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Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui Claim Victories at 2023 New York City Marathon

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Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui Claim Victories at 2023 New York City Marathon

Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui used strong kicks in the final mile to pull away from their nearest competitors and both win the New York City Marathon for the first time on Sunday.

Nageeye, who became the first runner from the Netherlands to win the men’s race, was step-for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst of speed heading into Central Park to cross the finish line in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind.

“At the finish I was like, am I’m dreaming? I won New York,” Nageeye said. He had run the New York race three times before, with his best finish coming in 2022 when he was third.

In the women’s race, Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the last stretch, winning in 2:24.35. Obiri finished nearly 15 seconds behind, while Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya took third.

“Let me push the last mile, let me give it my best,” the Kenyan Chepkirui said. “When we were around 600 meters to go, I said to myself I have to push harder. When I saw Hellen wasn’t coming, I knew I was going to win and was so happy.”

The top Americans were Conner Mantz in sixth place for the men and Sara Vaughn in sixth for the women. Vaughn had been in the lead group heading into the Bronx before falling off the pace.

In the wheelchair races, Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. upset three-time defending champion Marcel Hug to win the men’s title, while Susannah Scaroni also claimed victory for the American women.

The 26.2-mile course took runners through all five boroughs of New York City, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. This year’s race featured perfect running conditions, with temperatures in the lower 40s at the start.

The victories by Nageeye and Chepkirui marked the first time since 2012 that neither the men’s nor women’s champions were from Kenya. Their dominant performances highlighted the international appeal of the prestigious New York City Marathon.

Libya Launches Crackdown on Nigerian Workers After CAF Ruling Against Libyan Football Federation

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Libya Launches Crackdown on Nigerian Workers After CAF Ruling Against Libyan Football Federation

Following the verdict delivered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in response to the complaint lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation over the recent inhumane treatment meted out to the Super Eagles in Libya, members of the Nigerian community have reported mass arrests and fines targeting their compatriots in the country.

The Nigerian football team was held at the Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya for over 20 hours upon arrival for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. This sparked widespread outrage, leading the NFF to withdraw the Super Eagles from the match and file an official complaint to CAF.

In its ruling, the CAF disciplinary committee ordered the Libyan Football Federation to pay a $50,000 fine for breaching regulations. Displeased with the verdict, the LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’I described it as “unjust and malicious,” alleging the NFF’s influence within CAF played a role.

The backlash from Libya has been swift, with popular media outlets and TV presenters urging the government to arrest Nigerian workers without proper documentation and fine them $500 each to cover the CAF penalty. Reports indicate that the mass arrests began on Sunday, with Nigerians being detained regardless of their immigration status.

Peter Omoregbie, the President of the Nigerian community in Libya, confirmed the arrests, stating that even those with passports and residence permits were being targeted. He pleaded for international bodies to intervene, noting that the actions by Libyan authorities were unprecedented and disproportionate.

Another Nigerian resident, Omo Oba Legba, said the crackdown had intensified, with a police officer warning him not to go out as Nigerians were being arrested. He criticized the Super Eagles for causing “a problem” for other Nigerians in Libya who face daily hardships.

The Chairman of Libya’s National Institution for Human Rights, Ahmed Hamza, has warned against any retaliatory acts targeting foreign and migrant workers, cautioning that such unlawful actions could lead to domestic and international legal consequences.

The Nigerian government has been contacted for comment, but the response has been limited so far. A former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, has urged the Federal Government to investigate the situation and consider reporting Libya to the African Union over the maltreatment of its citizens.

Cholera Outbreak Kills 5, Hospitalizes 30 in Kasoa, Ghana

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Cholera Outbreak Kills 5, Hospitalizes 30 in Kasoa, Ghana

A cholera outbreak in Kasoa has claimed five lives, with 30 others currently receiving treatment at the Kasoa Polyclinic and Mother and Child Hospital, Ghana.

Awutu Senya East Municipal Chief Executive Anita Love Obo Amissah reported that three of the victims died on Thursday, October 31, followed by two additional deaths on Friday afternoon, raising the death toll to five. The MCE expressed deep concern about the outbreak and emphasized the need for residents to maintain cleanliness and prioritize healthy eating habits.

Amissah urged Kasoa residents to stay vigilant, highlighting the role that environmental cleanliness plays in preventing the spread of cholera. She emphasized that individual responsibility, such as proper waste disposal and food hygiene, could help curb the outbreak.

The MCE revealed that the Kasoa health facilities have also received cholera cases referred from neighboring constituencies, including Awutu Senya West and Gomoa East Districts. She called for a unified, collaborative effort from surrounding areas to effectively manage and contain the disease.

Amissah commended health authorities for their swift action in responding to the outbreak, praising their efforts to control and treat cases quickly. However, she reminded residents to remain cautious, follow health guidelines, and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms arise.

The cholera outbreak in Kasoa highlights the ongoing public health challenges faced by communities in Ghana. Municipal authorities are urging residents to prioritize personal and environmental hygiene to prevent the further spread of the disease, which can be deadly if left untreated. Continued coordination between local health facilities and surrounding areas will be crucial in containing this outbreak.

Grenade Attack in Busy Kashmir Market Wounds 9 People

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Grenade Attack in Busy Kashmir Market Wounds 9 People

An assailant threw a grenade at a marketplace bustling with shoppers in the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sunday, wounding at least nine people, police said.

The attack occurred in the main business center of Srinagar, where the Sunday flea market is visited by thousands of people. Police said an unidentified attacker hurled the grenade from a flyover bridge, apparently targeting a stationed paramilitary vehicle.

The grenade exploded in the midst of shoppers and vendors, wounding at least nine people who were taken to a hospital. Reinforcements of police and paramilitary soldiers launched a search for the attacker.

Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, saying “There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians” and calling on the security apparatus to “end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear.”

India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989, with many Muslim Kashmiris supporting the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

The grenade attack comes a day after a suspected militant was killed in a daylong gunbattle with security forces in Srinagar, a rare occurrence in the city where security is typically tight. While the region has seen sporadic militant attacks, the targeting of a crowded market underscores the continued volatility and threat of violence in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The latest incident will further heighten tensions in the disputed territory, as India blames Pakistan for sponsoring the Kashmir militancy, while Pakistan denies the charge and supports what it considers a legitimate freedom struggle. Resolving the long-standing conflict remains a major challenge for the two nuclear-armed rivals.

AP

Angry Floods Victims Confront Spanish King on Visit to Valencia

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Angry Floods Victims Confront Spanish King on Visit to Valencia

King Felipe VI of Spain has faced angry protesters while visiting the Valencia region, which has been hit by unprecedented floods.

Footage shows an angry crowd shouting “murderer” and “shame” at the king, who was also asked why nothing had been done to avoid the tragedy. More than 200 people were killed in the floods, with many more missing.

A crowd of angry survivors tossed mud and shouted insults at the king and government officials when they made their first visit to the hard-hit town of Paiporta, an outskirt of Valencia city. Police had to step in with officers on horseback to keep back the dozens of protesters.

“Get out! Get out!” and “Killers!” rang out among the insults. After being forced to seek protection from the mud, the king remained calm and made several efforts to speak to individual residents, with one person appearing to have wept on his shoulder.

It was an unprecedented incident for the Spanish Royal House, which typically seeks to craft an image of a monarch liked by the nation. Queen Letizia and regional Valencia President Carlo Mazón were also part of the contingent visiting the flood-ravaged area.

The confrontation highlights the raw anger and grief of the flood victims, who feel the government has not done enough to prevent or respond to the deadly disaster. With over 200 people killed and thousands more displaced, the region is grappling with immense suffering and loss.

The king’s visit was intended to show solidarity, but instead exposed the deep frustration of the local community towards the authorities.

Supporters of Bolivia’s Ex-Leader Morales Detain Over 200 Soldiers in Escalating Standoff

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Supporters of Bolivia’s Ex-Leader Morales Detain Over 200 Soldiers in Escalating Standoff

Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales are holding at least 200 soldiers hostage, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday, as their standoff with the state continues to escalate.

Three military units in Chapare province were “assaulted by irregular groups” on Friday, with the assailants “taking more than 200 military personnel hostage” from three barracks, the ministry said. “They seized weapons and ammunition,” it added.

Backers of Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous leader, began blocking roads three weeks ago to prevent his arrest on what he calls trumped-up charges aimed at thwarting his political comeback. The government had sent troops to the area to help police clear the roadblocks.

Early reports had mentioned only 20 soldiers being detained, but a video broadcast on Friday showed 16 soldiers surrounded by protesters holding pointed sticks. “They have cut off our water, electricity and are keeping us hostage,” a uniformed man is heard saying.

Morales, 65, was in office from 2006 to 2019, when he resigned under a cloud after elections marked by fraud. Despite being barred from running again, he wants to challenge President Luis Arce, his former ally, for the nomination of the left-wing MAS party in elections next August.

Prosecutors have accused Morales of statutory rape, human trafficking and human smuggling over his alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl in 2015. Morales has called the charges “a lie.”

The standoff has escalated into a wider anti-government revolt, with Morales’ supporters blaming Arce for a sharp rise in food and fuel prices and shortages. At least 90 people, mostly officers, have been injured in clashes surrounding the protests.

Deadly Lightning Strike Kills 14 at Refugee Camp in Uganda

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Deadly Lightning Strike Kills 14 at Refugee Camp in Uganda

A lighting strike at a refugee camp in Uganda had killed 14 people, police say.

The victims were attending a church service on Saturday evening when the lightning struck at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in the country’s northwest. Another 34 people were injured in the incident.

An official told local radio that all those who died were children. The area has recently seen heavy rains with thunder and lightning.

Palabek Refugee Settlement is home to more than 80,000 refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have fled the ongoing conflict in neighboring South Sudan. Refugee camps can be particularly vulnerable to the dangers of severe weather events.

This is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred in Uganda. Four years ago, lightning killed 10 children in the city of Arua as they were taking a break from a game of football.

Israeli Commandos Capture Top Hezbollah Commander in Daring Raid in Lebanon

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Israeli Commandos Capture Top Hezbollah Commander in Daring Raid in Lebanon

This is the moment Israeli soldiers captured a top Hezbollah terror commander and escaped from Lebanon in speedboats, in a daring raid carried out by IDF naval commandos.

Imad Amhaz was considered by the IDF to be a “significant source of knowledge” in Hezbollah’s naval force. Black and white CCTV footage released by the Israeli military showed around a dozen special forces soldiers, equipped with night vision goggles, oxygen tanks and rifles, escorting Amhaz through a parking lot before whisking him away.

The raid took place some 140km (87 miles) north of Israel’s border with Lebanon, in the coastal town of Batroun, south of Tripoli. Lebanese media reported that the special forces arrived from the sea and raided a chalet, capturing Amhaz before departing in speedboats.

Some Lebanese officials claimed Amhaz was merely a captain of civilian ships, but the IDF stated that he was a top Hezbollah commander. The daring operation represents a significant intelligence coup for Israel, as they were able to apprehend a senior figure within the Lebanese militant group’s naval wing.

The raid comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with the IDF also announcing it had killed a commander of the group’s rocket unit in southern Lebanon. Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, has vowed a “crushing response” to the recent Israeli strikes on its interests.

The capture of Imad Amhaz demonstrates Israel’s continued efforts to disrupt and degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities, even striking deep inside Lebanese territory. It signals the Israeli military’s resolve to aggressively target the group’s leadership and infrastructure, despite the risks involved in such cross-border operations.

This bold commando raid will be seen as a major blow to Hezbollah, highlighting Israel’s ability to penetrate the group’s strongholds and apprehend key figures. The incident is likely to further escalate the tense standoff between the bitter regional rivals as they jockey for advantage in the volatile Middle East.

She Killed Her ‘Best Friend’ After Being Offered $9M by a Man She Met Online in a Bizarre Catfishing Scheme

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She Killed Her ‘Best Friend’ After Being Offered $9M by a Man She Met Online in a Bizarre Catfishing Scheme

Denali Dakota Skye Brehmer, an 18-year-old Alaskan, is serving a 99-year prison sentence for killing her “best friend” Cynthia “CeeCee” Hoffman in 2019 after allegedly being catfished by a man who offered her $9 million to commit the murder.

Denali Dakota Skye Brehmer is serving 99 years behind bars for the murder of Cynthia Hoffman (Court TV)

It began with a bizarre online scheme hatched by 21-year-old Darin Schilmiller from Indiana, who posed as a millionaire named “Tyler” on Snapchat and struck up a relationship with Brehmer. Schilmiller offered Brehmer millions of dollars via PayPal if she would rape and murder someone in Alaska. Desperate for the money, Brehmer agreed to the horrific plan.

On June 2, 2019, Brehmer lured the unsuspecting CeeCee, who was developmentally disabled, to a popular trail area near Anchorage under the pretense of going for a hike. Brehmer and her 16-year-old friend Kayden McIntosh then bound CeeCee with duct tape as part of a twisted plot to kill her and send proof to “Tyler.”

Hoffman, known as CeeCee, thought of Brehmer as her best friend, family members say (alaskacremation.com)

When the bound and gagged CeeCee began “freaking out” and threatened to call the police, McIntosh grabbed a gun and shot her in the back of the head, killing her. Brehmer later claimed she “just went along with it” because she panicked.

The teenagers then tried to cover up the murder by burning CeeCee’s belongings and the murder weapon. Brehmer even texted CeeCee’s sister to say they had dropped her off at a local park. But CeeCee’s body was found in the river the next day.

Schilmiller was sentenced to 99 years in prison (Alaska Department of Law)

Investigators soon discovered Brehmer had been communicating with the fake “Tyler” millionaire throughout the killing, sending Snapchat photos and videos of the bound and murdered CeeCee. Schilmiller was later arrested and admitted he had targeted CeeCee after learning she and Brehmer had fought over a boy.

Brehmer was given the maximum 99-year sentence for her role in the shocking murder. Her friend Leyland was sentenced to 30 years, while McIntosh awaits his own sentencing.

Iranian Authorities Arrest Female Student Who Stripped in Protest Against Harassment

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Iranian Authorities Arrest Female Student Who Stripped in Protest Against Harassment

Iranian authorities arrested a female student Saturday after she staged a solo protest against harassment by stripping to her underwear outside her university, reports said.

The woman, who has not been identified, had been harassed inside the prestigious Tehran Azad University of Science and Research by members of the Basij militia who ripped her headscarf and clothes, according to reports by several news outlets and social media channels outside Iran.

She then took off her clothes in protest and sat outside the university dressed just in her underwear before defiantly walking in the street, to the astonishment of passers-by. Footage of the incident was widely shared on social media.

Under Iran’s mandatory dress code, women must wear a headscarf in public and loose-fitting clothes that cover all bodily contours. The student’s protest appears to have been a defiant act against these strict regulations.

The Amir Kabir newsletter, an Iranian student social media channel, alleged the woman was beaten during her arrest by plain-clothed men who bundled her into a car and drove her away to an undisclosed location. Fars news agency, a conservative Iranian outlet, confirmed the incident, claiming the student had worn “inappropriate clothes” in class.

The incident comes amid the Iranian government’s crackdown on the unprecedented women-led protests that erupted in 2022 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. The protests, which saw women removing their headscarves, were met with a fierce response that left hundreds dead and thousands arrested.

The arrest of the female student who stripped in protest highlights the Iranian authorities’ continued intolerance of dissent and their efforts to enforce the mandatory dress code, even in the face of growing public opposition. The incident is likely to further inflame tensions and draw international condemnation of Iran’s human rights abuses.

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