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PSG–Mbappé Legal Clash Deepens as Both Sides Seek Massive Payouts

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Simeon Bateren
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PARIS (BN24)— The legal confrontation between Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappé escalated Monday in the French capital as both sides presented sweeping financial demands before an industrial tribunal examining their dispute over unpaid wages and contract obligations. Mbappé, who did not attend the hearing, now seeks more than 260 million euros, arguing that his fixed-term deal with the club should be reclassified as a permanent contract. His claim contends that such a reclassification would entitle him to compensation for unfair dismissal, unpaid salaries, bonuses, and severance, along with damages for moral harassment, undeclared work, and alleged failures by PSG to uphold its duty of good faith and workplace safety.

Representatives for the French forward said in a statement that he is only seeking the rights afforded to any employee under French labor law. Mbappé had previously claimed PSG owed him 55 million euros in unpaid wages and bonuses.

PSG responded with a claim of its own, seeking 440 million euros from the forward. The club argues it suffered a significant financial blow when Mbappé left as a free agent, including what it describes as a 180 million euro “loss of opportunity” to complete a transfer. PSG points to Mbappé’s decision to reject a 300 million euro offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal in July 2023 as evidence of a lost financial windfall. The club said it is also pursuing damages for what it calls breaches of good-faith negotiations, contract performance issues, and harm to its image.

The dispute revisits the tense months leading into the 2023-24 season, when Mbappé was left out of the first team after signaling he would not trigger an extra year on his contract. PSG contends he concealed his decision not to extend between July 2022 and June 2023, limiting the club’s ability to arrange a transfer. The club also said he challenged an August 2023 agreement that laid out a salary reduction should he leave on a free transfer, an arrangement PSG described as necessary to protect its finances after investing heavily in him.

Mbappé’s camp countered that no evidence supports claims he agreed to surrender existing payments. The player also accused PSG of moral harassment, citing what he described as “lofting,” a French term for isolating a player from the senior squad for sporting or disciplinary reasons. His relationship with the club deteriorated sharply after he declined to extend the contract he signed in 2022 a deal considered the most lucrative in PSG history.

After notifying the club he would not renew, Mbappé was excluded from a preseason tour to Japan and South Korea and trained away from the main group. He did not play in PSG’s opening league match before negotiations led to his return. PSG rejected all harassment allegations, saying he played in more than 94 percent of the club’s official matches during the 2023-24 season, with all sporting decisions made by a coach who later won the Champions League. The club maintained that its working environment complied with the Professional Football Charter.

Mbappé left PSG for Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer, departing with a club-record 256 goals scored over seven seasons. The tribunal is expected to issue its ruling next month, marking a critical moment in one of the most consequential legal battles involving a European football star.

Pakistani forces kill 15 militants in raids on their hideouts in northwestern province

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Pakistani security forces killed 15 militants during coordinated raids on two hideouts in the country’s northwest near the Afghan border, the military said Tuesday, describing the operations as part of an ongoing effort to dismantle insurgent networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The military said troops launched the first operation in Dera Ismail Khan district, where intelligence reports indicated the presence of Pakistani Taliban fighters. Ten militants were killed in the raid, according to an official statement. A second operation in North Waziristan — a region long associated with militant activity — left five more fighters dead.

Authorities identified the militants as “Khawarij,” a term the Pakistani government frequently uses for insurgent groups it claims receive backing from elements in Afghanistan and India. Those allegations have been repeatedly denied by Kabul and New Delhi. Officials said those killed were linked to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an insurgent group responsible for deadly attacks across the country.

The Pakistani Taliban maintain ties to Afghanistan’s Taliban, who have grown more assertive in the region since taking control of Kabul in 2021. Many senior TTP leaders are believed to operate from sanctuaries across the border, a reality that has strained diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul and fueled cross-border security concerns.

The military did not report any troop casualties and said operations in the region remain ongoing.

One of 25 abducted Nigerian girls escapes captivity

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One of the 25 schoolgirls abducted during a pre-dawn attack on a boarding high school in northwestern Nigeria has escaped captivity and returned home, the school’s principal said Tuesday, marking the first confirmed escape since the mass kidnapping in Kebbi state.

Gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in the Maga community early Monday, seizing 25 students from their dormitory and killing a staff member. Hours after the attack, one of the abducted girls fled through surrounding forests and made her way home late Monday, according to principal Musa Rabi Magaji.

Another student, who was not among the 25 confirmed abducted, also escaped soon after the gunmen entered the school, Magaji told The Associated Press. “One is part of the 25 abducted and the other one returned earlier,” he said. “They are safe and sound.”

The attack is the latest in a surge of mass school kidnappings across northern Nigeria, where armed gangs have increasingly targeted educational institutions to draw attention and secure ransom payments. 

Security analysts say the groups are made up largely of former herders who have taken up arms after violent clashes with farming communities over dwindling land and water resources. Jihadi factions have also expanded their reach, compounding insecurity in the region.

No group has claimed responsibility for the Kebbi abduction, though residents and analysts say it bears the hallmarks of the gangs that routinely raid schools, villages and major roads for ransom. 

The persistent violence has been fueled by corruption, weak law enforcement, and porous borders that allow weapons to flow freely into remote areas, leaving security forces struggling to respond.

Authorities have not announced any rescue but say search operations are ongoing.

AP

25 schoolgirls abducted, teacher killed after gunmen attack high school in Nigeria

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ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — Gunmen abducted 25 schoolgirls and killed a teacher during an early morning attack on a boarding high school in northwestern Nigeria, police said Monday, in the latest assault targeting educational institutions in a region struggling with widespread insecurity.

The attack occurred around 4 a.m. at a girls’ boarding school in the Maga community of Kebbi state’s Danko-Wasagu district. Police spokesperson Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi said the armed men stormed the dormitories with “sophisticated weapons” and engaged school guards in a brief exchange of gunfire before seizing the students. No group has claimed responsibility and authorities have not identified a motive.

Nigeria continues to face overlapping security crises driven by armed bandit groups that frequently kidnap villagers and travelers for ransom across the northern states. These gangs operate separately from extremist organizations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, whose attacks are primarily ideologically motivated. The rise in ransom kidnappings has strained security forces and left rural communities vulnerable.

Kotarkoshi said security teams are “combing suspected escape routes and nearby forests” in a coordinated search and rescue mission to recover the girls and locate the attackers.

Attacks on schools have escalated since 2014, when Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, an assault that drew global outrage and marked the beginning of a wave of mass student kidnappings. At least 1,500 students have been kidnapped across northern Nigeria in the years since, as criminal groups increasingly use abductions to finance operations and assert control. In March, more than 130 children were rescued after spending more than two weeks in captivity in Kaduna state.

Nicki Minaj to Address UN on Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria Tomorrow

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Simeon Bateren
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NEW YORK (BN24)— American rapper Nicki Minaj is expected to take the podium at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, November 18, to speak at an event centered on allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria. The appearance marks one of Minaj’s most high-profile public engagements outside the entertainment world, positioning her alongside senior U.S. officials as the issue draws heightened international attention.

Minaj will join U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz and Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to President Donald Trump and the event’s convener. Organizers say the gathering will focus on claims of widespread violence and discrimination against Christian communities in Nigeria, an issue that has been described as genocide by both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

According to publicly shared event details, the speakers will address the scale of the alleged persecution, discuss testimonies collected from affected regions, and outline the Trump administration’s stated efforts to respond. Those efforts, according to officials, are aimed at pressuring international bodies and strengthening diplomatic engagement to spotlight the claims of targeted violence. Minaj’s participation has drawn widespread reaction, with supporters praising her decision to use her global platform for a humanitarian cause.

Ambassador Waltz publicly commended the rapper ahead of the event, calling her “arguably the greatest female recording artist” and praising her willingness to speak on an issue he described as urgent. Waltz said he was “grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria,” adding that he looked forward to discussing the administration’s position alongside her.

Minaj responded with a message of appreciation, emphasizing the personal importance of being entrusted with the opportunity to speak at the UN. She described the invitation as something she does not take for granted, expressing that the responsibility “means more than you know.” The rapper also said she and her fan base, known as the Barbz, “will never stand down in the face of injustice,” adding that she believes their influence “has been given by God” and carries a deeper purpose.

Her appearance has amplified global discussions surrounding the situation in Nigeria, with observers noting that a celebrity of Minaj’s global reach may bring additional attention to the claims. The event is expected to draw significant media coverage as U.S. officials, activists and Minaj outline their concerns and call for international action.

Minaj is scheduled to speak on Tuesday as the United Nations continues to receive reports from advocacy groups detailing alleged attacks on Christian populations across parts of Nigeria. The event will serve as one of the most prominently covered discussions on the issue in recent months.

Bangladesh Sentences Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina to Death for Students Crackdown

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Simeon Bateren
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DHAKA, Bangladesh (BN24) — Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia Monday after a special tribunal ruled she ordered a violent suppression of student-led protests last year, a crackdown that left hundreds dead and ultimately brought down her 15-year rule.

The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka found the 78-year-old ex-leader guilty of multiple counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination, torture, and other inhumane acts. The court concluded she directed security forces and party activists to unleash lethal fire on protesters who had begun demonstrating over civil service quotas before the movement exploded into a nationwide revolt demanding her resignation.

Prosecutors said the demonstrations spiraled into one of the deadliest periods in Bangladesh’s recent political history. The tribunal heard that more than 800 people were killed in July and August 2024, according to the interim government’s health adviser, while a United Nations report earlier estimated the toll could reach as high as 1,400. Thousands more were wounded, with some 25,000 injured in violence that swept the country and paralyzed public life.

The judges said it was “crystal clear” from evidence and testimony that Hasina had “expressed her incitement” to supporters and “ordered to kill and eliminate the protesting students,” accusing her of failing to halt abuses committed by security forces acting under her authority. The verdict, delivered in a live broadcast, sentenced Hasina not only to death but also to imprisonment until her natural death for additional crimes related to her directives to use helicopters, drones, and live ammunition against demonstrators.

Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh from 2009 until her removal on Aug. 5, 2024, has lived in self-imposed exile in New Delhi since fleeing across the border as protesters overran parts of Dhaka and forced the Awami League government from power. She and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who received the same sentence, were both tried in absentia. A former police chief who cooperated with prosecutors and testified against her was given a five-year prison term.

Hasina sharply rejected the charges in a statement released Monday, calling the judgment “biased and politically motivated.” She argued that she and her government “acted in good faith” in a chaotic environment and claimed they were attempting to limit casualties rather than provoke them. “To characterize what happened as a premeditated assault on citizens is simply to misread the facts,” she said.

Her lawyers have criticized the proceedings, saying they lacked due process and violated fair-trial standards. They appealed to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions last week, warning of serious irregularities. Hasina cannot formally appeal the ruling unless she surrenders or is arrested within 30 days, an unlikely scenario given India’s refusal so far to extradite her despite requests from Bangladesh’s interim government.

The tribunal’s judgment triggered immediate political fallout. Her Awami League party called for a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday, while supporters and detractors clashed in parts of Dhaka. In several neighborhoods, police used batons and stun grenades to disperse crowds as authorities deployed soldiers, paramilitary forces, and border guards around sensitive sites, including the Supreme Court and the tribunal building.

Interim government leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus welcomed the ruling, saying it affirmed that “no one, regardless of power, is above the law.” He condemned Hasina’s use of lethal force against students and minors, saying their only weapons had been “their voices.” Her longtime political rival, Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, also hailed the verdict, describing it as the symbolic end of “all forms of dictatorship on this country’s soil.”

The tensions have strained relations with India. Bangladesh’s Foreign and Home Affairs ministries publicly urged New Delhi to extradite Hasina and Khan, calling it a treaty obligation and warning that granting them asylum would be “demeaning to justice.” India acknowledged the verdict but did not respond to the extradition demand, saying only that it remained committed to supporting peace and stability for the Bangladeshi people.

As the courtroom erupted with cheers when the death sentence was read, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder admonished spectators to maintain decorum. Outside, families of those killed and injured in last year’s uprising waited for hours, seeking closure in a country still reeling from political upheaval, Islamist mobilization, and human rights concerns.

Crowds later gathered near the Dhanmondi home of Hasina’s father, independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, now a museum. Some brought excavators to continue demolition work begun during earlier unrest, lighting fires as police struggled to disperse them well into the night.

The student protests that sparked Hasina’s downfall began with anger over a quota system for government jobs that critics said unfairly favored Awami League loyalists. The government’s attempt to crush the demonstrations instead intensified the movement, transforming what started as a youth-driven grievance into a national revolt that ended one of the longest uninterrupted political reigns in Bangladesh’s history.

The tribunal’s ruling now sets the stage for renewed political turmoil ahead of elections planned for February, leaving the country at a critical crossroads as it confronts the legacy of a deadly crackdown that reshaped its future.

Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson Resigns Amid Hurricane Season Controversy

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Simeon Bateren
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WASHINGTON (BN24)— Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Richardson resigned Monday, multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed, ending a brief and turbulent tenure at the nation’s primary disaster response agency.

Richardson had been temporarily appointed in May after former Acting Administrator Cam Hamilton was effectively removed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In addition to leading FEMA, Richardson also managed the department’s office for countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, though it is unclear whether he will continue in that position. FEMA officials have not yet announced who will replace him.

Richardson’s leadership came under scrutiny following an internal all-hands meeting in June, in which he reportedly told staff he was unaware that hurricane season had begun. The remark was widely criticized and raised questions about FEMA’s preparedness. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Richardson was joking and emphasized that the agency remained focused on hurricane season readiness.

During a White House press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether President Donald Trump was still confident in Richardson. Leavitt said the administration took hurricane season preparations seriously and dismissed concerns over Richardson’s comments as “jokes that were made and leaks from meetings.”

The controversy followed an internal FEMA review conducted in mid-May, which concluded that the agency was not fully ready for the 2025 hurricane season. DHS officials denied claims of unpreparedness, saying the agency’s plans and resources remain in place. “Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this hurricane season,” a DHS spokesperson said.

Richardson’s resignation drew immediate criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., questioned why Richardson had not already been dismissed, while Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts labeled him “incompetent” and warned that the public could be at risk.

FEMA has faced ongoing challenges under Richardson’s short tenure, including questions about staffing, disaster readiness, and communication with state and local emergency agencies. The agency is entering the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, a period that historically brings severe storms and flooding to the U.S. coastline.

Officials have not indicated whether Richardson will continue in any capacity at DHS, and the agency has not released a timeline for naming a permanent FEMA administrator. The resignation adds uncertainty as communities brace for potential disasters in the months ahead.

Two Siblings Burnt to Death as Fire Destroys Makeshift Homes in Rivers State, Nigeria

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Simeon Bateren
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RUMUOLA, Rivers State (BN24)— Tragedy struck the Rumuola axis of Obio/Akpor local government area on Sunday night as a fire tore through makeshift buildings, killing two young siblings and leaving more than 27 families homeless. The victims, aged nine and five, were burnt beyond recognition in the inferno that destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Eyewitnesses said the fire began around 10 p.m. in one of the rooms of a makeshift structure where a mother had temporarily locked her four children before leaving to buy ingredients for cooking. Two of the children were asleep, while the older siblings remained awake when the blaze started.

Contrary to viral social media claims, which suggested the fire occurred inside the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, witnesses confirmed the fire originated in makeshift homes located behind the school. The structures, described as poorly constructed and densely occupied, were destroyed, leaving many families homeless.

“It is a makeshift building behind the school. It is a gory site. I am standing beside two children who have lost their lives in this fire. Their bodies have been covered,” one eyewitness said, expressing grief over the loss.

Another witness, who gave his name only as Meg, provided additional details. “The fire started in the room of the woman who lost her two children. She was cooking at around 10 p.m. and had locked the door before going out to buy some items. When she returned, the fire had spread rapidly. The older children tried to save their younger siblings but were forced to escape because of the intense heat. Unfortunately, the younger ones could not be rescued.”

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of the elder children banging on doors and screaming for help before eventually finding a way to escape, while their younger siblings, aged six and eight, were trapped inside and burnt beyond recognition.

Neighbors and passers-by said they alerted the fire service after seeing thick black smoke rising into the night sky. Firefighters arrived, though reportedly delayed, and succeeded in extinguishing the flames, preventing the blaze from spreading further.

The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the fire outbreak and the deaths of the children. “From the situation report I received, the children were aged nine and five years. We have started an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire. The woman, the mother of the children, has been invited for questioning as part of our investigation,” she said.

The disaster has rendered dozens of families homeless, with many losing their possessions, furniture, and household items in the fire. Local authorities have appealed to the public for support to assist the displaced families and urged residents of informal settlements to exercise caution, particularly around open flames and cooking equipment.

Residents expressed outrage at the vulnerability of families living in makeshift buildings. One neighbor lamented, “These structures are crowded and unsafe. We need government intervention to prevent further tragedies like this.”

The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved fire safety measures and emergency response preparedness in informal settlements across Rivers State. Investigators are working to determine whether negligence, faulty cooking equipment, or other factors led to the deadly blaze.

Champions League Streaker Kinsey Wolanski Reinvents Herself as a Qualified Pilot and Extreme Sports Enthusiast

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Simeon Bateren
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LOS ANGELES (BN24)— Kinsey Wolanski, the American influencer who became a global sensation after streaking onto the pitch during the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, has charted a remarkable new path as a professional pilot and extreme sports enthusiast.

At 29, Wolanski has left behind the chaos of her viral moment at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, where she ran across the field in a revealing outfit during Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham. The stunt, orchestrated to promote a website associated with her then-partner, YouTuber Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, earned her a brief stint in a Spanish holding cell but also dramatically increased her online following from several hundred thousand to over two million.

Now, Wolanski channels her thrill-seeking energy into aviation and extreme sports. She has earned dual ratings as both a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft pilot, logging more than 100 hours of flight training and passing multiple examinations to achieve certification. She frequently shares videos of her aerial adventures on Instagram, where 3.7 million followers watch her navigate skies, perform maneuvers, and explore remote locations from above.

Her commitment to adventure extends to skydiving, though it has come with dangers. In 2020, she suffered a broken ankle after a hard landing during a jump in windy conditions. Wolanski embraces such risks as part of her pursuit of adrenaline and personal growth, describing both aviation and skydiving as disciplines that demand intense focus, resilience, and preparation.

While her viral pitch invasion was initially encouraged by Zdorovetskiy, tensions developed as Wolanski’s fame eclipsed that of her partner. She has described the imbalance in recognition and opportunities as a strain on their relationship, which eventually ended. Zdorovetskiy has since encountered legal issues abroad connected to a livestream incident.

Today, Wolanski is in a relationship with fitness influencer Vince Sant, who frequently appears in her aviation posts. Together, they share a life centered on adventure, fitness, and public engagement with fans.

In addition to aviation, Wolanski has established herself as a sports presenter, covering NFL content and collaborating with personalities across baseball, MMA, and professional wrestling. She has appeared alongside Buffalo Bills running back James Cook and co-hosts the sports show Arena Gridiron with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, demonstrating her ability to leverage her platform beyond social media.

Before her viral moment, Wolanski had already modeled for prestigious publications, including Sports Illustrated and Maxim. Reflecting on her streaking incident, she maintains a sense of humor and perspective, noting that despite the controversy, it opened unexpected career doors, creating opportunities in media, sports, and aviation that may not have existed otherwise. She insists her intentions were never harmful, and she views the episode as a stepping stone rather than a defining scandal.

Wolanski’s journey illustrates how a single viral event can transform into a long-term platform for personal reinvention. From a brief moment on a football pitch to commanding aircraft in the sky and reporting on professional sports, she has leveraged her notoriety to pursue challenges that test her limits, inspire followers, and redefine her public image.

Benin National Assembly Approves Seven-Year Presidential Term and Bicameral Parliament

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Simeon Bateren
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PORTO-NOVO, Benin (BN24)—The National Assembly of Benin has approved a landmark constitutional reform extending the presidential term from five to seven years and establishing a bicameral legislature, a move seen as a significant shift in the West African nation’s political framework.

The reform was passed during a plenary session at the Palace of the Governors in Porto-Novo, where 90 deputies voted in favor and 19 opposed. The measure amends the Constitution of December 11, 1990, which was previously revised in 2019.

“The Deputies of the 9th Legislature… adopted by 90 votes for and 19 against, the law modifying the Constitution of the Republic of Bénin,” the Assembly said in a statement shared on Facebook. The post, originally published in French, was translated into English for reporting purposes.

Before the final secret ballot, deputies had secured a three-quarters majority in a preliminary vote, with 87 votes in favor and 22 against. According to the Assembly, the constitutional reform introduces 15 new articles and amends 18 existing ones, reflecting broad structural changes to the nation’s governance system.

A central feature of the reform is the amended Article 42, which now stipulates that “The President of the Republic is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of seven years, renewable only once. No one may, in his or her lifetime, serve more than two terms as President of the Republic.” This change effectively extends the maximum tenure of a president from ten to 14 years, altering the rhythm of national elections and potentially reshaping political competition in the country.

In addition, the reform establishes a Senate as outlined in the updated Article 79, creating a bicameral parliament alongside the existing National Assembly. Both chambers will exercise legislative authority and hold oversight powers over government actions, providing an additional layer of checks and balances. The Senate is formally defined under Article 113.1 as a body responsible for regulating political life and safeguarding national unity, development, territorial defense, public security, democracy, and peace.

Article 80 also revises the tenure of deputies, setting their terms at seven years, renewable, and adding a clause that any deputy who resigns from the political party that sponsored them during elections will automatically lose their mandate. This provision aims to strengthen party cohesion and prevent political defection.

Local governance structures are affected as well. The reform extends the tenure of mayors and municipal councilors to seven years, renewable, aligning local electoral cycles with national legislative and presidential terms.

The constitutional overhaul has sparked debate within Benin and across the region. Supporters argue that the changes provide political stability and continuity, while critics warn that longer terms for elected officials could concentrate power and weaken democratic accountability. Observers note that the introduction of a bicameral legislature could create both opportunities for more rigorous legislative scrutiny and challenges in political coordination.

The reform marks one of the most significant adjustments to Benin’s political structure in decades, underscoring the evolving nature of governance in the country and its efforts to balance executive authority with legislative oversight.

Credit: PUNCH.COM

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