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 Sudan's army seizes several areas in South Kordofan after heavy clashes with RSF The Sudanese army seized several areas west of Abbasiya Tagali in South Kordofan on Sunday after heavy clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), witnesses said. Army troops entered Tabsa, Al Damra, Gardoud Jama, and Al Mureib after fighting RSF and SPLM-North forces, witnesses told Anadolu, adding that controlling these areas west of Abbasiya Tagali stops attacks on the city by the RSF and its allies. The Nuba Mountains community platform, a local NGO, confirmed that the army took Tabsa, Gardoud Jama, Al Mureib, and Al Damra from the RSF. Army personnel posted videos showing troops claiming their control of Tabsa and al-Damra as civilians celebrated. Fierce fighting Neither the army, the RSF nor SPLM-North commented on the report. The three Kordofan states – North, West and South – have seen weeks of fierce fighting be...

 Police Deploy Helicopter to Ejigba Following Church Abduction in Kogi The police have deployed a helicopter to Ejigba in Kogi State following the abduction of a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers during a church service. The rapid response aims to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the victims. Security agencies are intensifying efforts in the area, and residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. More updates later

Dozens of armed bandits have stormed Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State, k!lling a woman and abducting three others. It was gathered that the attack occurred at 11pm on Saturday, November 29, 2025 when the villagers had retired to bed. Sources in the village told Daily Nigerian that the bandits parked their motorcycles on the outskirts of the village and came on foot to avoid detection. According to the sources, the bandits shot an old woman for pleading with them to spare her son from abduction. “They k!lled an old woman because she begged them not to go with her son. However, they shot her and went away with the son,” said a villager who preferred anonymity.  “They then left and opened another house and abducted two women, including the sister-in-law of the ward councillor.” One Nuradeen Rabiu identified the abducted man whose mother was k!lled as Aminu Mahd Ala.  Aminu had called out people who are politicising security challenges in Kano Stat...

 Abia State Unveils Electric Bus Fleet, Promises Affordable, Eco-Friendly Transport The Abia State Government has announced that the electric buses being introduced into its public transport system are designed to guarantee passenger safety, offer affordable fares, and achieve zero smoke emissions. The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, disclosed this on Saturday in Umuahia while speaking at the Abia–Türkiye Investment Summit and Product Exhibition. Mr. Ukaegbu said the deployment of AI-driven traffic lights and the construction of modern bus terminals in Umuahia are part of broader efforts to restore order in the state’s urban centres and deliver more efficient services to residents. He revealed that the state has already taken delivery of 20 electric buses and expects another 20 to arrive within the next few days, adding that the required bus terminals are now fully in, ready for operations. The commissioner further disclosed that the ministry is prioritising acces...

Pastor Dachomo Recounts Horrific Betrayal: Muslims He Sheltered and Fed Allegedly Murdered His Grandmother, Ripped Out Her Heart The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has accused a group of Muslims he once sheltered and fed of repaying his kindness with extreme brutality, including the gruesome murder of his grandmother and the removal of her heart. In a video interview with the advocacy group Equipping the Persecuted, which was widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), Rev. Dachomo tearfully recounted how he took pity on the stranded Muslims, accommodated them in his home, bought foodstuffs with his own money to feed them, and even allowed them to use the church premises for Islamic prayers. “These same people were the ones who killed my grandmother and removed her heart,” he alleged. “The same people killed my uncle and removed his tongue. The same people burned my best friend—my chil...

 Troops Rescue 7 Kidnapped Victims in Kano Raid — No Bandits Neutralized or Killed Troops of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under Operation MESA in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and Nigeria Police, rescued seven kidnapped victims during a night operation in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State on 29 November 2025. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, the troops received a distress call around 11:00 p.m. about bandit activity in Yankamaye Cikin Gari village. Upon arrival, they discovered that the bandits had already killed a 60-year-old woman and abducted several residents. The joint team immediately pursued the fleeing bandits along their withdrawal route toward Rimaye, engaged them with heavy gunfire, and successfully freed seven captives. However, four other kidnapped victims remain unaccounted for. The statement confirmed that no bandits were neutralized or killed during t...

 Federal Health Workers Set for 15–20% Allowance Boost in ₦330 Billion Overhaul A landmark federal review recommends the single largest increase to health-professional allowances in more than two decades, with hardship and isolation payments set to rise 15–20% and total new annual spending reaching up to ₦330 billion (equivalent to $200 million CAD at current exchange rates). Full Key Details from the 7-page Report: 1. 15–20% Increase in Hardship & Isolation Allowances      - Highest increases (up to 20%) for workers in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and northern Quebec/Labrador      - Tiered structure based on community remoteness and years of service      - Applies to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and allied health professionals 2. New & Expanded Allowances      - Introduction of mental-health and emergency-care specialty bonuses      - Retention bonuses for e...

 Governor Otti Appoints Ikpeazu’s ex- CPS Ememanka as DG, Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has appointed Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka as the Director General of the newly created Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau. Ememanka, a seasoned media practitioner, previously served as Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, during Ikpeazu’s second term in office. In May 2025, he resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and publicly declared support for Governor Otti’s administration. In the same announcement, Governor Otti named Mr. Igwe Samuel Obinna as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media. The appointments were contained in a Government Special Announcement signed by Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity. Both appointments take immediate effect from December 1, 2025.

 The community in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is mourning three young lives lost in a devastating Thanksgiving fire. First responders were called to a fire at 10:39 p.m. on the night of November 27th. The fire was located in an apartment building near 43rd Avenue and 62nd Street.  The building was engulfed in flames as firefighters arrived. The brave firefighters were able to battle their way into the blazing home and extinguished the fire in under 40 minutes, containing it to just a single unit in the apartment complex.  Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of first responders and a selfless father, three young siblings lost their lives as a result of this fire.  The children's father was admitted to the hospital for acute smoke inhalation in connection to his attempts to save his children.  9-year-old Conner Kannin and his 10-year-old brother Rylee were pronounced deceased on scene. The brothers' little sister, 7-year-old Alena, was life flighted from the scene but...

 Governor Yusuf Reiterates Commitment to Justice and Development at CREED Awards Night Bags Governor of the year on Insfrastructure and Good Governance ‎ ‎Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice, infrastructural development, and good governance during the Annual Dinner and Awards Night organized by CREED at Tropical Galeria, Kano. ‎ ‎This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Friday. ‎ ‎The Governor, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Kano State, Barr. Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, SAN, commended the organizers for promoting meaningful engagement on the relationship between law, leadership, and societal development. ‎ ‎In his remarks, the Governor emphasized the ongoing justice reforms initiated by his administration, particularly the review of prolonged detentions in custodial centres, which uncovered troubling ca...

 ‎‎I DO NOT RECOGNISE THOSE WHO EXPELLED ME IN ADC- HON ABEJIDE ‎ ‎member representing Yagba federal constituency in the house of representatives, Leke Abejide says he does not recognize his purported expulsion from the African democratic congress. ‎ ‎speaking on NTA’s political update, Leke Abejide says there is a leadership dispute in ADC with some people illegally parading themselves as the party’s leaders without any convention to ratify such status. ‎

 PRESS RELEASE Tinubu Vows To Hunt Down Enemies of The State, Honours Late Governor Audu  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed that restoring peace, strengthening national security, and expanding economic opportunity remain the top priorities of his administration. Representing the President at the memorial of former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu in Lokoja on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that government is fully mobilised to hunt the enemies of state wherever they may be and restore the peace that is the rightful inheritance of every Nigerian. “Yet, we are under no illusions about the recent setbacks and security challenges that have tested our nation’s resolve. Let me be unequivocal: the security and welfare of every Nigerian remain the sacred priority of my government. We have therefore taken decisive action,” he said. He emphasized that the State of Emergency declared recently on national security is ...

  British playwright Tom Stoppard, Oscar winner for Shakespeare in Love, dies at 88  British playwright Tom Stoppard, the inventive and intellectually dazzling dramatist who helped redefine modern theater and won an Academy Award for the screenplay of Shakespeare in Love, has died at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully at his home in Dorset in southern England, surrounded by family. Widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of his era, Stoppard was celebrated for his razor-sharp wit, philosophical depth, and masterful command of language. Over the course of his career, five of his plays won Tony Awards for best play, including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Travesties, The Real Thing, The Coast of Utopia, and Leopoldstadt. His work ranged across literature, science, politics, love, and identity, often blending comedy with deep moral and emotional inquiry. Born Tomás Sträussler in 1937 to a Jewish family in what is now the Czech Republic, Stoppard’s life w...

 Vanessa Hudgens welcomes second child Actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens, known for High School Musical, Grease: Live, and Bad Boys for Life, announced on Instagram that she has given birth to her second child. “Well…. I did it. Had another baby!!! What a wild ride labor is. Big shout-out to all the moms. It's truly incredible what our bodies can do,” Hudgens, 36, wrote Saturday, alongside a photo of herself in a hospital bed. The newborn does not appear in the photo, and details such as the baby’s name and sex have not been shared. Hudgens and her husband, professional baseball player Cole Tucker, 29, revealed in July that they were expecting their second child. The couple, who married in 2023, welcomed their first child, a boy whose name has not been made public, in 2024.

Lost Rubens painting of crucifixion fetches $2.7 million VERSAILLES, FRANCE - A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, hidden for more than 400 years, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at an auction in Versailles on Sunday. The artwork, recently discovered in a private Paris townhouse, depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Originally part of a French collection, it was long believed to be the work of one of Rubens’ many workshops and was rarely valued above 10,000 euros ($11,500). Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said he suspected the painting’s true value early on and sought authentication. The work was ultimately confirmed by the Rubenianum, the Rubens committee in Antwerp. Art historian Nils Büttner noted that while Rubens frequently painted crucifixions, he rarely portrayed Christ as a dead figure on the cross. “This is the one and only painting showing blood and water from the side wound of Christ, something Rubens painted only once,” Büttner said. Scienti...

 Pope Leo XIV reiterates call for two-state solution to settle Israeli-Palestinian conflict Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed Sunday that a two-state solution remains the Holy See’s preferred path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, describing it as the “only solution” capable of ensuring justice for both sides. He made the remarks during his first in-flight news conference while traveling from Istanbul to Beirut on the final leg of his inaugural foreign trip as pope. The brief session, limited to two questions from Turkish journalists, marked Leo’s first formal news conference as pontiff, though he had previously fielded questions during informal gatherings at his residence. When he returns to Rome on Tuesday, a longer press session is expected. Leo confirmed that during his visit to Ankara, he discussed both the wars in Gaza and Ukraine with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing Turkey’s significant role in facilitating dialogue, including low-level negotiations be...

 Tropical storm kills over 600 in Southeast Asia, more than 4 million impacted The death toll from severe floods and landslides in Southeast Asia has surpassed 600, as torrential rains triggered by a rare tropical storm continued to displace tens of thousands of people across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Relief efforts persisted over the weekend as authorities worked to reach isolated communities cut off by floodwaters and landslides. Indonesia reported 435 deaths, Thailand 170, and Malaysia three, while more than 4 million people across the region have been affected, including nearly 3 million in southern Thailand and 1.1 million in western Indonesia. In Indonesia, the hardest-hit areas were on the island of Sumatra, where three provinces faced devastating landslides and floods. Many communities remain inaccessible due to blocked roads and damaged telecommunications, forcing relief teams to rely on helicopters to deliver aid. In Palembayan, West Sumatra, survivors were seen ...

 NDLEA Busts Drug Syndicate Selling Cannabis as 'Christmas Cookies' on WhatsApp Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency  @ndlea_nigeria have dismantled a sophisticated drug trafficking ring that disguised high-grade Canadian Loud cannabis as imported Christmas cookies and snacks, arresting the two alleged masterminds in Lagos. The suspects, Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, were apprehended on Saturday, 22 November 2025, during a raid on their hideout at Ojulari Street, Ikate, in the upscale Lekki area. NDLEA says the syndicate imported the potent strain of cannabis and repackaged it into colourful designer sachets bearing images and labels of popular cookies and snacks for retail distribution.  The illicit products were marketed and sold exclusively through a dedicated WhatsApp platform. During the operation, officers recovered a large quantity of the deceptive designer packaging and approximately 5 kilograms of the Canadian Loud cannabis from the apa...

 Kogi Marks 10th Anniversary of Prince Abubakar Audu’s Passing with Grand Memorial in Lokoja The Kogi State Government held a solemn event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the state’s first civilian governor. The well-attended ceremony, which took place in Lokoja, drew dignitaries including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Minister of Information and National Orientation,  Mohammed Idris; and several former governors of the state. Speakers at the occasion paid glowing tributes to the late Audu, highlighting his enduring legacies in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and political development of Kogi State. The event underscored the late politician’s pivotal role in laying the foundation for modern Kogi State during his tenure from 1992–1993 and 1999–2003.

 Police Foil Bandits’ Attack in Kebbi  Personnel of No. 36 Squadron of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Birnin Kebbi have recorded another significant breakthrough in their sustained efforts to rid Kebbi State of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. On 29 November 2025, armed bandits in large numbers invaded Zodi Village, Zuru LGA, and rustled an unspecified number of livestock. In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi, the personnel promptly deployed to restore peace, engaging the assailants in sporadic gunfire. Many bandits were neutralised, while others fled into the forest with fatal gunshot wounds. CSP Kotarkoshi added that a subsequent search recovered two motorcycles, 96 cows, and 45 sheep.  The livestock were handed over to the village head of Zodi for safe return to their rightful owners, while the motorcycles were handed to the Divisional Police Officer, Zuru, for further investigation and identifica...

 Deputy Senate President urges intervention by security agencies The Deputy President of the Senate Barau  Jibrin has called on security agencies to go after the marauding bandits terrorising some villages in Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs of Kano State.  Senator Barau while reacting to the bandits' attack in Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa LGA on Saturday night, appealed to the security agencies to double their efforts and take the fight to the criminal elements who are infiltrating from neighbouring states. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau noted reports that a woman was killed  and three persons were kidnapped in Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa local government of Kano State. He called on security agencies,  engaging the criminals  in the axis, to double their efforts, to rescue these innocent persons and tackle the criminal elements.

 INSECURITY: FG RENEWS COMMITMENT TO TACKLING INSECURITY, CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ALLIES TO STRENTHEN COLLABORATION  The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to tackling insecurity, calling on regional and international allies to strengthen collaboration in the collective fight against insecurity. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) led by its President, Archbishop Prof. Leonard Bature Kawas, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. The SGF stated that the Tinubu-led administration is doing everything within its power to ensure the security of lives and property and also sought collaborative support from international allies to fight the menace. He acknowledged the vote of confidence passed on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is a testament to the efforts made by this administration toward tackling in...

 "I’m not known for violence" ~Ganduje dismisses Kano's demand for his arrest, calls it baseless and reckless APC former national chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described the Kano State Government’s demand for his arrest as “baseless” and “reckless” insisting the allegation is nothing more than a diversionary tactic. After the state executive council meeting on Friday, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Ibrahim Wayya told reporters that the council deliberated on Ganduje’s alleged inciting comments regarding the state’s exp0sure to band!try. According to Wayya, suspected band!ts invaded some border communities less than two days after the alleged remarks, sparking susp!cion that the comments may have been deliberate or connected to the atta¢k.  He further urged security agencies to probe and arr€st Ganduje for allegedly attempting to form an unlawful militia group. In response, through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje has said that the ...

Mayor Prince Chinedu Okafor Leads Sanitation Enforcement Drive Across Awka Capital In a bold move to uphold environmental hygiene and public health, the Awka-South Sanitation Taskforce, led by Mayor Prince Chinedu Okafor, took to the streets in a sweeping enforcement operation aimed at ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more dignified capital territory. The operation saw the team: - Apprehend sanitation defaulters, who were made to sweep streets and clean gutters as corrective measures   - Dismantle illegal shanties obstructing public spaces and drainage systems   - Arrest individuals found in possession of illegal substances   - Seal off of buildings that failed to meet basic sanitation and environmental standards Speaking during the exercise, Mayor Okafor emphasized that maintaining a clean environment is not optional but essential. “Awka is the face of Anambra State. Every corner of our capital must reflect the dignity, order, and pride of our people,” he st...

 PART ONE: ANAMBRA 2026 BUDGET ANALYSIS: BOOSTING ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY*  By Christian ABURIME  In the ₦757.9 billion “Changing Gears 3.0” budget presented by Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo on 25 November 2025, the Administrative Sector receives a year-on-year increase of 12.2%. At first glance, this budgetary allocation may appear paltry when compared to other sectors. Yet, a closer reading of Governor Soludo’s governance philosophy reveals that this seemingly modest increment is deliberate, disciplined, and ultimately strategic for the long-term development of Anambra State. Why only 12.2%? It is because the heavy lifting has already been done. The Soludo administration has spent its first term ruthlessly cutting the cost of governance to the bone. Overhead bloat, ghost-worker syndromes, analogue bureaucracy, and opaque processes inherited in 2022 have been systematically dismantled. Land administration is now fully digitalised (C of O processi...

 ‘If Peter Obi Does Not Make Up His Mind, Atiku Will Pick Amaechi As Running Mate’-Dele Momodu Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar’s bloc within the African Democratic Party (ADC) has begun searching for a southern politician to serve as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election. According to Sunday Punch, the bloc had narrowed its focus to Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party candidate. There are indications that if Obi declines the offer, Atiku would consider former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Speaking with Punch, Atiku’s political friend, veteran journalist Dele Momodu, publicly urged Obi to join Atiku in forming a strong opposition pact to dislodge the ruling party. Momodu described Atiku and Obi as the two figures capable of delivering the strongest alliance Nigeria has seen since the 2019 election. Recall that Atiku and Obi previously ran on the joint People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in 2019, but lost to then-incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. Momod...

     I thank God Almighty for this nomination and look forward to serving my fatherland and humanity. I am particularly grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionary and exemplary leadership.  The President has taught me the meaning of forgiveness and has helped me better understand what patriotism entails. In short, Christlikeness is demonstrated in him. He is the right man, at the right time, for the right job, and deserves the right hand of fellowship from all Nigerians.  May God bless you, Mr President, and may Nigeria prosper as an indivisible entity with peace, prosperity, and progress under your able leadership.  I thank my parents, Esijolomi and Omerewumi, who moulded me, as a piece of clay they received from God, into what I am today.  May God bless Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Although I have said this publicly before, let me repeat it today. If it were possible for all the goo...

 Zelenskiy appoints former Ukrainian envoy to US as adviser on reconstruction and investment KYIV, UKRAINE - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Sunday that Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's former ambassador to the United States, will serve as his new adviser on reconstruction and investment. Zelenskiy stated that Markarova “will continue supporting our state as my Advisor on Rebuilding and Investments.” He emphasized that while defending Ukraine’s independence and ensuring its survival remain immediate priorities, the country also faces a long-term goal: rebuilding after the conflict and restoring steady economic development.

 Messi’s Inter Miami cruises past NYCFC 5-1 to reach MLS Cup final  FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are one step closer to MLS glory, with longtime Messi teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also making memorable contributions before their planned retirements at the end of the season. Tadeo Allende scored a hat trick, with Alba and Busquets assisting on his first two goals, as Inter Miami rolled past New York City FC 5-1 on Saturday to claim the Eastern Conference title and secure a spot in the MLS Cup final. Mateo Silvetti added a goal in the 67th minute from a Messi setup, marking the 405th assist of Messi’s career, widely regarded as the most in soccer history. Telasco Segovia made it 4-1 in the 83rd minute with a finish from Alba’s heel pass, and Allende completed his hat trick in the 89th minute. “We have reached the final with a brotherhood of moving forward," said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. “The power of one group can overcome many ...

 Sudanese government expresses readiness to work with UN to secure peace The Sudanese government has expressed its readiness to work and coordinate with the United Nations to achieve peace and security in the country and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. The collaboration offer was extended during a meeting between Prime Minister Kamil Idris and the UN secretary-general’s envoy, Algerian diplomat Ramtane Lamamra, in the city of Port Sudan in the east, according to the Sudanese News Agency (SUNA), which did not provide details about the envoy’s visit. According to the news agency, the meeting “discussed the political, security, and humanitarian situation in the country following the tragic events in Al Fasher carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) late last month.” The agency added that the prime minister “affirmed the government’s readiness to work and coordinate with the United Nations and its agencies to achieve security and peace in the country, as...

 Afghan national arrested in Texas over alleged bomb threat, DHS says Homeland Security officials announced the arrest of an Afghan national accused of making a bomb threat tied to a social media post in Fort Worth, Texas. Authorities said Mohammad Dawood Alokozay was taken into custody Tuesday after allegedly posting online that he was “building a bomb” and threatening to blow up a building in the Fort Worth area. He was arrested on a state terror charge and is currently being held at a correctional facility in Tarrant County, according to court records. Officials said the arrest was carried out by the Texas Department of Public Safety and a joint terrorism task force. The arrest came just one day before a separate and unrelated attack in Washington, D.C., in which two National Guard members were shot by another Afghan national, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal. One of the victims, U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, later died from her injuries, and Lakanwal now f...

 Netanyahu requests pardon amid ongoing corruption trial TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog to halt his ongoing corruption trial, a move that has reignited political tensions in the country. Netanyahu, the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to face trial, is accused of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three separate cases involving alleged exchanges of favors with wealthy political supporters. He has denied all charges, describing the trial as a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the media, police, and judiciary. The prime minister’s office said the pardon request was submitted to the legal department of the president’s office, which described it as “extraordinary” with “significant implications.” Netanyahu argued that the trial, which requires him to appear in court multiple times a week, hampers his ability to govern and deepens divisions in Israeli society...

 Crowds gather to pay respects to victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades  Hong Kong residents gathered late into Saturday evening to mourn the victims of a devastating fire that claimed at least 128 lives and displaced thousands. Authorities have begun the painstaking work of searching through the remains of seven apartment towers, with officials warning that the death toll could rise in the coming days. In addition to those killed, at least 83 people were injured, and 150 remained unaccounted for. A three-day period of official mourning began on Saturday, with Chief Executive John Lee and other government officials observing three minutes of silence in the morning. Flags across the city were lowered to half-staff, and condolence books were made available in all 18 districts. Near Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, makeshift memorials quickly formed, with over 1,000 people leaving flowers and handwritten messages in a nearby park by sunset. Many mourners dressed in black plac...

 Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Publicly Threatens Senator Osita Ngwu Over Deleted WhatsApp Comments Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has openly threatened Senator Osita Ngwu in a Facebook post: “Dear Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District, “You will open responses in the Senators WhatsApp forum and repost my deleted comments. Else I’ll bring the discussion to the public domain. – Natasha”

 Festive Season: ARTMA Issues Riot Act To Transporters In Anambra The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has issued a public notice to all bus drivers and tricycle riders (Keke) operating on Upper-Iwe­ka-Owerri road and across the entire state to henceforth comply with stipulated traffic rules and regulations to avoid impound­ment and other penalties for defaulters as the festive season approaches. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARTMA, Engr. Okonkwo Emeka-Kon­ti, who read the riot act to all transporters in the state, said as the festive season sets in, trans­porters must play by the rules to ensure sanity and orderliness on the roads as strict sanctions would be unleashed on erring motorists. The riot act as signed by the ARTMA MD reads: “This is to inform all commercial bus driv­ers and tricycle operators plying the Upper Iweka – Owerri Road and across the state that, with immediate effect, the following regulations are now in full en­forcement...