Akporugo, 47, admitted to being a key player in a long-running romance scheme based in Houston, working with accomplices to lure victims into fake online relationships, then convincing them to transfer money to bank accounts under his control.
The meeting, held at the royal residence in Norfolk, allowed Zelenskyy to update King Charles on the situation in Ukraine, discuss humanitarian efforts, and highlight the importance of international solidarity.
“You all stuck the landing. We’re on the moon,” declared Will Coogan, Firefly’s chief engineer for the lander, celebrating the milestone achievement for the company and for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Firefly Aerospace’s privately-built Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon on Sunday, carrying a suite of NASA experiments, including a drill, vacuum, and other scientific instruments. The mission marks another step in the commercial race to establish a presence on the moon ahead of future astronaut missions.
The decision was reached during a high-level summit in London, held just two days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tense meeting with former US President Donald Trump, which led to Zelensky cutting short his visit to Washington. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that European leaders have agreed to develop a comprehensive peace plan for Ukraine, which will be presented to the United States as part of efforts to secure vital security guarantees for Kyiv in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The collection, which includes 113 bronzes from the Dutch State Collection and six pieces from the Municipality of Rotterdam, is expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year. Nigeria is making significant strides in its quest to reclaim thousands of Benin Bronzes and other intricate artifacts looted by British soldiers in 1897 from the former Kingdom of Benin, now part of southwestern Nigeria.
Orathai faces charges including membership in a secret society, involvement in a criminal association, participation in a transnational crime organization, identity theft-related fraud, and money laundering. Thai authorities have arrested a 52-year-old woman, Orathai (surname withheld), allegedly connected to the largest romance scam in Thailand’s history.
This update was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a discussion on ‘X Spaces’ hosted by influencer Dr. Segun Awosanya. The move aims to streamline visa processing, improve security, and enhance the user experience for applicants. The Federal Government has announced that all visa applications will transition to an online platform by March 1st, 2025, as part of efforts to enhance vetting processes.
The temporary shelters, expected to be ready in a few days, will accommodate thousands of deportees, according to municipal official Enrique Licon. This proactive measure reflects concerns over the impact of intensified U.S. immigration enforcement on border cities.
The White House confirmed the troop movement on Wednesday, though detailed specifics of the order remain undisclosed. This deployment marks a significant step in Trump’s efforts to tighten border security and address illegal immigration. The United States military has begun deploying 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border with Mexico, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s longstanding promise to intensify immigration enforcement.
Many reported being administered anti-psychotic drugs and, in some cases, subjected to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) without their consent. The findings have sparked concerns about human rights abuses and the misuse of mental health treatments in China. A BBC investigation has uncovered allegations that Chinese authorities have used psychiatric hospitals to detain and silence protesters and government critics. One such case involves Zhang Junjie, who, at age 17, was hospitalized and treated for schizophrenia after protesting against university rules imposed by the government.
He called for immediate action, adding, "It's time to MAKE A DEAL. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!" The statement underscores Trump's firm stance on resolving the ongoing crisis through diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, urging him to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine or face heightened sanctions and trade tariffs.
Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire is spreading ferociously, with embers and thick smoke threatening to push the flames further. Emergency services are on high alert, battling to contain the blaze as fears grow over its potential impact on nearby communities.
The bans prevent users from sharing X links on these forums, signaling growing tensions between the two platforms. This marks a significant shift in how online communities respond to platform policies and leadership controversies.
The meetings focused on enhancing economic collaboration, innovation, and strategic ties between the two nations, reinforcing their mutual commitment to fostering global economic stability and innovation.
According to state media outlet KCNA, party leaders condemned the U.S., Japan, and South Korea’s alliance as a “nuclear military bloc,” accusing it of escalating regional tensions. North Korea has pledged its "toughest" policies against the U.S. following a Dec. 23-27 meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea, led by Kim Jong Un.
A statement released on Saturday by a Taliban government spokesman mandated that new buildings avoid windows with views of courtyards, kitchens, or neighbors’ wells, citing privacy concerns. The Taliban's supreme leader has issued a directive prohibiting the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas used by Afghan women.
Speaking to The New York Post on Saturday, Trump stated, “I’ve always liked the visas... I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for Elon Musk amid a growing debate within the American political right over H-1B skilled worker visas.
The flight originated from St. John’s, Newfoundland. In a statement, the airport confirmed the incident and assured that emergency responders were deployed to manage the situation. Air Canada Flight 2259, operated by PAL Airlines, experienced a rough landing at Halifax Airport in Goffs, Nova Scotia, skidding off the runway and partially catching fire.
The funds will be directed toward recruiting thousands of new teachers and improving standards in state schools, addressing years of growing educational inequalities. The UK’s centre-left Labour government announced on Wednesday that it will end the tax exemption for private schools, a move expected to generate over £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) annually.
The elections were called after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition government collapsed last month over disagreements on economic revitalization strategies. Musk's endorsement has added fuel to an already heated political climate.
The aircraft skidded off the runway during landing and collided with a wall, triggering a fiery explosion. A tragic plane crash involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday has claimed the lives of 179 of the 181 people on board.
Speaking in Baku on Sunday, President Ilham Aliyev revealed that the passenger aircraft sustained severe damage from ground fire and narrowly avoided losing control due to radio-electronic warfare.
According to Ukrainian reports, the North Korean troops—described as “expendable” by their leadership—have been ordered to launch “hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses” despite the apparent futility of these attacks.
While expressing regret for the tragedy, Putin stopped short of taking responsibility, stating that the ongoing investigation must be concluded before any attribution of fault is made. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended condolences to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev following the fatal crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 on Christmas, which claimed 35 passenger lives, along with two pilots and one crew member among the 67 onboard.
