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A court in Kenya Tuesday charged two men with transporting wildlife illegally after one of them, a Chinese national, was arrested at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with more than 2,000 live ants last week.Zhang Kequn, 27, was detained last Tuesday while attempting to leave the country, court documents showed. Kenyan immigration officials had flagged his passport with a “stop order” after he evaded arrest in the country last year.Prosecutors arraigned a second person, Charles Mwangi, on Monday, accusing him of supplying live ants to foreign traffickers. Authorities linked Mwangi to a shipment of ants seized in Bangkok on March 10, which originated from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.Zhang and Mwangi pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi, including dealing with wildlife species without a permit. The court ordered both men to be remanded in custody, pending further directions in the case on March 27.Ant enthusiasts pay large sums to maintain colonies in large transparent vessels known as formicariums, which offer a literal window into the species’ complex social structures and behaviours.Four men were fined $7,700 each last year for trying to traffic thousands of ants valuable to Kenya’s ecosystem, in a case that experts said showed a move in biopiracy from trophies like elephant ivory to lesser-known species. Related Story Source link
An Israeli airstrike killed at least three people including a child in the Gaza Strip Tuesday, local health authorities said, the latest violence jeopardising the ceasefire which has been under strain during the Israeli-US war against Iran.Medics said the airstrike targeted a vehicle in the western area of Khan Younis, south of the enclave, killing three people, including a child, and wounding 12 other people. There was no immediate Israeli comment.Israel’s military has continued to strike Gaza during the regional war with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Sunday it killed 12 people in Gaza, including nine police officers in one strike that Israel said targeted a Hamas cell. The military has cited threats or fire from Hamas as the reason for its attacks.Israel’s assault has since killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s health authorities say, including more than 670 since a ceasefire was reached last October. Gaza health officials said at least 40 people have been killed by Israeli fire since the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran at the end of February.Three sources told Reuters on Monday that envoys from US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” have met representatives of Hamas in Cairo in an effort to safeguard the October Gaza ceasefire, which has come under serious strain.A Palestinian official with knowledge of the Cairo talks said that Hamas believed Israel was exploiting the war on Iran to slip away from its obligations under Trump’s plan. Israel rejects this.Israel and Hamas have traded blame for ceasefire violations.Separately, Israeli forces shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian and wounded another in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, health officials said Tuesday.Rights groups and medics say Israeli settlers are taking advantage of curbs on movement imposed during the US-Israeli war on Iran to attack Palestinians in the West Bank, with military roadblocks preventing ambulances from reaching victims quickly.Settlers have killed at least five Palestinians in the West Bank since the Iran war began on February 28, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Related Story Source link
Aaneef Zakhir returned to winning form with an impressive victory in the Dibal Cup, taking out the 1900m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap as racing resumed at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Monday night following a brief interruption. The six-year-old bay, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, was expertly ridden by Arnaud de Lepine, who secured his third win of the season. Aaneef Zakhir was settled near the rear early on as Khaled Al Shahania set the pace, dictating proceedings through the opening and middle stages. Bakir and Burkan Zakhir tracked the leader closely, forming the main chasing group down the back straight.Approaching the final bend, Aaneef Zakhir began to make steady headway. Turning into the straight, he gathered momentum to move into third behind Bakir and Khaled Al Shahania, while Amersun also produced a strong late run to join the leading contenders.Inside the final 200m, Aaneef Zakhir showed determination to surge into the lead and open up a narrow advantage. Bakir continued to challenge, but the eventual winner responded gamely under pressure to hold on at the line. Bakir, representing Mubarak Ali al-Nuaimi and trained by Hamad al-Jehani, finished second under Alberto Sanna, a length and three-quarters clear of Amersun. The latter stayed on well for Wathnan Racing, trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey Youssef Lachhab to complete the podium.The meeting featured a total of eight races and marked the 58th Al Rayyan Race Meeting organised by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.Among the other winners on the night, Jungle Monarch powered clear to secure a second consecutive victory, while Afor Alghania burst away from the field to break his maiden in decisive fashion.Lucia Molly finally got off the mark at the tenth attempt with a strong finish, as Awaayid swept clear to register back-to-back wins. King Albahar returned to winning ways in dominant style, El Ghazi bounced back with a determined success, and Mared Al Jasra made every yard count to land an open race.RESULTS58th Al Rayyan Race Meeting – Dibal CupWINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1 – Dibal Cup, Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (70-90), Aaneef Zakhir, Eng. Osama Omer al-Dafea, Arnaud de Lepine2 – Thoroughbred Handicap (45-65)Jungle Monarch, Jassim al-Ghazali, Marco Casamento3 – Local Purebred Arabian Maiden PlateAfor Alghania, Maayouf bin Hashim al-Shamari, Salman Fahad al-Hajri4 – Thoroughbred Maiden PlateLucia Molly, Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki, Saleh Salem al-Marri5 – Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-55)Awaayid, Zuhair Mohsen, Faleh Bughenaim6 – Purebred Arabian Handicap (55-75)King Albahar, Dr. Fahad Salman al-Hajri, Szczepan Mazur7 – Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85)El Ghazi, Jassim al-Ghazali, Faleh Bughenaim8 – Purebred Arabian Open RaceMared Al Jasra, Jassim al-Ghazali, Faleh Bughenaim Related Story Source link
Prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk called for fresh talks Tuesday with India's government, just days after being released from prison where he had been held for six months over deadly protests in the Himalayan region.Wangchuk, 59, an environmental advocate who became a key figure in Ladakh's movement for greater autonomy, was arrested and charged in September under India's National Security Act following protests that left four people dead and dozens wounded.On Saturday, India's home ministry said it had decided to end Wangchuk's detention ‘with immediate effect’ after ‘due consideration’.Wangchuk told reporters Tuesday the government had offered ‘constructive meaningful dialogue’, and that is ‘what we wanted right from the start.”Talk(s) are a give and take process, both sides have to be flexible,’ the 59-year-old said, adding that it should not be a ‘loss’ for one side.On Monday, several thousands rallied in Ladakh repeating long standing demands for statehood and the inclusion in the ‘Sixth Schedule’ of India's constitution, which would allow a local legislature to make laws on land use and jobs.Wangchuk said ‘all movements in Ladakh are appealing to start talks and dialogue process’, including Monday's demonstrations.An engineer by training, Wangchuk is best known for pioneering water conservation projects in the Himalayas.He received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his environmental work and contributions to reforming local schooling in Ladakh.India's government under Narendra Modi split Ladakh off from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019, imposing direct rule on both.India's army maintains a large presence in Ladakh, which includes disputed border areas with China.Troops from the two countries clashed there in 2020, killing at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. Source link
For the first time since war began in Gaza, Raeda Abu Diya has bought special clothes for her daughter for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.Bu while a fragile ceasefire now holds in the Israel-Hamas war, Palestinians in Gaza fear the Iran war will make the world forget their suffering, and lead to prolonged shortages of crucial aid.”This year I decided that my children and I would be happy and celebrate with what is available to us,” said 38-year-old Abu Diya, who lives with her daughter and husband in a tent after their home was destroyed.”The shelling is much less than before.”Her 15-year-daughter Fidaa is thrilled, proudly detailing the new jeans, T-shirt and jacket her mother got her to mark the holiday.She still misses her old room filled with all her belongings.But she hopes the upcoming celebration will mark the “beginning of the return of the sweet life to Gaza”.While the family hopes to make the most of the Eid al-Fitr, which should come either Thursday or Friday depending on the moon, her mother is worried that the US-Israeli war with Iran has drawn focus away from their plight.With nearly all of Gaza’s 2.2mn residents forced from their homes during over two years of war sparked by Hamas’s storming of Israel, many people still live in tents or makeshift shelters in enormous camps, facing shortages as well as persistent fear and uncertainty.”Gaza is now forgotten and the world ignores the suffering of its people,” Raeda Abu Diya said.Each day she is glued to the latest news of the Middle East conflict from local radio stations that recently resumed broadcasting.It is not just the current events that weigh upon her: the memory of relatives — including her brother — killed by Israeli strikes, is always with her.”We are trying to create a little joy, but sadness does not leave us,” she said.The truce in place since October between Israel and Hamas has seen the level of violence drop in Gaza — even though there are still regular reports of Israeli strikes and deaths.The Israeli army, which under the terms of the ceasefire still controls about half of the Gaza Strip including all border areas, reported its troops killed three Palestinian fighters in one strike and one firefight in Gaza Saturday.It reported killing six more Hamas fighters in a single strike in central Gaza Sunday.For other Gazans, the upcoming holiday only compounds the difficulties they’re already facing.Ammar al-Buhaisi, who lives in Deir al-Balah, is struggling to get enough food, let alone new clothes for his children — and has been avoiding their expectant questions.As the US-Israeli conflict with Iran engulfs the region, he said any “optimism for an improvement in the situation is diminishing”.Hussein Duwaima, whose original clothes shop was destroyed, said life was coming back “gradually” in Gaza and demand has picked up ahead of the holiday as crowds of shoppers pack makeshift markets.Due to a lack of supply caused by the closure of Gaza’s borders and steep transportation costs, the prices are high.A child’s shirt for example costs the equivalent of between $15 to $30, while a kilo of chocolates can be even pricier.Israeli forces completely or partially destroyed most of Gaza’s markets during the war, though the market in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood has been partly restored already.Imad al-Bahtimi plays Eid chants on a loudspeaker at his stall to help “attract children and spread joy among the people”.Hamas police officers have deployed again at markets and on the streets of Gaza since the start of the ceasefire.”It increases a sense of security,” Bahtimi said.Hossam al-Shafa received Eid clothes and sweets for his three children from a local charity.He said that Israel still bombs eastern areas of nearby Khan Younis on a regular basis, demolishing homes.”We are tired of war and destruction,” he said.Despite the ongoing dangers he and his wife are trying their best to create a festive atmosphere, gathering firewood to bake cakes on their stove.”These are the best days we have had since the war began,” he said. Related Story Source link
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Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, registers as a candidate for the presidential election at the Interior Ministry, in Tehran, Iran May 31,…
Bryson DeChambeau team captain attends the press conference ahead of the LIV golf tournament at Sentosa Golf course in Singapore Tuesday. (AFP) Bryson DeChambeau said he feels his game is rounding into form at a crucial time – that is, right before the Masters.Fresh off a T3 finish in Adelaide and a playoff win in Singapore, DeChambeau will look to continue his strong play when he competes in LIV Golf South Africa in Midrand, near the city of Johannesburg. This marks LIV Golf’s fifth of 14 events this season.”I feel like I’m progressing well and comfortable with my game, hitting it a lot better than I have in years past leading into major season, early in the season for LIV Golf,” DeChambeau said on Tuesday at The Club at Steyn City. “I practiced a little earlier this year, and it’s starting to pay off.”DeChambeau forced a playoff against Richard T. Lee on Sunday with a birdie on No. 18, then saved par on the first playoff hole to win LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday.Lee, a LIV wild card who qualified for the league by winning LIV Golf Promotions in January, missed a 2-foot putt for par as the duo played the 18th hole again, giving DeChambeau the win.DeChambeau climbed eight spots to No. 33 in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory in Singapore. He hasn’t had much time to savor his fourth LIV Golf League victory, however.He ventured from Singapore to South Africa, marking the first time LIV Golf will hold a competition on the continent. It marks an opportunity for DeChambeau — and others – to give kids from a different part of the world a chance to see golf played up close.”Yeah, I think that’s a part of our mission, becoming more global and influencing and giving people an opportunity to see what golf can do for communities and for people around the world,” he said Tuesday.”It’s been done quite well in the States so far and now we’re doing it internationally. It only improves, I would say, facilities and communities everywhere across the globe. I think that’s a part of our mission statement, that it’s important to us. It’s part of our identity now. Being here in South Africa, it’s only — there’s only one place we haven’t gone yet, which is South America, and that would be another cool place to go.”But being here in South Africa, I’ve always wanted to come here. Talking to Gary Player quite a bit and Ernie (Els) and Louis (Oosthuizen) and the whole Southern Guards team, obviously, they just rave how great it is obviously, and coming here and seeing how special the hospitality is, the people, the culture and the way that everybody conducts themselves, it’s quite amazing.”DeChambeau, 32, joined LIV Golf in 2022 after recording nine wins on the PGA Tour, including the U.S. Open in 2020 and 2024. Related Story Source…
A recent photo of President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso (Reuters) Congo Republic President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected with 94.82% of the vote, state television said Tuesday, extending his nearly 42-year rule over the Central African oil producer.Diplomats and political analysts had expected an easy victory for Sassou, 82, who faced six little-known challengers in a race whose run-up was tightly managed by the ruling Congolese Labour Party.The main opposition parties opted not to field candidates, citing a lack of transparency, and two of the best-known opposition figures, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, have been in jail for nearly a decade.Ahead of the vote, human rights activists were arrested, several opposition parties were suspended and public gatherings were closely monitored, said Congolese human rights activist Joe Washington Ebina.Sunday’s voting was marred by late openings at some polling stations and a nationwide internet blackout.State television Tuesday reported turnout of 84.65%, though many polling stations in Brazzaville on election day had short or non-existent lines.Sassou’s closest challenger, Mabio Mavoungou Zinga, 69, a retired customs inspector and former member of parliament, won 1.48% of the vote.Defeated candidates have five days to file a challenge, and the Constitutional Court has 15 days to examine them before publishing final results.Sassou is a former paratrooper who took power in 1979. He lost Congo’s first multi-party elections in 1992 but seized power again in 1997 after a civil war.A constitutional change in 2015 scrapped term limits and the presidential age cap, enabling him to run for three additional five-year terms.This latest term is meant to be his last, sharpening focus on succession within the ruling party.The economy, heavily dependent on oil, has stabilised in recent years after a decade-long downturn. Congo successfully completed a three-year IMF programme last year.But over half the population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank, and many Congolese lack reliable access to electricity, running water and basic healthcare.Congo has also faced persistent allegations of corruption, with French and US prosecutors investigating assets held abroad by members of Sassou’s close family. Related Story Source link