Connect with us

Trending

Biden, Harris tour Hurricane Helene damage as deaths mount

Published

on

The vice president inspected hurricane damage in the southern state of Georgia © Carolyn Kasterpicture alliance

As the death toll eclipsed 180, US President Joe Biden warned of the dangers of climate change as he toured flood-hit areas. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris handed out meals at a relief center.

Joe Biden viewed the destruction caused by Helene from the air
© Susan Walsh/AP Photo/picture alliance

 

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday visited communities ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

The Biden administration has deployed 1,000 soldiers to clean up after Helene and has pledged to cover the bill to remove debris in some states.

The storm killed more than 180 people across six states and has become an issue in the presidential election campaign.

Biden tours destruction in the Carolinas

Biden arrived in South Carolina and was briefed on the cleanup effort. He then flew in a helicopter over the flood-hit city of Asheville in North Carolina.

“What I saw was heartbreaking,” Biden said on social media.

“But back on the ground, we’re witnessing neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers and workers standing side-by-side, people leaning on each other. That’s America.”

The Biden administration mobilized up to 1,000 troops to help with the cleanup
© Susan Walsh/AP Photo/picture alliance

 

Biden also warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of stormslike Helene.

“Nobody can deny the impact of the climate crisis anymore, at least I hope they don’t,” he said. “They must be brain-dead if they do.”

Harris meets with survivors in Georgia

Separately, Harris visited storm-hit areas of Georgia, where she met with families who were impacted by the disaster.

She visited a Red Cross relief center in Augusta where she handed out meals to people in need.

Kamala Harris said Hurricane Helene has caused trauma for affected communities
© BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

 

“There is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this hurricane and what has happened in terms of the aftermath of it,” Harris said.

Rebuilding will likely take years, according to officials.

“We are here for the long haul,” Harris said. “There’s a lot of work that’s going to happen.”

Trending

Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

on

 

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

on

 

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

Continue Reading

Trending

Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

Published

on

A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

Continue Reading

Trending