Category: Refined Living

The founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has expressed confidence that God’s glory will be powerfully revealed during the Global Crusade with Kumuyi 2026 in Uyo, noting the remarkable display of active and creative faith in the state. Kumuyi shared his thoughts while speaking with journalists on Tuesday during a media briefing ahead of the crusade, themed ‘Fresh Anointing for a New Beginning,’ which commenced on Wednesday in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. “When I observe faith through the actions of the people, I see something exceptional here,” he said. “I have ministered across Nigeria—in the North, South, and East—as well as other parts of Africa, including East and North Africa. But in Akwa Ibom, the level of active faith is truly impressive.” He added, “Seeing this faith, there is no doubt in my heart that all the miracles we have witnessed before will manifest here, reflecting the proactive and creative faith I observe in Akwa Ibom.” Kumuyi also highlighted the transformative impact of the Global Crusade in other locations, citing stories of healing and deliverance. “Across other regions, we have witnessed countless miracles: lives transformed, diseases healed, lepers cleansed. We have seen deliverance from insanity and demonic oppression, complete healing, and restoration of the blind and deaf. Even conditions like elephantiasis have been reversed instantly.” He further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to place their trust in God. “The situation in this country can change if we believe. This crusade focuses on anointing, and anointing breaks the yoke,” he said.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has placed two agents on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed on Saturday, prompting protests across Minnesota and nationwide, as well as bipartisan calls from lawmakers for the removal of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary. A preliminary DHS report to Congress stated that two officers discharged their firearms during a struggle with Pretti. Earlier official accounts suggested Pretti had brandished a gun. CBP has not specified when the agents were placed on leave or how long they will remain off duty. The agency told media that the move followed standard protocol, which generally places federal law-enforcement officers on leave while a shooting is investigated. Previously, CBP Commander Gregory Bovino had said the officers were reassigned to another city. New footage shared by News Movement shows Pretti in an altercation with federal agents 11 days prior to his death. The video depicts Pretti shouting at officers, gesturing aggressively, and kicking a car’s taillight, before being wrestled to the ground by agents. A gun is visible in his waistband. Pretti’s family lawyer, Steve Schleicher, told CBS News: “A week before Alex was killed, despite posing no threat, he was violently confronted by ICE agents. Nothing from that week could justify his death on January 24.” The ICE agent involved in the earlier shooting of Renee Good, also in Minneapolis on January 7, was placed on administrative leave pending investigation. President Donald Trump stated his intention to “de-escalate” tensions in Minneapolis, where DHS has been conducting Operation Metro Surge since December 1. However, he clashed with Minneapolis officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, who confirmed the city would maintain its sanctuary policies and would not enforce federal immigration laws. Trump responded on Truth Social, warning that Frey’s stance was “a very serious violation of the Law” and “PLAYING WITH FIRE.” Representative Ilhan Omar, who has also called for federal immigration officers to leave the city, blamed Trump for a recent attack on her at a public event, in which a man allegedly squirted a substance at her. Police have charged the suspect with third-degree assault; reports suggest the syringe contained apple cider vinegar. DHS has reported over 3,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants in Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, including individuals with violent or criminal backgrounds. The operation, the largest of its kind to date, is part of Trump’s broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration, deploying DHS agents and National Guard members to multiple US cities. These actions have sparked protests and legal challenges in Democratic-led jurisdictions like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. A federal judge in Minneapolis recently ordered the release of all refugees detained by immigration agents while awaiting residency documents and the return of refugees removed from the state. Judge John Tunheim noted that refugees “are not committing crimes on our streets” and emphasized that the US has been “a haven of individual liberties.” Following Pretti’s death, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accused him of “domestic terrorism” and claimed he was armed. However, BBC Verify analysis found no evidence of a gun in Pretti’s hand. According to the DHS preliminary report, two CBP agents fired their weapons during a struggle after one shouted that Pretti had a gun—a detail that differs from earlier administration accounts, which described the shooting as defensive. Internal ICE guidance now instructs officers in Minnesota to avoid engaging with “agitators” and to focus only on immigrants with criminal histories. Lawmakers from both parties have called for Noem and White House immigration adviser Stephen Miller to be removed. Senior House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Noem unless she resigns or is dismissed. Congressional members are also considering withholding DHS funding in upcoming spending legislation, which must be passed before a potential government shutdown on February 1.

Sir Keir Starmer said he achieved “good progress” on tariffs and visa-free travel to China during his meeting with President Xi Jinping. The prime minister also raised sensitive issues, including the imprisonment of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Starmer is the first UK prime minister to visit China in eight years, amid efforts to strengthen trade ties with Beijing. Critics, however, have warned that the UK should adopt a cautious approach given national security concerns and China’s human rights record. After the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, which lasted around an hour and 20 minutes, Starmer said the discussions focused on how “huge opportunities” in China could benefit the UK. “We made really good progress on tariffs for whisky, on visa-free travel to China, and on information exchange and cooperation on irregular migration, particularly regarding small boats and engine parts,” he said. He described the talks as “constructive with real outcomes” in the UK’s national interest. China’s readout of the meeting said it would “actively consider” implementing unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens. Currently, British passport holders still require a visa to enter China, while 70 other countries enjoy visa-free access. Under an agreement expected to be signed, UK and Chinese law enforcement will cooperate to disrupt the supply of small boat engines and equipment used by criminal gangs to smuggle migrants across the Channel. Last year, over 60% of the engines seized from smuggling gangs were Chinese-made. When asked about raising the cases of Lai and the Uyghurs, Starmer said: “We raised those issues, as expected. Engagement allows us to seize opportunities while having a mature discussion about points of disagreement.” Starmer travelled to Beijing with a delegation of British business and cultural leaders. At the start of his meeting, he said he wanted a “more sophisticated” relationship with China, stressing the domestic benefits of closer ties. “I promised 18 months ago that Britain would face outwards again,” he said. “Events abroad affect everything at home, from supermarket prices to our sense of security.” President Xi said UK-China relations had experienced “twists and turns” that did not serve either country’s interests and argued that dialogue was “imperative” in a turbulent world. He praised previous Labour governments for contributions to bilateral relations and said leaders who rise above differences would “stand the test of history.” Xi added: “Sometimes good things take time. As long as it serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, leaders should not shy away from difficulties.” He also quoted a Chinese proverb: “Range far your eye over long distances,” and described Starmer’s visit ahead of Chinese New Year as “a sign of auspiciousness.” As a gift, Starmer gave Xi a football used in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal, reflecting their respective football loyalties. The visit occurs amid heightened trade tensions after US President Donald Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canada for signing a “strategic partnership” with China. Opposition parties criticised the trip. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would not visit China at this time, arguing the UK should engage with countries aligned with its interests. The Liberal Democrats said the government’s approach had been “all give and no take” and urged Starmer to address China’s political interference and the repression of Hong Kong activists. The visit comes shortly after government approval for a new, large Chinese embassy in London, raising espionage concerns. UK officials in China are reportedly using burner phones and temporary emails amid security precautions.

China has executed 11 members of a notorious mafia clan that ran scam centres in Myanmar near its north-eastern border, according to state media. The Ming family members were sentenced in September by a court in Zhejiang province for crimes including homicide, illegal detention, fraud, and operating gambling dens. The clan was among several that transformed the once-impoverished town of Laukkaing into a hub of casinos, red-light districts, and online scam operations. Their empire collapsed in 2023 when ethnic militias, who had seized control of Laukkaing during a conflict with Myanmar’s army, detained the gang and handed them over to Chinese authorities. The executions serve as a warning to other potential scammers. However, the scam operations have since shifted to Myanmar’s border with Thailand, as well as Cambodia and Laos, where China has less influence. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked to work in online scams in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia. Many victims and perpetrators are Chinese, with billions of dollars lost to these schemes. Beijing, frustrated by the Myanmar military’s failure to curb the scam industry—which it likely benefited from—supported an offensive by an ethnic insurgent alliance in Shan State in late 2023. The alliance captured large territories and overran Laukkaing, a key border town. The 11 executed members of the Ming family are the first of the Myanmar-based scam bosses to face capital punishment in China. Others are expected to follow: five members of the Bai family received death sentences in November, and trials are ongoing for defendants from the Wei and Liu families. The Ming trial was held behind closed doors, though more than 160 people attended the sentencing last year, including victims’ relatives. Between 2015 and 2023, their operations reportedly generated over 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), according to China’s Supreme Court, which rejected their appeals in November. The court said their crimes led to the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to many others. More than 20 additional Ming family members received prison sentences ranging from five years to life. Ming Xuechang, the family patriarch, died by suicide in 2023 while attempting to evade arrest, according to Myanmar’s military. Chinese state media have broadcast confessions from the arrested members to demonstrate the authorities’ determination to dismantle scam networks. The Mings were among a handful of dominant families that rose to power in Laukkaing in the early 2000s after the town’s former warlord was ousted by a military operation led by Min Aung Hlaing, who later became Myanmar’s military ruler following the 2021 coup. Ming Xuechang ran one of the most infamous scam centres, Crouching Tiger Villa. Initially, these families relied on gambling and prostitution for income but later expanded into online fraud, using kidnapped individuals forced to work the scams. Reports from former victims describe a culture of violence inside the sprawling, heavily guarded compounds, with routine beatings and torture.

Britain’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has become the latest Western leader to move toward warmer trade relations with China, a shift analysts attribute to pressure from US tariffs and uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s unpredictable policy approach. Starmer’s visit to Beijing this week, aimed at promoting what he described as “pragmatic” cooperation, follows similar outreach by leaders of Canada, Ireland, France and Finland. For many of them, it was their first trip to China in years, as they seek to reset ties with the world’s second-largest economy. According to Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, there is intense competition among European leaders to secure meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said the push is driven by rivalry to attract investment and gain market access ahead of anticipated China–US summits scheduled for February and April. China is not the only option Western countries are exploring. On Tuesday, India and the European Union announced a major trade agreement after two decades of negotiations, reflecting efforts to diversify trade partnerships amid a strained global environment. Vietnam and the EU also pledged on Thursday to deepen cooperation in trade, technology and security. However, Lee-Makiyama noted that emerging markets such as India, Vietnam and South American economies are too small to absorb the export volumes of Europe’s highly trade-dependent economies. As a result, he said, European countries are effectively compelled to engage China, despite ongoing concerns about its human rights record and allegations of economic coercion. He added that global economic growth is largely driven by the United States and China, pointing out that the US is showing little sign of opening up its markets. Trump’s aggressive and unpredictable tariff policies, analysts argue, have raised doubts about the reliability of the United States as a long-term trading partner. William Alan Reinsch of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies said Trump’s trade approach has contributed to the renewed momentum behind deals such as the EU–India free trade agreement, suggesting that US policies may have inadvertently pushed negotiations over the line after years of delay. During his meeting with Xi on Thursday, Starmer said it was “vital” for Britain to strengthen its relationship with China, a view echoed by the Chinese leader, who stressed the importance of closer ties amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. Britain and China previously enjoyed what was described as a “Golden Era” in their relations about a decade ago, but ties worsened after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020. Despite this, China remains the UK’s third-largest trading partner, and Starmer’s government is keen to stimulate economic growth. The European Union is also seeking closer engagement with China but remains concerned about the significant trade imbalance, with a deficit exceeding $350 billion in China’s favour. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin advocated for open trade during talks with Xi in early January, while French President Emmanuel Macron criticised the imbalance during his visit to Beijing in December. China and India are likewise adjusting to the impact of US tariffs aimed at boosting American manufacturing. Speaking at the World Economic Forum this month, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng criticised protectionist policies, warning against a global order where powerful nations act solely in their own interests. In some cases, US trade pressure has intensified. Trump has threatened additional tariffs, including a proposed 100 per cent levy on Canadian goods if Ottawa deepens trade ties with Beijing. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a visit to China this month, announced what he described as a new strategic partnership and a preliminary trade agreement to reduce tariffs. Under the deal, China is expected to cut tariffs on Canadian canola products to about 15 per cent from the current 84 per cent, while Canada would import 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a preferential tariff rate. Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at APF Canada, said Carney’s visit signalled a new approach by Ottawa in navigating a more fragmented and uncertain global landscape. However, she cautioned that the move could be misread as a weakening of Canada’s stance on national and economic security concerns linked to China. Reinsch predicted that the growing number of trade agreements excluding the United States could leave it at a disadvantage over time, noting that the deals themselves remain conventional. He said negotiations focused on lowering tariffs and reducing non-tariff barriers reflect long-standing global trade practices rather than a radical shift in approach.

Media executives on Wednesday held discussions on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill as it heads toward a critical vote in the National Assembly. The meeting, organised by TOS Foundation Africa, brought together editors-in-chief, senior editors, bureau chiefs and other media professionals to examine the status of the proposed legislation and recent developments in the lawmaking process. Opening the engagement, the Communication Lead at TOS Foundation Africa, Adejare Hammed, said the dialogue was inspired by patriotism and civic duty. He described it as a collective effort to deepen Nigeria’s democracy and strengthen inclusive representation across all segments of society. Speaking at the session, the Head of TOS Foundation Africa and convener of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition, Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, said the Bill emerged from sustained citizen engagement, stressing that effective laws must reflect the realities of the people. She argued that the limited presence of women in governance had negatively affected national development, particularly in areas such as maternal health, infant mortality and social welfare. Osasu revealed that the initiative had already received significant political backing, including endorsements from President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, more than 50 senators, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as a formal agreement with the Governors’ Spouses Forum. She cautioned that the Bill faced a tight legislative window, warning that failure to pass it by February could delay its implementation. Dismissing claims that the proposal was merely symbolic, she said the reserved seats were designed to create opportunities for competent and qualified women to serve in leadership roles. She also called on media leaders to sustain public engagement, noting that their role would be crucial in keeping attention on the Bill and influencing its successful passage. Providing policy insights, the Advocacy Lead and Senior Programme Manager at TOS Group, Andikan Umoh, described the Bill as a democratic correction rather than a government empowerment scheme. She highlighted what she termed a severe imbalance in representation, noting that although women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they occupy only a small fraction of legislative seats, with some state assemblies having no female lawmakers. According to her, the Bill seeks to address a long-standing structural deficit in Nigeria’s democratic system. She added that evidence from other countries showed quota systems had contributed to improved governance outcomes, including gains in health, education and collaborative policymaking. She stressed that how the media frames the reform would shape public perception, urging that it be presented as an issue of justice and effective governance. In a separate contribution, the Managing Director of TOS Group, Kingsley Sintim, described the media as a critical partner in building public understanding of the reform. He advocated unified messaging, people-centred storytelling and sustained public education across cultural, regional and linguistic lines. He also pointed to the use of digital tools and data, including fact sheets and the 469Tracker, which provides constituency-level information on lawmakers’ positions on the Bill. During an interactive segment, participants raised concerns about political party involvement, grassroots mobilisation, cultural resistance in some regions and the timing of a constitutional amendment close to an election period. Questions were also asked about religious interpretations, legislative caucus dynamics and consultations with former and serving lawmakers. Responding, Osasu said engagements were ongoing across religious and regional divides, including outreach to Islamic clerics and the use of endorsements from traditional and religious leaders to address misconceptions. She added that caucus meetings had been held nationwide to address concerns, align views and encourage citizens to engage their representatives directly. She described the coming weeks as crucial, noting that the next 30 days would be decisive for the Bill’s success. According to her, consistent exposure to the social and economic benefits of inclusive governance was necessary to shift public attitudes. She warned that failure to pass the Bill at this stage could delay women’s representation for another electoral cycle. In closing, participants acknowledged discussions around alternative legislative routes, including possible executive sponsorship, while recognising the progress already achieved. Nigeria continues to grapple with significant gender imbalance in political representation, with women holding less than 10 per cent of seats in the National Assembly and similarly low numbers in most state legislatures. Factors such as cultural norms, party structures, limited campaign financing and restricted access to political networks have contributed to this gap. Over the years, efforts to improve women’s participation have included advocacy initiatives, civil society campaigns and international support for inclusive governance reforms. Supporters of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill argue that quota systems, which have been adopted in countries such as Rwanda, Sweden and India, are necessary to address systemic barriers and ensure women’s perspectives are reflected in policymaking.

The police have uncovered a cyber-enabled telecommunications fraud valued at ₦7.7bn, leading to the arrest of six suspects accused of unlawfully diverting airtime and data belonging to a telecoms company. The operation was carried out by the National Cybercrime Centre following a petition submitted by the affected firm, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin. The company reported suspicious and unauthorised activities within its billing and payment systems. Investigations revealed that login credentials belonging to internal staff were compromised, giving the suspects illegal access to critical platforms. Hundeyin said the syndicate diverted large volumes of airtime and data, causing an estimated loss of more than ₦7.7bn. After weeks of intelligence gathering and planning, coordinated enforcement actions were conducted in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states, with an additional arrest later made in the Federal Capital Territory. The suspects arrested were identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. Items recovered during the operation included two residential buildings in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop sales outlets stocked with over 400 laptops and about 1,000 mobile phones, as well as a Toyota RAV4 vehicle. The police said the assets are believed to be proceeds of the alleged crime. Authorities also traced and recovered significant sums of money from the suspects’ bank accounts, noting that the individuals would be charged to court once investigations are concluded. Commending the officers involved, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised their professionalism and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s digital and financial systems. He stated that the Nigeria Police Force, through the NPF–NCCC, remains resolute in dismantling cybercrime networks and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice, regardless of status or affiliation.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has scheduled ten additional hearing dates to wrap up the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over charges linked to the naira redesign brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The trial judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, fixed the dates on Wednesday after both the prosecution and defence reached an agreement. The EFCC is represented by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), while Emefiele’s counsel is Olalekan Ojo (SAN). The hearings are slated for February 3 and 10; April 1 and 2; May 11, 12, 13, and 14; as well as June 9 and 10. The court indicated that the trial, which began in 2024, is expected to be concluded within this period. Justice Anenih urged both parties to strictly comply with the timetable, assuring them that the court would make necessary arrangements to ensure the proceedings run smoothly. At the resumed session on Wednesday, an EFCC witness, Emere Chinedu, testified that the naira redesign was approved by the Presidency during the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Chinedu, an EFCC operative who led the inter-agency probe panel investigating Emefiele, said the approval was formally communicated to the commission after its enquiry. He explained that the approval came with a condition that the redesigned naira notes must be printed locally, countering claims that the notes were produced outside the country under Emefiele’s leadership. “The State House approved the naira redesign, but with the proviso that it should be done locally,” he told the court. The witness further revealed that Emefiele made six extra-judicial statements before the probe panel on October 26, 27, 30, and 31, as well as November 1 and 2, 2023. During cross-examination, Chinedu declined to comment on Emefiele’s claim that a former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, initially proposed the naira redesign to President Buhari. He maintained that the EFCC does not have the authority to recommend changes to the naira’s design, noting that any involvement by the commission would only be advisory. Chinedu also confirmed that video clips depicting hardship experienced by Nigerians during the naira redesign, which were presented by the EFCC, existed before the probe panel was set up. He said the videos were sourced online and submitted to illustrate the alleged impact of the policy, adding that staff of the television stations that produced the clips were not interviewed. Emefiele is facing trial under charge number FCT/HC/CR/264/2024 and has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

The controversy that arose in Nigeria over President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during his official visit to Türkiye has been described as “silly” by Turkish officials, according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Dabiri-Erewa made this known on Wednesday while responding to a post on X by a user, Oguntoye Opeyemi (Equityoyo), who commented on the reactions of Nigerian media to the incident. She said officials in Ankara were surprised that the moment had become an issue back home. “Exactly. On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she wrote. According to Dabiri-Erewa, a Turkish official described the attention given to the incident as “silly and mischievous,” noting that the visit itself was being widely celebrated in Türkiye. She added that Turkish media focused on what they considered the success of President Tinubu’s visit, rather than the brief stumble. Opeyemi also observed that the incident did not feature in Türkiye’s mainstream media, stating that no Turkish television station reported it, as it was viewed as a non-issue. President Tinubu briefly stumbled on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past organised in his honour at the parade ground in Ankara. The incident occurred as he joined the guard of honour and lasted only a moment before proceedings continued without interruption. A short video of the incident, shared by a Turkish digital news platform and later circulated on X, showed the President walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before momentarily losing his balance. He was promptly assisted by security personnel. Despite the video attracting attention in Nigeria, the Presidency has played down the incident. The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu remained “hale and hearty” and went on with his scheduled engagements, including bilateral meetings with the Turkish President and other senior officials. Similarly, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the episode as minor, explaining that the President briefly lost his balance after stepping on a metal object on the floor. He stressed that it was a simple stumble and not a fall, accusing critics of trying to sensationalise a fleeting moment. The reception ceremony, which began around 5:00 pm local time, featured the rendition of both national anthems and a 21-gun salute. Afterward, Presidents Tinubu and Erdoğan held a closed-door bilateral meeting to discuss strategic issues between Nigeria and Türkiye. The visit, Tinubu’s first official trip to Türkiye, is focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, investment, energy, media, and scientific research. A business forum was also planned alongside the visit to link Nigerian and Turkish investors. Top Nigerian officials present at the event included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.). The Presidency has urged Nigerians to ignore attempts to exaggerate the incident, insisting that the President remains fully engaged in his official responsibilities.

Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was targeted with an unknown substance during an event she hosted on Tuesday, after an audience member used a syringe to spray liquid at her, Minneapolis police reported. Omar was unharmed and continued her remarks. “I’m ok. I’m a survivor, so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win,” she later posted on X. Authorities have yet to determine the nature of the liquid. A journalist present at the event described it as having a sour chemical-like odor. The suspect, 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, has been charged with third-degree assault and is currently in custody, according to the local sheriff’s office. Omar, a Democrat, has been an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump and his immigration policies in Minnesota, where two US citizens were recently fatally shot. In response to the second fatal shooting, Trump said his administration was “going to de-escalate a little bit.” During the event, Omar called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has faced scrutiny over its operations in the state. She also criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, calling for her resignation or impeachment over recent incidents. Earlier this month, US citizen Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration officer, followed by Alex Pretti, who was killed after being stopped by border agents, sparking local and national protests. It was after Omar’s comments on Noem that she was attacked. As Kazmierczak was removed from the venue, he reportedly said Omar was “pitting us against each other,” though it was unclear what he meant. The suspect was arrested immediately, and forensic investigations were conducted at the scene. Despite calls from officials to end the event, Omar continued speaking, telling attendees, “We will continue… we are Minnesota strong,” and later adding, “We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes. Please don’t let them have the show.” One attendee, Alfred Flowers Jr., praised Omar’s courage, noting her determination to finish the town hall. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the attack, stating, “Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk… This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our city.” The event drew around 100 attendees in a north Minneapolis basement, who came to discuss the presence of federal immigration officers and recent shootings. Omar, who became the first Somali-American and first African-born American woman elected to the US Congress in 2019, regularly hosts such town halls. Trump’s immigration operation in Minneapolis began in December after Somali immigrants were convicted in a large-scale welfare fraud case. The state has the largest Somali-American community in the country. Many locals have suggested the operation may be politically motivated, given Trump’s frequent personal attacks on Omar. Earlier this month, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Omar “should be in jail, or even face a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia,” adding that she could “help to MAKE SOMALIA GREAT AGAIN!”