NEWS

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A diplomatic crisis erupted between the United States and Colombia on Sunday when President Donald Trump announced sweeping punitive measures against the South American nation after it refused to accept U.S. military aircraft carrying deported migrants. The confrontation marks a significant escalation in regional tensions over immigration policy.

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Prince Karim Aga Khan, the billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, has passed away at the age of 88, the Aga Khan Development Network announced. He died peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family.

Born in Switzerland, Aga Khan held British citizenship and resided in France. As the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who trace their lineage directly to the Prophet Muhammad, he succeeded his grandfather in 1957 at just 20 years old. His leadership spanned decades, marked by a deep commitment to humanitarian work through his extensive network of charities, which managed hospitals, educational institutions, and cultural projects globally.

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On January 24, 2025, Nairobi welcomed a new cultural addition with the opening of the first Museum of Illusions in East Africa. This long-awaited attraction at Laxcon Court on Swaminarayan Road promises to combine art, science, and technology in an unprecedented manner, assuring its patrons an unforgettable experience of mind- boggling illusions and interactive exhibits aimed at challenging perception and arousing curiosity.

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Five men have been sentenced to death by hanging in Kano state, Nigeria, for the murder of a 67-year-old woman, Dahare Abubakar, in 2023. They killed her, accusing her of witchcraft, while she was working on her farm, by beating and stabbing her. After her family reported the crime, the men were quickly apprehended in a village 45km (28 miles) from Kano, the biggest city in northern Nigeria.

The case gained attention across the country and raised discussions over how people in rural areas continue to be murdered following witchcraft accusations. The ones who make the claims without any proof believe that those they accuse are responsible for either the death of a family member, sickness or misfortune. Giving his ruling, Judge Usman Na abba said the the prosecution had proven its case against the five men beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecutor, Abba Sorondiki, said he hoped the judgement would deter others from making wrongful accusations and then taking matters into their own hands.

The court heard that the victim was murdered after the sick wife of one of the accused, Abdulaziz Yahaya, had a dream that she was being pursued by Ms Abubakar, who was holding a knife. Yahaya then organised a group to confront Ms Abubakar, which resulted in her murder.

There have been similar cases like this but this is the first time we are seeing up to five people sentenced to death for murder over wrongful witchcraft accusation, Mr Sorondiki told reporters.

The victim's son, Musa Yahaya, said that the day his mother was killed was the worst day of his life and that he was pleased to see justice being served.I am happy because they would get the same treatment they meted out to my mother, he said. Defence lawyer Maaruf Yakasai said his clients plan to appeal against the verdict.

The death penalty is rarely carried out in Nigeria and those convicted often spend the rest of their lives in prison on death row.

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In a world where social media is the megaphone for global communication, what happens when a country decides to hit the mute button? In South Sudan, the government has decided to block access to social media for at least 30 days after disturbing videos triggered riots and deadly revenge attacks.

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Despite an invitation from Kenyan leader William Ruto for a regional summit aimed at ending the rebel assault on Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi will not be participating in the talks, according to state media reports. The summit, which was scheduled for later on Wednesday and included Rwandan President Paul Kagame, comes as Goma experiences heavy fighting and the presence of corpses in the streets.

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A catastrophic fire that engulfed the Grand Kartal hotel at Turkey's Kartalkaya ski resort has claimed 76 lives and left 51 people injured in one of the country's deadliest hotel disasters. The blaze, which began at 3:27 AM on January 21, 2025, tore through the 12-story wooden-clad structure during peak tourist season, when the facility was hosting numerous families during a two-week school holiday.