Von der Leyen: EU entering new era of energy independence from Russia

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders reached an overnight agreement to ban imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027, a landmark step aimed at severing a major revenue stream for Moscow and marking, in the words of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, "the dawn of a new era" of energy independence from Russia. The compromise, struck between EU capitals and the European Parliament, sets a staggered timetable: long-term pipeline contracts will be prohibited from Sept. 30, 2027 — provided EU gas storage levels are…

Ex-EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini faces fraud and corruption allegations

Former EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Accused in EU Procurement Fraud Probe BRUSSELS — Federica Mogherini, the EU's former high representative for foreign and security policy, has been formally accused of procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and violating professional secrecy, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said Friday. EPPO said three people were the subject of the accusations. They were detained during raids linked to an investigation into suspected fraud connected to EU-funded…

NATO Chief Says Only Trump Can End Ukraine-Russia Impasse

BRUSSELS — NATO foreign ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday amid growing unease over a draft peace plan to end the war in Ukraine and concern that U.S.-led diplomacy with Moscow could sideline the alliance. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters that only U.S. President Donald Trump, he believed, might be able to break the current deadlock over the conflict — a remark reflecting frustration among some allies about the slow pace and informal channels of negotiations. “The peace talks are ongoing, that’s good, but…

Cameroon’s Anicet Ekane, Opposition Leader, Passes Away in Custody

Opposition Leader Anicet Ekane Dies in Custody, Escalating Tensions in Cameroon Anicet Ekane, the prominent opposition leader and head of the Manidem party, has died at the age of 74 after being held for several weeks at a military garrison in Yaoundé. His family and legal representatives claim he was denied essential medical care during his detention, where he struggled to breathe while facing serious charges, including hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and calls for insurrection. Ekane's arrest on…

SWAPO Returns with Landslide Victory in Namibia’s Local Elections

Windhoek — Namibia’s ruling Swapo party captured a decisive share of seats in Monday’s local authority elections, winning just over 52% of all seats nationwide, electoral authorities said, marking an increase of nearly 40% compared with the 2020 local polls. Officials also reported turnout was low, with fewer than 40% of registered voters casting ballots. The results reaffirm Swapo’s standing after three decades in national government, but analysts cautioned the party’s gains do not translate into uncontested control at the…

Somali Prime Minister Dismisses Engaging With Trump’s Anti-Somali Comments as Futile

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s prime minister on Wednesday defended his government’s decision to stay silent in the face of recent inflammatory remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has escalated attacks on Somali immigrants living in the United States. Speaking at the Sixth Youth Leadership and Innovation Summit 2025, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Mogadishu had no interest in turning Trump’s comments into a political confrontation that could amplify his rhetoric. “It is easier to ignore President Donald…

Germany grants official recognition to Somalia’s diplomatic passport

Germany formally recognizes Somali diplomatic passports for entry and residence MOGADISHU, Somalia — Germany has officially recognized the Somali diplomatic passport for entry and residence, a decision published in the German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) on Dec. 1, 2025, in a move Somali officials hailed as a milestone for the country’s travel document credibility and its international mobility. The designation gives full official status to Somalia’s diplomatic passport at German borders and for residence purposes,…

Trump lashes out at Somali immigrants, declares “we don’t want them”

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday launched a forceful attack on Somali immigrants, saying they should be unwelcome in the United States and accusing Somali Americans of contributing "nothing" amid a sprawling fraud investigation in Minnesota tied to phantom social services. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Trump described Somalia as a failed state and said Somali immigrants "just run around killing each other" and that "their country's no good for a reason. Their country stinks, and we don't want them in our…

Barcelona go four points clear with La Liga win over Atletico Madrid

Wednesday December 3, 2025 Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday to open a four-point cushion at the top of La Liga, a measured, resilient performance punctuated by timely goals and late composure at the Olympic Stadium. The result adds breathing room in the title race ahead of Real Madrid’s visit to injury-hit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night. Atletico struck first, forcing Barcelona to chase a game that had already tilted on a first-half turning point. Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty before the interval, a…

Human Rights Group Sounds Alarm Over Rising Online Abuse of Zimbabwean Women

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission warned this week that technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV) is moving from the margins into the mainstream, forcing many women and girls to silence themselves online and offline. The statement, released to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, said that journalists, activists, politicians and young women in Zimbabwe are among the most affected and urged stronger enforcement of existing laws. "Women and girls are increasingly…