Hassan Istiila
Tuesday April 30, 2024

At least 300 goats were killed after lightning struck in the Hiiraan region on Sunday, according to residents and local officials on Monday.

The incident occurred in Teedaan village, one of the villages under the Mahaas district, following heavy rains in the Hiiraan region over the last few days.

The livestock owner, Ali Abdi Amin, also known as Ali Afey, told the media that the lightning killed the goats in one camp, leaving no survivors among his livestock.

“There were 300 goats in the camp. The animals killed by lightning were all in one camp, and we were planning to move to other villages due to the rain as we had just left winter. It started raining at nine o’clock at night, and then the lightning struck. It happened in the goats’ camp, and we were all scared,” he said.

Ali Afey, a resilient member of the community, added that the lives of three families, totalling 40 people, depend on the livestock, and now the family has nothing left.

“Two families are living there, me and my son. We don’t have any other animals except the goats that were killed. We didn’t have camels and cows. We live with goats, but the goats are now gone,” said Ali Abdi Amin Ali Afey.

The El Nino-induced floods that began last August displaced 1.2 million people, and now the April-June Gu rainy season has already started in the country.

Since April 19th, the Gu rains have affected more than 124,150 people, resulting in 5,100 people being displaced and the deaths of seven children. Jubaland, Hirshabelle, and South West states are the most severely impacted.

Irish News
By David Lynch, PA Political Staff
Tuesday April 30, 2024

The Foreign Office is seeking further information after an MP clamed he was deported during a visit to Djibouti.

Conservative former minister Tim Loughton said he was detained before being escorted onto a flight leaving the African nation, adding he believed this was because of its close links with China.

Mr Loughton, a fierce critic of Beijing, is among a group of UK MPs sanctioned by China in 2021.

He was visiting Djibouti on a return journey from Somaliland, when he faced scrutiny at the country’s passport control.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “I believe that in this specific case that you refer to the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) provided consular support to Mr Loughton at the time and they have also raised this case with the Djiboutians.

“Whilst obviously the authorities have the right to refuse entry at their own discretion, the FCDO have sought further information about this specific case.”

Mr Loughton had earlier told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I had been on a delegation to neighbouring Somaliland for a few days before, which is a really interesting part of the world and one where China poses a bit of a threat.

“The rest of my colleagues came back via Ethiopia but I thought I would come back via Djibouti… to see what is going on there, but also to have a meeting with the ambassador for a debrief on my way back.

“I was literally going to spend about 30 hours there before getting the plane home to London, but they wouldn’t let me in.”

Mr Loughton told the BBC he had received “strange looks” when he handed over his passport at immigration control, adding that it “all went very frosty” when he said he was an Member of Parliament.

He claimed there was “no reason not to let me into the country”, and said: “Djibouti is effectively a vassal state of China. We have been making quite a lot of criticisms of China in our trip to Somaliland because of the threat they pose in the region.”

He added: “Basically what China wants, Djibouti kowtows to, and having a troublesome MP who has been sanctioned by China turning up on their doorsteps clearly was something they didn’t want to entertain, so I was escorted onto the first plane home.”

A Chinese embassy spokesman is reported by the BBC to have said the accusations were baseless.

The embassy has been contacted for comment.

Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent
Tuesday April 30, 2024

A man with a sword has been arrested after an attack on members of the public and police officers in Hainault, north-east London, police have said.

In a statement, the Metropolitan police said: “Police and other emergency services are in Hainault, east London, at a serious incident in which a man with a sword has been arrested.

“We were called shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area. There were reports people have been stabbed.

“At this time we understand the suspect went on to attack other members of the public and two police officers. We are awaiting an update on the condition of those injured. A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and he is in custody.”

Earlier on Tuesday, an MP for the area said a “critical incident” had been declared.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary and MP for Ilford North, said the emergency services were responding and one male had been detained.

Transport for London’s website confirmed Hainault tube station was closed “due to a police investigation in the area”.

In a post on social media site X, Streeting wrote: “A critical incident has been declared in Hainault. There are station and road closures in place. The police, ambulance service and fire brigade are responding. One male detained.”

The Metropolitan police wrote on X: “Police are at an incident in the Hainault area. Please follow the instructions of police officers on the ground. A man has been arrested.”