South Africa’s world-famous Kruger National Park could become known by a new name if some local politicians have their way. The vast wildlife sanctuary, called the Sabi Game Reserve at the time, was re-christened in 1926 to honour Paul Kruger. He was president in the late 19th Century of what was known as the South African Republic, which forms part of what is now the east of South Africa. For Afrikaners, descendants of 17th Century European settlers, Kruger is revered as a hero who led the resistance against British colonialism. But for the majority of South Africans, he is viewed…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Police officers at the Muthaiga Police Station in Nairobi are on the spot for failing to arrest a businessman accused of assault and unlawful detention of a car. Despite the Office Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) recommending that Aloise Kinyanjui Kuria and his employees be charged for attacking and unlawfully detaining Anthony Kariuki Theuri, no action has been taken against the businessman said to be the brother of an influential Kiambu politician. Both Kinyanjui and Kariuki are businessmen with the former contracting the latter on several occasions to make doors for some of his construction projects. They fell apart on…
Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital officially commenced the construction of a new 53-bed Newborn Unit to address the growing influx of patients and ease congestion at the facility. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Fredrick Obwanda, described the project as a historic milestone in tackling longstanding congestion challenges. He noted that the new unit will create adequate space for mothers and enhance the quality of neonatal care. “Congestion has been one of our biggest challenges. The construction of this unit will provide enough space for mothers and promote skin-to-skin (kangaroo mother) care,” said Dr. Obwanda. The…
vSeychelles’ main opposition leader Patrick Herminie won presidential elections, defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan in a runoff vote, according to official results released by the electoral commission. Herminie gained 52.7% of the vote, compared with Ramkalawan’s 47.3%. In his victory speech, Herminie promised to lower the cost of living, revive public services, and unite the island nation, saying the result marked “a new chapter for all Seychellois”. After losing his bid for a second term, Ramkalawan congratulated Herminie on his victory, saying he leaves “a legacy that makes many presidents blush”. The election went to a run-off after neither candidate won…
A Plymouth-based ship intercepted three small boats travelling across the Gulf of Oman carrying £35m worth of illegal narcotics, the Royal Navy has said. Commando snipers from Bickleigh barracks were used to disable the boats and the Navy said it was the first time they had been called on to use non-lethal force in the specific area. A spokesperson said the crews on the small boats tried to throw their cargo into the water and speed away, with two of the skiffs subsequently abandoned. After disabling the third boat’s engine, teams found more than 1.5 tonnes (1,500kg) of drugs including…
The Taliban government has confirmed that it attacked Pakistani troops in multiple mountainous locations on the northern border. A Taliban spokesman said 58 Pakistan military personnel had been killed in what it called “an act of retaliation”. It claimed Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and bombed a market inside its border on Thursday. Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces’ members had died and claiming that “200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized”. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were “unprovoked” and civilians were fired at, warning that his country’s forces would…
The office of Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has said an attempt to seize power illegally and by force is under way in the country. Hours later, an army unit known as CAPSAT claimed that it had taken over the leadership of the military command, and was now in control of all the armed forces – land, air, and naval. This is the same unit that played a crucial role in the 2009 Malagasy political crisis, which helped Rajoelina rise to power. Madagascar was first hit by protests on 25 September against water and power cuts, but they have escalated to…
Beijing has vowed countermeasures against Washington if US President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump’s latest threat came after China unleashed a raft of export restrictionson rare earth minerals last week. The escalating tensions threaten to derail months of progress in trade talks. “Resorting to threats of high tariffs is not the right way to engage with China,” a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said Sunday, in Beijing’s first comments on the threat. “If the US persists in acting unilaterally, China will resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights…
Four people were killed and 12 others injured, four critically, after a mass shooting in the US state of Mississippi. The shooting happened at around midnight on the main street in Leland, a small town 120 miles (190km) north-east of the state capital Jackson, the small city’s Mayor John Lee told the BBC. Four of the injured were airlifted to hospital, Lee added. No suspects were in custody, but a police manhunt was under way. Leland was busier than usual on Friday with the local high school scheduled to play a football game to mark homecoming, an annual US tradition,…
Some groups of Madagascan soldiers have defied orders and joined thousands of antigovernment protesters assembled in the capital, Antananarivo, as demonstrations against President Andry Rajoelina’s rule gain momentum. The youth-led protesters entered the capital’s May 13 Square on Saturday for the first time in one of the biggest gatherings since a protest movement inspired by what has become known as the Gen Z protests in Kenyaand Nepal erupted on the Indian Ocean island on September 25. After police used stun grenades and tear gas to try to disperse the demonstrators, soldiers arrived at the scene, where they were welcomed with…
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said Kenya Kwanza’s development record is unmatched, challenging opposition leaders to get ready to account for their time in public service when the time comes. The DP said President Ruto’s government is wholly focused on fulfilling its expansive development agenda covering every part of the country, reiterating its commitment to serve all Kenyans equally. “We are doing a lot to develop every part of the country. The President is working hard to ensure every region is developed. No part will be left behind because of how they voted or where they are located or which tribe.…
Former US President Joe Biden is receiving radiation therapy as part of his treatment for prostate cancer, his spokesman has said. The spokesman also said that Biden, 82, was undergoing hormone treatment, without giving any further details. The radiation treatment was expected to span five weeks and marked a new point in his care, a source told NBC News. In May, Biden’s office announced that he was diagnosed with a more aggressive form of the disease, which had spread to his bones. The discovery was made after the Democrat politician reported urinary symptoms which led doctors to find a small…
Hamas is pressing Israel to include prominent Palestinians in a prisoner-release list – part of a ceasefire deal that will also see hostages returned from Gaza. Hamas’s insistence comes after the Israeli justice ministry published the names of 250 prisoners to be freed, but excluded seven high-profile prisoners, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat. The men, who are serving sentences after being convicted of involvement in separate deadly attacks in Israel, have long been seen by Palestinians as symbols of resistance. Twenty Israeli hostages are expected to be released before 12:00 (09:00 GMT) on Monday as part of the deal…
Hamas has recalled about 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over areas of Gaza recently vacated by Israeli troops, according to local sources. The Palestinian group also appointed five new governors all with military backgrounds, some of whom previously commanded brigades in its armed wing. The mobilisation order was reportedly issued via phone calls and text messages which said the aim was to “cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel” and told fighters to report within 24 hours. Reports from Gaza suggest that armed Hamas units have already deployed across several districts, some wearing civilian clothes…
At least 27 people have died and others are missing, according to authorities, after floods in Mexico triggered landslides and swept away homes, vehicles and bridges. Heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday caused rivers to burst their banks. Hidalgo in east Mexico was one of the worst affected areas, with 16 deaths reported. Thousands of houses have been damaged or destroyed as fast-running water careered down streets, carrying cars, while highways were blocked with debris and electricity cut off. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government has deployed 5,400 personnel to help communities, clear roads and hand out aid. She…