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On Turkey’s Victory Day, new Somali officers step forward in Ankara Under a late-summer sky in Ankara, the brass of military bands mingled with the steady tap of parade boots and the low murmur of families craning for a better view. On a day when Turkey commemorates its hard-won independence, a new class of officers—including a cohort from Somalia—crossed the stage at the National Defence University’s War College to collect their diplomas. Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Somalia’s ambassador to Turkey,…

Somalia and Djibouti’s Quiet Pact Signals a Louder Message for the Horn of Africa MOGADISHU — In a capital accustomed to headlines about conflict and crisis, a quieter story unfolded this weekend: Somalia and Djibouti signed a memorandum of understanding to hold regular political consultations. On paper, it’s simple—two neighbors pledging to talk more, and to make that dialogue routine rather than reactive. In the Horn of Africa, that modest promise can carry real weight. The agreement, inked in Mogadishu by Somalia’s…

Fueling Your Wellness Journey: The Art of Crafting Fat-Burning Smoothies Smoothies can either boost your health goals or derail them, depending on how they are prepared. The right selection of ingredients can make a world of difference in promoting weight management, enhancing energy levels, and keeping you satisfied. Here's how to whip up smoothies that do more than just taste good—they support your wellness journey. Start with Protein: The Building Block When designing a smoothie, the foundation should always be protein.…

The Surprising Benefits of Ditching Your Coffee Creamer Coffee has become a daily ritual for many, a comforting hug in a mug that helps us tackle early mornings and long days. But what if that creamy indulgence, which adds a pleasant sweetness, could be holding you back from feeling your best? For those who have grown dependent on coffee creamers, especially those filled with refined sugars and artificial additives, the transition to a cream-free cup can be transformative. Let’s explore the real-world experiences of…

Somalia and Egypt Edge Closer on Defense — With the Nile Dispute in the Background MOGADISHU — Around a long wooden table inside Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, a quiet but consequential conversation unfolded this week. Somalia’s deputy defense minister and senior generals received Egypt’s defense attaché, Col. Ahmed Fathi Abdelsatar Al-Husseini, to discuss tighter military cooperation: more joint training, deeper coordination, and, according to Somali officials, a possible Egyptian role within the African Union’s security…

Heavy Airstrikes Hit Al-Shabaab on Galgadud–Middle Shabelle Frontier, Casualties Unclear Powerful airstrikes pounded suspected Al-Shabaab positions late Friday along the border between Somalia’s Galgadud and Middle Shabelle regions, flattening militant compounds and sending shockwaves across nearby villages, according to residents who described a night lit by flashes and thunderous detonations. There was no immediate word on casualties, and Somali authorities had not issued a statement by early Saturday. What happened The…

Gaza City Braces for a New Offensive — and a New Test for the West On a sweltering August night in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, a blast ripped through the darkness and left seven Israeli soldiers wounded, the Israel Defense Forces said. The army rejected reports from Arab media that Hamas had tried to abduct soldiers in the chaos, but the exchange underscored what everyone here already knows: the next phase of this war is moving fast, and it is moving toward the heart of Gaza. Israel declared Gaza City a “dangerous…

Somalia and Djibouti set up regular political talks amid shifting Horn of Africa landscape Somalia and Djibouti signed a memorandum of understanding in Mogadishu on Saturday that creates a new, formal channel for routine political consultations between the two neighbors—an understated but potentially important move in a region where quiet diplomacy often does the heavy lifting. The agreement was inked by Somalia’s foreign minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, and Djibouti’s foreign minister, Ambassador Abdulqadir Hussein Omar,…

Morocco edges Madagascar 3-2 to clinch CHAN 2024 crown in Kasarani thriller Morocco became champions of Africa’s home-based talent once again, outlasting Madagascar 3-2 in a breathless African Nations Championship (CHAN) final at Kasarani Stadium on August 30. In a match that swung like a metronome, the Atlas Lions twice surrendered a lead before Oussama Lamlioui’s late strike handed them their third CHAN title and a new piece of African football history. A final that swung like a pendulum The night began with a dart of…

Somalia’s new Northeast State tests fragile federalism as favored candidates win amid interference claims In the sunbaked streets of Las Anod, the epicenter of a year of upheaval on Somalia’s northern rim, lawmakers this weekend chose a president and vice president for a new political entity they call the Northeast State. The result — a victory for Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known widely as Firdhiye, and his running mate Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril — was greeted in Mogadishu as a milestone for state-building. It was also met with…