KADUNA, Nigeria — The Nigerian police denied reports of simultaneous church attacks in northwestern Kaduna state over the weekend, even as residents shared accounts of the kidnapping in interviews on Tuesday.
A state lawmaker, Usman Danlami Stingo, told The Associated Press on Monday that 177 people were abducted by an armed group on Sunday. Eleven escaped, and 168 are still missing, according to the lawmaker and residents interviewed by the AP.
Kaduna State Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu said late Monday that police visited one of the three churches and “there was no evidence of the attack.”
He said the “rumors” were “sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration.”
It is common for police and locals to have contradicting accounts of attacks in Nigeria’s hard-hit villages.
“I am one of the people who escaped from the bandits. We all saw it happen, and anyone who says it didn’t happen is lying,” said Ishaku Dan’azumi, the village head of Kurmin Wali.
A Kaduna-based Christian group, the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, said in a press release that security operatives did not allow its members to visit the sites of the attacks.
“The military officer who stopped the CSWN car said there was a standing order not to allow us in,” Reuben Buhari, the group’s spokesperson, said.
The Chikun/Kajuru Active Citizens Congress (CKACC), a local advocacy group, published a list of the hostages. The list could not be independently verified by the AP. The police did not respond to a request for questions on the list.
The Christian Association of Nigeria also verified the attacks and has a list of the hostages, according to a senior Christian leader in the state who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of his safety.
“This happened, and our job is to help them. These people came, attacked, and picked people from churches,” he said. “But I think they prefer to play the politics of denying, and I don’t think that’s what we want.”
Attacks against churches are common in Nigeria and are a part of Nigeria’s complex security crisis. Nigeria is struggling with several armed groups that launch attacks across the country, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, which are religiously motivated, and other amorphous groups commonly called “bandits.”
In the past few months, the West African nation has been in the crosshairs of attacks from the U.S. government, which has accused the Nigerian government of not protecting Christians in the country, leading to a diplomatic rift. The U.S launched an attack against an alleged Islamic State group on Dec. 25, an operation the Nigerian government said it was aware of.
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Ope Adetayo reported from Lagos, Nigeria and Dyepkazah Shibayan reported from Abuja, Nigeria.
On Saturday (Jan. 17), The Daily Mail shared that Keith Urban is not only dating someone new — Karley Scott Collins — but that they’re living together.
That rumor has since been dispelled by Collins herself, who took to her Instagram to share that the rumor was “ridiculous and untrue.”
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images
Who Is Karley Scott Collins?
Collins is 26 years old and started as a child actress in some small roles.
She learned how to play guitar for an audition, which sparked her interest in music.
She was most recently an opener on Urban’s High and Alive World Tour in 2025, and even recorded one of her songs, “Write One,” with him.
When Did Karley Scott Collins Get to Nashville?
Collins moved to Nashville in 2019 to pursue a country music career.
Once in Nashville, she signed a publishing deal with Sony, which has become fruitful for her as she has released two EPs and one full-length album since then.
This relationship rumor is now the second of its kind since Urban and Nicole Kidman filed for divorce in September of 2025.
Before the Collins dating rumor, Urban was rumored to be linked to another fellow tour opener, Maggie Baugh.
While Urban has beat around the bush once or twice, telling fans not to believe the tabloids, mum is the word for Urban on the love train.
He has not said one word in public about the divorce from Kidman, nor has he addressed the rumors of dating Baugh or Collins.
If what rapper Lil’ Wayne says is correct when he raps, “Real Gs move in silence, like lasagna,” we can expect the realest of the real — Urban — to continue to move in silence and dodge the silly dating rumors.
Let’s take a look back at the good times, when Urban and Kidman were red hot in love.
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman’s Relationship Through the Years
Photos of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, through their years. The couple married in 2006 but in September 2025 it was revealed they’d separated.
On Jan. 6, 2026, the divorce was finalized thus ending their nearly 20-year relationship. Of course they’ll still carry on as parents to two daughters.
Nicole Kidman + Her Daughters Go Public After Keith Urban Separation
Nicole Kidman brought her two daughters to Paris less than a week after she filed for divorce from Keith Urban. Pictures show the three women enjoying a fashion show alongside a few famous friends.
From Boeing aircraft to bourbon whiskey, the European Union has created a list of hundreds of categories of American products that it plans to target if trade talks unravel.
SUNRISE, Fla. — A rare goalie fight broke out with 14 minutes left in Monday night’s game between the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks that had become increasingly chippy with post-whistle pushing and shoving.
Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky beelined from his crease to even things up after San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic injected himself into a scrum in the corner.
Bobrovsky told reporters after the game he felt Nedeljkovic’s reaction to the hit was “a little bit too much” and “over the line.”
“I went to make sure to get him and let him know,” he said. “I felt just like I made a decision and went straight into it.”
In a postgame interview with NBC Sports California, Nedeljkovic said “I was just doing my best not to get punched. He came out swinging, so I was just trying not to lose any teeth. It might have straightened my nose out a little bit more, but I don’t want it that way.”
Panthers fans chanted, “Bobby! Bobby!” after the two netminders were done tussling. Cheers followed when Bobrovsky returned from a brief trip to the locker room.
According to ESPN Research, Nedeljkovic is the fifth goaltender in NHL history with a goal, assist and fighting major in his career, joining Ron Hextall, Billy Smith, Chris Osgood and Mike Smith.
Bobrovsky and Nedeljkovic each were issued a 5-minute major penalty for fighting and an additional 2-minute penalty for leaving the crease to take part in an altercation. Both goalies stayed in the game, which San Jose won 4-1.
Tuesday’s Top Stories Tuesday’s Five Facts [1] New Mexico legislative session begins – The 30-day legislative session begins Tuesday in Santa Fe. KRQE News 13 will be keeping track of the latest news from the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is set kick off the session with the state of the state […]
A few minutes into the second quarter of UConn’s dominant 85-47 win over Notre Dame on Monday, which moved the top-ranked Huskies to 19-0 this season, Sarah Strong took a pass from Ashlynn Shade and drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to reach 1,000 career points.
Strong, who finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks in another impressive all-around showing, needed just 59 games to reach the 1,000-point milestone. In UConn history, only Maya Moore and Paige Bueckers have gotten there faster (both 55 games).
“I’m not surprised that she’s gotten to 1,000 this quickly because it’s consistent every night. She doesn’t go two or three games where it comes up empty,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said after the win. “Her consistency is what stands out — kinda like Paige and Maya, same thing — and her efficiency. Those 1,000 points come in the context of what we’re trying to do as a team.”
For the season, Strong is now averaging 18.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.6 steals and 1.7 blocks on absurd 60.3/41.1/90 shooting splits. And she’s doing all of that in just 27.3 minutes a night because UConn’s games are almost never competitive in the fourth quarter.
Strong leads the Huskies in scoring, rebounding, steals, blocks and field goal percentage, and already has three games with at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. (Notably, those performances have come against Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame.) Every other player in NCAA Division I women’s basketball this season has a combined six such outings. And forget the 50/40/90 club, Strong is on pace to be the founding member of the 60/40/90 club.
Because Strong plays so little compared to many of the top players in college basketball, her counting stats aren’t at the top of major statistical categories. But she leads the country in win shares (6.4), box score plus-minus (plus-30.2), and PER (47.2). Her per-100 possession numbers are also out of this world: 37.2 points, 16.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.2 blocks. She’s on pace to become the first player in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to have a season with per-100 numbers of at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks.
However you want to slice it, Strong is having a historic season, and is well on her way to being named Naismith Player of the Year. After yet another big win for the Huskies, let’s take a closer look at what makes Strong so special.
Offensive machine
Strong has reached double figures in every game this season, and has only shot below 50% once — UConn’s win over Michigan where she went 7 of 15 (46.7%). While she scores most of her points in the paint, she’s comfortable all over the floor and her versatile skillset gives her an answer to whatever opponents throw her way.
Just look at her shot chart (which has not yet been updated to include Monday’s game). She’s shooting 76.9% at the rim, 57.7% in the mid-range and 41.1% from 3-point range. Stunningly, she is more than 10% above the NCAA Division I average from every single spot on the floor besides corner 3s, where she’s only 8.8% above.
Sarah Strong’s shot chart
CBB Analytics
Strong’s balance on the offensive end is incredible. Her three most common play types, per Synergy Sports, are transition, spot up and post up. Her frequency for each is nearly identical, and she ranks in the 90th percentile or better in efficiency for all three.
Transition
23%
1.318
91%
Spot up
21.6%
1.242
97%
Post up
19.2%
1.327
98%
Strong can run the floor in transition, knock down open jumpers, attack off the bounce and cook in the post.
What are defenses supposed to do, especially when Strong is an excellent passer who rarely makes mistakes. She boasts a 2.53 assist-to-turnover ratio and Monday’s win was just the fourth time this season that Strong has had three or more turnovers in a game. Furthermore, Strong is on pace to become just the ninth player in Division I history to average more than four assists and fewer than two turnovers with a usage rate of at least 25%.
Defensive force
As great as Strong is offensively, she’s equally impressive on the defensive end.
Not only does Strong lead the Huskies in defensive rebounding, steals and blocks, she leads the country in defensive win shares (2.6) and defensive box score plus-minus (plus-12.7). She’s also fourth in the country in steal rate (the percentage of opponent possessions that end in a steal by Strong when she’s on the floor) at 7.5% and second in the country in Hakeem rate (a stat created by CBB Analytics which simply combines a player’s steal and block rates) at 15.2%. In other words, when Strong is on the floor, 15.2% of opponent possessions end with her stealing the ball or blocking a shot.
Thanks in large part to Strong, UConn has the best defense in the country. CBB Analytics’ team defensive rating stats go back to the 2018-10 season; UConn’s 70.6 defensive rating this season is the best on record.
Strong’s positional sense is brilliant, and she has quick hands and good instincts. And much like on the offensive end, her versatility is a major asset. At 6-foot-2, she has the size and strength to battle in the paint, but she’s quick enough to hang on the perimeter.
She’s just as liable to strip a ball-handler as she is to jump a passing lane or come up with a huge block.
Another impressive aspect of Strong’s defense is that she rarely fouls. She’s fouled out once in 59 career games and has had more than three fouls just five times. This season, she’s averaging a paltry 1.5 fouls per game.
The bad news for the rest of the country is that Strong is only a sophomore and still has room to improve.
“She’s not even halfway there to where I hope we can help her get,” Auriemma said after UConn’s win over Villanova earlier this month. “She’s not even halfway there. Not even close.”
In an ongoing struggle over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix says it is now prepared to pay all cash for Warner Bros. and HBO, rather than a mix of cash and stock.Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, WBD for short, announced the amended plan on Tuesday morning, about six weeks after originally striking the mega-deal that would reshape the entertainment industry.The companies hope that the new all cash-offer will help fend off Paramount’s hostile takeover bid for all of WBD.Netflix is offering $27.75 per WBD share for the company’s movie studio and streaming assets, which are due to be split off into a new publicly traded company called Warner Bros. later this year.CNN and other channels owned by WBD will become part of a separate company called Discovery Global.Netflix had previously offered $23.25 per share in cash and the rest in Netflix stock, enabling Paramount to argue that its all-cash offer was superior.Netflix on Tuesday said the transaction will be financed “through a combination of cash on hand, available credit facilities and committed financing.”This “simplifies the transaction structure, provides greater certainty of value for WBD stockholders, and accelerates the path to a WBD stockholder vote,” the companies said in a press release.WBD CEO David Zaslav said Tuesday that once the company clears its review by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, WBD will schedule a special shareholder meeting to vote on the deal. He expects that would happen in the spring.Paramount has been anticipating the all-cash revision and has been moving forward with its plan to buy up shares for $30 each. Earlier this month Paramount CEO David Ellison also threatened a proxy fight, vowing to nominate a Paramount-friendly slate of board members to take over the WBD board.WBD has rebuffed Paramount and argued that the Netflix deal plus the formation of Discovery Global leaves investors in a better position.Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., chair of the WBD board of directors, said Tuesday morning, “By transitioning to all-cash consideration, we can now deliver the incredible value of our combination with Netflix at even greater levels of certainty, while providing our stockholders the opportunity to participate in management’s strategic plans to realize the value of Discovery Global’s iconic brands and global reach.”Paramount, on the other hand, has argued that the channels have little to no equity value.Earlier this month Paramount filed a lawsuit in Delaware to pursue more information about the valuation “so that,” Ellison said, “WBD shareholders have what they need to be able to make an informed decision as to whether to tender their shares into our offer.”The court rejected Paramount’s effort to expedite the case, however.Netflix is slated to report quarterly earnings after the market close on Tuesday.
In an ongoing struggle over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix says it is now prepared to pay all cash for Warner Bros. and HBO, rather than a mix of cash and stock.
Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, WBD for short, announced the amended plan on Tuesday morning, about six weeks after originally striking the mega-deal that would reshape the entertainment industry.
The companies hope that the new all cash-offer will help fend off Paramount’s hostile takeover bid for all of WBD.
Netflix is offering $27.75 per WBD share for the company’s movie studio and streaming assets, which are due to be split off into a new publicly traded company called Warner Bros. later this year.
CNN and other channels owned by WBD will become part of a separate company called Discovery Global.
Netflix had previously offered $23.25 per share in cash and the rest in Netflix stock, enabling Paramount to argue that its all-cash offer was superior.
Netflix on Tuesday said the transaction will be financed “through a combination of cash on hand, available credit facilities and committed financing.”
This “simplifies the transaction structure, provides greater certainty of value for WBD stockholders, and accelerates the path to a WBD stockholder vote,” the companies said in a press release.
WBD CEO David Zaslav said Tuesday that once the company clears its review by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, WBD will schedule a special shareholder meeting to vote on the deal. He expects that would happen in the spring.
Paramount has been anticipating the all-cash revision and has been moving forward with its plan to buy up shares for $30 each. Earlier this month Paramount CEO David Ellison also threatened a proxy fight, vowing to nominate a Paramount-friendly slate of board members to take over the WBD board.
WBD has rebuffed Paramount and argued that the Netflix deal plus the formation of Discovery Global leaves investors in a better position.
Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., chair of the WBD board of directors, said Tuesday morning, “By transitioning to all-cash consideration, we can now deliver the incredible value of our combination with Netflix at even greater levels of certainty, while providing our stockholders the opportunity to participate in management’s strategic plans to realize the value of Discovery Global’s iconic brands and global reach.”
Paramount, on the other hand, has argued that the channels have little to no equity value.
Earlier this month Paramount filed a lawsuit in Delaware to pursue more information about the valuation “so that,” Ellison said, “WBD shareholders have what they need to be able to make an informed decision as to whether to tender their shares into our offer.”
The court rejected Paramount’s effort to expedite the case, however.
Netflix is slated to report quarterly earnings after the market close on Tuesday.
Authorities were trying to determine on Tuesday whether a Canadian woman found dead on a popular Australian beach had been killed by dingoes, which are wild dogs native to the country.
The 19-year-old woman was found on a beach at K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, on Monday. Police said her body had been “interfered with” by dingoes.
But police would not speculate on the cause of death, saying her body had been discovered 90 minutes after she went for a morning swim on the world’s largest sand island off the Queensland state coast.
Police were called to the beach near a shipwreck, a popular tourist attraction, at 6:35 a.m. Two men were driving an SUV along the beach when they saw around 10 dingoes near the body, Police Insp. Paul Algie said.
“It was obviously a very traumatic and horrific scene for them to uncover,” Algie told reporters.
“I can confirm there was markings on her body consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes,” he added.
A post-mortem examination of the remains to determine the cause of death was expected to be completed on Wednesday.
“We simply can’t confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes,” Algie said.
The woman had been working at a tourist accommodation on the island for about six weeks.
A spokesperson with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed to CBC News that they’re aware of the investigation in Australia. “We were saddened to hear about the loss of this young person, and our hearts go out to the family and all those impacted,” the spokesperson told CBC News.
Local mayor George Seymour told 9News the last fatal dingo attack on the island was 25 years ago and that there had been “an escalation of aggressive dingo activity” in recent years.
“A big part of what (the rangers) do is to try and separate dingoes from humans, but we’re continuing to have this situation of dingoes, and in some ways it’s inevitable that there will be a fatality, given how many bites and attacks are happening over the years,” Seymour told 9News.
A dingo is seen on a beach in Austalia on March 26, 2002.
Fairfax Media via Getty Images via Getty Images
Three years ago, a pack of dingoes mauled a 23-year-old jogger in an attack police said was almost fatal. The dogs had driven the woman into the surf before a tourist came to her rescue, beating off the dingoes. Police said the man had saved her life.
About 200 dingoes roam free on K’gari and are a protected native species at the World Heritage-listed national park.
The younger animals have become more aggressive and less fearful of humans since tourists returned in large numbers following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, two Australian women were fined about $1,500 for taking selfies and videos of themselves posing with dingoes on the island.
