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Islamic State-Linked Rebels Kill 13, Kidnap Others in Eastern Congo Attack

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Islamic State-Linked Rebels Kill 13, Kidnap Others in Eastern Congo Attack

Islamic State-linked rebels killed at least 13 people and kidnapped several others in eastern Congo during a Friday night raid that included looting and burning homes, local authorities reported Saturday.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group with ties to the Islamic State, carried out the attack in Mabisio village, North Kivu province, according to Col. Alain Kiwewa, the area’s administrator, speaking on state television. The victims included women, and attackers destroyed multiple homes during the assault.

The violence marks the latest in a series of ADF attacks that have intensified and spread toward Goma, eastern Congo’s main city, as well as into neighboring Ituri province. In August, the group killed at least 12 people in several North Kivu villages.

The United Nations and human rights organizations have accused the ADF of killing hundreds and abducting many more, including significant numbers of children. The attacks come amid broader regional instability, with more than 120 armed groups fighting for control of territory, mineral resources, and local power in eastern Congo.

The decades-long conflict has created one of Africa’s most persistent humanitarian crises, with armed groups repeatedly accused of conducting mass killings of civilian populations. The ADF’s expansion and increasing ties to the Islamic State have added an international dimension to what was already a complex regional security challenge.

Nigeria, India Strengthen Security and Economic Ties in Historic Modi Visit

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Nigeria, India Strengthen Security and Economic Ties in Historic Modi Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu agreed Sunday to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism during Modi’s landmark visit to Africa’s most populous nation, marking the first such trip by an Indian premier in 17 years.

The leaders met at the presidential villa in Abuja, where they outlined plans to combat growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and Indian Ocean through coordinated action against piracy and protection of maritime trade routes. Their discussions also encompassed economic development, defense collaboration, healthcare initiatives, and food security measures, according to a joint statement.

The visit underscores Nigeria’s push to attract investment from major global economies, following nearly $14 billion in pledges from Indian investors secured during last year’s G20 summit. That included a $3 billion commitment from Jindal Steel and Power for Nigeria’s steel sector, highlighting the growing economic ties between the nations.

More than 200 Indian companies currently operate in Nigeria, reflecting the substantial commercial relationship between the two countries. Tinubu’s administration has actively sought to expand these partnerships while securing more favorable credit terms to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Modi’s visit to Nigeria, part of a diplomatic tour that will next take him to Brazil for the G20 summit, represents a significant step in strengthening Indo-African relations and expanding India’s strategic presence in West Africa.

Pakistan Religious Council Declares VPN Use Against Islamic Law Amid Crackdown

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Pakistan Religious Council Declares VPN Use Against Islamic Law Amid Crackdown

Pakistan’s top Islamic advisory body ruled Friday that using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access blocked internet content violates Shariah law, supporting government efforts to restrict the technology amid growing concerns about digital rights.

The Council of Islamic Ideology’s declaration coincides with authorities implementing a nationwide firewall and requiring VPN users to register with state regulators, measures officials claim will enhance cybersecurity and counter terrorism.

“Using VPNs to access blocked or illegal content is against Islamic and social norms, therefore, their use is not acceptable under Islamic law. It falls under ‘abetting in sin,'” said council chairman Raghib Naeemi, specifically citing concerns about access to “immoral and porn websites or websites that spread anarchy through disinformation.”

The ruling gained immediate government support, with the Interior Ministry directing the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block “illegal” VPNs, claiming terrorists exploit the technology for violent activities and financial transactions. The ministry also cited Pakistan’s high rates of VPN use for accessing pornography as justification for the crackdown.

Digital rights advocates argue the restrictions primarily target political dissent and free expression. Many Pakistanis currently rely on VPNs to access X (formerly Twitter), which has remained largely blocked since February’s contested elections.

“These measures increase online surveillance, curb freedom of expression and hurt e-commerce,” said one critic, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

VPNs, which allow users to mask their location and identity while browsing the internet, have become essential tools for Pakistani businesses and individuals seeking to conduct secure online transactions, access international entertainment content, maintain privacy and security, and connect to social media platforms during government restrictions.

The religious ruling marks a significant escalation in Pakistan’s efforts to control online activity, combining technological restrictions with religious authority in a country where Islamic law carries substantial weight in public policy.

The move aligns with broader regional trends of governments using religious and security justifications to expand digital surveillance and restrict internet freedom, even as citizens increasingly rely on VPNs for basic online access and business operations.

Senegal Holds Parliamentary Elections as New Leaders Seek Reform Mandate

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Senegal Holds Parliamentary Elections as New Leaders Seek Reform Mandate

Senegalese voters turned out Sunday for parliamentary elections that could determine whether President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s government can deliver on sweeping promises of economic transformation and social justice that propelled him to power eight months ago.

The election, called after Faye dissolved parliament in September, aims to break a legislative gridlock that has hampered his administration’s reform agenda. Approximately 7.3 million registered voters will select 165 members of parliament for five-year terms.

“I hope that [the ruling party] Pastef will win the elections to gain a majority so that they can better carry out their mandate,” said Pascal Goudiaby, 56, waiting to vote in Dakar. “The priority is unemployment, young people are facing so much unemployment.”

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Faye’s mentor and a firebrand politician whose own presidential bid was blocked, cast his ballot in the southern city of Ziguinchor, calling for peaceful participation. “Democracy is expressed in peace and stability, and I believe that in a democracy there is no room for violence,” Sonko said.

The new administration faces significant challenges, with unemployment exceeding 20 percent and mounting economic pressures. Recent audits revealed a larger budget deficit than previously reported, leading to a suspended International Monetary Fund aid program and a Moody’s credit rating downgrade.

Since taking office, the government has implemented price controls on essential goods like rice, oil, and sugar while launching ambitious justice system reforms. Faye and Sonko have promoted a leftist pan-African agenda, promising to review hydrocarbon and fishing contracts while strengthening national sovereignty.

The opposition, though fragmented, includes former president Macky Sall leading a coalition from abroad – an unusual move breaking with Senegal’s tradition of former leaders maintaining political distance. Former prime minister Amadou Ba and Dakar mayor Barthelemy Dias also head opposition groups.

“I think that whoever you gave your confidence to in the presidential election, you need to renew your confidence in him so that he can achieve what he started,” said voter Toure Aby, 56. “We want life to be less expensive for the Senegalese. Everything’s expensive: water, electricity, food.”

The election underscores Senegal’s democratic stability in a region troubled by coups, though the vote follows one of the country’s worst political crises, triggered by Sall’s attempted postponement of the presidential election.

Polling stations close at 6:00 p.m. local time, with reliable projections of the new parliament’s composition expected Monday morning. Analysts note that Senegalese voters have historically confirmed their presidential choice in parliamentary elections, suggesting favorable odds for Faye’s Pastef party.

VOA

Trump Celebrates Victory at UFC Event with Cabinet Picks, Musk

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Trump Celebrates Victory at UFC Event with Cabinet Picks, Musk

President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory Saturday night at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, surrounded by key cabinet nominees and business leaders in a high-profile display of his continued connection to combat sports.

Trump entered the arena to thunderous applause and “USA” chants, immediately showcasing the coalition of supporters he’s assembled since winning the presidency. The president-elect spent the evening seated between UFC President Dana White and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been tapped to help lead Trump’s new cost-cutting initiatives.

Several of Trump’s cabinet nominees attended the event, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, who will join Musk in heading the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency. The gathering marked one of the first public appearances of Trump’s emerging administration team since his election victory.

The evening reached a dramatic peak when heavyweight champion Jon Jones, after successfully defending his title, presented his championship belt to Trump. “I want to say a big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,” Jones declared to roaring approval from the crowd.

Popular podcaster and UFC announcer Joe Rogan, who endorsed Trump after hosting him on his show before the election, warmly embraced the president-elect. The UFC showcased footage celebrating Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris on the arena’s giant screens, with Trump dancing in response to the crowd’s enthusiasm.

The appearance highlighted Trump’s long-standing relationship with the UFC and its president Dana White, who delivered a forceful endorsement at the Republican National Convention in July. “I’m in the tough guy business and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being I have ever met in my entire life,” White had declared.

Trump’s reception marked a stark contrast to his last UFC appearance in 2019, when he faced some boos during his first term. Saturday’s overwhelmingly positive response reflected his current popularity among the mixed martial arts fanbase and signaled the growing alliance between Trump’s political movement and combat sports culture.

The event also served as an informal showcase of Trump’s unconventional approach to government, bringing together traditional political figures with business and entertainment personalities who have been given significant roles in his upcoming administration.

The president-elect’s choice of venue for his victory celebration – preferring the octagon to more traditional settings – underscored his continued embrace of populist spaces and connection to combat sports culture, even as he prepares to return to the nation’s highest office.

Argentina Orders Arrest of 61 Brazilian Rioters Who Fled After Capitol Attack

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Argentina Orders Arrest of 61 Brazilian Rioters Who Fled After Capitol Attack

Argentine authorities have ordered the arrest of 61 Brazilian citizens wanted for their role in the January 2023 storming of government buildings in Brasilia, with two suspects already in custody, a judicial source told Reuters Saturday on condition of anonymity.

The arrests follow Brazil’s extradition request last month for participants in the riots, when thousands of supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro invaded and vandalized Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court a week after leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office.

Brazilian federal police estimate between 50 and 100 riot suspects fled to Argentina, seeking refuge under right-wing President Javier Milei’s government. Many face heavy sentences from Brazil’s Supreme Court for vandalism and insurrection charges.

Senator Hamilton Mourao, Bolsonaro’s former vice president, previously defended the fugitives, saying they fled because they didn’t believe they would receive fair trials in Brazil. The riots, which paralleled the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack by Trump supporters, led to approximately 3,000 arrests in Brazil, with half remaining in custody.

A police officer puts weapons to display along with Nazi paraphernalia after they were seized in Quilmes during an international security operation, in this undated handout photograph made available to Reuters on November 15, 2024. Argentina Federal Police/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

The manhunt comes as Brazil faces renewed political tension following an attempted bomb attack on its Supreme Court last week, an incident that has strengthened congressional opposition to proposed amnesty for the 2023 rioters.

The coordinated law enforcement action highlights growing cooperation between South American nations in addressing political violence, even as ideological differences between their governments persist.

Venezuela Releases 225 Protesters Detained After Disputed Presidential Election

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Venezuela Releases 225 Protesters Detained After Disputed Presidential Election

Venezuelan authorities have released 225 people detained during protests following July’s contested presidential election, Attorney General Tarek Saab announced Saturday, marking a significant development in the ongoing political crisis.

“Between the afternoon of Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th, 225 measures of liberty were granted and executed to people prosecuted for the acts of violence that occurred after the July 28 elections,” Saab said in a statement, citing new evidence gathered by prosecutors.

Human rights organization Foro Penal confirmed at least 107 releases across four prisons. “Up to now we have verified 107 political prisoners, due to the post-electoral situation, released in Venezuela,” said Alfredo Romero, the group’s director, on social media. Video footage showed freed detainees walking along highways to cheers from supporters, including at least 50 young adults from Tocoron prison.

The releases follow President Nicolas Maduro’s recent request for the attorney general to review potential mistaken arrests. Saab had previously reported that the post-election unrest left 28 people dead and nearly 200 injured.

According to Foro Penal, authorities arrested approximately 1,800 people following the July 28 election that secured Maduro’s next six-year term, set to begin in January. The president has held power since 2013, though opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez’s supporters allege fraud after electoral authorities and courts declared Maduro’s victory without releasing complete voting tallies.

Outside Tocuyito prison in Valencia, one released detainee, speaking anonymously, expressed relief at the prospect of home-cooked meals after questioning the safety of prison food. The releases follow September’s freeing of more than 80 teenagers arrested during the protests.

Activists and families of detainees maintain that many arrestees were not involved in demonstrations and have alleged torture in detention. The crackdown drew criticism from opposition groups, rights organizations, and unions, who accused Maduro’s administration of suppressing dissent.

The mass release represents a shift in the government’s approach to post-election unrest, though questions remain about the conditions of release and the fate of other detained protesters. Maduro’s victory and subsequent crackdown have deepened Venezuela’s political divisions while drawing international scrutiny of the country’s human rights situation.

Brazilian First Lady Launches Expletive-Laden Attack on Elon Musk at G20 Event

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Brazilian First Lady Launches Expletive-Laden Attack on Elon Musk at G20 Event

Brazil’s first lady Janja Lula da Silva sparked controversy at a G20 social event Saturday when she directed an expletive at billionaire Elon Musk during remarks about social media regulation, escalating tensions between the Brazilian government and the X platform owner.

During her speech about combating misinformation, a ship’s horn interrupted her remarks, prompting her to quip, “I think it’s Elon Musk,” before adding in English, “I’m not afraid of you, fuck you, Elon Musk.”

Musk responded on his social platform X with a laughing emoji, later adding, “They are going to lose the next election,” referring to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration.

The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between Musk and Brazilian authorities after his platform X, formerly Twitter, was temporarily suspended in Brazil this year. The suspension came after the company failed to appoint a legal representative in the country and ignored court orders to block accounts accused of spreading misinformation and hate speech.

The incident occurred during preliminary events before the Rio de Janeiro G20 summit scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, where world leaders will gather to discuss global economic issues.

The exchange underscores growing friction between social media platforms and governments attempting to regulate online content, particularly in Brazil where authorities have taken increasingly aggressive steps to combat what they describe as digital misinformation.

Israel Strikes Central Beirut as Political Tensions Rise Over Judicial Reform

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Israel Strikes Central Beirut as Political Tensions Rise Over Judicial Reform

Israeli warplanes struck central Beirut early Sunday for the first time in weeks, hitting an Arab socialist Baath party building, as a key Netanyahu ally seized on recent security incidents to push for revival of controversial judicial reforms that had previously sparked nationwide protests.

The strike in Lebanon’s capital, preceded by Israeli military evacuation warnings on social media platform X, left four dead and four wounded, according to an Associated Press photographer at the scene. Church bells rang across the area as residents fled the unexpected attack in central Beirut, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah.

The Israeli military simultaneously urged residents of more than a dozen southern Lebanese villages to evacuate as ground forces advanced northward. The escalating conflict has claimed more than 3,400 Lebanese lives and displaced 1.2 million people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, while Hezbollah attacks have killed 76 Israelis, including 31 soldiers, and forced 60,000 northern residents to flee.

In Israel, Justice Minister Yariv Levin used a recent flare attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence to advocate for reviving his controversial judicial overhaul plan. “The time has come to provide full support for the restoration of the justice system and the law enforcement systems, and to put an end to anarchy,” Levin said in a statement.

The proposal drew swift condemnation from Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who wrote on X that while he “strongly condemns” the attack on Netanyahu’s home, “Levin should go home with rest of this irresponsible government. We will not let him turn Israel into an undemocratic state.”

The judicial reform debate had sparked massive protests before the October war, with opponents viewing it as a power grab by Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges. Many Israelis believe these internal divisions weakened the country before Hamas’s October attack.

Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on Israel since September, when limited border clashes erupted into full-scale war. The group has expanded its range to central Israel, with a recent rocket barrage damaging a Haifa synagogue and wounding two civilians.

The conflict’s expansion into central Beirut and revival of contentious domestic political issues suggests a broadening crisis that threatens both regional stability and Israeli internal cohesion, as the country grapples simultaneously with external threats and domestic political divisions.

Israeli Strikes Kill 12 in Gaza as Netanyahu’s Residence Targeted by Flares

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Israeli Strikes Kill 12 in Gaza as Netanyahu’s Residence Targeted by Flares

Israeli airstrikes killed 12 Palestinians in central Gaza overnight Sunday as authorities arrested three suspects for firing flares at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence, highlighting escalating tensions both within Israel and across the region.

The strikes hit the refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij, killing six and four people respectively, while two others died in an attack on Gaza’s main north-south highway, according to officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. The camps, established after Israel’s creation in 1948, have become densely populated urban areas.

Simultaneously, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, known as the Dahiyeh and a stronghold of Hezbollah, as Lebanese officials weigh a U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal. The attacks included a rare strike on central Beirut, marking the first such action in weeks.

The domestic incident at Netanyahu’s Caesarea residence, where flares were fired while the prime minister and his family were away, prompted swift police action and political fallout. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack, warning against “an escalation of the violence in the public sphere.” Officials suggested the perpetrators were domestic political opponents rather than external threats, though a Hezbollah drone had targeted the same residence last month.

The incidents occur amid mounting pressure on Netanyahu’s government over its handling of the war and hostage crisis. Critics blame the prime minister for security failures that enabled Hamas’s October 7 attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. Around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with a third presumed dead.

In Tel Aviv, protesters again gathered Saturday night demanding a cease-fire deal to secure the hostages’ release, reflecting growing domestic discord over the government’s war strategy.

The conflict has extracted a devastating toll on Gaza, where the Health Ministry reports approximately 43,800 Palestinian deaths, with women and children comprising more than half the casualties. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. About 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, with large sections of the territory reduced to rubble by Israeli military operations.

The simultaneous strikes in Lebanon and domestic political tensions underscore the complex challenges facing Netanyahu’s government as it pursues military objectives while managing increasing internal dissent and regional escalation risks.

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