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Putin Orders Military to ‘Dislodge’ Ukrainian Forces as 120,000 Flee Border Area

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Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military on Monday, August 12, 2024, to “dislodge” Ukrainian troops who entered Russian territory last week.

Authorities in the Kursk region report that over 120,000 people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

Ukraine launched an offensive into Russia’s Kursk region on Tuesday, August 6, reportedly capturing over two dozen settlements.

In a televised meeting with government officials, Putin stated, “The main task is, of course, for the defense ministry to dislodge the enemy from our territories.”

Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov informed Putin that an estimated 121,000 people have fled the region since the fighting began.

The conflict has resulted in at least 12 civilian deaths and 121 injuries.

Authorities are expanding the evacuation area to include the Belovsky district, home to approximately 14,000 residents.

The neighboring Belgorod region is also evacuating its Krasnoyaruzhsky border district.

According to Smirnov, Ukrainian forces have advanced about 12 kilometers into Russian territory, capturing 28 towns and villages.

The new front is reportedly around 40 kilometers in length.

Putin claimed there had been an increase in men signing up to fight and assured that Russia would show “support for all those in distress.”

He concluded by stating, “The enemy will receive a worthy riposte.”

The situation remains fluid as both Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to engage in the border region.

Two Chinese Nationals Kidnapped in Ogun State, Nigeria

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Two Chinese nationals have been kidnapped by gunmen near Kemta, along Onigbedu in Ewekoro local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Monday, August 12, 2024, in Abeokuta.

The victims, identified by their surnames Wenguang and Ding, were reported missing by their company’s security supervisor.

Odutola stated, “The company’s security supervisor reported that one of the expatriates called to inform him that Wenguang and Ding had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding money in exchange for their release.”

A search operation was launched immediately following the report. “Our operatives in the Ewekoro Division, with the assistance of local vigilantes, military personnel from the Social Orientation and Safety Corps, local hunters, and other security groups, thoroughly searched the entire Kémta Village forest for the victims but were unable to find them,” Odutola reported.

The police spokesperson confirmed that efforts to locate and rescue the kidnapped Chinese nationals are ongoing.

The Ogun State Police Command is actively working to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe return of the victims.

As of the latest update, the search continues, and no further details about the kidnappers or their demands have been released to the public.

Footballer Chisom Oodo Dies of Suspected Cardiac Arrest During Training in Enugu, Nigeria

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ENUGU STATE, Nigeria – Tragedy struck in Enugu State on Sunday as Chisom Oodo, a young and promising footballer, collapsed and died during a routine training session at Ogrute, the headquarters of the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

Chisom, who was in his early 20s, reportedly suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while contesting for the ball with an opponent during the training.

The incident occurred shortly after he had arrived from his hometown, Aji, which is also within the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

The late Chisom Oodo had recently gained attention for his exceptional football skills, particularly during the Enugu-Ezike Football Tournament held last Christmas, where his talent was prominently displayed.

His remarkable performance caught the eye of scouts, and he was selected as one of the players to be sent to Europe for further development.

Franklin Onyeoma, a fan of Chisom, revealed that the young footballer had already completed his paperwork, including his passport and visa, in preparation for his move to Europe. The tragic incident occurred just before he could embark on what was expected to be a promising career abroad.

“The tragic incident has enveloped the whole community with sadness and sorrow,” Onyeoma said, expressing the collective grief felt by those who knew Chisom and had high hopes for his future in football.

The untimely death of Chisom Oodo has left the local community in mourning, highlighting the risks faced by athletes even during routine training sessions.

The loss of such a young and talented individual has cast a shadow over the aspirations of many who had hoped to see him succeed on the international stage.

newtelegraphng.com

Olivier Giroud Set for LAFC Debut in Leagues Cup Clash Against San Jose Earthquakes

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LOS ANGELES, California – LAFC head coach Steven Cherundolo has confirmed that Olivier Giroud will be available to make his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut on Tuesday night in the Leagues Cup round of 16 match against the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Giroud, who joined LAFC on a free transfer from AC Milan in April, had his official team debut delayed until August due to his participation in the European Championship with France.

“Olivier will be available for tomorrow,” Cherundolo announced in the pre-match press conference.

The 36-year-old French forward arrives in MLS after a successful 2023-24 season with AC Milan, where he recorded 15 goals and eight assists in 35 regular-season matches.

His former national teammate Hugo Lloris believes Giroud will have an immediate impact at LAFC.

“He’s a great player and can only be a good addition for LAFC. Obviously, it’s easier for me to talk because I know him really well, but he is going to bring his personality, leadership, and experience,” Lloris remarked at the MLS All-Star Game.

Giroud’s move to the United States caps off an 18-year career in top European leagues, including stints in Ligue 1, the Premier League, and Serie A.

With 285 goals in 716 club matches, he has proven himself as one of the most consistent forwards in world football.

Reflecting on his decision to join MLS, Giroud revealed at his introductory press conference on August 2 that LA Galaxy had contacted him in 2021.

However, he opted to stay in Europe at that time, eventually signing with AC Milan.

“It’s a bit funny … I signed for AC Milan [in 2021], before that, I met someone from LA Galaxy,” Giroud said during his presentation by LAFC two weeks ago. “I told them it’s not the right time for me to leave Europe.”

He added, “To join LAFC for me is destiny, God wanted me to be there with you guys.”

Now, Giroud and LAFC are focused on advancing in the Leagues Cup, starting with their clash against the Earthquakes.

A win would see them through to the tournament’s quarterfinals, marking a significant moment in Giroud’s already illustrious career.

Source: espn.com

Barcelona Fall 3-0 to Monaco in Joan Gamper Trophy, Wrapping Up Preseason on a Low Note

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BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona’s final preseason match before the start of the new LaLiga campaign ended in disappointment as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Olympic Stadium on Monday.

The loss marks the first time since 2012 that Barça have been beaten in their traditional curtain-raiser.

Monaco secured their victory with second-half goals from Lamine Camara, Breel Embolo, and Christian Mawissa, sealing a commanding performance that left Barça searching for answers just days before their season opener.

This defeat concludes a mixed preseason for Barcelona under new head coach Hansi Flick.

The team previously registered wins against Manchester City and Real Madrid but also experienced setbacks, including a loss to AC Milan during their tour of the United States.

Injuries and the absence of key players due to summer international tournaments have hampered Flick’s ability to field his strongest lineup throughout the preseason.

Notable absentees include Ronald Araújo, Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong, all of whom are sidelined with fitness issues.

The match against Monaco saw Ferran Torres and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal make their first preseason appearances, coming off the bench in the second half.

However, the game also saw Ilkay Gündogan exit early due to an injury, adding to Barça’s growing list of concerns ahead of the new season.

Despite dominating the first half, Barcelona struggled to convert their chances, with Pau Victor, who scored against Real Madrid last week, missing the best opportunity.

Raphinha also had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half, before Monaco capitalized with a clinical performance that silenced the crowd of over 40,000 at Montjuïc.

Barcelona will now shift their focus to the LaLiga season, which kicks off on Saturday with a challenging away fixture against Valencia.

Meanwhile, Monaco will enter the new Ligue 1 season full of confidence, preparing to host Saint-Étienne following their convincing victory over the Catalan side.

Nigerian Federal High Court in Lagos Grants 14-Day Remand Extension for Alleged Drug Lord Sulaimon Jimoh ‘Temo’

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LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, has granted a 14-day extension to the remand of Sulaimon Jimoh, an alleged drug lord also known by his alias ‘Olowo Idi Ogede’ or ‘Temo’.

This decision was made following a request by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which sought more time to tie up multiple ongoing investigations linked to the suspect.

The extension was granted after an ex parte motion was filed and argued by Lambert Nor, the Legal Officer-In-Charge of the Lagos Command of the NDLEA. In his submission, Nor invoked Section 6 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), Section 296 (1)(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and Order 26 Rules 8 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

He argued that these legal provisions grant the court jurisdiction to approve the extension request.

Justice Aluko, in his ruling, acknowledged the NDLEA’s need for additional time to consolidate its cases against the suspect, who is implicated in a series of drug-related activities across various jurisdictions.

The NDLEA’s ongoing investigations have reportedly uncovered a broader and more complex network of criminal activities, necessitating further checks and confirmations before proceeding to trial.

The NDLEA also assured the court that Jimoh’s legal rights would be respected during the extended remand period, emphasizing that all necessary legal protocols would be observed.

In support of the motion, the NDLEA presented a 13-paragraph affidavit, deposed by Kayode Abdu Ojo, a litigation officer with the agency.

The affidavit underscored the need for the additional remand period, arguing that “the applicant desires an order of this honourable court to remand Sulaimon Jimoh alias ‘Temo’ for 14 days,” citing ongoing investigations into diverse aspects of the cases linked to the suspect.

Justice Aluko, after reviewing the affidavit and considering the arguments presented, granted the extension, allowing the NDLEA to continue its investigation and compile evidence from various jurisdictions.

This case is part of a broader crackdown on narcotics and organized crime in Nigeria, where the NDLEA has been actively pursuing high-profile drug lords and dismantling their networks.

The remand extension is seen as a critical step in ensuring that comprehensive evidence is gathered to support the prosecution’s case.

Two Dead, One Injured in Baltimore Suburb Explosion That Levels Home and Damages Neighboring Houses

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BEL AIR, Maryland – An early morning explosion on Sunday leveled a home and caused significant damage to neighboring residences in a suburban Baltimore neighborhood, resulting in two deaths and one injury.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blast, which occurred around 6:42 a.m. ET on Arthurs Woods Drive in Harford County, approximately 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office identified the two victims on Monday afternoon as 35-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado, a contractor for Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), and 73-year-old Ray Corkran Jr., the homeowner.

Rodriguez-Alvarado was found dead at the scene amidst the widespread debris from the explosion, while Corkran’s body was recovered from under the rubble later that afternoon, according to officials.

“With the assistance of heavy machinery, investigators located the victim within the debris,” the fire marshal’s office reported, confirming Corkran’s death.

The explosion also injured one person, who was inside a neighboring house at the time of the blast.

This individual was promptly rescued and transported to a local hospital for treatment, as confirmed by Maryland State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire.

Search-and-rescue crews spent Sunday afternoon combing through the remains of Corkran’s home, which was completely destroyed by the powerful explosion.

According to the fire marshal’s office, Rodriguez-Alvarado had been working at the site when the blast occurred.

The explosion sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, damaging multiple homes adjacent to the destroyed residence.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion, though investigations are ongoing.

This tragic incident underscores the destructive potential of such explosions, prompting further scrutiny into the safety of gas lines and other potential contributing factors in residential areas.

Mother Arrested for 1987 Cold Case Murder of Newborn Found in California Dumpster

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RIVERSIDE, California – Authorities have arrested the mother of a newborn baby girl who was found dead in a dumpster in Riverside, California, nearly 40 years ago.

The arrest follows a breakthrough in the case after the woman was identified using cutting-edge DNA technology.

The infant, discovered on October 13, 1987, behind a business in the 5400 block of La Sierra Avenue, was found by a man rummaging through recyclables. Riverside Police, who responded to the scene, ruled the baby’s death a homicide.

 Despite an initial investigation, the case went cold as “all leads were exhausted and a suspect was not identified,” police said in a recent release.

In 2020, the Riverside Police Department’s Homicide Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation with support from Season of Justice, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to law enforcement agencies and families seeking to resolve cold cases through DNA analysis and forensic genealogy.

This support enabled the department to work with Othram, a Texas-based lab specializing in forensic genetic genealogy.

Othram’s scientists developed a DNA profile for the unidentified infant in November 2021, which was then used to generate potential leads on the baby’s relatives.

Through extensive analysis, investigators were able to identify the infant’s mother as 55-year-old Melissa Jean Avila.

Avila, who was 18 years old at the time of the baby’s death, was located in Shelby, North Carolina. She was arrested on August 9 in Shelby and subsequently extradited to Riverside County, California.

The case highlights the power of modern DNA technology in solving decades-old cold cases, bringing closure to long-standing mysteries.

The Riverside Police Department’s use of forensic genealogy has now provided the answers that eluded investigators for nearly four decades.

More than 70,000 civilians evacuated as Zelenskyy admits Ukraine is fighting in Russia

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially acknowledged that Ukrainian military forces are conducting an offensive in Russia’s western Kursk region, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Burnt home of the mayor of Kursk.

The unprecedented assault, which began on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, has resulted in the evacuation of over 76,000 civilians from the affected areas and prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to label it “a major provocation.”

According to Russian reports, up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops entered the Kursk region at the onset of the operation.

As of Sunday, August 11, battles continue to rage, with Moscow resorting to bombing its own territory in an attempt to contain what has become Ukraine’s largest incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war in February 2022.

During a video address on Saturday, Zelenskyy stated that his military was pushing into “the aggressor’s territory,” adding, “Ukraine is proving that it is really able to bring justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed — pressure on the aggressor.”

The assault has disrupted the established norms of Moscow’s 30-month invasion of Ukraine, where Kyiv has primarily struggled to defend its own territory.

Russian residents of Kursk leaving their homes due to Ukraine shelling

In response to the incursion, Russian federal authorities have declared a state of national emergency and imposed a sweeping security regime in three border regions.

These measures grant security services powers to restrict the movement of people and vehicles, as well as implement phone-tapping and other surveillance methods.

Evidence of Ukraine’s advance has emerged on social media, with videos showing Ukrainian soldiers raising their flag in the village of Guevo, located about two miles from the Ukrainian border, and removing Russian flags from government buildings in Sverdlikovo.

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has also increased its military presence along its border with Ukraine and claimed that Ukrainian drones had violated its airspace.

While Ukraine makes advances into Russian territory, the conflict continues to rage within Ukraine’s borders.

On Sunday, a Russian air attack on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of a 4-year-old boy and his 35-year-old father when debris from a downed Russian weapon fell on their house.

President Zelenskyy claimed that, according to preliminary information, the Russians had used North Korean missiles in the attack, an allegation that, if confirmed, would implicate North Korea in violating U.N. Security Council resolutions.

nbcnews.com

Ukraine Claims Control of 386 Square Miles of Russian Territory as Conflict Intensifies

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Ukrainian forces have seized control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of Russian territory, according to a statement made by Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi on Monday, August 12, 2024.

This declaration comes a week after a surprise cross-border assault that has left the Kremlin scrambling to respond and has shifted the initiative in the ongoing conflict back to Kyiv.

Gen. Syrskyi, in a video posted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel, stated, “The troops are fulfilling their tasks. Fighting continues actually along the entire front line. The situation is under our control.”

While NBC News has not been able to independently confirm the extent of territory held by Ukrainian forces, the statement marks a significant development in the conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first major public address on the crisis, vowed to drive Ukrainian troops from Russian soil.

Speaking at a special meeting dedicated to the situation, Putin ordered his defense ministry to “squeeze out, to knock out the enemy from our territories” before reinforcing Russia’s border defenses.

Location of alleged attacks inside Russia

The Russian leader suggested that Ukraine’s incursion aimed to improve its position in future peace talks, alleviate pressure on its forces along the front lines, and sow discord within Russia.

The ongoing battles in the Kursk border region, now in their seventh day, have seen Ukrainian forces reportedly advance up to 20 miles into Russian territory.

The Russian defense ministry acknowledged on Sunday that its forces were still engaged in intense fighting with Ukrainian troops near the villages of Tolpino, Obshchy Kolodez, and Zhuravli, located 13 to 17 miles from the Ukrainian border.

The assault has led to evacuations in parts of the Kursk and neighboring Belgorod regions. Acting Kursk governor Aleksei Smirnov reported to Putin that 28 settlements in his region were under Ukraine’s control, with about 180,000 people subject to evacuation. More than 120,000 have already been evacuated or left voluntarily.

In the Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov warned of increased “enemy activity” and announced proactive evacuations. Officials later reported that 11,000 people had been evacuated from the region.

The conflict has also raised concerns about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Both sides accused each other of endangering Europe’s largest nuclear facility after a major fire broke out at the site on Sunday.

nbcnews.com

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