Category: News

A Mexican navy ship has crashed into New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, leaving two crew members dead and at least 17 other people injured. The Mexican navy said in a post on X that the Cuauhtemoc, an academy training vessel with 277 people on board, was damaged in the collision. Video posted online showed the ship, which was flying a large Mexican flag, travelling in reverse and hitting the underside of the bridge. It sheared the top of its masts and drifted towards the Brooklyn side of the East River as onlookers scrambled away from shore. Naval cadets dressed in white uniforms could be seen dangling from the ship’s crossbeams after the crash. New York City mayor Eric Adams said two people had died and 17 others were injured, including two who were in a critical condition. Witnesses said they saw two people removed from the ship on stretchers. No one is thought to have fallen into the water. The 147ft (45m) masts were too tall to clear the arched bridge and toppled when the vessel, named after the last Aztec emperor, sailed in reverse underneath. The Cuauhtemoc, a Mexican navy training ship, struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday evening It was unclear what caused the ship to veer off course. New York police chief Wilson Aramboles said the ship had just left a Manhattan pier and was supposed to have been headed out to sea, not towards the bridge. He said an initial report suggested the vessel lost power due to a mechanical problem. Police commissioner Jessica Tisch said the National Transportation Safety Board would be taking over the investigation. Mr Adams said a “unified effort” was under way to “make sure that we look after all of those who were on the ship”. The bridge, which is a main conduit between Manhattan and Brooklyn, has since reopened with no major damage. The Cuauhtemoc is about 297ft (90m) long and 40ft (12m) wide, according to the Mexican navy. It was built in Spain and sailed for the first time in 1982. Each year, it sets out at the end of classes at the naval military school to finish cadets’ training. It left the Mexican port of Acapulco, on the Pacific coast, on 6 April with 277 people onboard, the navy said at the time.

Nigeria’s sprint star, Favour Chukwuka Ofili, has made athletics history after smashing the women’s 150m world record in Atlanta, USA. The 22-year-old, fondly called “Star Girl,” clocked an astonishing time of 15.85 seconds on the long track at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, obliterating the previous mark of 16.23 seconds set by Bahamian Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo in 2018. Ofili, who competes in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, became the first woman ever to run the 150m in under 16 seconds. Tamari Davis finished second in the race, also surpassing the old world record with a time of 16.14 seconds. Though the 150m is not a standard event at the Olympics or World Championships, Ofili’s performance has been hailed globally as one of the fastest sprints ever recorded by a female athlete.

The North West zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027, declaring unwavering support for his leadership and policies. The endorsement was announced following a high-profile stakeholders’ meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday. The meeting was attended by an influential delegation of APC figures, including all governors from the North West, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Senate President, former governors, the APC National Chairman, state party chairmen, federal lawmakers, ministers, and other top government officials. Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Kaduna State Governor and APC North West Coordinating Governor, Senator Uba Sani, read a communiqué that emphasized the zone’s full backing of Tinubu’s administration. He commended the President’s “purposeful leadership, bold reforms, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress,” particularly highlighting gains in the North West. According to Sani, Tinubu’s efforts have led to marked improvements in security, with farmers returning to their fields and displaced communities beginning to experience peace once again. The stakeholders further applauded what they described as unprecedented federal inclusion for the North West under Tinubu’s administration. They cited the appointment of 12 ministers from the region, strategic roles in the National Assembly, and key positions in the security architecture as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to equitable representation. In addition, major infrastructure projects currently underway across the zone were seen as a transformative step toward development, fueling optimism about long-term regional growth. Concluding the meeting, the APC leaders expressed confidence that the party is growing stronger nationally, attributing its momentum to the public’s increasing trust in Tinubu’s governance and the effective performance of APC governors. They affirmed that the North West will remain a critical pillar of support for the President as he seeks a second term, positioning the zone as a key battleground for consolidating APC’s power in the 2027 elections.

Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever FA Cup title with a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Wembley, thanks to a sensational goal from Eberechi Eze and a crucial penalty save by Dean Henderson. Eze’s composed finish in the first half gave The Eagles a deserved lead, and despite relentless pressure from City, Palace held firm. The defining moment came late in the second half when City were awarded a penalty, but Henderson denied Omar Marmoush from the spot, sparking jubilant scenes among the Palace faithful. It marks a historic day for the South London club, capping off a fairytale run to the cup under manager Oliver Glasner.

The 2025 FA Cup Final takes place today, Saturday, May 17, at Wembley Stadium, featuring Manchester City and Crystal Palace. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 PM BST (3:30 PM GMT). Manchester City, aiming for their eighth FA Cup title, have made five changes to their lineup, including the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who may be making his final appearance for the club . Crystal Palace, under manager Oliver Glasner, are seeking their first major trophy, with midfielder Adam Wharton returning to the starting XI . The match promises an exciting contest between the experienced City side and a determined Palace team

By: Kamal Yalwa – May 17, 2025 A tragic gas cylinder explosion on Friday rocked the Plumbing Market along Uga Street, near the bustling Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, leaving two persons dead and several others severely injured. The explosion occurred during working hours, causing chaos and panic as traders, customers, and pedestrians fled in all directions to avoid the blast. Eyewitnesses said the explosion was triggered while a welder was using carbide to work on a piece of metal, which led to the sudden detonation of a gas cylinder. Confirming the incident, a market leader, Uzomah Eke, said, “Two persons died yesterday (Friday) in our market at the plumbing section of Bridge Head Market, Onitsha, due to a cylinder explosion. A welder was working with carbide when the gas cylinder exploded, killing two people and injuring many others who were close by.” Eke added that the blast scattered body parts and left destruction in its wake. “Some goods and properties were also destroyed. People ran away, many without locking their shops. It was a moment of fear and confusion,” he said. While the Anambra State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, stated that he had not yet been briefed about the incident, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the explosion. Ikenga noted that police operatives from the Onitsha Head Bridge Divisional Headquarters responded swiftly to complement rescue efforts. “On May 16, 2025, police officers assisted in the rescue of six victims following the gas cylinder explosion at a plumbing market on Uga Street, which unfortunately resulted in one confirmed fatality,” he said. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the welding gas cylinder exploded due to excessive heat exposure during a metal welding operation,” Ikenga added. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment in the hospital, while the deceased has been deposited at a local morgue. In response to the incident, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed concern and issued safety guidelines to prevent future occurrences. “These include regular inspection and maintenance of gas cylinder equipment, proper storage practices, and adherence to manufacturers’ safety guidelines,” he stated. Authorities have also taken steps to secure the area and prevent opportunistic crimes in the aftermath of the explosion.

As excitement builds ahead of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024, set to take place from 16 October to 3 November, Visa cardholders now have the exclusive opportunity to purchase match tickets early through a special pre-sale beginning yesterday (27 August).

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 100 people were killed in a single day as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new phase of its military campaign, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots, in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. According to officials in Gaza, 2,985 people have been killed since March 18, when Israel resumed its offensive following a two-month ceasefire. This brings the total death toll since the conflict began in October 2023 to 53,119, amid growing international concern over the humanitarian situation. Israel Expands Military Push The IDF stated that the renewed military action represents the “initial stages” of a widening offensive aimed at achieving Israel’s war objectives: the destruction of Hamas and the release of hostages. “The operation is part of the expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip, with the goal of achieving all the war’s objectives,” read a post from the IDF on Telegram. Over 150 “terror targets” were hit within 24 hours, the IDF confirmed, as Israeli troops mobilized to assert operational control over new areas of Gaza. Humanitarian Crisis Deepens The mass casualties from the latest strikes have intensified fears of a worsening humanitarian disaster. Aid groups and international organisations have warned of critical shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and fuel due to Israel’s continued blockade of aid corridors. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the offensive on Friday, warning that the attacks and blockade may amount to forcible displacement of the civilian population. “The scale and intensity of the renewed strikes, combined with the severe restrictions on aid, are pushing Gaza’s civilians to the brink,” the UN stated. Netanyahu Under Pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting international criticism and internal dissent over the ongoing war strategy, particularly the humanitarian implications of the blockade. Calls are growing for aid corridors to be reopened and for a renewed ceasefire to allow for civilian relief and evacuation. Conflict Timeline and Hostage Crisis The conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel that left 1,218 people dead, mostly civilians, and 251 hostages taken, according to AFP. Since then, Israel’s campaign has continued with intensity, even after a temporary truce. Of the hostages, 57 remain in captivity, and 34 are believed to have died, according to the Israeli military. As Operation Gideon’s Chariots unfolds, there is no indication of an imminent ceasefire, raising concerns that the humanitarian and security crises will escalate further in the coming days. Watch here: