Monday 27,October 2025 {HMC}  A massive methamphetamine drug haul worth approximately $63 million was seized in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on Saturday, and six Iranian nationals were taken into custody by authorities.

The Kenyan Navy intercepted the consignment some 630 kilometers (391 miles) off the coast of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean and escorted the vessel safely to port under armed guard.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Amin Mohammed Ibrahim, said preliminary forensic tests confirmed the substance was crystal methamphetamine.

Kenya is facing a growing synthetic drug crisis, particularly along the coastline, where hundreds of young people are struggling with meth and heroin addiction.

Authorities have hailed the record interception of more than a ton (1,024 kilograms) of methamphetamine as a major breakthrough in Kenya’s ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction.

Last year, a smaller consignment of 1.15 kilograms (2.54 pounds) of methamphetamine was seized in the country’s main airport.

Source AP

Monday 27,October 2025 {HMC}  A delegation of nearly 20 journalists from diverse African nations has concluded an immersive five-day educational and cultural tour of China, organized to provide a firsthand perspective on the nation’s rapid modernization and to explore new avenues for Sino-African media cooperation.

The “2025 African Media Tour in China,” which ran from October 20-24, 2025, brought together media professionals from across the continent. Representing Somalia was Mohamed kafi Abukar, the Director of Somali National Television (SNTV). The intensive itinerary spanned Beijing and the port city of Tianjin, blending academic seminars with visits to cutting-edge industrial sites and centers of deep historical significance.

Reflecting on the program, Mr. Abukar described the visit as an “exceptional experience.” He noted that the tour significantly “enhanced knowledge, skills, and understanding of China’s development model and media cooperation with Africa,” providing valuable insights that could inform Somalia’s own development narrative.

A cornerstone of the program was a high-level seminar hosted at the prestigious Nankai University in Tianjin. The session provided a platform for in-depth discussion and exchange with Chinese academics and students. The dialogue centered on China’s experiences in poverty reduction, the strategic role of media in promoting national development, and the future of the comprehensive China-Africa partnership. The workshop also focused on practical strategies for advancing professional skills and technical capacity within African media institutions.

The delegation was given extensive access to key hubs of China’s industrial and technological prowess. In Beijing, the group visited the Daxing International Aviation Community to observe smart production lines for modular buildings. In Tianjin, they were hosted by the China Railway Group Limited (CREG/CRHIC) for a tour of its TBM R&D Manufacturing Base. The journalists were briefed on the development of massive Tunnel Boring Machines, described as “heavy national equipment” that is “reshaping cities and transport” across the globe.

This glimpse into heavy industry was contrasted with China’s vision for sustainable urban living. The group toured the Tanggu Bay “Micro-City” in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area, studying its development from a traditional village into a modern, green, and livable new city.

The itinerary skillfully balanced China’s technological present with its profound cultural past. In Beijing, the journalists explored the vast expanse of the Forbidden City to understand China’s imperial history, followed by a visit to Daji Alley, a site lauded for its innovative blend of historical preservation and modern commerce.

In Tianjin, the group experienced the city’s unique cultural heritage, beginning with a traditional breakfast at the bustling Northwest Corner. The tour included the Tianjin Ancient Culture Street, a hub for “intangible cultural heritage” like Yangliuqing New Year paintings and “Clay Figure Zhang” sculptures. The delegation also visited the historic Wudadao (Five Great Avenues) district and concluded their visit with an evening cruise on the Haihe River, observing the city’s blend of historic and modern architecture.

The 2025 African Media Tour provided a critical platform for direct dialogue and mutual understanding, setting the stage for enriched professional collaboration and a more nuanced, shared narrative between Chinese and African media partners.

Source SONNA 

Monday 27,October 2025 {HMC} Following another week of intensive and lethal Russian bombardment of Ukraine’s cities, a composite image has been doing the rounds on Ukrainian social media.

Underneath an old, black-and-white photo of Londoners queuing at a fruit and vegetable stall surrounded by the bombed-out rubble of the Blitz, a second image – this time in colour – creates a striking juxtaposition.

Taken on Saturday, it shows shoppers thronging to similar stalls in a northern suburb of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, while a column of black smoke rises ominously in the background.

“Bombs can’t stop markets,” reads the caption linking the two images.

The night before, as the city’s sleep was interrupted once again by the now all-too-familiar booms of missile and drone strikes, two people were killed and nine others injured.

The implication is clear. Rather than destroying public morale, Russia’s dramatic ramping up of attacks on Ukrainian cities is conjuring a spirit of resilience reminiscent of 1940s Britain.

When I visited the market – with the black fumes still billowing from the missile strike on a nearby warehouse – that sense of fortitude was evident.

But there was plenty of fear, too.

Source BBC NEWS