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Passengers stranded at main Kenya airport as staff protest
Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Kenya’s main airport as workers protest against a planned takeover by an Indian company.
Large queues formed outside Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday morning as flights were delayed and cancelled.
Workers launched a “go-slow” – where staff deliberately work slowly to cause disruption – in a stand against proposals to lease JKIA to the Adani group for 30 years.
The aviation workers union argues the deal is “opaque” and could lead to job losses.
However, the government has defended the proposal, saying the airport is operating beyond capacity and needs private investment to upgrade it.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of airport workers blew plastic trumpets and chanted “Adani must go”, according to footage shown on local broadcaster Citizen TV. The video also appear to show a police officer hitting a protester with a baton.
Wilma van Altena, who was on holiday in Kenya but cut her trip short to return to the Netherlands for a funeral, was among those stuck at the airport. “It’s been chaotic… there were hundreds of people outside the airport when we arrived and we stood around and eventually made it inside,” she told the BBC.
“We have no information. There’s nothing on the boards, we’ve heard nothing from the airline. I need to get home but I have no idea when that will happen.”
The Zimbabwe men’s football team was also stranded. The squad had flown into Nairobi after an African Cup of Nations qualifier game in Uganda, but had been given no information about their onward flight to Harare, an official who did not want to named told the BBC.
The BBC’s Stewart Maclean, who is among those waiting to catch a flight, said that at around 05:45 BST (07:45 local time), the hundreds queueing outside the airport were calm, patient but frustrated.
He said that cabin crew and pilots were among those waiting.
In a statement, the Kenya Airports Authority said: “As of 7:00am, minimal operations had resumed.” “In the meantime, we are engaging relevant parties to normalise operations. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union previously warned of an indefinite strike after the government failed to disclose details of the deal with the Adani Group.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission also criticised the plans, arguing that it is unreasonable to lease a strategic national asset to a private company.
The two parties filed a challenge to the High Court, which subsequently halted the deal to allow time for a judicial review. The date for a final court decision has yet to be set.
[BBC]
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has voted to pass a budget deal to avert what would be the first US federal government shut down since 2019.
The deal, which passed by a vote of 366 -34 only six hours before a midnight deadline, must still be approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate before it can be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Lawmakers earlier this week had successfully negotiated a deal to fund government agencies – but it fell apart after President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk called on Republicans to reject it.
This vote was the third attempt this week to get a deal through the House after a second funding measure – that one backed by Trump – failed on Thursday.
The 118-page “American Relief Act, 2025” that passed in the House on Friday strips out a debt-limit provision that Trump had demanded, which was a sticking point for Democrats and some Republican budget hawks in an earlier draft bill.
The deal also removes measures sought by Democrats in the first version of the bill, including the first pay raise for lawmakers since 2009, federal funds to rebuild a bridge that collapsed in Baltimore, healthcare reforms, and provisions aimed at preventing hotels and live event venues from deceptive advertising.
A total of 34 Republicans voted against the short-term funding bill while all Democrats in attendance were in favour.
Trump has not yet commented on the vote. A statement put out by the White House on behalf of Biden praises the deal.
Ahead of the vote, Democrats slammed the involvement of Mr Musk in the process, who they pointed out is an unelected billionaire.
Mr Musk, who Trump has tasked with cutting government spending in his future administration, had lobbied heavily against an earlier bill.
During floor debate, Republicans said they look forward to a “new era” when Trump takes office and Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress next month.
The wrangling over budget left Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson bruised amid criticism from members of his own party over his handling of the process.
“We are grateful that everyone stood together to do the right thing and having gotten this done now as the last order of business for the year, we are set up for a big and important new start in January,” Johnson told reporters after Friday’s vote.
He also said that he had spoken frequently to both Trump and Mr Musk during the negotiations.
Johnsons remarks came shortly after Mr Musk praised the Louisiana congressman’s work on the budget in a post on X, the social media platform he owns.
“The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances,” he posted. “It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces.”
The dramatic budget fight served as a preview of the tense legislative fights that could be in store next year, once Trump is in the White House.
Officials have warned that if there is no funding deal going into the holiday season, millions of federal employees would go without paycheques if the government shuts down.
There will be countless other ways a shut down would affect Americans – including by limiting assistance to aid-reliant farmers and people recovering from natural disasters.
The last government shutdown was during Trump’s first term in 2019 after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to come to an agreement on a new spending bill.
That shutdown lasted 35 days, and was the longest in US history.
[BBC]
Australia have dropped Nathan McSweeney and called up 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas to replace him for the final two Tests against India.
New South Wales’ Konstas is in line to become Australia men’s youngest Test batting debutant since Ian Craig in 1953.
McSweeney was preferred to Konstas at the start of the series but he managed only 72 runs across six innings at an average of 14.40.
Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said Konstas’ selection offers the chance to “throw something different” at India’s bowling attack.
“I think Sam’s method and style is different to Nathan’s, should we go down that path,” he said.
Earlier this season Konstas scored two centuries against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, becoming the youngest player to do so since Ricky Ponting in 1993.
Should the right-hander be picked, he would become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since current skipper Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days when he played against South Africa in 2011.
Seamer Jhye Richardson, who last played a Test in the 2021-22 Ashes, has also been recalled with Josh Hazlewood out injured.
Fellow quick Sean Abbott and all-rounder Beau Webster, both uncapped at Test level, have been retained in the squad, having been called up previously in the series but not selected in the XI.
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, who, like McSweeney, have struggled at the top of the order, have retained their places in the squad.
The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne starts at 23:30 GMT on 25 December with the series tied at 1-1.
Australia squad for final two Tests v India: Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head, Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
[BBC]
An amphibious mouse with webbed feet and a blob-headed fish are among 27 new species scientists have discovered in Peru.
They were found in an expedition to Alto Mayo – which includes the Amazon rainforest – by scientists from the non-profit organisation Conservation International and members of local indigenous groups.
Up to 48 other new species may also have been found, although further study will be needed to determine whether they are new, Conservation International says.
“Discovering so many new species of mammals and vertebrates is really incredible, especially in such a human-influenced landscape,” said Trond Larsen, senior director at Conservation International
Alto Mayo is a protected area in northern Peru with multiple ecosystems and Indigenous territories.
It has a relatively high population density, putting pressure on environmentalism through deforestation and agricultural expansion, Conservation International said.
Yulisa Tuwi, an Awajún woman who assisted with the research, said the report “allows the Awajún to protect our culture, natural resources and our territory”, as it gives them a better understanding of the ecosystems.
“The Awajún have extensive traditional knowledge about the forests, animals and plants they live side-by-side with,” Mr Larsen said.
The expedition also found a new species of dwarf squirrel. eight types of fish, three amphibians and 10 types of butterfly.
This “blob-headed” fish is a new discovery to science, but the Indigenous Awajún people who helped with the expedition were already aware of its existence.
The fish scientists were particularly shocked by its enlarged head – something they had never seen before.Ronald Diaz/ Conservation International
A new species of dwarf squirrel will also belong to a new genus, giving it a higher level of distinction
This dwarf squirrel measures just 14cm (5.5in), half the length of an average grey squirrel in the UK, which ranges from 24 to 29cm, according to the UK Squirrel Accord.
“It fits so easily in the palm of your hand. Adorable and beautiful chestnut-brown colour, very fast,” Larsen said. “It jumps quickly and hides in the trees.”
Scientists discovered a new species of spiny mouse – named after the especially stiff guard hairs found on their coats, which function similar to the spines of a hedgehog.
They also found a new “amphibious mouse”, which has partially webbed feet and eats aquatic insects.
It belongs to a group of semi-aquatic rodents considered to be among the rarest in the world, with the few species known to exist only spotted a handful of times by scientists.
(BBC)
US House votes to avert government shutdown
World silver medallist Katir handed four-year ban
Australia call-up Konstas, 19, for Boxing Day Test
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