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Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Mortal Kombat Legend, Dies at 75

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The entertainment world is in mourning following the death of actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, best known for his iconic role as Shang Tsung in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film. He was 75. TMZ reports that Tagawa passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from complications related to a stroke. He died peacefully with his children and family by his side. Born in Tokyo on September 27, 1950, Tagawa relocated to Southern California as a child. His father was a Japanese-American U.S. Army veteran, and his mother was a former Takarazuka actress, a background that exposed him to performance and storytelling early on. He fell in love with acting during high school and went on to study at the University of Southern California, launching a career that would span decades and captivate audiences worldwide. While Mortal Kombat made him a global fan favorite, Tagawa had already cemented his place in cinematic history. In 1987, he played Eunuch Chang in Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, which swept the Oscars with nine wins, including Best Picture. Tagawa married Sally Phillips in 1984, and though they divorced in 2014, the couple had three children together who survive him. Tributes have flooded social media from colleagues, gaming fans, and film lovers alike. Industry figures including Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, along with actors Margie Weiner and Penny Vizcarra, have shared emotional messages honoring Tagawa’s talent, warmth, and lasting impact. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa leaves behind a powerful legacy, one defined by unforgettable performances and a deep connection with audiences around the globe.

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South African Court Jails Nigerian, Accomplice for 37 Years Over Drug Trafficking

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A South African court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Victor Udoh, and his South African accomplice, Vuyisekha Mzwakhe, to a combined 37 years in prison after finding them guilty of drug trafficking and related offences. According to Nova News, the Oudtshoorn Regional Court handed 33-year-old Udoh a total of 22 years 20 years for drug trafficking and two years for immigration violations. Mzwakhe received a 15-year sentence for her role as a courier in the operation. Court documents revealed that the case began in 2021 when Mzwakhe reached out to Udoh through social media, offering to transport items between major cities. Prosecutors said she willingly agreed to act as a drug courier and was funded by Udoh for her travel and accommodation. Their activities came to light after investigators traced a suspicious parcel to a guesthouse in George. The package was delivered to the pair on October 15, 2021. Police later stopped a taxi transporting them to Oudtshoorn and discovered 743 grams of methamphetamine locally known as “tik” worth about R260,050. During the trial, State Prosecutor Hyron Goulding described Udoh as the mastermind of the operation and Mzwakhe as a willing participant. Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Mzwakhe claimed she was unaware of the package’s contents, while Udoh argued that the search leading to their arrest was unlawful an argument the court rejected. The court also heard that Udoh had been living illegally in South Africa for more than five years after his 2016 asylum application was denied. Mzwakhe, who was initially granted bail, was later rearrested for failing to appear in court, while Udoh remained in custody throughout the lengthy trial. Following the judgment, the National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the decision, saying it reaffirmed South Africa’s determination to clamp down on drug-related crimes that fuel violence and undermine community safety.

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Iran to Boycott World Cup Draw After U.S. Denies Visas to Delegation

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Iran will not participate in next week’s World Cup draw in Washington after the United States refused to grant entry visas to several members of its football delegation, the Iranian Football Federation announced on Friday. A federation spokesperson told state television that Tehran had informed FIFA of its decision, stressing that the U.S. visa refusal was “not related to sports.” “We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports, and the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw,” the official said. According to Iranian sports outlet Varzesh 3, key officials including federation president Mehdi Taj were denied visas. Taj earlier criticised the U.S. decision as “purely political,” urging FIFA to intervene and ensure fairness for all participating nations. Despite the setback, four members of the delegation, including national team coach Amir Ghalenoei, reportedly received visas for the December 5 draw. Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup in March, marking their fourth consecutive appearance and seventh overall. Although the team has never advanced past the group stage, their 2-1 victory over the United States in the 1998 World Cup remains a historic highlight. The U.S. later defeated Iran 1-0 in their 2022 group stage encounter. Diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran have been strained for more than 40 years. Efforts at nuclear negotiations collapsed in mid-June after unprecedented Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, which triggered limited U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

ECOWAS
Foreign News, Politics

ECOWAS Suspends Guinea-Bissau After Military Coup, Orders Return to Constitutional Rule

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended the country from all its decision-making organs after the military coup that overthrew the democracy in the country on Wednesday. The resolution was arrived at during an extraordinary virtual meeting of the Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Mediation and Security Council (MSC), led by President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. After assessing the level of political instability in Mali, the regional organization invoked the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance to make the suspension. Under the MSC, “Guinea-Bissau shall remain suspended” until “full constitutional order has been restored” in the state. It was made clear by the ECOWAS that it holds “the coupists or coup leaders personally and collectively responsible” for “citizens, residents, as well as all other detainees” The military was further asked to ensure the protection and secure evacuation of ECOWAS and other foreign election observer missions. The army was instructed to return to the barracks in order to restore peace while the ESSMGB was instructed to carry on with the protection of state institutions. ECOWAS stated that it “reserves the right to take further actions based on the 2001 Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group on Good Governance and the 2012 Supplementary Act Relating to Sanctions” against any person considered to disrupt the democratic process. To tackle the situation, the Authority deployed a high-level mission to mediate in the coup, led by its own chairperson and including the President of Togo, President Faure Gnassingbé; the President of Cabo Verde, President Jose Mario Pereira Neves; Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye; and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray. Meanwhile, the coup plotters in Guinea Bissau swore in General Horta N’Tam as the transitional President of the country for a period of one year after the ousting of President Umaro Embaló.

Foreign News, Health

Hong Kong’s Deadliest Fire in 60 Years Claims 128 Lives as Officials Probe Alarm Failures, Possible Corruption

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At least 128 deaths have been reported following the outbreak of a fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong, according to reports from the relevant authority on Friday. It emerging that the fire alarms at the complex had not worked effectively, amid mounting public fury. During the media conference, it was reported that there were 16 corpses inside the burnt buildings, while 79 people had sustained injuries. Eighty-nine victims had not been identified, while many remained unaccounted for. The fire was reported to have started in the lower floors of the buildings but had quickly ascended. The fire started on Wednesday. Fire Department Chief Leung Wai-Chun said the temperatures soared as high as 500° C (932° F) at the peak of the fire, leading to the reignition of some areas despite being doused. The fire was completely brought under control by 10:18 a.m. on Friday. An operation of such vast proportions was unleashed, with 391 fire engines, 188 ambulances, and 2,311 firefighters deployed. Twelve firefighters sustained injuries. Helicopters could not be deployed because water dropped from them works poorly in buildings, and drones could not be deployed, although the government said that they are examining how such technology can be applied in future events. “Highly flammable styrofoam panels placed outside the apartment windows facilitated the rapid spread of fire,” said Security Chief Tang Ping-Keung. The issue of malfunctioning fire alarms in the building is also being looked into, according to Chief Tang. An investigation into corruption has been triggered by the arrest of three people associated with renovation work at the complex. Currently, the investigators are reviewing whether the use of substandard materials contributed to the tragedy. In Prince of Wales Hospital, Ms. Wong, who appeared to be grieving, said that “We still cannot find them” while talking to the AFP. It seemed that Ms. Wong was looking for relatives who were missing. The police have set up a community center in the vicinity where the families are being shown photographs in order to try and locate the identified victims. DNA analysis will then follow. It was reported that financial assistance programs for affected residents who have lost homes or loved ones will soon be implemented by the government, as per announcements by officials. It ranks as the worst in the territory since 1962 when a huge fire in the Sham Shui Po district resulted in the deaths of 44 persons. The Wang Fuk Court fire engulfed all but one of the residential apartment blocks in the estate. Families have started to return in order to search for loved ones, while the police are soon to enter the buildings in order to collect evidence. In reaction to the unfortunate occurrence, the organizers of the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) have announced that the event at Kai Tak Stadium will go on but without the red-carpet walk. “Instead of glamour, we will focus on bringing comfort and hope,” said entertainment company CJ ENM in its announcement that there would be a tribute and donation in aid of the victims.

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Taiwan Fully Lifts Fukushima-Era Ban on Japanese Food Imports Amid Tensions with China

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Taiwan has announced the lifting of the last remaining restrictions on imports of Japanese food products, marking a full return to pre-Fukushima trade conditions and showing support for Tokyo amid increasingly strained diplomatic relations with Beijing. Taipei had originally imposed a total ban in 2011 on food from five Japanese prefectures near the Fukushima disaster zone. While some curbs were relaxed in 2022 and 2024, Friday’s decision ends all remaining measures. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that “Japanese food safety management measures return to normal,” effective immediately. The agency added that more than 270,000 batches of Japanese food tested for radiation since 2011 have recorded zero failures. Scientific assessments show that the risk of additional radiation exposure from these products is “negligible.” In the aftermath of the move, only China, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia, and South Korea still keep special import controls on Japanese foods. The decision comes as relations worsen between Japan and China following new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestions that Tokyo might consider military action if Taiwan were attacked. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly warned that force remains an option to bring the island under its control. In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, pictures surfaced on social media Thursday of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te holding up a plate of sushi. Lai, a staunch protector of Taiwan’s sovereignty, accused China of “severely” destabilizing the region amid the ongoing dispute. China’s foreign ministry dismissed Lai’s post as a political “stunt.”

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Massive Blaze Destroys 170 Buildings in Oita City, Japan’s Worst Urban Fire in Nearly 50 Years

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More than 170 buildings went up in flames in Oita City, southern Japan, in a massive fire that has left one person dead and is believed to be the country’s worst urban fire in nearly five decades. The fire broke out on Tuesday night and saw military and firefighting helicopters quickly scrambled to douse the inferno. Dramatic images shared online showed streets lined by charred structures, with thick smoke filling the skies above the Saganoseki district – a hilly community overlooking a renowned fishing harbour famous for its premium Seki-brand mackerel. Strong winds further fanned the disaster, pushing the fire towards nearby forests and even reaching an uninhabited island more than a kilometre away. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Japan reported that the blaze burned about 48,900 square meters, an area roughly the size of seven football fields, forcing about 175 residents to flee their homes. Local media reported that at least one person died in the fire, while a woman in her 50s was taken to the hospital with slight burns. Power company Kyushu Electric also reported that approximately 300 homes lost power in the incident. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a message on X, conveying sympathy for the displaced in the cold and promising close coordination by the government with local authorities to hasten urgent assistance. The fire, given the number of buildings it consumed and the extent of the zone hit, is now considered Japan’s largest non-earthquake-related urban fire since the 1976 disaster in Sakata City.

Foreign News

Pep Guardiola Says World Has “Abandoned” Palestinians in Emotional Gaza Statement

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made one of his most powerful public statements on the Gaza crisis, saying the world has “left Palestinians alone” as the conflict continues. Speaking on Spanish radio station RAC1 on Monday, the 54-year-old didn’t hold back his frustration with global leaders. “Every time I imagine what is happening to the people of Palestine, it feels like the whole world has abandoned them,” Guardiola said. “They are not to blame for being born in Palestine, the children, the parents, the grandparents.” He questioned why the destruction in Gaza continues without intervention. “For a very long time now, we have allowed the destruction of an entire people. They say, ‘Don’t call it genocide.’ Then what is it? The people living there, we’ve abandoned them.” Guardiola said he hasn’t met anyone who can justify what’s happening, and criticized world leaders for failing to act. Mentioning figures like Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Vladimir Putin, he argued this isn’t about politics, it’s about humanity. “Our children could be there,” he said. “I have little faith in global leadership. Leaders have good intentions, but they are not fixing things.” He made his position clear: “I am absolutely taking the side of Palestine, the innocent people who are murdered daily. If a ceasefire or symbolic gesture isn’t possible and only force is used… one side has extremely powerful weapons and the other does not.” His comments come before Tuesday’s ACT x Palestine charity match between Catalonia and Palestine at Barcelona’s Lluis Companys Stadium. Over 25,000 tickets have been sold, with all proceeds going toward humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts in Gaza. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports around 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Guardiola believes the match means something real to those affected. “It’s more than a symbolic game. These days, everyone sees everything, and with this match, Palestinians will know there are people in the world who care about them.”

Celebrity Gist, Events, Foreign News, General

Nicki Minaj to Address Alleged Attacks on Christians in Nigeria at UN Event

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American rapper Onika Maraj-Petty, popularly known as Nicki Minaj, is set to speak at a United Nations event in New York on Tuesday. She is expected to address alleged jihadist attacks against Christians in Nigeria. Minaj will be joined by U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, and Alex Bruesewitz, adviser to the former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the organiser of the event. The development was first made known on Sunday by Time magazine senior political correspondent Eric Cortellessa via his X handle. Ambassador Waltz hailed Minaj as “not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” He saluted her for deploying her influence to shed light on what he tagged “atrocities against Christians in Nigeria.” Minaj, responding, said she was honored to have been invited and emphasized that she took the invitation as a serious matter. She vowed never to “stand down in the face of injustice,” adding her global platform had come with a meaningful purpose. The upcoming event follows former President Trump’s recent claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, an assertion his administration earlier amplified by listing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and urging action by Congress. Minaj has publicly applauded Trump for speaking out. Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected the allegations outright, insisting insecurity in the country was driven by criminality and not religious persecution. Notwithstanding, some U.S. officials have continued to raise alarm over the situation.

Nyesome Wike.
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Wike Seeks Stronger Economic Ties as Turkish Ambassador Visits FCT

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has restated his administration’s commitment to deepening economic and bilateral relations with the Republic of Turkey. He made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, at his office in Abuja. Wike explained that the FCT Administration is willing to explore partnerships with cities in Turkey, particularly Istanbul, towards creating opportunities for accelerating economic growth and business-friendly environments. He added that a good number of Turkish nationals currently doing business in Abuja would also benefit from better cooperation between the two countries. “We want to see how we can partner, particularly with Istanbul, to improve economic relations,” he said. “It is our intention to provide an atmosphere where citizens can carry out their businesses without molestation.” The minister commended the ambassador for addressing the long-standing concerns surrounding visa applications for Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking to visit Turkey and said the recent easing of the process would help strengthen the commercial ties. Wike assured the visiting delegation of the administration’s readiness to support Turkish interests in the FCT, urging them to reach out anytime assistance is required. Ambassador Poroy, who has been in Nigeria for six months, said Wike was among the first officials he intended to meet, noting the importance of economic cooperation between both countries. He confirmed that visa procedures had been simplified, and now the embassy in Abuja could issue visas directly without referring each application to Ankara He said plans were well underway to establish a Consulate General in Lagos, as part of the efforts to enhance bilateral engagement. Poroy also utilized the visit to commend the FCT Administration for the quality of services provided to the diplomatic community and expressed appreciation on behalf of himself and other diplomats residing in Abuja.

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