China’s President Xi Jinping pitches for ‘sound and steady China-US relations’ after meeting US Foreign Secretary Blinken
China has refused to entertain Washington’s bid to resume military-to-military communication channels, citing US sanctions as the obstacle. The two sides appeared entrenched in their positions over everything from Taiwan to trade, including US actions toward China’s chip industry, human rights and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
American missionary freed from captivity in Niger by Al Qaeda terrorist recounts how ‘it was hell’, US ignoring his ordeal
American officials have said little about the circumstances of Woodke’s release, noting only that it was a collaborative effort and that the US government did not pay a ransom or make other concessions. Woodke was freed alongside a French journalist, Olivier Dubois, even as other hostages remain in the area. Woodke was similarly circumspect, saying that he doesn’t know with certainty what led to his release but that he was recovered by French forces.
Kenya’s marine species face serious threats from environmental abuse, poaching
The survey, conducted by a 50-strong survey team comprised of pilots, observers and data capturers, was a collaboration between Wildlife Research Institute (WRTI), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare).
Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russia sends panic to Moscow as Zelensky praises his troops
Ukrainian officials have imposed an information blackout to help operational security, but say that Russia has suffered much greater losses than Ukraine has during its new assault. A regional official said Ukrainian forces had destroyed a Russian ammunition dump in occupied Kherson region, part of a weeks-long effort by Kyiv to disrupt Russian supply lines.
How Uganda President Museveni shot down Lifestyle Audit tool, promoted theft to an economic enabler
Corruption has become a political weapon since there is growing evidence that many people are using it to acquire financial might for elective politics. The political motive has indeed complicated the fight against the corrupt who easily dismiss the IGG’s onslaught on them as witch-hunt.
Skywatchers to be treated to a 5 planet parade on Father’s Day as Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Uranus and Mercury align
Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury should be visible to the naked eye but the use of binoculars would make it a lot easier to look at Uranus and Neptune, as they are further away. One of the keys to recognising these celestial bodies is that Mercury will be the last one to appear, about an hour before sunrise.
Al Qaeda-affiliated ADF insurgents attack school western Uganda and kill 41 students, abduct others
The ADF has ties with the Islamic State group. In March, at least 19 people were killed in Congo by suspected ADF militants. Ugandan authorities for years have vowed to track down ADF militants “at home and abroad.”
African leaders attempt mediation in Ukraine war but Russia ‘greets’ them with rocket strikes on Kyiv
African are seeking agreement on a series of “confidence building measures”, but Kyiv has said its own peace initiative must be the basis of any settlement and has launched a counteroffensive to push back Russian occupying forces.
Manchester City releases wingback Benjamin Mendy as he faces retrial for sexual assault
Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against two other alleged victims after 67 hours and 17 minutes of deliberations.
US foreign secretary Antony Blinken flies to Beijing in effort to sensibly manage tenuous US-PRC relations
In its readout of the Blinken-Qin phone call, China’s foreign ministry said Qin urged the United States to respect “China’s core concerns” such as the issue of Taiwan’s self-rule, “stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, and stop harming China’s sovereignty, security and development interests in the name of competition.”
