passes

Nicholas Zakaria, a pioneering figure in Zimbabwe’s sungura music and a founding member of the Khiama Boys, has died. He was 66. Zakaria — widely known by his stage name "Madzibaba" — was celebrated for his deft guitar work and a voice that helped shape the rhythmic, guitar-driven sound that defines sungura. His family said he was a "talented musician and beloved member of our community" who left an indelible mark on Zimbabwean music. As one of the early members of the Khiama Boys, Zakaria performed with and influenced a…

Frank Gehry, the visionary architect whose sculptural, often metallic buildings reshaped skylines and public imagination, has died at 96, Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP, said. Gehry died at his home in Santa Monica after a brief respiratory illness. Gehry, whose work fused modern pop art sensibilities with engineering daring, won virtually every prize in his field, including the Pritzker Prize, the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, the Americans for the Arts lifetime achievement award…

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…

Senate ends longest US government shutdown with 60-40 vote, but many questions remain The US Senate on Monday approved a compromise measure to reopen the federal government, ending what lawmakers called the longest shutdown in American history but stopping short of resolving a host of lingering political and practical problems. The 60-40 vote — carried by nearly every Senate Republican and eight Democrats — restored funding for agencies whose budgets expired on Oct. 1 and pushed a final decision on health insurance…

A Nation in Mourning: Reflecting on the Legacy of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings In a somber announcement that has reverberated across Ghana and beyond, President John Mahama has declared three days of national mourning following the death of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. The flag will fly at half-mast on public buildings, diplomatic missions, and government facilities, marking a period of reflection for a beloved figure who significantly impacted Ghanaian society. A Legacy of Empowerment Known for her…

Tragedy Strikes Ethiopian Marathon Community with the Loss of Shewarge Alene The sun was just beginning to rise over Addis Ababa, casting a warm golden hue across the training fields, when the news spread like wildfire through the running community. Shewarge Alene, a celebrated Ethiopian marathon runner, tragically passed away after falling ill during a training session. She was only 30 years old. Alene had built a reputation as a formidable competitor, participating in 27 marathons since her debut in 2011. Her most recent…

Qalanjo, the Star Who Gave Somalia Its Soundtrack, Dies in Hargeisa She walked onto the stage with a dancer’s grace and a singer’s certainty, a silk scarf sweeping like a banner. In the 1970s and ’80s—when Somali theaters were full and radios hummed in every teashop—Khadijo Mohamud Yusuf, known to her country simply as Qalanjo, helped give Somalia its soundtrack. The Ministry of Information confirmed she died on August 29 in Hargeisa, calling her passing a profound loss to Somali culture. She was among the first women to…

Hargeisa (AX) — The news of former North Western State of Somalia President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo’s death on Friday has left a significant mark. A major player in the political landscape of North Western State of Somalia, Silanyo was 86 years old when he passed away, as reported by his family. Having led the Somali National Movement (SNM) and founded the influential Kulmiye party, Silanyo's political career peaked when he became President of North Western State of Somalia, serving from 2010 until 2017. Born in…

In a poignant turn of events, a remarkable Australian crocodile, measuring an impressive five and a half meters (or 18 feet) long, has passed away, as confirmed by a renowned wildlife sanctuary. This majestic creature, known as Cassius, previously held the title of the largest crocodile in captivity. Estimates suggest that Cassius was over 110 years old, a remarkable lifespan for a saltwater crocodile. His passing comes after a period of declining health that became apparent on October 15, as reported by Marineland…

The world is reeling from the shocking news that Liam Payne, the beloved member of One Direction, has tragically passed away at just 31 years old. He reportedly fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, leaving fans and friends in disbelief. According to local authorities, the singer plummeted from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel located in the vibrant Palermo district of Argentina's capital. Paramedics were unable to revive him, ultimately confirming his untimely death. Emergency services acted swiftly after the…