Vice President JD Vance will visit Minneapolis on Thursday to deliver remarks on restoring law and order and meet with local leaders and community members.
JD Vance to Visit Minneapolis on Thursday
JD Vance to Visit Minneapolis on Thursday, Address Law and Order in Minnesota
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Minneapolis on Thursday, where he will deliver remarks centered on what his office describes as “restoring law and order” in Minnesota.
According to officials, Vance’s visit will include a roundtable discussion with local leaders, law enforcement representatives, and community members. The discussion is expected to focus on public safety, community concerns, and ways to strengthen cooperation between residents and authorities.
Federal investigation has been Launched involving U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar.
Ilhan Omar under Federal Investigation
Ilhan Omar under Federal Investigation
Federal investigation has been launched involving U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The inquiry, which is being conducted by federal authorities, aims to examine allegations connected to the Minnesota-based representative. Officials have not publicly released detailed findings or confirmed the full scope of the investigation, and no charges have been announced at this time.
Bambu Dessert Drinks in North Columbus to Be Replaced
Bambu Dessert Drinks, a Vietnamese dessert and drink shop in north Columbus, closed its doors. The Olentangy Commons location at 827 Bethel Road announced the closure on Instagram on Dec. 30, stating it would shut down the following day. No reason for the closure was shared.
The shop, which opened in late 2023, was owned by Vongdalin Vorn, who plans to open a new restaurant at the site focusing on Asian street food and beverages.
Founded in 2008 in San Jose, California, Bambu Dessert Drinks operates over 70 locations across the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines, most of which are franchises. The Bethel Road location was the brand’s first and only shop in Ohio.
Bambu specializes in chè, a Vietnamese dessert drink made with coconut milk or water, jellies, fruits, tapioca, and red beans. The shop also served boba tea, smoothies, and Vietnamese coffee, alongside sweets like mochi ice cream, mochi waffles, and macarons.
A 42-year-old man from Marion died after his Chevrolet Malibu collided head-on with a semi-truck on Marion-Williamsport Road West. OSHP investigates.
Man Killed in Head-On Collision with Semi-Truck in Marion County
1 Killed in Head-On Collision with Semi-Truck in Marion County
A tragic head-on collision claimed the life of a local man Monday night, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP). The crash involved a sedan and a semi-truck on Marion-Williamsport Road West, just northwest of Marion.
Troopers reported that a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 42-year-old Joshua Criswell of Marion, was traveling northeast when it unexpectedly crossed the center line and collided with a 2003 Kenworth T600 semi-tractor towing a 2025 Fontaine trailer, heading southwest. The impact sent the Malibu off the east side of the road and the semi-truck into a ditch on the west side.
Criswell was pronounced dead at the scene. OSHP confirmed he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The semi-truck driver sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the collision
Jake Lang, being attended to by a Somali-American nurse
Jake Lang, Anti-Islam Protester, Saved and Treated by the Very People He Targeted
What was supposed to be a provocative anti‑Islam, anti‑Somali rally in downtown Minneapolis this weekend became an unforgettable reminder of shared humanity, and the irony did not go unnoticed.
Jake Lang, a far‑right online influencer, arrived Saturday to lead a small “March Against Minnesota Fraud” protest near City Hall. Lang had publicly threatened to burn a Qur’an and stoked fears about Somali immigrants.
Hundreds of counter protesters showed up, chanting, drowning out Lang’s message, and eventually forcing his tiny group to retreat. As tensions rose and snowballs and water balloons flew, some members of the crowd pushed and jostled Lang. He ended up with a bleeding cut on his head and later went to a hospital to get medical attention.
Jake Lang, an Online Influencer and Activist Beaten & Chased with Protesters at Minneapolis ICE Rally
Despite the fact that he had come into the protest with inflammatory remarks about Muslims and Somali Americans, Lang was reportedly protected and guided to safety by several Muslim men as the situation escalated and treated by a Somali‑American nurse at the hospital after the incident.
That detail struck many observers as profoundly ironic: the very people Lang had targeted with hate stood by him in his moment of vulnerability. Instead of returning anger, his caregivers chose compassion, dignity and basic human kindness — exactly what many communities say Minneapolis stands for. Social media users reacted, with some calling it a powerful example of empathy overcoming hostility.
And yet Lang himself continued to frame the event on social platforms as an attack, claiming he was “lynched” by a crowd and even seeking donations for medical bills.
Minnesota has been a flashpoint in recent weeks as federal immigration enforcement operations have ramped up, drawing daily protests and widespread local resistance. The city was already grappling with deep frustration after a federal agent fatally shot a Minnesota woman, sparking intense debate over immigration policy and tactics.
What unfolded on Saturday was not just another headline about political division, it was a moment where compassion intersected with confrontation. When faced with hatred, bystanders chose humanity.
And for many in Minnesota, that choice said more about the city and its people than any protest sign ever could.
Conservative influencer Jake Lang was driven from a Minneapolis rally by counter protesters as tensions rise over expanded ICE operations.
Jake Lang, an Online Influencer and Activist Beaten & Chased with Protesters at Minneapolis ICE Rally
Jake Lang, an Online Influencer and Activist Beaten & Chased with Protesters at Minneapolis ICE Rally
Right-wing activist Jake Lang was forced to leave a demonstration in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday after being confronted by a large group of counter protesters, amid heightened tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Twin Cities.
Lang, who received clemency from President Donald Trump after being charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, had organized an event he called the “March Against Minnesota Fraud.” Prior to the rally, Lang shared posts on social media containing anti-Somali and anti-Islam rhetoric and claimed he planned to burn a Quran outside Minneapolis City Hall.
According to the Associated Press, Lang appeared to have visible bruises and minor injuries as he left the scene following a confrontation. Images reposted on his social media showed a cut on the back of his head. Lang later claimed online that he had been attacked, though Minneapolis police said no official injury or assault reports were filed.
Authorities said approximately 100 protesters were already gathered near City Hall when Lang arrived shortly before noon. His group was significantly outnumbered by counterdemonstrators. Officers issued a dispersal order, and the crowd eventually broke up without arrests or further incidents.
The confrontation comes amid rising unrest in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, who was killed earlier this month by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation. Her death has fueled protests nationwide against ICE tactics, particularly the use of armed and masked agents.
Venezuela continues to see daily street protests as thousands demand the return of President Nicolás Maduro, fueling political tension and international concern.
U.S. forces have detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
Venezuela Continues to Erupt as Protesters Demand Return of President Maduro
Venezuela continues to witness mass protests as thousands of citizens flood the streets demanding the return of President Nicolás Maduro, deepening political tension across the country.
From the capital Caracas to regional cities, demonstrators have marched, waved national flags, and chanted slogans calling for Maduro’s reinstatement. The protests, now sustained and widespread, signal growing unrest among supporters who view his absence from power as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and democratic will.
The People of Venezuela Flood the streets demanding the release of their President , Nicolas Maduro
This article presents the views and remarks of Shafi Shafat, African diaspora and independent media voice who has criticized the African Union Commission Chairperson for publicly praising Uganda’s long-serving president. Shafat argues that such statements undermine democratic values at a time when Africa is experiencing a growing political awakening.
Shafi Shafat Criticizes AU Chairperson for Praising Dictatorship
Shafi Shafat Criticizes AU Chairperson for Praising Dictatorship
In 2026, Africa is standing at a decisive moment. The continent is young, digitally connected, and politically aware, with a growing generation that is no longer willing to accept symbolic democracy or recycled leadership. Yet, at the highest levels of continental governance, the African Union continues to make decisions that appear detached from the aspirations of Africa’s people.
According to Shafat, the decision by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to publicly congratulate Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on securing a seventh term in office reflects a deeper institutional failure. Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 nearly four decades under an administration widely criticized for alleged electoral manipulation, repression of political opposition, restrictions on media freedom, and human rights violations.
Chairperson of African Union Commission commends the conduct of elections in #Uganda and congratulates President Yoweri Museveni on re-election.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, commends the conduct of the elections in Uganda and… pic.twitter.com/QWTvQeA997
Shafat argues that for an institution created to promote democracy, constitutionalism, and good governance, publicly praising such leadership is not simply controversial but fundamentally indefensible.
An Institution Drifting From Its Mandate
Shafi Shafat maintains that the African Union was founded on principles that many Africans continue to uphold:
Democratic governance
Protection of human rights
Respect for constitutional order
Peaceful transitions of power
However, he believes the AU increasingly appears aligned with entrenched political elites rather than the citizens it claims to represent. In his assessment, this growing disconnect undermines the credibility of the institution.
He points to ongoing youth-led movements across the continent as evidence that Africans are demanding a different political future:
Civil resistance against military rule in Sudan
Youth mobilization to defend democratic processes in Senegal
Rising calls for transparency in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana
Continued opposition movements in Uganda challenging authoritarian governance
Shafat contends that during such moments, the African Union should act as a defender of democratic aspirations not a legitimizing force for prolonged personal rule.
Africa Is Not a Continent of Lifelong Rulers
According to Shafat, Africa is not a continent of monarchies but of republics, where leadership must remain accountable and time-bound.
He argues that no leader should govern for decades, no constitution should be altered to entrench personal power, and no election should be endorsed when political opponents are detained and journalists silenced.
In his view, when the African Union praises such outcomes, it sends a dangerous message that repression is tolerable, flawed elections are acceptable, and democracy is optional.
Shafat notes that this contradicts the values espoused by Africa’s liberation leaders, including Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, and Thomas Sankara.
A New Africa Is Watching
Shafi Shafat believes Africa has entered a new era. Social media has reduced the effectiveness of state propaganda, youth movements are organized, and the African diaspora is increasingly engaged in continental affairs.
He argues that unless the African Union undertakes meaningful reform, it risks losing relevance. In his view, restoring public trust requires the AU to:
Condemn unconstitutional extensions of presidential power
Reject elections lacking transparency and credibility
Advocate for political detainees
Support enforceable term limits
Align itself with African citizens rather than lifelong rulers
Conclusion
Shafi Shafat’s position is clear: the era of praising authoritarian leadership in Africa must come to an end.
He maintains that the African Union now faces a defining choice, stand with Africa’s people or risk standing permanently on the wrong side of history.
The African Union faces growing backlash after its chairperson praised Uganda’s long-serving president. African youth and activists demand accountability, reform, and democratic leadership.
Growing Calls for AU Chairperson’s Resignation Over Praise of Dictatorship
Growing Calls for AU Chairperson’s Resignation Over Praise of Dictatorship
Shafi Shafat, Dalmar Tv CEO is among the leaders in the African diaspora and independent media voices calling for the resignation of African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, following his public endorsement of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s contested return to power.
The statement has ignited a heated continental debate, with activists, journalists, scholars, and young Africans accusing the African Union of abandoning its democratic mandate and shielding long-serving authoritarian leaders.
At a time when Africa is witnessing a powerful surge in civic awareness—driven by youth movements, digital activism, and calls for accountable governance—many argue that praising a leader whose rule spans nearly four decades sends a dangerous message about the future of democracy on the continent.
Critics say the AU Chairperson’s remarks undermine the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and erode public trust in an institution established to protect constitutional order and human rights.
“This is not a ceremonial mistake; it is a moral failure,” observers argue, warning that such endorsements normalize repression and silence the voices of millions of Africans demanding free elections, term limits, and genuine political reform.
As pressure mounts, calls for Moussa Faki Mahamat’s resignation are growing louder—both within Africa and across the global African diaspora—raising urgent questions about leadership, accountability, and the credibility of the African Union itself.
A pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle early Saturday on East Broad Street in Blacklick. Columbus police are investigating the crash.
Police investigate a fatal pedestrian crash on East Broad Street in the Blacklick area of Columbus.
Pedestrian Killed in East Broad Street Crash in Blacklick | Columbus News
A pedestrian has died following an early-morning traffic crash in the Blacklick area of Columbus, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
Authorities said the incident occurred around 4:37 a.m. Saturday along East Broad Street, just west of Reynolds Crossing Drive. An adult pedestrian was attempting to cross the roadway when they were struck by a black BMW X3 traveling westbound. Police confirmed the vehicle had the right of way and was proceeding through a green traffic signal at the time of the collision.
Emergency responders transported the pedestrian to a nearby hospital for medical care, but the individual later died from their injuries. The driver of the BMW remained at the scene and was not hurt.
The Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information is urged to contact investigators at 614-645-4767. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
