Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters ambushed a Nigerian Army convoy late Friday in Borno State, killing multiple soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in a coordinated nighttime assault that has intensified fears over escalating extremist violence in the region.
The attackers, described as heavily armed and highly organized, struck the convoy in what security officials say appears to be a meticulously planned operation. In a development considered unprecedented in Nigeria’s long fight against insurgency, the militants reportedly abducted a serving Brigade Commander along with several other military personnel. If confirmed, it would mark the first time an extremist faction has successfully captured a serving General directly from the frontline in Nigeria’s northeast.
HumAngle reported that ISWAP fighters “ambushed a Nigerian military convoy, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). In an unprecedented escalation, the insurgents abducted a Brigade Commander alongside other troops.” The Nigerian Army has not yet issued an official statement on the ambush or confirmed the status of the abducted officer.
The attack comes amid renewed concerns about deteriorating security conditions across Borno State. SaharaReporters earlier noted that Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South under the All Progressives Congress, condemned the surge in extremist attacks across his constituency, calling the situation “deeply worrisome” and unacceptable.
Ndume said four farmers were killed by Boko Haram insurgents while harvesting crops in Kwam village near the Dille community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. He described the killings as part of a pattern of escalating violence in rural communities that remain vulnerable despite years of military operations.
“These attacks led to the killing of four farmers while harvesting their crops in Kwam village, near Dille community of Askira-Uba local government area,” Ndume said, adding that the latest killings are not isolated incidents. He noted that insurgents also set ablaze a church and other buildings in Pemi last week, while reports on Wednesday indicated another Boko Haram incursion in Shikarkir in Chibok Local Government Area.
The lawmaker criticized the security architecture in remote settlements, saying the lack of a sustained military presence has emboldened insurgents to strike repeatedly without resistance.
As the military works to verify the ambush and the reported abduction of the Brigade Commander, residents and officials across Borno continue to call for urgent reinforcement and a more consistent security response to protect vulnerable communities.
PARIS, (BN24) – French police shot and wounded a man armed with a knife at Montparnasse train station in Paris on Friday, authorities said, triggering a panic among commuters and a temporary evacuation of the station.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said an officer fired at the man, who then inflicted knife wounds on himself. The individual had reportedly threatened his wife and children earlier in the day at a Paris suburb before boarding a train bound for Montparnasse, according to a police source.
“When officers confronted the man, he threatened to kill himself,” the source said. “Police shot him in the legs to neutralize the threat.” The prosecutor’s office confirmed that at least one gunshot was fired, although several witnesses heard multiple shots.
A Reuters photographer present at the scene described the moment as chaotic, with a surge of commuters rushing through the concourse. The station, a major hub serving suburban commuter routes as well as high-speed trains heading to western and southwestern France, was evacuated shortly after the incident.
One witness, speaking to BFM TV, recalled hearing a loud bang that triggered panic. “It took me two or three seconds to realize what was happening. People started saying, ‘We have to get out of here, we have to leave quickly,’ so that got my heart racing and I got up and ran,” the witness said.
Authorities have not provided further details on the man’s condition or whether he will face charges. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges at major transit hubs in Paris, where police must balance rapid response with the safety of large crowds.
The Montparnasse station serves thousands of passengers daily, connecting central Paris with regional destinations. Following the incident, French law enforcement conducted a safety sweep and reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat.
The Paris prosecutor’s office and local police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the man’s actions, including his threats toward family members earlier in the day.
A nursery worker has been detained for 10 years for rape and sexual abuse against boys as young as three.
Thomas Waller, 18, took advantage of his position to gain the trust of two boys in his care before exploiting them, Guildford Crown Court heard.
The teenager from Farnham, Surrey, was working at a nursery and his responsibilities included taking children to the toilet and helping them get changed.
Sentencing him on Friday, Judge Claire Harden-Frost said it was “heartbreaking” to see the victims’ parents feeling responsible for what had happened.
Waller was found guilty of rape, two counts of causing or inciting sexual activity and taking indecent photos after a trial at Staines Youth Court earlier this year.
He was sentenced to 15 years at a young offender institution, of which he must serve 10 in detention and five on licence.
In a victim impact statement, one parent said: “This was not an accident. It was not a poor decision on the spur of the moment, it was premeditated and calculated.”
“This man continually gave no comment. This man chose to deny everything. He has had every opportunity to plead guilty and express remorse, and he has chosen not to. He has demonstrated no accountability for his actions,” the parent continued.
Another father of a victim said his son had “gathered a collection of memories that I would never wish on a human being.”
He described Waller as “cold, sinister and calculated.” He added, “Tom cannot be allowed to do this again.”
Meanwhile, another mother told the court in a statement that Waller had used his “skills” to “build trust with my son and then exploit him.”
She added that her “beautiful, brave, clever son” questioned his own guilt as a result of giving evidence at court.
Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Kate Hyde said a “dangerous man” had been put behind bars.
“This deeply distressing case is every parent’s worst nightmare, and I would like to pay tribute to the victims and their families for their resilience throughout this whole process,” Hyde said.
“Their support and strength enabled us to secure convictions and put a dangerous man behind bars.”
“I hope the fact he has been brought to justice for the crimes he has committed helps the families affected by his crimes to start to move forward with their lives,” she added.
The case highlights vulnerabilities in childcare settings where staff members have unsupervised access to young children during routine care activities. Waller’s position required him to assist children with toileting and changing, providing opportunities for abuse that he systematically exploited.
The judge’s observation about parents feeling responsible underscores the emotional toll such cases take on families who entrusted their children’s care to professionals. The guilt expressed by parents reflects the difficulty of reconciling their decision to place children in care with the abuse that occurred in that setting.
Waller’s refusal to plead guilty or express remorse, as noted in the victim impact statements, meant the case proceeded to trial at Staines Youth Court. His repeated “no comment” responses during interviews and denial of all charges forced the young victims to provide testimony about their abuse.
The mother’s comment about her son questioning his own guilt after giving evidence illustrates the secondary trauma that court proceedings can inflict on child victims. Despite being described as “beautiful, brave, clever,” the child internalized feelings of responsibility for the abuse and its aftermath.
The convictions on multiple charges, including rape, causing or inciting sexual activity and taking indecent photographs, demonstrate the range of offenses Waller committed against the children in his care. The photography charge indicates he created images documenting his abuse.
The sentence structure, with 10 years to be served in detention at a young offender institution followed by five years on licence, reflects Waller’s age at the time of sentencing. Young offender institutions house those aged 18 to 21 who receive custodial sentences.
The father’s characterization of Waller as “cold, sinister and calculated” and his plea that “Tom cannot be allowed to do this again” express concern about future risk to children. The licence period following detention provides a mechanism for monitoring and restrictions on Waller’s activities after release.
Detective Superintendent Hyde’s description of the case as “every parent’s worst nightmare” acknowledges the fundamental breach of trust when someone employed to protect children instead harms them. Her tribute to the victims and families recognizes the difficulty of reporting abuse and participating in prosecution.
The trial at Staines Youth Court, which handles cases involving young defendants, resulted in guilty verdicts on all charges. The subsequent sentencing at Guildford Crown Court, which handles more serious criminal cases, allowed for the substantial custodial sentence appropriate to the gravity of the offenses.
The mother’s reference to Waller using his “skills” to build trust before exploitation suggests he employed deliberate grooming techniques. His position as a nursery worker provided both access to vulnerable children and a professional relationship that parents trusted.
The impact statements from multiple parents indicate at least two families were affected by Waller’s crimes, consistent with the court hearing that he abused two boys. The ages of victims, as young as three, emphasize their extreme vulnerability and Waller’s exploitation of children too young to understand or report what was happening to them.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding measures in childcare settings and the need for vigilant oversight of staff who work with young children in positions requiring intimate care responsibilities.
A double-decker bus plowed into a bus stop in Stockholm on Friday afternoon, killing three people and injuring three others in one of the capital’s deadliest recent transport accidents, according to police.
Authorities said they received reports of the crash at 3:23 p.m. The bus, which was not in service and carrying no passengers, drove into a bus shelter along Valhallavägen in the Östermalm district, a busy corridor in the city’s northern sector near the Royal Institute of Technology. Photos from the scene showed the front of the vehicle heavily damaged after striking the structure.
Police opened an investigation on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, though the cause of the crash remains unclear. Swedish news agency TT reported that the driver was detained and would be questioned as part of the inquiry. Emergency officials confirmed that only the driver was aboard at the time.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on X that he had “received the tragic news that several people have been killed and injured at a bus stop … people who were perhaps on their way home to family, friends, or a quiet evening at home.” He added that while the cause is still unknown, his thoughts were with the victims and their families.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Trump on Friday asked the Justice Department and FBI to investigate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s involvement with prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, and major financial institutions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Democrats of focusing on what he calls the “Epstein hoax” to deflect blame for the government shutdown, which ended Wednesday and was the longest in U.S. history.
“I will be asking A.G. Pam Bondi, and the Department of Justice, together with our great patriots at the FBI, to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s involvement and relationship with Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, J.P. Morgan, Chase, and many other people and institutions, to determine what was going on with them, and him,” the president wrote. “This is another Russia, Russia, Russia Scam, with all arrows pointing to the Democrats. Records show that these men, and many others, spent large portions of their life with Epstein, and on his ‘Island.’ Stay tuned!!!”
Attorney General Pam Bondi soon said she had asked Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the investigation. Clayton’s office covers matters from Manhattan and the Bronx, as well as the counties north of New York City.
“As with all matters, the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people,” she wrote on social media.
Trump’s announcement comes as the House is expected to vote next week on a bill that would force the Justice Department to release files from its investigation into Epstein. The president opposes the release of that material and has accused Republicans who backed the effort to force a vote on the proposal of being “soft and foolish.” GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia told “CBS Mornings” on Friday that she believes the president’s stance on the Epstein files is a “huge miscalculation.”
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is conducting its own investigation into the federal government’s handling of its probe into Epstein, released earlier this week more than 20,000 pages of material it obtained from Epstein’s estate.
Among the records are emails and messages exchanged with Epstein that mention Trump. In one email from Epstein to author Michael Wolff in January 2019, Epstein wrote, “Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop,” referencing Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein’s. It is unclear what Epstein was referring to.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in helping Epstein recruit, groom and abuse underage girls.
In another email from Epstein to Maxwell in April 2011, he wrote, “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. virginia spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned.”
The president has not been accused of wrongdoing. While he and Epstein ran in the same social circles in New York and Palm Beach, Florida, from the late 1980s to early 2000s, Trump has said the two had a falling out around 2004 and had not spoken in the years leading up to Epstein’s 2019 death.
He died by suicide at a Manhattan correctional facility after he was indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges.
The latest release from the Oversight Committee also shows that Epstein corresponded regularly with Summers, who was treasury secretary during Clinton’s presidency and led the National Economic Council under former President Barack Obama.
The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023 on Epstein’s contacts with Summers. A spokesperson for Summers said at the time that he “deeply regrets being in contact with Epstein after his conviction.” Epstein was investigated by federal and state officials between 2005 and 2006. Under a deal reached with federal prosecutors in 2007, Epstein agreed to plead guilty to two state prostitution charges and serve an 18-month sentence to avoid federal charges. He served less than 13 months and was released in 2009.
As part of its review, the House Oversight panel issued a subpoena to Clinton in August for testimony because of his past ties to Epstein and Maxwell in the early 2000s.
A spokesperson for Clinton said in 2019 after Epstein was indicted that the former president took four trips on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003, traveling to Europe, Asia and Africa. Angel Ureña, the spokesperson, said the trips included stops in connection with the Clinton Foundation, and staff, foundation supporters and Clinton’s Secret Service detail were on every leg of every trip. Clinton also had a meeting with Epstein in 2002 and made “one brief visit” to Epstein’s apartment with a staff member and his security detail, Ureña said.
Trish Wexler, a spokesperson for JPMorganChase, said Friday that the federal government “had damaging information” about Epstein’s crimes and failed to share it with JPMorganChase or other financial institutions.
“We regret any association we had with the man, but did not help him commit his heinous acts,” she said. “We ended our relationship with him years before his arrest on sex trafficking charges.”
In 2023, JPMorgan agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by an unnamed victim of Epstein’s on behalf of herself and others that alleged the bank overlooked his sex trafficking and abuse in order to profit from its financial relationship with him. JPMorgan agreed to pay $290 million to the victims as part of the settlement.
Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn and a major Democratic donor, said in 2019 after Epstein’s arrest that he had some interactions with Epstein and regretted participating in fundraising activity with him, according to Axios. Hoffman said in an email to the news outlet that his last interaction with Epstein had been in 2015.
Still, during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October, Bondi attacked Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, for accepting political contributions from Hoffman, who she claimed was “one of Epstein’s closest confidants.”
The Justice Department and FBI said in a July memo that they had conducted an “exhaustive review” of material related to Epstein and “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.” They also wrote there was no “client list” or “credible evidence” that Epstein blackmailed prominent figures.
The Justice Department and FBI said that while they worked to provide the public with “maximum information” about Epstein, they determined “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.”
The conclusions from the Trump administration sparked immense backlash against Trump and Bondi from some of the president’s supporters, many of whom were skeptical of the Justice Department’s claim that there was nothing further to be released.
Meanwhile, the Oversight Committee has continued to release records as part of its investigation, including court filings, flight records, videos and messages. In September, the panel made public pages from a book compiled by Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, which includes a letter allegedly signed by Trump and a drawing that appears to be the outline of a woman’s body. The president has denied penning the message.
Documents released by the committee show Trump and Clinton’s names are listed under the “friends” subheading in the book’s table of contents. Clinton appears to have written a handwritten note that reads, in part, “It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing … and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends.”
Trump’s directive to investigate Epstein’s Democratic connections comes amid a complex political landscape where both the president and Clinton appear in Epstein’s communications and records. The timing, following the end of the government shutdown, aligns with Trump’s characterization of scrutiny into his Epstein ties as a political distraction.
The appointment of Clayton to lead the investigation places responsibility with a U.S. attorney whose office has jurisdiction over Manhattan, where much of Epstein’s financial activity was centered. The Southern District of New York previously prosecuted Epstein on federal sex-trafficking charges before his death.
The tension between Trump’s call for investigation into Democrats’ Epstein ties and his opposition to releasing Justice Department files on Epstein creates a seemingly contradictory position. While demanding transparency regarding others’ connections to Epstein, the president has characterized efforts to release federal investigation materials as problematic.
Greene’s characterization of Trump’s opposition to file release as a “huge miscalculation” reflects division within the Republican Party on handling Epstein-related matters. Her comments suggest some GOP lawmakers believe transparency on all Epstein connections, regardless of political affiliation, would be politically advantageous.
The House Oversight Committee’s release of more than 20,000 pages of materials obtained from Epstein’s estate provides the documentary basis for much of the current controversy. The emails mentioning Trump, including Epstein’s references to the president knowing “about the girls” and Virginia Giuffre spending “hours” at Epstein’s house with Trump, have fueled questions about the extent of Trump’s awareness of Epstein’s activities.
The July Justice Department and FBI memo concluding there was no basis for investigating uncharged third parties or evidence of blackmail represented the administration’s initial position that further Epstein-related disclosures were unwarranted. The subsequent political backlash from Trump supporters and continued document releases by Congress have kept the issue prominent.
JPMorgan’s $290 million settlement with Epstein victims in 2023 acknowledged the bank’s financial relationship with the sex offender while the bank maintained it did not knowingly facilitate his crimes. The spokesperson’s statement that federal authorities failed to share information about Epstein’s activities with financial institutions attempts to deflect responsibility for the continued business relationship.
The various figures named by Trump in his call for investigation represent a mix of political and financial connections to Epstein spanning multiple Democratic administrations and major financial institutions. Summers’ role in both Clinton and Obama administrations, Hoffman’s status as a major Democratic donor, and the involvement of major banks like JPMorgan Chase encompass both political and financial dimensions of Epstein’s network.
Clinton’s documented interactions with Epstein, including multiple flights on his private plane and visits to his properties, make him a central figure in questions about prominent individuals’ relationships with the convicted sex offender. The Clinton spokesperson’s detailed accounting of these interactions in 2019 provided context but has not ended scrutiny of the former president’s connection to Epstein.
A minibus carrying Chinese tourists lost control on a steep, winding road in Bali on Friday morning, veering off the asphalt and crashing into a garden, killing five passengers and injuring eight others, according to police in the Buleleng regency.
Authorities said the vehicle was traveling from southern Bali toward the island’s northern region when the driver failed to safely navigate a downhill turn. The minibus then careened off the roadway and struck a tree inside a community garden. Buleleng police chief Ida Bagus Widwan Sutadi said the crash stemmed from the driver’s “lack of caution when turning and descending,” adding that road conditions were dry at the time.
The eight surviving passengers were taken to two nearby hospitals for treatment, while the Indonesian driver — who was not injured — was arrested following the incident. Road accidents remain common across Indonesia, where safety standards and infrastructure often fall short of international norms.
Lionel Messi was left astonished as more than 20,000 fans filled Elche’s Martínez Valero Stadium just to watch Argentina hold a training session ahead of its friendly against Angola. What was planned as a routine workout transformed into an unforgettable football celebration, with the Inter Miami star receiving a personalized Elche jersey to mark the moment.
Official attendance reached 20,085, turning the modest venue into a sea of light blue and white. Long before gates opened, supporters formed massive queues around the stadium, waving homemade banners, singing, and displaying Messi’s image. The giant screen lit up with Argentina’s colors, while the phrase “Coronados de gloria vivamos” appeared across the main stand, surrounded by towering images of Maradona, Messi, and Argentina’s current squad. When the players walked out to the national anthem, the crowd erupted. Every touch from Messi prompted thunderous cheers, and even a simple wave sent the stands into a frenzy. The loudest applause came when Elche presented Messi with a No. 10 shirt emblazoned with his name.
The session came after Argentina closed its training earlier in the week, a decision that led determined fans to climb rooftops, fences, and surrounding hills for a glimpse of Messi or Rodrigo De Paul. Their persistence moved the AFA to open Thursday’s session to the public. Messi later took to social media to thank the supporters, saying the affection shown in Elche “still moves me” and expressing his joy at seeing so many Argentinians among the crowd.
The display of devotion came just days after Messi quietly visited the newly renovated Camp Nou at midnight, reigniting speculation about a possible short-term Barcelona return before the 2026 World Cup. Barcelona president Joan Laporta quickly dismissed any chance of Messi rejoining as a player but confirmed the club is preparing a grand tribute once Camp Nou’s renovations are complete. He called Messi’s late-night visit a spontaneous gesture and said the finished stadium, with a capacity of 105,000, would host “the most beautiful tribute in the world.”
Despite his sentimental ties to Barcelona, Messi remains committed to Inter Miami. He recently extended his MLS contract through 2028 and has spoken about balancing his life in Florida with the emotional pull of his former home. Messi acknowledged that he and his family “miss Barcelona a lot,” noting they still dream of living there again and look forward to visiting the completed Camp Nou.
Messi is expected to start when Argentina face Angola on Friday before returning to Inter Miami for the MLS Conference semifinals on November 23, when the team meets Cincinnati.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces the possibility of missing at least the opening match of the 2026 World Cup after receiving the first red card of his international career during Portugal’s 2–0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. The Portugal captain was dismissed in the 61st minute for violent conduct after elbowing defender Dara O’Shea. The referee initially issued a yellow card but upgraded it to red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor at the request of the video assistant referee.
The ejection ended Ronaldo’s run of 225 previous Portugal appearances without a sending-off, a record in men’s international soccer. Although he has been sent off 13 times at club level, he had never received a red card while representing his country until Thursday’s defeat in Dublin.
Under FIFA disciplinary rules, Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-match ban when Portugal host Armenia on Sunday, a game in which a win would secure Portugal’s place in the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA guidelines also call for “at least two matches for serious foul play” and “at least three matches for violent conduct,” raising the possibility that the suspension could extend into next year and apply to competitive World Cup fixtures rather than pre-tournament friendlies.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez defended his captain, calling the decision “a bit harsh” and arguing that Ronaldo had endured constant grappling inside the box leading up to the incident. Martínez said the action looked worse on replay and insisted it was not a deliberate elbow, adding that Ronaldo’s longstanding discipline record should be given credit.
Ireland entered the match as underdogs but stunned Portugal with two goals from Troy Parrott, delaying Portugal’s qualification bid. Despite the loss, Portugal remain two points ahead of Hungary in Group F and can still clinch qualification with a victory over Armenia.
Ronaldo had vowed before the match to be a “good boy,” knowing he would face a hostile reception after past controversies against Ireland, including his celebration in front of defender Jake O’Brien during their last meeting. Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had publicly urged Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg not to allow Ronaldo to “referee the game” himself.
As Ronaldo exited the field, he appeared to mock the jeering crowd with sarcastic applause and a thumbs-up. Hallgrimsson later said Ronaldo told him he was being complimented for putting pressure on the referee. “It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card,” Hallgrimsson said, adding there was nothing more to discuss after the final whistle. “This was just a moment of a little silliness from him, I would say.”
LONDON (BN24)— Premier League players are among more than 70 sports figures urging the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel from international football competition, citing alleged human rights abuses in Gaza.
The initiative, spearheaded by the group Athletes 4 Peace, comes amid renewed international scrutiny of Israel following a United Nations commission of inquiry that concluded Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The letter, addressed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, accuses the governing body of failing to take moral action in response to these findings.
“No shared venue, stage, or arena in international civil society should welcome a regime that commits genocide, apartheid, and other crimes against humanity,” the Athletes 4 Peace letter stated. “Israel’s continued impunity for such crimes will only be ended by the weight of collective conscientious action, including measures to block their entry to sporting or cultural events and activities.”
Prominent signatories include Premier League players Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace, former England cricket star Ali, and ex-Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson. The coalition also received backing from pro-Palestine advocacy groups such as Game Over Israel, which recently lobbied UEFA to restrict Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a controversial Europa League fixture against Aston Villa.
Ashish Prashar, campaign director for Game Over Israel, criticized UEFA’s decision to postpone consideration of Israel’s suspension. “For President Ceferin to pause his vote to suspend Israel from European football over a peace plan in name only is either grossly naive, or purposefully blind,” Prashar said.
UEFA previously suspended consideration of a ban for Israel at the end of September after former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan for the region, which has been widely criticized by international observers and human rights groups as favoring Israeli interests.
Athletes 4 Peace’s letter emphasizes that sports figures have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards, noting that sporting events should not provide legitimacy or normalcy to regimes accused of serious international crimes. The group argues that collective action, including boycotts and sanctions, is essential to hold nations accountable for human rights violations.
The campaign highlights the growing intersection of sports and politics, particularly in instances where athletes and organizations utilize their platforms to advocate for human rights. This effort marks one of the largest coordinated calls from professional athletes demanding UEFA take a stand against a national federation accused of grave abuses.
As UEFA weighs its response, the letter from Athletes 4 Peace adds to mounting pressure on sports governing bodies to consider human rights criteria in decisions about international participation, raising questions about the role of ethics in football and other global sporting arenas.
PARIS (BN24)— France on Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of the November 13, 2015, Paris attacks, paying tribute to 132 people killed and hundreds more wounded in a series of coordinated assaults carried out by Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers. The attacks, which targeted cafes, restaurants, the Bataclan concert hall, and the Stade de France, remain the deadliest acts of terrorism in France since World War Two and left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory.
The violence began outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, where three suicide bombers detonated explosives, killing bus driver Manuel Dias. Gunmen then moved through central Paris, opening fire at five crowded locations, including bars and restaurants, before storming the Bataclan, where a rock concert was underway. Survivors recall scenes of chaos, smoke, and blood as attackers targeted ordinary citizens enjoying a night out.
“Since that November 13, there is an emptiness that cannot be filled,” said Sophie Dias, Manuel Dias’ daughter, speaking at a ceremony at the Stade de France. Her voice trembled as she recounted the frantic phone calls her family made that night, trying to locate her father before learning he was the first victim of the attackers. “May we raise awareness among younger generations, pass on the values of our republic, and remind them of all those innocent lives lost, like my dad, who left far too soon, for no reason at all.”
President Emmanuel Macron joined officials, survivors, and relatives of victims in paying tribute at the Stade de France, observing a minute of silence and laying wreaths. Ceremonies were held throughout the day at each attack site, culminating at the Bataclan, where 90 people were killed. Victims’ associations noted that two survivors later took their own lives, bringing the total death toll to 132.
Historian Denis Peschanski emphasized the unique horror of the attacks. “What made November 13 different is that it targeted places where people were simply out enjoying themselves,” he said. “Everyone was a potential victim. There was no safe space that night in Paris.” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told RTL radio that the attackers sought to strike at France’s cultural identity. “The terrorists wanted to attack this culture that is ours, this culture of joy, celebration, diversity, sharing, and music,” she said.
Survivors continue to grapple with lasting trauma. Sebastian Lascoux, 46, recalled attending the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan, where concertgoers were “all squashed together and collapsed as one” amid the gunfire. One of his friends was shot while shielding another person. Lascoux now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, avoiding crowded and enclosed spaces, and is triggered by sudden loud noises reminiscent of gunshots.
A decade on, French authorities say the threat of terrorism persists but has evolved. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told BFM TV that attacks on the scale of November 13 are less likely due to the weakening of the Islamic State. “However, the threat remains high,” he said, “with individuals present on national territory who radicalize very quickly and plot violent actions.” France has since strengthened security measures, many of which are now enshrined in law, covering public spaces, events, and cultural venues.
The anniversary ceremonies underscored the enduring impact of the attacks on survivors, families, and the French nation. They highlighted the resilience of the country in the face of terror, while emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims, preserving the values of the republic, and maintaining vigilance against evolving threats.
