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Capitol riot leaders Tarrio and Rhodes released after Trump pardons over 1,500

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Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes have been released from prison following President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. 

The two prominent leaders were freed within 24 hours of the announcement, part of Trump’s sweeping move to dismiss charges and drop pending cases against those involved in the riot. 

“My son, Enrique Tarrio, has been released officially as of now!” Zuny Tarrio shared on X, formerly Twitter. 

Rhodes, whose sentence was commuted but not pardoned, remains at a Washington jail awaiting the release of other defendants. Rhodes, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and Yale-educated lawyer, was convicted in 2023 of seditious conspiracy for directing Oath Keepers members during the riot. Although he did not enter the Capitol, he was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison. 

Tarrio, who also faced seditious conspiracy charges, was found guilty of orchestrating efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison despite not being in Washington, D.C., on the day of the riot. His sentence was the longest handed down in connection to the attack. 

In addition to the pardons and commutations, Trump signed an order instructing the Department of Justice to drop all pending cases related to the Capitol riot. Many defendants have been held in jail for over a year, with Trump frequently referring to them as “hostages” during his campaign. 

Edward R. Martin, a vocal advocate for the defendants, has been appointed as the acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., signaling Trump’s commitment to halting prosecutions. 

Outside the D.C. central jail, frustration mounted among families waiting for updates. Ben Pollock, whose children Jonathan and Olivia remain in custody, expressed confusion over the process. “Why haven’t they been released?” he said. 

Democratic leaders have criticized Trump’s actions, calling them an effort to rewrite history and downplay the violence of the Capitol riot, which resulted in multiple deaths. Trump, however, has repeatedly described the day as “peaceful.” 

Trump: Putin is ‘destroying’ Russia amid prolonged Ukraine war

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U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming his prolonged war on Ukraine is “destroying Russia.” Speaking to reporters on the first day of his second term, Trump urged Putin to pursue a peace agreement. Trump also reasserted his claim on his second day in office while speaking to the media when he presented a $500 billion AI project, StarGate.

“[Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy told me he wants to make a deal. I don’t know if Putin does… He might not. I think he should make a deal,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “I think Russia is in big trouble. You take a look at their economy, you take a look at their inflation. I got along with [Putin] great, but I would hope he wants to make a deal.”

Trump suggested Putin is struggling with the slow progress of the war, now entering its third year since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and nearly 11 years after the annexation of Crimea. “Most people thought it would last about one week, and now you’re into three years. It is not making him look good,” he said.

Journalists pressed Trump on his campaign promise to end the war on his first day in office. “I have another half of the day left,” he joked, but added, “I want to get it wrapped up soon.”

Trump claimed the war has resulted in nearly a million Russian soldiers killed and approximately 700,000 Ukrainian soldiers dead, adding, “Russia’s bigger—they have more soldiers to lose—but that’s no way to run a country.”

Ukraine has disputed Trump’s figures, stating it has lost over 43,000 soldiers, with more than 370,000 wounded. The Kremlin has not disclosed official casualty figures, but Ukrainian estimates suggest Russia lost 150,000 soldiers killed and over 400,000 wounded in 2024 alone.

9 Palestinians killed as Israeli Forces Launch Major Jenin Operation

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Nine Palestinians were killed and 35 injured as Israeli forces carried out a large-scale operation in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The operation, supported by airstrikes, drones, helicopters, and armored bulldozers, targeted the city and its refugee camp.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation, named “Iron Wall,” as an “extensive and significant” effort to “defeat terrorism.” Jenin has long been regarded as a stronghold for Palestinian armed groups.

Jenin’s governor, Kamal Abu al-Rub, called the operation an “invasion of the camp,” while Palestinian media reported heavy damage to infrastructure, including streets dug up by armored bulldozers. The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, said medical personnel were among the injured.

The violence highlights rising tensions in the West Bank, where incidents involving Israeli settlers have also escalated. Overnight, masked settlers attacked Palestinians in two villages near Qalqilya, injuring 21 people and destroying property, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Israel has increased operations in the West Bank, citing efforts to curb Palestinian attacks. Palestinian officials, including Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, condemned the Jenin raid as part of a series of “aggressive Israeli measures.”

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad called for increased resistance in response to the operation. Meanwhile, the U.S. reversed sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of attacks, a move criticized by Palestinian officials.

Air Force Sergeant Dies Sucked into Fighter Jet’s Engine at Taiwan Airbase

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A Taiwanese Air Force sergeant died after being sucked into a fighter jet’s engine during a routine inspection at Ching Chuan Kang Airbase, authorities confirmed. The tragic accident occurred as Sergeant Hu, a 17-year military veteran, was setting up wheel chocks for an Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) shortly after it landed.

Local media reported that Hu was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead. Aviation experts expressed surprise at the incident, stating that the engine should have been powered down before the wheel chocks were installed. The IDF engine’s relatively small opening, typically unable to accommodate a human, added to the mystery surrounding the incident.

An investigation is underway, with security footage from the hangar being reviewed for further details.

Similar accidents have occurred globally. In 2022, a mechanic in Iran was killed after being sucked into a Boeing passenger jet’s engine during routine maintenance. Another fatal incident involved airline worker Courtney Edwards, who died in December 2022 after being pulled into a jet engine at Montgomery Regional Airport, Alabama.

Mali rebel group releases Spanish national kidnapped in Algeria

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A rebel alliance in Mali announced Tuesday that it had freed a Spanish man who was kidnapped in southern Algeria last week. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a coalition of separatist armed groups based in Mali’s northern Tuareg region, confirmed the release of Gilbert Navarro, a Spanish citizen.

“The former Spanish hostage, Mr. Navarro Giane Gilbert, has been released by the FLA and is in good health,” said Mohamed Maouloud Ramaadan, a spokesperson for the group, in a statement posted on X.

Boubacar Sadigh Ould Taleb, the FLA’s communications officer, told The Associated Press that Navarro was abducted on January 17 by a “transnational mafia,” though he did not specify the group responsible.

Taleb explained that FLA fighters located Navarro and his captors near Indelimane, a town in Mali’s eastern Menaka region, over 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of the Algerian border. After surrounding the kidnappers, the FLA successfully negotiated Navarro’s release on Monday.

Taleb added that the freed hostage would be handed over to Algerian authorities soon to reunite with his family.

At least 17 dead in bus-truck collision in Ivory Coast

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At least 17 people were killed and several others injured in a crash involving a passenger bus and a freight truck in Ivory Coast on Tuesday, authorities confirmed. The accident occurred in Ponan-Ouinlo, a village located in the western part of the country, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. The bus, carrying 70 passengers, was involved in the collision, and 23 additional people were injured, reported the National Office for Civil Protection.

Photos from the scene revealed severe damage to the bus, with its roof completely caved in. Traffic accidents are a common occurrence in Ivory Coast, often attributed to poor road conditions and reckless driving. The Transportation Ministry reports that more than 1,000 people are killed in traffic accidents annually.

In a similar incident last month, 26 people died, and at least 28 others were injured when two minibuses collided and caught fire. To address road safety, authorities introduced a point-based driver’s license system last year, which reduces a driver’s points for violations. Cameras have also been installed on major roads to monitor and penalize offenders.

Nigerian Heroin and Crack Dealer Sentenced to Seven Years Imprisonment in UK-LIB

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A British-Nigerian drug gang leader Enoch Odubanjo, who exploited vulnerable people to flood Southend with class A drugs has been jailed in the United Kingdom.

Essex Police in a statement on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, said Odubanjo, 26, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Basildon Crown Court on January 14, after being arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of the drugs.

This comes after officers shut down the “Ace” and “Max” drug lines which had operated in Southend between August and November 2023.

They identified Odubanjo as the man behind these lines, finding that he played a significant role, driving runners and drugs between London and Southend in vehicles registered or leased in his name.

Odubanjo, of Egmont Street, New Cross Gate, London, was found to have exploited vulnerable people to run drugs for him.

The court was told Odubanjo expected to make a significant profit by selling drugs and even had plans to rent a flat at £2,000 per month, but this did not materialise.

“The reality of dealing Class A drugs isn’t glamorous and it doesn’t guarantee wealth or status,” Temporary Detective Inspector Rob Maile, of Operation Raptor South, said. 

“The judge in this case commented that the rewards for Odubanjo were perhaps not as high as he had hoped.

“Far from making a profit, he will now spend a number of years behind bars.

“Dealing drugs is a dangerous and risky business which attracts a significant prison sentence.

“We take a tough stance on drug supply because of the wider harm this trade causes.

“In Essex we know the trade in these substances fuels the majority of incidents of serious violence we see.

“The important message from our teams to the community in Southend and wider Essex will always be to report any drug activity you see.

“Even if you don’t see an immediate response, your reports are helping us to build solid cases against drug dealers like Odubanjo.”

Their investigation identified messages advertising crack cocaine and heroin to drug users in Southend.

Odubanjo enlisted Leanne Callaghan, 43, of Catford, London, who was captured on CCTV in October 2023 engaging in a drug deal in Southend.

The “Max” line was found to have sent out a bulk advertising message to almost 100 people.

The court heard she was in the grip of drug addiction, was suffering with health conditions and had been pressured into taking part in the operation.

She was given a 21-month suspended sentence at same court as Odubanjo with a rehabilitation activity requirement, after she admitted charges she was involved in running drugs on three occasions.

Odubanjo was convicted on both charges after a trial and jailed for seven years and six months. 

Copied: Linda Ikeji Blog

Tanzania Confirms Marburg Virus Case in Remote Northern Region

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Tanzanian authorities confirmed Monday that one sample from the Kagera region tested positive for Marburg virus, a highly contagious disease with a fatality rate of up to 88% if untreated. 

President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced the results in Dodoma, the capital, alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

WHO first reported a suspected Marburg outbreak on January 14, linked to eight deaths in the remote Kagera region. Tanzanian health officials initially disputed the report, citing earlier negative test results. 

Hassan said further testing confirmed one positive case of Marburg, while 25 additional samples tested negative. 

Marburg virus, which originates in fruit bats, is transmitted between humans through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, death from blood loss. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for the disease. 

This marks the second Marburg outbreak in Kagera since 2023 and comes just one month after neighboring Rwanda declared its outbreak over. Rwanda reported 15 deaths and 66 cases in its outbreak, most of them among health care workers treating early cases. 

Health officials in Tanzania, in coordination with WHO, are implementing containment measures and increasing public awareness to prevent the virus’s spread. 

Ohio State Captures National Title with Win Over Notre Dame 

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Ohio State clinched its first national championship since 2014, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the College Football Playoff (CFP) title game Monday night. The Buckeyes secured their sixth national title and became the inaugural champions of the expanded 12-team playoff format. 

The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Will Howard connected with receiver Jeremiah Smith on a 56-yard pass on third-and-11, sealing the victory. The play capped a dramatic season for Ohio State, which rebounded from a devastating loss to Michigan in late November to finish as champions. 

Trailing 31-7, Notre Dame staged a spirited comeback with two touchdowns and successful two-point conversions to narrow the gap to 31-23. With the Irish gaining momentum, Howard’s perfectly placed deep pass to Smith not only stopped the rally but also set up a field goal that extended the Buckeyes’ lead and ignited celebrations among their fans. 

“They were playing man coverage, and I told myself, ‘Let it loose and let him make a play,’” Howard said. Smith, a second-team All-American, finished the game with five catches for 88 yards and provided the critical play when it mattered most. 

Just seven weeks ago, Ohio State’s season seemed doomed after a 13-10 loss to Michigan, the Buckeyes’ fourth straight defeat in the rivalry. The loss sparked intense scrutiny of head coach Ryan Day, with many questioning whether he could continue leading the program. 

“It’s an incredible story about a group of guys who faced a lot of adversity and just kept fighting,” Day said. “When people counted us out, they kept swinging.” 

Ohio State entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed but exceeded all expectations, defeating higher-seeded teams in every round. The Buckeyes outscored opponents by an average margin of 36-21 over their four playoff games. 

The championship run highlighted the success of Ohio State’s strategy in utilizing the transfer portal. Howard, who transferred from Kansas State, threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the title game. Running back Quinshon Judkins, a transfer from Ole Miss, contributed 100 yards and three touchdowns, including a 70-yard burst in the first half that put the Buckeyes in control. 

“Judkins and Howard have been game-changers for us all year,” Day said. “Their contributions show how critical the portal can be in building a championship team.” 

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, who was attempting to become the first Black coach to win a national title in college football history, will face questions about key decisions in the game. A failed fake punt in the third quarter and a missed field goal attempt in the fourth quarter proved costly for the Irish. 

Despite the loss, Freeman remained optimistic about the future of his program. “We fought hard and gave ourselves a chance,” he said. “This will only make us stronger moving forward.” 

The victory marked the first time since 1942 that Big Ten teams won back-to-back national titles, following Michigan’s triumph last year. For Ohio State, the win not only ended a decade-long championship drought but also silenced doubts about Day’s ability to lead the program to the pinnacle of college football. 

With this title, Day joins the ranks of legendary Ohio State coaches like Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, and Woody Hayes. His redemption story is now firmly etched in Buckeye lore, alongside the triumphant return of Ohio State to college football’s mountaintop. 

Taliban Release 2 Americans in U.S. Prisoner Exchange 

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Two American citizens held by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been released in a prisoner exchange, officials said Tuesday. The swap involved Khan Mohammed, a Taliban figure sentenced to life in a U.S. prison on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, who was freed in return for the Americans. 

The exchange comes during a power transition in the U.S. as President Joe Biden handed over leadership to Donald Trump. The Taliban hailed the deal as a step toward normalizing ties with the U.S., although international recognition of their rule remains elusive. 

The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the exchange, noting that the two Americans, whose identities were not disclosed, were freed in return for Mohammed. Ryan Corbett, one of the Americans, was later identified by his family in a statement, expressing gratitude for his release after being detained by the Taliban for over two years. 

“Our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise to God for bringing Ryan back home,” the family said, thanking both Presidents Trump and Biden for their roles in securing his release. They also credited Qatar for its vital role in mediating the exchange. 

Qatari officials declined to discuss the specifics of the deal but reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating such negotiations. 

The second American was identified by U.S. officials as William McKenty, though details about his case remain sparse. 

Khan Mohammed, 55, was convicted in 2008 on charges of drug trafficking and assisting terrorism. He was the first person convicted under U.S. narco-terrorism laws. The Taliban celebrated his return with a public welcome in Nangarhar province, where he expressed joy at reuniting with his family and “Muslim brothers.” 

Photos released by the Taliban showed Mohammed adorned with garlands upon his return. 

The Biden administration had been working to secure the release of additional Americans believed to be held by the Taliban, including George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi. Both men disappeared in Afghanistan under unclear circumstances. 

Habibi’s family welcomed the latest exchange but urged the Trump administration to intensify efforts to bring him home. 

“We know Trump is about results, and we have faith he will use every tool available to get Mahmood home,” said Habibi’s brother, Ahmed. 

The Taliban characterized the exchange as a positive step toward improving relations with the U.S. 

“The Islamic Emirate views such actions as opportunities for normalization and development of ties between the two countries,” the Taliban said in a statement. 

However, the group remains internationally isolated, with billions in assets frozen and widespread condemnation of its restrictive policies, particularly regarding women’s rights. 

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