Kenyan authorities have announced a reward of 1 million shillings ($7,700) for information leading to the arrest of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a suspected serial killer who escaped police custody over a year ago. Khalusha, the prime suspect in the murders of more than 40 women, fled from a high-security police station in Nairobi on August 20, 2024, along with 12 others. The victims’ mutilated bodies were discovered in a disused quarry near the capital, sparking widespread outrage and criticism of the police’s handling of the case. Despite initial arrests of officers allegedly involved in his escape, Khalusha remains at large. Activists have accused the police of negligence, with some claiming that additional bodies may still be rotting in the quarry. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the reward following a local media documentary highlighting police inaction. Critics, however, view the move as a reactive measure rather than a genuine effort to solve the case. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has described the escape as ‘regrettable,’ while Khalusha’s lawyer alleged that his client was tortured into confessing. The case continues to raise questions about Kenya’s law enforcement capabilities and accountability.
分类: society
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Man suspected of ordering murder of three Argentine women arrested
Peruvian authorities have apprehended a key suspect linked to the brutal murders of two 20-year-old women and a 15-year-old girl in Argentina. The victims, identified as Morena Verdi, Brenda del Castillo, and Lara Morena Gutiérrez, were lured to a house near Buenos Aires on September 19 under the false promise of payment for attending a party. Their mutilated bodies were discovered days later, buried in the garden of the property. The crime, which was livestreamed on Instagram to a closed group of 45 people, has sparked widespread outrage and anti-femicide protests across Argentina. The suspect, Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, also known as ‘Little J,’ was captured by Peruvian police while hiding in a fish-transporting van on a motorway 70 kilometers south of Lima. Peruvian police also detained Matías Ozorio, Valverde’s alleged right-hand man, in a separate operation. Ozorio, an Argentine national, claimed he was coerced into entering Peru by a drug gang to whom he owed money. Argentine authorities have praised Peruvian police for their swift action in capturing the suspects. Valverde, a Peruvian citizen, will remain in custody in Peru pending an extradition request from Argentina, while Ozorio is set to be handed over to Argentine police.
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Youth-led anti-government protests in Morocco turn deadly, with 2 killed in a small town
Morocco has been gripped by a wave of anti-government protests, led predominantly by the country’s youth, which have escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement. The unrest, now in its fifth consecutive night, has spread across multiple cities, with demonstrators decrying widespread corruption, inadequate public services, and misplaced government priorities, particularly the allocation of billions towards preparations for the 2030 World Cup while schools and hospitals remain underfunded.
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Violent clashes and arrests as ‘Gen Z protests’ hit Morocco
Morocco has been gripped by a wave of youth-led protests for the fourth consecutive day, marked by violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets across the country on Tuesday night, voicing demands for improved social services, reduced corruption, and better employment opportunities. The demonstrations, organized by a loosely formed youth group known as GenZ 212, escalated into chaos as protesters reportedly hurled stones at security forces, while footage emerged of cars and banks being set ablaze. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has accused security forces of physically assaulting protesters and carrying out arbitrary arrests. In the city of Oujda, a protester sustained injuries after being struck by a police car, according to reports from the state news agency MAP. GenZ 212, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, expressed regret over acts of rioting and vandalism that damaged public and private property, urging participants to remain peaceful and avoid undermining the legitimacy of their demands. The protests have also targeted the government’s spending priorities, with demonstrators criticizing the allocation of funds for FIFA World Cup stadiums over essential public services like healthcare and education. The unrest in Morocco mirrors similar youth-led uprisings in Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Madagascar, where protests have led to significant political changes. In Morocco, approximately 200 protesters have been arrested, with most subsequently released, according to AMDH. The government coalition has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the youth to find realistic solutions, while praising the security forces’ ‘balanced reaction’ in line with legal procedures.
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Oktoberfest opening delayed in Munich after fatal fire and bomb threat
Authorities in Munich, Germany, have postponed the opening of the iconic Oktoberfest venue following a tragic incident involving an explosion and fire in the northern district of Lerchenau. The incident, which occurred near a residential property, resulted in one fatality and prompted a large-scale emergency response. Mayor Dieter Reiter announced that the Theresienwiese festival grounds would remain closed until at least 17:00 local time on Wednesday due to a bomb threat linked to the ongoing investigation. Police revealed that the fire at a single-family home was likely intentionally set amid a family dispute. Booby traps were discovered at the scene, necessitating the intervention of special forces to neutralize the threat. While one individual was found deceased, another remains missing but is not considered a danger. The incident has raised concerns about potential connections to other locations, including the Oktoberfest site, which has already drawn over 3.5 million visitors since its commencement on September 20. Emergency personnel continue to work diligently at the scene as investigations unfold.
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Brown bear heavyweight Chunk wins Fat Bear Week despite injury
In a remarkable display of resilience, a 500kg brown bear named Chunk has emerged victorious in Fat Bear Week 2025, overcoming a broken jaw to claim the title. The annual competition, held at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, invites voters from around the world to select the bear that best embodies ‘fatness and success’ as they prepare for winter hibernation. Chunk’s triumph was celebrated by park rangers and fans alike, who were inspired by his ability to adapt and thrive despite his injury. Park ranger Naomi Boak remarked, ‘He reminded us how resilient bears are and how they have the ability to recover from injury and hardship.’ Chunk’s journey to victory was closely followed by voters from over 100 countries, who watched live web streams of the bears at Katmai’s Brooks River. One voter, Amy Hall, shared her admiration for Chunk on an explore.org livestream, calling him an ‘inspiration’ for his ability to heal and adapt. Chunk’s profile on the Fat Bear Week website revealed that he sustained the injury during mating season, likely from a fight with another bear. Despite this setback, he managed to outpace his rival, a massive bear known as 856, by over 30,000 votes. The competition, which began as a small event in 2014, has since grown into a global phenomenon, drawing attention to the lives and challenges of these majestic creatures.
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Rescuers race to find survivors after Indonesia school collapse traps dozens
In a tragic incident in East Java, Indonesia, rescuers are in a desperate race to locate 38 individuals believed to be trapped under the rubble of the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, which collapsed on Monday. The disaster has already claimed the lives of three students, with 99 others hospitalized, some in critical condition. Hundreds of teenage boys had gathered in the two-storey building for prayers when it caved in, leaving families in anguish as they await news of their loved ones. Authorities report that cries and shouts can still be heard from beneath the debris, offering a glimmer of hope for survivors. Rescue operations, however, are fraught with danger as the unstable structure threatens further collapse. The school was undergoing construction to add two additional floors, but the building’s weak foundations could not support the weight, according to the disaster mitigation agency. Sidoarjo’s regent revealed that the school management had failed to obtain the necessary permits for the expansion. Since Monday, 11 people have been rescued, though two later succumbed to their injuries. One survivor remains responsive but immobilized, prompting rescuers to construct a tunnel to reach him. Civil engineering expert Mudji Irmawan warned that removing debris could destabilize the structure, while Basarnas head Mohammad Syafii emphasized the risks of shifting concrete slabs, which could endanger trapped survivors. Rescuers are working within a narrow 60cm access point, navigating underground culverts to reach victims. The 72-hour “golden timeframe” for rescue is critical, though Syafii noted that survivors could endure longer with fluids and vitamins. Among the survivors is 13-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib, who recounted the terrifying moments before the collapse. “I heard the sound of falling rocks, and it got louder,” he said. Rijalul managed to escape with help but was struck by debris. Tragically, not all were as fortunate. Maulana Alvan Ibrahimavic, a recent elementary school graduate, was among those killed. His body was escorted to a funeral home in his hometown of Blega district, marking a somber end to a devastating event.
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Scot murdered in LA had sought restraining order against accused
June Bunyan, a 37-year-old Scottish woman who moved to Los Angeles to pursue a legal career, was found dead on September 11, suffering from traumatic neck injuries. Her boyfriend, Jonathan Renteria, 25, has been charged with her murder, as well as mutilation, disinterment, and sexual contact with human remains. Renteria has pleaded not guilty, with bail set at $4 million (£2.97 million). The couple, who had a young child together, had a tumultuous relationship marked by allegations of domestic violence. In December 2023, Bunyan applied for a restraining order against Renteria, citing threats to ruin her life and wishes for her death. However, the case was dropped in January 2024 after Bunyan failed to appear in court, reportedly due to reconciliation with Renteria. Bunyan, originally from the Isle of Arran, graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2022 and moved to America in 2023, where she established Renteria Paralegal Services, specializing in immigration law. Friends and neighbors described her as a driven and kind individual who loved America and dreamed of becoming a US citizen. A GoFundMe campaign organized by her friend in the UK has raised nearly £17,000 to repatriate her remains. A preliminary hearing for Renteria is scheduled for November 18.
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Canada Post is on strike. What this means for your mail
Canada’s postal services have come to a standstill as thousands of postal workers initiated a nationwide strike on September 25, protesting sweeping reforms authorized by the federal government. The reforms, aimed at stabilizing the financially struggling Canada Post, include phasing out door-to-door delivery for approximately four million households, reducing delivery days, and closing rural post offices. These measures, expected to be implemented over nearly a decade, have sparked outrage from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which labeled the changes as a ‘direct assault’ on public postal services and unionized jobs. The strike has left millions of Canadians without mail and parcel deliveries, with Canada Post suspending service guarantees and halting new item acceptance. However, essential services such as social security cheques and passport applications remain operational. This strike follows a similar walkout in November 2024 over unresolved pay and working conditions, which ended only after federal intervention. Canada Post, facing a financial crisis with a projected loss of C$1.5 billion this year, has warned that the strike will exacerbate its economic woes. The postal service, once a dominant player in parcel delivery, has seen its market share plummet from 62% in 2019 to 24% in 2023, driven by declining letter mail volumes and competition from private couriers. While CUPW advocates for diversifying revenue streams, such as offering banking and insurance services, Canada Post insists on focusing on core operations, including expanding parcel delivery. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges of modernizing a traditional public service in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape.
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Man charged with murder of parents and brother in Louth
A 31-year-old man, Robert O’Connor, has been formally charged with the murder of his parents and younger brother in a tragic incident that has shaken the rural community of Drumgowna, County Louth. The victims, identified as 56-year-old Louise O’Connor, her 54-year-old husband Mark O’Connor, and their 27-year-old son Evan O’Connor, were discovered dead at their family home on Monday morning. Irish police, known as Gardaí, described the deaths as “violent.”
Robert O’Connor appeared before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court on Tuesday evening, where he was formally charged with the triple homicide. The accused remained silent when the charges were read to him. Due to the severity of the case, no bail application was made, as the district court lacks the jurisdiction to grant such requests. Robert O’Connor’s solicitor, Paul James Moore, requested a psychiatric assessment for his client, which was approved by Judge Stephanie Coggans. The accused has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again via video-link on Monday, 6 October.
The brief court hearing was attended by a family member, underscoring the emotional toll of the tragedy. Earlier, heartfelt tributes were paid to the deceased family members, who were well-regarded in their community. The case has drawn significant attention, with authorities continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
