Nigerian army rescues hundreds of hostages, mostly women and children, from Boko Haram extremists
The army said the hostages were rescued during a days-long military operation in Sambisa Forest, which was once a bustling forest reserve that stretches along the border with Cameroon and Niger, but now serves as an enclave from where Boko Haram and its breakaway factions carry out attacks that also target people and security forces in neighbouring countries.
French, Russia, Chinese firms scramble for contract to build Ghana’s first nuclear power plant
Ghana started considering building a nuclear power plant in the 1960s but the process was derailed by a coup. It revived the plan in 2006 with the International Atomic Energy Association’s assistance, following a devastating power crisis that year.
Gaza genocide: ICC chief prosecutor puts his office back on collision course with America
Just months after being appointed to a nine-year term in The Hague, Khan shifted the ICC’s investigation in Afghanistan away from US forces to focus on the alleged crimes of the Taliban and local ISIS militants. The move drew criticism from human rights organisations and was seen by some as an attempt to win over Washington.
Ruto’s Washington visit billed as platform for Biden to outline US economic and trade policy for Africa
Washington is also urging international financial institutions to offer low-cost financing to Kenya and other countries. The official said to expect some significant joint announcements about debt relief during the state visit this week “on how countries like Kenya can tackle this problem of debt.”
It’s not all gloom in Middle East as some Iranians are celebrating President Raisi’s death
For opponents of Iran’s clerical rulers at home and in exile, Raisi has been a hate figure since the 1980s when he was blamed for playing a leading role as a jurist in the execution of dissidents. Iran has never acknowledged that mass executions took place; amnesty International says 5,000 Iranians, possibly more, were executed in the first decade after the revolution.
Questions emerge about involvement of American nationals in plot to oust Congo president
Dino Mahtani, an independent researcher into African issues, said he first heard of Malanga in 2018 while serving as a political advisor to the United Nations in Congo. He said Congolese authorities voiced suspicions that Malanga was involved in a purported plot to kill then-President Joseph Kabila.
Judge admonishes defence witness for haughtiness after prosecution rests in Trump ‘sex money’ trial
Costello aggravated Judge Juan M. Merchan repeatedly in his testimony by making comments under his breath and continuing to speak after objections were sustained – a signal to witnesses to stop talking. At one point, Costello remarked “jeez” when he was cut off by an objection. He also called the whole exercise “ridiculous.”
Expert: Iran faces acute spare parts shortage and relies on black market to keep its aircraft in air
President Raisi was seen as a protégé to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a potential successor for his position within the country’s Shiite theocracy. Under the Iranian constitution, if a president dies, the country’s first vice president – in this case, Mohammad Mokhber – would become president.
Flight threat: Nigerian judge denies separatist leader, arrested in Kenya, bail for a second time
However, in a dramatic reaction in court on Monday, Kanu yelled out that he would not stand trial in any Nigerian court after his bail request was denied. Kanu’s IPOB campaigns for the secession of southeastern Nigeria where the majority belong to the Igbo ethnic group. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a terrorist organisation.
Some respite for WikiLeaks founder Assange as he wins right to appeal against extradition to US
The brief ruling from the bench followed arguments over Assange’s claim that by releasing the trove of confidential documents he was essentially a publisher and due the free press protections guaranteed by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
