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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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Regina Daniels Says Her Siblings Were Arrested Amid Intense Marital Conflict With Ned Nwoko
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Israeli Military’s Former Top Lawyer Arrested Over Leaked Video — As Bodies of 45 Palestinians Handed Over
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Alexander-Arnold Says He Will Always Love Liverpool No Matter the Reception

Category: World

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara Secures Fourth Term In Landslide Election Victory

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara Secures Fourth Term In Landslide Election Victory

Wale busari02 mins

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has won a fourth term in office after securing a landslide victory in an election overshadowed by opposition boycotts and disqualifications. Provisional results released by the electoral commission on Monday showed the 83-year-old president capturing 89.8% of the votes. His closest rival, businessman Jean-Louis Billon, managed just 3.09%. The result came as little surprise after two of Ouattara’s strongest challengers — former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam — were barred from running and urged their supporters to boycott the polls. Voter turnout stood at 50.1%, the commission reported. Simone Gbagbo, the former first lady, who was cleared to contest, garnered 2.42% of the vote. Opposition parties loyal to Gbagbo and Thiam have rejected the outcome, calling the vote a “civilian coup d’état” and vowing not to recognize Ouattara’s mandate. Ouattara first became president in 2011 after Gbagbo’s removal from power following a disputed election. Although the constitution initially restricted him to two terms, a 2016 amendment enabled him to seek reelection in 2020 — a poll similarly boycotted by opposition parties. The Constitutional Council is expected to confirm the final results after reviewing any legal challenges.

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Trump Signals Openness to Meet Kim Jong Un During Asia Trip

Trump Signals Openness to Meet Kim Jong Un During Asia Trip

Wale busari03 mins

Donald Trump said he is willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming trip to Asia. “I would. If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he left for the region, adding that he “had a great relationship” with Kim. Trump previously made history as the first sitting US president to step into North Korea when they last met in 2019. On this trip, he will visit Malaysia and Japan, where he is scheduled to meet several world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, amid ongoing trade discussions following the US’s tariff measures earlier this year. Trump’s approach to North Korea has been unconventional. He initially mocked Kim as a “little rocket man,” yet they held three meetings during Trump’s presidency, though no denuclearization agreement was reached. North Korea has since carried out multiple intercontinental missile tests. Asked whether he would recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, Trump said: “I think they are sort of a nuclear power… They got a lot of nuclear weapons, I’ll say that.” Kim has expressed willingness to meet Trump again if the US drops its demand for North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal. “I still have a good memory of President Trump,” Kim said last month, according to state media. South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young suggested there is a “considerable” chance the leaders could meet during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in South Korea. A senior US official told reporters that a Trump-Kim meeting is not currently on the president’s schedule, though their last encounter at the Demilitarized Zone came after Trump extended an invitation via social media. Trump’s trip begins in Malaysia for the ASEAN summit before he travels to Busan, South Korea, for the Apec summit. He is expected to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who previously discussed peace on the Korean Peninsula and the possibility of a Trump-Kim meeting during a visit to the White House.

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LIVE: Palestinians in Gaza Bury ‘Unrecognisable’ Bodies Returned by Israel

LIVE: Palestinians in Gaza Bury ‘Unrecognisable’ Bodies Returned by Israel

Kamal Yalwa02 mins

Palestinians in Gaza are holding mass burials for dozens of bodies returned by Israel as part of a recent exchange involving the remains of Israeli captives. Medical officials say many of the bodies are “unrecognisable” and bear signs of torture and mutilation. The funerals took place outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and in Deir al-Balah, where bulldozers covered rows of shrouded remains in freshly dug mass graves. Medical staff said the condition of the bodies made identification nearly impossible. The return of the bodies comes more than two weeks after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect. Yet, Palestinians continue to endure severe shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and shelter, as Israel maintains restrictions on aid entering Gaza despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice ordering it to allow humanitarian relief. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 473,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since the October 10 truce. Many have found their homes destroyed and basic infrastructure obliterated, with unexploded bombs still littering residential areas. More than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed in the war, which has left vast portions of the enclave in ruins. Rights groups and a UN commission of inquiry have accused Israel of committing genocide—allegations Israel has vehemently denied. Meanwhile, Hamas says it has expanded its search for the remains of Israeli captives, with assistance from the Red Cross and Egyptian authorities.

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Cameroon’s President Paul Biya Wins Eighth Term in Presidential Election

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya Wins Eighth Term in Presidential Election

Wale busari02 mins

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 92, has been re-elected for an eighth term, receiving 53.7 percent of the vote, the Constitutional Council confirmed on Monday. Former government minister and opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary came second with 35.2 percent. Two days after the October 12 election, Tchiroma had claimed victory and called for demonstrations. Violence erupted on Sunday in Douala, the country’s economic capital, where clashes between security forces and opposition supporters left four people dead, according to the regional governor. Protesters reported that security personnel initially used tear gas before resorting to live ammunition. Since the election, Tchiroma’s supporters, who claim he actually won 54.8 percent of the vote to Biya’s 31.3 percent, have taken to the streets to assert his alleged victory. Most analysts had expected Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, to win another seven-year term, amid a political system critics say has been increasingly manipulated. Biya, only the second president since Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960, has retained power through strict control over politics, suppression of opposition, economic inequality, and ongoing separatist violence.

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Trump Thanks Qatar for Mediation Efforts as Gaza Talks Advance

Trump Thanks Qatar for Mediation Efforts as Gaza Talks Advance

Kamal Yalwa04 mins

US President Donald Trump has expressed gratitude to Qatar for its mediation efforts in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations as Washington continues to push for progress on the second phase of the 20-point Gaza plan. Trump met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani aboard Air Force One during a refuelling stop at Al Udeid Air Base near Doha on Saturday. The meeting took place as the US president travelled to a summit in Malaysia. “We’ve done a lot together, especially in the last year,” Trump said alongside the Qatari leaders. “What we’ve done is incredible – peace to the Middle East – and they were a very big factor in it, so I just want to thank you.” According to a readout shared by the Qatar News Agency, the talks focused on efforts to sustain peace in the region, consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza, and ensure full implementation of the agreement’s provisions. The meeting follows a week of visits by senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to Israel. The US delegation aimed to ensure Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire terms and to discuss the details of phase two of the peace plan, which reportedly includes conditions for Hamas’s disarmament and potential deployment of an international security force in Gaza. Despite diplomatic optimism, tensions persist on the ground. Reporting from Doha, Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari noted that parts of the initial ceasefire phase remain incomplete, including the handover of Israeli captives’ bodies. Israel has accused Hamas of delays, while Hamas claims that continued bombardments have hindered access to affected areas. In Gaza, medical sources said several Palestinians were shot and wounded by Israeli forces on Saturday. Four others were injured in an airstrike on a car in Nuseirat refugee camp, which Israel claimed targeted a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud described the attack as “a breach of an already fragile ceasefire.” Meanwhile, US officials have maintained a positive tone, suggesting that negotiations are moving forward. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Washington is exploring a possible United Nations resolution or international agreement to authorise a multinational force in Gaza. He added that discussions with Qatari officials would continue on Sunday. “The message from the Trump administration today is clear,” Jabbari reported. “Qatar remains a central player in the peace process. Without its mediation, this ceasefire might not have been possible — and moving forward, their role will be crucial in ensuring the next stages succeed.”

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Trump to Visit Malaysia for ASEAN Summit Amid Rising Trade Tensions

Kamal Yalwa02 mins

United States President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday for the first leg of a five-day trip across Asia, marking his first visit to the region since returning to office. The visit comes as senior US and Chinese officials meet in Kuala Lumpur to ease escalating trade frictions ahead of a high-stakes summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at next week’s APEC meeting in Busan, South Korea. The talks aim to avert Trump’s threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and China’s expanded export controls on rare earth materials. Trump has expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with Xi, saying both leaders have “a lot to talk about.” During his trip, Trump will also meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has played a key role in mediating the Thailand–Cambodia border conflict. The two leaders may witness the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the neighboring countries. Other leaders attending the ASEAN summit include Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump’s visit, his first to ASEAN since 2017, underscores renewed US engagement in Southeast Asia, even as his administration’s tariff policies continue to draw criticism across the region.

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NBA Gambling Arrests Stun League, Expose Mafia Links: What to Know

Kamal Yalwa05 mins

A massive gambling scandal has rocked the National Basketball Association (NBA), leading to the arrests of 34 individuals — including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones. Federal authorities say the arrests stem from two wide-ranging indictments that expose deep links between professional basketball figures and New York’s organised crime families. The FBI and the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York described the scheme as a “multi-million-dollar cheating conspiracy” involving both illegal sports betting and poker fraud. The scandal comes just as the NBA celebrated the start of a new season and the signing of an $76 billion broadcast deal over 11 years, adding to the shockwaves reverberating through the sport. The Sports Betting SchemeAccording to prosecutors, Terry Rozier and others exploited insider knowledge about player injuries and game absences to place strategic bets on NBA outcomes. The indictment outlines seven games between 2023 and 2024 where hundreds of thousands of dollars were wagered illegally. Authorities allege Rozier used confidential player information — often obtained through personal relationships — to ensure bets would pay off. Interim US Attorney Joseph Nocella said the defendants “misused their access and friendships within the league to corrupt the integrity of professional basketball.” Rozier’s lawyer, however, denies all allegations, insisting his client will contest the charges in court. The Poker-Cheating OperationThe second indictment details a high-stakes poker ring tied to New York’s powerful mafia groups — including the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese crime families. Prosecutors claim games were rigged using X-ray poker tables and fake shuffling machines, allowing participants to cheat unsuspecting victims out of more than $7 million. Chauncey Billups was allegedly used as a “face card,” or celebrity lure, to attract wealthy players to the fraudulent poker games. Former player Damon Jones is accused of both supplying insider betting information and helping coordinate poker events. Organised Crime LinksAuthorities say the operation was backed by members of La Cosa Nostra — the long-established Italian-American mafia network. Thirteen associates of the Five Families have also been charged for roles in extortion, money laundering, and facilitating the games. Who’s Involved? Chauncey Billups: Accused of serving as a public draw for the poker ring and participating in multiple games. Terry Rozier: Allegedly provided injury and lineup details for betting schemes. Damon Jones: Accused of insider information leaks and acting as a recruiter for poker games. Fallout for the NBAThe revelations have sparked widespread outrage among fans and players, raising questions about the NBA’s integrity and its handling of sports betting partnerships. League officials have not yet issued formal statements, though sources say internal investigations are underway. The scandal marks one of the most damaging moments in modern US sports history — intertwining professional basketball, organised crime, and gambling in a case that federal agents say “reads like a Hollywood screenplay — but with real victims, real money, and real consequences.”

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As US Gets Tough On Moscow, Has Putin’s Strategy Of Playing Trump Run Its Course?

Kamal Yalwa04 mins

The Kremlin may have believed that US President Donald Trump lacked the resolve to exert real pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. For months, carefully timed calls from the Kremlin seemed to persuade the White House to pull back from decisive actions — including Trump’s recent reversal on supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. But the latest US Treasury sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies — Rosneft and Lukoil — may now force President Vladimir Putin to reassess both his approach to Trump and his broader war strategy. Former Russian president and Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev lashed out at Trump, calling him a “talkative peacemaker who has now fully embarked on the war path against Russia,” adding pointedly, “This is his conflict now, not the senile Biden’s.” While the sanctions themselves may not devastate Russia’s economy, oil remains central to funding the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Despite years of Western restrictions, Moscow has developed methods to skirt sanctions, and Russian officials say they will adapt once again. “Our country has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions,” foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declared. The real challenge for the Kremlin lies in the erosion of its long-favored strategy of manipulating the Trump administration — offering gestures of peace and trade opportunities while continuing its military offensive. That tactic appears to have reached its limits. Trump, increasingly wary of being “played along” by Putin, has taken his first significant punitive step against Russia since returning to office. Alongside the sanctions, Trump abruptly canceled a planned summit with Putin in Budapest — a blow to the Kremlin’s hopes of another high-profile meeting showcasing Putin’s global relevance. Russian officials had claimed that preparations were underway, but the optimism now seems misplaced. Putin, facing war crimes charges and growing isolation, had relished August’s summit with Trump in Alaska — a rare diplomatic win that projected parity between Moscow and Washington. This time, however, the White House insists there will be no repeat unless Russia shows tangible progress on peace in Ukraine. The US Treasury has hinted at even tougher sanctions ahead, signaling what could be the start of a more assertive American approach toward Moscow. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the move as “very important,” while European leaders expressed relief at Washington’s firmer stance. Still, uncertainty lingers. After nine turbulent months of Trump’s presidency, diplomats in Kyiv, Brussels, and even Moscow remain cautious — aware that, in Trump’s unpredictable world, a single well-timed phone call from Putin could shift the balance once again.

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