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U.S. Issues Travel Advisory for Kenya, Warning Against Visits to Eastleigh and Kibera

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The United States has issued a travel advisory cautioning its citizens against visiting certain areas in Kenya, including the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera, due to increasing crime rates and kidnapping incidents. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Kenya warned that violent crimes, including armed carjackings, muggings, home invasions, and kidnappings, have been on the rise. The advisory highlighted concerns over the ability of local authorities to effectively respond to such threats, leaving both residents and visitors vulnerable. 

The travel warning also flagged regions along the Kenya-Somalia border as high-risk due to terrorism and kidnapping threats. Additionally, counties such as West Pokot, Western Turkana, and Marsabit were identified as hotspots for banditry and cross-border attacks. 

Nairobi and parts of western Kenya were also mentioned for their history of violent protests, while urban motorcycle theft was identified as a major concern. Criminals reportedly use motorcycles to snatch valuables from unsuspecting pedestrians before making a quick escape. 

“Motorcycle crimes are common, where thieves grab items from victims and quickly flee the scene. Crimes typically occur in crowded areas or when people are distracted. Police have limited ability to respond to these crimes. Handbags, mobile phones, and other easy-to-reach valuables are the most stolen items,” the statement read. 

The advisory warned that terrorist attacks in Kenya often occur without notice, with tactics such as armed assaults, suicide bombings, grenade attacks, and kidnappings posing significant threats. U.S. authorities also raised concerns about some unlicensed schools and behavior modification centers, where American citizens have allegedly been held against their will and subjected to abuse. 

“Some schools and behavior modification facilities in Kenya operate without licensing and oversight. There are reports of U.S. citizens being held against their will in these facilities and being physically abused,” the statement noted. 

The embassy further reported ongoing issues of corruption, stating that U.S. travelers frequently encounter demands for bribes from police, immigration, and customs officials. 

For those who choose to travel to Kenya despite the risks, the U.S. government advised heightened vigilance, avoiding travel after dark due to security concerns and poor road safety. Travelers were also encouraged to monitor local media for security updates, carry a copy of their U.S. passport, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time security alerts. 

NASA Astronauts Return to Earth After Unexpected Nine-Month Space Mission

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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams safely returned to Earth on Tuesday after an unplanned nine-month stay in space. Their mission, initially set to last just one week, faced prolonged delays due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. 

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named Freedom, carried Wilmore, Williams, fellow American astronaut Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov back to Earth. The spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere, deploying parachutes before making a smooth splashdown off the Florida coast at 5:57 p.m. (2157 GMT). 

Ground teams erupted in cheers as the heat-scorched capsule bobbed in the ocean. Hague described the descent as an unforgettable experience, stating, “What a ride—I see a capsule full of grins.” As recovery crews arrived, an unexpected escort of dolphins appeared near the spacecraft. 

Once aboard the recovery vessel, the astronauts emerged, waving and giving thumbs-up signs. They will now undergo a 45-day rehabilitation program in Houston to readjust to Earth’s gravity. 

Wilmore and Williams originally traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2023 on Boeing’s Starliner for what was meant to be a short test mission. However, propulsion issues rendered the spacecraft unfit for their return, forcing an unexpected extension of their stay. 

NASA reassigned them to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which launched in September with a smaller-than-usual crew to accommodate the stranded astronauts. Their 286-day stay surpasses the standard six-month ISS rotation but ranks sixth in duration for U.S. astronauts. 

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio holds the American record for longest single-mission stay at 371 days, while Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov holds the world record at 437 consecutive days aboard the Mir space station. 

Despite the prolonged mission, space medicine experts say their time in orbit posed no unusual health risks beyond expected muscle and bone loss, fluid shifts, and balance issues upon return. 

The astronauts’ extended time in space became a political issue, with President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk alleging that the Biden administration neglected the mission and delayed their return. NASA, however, maintained that the plan for their return remained consistent since the Crew-9 reassignment. 

Trump also sparked controversy with remarks about Williams, referring to her as “the woman with the wild hair” and making speculative comments about the astronauts’ time together in space. 

The return of Wilmore and Williams marks a significant milestone for both NASA and SpaceX as they continue their partnership in human spaceflight. 

M23 Rebels Withdraw from Congo Peace Talks Amid International Sanctions

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The M23 rebel group announced Monday that it is withdrawing from scheduled peace talks with the Congolese government in Luanda, Angola, citing newly imposed international sanctions on its members. The Rwanda-backed rebels said the sanctions, along with continued military operations in eastern Congo, have made dialogue “impracticable.” 

The European Union sanctioned several M23 leaders on Monday, including political leader Bertrand Bisimwa and three other high-ranking members. Rwanda’s only gold refinery, Gasabo Gold Refinery, was also targeted, accused of contributing to the “illegal extraction and trafficking of natural resources” from eastern Congo. 

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement that the group could no longer participate in discussions given these sanctions and alleged ongoing military offensives by Congo’s forces. 

Congo’s government, after initially rejecting negotiations, confirmed its participation and sent a delegation to Luanda. President Félix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, Tina Salama, said the team had already arrived in Angola for the talks. M23 also had representatives in Luanda before announcing its withdrawal. 

The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified since January, with M23 rebels capturing key cities, including Goma and Bukavu. Angola, acting as a mediator, had planned to host direct negotiations between the Congolese government and M23. 

A previous attempt at peace talks between Congo and Rwanda collapsed in December when Rwanda insisted on Congo engaging directly with M23—a condition Kinshasa refused at the time. Tshisekedi previously ruled out negotiating with M23, calling the group a “terrorist organization.” 

The ongoing conflict has displaced more than seven million people, making it one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The United Nations reports that M23 is supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops and has, at times, threatened to march toward Congo’s capital, Kinshasa. 

The European Union’s latest sanctions add to the growing international pressure on Rwanda. On Monday, Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium and expelled Belgian diplomats following Brussels’ decision to suspend development aid to Kigali. Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of attempting to destabilize his country.  Meanwhile, the U.S. has expressed interest in a mining partnership with Congo. The U.S. State Department confirmed preliminary discussions had begun, and on Sunday, Tshisekedi met with U.S. special envoy Rep. Ronny Jackson to explore security and economic cooperation

Federal Judge Blocks Elon Musk’s Effort to Dismantle USAID, Citing Constitutional Violations 

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A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Elon Musk likely exceeded his executive authority in attempting to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), blocking further actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the U.S. District Court in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction, stating that DOGE’s shutdown of USAID “likely violated the United States Constitution.” The ruling prohibits DOGE from terminating additional contracts, grants, or employees and restricts its staff from sharing sensitive personal data. 

“The court finds that Defendants’ unilateral actions to shut down USAID likely violated the United States Constitution,” Chuang wrote. 

The decision is a major legal setback for Musk and could influence future court challenges against the Trump administration’s federal agency restructuring efforts. 

Norm Eisen, executive chair of the State Democracy Defenders Fund, which backed the lawsuit, called the ruling a victory for government stability. 

“They are performing surgery with a chainsaw instead of a scalpel, harming not just the people USAID serves but the majority of Americans who count on the stability of our government,” Eisen said. 

The White House condemned the ruling, calling it judicial overreach. 

“Rogue judges are subverting the will of the American people in their attempts to stop President Trump from carrying out his agenda,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, adding that the administration plans to appeal. 

Chuang’s ruling focused on Musk’s leadership at DOGE, citing multiple instances where President Donald Trump publicly stated that Musk was in charge of the office. The judge referenced Trump’s remarks in press conferences, interviews, speeches, and his March 4 address to Congress, as well as Musk’s social media posts suggesting control over DOGE’s actions. 

“Musk has specifically expressed his desire to shut down USAID and has taken responsibility for the actions taken to do so,” Chuang wrote. 

The judge also cited internal DOGE emails terminating USAID employees and noted that Musk appeared to be performing the duties of an agency head without Senate confirmation, a potential constitutional violation. 

The attempted closure of USAID—led by DOGE officials—has been a key part of the Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal spending and reduce the workforce. USAID employees and contractors involved in the lawsuit reported losing access to critical systems and delays in reimbursements for travel and health expenses. 

Chuang’s ruling directly addressed Musk’s role in shutting down USAID headquarters, removing its website, and terminating contracts and personnel. 

The judge warned of potential harm from DOGE’s handling of sensitive personal data and ordered the agency to reinstate key systems. 

While DOGE retains access to internal USAID employee data, the ruling bars the department from sharing it outside the agency. 

This case sets a major legal precedent in the ongoing debate over executive authority, agency oversight, and constitutional governance. 

Russia Agrees to Pause Strikes on Energy Targets, Further Talks Planned

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but rejected calls for a full ceasefire, following a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. 

Putin declined to support a comprehensive, month-long truce negotiated by U.S. officials and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia. He stated that a full ceasefire would only be possible if foreign military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine ceased, conditions previously dismissed by Ukraine’s European allies. 

Despite the impasse, Trump and Putin agreed to further peace talks in the Middle East. However, the outcome of the call marks a shift in Washington’s position from a week ago, when U.S. negotiators persuaded Kyiv to accept a proposal for an “immediate” 30-day ceasefire across land, air, and sea. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a willingness to consider the proposed energy infrastructure truce but sought further details. 

“I think it will be right that we will have a conversation with President Trump and we will know in detail what the Russians offered the Americans or what the Americans offered the Russians,” Zelensky said. 

Trump described the discussion with Putin as “very good and productive,” stating on Truth Social that both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire on energy and infrastructure while working toward a broader resolution. 

“We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote. 

Following last week’s talks in Jeddah, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said “the ball” was in Russia’s court after Ukraine accepted the U.S. ceasefire proposal. However, the White House statement after the Trump-Putin call did not mention that agreement, instead outlining a phased approach: an initial ceasefire on energy infrastructure, negotiations on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and eventual discussions on a full ceasefire and lasting peace. 

The Kremlin’s statement on the call emphasized “significant issues” regarding the enforcement of any agreement with Kyiv. Russian officials reiterated that ending foreign support for Ukraine remained a “key condition” for a broader settlement. 

Trump and Putin agreed to immediate technical-level talks aimed at a long-term resolution. The Kremlin stressed that any settlement must be “complex, stable, and long-term in nature,” but did not clarify whether upcoming negotiations would primarily involve the U.S. and Russia or direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

 US Chief Justice Roberts Criticizes Trump’s Calls for Judge’s Impeachment, Says Its Inappropriate

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U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts pushed back on Tuesday against President Donald Trump’s call for the impeachment of a federal judge overseeing a deportation case, emphasizing that judicial decisions should be challenged through the appeals process rather than political retribution. 

“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts stated in a release from the Supreme Court. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” 

Roberts’ comments came in response to Trump’s demand for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. Boasberg, who is based in Washington, issued an order on Saturday preventing the administration from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members. Trump has argued that their removal is justified under an 18th-century law historically used only in wartime. 

Governor’s Aide in Nigeria Accuses Prison Officials of Aiding Criminals, Allowing Inmates to Commit Crimes and Return to Jail

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The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Security, Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie, has accused officials at Okere Correctional Facility in Warri South Local Government Area of aiding criminals by allowing inmates to leave prison, commit crimes, and return undetected. 

The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Security, Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie

In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, Chika-dibie refuted claims that criminals had been transferred to Northern prisons, clarifying that only inmates suspected of leaking information to the public were relocated. He insisted that the same criminals remained in Warri prison, posing a serious threat to public safety. 

“The same criminals remain in Warri prison. We have their names and demand an explanation as to why they are still detained there, where they can leave at will to commit robberies and return,” he stated. 

Chika-dibie warned that the situation jeopardizes the safety of police officers who arrested the criminals, as well as complainants, prosecutors, and judges involved in their cases. He urged prison officials to immediately stop aiding criminals and take decisive action to address the issue.   

SaharaReporters previously reported that at least 150 inmates were transferred from Okere Correctional Facility to various prisons in northern Nigeria following allegations that prisoners were leaving the facility to commit crimes. 

Investigations have exposed widespread fraud, blackmail, and corruption within the prison. Reports revealed that inmates had access to mobile phones, bank accounts, and private meeting spaces for illegal activities. 

One woman unknowingly became romantically involved with an inmate, Perez Ekiyor, after meeting him on Facebook in 2019. She later discovered large sums of money being deposited into a bank account she had opened for him. When she attempted to end the relationship, he retaliated by leaking their private conversations and explicit photos online. 

Another woman nearly fell victim to a similar scam in 2023 when an inmate, pretending to be a worker in Ibadan, emotionally manipulated her before attempting to extort ₦200,000. A prison officer later warned her that the man had been incarcerated since 2020 and was part of a known fraud ring. 

Further investigations linked Okere inmates to a January 3, 2025, robbery, in which criminals stole valuables and transferred N4 million from a victim’s account. When police traced the crime back to the prison, officials resisted their efforts, but a death row inmate was eventually arrested and confessed to orchestrating the scheme. 

A source confirmed that at least 150 inmates had been transferred from Okere to northern prisons. One relative of a transferred inmate revealed that their family member was moved to Kano Prison and had called to report the harsh conditions they were facing. 

“He said since they were moved, they have been scattered across different locations and have only been eating Garri because they are unfamiliar with the local food,” the source said. 

A prison official confirmed the transfers but described them as routine, stating that the Nigeria Correctional Service regularly moves inmates to address prison congestion. 

Umar Abubakar, spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service, confirmed the transfers to SaharaReporters, adding, “When we determine that a particular custodial center is overcrowded, the Controller General has the authority to transfer inmates from one facility to another, as long as they are convicts.” 

SaharaReporters

Woman in Her 20s Dies After Van Hits Three Pedestrians in Central London

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A woman in her 20s has died after a van struck three pedestrians in central London on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at around 11:40 a.m. on The Strand, near King’s College London and Somerset House.

Two other pedestrians were injured in the crash. One of them sustained potentially life-threatening injuries, while the other suffered minor injuries. Both were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The 26-year-old driver of the van was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and driving under the influence of a controlled substance above the legal limit. He remains in custody, and inquiries are ongoing. A crime scene has been established.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the crash is not being treated as terrorism-related.

In response to the crash, The Strand was closed from Surrey Street westbound to Waterloo Bridge. However, eastbound traffic is still able to use the road. London Fire Brigade sent two fire engines and approximately 10 firefighters from Dowgate and Lambeth fire stations to assist the London Ambulance Service at the scene.

A spokesperson for King’s College London stated that they are aware of the incident and are in contact with emergency services.

Parents of Missing Student Sudiksha Konanki Seek Legal Declaration of Death, Despite Absence of Body

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The parents of missing college student Sudiksha Konanki have requested that officials in the Dominican Republic declare her dead, even though her body has not been recovered. Konanki, 20, was last seen on March 6, and investigators have been searching the beaches of Punta Cana in hopes of finding new clues.

Konanki’s parents, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi, are said to have filed a formal request with the Dominican authorities to legally declare their daughter dead, according to Noticias Sin. They have expressed their support for the ongoing investigation, despite their devastating loss.

Konanki was last seen with Joshua Riibe, 22, and authorities suspect she may have drowned in the water. Riibe has been identified as a person of interest in the case but has not been named a suspect, nor has he been charged with any crime.

In connection with the investigation, Riibe has been restricted from leaving the Dominican Republic. His passport has been confiscated, and he must remain at his hotel, under police supervision. However, Riibe’s legal team has requested that the travel ban be lifted. His parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, have raised concerns over the interrogation process, stating that their son did not have access to translators or legal representation until March 12. They also said he was questioned for long periods without breaks.

Konanki and Riibe were staying at the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana when she was reported missing three days after arriving. Surveillance footage shows Konanki walking with Riibe and several others to the beach at around 4:15 a.m. local time. The group left the beach just before 6 a.m., but Riibe and Konanki remained behind. Prior to the beach walk, surveillance captured the two vomiting near a hotel nightclub. Riibe later returned to the hotel just before 10 a.m. Konanki was reported missing by her friends at 4 p.m. that day.

Hours before her disappearance, Konanki made two Venmo payments. The first, made just before 3 p.m., included a sailboat emoji in the description. The second payment mentioned “Coco Bongo,” a popular nightclub in downtown Punta Cana. The amounts of the payments remain unknown.

Although authorities suspect Konanki may have drowned, her father has urged them to consider the possibility of a kidnapping. However, police have maintained that the case is still classified as a missing persons investigation, not a criminal case.

During his interrogation, Riibe stated that he kissed Konanki and claimed he saved her from drowning, citing his experience as a lifeguard. He described the rescue as challenging, stating, “It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult.” Riibe also mentioned that he had vomited after swallowing water and later passed out on a beach chair. He believed that Konanki had gathered her belongings and left the beach area.

While Konanki’s body has not been found, authorities have discovered clothes and flip-flops belonging to her near the beach.

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