Category News

Troops Kill Bandits, Recover About 1,000 Rustled Cattle In Taraba

By in News, Nigeria News

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/ Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with troops of Operation Safe Haven, have neutralized two bandits and recovered about 1,000 cattle in Taraba State and neighbouring Plateau State.

Acting on credible intelligence, troops responded swiftly to a report of armed bandits mounted on approximately 30 motorcycles who had crossed from Plateau State into Taraba State.

The criminal elements launched a cattle rustling operation targeting a Fulani settlement near Jebjeb Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State.

The operation code-named Operation Lafiya Jama’a is billed to reinforce the fight against criminality in Taraba and neighbouring states to ensure safety for all residents.

In a prompt and coordinated response, troops of 6 Brigade, in conjunction with their counterparts from Operation Safer Haven deployed in the Kampani area of Wase LGA, Plateau State, mobilized and projected forces toward Komodoro village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Attacks Military Base, Kills Two Teachers In Borno

Upon contact, the bandits who had already fled across the river boundary into Daji Madam Forest in Plateau State were engaged in a fierce firefight.

A press statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni, says that during the encounter, troops neutralized two of the bandits and successfully recovered about one thousand (1,000) rustled cattle.

The recovered livestock were immediately herded to safety and relocated to the Jebjeb community in Karim Lamido LGA.

According to the statement, Plans are currently underway to conduct thorough identification and verification processes to ensure the rustled cattle are returned to their rightful owners in due course.

Gaza death toll passes 53,000 as Israel drives towards ‘conquest’

By in News, World News

Air strikes have reportedly killed hundreds of people in Gaza as Israel intensified its bombardment in line with a plan for “conquest” of the enclave.

Gaza’s civil defence agency said that at least 50 people were killed in Israeli strikes overnight, adding to 143 reported to have been killed the previous day. The casualties pushed the total death toll in the Palestinian territory since Israel launched its onslaught on October 7, 2023 to more than 53,000.

In response, Hamas called on the international community to hold Israel to account for what it described as a “barbaric escalation”. The Israeli military has not commented on the strikes.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated a promise to push ahead with a promised escalation in pursuit of his aim to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian armed group that governs Gaza.

That follows an announcement by Netanyahu last week that the military campaign would be intensified should Hamas fail to agree a deal to release the remaining captives by the time United States President Donald Trump finished his tour of the Middle East.

Trump was due to wrap up his four-day trip, which did not include a visit to Israel or Palestine, on Friday.

There had been hope that the tour could help usher in a ceasefire deal or renewal of aid to Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in the enclave is building with an Israeli blockade of the territory now in its third month.

However, Israeli officials suggested last week that plans include the “conquest” and full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, and potentially a bid to push Palestinians out of the enclave – a suggestion also put forward by Trump.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 53,010 Palestinians and wounded 119,919, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The Strip’s Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of others missing under the rubble are presumed dead. The war followed an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 taken captive.

‘Not for sale’

Israel has halted the entry of food, medication and all other essentials into Gaza since March 2, saying that the blockade, alongside “military pressure”, is intended to force Hamas to free the remaining captives.

However, senior Hamas official Basem Naim reiterated on Thursday the group’s position that the entry of aid into Gaza is a prerequisite for any talks with Israel.

“Access to food, water and medicine is a fundamental human right – not a subject for negotiation,” he added.

The US and Israel are preparing a plan that they say will allow the resumption of aid by an NGO, while keeping supplies out of Hamas’s hands.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has said it will begin distributing aid this month. However, the United Nations and other aid organisations have ruled out involvement in the initiative, saying it does not respect the impartiality, neutrality and independence of aid operations.

However, the US is pushing on, apparently keen to “get involved” in Gaza, as Trump put it during his trip to the region.

Speaking in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the US president said: “We’re looking at Gaza. And we’re going to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving.”

The previous day, however, he reiterated his idea of having the US take over Gaza and pushing Palestinians out of the enclave.

“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good … let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone,” he said, adding that he would be “proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone”.

The comments echoed a widely condemned idea he floated in February for the US to “take over” the devastated territory and redevelop it into “the Riviera of the Middle East”.

In response, Hamas official Naim said that the territory is “not for sale”.

Justin Bieber’s ex-pals claim he’s in a cult after being ‘isolated’ by friendship group

By in Entertainment News, News

Former pals of Justin Bieber have spoken out to claim he is in a ‘cult’ run by his church pastor Judah Smith, who has laughed at the accusations

There are fears Justin Bieber is in a ‘cult’ and cutting pals out of his life(Image: Getty Images)

Former pals of Justin Bieber have reportedly claimed he is in a ‘cult’ – and that his church pastor is behind the singer cutting certain friends out of his life. The 31-year-old is said to have been shrinking his circle over the past few years and become increasingly ‘isolated.’

Concern has been growing for the former child star – who shot to fame at the age of just 15 with hits like One Time and Baby – who has been looking dishevelled and withdrawn from public life recently.

He hasn’t released any music for four years and there have been worries about his mental health and possible drug use, according to reports. In his latest social media post, he also admitted ‘hurting others’ in a candid confession.

Taking to Instagram, he said: “I’m just an averaged flawed guy, I’ve done things that have hurt others, I continue to do and say things that hurt others unintentionally. Yet I woke up this morning with another opportunity to grow and not be so selfish today. Love draws us in. Love doesn’t condemn. Love believes the best. Love hopes all things and endures all things. It doesn’t keep record of wrong. Love helps u to forgive and love even your enemies.”

READ MORE: Justin Bieber shares update on Hailey marriage after months of concerns

Justin Bieber no longer pals with his former manager Scooter Braun
Justin is no longer pals with his former manager Scooter Braun (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Now there are fears the star – who became a dad for the first time in August last year when wife of almost seven years Hailey, 28, gave birth to their son Jack Blues – is being influenced by his pastor, Judah Smith.

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In a clip from TMZ documentary ‘What Happened to Justin Bieber’, sources close to the singer said: “Let’s be honest, the people who get cut out of Justin’s life are pointing the finger at Judah, and saying that there’s something that he’s saying or doing with Justin that makes Justin not trust all these people that have been around him and helped him in his career, and personally, up to this point.”

But Judah has shut down any cult rumours. In another clip shown in the programme, he hits back: “OK, if we’re in a cult, we’re the worst cult in the histories of all cults. What kind of cult only meets once a month, guys?”

TMZ claim to have been told that Judah and Justin ambushed his former manager Scooter Braun – who is Jewish and discovered Justin – asking him ‘Why don’t you love Jesus?’ The pair are also said to have grilled Ryan Good, who was best man at Justin’s 2018 wedding, about his dating and sex life.

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Both men are no longer thought to be friends with Justin and TMZ says their sources say Ryan has now left Justin and Judah’s church, Churchome, because he thought it was a cult. One source in the documentary said: “Ryan really thought [what happened] was invasive and it really turned him off from the church.”

Another source added: “We’re told that this is when Ryan started to feel that Churchome was a cult. That’s when he started using the cult word.” The Mirror has reached out to Justin’s reps for further comment on this story.

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Tinubu Inducts Two Fighter Aircraft To Tackle Insecurity

By in News, Nigeria News

President Bola Tinubu has inducted two attack helicopters to tackle the security challenges in the country.

The aircraft were inducted into the Nigerian Air Force fleet.

Tinubu was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The induction of the aircraft also coincided with the 61st anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force.

The two helicopters, NAF544 and NAF545, are aimed at strengthening the air power of the military to tackle the challenge of insecurity in the country.

49 Additional Aircraft

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force will receive additional 49 aircraft by 2027.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, disclosed this during the induction of two newly acquired 109S Trekker helicopters in Abuja by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday.

He also said from 2024 to date, the Nigerian Air Force received a total of nine brand new aircraft into its inventory, comprising 4t, 129, attack helicopters, three King Air 360 aircraft, as well as the two Agusa 109, trekker helicopters being inducted.

‘Get help and support’ – UFC fighter Craig opens up on eating disorder

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
Paul Battison
BBC Sport journalist

Warning: this article contains discussion of eating disorders

Paul Craig says he developed an eating disorder while cutting weight for his four-fight stint at middleweight and has urged any fighter who has experienced the same to “get help and support”.

The 37-year-old Scotsman, who has spent the majority of his 11-year career at light-heavyweight, moved down to middleweight in 2023 with a submission win over Andre Muniz.

Craig, who lost his next three fights in the division, said he restricted his calorie intake for 10 weeks leading up to the bouts.

Craig weighs around 220lb (15st 7lb) normally and described the cut to the UFC’s middleweight threshold of 185lb (13st 2lb) as “horrible”.

“I set myself a goal of being middleweight champion and focussed and did it. But mentally, I ended up with an eating disorder,” said Craig.

“The best thing I did was talk to people about it because for a long time I was embarrassed of it.

“I do believe there are other fighters out there going through this so put it out there, get the help and support.”

The National Health Service (NHS) describes an eating disorder as a mental health condition where people use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations.

“The things fighters will do to their bodies is incredible. [At middleweight] I had low testosterone, low white blood cells, I kept getting infections because I had nothing to fight them off,” he said.

“I had really low body fat percentage – but the goal was to be champion and be in the top-10 and [at the time] I’d do anything to do it.”

Craig said after reaching out for help he was able to develop a “healthier relationship” with food.

It is common practice for fighters to shed weight before fights and in recent years the UFC has taken steps to make weight cuts safer.

The promotion company built the Performance Institute, which provides guidance for athletes from professional health experts.

Intravenous drips are now banned, which forces fighters to hydrate in a healthier way.

‘It’s difficult to pick yourself up after three losses’

Craig, who last fought against Bo Nickal in November, returns to light-heavyweight against Brazil’s Rodolfo Bellato in Las Vegas on Saturday, aiming to halt a three-fight losing streak.

The fight against 29-year-old Bellato represents Craig’s 20th bout in the UFC since his debut in the promotion in 2016.

He has won nine of those bouts, lost nine and drawn one, but the current losing streak sees Craig questioning his future in the organisation if he doesn’t triumph on Saturday.

“It’s difficult to pick yourself up after three losses because this sport is about entertaining. This sport is about winning. And if you’re not entertaining, the UFC has no right to keep you,” said Craig.

“I’m under no illusion a loss on Saturday night potentially results in me not having a UFC contract come Monday morning. That for me is a fire and I do my best work when my back is against the wall and everybody has written me off.”

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