Sports

Strengthening Maritime Ties: Turkey and Somalia’s Emerging Partnership Ankara (AX) — In a significant development for international relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, this past Thursday in Ankara. According to reliable Turkish diplomatic sources, this closed-door meeting has sparked interest, although the details remain somewhat elusive. Why are such meetings important? They signify not just political alliances, but also a…

Intensifying the Fight Against Al-Shabab: A New Chapter for Somalia In the current climate of unrest, the Somali government has taken decisive steps to confront the entrenched threats posed by the al-Qaida-linked group, al-Shabab. Recently, they reported a significant operation that eliminated 18 militants, effectively neutralizing two combat vehicles intended for their escape. This was not merely an operation; it symbolized renewed hope, determination, and a strategic step forward in a long-standing conflict. Describing…

A Water Crisis Unfolding: The Struggles of Families in Banderbeyla Picture a mother, exhausted and worn, perched outside her makeshift home, surrounded by empty water containers. This is the reality faced by many families in coastal Banderbeyla, located in Northeastern State’s Bari region. They are grappling with a dire water crisis that forces them to resort to drinking contaminated, salty water. It's a heartbreaking situation that leaves children and the elderly vulnerable to illness. As the town’s sole borehole system…

Image source Somalia has reached a remarkable epoch in its economic narrative. On December 13, 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank confirmed that Somalia had reached the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point. This milestone facilitated a dramatic reduction of external debt, from a staggering 64 percent of GDP in 2018 to below 6 percent by the end of 2023—an accomplishment that translates to an impressive $4.5 billion in debt relief. The momentum didn't stop there. In early 2024,…

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened a high-level expert stakeholder meeting in Nairobi to validate the End-Term Review Report of its Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP) 2016–2020. This event marks a pivotal moment in IGAD's commitment to combatting food insecurity, particularly in the Horn of Africa, and sets the stage for a new strategic approach towards regional agri-food systems investment. This validation is more than a procedural step; it is the foundation for the forthcoming…

Somalia's New Identification Mandate: A Step Toward Unity or Controversy? Mogadishu (AX) — In a bold move aimed at streamlining public services, Somalia's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has mandated that all of its services will now require the presentation of a National Identification Card. This requirement is a product of the Prime Ministerial Directive XRW/415/04/2025, which aims to enhance nationwide identity verification through a unified system. The Cabinet endorsed this decision during its…

Knife Attack in Eyl: District Commissioner's Serious Injury Garowe (AX) — In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of concern through the local community, Faysal Khaliif Wacays, the district commissioner of Eyl in the Nugaal region, suffered severe injuries in a knife attack on Saturday. The alleged perpetrator is reported to be a prominent local youth leader, which adds a layer of complexity to this unfortunate event. Details are still emerging, but sources indicate that at the time of the attack, the commissioner…

In a troubling development that raises serious humanitarian concerns, at least 37 Ethiopian men currently face the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offenses. This alarming situation has been spotlighted in a joint statement released by a coalition of 31 civil society and human rights organizations. They have expressed trepidation over what they describe as an “imminent risk” of execution for countless foreign nationals within the Kingdom. On June 17, 2025, the organizations declared they are “gravely fearful…

Kenya's 2025 Finance Law: A Complex Balancing Act On Thursday, Kenya's parliament took a significant step by voting in favor of this year's proposed finance law. This decision, echoing the echoes of past turmoil, reflects both cautious optimism and a commitment to safeguarding the privacy of taxpayers. The crux of the debate is not solely about numbers and fiscal policies; it's a matter of trust and transparency. Lawmakers strongly denied the Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) request for unrestricted access to personal…

Xabi Alonso's Alarming Start at Real Madrid Xabi Alonso’s much-anticipated debut as head coach of Real Madrid was met with a mixture of optimism and unforeseen challenges. In a gripping match held at the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, the Spanish giants found themselves in a 1-1 stalemate against Saudi Arabia’s formidable Al Hilal in the Club World Cup. While every new manager hopes for a triumph to kick off their reign, the road to victory proved to be far more complicated than Alonso might have…