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Italian journalist Cecilia Sala freed from Iran with Elon Musk’s help, reports claim

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Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who was detained on Dec. 19 as she was reporting in Iran walks on the tarmac as she landed at Rome' Ciampino airport after being released, © Filippo Attili/AP

Tesla and X owner Elon Musk played a key role in securing the release of Cecilia Sala, the Italian journalist who was arrested in Iran last month, according to reports.

Musk used a personal connection to Iran’s ambassador to the UN to facilitate the release of Sala, 29, who was arrested last month while reporting in Tehran and held in solitary confinement in Evin prison, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Thursday.

Just four days after Sala’s release, Italy released an Iranian citizen who had been detained in Milan last month on a US extradition request. Mohammad Abedini, a businessman and engineer, is wanted by the US over accusations of having procured drone technology for Iran for an attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago.

The fact that Abedini’s release followed Sala’s freedom so swiftly led many observers to believe that a prisoner exchange was carried out between the two countries.

A member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the two Iranian officials told the NYT that Sala had been arrested in a calculated move to pressure Italy for Abedini’s release.

Musk helped secure Sala’s release by contacting Amir Saeid Iravani — Iran’s ambassador to the UN — with whom he had held a secret meeting in November, two Iranian officials told the NYT on condition of anonymity.

The two Iranian officials told the NYT that when Musk spoke with the ambassador, he requested that Iran release Sala and reassured him that the US would not pressure Italy to extradite Abedini, the Iranian engineer.

The tech mogul reportedly decided to intervene after receiving a message at the end of December from Sala’s boyfriend, Daniele Raineri, through an intermediary.

Raineri told the NYT he had thought of Musk because he had read that the billionaire had a channel of communication with Iranian diplomats, and because he works closely with US President-elect Donald Trump.

Musk helped to set up a meeting between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence on 4 January. Four days later, Sala was freed.

Meloni said last week that the journalist’s release was the result of a “complex work of diplomatic triangulation with Iran, and obviously also with the United States of America”. She told a news conference she did not know what role Musk had played in the release.

Biden administration officials said they had not been involved in the negotiations, and disapproved of the agreement.

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2Baba Cries Out For Help in Now Deleted Instagram Post

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This morning, 2Baba posted “Help Me” on his Instagram stories, but less than 20 minutes later, the message vanished.

For the past few days, his relationship with his current wife, Senator Natasha Osawaru, has been under serious scrutiny, as a series of public incidents have surfaced and fuelled widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

His cry for help should not be taken lightly. But who will answer him?

Will it be his family, his close friends, or the entertainment industry that has benefited from his legendary career?

At this point, one thing is clear. The music icon seems to be calling for real support and those around him cannot afford to look away.

 

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BREAKING: Unknown Gunmen Attack Gov. Otti’s Advance Team In Imo, As Scores Were Kidnapped From A Bus Along Owerri-Road Road

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An advance team of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, along the Umuowa–Ihite axis in Imo State.

The three-member team was en route to Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, when the attack occurred shortly before the airport junction.

In a statement electronically signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Abia Government clarified that Governor Otti’s main convoy was not involved in the incident and was nowhere near the location at the time.

“The convoy of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was not attacked. No member of the advance team or any other person sustained injury, and no life was lost,” the statement stressed, urging the public to disregard rumours suggesting otherwise.

It was learned that Security agencies have been notified, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

Meanwhile, a commercial bus plying along Owerri -Aba road towards the Ngor Okpala axis was attacked Monday and scores of passengers were feared kidnapped by yet-to-identify gunmen.

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Gunmen attack Ngige’s convoy in Anambra

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The convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ngige who confirmed the incident to newsmen, stated that he was not in the convoy when the attack occurred. He mentioned that several people were shot and injured.

“I was not in the convoy. I’m still alive and well. Those hoodlums have started again. I came to my state to relax, but what happened is unfortunate. I will go back to Abuja. But I assure those who did this, they will not go unpunished.” he said

The vehicles were reportedly returning from a mechanic workshop in Nkpor when the gunmen struck along the busy Umuoji–Nkpor Road leading to Alor, Ngige’s hometown.

According to Mr. Fred Chukwulobelu, Ngige’s former Special Adviser on Media, a policeman in the pilot car was shot, and the attackers, dressed in police and army uniforms, took away his gun and uniform.

He also confirmed that a woman filming the incident was fatally shot. He added that a shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also shot; he lost significant blood and is scheduled for surgery, but is expected to recover fully.

The pilot car was riddled with bullets, while the wounded escort leader has undergone surgery and is also expected to recover.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it has launched a state-wide manhunt for the perpetrators.

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