Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian daredevil skydiver, died at 56 in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, on July 17, 2025.  Known for his record-breaking 2012 skydive from 39,000 meters (128,000 feet) in the stratosphere, where he became the first person to break the sound barrier without an aircraft,  Baumgartner lost control of his motorized paraglider and crashed near a hotel swimming pool.  His career included iconic jumps from landmarks like the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.  The 2012 Red Bull Stratos jump, watched by millions, marked the highest-ever skydive at the time. Source  

The Ondo State Police arrested a landlord, Femi Oladele, alias "Tallest," and two accomplices for the abduction, robbery, rape, and murder of two Adekunle Ajasin University students, Andrel Eloho Okah, 19, and John Friday Abba, 25.  The students were reported missing on June 20, 2025, prompting an investigation after a petition from Emmanuel Peter, the brother of one victim.  Forensic tracking led to the recovery of a victim's iPhone in Lagos and a Lexus RX 350 in Aramoko-Ekiti, where suspect Ojo Michael was arrested. Michael confessed to the crimes, implicating Oladele as the mastermind who ordered the attack due to the victims' alleged disrespect.  The female victim was raped and both were killed to prevent identification, with their bodies dumped near the Ondo-Ekiti border. Oladele confessed to orchestrating and concealing the crime. N800,000 was transferred from a victim's account during captivity.  One body was recovered, and efforts continue to l...

On July 16, 2025, a devastating fire erupted at the newly opened Hyper Mall in al‑Kut, a city in Wasit province, eastern Iraq.  The blaze, which lasted approximately 12 hours, ripped through the five‑storey shopping centre, claiming at least 69 lives, with 11 people missing and over 40 injured  Emergency responders rescued around 45 individuals from the inferno . Many victims, primarily women and children, succumbed to suffocation, with a number of charred bodies found in bathrooms and lift shafts. Among the deceased were 14 unidentified victims . Local officials described the building as deficient in basic fire safety infrastructure—lacking adequate emergency exits, fire alarms, extinguishers, and compliant building materials.  Provincial investigations revealed that a restaurant previously flagged for safety violations had been converted into part of the mall without proper oversight .  Eyewitnesses and authorities suggested the fire may have started...

 

  A shocking incident occurred at Paras Hospital in Patna, Bihar, where five armed men stormed into the hospital and shot dead Chandan Mishra, a notorious criminal who was on parole for treatment. Mishra, with dozens of murder cases against him, was targeted by a rival gang, according to police. The gunmen, captured on CCTV, walked into Room 209, pumped bullets into Mishra, and escaped within 25 seconds. They fled the scene on bikes, heading towards Buxar. The incident raises concerns about law and order in Bihar, with many questioning the state's security protocols. The police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to catch the accused, investigating possible intra-gang issues or rival group involvement. The CCTV footage shows the five shooters pulling out guns, entering Mishra's cabin, and escaping after the attack. Authorities are scrutinizing hospital security, including visitor frisking protocols. Mishra's murder highlights the growing gang violence in Bihar, sp...

  A tragic incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district where a 42-year-old snake catcher, Deepak Mahabar, died after being bitten by a cobra.  The incident happened when Deepak wrapped the rescued snake around his neck like a garland while riding his motorcycle to pick up his son from school. A video of him riding with the snake around his neck went viral on social media, moments before the snake bit him. Despite receiving antivenom treatment, Deepak's condition worsened, and he died the next day. The delay in seeking medical attention after the bite likely contributed to the tragic outcome. Deepak was known for his fearless efforts in saving snakes and had built a reputation as a local wildlife rescuer. His two sons, Raunak (12) and Chirag (14), were orphaned after his death, as their mother had passed away earlier. The incident highlights the risks involved in handling poisonous snakes, especially when done carelessly. Authorities have registered a case and launched ...

  A Limpopo father successfully applied to the High Court to remove his son as a 50% beneficiary from a R30 million family trust due to the son's repeated violent assaults and criminal conduct. The court deemed the son's behavior "gross ingratitude," allowing the father to revoke his son's entitlement and protect the trust's integrity. The son had physically attacked and assaulted his father multiple times, prompting the father to obtain a protection order. The son had also been convicted of at least six criminal offenses, with more charges pending. The court ruled that the son's actions hindered the trust's purpose and damaged the family legacy. Key Outcomes: - Removal of Beneficiary: The son was removed as a beneficiary, and his shares were reallocated to his children. - Protection Order: The father had previously obtained a protection order against the son due to repeated violent attacks. - Criminal Convictions: The son had been convicted of multipl...