Approximately 1,400 African nationals, including around 200 Kenyans, are reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to recent statements by Kenyan and Ukrainian authorities. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, revealed that some of these individuals are former members of Kenya’s security forces. Many recruits have allegedly been deceived into joining the war, with promises of substantial financial rewards. Some have been forced to assemble drones and handle hazardous chemicals without proper training or protective gear, raising serious safety and ethical concerns. Kenyan President William Ruto has formally requested the Ukrainian government to secure the release of Kenyan nationals currently held in the conflict zone. The Ukrainian government has also highlighted that recruitment networks remain active in both Kenya and Russia, targeting vulnerable individuals. Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has documented injuries among some recruits, who were reportedly promised up to $18,000 to cover visa, travel, and accommodation costs. Mudavadi expressed concerns about the broader issue of Kenyans being lured into ‘forced criminality,’ including drug trafficking and forced labor abroad, which he described as a threat to both Kenyan and global security. In September, Kenyan authorities rescued over 20 nationals near Nairobi who were preparing to join the war. A suspected recruiter was arrested and is facing prosecution. Meanwhile, South Africa has launched an investigation into how 17 of its citizens ended up in the war-torn Donbas region. Ukraine has also faced criticism for its attempts to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side. The situation underscores the Kremlin’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa, as evidenced by the recruitment of individuals from Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, and Sri Lanka, who are now held in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps.
分类： world
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Indian police investigate Kashmir link to Delhi blast
A devastating car explosion near the iconic Red Fort in Delhi has left eight people dead, prompting a high-level investigation into potential terror links. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening at a busy traffic signal, has raised alarms across India’s security apparatus. Authorities are probing connections to the recent arrests of seven men in Indian-administered Kashmir and the seizure of 2,900kg of explosives in Faridabad, a Delhi suburb. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “heinous terror incident” orchestrated by “anti-national forces,” vowing to bring all perpetrators to justice. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah echoed these sentiments, with Shah instructing officials to hunt down every individual involved. The case has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s counter-terrorism body, which is examining voluminous documents to uncover potential links. Media reports have speculated about a man in a viral photo, allegedly the car’s driver, who reportedly drove around the city for hours before the explosion. However, neither the NIA nor the police have confirmed these details. The blast, which occurred at 18:52 local time, left a trail of destruction, including a charred white Hyundai i20 and several other vehicles. The Red Fort remains closed as the investigation continues, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
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Sixth shipment of Emirati relief supplies arrives in Afghanistan to help quake-affected people
In a continued demonstration of solidarity and compassion, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has dispatched its sixth shipment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, aimed at alleviating the suffering of those affected by recent devastating earthquakes. The relief efforts, orchestrated under the directives of the UAE’s leadership, embody the enduring legacy of generosity established by the nation’s late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
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Turkey temporarily grounds C-130 planes after crash kills 20 military personnel
In response to a tragic crash in Georgia that resulted in the deaths of 20 military personnel, Turkey has announced the temporary suspension of its C-130 military cargo planes. The Defense Ministry revealed on Thursday that the decision was made as a precautionary measure, with all C-130 aircraft undergoing thorough technical inspections before being cleared for future operations. The ill-fated flight was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it crashed in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality, near the Azerbaijani border, on Tuesday. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The victims were part of a maintenance unit responsible for Turkish F-16 jets that had participated in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the country’s 2020 military triumph over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey has dispatched an investigation team to the crash site, and the plane’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been sent to Ankara for analysis. The aircraft, acquired from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and modernized in 2022, had recently undergone maintenance on October 12. The ministry confirmed no ammunition was on board at the time of the crash. Debris was scattered across multiple locations, and the remains of the 20th victim were recovered on Thursday. Funerals will be held after the remains are repatriated and autopsies completed.
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Cambodia evacuates a village on disputed border with Thailand as tensions rise
Cambodia has evacuated hundreds of residents from a village near its disputed border with Thailand following a deadly shooting incident that has reignited long-standing tensions between the two nations. The evacuation occurred on Thursday, a day after a Cambodian villager, Dy Nai, was reportedly killed and three others were wounded in the crossfire. The incident took place in Prey Chan village, located in Cambodia’s northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey, with approximately 250 families relocated to a Buddhist temple 30 kilometers from the border. Provincial Vice Governor Ly Sovannarith confirmed the evacuation. The shooting marks the latest escalation in a series of conflicts that have plagued the border region. Earlier this week, a Thai soldier lost a foot to a land mine explosion while patrolling the area, prompting Thailand to accuse Cambodia of violating a ceasefire agreement brokered in October. Thailand has since suspended its adherence to the truce and demanded an apology and investigation from Cambodia. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an independent probe into the shooting, accusing Thai forces of provocative actions aimed at instigating confrontations. Meanwhile, Thailand’s army spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, denied Cambodia’s claims, stating that Thai forces only fired warning shots in response to Cambodian gunfire. The border dispute between the two nations dates back centuries, with competing territorial claims rooted in a 1907 map drawn during Cambodia’s French colonial rule. The International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty of the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, a decision that continues to fuel Thai resentment. The October ceasefire agreement failed to address the underlying causes of the conflict, leaving the region vulnerable to further violence.
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Suicide bombing in Pakistan kills 12
A devastating suicide bombing outside the District Judicial Complex in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday afternoon resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The attack occurred at 12:39 pm when the assailant, unable to breach the court premises, detonated explosives outside the building. Initial investigations suggest a possible connection to a recent incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Naqvi emphasized that identifying the perpetrator, whether local or foreign, is a top priority, vowing that those responsible will face justice. The banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, threatening further violence, though conflicting reports emerged as a breakaway faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, also claimed involvement before retracting the statement. The blast caused significant damage to nearby vehicles and instilled widespread panic among bystanders. Forensic teams and police have cordoned off the area to gather evidence, while grieving families mourned their loved ones at an Islamabad hospital. The Islamabad Bar Council condemned the attack, declaring a three-day strike and urging enhanced security measures for the legal community and citizens. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the act as a cowardly terrorist attack, extending condolences to the victims’ families and demanding a swift investigation. Pakistan has accused the Pakistani Taliban and other militants of operating from Afghanistan with Indian support, allegations both Kabul and New Delhi have denied. The Taliban administration in Kabul expressed sorrow over the incident but refuted claims of harboring attackers.
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Summit offers Africa chance to redefine role
The upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, marks a pivotal moment for Africa to redefine its role in the global economy. Analysts emphasize that the continent must leverage this platform to advocate for fair trade, industrial transformation, and stable market access. Amid a turbulent global trade system, Africa faces challenges such as rising protectionism and uncertainty over the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has historically granted tariff-free access to the US market for sub-Saharan countries since 2000. The US’s recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs on key African exports, including South Africa’s auto, wine, and citrus industries, has further exacerbated concerns. Trade experts warn that these tariffs, ranging from 10 to 50 percent, threaten industries, jobs, and rural incomes across the continent. Despite these challenges, African leaders remain optimistic about constructive engagement with the US to safeguard historical trade ties. South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, has described ongoing trade talks as ‘very positive,’ with hopes for AGOA’s renewal by year-end. The G20 summit also offers Africa a unique opportunity to advocate for stable, rules-based economic agreements and to strengthen regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Experts urge African leaders to use this platform to demand fair competition, discourage unilateral tariff actions, and promote long-term trade stability. As Africa hosts its first G20 summit, the continent stands at a crossroads, with the potential to shape the global economic agenda and secure its rightful place at the decision-making table.
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US calls for international action to cut weapons supply to Sudan paramilitaries
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urgently called for international intervention to sever weapons supplies to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), following reports of widespread atrocities in el-Fasher. Speaking at the conclusion of a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Canada, Rubio detailed systematic crimes committed by the RSF, including murder, rape, and sexual violence against civilians. Sudan’s military has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of arming the RSF and sending mercenaries through African nations, allegations the UAE has consistently denied. The RSF, engaged in a civil war with Sudan’s army since April 2023, recently captured el-Fasher after an 18-month siege, gaining control over all major cities in the western Darfur region. Rubio emphasized that women and children have been primary targets of the RSF’s brutal actions, describing the atrocities as ‘horrifying’ and demanding an immediate end to the violence. He urged partner nations to join the US in addressing the crisis and dismissed the RSF’s claims that rogue elements were responsible for the killings, asserting that the attacks were systematic. Rubio also expressed concerns that thousands of civilians expected to flee el-Fasher may have perished or are too malnourished to escape. Highlighting the RSF’s reliance on external arms supplies, he called on weapon-providing countries to cease their support. The G7 joint statement condemned the escalating violence in Sudan, labeling the conflict as the ‘world’s largest humanitarian crisis.’
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Russia’s attacks have ramped up – Ukraine is fighting to hold on through another winter
As the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year, the country faces an unprecedented crisis: a long, cold winter compounded by relentless Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Families like Oksana Zinkovska-Boyarska’s, living in a Soviet-era apartment block on the outskirts of Kyiv, are already enduring daily power cuts, failed heating systems, and the constant threat of air raids. Oksana’s family relies on a costly €2,000 rechargeable battery pack to keep essential appliances running, but even this is a temporary solution. Her husband, Ievgen, a lawyer, often works by torchlight, while their two-year-old daughter, Katia, plays by candlelight. The psychological toll is immense, with Oksana describing the ‘animal fear’ of rushing to shelters during explosions. Across Ukraine, millions are bracing for even tougher times ahead. Recent massive drone and missile strikes have left much of the country without power for up to 16 hours a day. With winter temperatures expected to plummet to -20°C, Ukrainian officials warn of a ‘brutal’ season ahead. Maxim Timchenko, CEO of Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, asserts that Russia’s goal is the ‘complete destruction of Ukraine’s energy system.’ European envoys suggest this strategy aims not only to freeze Ukrainians but also to cripple the economy by disrupting factories, bakeries, and daily life. On the front lines, the situation is equally dire. The eastern city of Pokrovsk is at risk of falling to Russian forces, which would provide a strategic boost to Moscow’s campaign in the Donetsk region. Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on hold. Meanwhile, European nations debate how to use €180 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Despite the grim outlook, Ukrainians remain resilient. Recent polls show that 56% of citizens feel optimistic about the country’s future, up from 43% in May. For Oksana and her family, the struggle is personal but shared. ‘We can hold on for as long as the front needs it,’ she says, echoing the determination of a nation determined to survive and prevail.
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More rain falls in Taiwan after tropical depression causes flooding
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan faced continued downpours and severe weather conditions on Thursday as Tropical Depression Fung-wong brought relentless rain, triggering widespread flooding and posing a persistent threat of landslides. The storm, which initially made landfall in southern Pingtung County on Wednesday evening, has left 95 people injured across the island. In anticipation of the storm’s impact, authorities evacuated over 8,500 residents from vulnerable coastal and mountainous regions.