PROFESSOR KASONSO’S MISGUIDED CRITICISM OF PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S DIPLOMACY ON TANZANIA
Self-styled political commentator Professor Jones K. Kasonso’s recent outburst against President Hakainde Hichilema’s stance on the ongoing situation in Tanzania is not only misplaced but also betrays a shallow understanding of regional diplomacy and Zambia’s longstanding commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Professor Kasonso’s claim that President Hichilema “took sides” in an unresolved Tanzanian conflict is both inaccurate and misleading. On the contrary, the President’s remarks — made in the context of regional solidarity and mutual commitment to peace — reflect Zambia’s traditional role as a neutral advocate for dialogue, stability, and good governance within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Since assuming office, President Hichilema has consistently pursued a foreign policy anchored on non-interference, mutual respect, and regional cooperation. His recent engagement with Tanzania was a continuation of that tradition, emphasizing the need for African leaders to resolve disputes through dialogue and consensus rather than confrontation.
To interpret such a message as “taking sides” is to misread both the tone and substance of Zambia’s diplomatic posture. The President’s call for peace and stability in Tanzania aligns squarely with Zambia’s historical role as a voice of moderation in regional affairs — from the liberation struggles of the 20th century to the contemporary challenges of governance and democracy.
It is unfortunate that Professor Kasonso chose to twist a message of unity into a tool for political sensationalism. Intellectual critique is healthy in any democracy, but it must be grounded in fact and context. Zambia cannot afford the luxury of misrepresenting constructive diplomacy as political interference, especially when our economic and security interests are intertwined with those of our neighbours.
President Hichilema’s leadership on the regional stage has earned Zambia renewed respect among its peers. His approach to diplomacy — quiet, firm, and principled — reflects the country’s enduring commitment to peace, cooperation, and regional progress.
In times of tension within the region, responsible voices should encourage calm and constructive engagement, not fuel division through careless commentary. Professor Kasonso’s criticism, unfortunately, falls into the latter category.
Zambia’s message remains clear: peace in Tanzania is peace for the region, and President Hichilema’s role is to support that outcome — not to take sides, but to stand for stability, dialogue, and unity.
Mutotwe Kafwaya Exposes Contradictions in 2026 National Budget
_By Michael Zephaniah Phiri Political Activist_
Lusaka — Lunte Member of Parliament, Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya, has emerged as one of the most courageous and articulate voices in Parliament, fearlessly dissecting the 2026 National Budget presented by Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane.
In his hard-hitting submission on the floor of the House, Hon. Kafwaya accused the government of presenting a budget full of contradictions and unrealistic projections, especially on domestic and external borrowing and the management of arrears owed to local suppliers.
The outspoken lawmaker questioned how the government could claim to promote job creation while withholding billions of kwacha owed to small and medium enterprises that depend on timely government payments.
“Madam Speaker, how do you create jobs when you are holding back money owed to suppliers and contractors who employ Zambians? The Minister said arrears have increased by K3.3 billion to K84.1 billion, yet there is no clear plan on how to dismantle this debt,” Hon. Kafwaya charged.
He added that instead of building a sustainable economy, the government was creating dependency and poverty, hiding behind inflated social cash transfer allocations while the productive sectors continue to starve.
“When you increase social cash transfers, what you are really telling the people is that you have created so much vulnerability that the only way they can survive is through handouts. Pay the suppliers including our farmers so that they can maintain and expand jobs,” he said.
Hon. Kafwaya, who also sits on the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee, exposed the government’s aggressive borrowing appetite, revealing that the UPND administration plans to borrow a staggering K106 billion locally and K12.87 billion externally in 2026, bringing the total borrowing to K118.87 billion.
He compared this to the 2021 borrowing levels, noting that the government now intends to borrow the same amount in one year that previous governments borrowed in an entire fiscal cycle.
“In just five years, the UPND will have spent K1.13 trillion, while the Patriotic Front government spent only half that amount in ten years , yet delivered visible infrastructure such as the Mongu–Kalabo Road, Kafulafuta Dam, and KK International Airport. Where are the equivalent UPND projects?” Hon. Kafwaya asked.
The Lunte lawmaker further warned that the figures in the budget were not consistent, saying the Minister of Finance’s statement on the fiscal deficit was misleading.
“The Minister claims the deficit will be 2.1%, but when calculated correctly, it’s nearly 3%. This budget doesn’t balance, Madam Speaker. It’s full of contradictions that betray poor fiscal discipline,” he stated.
He pledged to push for amendments to the 2026 budget so that realistic amounts are allocated to dismantling arrears and supporting local businesses.
“I want to help this government by ensuring we allocate meaningful numbers to dismantle arrears. If they reject this help, I will go back to the people and tell them how they were considered,” Hon. Kafwaya declared.
The Lunte MP concluded his powerful debate by reaffirming his commitment to people-centered leadership and fiscal accountability, saying Zambia’s progress depends on those who think and act for the people, not for political expediency.
“We have a problem, but it can be solved by people who think not for themselves but for the people,” he said. “With these few words, Madam Speaker, I submit.”
Analysis: Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya’s contribution stands out as a wake-up call for those in government to realign the national budget with the realities on the ground. His message is clear, a government that delays payments to local suppliers and overborrows without corresponding development is mortgaging the future of its citizens.
PLOT TWIST IN CHINGOLA ROBBERY MOBILE MONEY AGENT SQUANDERS CLIENT FUNDS
A shocking twist has emerged in a case that initially appeared to be an armed robbery in Chingola. Obby Chishala, a 37-year-old mobile money vendor, who reported being robbed of K110,000 at gunpoint along Close Road near Jacaranda School, has been found to have fabricated the story.
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Pathias Siandenge revealed that investigations showed Chishala had misappropriated money from nine mobile money agents, which he was supposed to use as a float for transactions.
Instead, he gambled the K97,000 on an online betting platform, Aviator, losing the funds entirely.
The alleged robbery, which Chishala claimed occurred on November 4, involved three unknown men in an unregistered Toyota Mark X.
He also reported losing a black Itel phone valued at K400. Police investigations confirmed that the phone was not stolen and that Chishala did not even have a Stanbic Bank account, contrary to his claims.
Mr. Siandenge said dockets of Theft by Agent and Giving False Information to a Public Officer have been opened, and Chishala is expected to appear in court soon.
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is on Saturday expected on the Copperbelt province on a two-day working visit.
Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo says the President is expected to officiate at a number of functions in Kitwe and Ndola districts.
Mr Matambo says President Hichilema will attend a thanksgiving function where 6,000 pastors want to thank the president for bringing back the Israeli embassy.
Speaking to the media in Ndola, Mr Matambo further said the President will also attend the football match between Nkana and power Dynamos set for Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
The Copperbelt Minister said on Sunday, the president will attend the Remembrance Day then later attend a church service at Evangelical church in Kitwe’s Ndeke township.
The President will end his visit with an engagement with the structures of the UPND party in Kitwe.
MATAMBO CALLS FOR NIGHT MARKET INSPECTIONS AFTER CHIWEMPALA FIRE
COPPERBELT Minister Elisha Matambo has described as suspicious the continued trend of markets being gutted by fire during the night, following the latest incident at Chiwempala Market in Chingola.
Speaking when he visited the gutted market, Mr. Matambo says it is unusual that fires at major trading centers such as Kapalala Market in Ndola and Chiwempala Market in Chingola both occurred at night, suggesting that some underhand activities could be involved.
He has since directed the police in the province to begin conducting periodic night inspections in markets to ensure that marketeers leave their stalls in a safe condition before closure.
Mr. Matambo also instructed the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in Chingola to speed up the registration of affected traders so that they can receive government assistance, similar to what was done for the Kapalala fire victims.
The minister says that traders continue to lose property worth thousands of Kwacha in fire incidents that could be avoided with improved safety monitoring and awareness.
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum is pressing charges against a man who she said was “drunk” and harassed her on Tuesday, calling the incident “an assault on all women.”
The man was arrested overnight, according to the Mayor, and is in custody at the Sex Crimes Investigation Unit.
The incident took place on Tuesday, November 4 when a man broke through a crowd of people greeting Sheinbaum and appeared to grope her, according to viral footage of the incident.
The video showed a man approach Sheinbaum. He appeared to touch her breast and attempt to kiss her while bystanders in the central neighborhood of Zócalo watched. The incident ended when one of her top aides, Juan José Ramírez Mendoza, intervened.
The episode has sparked outrage online and renewed a debate over harassment and the safety of women in public life.
Police said preliminary findings link the individual to the alleged harassment of two other women that same day.
Sheinbaum, who is Mexico’s first female president, announced Wednesday that she was motivated to take legal action against the man, who she described as “completely drunk.”
I decided to press charges because this is something I experienced as a woman — something all women in our country experience,” she said. “No man has the right to violate that space,” she said.
She added that this was not the first time she had experienced harassment. Throughout her career, Sheinbaum has been candid about past harassment.
In 2021, as Mayor, she shared a video for International Women’s Day in which she recalls being harassed on public transportation at the age of 12 and being harassed by a professor when she was a student.
Tuesday’s incident has raised questions about Sheinbaum’s security. It comes just days after the brutal assassination of a Mayor during a public event, raising questions about the level of security scrutiny needed for public officials.
Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, has chosen not to maintain a Presidential Guard, which was dissolved in 2018.
A security analyst reportedly told CNN en Español that the decision left a gap in high-level protection:
“After the dissolution of the Presidential Guard, no specialized protection system was rebuilt. Sheinbaum relies on a small team of aides, not a professional perimeter security unit.”
Sheinbaum defended her approach on Wednesday. “We can’t stay far from the people — that would deny who we are. Our aides will continue to accompany us, but we must remain close to citizens,” she said.
The Secretariat for Women, part of Sheinbaum’s administration, condemned the incident on Tuesday, saying proximity to the public “cannot be used as an excuse to invade someone’s personal space or make physical contact without consent.”
The office urged victims to report incidents rather than dismiss them. “These forms of violence must not be trivialized; denouncing them is fundamental to justice and cultural change,” it wrote.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SNUBS SOUTH AFRICA – CITES VIOLENCE, COMMUNISM & LAND GRABS
Current U.S. President Donald J. Trump has confirmed he will not attend the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, saying the country is being destroyed by “very bad policies.”
President Trump pointed to Operation Dudula’s violent confrontations, rising gangsterism, and the government’s Expropriation of Land Without Compensation Bill, which he says reflects communist-style economic ideas that scare off investors and threaten private property rights.
He also expressed concern over farm attacks, rural murders, and organized crime, saying South Africa has “lost its moral compass” as drug gangs, extortion groups, and political violence continue to destabilize communities.
Global analysts warn that South Africa’s crime wave, political instability, and radical land policies are painting the picture of a democracy in distress — one battling to protect both justice and order.
Trump’s refusal to attend the summit is seen as a major diplomatic blow and a wake-up call for Pretoria. Is South Africa’s dream of unity and stability slipping away under global scrutiny?
Top Trump administration officials informed lawmakers this week that the US is not currently planning to launch strikes inside Venezuela and, crucially, lacks a current legal justification to support attacks against any land targets within the country.
The classified briefing was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and a White House legal official. They addressed mounting congressional concern over the administration’s military campaign in the Caribbean and the massive buildup of naval assets, including the incoming USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.
Officials made it clear that the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion, which has been used to justify lethal strikes against suspected drug boats on the high seas, does not permit strikes inside Venezuela itself or any other territories. Furthermore, the existing “execute order” for the campaign targeting suspected drug boats, which began in September, does not extend to land targets.
The officials did confirm, however, that the military assets being moved to the Caribbean are intended only to support counternarcotic operations and conduct intelligence gathering, not to prepare for a land strike. They also noted that the current OLC opinion authorizes targeting a list of 24 different cartels and criminal organizations across Latin America.
Despite the current legal limitations, the administration is reportedly seeking a separate legal opinion from the Justice Department. This new opinion would aim to provide a justification for launching strikes against land targets without requiring Congress to authorize military force.
One US official noted the fluid nature of the policy, stating, “What is true one day may very well not be the next,” emphasizing that the President has not yet made a final decision on how to handle the situation with Venezuela.
The briefing also touched on the administration’s controversial use of force at sea. The US military has carried out 16 known strikes against drug boats since September, resulting in the deaths of at least 67 people.
Administration officials acknowledged that the strikes are conducted based on intelligence connecting the vessels to specific cartels or criminal organizations, and they do not necessarily know the individual identities of every person on board before attacking.
While Republican Senator Mark Warner expressed confidence in the intelligence assets used for tracking illegal drugs, he questioned why the administration uses lethal force instead of relying on the Coast Guard’s traditional methods of interdiction, which would secure evidence.
Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks said he was left unconvinced by the legal rationale, stating, “nothing” he heard convinced him of the strikes’ legality.
In a now-viral late-night post, Regina said she’s tired of being mocked and misrepresented, adding that she has done more than people know to keep her home together.
According to her, she left her own extended family to support a polygamous setup, only to be repaid with what she described as ongoing disrespect.
Regina referred to Ned as an “Odogwu” whose name should carry legacy for the sake of their sons, Munir and Khalifa, but said online drama has now made everything look messy.
She also claimed she had supported and funded several things within the home, but kept quiet because of dignity and peace.
Regina further alleged that a co-wife once accused her of having bad intentions towards the children — and said it hurt her deeply because, according to Regina, she has always tried to maintain peace.
In her words, she is “the brokest and the richest at the same time” because despite everything, she handled responsibilities in silence.
Regina said she doesn’t want the world to see her family “finish,” but added that she is tired of being insulted, especially when she has tried to handle things privately.
A paternity lawsuit filed by a man claiming to be Jay-Z’s son, Rymir Satterthwaite, has been dismissed with prejudice.
According to Page Six, a California judge on Wednesday granted the rapper’s motion to dismiss a federal paternity suit filed earlier this year through legal guardian and paralegal Lillie Coley.
Despite repeatedly claiming he’s the son of the music mogul, the ruling means Satterthwaite, 30, can no longer file the same lawsuit or request paternity tests from Jay-Z also known as Shawn Carter in the matter.
Satterthwaite alleged in court documents that the “99 Problems” rapper impregnated his late mother, Wanda Satterthwaite, back in the ’90s — allegedly making Carter his biological father.
Carter has repeatedly denied he is Rymir’s father.
Rymir previously claimed he was withdrawing his federal paternity case.
“I did withdraw my case,” Rymir said in a July 27 Instagram upload, adding that he was abandoning the lawsuit because there was plenty “going on behind closed doors.”
“I have not stopped my fight,” Rymir continued. “We got to step back and play chess, not checkers.”
At the time, attorneys for Carter, 55, slammed the longtime paternity allegations as “harassment.”
“The fabricated allegations and claims have been addressed—and rejected—in multiple other courts,” the documents read, describing the legal actions as “just the latest” in a “decades-long” string of “harassment.”
Rymir denied in documents that he was filing the suit for what amounts to back child support, but claimed instead he was seeking reputational and emotional distress damages.
The aspiring musician alleged in the original documents that the Grammy winning artist “committed fraud upon multiple courts, misrepresented facts, interfered with procedural due process and exploited legal systems in multiple jurisdictions to suppress Plaintiff Rymir’s paternity claim.”
In May 2023, Rymir filed a court order seeking to force Carter — who is dad to kids Blue Ivy, 13, and twins Rumi and Sir, 8, with wife Beyoncé — to take a DNA test.
At the time, Rymir vowed not to back down. “This is not going to be over until justice is served,” he told Daily Mail in 2023.
“I won’t stop fighting for this until I win,” he added. “And I will win because the law is on our side.”
The “Empire State of Mind” rapper’s attorney responded in a letter to the outlet.
“The allegations have been previously reviewed thoroughly by the courts and have been refuted,” they wrote.
“I am sure that will be the outcome of whatever filings Mr. Satterthwaite may be currently considering.”
Satterthwaite, who is an aspiring rapper himself, has alleged that his mother Wanda told him Carter is his biological father when he was eight years old.
Prior to her 2016 death, Wanda filed a civil lawsuit in New Jersey seeking child support from Carter, whom she claimed to have had an on/off relationship with.
The lawsuit was dismissed on the grounds that it was filed in the wrong state, and was not re-filed until Coley and Rymir submitted documents in 2014.
Robert Mugabe Junior Wanted After Missing Drug Trial Robert Mugabe Junior, the son of the late President of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, is now the subject of a warrant of arrest after failing to appear in court to answer charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs. The 33-year-old, who was first arrested on 1 October 2025, is already out on US$300 (approximately R5,500) bail. On Thursday, the Harare Magistrates’ Court issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for the scheduled proceedings.
Court Issues Warrant After No-Show Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki authorised the warrant after the court orderly called Mugabe Junior’s name three times outside the courtroom. According to NewsDay, three witnesses had been booked to testify but were told they would be summoned again once he is located.
The court confirmed that Mugabe Junior had been expected for the continuation of the trial following his arrest on 1 October 2025.
Details Of The Initial Arrest On 1 October 2025 The police intercepted Mugabe Junior at around 8:30 am on 1 October 2025 while he was driving a Honda Fit erratically along Sam Nujoma Street Extension in Harare. Officers conducted a search, recovering two sachets of dagga, one pack of Rizla rolling papers, and a dagga crusher. The dagga reportedly weighed two grams and carried an estimated street value of US$30 (about R550).
A source said,
“He was taken by the Drugs and Narcotics section after they discovered dagga and a powder suspected to be cocaine among his belongings.”
Bail Conditions And Missed Court Dates On 3 October 2025, Magistrate Mutendereki granted Mugabe Junior bail of US$300 (R5,500) after two nights in custody. Prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira explained the bail terms:
“The accused shall report every Friday at CID Drugs and Narcotics. He shall reside at his given address until this matter is finalised.”
His next court appearance was set for 22 October 2025. He did not attend that session, prompting a postponement. The 6 November 2025 hearing was intended to resume the case, but his absence led to the warrant now in force.
Previous Legal Issues And Family Cases This is not the first time the late President’s son has faced legal trouble. In February 2023, he was arrested over allegations of malicious damage to property after a party in Harare, where cars were reportedly damaged. The matter was later withdrawn after compensation was paid.
Jay-Z refuses DNA test and doesn’t believe he’s the father of Rymir, who claims to be his son.
Jay-Z’s alleged 10-year paternity battl£ with 30-year-old Rymir Satterthwaite has officially been shut down after years of legal back-and-forth.
Satterthwaite claimed that his late mother had a relationship with Jay-Z in the 1990s that led to his birth, and he had long sought a DNA test to prove it.
Jay-Z and his legal team have consistently denied the allegations, calling them false and labeling the case a Harazzment campaign. Courts in several states reportedly dismissed earlier filings, with the most recent lawsuit either withdrawn or dismissed in 2025.
Reports now indicate that the latest case that was refiled has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled again — effectively ending the decade-long dispute.
However, some fans believe that if Jay-Z is truly confident he isn’t Rymir’s father, he should agree to take the DNA test.
Kim Kardashian failed her law exam… she was using ChatGPT and ended up writing the wrong answers.
She revealed that she uses ChatGPT for legal advice on her law exam questions during her Vanity Fair Lie Detector interview:
“I use it for legal advice. So when I need to know the answer to a question, I’ll take a picture and snap it in there. They’re always wrong. It’s made me fail tests. And then I’ll get ma:d and yell at it like, ‘You made me fail! Why did you do this?’”
Imagine relying on ChatGPT to pass an exam—it’s like when a student copies everything their classmates write without even knowing whether it’s right or wrong
WORLD CUP PLAYOFF==FIFA appoints South African referees for Nigeria vs Gabon playoff, Nigerians are not happy with it
FIFA has appointed a South African refereeing crew for Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon, with Tom Abongile set to oversee the first leg in Rabat.
FIFA has appointed a South African refereeing crew for Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon, with Tom Abongile set to oversee the first leg in Rabat.
Fellow South Africans Zakhele Siwela and Akhona Makalima will assist and manage VAR duties respectively, according to a letter dated November 3. The referee assessor for the match will come from Benin Republic.
The decision has triggered strong pushback from Nigeria, where officials and fans have questioned the neutrality of the appointments.
A senior NFF official, speaking to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, said the federation was “baffled” by FIFA’s choice, citing tense football relations between both countries.
“How can FIFA appoint a South African referee after their sports minister openly said he wished Nigeria would not qualify for the World Cup? South Africa are clearly hostile to us,” the official said.
https://youtu.be/YvQ8hdozPD0?si=xSFKJ0BUaQkDC9sX
Nigeria reached the playoff round after Frank Onyeka’s late winner secured victory over Benin Republic in October.
The Super Eagles will face Gabon on November 13 at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with the winner due to meet either DR Congo or Cameroon in the final playoff.
The appointment also sparked social-media criticism. Journalist Toyin Ibitoye wrote on X: “Just hearing now that @FIFAcom / @CAF_Online picked South African referees(including VAR) for next week’s #2026WorldCupPlayoff vs Gabon. The Referee Assessor is from Benin Republic. What manner of gang up against the @NGSuperEagles is this? #SoarSuperEagles.”
Media personality @PoojaMedia also questioned it, “How can CAF appoints South African officials to officiate the Nigeria vs. Gabon game?”
X user @pamelamodella added, “A South African referee shouldn’t be officiating a Nigerian game for Christ sake especially when the games are very crucial. Pls the NFF has to do something about it”
Another user, @Don17488409, urged immediate action, “Stop waisting time , write to fifa now and reject the officials from South Africa , when will you guys wake up, Senegal once did and the referee was changed @thenff”
Referee appointments for FIFA competitions are usually made by its Referees Committee to ensure neutrality, and South African officials are among the continent’s most experienced, regularly handling CAF Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations matches.
The United States House of Representatives has introduced a new bill seeking to hold Nigerian government officials accountable for alleged vi0lations of religious freedom and human rights @buses in the country.
The bill, titled the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,” and sponsored by Republican lawmaker from Indiana’s 3rd District, Marlin Stutzman, was introduced on October 21, 2025.
According to details published on the official U.S. Congress website, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.
Both committees will review the bill, filed as H.R.5808 in the 119th Congress, within their respective jurisdictions before it proceeds to the floor of the House.
In Section 2(a) of the bill, lawmakers outlined the primary objective of the proposed law, saying, “The President shall impose the sanctions described in Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights @buse or c0rruption) on the persons identified in the report required under subsection (b).”
Under Subsection (b)(1), the bill mandates that within 90 days of enactment, and annually thereafter, the U.S. Secretary of State must submit to Congress a detailed report listing Nigerian officials implicated in promoting or tolerating religious p3rsecution.
The report will specifically target, “Federal officials or state governors who have, during the period specified in paragraph, promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigerian bl@sphemy laws, including through public advocacy, legislative action, or executive enforcement directives; or tolerated vi0lence by non-state actors invoking religious justifications to commit acts of vi0lence, including persons designated as foreign terr0rist organisations… or specially designated global terr0rists pursuant to Executive Order 13224.”
The proposed law also extends to “Judges, magistrates, prison officials, or other judicial or law enforcement authorities who have enforced bl@sphemy laws, including through prosecution, conviction, impris0nment, or other deprivation of liberty of individuals pursuant to such laws.”
The reporting period, as defined in the bill, covers 10 years preceding the enactment of the legislation and continues annually thereafter, ensuring that both past and ongoing violations are subject to scrutiny.
The bill also reinforces Nigeria’s recent redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under U.S. law—an action that subjects nations to potential sanctions for severe vi0lations of religious freedom.
The text of the legislation read, “In reports required under Section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)(A)) and concurrent reviews required under section 301(a) of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 (22 U.S.C. 6442a(a)), the Secretary of State shall designate, for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom: the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC); and Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC).”
If passed, the bill would compel the U.S. government to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials and entities accused of enabling religious p3rsecution or turning a blind eye to vi0lence justified by religion.
The US military has reportedly submitted contingency plans for potential strikes on Nigeria, following a directive from President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action over the claim of Christian genocide.
According to The New York Times, the US Africa Command has drawn up and sent its options to the Department of War this week upon the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Read the full report below
First, the self-evident: Despite President Trump’s order that the Pentagon prepare to intervene militarily in Nigeria to protect Christians from attack by Islamic militants, U.S. forces are unlikely to be able to end a decades-long insurgency that has claimed lives across sectarian lines in Africa’s most populous country, military officials say.
The American military cannot do much to quell the violence unless it is willing to start an Iraq- or Afghanistan-style campaign, the officials said. But they added there were some steps available to American war planners that could have limited impact on the militants.
The Air Force could conduct airstrikes on the few known compounds in northern Nigeria inhabited by militant groups, officials said. American drones like the MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1 Predator could attack a few vehicles and even a handful of convoys. And American forces could team up with Nigerian soldiers to raid villages to root out insurgents who have ensconced themselves in rural hamlets in the country’s north.
These were all part of the options that officials with United States Africa Command drew up this week, defense officials say, to forward to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. They generated the plans after Mr. Trump’s announcement over the weekend threatening military action to stop what he described as attacks on “CHERISHED Christians” but in reality is a campaign of violence and land disputes that have killed thousands of Muslims and Christians alike.
Militant groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have targeted Christians in Nigeria, along with many Muslims accused of not being devout enough. Any major military operation by the United States would be likely to fail, current and former military officials said.
“It would be a fiasco,” said Maj. Gen. Paul D. Eaton, a retired Army veteran of the war in Iraq and U.S. efforts to counter the insurgency there. The American public had not shown much interest in repeating the Iraq- or Afghanistan-style military campaigns in Nigeria, he noted. Nor had the president, beyond his recent social media posts.
Any potential effort by Mr. Trump to direct the military to target Nigerian insurgents through his preferred method — airstrikes — would be likely to cause shock and awe but not much more, military officials said. General Eaton likened such an effort to “pounding a pillow.”
Current and former military and national security officials, including those with experience fighting Islamic militant groups in West and Central Africa, said Mr. Trump’s latest directive had left them stumped.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was quick to respond, also on social media. “Yes, Sir,” he wrote.
Mr. Hegseth’s office quickly directed Africa Command to send plans for possible strikes.
Officials at the command, which is based in Stuttgart, Germany, and which like much of the U.S. military apparatus has plans for every conceivable contingency, duly dusted off their options for the Sahel and sent them to Washington. The new AFRICOM commander, Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, has a previously scheduled trip to Nigeria in the next month or so.
Three defense officials said the plans from the command had three options — light, medium and heavy — and were intended to be escalatory.
The light option, the officials said, included what the military called partner-enabled operations. Under that option, the U.S. military and the State Department would support government forces in Nigeria to target Boko Haram and other Islamic insurgents who have attacked, kidnapped and murdered civilians, mostly in northern Nigeria, where sectarian and ethnic violence has raged for almost 20 years. The United States would have to conduct these operations without the expertise of the U.S.
Agency for International Development, whose office in Abuja, the capital, officially closed in July, after the Trump administration shuttered the agency.
But that action would come with a host of issues, the thorniest being that the violence in the northern Nigerian Sahel falls along linguistic, cultural and religious lines. Much of it is based on land use and tenure and is fomented in some cases by corruption in the Nigerian government. Farmers and herders in the region have battled one another over land use for decades, and militant Islamic groups have taken advantage of the distrust to push their own agenda.
The medium option being put forward by Africa Command, officials said, includes drone strikes on militant camps, bases, convoys and vehicles in northern Nigeria. American Predator and Reaper drones can loiter for hours before striking, and other U.S. intelligence can gather information on specific targets’ pattern of life.
But that option comes with its own issues, not least being that the U.S. military in August vacated its two nearest drone bases, in Agadez and Niamey, both in neighboring Niger. Russian forces now occupy those bases.
Drones launched from Niamey or Agadez could reach Nigeria in an hour, one military official said. But now, the closest known places from which the United States could launch drones are southern Europe and perhaps Djibouti, in East Africa, where the U.S. military has a large base.
One official suggested that West African countries seeking favor with the Trump administration might allow their territories to be used, but that is less clear. Doing so would also go against the wishes of the Nigerian government, which is hugely influential on the continent, and could open up another set of problems for neighboring countries.
The heavy option, military officials said, would be to move an aircraft carrier group into the Gulf of Guinea and to deploy fighters and perhaps long-range bombers to conduct strikes deep in northern Nigeria. But the United States is already in the process of moving one of its aircraft carriers, the Gerald R. Ford, from its deployment in Europe to the southern Caribbean, where Mr. Trump has declared war on drug cartels. Other aircraft carriers are currently deployed in the Pacific or in the Middle East or are undergoing maintenance.
Deploying an American aircraft carrier to the Gulf of Guinea to take on Islamic insurgents in Nigeria was not deemed to be a 2025 national security priority as recently as Friday, several military officials said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again threatened military action against Nigeria in a video broadcast, ordering U.S. defence officials to prepare contingency options and warning that Washington could cut off all aid if Abuja does not stop what he described as the “k!lling of Christians.”
In the recorded address the president said in full:
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the kill!ngs of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria. We are going to do things to Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about. G#ns are blazing to completely wipe out Islamic terr0rists. I’m hereby instructing our Department of W@r to prepare for possible action. If we @ttack, it would be fast and vicious.”
This is coming days after Mr. Trump announced Nigeria’s designation as a “country of particular concern” on religious freedom. This prompted immediate diplomatic pushback in Abuja and alarm among international observers, who warned the language risked escalating tensions and undermining diplomatic channels.
White House and Pentagon officials confirmed they had been told to draw up options, while Nigerian officials angrily rejected the characterization that their government tolerates targeted k!llings of Christians and emphasised that the country’s security challenges affect people of different faiths and regions.
Actress, Regina Daniels, has taken to social media to celebrate her parents for teaming up to ensure she is happy during this trying time and also to secure the release of her brother, Sammy.
Regina’s mum Rita Daniels and her father have been separated for a while but they have since teamed up to be by her side since her marital crisis with her lawmaker husband, Ned Nwoko, started few weeks ago.
Regina shared a video and photos of her mum and Dad in Abuja as they fight for the release of their son and her brother, Sammy, who was arrested some days ago in Lagos and transferred to Abuja allegedly on the order of her estranged husband Ned Nwoko.
‘’Two concluded sworn enemies reuniting with no negative ulterior motive other than their daughter’s happiness 凉. And I dare question God for putting me in this situation ? They are currently in Abuja. Sammy’s detainment is taking
Way too long but we will get him out or rather I will march there myself and create a storm ! Since they want me !
My father is a lawyer. Actually one of the biggest back in the day but Nigeria happened. I’ll tell you more about my father later and my mother? She’s a powerhouse ! . They would do anything for their children. I love you mom and dad ! This is all I actually ever wanted
Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, has named the most expensive thing that he has ever bought in his life.
Clips released ahead of the interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo discussed several major topics, including his views on wealth, family, and what lies ahead in his life.
During the first part of the interview, Ronaldo also spoke about his massive career earnings and becoming football’s one and only billionaire.
He also revealed the most expensive thing that he has ever bought for himself.
In the interview, Morgan asked Ronaldo if it was true that last year he had become a billionaire and if that was a goal for him.
“Not true,” replied the striker. “No, I became a billionaire many years ago!”
Ronaldo then added: “I know how much money I have. Not precisely, but most of it.
“It’s like when I won the Ballon d’Or. It was my goal to reach that number. Becoming a billionaire was one of the MAIN GOALS that I had.
https://youtu.be/UBTAcBckngs?si=XkjwW9c7zQ1TSENC
“I am the ONLY billionaire in football. The numbers don’t like. Call me cocky, but the numbers don’t lie. It doesn’t surprise me that I am the only billionaire in football. When you look at all the records, Cristiano Ronaldo will be there on top of the list.”
All the talk of finances led to Morgan asking Ronaldo what the most expensive thing he has ever bought was.
He replied: “The most expensive thing? Plane. Global Express.
“I’ve had a plane since, it’s 13 years old, but I changed one year ago, so it’s a little bit expensive.”
Hollywood actor, Angelina Jolie has made a high-risk visit to one of Ukraine’s most dangerous frontline cities, Kherson, and the neighboring region of Mykolaiv. She spent time meeting with medical staff, volunteers, and civilians who are living under constant threat of Russian attacks.
Jolie’s visit, supported by the Legacy of War Foundation, was highlighted in a statement she released on Thursday, November 6. She expressed deep admiration for the resilience of the local population.
“At a time when governments around the world are turning their backs on the protection of civilians, their strength, and their support for each other is humbling,” Jolie said. “The people of Mykolaiv and Kherson live with danger every day, but they refuse to give in.”
Photos from the visit show Jolie wearing a flak jacket in a basement and speaking with children in a windowless room. The Foundation confirmed that she toured medical and educational facilities that have been forced to relocate underground to escape persistent Russian shelling.
Kherson, once home to nearly 300,000 people, is considered one of Ukraine’s most dangerous cities because it lies within range of Russia’s frontline weaponry. The city was occupied by Russian forces for eight months in 2022 before they withdrew across the Dnipro River, from which they continue their attacks.
The local resilience has been crucial. Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of Kherson’s regional administration, welcomed the high-profile visit, telling state-controlled TV, “We are very grateful for [Jolie’s visit] and for the fact that people are coming here… Sometimes it seems that we have been forgotten, but we can see that this is not the case.”
This marks Jolie’s second visit to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, having previously met with displaced people in the western city of Lviv in the spring of 2022.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away early Thursday morning at the age of 24, following what authorities describe as an apparent mental health crisis that ended in suicide. Newly obtained police dispatch audio reveals that Kneeland had sent farewell messages to his family shortly before his death, leading his loved ones and team officials to contact authorities out of concern for his safety.
According to audio obtained by TMZ, Kneeland’s girlfriend told dispatchers that she had received a troubling message from him late Wednesday night and was attempting to reach his agent for help. She informed officers that Kneeland was armed and had a history of mental health struggles, warning that he had expressed intentions to “end it all.” The National Football League and the Dallas Cowboys were also in contact with police that night, reporting that the player had been sending goodbye texts to family members.
Police in Frisco, Texas, later confirmed that Kneeland had been involved in a brief pursuit around 10:39 p.m. after officers attempted to pull him over for a traffic violation. He reportedly fled the scene, and minutes later, officers discovered his vehicle crashed on the Dallas Parkway. Kneeland was not inside, prompting a search that ended several hours later when his body was found around 1:30 a.m. inside a portable toilet. Officials said he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The devastating news has sent shockwaves through the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys organization. In a statement, the team said, “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”
Kneeland, a standout at Western Michigan University, was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and was in his second season with the team. Just days before his death, he had made headlines for recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football.
His agent, Jonathan Perzley, expressed deep grief in a statement, saying, “I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream of being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.”
TOO MUCH MONEY Elon Musk’s bank balance passes $500 billion mark
South Africa-born billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is halfway to becoming the planet’s first trillionaire.
South Africa-born billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is halfway to becoming the planet’s first trillionaire, Forbes magazine reported on Tuesday.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO became the first person to achieve a net worth of $500 billion as the shares in his electric vehicle company rebound from his clumsy stint in politics, amid other gains.
The 54-year-old’s net worth hit $504.1 billion on Tuesday, the publication’s “Real-Time Billionaires” tracker reported.
Ranked after him are Oracle CEO Larry Ellison with a net worth of $315.3 billion, followed by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $263 billion on the Forbes list.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and dropping out of Stanford University, Musk banked his first millions when he sold an online publishing software company to US computer maker Compaq for more than $300 million in 1999.
His next company eventually merged with PayPal, and after leaving that venture, the tech entrepreneur founded space rocket company SpaceX in 2002 and became the chairman of electric carmaker Tesla in 2004.
Top 10 richest people in the world
Rank Name Net worth Source 1 Elon Musk $504.1bn Tesla, SpaceX 2 Larry Ellison $315.3bn Oracle 3 Jeff Bezos $263bn Amazon 4 Larry Page $233.9bn Google
5 Mark Zuckerberg$218.8bn Facebook 6 Sergey Brin $216.9bn Google 7 Bernard Arnault & family$183.5bn LVMH
8 Jensen Huang $179.4bn Semiconductors 9 Steve Ballmer $155.7bn Microsoft 10 Michael Dell $152.6bn Dell Technologies #richestman #wealth
22-Year-Old Jailed For Raping 93-Year-Old Woman A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to two decades behind bars after a court found him guilty of a horrific crime. The man was convicted of raping a 93-year-old grandmother in her own home. The sentencing took place at the Gwanda Regional Magistrates’ Court, bringing a conclusion to a case that has shocked the local community. The court heard how the attacker broke into the elderly woman’s bedroom and assaulted her during the night.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe confirmed the conviction and the 20-year prison term. Authorities stated that the attack occurred on the night of 6 July 2025. The incident occurred in the Esibomvu area, situated in Esigodini.
A Terrifying Night In Esigodini The court was presented with a detailed account of the events that unfolded on that July night. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the offender forced his way into the victim’s home. He specifically broke into her bedroom through the door. Once inside, he physically pulled the elderly woman from her bed. The National Prosecuting Authority reports that he then undressed and raped her.
On that very same night, the man also committed an additional crime. He was involved in an offence of unlawful entry and theft. It was this separate criminal act that ultimately led to his capture. Villagers, determined to find the culprit, took it upon themselves to trace the footprints left at the scene. This community-led investigation directly led them to the offender’s location. His subsequent arrest allowed police to establish a firm connection to the rape case, linking him to the assault on the nonagenarian.
Justice System Delivers A Strong Message In a statement released with their news bulletin on 5 November 2025, the National Prosecuting Authority underscored the importance of the ruling. The authority made its stance on crimes against the elderly explicitly clear. A representative from the authority was quoted emphasising the duty of care owed to older citizens.
The official stated:
Elderly persons are vulnerable members of our society who deserve the protection of the community. Such appalling act will not be tolerated by the criminal justice system.
The full 20-year sentence is seen as a reflection of this zero-tolerance approach.
Parents always tell their children the type of spouses they should settle with, and it is always about their behavior, but a mother has gone beyond physical features and is now speaking about beliefs.
Just as Christians want their children to marry a Christian and Muslims also want their children to marry a Muslim, a traditional mother has informed her son that he will only settle with a traditionalist because she is a priestess and her beliefs will not permit her son to marry a Christian or Muslim.
This statement from the mother is not supposed to trigger any reaction because devoted Christians or Muslims do not allow their kids to marry people with different beliefs, but unfortunately, it stirred various reactions.
Religious intolerance has caused a lot of breaks in Africa because everyone feels their relationship is the best.
In strict African homes, when a lady introduces a man who is not in the same religion as her, her father will reject him until he makes up his mind to convert.
In Islamic homes, too, the same thing happens, and so from the onset, parents inform their children to mingle with people in their religion only to avoid future drama.
Even some Christians do not allow their kids to marry into a home due to a different denomination.
“I can’t allow my son date a lady from another religion, I’m a traditionalist” — Nigerian woman sparks reactions online pic.twitter.com/4LAwwketUQ
The mother’s controversial opinion about her son’s future love life did not sit well with him, as he protested that he would choose to fall in love with whoever he liked, and not necessarily because of her religion.
UCL: ‘You’re trying to be cute’ – Thierry Henry slams Vinicius after Real Madrid’s defeat to Liverpool
Former Arsenal attacker, Thierry Henry, has hit out at Vinicius Junior following the Brazilian’s performance in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Liverpool needed just Alexis Mac Allister’s 61st minute strike to secure all three points at Anfield, handing Real Madrid their first defeat in the Champions League this season.
It was the first time Real Madrid have failed to score in a game this season as they struggled to create chances.
Both their superstars Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe failed to register a shot on target.
However, Henry was particularly unhappy with Vinicius Jr’s performance.
“I do not understand it. You have to play with what’s in front of you, you have to play the moment,” Henry told CBS Sports.
“And even if there’s nobody in the box, as you said, at least the opposing team has dropped 30 yards back and then you can give the ball to your midfielder, who might have a strike from outside the box.
“But I don’t know, sometimes people try to be cute when there’s no need to be cute, if there is space, just give the ball, recycling the ball… sometimes it’s too scripted.
“You have an opportunity at the beginning, for example, Vinicius Jr had Conor Bradley for the first five to seven minutes, and then he let him breathe. Why do you let him breathe? Have a go until he gets a yellow card and then he can’t defend in the same way, but that didn’t happen.
“When we watched the game, Vinicius Jr received the ball in a one-on-one after a good battle in the first five minutes against Conor Bradley, and he passed it back to his left-back to receive it back… and now it was a one-vs-three.
“Then he attacked alone against the three of them, and I thought, wait, do the math. You had a one-on-one, try to see what you can do with that.
“Why do you move the ball back so it comes back to you and you can play a one-vs-three? I just don’t get it at times.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin was confronted by an 11-year-old girl over the treatment of her uncle while fighting in the ear with Ukraine.
The girl named Kira questioned Putin over why her uncle, wounded in the arm whilst fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, has been sent back to the “front row”.
Earlier this year, images emerged showing tired and injured Russian soliders gingerly making their way through muddy trenches using walking aids as Putin forced them back to battle.
Kira’s father, Vladimir Pimenov, 36, was k!lled last year while fighting in the Donetsk region. He was awarded the Order of Courage.
Meeting Putin on Red Square in Moscow, the schoolgirl pleaded with Putin to transfer her uncle “to a good hospital in Russia”.
“My uncle is at the front now,” she told the Russian ruler, who was surrounded by religious leaders. “He was wounded in the arm, He was in hospital.”
She added: “They’re not treating him at all, and now they are sending him back on a mission [to fight].
“I would like him to be transferred to a good hospital in Russia.”
Putin appeared rattled, and replied: “We’ll definitely find him, all right?”
Kira, from Siberia, made sure he knew who to look for saying: “[His name is] Anton Fisyura.”
Putin replied: “Certainly. Thank you for remembering him.”
Russia’s president then kissed her on the head and moved on.
Anton has two sons, aged nine and 18. Kira has two other uncles fighting in the war, she said.
She gave Putin a Cheburashka – a Soviet-era toy with huge round ears – which she made.
“I [also] knitted the Cheburashka toy for my uncle Anton, then for uncle Vanya and uncle Yura, who are now defending the Motherland,” she said.
Netizens Roast Nkosazana Daughter Over Her New Black-and-Silver Dental Grills
Amapiano vocalist Nkosazana Daughter has once again sparked a buzz on social media with her new set of black-and-silver dental grills
The singer, posted a video showing off her new grills, but instead of praise, the clip quickly drew a wave of mockery from netizens.
Viral Clip Sparks Mockery In the video, Nkosazana Daughter smiles widely, showcasing her bold new accessory.
However, netizens criticized Nkosazana Daughter’s dental grills, calling them unattractive and poorly designed.
Reactions ranged from humorous jabs to outright roasting, as fans debated whether the grills were a bold fashion statement or simply over-the-top.
Here are some of reactions;
@nathanieltsutsa;
Reminds me of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’
@DonaldMakhasane;
Discover more Denim Jeans Best fashion retailers denim next Entertainment center clothing Clothing Best clothing retailers Next It’s not looking good
@TshotheliR10907;
She looks like crocodile.
@lelethu;
Why is it kinda giving Madluphutu?
@khuliso_Neels;
They look terrible. I think grills have their people, not just anyone can rock them.
@babybearr_;
Words can’t describe how ugly these are.
@CianderGqoth;
Aih @NkosazanaNzama uyabona uyangdinga empilwen yakho before taking such decisions?. These are seriously the worst set of grillz I’ve seen
@BrightMunini;
And her look changed so much , unfortunately for the worse
@clifford_bembe;
They look horrible I’m sorry. grillz looking like a drawing.Why is her label not giving her a stylist
Fans Question Label’s Role as Nkosazana Daughter’s Look Changes On the other hand, social media users expressed concern over Nkosazana Daughter’s evolving style, noting that her overall look had changed noticeably, and not necessarily for the better.
Many questioned why her label had not provided her with a stylist, suggesting that professional guidance could help her maintain a polished and cohesive image as her career grows.
Dallas Cowboys American football team defensive end, Marshawn Kneeland d!ed Thursday morning, November 6 at age 24, the team has confirmed.
No cause of death has been provided as at press time .
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family,” the Cowboys said in a statement.
Kneeland appeared in seven games for Dallas this season, making 12 tackles and recording one sack. Kneeland scored his first career touchdown in the Cowboys’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.
The second-round draft pick from 2024 was playing in his second season with the Cowboys after playing for Western Michigan University. His agent posted a statement on Instagram stating:
I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night. I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys.
Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words. My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
The NFL said on social media it is “deeply saddened by the tragic news.”
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written to US President Donald Trump, commending him for giving attention to the “Christian gen0cide” in Nigeria.
Kanu said Trump’s observation about Christian gen0cide in the country was “factual and verifiable”.
However, Kanu said Jewish adherents were also under @ttack, adding that he has documentary evidence to back up his claims.
He cited several instances, including media publications of different vi0lent @ttacks against people of Judeo-Christian faith.
A copy of the letter dated November 6, made available by his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, read in part: “Your Excellency, I extend warm greetings to you in the name of the Judeo-Christian faith and values we both hold dear.
“As a practicing Jew and a believer in the Judeo-Christian heritage that shaped Western civilization, I was honored to attend your campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa, in January 2020.
“Your bold declaration on October 31, 2025—that the United States is ‘prepared to act’ militarily and cut aid if Nigeria fails to protect its Christian population—has ignited hope in the hearts of millions who have been abandoned by the world. You have seen the truth: Christians in Nigeria face an existential thre@t.”
Kanu said vi0lent @ttacks against Christians were not restricted to the Northern region, but also witnessed in the South East and South South zones.
“I write to you now to reveal that this gen0cide is not confined to the North—it has metastasized into the Igbo heartland, where Judeo-Christians are being systematically exterminated under the guise of counter-terr0rism.”
Kanu also drew the attention of the US President to his ordeals following abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya since June 2021.
“I am Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)—a peaceful, non-violent civil rights movement rooted in Judeo-Christian principles.
“Since 2015, I have survived four documented @ssassination attempts by the Nigerian state. On 20 June 2021, I was forcibly @bducted from Kenya in an extraordinary rendition operation—an act that vi0lated Kenyan and international law, as c0ndemned by a Kenyan High Court ruling (Petition No. E282 of 2021).
“Despite this ruling, I was !llegally transported to Nigeria and thrown into solitary detention in Abuja, without a valid subsisting charge and for the sole cr!me of defending my people’s right to life, faith, and self-determination under international law.
“On 13 October 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja (CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022) discharged and acquitted me of all charges, ruling that my rendition was !llegal, unconstitutional, and a gross vi0lation of international law.
“The court ordered my immediate and unconditional release. Yet I remain in solitary detention—over 1,596 days since my abduction.
“The Nigerian government defied its own judiciary, refusing to release me as ordered. I was never released, so there was no re-@rrest—only continued unlawful impris0nment in blatant vi0lation of constitutionally protected double jeopardy safeguards under Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7(2) of the African Charter.
“The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (Opinion No. 25/2022) declared my continued impris0nment “arbitrary, unlawful, and politically motivated.” This is not justice. This is state capture of the rule of law to silence a Judeo-Christian voice, a Hidden Gen0cide Against Judeo-Christians in Eastern Nigeria.”
Kanu told Trump that while security operatives use high-handedness against him and peaceful agitators, terr0rists, and bandits are granted amnesty.
Accusing security agencies of complexity, Knau demanded the establishment of an internationally-supervised commission of inquiry to investigate Judo-Christian gen0cide in Nigeria.
Citing instances of vi0lent @ttacks in the South East, it urged the US President to act fast to end the escalation.
“The same extr3mist-backed forces you have condemned in the North—Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militias—operate with state complicity in the South-East and Igbo-speaking territories of Benue, Kogi, and Delta.
“These @trocities are irrefutably documented: Nkpor Biafra Heroes Day M@ssacre – 30 May 2016 -Amnesty International (2016)”.
He cited the k!lling of 20 IPOB members in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on January 20, 2017, during a pro-Trump rally shortly after his emergence during his first tenure. Kanu also complained to Trump about what he called ‘we@ponization of insecurity to d3monize IPOB.’
“Since my illegal rendition, Nigeria has declared IPOB a ‘terr0rist organization’ despite zero evidence of vi0lence (confirmed by U.S. State Department, 2021).
“Orchestrated ‘unknown g#nmen’ attacks using state-backed militias, then blamed IPOB. K!lled over 2,000 Igbo youths in ‘counter-terr0rism’ operations (Intersociety, 2021–2025). This is Rwanda’s playbook: create chaos, blame the victim, justify extermination.”
Kanu urged Trump to hasten his intervention to save more lives.
“Dear Trump, You said America will act. Now is the moment. I respectfully urge you to:Launch a U.S.-led independent inquiry into state-sponsored m@ssacres of Judeo-Christians in Eastern Nigeria, with full access to mass gr@ves, military logs, and survivor testimonies.
“Convene emergency Congressional hearings on the Igbo Christian gen0cide, featuring:The 13 October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment discharging me (disobeyed by the government), UN Callamard’s report on Aba & Nkpor, Nigeria’s defiance of its own Constitution.
“Impose targeted Magnitsky Act sanctions on:Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai (Ambassador, Benin), Current DSS Director-General Yusuf Bichi, South-East military commanders implicated in Obigbo.
“Support an internationally-supervised referendum on self-determination for the Igbo people—the only peaceful path to ending this cycle of vi0lence, as affirmed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Article 20).
“Mr. President, history will judge us by what we do when gen0cide knocks. You have the power to stop a second Rwanda in Africa. One tweet, one sanction, one inquiry could save millions.
“I remain steadfast in peace, faith, and non-vi0lence—even from a pr!son cell. IPOB rejects every form of vi0lence. We seek only justice, truth, and freedom.
“May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—who delivered Israel from Pharaoh—grant you wisdom and courage to deliver His people once again. With deepest respect and urgent hope.”
Pope Leo XIV welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican on Thursday, November 6 for crucial talks focused on the complex situation in the Middle East.
The Holy See reported that the discussions were “cordial” and yielded a significant point of agreement: both leaders concurred that the conflict in the region can only be resolved through a two-state solution.
This meeting marked the first face-to-face encounter between the 70-year-old Pope Leo and the 89-year-old President Abbas.
Beyond the broader peace process, the two leaders also honed in on the immediate crisis in the Gaza Strip. They agreed on the urgent need to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the area.
This visit follows Abbas’s prior audience with Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, back in December 2024.
President Abbas has served as the president of the Palestinian Authority since his election in 2005. The Palestinian Authority manages parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but it lost control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 following the takeover by the Islamist militant group Hamas.
Israel has confirmed Hamas handed over the remains of Tanzanian national, Joshua Loitu Mollel, on Wednesday under the US-brokered Gaza ceasefir3 deal.
Military and Foreign Ministry representatives notified Mollel’s family that his body was returned to Israel after forensic experts completed the identification at the National Centre of Forensic Medicine.
Mollel, 21, an agricultural intern at Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the border with Gaza, was seized alive, then m#rdered by Hamas terr0rists on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body was taken to Gaza.
A graphic video shows the moment Joshua was st@bbed and then sh0t by the terr0rists.
He is survived by his parents and four siblings.
“The government of Israel shares in the deep s0rrow of the Mollel family and all the families of the fallen hostages,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement on Thursday.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel paid tribute to Mollel, citing the 21-year-old’s family as saying he had a big smile that never left his face.
“The families of the hostages and the returned embrace the family of Joshua Loitu Mollel at this difficult time, following the return of their beloved Joshua yesterday so he may be laid to rest,” the Forum said in a statement.
“Amid their grief and the knowledge that their hearts will never fully heal, Joshua’s return offers some comfort to a family that has endured unbearable uncertainty for over two years. We will not rest until every hostage comes home.”
Kibbutz Nahal Oz said in a statement that it was “in pain and shares the deep sorrow of the family of Joshua Loitu Mollel.”
Before handing over Mollel’s remains to the Red Cross in Gaza on Wednesday night, Hamas’ military wing said it had recovered a hostage’s body in the eastern Shejaiya neighbourhood of Gaza city.
The Red Cross transferred the remains to Israeli soldiers in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces inspected the casket before draping it in an Israeli flag and holding a short ceremony led by a military rabbi.
The bodies of six sl@in hostages now remain held in the Strip — five Israelis and one foreign national: Meny Godard, Lt. Hadar Goldin, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.
Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has begun his trial in Athens over @ccusation of instigating football vi0lence and supporting a cr!minal organisation in Greece.
The allegations are in relation to the 58-year-old’s ownership of Greek giants Olympiacos, with him and four other board members accused of two misdemeanour counts, Mail Online reports.
These are over a five-year span between 2019 to 2024 with the fine of them allegedly instigating vi0lence with statements against authorities and of supporting a cr!minal group.
Also, 142 fans face charges of running a cr!me organisation and causing life-thre@tening expl0sions at sporting events.
Within that number, seven have been charged with leading the group. They have all denied wrongdoing.
Marinakis was not present in the packed courtroom at Athens’ high-security Korydallos pr!son on Wednesday and was represented by his lawyer Vassilis Dimakopoulos.
Speaking to BBC Sport on Wednesday, Dimakopoulos refuted the allegations against his client.
‘The accusations are totally baseless,’ he said.
As reported by Reuters, more than 210 people will testify before the three-member bench during the trial, which lawyers estimate could last years.
The court adjourned for November 25 after the presiding judge read out the names of the defendants and witnesses.
The probe was launched after the 2023 fatal injury of 31-year-old ri0t police officer George Lyngeridis in clashes outside a women’s volleyball match between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, a normally low-risk game. The fans were arrested in 2024.
‘This is a landmark trial,’ said Vaso Pantazi who represents one of the defendants, adding that her client and others ‘were in the wrong place at the wrong time.’
Argentina’s former president Cristina Kirchner, who is currently serving a six-year fraud sentence under house arrest, is set to go on trial Thursday, November 6, in a separate corruption case involving allegations that she received millions of dollars in bribes.
Kirchner, a dominant and divisive force in Argentine politics for more than 20 years, governed the country from 2007 to 2015 and later returned to power as vice president from 2019 to 2023. Her latest legal battle comes as her Peronist movement reels from a sweeping defeat by President Javier Milei’s right-wing coalition in last month’s midterm elections.
The case, widely known as the “notebooks” scandal, centers on handwritten records kept by a government chauffeur, who claims he transported cash bribes from businessmen to senior officials between 2003 and 2015 covering both Néstor Kirchner’s presidency and Cristina Kirchner’s two terms.
Prosecutors accuse the 72-year-old of leading a criminal network that collected illicit payments in exchange for awarding state contracts. Eighty-seven people have been charged, including a former federal minister and several junior officials.
Kirchner, who has been under house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor since her June conviction for “fraudulent administration,” insists the charges are politically motivated and part of a long-running campaign to sideline her.
It remains unclear whether she will appear in court via video link from her Buenos Aires residence. If convicted, she faces between six and ten years in prison at the end of what is expected to be a lengthy trial.
Her defense team has challenged the reliability of the chauffeur’s notebooks, arguing that the entries were altered more than 1,500 times and cannot be trusted as evidence.
Barcelona and Spain star forward, Lamine Yamal has firmly stated that he can never compare himself to Lionel Messi.
Yamal was a key contributor in Barcelona’s recent UEFA Champions League matchday 4 contest, where they held Club Brugge to a 3-3 draw. The youngster scored a brilliant goal to make the score 2-2 and then forced an own goal.
Following the match, Yamal was asked about his fantastic strike, which prompted him to once again play down comparisons to the legendary Messi.
“Messi has scored thousands of goals like this, so I can’t compare myself to him. I’m just trying to improve and go my own way, and I hope to score more goals like this in the future,” Yamal said, according to Barca Blaugranes.
Regarding Barcelona’s performance, Yamal stressed the need for improvement. “We are Barça and we always have to win. But we’re already thinking about the next league match. It’s a very difficult pitch. It’s hard to win when you concede three goals. That’s what we need to improve.”
He reflected on his own goal-scoring play: “I tried my best. It was a very quick play, and Fermín backheeled it to me. Well, I’m sad we couldn’t get the win. Let’s hope for next time.”
Yamal also addressed recent speculation about his physical and mental state. “There’s been a lot of talk about my pubalgia and that I was sad. It was all lies. I’m trying to get back to work and play at this level, which is how I feel best and enjoy myself the most.”
Finally, he touched on the reception he sometimes receives from opposing fans. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence if they boo you. If they boo me, it’s because they know I do my job well on the field. I don’t worry about it.”
Actress Debra Messing is receiving criticism online after sharing a meme on Instagram that appeared to label newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “jihadist.”
The meme, originally posted by another account, contrasted two candidates and described Mamdani with language commonly used to refer to extremist ideology. The post was shared on Election Day, drawing attention due to the close and highly publicized race.
Mamdani, 34, a Democratic Socialist, defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an Independent after losing the Democratic primary. The race saw significant national attention, including endorsements and commentary from public figures.
Messing has been outspoken about her support for Cuomo, arguing that the city needed a leader with more experience. Critics online, however, expressed concern that the wording of the shared meme was inflammatory and could promote harmful stereotypes.
Both Messing and Mamdani have not yet publicly commented on the post.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate about the role of celebrities in political messaging and the tone of online political discourse.
STATE HOUSE INVITES MUDOLO TO INVEST IN ENERGY SECTOR
STATE House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka says South African-based presidential aspirant Willah Mudolo is welcome to invest in the country’s energy sector.
On Monday, Mudolo urged President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately convene a national indaba on energy, saying his recent admission of failure in the sector was a desperate call for help.
In an interview, Wednesday, Hamasaka said Mudolo should invest in the energy sector instead of talking anyhow in the diaspora.
“The President said collectively as a country over the years we neglected this issue, collectively as a country we never invested in [alternative sources] other than hydro, we never invested in any other form of energy. So, collectively as a country we have failed. That’s the correct context, that’s what he said. So, now probably we can say collectively as a country we are doing something big. Now, if he has money to invest here in terms of solar or whatever, let him bring it, he is a businessman. Solar or whatever forms of energy he wants to install, he is a businessman, he claims to be a businessman, let him bring the money and install and invest. That is what genuine people should be saying. If he claims he has an idea [and] he is a businessman, let him bring that money and invest here in energy. Otherwise, he did nothing to help South Africa [in electricity shortages] there,” he said.
“We are inviting him to come and invest in energy just like other citizens [and] investors are doing, let him come. We are inviting him to come and invest in energy as well. That will be a more practical thing than just talking anyhow in the diaspora”.
Hamasaka added that Mudolo should be ignored as the UPND government was doing all it could to resolve the energy crisis.
“Just ignore him, what has he solved where? Who is he? This government is doing all it can, there are a lot of projects going on around the country now for power projects. Actually, quite a lot. This is when there is serious energy reform around the country. There are a lot of investments that are going on right now across the country that have never been done by any successive governments. What does he know about Zambia? There were electricity shortages in South Africa. Did he help them? What did he do for them (SA)? Why didn’t he offer them consultancy? So, please allow President Hichilema to work, this is the first time any government is attending to the [energy crisis] in the country, as in seriously, away from hydro,” said Hamasaka.
Socialist Party President Calls for Unity, Moral Leadership, and a New Revolutionary Vision for Zambia
Lusaka, Thursday, 6 November 2025
The Socialist Party President, Dr Fred M’membe, has called on all party members and Zambians across the country to remain focused, united, and committed to building a morally grounded political movement capable of transforming the nation.
In his statement, Dr M’membe emphasized that the true strength of the Socialist Party does not come from money or manipulation, but from unwavering moral conviction. He noted that Zambia is currently facing unusual and challenging times, which demand new approaches and a decisive shift away from the political practices of the past six decades.
Dr M’membe stated that today’s politics must be anchored in giving the people a better and happier life—both materially and spiritually. He added that this vision requires constructing leadership and governance systems that are honest, people-centered, and capable of delivering meaningful change.
He stressed that the enormous task ahead cannot be achieved by individuals alone. Instead, he called for collective effort involving all Zambians and their authentic leaders—traditional, religious, labour-based, and professional.
Citing the proverb “imfumu shitungululafye, abateka bantu,” he reaffirmed that while leaders may guide, it is ultimately the people who govern.
Dr M’membe explained that socialism is fundamentally about increasing citizens’ participation in decision-making at every level of society. He said socialism is the process of people deciding together, building together, and transforming their communities—and, in the process, transforming themselves. He described this collective progress as an expression of “fraternal love.”
He further called for forging strategic and permanent alliances with genuine leaders of the people, including traditional authorities, religious leaders, trade unionists, and professionals, to advance the struggle for a just and equitable Zambia.
Dr M’membe concluded by urging members to stay committed and focused on the party’s objectives, reaffirming the Socialist Party’s dedication to uplifting the lives of ordinary Zambians.
MR LAMECK MANGANI SPOKE ON HIS OWN, WE DISTANCE OURSELVES AS CF YOUTH WING – CHONGU
… cautions party leaders, members and functionaries to desist from undermining President Harry Kalaba with careless statements going against his position
LUSAKA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER, 06, 2025
CITIZENS First National Youth Chairman Maxwell Chongu has cautioned party members,leaders and functionaries to desist from undermining party President Harry Kalaba with careless statements going against his position.
Mr. Chongu has told Smart Eagles in a statement released today that Mr. Kalaba was on firm ground with regards to his statement on President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to attend the inauguration ceremony in Tanzania.
Mr. Chongu said the Ctizens first party youth has distanced itself from the statement issued by party member and Chipata central parliamentary aspiring candidate Lameck Mangani.
He said the youth wing strongly reaffirms and solidly supports the position of party President Harry Kalaba considering that even SADC called Tanzania’s elections a sham.
“Since 1964 Zambia has enjoyed a global status of being a beacon of peace, tranquility and stability on the african continent not forgetting it’s key role in helping african countries gain independence another accolade that has landed on Zambia to be recognized as a champion of democracy. Zambia has a good record of always taking the side of the oppressed and never the oppressors, when South africa was going through apartheid our founding father *Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda* chose to side with the people of south africa not bilateral or business engagement that will benefit Zambia,” Mr. Chongu said.
“We want to strongly state that no bilateral or business engagement should be more important than human life as such it’s our strong belief that President Hakainde Hichilema could have shun that event or rather delegate a junior government official as one way of diplomatically boycotting the inauguration which saw loss of lives,” he adds
“We understand that people will argue that his trip was in good faith considering activities of economic value that Zambia benefits from Tanzania, however we want to remind Zambians that the same could have been the reason for him to travel to Zimbabwe considering that our highest records in terms of exports show that they go through Zimbabwe but he chose not to attend the inauguration ceremony but to delegate a government official,” Mr. Chongu said.
And Mr. Chongu said it is wrong to say Zambia needs Tanzania, when it’s the other way round considering revenue generated by the tanzanian government from Zambia.
“To those that insist that Zambia needed to cement it’s diplomatic ties with Tanzania hence the trip our question to you is what will happen when the current President of Tanzania leaves office and those oppressed by the regime take over office what will remain of our relationship with the people of Tanzania,” Mr. Chongu said.
*MMD DISTANCES ITSELF FROM NEVERS MUMBA’S NEW PARTY*
Lusaka, Zambia — 6/11/25
The Operation Save MMD wishes to clarify and inform the nation that the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has no association whatsoever with the new political party launched by Dr. Nevers Mumba at the NASDEC Sports Complex in Lusaka last night.
Operation Save MMD was established with the sole purpose of protecting, restoring, and returning the MMD to its rightful place in Zambia’s political history — as the movement that delivered democracy and national transformation. Today marks a significant moment and the beginning of better days for our party.
It is important to note that Dr. Mumba’s constitutional ten-year tenure as MMD President expired in 2022. Any continued claim to that office beyond this period has been unconstitutional and illegal. What took place at NASDEC was therefore not an MMD convention, but rather the launch of a new political party, which he has named the New Nation Party (NNP).
The NASDEC gathering, which resembled a coronation rather than a convention, saw Dr. Mumba declared a “Life President,” fulfilling a long-held ambition that could never materialize within the democratic traditions and principles of the MMD.
While we wish Dr. Mumba well in his new political journey, it must be clearly stated that he is no longer a member of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy. This is not the first time an individual has broken away from our great party, and it will not be the last.
We are aware of Dr. Mumba’s attempts to mislead the public into believing that his new formation is a “rebranded MMD.” These claims are false, deceptive, and deliberately misleading. You cannot “rebrand” a great institution using the same individuals who hijacked and ran it down
Let it be known: The MMD is not a ‘ka temba’, but a respected political movement and institution that changed the course of Zambia’s history for the better.
We therefore call upon all genuine MMD members across the country to remain calm and celebrate this moment. Like the children of Israel, the hard-hearted Pharaoh who kept our party in bondage has finally let us go. Today marks the first day of our journey to the promised land of renewal and restoration.
In the coming days, Operation Save MMD will convene a national consultative meeting to outline the roadmap toward a genuine and inclusive MMD Convention, where the voice of every member will be heard, and our great party will be restored to its former glory.
*The Hour Has Come for MMD to Start Ticking Again!!*
