Trump Pushes for Swift Progress on Gaza Peace Talks, Press Secretary Says

U.S. President Donald Trump wants to move “very quickly” to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, according to his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. Speaking at a White House briefing on Monday, Leavitt described the ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas — centered on Trump’s 20-point peace framework — as a significant diplomatic breakthrough. “You’ve seen all sides of this conflict agree that this war needs to end, and agree to the 20-point framework that President Trump proposed,” she said. “It’s an incredible achievement, and the administration is working very hard to move the ball forward as quickly as we can.” Leavitt emphasized that both Israel and Hamas endorsing the U.S.-backed proposal was “truly remarkable,” and underscored Trump’s personal commitment to achieving a swift resolution. When asked about the Sunday deadline Trump had set for Hamas to accept the proposal — which the group has already agreed to — Leavitt reiterated that the administration aims to act fast. “We want to move very quickly on this. The president wants to see the hostages released as soon as possible,” she said. Pressed on what the U.S. response would be if talks were to collapse, Leavitt declined to set a “red line,” but stressed that the immediate priority was building momentum toward peace. “The focus right now is on getting some momentum, getting the hostages out, and moving forward to the next part — ensuring we can create a lasting and durable peace in Gaza and make sure it no longer threatens the security of Israel or the United States,” she added. Leavitt made the remarks during her regular briefing, which also touched on the sixth day of the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown. The White House confirmed that Trump remains closely engaged with the Gaza peace process and has instructed U.S. mediators in Egypt to expedite discussions aimed at finalizing a ceasefire agreement this week.

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Erling Haaland Projected to Smash Alan Shearer’s Record with 389 Premier League Goals

Erling Haaland Projected to Smash Alan Shearer’s Record with 389 Premier League Goals

Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland is on course to rewrite Premier League history. According to Sky Sports’ Between the Lines analysis, Haaland’s phenomenal scoring rate could see him reach an astonishing 389 Premier League goals, eclipsing Alan Shearer’s long-standing record of 260. The Norwegian forward continued his blistering start to the 2025/26 season with a decisive strike against Brentford on Sunday, prompting Jamie Carragher to hail him as English football’s “greatest goalscorer.” “I’ve never felt better than I do now,” Haaland told Sky Sports after the match, describing himself as being in the best form of his career. Historic Scoring Pace Haaland’s numbers are staggering. He has already netted 18 goals in 11 games this season for club and country — taking his tally to 37 goals for the calendar year. With as many as 22 matches still to play before the end of December, projections show he could finish 2025 with a career-high 57 goals. In Europe, Haaland recently became the fastest player in Champions League history to reach 50 goals — achieving the feat in just 49 appearances, smashing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous record of 62. Closing In on Premier League Records Domestically, Haaland’s strike against Brentford brought him to 94 goals in 104 Premier League games, putting him on the verge of becoming the quickest player to reach 100 goals, surpassing Shearer’s 125-game record. If he maintains his current strike rate and remains at Manchester City through his contract, which runs until 2034, Haaland is projected to break Shearer’s 260-goal record by September 2030 and reach 389 Premier League goals by 2034. That would make him the league’s most prolific scorer by a wide margin — rewriting the record books before his 35th birthday. Why Haaland Is Getting Even Better Beyond raw numbers, tactical shifts under Pep Guardiola have helped unleash an even more lethal version of Haaland. This season, City have adopted a more direct and counter-attacking approach, allowing Haaland to exploit space behind defenses — an area where he thrives. According to Opta data, Haaland has already scored twice from fast breaks in the league this season — double his total for all of last season. His shot and goal-ending carry metrics have also significantly improved. Guardiola praised the striker’s evolution: “He’s in the best moment. He feels like part of the club now — like it’s his.” A More Complete Player Critics once accused Haaland of being a one-dimensional “poacher,” but the 25-year-old is proving he’s far more than just a goalscorer. Comparative heat maps show Haaland dropping deeper this season, linking play, pressing from the front, and contributing defensively. He has also become a key presence at set-pieces, leading City in first defensive contacts. “He is more involved in the game — not just finishing, but in his work ethic and pressing,” Guardiola noted. A Historic Trajectory Still only 25, with nine years remaining on his contract, Erling Haaland’s trajectory points toward a once-in-a-generation legacy. Already considered by many as the Premier League’s greatest goalscorer, Haaland’s relentless form suggests his best — and his records — are yet to come.

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Taliban Rules Out Handing Over Bagram Air Base to the US, Confirms Talks on Embassy Reopenings

Taliban Rules Out Handing Over Bagram Air Base to the US, Confirms Talks on Embassy Reopenings

The Taliban has firmly rejected former US President Donald Trump’s call for Washington to “take back” Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, declaring that Afghan territory will “never be handed over to anyone under any circumstances.” In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, made the statement while also revealing that the group has held discussions with the United States about reopening diplomatic missions in both Kabul and Washington, D.C. “We have discussed this matter and we wish to see the embassies reopened both in Kabul and in Washington,” Mujahid said. Taliban Denies Legitimacy Problem Four years after seizing power, only Russia has officially recognized the Taliban government. However, Mujahid insisted that the Islamic Emirate is not suffering from a legitimacy crisis. “It is not only Russia that has openly recognized the Islamic Emirate. There are several other countries that have extended recognition, though not publicly,” he claimed. Ongoing Restrictions on Women and Girls Despite international criticism, the Taliban continues to impose harsh restrictions on women’s rights. Girls above the age of 12 remain banned from attending school, and women are barred from most forms of employment and public life. When asked whether the Taliban planned to reopen secondary schools for girls, Mujahid declined to give assurances. “I cannot make any promises in this regard,” he said, adding that the government was still working to align its policies with “principles of Islamic law and Afghan culture.” The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban leaders, including Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, on charges of persecuting women and girls. Internet Blackout Raises Concerns Afghanistan recently experienced a 48-hour nationwide internet shutdown that halted banking, disrupted airlines, and cut off millions from communication. Mujahid said he was unaware of the reason for the blackout, claiming, “We have not received any official communication from the ministry of telecommunications.” However, one Afghan service provider reportedly told customers the outage was ordered by the government. Human rights activists condemned the blackout as a deliberate act of censorship, particularly harmful to women and girls who rely on online learning. ‘Visible Signs of Recovery’ Amid Crisis Despite an ongoing economic collapse, widespread malnutrition, and severe droughts, Mujahid maintained that Afghanistan had seen “relative peace and stability under a unified government.” “There are visible signs of economic recovery,” he said, attributing the country’s humanitarian crisis to “decades of conflict and two major invasions that devastated Afghanistan’s infrastructure and economy.” According to UNICEF, around 90% of Afghan children under five now live in food poverty, with malnutrition rates among the highest in the world.

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Madagascar Protests Enter Third Week as Anger Over Power Cuts and Corruption Grows

Anti-government demonstrations have intensified across Madagascar, entering their third consecutive week as protesters demand the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina over worsening living conditions, corruption, and crippling power outages. Police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse large crowds in the capital, Antananarivo, where protesters — many of them university students — blocked roads and burned tyres. Similar rallies were reported in the coastal cities of Toliara and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). According to the United Nations, at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the protests began on September 25, though the government has disputed those figures. Initially sparked by anger over frequent water and electricity cuts, the protests have since evolved into a broader movement denouncing government mismanagement and corruption. Organised by Gen Z Madagascar, a youth-led civic group that describes itself as peaceful and inspired by movements in Nepal and Morocco, the demonstrations have quickly gained traction nationwide. Only about one-third of Madagascar’s 30 million people have access to electricity, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Daily blackouts often last up to eight hours, and the state-owned utility Jirama has been widely accused of corruption and inefficiency. “People don’t have refrigeration for medication or water for basic hygiene — and then there’s massive corruption,” said Ketakandriana Rafitoson, Global Vice Chair of Transparency International. “These protests were triggered by visceral grievances that go to the heart of daily life.” The unrest has at times turned chaotic, with police using rubber bullets to clear crowds and several shops looted in Antananarivo. The homes of some lawmakers were also vandalised. Authorities have since imposed nighttime curfews to limit gatherings. President Rajoelina, 51, who first seized power in a 2009 military coup before returning through elections in 2018, now faces the most serious challenge to his rule in years. In an apparent attempt to calm tensions, he dismissed his cabinet last week, but protesters have vowed to continue demonstrations until he steps down. A government spokesperson told Reuters that efforts to open dialogue have failed: “Unfortunately, despite our attempts, no clear or structured leadership has emerged to engage in constructive talks.” Rajoelina has rejected calls for his resignation, accusing opponents of trying to “destroy our country.”

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Zelenskyy: Western Components Found in Russian Drones and Missiles

Zelenskyy: Western Components Found in Russian Drones and Missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using drones and missiles built with thousands of components sourced from Western companies, calling for tougher sanctions to block the Kremlin’s access to foreign technology. In a statement on Monday, Zelenskyy said that an examination of Russian weapons used in attacks on Ukraine over the past two nights revealed more than 100,000 foreign-made parts from firms based in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and China. “Nearly 100,688 foreign-made parts were found in the launched attack drones, about 1,500 in Iskanders, 192 in Kinzhal missiles, and 405 in Kalibrs,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. He noted that the findings underscore the urgent need for Western governments to tighten existing sanctions and close loopholes that allow Russia to acquire restricted technologies despite the international embargo

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U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles to Face Argentina After 1-1 Draw With Colombia

Seven-time African champions Nigeria put up an impressive performance against Colombia in the early hours of Monday to reach the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt made big saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scoreline pristine in Talca, but the Flying Eagles were the more adventurous side as they hit the upright on a number of occasions, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi and Suleman Sani in full flow for large swatches of the encounter. Colombia went ahead in the 51st when Kener Gonzalez swept the ball in off an assist by Neyser Villareal, but the Flying Eagles were undaunted and launched onslaught after onslaught against the South Americans at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca. Defender Odinaka Okoro was denied by the goalkeeper as he headed the ball from a pull-out by Maigana in the 76th minute. However, the two-time silver medallists got their breakthrough with four minutes left in regulation time, when captain Daniel Bameyi sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a shot by Maigana was handled in the box. Nigeria came close to earning the winner in the 89th minute, but Arierhi’s shot was blocked in the box. The draw sets up Nigeria against Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday, in what is a repeat of the quarter-final pairing of the last championship hosted by Argentina, which Nigeria won 2-0 in San Juan. Colombia will confront another African side, South Africa, while Norway will take on Paraguay in the Round of 16.

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Deji Adeyanju Questions If BBNaija Winners, Including Imisi, Really Receive Their Prize Money

After Imisi was declared the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10, activist Deji Adeyanju raised questions about the reality show’s prize distribution. On his X account, he wrote: “Do they really give BBNaija winners the prize money? The reason I am asking is because many of them end up looking extremely broke thereafter.” His comment has sparked discussions online, with fans and critics debating whether winners genuinely receive and benefit from the ₦150 million grand prize. Adeyanju’s observation also echoes concerns from previous seasons, keeping public curiosity alive about what happens to the contestants once the show ends.  

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Lawyer Moves to Bar Former President Jonathan From 2027 Presidential Race Over Term Limit

A lawyer has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, claiming that doing so would breach Nigeria’s constitutional two-term limit for presidents. The suit also asks the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be barred from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate. Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, with INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation named as the second and third defendants. The case, filed by Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi under file number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, challenges Jonathan’s eligibility under Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The plaintiff is seeking four main orders from the court: A declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting or holding the office of President. A declaration that INEC cannot receive or publish his nomination for the 2027 election. A perpetual injunction preventing Jonathan from submitting himself to any political party as a presidential candidate in 2027 or future elections. A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognizing or publicizing his candidacy. Additionally, the suit asks the court to direct the Attorney General to enforce compliance with any orders issued. In a supporting affidavit, Emmanuel Agida argued that allowing Jonathan to run in 2027 would exceed the constitutionally permitted cumulative eight-year presidential term. Agida emphasized that the petition is aimed at protecting constitutional governance and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria.

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