A Nigerian national, James Junior Aliyu, has been sentenced to 90 months (seven and a half years) in prison in the United States for his involvement in a large-scale wire fraud and money laundering scheme.

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Aliyu played a key role in a transnational cybercrime network that targeted business email systems and defrauded individuals and organisations of millions of dollars.

Investigations revealed that the fraud scheme involved hacking into corporate email accounts and using them to divert funds through fraudulent transactions. Authorities said the operation affected multiple victims and formed part of a broader business email compromise (BEC) conspiracy.

Aliyu was arrested in South Africa in 2022 following an international investigation involving Interpol and local law enforcement before being extradited to the United States to face trial.

The 30-year-old later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. As part of the sentence, the court ordered him to forfeit $1.2 million and pay $2.4 million in restitution to victims.

Authorities also confirmed that Aliyu will be deported after completing his prison term.

Iran has fired ballistic missiles toward a joint United States–United Kingdom military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing regional conflict.

According to multiple international reports, at least two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were launched by Iran targeting the strategic base. However, neither missile successfully struck the facility. One reportedly failed mid-flight, while the other was engaged by a U.S. warship using an interceptor system, though it remains unclear if it was completely destroyed.

The UK Ministry of Defence condemned the attack, describing it as “reckless” and a threat to regional stability, while confirming that British and allied military assets remain on high alert to protect personnel and infrastructure.

Diego Garcia, a remote but highly strategic military installation, serves as a key hub for U.S. and UK operations across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa. Analysts say targeting the base signals a significant expansion of Iran’s military reach, with the missiles travelling thousands of kilometres beyond previously acknowledged limits.

The attempted strike comes amid intensifying hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and allied nations, including recent attacks on military and energy infrastructure across the Gulf region. Experts warn that the latest development could further widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation between Iran and Western powers.

While no casualties or damage have been reported from the Diego Garcia incident, global concern continues to rise over the potential for further retaliatory strikes and the broader implications for international security and global energy markets.

A U.S. federal court has ordered the immediate restoration of Voice of America, but the administration of Donald Trump is pushing back, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and political showdown over the future of the global news outlet.

In a strongly worded ruling, Royce C. Lamberth directed that hundreds of VOA employees, who have been on paid leave for nearly a year, be reinstated. He held that Kari Lake, appointed to supervise the U.S. Agency for Global Media, acted beyond her powers by reducing the broadcaster to minimal operations.

However, the administration swiftly filed an appeal, signaling that the judge’s order may not translate into an immediate return to full operations.

Established during World War II, VOA has historically delivered news to countries with limited press freedom, broadcasting in multiple languages to a global audience of hundreds of millions. Before its shutdown, the outlet operated in 49 languages and reached an estimated 362 million people weekly.

The Trump administration had defended the scale-down as part of efforts to eliminate government excess and reform publicly funded media, while critics argue it threatens editorial independence and undermines credible journalism.

VOA Director Michael Abramowitz urged cooperation across political lines, noting that Congress has already approved funding to support the agency’s return. Still, the White House insists reforms at the agency have been successful and that the court ruling will not be the final word.

Inside VOA, staff say rebuilding the organisation will be a complex process after months of disruption. Patsy Widakuswara highlighted both the financial and emotional toll, stressing that restoring morale may prove even more difficult than restarting operations.

Doubts also persist among media veterans. Former VOA director David Ensor questioned whether the current administration is committed to maintaining an independent newsroom.

Further controversy has emerged following the appointment of Christopher Wallace as deputy director, raising concerns about potential shifts in editorial direction.

Although lawmakers have allocated about $200 million for VOA’s operations, the reduced budget and ongoing legal battle leave the organisation’s future uncertain.

For now, the court has spoken but whether Voice of America will fully return to its former role remains unclear as the fight over its fate intensifies.