Home Blog Page 764

Woman Killed in Manchester Triple Stabbing Identified as a Nigerian, Alberta Obinim

admin
-
0
Woman Killed in Manchester Triple Stabbing Identified as a Nigerian, Alberta Obinim

MANCHESTER, England  — Greater Manchester Police have identified the woman killed in a triple stabbing incident in Manchester as 43-year-old Alberta Obinim, a Nigerian.

The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. Sunday on Barnard Road in the Gorton area of Manchester, according to police. A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Two other individuals, a 17-year-old girl and a 64-year-old man, sustained life-threatening injuries in the attack, which police described as involving “serious stab wounds” at a property on Barnard Road.

Detective Superintendent Toby Facey said in a statement that while the investigation is in its early stages, initial indications suggest the suspect was known to the victims. The police are treating it as an isolated incident.

“We understand that the local community and further afield across Greater Manchester will be rightly shocked and concerned after waking up and hearing this tragic news this morning,” Facey said. “Our thoughts remain with those affected and their loved ones at this difficult time.”

Community leader Ibrahim Abu described Obinim to Sky News as a “lovely woman” who “always made sure people were smiling.” Abu expressed shock at the news, stating, “Yesterday she was at church, dancing and praising. She was at church… and we wake up and hear she has died.”

Abu added that the community is “pleading to God” for the recovery of the two other injured victims.

Police responded to the scene within minutes of receiving the call, and an arrest was made shortly after. A crime scene remains in place on Barnard Road as the investigation continues.

Facey assured the public that detectives have been working through the night to determine the circumstances of the incident. He also noted an increased police presence in the area, encouraging residents to speak with officers if they have any concerns.

The incident has raised concerns about safety in the community. Local authorities have not yet commented on any potential measures to address these concerns.

As the investigation progresses, police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The identities of the two critically injured victims have not been released, and updates on their conditions are pending.

Donkey Carts, Trash Piles, Overtake Mali as Bamako Grapples with Waste Management Crisis

admin
-
0
Donkey Carts, Trash Piles, Overtake Mali as Bamako Grapples with Waste Management Crisis

Mali’s capital, Bamako, is facing a mounting waste management crisis as its population surges past 3 million, with residents increasingly turning to donkey-drawn carts for trash collection.

Yacouba Diallo, a trash collector using a donkey cart, told The Associated Press he can earn up to $166 a month. “It requires less investment than a truck,” Diallo said, highlighting the economic appeal of this method for youth seeking employment in a country with high unemployment rates.

The city’s rapid growth has overwhelmed its waste management infrastructure, leaving many streets dominated by piles of garbage. Donkey carts, able to navigate through traffic and reach areas inaccessible to trucks, have become a common sight.

However, this solution has raised concerns among animal welfare advocates. Amadou Doumbia of the nonprofit SPANA campaigns for replacing donkeys with trucks, citing concerns about overwork and hazardous conditions for the animals.

Bamadou Sidibé, a waste management consultant, pointed out systemic issues. “All the institutions that have to deal with the waste problem are not playing their part,” Sidibé said. He noted that the city lacks waste transfer sites meeting required standards.

In 2022, the World Bank approved $250 million to help rehabilitate a landfill outside Bamako and build a second one. The project, set to last until 2028, has yet to begin construction.

Local authorities, including Deputy Mayor Adama Kanté, blame residents for the problem. “Bamako is dirty because people don’t care about the environment or their health,” Kanté said, adding that residents are unwilling to pay for waste disposal.

Some residents, like Boureima Traoré, agree, noting the lack of penalties for littering. “Instead of hiring a garbage collector who has to be paid, a lot of people wait until the rainy season to throw their garbage into the running water. It costs less,” Traoré said.

The waste crisis has also led to dangerous scavenging practices, with some residents searching through garbage piles for items to reuse or sell. This practice mirrors similar situations in other African capitals and can have deadly consequences, as evidenced by a recent landfill collapse in Uganda’s capital that killed at least 30 people.

As Bamako continues to grow, the need for comprehensive waste management solutions becomes increasingly urgent. The situation highlights the broader challenges faced by rapidly expanding African urban centers in managing basic infrastructure and public health concerns.

Source: apnews.com

Major Euro Counterfeiter Arrested in Italy, Europol Reports

Emmanuel
-
0
Major Euro Counterfeiter Arrested in Italy, Europol Reports

NAPLES, Italy  — A man suspected of manufacturing €11 million ($12 million) worth of counterfeit Euro banknotes was arrested in Naples last week, Europol announced Monday.

The European police agency said the unnamed suspect had already sold €8 million worth of fake notes across Europe, with many circulating in France. An additional €3 million in counterfeit currency was ready for distribution from what Europol described as a “bunker-like printing laboratory.”

According to Europol, the forger is believed to be responsible for “over 27% of all faked euro banknotes discovered and taken out of circulation in 2023 alone.”

Italian Carabinieri officers raided what Europol called a “sophisticated print shop” concealed behind a garage and a sliding door. The facility reportedly contained an “almost-industrial production line” with 31 digital printing machines and large quantities of raw materials.

“Expert analysis, including an assessment by the European Central Bank, confirmed that the counterfeit security features on the banknotes (such as holograms) were of high quality,” Europol said in a statement.

This arrest follows a series of related operations across Europe targeting counterfeit currency production and distribution:

– In March, police arrested 14 people in Barcelona, Rome, and Naples for producing and distributing over €1 million in counterfeit €100 notes. These fake bills were reportedly passing through ATMs and other devices undetected.

– German authorities withdrew over 56,000 banknotes theoretically worth more than €5 million from circulation in 2023 amid a sharp rise in counterfeit bills.

The latest arrest in Naples highlights the ongoing challenges faced by European law enforcement agencies in combating sophisticated counterfeiting operations.

FILE PHOTO: General view of the Europol building in The Hague, Netherlands December 12, 2019. REUTERS/Eva Plevier/File Photo

Europol did not provide details on how the suspect was identified or tracked, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The agency also did not disclose information about potential charges or legal proceedings against the arrested individual.

The European Central Bank, responsible for issuing Euro banknotes, continuously updates security features to stay ahead of counterfeiters. The bank encourages the public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with these security features to identify genuine currency.

As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to examine the wider network involved in distributing the counterfeit notes across Europe.

Ilkay Gündogan Announces Retirement from German National Team

admin
-
0
Ilkay Gündogan Announces Retirement from German National Team

BERLIN  — Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan announced his retirement from international football on Monday, ending a career that spanned 82 appearances for his country.

The 33-year-old midfielder made the announcement on social media platform X, stating, “After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the decision that it is time to end my national team career.”

Gündogan, who made his debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011, expressed pride in his international career. “I can look back with great pride on 82 caps for my home country — a number I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011,” he said.

The midfielder missed Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory due to a back injury but went on to captain the team during the recent European Football Championships hosted by Germany. Reflecting on the tournament, Gündogan said, “Being the national team’s skipper during the event was a huge honor. After all those years, we finally managed to make the nation proud again — I’m very happy that I was able to play a part in that.”

The German Football Federation (DFB) expressed gratitude towards Gündogan in a statement: “We will miss you as our captain and teammate. As our friend, you always had a secure place in the team. Thank you for everything, Illy!”

Gündogan’s retirement marks the end of an era for the German national team. His leadership and midfield presence were key components of the team’s strategy in recent years, particularly during Euro 2024.

While Gündogan is set to continue his club career, there is speculation about his future at FC Barcelona, with rumors suggesting he may leave the club this summer.

The midfielder’s decision to retire from international football comes as Germany begins to look towards rebuilding its national team following a period of transition. Gündogan’s experience and leadership will be missed as the team prepares for future international competitions.

Throughout his international career, Gündogan was known for his technical skills, vision, and ability to control the midfield. His retirement leaves a significant gap in Germany’s squad, which the national team will need to address in the coming months.

As the German national team moves forward, the search for new leadership and midfield talent will be a priority for the coaching staff and the DFB.

Two 14-Year-Old Girls Arrested for ‘Brutal and Calculated’ Murder of 93-Year-Old Woman-Toofab

admin
-
0
Two 14-Year-Old Girls Arrested for ‘Brutal and Calculated’ Murder of 93-Year-Old Woman-Toofab

While the victim’s family said the girls’ “punishment should be severe,” one of their fathers claims the teens were “coerced” to enter the victim’s home by another man — who then killed her in front of them with an axe.

In a shocking twist, two 14-year-old girls have been arrested for what family has called the “brutal and calculated” murder of a 93-year-old woman in Kansas.

Last Thursday, the two teens — whose names have not been released because they are juveniles — were “arrested for first-degree murder connected” to the death of Joanne Johnson, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Formal charges are pending, added the KBI, and the two suspects are being held at separate juvenile detention centers. The investigation is ongoing.

Johnson, who lived alone, was found dead in her Augusta, Kansas home on September 3, 2023. Not many details about how she died have been revealed by authorities — though the victim’s family said “the murder was brutal and punishment should be severe” after learning of the arrests. The two girls are also from Augusta.

A man claiming to be the father of one of the teens spoke with local news station KAKE over the phone after the arrest, reportedly telling the outlet he sat with his daughter while police interviewed her about the murder.

“He said his daughter said she and her friend were walking in a park on the day of the murder when a white man came up to them and ‘coerced’ them into going to Johnson’s home,” reported the outlet. “She said the man grabbed a rusty axe from Johnson’s garage and beat Johnson to death.”

“The father said his daughter held her hands over her friend’s ears so she couldn’t hear what was happening, and that the man had told the girls he would kill them and their families if they told anyone what happened,” the outlet continued, with the man reportedly saying the “once active, outgoing teenagers were now quiet and reserved and he had no idea why.”

The arrest comes after Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order earlier this year offering $5,000 in reward money for anyone who provided information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Her family also offered to match the reward for information.

At this time, KBI Communications Director Melissa Underwood said the agency doesn’t believe “any public tip or information helped to solve the case.”

Per Underwood, they also haven’t yet “identified a relationship between the accused female subjects and Joanne Johnson.”

Five Injured in Shooting Near Boston Festival, Police Search for Suspects

admin
-
0
Five Injured in Shooting Near Boston Festival, Police Search for Suspects

BOSTON  — A shooting near a Dominican festival in Boston’s Franklin Park on Sunday night left five people injured, authorities reported. Police are now searching for those responsible for the incident.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox told reporters that three men and two women suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The victims’ names and ages have not been released.

“We need to hold these people responsible whether it’s an individual or individuals responsible for this heinous act, you know shooting into a crowd,” Cox said Sunday night at the scene.

The shooting occurred as the festival was concluding and police were directing pedestrians out of the park. Cox said officers heard the shots as the event was winding down.

As of Monday, police had no updates on the investigation, including whether there was more than one shooter involved.

“The shooting really marred a pretty successful event for the folks here,” Cox added. “We’re going to hold them accountable. That’s why we need the public’s help and support on this one, but this shouldn’t be happening in our city, not in this day and age.”

The incident comes at a time when Boston has been recognized for reducing violent crime. According to police statistics, there were 37 homicides in the city last year, while only 10 have been recorded so far this year.

Cox emphasized the need for community cooperation in solving this case and preventing future incidents. The police department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

The festival, celebrating Dominican culture, had been a peaceful event until the shooting occurred. Organizers of the festival have not yet commented on the incident.

Local officials are expected to meet in the coming days to discuss safety measures for future public events in the wake of this shooting.

As the investigation continues, authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.

This incident has raised concerns about public safety at large gatherings in the city, despite the overall downward trend in violent crime.

Phil Donahue, Pioneering TV Talk Show Host, Dies at 88

admin
-
0
Phil Donahue, Pioneering TV Talk Show Host, Dies at 88

NEW YORK — Phil Donahue, the pioneering TV talk show host whose program “Donahue” aired for nearly 30 years, died Sunday night at the age of 88, a family representative confirmed Monday.

Donahue passed away from an undisclosed illness, according to a statement provided by a representative for his wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue began his career as a local TV reporter before launching a talk show on CBS affiliate WHIO in Dayton, Ohio. In 1967, he moved “The Phil Donahue Show” to NBC affiliate WLWD, also in Dayton. The show entered nationwide syndication in 1970, renamed simply “Donahue.”

The program, produced at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, ran for 26 years in syndication until its final episode in September 1996.

Donahue’s show gained national prominence for its compelling guests and pioneering open-forum interview style, allowing audience members to ask questions and viewers to call in. This format influenced future talk show hosts, including Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jessy Raphael.

“We knew if we were to have any chance to succeed, we couldn’t be talking about juvenile delinquency or all these broad, very imprecise issues,” Donahue told the Television Academy Foundation. “We knew we had to have personalities who moved you to go to that phone and make a phone call.”

The show tackled a wide range of topics, from emerging cultural phenomena like breakdancing to controversial figures such as Ku Klux Klansman David Duke.

Throughout his career, Donahue earned 20 Emmy Awards for “Donahue.” In 1992, the Television Academy inducted him into its Hall of Fame. He received a personal Peabody Award in 1980, praised for his “sensitive yet probing interviews” and “innate sense of honesty.”

In May, President Joe Biden awarded Donahue the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing him for “holding a mirror up to America” and “uniting us around the toughest issues of our time.”

Donahue is survived by his wife Marlo Thomas, his sister, children, grandchildren, and his golden retriever Charlie, the family statement said.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Donahue’s influence on American television and his role in shaping public discourse on social issues leave a lasting legacy in the media landscape.

Blinken Says Israel Accepts U.S. Cease-Fire Proposal, Urges Hamas to Follow Suit

admin
-
0
Blinken Says Israel Accepts U.S. Cease-Fire Proposal, Urges Hamas to Follow Suit

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday that Israel has accepted a U.S.-backed proposal aimed at bridging differences in Gaza cease-fire negotiations, and called on Hamas to do the same.

Blinken made the announcement following a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. The secretary did not provide details on whether the proposal addressed Hamas’ concerns about Israel’s demand for control over two strategic corridors inside Gaza.

“In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel supports the bridging proposal,” Blinken told reporters. “The next important step is for Hamas to say ‘yes.'”

The announcement comes amid Blinken’s ninth mission to the Middle East since the conflict began last October. Mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have spent months trying to broker an agreement, with talks repeatedly stalling.

Blinken emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.”

The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7 when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, has resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel and more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Approximately 250 people were abducted during the initial attack, with about 110 still believed to be in Gaza.

The evolving proposal calls for a three-phase process in which Hamas would release all hostages in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza and releasing Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas has accused Israel of adding new demands, including maintaining a military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border and along a line bisecting the territory.

Israeli officials maintain these are not new demands but clarifications of a previous proposal. Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Sunday that there are areas where Israel can be flexible and unspecified areas where it won’t be.

Late Sunday, Hamas released a statement accusing Netanyahu of setting obstacles to a deal by demanding new conditions, claiming the latest proposal capitulates to Israel’s demands.

Blinken is scheduled to travel to Egypt on Tuesday for meetings in the Mediterranean city of el-Alamein, where mediators will meet again this week in Cairo to try to cement a cease-fire.

The secretary also met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later on Monday. During his visit, Blinken warned against actions that could derail the peace process or escalate the conflict to other regions, in a veiled reference to recent targeted killings of militants in Lebanon and Iran attributed to Israel.

As negotiations continue, both sides face pressure to reach an agreement. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, with widespread devastation and displacement of civilians. Meanwhile, Israel seeks the return of hostages and an end to rocket attacks from Gaza.

The coming days are seen as critical for the prospects of a cease-fire, with formal responses to the U.S. outline expected this week that could lead to a declaration unless talks stall once again.

X Announces Closure of Brazil Operations, Citing Judge’s Content Orders

admin
-
0
X Announces Closure of Brazil Operations, Citing Judge’s Content Orders

Social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, announced Saturday it would cease operations in Brazil “effective immediately,” citing what it called “censorship orders” from Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The company claims Moraes secretly threatened one of X’s legal representatives in Brazil with arrest if the platform did not comply with orders to remove certain content. X published images of a document allegedly signed by Moraes, which states that a daily fine of 20,000 reais ($3,653) and an arrest decree would be imposed against X representative Rachel Nova Conceicao for non-compliance.

“To protect the safety of our staff, we have made the decision to close our operation in Brazil, effective immediately,” X said in a statement. The company added that its service would remain available to users in Brazil.

Brazil’s Supreme Court told The Associated Press it would not comment on the matter and would neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the document shared by X.

Earlier this year, Moraes ordered X to block certain accounts as part of an investigation into “digital militias” accused of spreading misinformation and hate messages during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Musk has previously called Moraes’ decisions regarding X “unconstitutional” and challenged the judge’s rulings. This led Moraes to open an inquiry into Musk earlier this year after the billionaire said he would reactivate accounts that the judge had ordered blocked.

Following Musk’s challenges, X representatives reversed course and informed Brazil’s Supreme Court that the company would comply with the legal rulings. In April, lawyers representing X in Brazil told the court that “operational faults” had allowed some blocked users to remain active on the platform.

Musk, in posts on X on Saturday, called Moraes an “utter disgrace to justice” and said the company could not have agreed to the judge’s “secret censorship and private information handover demands.”

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between social media platforms and Brazilian authorities over content moderation and freedom of expression. It also underscores the challenges faced by international tech companies operating in countries with different legal and regulatory frameworks.

As of Saturday evening, Brazilian authorities had not publicly responded to X’s announcement. The closure of X’s operations in Brazil could have significant implications for the platform’s millions of users in the country and for the broader landscape of social media regulation in Brazil.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad Claim Responsibility for Tel Aviv Bomb Blast

admin
-
0
Hamas, Islamic Jihad Claim Responsibility for Tel Aviv Bomb Blast

TEL AVIV, Israel  — The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Monday claimed responsibility for a bomb blast near a synagogue in Tel Aviv that Israeli police and the Shin Bet intelligence agency have labeled a terrorist attack.

The explosion late Sunday killed the man carrying the bomb and injured a passerby, according to police at the scene in Israel’s commercial capital.

Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said the man was carrying a backpack loaded with explosives that detonated “before he managed to reach a more heavily populated area.”

In a joint statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad said their “martyrdom operations” inside Israel would continue as long as the “occupation’s massacres and assassination policy” persist. This statement appears to reference Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza and the July 31 killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh’s death in the Iranian capital.

The bombing occurred about an hour after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, where fighting has raged for 10 months.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen crossed the border into Israeli communities, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign has resulted in widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip and at least 40,000 deaths, according to the enclave’s health authorities.

The Tel Aviv attack has heightened concerns about potential escalation across the wider region. Iran has threatened retaliation against Israel following Haniyeh’s assassination.

Israeli authorities are investigating the incident, with police and intelligence agencies on high alert for potential follow-up attacks.

The bomb blast underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, even as international efforts to broker a ceasefire intensify.

As of Monday afternoon, no further attacks have been reported, but security measures in Tel Aviv and other major Israeli cities have been heightened in response to the bombing.

The incident may complicate diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza conflict, as Israeli officials cite security concerns in negotiations for a potential ceasefire agreement.

1...763764765...973Page 764 of 973