Scrutiny

Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to alleged sharing of UK trade envoy secrets with Jeffrey Epstein Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after documents from the latest Jeffrey Epstein files appeared to show he shared confidential government information while serving as a British trade envoy, according to people familiar with the matter. His unceremonious detention on his 66th birthday followed a complaint by…

Malawi has struck a landmark mineral marketing agreement with U.S.-based Traxys North America to sell graphite from the Kasiya rutile-graphite project in Lilongwe, officials said Friday, a deal that both countries view as strategically significant amid growing global demand for critical minerals. Malawian authorities hailed the arrangement as a potential boost to the country’s export earnings and industrial profile. The U.S. government classifies both rutile and graphite as essential minerals, and they are widely sought for…

UNITED NATIONS — A stark divide over sovereignty and the use of force split the U.N. Security Council during an emergency session as the United States defended the capture and prosecution of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, even as critics warned the move tramples international law and sets a perilous precedent. Diplomats arrived stone-faced for the hastily convened meeting in New York. None stopped to speak with reporters except U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, who said, “It’s good to see justice,” shortly before Maduro and his…

Turkey’s Expanding Influence in Somalia Draws Sharp Criticism AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State’s State Minister of Information, Mohamud Aided Dirir, has sharply criticized Turkey’s growing footprint in Somalia, alleging the engagement is driven by self-interest, corruption and exploitation rather than the country’s long-term stability, security or good governance. Dirir said Ankara’s presence undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and misappropriates local resources, arguing that foreign assistance should reinforce Somali…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Tuesday with a high-level Swedish delegation led by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, signaling an effort by both governments to deepen ties on economic development, trade and institution-building amid heightened debate over migration policy. The closed-door talks at Villa Somalia focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation to support Somalia’s reconstruction and governance reforms, according to a statement…

Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, gathered with Germany's Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin from November 5-6, 2024. The photo credits: Hannes P. Albert / picture alliance. Recently, Germany and Somalia unveiled a new agreement, sparking varied reactions and opinions. Historically, similar attempts to repatriate migrants have often faced challenges and shown limited success, as noted by several experts. On November 6, after their meeting in Berlin, Scholz and Mohamud declared their intention to return more…

On September 27, tragic news emerged from Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a military airstrike aimed at combating notorious criminal gangs, widely referred to as bandits, resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries among innocent civilians. This grim incident has been reported by various media outlets, with Human Rights Watch highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding. Calls for accountability, unwavering justice, and increased transparency have echoed through the community, yet the echoes seem to fall on deaf…