Kenya's Affordable Housing Program Faces Implementation Challenges
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Kenya’s Affordable Housing Program Faces Implementation Challenges

President William Ruto's administration continues to face challenges in implementing its affordable housing agenda. The government recently invited Kenyans to select from 4,888 available units, falling significantly short of its promised 200,000 annual units. The program is funded partly through the Affordable Housing Levy (AHL), which collects 1.5% of gross pay from salaried workers. President Ruto defends the initiative as a dual solution for job creation and housing needs, citing 164,000 jobs created thus far, up from 50,000 in late 2023. However, uptake remains a concern, particularly in rural areas. The Auditor General's report revealed the National Housing Corporation holds Sh1.3 billion in unsold houses, with Sh432.7 million worth of units remaining unoccupied despite some being rented out. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed clarified that 103,000 units have been launched since September 2022. He noted that previous government housing programs, […]

14 Officials KILLED in REVENGE Attack as Ex-Dictator's Forces Strike Back
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14 Officials KILLED in REVENGE Attack as Ex-Dictator’s Forces Strike Back

Syria's new government reports that forces loyal to former President Assad killed 14 interior ministry troops and wounded 10 others in an ambush near Tartous. The incident occurred as security forces attempted to arrest a former officer connected to the Saydnaya prison, marking the first major challenge to new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa's authority. The state news agency Sana reports that security forces have launched operations to "restore security" in Tartous province, claiming to have "neutralized" some pro-Assad militants while pursuing others. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed three additional casualties among unidentified armed men during the clash. Tensions are particularly high in Alawite-majority regions, including Tartous, Latakia, and Assad's hometown Qardaha. The Alawite community, an offshoot of Shia Islam to which many former regime officials belonged, fears retribution for alleged war crimes committed under Assad's rule. Some former officers […]

Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Indicted on Corruption Charges
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Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Indicted on Corruption Charges

Former presidential candidate and Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je has been indicted on corruption charges, with prosecutors seeking up to 28.5 years in prison. The 65-year-old politician is accused of accepting $500,000 in bribes related to real estate dealings during his mayoral tenure and misreporting campaign finances from his recent presidential bid. Ko, who has denied the allegations, was arrested in September and remains in detention. He is among 11 individuals being prosecuted, including several members of his Taiwan People's Party who face charges of misappropriating political donations. The indictment comes after Ko's significant showing in January's presidential election, where he secured over 25% of the vote, finishing third behind the ruling Democratic People's Party candidate Lai Ching-te, who received 40%. Ko had positioned himself as an alternative to Taiwan's two main parties, criticizing the DPP's approach to Beijing relations while […]

Biden Signs Law Making Bald Eagle Official National Bird After 241 Years
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Biden Signs Law Making Bald Eagle Official National Bird After 241 Years

President Joe Biden has signed legislation officially designating the bald eagle as the United States' national bird, formalizing a role the species has symbolically held since 1782 when it first appeared on the Great Seal of the United States. The legislation, led by Minnesota lawmakers and recently passed by Congress, gives official recognition to the bird that has long served as a national emblem. "For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," noted Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. The bird's selection as a national symbol has historical controversy. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin opposed the choice, describing the bald eagle as a "bird of bad moral character." However, many valued the species for its unique status as a North American native and its traditional associations with […]

Election Protests Lead to Mass Prison Break in Mozambique
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Election Protests Lead to Mass Prison Break in Mozambique

Over 1,500 prisoners escaped from a facility in Maputo, Mozambique, during political unrest following disputed election results. Police Chief Bernardino Rafael reported that 33 people died and 15 were injured during confrontations with guards, with approximately 150 escapees subsequently recaptured. The incident occurred Wednesday when anti-government protesters approached the prison. According to Rafael, inmates took advantage of the situation to breach a wall and escape. The unrest began after Mozambique's constitutional court confirmed the ruling Frelimo party's victory in October's presidential elections, though with revised figures showing Daniel Chapo winning 65% of the vote compared to opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane's 24%. The capital city Maputo has experienced significant disruption, with businesses closed and residents staying home during what observers describe as the worst unrest since Frelimo came to power in 1975. Violence has spread across the country, with Frelimo offices, […]

14 Security Personnel Killed in Clash Near Tartous as Syria's Transition Continues
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14 Security Personnel Killed in Clash Near Tartous as Syria’s Transition Continues

Fourteen interior ministry personnel were killed and ten injured in what Syria's new authorities describe as an ambush by forces loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad near Tartous. The incident occurred Tuesday when security forces attempted to arrest a former officer connected to the Saydnaya prison facility near Damascus. The confrontation comes just over two weeks after Assad's government fell to rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ending the Assad family's 50-year rule and forcing them to seek refuge in Russia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that three militants also died in the clash, and security forces later brought reinforcements to the area. Meanwhile, authorities imposed an overnight curfew in Homs following unrest sparked by a video allegedly showing an attack on an Alawite shrine. The interior ministry claimed the video was from November's rebel […]

Rescue Operation Ongoing After Building Collapse in Rongo, Migori County
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Rescue Operation Ongoing After Building Collapse in Rongo, Migori County

Emergency responders are currently conducting rescue operations after a multi-story building under construction collapsed in Rongo, Migori County. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM, with an unconfirmed number of people believed to be trapped in the debris. Rongo Sub-County Police Commander Salim Fundi confirmed that an excavator has been deployed to assist with the rescue efforts. Meanwhile, Migori County Secretary Oscar Olima reported that the county government's emergency response team is on site, with ambulances and heavy equipment supporting the operation. One woman has already been rescued from the collapse site and transported to Migori County Referral Hospital for medical treatment. First responders continue to work at the scene as the rescue operation remains active. The emergency response includes coordination between local police and county government teams, who are working to locate and extract any remaining individuals trapped in the […]

US and South Korea Partner to Combat Cryptocurrency Crime
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US and South Korea Partner to Combat Cryptocurrency Crime

The United States Department of Homeland Security and South Korean government have announced a collaborative initiative to address cryptocurrency-related cybercrime. The partnership focuses on developing advanced technologies to protect crypto platforms from cyberattacks, strengthen infrastructure security, and improve the tracking of stolen digital assets. A key focus of the research will be investigating methods used to launder stolen funds and convert them into cryptocurrencies through ransomware attacks. The collaboration is particularly significant given South Korea's concerns about North Korea's cyber activities, as the US government reports that the North Korean Lazarus Group has allegedly stolen approximately $900 million in 2024. Recent events highlight these concerns. The decentralized exchange Hyperliquid experienced $476,000 in suspicious Ethereum transactions, leading to $60 million in user withdrawals, though the platform denied being targeted by the Lazarus Group. North Korea reportedly uses cryptocurrency mixing services like […]

Armed Gang Attacks Media Event in Haiti, Leaving 3 Dead
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Armed Gang Attacks Media Event in Haiti, Leaving 3 Dead

Armed attackers killed three people, including two journalists and a police officer, during a press briefing at Haiti's largest public hospital in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. The incident occurred as media gathered to cover the hospital's reopening announcement, awaiting Health Minister Lorthe Blema's arrival. The Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which controls significant portions of the city, claimed responsibility for the attack. In an online video, they stated they hadn't authorized the hospital's reopening after previously occupying and destroying it in March. The facility had been recaptured by Haiti's government in July. Journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were among those killed, according to the Online Media Collective spokesman Robest Dimanche. Police spokesman Lionel Lazarre confirmed an officer's death. Several others were wounded in the attack. Photojournalist Dieugo André, who witnessed the violence, told The Haitian Times, "It felt like a terrible […]

Royals Make First Public Appearance After Cancer Battle
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Royals Make First Public Appearance After Cancer Battle

The Royal Family gathered for their traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham's St Mary Magdalene Church, marking a significant public appearance for both King Charles and Catherine following their cancer diagnoses earlier this year. The King and Queen Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, along with other senior royals including Princess Anne and the Edinburghs. The crowd included well-wishers, notably cancer survivors who shared messages of support with the King and Catherine. Prince Andrew was notably absent from the gathering, following reports of his connection to Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy who had been banned from entering the UK. While Andrew's office stated no sensitive information was shared, the prince, who already faces scrutiny over his Epstein links, did not attend. The King's Christmas message, recorded at the historic Fitzrovia Chapel […]

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