releases

The U.S. Justice Department has released more than 300,000 pages of records from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, responding to mounting political pressure and a new law compelling disclosure. The trove, posted online with redactions, immediately intensified a yearslong fight over transparency around the late financier and convicted sex offender’s connections to powerful figures. It was not immediately clear how much of the material is new, given extensive disclosures since Epstein’s 2019 death in a New York jail, ruled…

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…

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko freed 123 prisoners — including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and prominent opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava — after two days of talks with an envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a U.S. statement. In return, Washington agreed to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash, a critical fertilizer ingredient that the former Soviet state produces in large volumes for global markets. The release is the largest announced by Lukashenko since Trump’s administration…

Gaza’s skyline is being erased — and with it a fragile chance for peace Israel’s campaign in Gaza has entered a new, harsher phase: airstrikes and ground operations that have begun to smash the high-rises that once housed families, businesses and entire neighbourhoods. The intensified demolition of towers in Gaza City — as many as 20 high-rise buildings hit this week — is part of an assault that health authorities say left dozens dead and has pushed the territory further toward a humanitarian abyss. At the same time,…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a startling move, the International Criminal Court (ICC) took a dramatic step on Thursday, issuing arrest warrants against three prominent figures: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif. The charges? War crimes and crimes against humanity during the intense Gaza conflict.ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I has articulated that there's "reasonable cause" to think Netanyahu and Gallant orchestrated policies that deprived Gaza civilians…

In a significant development, Venezuelan authorities have released 225 individuals who were apprehended during the tumultuous anti-government protests that erupted following the contentious presidential elections held on July 28. This information was disclosed by Attorney General Tarek Saab in an official announcement. According to Saab, the decision to grant freedom to these individuals stemmed from newly uncovered evidence by prosecutors. The announcement detailed, “Between the afternoon of November 15 and November 16, we…

Democratic contender for the presidency, Kamala Harris, is reported to be in "excellent health," as indicated by a comprehensive medical evaluation released by the White House. This announcement comes as Harris's campaign takes a bold step, urging her opponent, Donald Trump, to unveil his health records as well. "Vice President Harris is in superb health," her physician, Joshua Simmons, emphasized in the report. He went on to state that she "exhibits both the physical stamina and mental clarity necessary to fulfill the…

MOGADISHU, Sept 16 (AX) - The Somali presidency has reportedly rolled out new directives to challenge South West State's President Abdiaziz Laftagareen's administration, insiders divulged. These directives were hashed out in a secretive parley at Villa Somalia, the presidential domicile, attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and House Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe). From sources in the loop, President Mohamud made it clear that any dialogue with Laftagareen hinges on…

US military releases report on civilian casualties in Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya - The US Africa Command on Friday released a report on civilian casualties in Somalia, which assesses the operations of troops who have assisted local forces, including through aerial surveillance in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The civilian casualty assessment was introduced in 2020 following complaints of deaths…

The International Criminal Court has dropped its arrest warrant for Ivory Coast's former president's lady, Simone Gbagbo, following violence following the 2010-2011 election that killed thousands, according to a decision released on Thursday.…