Sunday, November 10News That Matters

International news

US Embassy warns its citizens of high crime rates in Nairobi estates
International news

US Embassy warns its citizens of high crime rates in Nairobi estates

The US Embassy has warned its citizens of increased crime rates in Nairobi estates. In an advisory issued on Friday, the Embassy has warned its citizens residing in Nairobi to take caution even as they go about their business. "There are reports of increased criminal activity in residential areas of Nairobi," the Embassy said. "Incidents include crimes of opportunity such as purse and phone snatching," the advisory reads. The Embassy, however, noted the Kenya government is taking measures to deploy more police in high-crime areas. As a result, the Embassy has advised its citizens to avoid displaying any signs of wealth when they are moving around. This entails avoiding walking around wearing expensive jewellery, watches, or flashing large sums of money. In additio...
Kenya, Haiti sign agreement on police deployment
International news

Kenya, Haiti sign agreement on police deployment

Kenya and Haiti on Friday signed an agreement on the deployment of 1,000 police officers to the Multi-National Security Support Mission in Haiti. President Ruto and Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry witnessed the signing ceremony in State House Nairobi. In July 2023, Kenya pledged to offer 1,000 police officers after Haiti appealed for international help with security personnel to assist in its battle against gangs blamed for spiraling violence. The United Nations estimates some 200,000 Haitians have been displaced during escalating violence, with armed gangs carrying out indiscriminate killings, kidnappings, gang rapes and torching people’s homes. The United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023, approved the deployment of a multinational security mission into Haiti,...
Thousands stuck on cruise ship in Mauritius  over cholera fears
International news

Thousands stuck on cruise ship in Mauritius over cholera fears

Mauritius has denied a Norwegian cruise ship permission to dock at the capital Port Louis over fears of a potential cholera outbreak on board. At least 15 people on the Norwegian Dawn have been in isolation over suspected illness. Mauritian authorities said the decision to block the ship was "taken in order to avoid any health risks". Samples were taken for testing on Sunday, with results expected to be known on Tuesday. The passengers developed mild symptoms of a stomach illness during a trip to South Africa, a representative of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said. Mary Francovilla Dees, 69, a passenger on the Norwegian Dawn told the BBC that despite the delay the atmosphere on the ship has been "fairly calm". "The passengers on this ship have appeared to take this ...
Madagascar Approves New Law To Castrate Child Rapists
International news

Madagascar Approves New Law To Castrate Child Rapists

Persons convicted of paedophilia in Madagascar will now face surgical castration for their crimes after the country's Parliament, on February 2, passed legislation mandating the same.  The development comes just days after Kazakhstan introduced a similar law in response to local lawmakers who decried that chemical castration, a punishment imposed on child rapists, failed to deter individuals from committing such crimes.  Initially, in Madagascar, child rapists were handed forced labour sentences between five and 20 years but under the new law offenders found guilty of defiling minors under ten years will undergo surgical castration and receive life sentences in prison. For victims aged between ten and 13, chemical castration will be administered to the offenders, ac...
King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer
International news

King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

Britain's King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and will postpone public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday. Charles, 75, who became king in September 2022 following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, is "wholly positive" about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible, the palace said. Charles spent three nights in hospital last month where he underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. The palace said a separate issue of concern had been spotted during the hospital visit, but did not given any further details on the nature of the cancer. A royal source said that it was not prostate cancer. "His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during wh...
Former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter Dies At 96
International news

Former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter Dies At 96

Former U.S. first lady Rosalynn Carter, who President Jimmy Carter called "an extension of myself" owing to his wife's prominent role in his administration even as she tirelessly promoted the cause of mental health, died on Sunday at age 96, the Carter Center said. Rosalynn Carter, who in recent days had entered hospice care at home in Plains, Georgia, died with her family by her side, according to a statement released by the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization founded by the couple. Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, served as president from 1977 to 1981. He and his wife were the longest-married U.S. presidential couple, having wed in 1946 when he was 21 and she was 18. After his single term as president ended, he has also enjoyed more post-White House years than any president b...
11 Dead, 51 Hospitalised In China Building Fire
International news

11 Dead, 51 Hospitalised In China Building Fire

Eleven people have died and 51 have been sent to hospital after a fire tore through a building in northern China's Shanxi province on Thursday, state media said. The fire started at a four-floor building belonging to the Yongju coal company in Lishi District, Luliang City, Shanxi Province at around 6:50 am (2250 GMT on Wednesday), state media said, citing local authorities. "Eleven people have been confirmed dead and the specific number of casualties is still being counted," state broadcaster CCTV said. "A total of 63 people have been evacuated so far, 51 of whom were sent to the Luliang First People's Hospital for treatment", it added. "Rescue work is still in progress and the cause of the fire is under investigation," it added. Video footage posted on social media sit...
President Ruto In Saudi Arabia
International news

President Ruto In Saudi Arabia

President William Ruto arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday morning. Ruto was welcomed to Saudi by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of Riyadh. He is scheduled to attend the inaugural Saudi-African Summit scheduled to take place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre. According to the event organisers, the summit will host 50 leaders from the Middle East and Africa. The rest of the delegation from Africa comprised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Gabonese interim President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassa...
Russia strikes civilian ship in Black Sea port of Odesa – Ukraine
International news

Russia strikes civilian ship in Black Sea port of Odesa – Ukraine

At least one person has been killed after a Russian missile struck a civilian ship entering the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa, Ukrainian officials say. According to the southern defence forces, the Liberian-flagged vessel was struck by an anti-radar missile. A 43-year-old harbour pilot died, while three Filipino crewmembers and a port worker have been injured. There was no immediate comment from Russia on the incident. According to Odesa's Regional Prosecutor's Office, which is investigating, the attack was launched at 16:45 local time (14:45 GMT) on Wednesday. The ship was reportedly moored at the time it was struck. One of the injured workers was hospitalised. Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on social media that the ship was supposed t...
Obama Warns Some Of Israel’s Actions In Gaza May Backfire
International news

Obama Warns Some Of Israel’s Actions In Gaza May Backfire

Image by CNN Some of Israel's actions in its war against Hamas, like cutting off food and water for Gaza, could "harden Palestinian attitudes for generations" and weaken international support for Israel, former U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday. In rare comments on an active foreign policy crisis, Obama said any Israeli military strategy that ignores the human costs of the war "could ultimately backfire." "The Israeli government's decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population (in Gaza) threatens not only to worsen a growing humanitarian crisis; it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel's enemies, and undermine long-term efforts to achieve peace and stab...