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Abuja Court Summons Odumodublvck Over Alleged Threats To Chocolate City Executive 01
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Over 700 Police Officers Deployed for Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League Match
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Entertainment
Regina Daniels Says Her Siblings Were Arrested Amid Intense Marital Conflict With Ned Nwoko
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World
Israeli Military’s Former Top Lawyer Arrested Over Leaked Video — As Bodies of 45 Palestinians Handed Over
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Sports
Alexander-Arnold Says He Will Always Love Liverpool No Matter the Reception

Fola Badmus

Liverpool End Losing Streak as Van Dijk Slams Ridiculous Takes, Outside Noise After Win Over Aston Villa

Fola Badmus03 mins

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has criticised what he called “absolutely ridiculous takes” and negative “outside noise” following the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield — a win that ended their four-game Premier League losing streak. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Van Dijk admitted the recent run of poor form had been difficult but praised his teammates for sticking together amid intense public and media criticism. “There is a lot of noise that you have no control over,” Van Dijk said. “Some of those takes are absolutely ridiculous. It’s about sticking together. We’re not going out there to lose games or disappoint fans — we work our socks off to win. But there’s no guarantee in this league. You have to stay calm and keep working.” The Dutch defender also reflected on how quickly the narrative around the team has shifted compared to last season. “Last season everything was sunshine and rainbows. Now, from the outside world, it sounds like we’re in a relegation battle — that’s how it works in football,” he added. Liverpool manager Arne Slot also acknowledged the crucial role played by the home fans, saying their backing lifted the players during a difficult spell. “The support means a lot, especially when things are tough,” Slot said. “It shows what makes this club special — the fans stand by the team even when we’re struggling.” The win provides much-needed relief for Liverpool after a run of six defeats in seven games across all competitions, restoring confidence as they aim to climb back up the Premier League table.

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Thousands Missing as Horrors Unfold After RSF Capture of Sudan’s El-Fasher

Fola Badmus02 mins

Sudanese civilians are being hunted down, humiliated, and killed by fighters of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to survivors and aid agencies. The capital of North Darfur, El-Fasher — the last army stronghold in the region — fell to the RSF on Sunday after an 18-month siege, triggering widespread atrocities and mass displacement. Survivors who escaped to Tawila, about 50km away, recounted scenes of slaughter, rape, and ransom demands. One survivor said RSF fighters executed hundreds of captives, sparing only a few who could pay for their freedom. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that thousands remain missing, with evidence suggesting they are being “killed, blocked, and hunted down” while attempting to flee. Nearly every child under five arriving in Tawila was found acutely malnourished. The UN Population Fund confirmed that at least 460 people were killed in the El-Fasher maternity hospital on October 29, including patients and healthcare workers. Despite RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo’s call for his forces to protect civilians, UN officials and aid groups doubt the group’s sincerity, citing a long record of atrocities in Sudan’s ongoing civil war — now described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

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Amad Diallo’s Stunning Volley Rescues Point for Manchester United in 2-2 Draw at Nottingham Forest

Fola Badmus03 mins

Amad Diallo’s spectacular late volley salvaged a point for Manchester United in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, ending United’s three-game winning streak in the Premier League. With nine minutes remaining and Forest on course for victory, Diallo pounced on a loose header from Nikola Milenkovic to unleash a thunderous left-foot strike into the top corner. The Ivorian winger almost snatched all three points deep into stoppage time, but his effort was blocked on the line by Murillo. United had earlier taken the lead in controversial fashion when Casemiro headed home from a corner that replays showed should not have been awarded. The ball appeared not to have crossed the line before going out of play, prompting widespread frustration among Forest players and supporters. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean weighed in on the incident during Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, saying: “It’s not out. The ball is nowhere near out. It’s just a guess by the referee.” The controversy deepened Forest’s sense of grievance, having conceded a similar goal from an incorrect corner decision against Bournemouth the previous weekend. Spurred by that sense of injustice, Forest came alive after the break. Morgan Gibbs-White levelled with a fine header three minutes into the second half before Nicolo Savona, the player controversially judged unable to keep the ball in play for Casemiro’s opener, bundled in Forest’s second to complete a quickfire turnaround. Bruno Fernandes struck the post as United pushed for an equaliser, but Forest threatened to extend their lead, with Igor Jesus heading wide and Callum Hudson-Odoi flashing a shot just past the post. However, Diallo’s late brilliance ensured Erik ten Hag’s side avoided defeat, though they missed the chance to climb into second place in the Premier League table. United now sit fifth. Forest, still winless under new boss Sean Dyche, showed resilience and attacking intent but remain 18th in the standings, a reminder that while performances are improving, results are still needed to escape the drop zone.

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Serbians Mark First Anniversary of Deadly Train Station Collapse with Silence and Demands for Justice

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Tens of thousands of Serbians gathered in the city of Novi Sad on Saturday to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic train station roof collapse that killed 16 people, turning the event into a powerful call for justice and government accountability. At exactly 11:52am (10:52 GMT) — the time the disaster occurred on November 1, 2024 — mourners stood in complete silence for 16 minutes outside the railway station. Witnesses described the atmosphere as deeply emotional and solemn, as people honoured the victims whose deaths have become a symbol of corruption and institutional failure. Despite charges being filed against 13 individuals, including former construction minister Goran Vesic, no trial has begun. Frustration over the lack of justice has fueled months of mass protests, particularly among students who have led demonstrations demanding transparency and reforms. Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic, reporting from Novi Sad, said that while the crowd gathered to remember the victims, there was also palpable anger. “People here don’t have much faith in the legal system,” she noted. “They blame the government and corruption.” The disaster has had lasting political repercussions. It led to the resignation of the prime minister and the collapse of his government, though President Aleksandar Vucic has remained in power. Critics accuse him of overseeing an environment of “sky-high corruption,” while government supporters dismiss the protests as attempts to destabilize the country. In a rare conciliatory move on Friday, Vucic publicly apologized for some of his remarks about protesters and called for dialogue. “I apologise for saying things I now regret — to students, protesters, and others with whom I disagreed,” he said in a televised address. Mourners included victims’ families who continue to seek justice. “What I want to know is who killed my child so I can have a little peace,” said Dijana Hrka, whose 27-year-old son died in the collapse. “I want no other mother to go through what I am going through.” The Serbian government declared Saturday a national day of mourning, while the Serbian Orthodox Church held a mass in honour of the victims. The European Union’s delegation in Serbia called for calm and restraint, urging the government to address the systemic corruption at the heart of the tragedy.

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Tanzanian President Hassan Declared Winner of Disputed Election with 98 Percent Amid Deadly Protests

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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the overwhelming winner of the country’s highly contentious presidential election, securing nearly 98 percent of the vote in a contest marred by violence, opposition crackdowns, and widespread accusations of fraud. The Independent Electoral Commission announced on Saturday that Hassan had won 97.66 percent of the ballots cast in Wednesday’s vote, sweeping every constituency. Her victory, however, came after the main opposition parties were barred from contesting, triggering days of violent protests across the country. Opposition party Chadema, which was excluded from the race, rejected the result, describing it as “a mockery of the democratic process.” Party spokesperson John Kitoka called for an international intervention to oversee a new, credible election. “We are calling for the intervention by a credible body to oversee another fresh election,” he said. In her victory speech in Dodoma, Hassan condemned the protesters, calling their actions “neither responsible nor patriotic.” She vowed to maintain security, saying, “When it comes to the safety of Tanzania, there is no debate – we must use all available security avenues to ensure the country remains safe.” The disputed election sparked mass unrest across major cities including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, as demonstrators decried what they called a “sham” vote. Witnesses reported fires, the destruction of government buildings, and clashes with security forces who responded with live ammunition and tear gas. Internet watchdog NetBlocks confirmed that mobile and social media access had been restricted during and after the vote. Chadema claimed on Saturday that at least 800 people had been killed by security forces since protests began, while the UN human rights office cited “credible reports” of at least 10 confirmed deaths in three cities. The African Union chair, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, congratulated Hassan but expressed regret over the loss of life, extending condolences to victims’ families. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo defended the government’s handling of the crisis, insisting that “no excessive force has been used” and claiming the government had “no official figures” for protester deaths. “I’ve not seen these 700 anywhere,” he told Al Jazeera. Analysts have condemned the election as one of the most repressive in Tanzania’s recent history. Alex Vines, Africa director at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), described the polls as “a campaign of harassment and intimidation,” adding that the scale of violence was “unexpected” for the country. “This is a very serious crackdown,” he said, noting that most protesters were young Tanzanians frustrated by political exclusion. President Hassan, who succeeded John Magufuli in 2021 following his sudden death, faced only 16 minor candidates after her two strongest rivals — Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo — were either jailed or disqualified. Lissu remains imprisoned on treason charges stemming from his calls for electoral reform. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said he was “deeply concerned” by reports of deaths and injuries, calling for restraint and an independent investigation into the violence. Human rights groups, meanwhile, accuse Hassan’s administration of orchestrating a “wave of terror” marked by abductions, media restrictions, and intimidation of civil society in the lead-up to the vote. As the country reels from the unrest, observers warn that Tanzania — once seen as a bastion of stability in East Africa — is now facing its most severe political and human rights crisis in decades.

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No Mercy: Survivor Recounts RSF Mass Killings in Sudan’s El-Fasher as Thousands Flee Amid Atrocities

Fola Badmus05 mins

Thousands of civilians remain trapped in el-Fasher, Sudan, as harrowing accounts emerge of mass killings carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following their capture of the city on October 26. Survivors describe scenes of horror, accusing the paramilitary group of executing civilians “without mercy” in what humanitarian officials warn may amount to ethnic cleansing. For 550 days, Abubakr Ahmed, a 29-year-old fighter in the city’s “popular resistance” unit, battled alongside the army to defend el-Fasher — the last government stronghold in Darfur. But when the army surrendered and withdrew under a deal it claimed was meant to prevent a bloodbath, tens of thousands of civilians were left behind. “The RSF killed civilians and left their corpses in the streets,” Ahmed told Al Jazeera after escaping. “They were killed without mercy.” According to Sudan’s Doctors’ Network, the RSF killed at least 1,500 people in the first three days after seizing control, including 460 patients and companions at al-Saud hospital — a figure also verified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Videos authenticated by Al Jazeera’s Sanad unit show RSF troops standing over piles of bodies and executing unarmed men. More than 33,000 people have already fled to nearby towns like Tawila and Tine, but most civilians remain trapped, hiding from RSF patrols. Those escaping face a perilous journey through the desert with little food or water. “The majority of people won’t stay in el-Fasher because they are terrified of the RSF,” said one survivor, Mohammed, who arrived in Tawila on October 28. “They don’t trust them. The Arabs will live in one place and the non-Arabs in another — that’s just the way it is now.” The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) reported evidence of “mass killings” as people attempted to flee the city, warning that current death estimates are likely undercounted. UNICEF’s Sudan representative, Sheldon Yett, described el-Fasher as “killing fields,” drawing parallels to the Rwandan genocide. “The kind of slaughter we are seeing, and the pride [the perpetrators] have in killing innocent people, is what scares me,” he said. Aid efforts have nearly collapsed as RSF fighters target local relief workers, accusing them of collaborating with the army. UNICEF has lost contact with many of its community partners, including those running food kitchens. “Many are on the move and hiding, and they’re afraid,” Yett said. International outrage has followed the massacre, with the UN, United States, and European Union issuing condemnations and urging the RSF to protect civilians. However, analysts and survivors accuse the global community of failing to act before the atrocities unfolded. “This is a case of refusal and betrayal by the international community,” said Sudan expert Hamid Khalafallah. “They didn’t do anything serious to protect civilians.” Human Rights Watch researcher Jean-Baptiste Gallopin said the RSF’s actions in el-Fasher mirror previous atrocities in el-Geneina and Ardamata, warning that impunity has emboldened RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. “Diplomats are focused on getting to an elusive ceasefire, but by avoiding sanctions or accountability, they’ve effectively washed their hands of the atrocities that occur,” Gallopin said. The fall of el-Fasher marks one of the bloodiest chapters in Sudan’s two-and-a-half-year civil war — and leaves Darfur’s civilians once again at the mercy of militias accused of genocide two decades ago.

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Hundreds Feared Dead in Tanzania Post-Election Protests as Opposition, UN Clash With Government Over Death Toll

Fola Badmus05 mins

Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has claimed that hundreds of people have been killed in violent protests following this week’s disputed general elections, while the United Nations says it has “credible reports” of at least 10 deaths. Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka told AFP on Friday that the party’s internal assessment put the number of deaths at roughly 700 nationwide, including around 350 in Dar-es-Salaam and more than 200 in Mwanza. The opposition said it based its figures on visits to hospitals across the country. A security source and a diplomat in the capital also confirmed that deaths were “in the hundreds.” The Tanzanian government has rejected the opposition’s claims. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo denied that excessive force had been used by security agencies and insisted the government had “no official figures” of protesters killed. “I’ve not seen these 700 anywhere … there’s no number until now of any protesters killed,” Kombo said, adding that “pockets of violence and vandalism” had occurred, with government offices and vehicles attacked and electricity facilities set ablaze. The UN Human Rights Office, however, expressed alarm over reports of killings by security forces. Spokesperson Seif Magango called on Tanzanian authorities to refrain from using lethal force against demonstrators and to “make every effort to de-escalate tensions.” Later on Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged a full investigation into the allegations, citing “deep concern” over reports of disappearances and detentions ahead of the polls. Protests erupted on Wednesday in Dar-es-Salaam and other cities following elections marred by allegations of fraud and the exclusion of key opposition candidates. Witnesses reported clashes between demonstrators and police, with several vehicles, police stations, and a petrol station set on fire. The government deployed the military to the streets and imposed an internet shutdown to quell unrest. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, faced the election without her two main challengers, Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo. Both were barred by the electoral commission under controversial circumstances that opposition groups and rights organizations have condemned as politically motivated. The UN and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have long warned of rising repression, disappearances, and violence against opposition figures in Tanzania. HRW recently documented multiple cases of abduction, torture, and intimidation of activists and journalists, warning that the October elections were at “great risk.” Meanwhile, in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party claimed victory, with incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi declared winner with nearly 79% of the vote. Opposition parties rejected the results, alleging “massive fraud,” as soldiers patrolled the streets amid growing unrest. As demonstrations spread nationwide, the government postponed the reopening of colleges and universities and vowed to restore order. The army chief, Jacob John Mkunda, condemned the violence and pledged that the military would work with police “to contain the situation.”

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AU, AFRIMA Confirm January 7-11, 2026 for 9th Awards in Lagos

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The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have officially announced the 9th edition of Africa’s global music awards will now take place between Wednesday, January 7 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. Previously scheduled for November 25–30, 2025, the awards’ date adjustment followed extensive consultations with partners, artistes, and stakeholders across Africa and the diaspora. “The African Union Commission is proud to continue its partnership with AFRIMA in celebrating Africa’s creative excellence and global influence,” said Ms. Angela Martins, Acting Director of Social Development, Culture and Sports and Head of the Culture and Sport Division, AUC. “This relationship aligns perfectly with the AU’s Cultural Policy for Africa and the AU Agenda 2063, which prioritise the creative economy as a driver of sustainable development, youth empowerment, and continental integration. The new dates for the 9th AFRIMA in January 2026 provide an exciting opportunity to further showcase the rich diversity, innovation, and unity of Africa’s music and culture to the world.” Explaining the decision, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa and Cameroonian music star popularly known as Wax Dey, said the new dates in January will allow for broader participation and ensure a top-quality experience for everyone involved. “AFRIMA is not just an award show; it is Africa’s global music stage,” said Ndifonka, who is also a lawyer. “Rescheduling the 9th edition to January allows us to deliver the kind of world-class celebration that truly reflects Africa’s creative power. It also ensures that more of our stakeholders, artistes, fans, media, and partners can participate fully. This is about giving African music the grand platform it deserves.” The 9th AFRIMA, held in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria as the Official Host Country and Lagos State as the Official Host City, will feature a week-long lineup of music, culture, and entertainment. The continent’s biggest music festival will commence officially on Wednesday, January 7 with the exclusive Welcome Soirée for nominees, delegates, guests and international media offering a premium networking space for artistes, industry leaders, sponsors, and media professionals. On the same day, the 9th AFRIMA Diamond Showcase, a special performance platform for undiscovered African music acts, will host 15 budding talents creating an opportunity for them to connect their sounds to a larger audience and break into mainstream music success. On Thursday, January 8, the spotlight will shift to the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) —AFRIMA’s signature conference for thought leadership and collaboration within the African music ecosystem. Later that evening, guests will be treated to the Music Icons’ Night, a celebration of legendary figures who have shaped Africa’s music heritage. The excitement continues on Friday, January 9 with a vibrant lineup that includes community outreach visits to schools, a host city cultural tour, and a courtesy reception with the Lagos State Government. The day will close on a high note with the AFRIMA Music Village, an open air live performances, star studded concert & festival arena Saturday, January 10, will bring the energy up further at the 9th AFRIMA Nominees & Industry Party, a glamorous night dedicated to past winners, current nominees, and AFRIMA’s valued sponsors and partners. The week-long celebration will culminate on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with the live broadcast  9th AFRIMA Awards Ceremony at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos. The grand event will include a live Red Carpet broadcast and feature electrifying performances from some of Africa’s biggest music stars. The ceremony will be aired to over 84 countries around the world.

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