U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Guantanamo Bay detention center on Tuesday, where more migrants were transferred as part of the ongoing U.S. deportation efforts. Hegseth’s visit to the U.S. naval base in Cuba coincided with the arrival of a C-130 cargo jet, which brought nine new detainees from Fort Bliss, Texas. These detainees, described by U.S. officials as “high threat illegal aliens,” were quickly escorted to the detention facility under heavy guard.

During his visit, Hegseth took to social media to express pride in partnering with U.S. agencies in their mission to “remove those who have infringed on our territorial sovereignty,” a direct reference to the ongoing mass deportation campaign. “These warriors are directly supporting the apprehension and deportation of dangerous illegal aliens,” Hegseth wrote, sharing images of his tour of the detention and migrant operations centers at Guantanamo Bay.

The latest group of detainees adds to a growing list of migrants transferred to the military-run facility. According to sources familiar with the operations, a second flight was scheduled to arrive the following day, continuing the buildup of detainees at the naval base. This new round of arrivals follows a similar transfer last week, when 177 detainees, including suspected members of the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, were deported to Guantanamo Bay. U.S. officials have repeatedly highlighted the presence of dangerous individuals within this group, noting that over 120 of them were considered serious criminals, with ties to organized crime and terrorism.

Despite the scale of the operation, details surrounding the identities of the new detainees remain shrouded in secrecy. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have refused to comment on the countries of origin or the charges associated with the migrants now housed at Guantanamo Bay.

The growing presence of detainees at the base is part of a broader push to expand U.S. deportation capacity. U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations at Guantanamo Bay, has previously stated that the base’s migrant facility has the ability to house up to 2,500 nonviolent detainees, with plans in place to expand this capacity to as many as 30,000 in the near future.

The Pentagon’s Deputy Press Secretary, Kingsley Wilson, also shared updates on the visit via social media, showcasing the facilities designed to house “low-priority and medium-priority illegal aliens.” These detainees are held in anticipation of their deportation, though the conditions of their detention have raised significant concerns among human rights organizations.

Critics of the U.S. deportation efforts have voiced growing alarm about the conditions at Guantanamo Bay, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups filing a lawsuit against DHS earlier this month. The lawsuit alleges that detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay facility before last week’s deportation were improperly denied access to legal representation, a violation of their rights. However, DHS has rejected the claims and continues to defend its actions as part of its broader mission to manage border security.

The escalating deportation campaign and the use of Guantanamo Bay as a key facility in the process are part of the Trump administration’s controversial strategy to exert pressure on migrants and strengthen national security. While Hegseth’s visit was framed as a positive moment of partnership between U.S. agencies, the ongoing criticisms and legal challenges surrounding the deportations suggest that the situation will continue to be a focal point of political debate and legal scrutiny in the months ahead.

As the operation grows, so too does the scrutiny of the U.S. government’s handling of its migrant detention and deportation policies. With more flights and detainees expected in the coming weeks, it remains to be seen whether the U.S. will face mounting legal challenges that could shift the course of its ongoing deportation efforts.

Elon Musk, armed with his power and presidential backing, reignites his plan to clean house in the federal government—this time, the stakes are high.

The world’s richest man and Trump’s point man on “government efficiency,” Elon Musk, sent a warning shot through Washington, daring federal workers to justify their existence or face termination.

His bold email demands federal employees provide a justification of their roles. The timing couldn’t be more chaotic—weeks into a Trump-era push to slash the bureaucracy to its bone. But did Musk underestimate the pushback? On Monday, federal agencies were sent scrambling, unsure whether to comply or defy, as the Office of Personnel Management bluntly declared his directive non-binding.

Musk, however, refused to back down, doubling down on the threat of termination: “Fail again, and you’re out.” His comments fueled uncertainty across federal agencies, which now face a storm of confusion and defiance. The crackdown has already seen over 20,000 government employees booted out—and that’s just the beginning.

Musk is pushing forward with his disruptive downsizing initiative—the DOGE program, designed to strip the government to the core. And as thousands teeter on the edge of the unemployment abyss, his radical methods are shaking the very foundations of Washington D.C.

But not everyone’s on board. Critics, including labor unions, have raised their voices in outrage, demanding the court block Musk’s “illegal” email orders. They claim it violates rights, risks national security, and creates chaos.

As Washington reels from these destabilizing orders, only time will tell if Musk’s plans will end in government collapse or triumph.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has split with its European allies by refusing to directly blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, in votes on three UN resolutions Monday aimed at ending the ongoing war. This division marks a significant change in US foreign policy, with Trump pushing for direct negotiations with Russia to bring the conflict to a close, but excluding Ukraine and European allies from the preliminary talks.

In the UN General Assembly, the US joined Russia in voting against a European-backed resolution that condemned Moscow’s aggression and demanded its immediate withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. The US then abstained from voting on its own competing resolution after European nations, led by France, amended it to clearly label Russia as the aggressor. The resolution, however, did not reference Russia’s direct responsibility, instead calling for a swift end to the conflict.

The development comes as the conflict entered its third year, with Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington highlighting the growing rift between the US and its traditional European allies on the best approach to resolve the war.

Trump’s stance on Ukraine has also caused friction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Trump has accused of being a “dictator” for not holding elections amid the ongoing war. Trump’s approach to peace negotiations, which he argues could end the war quickly, has been criticized by both Ukrainian leaders and analysts, with some suggesting that the US president may be favoring Russia’s position in the process.

As the UN votes continued, a resolution acknowledging Russia’s invasion of Ukraine passed with amendments from France reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and calling for peace that respects international law. The US, meanwhile, pushed for its own resolution, which calls for peace between Russia and Ukraine but refrains from assigning blame to Moscow.

The situation has placed the US in an increasingly isolated position on the international stage, as allies in Europe and Asia align themselves with Ukraine’s call for justice and accountability in the conflict. The UN General Assembly resolution, which urges Russia to withdraw all military forces from Ukraine, reflects global support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity despite the US’s shift in policy.

In the face of this growing divide, many warn that Trump’s proposals could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and ultimately embolden Russia to continue its aggression. As the war continues, the question remains: will Trump’s push for negotiations lead to a peaceful resolution or further strain transatlantic relations?

Campbell Scott, a 58-year-old Scottish businessman from Fife, has been found dead in Nairobi, Kenya, after going missing on February 16. Scott, a senior director at credit scoring company FICO, had been attending a conference at the JW Marriott Hotel in the city’s Westlands district when he was last seen by colleagues.

Local authorities confirmed the discovery of his body, and FICO expressed profound sorrow over the loss. A spokesperson for the company described Scott as an influential leader who played a key role in expanding the company’s international presence. “Campbell was a leader in our international Scores business… we mourn his passing and will miss his humour and kindness,” the statement said.

Scott, who studied at Woodmill High School in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy Technical College, had worked for various companies before joining FICO in 2014. His employer added that their thoughts were with his family during this difficult time and requested privacy for them.

Police investigations into his disappearance were supported by Interpol, as authorities worked to uncover the circumstances of his death. The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for further details.

President Donald Trump has announced that a deal to end the Ukraine war is within reach, after a series of high-stakes talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House. The discussions come as the war entered its grim third anniversary, with Trump pushing for European allies to take a more substantial role in funding the war’s resolution, while Macron emphasized the need for guarantees from Moscow before any deal is struck.

Trump, confident in his ability to broker peace, suggested that a deal between Ukraine and Russia could be finalized soon, potentially including an agreement on Ukraine’s critical mineral resources. He believes both sides want peace but warned that distrust remains high. “I think it’s to the very much benefit of Russia to make a deal,” Trump said, urging for a swift resolution despite skepticism on all sides.

Macron, however, sounded more cautious, advocating for a careful and thorough approach to ensure the agreement’s credibility. He insisted that Europe’s role, alongside U.S. backing, is critical for maintaining a strong deterrent and providing sufficient security guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has voiced hope for a fruitful outcome, emphasized the importance of continued U.S. support, with millions of Ukrainians relying on American leadership. Yet, there are growing concerns over the exclusion of Ukraine from key diplomatic processes, with Turkish President Erdogan urging for Ukraine’s inclusion in negotiations.

As tensions simmer, some analysts fear Trump’s approach may align too closely with Russia’s interests, potentially sidelining Ukraine’s sovereignty in favor of normalization with Moscow. The next steps remain unclear, but the world’s eyes are on Washington, Paris, and Kyiv as the conflict enters its fourth year, with hopes for peace hanging in the balance.

Mohamed Hussein Rooble claims the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delayed his diplomatic passport, affecting his trip to South Africa.

Former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Rooble has raised allegations against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for delaying the clearance of his diplomatic passport, preventing his timely travel to South Africa. Speaking to the Somali community in South Africa on Saturday, Rooble shared that he and his delegation submitted a passport application to the Somali Embassy in Kenya, which faced a 20-day delay, causing some members of his delegation to miss the trip.

Rooble vowed to address the issue upon his return to Somalia, stating that he would hold the responsible authorities accountable. “I will be accountable to the head of state when I return to Somalia, and I will take action on the problem we encountered with the Ministry,” he said.

In response, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi denied any interference from the government, explaining that the Ministry had sent a letter to Rooble and his delegation on February 1. “We have the letter we sent him and his delegation, and we do not know where his request was rejected. We only heard about it on social media,” Fiqi commented.

Despite the controversy, Rooble was able to travel to South Africa on Thursday using his Swedish passport, as he is a naturalized Swedish citizen. He was accompanied by a delegation that included former Minister of Education Abdullahi Arab, former State Minister for Planning Gaani, and former Banadir regional secretary-general Xiireey, all of whom reportedly traveled on European passports.

The disagreement over the diplomatic passport has sparked discussions on the diplomatic relations and internal political dynamics within Somalia.

Senegal’s illegal big cat trade grows, fueled by the belief in gris-gris talismans crafted from lion and leopard parts.

In Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park, the morning’s tranquility is interrupted by the tracks of lions, whose population is critically endangered in West Africa. Despite heightened protections, the park’s lions face ongoing threats from poaching, driven largely by mystical beliefs surrounding gris-gris, talismans made from animal parts believed to possess magical powers.

A recent investigation by Panthera, a wild cat conservation group, revealed that lion and leopard parts are sold in 80% of markets surveyed, with demand increasing in recent years. While Niokolo-Koba’s lion population has doubled since 2017, an average of two lions are still lost to poaching each year.

The gris-gris, crafted from animal skins and inscribed with Quranic verses, are highly sought after for spiritual protection, health, and success. For many in Senegal, lion parts, as symbols of power and strength, are particularly valued. Police officers, wrestlers, and politicians often use these talismans for protection or influence, while everyday citizens wear them to guard against curses.

The trade of lion and leopard parts has created a complex smuggling network that spans the continent, with skins likely sourced from East and Southern Africa, making their way into Senegal through clandestine routes. Despite law enforcement’s best efforts, the smuggling network remains tough to dismantle, and authorities have only confiscated a small fraction of the illegal trade.

At the heart of the issue are the marabouts, influential religious leaders who prescribe gris-gris to their followers. Many marabouts, such as Cheikh Camara, see no contradiction between prescribing gris-gris for protection and the poaching of lions, further fueling the demand for lion parts.

The consequences for lions are grave. As few as 250 lions remain in West Africa, and while the Niokolo-Koba park has made strides in boosting lion populations, the illegal trade threatens their survival. With outdated wildlife laws and minimal penalties for offenders, the challenge of protecting Senegal’s lions and leopards remains monumental.

To address the issue, experts suggest that cultural change must go hand-in-hand with stronger enforcement. Dr. Cheikh Babou, a historian and expert in West African Islam, emphasizes that convincing people to shift away from gris-gris and towards other means of protection will be key to ensuring the survival of Senegal’s big cats.

Somali military officials meet with Gen. Muhoozi to discuss Mogadishu security ahead of East African Defence Chiefs meeting.

This week, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, held a meeting with senior Somali military officials in Nairobi to discuss the ongoing security situation in Mogadishu. The Somali delegation, led by Brig. Gen. Madey Nurey Sheikh, Deputy Chief of Defence, updated Gen. Muhoozi on developments in the Somali capital.

The meeting, which took place before the East African Community (EAC) Chiefs of Defence Forces meeting in Kenya, highlighted Uganda’s continued support for peacekeeping efforts in Somalia. Brig. Gen. Madey praised the role of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who have been integral to stabilizing Somalia since 2007 under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Gen. Muhoozi acknowledged the briefing and reiterated Uganda’s commitment to regional security, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration. Maj. Gen. James Birungi, Uganda’s Chief of Intelligence and Security, also attended the meeting, stressing the value of intelligence-sharing to counter security threats in the region.