Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and a stalwart of the nation’s opposition politics, has died at the age of 80. He passed away on the morning of October 15, 2025, from cardiac arrest while receiving treatment at an Ayurvedic hospital in Kochi, Kerala, India.

The cardiac arrest occurred during a morning walk on the hospital campus, and despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after 9am local time.

His death was confirmed by his family, including his brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who described the loss as profound. The family issued a statement asking the public to respect their privacy during this period of mourning.

Raila Odinga served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and was one of the country’s most influential political figures.

He played a pivotal role in Kenya’s democratic reforms, particularly during the 1990s when he championed multiparty democracy, and remained a defining voice in opposition politics for decades.

Odinga had traveled to India in recent weeks for medical treatment after health concerns had made headlines earlier this month.

His family and party had previously dismissed circulating rumors about his condition, describing him as being in stable health.

The news of his passing has sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond. Leaders, citizens, and organizations have expressed condolences, recognizing his enduring contributions to Kenya’s political landscape.

Raila Odinga’s political party, Azimio la Umoja, which he led, has been instrumental in shaping opposition politics, addressing issues such as the rising cost of living and governance reforms.

His death comes as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, raising questions about the future leadership of the opposition and the potential power shifts in Kenyan politics.

Odinga’s career was marked by both triumphs and controversies. He first assumed the role of Prime Minister in 2008 following a disputed presidential election and a subsequent power-sharing agreement with then-President Mwai Kibaki.

Despite multiple unsuccessful presidential bids, including in 2007 and 2013, he remained a symbol of democratic struggle and a voice for marginalized communities.

In 2018, Odinga made headlines for the historic “handshake” with President Uhuru Kenyatta, leading to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a program aimed at fostering national unity and addressing electoral and resource distribution challenges.

While often criticized for his confrontational style, Odinga’s resilience and ability to unite diverse communities earned him the affectionate title of “the people’s president” among supporters.

Raila Odinga is survived by his wife, Ida Odinga, and their children. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

His death marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics, leaving a legacy that will continue to influence the nation’s democratic and social landscape for years to come.

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Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Brussels as part of a national strike over government reforms and spending cuts that has brought flights to a halt and severely disrupted public transport.

Belgium’s three big unions are protesting over pensions and other measures by Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s centre-right government aimed at cutting the budget deficit.

There were no services at Belgium’s second biggest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport.

Although trains were running, most buses, trams and underground trains in the capital ground to a halt.

Shipping at Europe’s second biggest port Antwerp was suspended until Wednesday because of understaffing, and more than 100 ships waited in the North Sea for permission to dock at three ports, according to Belgium’s MDK maritime and coastal services.

Belgium has been hit by several strikes since Flemish nationalist Bart de Wever came to office last February.

By midday, police said 80,0000 protesters had joined the demonstration in the Belgian capital.

Public sector workers were protesting against austerity measures and a government increasingly perceived as leaning right.

They wound through the streets of central Brussels, many wearing the red or green colours of the main unions.

A key issue for the unions is the government’s plan to increase the number of days Belgians work per year before they can receive their pensions, as well as the end of special schemes for several sectors including military and railway workers.

De Wever’s government has also announced measures including a maximum two-year limit on claiming unemployment benefit. Further cuts are planned for next year’s budget, and some proposals such as reducing child benefit or raising VAT have already been floated.

“It’s about time we came together,” said Anaïs, 29. “It’s always the same part of the population that has to tighten their belts.”

Holding a placard showing the number 67 with a red line through it, she objected to the pension age going up: “65 is enough. 67 is too late. We are asked to work more, to work longer hours. It’s not fair.”

The rise in pension age was adopted 10 years ago, well before De Wever’s government came to office, but it remains deeply unpopular and the government is aiming to ringfence it and make it more expensive to retire earlier.

Thierry Bodson of the ABVV union told demonstrators that “the fight against the De Wever government is not just the fight of a day or a year – it’s for a whole generation”, Belga news agency reported.

“We need to fight for our rights,” said mother-of-two Vanessa, who had travelled from Charleroi.

“I’m worried about the measures that will be taken. What sort of future will my children have?” she told the BBC.

It is not just the federal government under pressure to cut spending. Belgium’s complex multi-level governance means regional authorities are also imposing austerity measures.

The ruling coalition in Belgium’s largely French-speaking Walloon region has announced that teachers in the higher tiers of secondary schools will have to work an extra two hours per week.

Many of them joined the protests today.

“Nothing is clear, and it’s really worrying, but if higher-level teachers have to work more, many jobs will be cut,” said Sandrine, 48, who works in education.

Although the protests were largely peaceful, there were several incidents of vandalism and arson early in the morning and some people in masks clashed with police later on.

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United States President, Donald Trump, has reflected on his recent diplomatic gains in the Middle East, joking about his chances of making heaven after brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The two-year war in Gaza came to a grinding halt following the agreement, leading to the release of hostages from both sides and long-awaited reunions for families.

It was reports that Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to end global wars, has been widely praised for his role in the truce.

Speaking in August, Trump had said he believed his efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war could secure him a place in the afterlife.

He said, “I want to try to get to heaven, if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”

However, on Monday, while en route to Israel to oversee the handover of the first Israeli hostages, Trump laughed off the suggestion that the Gaza breakthrough could earn him a spot in eternity.

“I’m being a little cute, I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven. I think I’m maybe not heaven-bound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people,” he quipped.

The US president also repeated his claim that the war in Ukraine could have been avoided if not for the 2020 election outcome.

“I knew Putin very well, I was the apple of his eye. All the things that I’ve said never would have happened,” Trump insisted, maintaining that Russia’s invasion would have been prevented.

Trump recently met Russian President, Vladimir Putin in Alaska for the first time since their 2018 Helsinki summit.

The high-level talks, which raised hopes of ending the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict, ended without an agreement, dimming expectations of an immediate breakthrough.

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