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10:19 pm, Jul 2, 2025
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At least three dead after AU helicopter crashes at airport in Somalia 

A helicopter used by an African Union peacekeeping mission has crashed at the international airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least three people, authorities said.

The incident occurred at Aden Adde airport on Wednesday as the helicopter was trying to land, according to Artan Mohamed, the head of the immigration office at the airport.

The helicopter, which belonged to the Ugandan Air Force but was being operated by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), had taken off from Baledogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region with eight people on board, he said.

The fate of the remaining five people on board has yet to be determined, said a Ugandan military spokesperson.

Witnesses described the helicopter plummeting to the ground and exploding, causing a fire.

Abdirahim Ali, who lives nearby, said he saw “a huge explosion and smoke everywhere” while aviation officer Omar Farah told The Associated Press news agency that he “saw the helicopter spinning and then it fell very fast”.

Minor delays were reported at the airport, but the director-general of the country’s civil aviation authority said that flights had resumed.

“The situation is under control. The runway is clear and fully operational – flights can land and take off as usual,” Ahmed Macalin Hassan noted.

The AUSSOM mission has more than 11,000 personnel in Somalia from countries including Uganda and Kenya.

They are helping the Somali military to counter the armed group al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate that wants to topple the country’s government and establish its own rule.

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This week, the Somali army killed a prominent leader from the group in the Middle Shabelle region, state media reported.

Quoting military sources, the Somali National News Agency said the leader was targeted during an operation in the Dar Nama’a area.

 

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Big Wins, Bold Debuts: Rock City United and Helenites SC Shake Up USVI Soccer Weekend

Rock City United made a commanding entrance into the USVI Women’s Premier League this past Sunday, leading a full day of competitive matchups that also saw New Vibes SC battle LRVI FC on St. Thomas and Helenites SC face off against longtime rivals Rovers SC on St. Croix.
Rock City United Makes Explosive First Showing in USVI Women’s Premier League
After a last-minute scheduling shift, Rock City United wasted no time making their presence known in the Women’s Premier League this past Sunday. The all-female St. Thomas club stepped up to face Castaways SC in a statement match that ended in a dominant 6-0 victory for Rock City United.
The scoring opened early and fast, with Kathryn Turner finding the back of the net in just the 6th minute. Two minutes later, Lily McMenamin added another, setting the tone for a relentless first half. Captain Magen Freeman secured the third goal in the 15th minute, and Veronica Williamson continued the offensive streak with a fourth in the 21st.
By halftime, Rock City United was already in full control. Katie Schwann added a fifth goal in the 37th minute, followed by a sixth from Turner just one minute later — bookending the match with goals that showcased the team’s cohesion and firepower. Goalkeeper Tressa Aughburns secured a clean sheet and sealed the shutout to continue the team’s undefeated season.
This was more than just a win — it was an introduction. As a club fully dedicated to the development and elevation of female athletes in the USVI, Rock City United understood the pressure to perform and rose to the occasion.
New Vibes SC Outscores LRVI FC in Physical Men’s Matchup
Following the women’s showdown, the action continued on St. Thomas as New Vibes SC took on LRVI FC in a hard-fought men’s match. Unfortunately for LRVI, both their men’s and women’s teams walked away winless on Sunday after New Vibes SC claimed a 4-2 victory.
Naqwan Henry got New Vibes on the board early, scoring in the 14th minute to set the tone. Tensions ran high throughout the first half, with both teams picking up three yellow cards each. Henry and his teammate Jordan Atemazem were both cautioned, while LRVI’s Richard Lavorato and captain Axel Bartsch also found themselves in the referee’s book.
Bartsch quickly followed up his booking with a goal in the 43rd minute, leveling the match 1-1 before the halftime whistle.
Momentum shifted in the second half, and New Vibes took full advantage. Leonardo Regala and Senat Kenson struck back-to-back goals that gave New Vibes a 3-1 edge and left LRVI scrambling. A flurry of substitutions between the 75th and 85th minutes ended with New Vibes’ Anthony Bassaragh scoring in the 86th, widening the gap to 4-1. Skyler Hackett managed to claw one back for LRVI a few minutes later, but the damage was done. The match ended 4-2 in favor of New Vibes.
It was a tough day on the pitch for LRVI but an exciting show of depth and strength from New Vibes SC.
Helenites Edge Out Rovers in St. Croix Rivalry Match
Meanwhile, St. Croix fans witnessed a gritty showdown between two of the league’s top contenders — Rovers SC and Helenites SC. With last season’s dominance still fresh in Rovers’ reputation, this was one of the most anticipated matchups of the Premier League, and it did not disappoint.
Both teams came out aggressively, racking up three yellow cards each in the first half as the intensity boiled over. Helenites’ McKean St. Croix finally broke through, scoring the lone goal of the match in the 42nd minute. That strike proved to be the difference-maker, giving Helenites a narrow 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Rovers’ defense doubled down in the second half, refusing to concede another goal, and Helenites’ back line matched their energy. In the end, no second-half goals were scored, and the early effort by St. Croix stood as the match-winner.
Helenites’ statement victory has doubtless fueled this fiery rivalry as both teams and their fans eagerly anticipate their next matchup, scheduled for August.
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