World
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza military operation, says Israel
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) says it has killed Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.
Sinwar topped Israel’s most-wanted list and was believed to be the mastermind of the coordinated attacks on the Jewish nation on October 7 last year.
The IDF said Sinwar was killed on Wednesday after a “year-long pursuit”.
“In recent weeks, IDF and Israeli Security Agency forces, under the command of the Southern Command, have been operating in the southern Gaza Strip, following IDF and ISA intelligence that indicated the suspected locations of senior members of Hamas,” the military said in a statement released on Thursday.
“IDF soldiers of the 828th Brigade (Bislach) operating in the area identified and eliminated three terrorists.
“After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated.”
Israeli police added that the forensics department completed a DNA test that affirmed Sinwar’s identification.
An edited clip released by the military showed what appeared to be the Hamas leader’s last moments.
In the video, a drone flies into a damaged building where a person — who the IDF says is Sinwar — can be seen sitting on a chair.
The figure’s body was positioned away from the drone but appeared to be looking toward the unmanned craft. The person’s face is obscured and sitting alone.
The video showed the figure holding what the IDF highlighted as a piece of wood, which the person lobs in the direction of the drone.
Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson, said Sinwar had been shot in the hand.
“This is the beginning of the day after Hamas,” Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, said.
“Evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet complete.”
The prime minister warned Hamas its leaders would be eliminated, asking members to surrender and release hostages with a promise of freedom in return.
Later, US President Joe Biden issued a statement congratulating Israel on the operation.
“This is a good day for Israel, for the United States and for the world,” Biden said.
Biden said he would be speaking to Netanyahu to discuss pathways for bringing hostages home and “ending this war once and for all”.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
World
10 dead, 30 injured after vehicle drives into crowd in US
At least 10 people have been killed after a vehicle drove into a large crowd in New Orleans, a city in Louisiana, United States.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the French Quarter, a popular tourist area, when a car sped down Bourbon Street.
Witnesses told CBS News that the driver reportedly got out and began shooting at pedestrians. Police returned fire, and two officers were injured in the exchange.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the city’s police superintendent, described the attack as “very intentional”.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” she said.
Kirkpatrick said attack began at 15:15 local time (21:15 GMT), adding that most of the victims appeared to be local residents, but the identities of those killed or injured are still being determined.
She said numbers could change, but confirmed 10 people were killed and at least 35 others injured.
She said it is unclear how many victims are tourists and how many are locals but added that she believed that the majority are local to New Orleans.
The superintendent said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will take over the investigation into the incident.
Althea Duncan, FBI agent, clarified that the shooting was not a terrorist incident, but noted that “improvised explosive devices” were found on scene.
Duncan said the FBI is working to find out if they are “viable” devices and urged the public to stay away from the area.
Jeff Landry, governor of Louisiana, described the incident as a “horrific act of violence”.
Landry said he is praying for all the victims and first responders at the scene.
World
South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached president
A Seoul western district court has issued an arrest warrant against impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his botched martial law declaration.
It is the first time authorities have sought to detain a sitting South Korean president.
It is unclear when authorities would attempt to take Yeol into custody. January 6 was given as the deadline to execute the warrant.
“The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning,” the Joint Investigation Headquarters, which includes officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police, and the defence ministry, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The warrant comes after Yeol, who is being investigated for power abuse and inciting an insurrection, ignored three summons in the last fortnight.
The president’s legal team has called the warrant “illegal and invalid” and said they would challenge it in court.
World
Biden declares January 9 national mourning day for Jimmy Carter
United States President Joe Biden has declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter.
Carter, the 39th US president, died on Sunday at 100. He was the first ex-US president to become a centenarian.
Biden described Carter as an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.
“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement following Carter’s death.
“He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together,” he added, referencing Carter’s wife of 77 years who died in November 2023.
Biden ordered that flags be displayed at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels for a period of 30 days from Carter’s death.
The president said similar arrangements applied to US representatives in foreign countries at embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.
“I do further appoint January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States,” Biden added.
The president urged Americans and people around the world who share in the grief to honour Carter’s memory on the said day.
-
News1 week ago
NAFDAC seizes unregistered food products worth N3.8bn at warehouse in Lagos
-
News1 week ago
Lagos State government seals Coca-Cola, FrieslandCampina, Guinness factories over regulatory non-compliance
-
Education2 days ago
Aisha Maikudi appointed as UniAbuja’s 7th substantive VC — despite pushback
-
News2 days ago
UNIMEDTH resident doctors in Ondo begin indefinite strike over poor conditions of service
-
News2 days ago
Lagos state government to probe DJ Kulet’s husband over child molestation allegations
-
News2 days ago
‘We’re stranded in Lagos’ — late Kano emir’s daughter appeals for help
-
News1 day ago
ECOWAS approves increased compensation for passengers affected by flight cancellation
-
Relationships2 days ago
Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt finalise divorce after eight years