Somalia

 Aspiring Alexandria School Board member, Abdullahi Abdalla, campaigns under the vast city skyline hoping to secure his inaugural term. Abdalla champions his cause with a fervent focus on championing educators, safeguarding students, and fostering robust community ties. CREDIT/ SUPPLIED Mogadishu (AX) — Abdullahi Abdalla, a key player on the School Board Budget Advisory Committee, is vying for a seat on the Alexandria School Board. His campaign swings heavily towards empowering teachers, invigorating community…

 The Somali administration has greenlit a federal budget of $1.34 billion for 2025. This represents a hefty 24.4% uptick from last year’s allocation of $1.079 billion. This financial boost stems from an uptick in local earnings and the need to tackle ongoing expenses, with homegrown revenue expected to hit $429.4 million, up 24% from $346.2 million in 2024.Taking a gander at the 2025 budgets of East African Community (EAC) nations:Kenya: $31.9 billion (up by 3.1% from 2024/25) Uganda: $19.61 billion (a whopping 36% increase)…

In a notable breach of security, Israeli officials disclosed that a drone launched from Lebanon targeted the residence of Netanyahu in Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv. Fortunately, neither Netanyahu nor his family were at home during the attack, and there were no reported injuries, per Israeli sources. Reacting swiftly, the Israeli military upped the ante with intensified air raids on Gaza, zooming in on areas like hospitals and refugee camps in the north. As Gaza's health officials disclosed, at least 44 Palestinians met their…

On October 17, 2024, a guest sampled bamboo products at a summit in Brussels focused on the green industry arena. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) A collaborative gathering on eco-friendly industry connections among China, the EU, and Africa revealed fresh chances for techno-synergy and sustainable innovation, spotlighting bamboo as a planet-friendly swap for plastic. The event, orchestrated by the Chinese Mission to the EU alongside the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization, was all about charging forward together in the quest…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A fierce storm is brewing in Somalia's delicate democracy, fueled by the discord over proposed changes to the constitution. These changes are spearheaded by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who stands firm despite a brewing political tempest. Hassan Sheikh envisions a shift to elections by universal suffrage, moving away from the elder-dominated political approach. For thirty years, Somalia has operated under this indirect system amid persistent turmoil. Amidst fierce constitutional debate on…

Hargeisa (AX) - In an assertive move, North Western State of Somalia's President Muse Bihi Abdi has laid down a firm rule banning the use of public assets, government workers, and military forces in the run-up to the November 13 presidential election.Announced late Friday, the directive calls on government execs to ensure political organizations receive a fair shot at utilizing governmental resources and accessing the media during election season.The spotlight now turns to the Minister of Information, Awareness, and Culture,…

In the bustling city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, key events unfolded on Wednesday as Dr. Essa Kayd, North Western State of Somalia's Foreign Minister, made a daring move by initiating the construction of what they claim will be the budding nation's new diplomatic outpost. This symbolic land donation by Ethiopia signals a burgeoning alliance between the two nations, although it might stir up tension across the already volatile Horn of Africa. For North Western State of Somalia, the inauguration was met with jubilation, while…

Mogadishu (AX) — For many years, Somalia has been caught in a storm of turmoil, poverty, and uprooting that's left the nation's mental health in shambles. This dire situation has largely been ignored, as highlighted by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). "Women and kids are really taking the hardest hit," they noted in a recent report, pointing to the intensifying mental stress blanketing these already strained communities. From the start of 2024 to September, MSF's dedicated mental health squads have…

In any nation embracing a federal structure, splitting power among branches isn't just a formality—it's the backbone of savvy governance. Each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—operates in isolation, with its own unique responsibilities. This division stops any one branch from hogging all that tasty authority and encourages checks and balances, which keeps everyone accountable. In a federal institution like Somalia, where regional bodies hold serious sway, a clear-cut division of power is critical for maintaining…

Ali Abdullahi Osoble, the former head honcho of Hirshabelle, voiced serious concerns during a chat with Ha Noolaato TV. He thinks it's high time to bid farewell to Hirshabelle, pointing to the bubbling tensions. Credit: Ha Noolaato TVBeledweyne (AX) — The ex-top dog of Hirshabelle, Ali Abdullahi Osoble, has urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to wave goodbye to the Hirshabelle region's administration."Folks in Hiiraan have given Hirshabelle the cold shoulder, and as its initial leader, I can assure you it's biting the…