Report finds over 1,000 Kenyans enlisted to fight in Russia-Ukraine war

Kenya’s spy agency says a trafficking pipeline aided by rogue officials has funneled up to 1,000 Kenyans into Russia’s war in Ukraine, with at least one death and dozens injured or missing, according to a report presented to parliament. The National Intelligence Service report, tabled Wednesday by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, details alleged collusion by airport staff, immigration officers, investigators and labor officials to recruit and move Kenyans into Russia under false pretenses. It says 89…

Beefed-up security at march honoring slain French far-right activist

Thousands march in Lyon to honor slain far-right activist as police deploy heavy security LYON, France — Thousands marched through central Lyon under heavy security to pay tribute to Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist whose killing after street clashes has sharpened fears over political violence in France. Participants, many dressed in black and some masking their faces, carried flowers and placards bearing Deranque’s photograph alongside slogans reading “justice for Quentin” and “the extreme left kills.” The…

Ukraine explosions kill policewoman in apparent terrorist attack

Policewoman killed, 15 wounded in Lviv explosions local authorities call ‘act of terror’; Kyiv rattled by predawn blasts LVIV, Ukraine — A 23-year-old policewoman was killed and at least 15 people were wounded in a pair of explosions that struck central Lviv overnight, an incident local authorities on Sunday called an “act of terror.” Hours later, a separate wave of predawn blasts shook Kyiv amid warnings of a ballistic missile attack. The Lviv regional prosecutor’s office said the blasts occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m.,…

Iran readies counteroffer as United States weighs possible military strikes

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator said he expects to finalize a draft counterproposal within days after talks with the United States this week, even as President Donald Trump said he is considering limited military strikes if Tehran fails to accept a deal within 10 to 15 days. Two U.S. officials told Reuters that military planning on Iran has reached an advanced stage, with options that include targeting specific individuals and, if ordered by Trump, exploring steps toward leadership change in Tehran. The high-stakes…

Somalia Plans to Recruit 12,000 Teachers by 2026 Under Education Reform

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia plans to recruit 12,000 government-employed teachers by the end of 2026, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Saturday, framing the effort as the centerpiece of a drive to rebuild a long-fragile education system and place it on a domestically financed footing. Barre said his administration has already recruited and deployed 6,000 trained teachers in less than two years, a dramatic shift from the roughly 900 teachers on the federal payroll when the government took office. “In just two years, we…

As War Nears Four Years, Ukraine Sees No Breakthrough Ahead

Analysis: Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces its hardest winter as U.S.-brokered talks inch forward and Moscow hardens demands Four years after Russia launched its full-scale assault by land, sea and air, Ukraine enters a fifth year of war under punishing pressure: nightly missile and drone attacks on power stations, a slow-moving battlefield that chews through men and machines, and a diplomatic track that shows glimmers of structure but scant substance. A U.S.-led initiative that began a year ago…

Somali government, opposition talks deadlock in clash over election agenda

Somalia government-opposition talks stall over election agenda dispute MOGADISHU, Somalia — A high-level meeting between leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council was suspended on its second day after both sides failed to agree on which electoral issues should take priority, officials and participants said. The talks, convened to ease political tensions and set a clear path for Somalia’s next elections, broke down over the agenda itself. Government representatives pressed to advance their…

Macron urges calm before France march honoring far-right activist killed last week

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called for calm ahead of nationwide rallies planned in memory of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist whose killing last week has jolted France and inflamed already raw political tensions. Authorities are bracing for potential clashes between extremist groups, particularly in Lyon, where a large march is set to proceed under heavy security despite the city’s Green mayor urging the state to ban it. Police expect 2,000 to 3,000 participants and anticipate…

Future Council–Federal Government Negotiations: Current Status and Next Steps

Where do talks between the Future Council and the Federal Government stand? MOGADISHU — Somalia’s election negotiations have entered a decisive phase as members of the Future Council agreed to attend a unified session at Villa Somalia on Sunday, moving the standoff with the Federal Government into direct, high-level talks over the country’s electoral path. The shift comes after weeks of committee-level engagements and separate consultative meetings failed to unlock compromises on how to conduct the next polls. With the…

U.S. strike on suspected drug-smuggling boat kills three, Pentagon says

U.S. forces carried out an airstrike against an alleged narco‑trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific on Feb. 20, killing three people, U.S. Southern Command said in a statement posted on X the following day. “Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations” transiting “along known narco‑trafficking routes,” the command said. The post added that “three male narco‑terrorists were killed during this action.” Black‑and‑white video released with the…