International
India factory blast kills 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he was “pained by the loss of lives”, in a post on social media, announcing compensation of $2,380 to the families of those killed
A blast in an Indian pharmaceutical factory has killed at least 17 people with chemicals burning the skin off several of the 34 injured, police said Thursday.
The Hindu newspaper reported that the force of the blast had been so strong, it left severed body parts scattered around the site.
The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at a pharmaceutical unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district.
District police superintendent M. Deepika said “rescue operations are over” and all were accounted for, with a final toll of “17 dead and 34 injured”.
She added that investigators believe the blast was caused by a “gas leak… which eventually hit an electrical panel”.
Local police official M. Buchaiah told the Indian Express daily that those caught in the blast suffered horrific chemical burns.It was horrible, heartbreaking,” he told the paper, describing the pain people suffered as those who survived were carried to ambulances.
“They were screaming before they lost consciousness”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he was “pained by the loss of lives”, in a post on social media, announcing compensation of $2,380 to the families of those killed.
AFP
International
Trump warns Entire Iran could be ‘taken out’ Tuesday night
” The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.
US President Donald Trump says Iran could be “taken out” in one night as the deadline set for the country to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic approaches.
On Saturday, Trump gave Iran 48 hours to comply or risk facing “hell”.
He later threatened that the US would blow up Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran failed to adhere to his warning.
The US president said Iran had until Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (1 am WAT) to make a deal.
In a press conference on Monday, Trump reiterated and intensified his threats.
“The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.
International
Trump orders Iran to open Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday or face ‘hell’
The president threatened to bomb the country’s power plants and bridges.Trump subsequently posted “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” without further explanation.
President Donald Trump gave Iran until Tuesday to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants.
Consequently, U.S. crude oil futures for May pared earlier gains to rise 0.5% at $112.08 per barrel at 9:28 p.m. ET. International benchmark Brent prices for June delivery also scaled back to 1.3%, trading at $110.47 per barrel.
Trump gave the warning on Sunday in an expletive-filled social media post that Iran would be “living in Hell” if they do not open the Strait.
The president threatened to bomb the country’s power plants and bridges.Trump subsequently posted “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” without further explanation.
Iran has effectively kept the Strait closed through attacks on oil tankers.
The sea route connects the Persian Gulf to world markets. About 20% of global supplies passed through the Strait before the war.
The closure of the Strait has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history. Crude, jet fuel, diesel and gasoline prices have surged since the war started.
Crime
Vietnam Police Dismantle Multi-Billion Dollar Cryptocurrency Fraud Operation
Vietnamese authorities have busted what officials describe as one of the country’s largest cryptocurrency scams, arresting key suspects in a multi-billion dollar Ponzi-style scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of investors both domestically and overseas.
The operation, centered around a fraudulent digital token known as Paynet Coin (PAYN), was dismantled by police in Phu Tho province in August 2025. Authorities charged at least 20 individuals, including the alleged ringleader, Nguyen Van Ha, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and founder linked to the Hahalolo platform.
According to reports from local state media, including Công an Nhân dân, the suspects operated an illegal multi-level marketing (MLM) network disguised as a legitimate cryptocurrency investment platform.
Victims were lured with promises of high returns through the Paynet Coin scheme, which authorities labeled as the biggest crypto fraud uncovered in Vietnam to date. The operation reportedly spanned multiple provinces and attracted investors from abroad.
Police seized evidence related to the scheme and charged the suspects with fraud and organizing illegal MLM activities. Estimates of the total scale have varied in reports, with some describing losses in the billions of dollars, though exact figures for victim losses and assets recovered have not been fully disclosed publicly.
This bust is part of a broader crackdown on cryptocurrency-related crimes in Vietnam, where digital asset trading has grown rapidly in recent years but has also attracted scammers exploiting regulatory gaps.
Other recent cases include arrests tied to platforms like ONUS and HanaGold for alleged price manipulation, as well as smaller scams involving fake exchanges and investment schemes totaling millions of dollars.
Vietnamese law enforcement has intensified efforts against online fraud, Ponzi schemes, and unlicensed crypto operations amid a surge in investor complaints. Officials have warned the public to exercise caution with high-yield crypto investments promising unrealistic returns.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging additional victims to come forward. This case highlights the risks in Vietnam’s booming but largely unregulated crypto market, where millions of citizens hold digital assets.
No further details on trial dates or additional arrests have been released as of the latest reports.
-
Crime3 days agoThree Killed, One Injured in Fresh Jos Attack (Video)
-
News2 days agoNigerian Army Debunks Claims of Attack on Bishop Matthew Kukah’s Residence and Sokoto Catholic Cathedral
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: Lagos Fire Service Successfully Contains Two Overnight Fire Incidents iin Lagos
-
News2 days agoKaduna Mando Garage Explosion Not Bomb- Police
-
News2 days agoAtiku hires US lobbying firm for $1.2m to boost image – Report
-
Politics1 day agoObidients mobilise for #OccupyINEC protest
-
Business1 day agoPresident Tinubu Approves N3.3Trn Payments Plan To Restore Reliable Electricity
-
Politics1 day agoINEC suspends voter revalidation amid rising concerns by Opposition parties
