What's behind Nigeria's mass kidnapping and security crisis?

A federal judge in California has ruled that the Trump administration must provide bond hearings to migrants detained by US immigration authorities, particularly those who were already residing in the country at the time of their detention. This decision allows these individuals to seek release on bond while their deportation cases are ongoing.

The Pentagon has initiated an investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly following his participation in a video where he, alongside five other Democratic lawmakers, urged U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders. This inquiry was prompted by a memo from Donald Trump’s defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, to Navy Secretary John Phelan, suggesting potential breaches of military law by Kelly.

Donald Trump has expressed optimism regarding a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, contingent upon the finalization of a peace deal for Ukraine. He indicated that his peace plan is nearing completion, with only a few points of disagreement remaining.

US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of special envoy Steve Witkoff to travel to Moscow for discussions with President Vladimir Putin regarding proposals to end the ongoing Ukraine war. Despite previous optimism from the White House, negotiations have not yet resolved critical issues such as territorial control and security guarantees.

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy, reportedly informed Yuri Ushakov, a senior Kremlin official, that peace in Ukraine would necessitate territorial concessions, specifically regarding Donetsk, during a phone call on October 14. Witkoff suggested that these concessions were essential for a successful peace deal while encouraging a more optimistic framing of discussions with Trump.

South Africa has declared gender-based violence a national disaster, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The country faces a staggering statistic of 15 women killed daily due to gender violence, highlighting a critical public safety issue.

Donald Trump may have unintentionally issued a mass pardon for individuals involved in voter fraud during the 2020 election by granting pardons to Rudy Giuliani and others associated with the fake elector scheme. Legal experts suggest that this could have significant implications for those who participated in such activities, as the pardons were largely symbolic due to the dismissal of federal charges after Trump's election.

All 24 schoolgirls kidnapped from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state, Nigeria, have been rescued, as confirmed by President Bola Tinubu. The girls were abducted on November 17, with one escaping on the same day, while the remaining were saved later, although details of the rescue remain undisclosed.