Two Nigerian nationals have been indicted in connection with a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded several Minnesota-based health care companies of more than $13 million, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced.
The suspects, identified as Shodiya Babatunde, 43, and Jamui Ahmed, 31, allegedly conducted the fraudulent scheme between October 2020 and 2024. According to court documents, the two devised a plan to deceive employees of health care companies by posing as executives of Fairview Health, a prominent health care provider in the state. The scheme involved directing payments intended for Fairview Health to bank accounts controlled by the suspects and their co-conspirators.
As part of the scam, Babatunde and Ahmed created a spoofed internet domain, designed to closely resemble the official Fairview Health domain. They also set up fraudulent email accounts mimicking high-ranking executives, including the CEO, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and a business analyst. These fake accounts were then used in a phishing campaign to acquire login credentials, enabling the defendants to reroute payments.
The fraudsters contacted several health insurance companies in Minnesota, falsely representing themselves as Fairview Health personnel. They provided the companies with new payment instructions, convincing them to wire funds to accounts under their control instead of Fairview Health’s legitimate accounts.
Authorities estimate that Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators diverted over $13 million in payments intended for Fairview Health. Both Babatunde and Ahmed are currently fugitives and remain in Nigeria.
The investigation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson is handling the prosecution.
An attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a market in El-Fasher, Sudan, has left 18 people dead and dozens injured, escalating the ongoing civil war that has devastated the country for 17 months.
A medical source at El-Fasher Teaching Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, told AFP on Friday that the hospital received 18 bodies following Thursday evening’s attack. Some victims were burned, while others suffered severe shrapnel injuries.
Local activists reported that the RSF’s shelling of the market also wounded dozens of civilians. The attack comes as the RSF and the regular Sudanese army continue to vie for control of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The assault on El-Fasher, a city of two million people, has drawn international attention and condemnation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an urgent ceasefire following reports of a “full-scale assault” by the RSF on the city last weekend.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, stressed the need for immediate action during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. “We must compel the warring parties to accept humanitarian pauses in El-Fasher, Khartoum and other highly vulnerable areas,” she said on Wednesday.
The situation in El-Fasher has become increasingly dire since May, when the RSF began besieging the city. Famine has already been declared in the nearby Zamzam refugee camp, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Local resistance committees, pro-democracy volunteer groups providing crucial aid to civilians, reported that RSF artillery shelling continued on Friday morning, targeting residential neighborhoods and the market.
The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on Sudan. While the World Health Organization cites a death toll of at least 20,000, U.S. envoy Tom Perriello has mentioned estimates reaching as high as 150,000.
During the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Joe Biden urged all countries to cut off weapons supplies to the rival Sudanese generals: Sudanese Armed Forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. “The world needs to stop arming the generals,” Biden said, calling for an immediate end to the war.
UN Secretary-General Guterres met with General Burhan on the sidelines of the UN talks, expressing concern about the escalation of violence and the risk of regional spillover.
Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have been repeatedly accused of war crimes throughout the conflict. The international community continues to push for a resolution to the crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a cessation of hostilities.
Federal prosecutors have charged three alleged members of the notorious MS-13 gang with racketeering and murder for their alleged roles in two separate killings in Massachusetts, underscoring ongoing efforts to combat transnational gang violence.
The charges, announced Thursday by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, target William Pineda Portillo, 31, of Everett; Jose Vasquez, 31, of Somerville; and Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes, 27, of New Bedford. The indictments stem from murders committed in December 2010 and July 2020, demonstrating law enforcement’s commitment to solving cold cases and recent crimes alike.
Pineda Portillo, also known as “Humilde,” and Vasquez, who goes by the aliases “Cholo” and “Little Crazy,” face charges of racketeering conspiracy and violent crime in aid of racketeering. These charges are related to the December 18, 2010, murder of a 28-year-old man in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
According to the indictment, Pineda Portillo allegedly drove the victim and other MS-13 members to the murder scene in Chelsea. The victim was found with 12 stab wounds to his head and chest. Prosecutors allege that Vasquez was one of the assailants, citing a palm print found on a silver kitchen knife left at the crime scene.
In a separate case, Amaya Paredes, known as “Tony,” is charged with racketeering and violent crime in aid of racketeering for the July 2020 murder of a 27-year-old man near Horseneck Road in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that Amaya Paredes lured the victim to a family party before driving him to the murder location and shooting him multiple times.
“The brutal acts of violence these defendants are accused of committing demonstrate a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “We will not allow MS-13 or any other violent criminal organization to terrorize our communities.”
The charges come as part of an ongoing crackdown on MS-13 activities in Massachusetts. In 2016, a large-scale investigation targeted dozens of MS-13 leaders, members, and associates in the state. During that probe, Vasquez pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and received a 212-month prison sentence, which he is currently serving.
Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, emphasized the significance of these charges, stating, “Today’s charges should make it clear to MS-13 members and their associates that medieval-style violence and senseless murder will not be tolerated in Massachusetts.”
The indictments provide insight into the structure and operations of MS-13. The gang, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha, is described as a violent, transnational criminal organization involved in murder, assault, extortion, kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking. It maintains a significant presence in Massachusetts, as well as in several other U.S. states and Central American countries. MS-13 members allegedly commit violent acts to maintain and enhance their status within the gang and to bolster the gang’s overall reputation.
The charges carry severe potential penalties. Racketeering and racketeering conspiracy involving murder can result in life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Violent crime in aid of racketeering involving murder may lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty, along with a $250,000 fine.
These indictments are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which facilitates multi-agency collaboration to combat significant drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.
As the cases proceed, all three defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Pineda Portillo and Vasquez are currently in federal custody, while Amaya Paredes is in state custody on related charges. They will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has apprehended 3,421 violent fugitives across 10 metropolitan areas in a major law enforcement initiative, the Justice Department announced Thursday.
Operation North Star FY 2024 (ONS FY24), conducted from May 10 to September 13, focused on arresting individuals wanted for violent crimes, including homicide, sexual offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, and firearms violations.
“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to removing dangerous offenders from our communities,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. “The collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement have made a significant impact on public safety.”
Key arrest figures from the 74-day operation include 216 fugitives wanted for homicide, 803 individuals charged with assault, and 482 suspects facing weapons offenses.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of 534 firearms, over $508,000 in U.S. currency, and 456 kilograms of illegal narcotics, including 138 pounds and more than 550,000 pills of fentanyl.
USMS Director Ronald L. Davis highlighted the operation’s focus on areas experiencing high levels of gun violence. “By removing over 3,000 dangerous fugitives from the streets, including more than 200 homicide suspects, we’ve made a tangible difference in neighborhood safety,” Davis said.
The metropolitan areas targeted in ONS FY24 were selected based on data from the National Crime Information Center and the FBI Uniform Crime Report. These locations included Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Charleston and North Charleston, South Carolina; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Phoenix, Arizona; St. Louis, Missouri (including East St. Louis, Illinois); Birmingham, Alabama; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; and San Antonio, Texas.
Since its inception in July 2022, Operation North Star initiatives have led to the arrest of more than 10,200 wanted fugitives across 30 locations nationwide. This includes 1,153 individuals charged with homicide and the removal of over 1,425 weapons linked to violent crimes.
The USMS employed a data-driven, evidence-based approach to identify and apprehend the most dangerous offenders. This strategy builds on decades of experience in coordinating interagency law enforcement operations, dating back to the establishment of regional and district fugitive task forces in the 1980s.
Notable arrests during ONS FY24 include Aaron Michael Jones, arrested in Baton Rouge on May 20 for home invasion, domestic abuse battery, and child endangerment. In Fort Worth, Texas, four suspects were apprehended on May 22 in connection with a drive-by shooting that injured multiple children. Nine handguns and one shotgun were recovered during the arrest.
Garron Stevenson was arrested in St. Louis on May 21 for first-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon after a shooting at a street racing event that killed a 14-year-old and injured six others. Michael Muldovan was taken into custody in Sterling, Virginia, on August 15, wanted in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for first-degree statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child.
FIFA has suspended Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for two matches of South American World Cup qualifying in October, the Argentina soccer association (AFA) announced Friday.
The 32-year-old Martínez will miss official games against Venezuela on Oct. 10 and Bolivia on Oct. 15 in the round-robin competition.
FIFA’s disciplinary commission sanctioned Martínez for incidents in two recent World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia, according to the AFA statement. The specific incidents leading to the punishment were not described.
Martínez made headlines after Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile when he repeated an obscene gesture, holding the Copa America trophy close to his genitals. He had previously done this after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar in late 2022.
In a separate incident, Martínez slapped a local cameraman following Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Colombia in Barranquilla.
The AFA expressed strong disagreement with FIFA’s decision in its statement.
Argentina currently leads South American World Cup qualifying with 18 points after eight games. Colombia follows with 16 points, and Uruguay is in third place with 15 points.
The suspension of Martínez, a key player in Argentina’s recent international successes, may impact the team’s performance in the upcoming qualifiers.
Arsenal will host Leicester City in Saturday’s Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, following contrasting EFL Cup victories for both teams.
Arsenal demolished Bolton Wanderers 5-1 on Wednesday, with teenagers Jack Porter and Ethan Nwaneri making significant contributions. Porter, at 16, became Arsenal’s youngest-ever men’s team starter, while Nwaneri scored twice. Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, and Declan Rice also found the net.
Leicester City, meanwhile, needed a penalty shootout to overcome League Two’s Walsall, with goalkeeper Danny Ward saving three spot-kicks.
Arsenal currently sit fourth in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Manchester City. The Gunners are unbeaten this season and boast a 70% win rate in 2024, matching their best calendar year performance from 1932.
Leicester, one of six teams still seeking their first Premier League win this season, are 15th in the table. The Foxes have never gone six games without a victory at the start of a Premier League campaign, except in their 2022-23 relegation season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces selection challenges due to injuries. David Raya is doubtful with a muscular issue, while Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are sidelined. Leandro Trossard returns from suspension.
Leicester have fewer injury concerns, with only Patson Daka, Jannik Vestergaard, and Jakub Stolarczyk unavailable. Jamie Vardy, who has 11 goals in 16 games against Arsenal, is expected to start.
Arsenal have won their last five Premier League encounters with Leicester and are unbeaten in 39 home games against newly-promoted teams.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to face off in a high-stakes Premier League encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday, with both teams looking to build on their midweek European performances.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United enter the match under increasing pressure following a 1-1 draw with FC Twente in their Europa League opener. Christian Eriksen’s admission that Twente “wanted” the victory more has raised concerns about the team’s mentality. United currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table after five games, having underperformed their Expected Goals (xG) significantly this season.
Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, arrive in better form after a 3-0 victory over Qarabag in the Europa League, despite playing with 10 men for much of the match. Spurs have rediscovered their attacking prowess, scoring eight goals in their last three games across all competitions.
Team News:
Manchester United continue to struggle with injuries. Ten Hag confirmed that Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw remain unavailable. The Dutch manager may consider recalling Kobbie Mainoo to midfield, potentially at the expense of Manuel Ugarte. Alejandro Garnacho is also pushing for a start in the attacking lineup.
Tottenham had an injury scare with captain Son Heung-min during their midweek match, but Postecoglou expressed optimism about his availability. Son, the league’s top chance creator from open play this season, has an impressive record against United with four goals and one assist in his last seven appearances. Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are Spurs’ only confirmed absentees due to injury.
Key Battles:
The midfield contest between Eriksen and James Maddison could be crucial, with both players capable of dictating their team’s attacking rhythm. In defense, United’s Lisandro Martinez will face a stern test against Tottenham’s in-form striker Dominic Solanke.
Historical Context:
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches against Manchester United, including a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last season. However, Spurs’ away form has been poor, with only two wins in their last 12 Premier League road games.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Given Tottenham’s resilience in coming from behind this season and Manchester United’s inconsistent form, a draw seems the most likely outcome. Spurs have won 28 points from losing positions since the start of last season, second only to Manchester City, suggesting they have the mental fortitude to recover if they fall behind at Old Trafford.
This match could prove pivotal for both teams’ ambitions this season, with United desperate to climb the table and Tottenham aiming to establish themselves as genuine top-four contenders under Postecoglou’s leadership.
Premier League leaders Manchester City travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Saturday, aiming to strengthen their position atop the table. The match presents a stern test for both sides, with City looking to extend their unbeaten league run in 2024 to 25 games, while Newcastle seek to rebound from a disappointing 3-1 loss to Fulham last weekend.
Newcastle’s strong start to the season, which saw them accumulate 10 points from their first four matches, has been tempered by inconsistent performances. Manager Eddie Howe admitted their defeat at Craven Cottage was their “worst we have played” this term, highlighting the need for improvement as they face the reigning champions.
Manchester City, fresh off a 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Watford, will be without key midfielder Rodri, who is sidelined for the season with knee ligament damage. Manager Pep Guardiola must also contend with the absences of Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake, and Kevin De Bruyne.
Despite these setbacks, City’s formidable record against Newcastle – having won 31 Premier League matches and scored 101 goals against the Magpies – gives them reason for optimism. The Citizens were the last team to defeat Newcastle at St James’ Park, securing a 3-2 victory in January.
Newcastle face their own injury concerns, with Callum Wilson, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, and Lewis Miley all unavailable. Star striker Alexander Isak is doubtful with a toe injury, potentially forcing Howe to reshuffle his attack.
Guardiola is expected to recall several key players rested for the midweek cup tie, including goalkeeper Ederson, defenders Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol, midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva, and prolific striker Erling Haaland, who has already netted 10 league goals this season.
The match promises to be a tightly contested affair, with Newcastle’s passionate home support creating a challenging atmosphere for the visitors. However, Manchester City’s depth and quality, even in the absence of key players, make them slight favorites to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester City
The combination of City’s attacking prowess, led by Haaland, and their historical dominance in this fixture suggests they may have the edge, despite Newcastle’s determination to bounce back from their recent setback.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, vowing to continue military operations against Hezbollah until Israel achieves its objectives along the Lebanon border. His address further diminished hopes for an internationally backed ceasefire and raised concerns about a potential escalation into a wider regional conflict.
Netanyahu, facing leadership challenges amid conflicts on two fronts, declared that Israel would no longer tolerate daily rocket fire from Lebanon. “Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely. And that’s exactly what we’re doing … we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met,” he stated, drawing apparent support from a gallery that seemed filled with his backers.
The Israeli leader drew comparisons to hypothetical scenarios in the United States, asking, “Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns … How long would the American government tolerate that?” He emphasized, “Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say: Enough is enough.”
Shortly after Netanyahu’s speech, the Israeli military reported carrying out a strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, resulting in massive explosions in the city. This action underscored the immediacy of Netanyahu’s words and the ongoing tensions in the region.
During his address, Netanyahu defended Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which triggered an Israeli military operation in Gaza. He insisted that Israel sought peace but warned Iran, “If you strike us, we will strike you,” blaming the country for many of the region’s problems.
Netanyahu’s speech was met with mixed reactions. While his supporters cheered, the Iranian delegation’s seats remained empty, and protesters demonstrated outside against Netanyahu and Israel’s policies. Following the Israeli leader’s address, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa appealed to the UN Security Council to “hold Israel accountable,” questioning when the council would “activate your tools” to end the war.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences, with over 41,500 Palestinians killed and more than 96,000 wounded in Gaza, according to the latest figures from the Health Ministry. Netanyahu claimed that Israeli forces have destroyed “90%” of Hamas’ rockets and killed or captured half of its forces, but insisted that Israel was still pursuing peace.
As tensions escalate, the United States, France, and other allies have called for an “immediate” 21-day ceasefire to allow for negotiations. However, Netanyahu’s speech and subsequent military actions suggest that Israel remains committed to its current course of action, raising concerns about the potential for further regional destabilization.
The Prime Minister’s UN address not only defended Israel’s actions but also sought to shape the narrative around the ongoing conflicts, setting the stage for continued military operations and potential diplomatic challenges in the coming weeks and months.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Friday, pleading not guilty to federal bribery charges that have sent shockwaves through the nation’s largest city. The first-term Democrat firmly rejected allegations that he accepted overseas travel, campaign cash, and other perks from foreign interests seeking to leverage his influence.
Adams, 64, a former police captain, entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker in a packed courtroom just a short walk from City Hall. The mayor is charged with five counts: wire fraud, bribery, conspiracy, and two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national. If convicted of the most serious charge, wire fraud, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The indictment, revealed a day earlier, accuses Adams of accepting $100,000 in flights and stays in luxury hotel suites from individuals tied to Turkey. Prosecutors allege that these perks, valued at over $100,000, included business-class upgrades, high-end meals, and even a trip to a Turkish bath. Additionally, Adams is accused of fueling his mayoral campaign with illegal donations that helped him qualify for more than $10 million in public campaign funds.
In return for these favors, Adams allegedly assisted his benefactors, including helping to ensure that Turkey’s newly built diplomatic tower in Manhattan would not be subject to a fire inspection it was certain to fail. The indictment cites an exchange where a Turkish official praised Adams as a “true friend of Turkey,” to which Adams allegedly responded, “Yes even more a true friend of yours. You are my brother.”
Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, announced plans to move for dismissal of the case next week. Following the arraignment, Spiro addressed reporters outside the courthouse, describing the charges as “the airline upgrade corruption case” and questioning the legitimacy of the prosecution.
The mayor was released on the condition that he not contact any witnesses or individuals described in the indictment. He is allowed to communicate with family members and staff but not about matters pertaining to the allegations.
As Adams appeared in court, the investigation into his administration continued. Ingrid Lewis-Martin, one of the mayor’s closest City Hall advisers, was met by investigators at the airport upon returning from Japan. She was served with a subpoena, and local prosecutors seized her phones and searched her house.
The case has roiled New York City politics, with growing calls for Adams to resign, including from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and potential Democratic challengers in the upcoming mayoral primary. However, top Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries have not called for his resignation, advocating for the legal process to unfold.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams from office, issued a statement saying she was reviewing her “options and obligations” and expects the mayor to “take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward.”
As the legal proceedings continue, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams indicated that the investigation is ongoing, suggesting the possibility of further charges and encouraging individuals with information to come forward.
The case against Adams unfolds against the backdrop of other high-profile legal matters in the same courthouse, including recent proceedings involving former President Donald Trump and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, underscoring the significant legal challenges facing prominent figures in New York City.
