In a heart-wrenching video released by a Ukrainian army brigade, Evans Kibet, a 36-year-old Kenyan athlete and prisoner of war, tearfully pleaded not to be sent back to Russia, fearing for his life. The aspiring long-distance runner, dressed in a red sports top with the brigade’s flag behind him, claimed he was deceived into joining the Russian army and is desperate to return home to his 16-year-old daughter. The 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade, which shared the video on Facebook, stated that Kibet had fought on the enemy’s side, leaving the credibility of his emotional appeal to viewers’ discretion. The brigade confirmed the interview was conducted with Kibet’s consent, though the BBC has not independently verified this. Kibet’s case highlights the plight of foreign recruits in the Russian army, many of whom are reportedly from poorer countries and end up in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps. Petro Yatsenko, Ukraine’s spokesperson on POW treatment, revealed that citizens from Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, and Sri Lanka are among those currently held. Kibet’s family in Kenya is in shock, with his cousin Edith Chesoi expressing deep trauma and sleepless nights. Known as a humble and dedicated athlete, Kibet had built his life around running, competing in lesser-known races across Europe and Asia. Friends say he had been struggling financially, which may have led him to accept an offer from a sports agent to travel to Russia for races. Kibet insists he went as a visitor, not for military purposes, but was coerced into signing Russian-language documents that bound him to the army. After a week of basic training, he escaped during his first mission and surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers. Kibet’s family is urging Kenyan authorities to intervene, and a senior foreign ministry official assured that the government is actively pursuing the matter. Ukraine has expressed openness to repatriation negotiations if Kenya shows interest. For Kibet’s loved ones, his safety is the only priority. ‘If he made a mistake, let them forgive him. We only want him back,’ his brother said.
作者: admin
-

South Africa recall De Kock as he ends retirement
In a surprising turn of events, South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and has been recalled to the national squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan. The 32-year-old, who retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup in India, will now feature in both the ODI and T20I series starting next month. This decision comes ahead of two major global tournaments: the T20 World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the 50-over World Cup in 2027, which South Africa will co-host. De Kock, who last played for the Proteas in the T20 World Cup final in June 2024, has been a dominant force in white-ball cricket, amassing 21 ODI centuries since his debut in 2013, trailing only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in this period. His return is seen as a significant boost for South Africa, especially after the recent retirement of Heinrich Klaasen, one of the world’s leading T20 batters. South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, expressed his enthusiasm about De Kock’s return, stating, ‘Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us. His quality and experience will undoubtedly benefit the team.’ De Kock has been active in various T20 leagues this year, including the SA20, Indian Premier League, Major League Cricket, and the Caribbean Premier League. South Africa’s tour of Pakistan will include two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20s, starting on October 12. Captain Temba Bavuma will miss the Tests due to injury, with Aiden Markram stepping in as the leader. Donovan Ferreira will captain the team in a one-off T20 against Namibia following the Pakistan tour.
-

Botswana declares public holiday after ‘historic’ athletics gold medal
Botswana has made history by becoming the first African nation to win the men’s 4×400 meters relay at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. In recognition of this monumental achievement, President Duma Boko has declared Monday, 29 September, a public holiday, coinciding with the eve of the country’s Independence Day. The victorious team, comprising Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, triumphed over the United States, the reigning champions of the past decade, in a thrilling rain-soaked race. South Africa secured the third position. President Boko, addressing the nation from New York where he is attending the UN General Assembly, lauded the athletes as ‘Botswana’s natural diamonds,’ emphasizing their role in elevating the nation’s global stature. This victory marks Botswana’s best-ever performance in the championship, with the country securing fifth place overall in the medal standings, behind the US, Kenya, the Netherlands, and Canada, with two golds, one silver, and a bronze. This achievement follows last year’s historic moment when Letsile Tebogo clinched Botswana’s first Olympic gold in the men’s 200 meters in Paris, a feat that was celebrated with a half-day holiday and a grand reception at the National Stadium in Gaborone. President Boko described the current victory as ‘electric,’ underscoring its significance in Botswana’s rising prominence on the world stage.
-

South Korea would accept a Trump-Kim deal to freeze nuclear programme, president tells BBC
In a recent interview with the BBC, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his willingness to support an interim agreement between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which would involve freezing North Korea’s nuclear weapons production rather than pursuing full denuclearization. President Lee described this approach as a “feasible, realistic alternative” to the long-term goal of denuclearization, emphasizing the need for pragmatic solutions in the face of North Korea’s ongoing nuclear advancements. North Korea, which declared itself a nuclear power in 2022, has consistently vowed to retain its nuclear arsenal, making immediate denuclearization an unlikely prospect. Lee argued that halting North Korea’s nuclear and missile development would offer significant benefits while maintaining the ultimate goal of denuclearization. President Lee, who assumed office in June, has prioritized reducing tensions with North Korea, a stark contrast to his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose aggressive policies led to heightened regional instability. Lee has also called for the resumption of nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea, which stalled in 2019 after the U.S. demanded the dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear facilities. He expressed optimism about the potential for renewed dialogue, citing a degree of mutual trust between Trump and Kim. However, Lee acknowledged the challenges posed by the growing alliance between North Korea, China, and Russia, which he described as a “very difficult situation” for South Korea. Despite these complexities, Lee emphasized the importance of maintaining balanced relationships with both the U.S. and China, while cautiously navigating South Korea’s position in a rapidly shifting global order. Domestically, Lee faces a polarized nation still recovering from the political turmoil of his predecessor’s failed martial law attempt. He has taken steps to rebuild trust with North Korea, including halting radio broadcasts into the North, a move criticized by human rights groups. While North Korea has dismissed Lee’s overtures as “delusional,” the South Korean president remains committed to pursuing a pragmatic path toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.
-

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa shock: Why US may lose more than India
The recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to increase the cost of H-1B visas by up to 50 times has sent shockwaves through the tech industry and beyond. The proposed fee hike, raising the cost to $100,000, initially caused widespread panic among Indian workers and Silicon Valley firms. However, the White House later clarified that the fee would only apply to new applicants and be a one-time charge. Despite this adjustment, the long-term implications of the policy remain uncertain, raising concerns about its impact on both the US and Indian economies. The H-1B visa program, which has been a cornerstone of the American tech industry for decades, has allowed millions of skilled workers, predominantly from India, to contribute to the US economy. Indians account for over 70% of H-1B recipients, with significant representation in tech, medicine, and academia. The fee hike, experts argue, could lead to medium and long-term labor shortages in the US, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and technology. Indian outsourcing giants like TCS and Infosys have already begun adapting by building local workforces and shifting operations offshore. However, the broader impact on the US could be severe, with hospitals facing doctor shortages, universities struggling to attract STEM students, and startups losing access to global talent. Immigration policy analysts warn that the move could force US companies to radically change their hiring policies, potentially offshoring more work and dealing a blow to US innovation and competitiveness. The decision has also left Indian students, who make up a quarter of international students in the US, in a state of uncertainty. Many have already invested significant sums in their education, and the new policy could deter future students from choosing the US as their destination. Legal challenges to the policy are expected, and its full impact remains to be seen. As the dust settles, the H-1B shake-up appears less like a tax on foreign workers and more like a stress test for the US economy and its ability to attract and retain global talent.
-

Anger in Australia after telecom outage linked to deaths
Australian telecommunications giant Optus is under intense scrutiny following a catastrophic systems outage that left hundreds unable to contact emergency services for 13 hours, resulting in multiple deaths. The incident, which occurred last week, affected more than half of the country, with over 600 emergency calls failing to connect, primarily in South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Optus CEO Stephen Rue has publicly apologized for the ‘completely unacceptable’ failure, acknowledging that at least three lives were lost due to the outage, including a baby boy. However, police have indicated that the network failure was ‘unlikely’ to be the cause in the infant’s case. Authorities in Western Australia also suspect a fourth death linked to the incident. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) has launched an investigation, criticizing Optus for its delayed response. The company waited 40 hours to inform the public and regulators, contrary to standard practice. Rue attributed the outage to a technical fault during a network upgrade but admitted the company was unaware of the issue for 13 hours. Despite multiple customer complaints, the problem was not escalated promptly. Acma expressed deep concern, emphasizing that access to emergency services is a fundamental responsibility of telecom providers. This is the second major outage for Optus in two years, following a 2023 incident that resulted in A$12 million in penalties. Communications Minister Anika Wells has condemned the failure, stating that Optus will face ‘significant consequences.’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suggested Rue consider resigning. Investigations are ongoing, with Rue promising daily public updates.
-

My three boys starved to death. I hope angels bring them home, says Afghan mother
In the desolate graveyard of Sheidaee, outside Herat in western Afghanistan, Ghulam Mohiddin and his wife Nazo mourn the loss of their three young sons—Rahmat, Koatan, and Faisal Ahmad—all victims of malnutrition. Their story is a harrowing testament to the silent wave of child mortality sweeping across Afghanistan, a crisis exacerbated by severe food shortages, economic collapse, and dwindling international aid. The couple, who survive by breaking walnut shells, have received no assistance from the Taliban government or NGOs, leaving them helpless in the face of unimaginable grief. ‘One minute there’s a baby in your arms, the next minute they are empty,’ Nazo lamented. The graveyard, filled with hundreds of small graves, starkly illustrates the scale of the tragedy, with two-thirds of the burials being children. The UN has labeled the situation an ‘unprecedented crisis of hunger,’ with nearly half of Afghanistan’s children under five suffering from stunted growth. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that over three million children are at risk of severe malnutrition, as aid funding dries up and winter approaches. The Taliban’s policies, including restrictions on women’s rights and bans on NGO operations, have further complicated efforts to deliver life-saving assistance. With WFP’s funding set to run out in November, the situation is dire. ‘We are starting to turn away malnourished women and children because we simply cannot afford to feed them,’ said John Aylieff, WFP’s country director. As Afghanistan teeters on the brink of catastrophe, the world watches, seemingly powerless to stop the unfolding disaster.
-

When the US cedes Asia to China
In the wake of a reportedly positive phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, speculation is rife about the future of US-China relations, particularly regarding a potential partial US withdrawal from Asia. This move, if realized, could significantly alter the geopolitical landscape, granting China greater political and strategic influence in the region. However, such a shift is fraught with risks and uncertainties, as Asian countries are wary of being left to navigate China’s growing dominance without US support. Francesco Sisci, a prominent analyst, warns that a US retreat from Asia could exacerbate regional tensions, potentially leading to a nuclear arms race among neighboring countries like South Korea and Japan. The situation is further complicated by shifting alliances and defense agreements, such as the recent pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which could push India closer to Iran. Meanwhile, countries like the Philippines are caught in a delicate balancing act between aligning with China or the US. Sisci emphasizes that any bilateral agreement between the US and China must be part of a broader multilateral framework to avoid destabilizing the region. The interview underscores the fragile and unpredictable nature of Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, where the US presence has historically acted as a stabilizing force. Without it, the region could descend into heightened conflict and militarization, with far-reaching global consequences.
-

UK formally recognises Palestinian state
In a landmark move, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the formal recognition of a Palestinian state, marking a significant shift in British foreign policy. The decision, unveiled in a video statement on X, aligns the UK with countries like Australia, Canada, and Portugal, which have also recognized Palestinian statehood. France is expected to follow suit. Starmer emphasized that the recognition aims to preserve the possibility of peace and a two-state solution amidst escalating violence in the Middle East. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared that a Palestinian state ‘will not happen,’ and from families of hostages held in Gaza, who argue it rewards terrorism. The US and Israeli governments view the recognition as a diplomatic victory for Hamas following its October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Starmer countered these claims, asserting that the decision does not legitimize Hamas but instead seeks to isolate the group from future governance. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the move, calling it a step toward peaceful coexistence with Israel. The UK Foreign Office clarified that recognition is based on provisional borders along the 1967 lines, with final boundaries to be negotiated. The two-state solution envisions a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Despite recognition by 75% of UN member states, Palestine lacks internationally agreed borders, a capital, or an army, rendering its statehood largely symbolic. The announcement comes amid worsening conditions in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have displaced hundreds of thousands and caused widespread devastation. A recent UN commission accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel vehemently denies. UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged that recognition alone would not resolve the crisis but stressed the importance of advocating for a two-state solution. Meanwhile, Israeli far-right leaders have called for annexing the West Bank and dismantling the Palestinian Authority. The decision has sparked mixed reactions domestically, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labeling it ‘absolutely disastrous,’ while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey praised it as ‘long overdue.’
-

Li calls on US lawmakers to enhance exchanges, ties
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with a delegation of US congressmen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 21, 2025. The delegation, led by Adam Smith, the Democratic leader of the House Armed Services Committee, marked the first visit by US House representatives to Beijing since 2019. Premier Li emphasized that fostering stable, sound, and sustainable relations between China and the United States aligns with the shared interests of both nations and the broader international community. He highlighted the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation as foundational principles for bilateral relations. Li expressed optimism that both countries could address their respective concerns through dialogue grounded in equality, respect, and reciprocity. He urged the US Congress to play a constructive role in advancing friendship and shared development, reinforcing the notion that China and the US should be partners in development, empowering each other for mutual success.
