MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Al-Shabaab insurgents have released a new video showing Oleynik Aleksandr, a Ukrainian national and helicopter pilot held by the group since early 2024, appealing to the Ukrainian government and the United Nations to launch talks for his release and that of fellow crew members. The footage features Aleksandr identifying himself as the captain of a United Nations–contracted helicopter that made an emergency landing in militant-held territory in January 2024 while en route to Wisil, near Ceelbuur, in…

Premier League title race blown open as Buendia’s stoppage-time strike sinks Arsenal; Man City close in Aston Villa detonated the Premier League title race with a 2-1 win over Arsenal sealed in the fifth minute of stoppage time, trimming the leaders’ advantage to two points after Manchester City’s clinical 3-0 dispatch of Sunderland. Villa sit a point further back in third after a raucous late twist at Villa Park that revived Unai Emery’s resurgent side and rattled Mikel Arteta’s unbeaten machine. Emiliano Buendia,…

Flotilla Bound for Gaza Intercepted at Sea; African Leaders Demand Release of Detainees Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of roughly 40 vessels on Wednesday that had been sailing for weeks toward the besieged Gaza Strip, detaining scores of activists and prompting urgent diplomatic protests from African leaders whose citizens were aboard. Among those taken into custody was Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, an emblematic figure whose presence underscored the…

The recent funeral of Liam Payne drew together loved ones and colleagues to honor his memory, including notable figures like Cheryl Tweedy and his One Direction bandmates. In attendance at the intimate ceremony held at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, were singers Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson. They came together, amidst a somber atmosphere, to remember their dear friend and fellow artist. Liam tragically passed away at the young age of 31 on October 16, following a devastating fall…

American Drone Takes a Nosedive in Somali Turf MOGADISHU, Somalia - Earlier this week, a U.S. military drone crashed in southern Somalia, as confirmed by the U.S. Africa Command. This disclosure ended swirling rumors about the machine’s ownership, pivotal in battling the Al-Shabaab insurgency. Initial chatter in the area sparked curiosity, with speculation floating around a possible Turkish drone crash in the Al-Shabaab-occupied town of Farsoley, in Lower Shabelle. This town sits about 130 km southwest of Somalia's…

Kenya: Farewell to Eastleigh Women Following Tragic Loss NAIROBI, Kenya - In a scene heavy with grief, Lang'ata Cemetery in Nairobi saw the final farewell of three women who met a tragic fate after being kidnapped and later murdered. The burial took place on Friday with an urgent call from community leaders for swift justice and clarity regarding their abrupt passing. The departed souls, Waris Daud, Nuseiba Dahir, and Amina Abdirashid, were interred amidst the presence of sorrowful relatives, close friends, Islamic…

The six French soldiers and the helicopter, which have been held since Wednesday at the airport in Bata, Equatorial Guinea's economic capital, where they landed their planes to refuel, were allowed to leave the territory on Friday night, the French army confirmed to RFI. The six French soldiers were allowed to land urgently in…

This is the first major event organized by the DRC. The Francophonie Summit also had the same concern that the DRC would not be able to organize the Francophonie Summit. According to the minutes, the reports were apparently one of the largest summits since the creation of the Francophonie summits. Ivory Coast also has the same configuration as us. They took a year to build the village of La Francophonie and they got there. There is so far no question of suspension or cancellation of any kind.…

Somali leaders sign revised election agreement, elections to be held within two months MOGADISHU, Somalia - Delegates will elect constituency representatives for the next sixty days following an agreement signed on Thursday by the federal government and federal government, in what now resolves the current electoral support in the country. Somalia has been embroiled in a pre-election stalemate…

Kalev should not think we are upset about him. No one blames him, but he must be held accountable for his actions, that's what matters. Nor should it be the case that public opinion thinks it is against it. It's like he's the victim, no. What we want is justice. It is essential. Jean-Claude Muyambo Kyassa, former president of Lubumbashi Bar Kamanda Wa Kamanda .