Home Blog Page 479

NDLEA Seizes 1,960kg of Cannabis at Lagos Beach, Arrests Six Foreign Nationals

admin
-
0
NDLEA Seizes 1,960kg of Cannabis at Lagos Beach, Arrests Six Foreign Nationals

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted two boats carrying 1,960 kilograms of cannabis, known as “Ghanaian Loud,” at Eleko Beach in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, during a midnight operation on Christmas Eve. Six foreign nationals involved in smuggling the drugs from Ghana via waterways were arrested. 

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrests in a statement released Sunday. Among the suspects are two Ghanaians, Godsway John (38) and Freedom Kelvin (33), as well as four Beninese nationals: Chegoun Hounsou (23), Gadabor Nyameto (47), Adantg Sasa (34), and Ayao Kayivi (21). 

“Operatives of the Marine Command of NDLEA at 2:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, 24th December, intercepted two boats loaded with 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at Eleko Beach in the Lekki area of Lagos,” Babafemi said. 

In another operation, a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Arthur, was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 22 while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris. Orizu was flagged during passenger clearance after refusing a body scan on medical grounds. 

Babafemi revealed that Orizu excreted 74 wraps of Class A drugs over seven days in custody. The suspect, who owns a shop at Balogun Market in Lagos, claimed he was promised €3,000 for delivering the drugs in Paris. 

In Katsina, two suspects were arrested in separate operations for possession of compressed cannabis sativa. On Christmas Day, 35-year-old Ibrahim Shaibu was caught with 40 album-size parcels of cannabis weighing 35kg at Central Motor Park, Katsina. Another suspect, Umar Ahmed (47), was arrested along the Zaria-Malumfashi road with 27 parcels weighing 13.5kg on December 28. 

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a location in Benin City on December 23, leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Kosisochukwu Ozigbo. Recovered items included 32,490 tramadol pills of varying strengths, 936 bottles of codeine-based syrup, and other opioids. 

Punchng

Israeli Forces Order Evacuation in Beit Hanoun Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

admin
-
0
Israeli Forces Order Evacuation in Beit Hanoun Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

Israeli forces ordered the evacuation of residents in Beit Hanoun, a town in northern Gaza, on Sunday as part of an ongoing offensive. The military cited rocket fire from the area by Palestinian militants as the reason for the order, residents reported.

The evacuation order triggered a new wave of displacement, though the exact number of affected individuals remains unclear. Israel’s nearly three-month-long campaign in northern Gaza targets Hamas militants, with the goal of preventing them from regrouping. The Israeli military stated that evacuations are intended to protect civilians from harm.

However, Palestinian and United Nations officials argue that no area in Gaza is safe and that the mass evacuations have exacerbated the region’s already dire humanitarian conditions. Much of northern Gaza, including Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahiya, has been depopulated and demolished, fueling concerns that Israel may seek to establish a permanent buffer zone in the area.

The Israeli military confirmed a renewed push into Beit Hanoun on Saturday. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that it lost contact with individuals trapped in the town, and its teams were unable to access the area due to ongoing military operations.

On Friday, Israeli forces raided Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, claiming that militants were using the facility. Hamas denied the accusation. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the raid put the hospital, one of the last functioning medical centers in the region, out of service. Patients were evacuated to the Indonesian Hospital, which was also non-operational, and other medical facilities, while medical personnel were unable to join them.

In another incident on Sunday, an Israeli tank shell struck the upper floor of Al-Ahly Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, damaging its X-ray division, according to health officials.

Palestinian health authorities reported that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 16 people across Gaza on Sunday. One attack on Al-WAFA Hospital in Gaza City killed seven people and injured several others. The Israeli military said the strike targeted members of Hamas’ “Aerial Defence Unit,” claiming the facility was no longer a hospital and had been used for military operations.

Since the start of the conflict, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 45,300 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza. With most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced, much of the territory is in ruins.

The war began after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Chad Holds Parliamentary Election Amid Opposition Boycott

admin
-
0
Chad Holds Parliamentary Election Amid Opposition Boycott

Chadians cast their votes Sunday in parliamentary and regional elections aimed at ending a three-year military-led transition period, though the process was marked by a boycott from key opposition parties who accuse authorities of failing to ensure a credible vote.

This parliamentary election, Chad’s first in over a decade, comes months after junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby secured a controversial presidential victory intended to restore democracy. Deby took power in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled the oil-rich but impoverished country for 30 years.

With 8 million registered voters, the election seeks to fill 188 seats in the new National Assembly, alongside provincial and municipal roles. Results are expected in approximately two weeks.

However, over 10 opposition parties, including the Transformers Party led by Succes Masra, have boycotted the election, calling it a sham. Masra, who placed second in the presidential election, urged voters to stay home, citing concerns of electoral fraud. “It is better to stay at home,” he said on Saturday.

The Group of the Cooperation of Political Actors (GCAP), another opposition coalition, also refused to participate, describing the election as a means to solidify Deby’s grip on power. “Presenting candidates… is to endorse a forced power which seeks to be legitimate,” said GCAP spokesman Max Kemkoye.

The vote concludes a lengthy transitional period that included a 2022 national dialogue and a constitutional referendum in 2023. Political analyst Mahamat Oumar Adam said the election is critical to avoid extending the transition indefinitely but noted that the lack of opposition representation undermines the process.

Chad, a nation of 18 million, faces growing security concerns, including militant attacks by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region and the fallout from a recent rift with France, its long-standing ally.

AP

Suicide Bomber Kills Police Officer, Wounds Another in Southern Iran 

admin
-
0
Suicide Bomber Kills Police Officer, Wounds Another in Southern Iran 

A suicide bomber killed a local police officer and critically wounded another in Bandar Lengeh, a southern Iranian port city with a significant Sunni Muslim community, state media reported Sunday.

The attacker reportedly stopped Capt. Mojtaba Shahid’s car Saturday evening before detonating an explosive vest, according to Javan Daily, a newspaper aligned with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Shahid’s deputy, who was also in the vehicle, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Authorities have labeled the incident an act of terrorism. Bandar Lengeh, located in the province of Hormozgan, is approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) south of Tehran and has no recent history of militant activity.

While no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, some local news outlets suggested Ansar al-Furqan, a Sunni militant organization with links to al-Qaeda, may be involved.

The attack marks a rare act of violence in the region, which has been relatively stable in recent years. Officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the bomber or the group responsible. 

3 Migrants Die in English Channel Crossing Attempt Off Northern France 

admin
-
0
3 Migrants Die in English Channel Crossing Attempt Off Northern France 

At least three migrants died Sunday while attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France to Britain, authorities confirmed. The fatalities followed a rescue operation involving French emergency services and the navy’s “Dauphin” helicopter.

Around 50 individuals were stranded in the water and on the beach near Sangatte around 6 a.m., according to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture. Rescuers aided 45 people, including four who were transported to nearby hospitals.

Despite efforts by medical teams, three individuals pulled from the water in an unconscious state could not be revived. 

An investigation has been opened by prosecutors in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Authorities suspect the tragedy may have been caused by an overcrowded boat, a frequent factor in such incidents.

“There were more people attempting to board than the boat could hold,” said Jacques Billant, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, during a Sunday press conference.

The incident highlights a surge in Channel crossing attempts as 2024 nears its end. Officials have recorded increased activity in recent days despite freezing water temperatures and hazardous sea conditions.

“Since Dec. 24, 23 maritime incidents have been thwarted by internal security forces, saving over 1,000 lives,” Billant said. “Yet crossing attempts persist, and with icy waters, survival time in such conditions is very short.”

This year has been one of the deadliest for migrants making the perilous journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. At least 76 migrant deaths have been reported in the English Channel in 2024, officials said.

Billant condemned human trafficking networks for endangering lives by using unsafe, overcrowded boats. 

“These are low-quality boats put into the water solely for profit by criminal networks that have no regard for the lives of children, women, and men,” he said.

Last month, a French court convicted 18 individuals involved in a migrant-smuggling operation, exposing the lucrative but often deadly business of transporting migrants across the Channel.

Despite joint French and British efforts to curb crossings, the route remains a key smuggling corridor for people fleeing conflict or poverty. Many migrants favor the U.K. due to language familiarity, family ties, or perceived access to asylum and employment opportunities. 

AP

Ex-Man City Striker Kavelashvili Inaugurated as Georgia’s President Amid Political Crisis

admin
-
0
Ex-Man City Striker Kavelashvili Inaugurated as Georgia’s President Amid Political Crisis

Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated as Georgia’s president Sunday, deepening the country’s political crisis as outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili declared the ceremony illegitimate and opposition protesters demonstrated outside parliament.

Kavelashvili, 53, the sole candidate backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, secured victory through a 300-member electoral college vote after the party suspended direct presidential elections in 2017. The former Manchester City striker promised in his inaugural address to serve as “everyone’s president” while calling for national unity.

The inauguration follows contested October parliamentary elections that opposition parties claim were rigged with Moscow’s assistance. Georgian Dream’s recent suspension of EU accession talks and passage of controversial laws mirroring Russian restrictions on free speech have sparked widespread protests, with police using tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators.

Zourabichvili, departing her residence at Orbeliani Palace, maintained her legitimacy while denouncing the inauguration as a “parody.” The French-born leader has become increasingly critical of Georgian Dream’s perceived pro-Russia stance, leading to an unsuccessful impeachment attempt.

Critics accuse Georgian Dream, founded by Russian-made billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of authoritarian tendencies and Moscow alignment. The party’s recent “foreign influence” law, co-authored by Kavelashvili, prompted the EU to pause Georgia’s candidate status and reduce financial support.

Man Accused of Attacking TV Reporter, saying ‘This Is Trump’s America Now’

admin
-
0
Man Accused of Attacking TV Reporter, saying ‘This Is Trump’s America Now’

A Colorado man, Patrick Thomas Egan, 39, is facing bias-motivated charges after allegedly attacking a television news reporter and demanding proof of his citizenship, reportedly declaring, “This is Trump’s America now,” according to court documents. 

Egan was arrested Dec. 18 in Grand Junction after allegedly following KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex’s vehicle for 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Delta area. Alex, who is of Pacific Islander descent, told police he believed he was targeted because of his ethnicity. 

According to an arrest affidavit, Egan confronted Alex at a stoplight in Grand Junction. Shouting from his taxi, Egan reportedly said: “Are you even a U.S. citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!” 

Alex, who had been out reporting, drove back to his news station in the city. When Alex got out of his vehicle, Egan chased him toward the station’s door, demanding to see his identification. Egan then tackled Alex, placed him in a headlock, and “began to strangle him,” the affidavit states. Witnesses, including coworkers, intervened and reported that Alex appeared to be struggling to breathe. The attack was partially captured on surveillance video. 

Egan was arrested on suspicion of bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault, and harassment. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday, where prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges. 

Ja’Ronn Alex, a native of Detroit, was driving a marked news vehicle at the time of the attack, according to KKCO/KJCT. Station vice president Stacey Stewart said the station could not comment beyond its report of the incident. 

Egan’s attorney, Ruth Swift, did not return requests for comment. 

(UPDATED) South Korea Plane Crash: At Least 177 Now Confirmed Killed as Jeju Airliner Bursts Into Flames

admin
-
0
(UPDATED) South Korea Plane Crash: At Least 177 Now Confirmed Killed as Jeju Airliner Bursts Into Flames

At least 177 people have now been confirmed killed in the tragic plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway and burst into flames during landing, officials said Sunday. As of the time of our initial report, only about 28 were said to have died. Two crew members were rescued alive, while the remaining two of the 181 onboard are presumed dead.

Key Developments

Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 was traveling from Bangkok to Muan.

Video footage shows the aircraft landing without landing gear before crashing into a wall.

The crash is the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil and the worst involving a South Korean airline in nearly three decades.

Chronology of Events

08:57 a.m. – Control tower issues bird strike warning.

08:59 a.m. – Flight crew declares a Mayday.

09:03 a.m. – Aircraft crashes at Muan International Airport.

11:30 a.m. – Flight data recorder recovered.

2:24 p.m. – Cockpit voice recorder retrieved.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 1 p.m. local time, according to Muan Fire Chief Lee Jung-hyun. “Only the tail section retains any recognizable shape,” Lee said, describing the scene as “devastating.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities are examining potential factors, including bird strikes and weather conditions.

Two crew members-a man and a woman-were rescued from the tail section with medium to severe injuries. They are being treated at local hospitals. Most of the victims have been identified using fingerprints, while recovery teams continue searching nearby areas for bodies possibly ejected from the aircraft.

Government officials announced a period of national mourning until January 4.

Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 departed Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport without reported issues. The Boeing 737-800, manufactured in 2009, had no history of malfunctions, Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae said during a televised briefing. The airline apologized for the accident, prioritizing support for bereaved families.

This is the first fatal crash involving Jeju Air, a South Korean low-cost airline founded in 2005. The crash comes just weeks after the launch of new routes between Muan and Asian destinations.

Sunday’s crash is the worst air accident in South Korea since a Korean Air crash in Guam in 1997 that claimed more than 200 lives.

At Least 28 Dead in South Korea Plane Crash, 181 People on Board

admin
-
4
At Least 28 Dead in South Korea Plane Crash, 181 People on Board

A plane carrying 181 people crashed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday, killing at least 28 people, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.

The Jeju Air flight, which had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed after it went off the runway and struck a wall while attempting to land. The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency services working to reach individuals trapped in the tail section of the plane. One survivor has been reported, though the death toll has not been confirmed by authorities.

Local media released video footage showing the plane skidding down the runway without visible landing gear before it crashed into a wall, resulting in an explosion of flames and debris. Photos also showed smoke and fire engulfing parts of the aircraft.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Yonhap news reports that a bird strike may have caused a malfunction in the plane’s landing gear.

Acting President Choi Sung-mok, who was named interim leader after the impeachment of the previous acting president, ordered an all-out rescue effort in response to the incident.

Jeju Air has confirmed the crash and is reviewing the situation, a company spokesperson said.

A bbc story

Passenger Train Collides with Fire Truck in Delray Beach, Injuring 3 Firefighters and 12 Others

admin
-
0
Passenger Train Collides with Fire Truck in Delray Beach, Injuring 3 Firefighters and 12 Others

A collision between a passenger train in Florida and a Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck left three firefighters and 12 other individuals injured on Saturday morning, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 10:45 a.m. near East Atlantic Avenue and Railroad Avenue. According to Delray Beach Fire Rescue, the three firefighters sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue reported that 12 people aboard the train were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Photos shared on social media showed the fire truck severely damaged and lying next to the train tracks. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and the road remains closed while authorities work at the scene.

Brightline, the company operating the train, confirmed the delay and provided updates via social media.

The incident is under investigation.

1...478479480...969Page 479 of 969