1+ hour, 4+ min ago (353+ words) A bride, 10 bridesmaids, a baby and two women were kidnapped during a night raid in Sokoto State. Armed attackers abducted 13 women and an infant during an overnight raid in northeastern Nigeria, marking the latest in a series of mass kidnappings in the West African nation. A bride and 10 of her bridesmaids were among those abducted on the night of Saturday to Sunday from the village of Chacho in Sokoto State, a resident told the AFP news agency. "Bandits stormed our village last night and kidnapped 14 persons, including a bride and 10 bridesmaids, from a house in Zango neighbourhood," said Aliyu Abdullahi, a resident of Chacho village. A baby, the baby's mother and another woman were also taken, Abdullahi added. According to Abdullahi, Chacho had already been targeted in October by bandits who kidnapped 13 people. "We had to pay ransom to secure…...

2+ hour, 54+ min ago (913+ words) Protesters rally outside President Isaac Herzog's home demanding he reject the prime minister's request for a pardon. Netanyahu requests Israel's president grant a pardon in corruption cases Angry crowds of Israelis have rallied outside President Isaac Herzog's home in Tel Aviv, protesting against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's petition for a full pardon from corruption charges. The protest on Sunday night came hours after Netanyahu, 76, sought the presidential pardon in his long-running corruption trial, without admitting guilt or expressing remorse. Opposition lawmakers, including Naama Lazimi, joined dozens of activists at the protest " held under the slogan "Pardon = Banana Republic" " outside Herzog's private home, demanding he reject the request. One protester dressed up as Netanyahu in an orange prison-style jumpsuit, while others stood behind a large pile of bananas and a sign that said "pardon" on it. "He is asking that his…...

4+ hour, 31+ min ago (917+ words) From Israel to Elon Musk's SpaceX and other giant companies in the US and Europe, arms producers had a profitable 2024. Revenues from sales of weapons and military services by the 100 largest global arms-producing companies reached a record $679bn in 2024, according to new data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Gaza and Ukraine wars, as well as global and regional geopolitical tensions and ever-higher military expenditures, increased revenues generated by the companies from sales of military goods and services to customers domestic and abroad by 5.9 percent compared to the year before, the organisation said in a report published on Monday. The bulk of the global rise was attributed to companies based in Europe and the United States, but there were year-on-year increases in all regions except for Asia and Oceania, where issues within the Chinese arms industry drove…...

4+ hour, 35+ min ago (913+ words) Mikel Merino cancels out Trevoh Chalobah's opener to spare the Premier League leaders' blushes at Stamford Bridge. Mikel Merino has rescued Arsenal as the English Premier League leaders battled to a 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea in a bad-tempered London derby. Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off for a crude foul on Merino late in the first half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Despite Caicedo's dismissal, Trevoh Chalobah headed hosts Chelsea into a second-half lead. But Merino's second-half leveller ensured Arsenal emerged with a point from a bruising encounter between the title rivals. Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who beat Leeds United on Saturday, and sit six points above third-placed Chelsea. When the dust had settled on a contest of relentless intensity, Arsenal were left to rue a missed opportunity to extend their lead over Chelsea…...

4+ hour, 56+ min ago (447+ words) Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen closed to within 12 points of leader Lando Norris heading into final round in UAE next weekend. By Andrew Semple and News Agencies Four-time Formula One (F1) world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing kept the three-way 2025 drivers" championship battle alive with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after securing victory in the penultimate race of the season at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday. Verstappen closed to within 12 points of McLaren"s Norris, who finished fourth at Lusail Circuit, heading into the 24th and final round in Abu Dhabi next weekend. Norris"s teammate Piastri finished second in the race after starting on pole position and is now 16 points behind in the championship battle. But the Australian is still in with a chance to win the drivers" title. Carlos Sainz of Williams finished third in Qatar to round…...

6+ hour, 9+ min ago (451+ words) Alexander Isak scored his maiden goal for Liverpool as the Reds ended their two-game EPL losing streak at West Ham. Liverpool's record signing Alexander Isak scored his first English Premier League goal for the Reds as the under-pressure football champions snapped a woeful run of form with a much-needed 2-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday. Liverpool had endured their worst spell in over 70 years, losing nine of their previous 12 games, and manager Arne Slot took drastic measures, leaving Mohamed Salah out of his starting lineup for the first time in the Premier League. Salah's replacement Florian Wirtz looked sharp, though he squandered Liverpool's best chance of the first half with his tame effort from close range, allowing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to save. Isak, who had looked short of form and fitness, spurned two opportunities before the break, drawing a…...

6+ hour, 10+ min ago (112+ words) Donald Trump declared Venezuela's airspace "closed' on Saturday. Venezuela has accused Washington of a "colonial threat" against its sovereignty after US President Donald Trump said he was shutting down the country's airspace. The Latin American nation is on high alert after United States attacks on boats nearby and a major military deployment in the Caribbean that includes the world's largest aircraft carrier. Trump says he is fighting drug trafficking. But is that the real reason? Mark Pfeifle " US Republican strategist and a former White House deputy national security adviser Paul Dobson " Independent journalist and political analyst in Venezuela Christopher Sabatini " Senior research fellow for Latin America at Chatham House...

8+ hour, 58+ min ago (46+ words) [Ukrainian chief of staff] Andriy Yermak said that he will be very open and transparent..." Ukrainian Official "very transparent" about investigation Ukrainian Member of Parliament Lisa Yasko discusses the investigation of President Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak over corruption accusations following his resignation....

9+ hour, 4+ min ago (751+ words) The vote is taking place in a highly polarised climate, with the US backing the right-wing candidate, Nasry Asfura. Hondurans have cast their ballots in an election to choose their next president, after a campaign dominated by allegations of fraud and threats from United States President Donald Trump. Vote counting began on Sunday after polling was extended an hour beyond the original closing time in many locations to accommodate the remaining voters. First results are expected late on Sunday night. Most polls show a virtual tie between three of the five contenders: former Defence Minister Rixi Moncada of the governing leftist Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) party; former Tegucigalpa Mayor Nasry Asfura of the right-wing National Party; and television host Salvador Nasralla of the centrist Liberal Party. Trump has backed Asfura, posting on social media that "if he doesn't win, the…...

9+ hour, 42+ min ago (109+ words) Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a formal pardon from President Isaac Herzog in his long-running corruption cases. Netanyahu requests Israel's president grant a pardon in corruption cases Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a formal pardon from President Isaac Herzog in his long-running corruption cases, for the sake of "national unity. Israels opposition says Netanyahu must admit guilt and resign. Netanyahu requests Israel's president grant a pardon in corruption cases Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a formal pardon from President Isaac Herzog in his long-running corruption cases, for the sake of "national unity. Israels opposition says Netanyahu must admit guilt and resign....