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On July 24, 2025, Derrick Thompson stood before the Hennepin County Court, where the gravity of his actions weighed heavily in the air. As he listened to the judge, the moment marked the culmination of a harrowing journey that began with a tragic incident, reverberating through the Somali American community and beyond. Thompson, a 29-year-old man, was sentenced to an extraordinary 58 years and eight months in prison for a high-speed crash in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of five vibrant Somali American women. These…

The family of an Irish woman who was tragically killed by her partner in a hotel in Spain two years ago has expressed profound disappointment with the prison sentence handed down to him. Keith Byrne has been sentenced to 15 years for the murder of Kirsty Ward, with credit given for the two years he has already spent in custody. This verdict has left Ms. Ward's parents, Jackie and John, feeling that the sentence undermines the gravity of the crime and the jury's decision. Byrne strangled the 36-year-old mother of one at a…

In a recent turn of events, opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi was handed a new sentence, compounding the over two decades of imprisonment he has already endured due to previous convictions, including money laundering. At the age of 84, Ghannouchi, along with 17 co-defendants, faced charges of "conspiring against state security." His legal team has vehemently contested these allegations, arguing that the trial lacked fundamental fairness. Since his detention in 2023, Ghannouchi has steadfastly refused to attend court…

Al-Shabaab Bomb Maker Sentenced to Life in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a decisive move aimed at curbing extremism, a military court in Somalia has imposed a life sentence on an al-Shabaab bomb maker. Convicted of crafting devastating Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), his actions have caused immeasurable suffering across the nation. This sentencing is an integral part of a comprehensive strategy to dismantle the militant group, notorious for their relentless attacks on civilians, security…

A Somber Reflection: The Sentencing of Ahmed Awga and Its Implications for Press Freedom in Ethiopia In the realm of journalism, where the pursuit of truth often collides with authority, the story of Ahmed Awga emerges as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in many parts of the world. Ahmed, the founder of Ethiopia’s Jigjiga Television Network, recently found himself on the receiving end of a two-year prison sentence, a punishment that resonates deeply with the ongoing struggle for press freedom. The…

In a dramatic turn of events, Augustin Matata Ponyo, the former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been handed a ten-year sentence of forced labor for his role in the embezzlement of approximately $245 million in public funds. Joining him in this legal debacle is Deogratias Mutombo, the former governor of the central bank, who has received a five-year sentence. The echoes of this case reverberate through the halls of Congolese politics, raising questions about accountability and governance. The…

It was a somber day in the Garissa High Court when a verdict finally brought a glimmer of closure to a family reeling from tragedy. Anthony Murithi Nyaga, a man who once earned his keep at a quarry, found himself at the center of a harrowing legal battle. His crime was no minor infraction; it was the stark, unforgiving act of murder that sent ripples of grief and anger through the relatives of Hassan Salat Mohamed. How does a relationship that spans nearly a decade unravel into such catastrophe, one might wonder?…

LONDON, UK (Axadle Times) —  an ordinary journey taking a profound turn. At Newcastle International Airport, amidst the bustling travelers, a London man found himself at the heart of a legal storm over khat, a substance often cloaked in controversy.It's not every day that a simple trip lands one in headlines. For Ahmed Hirsi, aged 46, life took an unexpected twist after customs officers uncovered approximately £18,000 worth of khat concealed in his luggage. The discovery occurred on October 11, 2023, marking what should have…

Northeastern State Court Issues Verdict: Justice for Assaulted Yemeni Child Location: Garowe, Somalia In the heart of Garowe—a bustling city thriving with the vibrant energy of Northeastern State, Somalia—a poignant story unfolds, one that echoes the profound impact of justice within a community. This narrative roots itself in an incident that shook the residents of this city, bringing to light the vulnerable position of refugee families and the…

Today marked a significant milestone in Australian legislative history as lawmakers enacted robust anti-hate legislation designed to combat a string of recent, alarming incidents targeting the Jewish community. Under this new law, minimum sentences are instituted for various offences, including a hefty one-year imprisonment for the act of giving a Nazi salute, a gesture laden with hatred and historical atrocity. This progressive legislation emerged from a confluence of support that spanned across party lines, uniting the…