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North Korean Women’s Team Set for Rare Match in South Korea as Rivals Reopen Limited Sports Contact

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A women’s soccer club from North Korea is expected to compete in a regional tournament in South Korea later this month, marking a rare moment of contact between the long-divided neighbors.

Officials in Seoul said Monday that Naegohyang Women’s FC, based in Pyongyang, is scheduled to face Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League on May 20. The match will take place in Suwon, a city just south of the capital.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which oversees relations with the North, confirmed the planned fixture and described it as part of a regional competition organized under the Asian Football Confederation.

The Korea Football Association said the continental governing body has received a roster of players and staff from the North Korean club who are expected to travel for the match. Officials added that failure to appear could result in disciplinary action from the AFC.

State media in North Korea has not publicly addressed the team’s expected trip.

The planned appearance stands out. Direct exchanges between the two Koreas have been rare in recent years as political tensions deepened. The last time North Korea sent athletes south was in December 2018, when players took part in a table tennis event. That visit came during a brief period of improved ties, which also included North Korean participation in the Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea earlier that year.

Before that, North Korea’s women’s national soccer team competed at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, marking the last time female players from the North played on southern soil.

On the field, the visiting club arrives with strong credentials. North Korea’s women’s programs have seen success in youth competitions, holding titles at both the Under-17 and Under-20 levels on the global stage.

Naegohyang Women’s FC has also impressed in the current tournament. The team secured a 3-0 win over Suwon FC Women during the group stage held in Myanmar last November, then advanced past a club from Vietnam in the quarterfinals earlier this year.

The semifinal winner will advance to the final three days later, also in Suwon. In the other semifinal, Melbourne City FC will meet Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

While the match is a sporting event, its meaning goes beyond soccer.

For years, sports have served as a quiet bridge between North and South Korea during moments of reduced tension. Joint teams, shared marches at global events, and athlete exchanges have all appeared at times when diplomacy showed signs of progress.

That has not been the case recently.

Relations between the two countries have cooled sharply since 2019, when talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump broke down over sanctions and nuclear policy. Since then, dialogue has stalled, and cooperation has largely disappeared.

The North has stepped up weapons testing and taken a harder line toward the South, which it now describes as a primary adversary. At the same time, authorities in Pyongyang have moved to limit the spread of South Korean culture inside the country.

In that climate, even a single sports event carries weight.

The upcoming match does not signal a major diplomatic shift on its own. Still, it offers a small window into how limited engagement can continue even when political ties are strained. Sporting events are often easier to arrange than formal negotiations, making them one of the few remaining channels for contact.

For South Korea, hosting the North Korean team presents both an opportunity and a challenge. It allows officials to show openness and stability while managing security and public attention around a sensitive event.

For North Korea, participation may serve multiple purposes. It gives its athletes international exposure and maintains a presence in regional competitions. It may also signal a controlled willingness to engage, even as broader tensions remain unresolved.

There is also a practical side. The Asian Football Confederation tournament carries competitive stakes, and teams are expected to fulfill their fixtures. Financial penalties or sanctions could follow if a club withdraws without cause.

Beyond politics, the match will draw interest from fans. Encounters between teams from the two Koreas are rare, and they often carry an added layer of emotion and curiosity.

Past experiences show that sports exchanges can briefly soften public attitudes, even if they do not lead to lasting political change. Shared moments on the field have, at times, created images of unity that stand in contrast to the broader divide.

Whether this event leads to further interaction remains unclear. Much will depend on the political climate in the months ahead. If tensions continue to rise, this could remain an isolated case. If conditions improve, it could open the door to more exchanges.

For now, attention turns to May 20 in Suwon, where a soccer match will bring together players from two nations that have spent decades apart.

AP

Masked Armed Men Abduct Mali Junta Critic and Defense Lawyer From His Bamako Home as Military Government Reels From Deadly Coordinated Attacks

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BAMAKO, Mali — Armed men in masks stormed into Mountaga Tall’s home just before midnight Saturday and dragged him away. No warrant. No explanation. His wife tried to photograph them. They roughed her up and took her phone.

By Sunday morning, one of Mali’s most prominent lawyers and junta critics was gone — and his family had no idea where.

Tall’s relative Mahmoud Touré confirmed the abduction to the Associated Press. The men, Touré said, were from the armed forces.

“They did not explain why and did not present an arrest warrant,” Touré told AP. “The soldiers mistreated Mountaga Tall’s wife and took his phone.”

A family member who witnessed the scene told AFP that “two men in balaclavas came to take him away, they left with him.” The family has since filed a formal complaint for kidnapping and disappearance with security forces. The Malian government has not commented.

Mountaga Tall is not a minor figure. He served as Mali’s minister of education and science from 2016 to 2017 and leads the National Congress for Democratic Initiative, a political party openly opposed to military rule. As a lawyer, he has spent recent months in courtrooms defending politicians and military officers arrested by the junta for criticizing the government.

He was also one of the key figures in the M5-RFP movement — the coalition of protest groups whose street pressure helped bring down former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in 2020. When the military officers who seized power initially took over, Tall was among those who gave them a degree of political cover. He later broke with them entirely and became one of their sharpest public critics.

His legal work made him a direct thorn in the junta’s side. He had filed challenges in multiple courts contesting the military government’s decision to dissolve political parties. He was simultaneously serving as defense counsel for several officers the junta had arrested on charges of attempting to destabilize state institutions.

Now he is the one who has been taken.

Tall’s abduction comes in the middle of the worst security crisis Mali’s military government has faced since taking power. On April 26, coordinated attacks struck Bamako and multiple other cities across the country in what the Associated Press confirmed was among the heaviest assaults on the Malian army since 2012.

The attackers were a joint force — the Islamic militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, known as JNIM and linked to Al-Qaeda, fighting alongside the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist movement. Together they seized several towns and military bases. At least 23 people were killed, among them civilians and children, according to UNICEF. Mali’s defense minister, Sadio Camara, was also killed in the attacks.

The scale of the assault shook the junta visibly. On Friday, the military government’s prosecutor’s office said it had obtained what it called solid evidence that certain members of the armed forces helped plan, coordinate, and execute the attacks from within — an accusation of internal betrayal that sent a wave of arrests across the military establishment.

The same prosecutor’s office also accused Oumar Mariko — an exiled opposition politician, former lawmaker, and one-time presidential candidate — of involvement in the attacks. Mariko has not been brought back to Mali and the basis for the accusation has not been publicly detailed.

The arrest wave following the April 26 attacks has targeted military personnel suspected of complicity. Tall’s abduction fits a broader and more troubling pattern — the silencing of civilian critics, lawyers, and political opponents under the cover of the security emergency.

His family has filed the kidnapping complaint. The government has said nothing. No charge has been announced. No location disclosed. AFP and AP both confirmed the abduction through family members on the ground in Bamako, and neither Malian authorities nor the junta’s spokesperson had offered any response as of Sunday.

The timing is unlikely to be coincidental. Tall represented the exact kind of legal opposition the junta has struggled to suppress through normal channels — his court filings against the dissolution of political parties were working their way through the judiciary. His clients included the very officers the junta had already imprisoned. His removal from the picture, even temporarily, benefits the government in multiple active legal proceedings.

The abduction of a defense attorney in the middle of active cases he is litigating is not a side effect of a security crackdown. It is the crackdown itself, applied to the legal system.

Mali’s military government has steadily dismantled the formal institutions of political opposition since seizing power in 2020 — dissolving parties, arresting critics, and now, it appears, removing the lawyers who represent them. That progression follows a recognizable pattern in states where military governments consolidate power over time: the first targets are the politicians, the second are the journalists, and the third are the lawyers, because lawyers are the ones who can make a legal record of what is happening.

Tall’s case sits at the intersection of all three threats from the junta’s perspective. He was a politician. He was a public critic. And he was building legal challenges that, if they succeeded, could have forced the government to restore political freedoms it had abolished.

The international community’s response to Mali’s security crisis has been complicated by the junta’s expulsion of French forces, its embrace of Russian military contractors, and its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States. Those ruptures have left fewer external pressure points available to human rights organizations and foreign governments that might otherwise push for Tall’s release.

What happens to Mountaga Tall in the coming days will say a great deal about whether any institution in Mali — legal, political, or international — retains enough independence to hold the junta accountable for what happened in his home just before midnight on Saturday.

Englishahram/AP

Kenya Floods Turn Deadly as Heavy Rains Kill 18, Displace Thousands in One Week

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Relentless seasonal rains across Kenya have turned deadly once again, leaving at least 18 people dead in the past week and forcing tens of thousands from their homes as floodwaters spread across large parts of the country.

Police officials confirmed Sunday that most of the deaths were linked to drowning incidents as rivers burst their banks and water swept through residential areas. The scale of the destruction has stretched from rural communities to the capital, Nairobi, where entire neighborhoods have been inundated.

Figures released by Kenya’s Interior Ministry indicate that more than 54,000 households have been affected nationwide. Of those, about 6,000 are in Nairobi, underscoring the reach of the disaster into densely populated urban areas.

The flooding has also crippled essential services. Schools and hospitals have been forced to close after water entered buildings, while at least 17 roads have been rendered impassable, cutting off communities and slowing relief efforts.

The situation has been made worse by landslides in parts of the western Rift Valley, where unstable ground has pushed thousands of residents to abandon their homes. Authorities have issued fresh warnings to communities living along the Tana River and Athi River, urging them to move to higher ground as water levels continue to rise.

Forecasters at the Kenya Meteorological Department have cautioned that the worst may not be over. Weather officials expect intensified rainfall to persist through the first half of May, raising fears of further flooding and additional casualties.

The Associated Press earlier detailed how the seasonal rains, which began in March, have already left a trail of destruction. By the end of that month, more than 100 people had died as storms swept across the country.

Separately, Reuters noted that the death toll from flooding and landslides had climbed to 18, citing Kenya’s National Police Service. Authorities described the situation as a growing national emergency driven by sustained downpours.

Police said landslides have struck several regions, including Tharaka Nithi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Kiambu counties. In a statement, the National Police Service stressed that the fatalities highlight the severe risks posed by the continuing weather conditions.

“This underscores the grave danger,” the police said, pointing to the combined threats of flooding and collapsing terrain.

Across the country, the damage is becoming more visible by the day. Flooded roads have isolated villages. Farmland has been submerged, threatening crops and livelihoods. In some areas, families have been forced to shelter in schools or makeshift camps after losing everything.

Residents describe scenes of sudden chaos. Water levels have risen quickly, leaving little time to react. In low-lying areas, homes have been overtaken within hours, with belongings swept away by fast-moving currents.

Government agencies have mobilized emergency response teams, but access challenges remain a major hurdle. Damaged infrastructure has slowed the delivery of aid, while ongoing rains continue to complicate rescue operations.

The crisis is not new for Kenya. Each year, the March-to-May rainy season brings heavy downpours, but recent years have seen more intense and unpredictable weather patterns. This year’s floods appear to be following that trend, with early-season storms already proving deadly.

What is unfolding in Kenya reflects a broader pattern seen across East Africa, where climate variability is reshaping traditional weather cycles. The increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events has raised concerns among scientists and policymakers alike.

Flooding in urban areas like Nairobi highlights a different challenge: rapid population growth combined with strained infrastructure. Drainage systems often struggle to handle large volumes of water, turning streets into rivers and worsening the impact on residents.

Rural regions face their own vulnerabilities. Landslides in the Rift Valley are often tied to deforestation and land use changes, which weaken soil stability. When heavy rains arrive, the ground can give way with little warning.

There are also longer-term implications for food security. Flooded farmland can delay planting seasons or destroy crops entirely, potentially driving up food prices and increasing pressure on already vulnerable households.

Hydroelectric dams, which play a key role in Kenya’s energy supply, are another point of concern. Rising water levels may boost power generation in the short term, but they also raise the risk of controlled water releases that could worsen downstream flooding.

The economic toll is likely to grow as well. Damaged roads disrupt trade routes. Closed schools interrupt education. Health facilities affected by flooding face challenges in treating patients, especially in areas already dealing with limited resources.

Kenya’s experience mirrors challenges seen in other parts of the world, where extreme weather is becoming more common. The current crisis could renew calls for stronger investment in climate resilience, including improved drainage systems, better land management, and more effective early warning systems.

At the same time, the immediate focus remains on saving lives and supporting those displaced. Relief agencies are working to provide food, shelter, and medical care, but needs are expected to rise if the rains continue as forecast.

For many families, the road to recovery will be long. Rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and returning to normal life may take months, if not longer.

As the rainy season continues, authorities face a difficult task: managing an unfolding emergency while preparing for the possibility of even more severe weather in the weeks ahead.

Reuters/AP

Rudy Giuliani in Critical but Stable Condition After Hospitalization, Spokesperson Confirms

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Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized and is in critical condition, a spokesperson said Sunday, offering few details about the health scare involving the former New York City mayor.

Ted Goodman, speaking on behalf of Giuliani, said the 81-year-old is “critical but stable” as he receives medical care. The statement did not explain what led to his hospitalization or when he was admitted.

“Mayor Rudy Giuliani is currently in the hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition,” Goodman said. “He has faced challenges throughout his life with strength, and he is continuing that fight now.”

The statement also asked the public to keep Giuliani in their thoughts and prayers, reflecting concern among supporters and political allies who have followed his long public career.

Giuliani served as mayor of New York City from 1994 through 2001, a period that brought him national attention for his leadership style and his response during times of crisis. His time in office included years marked by falling crime rates and major changes in policing strategy, as well as the aftermath of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, when he became widely known across the country.

Beyond City Hall, Giuliani remained a visible figure in national politics for decades. He later worked as an attorney and political adviser, including a high-profile role in the orbit of President Donald Trump. His public profile has stayed strong, even as his career has moved through both praise and controversy.

Details about his current medical condition remain limited. No hospital has been named, and family members have not issued a separate statement. It is also unclear whether additional updates will be released in the coming days.

The lack of information has left many questions unanswered. Still, the description of “critical but stable” suggests a serious situation, though not one that is rapidly worsening at this stage.

Giuliani’s hospitalization comes at a moment when his legacy continues to draw attention across political and legal circles. For many Americans, he remains closely tied to his time leading New York City, especially during moments that shaped the nation’s sense of security and resilience.

At the same time, his later years have placed him in a different light. His involvement in national politics and legal battles has kept him in headlines, sometimes shifting the public’s perception of his earlier achievements. That contrast has made him a complex figure, viewed in sharply different ways depending on political and personal perspectives.

Health concerns involving high-profile figures often carry broader implications. In Giuliani’s case, his age and long public career naturally draw attention to the physical toll of decades in demanding roles. Public service at that level often involves intense pressure, long hours and constant scrutiny.

There is also a human side that cuts through the political narrative. News of serious illness tends to bring a pause, even among critics. Moments like this shift the focus from public debate to personal well-being.

The phrase “critical but stable” is often used in medical settings to describe a patient whose condition is serious but not rapidly declining. It can mean that doctors are closely monitoring vital functions while working to stabilize the situation. Without more details, it is difficult to assess the exact nature of Giuliani’s condition.

For supporters, the hope is for recovery. For observers, the situation serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, even for those who have spent decades in the public eye.

Giuliani’s career has spanned law enforcement, politics and legal advocacy. That breadth has made him one of the more recognizable figures in modern American public life. His leadership during key moments in New York City’s history continues to shape how he is remembered, even as later chapters have added complexity to that legacy.

As updates emerge, attention will likely remain high. His condition, and any changes in it, will be closely followed by both the public and political figures who have worked with him over the years.

For now, the focus remains on his health. The statement from his spokesperson offers a brief but clear picture: the situation is serious, but he is holding steady under medical care.

ABC

2 U.S. Soldiers Missing in Morocco After Military Exercise as Search Effort Expands

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Two U.S. Army soldiers are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in a multinational military exercise, prompting a large search effort involving American and Moroccan forces.

United States Africa Command said Sunday that the soldiers disappeared Saturday night near a coastal training area after the day’s activities had ended. A U.S. defense official familiar with the situation said the pair had gone on a recreational hike when they failed to return.

“They were not engaged in training at the time,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “The exercises had wrapped up for the day, and they were out hiking.”

The soldiers were last seen near steep ocean cliffs close to the Cap Draa training zone, near the city of Tan-Tan along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The area is known for rugged terrain, combining rocky hills with desert and open plains.

Search teams launched a joint operation soon after the soldiers were reported missing. The effort includes helicopters, naval units, mountain rescue teams and divers working along the coastline and nearby inland areas.

AFRICOM said the search is ongoing and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain under review.

Moroccan military officials confirmed the timeline, saying the soldiers were reported missing around 9 p.m. Saturday. Authorities from both countries moved quickly to coordinate a response.

The incident occurred during African Lion, an annual training event that brings together forces from across Africa, Europe and North America. The exercise, which began in April, is spread across several countries, including Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, and is scheduled to conclude in early May.

More than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations are taking part this year. The drills involve multiple branches of the U.S. military, including active-duty troops, the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force and Marine Corps.

The exercise, which began in 2004, is the largest of its kind on the African continent. It is designed to strengthen cooperation among partner nations and improve readiness for regional and global crises.

U.S. military officials have often pointed to the drills as a key part of their engagement in Africa, where security concerns continue to evolve.

Morocco remains one of Washington’s closest partners in the region, hosting joint exercises and supporting a range of defense initiatives. The country’s strategic location along the Atlantic coast and near key trade routes adds to its importance.

Still, the disappearance of the soldiers has cast a shadow over this year’s exercise.

This is not the first time a serious incident has occurred during the training. In 2012, a helicopter crash during the same exercise near Agadir killed two U.S. Marines and injured two others.

The disappearance highlights the risks that remain even outside active training scenarios. Military exercises often take place in challenging environments, and off-duty activities can carry their own dangers, especially in unfamiliar terrain.

The coastal cliffs and desert landscape near Tan-Tan present unique hazards. Sudden drops, shifting ground and limited visibility at night can quickly turn a routine hike into a life-threatening situation. The proximity to the ocean adds another layer of risk, particularly if someone falls or is swept into the water.

The scale of the search effort reflects both the seriousness of the situation and the close military ties between the United States and Morocco. Joint operations like this are not just about training; they also test how quickly and effectively forces can respond to emergencies.

There is also a broader strategic backdrop. The African Lion exercise takes place at a time when security dynamics in parts of Africa are shifting. In recent years, military-led governments in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have reduced cooperation with Western nations, creating new challenges for U.S. engagement on the continent.

That makes partnerships with countries like Morocco even more significant. Incidents like this, while tragic, also show the depth of coordination between allied forces.

For now, the focus remains on locating the missing soldiers. Search teams are working against time, terrain and weather conditions, with hope that the soldiers may still be found alive.

The outcome of the search will likely shape how future exercises handle off-duty safety and risk management, especially in remote or hazardous areas.

AP

Trump Announces U.S. Plan to Escort Ships From Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Persist

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President Donald Trump said the United States will begin guiding commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, outlining a new effort to assist ships stranded in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

In a message posted Sunday, Trump said the operation—described as “Project Freedom”—is aimed at helping vessels from what he called “neutral and innocent” nations safely leave the restricted waters and resume trade.

He offered few operational details but indicated the plan would involve direct U.S. support in escorting ships through the narrow passage, where traffic has been disrupted since fighting began earlier this year.

“Those ships will be guided safely out so they can get back to business,” Trump said, adding that talks with Iranian officials were ongoing and could lead to a positive outcome.

The announcement comes as hundreds of vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf region, with crews facing growing shortages of food, water and supplies. Many sailors, including workers from Asia, have spent weeks waiting for safe passage as the security situation remains uncertain.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, has been sharply reduced after Iran moved to restrict access following the outbreak of war on Feb. 28 involving U.S. and Israeli forces.

Trump framed the planned escort mission as a humanitarian step, but he also issued a warning. Any attempt to disrupt the operation, he said, would be met with force.

His comments were quickly picked up by Iranian media, which cast doubt on the plan and described it as an unverified claim.

The situation in the region remains volatile. Earlier Sunday, a cargo vessel traveling near the strait reported being approached by several small boats, in what British military monitors described as a possible attack. The incident occurred near the Iranian coast, east of the main shipping channel.

All crew members aboard the vessel were reported safe. Iranian officials later denied any hostile action, saying the ship had been stopped briefly for routine checks.

Still, the encounter underscored the risks facing commercial shipping. Since the conflict began, at least two dozen similar incidents have been recorded in and around the strait.

Small patrol boats used in the area are fast and difficult to track, raising concerns among shipping companies and military planners. U.S. forces have already been authorized to respond aggressively to threats, including boats suspected of laying naval mines.

Elsewhere in the region, ships near the United Arab Emirates reported receiving radio messages instructing them to move from anchorage points, though it was unclear who issued the warnings.

At the same time, Iran signaled it is reviewing a recent U.S. response to a proposal aimed at ending the conflict. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said there are no active negotiations on nuclear issues at this stage, suggesting talks are focused instead on halting hostilities.

Iran’s plan reportedly calls for sanctions relief, an end to the U.S. naval blockade and a withdrawal of foreign forces from the region. Trump has expressed skepticism that the proposal will lead to a breakthrough.

Despite a fragile ceasefire now in place for several weeks, Iran has made clear it does not intend to return the Strait of Hormuz to prewar conditions. Officials in Tehran say control of the waterway remains a strategic priority.

The United States, meanwhile, has warned shipping firms against making payments to Iran for safe passage, saying such actions could trigger sanctions.

U.S. officials say the naval blockade imposed in April has already cut deeply into Iran’s oil revenue. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the country’s oil storage facilities are nearing capacity, which could soon force production cuts.

The planned escort operation marks a significant shift in how the United States is handling the crisis in the Gulf. Rather than relying solely on military deterrence, Washington is now moving to directly manage commercial traffic through a contested zone.

That carries both opportunity and risk.

On one hand, helping ships move again could ease pressure on global energy markets. Oil prices have surged since the strait effectively closed, and any sign of restored flow could bring some relief to consumers and industries worldwide.

On the other hand, escorting vessels through a high-risk area increases the chance of direct confrontation. Even a minor incident involving U.S. forces and Iranian patrols could quickly escalate.

There is also a political dimension. By presenting the move as humanitarian, Trump is attempting to frame the operation as support for global trade rather than a military escalation. But the warning of force suggests the line between those roles remains thin.

For Iran, maintaining leverage over the strait is a powerful tool. It allows Tehran to influence global markets and apply pressure without engaging in full-scale conflict. Any effort to weaken that control is likely to face resistance.

The coming days will test whether the U.S. plan can move ships safely without triggering new clashes. Much will depend on communication between both sides and the willingness to avoid miscalculation.

For now, thousands of sailors and hundreds of vessels remain caught in the middle, waiting to see if the world’s most important shipping route can reopen without further conflict.

AP

Florida Pastor Who Wrote Marriage Advice Book Arrested for Bigamy After Allegedly Telling Multiple Women God Chose Them to Be His Wife

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A Florida pastor who wrote a book telling men how to love their wives has been arrested for allegedly marrying multiple women at the same time, using his pulpit and his faith to convince them God had chosen them for each other.

Leslie Williams, 62, was taken into custody April 22 at The Villages, a sprawling senior retirement community in Sumter County, on an active warrant out of Rockdale County, Georgia, charging him with bigamy. He is being held without bond as an out-of-state fugitive while he awaits extradition to Georgia, where a bigamy conviction carries a prison sentence of one to 10 years.

Florida marriage records obtained by the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Williams was still legally married to one woman when he entered into another marriage.

“Based on these records, a warrant was obtained for Leslie Williams for the charge of bigamy,” the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital.

The Book, the Ministry, the Marriages

Williams ran LW Ministries out of The Villages and described himself on Facebook as a pastor and board-certified Christian counselor. In 2017, he published a book called “Love Her Like This: Loving Her Has Never Been Deeper” — a guide, per its own synopsis, that speaks directly to the hearts of men and challenges them to love deeper than ever before by making plain the meaning of commitment.

The irony is not subtle.

Wives who came forward told investigators Williams used his standing as a man of God to draw them in, telling each woman that God intended for them to be together. Investigators believe he married multiple women to satisfy what authorities described as a twisted personal agenda.

His pattern did not go unnoticed even publicly. On Dec. 9, 2025, Williams posted on Facebook announcing what appeared to be a new marriage to a woman named Cindi. Friends flooded the comments with congratulations. One person wrote plainly: “Wow I thought you were already married.”

Six days later, Williams posted a photograph of a woman alongside a message thanking followers for their warm words about his “saved, beautiful and talented wife, Mrs. Williams.”

His Facebook relationship status now reads single.

A History of Deception

The Rockdale County case is not the first time Williams’ marriages have come apart under scrutiny. The Daily Mail reported that a previous marriage was annulled after it emerged he was already legally married at the time of that wedding — a near-identical pattern to the conduct now driving the Georgia warrant.

Williams was arrested in Sumter County and is being held there while extradition proceedings move forward. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office have both been contacted for further comment.

On his Facebook page, Williams describes himself as “an apologist and teacher of the word of God with relevant and timely messages for the body of Christ.” LW Ministries, the organization he led at The Villages, has not issued a public statement.

When the Shepherd Becomes the Predator

What makes the Williams case land harder than a straightforward bigamy arrest is the mechanism of the alleged deception. He did not just lie about being single. He weaponized the trust that people extend to religious leaders — the particular vulnerability of someone who believes a pastor when he says God is speaking through him.

Retirement communities like The Villages attract older adults, many of them widowed or divorced, many of them women of faith who came looking for community and companionship in later life. A pastor with a book about loving your wife is exactly the kind of figure who earns trust quickly in that environment. That trust, prosecutors allege, was exactly what Williams was after.

Bigamy laws exist precisely because marriage carries legal, financial, and emotional weight that fraud can exploit. A spouse has inheritance rights. A spouse has claim to assets. A spouse can be listed as a beneficiary. The legal exposure created by a fraudulent marriage is not only emotional — it is financial and it is real.

Georgia’s sentencing range of one to 10 years reflects the seriousness with which the state treats that exploitation. Whether Williams faces the lower or upper end of that range will depend on what prosecutors can establish about the full scope of his conduct and how many marriages were affected.

The book remains for sale. The ministry’s future is uncertain. And somewhere in The Villages, at least one woman named Cindi is reckoning with what she thought she had.

People.com

Nigerian Family Says 17-Year-Old Christian Girl Was Abducted, Forcibly Converted to Islam, and Married Off in Kano With Falsified Documents

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ZARIA, Nigeria — A 17-year-old Christian girl left home for school on March 9 and never came back. Her family says she was taken to Kano, converted to Islam, and married off. Authorities have done little. And the documents that surfaced to justify it all, her family says, are fake.

Jinkai Yusuf Simon was a student at St. Bartholomew’s Secondary School in Wusasa, Zaria, in Kaduna State. That Monday morning she walked out the door like any other school day. She sat for an exam. Then she left campus and vanished.

Weeks later, her family saw a photograph. The girl in it was wearing a hijab. Her name, the documents said, was now Aisha.

“What began as an ordinary day quickly turned into something deeply unsettling,” her elder sister Jennifer Yusuf Simon told Sahara Reporters. “We eventually saw my sister again, now dressed in a Muslim hijab and going by a new name, Aisha, and now said to be a wife.”

Jinkai is 17 years old.

How It Unfolded

The first hint came from a neighbor. Jennifer said the woman, known as Mama, told her that Jinkai had quietly moved her clothes to the home of a Muslim friend named Rukkaiya, under the explanation that they needed ironing. Days passed. Then the family learned Jinkai had been in contact with a man named Abdulsamad. Soon after, she was gone — taken, the family believes, to Kano.

Classmates later told the family that Jinkai had mentioned plans to move to Kano to be with a Muslim boyfriend. School authorities confirmed she attended class the day she disappeared but left after her exam and did not return.

Jennifer said Abdulsamad gave conflicting accounts of his identity when family members tried to reach him.

The family went to their church, their pastor, community leaders, and the Sarkin Wusasa — the village head of Wusasa in Zaria. The Sarkin directed local leaders to produce the girl and alerted the Department of State Services. Weeks passed. Nothing happened.

“When this disturbing issue was brought to my attention, I promptly alerted the DSS,” the Sarkin Wusasa said. “However, no action was taken, and we were later confronted with images showing Jinkai, now reportedly renamed Aisha.”

Forged Documents, Altered Age

What came next shocked the family further. Documents emerged from Kano showing Jinkai’s identity had been changed — twice. One set listed her new name as Aisha Sani. Another called her Aisha Abdulsamad. Her age in the documents had been altered. A Muslim guardian and a husband were listed. The family’s names appeared on court paperwork as having consented to the marriage. Jennifer says that is a lie.

“They produced fake documents where they falsified my sister’s age in order to get legal backing for their evil act,” Jennifer said. “They did affidavit and changed her age. They wrote my name and my parents’ name on the court documents indicating that we consented to the marriage, which is a lie.”

The family produced Jinkai’s birth certificate. It shows she was born on January 8, 2009, to her father Yusuf Simon and mother Yakubu Rhoda — making her 17 years old and legally incapable of consenting to marriage or religious conversion under Nigerian law.

A separate document has also surfaced — an affidavit of age and identity sworn at the High Court Registry of the Kano State Judiciary on March 18, 2026, nine days after Jinkai disappeared. The affidavit, purportedly signed by Jinkai, declares her to be 19 years old, born July 10, 2006, and states that no birth certificate was issued at the time of her birth. It announces her name change from Jinkai Simon Yusuf to Aisha Simon Yusuf and declares her a Muslim.

The family rejects the document entirely. Jennifer said a photograph was accidentally sent to her that showed Jinkai alongside several officials of the Kano State Hisbah Board — the state’s Islamic moral enforcement agency.

Kano State Hisbah spokesperson Auwal Ado, when reached for comment, said he was out of town and needed time to verify the information. He had not responded by the time Sahara Reporters filed the story.

A Pastor’s Demand, a Family’s Grief

The family’s pastor, Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, did not mince his words. He called it exactly what the family believes it to be — the abduction of a minor, forced religious conversion, and child marriage — and demanded that security agencies act immediately.

“This is a case involving the abduction of a minor, coercion into religious conversion, and forced child marriage,” Rev. Mohammed said. “We strongly condemn these actions and will not accept such violations of a child’s rights. We are calling on the DSS, the police, relevant child protection agencies, as well as religious and human rights organizations, to act urgently.”

The family wants one thing: Jinkai home.

A Tale of Two Girls

What makes this case burn hotter for many observers is a comparison they cannot stop making. Around the same time, a Muslim girl from Jigawa State named Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim was allegedly taken by a DSS operative. The reaction was immediate and fierce. The Jigawa State Government moved. Islamic groups applied pressure. The DSS responded. Walida was released and handed back to her family.

Jinkai’s case has drawn no comparable institutional urgency. The DSS in Kaduna received a formal complaint. Weeks passed. Nothing moved.

Human rights advocates say the contrast is impossible to ignore. They argue that a Christian minor allegedly abducted, forcibly converted, and married off under falsified documents has received a fraction of the official attention given to a Muslim girl in a similar situation. They warn that this kind of selective response does not just fail one family — it corrodes public trust and stokes the religious tensions that northern Nigeria can least afford.

They are calling for an immediate investigation, transparent accountability, and Jinkai’s safe return.

A Legal and Human Rights Crisis in Plain Sight

Nigerian law is not ambiguous here. A 17-year-old cannot legally consent to marriage. She cannot legally consent to religious conversion under duress. Falsifying age documents in a court affidavit is a criminal offense. Using forged documents to facilitate child marriage compounds that crime. If the Kano State Hisbah Board participated in or witnessed the process, as the photograph Jennifer described would suggest, the institutional exposure is significant.

What this case lays bare is a gap that human rights organizations in Nigeria have documented for years — the gap between what the law says and what actually happens when a Christian family in the north reports the abduction of a minor to the same security apparatus that is supposed to protect her.

Nigeria’s Child Rights Act prohibits marriage before age 18. Twelve northern states, including Kano and Kaduna, have not domesticated the act — a legal fault line that leaves children in those states with weaker statutory protection. That gap does not make what allegedly happened to Jinkai legal. It makes it easier to get away with.

The DSS has the complaint. The Sarkin Wusasa filed the alert. The pastor made the demand. Jinkai’s birth certificate exists. The photograph of her in a hijab surrounded by Hisbah officials exists. The affidavit swearing she is 19 — when her birth certificate says she was born in 2009 — exists.

What does not yet exist is a government response proportionate to what this family is alleging. And every day that passes without one is a day that tells every family in a similar situation exactly how much their child is worth to the state.

SaharaReporters

Nigeria Calls In South Africa Envoy Over Fresh Attacks on Nigerians Amid Rising Anti-Foreigner Protests

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Nigeria’s government has called in South Africa’s acting envoy after new protests and attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, raised alarm over safety and strained relations between the two countries.

Officials said the envoy is expected at the foreign affairs ministry in Abuja on Monday, where authorities plan to express strong concern over reports of harassment, violence and destruction of businesses linked to Nigerian citizens living in South Africa.

The move follows a wave of demonstrations in parts of South Africa that have, in some cases, turned violent. Witness accounts and local reports describe shops looted and properties damaged, many of them owned by foreigners. Nigerian-owned businesses have been among those affected.

A spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the government views the situation as serious and warned it could affect long-standing ties between both nations if not addressed quickly.

Nigeria has also urged its citizens to remain calm, even as anger grows at home over the treatment of Nigerians abroad. Officials say diplomatic steps are already underway to protect citizens and prevent further escalation.

Nigeria and South Africa share one of the continent’s most important partnerships, built on decades of cooperation. That relationship dates back to Nigeria’s support during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. Yet tensions have surfaced repeatedly in recent years, often triggered by violence against foreign nationals.

Major outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 left dozens dead and caused widespread destruction. The 2019 crisis led Nigeria to recall its envoy and pull out of a major economic forum in protest, marking one of the lowest points in recent relations.

In response to those past incidents, both countries set up joint systems aimed at preventing violence and improving communication, including early warning channels and consular cooperation. Despite those efforts, tensions have not fully eased, with periodic unrest continuing to target migrants.

The latest developments have again raised fears for the safety of thousands of Nigerians living and working in South Africa. Many rely on small businesses for their livelihoods, making them especially vulnerable during outbreaks of unrest.

Arise TV News noted that the renewed violence has stirred public anger in Nigeria, with calls for stronger action from the government. Leadership Nigeria also reported that the summons is intended to seek explanations from South African authorities and push for urgent measures to protect foreign nationals.

The statement from Nigeria’s foreign ministry emphasized that discussions with the envoy will center on recent protests and documented cases of mistreatment involving Nigerians and their businesses. It added that the government remains committed to defending the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad.

The latest tensions highlight a recurring challenge in Africa’s two largest economies. While Nigeria and South Africa often present a united front on regional issues, domestic pressures can quickly strain that partnership.

In South Africa, high unemployment and concerns about crime have fueled resentment toward foreign workers, who are sometimes blamed for economic hardship. These frustrations can spill into violence, especially in urban areas where competition for jobs and resources is intense.

For Nigeria, the issue carries both political and emotional weight. Nigerians abroad form a large and visible community, and attacks on them often spark strong reactions at home. Governments are expected to respond firmly, even while trying to avoid diplomatic fallout.

The decision to summon the envoy signals that Nigeria wants answers and assurances without immediately escalating the situation. It is a measured step, but one that carries clear pressure. If the violence continues, stronger actions could follow, including diplomatic protests or economic responses.

There is also a broader regional concern. Continued unrest risks undermining efforts to deepen economic integration across Africa. Initiatives tied to the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area depend on trust, open borders and the safe movement of people and goods. Persistent attacks on foreigners run counter to those goals.

The coming talks in Abuja could shape what happens next. If both sides can agree on concrete steps to protect foreign nationals and address the root causes of the unrest, tensions may ease. If not, the situation could harden positions on both sides.

For now, the focus remains on safety. Thousands of Nigerians in South Africa are watching closely, hoping that diplomatic talks will lead to real protection on the ground.

Arisetv/Leadershipng

US Drug Trafficking Charges Rock Mexico as Sinaloa Governor, Mayor Step Aside Amid Cartel Allegations

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Two senior officials from Mexico’s ruling party in Sinaloa state, Mexico, say they are stepping back from their duties after U.S. prosecutors unveiled sweeping drug trafficking charges that have sent shockwaves through the country’s political landscape.

Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya and Culiacán Mayor Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil announced they would take temporary leave following a U.S. indictment that names them among 10 current and former officials accused of aiding the powerful Sinaloa cartel.

The case, unsealed in New York, alleges that those charged played roles in moving large quantities of illegal drugs into the United States, in some cases in exchange for substantial bribes. The indictment has added pressure on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as she navigates growing demands from Washington to intensify efforts against organized crime.

In a late-night video message, Rocha rejected the accusations and insisted he had done nothing wrong. He said he would step aside temporarily to address what he described as baseless claims and to cooperate with Mexican authorities reviewing the matter.

“My conscience is clear,” Rocha said, speaking directly to residents of Sinaloa. He added that he has never betrayed the public and intends to defend his record.

Gámez Mendívil issued a similar message, denying wrongdoing and confirming he would also take leave. Local officials moved quickly to install an interim mayor in Culiacán, the state capital.

Both men retain legal immunity under Mexican law while in office, meaning formal prosecution would require action by Congress. Their decision to step aside, rather than resign, allows them to keep that protection for now.

The charges have created a delicate political moment for Sheinbaum, who has sought to balance domestic priorities with pressure from President Donald Trump to confront drug cartels more aggressively. Sheinbaum has said her administration has not yet seen conclusive evidence supporting the U.S. claims but pledged that Mexican investigators would conduct their own review.

She also made clear that any prosecution would take place in Mexico if solid proof emerges, signaling a firm stance on national sovereignty that could complicate cooperation with U.S. authorities.

“We will not subordinate ourselves,” Sheinbaum said, framing the issue as one of national dignity.

Mexico’s attorney general’s office indicated that, for now, no arrests will be made locally, even as the United States seeks extradition of those charged. The government has not disclosed how it will respond to those requests.

Rocha, a longtime ally of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has been linked to controversy before. In 2024, his name surfaced in a letter attributed to a Sinaloa cartel figure who claimed he was en route to meet the governor before being abducted by a rival faction. Rocha has denied any connection.

The Associated Press previously detailed that the indictment includes allegations of conspiracy to import narcotics and possession of heavy weapons. If convicted in the United States, some defendants could face decades in prison or life sentences.

The case also casts a spotlight on members of the Morena party, Mexico’s ruling political force. Several of those named have argued the charges are politically motivated, raising concerns about cross-border tensions and the use of legal action in broader geopolitical disputes.

The timing of the indictment matters. It comes as relations between Mexico and the United States face renewed strain over security policy, migration, and economic ties. By naming sitting officials, U.S. prosecutors have escalated the stakes beyond criminal enforcement into the realm of diplomacy.

For Sheinbaum, the challenge is twofold. At home, she must maintain credibility on crime while avoiding the perception of yielding to outside pressure. Abroad, she must manage expectations from Washington, where calls for tougher action against cartels have grown louder.

The decision by Rocha and Gámez Mendívil to step aside suggests an attempt to contain political fallout while preserving legal defenses. It also reflects how sensitive the allegations are within Mexico, where public trust in institutions has long been tested by corruption scandals.

At a broader level, the case underscores the persistent reach of organized crime into political systems. Even unproven allegations can damage confidence and complicate governance, particularly in regions like Sinaloa, which has long been associated with cartel activity.

There is also a strategic dimension. By pursuing charges in U.S. courts, American authorities are signaling they will target not just traffickers but also alleged facilitators in government. That approach could reshape cooperation between the two countries, especially if Mexico resists extradition or insists on handling cases domestically.

For now, the legal process remains in its early stages. None of the accused are in U.S. custody, and the outcome will depend on evidence that has yet to be fully presented in court. But the political impact is already clear.

The case has exposed fault lines within Mexico’s leadership, tested its legal framework, and raised new questions about how far international law enforcement can reach into sovereign governments.

AP

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