America’s decision to sideline Europe in Ukraine peace talks with Russia stuns NATO members

America’s decision to sideline Europe in Ukraine peace talks with Russia stuns NATO members

Later in the day, it emerged that US and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to start talks aimed at ending the war. US officials have insisted they will only settle for a “durable” peace deal and Ukraine will be at the table.

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Congolese military run out of Bukavu – eastern Congo’s second largest city – as M23 rebels advance

Congolese military run out of Bukavu – eastern Congo’s second largest city – as M23 rebels advance

Reports and social media videos showed the region’s factories pillaged and prisons emptied while electricity remained on and communication lines open in most places.

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EU cut out as US and Russia set to meet in Saudi Arabia to start talks to end the war in Ukraine

EU cut out as US and Russia set to meet in Saudi Arabia to start talks to end the war in Ukraine

Trump, who took office on January 20, has repeatedly vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine war. He made separate phone calls to Putin and Zelenskiy on Wednesday, leaving Washington’s European allies alarmed that they will be cut out of any peace process.

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African leaders elect Djibouti’s foreign minister as new leader of African Union Commission

African leaders elect Djibouti’s foreign minister as new leader of African Union Commission

The AU has 55 member states. Presidents or heads of government pick the commission’s leader, who is effectively the chief executive of the Addis Ababa-based secretariat running the AU.

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Industry players at Kisumu meet want Kenya to swap sandy beaches and wildlife for nature to inject dynamism in tourism

Industry players at Kisumu meet want Kenya to swap sandy beaches and wildlife for nature to inject dynamism in tourism

Director at the State Department for Tourism David Kinyangi described the opportunity to review the National Tourism Policy and the Tourism (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as a historic milestone in shaping the future of the sector.

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 Habitat for Humanity Kenya study paints gloomy picture of housing in Nairobi’s inner cities

 Habitat for Humanity Kenya study paints gloomy picture of housing in Nairobi’s inner cities

Nairobi County Director of Housing Michael Kinoti underscored the critical need for housing in informal settlements, including Mukuru, Kibera and Mathare, among others, saying access to shelter is a constitutional and basic right.

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Congo President Tshisekedi blasts UN for failing to stop war in the east as M23 rebels, Rwandan army capture Bukavu

Congo President Tshisekedi blasts UN for failing to stop war in the east as M23 rebels, Rwandan army capture Bukavu

The rebels last week declared a unilateral ceasefire that the government dismissed as false. They later continued to advance toward Bukavu, seizing several nearby towns, including the town of Katana on Friday. The town is 7 kilometres (4 miles) from Kavumu airport.

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Rwanda-backed M23 rebels sweep into Bukavu in eastern Congo without a fight as Kinshasa reports heavy military presence

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels sweep into Bukavu in eastern Congo without a fight as Kinshasa reports heavy military presence

A Congolese officer at the camp, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that some, but not all troops had left the camp. Any escalation in Bukavu could worsen the humanitarian situation, with the UN saying on Thursday that there had been an influx of displaced people moving towards the city, where nearly 1.3 million people already reside.

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Expenditure to edge up as Kenya’s budget deficit narrows in 2025/26, finance ministry says

Expenditure to edge up as Kenya’s budget deficit narrows in 2025/26, finance ministry says

The government plans to finance the deficit with net external financing of Ksh146.8 billion ($1.2 billion) and net domestic financing of Ksh684.2 billion ($5.3 billion) s, the ministry said.

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Kenyan court sentenced senior politician, wife to 12 years in jail in $4.5 million corruption case

Kenyan court sentenced senior politician, wife to 12 years in jail in $4.5 million corruption case

Waititu’s co-accused, Luka Mwangi Wahinya, former chief officer for roads in Kiambu County, was fined Sh21 million ($162,036) or sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of office.

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