A driver is facing child endangerment charges following a serious crash on Interstate 35 in San Antonio that resulted in six children being ejected from the vehicle, according to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday on I-35 northbound near Frost Bank Center Drive. SAPD Public Information Officer Nicholas Soliz reported that a mid-2000s SUV experienced a tire blowout, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The driver overcorrected, resulting in the SUV crashing into a tree.
Nine people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, including seven children ranging in age from 2 to 11 years old. Police stated that only one child was wearing a seatbelt. As a result of the impact, six children were ejected from the vehicle.
Authorities reported that some of the children suffered life-threatening injuries, while others had injuries of unknown severity. All injured parties were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, authorities temporarily closed I-35 northbound at Walters Street and the I-35 northbound access road at Frost Bank Center Drive to facilitate emergency response and investigation.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives in the southwestern Qala Bakhtiar neighborhood of Kabul on Monday, killing at least six people and injuring 13 others, according to local police authorities.
Khalid Zadran, spokesman for the Kabul police chief, confirmed the attack and provided initial casualty figures. Among the dead was one woman, while all 13 injured were civilians who have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
As of Monday evening, no group had claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan, a major rival of the ruling Taliban, has a history of carrying out similar attacks targeting schools, hospitals, mosques, and Shiite areas throughout the country.
The Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 during the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops, are currently investigating the incident. This attack comes as the Taliban continue to face challenges in maintaining security and stability across the country, despite initial promises of a more moderate stance upon taking control.
Since their return to power, the Taliban have gradually reimposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, reminiscent of their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. This approach has raised concerns both domestically and internationally about the future of human rights and security in Afghanistan.
The United Kingdom has suspended approximately 30 arms export licenses to Israel following a review of the country’s compliance with international humanitarian law during its military operations in Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision in the House of Commons on Monday, emphasizing that this action is not a blanket arms embargo but a targeted measure affecting specific military equipment.
The suspended licenses, out of a total of about 350, include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and items that facilitate ground targeting. British officials stated that the government has concluded there is a clear risk that items exported to Israel might be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Lammy stressed that this decision was not taken lightly and does not aim to prejudge the outcomes of work by international courts such as the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court. He also reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense in accordance with international law.
The foreign secretary explained that the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel’s security and only covers items that might be used in the current conflict in Gaza. He added that the government would keep its position under review.
This move comes as the UK government has faced increasing pressure to halt arms sales to Israel due to growing concerns over the Gaza death toll and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Critics have argued that UK weapons exports to Israel could make Britain complicit in alleged breaches of international humanitarian law.
The government’s assessment was based on three categories within the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria: humanitarian provision and access, treatment of detainees, and conduct of the military campaign. Officials concluded that there had been possible breaches in the first two areas, but a lack of verifiable evidence prevented a determination on the conduct of the military campaign.
In a separate announcement, Lammy revealed new sanctions on four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) force targets, citing their role in supporting Iranian proxy actions in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. He emphasized the UK’s commitment to tackling the threat from Iran across the region.
The Nigeria Police Force has declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, and a Nigerian citizen, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The announcement was made by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
According to Adejobi, Wynne is accused of building a network of sleeper cells intended to topple the government. The police allege that the foreign national rented space at Labour House in Abuja and established a school as a front for his activities.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a six-count charge of treason and other criminal offenses against Wynne and other organizers of the recent #EndBadGovernance protests at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges allege that the defendants conspired to commit felonies, including treason, between July 1 and August 4.
Adejobi further revealed that the police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign nationals and subversive elements plotting to undermine Nigeria’s democratically elected government. He stated, “Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country.”
The police spokesman emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, suggesting that the plot involved orchestrating violence across the country to facilitate an unconstitutional regime change.
This development comes at a time of political tension in Nigeria, with the Tinubu administration facing various challenges since taking office. The allegations of a foreign-backed plot to overthrow the government are likely to intensify scrutiny of international involvement in Nigerian affairs.
As the investigation continues, the Nigeria Police Force has called on the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of Wynne and Obiyan. The case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about national security and the stability of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Abdel-Rahman Milad, one of Libya’s most notorious human traffickers and a figure sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, was killed on Sunday in the capital city of Tripoli, according to Libyan officials. The assassination has heightened tensions in the western part of the North African country, which continues to grapple with political instability and lawlessness.
Milad, who commanded a coast guard unit in the western town of Zawiya, was shot dead by unknown assailants under circumstances that remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Libyan media reported that Milad was shot while in his vehicle in the Sayyad area of western Tripoli. Images circulating online showed his white Toyota Land Cruiser riddled with bullet holes.
Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, confirmed Milad’s death. The Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has not yet commented on the incident.
Moammar Dhawi, a militia leader in western Libya, publicly mourned Milad’s death on Facebook, calling for an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Milad’s killing underscores the ongoing turmoil in Libya since the NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country remains divided between two rival administrations, each supported by armed groups and foreign governments.
In June 2018, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Milad and five other leaders of criminal networks involved in human trafficking from Libya. At the time, Milad was described as the head of a coast guard unit “consistently linked with violence against migrants and other human smugglers” from rival gangs.
UN experts monitoring the sanctions claimed Milad and other coast guard members were “directly involved in the sinking of migrant boats using firearms.” Milad had denied these allegations, claiming that traffickers wore uniforms similar to those of his men.
Despite his notoriety, Milad’s legal troubles were complex. He was jailed for about six months between October 2020 and April 2021 on human trafficking and fuel smuggling charges, but managed to return to a position of influence after his release.
The assassination of such a high-profile figure highlights the ongoing challenges Libya faces in combating human trafficking and establishing rule of law. As a major conduit for migrants from Africa and the Middle East seeking to reach Europe, Libya’s political instability has allowed criminal networks to thrive.
Heavy gunfire erupted early Monday morning at Makala prison, Congo’s largest penitentiary in the capital Kinshasa, as inmates attempted a mass jailbreak from the severely overcrowded facility. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya confirmed the incident on social media platform X, describing it as “an attempted escape.”
The gunfire reportedly began around midnight, alarming local residents. By Monday morning, security forces had cordoned off the road leading to the prison. Muyaya urged the population of Kinshasa not to panic, stating, “Security services are on site to restore order and security.”
Makala prison, designed to hold 1,500 inmates, currently houses over 12,000 people, most of whom are awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International’s latest country report. This extreme overcrowding has been a longstanding issue, with authorities recently attempting to alleviate the situation by releasing dozens of inmates in recent months.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba characterized the attack as a “premeditated act of sabotage” against efforts to improve prison conditions. He announced that investigations were underway to identify and punish those responsible for instigating the incident, promising a “stern response.”
In response to the jailbreak attempt, Mutamba announced a ban on the transfer of inmates from Makala prison and revealed plans to construct a new prison facility to address overcrowding issues.
This is not the first time Makala prison has experienced a jailbreak. In 2017, an attack by a religious sect resulted in the escape of dozens of inmates.
Local media reported that security forces killed some of those attempting to flee, though these reports remain unconfirmed. Videos purportedly from inside the prison showed several bodies on the ground, but their authenticity could not be immediately verified.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, currently on an official visit to China, has not yet commented publicly on the incident. The jailbreak attempt highlights ongoing challenges in Congo’s penal system, including severe overcrowding and security concerns.
Kenyan authorities have extradited Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe to the United States to face murder charges in Massachusetts, nearly a year after he fled the country. Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga confirmed on Monday that Kangethe left Nairobi on Sunday and is scheduled to appear at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Tuesday.
Kangethe is accused of killing his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, whose body was discovered in a car at Logan International Airport in Boston on October 31, 2023. Mbitu, a healthcare aide from Halifax, Massachusetts, was last seen leaving work on October 30 and was reported missing by her family.
The case has been marked by dramatic developments, including Kangethe’s escape from police custody in Kenya. In January, he managed to flee from a police cell following a visit from his Kenyan lawyer. This incident led to disciplinary action against four police officers on duty at the time. Kangethe was rearrested a week later, allowing the extradition process to continue.
During the extradition hearings in Kenya, prosecutors revealed that preliminary investigations showed Mbitu had traveled with Kangethe to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he resided, after leaving her workplace. Authorities also stated that Kangethe was found in possession of personal items belonging to the deceased.
Ingonga expressed his commitment to supporting the U.S. prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case. He stated, “I wish to reiterate my commitment and support, whenever needed, to the United States of America, and in particular the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case.”
The extradition order was initially issued by a Kenyan court in July, but the process was delayed by Kangethe’s escape and subsequent legal proceedings. Notably, Kangethe has renounced his U.S. citizenship, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, son of the late former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, has been arrested in Beitbridge for allegedly assaulting a police officer and brandishing a knife. The incident occurred at a roadblock in Bubi, approximately 80 kilometers north of the border town.
According to reports from NewsDay, the altercation took place around 6:00 a.m. when Chatunga, accompanied by a Chinese driver, arrived at the police checkpoint. The confrontation escalated when officers requested vehicle documents, leading Chatunga to become agitated.
Sources claim Chatunga shouted at the police, saying, “You are delaying us, do you know who I am?” During the incident, he allegedly grabbed a Support Unit officer by the collar, tearing off his shirt buttons, and brandished an Okapi knife before being subdued and arrested.
Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, the officer commanding Beitbridge Police District, confirmed Chatunga’s arrest but stated he had limited details about the case.
This incident adds to Chatunga Mugabe’s history of legal troubles. In 2023, he and a friend were arrested for assault and malicious damage to property. His older brother, Robert Junior, also faced legal issues in February of the previous year for erratic behavior at a party.
The arrest of the former president’s son highlights ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding the Mugabe family in post-Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe. As investigations continue, the case is likely to draw significant attention both domestically and internationally.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria has arrested 48 individuals suspected of internet fraud in a major operation in Umudike, Abia State. The arrests, carried out by operatives from the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, took place on Friday, August 30, 2024.
According to a statement released by the commission, the suspects were apprehended at various locations throughout Umudike following actionable intelligence regarding their alleged involvement in internet fraud activities. The operation marks a significant step in the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime in Nigeria.
In the course of the arrests, the EFCC seized a substantial amount of high-value items from the suspects. These include twelve exotic cars, fifteen different brands of laptops, and sixty-eight expensive smartphones.
The recovery of these items suggests a potentially lucrative operation by the suspects, highlighting the scale of internet fraud activities in the region.
The EFCC stated that investigations are currently ongoing. Once completed, the suspects will be charged to court to face legal proceedings related to their alleged crimes.
This operation in Umudike is part of a broader crackdown on internet fraud in Nigeria, a crime that has garnered international attention and affected the country’s reputation globally. The EFCC’s actions demonstrate the Nigerian government’s commitment to combating cybercrime and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Suspected attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted two ships in the Red Sea on Monday, escalating tensions in a vital maritime corridor and potentially threatening global trade and environmental safety. The incidents occurred near ongoing efforts to salvage the Sounion, an oil tanker still ablaze after a previous assault.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that in the first attack, two projectiles struck a vessel, with a third explosion occurring nearby. The targeted ship, believed to be the Panama-flagged oil tanker Blue Lagoon I, was traveling south through the Red Sea after departing from Russia’s port of Ust-Luga. The vessel had been broadcasting its cargo as of Russian origin.
Later Monday morning, the UKMTO reported a second attack off the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. Private security firm Ambrey stated that an aerial drone hit a merchant ship in close proximity to the earlier incident, though no damage or injuries were reported.
These attacks are part of a broader campaign by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have targeted over 80 vessels with missiles and drones since October 2023. The rebels claim to be targeting ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. However, many of the attacked vessels have little or no connection to the conflict.
The Houthi attacks have significantly disrupted the flow of goods through the Red Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade valued at $1 trillion annually. The assaults have also impeded aid shipments to conflict-affected regions in Sudan and Yemen.
Amid these tensions, efforts continue to salvage the Sounion, an oil tanker carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil. The vessel was attacked by Houthis on August 21 and subsequently abandoned by its crew. Salvage operations aim to prevent a potential ecological disaster, as the ship remains ablaze. Houthi official Jamel Amer had announced that tugboats were expected to arrive on Sunday to tow the Sounion away, but NASA fire satellites detected an ongoing blaze at the vessel’s location on Monday morning.
The Houthi rebels’ campaign has not only disrupted maritime trade but also resulted in casualties. Four sailors have been killed, while one vessel was seized and two were sunk. The United States-led coalition in the Red Sea has intercepted numerous missiles and drones, but the attacks continue to pose a significant threat to shipping in the region.
As tensions escalate, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the security challenges in the Red Sea. The attacks not only jeopardize global trade but also risk severe environmental consequences, particularly if fully laden oil tankers like the Sounion are compromised.
