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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Falls to Al Sadd in Asian Champions League Match

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Falls to Al Sadd in Asian Champions League Match

Al Nassr endured their first defeat in this season’s Asian Champions League Elite on Monday, falling 2-1 to Qatar’s Al Sadd in injury time while star forward Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands.

Ronaldo, 39, was rested for the match in Riyadh with Al Nassr having already secured qualification for the knockout stages. The Portuguese captain, who has tallied 15 goals in 18 appearances this season, viewed the game alongside his mother Dolores Aveiro and partner Georgina Rodriguez at Al Awwal Park.

AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif opened the scoring for Al Sadd eight minutes into the second half, breaking free from defender Mohammed Al Fatil before finishing past Brazilian goalkeeper Bento. Al Nassr equalized in the 80th minute through an own goal when Al Sadd defender Romain Saiss deflected Brazilian Wesley’s cross into his net.

The decisive moment came deep in injury time when Afif was fouled in the penalty area, allowing substitute Adam Ounas to convert from the spot in the 99th minute.

Despite the loss, Al Nassr remains third in the Western Region group stage, while Al Sadd climbs to fourth position, with both teams securing spots in the last 16. Meanwhile, Saudi side Al Ahli maintained their group lead despite losing their perfect record in a 2-2 draw with Iran’s Esteghlal, thanks to two penalties from England striker Ivan Toney.

The result marked a stark contrast to Ronaldo’s recent form, having scored doubles in both his previous Asian Champions League appearance against Al Gharafa and his latest Saudi Pro League match.

French Government Faces Collapse as Opposition Files No-Confidence Votes

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French Government Faces Collapse as Opposition Files No-Confidence Votes

France’s government teetered on the brink of collapse Monday as both far-right and left-wing parties filed no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, sending financial markets tumbling and deepening political uncertainty in Europe’s second-largest economy.

“The French have had enough,” declared National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen, announcing her party’s motion. The move came after Barnier attempted to force a social security bill through parliament without a vote, a decision that also prompted a separate no-confidence motion from the left-wing opposition.

The combined opposition votes appear sufficient to topple Barnier’s fragile coalition, which would mark the first French government ousted by parliament since 1962. The crucial vote is expected Wednesday.

Financial markets reacted swiftly, with French bonds weakening against German benchmarks and the CAC 40 stock index, already down nearly 10% since President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections in June, experiencing further pressure.

The political crisis threatens to create a leadership vacuum in Europe, coinciding with Germany’s election season and weeks before Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House. Barnier, who only became prime minister in September, urged lawmakers not to support the no-confidence vote, warning that “The French will not forgive us for putting the interests of individuals before the future of the country.”

At stake is France’s annual budget, which includes €60 billion ($63 billion) in tax increases and spending cuts aimed at reducing the public deficit. If Barnier’s government falls, a caretaker administration might need to implement emergency measures to maintain government operations, as new snap elections cannot be held before July.

“Is she ready to sacrifice all the wins she got?” a source close to Barnier told Reuters, referring to Le Pen and recent concessions made to her party. The RN had previously provided crucial support for the minority government’s survival.

Trump Demands Immediate Release of Oct. 7 Hostages, Threatens ‘HELL TO PAY’

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Trump Demands Immediate Release of Oct. 7 Hostages, Threatens ‘HELL TO PAY’

Former President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum Monday demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, warning there will be “HELL TO PAY” if they remain in captivity when he potentially returns to office in 2025.

“Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. He added that those responsible would be “hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”

The forceful declaration followed Israel’s confirmation of American-Israeli citizen Omer Neutra’s death, whose body remains in Hamas custody, and the militant group’s release of a hostage video showing captured Israeli soldier Edan Alexander appealing to Trump for negotiation assistance.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog publicly embraced Trump’s statement with a social media response: “Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect.” Netanyahu’s office offered no comment on the former president’s remarks.

The timing coincides with the Biden administration’s renewed push for ceasefire negotiations, though officials report Hamas shows little willingness to engage in talks. Approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza from the estimated 250 people captured during Hamas’ October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people in southern Israel.

While Trump’s statement didn’t specify potential military involvement, it represents his strongest stance yet on the hostage crisis that has become central to the ongoing conflict, which Gaza health officials say has claimed over 44,000 Palestinian lives and displaced more than two million residents.

Delaware Court Upholds Decision Voiding Musk’s Massive Tesla Compensation Deal

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Delaware Court Upholds Decision Voiding Musk’s Massive Tesla Compensation Deal

A Delaware judge on Monday reaffirmed her decision to invalidate Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar Tesla compensation package, rejecting arguments from company directors while also significantly reducing requested legal fees in the landmark corporate case.

Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick stood by her January ruling that Musk engineered his 2018 pay package through sham negotiations with non-independent directors. The package, initially valued at approximately $56 billion, was challenged in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder.

“The large and talented group of defense firms got creative with the ratification argument, but their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law,” McCormick wrote in her 103-page opinion, dismissing Tesla’s argument that a subsequent shareholder vote in June 2023 legitimized the compensation plan.

The court also addressed the plaintiff attorneys’ unprecedented request for $5.6 billion in legal fees, which they justified based on the estimated $51.4 billion in value returned to Tesla shareholders. McCormick called this “a bold ask” in a case about excessive compensation, instead awarding $345 million – approximately half the record $688 million awarded in 2008 Enron litigation.

“The fee award here must yield in this way, because $5.6 billion is a windfall no matter the methodology used to justify it,” McCormick wrote, while acknowledging the attorneys achieved “a total victory.”

Tesla’s defense had argued that the June 2023 shareholder vote, which again approved Musk’s package by an overwhelming margin, demonstrated stockholder support despite the procedural flaws identified in McCormick’s January ruling. However, the judge noted that “a stockholder vote standing alone cannot ratify a conflicted-controller transaction” and cited “multiple, material misstatements in the proxy statement.”

Trudeau Warns Trump of Economic Impact if US Imposes Border Tariffs

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Trudeau Warns Trump of Economic Impact if US Imposes Border Tariffs

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Donald Trump that American consumers would also bear the cost of proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, according to Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended their recent dinner meeting at Mar-a-Lago.

The discussion followed Trump’s social media announcement threatening to impose 25% tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico, linking the action to concerns about cross-border drug trafficking and migration. “The prime minister of course spoke about protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact those tariffs could have on their economy and affordability,” LeBlanc told Parliament Monday.

Economists warn that companies would likely pass along increased costs to consumers, potentially conflicting with Trump’s campaign promises to address inflation. The Produce Distributors Association has already cautioned that such tariffs would increase prices for fresh produce and risk retaliatory measures against U.S. farmers.

The high-level dinner, which included Trump’s nominees for key Cabinet positions, aimed to differentiate Canada’s border situation from Mexico’s. Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, who attended the meeting, said the message about border differences “was really understood,” though Trump made no commitments to abandon the tariff threat.

Official data underscores these differences: U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million migrant encounters at the Mexican border in fiscal year 2024, compared to 23,721 at the Canadian border. Similarly, authorities seized 21,100 pounds of fentanyl at the Mexican border versus 43 pounds at the Canadian border during the same period.

The stakes are particularly high given the deep economic ties between the nations. Canada serves as the primary export destination for 36 U.S. states, with daily cross-border trade averaging US$2.7 billion. Canada provides 60% of U.S. crude oil imports and 85% of electricity imports, while also being the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum, and uranium to the United States.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded Monday to Canadian efforts to distinguish the two borders, saying “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” and noting Canada’s own challenges with fentanyl consumption.

RCCG Leader Reports Pastor’s Arrest for Addressing Congregation, Ladies and Gentlemen

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RCCG Leader Reports Pastor’s Arrest for Addressing Congregation, Ladies and Gentlemen

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), disclosed Sunday that one of his pastors abroad was arrested for addressing an audience as “ladies and gentlemen,” a greeting deemed discriminatory for excluding other gender identities.

Speaking during the church’s monthly thanksgiving service at RCCG’s Throne of Grace in Lagos, Adeboye said the incident occurred when complainants challenged the traditional greeting for failing to acknowledge all gender identities recognized in that culture. “Some people reported him for discrimination, asking, ‘What about those who are neither ladies nor gentlemen?'” Adeboye told his congregation.

The announcement came during his sermon titled “My father’s house,” which was broadcast to all RCCG parishes. Adeboye cited the incident as evidence of what he views as declining moral values worldwide, characterizing it as a sign of “end times.”

The religious leader, who has recently taken public stances on cultural issues affecting his church, also addressed other concerns during the service. In August, during RCCG’s 72nd annual convention, Adeboye notably criticized certain fashion choices among church workers, including men wearing braided hair and women using false eyelashes and heavy makeup.

The convention, themed “Heaven,” was held at The Redemption City in Ogun State, where Adeboye urged his followers to maintain what he considers traditional Christian values. “Those of you already in Christ, take this matter seriously. Do not let anyone weaken your stand,” he advised his congregation.

Lebanese Report Casualties from Israeli Strikes as Border Truce Wavers

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Lebanese Report Casualties from Israeli Strikes as Border Truce Wavers

Israeli strikes killed at least two people in southern Lebanon on Monday, Lebanese authorities reported, threatening a fragile ceasefire meant to halt more than a year of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed one death from an Israeli air strike in Marjayoun, a town approximately 10 kilometers from the Israeli border. In a separate incident, Lebanon’s state security reported that an Israeli drone strike killed one of its officers on duty in Nabatieh, 12 kilometers from the border, describing the attack as a “flagrant violation” of the truce.

The November 27 ceasefire agreement requires Israel to cease offensive operations against Lebanese civilian, military, and state targets, while Lebanon pledged to prevent armed groups, including Hezbollah, from launching attacks against Israel. Both sides have accused each other of violating these terms.

Israeli media outlets, including public broadcaster Kan, reported that U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who brokered the agreement through weeks of diplomatic efforts, had warned Israel about alleged violations. Israeli officials have not immediately responded to requests for comment about either the reported casualties or Hochstein’s warning.

Iranian Rapper, Toomag, Freed After Court Overturns Death Sentence

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Iranian Rapper, Toomag, Freed After Court Overturns Death Sentence

Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been released from prison after serving a one-year sentence for criticizing the government, Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency reported Monday.

Salehi faced execution following an April death sentence from a revolutionary court for his role in nationwide protests, but Iran’s Supreme Court overturned the ruling in June. The rapper had been detained since October 2022 after publicly supporting demonstrations that swept the country.

The protests erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s Islamic dress code regarding proper hijab wear. Salehi’s music became closely associated with the movement, featuring lyrics that praised the demonstrations.

The unrest sparked by Amini’s death represented the most significant challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership in decades. A United Nations fact-finding mission concluded in March that Amini’s death resulted from “physical violence in the custody of state authorities” and was unlawful. The mission also noted that Iranian women continue to face systematic discrimination.

Iranian-Backed Iraqi Fighters Enter Syria as Assad Forces Battle Rebel Advance

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Iranian-Backed Iraqi Fighters Enter Syria as Assad Forces Battle Rebel Advance

Hundreds of fighters from Iranian-backed Iraqi militia groups crossed into Syria overnight to reinforce government forces battling rebels who recently captured parts of Aleppo, according to Syrian and Iraqi military sources on Monday.

At least 300 fighters, primarily from the Badr and Nujabaa groups, used remote dirt roads late Sunday to avoid official border crossings and potential airstrikes, Iraqi security sources reported. “These are fresh reinforcements being sent to aid our comrades on the front lines in the north,” a senior Syrian military source told AP, describing how the fighters crossed in small groups to avoid detection.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi affirmed Tehran’s support, stating that while Syria’s military could handle the rebels, “resistance groups will help and Iran will provide any support needed.” The deployment highlights Iran’s continued influence in Syria through its constellation of regional militia allies, which have proven crucial to President Bashar al-Assad’s survival since the 2011 uprising.

The reinforcements arrive as Syrian and Russian warplanes intensify attacks on rebel-held areas in the northwest, including a strike on a displaced persons camp that killed seven people, five of them children, according to the White Helmets rescue organization.

The sudden rebel offensive has caught regional powers off guard, destabilizing a conflict that had remained relatively static since 2020. Russia, despite its focus on Ukraine since 2022, maintains an air base in northern Syria, while Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a key Iranian ally, has been primarily engaged in hostilities with Israel since the Gaza conflict began.

In Turkey, Syrian opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra stated the rebels aim to force Assad into accepting a political transition. “We are ready to start negotiating tomorrow,” Bahra announced at a press conference.

The escalation risks further destabilizing a region already strained by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The rebel coalition includes Turkey-backed mainstream groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, while Kurdish forces maintain control of northeastern territories despite Turkish opposition.

The Kremlin confirmed it continues to support Assad while analyzing the situation, following reports that Moscow had dismissed its Syria commander. Syrian officials said government and Russian aircraft are targeting rebel positions in Aleppo’s eastern countryside as they work to secure recently recaptured towns north of Hama.

Russian and Syrian Airstrikes Kill 25 in Northwestern Syria Amid Rebel Advances

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Russian and Syrian Airstrikes Kill 25 in Northwestern Syria Amid Rebel Advances

Russian and Syrian warplanes intensified bombing raids across northwestern Syria, killing at least 25 people including 10 children, the opposition-run White Helmets rescue service reported Monday, as President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush a major rebel offensive.

The air campaign targeted the rebel stronghold of Idlib, where witnesses reported strikes hitting crowded residential areas in the city center. The region, home to approximately four million people living in makeshift shelters near the Turkish border, has seen escalating violence since November 27, with the death toll reaching 56, including 20 children.

“Terrorists only know the language of force and it is the language we will crush them with,” Assad declared through state media, responding to the rebels’ most significant territorial gains since 2020. The insurgents, comprising Turkey-backed secular groups and the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, recently seized control of Idlib province and parts of Aleppo city.

The sudden rebel advance into Aleppo, a government stronghold since 2016, has forced a military reorganization as Syrian forces regroup for a counteroffensive. “I am shocked at how they fled and abandoned us,” said Ahmad Tutenji, a merchant in Aleppo’s affluent New Aleppo district, describing the unexpected government withdrawal.

Russian military involvement in the conflict faced scrutiny after war bloggers reported the dismissal of General Sergei Kisel, commander of Russian forces in Syria. Reuters has requested comment from the Russian defense ministry regarding these claims.

The United States, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement calling for “de-escalation by all parties and the protection of civilians and infrastructure to prevent further displacement and disruption of humanitarian access.”

Meanwhile, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported intense attacks on multiple fronts in the northwest. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said attempts to establish a humanitarian corridor linking Kurdish-held regions were thwarted by Turkish-backed armed groups.

The conflict, which began in 2011 and has killed hundreds of thousands while displacing millions, continues without a formal resolution despite reduced fighting in recent years. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, visiting Damascus Sunday, characterized the situation as “difficult” but expressed confidence in the Assad government’s eventual success.

REUTERS

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