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Deadly Collision at Kenya Black Spot Claims 12 Lives

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Emmanuel
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A devastating accident on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway claimed the lives of 12 people early Friday morning. The crash occurred at the notorious Migaa black spot, where a trailer transporting coffee seeds lost control and collided head-on with a 14-seater matatu carrying 11 passengers. 

Reports indicate that the trailer’s brakes failed, leading to the fatal collision. The matatu was left in ruins, its shattered windows and flattened tires reflecting the severity of the impact. 

Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Nakuru Disaster Management team, rushed to the scene. Despite their swift response, all passengers in the matatu were pronounced dead on-site. The trailer, en route to Eldoret, also sustained heavy damage. 

The crash caused significant traffic disruptions on the busy highway, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. Police quickly secured the area to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy. 

Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed that the victims included nine men, two women, and a child, underscoring the broad impact of the accident. He urged drivers to exercise extreme caution around the Migaa black spot, an area notorious for frequent and fatal crashes. 

This incident echoes a similar tragedy from last August, when 14 people lost their lives and 36 were injured in an accident involving a Coast Bus. The recurring nature of these crashes highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures in the region. 

Authorities are now facing growing pressure to enforce stricter regulations and implement additional safety measures to prevent further loss of life on this perilous stretch of road. 

United Airlines Passenger Punches Airline Worker in Violent Airport Outburst 

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A United Airlines passenger was caught on camera assaulting an airline worker after his flight was allegedly canceled, authorities confirmed. 

Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, a retired Montgomery County Fire Department Captain, was filmed launching into a violent tirade at the airport Thursday night. 

In the footage, Crittenden, carrying a shoulder bag and backpack, attempts to enter the jet bridge as passengers disembark from another flight. When a gate agent blocks his way, he snaps. 

“I’m done with this bulls,” he yells before winding up and delivering a forceful punch to the employee’s face. 

The airline worker collapses instantly, lying motionless on the ground as shocked passengers look on. 

Airport officials rushed the injured worker to a local hospital for treatment. Crittenden was swiftly arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Authorities suspect he was intoxicated at the time, Fox 5 DC reports. 

Shocking images obtained by TMZ show security officers standing over a handcuffed Crittenden as he sits near the gate. 

“United sucks,” he reportedly shouted while being escorted away. 

A fellow passenger told The New York Post that Crittenden had already secured a seat on another flight but was enraged over his travel ordeal. 

United Airlines has since confirmed that the Maryland man is now banned from flying with the carrier. 

The attack has reignited calls for tougher measures against violent airline passengers. 

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents airline employees, condemned the incident, stating that airline staff deserve a safe work environment. 

“Our members deserve a workplace where they can focus on providing excellent customer service—not one where they fear being attacked by passengers,” IAM said in a statement. 

“This latest incident is yet another example of the unacceptable rise in violence against frontline airline workers. Immediate action is needed to address it.” 

IAM further warned that violence against airline employees is increasing, often with “minimal repercussions” for offenders. 

“Any disruptive behavior—whether due to intoxication, aggression, or other factors—introduces unnecessary risks to airline operations,” the union said, urging the Department of Justice to enforce stricter penalties. 

United Airlines and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have not yet commented on the incident. 

US Expels South African Ambassador, Citing Anti-Trump Bias and Race-Baiting

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The United States is expelling South Africa’s ambassador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, describing the envoy as a “race-baiting politician” with a deep-seated hatred for President Donald Trump. 

Tensions between the two nations have worsened since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing opposition to its land policies and its genocide case against Washington’s ally Israel at the International Court of Justice. 

“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS (Trump),” Rubio wrote on social media. 

South Africa’s presidency and international relations department expressed regret over the decision but reaffirmed its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relations. Officials stated that they would address the issue through diplomatic channels. 

Rubio also shared an article from right-wing outlet **Breitbart**, which quoted Rasool as claiming Trump was leading a white supremacist movement. The State Department confirmed that Rasool must leave the U.S. by March 21. 

According to **Semafor**, Rasool has struggled to secure routine meetings with State Department officials and key Republican figures since Trump, a Republican, took office in January. 

The U.S. is currently reassessing its South Africa policy, the State Department spokesperson said, citing concerns over the country’s land policies, growing alliances with Russia and Iran, and its increasingly confrontational stance toward the U.S. and its allies. 

“The U.S.-South Africa relationship has now reached its lowest point,” said Patrick Gaspard, former U.S. ambassador to South Africa. “There’s too much at stake not to work toward repairing this partnership.” 

Rasool initially presented his credentials to then-President Joe Biden on January 13, just a week before Trump assumed office for his second term, according to the South African embassy’s website. 

Trump has repeatedly claimed, without citing evidence, that “South Africa is confiscating land” and that “certain classes of people” are being treated “very badly.” 

South African-born billionaire **Elon Musk**, a Trump ally, has also criticized South Africa’s land policies, stating that white South Africans have been targeted by “racist ownership laws.” 

In January, **President Cyril Ramaphosa** signed a law facilitating land expropriation in cases deemed to be in the public interest, including instances where compensation may not be provided. 

Ramaphosa has defended the policy as a measure to correct historical racial inequalities in land ownership, emphasizing that the government has not seized any land. 

In response, Trump has offered to resettle white South African farmers and their families in the U.S. as refugees. The State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, has begun implementing the plan, with initial interviews currently underway. 

Trump Administration Considers Expanding Travel Ban to Dozens of Countries, Memo Reveals-Reuters

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The Trump administration is weighing broad travel restrictions for citizens of dozens of countries as part of a potential new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo obtained by Reuters. 

The memo outlines 41 countries divided into three categories. The first group, comprising 10 nations including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, would face a full visa suspension. 

A second group of five countries—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—would be subject to partial suspensions affecting tourist, student, and immigrant visas, with certain exceptions. 

A third group, consisting of 26 nations such as Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, could face partial visa suspensions if their governments fail to address security and vetting concerns within 60 days, the memo states. 

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the list is subject to change and has not yet received final approval from the administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

The **New York Times** first reported on the proposed travel restrictions. 

The move mirrors President Donald Trump’s 2017 travel ban on seven Muslim-majority nations, a policy that underwent multiple legal challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. 

Trump issued an executive order on January 20 mandating enhanced security screening for foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S. The order required cabinet officials to submit a list by March 21 identifying countries where vetting procedures were deemed inadequate, warranting partial or full travel suspensions. 

The proposed restrictions are part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated at the start of Trump’s second term. In an October 2023 speech, he previewed his plan, vowing to restrict travel from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other regions deemed national security risks. 

The State Department has not responded to a request for comment from Reuters. 

Guatemala Increases Border Patrols Amid US Push for Enhanced Security 

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admin
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As the United States expands its border security objectives deeper into Central America, Guatemala faces mounting pressure to strengthen its own border enforcement efforts. 

On Thursday, a Guatemalan army unit conducted patrols along the Suchiate River, which forms the western boundary between Guatemala and Mexico. The operation is part of an intensified border security initiative launched in January, according to Col. Juan Ernesto Celis. 

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has acknowledged migration as a fundamental right but emphasized the need for regulated movement. 

The soldiers on patrol aim to curb illegal arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and human trafficking across Guatemala’s borders. Along this stretch, Guatemalan forces frequently coordinate with their Mexican counterparts to enhance security. 

Ann Marie Argueta, spokesperson for Guatemala’s Defense Ministry, stated that the military’s mission extends beyond crime prevention to countering incursions by transnational organized crime into national territory. 

In February, during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Arévalo announced the formation of a new border security force to monitor Guatemala’s frontiers with Honduras and El Salvador. 

Concerns over border security have been amplified by violence in Mexico’s cartel-controlled regions. Last July, nearly 600 Mexican residents fled cartel violence near the Guatemala border, seeking refuge across the border. Sinaloa and Jalisco, two of Mexico’s most powerful cartels, continue to battle for dominance over drug smuggling routes in southern Mexico. 

AP

Millions Celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors 

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Millions of people across South Asia marked Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on Friday, covering each other in brightly colored powder, dancing to festive music, and indulging in traditional sweets. 

The raucous spring festival is a vibrant celebration marking the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil. In India, Holi is a national holiday, while in Nepal, it is observed over two days. The festival is also celebrated in other South Asian countries and by the Indian diaspora worldwide. 

Rooted in Hindu mythology, Holi commemorates the divine love between the god Krishna and his consort Radha, symbolizing renewal and joy. 

Dressed predominantly in white, revelers hurled colored powder at one another, while children flung water balloons filled with vibrant pigments from rooftops and balconies. In public parks and on streets, groups of young men wielded water guns, chasing passersby, as others danced to blaring music. 

In New Delhi, a rainbow haze settled over a park where friends doused each other in pigmented powder and colored water. 

“It’s time for fun and frolic,” said Krisha Bedi, a lawyer, whose face was streaked with red, green, and blue powders. 

In some regions, people replaced colored powders with marigolds, roses, and jasmine petals. 

Massive celebrations unfolded in Ahmedabad, where thousands gathered at temples to be sprayed with colored water from large pipes while dancing to traditional Gujarati music. 

Food and drink are integral to the festivities. Vendors across India sold **thandai**, a traditional milk-based beverage infused with cardamom and dried fruit, and **gujia**, a deep-fried pastry stuffed with sweetened milk curds and nuts. Another tradition associated with Holi is **bhang**, a cannabis-infused drink linked to Hindu deity Shiva, legally available at government-licensed shops. 

Bonfires lit up the night before Holi in many parts of India, symbolizing the destruction of evil. Families gathered around the flames to sing, dance, and offer prayers. 

In two northern towns, hundreds of women took part in **Lathmar Holi**, or “Stick Holi,” playfully striking men with wooden sticks in a ritual reenactment of a Hindu legend. 

Israeli Airstrike in Northern Gaza Kills 9, Deadliest Since Ceasefire Began

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Palestinians watch as smoke rises following Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, November 1, 2024. REUTERS/Ahmed Mustafa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

An Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, killed at least nine people, including charity workers, and injured several others, the enclave’s Government Media Office said Saturday. The strike is the deadliest since the ceasefire took effect in January.

Palestinians watch as smoke rises following Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, November 1, 2024. REUTERS/Ahmed Mustafa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The Israel Defense Forces stated they had targeted “terrorists” operating in the area and attempting to retrieve a drone. Gaza’s health ministry confirmed the deaths and reported that multiple critically injured individuals were transported to Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital.

Among the dead were three members of a media team documenting humanitarian relief efforts, according to the Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center. Hamas condemned the attack, calling it “a horrific massacre” and alleging that those killed were engaged in humanitarian work at shelters and displacement centers.

“The targeting of unarmed civilians, especially those providing humanitarian aid, constitutes a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law,” said Ismail Thawabta, Director General of Hamas’ Government Media Office.

Eyewitness Mahmoud Louay Atiya described the aftermath, stating he had to extinguish fires caused by the strike using bottles of water. “I helped two people—one was already dead, and the other was injured but still alive. I managed to remove multiple bodies. There were no ambulances or fire trucks,” he said.

Another witness reported the death of his 17-year-old son, who was not affiliated with Hamas or any militant group. “He was working in one of the camps, and they told me he had been killed. I don’t know exactly how it happened,” he said.

The IDF confirmed striking two individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to its troops. “Later, additional terrorists collected the drone equipment and entered a vehicle. The IDF struck the terrorists,” the military said.

Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued since the ceasefire, citing responses to militant threats or Hamas violations. However, casualties have declined since the truce began.

The attack comes as the United States pushes a new proposal to extend the ceasefire, which includes securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for an extension of the truce. The proposal also calls for lifting Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been in effect for nearly two weeks.

Hamas confirmed Friday that it had responded to the ceasefire extension proposal and approved the release of American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the remains of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.

United States Declares South African Ambassador to the U.S. Persona Non Grata, Can’t Enter the States

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admin
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, “is no longer welcome” in the country.

Rubio made the declaration in a post on X, accusing Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who opposes former President Donald Trump and labeling him “persona non grata.”

The State Department did not provide further details on the decision.

It is highly unusual for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador, though lower-ranking diplomats have been targeted more frequently in past diplomatic disputes.

Meanwhile, Trump has signed an executive order cutting aid and assistance to South Africa’s Black-led government. The former president cited concerns over a new law that allows the expropriation of private land, claiming it disproportionately affects Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch colonial settlers.

Senate Passes Six-Month Funding Bill, Sending Measure to Trump’s Desk

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The Senate passed a six-month spending bill on Friday, just hours before a potential government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition and sending the measure to President Donald Trump for approval.

The bill cleared the Senate with a 54-46 vote.

Senators also moved forward on legislation that would allow the District of Columbia to maintain its 2025 budget rather than reverting to 2024 funding levels. The bill aims to overturn a provision in the government spending package that mandated approximately $1 billion in budget cuts, a measure that sparked strong objections from the mayor and residents.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the bill as “very good news” and urged the House to act swiftly.

If approved, the legislation—separate from the broader government funding package—will proceed to the House. Lawmakers are currently out of town but are expected to take up the measure upon their return.

Iraqi Prime Minister Confirms Death of Islamic State Leader in Iraq and Syria

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced Friday that Iraqi security forces, with support from the U.S.-led coalition, have killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, the leader of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Al-Sudani described Abu Khadija as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.” His death marks a significant blow to the group, which has been attempting to regain influence in the Middle East, the West, and Asia after losing its territorial control.

Islamic State ruled over millions in Iraq and Syria under strict Islamist governance before suffering major defeats. In 2014, former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate over large areas of both countries, only to be killed in a U.S. special forces raid in northwest Syria in 2019 as the group collapsed.

The U.S. Central Command reported last July that Islamic State was working to “reconstitute following several years of decreased capability.” The assessment was based on the group’s claims of conducting 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria during the first half of 2024, a figure that, if sustained, would more than double the number of attacks recorded the previous year.

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