A 25-year-old woman was on Friday rescued from a suspected ritualist after she was found unconscious with her hands and legs tied to a chair and mouth taped in the bathroom of an Abuja hotel.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said the incident happened on Friday, in Wuse, adding that the suspect was at large.

“The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect,” said Ms Adeh.

Mrs Adeh stated that the command swung into action after receiving a distress call from the hotel earlier in the day, at approximately 11:30 a.m., about a suspicious activity in one of their rooms.

She said operatives arrived the scene and “discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster. She added, “She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.”

Stating that preliminary investigation revealed that the case was a disturbing pattern of deception and violence, the command, in the statement noted that the victim had checked into the hotel on Thursday at 7am with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

The statement indicated, “However, during police questioning, the victim disclosed that she had met the suspect online, where he introduced himself under the alias Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja. Tragically, what was meant to be an innocent meeting turned into a harrowing ordeal. The suspect allegedly brandished a dagger, using it to threaten and subdue the victim before restraining her by tying her hands and legs and taping her mouth shut inside the bathroom. He then fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones. Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to “finish the job.”

Assuring that a full-scale manhunt for the fleeing suspect had been launched to ensure his immediate arrest, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, condemned the violent act and urged residents, especially young women, to be cautious when meeting individuals they do not know personally.

He also called on anyone with relevant information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest to immediately contact the police through mobile number 08032003913 and 08107314192.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on imports from the United States in retaliatory response to President Donald Trump announcing similar tariffs on Canadian goods.

Mr Trump also imposed a 10 per cent tariff on energy imports with enforcement of the tariffs set to commence on Tuesday.

“Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25% trade tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods,” Mr Trudeau said during a press conference on Saturday.

Executing one of the notices he gave before his inauguration, Mr Trump unveiled a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico as well as an additional 10 per cent tariff on goods from China as part of efforts to combat fentanyl and migrants’ influx.

“Today, I have implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China,” Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Mr Trump accused Canada, Mexico and China of complicit in the large influx of drugs and undocumented migrants into the United States. The three countries, however, denied the claim.

During the press conference, Mr Trudeau played down the allegation, noting that less than one per cent of drugs and undocumented immigrants trafficked into the United States came through the Canadian border and reiterated that Canada would respond accordingly.

President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, also rejected the accusation, posting on X that the country “categorically rejects the White House’s slander against the Mexican government for having alliances with criminal organisations.”

Ms Sheinbaum noted that she had directed the Secretary of Economy to “implement plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defence of Mexico’s interests.”

Meanwhile, the Chinese government through its ministry of commerce in a statement threaten to sue the United States government with the World Trade Organisation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted a consignment of 2,000 kg of Indian hemp known as skunk or Ghanaian Loud, produced in Ghana.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Wednesday, January 29 recovered the consignments at Lekki beach.

He said that two suspects were arrested while attempting to load them in a truck.

He stated, “The suspects, the skunk shipment and the van were immediately taken into custody.”

According to Mr Babafemi, another suspect was also arrested the same day with 55kg skunk during a raid at his base in Mushin area of Lagos.

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) as applauding the Lagos State Strategic Command for blocking the huge consignment of skunk from coming into the country.

Mr Babafemi noted that the NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, sensitisation lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities.

“Instances include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Grand Light Model School, Ata Udosung, Akwa Ibom; Community Grammar School, Iganna, Iwajowa LGA, Oyo State; Ebute Afuye Primary School, Epe, Lagos State.

“Others are Akwakuma Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State; and the Federal Government College, Kebbe, Sokoto State, while the Kogi State command of the agency paid a WADA advocacy visit to Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Opaluwa Oguche at his palace in Idah, among others ” he said.

The Oyo State Fire Service on Sunday said it recovered the body of a 45-year-old man from a well at First Women Estate in Akala area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The General Manager of the Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a statement in Ibadan.

Mr Akinyinka said personnel of the service received a distress call about the incident on Friday at 2:11 p.m through a telephone call from one Yusuf.

According to him, firefighters responded to the distress call by rushing to the scene of the incident.

He said, “On getting there, it was discovered that a man was trapped inside the well while working beneath.’’

He, however, said the corpse of the 45-year-old man was recovered from inside the well and handed over to his relatives.

Mr Akinyinka said that personnel of the Amotekun Corps from Oluyole Command led by one Akanbi Kabiru were also at the scene of the incident to give a helping hand.

In another development, the general manager said his personnel also responded to a fire incident at Salim Complex , Alafia Estate, in Akobo area of Ibadan on Saturday.

He said the incident, which was caused by electricity surge, affected one of a twin two-bedroom flat in the estate.

Mr Akinyinka said that fire fighters swiftly curtailed the fire from spreading to other parts of the building with no casualty recorded.

He advised members of the public to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

About 30 passengers have died in an auto crash at the popular Onipetesi area on the Ore/Lagos highway in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was learnt that the accident occurred on Saturday. .

Witnesses said that the accident involved two articulated vehicles that collided after the drivers drove against traffic to avoid traffic on the route.

One of the witnesses, Bayo Adefarati, disclosed that 28 people were burnt beyond recognition while two others, rescued from the scene, died on their way to the hospital.

“The two commercial buses collided and burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of the passengers. The drivers drove against traffic to avoid traffic on the road. And they were even at a high speed. Both vehicles were loaded with passengers. I counted 30 occupants, and two of them died while on the way to the hospital. It was the timely effort of the road safety and concern motorists that reduced the casualty figure. If not, we would have recorded more casualties,” Mr Adefarati told The Gazette.

The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Ibitoye, who confirmed the accident through a statement on Sunday, said 30 persons died in the accident.

“A total of 28 persons were burnt beyond recognition while two others died while being taken to the hospital for treatment, and two survivors are now receiving treatment,” Mr Ibitoye said in the copy of the statement.

He blamed impatience on the part of the drivers for the head-on collision, stressing that investigation showed that they drove against the traffic.

According to Mr Ibitoye, the corpses have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

Urging passengers travelling on the highway to always speak out against unsafe driving practices, he cautioned drivers to avoid reckless driving and ensure proper vehicle maintenance.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe for ingesting 81 pellets of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The disclosure is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that the suspect had undergone a surgery, exploratory laparotomy, to let out 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach.

This, he said, was after seven days of ingesting the illicit substance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He said that Mr Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA, at the arrival hall of the MMIA, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday, January, 26.

He added that the suspect who was promptly taken for body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

According to Mr Babafemi, investigation revealed that Mr Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on January 22 to Addis Ababa.

This, he said, was where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day January 23 and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

Mr Babafemi stated, “Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, January 25 with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on January 26. After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

“With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlying medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility. This was where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, January 30. In all, a total of 81 pellets of the Class A drug with a gross weight of 1.943 kilograms were recovered from his stomach.’’

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) as commending the officers and men of the MMIA strategic command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling Mr Igbokwe’s case

Mr Marwa warned those involved in the illicit drug trade that they were not only destroying the lives of others, but equally putting their own lives at great risk.

The police command in Kano has arrested the wife and some associates of a suspected Chadian terrorist, Ahmad Adam Abba, who is wanted for masterminding the killing of 17 people in his country.

The arrests were made on the eve of the National Tijjaniyya Maulud ceremony at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano last week.

The state commissioner of police, Salman Garba, said this while speaking with journalists in Kano on Friday.

He said Mr Abba, still at large, was planning to set up a terrorist base in Kano.

Mr Garba said the police had also apprehended three of the suspect’s associates, including his wife, another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed, and one Nigerian.

“Acting on one of the intelligence reports, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered with discreet investigations in progress.

“The wanted Chadian suspected terrorist escaped out of Nigeria, and we have successfully apprehended three of the suspect’s associates, including his wife, another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed, 42 years old and a Nigerian.

“They were arrested following a thorough investigation and intelligence-led policing and are currently in custody with investigation ongoing,” he said.

The commissioner said in addition to the latest arrests, the police command had intensified intelligence-gathering efforts across the state.

“Our teams are collaborating closely with other intelligence agencies and the communities to ensure that we are working hand-in-hand to identify any suspicious activities and individuals who may pose a security threat to our society,” he said.

He said patrols, surveillance, and other measures had been intensified in known to be vulnerable to criminals.

Mr Garba also said the command, through its public relations unit, would continue to conduct awareness programmes to educate the public on the importance of reporting suspicious activities.

“It is vital that we foster trust and cooperation between the police and the communities we serve as this partnership is essential in combating crime and preventing likely emerging security threats,” he added.

The gospel film community and fans are mourning the loss of Moses Korede Are, beloved actor and star of the popular Abattoir series, known to many as Baba Gbenro.

The actor was laid to rest in a heartfelt ceremony attended by family, friends, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate his life and legacy.

The ceremony, which took place on Friday, saw attendees dressed in white and blue, a symbol of peace and respect.

The moving event was captured in photos shared by a Christian video podcast, Zion Kulture, on X.

The images capture mourners gathered around his gravesite, paying their respects.

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested several members of a four-man syndicate that specialises in robbing bank customers.

The syndicate also uses locally fabricated master keys to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, the gang targets bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

The arrested members include Mustapha Bukar, 42; Mustapha Abubakar, 47; and Habibu Tijjani, 30. The fourth member, who is the gang leader, is currently at large.

“The modus operandi of the suspects involves monitoring bank customers who withdraw substantial amounts of money with the intention of robbing them. They utilise locally fabricated master keys, known as ‘Chori,’ to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles and properties.

“On January 28, 2025, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the syndicate, which specialises in targeting bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states. A thorough investigation revealed that on January 27, 2025, at around 5 pm, the suspects observed a 43-year-old businessman (name withheld) leaving FCMB Bank in Bauchi after withdrawing a substantial sum for his business operations.

“The suspects followed him to his residence, positioning their vehicles strategically as they awaited his exit, intending to rob him of his funds. Upon realising he was being followed, the victim contacted his family to open the gate and secure his vehicle. He then informed the police about the suspicious activities, which led to the apprehension of three suspects.

“During the investigation, all apprehended suspects confessed to their involvement and provided crucial information that will aid in the capture of the ringleader, who is still at large,” the statement partly read.

The statement added that items recovered from the suspects included three locally fabricated master keys and two Toyota Honda saloon vehicles.

It also noted that the suspects specifically targeted individuals who had withdrawn money from banks, trailing them to their destinations.

“Once the victims parked their vehicles, the suspects used the fabricated keys to unlawfully access the cars. The suspects indicated that Honda vehicles are particularly susceptible due to weak locking mechanisms.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, urged residents to exercise vigilance when leaving banks, avoid parking in isolated areas, refrain from carrying large sums of money in public, and report any suspicious activities near banks, financial institutions, or residential areas to the police.

The Chairman, Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George Chima, has been kidnapped.

Chima was said to have been abducted on Friday from his Okigwe residence in Imo State while playing host to some guests.

According to a family source, the ABSIEC Chairman was playing host to some lecturers from Abia State University, Uturu in his Okigwe residence when the gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, numbering four, stormed the house, harassed his visitors and seized him.

The police spokesperson in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the development to our correspondent.

He said the police are on the trail of the kidnappers.

He said “Yes, we are aware of the kidnap of the Prof and we have commenced investigations.

“As I speak to you now, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, personally led the team of police to Okigwe.

“The police are assuring all that we will catch the kidnappers,” Okoye said.

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have nabbed 12 suspected vandals who specialise in stealing the state government’s property.

The suspects were found in possession of about three rolls of aluminium conductors, which the Niger State Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said cover about 80 kilometres.

Abiodun also revealed that the suspects have confessed to breaking two concrete poles as they removed the iron rod in the poles for sale.

According to the PPRO, “In view of the infrastructural facility upgrade within Minna and other parts of the state, it was observed that some miscreants were using the opportunity to vandalise and steal government property.

“Consequently, on January 24 and 25, 2025, the Police operatives of Minna Area Command arrested the following suspects:

Shamsudeen Ibrahim, 19 years; Abba Shuaibu, 24 years and Faisal Aliyu,18 years, all of Limawa, Minna.

“The three suspects were arrested with street light cables, diggers, hammers, and cutter at the Limawa area of Minna. Others are: Khalid Shehu, 18 years of Sabon-Gari Minna; Ibrahim Lawal, 21 years of Sabon-Gari Minna; Gambo Umar, 18 years of Tunga Minna; Mohammed Lawal, 24 years of Hospital Road, Minna, and Magaji Garba, 31 years, receiver from Kwangila, Minna,” Abiodun stated.

The spokesman said they were arrested with some quantities of burnt electric armoured cable, and all the suspects were under investigation in SCID Minna.

Abiodun said other suspects, Ibrahim Aliyu, 32 years; Kabiru Adamu, 35 years; Mohammed Alfa, 23 years; all of Tunga Minna, and Basiru Hamidu, 28 years, a receiver at Masuga were also nabbed

“Earlier, on January 7, 2025, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division Kontagora based on credible information received, arrested four other suspects;

“The suspects were arrested at Masuga village, via Rijau-Kontagora road for vandalising a large quantity of aluminium conductors. They were found in possession of about three rolls of aluminium conductors, which cover about 80 kilometres.

“The suspects also confessed to the breaking of two concrete poles, as they removed the iron rod in the poles for sale,” Abiodun stated

A suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to steal electricity infrastructure belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in the Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that officers recovered the suspect’s lifeless body near step-down electricity lines at Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, on Wednesday, January 30, 2025.

According to a statement on Thursday by the FCT Police spokesman, Josephine Adeh, officers responded to a distress call and discovered tools allegedly used for the attempted vandalism.

She added that while the deceased suspect was found at the scene, an accomplice managed to escape before the police arrived.

“On January 30, 2025, FCT Police operatives responded to a distress call put through to the Command’s Control Room and discovered a lifeless body near step-down electricity lines at Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro.

“Tools used for the attempted vandalism were also recovered, while his accomplice had already fled,” Adeh stated.

Adeh issued a stern warning against vandalising public assets, stressing that such acts would not be tolerated in the FCT.

“The FCT Police Command strongly warns against engaging in such criminal activities, emphasizing that vandalism of public infrastructure is a serious offence.

“Security operatives remain on high alert to apprehend perpetrators and ensure the protection of critical national assets,” she added.

The Federal Government has donated N30 million to the family of renowned National Flag designer, late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, two years after his demise.

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accompanied by the Oyo State Director of the agency, Olukemi Afolayan, made the official presentation of the cheque on behalf of the Federal Government at the Elebu in Ibadan residence of the late National hero on Thursday.

The late Akinkunmi died on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87.

On September 4, 2023, President Bola Tinubu sent a government delegation led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi, on a condolence visit where it pledged to give the late Nigerian hero a national burial and financial support to the family.

The NOA DG said, “The donation of N30 million to the family of renowned National Flag designer was not to pay for the services of the late legend but to support his family in appreciation of his contributions to the country.”

One of the deceased sons, Akinwunmi Akinkunmi, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the gesture.

Eighteen bodies with no survivors have been recovered so far from the site of the aircraft collision near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington.

CBS News reported on Thursday, citing a police official.

On Wednesday, a military helicopter reportedly operated by the U.S. Army collided with a passenger jet approaching to land at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C.

Both aircraft were believed to have crashed into the Potomac River near the airport.

A large number of rescuers are currently on the scene searching for survivors.

Later, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that a PSA Airlines jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to the airport.

Chad on Thursday announced a full withdrawal of French troops from the Central African country.

“The three bases of French elements in Chad have all been handed over to the Chadian National Army. The very last one has just been handed over today. The handover of the Sergent Adji Kossei Base in N’djamena definitively closes the presence of French forces in Chad,’’ Chadian Army spokesman Chanane Issakha Acheikh said in a statement.

In November 2024, Chad announced the end of the security and defence cooperation agreement with France.

On December 10, the same year, some French troops began to leave Chad.

On December 31, 2024, Chadian President Mahamat Itno announced the definitive withdrawal of French troops from the country by Friday.

Celebrations broke out across Syria on Wednesday evening following the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the new administration in Syria, as the country’s transitional president.

In Damascus, Umayyad Square, the largest square in the capital, saw a large gathering celebrating Mr al-Sharaa’s appointment.

Attendees were seen waving Syrian flags and chanting slogans supporting Mr al-Sharaa and opposing the long-time rule of toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad.

“Hundreds of cars roamed the neighbourhoods of the capital, waving the Syrian flag in a joyful and celebratory atmosphere,’’ said Ziad Ali, who participated in a car parade in Damascus.

“Everyone in the neighbourhood exchanged congratulations on social media, and hundreds came out to Baramkeh Square to celebrate, performing dabke dances despite the cold weather,’’ Mr Ali, a resident of Baramkeh said.

In Jdeidet Artouz town, west of Damascus, hundreds of residents took to the streets, both on foot and in cars, following the announcement by the ‘Military Operations Administration’ of Mr al-Sharaa’s appointment as transitional president.

Mustafa Abdullah, from Raqqa province, carried the Syrian flag while chanting, “Raise your head high, you’re a free Syrian, we’ll crush them, crush the Assad family.’’

“We urge President al-Sharaa to work on liberating the provinces of Raqqa, Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor, and expelling the SDF forces occupying the Jazira region.

“Celebrations are also underway in these areas, as they are part of Syria, and we will never accept their division,’’ Mr Abdullah said.

In the evening, roads looked deserted in Damascus as Syrians eagerly awaited the “victory speech’’ from Mr al-Sharaa.

Judge Abdullah Saad, speaking from Aleppo, said, “Today’s decisions to dissolve the army, security agencies, and parliament, and suspend the 2012 Constitution, are natural outcomes of the revolutionary factions taking control of governance.’’

Mr Saad added, “The celebrations currently sweeping all Syrian cities are a testament to the legitimacy given to Ahmed al-Sharaa.

“This aligns with the decision of revolutionary faction leaders to appoint al-Sharaa as president, from whom we expect significant contributions to serve the country.’’

The global police body, Interpol, on Thursday said no fewer than forty-five people have been arrested in West Africa over the past three months in operations targeting drug trafficking and the financing of terrorism.

Interpol, which is headquartered in France, stated that those arrested included a suspected Islamic State member at the borders between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, and a North African suspected of aiming to travel through Europe to join ISIS in Syria.

It added that cocaine valued at more than $50 million was also confiscated in Cabo Verde, as well as 10 tonnes of amphetamines in Burkina Faso.

“This operation marks a critical step in disrupting transnational organised crime networks that threaten regional stability and undermine efforts to build peace and foster development across West Africa,” Interpol said.

A passenger plane and a military helicopter collided mid-air near Ronald Reagan National Airport, prompting a major emergency response and the suspension of all airport operations.

According to Al Jazeera, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft involved were a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines flight, and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

The passenger plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three personnel on board.
Al Jazeera reported an “enormous response” at the scene, including emergency vehicles and boats.

“This is the main local airport serving the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. We believe that both aircraft are in the river, which is of enormous concern. We were told that, at best, someone could survive about an hour and a half in this water.”

Authorities have not yet provided official information on casualties.
Video footage shared on social media appears to show the moment of impact, followed by an explosion.

Reports indicate that an air traffic controller had instructed the helicopter to pass behind the approaching aircraft moments before the collision.

Government officials, including President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have been briefed on the situation.

Trump stated that he had been “fully briefed” on the “terrible accident”.
Senator Ted Cruz confirmed fatalities but did not provide specific numbers.

The FAA announced that Ronald Reagan National Airport would remain closed until at least 5 a.m. on Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Defence have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

If confirmed, this would be the first fatal incident involving a US commercial airline since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York, resulting in 49 fatalities.

Ronald Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to Washington, DC, and a key hub for domestic travel.

A man who repeatedly burnt the Quran in 2023 in Sweden, sparking outrage in Muslim countries, has been shot dead, media reported on Thursday, as police confirmed a fatal shooting the day before.

A Stockholm court was due to rule on Thursday whether Salwan Momika, a Christian Iraqi who burned Qurans at multiple protests, was guilty of inciting ethnic hatred.

The ruling was postponed until 3 February, with the court stating: “Because Salwan Momika has died, more time is needed.”

Police said in a statement that they had been alerted to a shooting in the city of Södertälje, where Momika lived.

The shooting occurred indoors, and when police arrived, they found a man who had been “hit by shots and was taken to hospital,” the statement said.

In a later update, police confirmed the man’s death and announced a murder investigation.

Several media outlets identified the deceased as Momika and reported that the shooting may have been broadcast live on social media.

In August, Momika, along with co-protester Salwan Najem, was charged with “agitation against an ethnic group” on four occasions in the summer of 2023.

According to the charge sheet, the duo desecrated the Quran, including burning it, while making derogatory remarks about Muslims—on one occasion outside a Stockholm mosque.

Relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern countries were strained by the pair’s protests.

Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice in July 2023, setting fires within the compound on the second occasion.

In August of that year, Sweden’s intelligence service, Säpo, raised its threat level to four on a scale of five after the Quran burnings made the country a “prioritised target.”

The Swedish government condemned the desecrations while highlighting the country’s constitutionally protected freedom of speech and assembly laws.

In October 2023, a Swedish court convicted a man of inciting ethnic hatred with a 2020 Quran burning—the first time the country’s courts had tried the charge of desecrating Islam’s holy book.

Prosecutors have previously stated that under Swedish law, burning a Quran can be considered a critique of the book and the religion, making it protected under free speech.

However, depending on the context and statements made at the time, it can also be deemed “agitation against an ethnic group.”

No fewer than 20 American mercenaries fighting on the side of Ukraine, have been reported missing in combat, with casualties among foreign fighters rising sharply over the past six months.

CNN reports this on Thursday after conducting its own investigation.

It said that foreigners had been dying on the Ukrainian front lines in growing numbers as they rushed to fill the gaps in Ukraine’s defences.

According to the CNN report, bodies of at least five Americans killed in the past six months could not be retrieved from the battlefield.

The report added that the remains of two U.S. citizens were transferred to Ukraine last Friday.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry had repeatedly accused Kiev of recruiting foreign mercenaries.

Many foreign fighters had confessed in different interviews that the Ukrainian military provided little coordination.

It also said that the intensity of combat far exceeded what they experienced in Afghanistan and the Middle East, making survival extremely difficult.