- Morbidelli fastest in first Indonesia MotoGP practice
- China cuts amount banks hold in reserve to boost lending
- Hong Kong, Shanghai extend surge as China optimism boosts markets
- Hardline French interior boss stirs controversy just days into job
- Israel defies ceasefire calls ahead of Netanyahu UN address
- France rugby superstar Dupont checks out NFL's Chargers on LA 'vacation'
- Pope to meet sexual abuse victims in Belgium visit
- Gaza war resonates but has global diplomacy shifted one year on?
- Yankees down Orioles to claim 21st division title
- Vietnam president reiterates support for Cuba during official visit
- Madrid return to scene of last defeat for Atletico derby clash
- 'Dangerous' duo Wirtz and Musiala highlight Bayern-Leverkusen showdown
- Springboks rally behind under-fire Libbok before title decider
- Ailing New Zealand butterfly collector gives away life's work
- Mexico's new president takes reins of shaky economy
- 'Misinformation megaphone': Musk stokes tension before US election
- Australia eye strong start in bid to topple All Blacks
- Plan to overturn commercial whaling moratorium sinks in Peru
- Man City must solve Rodri riddle, Ten Hag vexed by Man Utd miscues
- Ricciardo thanks fans for 'wild' ride after RB axing
- US regulator urges safety checks on some Boeing 737 rudders
- Scheffler-Kim spat spices 5-0 US rout to open Presidents Cup
- 'I need to go': Floridians make final preparations for Hurricane Helene
- Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan accused of sexual assault
- Japan ruling party votes for next PM
- Macron, Trudeau pledge common front on economy, language
- Harris slams Ukraine 'surrender' policy with Trump confirming Zelensky meet
- Drought reduces Amazon River in Colombia by as much as 90%: report
- Athletics pay emotional farewell to Oakland in last home game before move
- Stay or go? Pacific Islanders face climate's grim choice
- Americans sweep four-balls to grab 5-0 lead at Presidents Cup
- Armenian PM says peace with Azerbaijan 'within reach'
- Israel defies ceasefire calls and vows to keep battling Hezbollah
- 'Stir crazy' McKeown breaks 100m backstroke short-course world record
- Ten-man Spurs cruise in Europa League opener despite Son injury scare
- Iran shows 'willingness' to re-engage on nuclear issue: IAEA chief to AFP
- Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan accused of sexual asault
- Harris slams Ukraine 'surrender' policy as Zelensky visits White House
- Florida bracing for 'unsurvivable' Hurricane Helene
- Teenager seeking to halt Ohtani 50-50 ball auction
- Poverty rises to over 52 percent in Milei's Argentina
- Packers clash awaits for 'late developer' Darnold
- Israel pours cold water on US-backed call for ceasefire with Hezbollah
- US, allies urge pressure on Venezuela's Maduro after disputed vote
- Zelensky meets Biden after US unveils Ukraine military aid surge
- Chloe's see-through look may not be for Kamala Harris
- Champagne houses abuzz over English sparkling wine
- Eric Adams, New York's criminally charged mayor of 'swagger'
- Ten Hag says lack of goals Manchester United's biggest problem
- Macron, Trudeau pledge to work for 'decarbonized' economies
Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan accused of sexual assault
Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan, whose megahit "Wavin' Flag" became an anthem for the 2010 soccer World Cup, was charged Thursday with sexual assault in Quebec City, according to local media.
The 47-year-old rapper, whose real name is Keinan Abdi Warsame, is accused of having sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in a hotel room in July 2010 when he was in the Canadian city for a music festival.
The alleged victim had filed a complaint with police in May 2022.
His lawyers in court Thursday entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. He was reportedly not present.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for April 2025.
Born in 1978 in Mogadishu, the rapper who fled the war-wracked Horn of Africa country at the age of 13 grew up in Toronto, turning to rap to learn English, but now lives in the US city of New York.
His criticism of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 1999 brought him to the attention of Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour, who invited him to contribute to an album, effectively launching his musical career.
An anthem about Somalia overcoming its struggles, "Wavin' Flag" was released in 2009 on K'naan's album "Troubadour."
It was remade as a charity single following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, featuring a variety of Canadian singers, including Justin Bieber and Drake.
Coca-Cola used a more celebratory version of the song throughout the 2010 World Cup, hosted by South Africa.
K'naan took an extended break after his album "Troubadour," but returned in 2023 with new music that earned him a special merit award for best song for social change from the Recording Academy.
He also made his directorial debut with "Mother Mother" at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.
This week, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada gave K'naan an award for the lasting cultural impact of "Wavin' Flag" around the world.
N.Fournier--BTB