. Since his arrest in 2023, he has maintained that the cases against him are part of a broader conspiracy. 

The verdict comes after Khan’s earlier convictions in three other cases, including corruption, revealing official secrets, and violating marriage laws. He received sentences of 10, 14, and seven years in those cases. However, under Pakistani law, his sentences will be served concurrently, with the longest sentence determining the total duration. 

Imran Khan, who was removed from office in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote in parliament, continues to face mounting legal challenges as his political future remains uncertain. 

Magic Bus’ Survives Southern California Wildfires

admin
-
0
Magic Bus’ Survives Southern California Wildfires

Amid the devastation caused by Southern California wildfires, a bright blue vintage Volkswagen van has become a symbol of resilience. The van, nicknamed “Azul,” emerged unscathed in a Malibu neighborhood devastated by flames. 

The 1977 van belongs to surf and skateboard designer Megan Krystle Weinraub, who expressed disbelief at its survival. “I just can’t believe my bus is the only thing that survived on the street I walked every day with my dog,” Weinraub told CNN. 

Weinraub named the van “Azul,” the Spanish word for “blue.” The van was previously owned by her friend Preston Martin, who lived in it for a year. Just days before the fires, the pair had taken Azul on a surfing trip in Malibu. Martin described the van as a beacon of hope, marveling at how it remained untouched while everything around it was destroyed. 

Time Out has released its list of the world’s 50 best cities for 2025, naming Cape Town, South Africa, as the top destination. With its breathtaking natural beauty, colorful architecture, and a unique penguin colony, Cape Town stands out as a must-visit location for travelers. 

Other cities on the list include Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, which are already beloved tourist destinations. However, cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Almaty, and Pittsburgh have also gained attention for their unique offerings. Ho Chi Minh City, the vibrant commercial hub of Vietnam, offers chaotic charm. Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former Soviet-era metropolis, is emerging as a cultural hotspot. Pittsburgh, often referred to as the “Paris of Appalachia,” is known for its striking Golden Age architecture and warm hospitality. 

Two of the world’s largest religious events are set to attract massive crowds in 2025. In Rome, over 35 million visitors are expected for the Catholic Jubilee, a year-long celebration that provides pilgrims with the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Preparations are already underway in the Eternal City. 

In India, the Maha Kumbh Mela, recognized as the world’s largest religious festival, will take place in Prayagraj. This awe-inspiring event is expected to draw 400 million people as pilgrims gather to bathe in the sacred waters where three holy rivers meet. 

1...450451452...969Page 451 of 969