Trump’s $50M Gaza condoms claim debunked
New reports indicate that the funds were more likely directed to Gaza Province in Mozambique, some 7,200 km away
Trump blames dwarfism, DEI hires for fatal Washington airliner collision
Speaking at a press conference, Trump accused the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama of prioritizing diversity policies over safety
Swiss court convicts Trafigura in Angola bribery case
In a landmark decision, Switzerland’s top criminal court on Friday convicted commodities trading giant Trafigura of bribery in a case linked to lucrative oil contracts in Angola. This marks the first time a multinational company has been found guilty of such an offense in Swiss courts. The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona fined Trafigura 3 million Swiss francs (approximately $3.3 million) for payments totaling nearly $5 million to a foreign public official. The court also ordered the company to set aside $145 million for potential compensation claims, reflecting the substantial profits prosecutors argued Trafigura reaped from the illicit scheme. The case centered on allegations that Trafigura, through its former parent company, lacked adequate safeguards to prevent unlawful payments to an official at Angola’s state oil company, Sonangol. Mike Wainwright, former Chief Operating Officer of Trafigura, was sentenced to 32 months in prison, with 20 months suspended. Paulo Gouveia Junior, a former senior official at Sonangol, was also convicted. Thierry Plojoux, a former Trafigura employee who acted as an intermediary, was found guilty of his role in the scheme.Trafigura’s Response Trafigura expressed disappointment with the verdict and stated they are reviewing the matter. The company emphasized the significant investments it has made in strengthening its compliance program in recent years, including mandatory training for all staff and stricter controls on third-party business relationships. This verdict carries significant weight, setting a precedent for the prosecution of corporate bribery in Switzerland. It serves as a strong signal that Swiss authorities are committed to combating corruption within the commodities trading industry, a sector that has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years.
Hamas confirms military chief Mohammed Deif has been killed
Hamas has confirmed the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif, whom Israel had claimed to have killed in a Gaza airstrike last year.
Hamas frees Israeli soldier in Gaza ceasefire deal
Israeli soldier Agam Berger handed over to Red Cross in Jabalia refugee camp
Plane and military helicopter collide near Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has been made aware of the incident, says White House
Romanian contractors flee DR Congo fighting into Rwanda
Dozens of Romanian security contractors surrendered in Rwanda after days of fighting in DR Congo, where rebels seized Goma, prompting Romania to evacuate its citizens.
France responsible for brutal repression in Cameroon: report
Historians reveal France’s brutal role in Cameroon’s fight for independence, citing forced displacement and violence in a new report released in January 2025.
Egypt readies Rafah border crossing for Palestinian aid
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will soon reopen with European observers, but repairs on the Palestinian side are pending due to Israeli destruction.
Rafah crossing to open soon in presence of European observers: Egypt
The Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,300 Palestinians
Rubio, Jordan’s king discuss Gaza after Trump’s refugee remarks
Trump’s Saturday comments about “cleaning out” Gaza, devastated by war, revived fears among Palestinians of permanent displacement
Senior Hamas leaders arrive in Cairo for official talks
Hamas leaders arrived in Egypt to meet officials and discuss the Gaza ceasefire implementation and progress on a prisoner exchange agreement.
US agency reports 956 arrests in immigration crackdown on Sunday
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials announced Sunday that 956 illegal immigrants were arrested in various cities nationwide, aligning with President Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to pursue large-scale deportations after taking office. Tom Homan, Trump’s newly appointed border czar, said several detainees had been convicted of serious offenses, including murder and sex crimes. He added that collateral arrests were made during the detention of undocumented immigrants without criminal records who were present at the raid locations. Homan said Sunday’s operation in Chicago, Illinois, resulted in the arrests of six individuals convicted of serious sex offenses, several gang members, and two others previously convicted of murder and aggravated sexual battery. “We’ve got to put America’s safety first,” Homan, who oversaw the sting operations in Chicago, told NBC News. In a statement, ICE officials explained that the agency’s enhanced operations under the Trump administration aim to “enforce US immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.” Since Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, ICE has made a total of 2,681 arrests, including 956 on Sunday. However, officials did not disclose how many detainees had criminal histories or convictions. According to sources quoted by The Washington Post, Trump officials directed ICE to target between 1,200 and 1,500 arrests daily. Homan said enforcement actions would also occur in previously designated safe zones, such as churches and schools, following Trump’s revocation of long-standing guidance protecting such locations. “Decisions to enter those spaces would be made on a ‘case-by-case basis,’” he said, adding that the objective was to “get as many criminals as possible.” “I don’t have a quota,” Homan said. “My instructions to them: Arrest as many as you can.” Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson said the city’s police department did not assist in the Chicago raid. Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expressed mixed feelings about the federal operation. Speaking to CNN, Pritzker said he supports deporting individuals convicted of violent crimes but opposes the detention of non-criminal immigrants. “Why are we going after them? These are not people who are causing problems in our country, and what we need is a path to citizenship for them,” said Pritzker. “We need to secure our border. We need to get rid of the violent criminals, but we also need to protect people—at least the residents of Illinois and all across the nation—who are just doing what we hope immigrants will do,” he added. Similar immigration raids were carried out in Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New York, and Washington.
World Bank chief urges caution in response to Trump policies
The president’s early days have been marked by sweeping executive actions and the near-escalation of a trade conflict with Colombia
Palestinians stream back to Northern Gaza amid hostage breakthrough
Families carrying children and bundles of belongings streamed along the coastal roads, with some pushing elderly relatives in wheelchairs
Egypt warns against plans to displace Palestinians
Egyptian President Sisi warns that forced displacement of Palestinians is a “red line” and advocates for preserving Palestinian land and rights.
Dutch cocaine trafficker reported in Sierra Leone under cover
Sierra Leone is investigating reports that Dutch cocaine trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, wanted by Europol, is residing in the country under high-level protection.
US may impose ‘very big bounty’ on Taliban leaders, Rubio says
The remarks come after a recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and the Taliban
Hamas set to release four Israeli soldiers in second hostage swap
In exchange for the hostages, Hamas is expected to release 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 serving life sentences and 80 with long-term sentences
African Union hopes Trump will reconsider US exit from WHO
The African Union has urged US President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization.
Outrage as Italy releases Libyan warlord sought by ICC
The ICC had issued an arrest warrant for the warlord, but an Italian court ordered his release due to a procedural error.
Belgian prison to release Malian singer after child custody dispute
Malian singer Rokia Traore will be released from Belgian prison on Wednesday following her involvement in an international child custody dispute.
AU urges Trump to reconsider US exit from UN health agency
On day 1 at White House in his 2nd term, Donald Trump signed executive order to leave World Health Organization
Trial of Martinique protest leader Petitot begins amid tensions
Petitot, 42, also known as “Le R,” spearheaded a social movement on the Caribbean island, which faces significantly higher food prices and poverty rates double those of mainland France
Trump lifts sanctions on Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank
This move represents a significant policy shift from the Biden administration, which had sanctioned a number of Israeli settlers
Trump issues multiple executive orders on first day in office
President starts signing executive orders to reverse Biden-administration policies hours after being sworn in as 47th president of US
Flash floods, landslides in Indonesia leave destruction, loss
Severe landslides and flash floods on Indonesia’s Java island have killed 17 people and left 8 missing, with rescuers facing harsh conditions.
