Son of Somali immigrants shakes up Utah Democratic primary

Lok DarjeeTuesday May 12, 2026 Liban Mohamed, a 27-year-old progressive newcomer with deep immigrant roots, has turned a little-known campaign into one of Utah’s most closely watched Democratic contests — and his narrow convention win has given him a real opening heading into June’s primary. Liban Mohamed: ‘We have first-time delegates, young people, refugees, immigrants, working-class people, and longtime community members organizing to deliver a huge upset.’ Photograph: Liban Mohamed for Congress Mohamed, the son of Somali…

Macron Dismisses ‘Predator’ Label Amid France’s Diplomacy Efforts

Macron Defends Europe’s Influence in Africa Amidst Rising Chinese Presence During a pivotal two-day economic summit in Nairobi, French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for Europe’s ongoing role in Africa, contrasting it with the expanding influence of China across the continent. Speaking to Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, Macron reflected on his outspoken condemnation of colonialism upon assuming office in 2017. However, he emphasized the importance of not attributing Africa’s contemporary issues entirely to its…

Israel strikes 30 locations in Lebanon despite ceasefire, NNA reports

As Israeli airstrikes hit more than 30 sites across Lebanon despite a ceasefire, the country’s top leaders pressed the US ambassador in Beirut to intervene and push Israel to stop the attacks. Lebanese officials said the total number of people killed in Israeli strikes since 2 March has risen to 2,869. The toll includes dozens of deaths recorded after the truce took effect on 17 April. Israel’s military, meanwhile, said one of its soldiers was killed a day earlier in fighting near the Lebanese border, raising its losses…

Zelensky’s former chief of staff named suspect in major corruption probe

Ukrainian investigators have cast a harsh spotlight on President Volodymyr Zelensky's influential former chief of staff, naming him as a suspect in a sweeping corruption case that threatens to intensify pressure on the president's office at a delicate stage of the war with Russia. Kyiv's political establishment was jolted last year by the sprawling inquiry, which stirred public outrage and ultimately drove the former senior adviser — once Mr Zelensky's closest aide — Andriy Yermak, from office. Ukraine's anti-corruption…

Final evacuation flights from hantavirus-hit cruise ship land in Netherlands

The final two evacuation flights carrying passengers and crew from the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius have landed in the Netherlands, AFP reported. On board the two aircraft were 28 people evacuated from the vessel, the Dutch foreign ministry said, including passengers, crew members and medical personnel. The first flight brought in six former Hondius guests: four Australians, one New Zealander and one British national living in Australia. Those six are expected to remain at a quarantine facility near the airport before…

Barcelona clinch La Liga title as relegation battle stays tight

Monday May 11, 2026 FC Barcelona sealed the 2025-26 La Liga title in emphatic fashion on Sunday, beating Real Madrid 2-0 at home to claim the championship in front of their own fans. Marcus Rashford put Barcelona in command early with a thunderous free kick in the ninth minute, before Ferran Torres struck again in the 18th after a slick exchange involving Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo. Real Madrid never looked like getting back into the game, and Barcelona was able to control the match in the second half. Thibaut Courtois kept…

Poorest Somalis suffer as worthless shillings pile up in Somalia

Mohamed Gabobe in MogadishuMonday May 11, 2026 So worn they are now being turned away by buses, Somalia’s banknotes have become a symbol of a cash crisis deepened by a dollarised economy and the growing reach of mobile payments, which are driving up the price of basic goods Muse Omar Jama, 49, sits in his Mogadishu office beside piles of banknotes. He says a government order requiring the Somali shilling to be accepted is being ignored. Photograph: Mohamed Gabobe When US troops pulled out of Somalia in the spring of 1994, a…

Israel imprisons soldiers for desecrating Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

Israel’s military has jailed two soldiers after a widely circulated image showed one of them appearing to place a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. The photograph, shared online last week, showed an Israeli soldier draping an arm around the statue of Christ’s mother while lifting a cigarette toward her mouth. The military said the episode happened several weeks ago in southern Lebanon and was later examined by commanders in the field. "At the conclusion of the investigation, the…

Floods displace 10,000 families in Garissa, thousands more at risk

by STEPHEN ASTARIKOMonday May 11, 2026 IDPs from floodwaters from Bula Punda in Garissa are camping at the Police Training Centre./STEPHEN ASTARIKO Families across Garissa County are facing a fresh wave of suffering after torrential rains and swelling waters along River Tana swept through villages, flattening homes, ruining farms and wiping out livelihoods in their path. The Garissa County Steering Group says at least 10,000 households in Garissa Township have already been displaced, while more than 60,000 others countywide…