Entertainment
US launches strike against Daesh militants in northwest Nigeria
- US military confirms strike conducted at Nigeria’s request.
- Operation targets militants attacking Christians: Trump.
- US Africa Command reports multiple Daesh militants killed.
The United States carried out an airstrike against Daesh militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government, US President Donald Trump and the US military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS [Daesh] Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The US military’s Africa Command said the strike was carried out in Sokoto state at the request of the Nigerian authorities, and killed multiple Daesh militants.
The strike comes after Trump starting in late October began warning that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and threatened to militarily intervene in the West African country over what he says is its failure to stop violence targeting Christian communities.
Reuters reported on Monday that the US had been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November.
‘More to come’
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the strikes were carried out as part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to target militant groups.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said in a post on X.
A video posted by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile launching from a warship.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on X thanked the Nigerian government for its support and cooperation and added: “More to come…”
Nigeria’s government has said armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, and US claims that Christians face persecution do not represent a complex security situation and ignore efforts to safeguard religious freedom. But it has agreed to work with the US to bolster its forces against militant groups.
The country’s population is split between Muslims living primarily in the north and Christians in the south.
Police said earlier on Thursday a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people and injured 35 others in Nigeria’s northeast, another region troubled by militants.
In a Christmas message posted on X earlier, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for peace in his country, “especially between individuals of differing religious beliefs.”
He also said, “I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence.”
Trump issued his statement on the strike on Christmas Day while he was at his Palm Beach, Florida, Mar-a-Lago Club, where he has been spending the holiday. He had no public events during the day and was last seen by the reporters traveling with him on Wednesday night.
The US military last week launched separate large-scale strikes against dozens of Daesh targets in Syria, after Trump vowed to hit back in the wake of a suspected Daesh attack on US personnel in the country.
Entertainment
Travis Kelce sparks backlash after hitting fan during game for third time
Travis Kelce’s harmless sport unfortunately proved to be harmful for a fan who was watching the golf match.
The 36-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end reportedly struck a woman hard on the 18th hole, who was left shaken by the hit.
The staff around the golf course at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rushed to help the injured woman and Kelce soon joined them to ask her if she was alright.
The fan, who has been identified as Edenne Flinn, from Salinas, California, ensured the NFL star that she was alright, and he then signed an autograph for her.
The accident quickly went viral on social media, with fans attacking the sportsman over his neglectful shot which hurt a bystander.
Social media sleuths also brought up similar incidents happened in the past where Kelce left people “bloodied” due to his accidental shots.
One X user wrote, “Wait Travis Kelce played in a golf tournament this weekend & he hit a girl with one of his golf balls?? & all she got out of it was an autograph? & even more egregious is that it’s the 2nd time it’s happened??! He did the same thing a few years ago?”
Another added, “he should go back to the football field already,” while a third joked, “bro is treating the golf court like NFL drills chill out.”
On the other hand, many also appreciated the star athlete for going to check on the hurt fan right away.
Entertainment
Abhishek Sharma’s duck against Pakistan adds him to unwanted list
Indian left-handed opening batter Abhishek Sharma joined the list of unwanted batters after enduring a disappointing outing, falling for a four-ball duck during a high-voltage ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against arch-rival Pakistan.
The top-ranked T20I batter, who bagged a duck in India’s campaign opener against the United States of America (USA) before missing their subsequent group-stage fixture against Namibia due to illness, was slotted back into the playing XI for the high-octane clash.
Sharma, however, had a forgetful return as he perished for a four-ball duck, falling victim to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha in the first over.
Consequently, he joined an unwanted list of Indian openers who bagged a duck against traditional rivals Pakistan in T20 World Cups, led by his head coach Gautam Gambhir, who suffered the outcome twice in the 2007 and 2012 editions.
The list also features India’s World Cup-winning captain, Rohit Sharma, who was trapped lbw for a golden duck by left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi during the traditional rivals’ meeting at the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Indian openers to bag a duck against Pakistan in T20 World Cups
- Gautam Gambhir – zero (three) in 2007
- Gautam Gambhir – zero (two) in 2012
- Rohit Sharma – zero (one) in 2021
- Abhishek Sharma – zero (four) in 2026.
Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat after accumulating only 114 before getting bowled out in 18 overs.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first did not prove beneficial for the Green Shirts as the Men in Blue accumulated 175/7 in their 20 overs.
Entertainment
King Charles puts his touch on mother of pearl, leaving artisan ‘proud’
King Charles and Queen Camilla took a moment away from palace life to celebrate two decades of craftsmanship at the 20th anniversary exhibition of Turquoise Mountain.
The event, held at The Garrison Chapel within Chelsea Barracks, highlighted artisans from Afghanistan, Jordan, Myanmar, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
Among the demonstrations, Saudi palm weaver Fayza Al-Mansouri showcased her intricate technique to the King, who declared, “I’m so proud of you all,” and quizzed her on whether she had learned the craft from her mother.
The royal couple were later invited to participate themselves, applying the final touches of mother-of-pearl inlay to beautifully crafted Syrian jewellery boxes, each personalised with their ciphers.
Moataz Hammoush said seeing the King handle the delicate inlay was “a mix of pride and disbelief,” it had opened doors to markets and designers he could never have reached on his own.
At the exhibition, Mrs Stewart, representing the charity, paid tribute to the King’s vision: “This is the community, the monarch, that you have brought together. No one else who could have created this project.”
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