BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (BN24) — Nigeria’s Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday at the Free State Stadium, leaving both teams with a point in their World Cup qualifying group.
South Africa started aggressively, leveraging their home advantage. Nigeria’s first corner came in the 10th minute after Ademola Lookman delivered a precise cross, but goalkeeper Foster cleared the danger with a header. The visitors fell behind in the 25th minute when South Africa forced an own goal from Nigeria’s captain, Troost-Ekong, giving Bafana Bafana the lead.
Nigeria responded before halftime as Bassey powered a controversial header into the net to level the score at 1-1. At the break, Nigeria made two substitutions to bolster their attack, bringing on Arokodare for Dessers and Onyemaechi for Troost-Ekong. Arokodare made an immediate impact with a lively run, while Dele-Bashiru tested the South African defense with a blocked shot.
Nigeria gradually gained control in the second half despite South Africa’s resilience. Both sides made several substitutions, with Nigeria’s Ndidi leaving injured and replaced by Uche, and Chukwueze coming on for Simon. South Africa also made tactical changes to manage the closing stages.
Late in the match, Nigeria’s Uche had a chance to take the lead but his low shot rolled wide. The draw leaves South Africa atop Group C with 17 points, while Nigeria sits on 11 points, with qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
The African 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers are played under a new format where nine group winners automatically qualify, and the four best second-placed teams enter a playoff for an intercontinental spot. Nigeria, aiming for their seventh World Cup appearance, must now win all remaining matches and rely on slip-ups from South Africa, who face a possible three-point deduction over an ineligible player controversy.
Benin Republic and Rwanda, both with 11 points, also remain strong contenders in the group.
SEOUL, South Korea (BN24) — South Korea is preparing to dispatch a chartered flight to the United States as early as Wednesday to repatriate hundreds of its citizens detained during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery factory construction site in Georgia.
The South Korean foreign ministry said it had finalized a repatriation agreement with U.S. authorities, clearing the way for the workers’ return once administrative procedures are completed. National carrier Korean Air confirmed Tuesday it plans to send a Boeing 747-8i to Atlanta for the operation, pending final approvals.
The move follows a massive U.S. immigration enforcement action last Thursday, which saw 475 people taken into custody at the $4.3 billion joint-venture site. The facility, a collaboration between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, is under construction to produce electric vehicle battery cells. American officials described the raid as the largest single-site operation of its kind under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Among those arrested were 47 employees of LG Energy Solution, including 46 South Koreans and one Indonesian. An estimated 250 others worked for the company’s contractors, most of them also South Korean nationals. Hyundai stated that none of its direct employees were among those detained.
South Korea’s foreign minister departed for Washington on Monday to meet with U.S. officials. Labeling the detentions a “grave situation,” he pledged to ensure the workers return home “in good health” and with urgency.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between U.S. immigration enforcement and foreign labor practices within major international investment projects. While South Korea has long supported American calls for increased foreign investment in domestic industries, the raid highlights the complex legal and diplomatic challenges that can arise.
On Sunday, President Trump issued a warning via social media to foreign investors, stating: “Your Investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people.” The message signaled a continued crackdown on visa misuse and unauthorized employment by foreign nationals on U.S. soil.
Analysts believe many of the detained workers were likely on non-immigrant visas that did not authorize direct construction labor, making them vulnerable to enforcement under tightened federal policies.
As South Korea moves swiftly to bring its nationals home, the episode raises questions about compliance oversight and visa classifications within the context of multinational ventures in the U.S. industrial sector.
Tel Aviv (BN24) – Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha targeting senior Hamas officials, including members of the group’s negotiating delegation, in a move that has rattled ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. The strike, which Israeli officials confirmed was a “precise operation” led by the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet, sparked immediate condemnation from Qatar, which called the attack “cowardly” and a “flagrant violation of international law.”
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that President Donald Trump had given a green light before the strike, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later emphasized that the operation was “wholly independent” and not conducted under Washington’s direction. Nonetheless, Israeli officials acknowledged that the United States had been notified ahead of the attack.
The strikes struck the Katara district of Doha, a popular tourist area, sending plumes of smoke over the city and residents running for cover. Footage aired on local networks showed widespread panic, while Hamas sources told Reuters and Al Jazeera that their negotiating delegation had survived the attack. The Hamas delegation had reportedly been reviewing a new U.S.-drafted ceasefire proposal when the strikes occurred, leading the group to accuse Washington of using “deception” to lure its officials into a trap.
The Israeli government framed the attack as part of its broader campaign against Hamas leaders abroad, saying those targeted were directly responsible for orchestrating the October 7 attacks and ongoing assaults against Israel. “For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led operations and managed the war against the state of Israel,” the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement, stressing that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties.
The escalation comes as Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza, with the IDF ordering the forced displacement of all residents from Gaza City ahead of a planned occupation. The timing of the strike also coincides with upcoming diplomatic moves, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s scheduled visit to the United Kingdom later this week.
The assault in Doha underscores Israel’s expanding campaign to target Hamas officials abroad, less than two weeks after IDF chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir vowed that leaders sheltering outside Gaza would be hunted down. Meanwhile, President Trump reiterated his warning to Hamas, urging the group to accept a deal for the release of hostages taken in the October 2023 attack that triggered the war.
The debate over the greatest soccer players of all time often sparks passionate arguments, but the top 10 list of Pelé, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazário, Franz Beckenbauer, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Ronaldinho stands on both historical impact and undeniable brilliance on the pitch. From Pelé’s three World Cup triumphs and Maradona’s unforgettable 1986 heroics to Messi’s seven Ballon d’Or titles and Ronaldo’s unmatched consistency, these legends defined eras, inspired generations, and left legacies that go beyond trophies. Each player transformed the game in unique ways, whether through breathtaking goals, tactical revolutions, or sheer artistry, making them the ultimate icons of world football.
1. Pelé (Brazil)
Why: The king of football. Three-time World Cup champion (1958, 1962, 1970), over 1,200 career goals, and a global icon. Pelé combined athleticism, technique, and finishing like no other of his era.
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Why: Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, 2022 World Cup champion, all-time top scorer for Barcelona and La Liga. Messi is a magician with the ball — his dribbling, vision, and playmaking make him arguably the most complete attacker in history.
3. Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Why: Almost single-handedly carried Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title. Famous for his dribbling runs, vision, and the legendary “Goal of the Century.” A genius who played with unmatched passion.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Why: One of the most athletic and consistent players in history. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Champions League all-time top scorer, and winner of the Euros (2016). Known for his relentless drive, goalscoring, and longevity.
5. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Why: The brain behind “Total Football.” Revolutionized the way the sport is played, both as a player and later as a coach. Three-time Ballon d’Or winner, elegant dribbler, and visionary leader.
6. Zinedine Zidane (France)
Why: Grace and power in one. Key to France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 wins, and a Champions League legend with Real Madrid. Famous for big-game performances and his elegance in midfield.
7. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil)
Why: “O Fenômeno” was unstoppable at his peak. Two-time World Cup winner (1994, 2002) and regarded as one of the most explosive strikers ever. Blistering pace, incredible dribbling, and deadly finishing.
8. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
Why: Known as “Der Kaiser,” he reinvented the role of sweeper/center-back. World Cup champion as both player (1974) and coach (1990). One of the greatest leaders and defenders in football history.
9. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina/Spain)
Why: The driving force behind Real Madrid’s dominance in the 1950s. Won five consecutive European Cups and was a versatile, complete forward who could do everything.
10. Ronaldinho (Brazil)Why: The magician who played with pure joy. Won the 2002 World Cup, 2005 Ballon d’Or, and a Champions League with Barcelona. Known for dazzling dribbles, tricks, and making fans fall in love with the game.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (BN24) — Protesters in Nepal set fire to the homes of several of the country’s most prominent political leaders as unrest spread Tuesday, a day after 19 people were killed in Kathmandu during violent demonstrations against a government-imposed social media ban and widespread corruption.
Videos and images circulating on social platforms showed demonstrators targeting residences of key leaders in and around the capital. The houses of Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader of the Nepali Congress and head of the country’s largest party; President Ram Chandra Poudel; Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak; and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), were among those torched. A private school owned by Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba Rana, Deuba’s wife, was also set ablaze.
Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu and other major cities. Schools in the capital were ordered closed as security forces moved to contain unrest that escalated from protests against the ban on Facebook, X, YouTube, and other platforms into a broader expression of public fury at Nepal’s political class, accused of corruption and neglect.
“Our demand is for peace and an end to corruption so that young people can work and live in our country,” said Bishnu Thapa Chetri, a student who joined the protests. Another demonstrator, Narayan Acharya, condemned Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, saying, “We are here to seek justice for our friends who were killed. Oli should be chased away.”
On Monday, tens of thousands of mostly young demonstrators, many wearing school and college uniforms, had marched through the capital carrying national flags and chanting slogans such as “Stop corruption, not social media.” As crowds pressed against barricades around Parliament, police opened fire after using tear gas and water cannons, killing at least 19 people and wounding more than 100. Doctors at Kathmandu’s National Trauma Center said many victims had gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
The protests, dubbed a “Gen Z uprising”, are being fueled by frustration with entrenched corruption, lack of economic opportunity, and anger at an increasingly unpopular Oli government. “They killed so many youths yesterday who had so much to look forward to,” said protester Durganah Dahal. “As long as this government is in power, we will continue to suffer.”
In response to the bloodshed, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned late Monday, saying he bore “moral responsibility” for the deaths. Oli announced the formation of an investigative committee to report within 15 days and promised compensation for victims’ families as well as free medical care for the wounded.
The controversy began last week when the government blocked more than 20 social platforms, citing their failure to comply with a new requirement to register and designate local offices for regulatory oversight. Officials said the ban was aimed at curbing fake accounts, hate speech, and fraud, but critics denounced the move as an attempt at censorship and silencing dissent.
While TikTok, Viber and three other platforms have registered with Nepali authorities and remain operational, companies such as Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), Google (which owns YouTube), and Elon Musk’s X have not complied. None of the companies responded to requests for comment.
Nepal, which banned TikTok in 2023 for “disrupting social harmony” before later restoring access, has struggled with political instability since abolishing its monarchy in 2008. The Himalayan nation has seen 14 governments in just 17 years, none completing a full five-year term. Analysts say this week’s unrest represents the sharpest challenge yet to Oli’s fourth administration and signals a generational revolt demanding change.
SAN DIEGO (BN24) — The founder of a California-based porn empire that lured young women into appearing in adult videos through false modeling promises was sentenced Monday to 27 years in federal prison on sex trafficking charges.
Michael James Pratt, a native of New Zealand and creator of the now-defunct GirlsDoPorn website, pleaded guilty in June in federal court in San Diego to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit the same crime. U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino handed down the sentence, describing the scale of exploitation as “profound and devastating.”
Federal prosecutors said Pratt and his associates deceived hundreds of women, many in their late teens, by offering fake modeling opportunities before coercing them into pornography. Victims testified that they were given alcohol and marijuana, pressured to sign contracts without time to review them, and in some cases sexually assaulted or confined in hotel rooms until filming was complete.
Pratt had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list before his arrest in Madrid in 2022, three years after he fled the U.S. while facing sex trafficking charges. His capture ended an international manhunt that had spanned multiple countries.
The criminal case followed a 2019 civil lawsuit in which 22 women accused Pratt and his partners of fraud, breach of contract, and abuse. In 2020, a San Diego judge ruled in favor of the women and ordered Pratt, Matthew Isaac Wolfe, and producer Ruben Andre Garcia to pay $12.7 million in damages.
Wolfe, who oversaw daily operations, finances, and marketing for GirlsDoPorn, later pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge and was sentenced in 2022 to 14 years in prison. Garcia, an adult performer and producer, received a 20-year sentence, while cameraman Theodore Gyi was sentenced to four years.
Prosecutors argued that Pratt orchestrated the scheme as the ringleader of an operation that “thrived on lies, coercion and intimidation” to profit from vulnerable young women. “The sentence sends a strong message that those who exploit others through fraud and force will face severe consequences,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California said in a statement.
Pratt, who built a multimillion-dollar business through the exploitation, now faces what advocates called overdue accountability. Many of the women have spoken publicly about the lasting trauma of the scheme, saying their lives were shattered after their images spread across the internet.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (BN24) — At least 19 people were killed and more than 140 injured Monday in Nepal’s worst unrest in decades as police opened fire on protesters in Kathmandu and other cities during demonstrations against corruption and a government-imposed social media ban.
The violence erupted after thousands of mostly young demonstrators, many in school or college uniforms, surged toward Nepal’s parliament complex in the capital, tearing down barricades, setting an ambulance ablaze, and hurling rocks and other objects at riot police. Officers responded with tear gas, water cannons, batons, rubber bullets — and eventually live rounds, witnesses said.
“This is a protest by the new generation of Nepal,” one demonstrator told ANI news agency, accusing police of firing indiscriminately into the crowds. Doctors said many of the wounded had gunshot injuries to the head and chest.
Authorities confirmed two people also died in protests in the eastern city of Itahari. Similar demonstrations were reported in Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and Pokhara, underscoring the national scale of the unrest.
The protests, which organizers have called “Gen Z demonstrations,” were sparked by the government’s decision last week to block Facebook, YouTube, X and other social media platforms, citing the companies’ failure to register locally and growing concerns over hate speech, fake accounts, and online fraud. But critics say the move is a thinly veiled attempt to censor dissent and silence opposition voices.
Placards carried by protesters read: “Shut down corruption, not social media” and “Unban social media.”
Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned late Monday, taking “moral responsibility” for the bloodshed, according to cabinet officials. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli convened an emergency meeting as the army was deployed to secure parliament and government buildings. Authorities later announced a curfew across key areas of Kathmandu.
The United Nations and rights groups expressed alarm. Human Rights Watch urged Nepal’s government to recognize the demonstrations as a legitimate expression of public anger at corruption, nepotism and weak governance, warning that the excessive use of force risked deepening instability.
“Nineteen young people died today because authorities treated this as a law enforcement problem instead of a political one,” said a rights advocate in Kathmandu. “This is the loudest sign yet that Nepali youth have lost patience with corruption and authoritarianism.”
Nepal, which abolished its monarchy in 2008, has struggled with political instability, cycling through 14 governments since then without one completing a full term. Oli, now serving his fourth term as prime minister, has faced growing criticism for failing to curb corruption or expand job opportunities, leading many young Nepalis to seek work abroad.
With nearly 90 percent of Nepal’s 30 million people online, the social media shutdown has amplified anger and mobilized disaffected youth in unprecedented numbers. Analysts say the protests mark one of the most serious challenges to Oli’s government since he took office.
MEXICO CITY (BN24) — A freight train collided with a double-decker passenger bus in central Mexico, killing at least 10 people and injuring 61 others, authorities said Monday.
The crash occurred in an industrial zone along the highway connecting Atlacomulco, about 71 miles (115 kilometers) northwest of Mexico City, with Maravatío in the neighboring state of Michoacán. The impact left the top deck of the bus crumpled and its steel frame mangled, according to images released from the scene.
The State of Mexico attorney general’s office confirmed the victims included seven women and three men. Some of the injured remained in critical condition, while others were discharged from hospitals after treatment.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City de México, the railway operator, said the bus had attempted to cross ahead of the moving train. The company expressed condolences to victims’ families and urged drivers to obey signals and stop orders at railroad crossings. The bus operator, Herradura de Plata, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Deadly bus crashes are common in Mexico, where passenger coaches remain a primary form of long-distance transport. Government data shows that in 2023, there were more than 12,000 highway collisions, causing nearly 1,900 deaths, more than 6,400 injuries, and over $100 million in damages.
In February, another tragedy struck when more than 40 people were killed after a bus traveling from Cancún to Tabasco collided with a trailer truck and burst into flames.
The latest collision comes as President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government seeks to expand Mexico’s passenger rail network, which remains limited compared to the country’s extensive freight system.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released Monday a sexually suggestive letter addressed to Jeffrey Epstein that purportedly bears President Donald Trump’s signature, intensifying scrutiny of the president’s past association with the convicted sex trafficker despite Trump’s categorical denial of authoring the correspondence.
The letter appeared as part of a 50th birthday album compiled in 2003 for Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected financier who maintained a friendship with Trump before their relationship soured. The full House committee disclosed the complete album Monday night, bringing the controversial document into public view after months of speculation.
Trump has repeatedly denied writing the letter or creating an accompanying drawing of a curvaceous woman that frames the text, going so far as to file a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for earlier reporting connecting him to the correspondence. The president’s legal and communications teams have mounted an aggressive defense against the allegations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a firm statement posted on X, declaring that Trump neither drew the picture nor signed the document. She emphasized that the president’s legal team would continue pursuing litigation related to the matter. White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich reinforced this position by posting comparison images of Trump’s signature from various years, asserting definitively that the signature on the Epstein letter does not match the president’s authentic autograph.
The document’s release occurs amid sustained pressure on Trump to authorize greater disclosure regarding the Epstein case and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of facilitating Epstein’s sexual abuse of teenage girls. Epstein faced charges of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of underage girls before taking his own life in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The controversy once again illuminates Trump’s former friendship with Epstein, which the president maintains ended approximately two decades ago following a personal dispute. Trump recently explained that he severed ties with Epstein after the financier allegedly recruited young women who worked at the spa facility at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including Virginia Giuffre, who became one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers in subsequent sex trafficking allegations.
The letter bearing Trump’s name contains text surrounded by a hand-drawn outline of a curvaceous female figure. The message reads, “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” language that Trump characterizes as entirely inconsistent with his communication style.
Trump has categorically rejected any connection to the document, describing The Wall Street Journal’s reporting as “false, malicious, and defamatory.” The president specifically stated that the words do not reflect his typical manner of speaking and emphasized that he does not create drawings, directly contradicting the letter’s apparent contents.
The committee’s document release matches exactly the description provided in The Wall Street Journal’s earlier investigation, lending credibility to the newspaper’s reporting while simultaneously fueling Trump’s legal challenges against the publication.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee obtained the birthday album Monday as part of a broader collection of documents from Epstein’s estate, representing a significant development in ongoing congressional investigations into the financier’s activities and associates.
The disclosure comes during a bipartisan congressional push for releasing the comprehensive “Epstein files,” responding to years of public speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the case. Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance prior to his inauguration, had joined calls for greater transparency regarding Epstein-related government records.
The Justice Department began transferring records from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee in August, marking a significant step toward the broader document disclosure that lawmakers from both parties have demanded.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) holds up a photo of former U.S. President Donald Trump with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a meeting of the the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to markup a resolution and report to hold Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, in contempt of Congress, after he refused to appear for a closed-door deposition, at the Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 10, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Last month, the committee issued a subpoena to Epstein’s estate demanding extensive documentation beyond the birthday album. Lawmakers specifically requested Epstein’s final will and testament, plea agreements he negotiated with prosecutors, his personal contact directories, and comprehensive records of his financial transactions and asset holdings.
The current case against Epstein emerged more than a decade after he negotiated a controversial secret agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida that effectively disposed of nearly identical allegations. Trump had suggested during his presidential campaign that he would support opening government files related to Epstein, though much previously released information had already entered the public domain through other channels.
The letter’s public release represents another chapter in the ongoing examination of Epstein’s extensive network of relationships with prominent political, business and social figures, while Trump’s legal team prepares to challenge what they characterize as defamatory reporting that falsely connects the president to the convicted sex trafficker’s activities.
WWE, AEW(BN24) — The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Jonathan Echevarria, known professionally as Jaka, who has died at the age of 39 following a critical heart attack.
Jaka had been in intensive care over the weekend, but his family confirmed early Monday that he had sadly passed away. Tributes have since poured in from across the wrestling world, spanning WWE, AEW, and the independent circuit where Jaka made his name as a beloved performer and respected locker room figure.
Best known for his work on the now-WWE-owned Evolve brand, Jaka was a former tag team champion, having defended the titles during a WWE-affiliated show in 2018 while the promotion was still under the leadership of Gabe Sapolsky. Sapolsky, who played a key role in developing Evolve, paid tribute to the late wrestler, saying:
“A true tragedy. No one will say a bad word about the man. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for everything, Jaka.”
Beyond Wrestling, where Jaka last wrestled in 2019, confirmed his death by sharing an image of him in the ring surrounded by fellow wrestlers. Their tribute read simply:
“The original Ace. RIP Jaka.”
Jaka also made a notable appearance in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), teaming with Sean Maluta in a match against Santana and Ortiz, one of AEW’s most established tag teams. Though the team came up short, the match marked a significant milestone in Jaka’s career.
Independent promotions that hosted Jaka throughout his career also expressed their grief. C*4 Wrestling shared on social media:
“Very saddened to hear the news about Jaka’s passing. I always loved having him on shows. He was a welcome addition to our locker room. He was kind, hardworking, and thoughtful. To his friends and family, we send our love and support. Rest in peace.”
AEW star Penelope Ford was among the many wrestlers who shared heartfelt remembrances:
“One of the funniest, kindest and insightful humans I was blessed to have known.”
Jaka’s final match took place in March 2025 with Boca Raton Championship Wrestling, where he once again teamed with Maluta and Neil the Heel in a losing effort to Jonny Fairplay and Oddyssey. His contributions to the wrestling community extended far beyond wins and losses, leaving an impact on those who worked with him both in and out of the ring.
As the wrestling industry continues to reel from the news, Jaka is remembered not only for his talent and passion inside the squared circle but for his humility, humor, and heart outside of it.
He is survived by his family, friends, and countless fans and peers who admired his work and character.
