Two pilots killed in New York runway collision under investigation

A fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport has triggered a major investigation after an Air Canada flight struck a fire truck late Sunday night, killing two pilots and injuring dozens.

Passengers described scenes of shock and confusion. One witness said it appeared “like the plane got cut in half” as aircraft on the tarmac were forced to halt operations. The crash, which occurred shortly before midnight local time, left 41 people hospitalised and shut down the airport into Monday morning.

Sean Duffy, United States transportation secretary, pointed to the importance of safety precautions, stressing that seat belts “save lives”.

Canadian reports identified one of the deceased pilots as Antoine Forest. Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the incident.

Trump signals ‘good’ Iran talks despite Tehran denial

Donald Trump, United States president, has claimed “good” and “productive” talks are underway with Iran, offering a temporary pause on potential strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.

The remarks mark a softer tone amid escalating tensions tied to ongoing US-Israeli military operations. However, Tehran has firmly denied that any such negotiations are taking place, raising questions about the credibility and intent behind Washington’s claims.

Trump suggested envoys including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were involved but provided no details. Issues potentially on the table range from nuclear restrictions to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials dismissed the comments as “fake news”, with some portraying the pause as a strategic retreat by Washington under regional pressure.

Onlyfans owner Leonid Radvinsky dies at 43

Leonid Radvinsky, owner of OnlyFans, has died aged 43 after a prolonged illness.
Radvinsky acquired the platform in 2018 and oversaw its rapid expansion during the Covid-19 pandemic, transforming it into a multi-billion-dollar business with hundreds of millions of users.

The platform, widely associated with adult content but also used by creators across industries, generated more than $1.4bn in revenue in 2024. Its growth, however, brought sustained regulatory scrutiny over content moderation and age verification.

Meloni suffers referendum setback in Italy

Giorgia Meloni, Italian prime minister, has suffered a political blow after voters rejected a key judicial reform in a national referendum.

With turnout nearing 60 percent, approximately 54 percent voted against the proposal, dealing a setback to Meloni’s right-wing coalition ahead of upcoming elections.

While acknowledging the result, Meloni ruled out resignation, insisting her government remains committed to institutional reform despite the defeat.

Slovenia introduces fuel rationing amid energy shock

Slovenia has become the first European Union member to introduce fuel rationing following disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

Under the new rules, private motorists are limited to 50 litres per day, while businesses receive higher allocations. The policy aims to curb panic buying and “fuel tourism” driven by lower domestic prices.

Prime Minister Robert Golob sought to reassure citizens that supplies remain stable despite rising global energy pressures.

Colombian military plane crash leaves casualties

A military aircraft crash in southern Colombia has left at least one person dead and dozens injured shortly after take-off.
The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules was carrying 125 people when it went down near Puerto Leguizamo. Authorities say 77 were injured, while dozens remain unaccounted for.

Gustavo Petro described the incident as a “deeply painful event”, with investigations ongoing into the cause.

Ex-teacher convicted in South Africa abuse case

An 86-year-old former teacher, Iain Wares, has been found guilty by a court in Cape Town of indecently assaulting a former pupil.

The conviction is separate from longstanding extradition proceedings linked to historical abuse allegations in Scotland. Sentencing is scheduled for May.

Kenyan Ex-minister arrested over ‘staged disappearance’

Raphael Tuju has been arrested after authorities accused him of faking his own disappearance.

Investigators said the incident was a “calculated effort” to mislead the public. Tuju had earlier claimed he went into hiding after being followed, citing security concerns tied to past abductions in Kenya.

Police say providing false information constitutes a serious offence.

Benin candidate proposes local police to counter Jihadists

Romuald Wadagni has pledged to establish municipal police forces in northern border regions to combat rising jihadist violence.

The proposal underscores growing regional insecurity spilling over from the Sahel, with Wadagni emphasising cooperation with neighbouring states.

Kenya Airways sees demand surge amid Middle East war

Kenya Airways says passenger demand has surged sharply as global aviation routes adjust to instability in the Middle East.

Load factors have risen to near capacity, with increased traffic from Europe, the United States and Asia as airlines reroute or cancel flights in affected regions.

Namibia denies Starlink operating licence

Namibia has rejected a licence application from Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk.

Regulators did not disclose reasons for the decision but indicated it could be reviewed within 90 days. The move highlights ongoing regulatory friction facing Starlink across parts of Africa.

 

Faith Omoboye

Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.

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