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  • Deadly shootout leads to rescue of kidnapped pastor

    An American pastor and missionary who was kidnapped in South Africa last week was rescued on Tuesday after three suspects were killed in a shootout with police officials.

    In a Wednesday press release, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation announced, “A multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, has resulted in the successful rescue of the 45-year-old American citizen, reportedly a local pastor who had allegedly been kidnapped and held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on 15 April 2025.”

    The Associated Press reported that American pastor and missionary Josh Sullivan was rescued on Tuesday after being kidnapped in South Africa last Thursday. The outlet noted that Sullivan has been serving as a pastor at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell along with his wife and two children since 2018.

    In a Wednesday Facebook post, Tom Hatley, the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, wrote, “Josh has been released. I just got ‘the go ahead to let it be known’. SA media has started broadcasting. American media will follow. Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans. Praise The Lord Jesus Christ!”

    READ MORE: 70 Christians beheaded by terrorists in ‘massacre’: Report

    According to The Associated Press, Sullivan was kidnapped after four men broke into his church last Thursday. The outlet noted that the four kidnappers stole two cell phones from members of the South African church before removing the missionary from the pulpit and taking him away from the church building. The Associated Press added that the pastor’s truck was found abandoned just a few hours after the kidnapping.

    According to The Associated Press, multiple law enforcement agencies formed a task force, which included the Serious Organised Crime Unit, the Hawks, the Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, and the Anti-Gang Unit, to investigate last week’s kidnapping. The outlet noted that law enforcement officials “moved swiftly” on Tuesday night after identifying the pastor’s location at a safe house in KwaMagxaki.

    “As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle upon seeing law enforcement allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team,” the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation said. “The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.”

    “The victim was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack,” the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation added. “Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition.”


    Source: American Military News

  • Kaduna Slashes Tuition Fees To Expand Access To Tertiary Education

    Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said that the 30-50% reduction in tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions is to boost access to education.

    According to Governor Sani, the reduction in tuition fees is part of the government’s efforts to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living, particularly in the wake of the petroleum subsidy removal.

    “The welfare of the people is our topmost priority. Our administration shall continue to take all measures necessary to ensure access to free and qualitative education for every child in Kaduna state from primary to secondary school,” he said.

    Represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Prof. Bello Ayuba, the Governor spoke at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University chapter of Kaduna State Students Union and public lecture, which was held at the university campus on Friday.

    The PUNCH online reports that Governor Sani on assumption of has slashes the tuition fees this:Kaduna State University 30% reduction, from N150,000 to N105,000, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic: 50% reduction, from N100,000 to N50,000; College of Education, Gidan Waya: 50% reduction, from N75,000 to N37,500; Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi: 30% reduction, from N100,000 to N70,000 for HND courses and from N75,000 to N52,000 for ND courses as well as Kaduna State College of Nursing: 30% reduction, from N100,000 to N70,000.

    The governor said the decision was aimed at expanding access to higher education, enhancing teachers’ welfare and teaching standards, improving school infrastructure, building ICT competence in students, and intensifying investments in technical and vocational education.

    “We will expand access to higher education, enhance teachers’ welfare and teaching standards, improve school infrastructure, build ICT competence in our students from the basic education level, and intensify investments in technical & vocational education,” he stated.

    In addition to reducing tuition fees, Governor Sani’s administration has also made significant progress in other areas, including infrastructure development and security.

    The governor mentioned that his administration has embarked on the construction of over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, with many already completed.

    He also noted that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centers are being upgraded.

    To this end, the governor urged students to maintain peace and avoid agents of disunity and chaos, emphasizing that meaningful development cannot be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity, and mutual mistrust.

    “No meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity, and mutual mistrust,” he said.

    The Students Union also commended the governor for his decision, noting that it would pave the way for more students from humble backgrounds to bag university degrees with ease.
    Explaining the rationale behind the Governor being conferred with the Sword of Honour Award, said that Governor Uba Sani’s ‘’decision to facilitate the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering at KASU is a testament to your vision for building a brighter future for the youth.’’

    ‘’Furthermore, your directive to KASU management to allow all students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees underscores your deep concern for the less privileged, ensuring that no student is left behind due to financial constraints,’’ it said.

    Kaduna Slashes Tuition Fees To Expand Access To Tertiary Education is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Federal judge pausing Trump admin’s plans for mass layoffs at CFPB

    By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

    WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge who blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ruled Friday that the bureau can’t go forward immediately with plans to mass fire hundreds of employees.

    U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said she is “deeply concerned” that Trump administration officials aren’t complying with her earlier order that maintains the bureau’s existence until she rules on the merits of a lawsuit seeking to preserve it.

    During a hearing, Jackson said she will bar officials from carrying out any mass firings or cutting off employees’ access to bureau computer systems on Friday.

    Jackson scheduled a hearing on April 28 to hear testimony from officials who were working on the reduction in force, or RIF, procedures.

    “I’m willing to resolve it quickly, but I’m not going to let this RIF go forward until I have,” she said.

    Roughly 1,500 employees are slated to be cut, leaving around 200 people.

    Trump, a Republican, has sought to reshape the federal government, saying it’s rife with fraud, waste and abuse. Conservatives and businesses have often chafed at the bureau’s oversight and investigations, and Trump adviser Elon Musk made it a top target of his Department of Government Efficiency.

    Source: Paradise Post

  • Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the US set to go live next week, console price stays the same but accessories more expensive











    After finally showcasing the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo delayed pre-orders of the new console in the United States due to the new tariffs imposed in the country.






    Now, the company has revealed when pre-orders will go live in the U.S. as well as price increases for most of the Switch 2’s accessory lineup.









    Pre-orders are now set to begin next Thursday, April 24 for the hybrid system.


    Nintendo states that the price of the Switch 2 will remain the same in the U.S. at $450 USD as well as the games previously announced like Mario Kart World at $80 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $70.


    There will be price increases to most of the Switch 2’s accessory lineup, however, due to “changes in market conditions.”


    Most of the accessories are going to be around $5 more expensive than originally announced.


    The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is now $85 instead of $80 while the Joy-Con 2 pair will be $95 instead of $90.


    That also goes for things like the charging grip, wheel set, camera, carrying case, AC adapter and the Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set is $10 more now at $120.


    The Nintendo Switch 2 is still set to hit store shelves on June 5 along with Street Fighter 6 on the same day.


    You can find the full breakdown of prices below and on the Nintendo website.


    Retail pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 will begin on April 24, 2025. At launch, the price for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will remain as announced on April 2 at $449.99, and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will remain as announced at $499.99. Pricing for both physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) will also remain unchanged at launch.


    However, Nintendo Switch 2 accessories will experience price adjustments from those announced on April 2 due to changes in market conditions. Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions.


    We apologize for the retail pre-order delay, and hope this reduces some of the uncertainty our customers may be experiencing. We thank our customers for their patience, and we share their excitement to experience Nintendo Switch 2 starting June 5, 2025.


    • Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price – As of April 18, 2025


    • Nintendo Switch 2 – $449.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle – $499.99


    • Mario Kart World – $79.99


    • Donkey Kong Bananza – $69.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – $84.99


    • Joy-Con 2 Pair – $94.99


    • Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip – $39.99


    • Joy-Con 2 Strap – $13.99


    • Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set – $24.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 Camera – $54.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set – $119.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector – $39.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case – $84.99


    • Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter – $34.99


    • Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 – $59.99







    Source: Event Hubs

  • Holy and Great Thursday

    Photo: jerusalem-patriarchate.info     

    On this day, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem performed the Rite of the Washing of Feet by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. A large platform was installed in the middle of the square, covered with carpets and decorated with flowers. A priest was reading the Gospel in Greek from an elevated balcony, while what happened at the Last Supper was being re-enacted on the platform. The Patriarch removed his vestments, leaving only his sticharion.   

    He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded (Jn. 13:4–5).

    His Beatitude Theophilos took the Holy Scriptures and read the passage where the Lord washed His disciples’ feet. And he proceeded to wash the bishops’ feet.

    I involuntarily recalled our trip to Jerusalem in September. Then we visited the upper room (the Cenacle), where the Holy and Great Thursday. The Last Supper and the Prayer about the CupBrothers and sisters, let us penetrate into the mysteries of love revealed by Christ at this Supper.

    “>Last Supper once took place, during which the Savior had the most amazing conversation with His disciples.

        

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another (Jn. 13:34-35).

    A small group headed by a priest was reading the text of the Holy Scriptures in one of the Slavic languages. We were standing quietly side by side, perfectly understanding what the Lord was speaking about. Snow-white pigeons were strolling across the floor all over the upper room, including in the niches.

    Returning from my memories to what was going on in reality, I saw the following scene: having girded himself, the Patriarch was washing the feet of twelve priests, symbolizing Christ and the twelve disciples, one of whom had to—act the part—of Each One of Us is Potentially a JudasIn this passage of Scripture, we read how, as our Lord prepared for His Passion, a woman came and anointed Him with very precious ointment; and it is very touching how our Lord accepted such love from simple people. But at the same time Judas—one of the twelve who were with Him—looked at this act, and something in his heart changed.

    “>Judas. It is always decided by drawing lots. We were told that the priests who play this role do not conceal their tears.

    The Gospel events were unfolding before our very eyes: Judas’ betrayal, the Savior’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the arrest of Christ by the Jews. Pilgrims filled the square, the roofs, the domes of neighboring churches, and even the scaffolding. Our group was almost next to the platform. It was a very hot day, but as if specially for us Siberians,1 while we stoof on the square a small cloud provided shade from the scorching sun.

        

    As I looked at what was going on in front of me, I mentally asked myself: Do we learn anything from the Lord? He left His teaching on humility and love not only to His disciples, the Apostles, but also to all of us. Are we able to imitate Our Teacher in anything? Lord, have mercy! Not only to wash someone else’s feet, but also to forgive each other, to make compromises, and not to bear a grudge against anyone. We succeed with difficulty, but sometimes… Yes, we had much to think about that day, although we should keep this in mind all our lives.

    In the evening of the same day, we visited the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. We attended a service at the beautiful grand Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Matins on Great and Holy Friday—the Twelve Passion GospelsWe have the Matins service for Great and Holy Friday on Thursday evening. The main part of the Matins is the twelve Gospels on the Lord’s Passion. For your convenience, these twelve Gospels have been posted here.

    “>twelve Gospels on the Lord’s Passion and Crucifixion were read. I caught myself feeling as though I were in Russia. It had been erased from my memory that palm trees stood outside the walls of the cathedral, orange and grapefruit trees were blooming, bananas were ripening, and the multiethnic country of Israel lived its life. Everything was Russian: the church, the icons, the service, the singing, the priests, the people, the reverence, and the very air. In a word, the Orthodoxy itself was Russian.

    We went back to our hotel as if on wings. We had just been at home.

    Source: Orthodox Christianity

  • Brands and Communications Strategist at Foremost Radiology Consultants Limited (FRCL)

    We are a fully private radiology and imaging center offering high-quality radiology and diagnostic services. Our team of more than 20 professionals is highly trained to serve our patients’ needs.

    Our goal is to give patients and their physicians the highest level of medical care and personal efficient service. Patients can usually make immediate appointments and, thus, obtain immediate test results. We provide private personalized care to our patients using the most advanced state-of-the-art equipment and a superbly trained technical staff, under the direction of certified Radiologists.

    FRCL is driven by the vision to be the premier provider of professional radiology and outpatient medical imaging services and this is premised on recognizing the value of each and every patient.

    The dream of FRCL is to live up to its name ‘’foremost’’ in imaging diagnosis. The company provides professional radiology and outpatient, medical imaging services using modern and state of the art equipment. Foremost Radiology Consultants Limited (FRCL) was borne out of the need to provide reliable and affordable diagnostic services to the Lagos medical population.Role Description

    This is a full-time on-site role for a Brands and Communications Strategist at FRCL.
    The role involves creating press releases, developing strategic communications plans, managing internal and external communications, and handling media relations to enhance the company's brand and communication strategies.

    Qualifications

    Press Releases and Media Relations skills.
    Strategic Communications and Communication expertise.
    Experience in Internal Communications.
    Strong written and verbal communication skills.
    Ability to work well in a team and independently.
    Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.

    Click Here To Apply

  • Retail Stylist – George at Kingsley Heath April, 2025

    Click Here To Apply

  • Police officer tells Lagos court how man s3xually assaulted his 15-year-old stepdaughter, resulting in two pregnancies aborted by her mother

    An Ikeja S3xual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has heard how a man, Adewunmi Ajayi allegedly had unlawful s3xual intercourse with his 15-year-old stepdaughter.

     

    The unlawful s3xual assault which began in 2019 resulted in multiple pregnancies and abortions.

     

    An Investigating Police Officer, Aderinto Foluke, who made this known on Thursday, April 17, 2025 while giving evidence before Justice Abiola Soladoye, said the suspect impregnated the minor for the third time. 

     

    The IPO with AP No. 287997 attached to the Human Rights Unit of the Nigeria Police testified in the ongoing trial of a couple, Mr. Adewunmi, who is married to the survivor’s mother, Idowu Ajayi

     

    The female inspector told the judge the outcome of the police investigation into the alleged s3xual assault.

     

    “We concluded that Mr. Adewunmi has been sleeping with the survivor since 2019,” she said. 

     

    The prosecution witness, led by State Prosecution Counsel Abibat Ogunwemimo, told the court that the incident was reported to the Adeniji Adele Police Station, Lagos Island, by a teacher who came with a 15-year-old survivor and a referral letter from Alausa. 

     

    She further stated that the survivor’s stepfather had been having carnal knowledge with the minor and in the process, the survivor had two pregnancies, which her mother aborted.

     

    She claimed the survivor also told them she was pregnant for her stepfather for the third time.

     

    She said the survivor said she was afraid, so she confided in her teacher because of her mother who she claimed will abort for her again.

     

    The IPO said trouble started for the couple in 2021 when they were arrested by the police.

     

    Following the arrest of the first defendant, Ajayi, his wife, Mrs Idowu Ajayi, the second defendant, went to the police where they wrote statements

     

    “The survivor also said she did not notice that her stepfather used to put drugs in her tea until the day her sister saw left-over particles in the cup,” the prosecution witness also said.

     

    The IPO said the survivor complained to her grandmother, who in turn, talked to her mother

     

    She said the mother denied it when she was told but took her daughter to hospital when she complained of stomach pain.

     

    “The girl said she wanted to further her education, that is why she reported to her teacher.

     

    “We gave her a referral paper and when the result came she was pregnant.

     

    “We found out that the mother had taken her for abortions two times.”

     

    Under cross-examination by the Defence Counsel Emmanuel Uwadoka, the IPO said she investigated the matter.

     

    She however said she didn’t visit the crime scene nor the hospital

     

    Uwadoka maintained that the survivor told the police that something was put in her tea. 

     

    She also claimed she spoke with the survivor’s grandmother over the phone during her investigation.

     

    Two statements, a medical referral letter and a medical result were admitted as exhibits by the court.

     

    Justice Soladoye adjourned the matter till May 28 for continuation of trial. 

     

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • Woman Dies After Lagos Hospital LASUTH Allegedly Denied Her Surgery, Left Needle Inside Her In Previous Operation

    A 65-year-old woman, Margaret Mowalola Akinduntire, has died after the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) allegedly refused to perform a critical surgery, citing the recent Ramadan fasting. 

     

    This is despite complications from a previous botched procedure where the hospital left a surgical needle inside her body, SaharaReporters was told. 

     

    In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, her son recounted a harrowing series of encounters with LASUTH spanning over a decade, alleging gross negligence and abandonment by the state-run hospital.

     

    “In 2013, they operated on her because of kidney problem then. I think it was the right kidney. They had to take that out in 2013 and year later, 2014, we were in the sitting room that day, when something just pierced her at the same point she did her surgery. She touched it and she realised it was a sharp something. We did not know what it was then. We had to start making calls, and she made calls to the people there in the hospital. And she had to go there. This time they did not even give her the drug that would not make her not to feel the pain in LASUTH. 

     

    “They had to open her again while she was still very conscious. She was seeing and feeling the pain when they were reopening her. Guess what they found inside her? It was a needle. It was the needle they used in stitching during the first surgery. How could a general hospital for that matter forget needle inside someone? My family wanted to put the case then but I could not really recall what happened later that made them to stop it.”

     

    The son said although she later underwent a successful leg surgery, a fibroid diagnosis in 2024 brought her back under LASUTH’s care— and into another wave of negligence.

     

    “Later again, she did leg surgery, that one was okay, and no issue. Then last year, 2024, we discovered that she has been having fibroid. I didn’t know what fibroid is until last year she detected she had that. So last year, and the hospital said they would have to remove it. They gave her a date and we made preparation and everything. They removed the fibroid. After they removed her fibroid, the issue got complicated, and they claimed there was an error in the stitching of her body after surgery.”

     

    According to him, the surgical error led to severe abdominal complications.

     

    “So the error from the fibroid surgery led to my mum developing an abdominal turmoil and when the hospital discovered that, they had to do cancer tests and others. So they discovered that the turmoil is not cancerous. We were even happy that this is not cancerous. So we told them let’s take this thing out immediately before it gets worse. 

     

     

    “Then LASUTH said Ramadan was coming, and they had to shift the surgery to after Ramadan. So I don’t know that in the Ramadan, if someone is dying, LASUTH can’t save the person because it is during Ramadan.”

     

    Things reportedly deteriorated rapidly after the hospital delayed the surgery.

     

    “So fast forward till after Ramadan, my mum became worse. She was very lean, and stomach became very big. It was as if my mum is shrinking, and her stomach is becoming big. So what is the issue? 

     

     

    “They took her back to LASUTH, the surgical emergency department, she was there, they were meant to operate her and guess what, during the day of the operation, she went there, then all of a sudden, LASUTH said they can’t find her file and without that, they are not going to attend to her. And they literally rushed my mom there. My mom could not even walk anymore. She could hardly speak at this point. You are telling us you can’t find her file. Why will a competent hospital misplace a patient’s file? A dying patient for that matter?”

     

    In desperation, the family took her to a private hospital in Agege where she was revived temporarily.

     

    “So we took her to a private hospital at Agege because she was in need of treatment, those ones first revived her, they gave her some drips, and everything. She got better at least.”

     

    It took a social media campaign and the intervention of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for LASUTH to reverse course.

     

    “At this point, my sister went to Twitter (X) to call LASUTH out and she also tagged the Governor. She shared me the link and I shared it to all my influencer friends, people with millions of followers, that please they should help me engage with the post. And the tweet gained traction and this led to the intervention of Lagos Governor. Sanwo-Olu called the hospital. After his call, the hospital texted my sister, and they said we should bring her back. Guess what? All of a sudden, LASUTH finds the file.”

     

    He said internal sources later revealed the file was deliberately hidden because the hospital allegedly saw her as a hopeless case.

     

    “It was later I heard from inside sources that the hospital intentionally held the file. Like it was intentional because they don’t want to waste their time. They said that she is going to die and why would they waste their time on her? And this is sad. Why would a hospital just give up on her like that? Someone that was still breathing. Her eyes were still opened. You just intentionally hid her files because you believe she is going to die.”

     

    He concluded by saying she died on Wednesday at the Surgical Emergency Unit of LASUTH, still without receiving the critical surgery she needed.

     

    “They hid the file, making no attempt to save her. And now my mum died on Wednesday at the Surgical Emergency Unit of the hospital.”

     

    When contacted, the Management of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) denied the allegations.

     

    The Chief Medical Director, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo described the claims as ‘untrue’ and baseless.

     

    Speaking further, Prof. Adebowale Adekoya, another staff at LASUTH who is very privy to the incident also added that the allegations raised by the deceased’s son were false.

     

    He said: “The son that met you was carried along in all the processes while treating his mum. We did not hide anything. And even the claim that the mother was denied surgery during Ramadan is not true. We have records to show several surgeries that were done during the Ramadan.”

    Source: Sahara Reporters

  • Star Wars: Starfighter Starring Ryan Gosling Gets a Release Date

    Star Wars is one of the most beloved franchises ever created, and even after existing for so long, fans can’t get enough of the galaxy far, far away. At the Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 event today, a new Star Wars movie titled Star Wars Starfighter was announced to receive a release date. However, the best part of this movie is that it will star Ryan Gosling in the lead role, marking the actor’s entry into the Star Wars franchise.

    What is Star Wars: Starfighter’s Release Date?

    It has been revealed that Star Wars: Starfighter will be released on May 28, 2027. The movie will be directed by Shawn Levy. Since the movie is still to begin production, we don’t have a lot of details regarding the project, except a few shared by Levy himself.

    What Do We Know About The Star Wars: Starfighter Movie?

    The movie is going to start filming this fall. Starfighter is said to be a standalone film set in the Star Wars Universe. The plot of this movie will take place 8 to 9 years after the events of Chapter 9, The Rise of Skywalker, and might feature some cameos from the characters we have seen in the sequel trilogy.

    However, we still have no information regarding the character Ryan Gosling will be playing in Star Wars: Starfighter. So, let’s wait till we have more information regarding the project and stay tuned for more updates.

    Shashank Shakya

    Shashank Shakya is an entertainment writer at Beebom. He has completed his Bachelors (Honors) in English Literature and is a published author.

    Shashank boasts incomparable knowledge about the Marvel and DC universe, along with other branches of entertainment with substantial experience in the field of writing.


    Source: Beebom