New Post Africa

Category: International

  • Five members of sex trafficking ring sentenced to 120 years in prison

    Five members of sex trafficking ring sentenced to 120 years in prison

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — Sentences have been handed down in the case against a group that trafficked seven individuals, including two minors. Five defendants were sentenced today to nearly 120 years in prison for their roles in a violent sex trafficking ring led by Kimani Jones, 32, also known as Statik. Jones received 54 years, while his father, Tremayne Lambert, 50, also known as Bayrock, was sentenced to 30 years. Both men, from Montgomery, Alabama, were convicted after a five‑day trial in October 2025. The court ordered Jones and Lambert to pay $1,010,926.50 and $510,850 in restitution, respectively.

    Three co‑defendants who pleaded guilty were also sentenced. Joseph Keon Bowe, 39, of Notasulga, Alabama, received 235 months in prison and must pay $3,200 in restitution. Daryle Gardner, 32, of Marbury, Alabama, was sentenced to 195 months and ordered to pay $5,000. Aleecia Scott, 30, of Dothan, Alabama, was sentenced to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay $1,000.

    “Today’s lengthy sentences reflect the heinous conduct of the defendants, who abused numerous women and girls for years,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva. Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson added, “We hope these sentences provide justice for the victims and send a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue traffickers.”

    Evidence showed Jones ran the operation for five years, forcing women and girls into commercial sex through violence and abuse. He rented hotel rooms, posted online ads, dictated where victims lived, and set daily earning quotas. He used intimidation, firearms, and drug addiction to maintain control. Victims were beaten, sexually assaulted, and threatened, including one minor dragged by the throat and others struck so severely they suffered broken bones and teeth.

    Lambert enforced rules and monitored victims, while Bowe, Gardner, and Scott acted as enforcers and drivers. Jones was convicted of multiple counts of sex trafficking of minors and adults, while Lambert was convicted of three counts of sex trafficking.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Alabama law enforcement agencies, and prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section.

  • Macron urges de‑escalation in Middle East, calls for civilian infrastructure protection

    Macron urges de‑escalation in Middle East, calls for civilian infrastructure protection

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the warring parties in the Middle East to open a path toward de‑escalation and restore stability in the region.

    Macron, in a statement released Thursday, urged the immediate implementation of a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including water and energy facilities. He stressed that freedom and security of navigation must be restored, referencing the ongoing logjam in the Strait of Hormuz.

    He emphasised that as the region enters a period of religious celebrations and renewal, tempers must cool and fighting must cease to allow for the prospect of a negotiated and sustainable solution.

    Macron’s statement follows similar remarks by United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres, who urged the United States, Israel, and Iran to halt hostilities and pave the way for dialogue. 

    Guterres warned that intensified attacks and counterattacks in Iran, Israel, and across the Gulf have already struck key energy installations, threatening both regional security and global energy supplies.

  • BREAKING: UN Secretary‑General calls for an end to Iran conflict for energy security

    BREAKING: UN Secretary‑General calls for an end to Iran conflict for energy security

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has called on the United States and Israel to end the war against Iran, while also urging Tehran to halt its attacks on neighbouring nations. He made the appeal on Thursday following his meeting with the European Council in Brussels.

    Guterres warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East — particularly involving Iran, Israel, and the United States — poses grave risks to regional stability and global energy security, citing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as a critical concern. He stressed the importance of multilateralism and closer cooperation between the European Union, the United Nations, and global partners.

    The Secretary‑General urged restraint and diplomacy, calling for collective action to prevent further escalation and to safeguard humanitarian principles. He condemned the attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, warning of severe global economic consequences, and appealed for dialogue to restore peace, stability, and the free flow of goods and energy. His remarks echoed widespread concerns about blockades and rising oil prices.

    Guterres further called for stronger international cooperation to defend multilateralism and prevent additional humanitarian crises, insisting that only through unity and diplomacy can the region move toward lasting peace and security.

  • Modi, King Abdullah II discuss West Asia crisis, attacks on energy infrastructure

    Modi, King Abdullah II discuss West Asia crisis, attacks on energy infrastructure

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, held a phone conversation with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, during which he extended advance congratulations on the Blessed Eid al-Fitr.

    In the call, Prime Minister Modi expressed deep concern over developments in West Asia and reaffirmed the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace, security, and stability in the region. He condemned recent attacks targeting energy infrastructure, warning that such actions risk escalating an already destructive conflict.

    According to a statement released Thursday, Modi stressed that both India and Jordan support the free flow of goods and energy without obstacles, referencing the Iranian blockade and attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which have negatively impacted global oil prices. He insisted that both nations stand firmly in support of unhindered transit of goods and energy across international waters.

    The Prime Minister also thanked King Abdullah II for Jordan’s efforts in facilitating the safe return of Indian citizens stranded in the region. He noted that the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran shows no concrete sign of ending, despite repeated international calls for diplomacy and dialogue among the parties.

  • Tinubu Urges UK to boost investment, security, and energy cooperation as King Charles III bids farewell

    Tinubu Urges UK to boost investment, security, and energy cooperation as King Charles III bids farewell

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — At Windsor Castle this morning, His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla bid farewell to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, marking the conclusion of Tinubu’s landmark state visit to England.

    During the State Banquet held in his honour, King Charles described the friendship between England and Nigeria as a “partnership of equals” that has strengthened shared security, boosted prosperity, and inspired hope for the future. He emphasised the deep cultural and spiritual ties between both nations, praising the contributions of Nigerians in Britain and stressing the importance of moving forward together with respect, trust, and shared purpose.

    On his part, President Tinubu called for stronger economic cooperation, greater investment in Nigeria’s energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors, and deeper collaboration on security. He urged enhanced defence and intelligence partnerships to combat terrorism, stressed the need for balanced migration policies, and sought UK support in skills development and renewable energy projects to drive Nigeria’s transition to sustainable power.

    Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership framework, emphasising shared humanity, cultural ties, and the importance of unity. He positioned Nigeria as a key partner for the UK in Africa, underlining that stronger bilateral ties would contribute to regional stability and prosperity. He also urged Nigerians abroad to be ambassadors of peace and progress, reminding them that their conduct reflects the nation’s values on the global stage.

  • President Trump honours fallen service members at solemn dignified transfer ceremony

    President Trump honours fallen service members at solemn dignified transfer ceremony

    NORTH AMERICA (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, attended the dignified transfer ceremony for six American heroes who lost their lives in a refuelling plane crash in the war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The solemn event took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

    The six servicemen honoured were Major John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons.

    The dignified transfer ceremony paid tribute to their ultimate sacrifice and underscored the nation’s gratitude for their service. 

    The solemn military tradition in which the remains of U.S. service members killed in action are returned to American soil is conducted with full honours, symbolising respect and national appreciation. The ceremony typically takes place at Dover Air Force Base, where fallen troops are received by military personnel, family members, and sometimes national leaders before being prepared for burial.

  • BREAKING: Sweden confirms Execution of citizen in Iran amid war tensions

    BREAKING: Sweden confirms Execution of citizen in Iran amid war tensions

    Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, announced on Wednesday that Iran has executed a Swedish citizen. The announcement follows confirmation from Iranian officials that this marks the first execution of a man convicted of spying since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war.

    Stenergard described the development as deeply troubling, noting that it underscores the heightened risks faced by foreign nationals in Iran during the ongoing conflict. The execution is expected to further strain diplomatic relations between Tehran and Stockholm, while adding to international concerns over Iran’s use of capital punishment in politically sensitive cases.

  • Belgian aristocrat ordered to stand trial over Patrice Lumumba assassination

    Belgian aristocrat ordered to stand trial over Patrice Lumumba assassination

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — Étienne Davignon, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat and aristocrat, has been ordered by a Brussels court to face trial over the assassination of Congo’s first prime minister and anti-colonial icon, Patrice Lumumba, in 1961.

    Lumumba, who became prime minister upon Congo’s independence from Belgium on June 24, 1960, was ousted in September of the same year amid political turmoil. Just months later, on January 16, 1961, he was brutally killed by a Belgian-backed secessionist rebel group in Katanga, an event that has long symbolised the violent legacy of colonial interference in Africa.

    Davignon is the only surviving member of a group of 10 Belgian officials accused of complicity in Lumumba’s murder by the late leader’s family. His trial is expected to reignite debate over Belgium’s colonial past and its responsibility in the destabilisation of Congo during its early years of independence.

  • BREAKING: Iran holds funeral for top security chiefs killed in Israeli strikes

    BREAKING: Iran holds funeral for top security chiefs killed in Israeli strikes

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — A funeral procession is underway at Revolution Square in Tehran for Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, both killed in recent Israeli airstrikes.

    On Tuesday, Israel’s Chief of Defence Staff confirmed that the two senior officials were deliberately targeted in an overnight strike on the Iranian capital.

    The ongoing funerals followed another reported strike on the residence of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Ismail Khatib. Khatib, who has led the Ministry of Intelligence since 2021, is considered a central figure in Iran’s leadership, with a career spanning the nation’s security and judicial institutions, including service under the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. His fate remains unclear.

    Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Al Jazeera, insisted that Israel’s campaign of targeted eliminations “will not weaken the regime,” vowing resilience despite mounting losses and sheer uncertainties among senior officials.

    The back-to-back strikes have rattled Tehran’s leadership, raising fears of further escalations and leaving many officials questioning who might be next on Israel’s list.

  • Shockwaves in Tehran as latest Israeli strike targets Ismail Khatib, Iran’s spy chief

    Shockwaves in Tehran as latest Israeli strike targets Ismail Khatib, Iran’s spy chief

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — Tehran was rocked overnight as another Israeli airstrike reportedly zeroed in on Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Ismail Khatib, at his residence. Khatib, who has led the powerful Ministry of Intelligence since 2021, is regarded as a key figure in Iran’s inner circle, with a career spanning the nation’s security and judicial apparatus, including service under the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

    Under his watch, the ministry has been accused of crushing domestic dissent, spearheading counterintelligence operations, and orchestrating activities against Israeli and Western interests. The United States previously placed a $10 million bounty on Khatib, fueling speculation that the strike may have been a calculated attempt to “cash in” on his head. His fate remains uncertain — whether he was killed or survived the attack.

    The strike comes just 24 hours after the killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. That assassination sent shockwaves through Iran’s leadership, with officials reportedly trembling and frantically calling colleagues to ask who might be next.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the U.S. Ambassador yesterday, chillingly declared he still has “names of the bad guys” to cross out.

    Iranian authorities have yet to issue any statement on Khatib’s condition.