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In an unexpected turn of events, the acclaimed Nigerian artist Tems, recognized globally for her Grammy-winning talents, has opted to cancel her highly anticipated “Born in the Wild” tour performance in Rwanda. This decision, grounded in complex geopolitical realities, spotlights the nuanced interplay between art and international conflict. Tems was set to grace the stage at the BK Arena in Kigali on March 22, 2025, a date that many fans had circled in red ink on their calendars. The excitement surrounding her performance…

The saga of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are entrenched in life sentences without the possibility of parole for the brutal slaying of their parents, is once again shifting gears—this time due to the formidable Los Angeles wildfires. In a courtroom adjournment reminiscent of a wily poker game, the resentencing hearing that was originally set for late January has now been postponed to March 20-21. This unexpected delay was rubber-stamped during a meeting between the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic, prosecutors,…

In a significant turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump announced that his inauguration, set for Monday, will take place inside the hallowed halls of the US Capitol rather than the traditional outdoor setting. The reason? An "Arctic blast" is descending upon the nation, bringing with it severe cold that even the most ardent winter warriors would balk at. Trump expressed his concerns on his Truth Social platform, stating, "There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country," and elaborated on his decision to have the…

Egypt's Firm Stand on Red Sea Military Presence Amid Rising Tensions with Ethiopia CAIRO - In an assertive move that echoes the phrase "not in my backyard," Egypt has taken a firm stance against the incursion of non-local military forces into the Red Sea. These decisive words come as Egypt once more throws its unwavering support behind Somalia, a nation locked in a tense diplomatic tango with Ethiopia. The latter’s cozy relations with the self-proclaimed independent…

In the heart of Mogadishu, a troubling situation unfolds in Somalia (AX) as the nation grapples with alarmingly low immunization and treatment rates for pneumonia and diarrhea. These two maladies are the leading killers of children under the age of five. A recent analysis by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights that Somalia is painfully lagging in delivering essential healthcare measures, putting countless young lives at stake. The study titled "Tracking Progress Toward Pneumonia and Diarrhea…

Iqra Ismail, the former leader of Somalia’s women's squad in 2019, was barred from participating due to her choice of attire aligning with her spiritual convictions. (Instagram: coachiqra) LONDON, UK (AX) — A heartfelt apology has been issued by the Football Association of England to Iqra Ismail, a British-Somali footballer, after she was denied the chance to play in a Greater London Women’s Football League (GLWFL) match. The reason? Her decision to don tracksuit bottoms instead of the league-mandated shorts, as a reflection…

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported a devastating toll of at least 60 fatalities resulting from Israeli airstrikes across various locations in the eastern Bekaa Valley, with the majority occurring in the Baalbek area. This tragic count encompasses incidents in 12 different regions within the Bekaa Valley, an area heavily influenced by the militant group Hezbollah. Disturbingly, the health ministry confirmed that among the deceased, there were at least two children, further highlighting the human cost of the conflict.…

In a surprising turn of events, Somalia’s football organization has decided to bow out of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers, citing financial woes as the chief reason. Somalia Football Federation (SFF) General Secretary Yusuf Ahmed shared this development, highlighting the persistent obstacles facing Somali football. “Financial constraints led us to this decision,” Ahmed divulged to Cecafaonline.com, noting the inability of the federation to rally the necessary funds for a national squad ahead of the…

The civil defense agency in Gaza recently reported a devastating airstrike carried out by Israel in a residential neighborhood, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 73 Palestinian lives in Beit Lahia, located in the northern part of the territory. Israel, however, contended that its military action was aimed at a "Hamas terror target." Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for the civil defense agency, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP), “Our teams have retrieved the bodies of 73 martyrs and many others injured due to the…

According to the civil defense agency in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals today in the northern region, particularly in the town and refugee camp of Jabalia, amid escalating combat operations conducted by the Israeli military. Mahmud Bassal, the agency's spokesperson, reported that a specific strike occurring shortly before 9:40 PM local time (which aligns with 6:40 PM in Ireland) tragically claimed "12 lives, including women and children" in Jabalia. Furthermore,…