Thousands of Kenyans protested against proposed tax hikes in June 2024, culminating in the storming of parliament and the eventual withdrawal of the controversial finance bill.

Protesters say they are demanding justice for more than 80 people killed and dozens more injured during the 2024 anti-tax demonstrations and last year’s anniversary protests.

Commuters were left stranded on Thursday morning after security forces blocked access to the city centre, while many businesses and schools remained closed

The planned protests, largely mobilised through social media platforms, are expected to take place in major towns including Nairobi, Mombasa and parts of central Kenya.

Security agencies have heightened surveillance in major urban centres ahead of the protests, with police expected to maintain a heavy presence in Nairobi and strategic installations.

Footage from a local TV station shows flames and smoke rising in the Githurai area near Nairobi, as protesters lit fires during clashes with police.

Police officers were also seen firing tear gas to disperse crowds gathered in the area. Several people have been arrested by anti-riot police in Nairobi, while trying to access the city.

Some parents who lost children during the 2024 protests have asked the government to allow them to peacefully remember their loved ones.

“We don’t want tear gas and running battles in the streets. We are too old for that,” one of the parents told journalists in Nairobi.

Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa joined families of the victims to lay wreath at parliament in honour of those who died during the 2024 demonstations.

Early on Thursday, police mounted roadblocks along the Thika Super Highway, Mombasa Road, the Nairobi-Namanga Highway in Athi River, Kenyatta Avenue, Waiyaki Way, Jogoo Road, and other major routes, preventing motorists and pedestrians from accessing the city centre.

Authorities have urged protesters to remain peaceful and avoid acts of violence, looting, or destruction of property.

President William Ruto on Friday said people had a right to protest but warned that anyone “mobilised to destroy property or cause chaos” would not be tolerated.

Several political leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organisations have expressed support for peaceful demonstrations, describing them as part of democratic expression protected under the country’s onstitution.

Ruto’s former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, now a bitter rival, has urged Gen Z activists to stay away from the streets, citing concerns that the protests could turn violent. Instead, he has called on Kenyans to remain at home in a symbolic show of dissent.

Last week, President Ruto announced a fund of nearly $15m (£11m) to compensate nearly 2,000 victims of protest-related human rights abuses between 2017 and 2025 identified by rights groups.

Ruto said the compensation was not a “price for life, pain or loss” and should not be seen as rewarding violence or criminality.

However, human rights organisations have rejected the compensation plan, citing the exclusion of some victims, inadequate pay-outs and a lack of transparency.

President Ruto is facing growing public discontent ahead of the 2027 elections, with critics accusing his government of failing to deliver on key campaign promises.

He rejects those claims, insisting his administration has fulfilled most of its pledges and saying he is ready to defend its record as he seeks re-election.

Abuakwa South MP gives GH¢20,000 to widow to rebuild her life

Education Ministry seeks support to locate Bole SHS teacher interdicted over…

Kwame Yeboah, 30, first made contact with the child in late 2025. She initially told him she was 17 and he travelled from his home in Reading to Wirral, Merseyside, in February.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it would have been “obvious” to Yeboah, a UK national and British Airways employee, “that [the victim] was a very young child”.

Yeboah pleaded guilty to rape and sexual assault and was sentenced to eight years and four months in jail. He was also given a 15-year restraining order.

Yeboah had been working for British Airways since 2023 as a First Officer, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He also spent more than 17 years playing basketball and refereeing at Basketball England.

After he first messaged the victim, the court heard Yeboah sent the girl intimate pictures of himself, and the conversations became increasingly sexual.

He called her about twice a week, making her believe she was important to him and that he cared about her, the CPS said.

A few months on from the first contact, Yeboah met the girl in person and drove her around before taking her to an isolated location, and assaulting her three times, the CPS said.

The child later told Merseyside Police she struggled to process what was happening and felt nervous and confused.

A few days later, a friend of the victim told her mother what had happened.

It was reported to the police, and Yeboah was identified using the details he had given the child.

When arrested and interviewed, he answered “no comment” to all questions.

On 22 April, Yeboah pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a girl under 13 and one count of sexual assault of a girl under 13.

Thomas Hanlon, senior crown prosecutor, said: “Kwame Yeboah would have known early on in his contact with this child that she was not the age she initially claimed to be.

“She spoke about school and sent images of herself in a school uniform.

“When he met her in person, it would have been obvious that she was a very young child.”

He added, “He groomed the victim into believing she was in a relationship with someone who cared about her.

“In reality, he was an adult man who abused his position and exploited her for his own sexual gratification.”

The doctor was “immediately admitted to a specialised facility” and is in a stable condition, the French health ministry said on Wednesday.

DR Congo announced an Ebola outbreak last month, but experts believe the virus had been circulating for weeks previously.

More than 260 people are confirmed to have died from the virus in the central African country, while 1,000 people have been infected.

READ ALSO:

Congo says 782 Ebola cases confirmed, two new health zones affected

Congo’s confirmed Ebola cases rises to 515

Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died in South Africa a year ago while undergoing medical treatment.

His body has remained in ​South Africa since, as his family and the Zambian government have wrangled ​over whether he should be buried at a site designated for ⁠Zambia’s former presidents in the capital Lusaka, or privately in South Africa as ​his family prefers.

Lungu and his successor, current President Hakainde Hichilema, were longtime political rivals, and his family says Lungu would not have wanted Hichilema present at his funeral.

Zambia’s Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha told Reuters the government respected the South African court’s decision, though it ​did not agree with the majority judgment.

“We will not exercise our right to ​appeal to the Constitutional Court. We will not take the matter any further,” Kabesha said.

In its ‌judgment ⁠on Tuesday, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal said the Zambian government had failed to show it had a legal right under South African law to override the family’s wishes on where and how Lungu should be buried.

It also rejected Zambia’s argument that a binding agreement had been reached with the family over the funeral, saying that the evidence pointed to ongoing negotiations rather than a final deal.

South Africa’s ​government has said it has an obligation to respect the ​wishes of ⁠Lungu’s family, but it also said it felt a state burial in Zambia would be the most fitting outcome for the former leader.

Lungu drove Zambia into deep debt during his roughly six years in power. The country defaulted on ​its international debt in 2020, precipitating his election loss.

Hichilema will seek re-election for a second five-year term ​at an election in August.

Brent crude futures fell 78 cents, or 1.0%, at $76.30 a barrel as of 0350 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate slipped 78 cents, or 1.1%, to $72.43 a barrel.

Both benchmarks ​settled down around 1% on Tuesday, touching their lowest levels since early March.

“Positive signals from the ​Persian Gulf are fuelling optimism about oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Vessel ⁠crossings increased in recent days, although they remain well below pre-war levels,” ING commodity strategists said in ​a note on Wednesday.

Prices have also come under pressure this week after Washington granted Tehran a 60-day sanctions ​waiver following initial peace talks, allowing it to sell oil, and as hostilities in Lebanon eased.

“Crude oil prices were weighed down by hopes of easing U.S.-Iran tensions and a recovery in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz,” said Tomomichi Akuta, senior ​economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting.

“Further progress in nuclear negotiations could push prices back to pre-war ​levels,” he added.

On Tuesday, Oman and Iran agreed to press on with discussions about the future administration of navigation in the Strait. ‌U.S. ⁠Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any Iranian attempt to levy transit fees would violate international law.

Still, uncertainty remains over the accord’s durability. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into “infinity,” while Tehran said it had made no such concession in negotiations.

Investors are also watching how quickly Middle Eastern producers can restore exports and whether more ships will enter the region.

An Iranian military source told Fars news agency that a limited number of vessels are being allowed to pass through the strait each day ​under coordination with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy.

Ship-tracking data showed that three stranded supertankers passed ​through the strait ⁠on Tuesday.

The U.N. shipping agency said an evacuation plan to enable hundreds of ships with 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf to sail through the strait is underway after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal.

Meanwhile, crude stocks fell by 765,000 barrels ⁠in ​the week ended June 19, market sources said, citing data from ​the American Petroleum Institute released on Tuesday.

Nine analysts polled by Reuters estimated, on average, that crude inventories fell by about 4.5 million barrels ​in the last week.

A former US Marine Corps reservist, who was convicted of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. The others’ sentences range between 30 to 70 years, according to the justice department.

Last year, President Donald Trump designated Antifa – short for anti-fascist – a “domestic terrorist organisation” .

A US judge called their actions on 4 July “an assault on democracy”, while their families condemned the length of their sentences.

“The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice,” Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement, condemning violent extremism.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) said the North Texas Antifa Cell operatives began shooting off and throwing fireworks at the facility in Prairieland, just south of Dallas, on the Independence Day holiday last summer, as well as vandalising vehicles and a guard kiosk on the property.

The eight were convicted on an array of charges, including rioting, using weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists, and obstruction.

Benjamin Hanil Song, the purported leader of the group, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. According to the Justice Department, he had faced a minimum penalty of 20 years.

Song said in a written statement on Tuesday that he fired his gun because he believed the police officer was preparing to shoot a protester, according to multiple media outlets and an advocacy group for the defendants.

His mother, Hope Song, has disputed claims that he shot the officer and said he didn’t intend to hurt anyone, according to the Associated Press.

Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years in prison; Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Savanna Batten, Zachary Evetts, Bradford Morris (also known as Meagan Morris) and Elizabeth Soto were each sentenced to 50 years in prison; and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

A ninth defendant, Ines Soto, will be sentenced on 1 July. Seven others involved in the incident pleaded guilty before the trial to one count of providing material support to terrorists. They will also be sentenced on 1 July.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DOJ said the North Texas Antifa Cell was part of a network of individuals and small groups ascribing to an ideology that calls for the overthrow of the US government, law enforcement and the system of law.

The defendants’ supporters say the punishments were unduly harsh.

While other immigration facilities have seen numerous protests, as well as visits from Democratic lawmakers, the Prairieland site had been relatively free of disruptions.

Some of the protest’s attendees said they believed that night was supposed to be a “noise demonstration” that did not include violence.

The defendants have denied any affiliation with Antifa and have said they attended the demonstration to support detained immigrants.

Antifa has long been a target for Trump. In September, he signed an executive order designating the loosely organised, far-left movement as a domestic terror organisation.

Critics of the designation have said that Antifa is an ideology, not an actual group with an organised leadership structure or membership, and that subscribing to a specific ideology is not a crime.

• Plateau is one of several ethnically and religiously diverse hinterland states known as the ​Middle Belt, where communal conflict has ​claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
• Plateau police ‌spokesperson ⁠Alfred Alabo said officers, working with other security agencies, engaged the attackers in a “fierce gun battle” early morning ​on Sunday ​before ⁠they fled.
• Eighteen people were killed at the scene, and two ​died later in the hospital, Alabo ​said.
• Plateau ⁠police commissioner Bassey Ewah has ordered additional deployments to the area, including ⁠more ​tactical and mobile police ​units, Alabo said.

Her selection places her among a distinguished group of emerging and established leaders from across the globe chosen by U.S. embassies to take part in a three-week professional exchange programme in the United States.

The IVLP, the U.S. government’s flagship professional exchange programme, is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of American society, governance, culture, education and economic systems through meetings, seminars, workshops, site visits and interactions with policymakers, industry leaders and community organisations.

Participants are nominated exclusively by U.S. embassies, and there is no public application process.

Each year, more than 4,400 professionals from around the world are selected for the programme, which has produced an extensive network of global leaders, including heads of state, cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, business executives and civil society leaders.

Since its establishment in 1940, more than 230,000 individuals have participated in the programme.

According to information from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, approximately 20 Ghanaians participate in IVLP programmes annually, while more than 260 Ghanaians have benefited from the exchange since its inception through individual, single-country, regional and multi-regional projects.

Dr. Amoakoah’s nomination is being celebrated as a significant milestone in her growing career in public communication, governance and political leadership.

Her participation is also expected to strengthen professional networks and foster greater collaboration between Ghanaian and American institutions.

Among notable Ghanaian IVLP alumni is former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who participated in the programme before ascending to the country’s highest office.

The IVLP’s global alumni network also includes several world leaders, among them Jacinda Ardern, Theresa May and António Guterres.

While there is no publicly available record confirming that Dr. Amoakoah is the only young Ghanaian ever nominated for the programme, her selection nevertheless highlights her emergence as one of Ghana’s promising voices in public affairs and strategic communication.

The nomination underscores the continued recognition of Ghanaian professionals on the global stage and reflects the enduring partnership between Ghana and the United States in leadership development and international exchange.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday at Southwark Crown Court, where Alison-Madueke faced five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial had begun in January.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC following her acquittal, the 65-year-old said the investigation had inflicted lasting damage on her life.

“I’ve not been allowed to travel. I’ve not been allowed to work. They destroyed my reputation and my integrity,” she said.

Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 and made history as the first female president of Opec, the oil exporters’ group. She was first arrested in 2015 but was not charged until 2023.

Prosecutors had alleged she received kickbacks from wealthy oil tycoons who held government contracts, including goods worth £2 million from Harrods, chauffeur-driven cars, and the use of multi-million-pound properties in London and Buckinghamshire.

Her older brother, Archbishop Doye Agamas, 69, was also acquitted of conspiracy to commit bribery. Oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, was found not guilty on all counts — despite having faced prosecution even though she had served as an informant in a Nigerian anti-corruption investigation.

The NCA told the BBC it had “conducted a long-running, in-depth and complex investigation” that was regularly reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service, and said it “respected the decision of the jury.”

A pair of twin brothers – Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye – were marrying twin sisters Taiwo and Kehinde Adediran in a joyous joint ceremony.

The Yoruba people, who predominate in south-west Nigeria, are known for having an unusually high number of twin births, but it is not every day that two sets of twins tie the knot.

“We know many twins, but this marriage feels like it was arranged by God. We have always dreamed of marrying twins,” Taiwo Oguntoye told BBC Yoruba on his wedding day.

“With God’s grace, we pray for twins in our first and second children. That is our heart’s desire.”

Twins are considered a blessing in Yoruba culture, and their names are predestined. The older child is called Taiwo, meaning “the one that tests the world”, while the younger is called Kehinde, meaning “the one that came after”.

The Oguntoye-Adediran love story began a decade ago, when all four were studying at the University of Ibadan.

A lecturer told the Oguntoyes that she knew a set of twin sisters they should meet, which piqued the brothers’ interest.

“It’s not that we haven’t met other twin sisters before. We did date some, but sometimes things just didn’t work out,” Taiwo Oguntoye said.

The Adedirans initially resisted an introduction and did not answer the lecturer’s phone calls. Then, eventually, a meeting was set up.

Taiwo Oguntoye, now in his early 40s, remembers: “We eventually visited them, we had a talk, but they were not interested in a relationship then.”

Instead, the foursome became friends. Life took them in different directions, however.

The sisters, who had been studying for master’s degrees in Ibadan, moved abroad to continue their studies, while the brothers travelled and worked in several countries, including the United States and South Africa.

Years passed before the brothers reached out again.

Over time, despite some initial scepticism, their connections became undeniable.

The couple’s families were thrilled by the relationships – Taiwo Oguntoye recalls bonding with his in-laws instantly.

“Everyone was so happy to see us, it felt like we had known them all our lives,” he said. “We were treated like sons in our own father’s house.”

Proud relatives showed up in style to the wedding, where the couple coordinated their outfits.

Several other pairs of twins were in attendance – perhaps unsurprising as the grooms are well known locally for promoting twin culture. Known as the Oguntoye Twins, the brothers are active in culture and tourism initiatives.

The Oguntoyes have some physical differences, being fraternal twins, but their wives are identical.

“Our wives look so alike that even their family members sometimes confuse them. We don’t mix them up; we know our own wives very well,” Kehinde Oguntoye said.

The brothers say they share similar personalities to their wives, describing themselves as ambiverts – sometimes quiet, sometimes outgoing, depending on the situation.

Although they are very close, the married couples will live apart, Taiwo Oguntoye said.

“We have our unique plan about that; over time, people will get to know about that.”

For now, the newlyweds are enjoying a new chapter of their love story, which began with a near-perfect meeting but was paused for years before eventually blooming into two of the area’s most talked-about unions.

Kwadwo Akofena Safo, two others arrested over Adwoa Safo shooting incident

In a joint statement early on Monday, Qatar and Pakistan said that the parties had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”.

Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said there had been “major progress” towards ending the conflict in Lebanon.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last week includes a commitment to ending the fighting on “all fronts” – including Lebanon – and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War,” Araghchi posted on social media.

“Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.”

The Iranian lead negotiators left the talks in Switzerland on Monday, Iranian media said, with technical discussions between the parties due to continue.

The mediators’ joint statement said that a “communication line” had been formed “to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz”.

Both sides also agreed to the creation of a “de-confliction cell” between the US, Iran and Lebanon, facilitated by the mediating countries, to end military operations in Lebanon, their statement said.

Araghchi said the first “real test” would be the Lebanon de-confliction cell.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke to senior officials from the US and Qatar on Monday about the issue, and more broadly about consolidating a ceasefire in Lebanon, his office said.

Since the MoU was signed, there has been an upsurge in fighting between Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, and Israeli air strikes that the health ministry says have killed dozens of Lebanese including women and children.

A new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was declared on Friday.Continued clashes and air strikes prompted Iran on Saturday to announce it had shut the Strait of Hormuz, though tracking data shows vessels have continued to pass through it.

Hezbollah said it was committed to the ceasefire but that it would confront any attempt by Israel to “seize territory or expand its occupation”.

The group said its fighters had clashed with Israeli forces advancing towards the Ali al-Taher hill area, which is on the edge of the southern village of Kfar Tebnit and overlooks the major town of Nabatieh in the south.

The Israeli military’s chief of staff said on Sunday that Hezbollah had built an “underground military fortress” beneath the hill and that its destruction was one of the “primary operational focuses” of Israeli forces.

Fighting was reported to have diminished on Sunday but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the Israeli military would remain in southern Lebanon for as long as was necessary to protect northern Israel.

Speaking before the talks at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, US lead negotiator Vice-President JD Vance said Trump had asked negotiators to “turn over a new leaf”.

He added that if Iran’s leadership was willing to give up being a “driver of regional instability” and its “nuclear weapons ambitions for the longer term”, then the US “is willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country”.

Iran has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Under the initial deal signed last week, Iran was to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping channel through which 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas travels.

The US also agreed to lift a military blockade on ships going to and from Iranian ports.

The deal also includes a $300bn (£224bn) plan for Iran’s “reconstruction”, and the US terminating “all types of sanctions” on it.

But the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme is still to be negotiated.

On Sunday some vessels appeared to be entering, exiting and transiting the strait, according to location data on the maritime tracking website MarineTraffic, despite Iran’s claim – disputed by the US – to have closed the strait.

The initial deal also called for fighting to stop on all fronts,but in Lebanon Israeli air strikes have since killed at least 67 people, while Hezbollah attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers.

Israel has insisted that its conflict with Hezbollah is separate from the war on Iran, which it mounted alongside the US on 28 February.

Lebanon was drawn into the war shortly afterwards, when Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader.

Israel responded by launching a bombing campaign across Lebanon and occupying around 5% of the country’s territory in the south – hoping to drive back Hezbollah fighters from its northern border – and has said it has no intention of withdrawing.

Since 2 March, at least 4,106 people have been killed in Lebanon, the country’s health ministry says. Its figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.

Israeli authorities say 36 Israeli soldiers and four civilians have been killed on both sides of the border.

Federal officials said Herbert Leon Kimble, 60, was arrested in the Philippines after allegedly evading authorities for nearly two years.

Prosecutors said Kimble operated a healthcare fraud scheme that generated more than $1.2 billion in Medicare charges and affected thousands of beneficiaries, many of them elderly.

Authorities said the operation used call centers to steer patients toward medically unnecessary orthopedic braces.

Kimble pleaded guilty in 2019 to multiple federal offenses, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, healthcare fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, making false claims and offering kickbacks and bribes.

Authorities said he failed to appear for his sentencing hearing in August 2024, prompting a federal arrest warrant and an international manhunt.

The capture came just weeks after the Justice Department unveiled its new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list, which is intended to publicly identify individuals charged in major fraud cases.

Last week, federal officials announced the apprehension of Said Abdullahi Ereg, 47, who was wanted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

He was the first person on the list to be taken into custody.

The arrest comes months after the Justice Department announced the creation of a National Fraud Enforcement Division to support Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which is led by Vice President JD Vance.

Vance reacted to the arrest on X, crediting the creation of the Most Wanted Fraudsters list with helping investigators track down Kimble.

“Our message is simple,” Vance wrote. “If you defraud the American people, we will find you and we will bring you to justice.”

“Kimble preyed on the elderly for years, costing taxpayers over a billion dollars,” he continued. “The FBI catching Kimble is a direct result of the task force’s partnership with the FBI to create the Most Wanted Fraudsters list.”

In a statement posted on social media, Burnham paid tribute to Starmer’s leadership and described the resignation as the start of a transition period for the party and the country.

“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.

“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get. As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be.

“People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.

“The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.

“This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”

Burnham’s announcement makes him one of the first senior Labour figures to publicly declare an intention to enter the leadership contest following Starmer’s departure.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester said the focus during the transition should remain on delivering economic growth, improving public services and addressing the cost-of-living pressures facing households across the country.

His intervention comes as Labour prepares for a leadership race that is expected to shape the future direction of both the party and the government.

Hakimi, 27, who played for Morocco during its World Cup opener against Brazil on Sunday, had appealed his referral to a criminal court.

French media reported earlier that the Versailles appeals court had rejected the appeal, paving the way for his trial in a criminal court at some point in the future.

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

“Today, a story that isn’t mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and ​above all, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become ​an easy target,” the star defender wrote in a post on social ‌media ⁠platform X.

“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I’ll be able to speak out.”

It was not immediately clear when the trial ​would start. The Versailles appeals court, Hakimi’s lawyer, PSG, and the Moroccan national football association did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

It was also not immediately clear whether Hakimi would take to the pitch in Boston later on Friday.

The Nanterre prosecutor’s office opened an investigation in 2023 after an allegation of ⁠rape was ​made against Hakimi. French newspaper Le ​Parisien reported at the time that a then-24-year-old woman said she had been raped.

The announcement follows mounting pressure on the prime minister after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections in May and faced an increasingly vocal rebellion from his own lawmakers over his leadership and policy agenda.

The move comes less than two years after Starmer led Labour to one of its largest parliamentary majorities in the 2024 general election.

In a statement outside 10 Downing Street shortly after 9:30 a.m. in London, Starmer said he would remain in post until any leadership contest is completed, which he said would help ensure an orderly handover of power.

The pound was last seen 0.19% lower against the dollar, trading at $1.3207. The yield on 10-year U.K. government bonds, known as Gilts, were flat early Monday at 4.8452%.

In a short speech, a visibly emotional Starmer said that entering 10 Downing Street had been the “proudest moment of my life,” adding that, under his tenure, Britain’s reputation in the world had been restored, with investment secured and improvements in workers’ rights delivered.

However, Starmer conceded that Labour colleagues had since been asking whether he was best placed to lead the party into the next general election.

“I have heard the answer from my parliamentary party. I accept that answer with good grace. I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

Labour’s former Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, won a decisive victory in a special election on June 18, potentially setting up a challenge for the party’s leadership and, by extension, the U.K.’s premiership.

Starmer and Finance Minister Rachel Reeves have been battling discontent over fiscal policy within their own ranks, while welfare reforms and the appointment of Peter Mandelson — an associate of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — as U.S. ambassador, further damaged intra-party relations.

An Ipsos poll published on Friday suggested that 52% of the British public think Starmer should stand down as prime minister, five percentage points higher than in May, while 35% think he should continue.

U.K. gilt yields jumped on Friday following Burnham’s by-election win. However, he has been keen to placate markets lately, distancing himself from previous statements in which he suggested the U.K. was “in hock to the bond markets.”

READ ALSO:

18,000 children born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana – WHO

Restrict social media access for children under 17 years – Child Rights International to the State

Brent crude fell $1.53, or 1.90%, to $79.04 a barrel by 0656 GMT. Prices had earlier climbed to $82.30 at the start of trading, fuelled by a bumpy start to the talks with threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to restart the war on Iran and Tehran’s announcement it ​had again closed the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $76.53 a barrel, down 7 cents, ​ahead of the contract’s expiry later on Monday. The more active August contract fell 55 cents to $75.30 ⁠a barrel. There was no settlement in the U.S. market on Friday due to a holiday.

High-ranking U.S. and Iranian officials wrapped ​up their first round of talks in Switzerland on Monday, mediators said. The talks began on Sunday under the terms of a memorandum ​of understanding reached last week to extend a tenuous ceasefire from April for at least another 60 days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his country had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan for Iran.

“High-level ​talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland over the weekend appear to have produced some progress, with both sides agreeing ​to establish a high-level committee,” IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.

“However, whether these steps will deliver meaningful results on the ground remains to be ‌seen, particularly ⁠in Southern Lebanon where both Israel and Hezbollah are seemingly intent on continuing their struggle.”

‘VERY REAL RISKS’

Before the talks, the number of ships that passed the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Sunday, shipping data showed, after Iran announced it had again closed the waterway, citing Israeli and U.S. violations of the interim peace deal.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 20 people on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news ​agency NNA said, one day after ​a ceasefire with Hezbollah ⁠took effect, aimed at halting months of escalating violence.

“Recent developments show that moving towards a more permanent deal will be challenging, with very real risks of a flare-up in hostilities during the 60-day ​ceasefire,” ING analysts said in a note.

Still, oil prices fell more than 8% last week on ​hopes of more ⁠supply from the release of cargoes stranded inside the Gulf and the potential lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil as part of the U.S.-Iran deal.

Over 25 million barrels of Iranian oil have passed through the virtual blockade line since Monday, the head of the National Iranian ⁠Oil Company, ​Hamid Bovard, told state TV on Sunday.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq have offered ​more oil to customers in the past week.

Iraq plans to restore crude production gradually to between 4.2 million and 4.3 million barrels per day, Iraq’s deputy oil ​minister for upstream affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

Espriella, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime.

He appeared to defeat the left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro.

Reacting to the result, he said: “Today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and democratic will of millions of citizens who chose to believe in a great, safe, prosperous Colombia full of opportunities.”

With over 99% of votes counted, De La Espriella had won nearly 49.7% of the vote, while Cepeda won 48.7%.

Cepeda has not conceded, saying the preliminary count was “not yet official or binding”.

“Once the official canvass takes place and its final result is produced, and the corresponding verifications have been carried out, we will recognise the official result that emerges from that structure.”

Espriella, who was raised in the Caribbean coastal region, enjoyed significant regional support there.

In Barranquilla, a city on the coast, a huge crowd of supporters gathered to celebrate his result. All of them donned the Colombian yellow football jersey and waved Colombian flags. They sang and danced to music from a stage lit up with photos of Espriella’s face, chanting, “stand firm for the homeland” and “Petro out!”, before a fireworks display.

Some wore hats akin to those worn by Donald Trump supporters, but said: “Make Colombia Great Again!”

Trump responded to the result, writing on Truth Social, “He Won, BIG!”

“We are tired of the killings in this country. And tired of the bureaucracy of this government. We have a president from the coast!” one supporter, Patricia, said.

“We are proud of The Tiger. We hope he will change the country to a new one where we can have jobs, and more security above everything,” another supporter said.

The polarising differences between the two candidates has led to mounting fears that there could be unrest in the country after the result, especially if some critics do not recognise the result.

Petro may challenge the result. He posted on X that “neither can be proclaimed president” after a “pre-count result” and demanded an audit of the voting software, alleging that some polling stations were “compromised” without providing evidence.

Who is Abelardo de la Espriella?

Espriella is a lawyer and businessman with no prior political experience, who has nicknamed himself “El Tigre” (the Tiger.)

As a lawyer his clients included Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro, who faces US charges of money laundering, and David Murcia Guzman, one of Colombia’s biggest fraudsters. He has said this was part of job as a defence lawyer.

He has drawn comparisons with El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele for his security policies and even the style of his beard.

At rallies and on social media, he and his supporters frequently dress in the Colombian national football jersey, which his critics accuse him of politicising, and do military-style salutes. He has often addressed crowds behind bulletproof glass screens.

Military crackdown

Colombia’s internal armed conflict has lasted for decades, but it has escalated in the last few years. Membership of armed guerrilla groups and cartels, including FARC dissidents, the ELN and the Clan del Golfo, has doubled in the last five years.

Violence has escalated as they battle over lucrative cocaine trafficking routes and illegal mining sites. Last year, a brutal offensive along the Colombia-Venezuela border displaced tens of thousands of people. Cocaine production in the world’s largest producer has hit a record high.

Critics of the current President Petro say his ‘total peace’ strategy to prioritise negotiation with armed groups has failed, including by allowing armed groups to take advantage of ceasefires to expand their influence and territories.

Espriella has pledged to scrap any negotiations with illegal armed groups and instead introduce a tougher military crackdown on armed groups to restore order, including closer collaboration with the US.

He has also vowed to build mega-prisons in Colombia’s jungle, and to shrink the state and reform the health system.

Trump endorsement

Espriella has been a US citizen since 2023 after living and working in Miami for many years.

He was endorsed by Donald Trump who said he would “stop illegal immigration, crack down on crime and drugs, and restore LAW AND ORDER!”

Before the election, Trump added that Espriella would have the “total support and strength of the United States behind him.”

Colombia has historically been on of the US’s closest allies in the region, but that relationship was strained in recent years due to often fiery exchanges between President Trump and President Petro who clashed over the US’s migration policies, tariffs, and military intervention in Latin America.

His election is part of a wider shift in the region, as several Latin American countries have shifted to the Right in recent elections, driven in particular by concerns about security.

Espriella received praise from other right-wing leaders in the region including Argentina’s president Javier Milei who said Colombians had chosen the path of “economic freedom, prosperity, unwavering security, and telling organised transnational crime and drug trafficking ENOUGH ALREADY.”

Chile’s president José Antonio Kast said “a new stage of freedom begins for Colombia that will allow them to recover security and prosperity.”

Fuel had already been rationed due to shortages caused by Ukraine’s recent campaign against supply routes in Russian-occupied territories.

Governor Sergey Aksyonov said individuals and businesses would be turned away from petrol stations, and fuel would only be sold to government agencies ensuring Crimea’s “functioning and security”.

Earlier, he said four people had been killed and 28 injured by a Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot in Kerch overnight – which President Volodymyr Zelensky called a “just response to Russia’s brutal attacks”.

Crimea – which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 – has been experiencing logistical difficulties and shortages.

Zelensky said Kyiv had also hit a logistics facility for oil transportation in Russia’s Krasnodar region, which lies adjacent to Crimea across the Kerch Strait. Local authorities said one person had been killed on a passenger ferry.

Military logistics facilities and radar systems were also struck, the president said, without specifying where.

“Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace,” he said in a statement posted on X.

Zelensky added at least seven people had been killed in Russian attacks over the weekend, with children among more than 30 injured.

Russia’s defence ministry said 239 Ukrainian drones had been shot down overnight.

Both sides have escalated attacks in recent months as progress towards a ceasefire has stalled more than four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Kyiv has focused its efforts on energy infrastructure and oil facilities, which it sees as fuelling the Russian war machine.

Specks of black oil rained down on Moscow last week after Ukraine struck an oil refinery in its largest attack of the war so far – for which Moscow promised retaliation.

Crimea has been experiencing serious logistical difficulties and shortages. It is a strategically important location from which Moscow’s forces have launched strikes towards the rest of Ukraine.

It is also a popular summer holiday destination for Russians – some of whom have reported struggling to find petrol to return home.

READ ALSO:

Netherlands, Germany to return 2,000 looted artefacts to Ghana

Iran recloses Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon

The announcement was made at the Next Steps Conference, where ambassadors from both countries formally presented a catalogue of the artefacts scheduled for repatriation to President John Dramani Mahama during the plenary session.

German Ambassador H.E. Frederik Landshöft, alongside representatives of the Government of Germany and Netherlands, highlighted the significance of the gesture as part of broader efforts to address historical injustices linked to the colonial era.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Saturday, June 20, describing it as a major milestone in Ghana’s push for cultural restitution.

According to him, the commitment reflects growing international cooperation and renewed willingness by European partners to engage in the return of artefacts taken during the colonial period.

He also noted that the Foreign Minister of Denmark has issued an apology for the country’s role in the transatlantic enslavement system and pledged support for the preservation of historical castles linked to that era.

Mr. Ablakwa said the developments form part of wider efforts to promote historical truth, acknowledge past injustices, and ensure such events are not repeated.

He added that Ghana welcomes the progress being made, especially following the adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations resolution on cultural restitution.

“We applaud the positive conduct of restitution we are beginning to witness from our international partners in Europe since the adoption of the historic Ghana-led UN Resolution,” he stated.

The military said the decision had been made “in view of the flagrant bad faith and breach of covenant by America regarding the failure to implement the first clause of the end-of-war agreement, and in reaction to the relentless and continuous violation of the ceasefire by the Zionist regime in southern Lebanon”.

It warned that subsequent steps would also be taken if aggression continued.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most crucial oil and gas transit chokepoints. Iran had closed the Strait earlier this year in response to US and Israeli strikes on its territory, throwing global energy markets into chaos.

Reopening the waterway had been a key part of the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which aims at bringing the war to an end.

Referencing the agreement after the closure was announced on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry told Fars: “The other side must take the necessary measures as soon as possible, otherwise the entire agreement will be in jeopardy”.

It comes after Israel carried out a fresh wave of strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday morning following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah on Friday.

At least 16 people were killed and 12 were injured in the strikes on the Nabatieh area, Lebanon’s civil defence agency said.

The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes were in response to its forces coming under fire from more than 50 Hezbollah launches in southern Lebanon overnight.

“Among the targets struck were rocket launch positions, weapons storage facilities, and command centers,” it said of its strikes on Lebanon.

Prince Harry and Meghan will be accompanied by Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, for the family’s first trip to the country in four years.

BBC News understands that the family has been offered accommodation on a royal estate, but has not yet responded to the invitation.

On previous visits, Prince Harry has declined the offer to stay at Buckingham Palace due to security concerns over using such a high-profile, visible building.

It is not clear which royal residence has been made available to the family this time round.

Prince Harry had already committed to a series of events in the UK next month to mark a year to go to the Invictus Games for injured military personnel. The Games will be hosted in Birmingham next July.

In a BBC News interview last year, Prince Harry spoke of his desire for a “reconciliation” with the Royal Family.

The last time the King saw his grandchildren in person was during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

During a visit to the UK in September last year, Prince Harry met his father at Clarence House, which was their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024.

While the security arrangements for the family visit remain unclear, it is understood that no additional security has been offered by Buckingham Palace.

Any additional security provision will be a matter for the Home Office.

Buckingham Palace will not comment on the possibility of the King meeting his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, describing it as a private family matter.

The US military has finished modifications to the luxury jumbo jet, which has been valued at an estimated $400m (£300m).

“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before,” Trump said in a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday.

The US Air Force said in a press release that the jet will begin initial commissioning flights – a “final exam” to test out the aircraft’s modifications – before it will be used to transport the president.

Modifications to the jet included upgrades in security, mission communications, logistics support, and advanced technology, the Air Force said. Any potential threats from the previously owned aircraft have been “neutralised”, it added.

The interiors of the aircraft have been minimally changed, and the exterior has received a fresh red, white, blue and gold paint job.

In May 2025, the Qatari royal family donated the luxury Boeing 747-8 to the US Department of Defense to be used as part of a fleet of planes dubbed Air Force One, which provides air transport for the president.

When news of the gift of the plane was revealed last year, it sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from some Trump allies. Critics argued that accepting such a high-value donation posed a conflict of interest and may be unconstitutional.

While federal law indicates that US officials can only accept gifts under $480, the White House has insisted that accepting the aircraft is legal, and pledged that it will be donated to Trump’s presidential library once he leaves office.

“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said in his speech.

“Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines – these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”

“It’s really an honour,” the president added. “And I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”

Prior to the addition of the Qatari jet, the Air Force One fleet included two 747-200B jets that have been in use since 1990. One of those older models appears to have now been phased out, according to White House communications director Steven Cheung.

“‘Well done, good and faithful servant'”, Cheung wrote on X, alongside a photo of the older plane. “The Last Ride,” he added.

The Air Force said the new jet will be used by the president on an interim basis until Boeing delivers its two long-promised VC-25B jets, which are meant for longer-term Air Force One use but have faced significant production delays.

The Garda National Immigration Bureau carried out an operation on Thursday removing individuals from the State on foot of deportation orders issued by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan.

As a result of this operation, 42 South African nationals were deported from Ireland.

This included 27 adults – nine men and 18 women – and 15 juveniles, who were all part of family groups.

All people were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin on Thursday afternoon for South Africa, arriving on Friday morning.

Two of the individuals deported from the State had been convicted of offences in this jurisdiction.

Their removal supports ongoing operations by gardaí nationwide, a Garda spokesperson said.

“Gardaí continue to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy and the Irish Prison Service in the implementation of these operations”, a spokesperson added.

In 2024, the Department of Justice took over administrative immigration registration functions from the gardaí.

More than 200 lawmakers voted in favour of the draft legislation on Thursday, surpassing the vote threshold required for a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution.

The bill also scraps direct presidential elections, with future presidents chosen by parliament.

Mnangagwa, 83, took power in 2017 after ousting long-time ruler Robert Mugabe with the backing of the military, and went on to win disputed elections in 2018 and 2023.

The bill now heads to the senate, where it is also expected to secure approval, before being enacted by the president.

This is the culmination of a campaign by the ruling Zanu-PF party – in power since independence in 1980 – to amend the constitution and extend presidential terms, a plan that received cabinet backing in February.

The president had previously described himself as a constitutionalist and pledged to respect term limits.

During Thursday’s vote, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced that 216 lawmakers had backed the legislation, surpassing the 187 votes required to amend the constitution. Forty-two lawmakers voted against it.

The amendment contains several provisions:

• Presidential elections – held since 1990 – are scrapped
• Parliament elects the next president
• Parliamentary and presidential terms extended from five to seven years
• Parliamentary elections scheduled for 2028 delayed to 2030
• President Mnangagwa, whose second and final term is due to end in 2028, remains in office until 2030.

Opposition parties, civil society groups and constitutional lawyers have argued that such fundamental changes should be put to a national referendum rather than being approved solely through parliament.

Initially hailed by supporters as a reformer who would restore economic growth and democratic governance, Mnangagwa’s presidency has instead been marked by economic challenges, disputed elections and growing concerns over democratic backsliding.

The latest constitutional changes have intensified debate over Zimbabwe’s political future, with opponents warning that the amendments could weaken democratic accountability, while supporters maintain they are necessary to ensure continuity and stability.

A new constitution adopted in 2013 restricted a president to serving a maximum of two terms, adding that any move to extend term limits would need to be endorsed by voters in a referendum and that a sitting president cannot benefit from any extension unless voters give their approval in a second referendum.

However, on Wednesday, the country’s Constitutional Court dismissed a legal challenge seeking to block the bill.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, at 13:24 BST.

The boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition, the force said.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other.

The force said it was investigating whether the child was attacked by the animals.

A spokesperson for Johnsons of Old Hurst said its thoughts and prayers were with the boy and his family.

“Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice,” they added.

“If you have any questions about the incident, please direct inquiries to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary.

“The rest of the site will remain open as normal.”

Det Insp Verity McCann, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances.

“We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other. Officers are supporting the boy’s family at hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.”

Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty wrote on social media that his “thoughts were with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time” and he urged people to “refrain from speculation online”.

He said he was “liaising with senior officers at Gold Command who are treating this as a critical incident”.

Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s police and crime commissioner, said he had been briefed by Chief Constable Simon Megicks.

“My thoughts go out to the family of the little boy involved in this truly horrific incident,” he said.

“I can only begin to imagine the trauma those involved are going through.”

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and Magpas Air Ambulance attended the scene.

“A child was transported by road to hospital for further care,” they added.

A Magpas Air Ambulance spokesperson said a critical care team attended the incident at 13:42 and “treated one patient at the scene before taking them to hospital”.

A near neighbour of the zoo, who did not wish to be named, described hearing a “lot of sirens” then an air ambulance arriving.

He said the incident was “shocking”.

Mike Annicelli, 52, who also lives close to the zoo, said he had previously visited the attraction.

He said there was a “raised platform” in the enclosure and estimated the crocodiles were about 15ft (4.5m) below. He said there was fencing along walkways which he estimated was around 4ft (1.2m) high.

According to its website, Johnson’s of Old Hurst is a family-run farming business that now features a butchers, a farm shop, tea room, steakhouse and zoo.

It says it “houses over 100 fascinating animals” including crocodiles, African lions and a Bengal tiger.

The crocodiles are kept in a converted cattle barn, which has metal-fenced elevated walkways looking down on large pools of water surrounded by tropical vegetation.

Charlotte Lowe, who represents Old Hurst on Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, said she was “shocked” when she heard about the incident.

“To have something like this happen here is just incredible,” she said. “You don’t expect this to happen in a rural village.”

The enclosure had safety measures in place, she added, including Perspex glass and secure walkways, and the zoo was a popular attraction to visitors from all over the country.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young boy suffering in this,” she added.

The students staged a peaceful demonstration outside the High Commission on Monday, claiming they have not received tuition payments and living stipends promised by the Government of Ghana for more than 18 months.

According to the group, they are owed a total of £238,852 in tuition fees and stipend arrears, a situation they say has prevented them from graduating despite successfully completing their academic programmes.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, the group’s convener, Noah Krah, expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of engagement from officials at the mission.

“In four hours, not a single official of the Ghana High Commission came outside to speak with us. There was no acknowledgement, no engagement, and no response of any kind through any formal channel,” he said.

Mr. Krah alleged that tensions escalated after two students entered the High Commission premises in an attempt to seek answers.

“They started verbal abuse on my colleagues, saying ‘kwasiafo’ and using words like useless people, and Bridget Bonney even said we don’t deserve taxpayers’ money,” he alleged.

According to him, the situation worsened when one of the students, Abena Fosuah, attempted to record the exchange.

“My colleague, Abena Fosuah, decided to pull out her phone to record the incident. So Bridget Bonney and other members, whose identities we have yet to establish, forcibly took Abena Fosuah’s phone and deleted all her recordings, including interviews she took for her academic work,” he claimed.

Mr. Krah further disclosed that a formal complaint had been submitted to the Head of Education and Recruitment at the High Commission.

“I sent an update of the protest and the resulting incident of assault to the Head of Education and Recruitment at the Ghana High Commission. As of now, I’m speaking with you, they have not responded,” he stated.

The students are demanding an investigation into the alleged incident, the immediate payment of all outstanding scholarship funds, and a formal apology from those involved.

Mr. Krah said medical personnel who examined the affected student confirmed she had sustained soft tissue injuries that could take up to two weeks to heal.

“The victim has been given prescriptions and also advised to report the matter to the Police, Citizens Advice and the Ombudsman,” he said.

He added that the student had undergone an X-ray examination and had been offered mental health support, as she remains traumatised by the alleged incident.

Meanwhile, the Ghana High Commission is yet to publicly respond to the allegations.

ALSO READ:

• Ghanaian Students in UK demand immediate payment of scholarship arrears

• “Don’t even try” – UK PhD Cohort President tells prospective gov’t scholarship applicants

• Death toll from the outbreak that began in early May rose from ​74, with about 7,800 ​infections reported.
  
• OCHA said aid agencies were ‌scaling ⁠up treatment, surveillance and access to clean water to support government efforts to contain ​the ​outbreak.
  
• A $4 ⁠million injection from OCHA-managed funds was bolstering ​the emergency response, but ​more ⁠resources were urgently needed to strengthen prevention and treatment, ⁠OCHA ​said.

However, it warned that more resources are urgently needed to strengthen prevention measures and expand treatment capacity as the situation worsens in the conflict-hit region.

He made the remarks on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the High-Level Consultative Conference on “Next Steps” under the UN Resolution on enslaved Africans, held in Accra.

Addressing delegates, President Faye commended Ghana for leading efforts to address historical injustices linked to slavery and reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to supporting the global initiative.

He stressed that the time had come to move beyond declarations and translate commitments into tangible actions that engage all sectors of society.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, our duty today is to actualise these resolutions and move with concrete action; actions which attract the people, actions which speak to the youth, artists, intellectuals and civil society.

“Action that reinforces cooperation between Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and all stakeholders involved in this move,” he said.

President Faye further outlined Senegal’s ongoing efforts to strengthen people-to-people links, promote historical research, and advance education aimed at building a more just and equitable future.

“Senegal has convincingly rolled out a dynamic agenda constantly fostering a link between the people to support historical research, promote education and prepare a future more just and equal,” he added.

He expressed hope that the Accra conference would mark a significant milestone in the collective journey toward justice, dignity, and a shared future for descendants of enslaved Africans.

The conference brought together world leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss practical steps toward implementing the UN resolution and advancing reparative justice globally.

No outstanding arrears under ‘No Fee Stress’ policy – Education Minister

Deploying divers won’t solve flood deaths; tackle illegal building first —..

“I heard the first gunshots at 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT) while I was at the mosque. But the current situation is under control,” one person said.

The gunfire, which lasted for two hours, came from the entrance at the Diori Hamani international airport, a witness told the AFP news agency.

Niger has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists launched an attack on the same airport.

Like its neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger is run by a military junta that came to power in part because of a failure to deal with the violence.

Residents have told the BBC that Thursday’s attack was repelled by the army, which is now hunting down the fleeing assailants who reportedly abandoned their weapons.

The authorities have not yet commented and no group has said it was responsible but an affiliate to the Islamic State group said it had carried out January’s assault.

Niger’s defence ministry said that in January’s attack, four military personnel were injured and 20 attackers killed.

At the time, the head of Niger’s military government, which has been in power for three years, thanked Russia for its help in foiling the attack. Abdourahamane Tiani also accused the presidents of France, Benin and Ivory Coast of backing those responsible.

He did not give details of what help Russia had provided, or provide any evidence to support his accusations against the other countries.

In recent weeks, authorities in Niger have demolished neighbourhoods near the airport, citing “terrorist risks”.

They have also extended the airport’s perimeter fence and installed more than 350 surveillance cameras, AFP reports.

The three-day conference, convened by President John Dramani Mahama, is scheduled to take place from June 17 to June 19, 2026.

Among the high-profile dignitaries attending are the presidents of Senegal, Namibia, Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Vice Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, the Speaker of the Algerian Parliament, as well as ministers and senior government officials from across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and other parts of the world.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to attend the event.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the gathering is expected to strengthen international efforts toward achieving reparatory justice and foster collaboration among political leaders, policymakers, academics and advocates.

According to him, discussions will focus on practical pathways for addressing both the historical and present-day consequences of the transatlantic slave trade.

The conference comes three months after the adoption of United Nations Resolution A/RES/80/250, which declared transatlantic enslavement the gravest crime against humanity.

The landmark resolution has intensified global calls for meaningful action to address the enduring effects of slavery and colonial exploitation.

President Mahama, who has positioned Ghana at the forefront of international reparatory justice advocacy, is expected to use the conference to promote greater global cooperation and encourage the development of concrete frameworks for reparations and restorative justice.

Organisers say the conference is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening international advocacy, promoting historical accountability and advancing policies designed to address the legacy of slavery and colonialism.

The event is being closely watched by governments, civil society organisations and international institutions engaged in the growing global movement for reparatory justice.

READ ALSO:

Mahama hosts Bono Regional House of Chiefs at Presidency

Equatorial Guinea government resigns after failing to meet barely 10% of its targets

Mohammed Saidu was taken to court in the city of Kano after residents reported the foul smell to environmental officials.

Magistrate Halima Wali ordered that he be detained for 14 days and fined 100,000 naira (£55; $74). She described his actions as highly inconsiderate and a threat to his neighbours’ health.

Saidu, whose job is to empty sceptic tanks, is believed to have been selling the faeces to farmers to use as fertiliser – a common practice in the region, but which is rarely publicly acknowledged.

“I think he had close to 50 bags of faeces the first time the complaint reached me,” local chief Musa Abdullahi told the BBC.

Neighbours said the stench from the property had become so overwhelming that it was impossible to relax at home.

One of those who complained, Samaila Inuwa, told the BBC that they had initially tried to resolve the matter privately.

“We spoke to him about it but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa said.

In court, Saidu pleaded guilty to the charge of endangering public health.

Before delivering her ruling, Magistrate Wali visited the property to see the bags of faeces for herself.

She ordered Saidu to clear all the waste from the premises and promise never to repeat the offence.

Inuwa said life had already improved for residents since the case was brought to court.

“Finally, our neighbourhood is enjoyable once more without any bad smell,” he said.

The local chief said he had intervened when Saidu started storing the waste.

“When he first started it, I spoke to him about it and he packed them out [removed them] and stopped,” he said. “I did not know when he resumed.”

He added that neighbours had chosen to bypass him this time and go directly to the authorities.

Abdullahi said his own home was far enough away that he had not been affected by the smell, but he understood the residents’ frustration.

“My mission is for everybody in this area to live in peace,” he said. “When he is released, we will talk to him and the neighbours again.”

ALSO READ:

• Boy, 7, battling for life as poo is stuck in bowel

• Landlord found dead in his room in bizarre state [Photos]

Trump said it would take place “sometime in the future”, adding India and the US were close to agreeing a trade deal.

Relations between the two superpowers came under strain after Trump announced his plans to impose tariffs on India last year.

The killing of three Indian sailors by the US military last week further complicated the relationship.

The sailors were killed in the Gulf of Oman in a strike after the US military targeted a tanker which it accused of violating its blockade on Iranian ports.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the safety of Indian sailors working in the Strait of Hormuz with Trump during their meeting at the G7 summit.

The pair also discussed their efforts to reach a trade deal – negotiations which were set back by a recent US announcement that new import taxes on countries judged not to be doing enough to tackle forced labour, including India.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump called Modi a “tough negotiator”, and pledged to visit the country soon.

India has been pressing Trump to visit for several months now, potentially as part of a meeting with Japan and Australia.

Questioned on the US-India defence relationship, Trump said America would “help” India if they were “attacked”.

Referencing Modi, he said: “If anybody attacks that man, we’re going to be there… Now, if there’s a new leader, I’m not sure about it.”

The meeting followed a period of heightened tension between the two nations. Delhi summoned a senior US diplomat twice following the killings of the Indian sailors and strikes on other tankers with Indian crew.

Domestically, Modi has been criticised by opposition parties for not directly condemning the US’s actions and demanded that he raise the matter with Trump.

In a speech to G7 leaders on Tuesday, Modi mentioned the conflict in the Middle East, adding that “several Indian civilians” had lost their lives and that the safety of seafarers should be ensured.

“Today the world does not suffer from a shortage of resources; it suffers from a shortage of trust. And the future of our partnerships depends on building this trust,” the prime minister said in remarks that some commentators in India linked to the meeting with Trump.

India imports about 90% of its oil and has been badly hit by the war in Iran and the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies are normally transported.

Even if the strait reopens soon, global oil and gas supplies could take months to stabilise.

• Rubio meets Modi during India visit with energy high on agenda

The meeting at the G7 marked a significant tonal shift in the relationship between Trump and Modi.

In February last year, Modi travelled to Washington for a frosty meeting with Trump at the White House.

Officials are set to meet in Delhi next week to negotiate the “final touches” to the US-India trade deal, as described by India’s commerce secretary.

India was among the first countries to open trade talks with the US last year, but the process has proven complicated.

At one point, the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on certain Indian goods before reducing them to 18% after the two countries agreed to an interim trade deal in February. The rates are currently at 10% after the US Supreme Court struck down many of Trump’s tariffs, ruling them “illegal”.

It is not clear when or if the proposed new tariffs concerning forced labour will come into effect.

Over the past year, Delhi was also irritated by Trump’s claims that he brokered an India-Pakistan ceasefire after a conflict and his offer to mediate on Kashmir, a disputed region claimed by both countries.

Delhi rejects third-party mediation on Kashmir, and Modi “strongly” communicated this to Trump last year. In the months since then, Pakistan has managed to keep Trump on side, even playing the role of an intermediary between Washington, Tehran and the Arab capitals.

Other sources of tension include the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and restrictions on H-1B visas that have long been a pathway for skilled Indians to work in the US.

Brent crude futures were down 89 cents, or 1.12%, at $78.66 a barrel as of 0005 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate ​fell 98 cents, or 1.28%, to $75.81 a barrel.

The benchmarks resumed their decline, ​reversing gains made on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said ⁠he could resume his bombing campaign if Iran’s leaders “don’t behave”.

“The sell-off extended as ​energy markets continued to aggressively price in a faster-than-expected return of Iranian barrels ​following the recent U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding,” IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.

The 14-point memorandum begins a 60-day negotiation period during which Iran will allow toll-free passage through the ​Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas shipping lane. The deal ​calls for traffic through the strait to be restored to its full capacity within 30 days.

The ‌preliminary ⁠accord defers many of the more difficult issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, and also requires the U.S. and its partners to come up with a $300 billion plan to finance Iran’s recovery.

If the agreement is successfully implemented and the Strait ​reopened, this year’s ​supply crisis could ⁠turn into a significant supply glut in 2027, the IEA cautioned on Wednesday, forecasting in its monthly market report that supply ​will outstrip demand by 5.05 million barrels per day next ​year as ⁠Middle East oil returns to the market.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is also increasingly weighing whether it will need to raise interest rates later this year to rein in ⁠inflation, which ​could slow economic growth and suppress oil demand.

Nine of 19 Fed policymakers now think a rate hike will be needed, Wednesday projections showed, a departure from three months ago, when none of them held that view.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, was found not guilty after a trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court of five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Alison-Madueke was Nigeria’s oil minister between 2010 and 2015 and the first female president of the oil exporters group Opec.

The verdict is a blow for the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which had been investigating one of Africa’s most prominent political figures for 13 years.

From the start of the trial in January, defence lawyers questioned the fairness of the prosecution’s case, suggesting vital documents showing Alison-Madueke’s innocence had gone missing in Nigeria.

They also said the long delay in bringing the case to court was unjust and a sign of Britain’s “broken criminal justice system”.

Also cleared by the jury was Alison-Madueke’s older brother, Doye Agama, 69, an archbishop at a Pentecostal church in Manchester, who was acquitted of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, was found not guilty of bribery and bribery of a foreign public official.

She had faced prosecution despite being an informant in an anti-corruption probe by the Nigerian authorities.

‘Madam due process’

Alison-Madueke portrayed herself in court as a role model for women, a tireless fighter against corruption, and someone so much of a stickler for the rules that she was nicknamed “Madam due process”.

She became the first female member of the Nigerian board of oil and gas giant Shell in 2006, and four years later was appointed oil minister, the country’s second-most senior politician. She became president of OPEC in 2014.

“In a very patriarchal society, to have a woman sitting at the helm was a major no-no,” she told the court, suggesting this had made her a target for unnamed male opponents.

Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC said the former minister improperly allowed powerful men with lucrative government contracts in the oil business to bankroll her extravagant lifestyle.

Six of them were named on the indictment, although none were charged.

But the prosecution failed to provide evidence that she awarded contracts to any of the oil tycoons named because of bribes.

“At no time did I ask, take, ‌or ⁠seek a bribe or bribes of any sort,” Alison-Madueke told the court, saying many of the luxury items purchased were not for her, and that she had been with the oil men to offer advice on interior design in their own properties.

Alison-Madueke told the court that Nigerian ministers were not allowed to hold foreign bank accounts while serving overseas, and that her department’s office in London was in such disarray that she relied on wealthy businessmen to fund her living expenses.

She said they were always reimbursed in Nigeria, and evidence proving this had been seized from her home in Abuja, but never produced by the authorities there.

Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, who had appointed Alison-Madueke, did not appear as a witness. But he provided a statement in which he said that third parties would often pay for transport, accommodation, and other expenses for ministers on official overseas business.

Questions raised by the case

There were a number of unanswered questions that seem to have fatally undermined the prosecution.

Defence barrister Jonathan Laidlaw KC questioned why the Nigerian government had not sought to prosecute Alison-Madueke.

He said Alison-Madueke had “effectively been kept prisoner in this country for almost 11 years… unable to work, unable to travel” while the NCA had “done nothing to bring about the extradition” of the six oil men said to have paid bribes to her.

The jury was not told why they had not been charged.

The defence claimed the investigation had been compromised from the start because the NCA was denied access to the search of Alison-Madueke’s Abuja home in 2015.

They relied on work done on their behalf by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But while the prosecution told the jury to trust how the EFCC had gathered evidence against Alison-Madueke, at the same time it advised them to disregard the commission’s evidence in relation to a co-defendant in the trial.

The defence case of Olatimbo Ayinde, the oil industry executive who was also found not guilty by the jury, was that she had been working as an informant for the Nigerian authorities to expose corruption.

Ayinde, a Nigerian businesswoman with British citizenship, said she had been encouraged by the West African country’s security services to “play along” with those in government who were asking her for bribes.

An EFCC investigator, who had travelled from Nigeria to London, told the court that Ayinde had given “vital information that assisted the investigation”.

“Miss Ayinde’s plan was to help law enforcement, and now she’s there in the dock,” said her barrister, Jonathan Lennon KC, who had sought unsuccessfully to have his client’s case thrown out of court.

In a statement after the verdict, Alison-Madueke said her “nightmare is over”.

She said: “For 11 long, gruelling years this case has hung over my head and has tormented my family and me. But today, the past decade of relentless and unjust vilification, condemnation and scrutiny has finally come to an end.”

Obiang, who is also the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, said the prime minister had presented the resignation of all members of the government because it had barely reached 10% of its targets.

He did not specify the targets, but a statement by the ruling party said the president had observed that the government fostered corruption and failed to diversify the economy.

President Obiang is the world’s longest-serving leader who has ruled the oil-rich West African country since 1979 with a strong grip, while naming family members to key government roles.

The president appointed the outgoing government in 2024, with Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua as prime minister.

On Tuesday, the vice-president said the resignation was in line with “the principle that responsibility in public management must be accompanied by results”.

“The degree of execution achieved is clearly insufficient in relation to the expectations and commitments undertaken,” he posted on X.

In a statement on Facebook, the ruling Democratic ‌Party ⁠of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) said the president was dissatisfied with the management of the outgoing government. A new government is expected to be appointed.

The statement further cited the misuse of state resources for personal interests and stagnation in the implementation of development projects.

The president also noted that the government had not implemented policies to diversify the economy, especially in the agricultural sector, which would cut reliance on imported goods that can be produced locally.

Equatorial Guinea’s economy is heavily reliant on petroleum, with oil and gas accounting for most of its exports and revenues.

In spite of its oil wealth, much of its 1.8m population has not benefited, as poverty remains rampant. In recent years, the economy has been on a decline amid reduced production and demand for oil.

READ ALSO:

Russian artist and Putin critic shot dead in Poland

Israel launches fresh strikes on Lebanon despite US President Trump criticism

Mohammed Saidu was taken to court in the city of Kano after residents reported the foul smell to environmental officials.

Magistrate Halima Wali ordered that he be detained for 14 days and fined 100,000 naira (£55; $74). She described his actions as highly inconsiderate and a threat to his neighbours’ health.

Saidu, whose job is to empty sceptic tanks, is believed to have been selling the faeces to farmers to use as fertiliser – a common practice in the region, but which is rarely publicly acknowledged.

“I think he had close to 50 bags of faeces the first time the complaint reached me,” local chief Musa Abdullahi told the BBC.

Neighbours said the stench from the property had become so overwhelming that it was impossible to relax at home.

One of those who complained, Samaila Inuwa, told the BBC that they had initially tried to resolve the matter privately.

“We spoke to him about it but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa said.

In court, Saidu pleaded guilty to the charge of endangering public health.

Before delivering her ruling, Magistrate Wali visited the property to see the bags of faeces for herself.

She ordered Saidu to clear all the waste from the premises and promise never to repeat the offence.

Inuwa said life had already improved for residents since the case was brought to court.

“Finally, our neighbourhood is enjoyable once more without any bad smell,” he said.

The local chief said he had intervened when Saidu started storing the waste.

“When he first started it, I spoke to him about it and he packed them out [removed them] and stopped,” he said. “I did not know when he resumed.”

He added that neighbours had chosen to bypass him this time and go directly to the authorities.

Abdullahi said his own home was far enough away that he had not been affected by the smell, but he understood the residents’ frustration.

“My mission is for everybody in this area to live in peace,” he said. “When he is released, we will talk to him and the neighbours again.”

READ ALSO:

NPP defends record on Afari Military Hospital, says project is 98% complete

Three million gallons of palm oil ready for distribution to SHSs

Polish prosecutors said Robert K, known as the artist Semyon Skrepetsky, was shot dead on Monday morning in the Polish town of Biała Podlaska, about 40km (25 miles) from the Belarusian border.

The 44-year-old was shot five times in the head, chest and back in a car park in the town, located about 600m (2,000ft) from the Belarusian consulate.

Semyon Skrepetsky was the pseudonym used by Robert Kuzovkov. He was known for his caricatures of politicians, including Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Police have detained two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, near the Belarusian consulate in the town and their role in the incident is still being determined, says Marcin Kozak, spokesman for the district prosecutor’s office in the eastern city of Lublin.

Skrepetsky was given asylum in Biała Podlaska, a small town with a population of less than 60,000, after he left Russia in 2021 fearing criminal prosecution.

Kozak said the artist was approached by an unidentified gunman who fired two shots at him.

“When the victim fell to the ground, the perpetrator approached, fired three more shots and then quickly fled the scene. Robert K died at the scene,” he added.

Five shell casings and one Geco 9mm Luger bullet were recovered from the crime scene, Kozak said.

A post mortem examination has been scheduled for Wednesday.

Belarusian artist Vladislav Bokhan, who knew Skrepetsky, said he had found out about the shooting from Polish radio and immediately felt concerned: “I thought, that’s where Skrepetsky lives. I know it’s a very small town.”

“The victim engaged in public artistic activities and used among other things, the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, under which he expressed criticism of the current policies of the Russian Federation authorities,” Kozak said.

Skrepetsky’s satirical cartoons had depicted Putin in the arms of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, Lukashenko as Adolf Hitler with a bucket of potatoes and Kadyrov and his son Adam with pigs’ snouts.

He had also mocked Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny as well as ordinary Ukrainians and his Polish address was freely available online. His work was posted on Telegram and on his YouTube channel.

Skrepetsky is survived in Poland by his wife and five children.

Video posted on social media the night before his death showed the artist attending a Russia Day protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin on Friday.

about:blank

He had been carrying a painting caricaturing Putin and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, as well as a Russian flag tied to his trousers that had been dragging along the road.

“I kept telling him: ‘Mate, they’re going to come for you, they’re going to come for you, they’re going to come for you. Please be prepared, always stay alert,” Bulat Subkhankulov, a friend of Skrepetsky, told the BBC.

Subkhankulov believes he had become carried away. “I kept telling him that it could end badly… Eventually I realised there was no point. That’s just the kind of guy he was: completely reckless and stubborn.”

On Wednesday, Israeli jets struck the Nabatieh al-Fawqa area and the outskirts of neighbouring Kfar Tebnit, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) said. The Israeli military has not yet commented, but has previously said it is targeting the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

The text of a deal between the US and Iran to end the war has not been released, but mediator Pakistan says it includes Lebanon.

On Tuesday, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needed “to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon”.

Speaking at the G7 summit in France, he also said that Israel had been fighting Hezbollah for “too long and too many people are being killed”.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have carried out attacks against each other since the US-Iran agreement was announced on Sunday night.

Earlier that day, an Israeli air strike on Beirut in response to cross-border rocket attack by Hezbollah had put pressure on attempts to finalise the deal.

Trump told the G7 that he had a “great relationship” with Netanyahu but said he “didn’t like that he did an attack… that was too much”.

He added: “Without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did.”

Netanyahu said on Monday that his country’s forces would remain in Lebanon “for as long as necessary”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has warned that it would view any Israeli attack on Lebanon or continued Israeli military presence in Lebanese territory as a violation of the interim agreement with the US.

The contents of the agreement – referred to as a memorandum of understanding – have not been officially released.

Both sides were expected sign the deal on Friday in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry told the Schweiz Heute newspaper.

Trump said he would likely hold a news conference to publicly read the agreement between the US and Iran “word by word”.

He also said the deal meant Iran would “never have a nuclear weapon” and that the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway in the Gulf would reopen and be “toll-free”.

Trump has argued this deal would be better than the one Barack Obama negotiated when he was president.

“We didn’t pay for it like Obama did. He paid billions of dollars,” Trump said on Tuesday.

Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the US and five other world powers, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspections in return for sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds.

READ ALSO:

Police kill 1-year-old boy over suspected shoplifting

Ghanaian Students in UK demand immediate payment of scholarship arrears

The shooting occurred Sunday afternoon in the store’s parking lot in Senatobia, about 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.

Kohen Wiley, 1, was in a vehicle with his mother and a family friend when he was fatally shot, said civil rights attorney Ben Crump. The friend was critically injured, he said.

“Kohen Wiley was a baby. His mother, who has not been charged with any crime, says she was trying to communicate to officers that there was a baby in the car,” Crump said in a statement Tuesday.

“They fired anyway, leading to the death of an innocent 1-year-old. We intend to seek justice for baby Kohen and the life that was stolen from him.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the shooting, said in a statement that when Senatobia police officers arrived, they “encountered two subjects and a juvenile child fleeing from the store into a vehicle.”

The state agency said police tried to stop the vehicle, “but the driver drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one.” An officer then discharged their weapon, firing at the vehicle, according to the MBI.

The driver then drove to a nearby hospital, where the child was pronounced dead, the bureau said.

No law enforcement officers were seriously injured, the state agency said in its statement.

Senatobia police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The police department said Sunday on Facebook that it was “committed to full transparency.”

“As the investigation progresses and facts are verified, we will share as much information as possible,” the department said.

The Tate County Sheriff’s Office was also on scene for the shooting. The office said in a news release that deputies had been responding to an unrelated incident when their assistance was requested.

“Please keep the family of the deceased in your thoughts and prayers,” the sheriff’s office said.

Marquell Bridges, a community advocate who is helping the family, said Tuesday on Facebook that the boy’s mother did not steal from Walmart “and was not a witness to or accomplice to any crime.”

“She was skipping and playing with her child, Kohen, to the car moments earlier, not fleeing a theft,” he said. “What started as an ordinary day, playing with your baby and getting into a car, turned into the worst day of a mother’s life and a tragedy this community will carry for years to come.”

He called on the police department to release body camera and store surveillance video.

Carlos Haynes, the child’s grandfather, told The Associated Press that Kohen was a happy baby who had his life cut short.

“Someone ended it all before it could even start,” Haynes said.

The child’s family did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment Tuesday.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said at a news conference that body camera video and other possible evidence won’t be released until after the state investigation is complete and presented to the attorney general’s office for possible criminal charges.

He didn’t provide a timeline for that process and declined to discuss details of the shooting. He pleaded with people to remain patient so the five agents investigating the shooting can interview potential witnesses without fear of intimidation.

In a statement Tuesday, the city of Senatobia said it was committed to cooperating fully with the MBI’s independent investigation.

“We understand that emotions are high and that many questions remain. We respectfully ask our community to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information while the investigation is underway,” the statement said.

It acknowledged the child’s death as “a heartbreaking tragedy” and extended condolences to the family. The city also asked for thoughts and prayers for law enforcement officers, first responders and anyone else affected by the situation.

“We ask our community to continue responding with compassion, respect, and grace as we support all those affected during this difficult time,” the statement said.

Walmart said it is working with law enforcement during the investigation.

“We’re saddened by what took place at our Senatobia, MS, store,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement.

• U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has overseen a mass deportation drive, sealing ​deals with several countries to act as hosts for ​deportees of third nationalities often in exchange for ⁠payment, with El Salvador the most well-known example for holding over ​200 Venezuelans in an anti-terrorism prison for four months.
• “This is an ​MOU (memorandum of understanding) and not a binding agreement,” Chang said, adding that “respect for human rights remains a central principle.”
• “Lessons were taken” from similar arrangements ​in the region, including the Caribbean nations of Belize, ​Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis, he added.
• Under the ‌deal, ⁠Jamaica would act as a transit country for U.S. deportees, transferring up to 25 people every fortnight and hosting no more than 10 migrants at a time as it arranges travel ​to another ​country or their ⁠home nation.
• The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
• The deal ​was previously reported by the Jamaica Gleaner, which ​said ⁠up to 10,000 deportees could be accepted under the deal. Chang said Jamaica had not agreed to such a quota.
• The U.S. ⁠said ​it would support all associated costs ​and related arrangements, Chang said, noting people with criminal backgrounds will not be ​accepted.

Brent crude futures fell $4.21, or 5.1%, to settle at $78.96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $4.70, or 5.8%, to settle at $76.05.

Those were the lowest closes for Brent since March 2 and for WTI since March 4.

The U.S.-Iran war started on February 28. On February 27, Brent closed at $72.48 a barrel, and WTI closed at $67.02.

“Crude oil is sliding fast on the ​assumption the Strait of Hormuz will open soon,” Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, said in a note. Before the war, about 20% of ​global oil supplies passed through the strait.

Details of the interim deal to end the war began to emerge on Tuesday, with U.S. President ⁠Donald Trump saying it will rule out a nuclear weapon for Tehran and a U.S. official saying it allows Iran to sell oil upon signing.

The deal would extend a ​tenuous ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked since the U.S. and Israel first attacked Iran.

Still, doubts swirled ​around the deal, with experts warning that shipping and energy exports could take weeks to recover. In Lebanon, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it believes Iran will not sign a final nuclear deal unless Israel withdraws from Lebanon.

“For now, a major vote of confidence is being applied to the success of this plan with limited regard to thorny issues such as financial compensation, sanctions and especially a satisfactory ​nuclear deal that was largely the reason behind the war,” analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

News of the preliminary agreement prompted investment banks, ​including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Citi, to lower their oil price forecasts.

AROUND THE WORLD

Other factors weighing on oil prices included worries about China’s economy, rising global inflation and interest rates, and ‌U.S. calls for ⁠peace between Russia and Ukraine.

China, the world’s second-biggest economy, showed increasing unevenness in May, while the country’s crude oil throughput fell 9.1% from a year earlier to its lowest level in almost four years.

Trump said Russia should make peace with Ukraine after a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday, sparking cautious optimism among Group of Seven (G7) leaders that a peace deal could be struck.

A settlement in the Ukraine war could lead to the lifting of some sanctions on Russia, allowing ​Moscow to export more oil. Russia was the world’s third-largest crude oil producer ⁠, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, in 2025, according to U.S. energy data.

In the U.S., most global brokerages are betting the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady for the rest of 2026, reversing from expectations of two interest rate cuts at the start of the ​year, as policymakers navigate elevated inflation risks and a resilient labour market.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 31-year ​high on Tuesday.

Higher interest rates raise consumer costs, which can reduce economic growth and oil demand.

U.S. OIL INVENTORIES:

The oil market awaited weekly storage reports from the American Petroleum Institute trade group later on Tuesday and the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.

Analysts estimated energy firms pulled 4.6 million barrels of crude from storage during the week ended June 12.

If correct, that would be the first ⁠time energy firms ​pulled crude out of storage for eight weeks in a row since January 2025. It compares with ​a decrease of 11.5 million barrels in the same week last year and an average decline of 2.3 million barrels over the past five years (2021 to 2025). 

The vehicle was travelling from the Dessie area toward the capital city of Addis Ababa when the driver lost control in the conflict-hit Amhara region.

Local authorities confirmed that the bus was severely overloaded when it went off the cliff side, complicating initial rescue operations.

Delayed Emergency Response Fatal for Survivors

The Kombolcha Town Administration Police Division reported that the death toll rose significantly due to a critical lack of emergency infrastructure in the immediate area.

Survivors faced lengthy delays before receiving medical attention because the rural district lacks basic ambulance services.

First responders and local residents were forced to transport critically injured passengers to regional hospitals using private cars and public transit vehicles. Investigators stated that many victims died at the scene from injuries that could have been treated with prompt medical intervention.

Regional Roads Known for Extreme Hazards

The stretch of highway where the vehicle plunged remains a notorious transit point due to its winding, hilly terrain and steep drops.

While the Kombolcha police continue to investigate the exact mechanical or human cause of the morning crash, regional transport operators have long classified the route as uniquely dangerous.

The disaster mirrors a similar mass casualty transit accident in December 2024, when a bus plunged into a river in Ethiopia’s southern Sidama region and left 66 people dead.

Monday’s crash renews scrutiny on both public transit enforcement and the stark absence of trauma care networks along major Ethiopian shipping corridors.

Ongoing Conflict Compounds Regional Transit Risks

The tragedy highlights the compounding crises facing northern Ethiopia, where persistent regional instability heavily restricts public resources.

Ongoing conflict within the Amhara region continues to hamper infrastructure development, stalling vital highway repairs and isolating rural communities from centralised emergency medical networks.

Continental Crisis Sparks Push for Strict Enforcement

The lethal combination of overloaded commercial vehicles and a lack of post-crash emergency medical care mirrors a deadly trend felt across sub-Saharan Africa.

The World Health Organisation notes that the African region maintains the highest road fatality rate globally, with traffic deaths rising significantly over the last decade.

To combat this crisis, the African Union officially enacted the legally binding African Road Safety Charter in March 2026. The framework forces signatory nations, including Ethiopia, to establish strict policy enforcement against vehicle overloading and to invest heavily in rural pre-hospital trauma infrastructure.

Shared Toll Echoes Across West African Corridors

The structural failures contributing to the Ethiopian disaster deeply resonate in West Africa, where commercial transport safety has sharply deteriorated.

Ghana recently recorded its deadliest year on the road in over three decades, with the National Road Safety Authority reporting a record 2,949 fatalities in 2025.

Similar to the emergency response failures in Kombolcha, West African transport data reveals that transit deaths are rising twice as fast as the accident rate itself.

Regional policy experts attribute this expanding lethality directly to highway coverage gaps and the inability to transport victims to critical care units within the life-saving first hour.

The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT) on Monday while the aircraft had been on a routine test mission. The crash sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

“Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans,” Col James Hayes said, describing them as a “mixed crew of military, government civilians and government contractors”.

The base earlier said that initial indications were that the crash “was not survivable”.

The crew’s next of kin were being notified and will be named 24 hours after that, Hayes said in an afternoon briefing.

The crash was “totally contained” within the Edwards Air Force Base on the runway, Hayes said, and the base has temporarily grounded operations.

The B-52 had been supporting the base’s radar modernisation programme, he said, and crashed immediately after take-off and burst into flames.

After reviewing initial footage, the incident had been deemed “an unrecoverable crash and unsurvivable”, Hayes said.

No cause has yet been determined and will not be until after a series of investigations, which could take up to 30 days. Further cause analysis investigations could take more than six months, Hayes said.

Boeing confirmed in a separate statement that two of its employees had been among those onboard and said the company was in contact with their families. The aerospace giant declined to comment further when contacted by the BBC.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the crash “a tragic incident” and offered condolences to the victims’ families and Edwards Air Force Base community in a post on X.

Aerial footage showed a charred, smoking landscape where the crash occurred.

The base said in an earlier update that all inbound aircraft had been diverted and all non-commercial visitor passes suspended “until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations.”

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s. It is nicknamed “the Buff”, which is partly short for “Big Ugly Fat”.

The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber that has been participating in bombing raids during the US and Israel’s war in Iran.

Capable of flying at up to 50,000ft – in comparison to commercial airliners, which fly at around 35,000ft – the colossal bomber’s 70,000lb (32,000kg) payload can include hundreds of conventional bombs and 32 nuclear cruise missiles.

The aircraft can refuel mid-flight, giving it a potentially unlimited strike range. This created a “nuclear umbrella” for the US during the Cold War, back in the era of mutually assured destruction in the mid-20th Century.

The planes typically carry a crew of five – an aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.

Edwards Base is located around 100 miles (160km) north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.

“Absolutely heartbreaking. God bless the 8 crew members on board,” US Representative Vince Fong, whose California congressional district includes part of the base, wrote on X.

Congressman Jay Obernolte, whose district also includes part of the base, posted on Facebook that he and his wife were “praying for everyone involved in today’s B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, especially the crew, their families, and the first responders on scene”.

Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain was also wrote about the crash, posting on X: “My prayers are with everyone involved in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base this afternoon.”

She thanked emergency crews and added: “Our service members carry the weight of this nation’s defense every single day. We are with them.”

In a statement dated June 15, 2026, the students said the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, now the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA), has failed to pay their tuition fees and monthly stipends since they commenced their studies in September 2024, despite repeated assurances from government officials.

The affected students, Noah Krah, Emmanuel Boakye, George Osei Buabeng, Abena Fosuaa Gyasi, Irene Pomaa Kumi and Dwomoh Evelyn, were awarded government scholarships to pursue master’s degree programmes at Loughborough University for the 2024/2025 academic year.

According to them, the government owes an estimated £238,852, comprising £154,000 in tuition fees and £84,852 in stipend arrears. At an exchange rate of GH¢14.32 to the pound, the amount translates to more than GH¢3.4 million.

The students explained that although the unpaid tuition fees currently appear on their university accounts, the responsibility for settling the debt remains with the Government of Ghana under the terms of their scholarship agreements.

They further alleged that they were compelled to forfeit 12 months of unpaid stipends in exchange for a “Letter of No Objection” required to apply for the UK’s Graduate Visa. According to them, the condition was not part of the original scholarship agreement and was imposed at a time when they were already facing severe financial hardship.

The students said they had spent the past eight months pursuing various channels to resolve the matter, including meetings with officials of the Ghana High Commission in London, petitions to the Ghanaian High Commissioner, the UK Prime Minister’s Office and intervention from Dr. Jeevun Sandher, Member of Parliament for Loughborough.

They noted that despite several assurances, including a promise to settle the debt within the first quarter of 2026, no payments have been made.

The statement also referenced a communiqué issued by the Director of the Ghana Scholarships Authority on April 16, 2026, indicating that funds had been released by the Government of Ghana to settle scholarship-related debts in the UK. However, the students claim neither they nor the university have received any payment.

The prolonged delay, they said, has plunged them into serious financial and emotional distress. Some students reportedly relied on food banks, skipped meals and depended on support from friends and church members to cover basic living expenses and avoid homelessness.

Academically, the students say they have completed all coursework, examinations and dissertations but have been unable to graduate because Loughborough University continues to withhold their certificates and academic transcripts due to the unpaid tuition fees.

The situation has also created immigration challenges. According to the students, unresolved visa applications have left some of them unable to seek employment or earn income while awaiting a resolution.

The students are now calling on the Government of Ghana to provide a definite payment date and immediately settle all outstanding tuition fees and stipend arrears to enable them to participate in their graduation ceremony scheduled for July 7, 2026.

They warned that further delays could prevent them from formally completing their academic journey and obtaining the qualifications they worked to achieve.

READ ALSO:

Appiah-Kubi announces next line of action after High Court rejects application to withdraw from Wontumi’s case

GES interdicts Bole SHS teacher over alleged sexual misconduct with student

Federal High Court judge Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to strike the African Democratic Congress and others from its register, backing claims by former lawmakers that they did not meet minimum electoral performance thresholds.

Nigerian law requires a party to either win at least one elective seat at any level or secure at least 25% of the vote in a state in a presidential election, failing which it risks deregistration.

The ruling poses a hurdle for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate and a leading challenger to President Bola Tinubu, and could narrow the opposition field.

ADC ⁠spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi rejected the ruling, calling it “a direct invitation to anarchy”. The party ⁠will ​appeal the ruling through all ​legal and constitutional channels, he said.

Source: Reuters

ALSO READ:

• Nigeria wins 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 in Accra

• Cholera outbreak in Nigeria’s Borno kills 74, infects thousands since May

The Emergency ​Medicine and Support Centre, ​which operates under the health ministry, ⁠said the bodies washed up ​in Khumas city, some 118 ​km (73 miles) east of Tripoli.

The centre said all the bodies have been buried.

Pictures ​were posted by the centre ​on its Facebook page showing their medics ‌wearing ⁠white hazmat suits carrying bodies in black and white plastic bags, and other pictures taken during ​the burials.

Since ​an uprising ⁠in 2011, Libya has become a North African ​transit route for hundreds ​of ⁠thousands of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty, often from sub-Saharan Africa, ⁠with ​many risking dangerous journeys ​across the desert or the Mediterranean.

The administration appealed a lower court’s ruling that said the U.S. Constitution’s right to due process bars “unreasonably prolonged” detention ‌without a hearing of non-U.S. citizens who face deportation after being convicted of certain crimes. That ruling involved two immigrants in New York – one who pleaded guilty to assault and the other convicted of sexually abusing a child.

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

The court is expected to hear arguments in the case during its next term, which starts in October.

The dispute stems from the government’s detention of two non-U.S. citizen men who were convicted ​of aggravated felonies while living in the United States as lawful permanent residents, also known as green-card holders.

Federal immigration law requires authorities to detain and seek the ​deportation of non-U.S. citizens who are convicted of an aggravated felony and certain other serious crimes, or accused of terrorism.

After several months ⁠in detention, each man filed a legal action called a habeas corpus petition in federal court challenging the legitimacy of their detention and arguing that they were entitled to ​hearings to determine whether they qualified to be released on bail. Both men were detained during Trump’s first presidential term.

One of the green-card holders, a Dominican man identified in court ​papers as G.M., became a lawful permanent resident in 2011 and four years later pleaded guilty in New York to assault, according to court papers. He was detained in 2020.

A federal judge in 2021 denied his habeas corpus petition. G.M. was later released in 2022, after 21 months in detention, due to concerns about the spread of COVID.

The other man, a Jamaican citizen named Carol Black, became a lawful ​permanent resident in 1983. In 2000, he was convicted in New York of sexually abusing a child younger than 11 years old, according to court papers. Citing his criminal ​record, federal immigration authorities took Black into custody in 2019.

A separate federal judge granted Black’s petition in 2020 and ordered a bail hearing. He was later released on a $15,000 bond.

After initially appealing a ‌judge’s deportation order ⁠against him, Black and his wife left the United States in 2025 and have no intention of returning, according to court papers. For this reason, his lawyer argued in a filing to the Supreme Court, Black’s case should be considered moot.

During appeals of their cases, the Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it was unreasonable that Black was detained for seven months and G.M. for nearly two years without a chance to qualify for bail, though that court stopped short of setting a strict time limit on such detentions. ​In these two cases, the 2nd Circuit ​said, the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment guarantee ⁠of due process entitled the men to a bond hearing.

The 2nd Circuit also said that if the government seeks to maintain its detention in these circumstances, it must prove by clear and convincing evidence that a detainee poses a risk of flight or a ​danger to the community.

American Civil Liberties Union attorney Cecillia Wang, who represents the two men, said: “The court of appeals got it right, ​and we will defend ⁠our fundamental due process principles at the Supreme Court.”

“The Constitution protects all of us, regardless of immigration status, from being locked away without due process,” Wang said. “(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) cannot detain immigrants – separating families and cutting people off from their communities – for months or even years on end without a bond hearing.”

The Supreme Court has backed Trump in several immigration-related rulings ⁠issued on an ​emergency basis since his return to the presidency, including allowing him to deport migrants to countries other than ​their own and to revoke temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants.

The court also is expected to rule by the end of June on the legality of Trump’s directive to restrict birthright citizenship in the United ​States and the administration’s bid to revoke temporary legal protections for more than 350,000 Haitians and about 6,100 Syrians living in the United States.

Source: Reuters

ALSO READ:

• Trump administration says migrant Abrego could be deported to Eswatini

• Trump offers illegal immigrants $1,000 to ‘self-deport’

Four people were killed in attacks on the Ukrainian capital, while five rescue workers died trying to put out a fire caused by a strike on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, officials said.

The 11th Century Dormition Cathedral was significantly damaged in what Zelensky called “one of the biggest Russian crimes against Christian culture today”. Russia denied hitting the site.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian city of Tula killed three people and wounded three others, including a one-year-old, local officials said.

Drone and missile strikes set fire to buildings and cars and left more than 140,000 people in Kyiv without electricity, its Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Most of Ukraine was under air raid warnings on Monday morning.

The Kyiv strikes, which targeted several residential buildings, left at least 23 people wounded. Zelensky said a total of 53 people had been injured across Ukraine.

The Dormition Cathedral is part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an architectural ensemble of monastic buildings declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

A gaping hole could be seen on one side of the church, with flames visible from the partially destroyed roof.

Zelensky said Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones in the overnight attack, and that the fire had since been extinguished.

French President Emmanuel Macron joined the Ukrainian leader in condemning the strike.

“Nothing justifies this attack on our universal heritage,” he said on X.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the attacks on the cathedral and Ukrainian civilians “war crimes”.

The strikes come ahead of a G7 meeting of world leaders this week in France, where the war in Ukraine is on the agenda.

Zelensky said the meeting’s response should be “decisive and meaningful: more pressure on the aggressor, more assistance to Ukraine with air defense, primarily with anti-ballistic missiles”.

The Ukrainian leader earlier said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump about efforts to end the long-running conflict.

Russia said a US-manufactured Patriot air defence missile had hit the cathedral, possibly after misfiring. It did not provide evidence to support its claim.

Russia’s military said its “massive strike” had targeted Ukrainian military sites.

This is not the first time the cathedral has been struck during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022.

In January, Russian attacks damaged several buildings in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture said at the time.

During World War Two, it was almost entirely destroyed, with the exception of its south-eastern tower, Unesco says on its website.

The UN agency condemned the strike on “one of Ukraine’s most significant spiritual and cultural landmarks”.

“Damage to such institutions deprives communiteies of access to culture, education and shared spaces that are essential for recovery and social cohesion,” it said in a statement.

A coronial inquest into the death of her 21-month-old son, Nknau, at Euracare hospital in January had been due to start in April, Adichie said.

The author now alleges that Euracare has “stalled and muddied and obfuscated” over the inquest and has requested Nigeria’s Federal High Court block the inquiry.

The BBC has approached Euracare for comment. An investigation panel set up by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had previously found evidence of possible medical negligence by the hospital.

Adichie recently published a letter on social media which she had sent to the hospital’s director in April.

It was her first public comment since the death of her son, who was one of twin boys born in 2024, using a surrogate.

“If Euracare cares about the truth, then why create delays and distractions and now, finally, try to stop an inquest?” she wrote in her post.

Explaining why she posted the letter, she wrote: “The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair.

“I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that.”

In her letter, Adichie said that the hospital noted her son’s death was from bacterial meningitis, to which she responded: “There was no medical evidence to make such a claim on his death certificate.”

Adichie and her family have accused Euracare of negligence, saying medics denied Nkanu oxygen and gave him too much sedation, causing a cardiac arrest.

The hospital has expressed its “deepest sympathies” over the death but denied wrongdoing, saying its care had been in line with international standards.

In the letter, she accuses the hospital of providing incomplete medical records, which she described as “strikingly unprofessional”, adding that “one was inaccurate”.

According to submissions made to the court by Adichie’s legal team, Nkanu had initially been admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos with what was described as a worsening but mild illness.

Plans had been made to transfer him to the United States for further treatment at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins Hospital, before the toddler was referred to Euracare for a pre-flight inspection, including an MRI and a spinal tap, or lumbar puncture.

Nkanu died on 7 January after undergoing the various diagnostic tests at Euracare hospital.

Adichie has authored multiple award-winning novels, including Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) and Americanah (2013), and has recently hosted panels of world leaders, including former US Vice-President Kamala Harris while she was promoting her autobiography and ex-Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.

She lives in the US but was in Nigeria for the Christmas holidays.

ALSO READ:

• Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie loses son

• Three Nigerian doctors suspended over death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son

The airplane, which was leased by a skydiving company, took off around 11:20 local time on Sunday, according to a Bates County Emergency Management spokesperson.

After failing to gain altitude, it made a sharp left turn and crashed about 200 yards away from Butler Memorial Airport, the spokesperson told the BBC.

All 12 people on board died, he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a Pacific Aerospace P750 crashed while departing the airport.

“Air traffic services were not being provided at the time,” the FAA said.

Local media reported that first responders are checking the area to see if any of the skydivers had jumped from the plane before the crash.

The city of Butler is about 50 miles south of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash, the FAA said.