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Arsenal End Premier League Drought with Commanding 3-0 Victory Over Forest

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Arsenal End Premier League Drought with Commanding 3-0 Victory Over Forest

Arsenal ended their longest Premier League winless run of the season in emphatic fashion Saturday, dispatching Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium with a collection of spectacular goals to mark Mikel Arteta’s 250th match as manager.

Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with a masterful left-footed strike into the top corner after Martin Odegaard’s delicate setup, igniting a dominant performance that saw Arsenal control 66% of possession and prevent Forest from registering a single shot on target.

Thomas Partey, introduced at halftime for Jorginho, doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute with a sublime 25-yard strike into the bottom corner, connecting with Saka’s layoff to effectively seal Arsenal’s historic 2,000th top-flight victory.

The afternoon’s memorable moments weren’t finished, as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench to become Arsenal’s second-youngest Premier League goalscorer behind Cesc Fabregas, converting Raheem Sterling’s cutback with a precise finish in the 86th minute.

“We showed the response we needed after a difficult period,” Arteta said. “The quality of our finishing today made the difference, and it’s especially pleasing to see young Ethan get his first goal in such an important match.”

The victory, Arsenal’s first in the league since early October, cuts their deficit behind leaders Liverpool to six points. Forest dropped to sixth place following their second consecutive league defeat.

Saka, named man of the match for his goal and assist, exemplified Arsenal’s renewed energy following the international break. The Gunners had earlier seen Jurrien Timber’s early goal disallowed for a marginal offside before taking complete control, outshooting Forest 19-7 and earning eight corners to the visitors’ one.

“The team showed great character today,” Saka said. “We knew we needed this result, and the way we achieved it, with three beautiful goals and a clean sheet, makes it even more special.”

Chelsea Secures 2-1 Victory at Leicester Despite Late Drama

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Chelsea Secures 2-1 Victory at Leicester Despite Late Drama

Chelsea controlled proceedings from start to finish at the King Power Stadium Saturday, securing a 2-1 Premier League victory over Leicester City despite a late Jordan Ayew penalty that created moments of tension in stoppage time.

Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring early after capitalizing on Wout Faes’ defensive error, with Enzo Fernandez providing the assist before later adding Chelsea’s second goal in a commanding performance that earned him player of the match honors.

The Blues dominated the opening phase so completely that Leicester failed to complete a single pass in the final third during the first 25 minutes. The home side’s frustrations showed when Wilfred Ndidi escaped with only a yellow card for a lunging challenge on Cole Palmer that Chelsea’s bench vigorously protested.

Chelsea appeared to double their lead through Noni Madueke before the half-hour mark, but VAR ruled out the goal after detecting Marc Cucurella marginally offside in the build-up. Leicester’s first shot didn’t come until the 38th minute when Kasey McAteer, making his Premier League debut, curled an effort just wide.

The visitors’ control continued after halftime, though they squandered a golden opportunity when Palmer’s seemingly certain goal was inadvertently blocked on the line by teammate Madueke. The second goal finally came in the 75th minute when Fernandez headed home after Jackson’s initial effort was saved by Mads Hermansen.

Leicester’s late appeals for a penalty were waved away when Stephy Mavididi went down under pressure from former Fox Wesley Fofana, but they did convert from the spot through Ayew in the 95th minute. The goal came too late to prevent Chelsea from securing all three points.

“We showed great control throughout the match,” Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “Even when Leicester pulled one back, we managed the final moments well and deserved the victory.”

The result marked a successful return to the King Power Stadium for Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, who guided the Foxes back to the Premier League last season before joining Chelsea.

9 Dead, Including 7 Children from One Family, in Congo Landslide

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9 Dead, Including 7 Children from One Family, in Congo Landslide

A devastating landslide triggered by heavy rainfall killed at least nine people, including seven children from a single family, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo late Friday, highlighting the growing impact of extreme weather on vulnerable communities.

The disaster struck Kabulu village in South Kivu province, where one resident lost his wife and all seven children when their home was swept away, according to territorial administrator Thomas Bakenga. Another child died elsewhere in the village, with officials warning the death toll could rise as search operations continue.

A local civil society group reported that seven homes were completely destroyed and 31 others damaged in the disaster, placing their casualty estimate at 10 deaths. The discrepancy in reported deaths reflects the ongoing nature of recovery efforts.

The tragedy underscores Congo’s increasing vulnerability to extreme rainfall, which climate experts say is becoming more intense and frequent across Africa due to rising temperatures. Poor urban planning and weak infrastructure throughout the country leave communities particularly exposed to such weather events.

Similar disasters have plagued Congo in recent months. A ravine collapse onto a river in the southwest killed at least 12 people in April, following numerous deaths in comparable circumstances last December.

Al Qaeda Affiliate Claims Killing of Seven Russian Mercenaries in Mali

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Al Qaeda Affiliate Claims Killing of Seven Russian Mercenaries in Mali

At least seven Russian mercenaries were killed in central Mali during an attack claimed by al Qaeda’s North African affiliate, SITE Intelligence Group reported Friday, marking the latest blow to Moscow’s military presence in the volatile Sahel region.

The attack, which targeted what local officials identified as members of the Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force that has largely replaced the Wagner Group in Africa, comes months after Russian mercenaries suffered significant casualties in a July battle with Tuareg rebels near the Algerian border.

SITE Intelligence, which monitors extremist activities, said the al Qaeda-affiliated JNIM (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin) claimed responsibility for Thursday’s assault. Reuters reviewed video footage showing at least five white men in military fatigues lying dead around a military vehicle, though it could not independently verify the footage’s authenticity.

A Malian army source confirmed seeing seven bodies, including Russian fighters, while local administrators provided varying casualty counts, with one reporting five Wagner casualties. A regional security consultant specified that Katiba Macina, a JNIM subgroup, conducted the attack, killing at least six Russians.

The incident underscores the mounting challenges facing Russian military contractors supporting West African military governments struggling to contain various militant groups. Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled Islamic State and al Qaeda offshoots that have controlled significant territory across the Sahel for over a decade.

Mali’s government, which has consistently characterized Russian forces as trainers rather than mercenaries, assisting local troops with Russian-supplied equipment, could not be reached for comment. JNIM released photos purporting to show dead soldiers and captured weapons caches from the attack.

Brazil’s Top Prosecutor to Delay Bolsonaro Coup Case Indictments Until 2025, Sources Say

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Brazil’s Top Prosecutor to Delay Bolsonaro Coup Case Indictments Until 2025, Sources Say

Brazil’s Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet plans to delay indictments of former President Jair Bolsonaro and his alleged co-conspirators in an attempted coup plot until 2025, opting to merge three separate Federal Police investigations into a single comprehensive case, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

The decision comes after Federal Police on Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 others of attempting a coup d’état, violently seeking to abolish democratic rule, and participating in a criminal organization. The 884-page police report, headed to the Supreme Court before reaching Gonet’s office next week, details an alleged conspiracy that included assassination plans following Bolsonaro’s 2022 election defeat.

“Gonet is very technical. In addition to the investigation itself, there is all the legal basis for the indictments to be analyzed. This will take time,” one source with direct knowledge told Reuters. Another source close to the prosecutor indicated the criminal indictments would come “all at once” to present a more solid case.

The delay encompasses two additional Federal Police investigations completed earlier this year, accusing Bolsonaro and associates of COVID-19 vaccination card tampering and embezzling Saudi-gifted jewelry while in office. The combined approach reflects the complexity of cases that could take years to reach final judgment in Brazil’s court system.

The latest police report culminates a nearly two-year investigation into Bolsonaro’s role in election denial efforts that peaked with his supporters’ January 2023 riots in Brasilia, just days after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration.

Despite mounting legal challenges, Bolsonaro maintains significant political influence. His party holds the largest bloc in Congress’s lower house and showed strength in recent municipal elections, demonstrating the resilience of the right-wing movement he has led for six years.

Federal Judge Rejects SEC Request for Sanctions Against Musk Over Missed Testimony

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Federal Judge Rejects SEC Request for Sanctions Against Musk Over Missed Testimony

A federal judge denied the Securities and Exchange Commission’s request Friday to sanction Elon Musk for missing court-ordered testimony, ruling that the Tesla CEO’s subsequent compliance and reimbursement of travel costs rendered the matter moot.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley determined that sanctions were unnecessary after Musk, the world’s richest person with a net worth of $321.7 billion according to Forbes, testified on October 3 and agreed to pay the SEC’s $2,923 travel expenses. “Because the present circumstances forestall any occasion for meaningful relief that the court could grant, the SEC’s request is moot,” Corley wrote.

The SEC had sought a formal declaration that Musk violated a May 31 court order when he failed to appear for testimony on September 10, arguing that merely requiring travel cost reimbursement would not deter future noncompliance, “much less someone of Musk’s extraordinary means.” Musk had cited his presence at SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission launch at Cape Canaveral for his absence.

The regulator is investigating whether Musk violated securities laws in early 2022 by delaying disclosure of his Twitter stock accumulation, potentially allowing him to acquire shares at lower prices before revealing his 9.2% stake and subsequent $44 billion takeover bid. Musk acknowledged in July that he had misunderstood SEC disclosure rules, saying “all indications” suggested he made a “mistake.”

This case follows Musk’s previous SEC settlement in 2018 over tweets about taking Tesla private, which resulted in a $20 million fine, his resignation as Tesla chairman, and an agreement to have company lawyers review certain social media posts.

Diddy Returns to Jail as Judge Takes Time to Consider $50 Million Bail Package

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Diddy Returns to Jail as Judge Takes Time to Consider $50 Million Bail Package

Sean “Diddy” Combs returned to his cell in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center Friday after a U.S. federal judge delayed ruling on the music mogul’s ambitious $50 million bail proposal, extending his 10-week imprisonment while new allegations of witness tampering emerged.

“I will rule promptly,” U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said following a nearly two-hour hearing in Manhattan, where prosecutors revealed Combs had attempted to orchestrate a social media campaign from behind bars and used unauthorized channels to communicate with his lawyers.

The 55-year-old music producer, who appeared in court wearing standard-issue beige prison attire, blew kisses to family members before being led back to custody by U.S. Marshals. His legal team had proposed a bail package secured by his $48 million Florida mansion and including round-the-clock security monitoring.

Prosecutor Christine Slavik opposed release, unveiling evidence that Combs had previously attempted to bribe hotel staff to delete surveillance footage of him assaulting former girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura in 2016. “The defendant here has demonstrated that either he cannot or will not follow rules,” Slavik argued. “The defendant, simply put, cannot be trusted.”

The Bad Boy Entertainment founder faces charges of using his business empire to facilitate sexual abuse, with prosecutors alleging he organized recorded sexual performances involving male sex workers transported across state lines. He has pleaded not guilty and been denied bail three times, with multiple judges citing witness tampering concerns.

Earlier this week, Judge Subramanian ordered prosecutors to destroy copies of Combs’ jailhouse notes, photographed during a facility sweep, pending review of attorney-client privilege claims. The case has drawn comparisons to that of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, though prosecutors note Combs’ criminal history and the discovery of rifles with defaced serial numbers at his residences as factors against release.

Putin Vows to Continue Combat Testing of New Hypersonic Missile, Defying Western Concerns

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Putin Vows to Continue Combat Testing of New Hypersonic Missile, Defying Western Concerns

President Vladimir Putin declared Friday that Russia would continue combat testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile and maintains a ready stockpile, escalating tensions following the weapon’s first combat use against Ukraine amid growing international concern over its capabilities.

“We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia,” Putin told defense officials and missile developers in televised comments, one day after the missile’s debut strike. He emphasized that Russia already possesses “a stock of such products, a stock of such systems ready for use.”

The weapon, whose name means “hazel tree” in Russian, represents a significant technological advance, carrying multiple warheads capable of simultaneously striking different targets — a capability previously associated with nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles. Ukrainian intelligence reported the missile reached speeds exceeding 13,000 kilometers per hour (8,000 mph) and required 15 minutes to reach its target.

U.S. officials, however, downplayed Russia’s capabilities, describing the Oreshnik as an experimental weapon with limited availability for regular battlefield deployment. The intermediate-range missile, capable of striking targets 3,000-5,500 kilometers away, could theoretically reach any point in Europe or the western United States from Russian territory.

Putin justified the missile’s deployment as a response to Ukraine’s use of U.S. ballistic missiles and British cruise missiles against Russian targets. “I will add that there is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today,” he asserted, adding that its conventional warheads could match the impact of nuclear weapons “when used in a massive group and in combination with other high-precision long-range systems.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by announcing immediate consultations with Western partners about new air defense systems. “When someone starts using other countries not only for terror, but also for testing their new missiles through acts of terror, then this is clearly an international crime,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address, warning that “‘comrade’ Putin will keep trying to intimidate us.”

The missile’s debut follows Putin’s Tuesday approval of policy changes lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons use in response to conventional attacks. The Kremlin characterized the Oreshnik strike as a warning to the West against taking “reckless” actions supporting Ukraine.

The escalation occurs as both sides increasingly employ more sophisticated weapons against each other’s territory. Moscow argues that Western approval for Ukraine to conduct deep strikes into Russia effectively makes NATO countries direct participants in the conflict.

NATO Chief Holds Talks with Trump on Global Security Issues

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NATO Chief Holds Talks with Trump on Global Security Issues

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday to discuss global security challenges facing the alliance, a spokesperson confirmed Saturday. Farah Dakhlallah, a spokeswoman for NATO, stated that the talks occurred in Palm Beach.

During his previous term, Trump emphasized the need for European nations to increase defense spending and expressed concerns about the fairness of the NATO alliance. Stoltenberg, the former Dutch prime minister, aimed to connect with Trump shortly after the election on November 5 to address the growing threats posed by warming relations between North Korea and Russia.

Trump’s recent electoral victory has raised concerns in Europe about the future of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which many NATO allies consider vital for European and American security. “Keeping Kyiv in the fight against Moscow is essential,” a senior NATO official stated.

At a recent European leaders’ meeting in Budapest, Rutte highlighted the collaboration between North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia, warning of an escalating threat to both the United States and continental Europe. “As we see more cooperation among these nations, it increases the urgency for NATO to address these challenges collectively,” Rutte said.

“I look forward to sitting down with Donald Trump to discuss how we can face these threats collectively,” he added.

Trump Names Wall Street Veteran Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary Pick

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Trump Names Wall Street Veteran Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary Pick

President-elect Donald Trump nominated veteran investor Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary Friday, concluding a dramatic selection process that saw multiple Wall Street luminaries vie for one of the most powerful economic positions in government.

The selection of Bessent, 62, who built his career working with legendary investors George Soros and Jim Chanos before running his own hedge fund, signals a potential moderation of Trump’s aggressive trade policies while advancing his agenda of tax cuts and deregulation.

“Scott is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists,” Trump announced via Truth Social, capping a week of intense speculation that saw candidates’ fortunes rise and fall daily at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Market strategists welcomed the choice, with Oxford Economics’ Ryan Sweet noting that “Bessent has been on the side of less aggressive tariffs,” suggesting Trump’s campaign promises of steep import duties might be tempered. Bessent’s appointment follows a tradition of Wall Street veterans in the role, including former Goldman Sachs executives Robert Rubin, Hank Paulson, and Steven Mnuchin.

The South Carolina native, who correctly predicted Trump’s previous election victory and profited from related market moves, faces immediate challenges managing projected federal deficits expected to grow by nearly $8 trillion over a decade due to Trump’s planned tax cuts, including eliminating Social Security income taxation.

As Treasury secretary, Bessent would oversee the $28.6-trillion Treasury debt market, financial regulation, tax collection, and international economic relations, including sanctions policy and leadership of the G7’s economic support for Ukraine – though the latter may shift given Trump’s stated desire to end U.S. financial support for the conflict.

The nomination emerged from a rotating cast of contenders that included Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh, and investor John Paulson, who withdrew citing “complex financial obligations.” Howard Lutnick, initially a leading candidate, was instead tapped to head the Commerce Department.

Bessent’s selection followed extended consultations at Mar-a-Lago, where he provided economic advice to Trump. He has advocated for tax reform and deregulation to increase bank lending and energy production, arguing in a recent Wall Street Journal piece that market reactions to Trump’s election victory reflected expectations of “higher growth, lower volatility and inflation, and a revitalized economy for all Americans.”

The Treasury nominee will inherit current Secretary Janet Yellen’s expansive portfolio, though likely diverging from her emphasis on climate change initiatives and clean energy tax credits, given Trump’s skepticism of climate change and pledge to boost fossil fuel production.

Bessent has recently distanced himself from his previously floated idea of naming a “shadow” Federal Reserve chair ahead of Jerome Powell’s term expiration in May 2026, a proposal that had raised eyebrows in financial circles.

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