Somalia Nears Completion of Nationwide 10,000-Teacher Recruitment Drive

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Ministry of Education says it is close to completing a long-promised plan to recruit 10,000 teachers nationwide, a push officials say will strengthen the curriculum, expand access to schooling in underserved areas and widen training for both new and current educators. Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir announced the update Sunday, framing the initiative as the backbone of wider reforms to raise quality and bring consistency to the country’s fragmented school system. “We are finalizing…

Hamas says Israeli killing of commander endangers fragile cease-fire

Hamas says Israel’s assassination of a senior commander has imperiled Gaza’s fragile ceasefire, urging U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to abide by the truce terms as rival factions maneuver over the enclave’s future security architecture. The group identified the slain commander as Raed Saed, killed alongside three associates. Thousands of supporters massed in central Gaza City for Saed’s funeral, chanting “Martyrs are dear to God” as coffins draped in green Hamas flags moved through one of the largest public…

Somalia’s Opposition Coalition Announces Major Summit on National Elections

KISMAYO, Somalia — Somalia’s main opposition coalition will fully participate in a high-stakes conference on national elections set for Kismayo, after members of the Somali Salvation Forum met privately in Mogadishu on Wednesday night to discuss the country’s political deadlock and the upcoming Jubaland-led talks. Reliable sources close to the meeting said the coalition agreed to travel to Kismayo on Dec. 17 for the long-planned gathering, which is drawing close scrutiny from both local and national stakeholders. Jubaland…

Somalia launches first climate finance training for banks in Mogadishu

Climate finance training for Somali banks signals shift toward private-sector climate action in Mogadishu MOGADISHU — Somalia’s banking sector took its first coordinated step into climate finance on Sunday, as the National Climate Fund (NCF) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA) convened the country’s inaugural training on how lenders can access, structure, and deploy climate capital. Held in Mogadishu, the workshop introduced senior banking professionals to the global climate finance architecture — the funds, rules and…

Ukraine war accelerates Europe’s shift back to compulsory military service

Europe is bringing back the citizen-soldier. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a growing number of European governments have moved to reintroduce conscription or expand voluntary national service, reversing three decades of reliance on smaller, professional armies. Germany and France are the latest to join the shift, betting that wider training for young adults is the fastest way to rebuild reserves, harden deterrence and prepare for a long era of insecurity. The trend marks a significant recalibration.…

7 “Nutritious” Foods That May Sabotage Your Weight Loss Journey

Based on the content, the best format for the source text is Healthy Eating. The text discusses specific foods that could hinder weight loss, backed by expert opinions related to nutrition, making it informative and practical for readers interested in health and wellness trends. Article Format: Healthy Eating 7 'Healthy' Foods That May Be Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Navigating the landscape of healthy eating can be tricky, especially when certain foods marketed as beneficial may actually hinder your weight loss efforts.…

Somalia hosts inaugural climate finance training for banks in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s push to unlock climate finance moved a step forward Sunday as the National Climate Fund (NCF), in partnership with the Somali Bankers Association (SBA), held the country’s first climate finance training for Somali banks in Mogadishu. The session introduced bank executives and risk, credit, and product teams to the global climate finance architecture — how major international climate funds operate and where opportunities exist for Somalia’s private sector. It also served as a peer forum for…

African Development Bank approves $76 million to boost Somalia’s transport connectivity

AfDB approves $76.37 million in additional financing to boost Somalia’s road corridors, cross-border trade Sunday December 14, 2025 The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved $76.37 million in additional financing for Somalia’s Road Infrastructure Program, strengthening a key segment of the Horn of Africa corridor linking Somalia with Ethiopia and Djibouti and aimed at accelerating regional trade and integration. In a statement issued Thursday, the bank said the program is designed to “stimulate cross-border…

Kim Jong Un confirms North Korean troops cleared landmines for Russia

North Korea has acknowledged deploying troops to Russia’s Kursk region to clear land mines, with leader Kim Jong Un praising an engineering regiment for “mass heroism” during a ceremony in Pyongyang, according to state media. The remarks, carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), mark a rare public admission by Pyongyang about the dangerous frontline duties assigned to its soldiers in Russia as the war in Ukraine nears its fourth year. KCNA said Kim hailed the unit’s return and awarded state honors to fallen soldiers…

Two arrested after shots fired at Sydney’s Bondi Beach

SYDNEY — Two people were taken into custody after reports of gunfire and injuries at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, New South Wales Police said Saturday, as officers urged the public to avoid the area during an ongoing operation. Emergency services said eight people were transported to hospitals following the incident at the popular beachfront in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Authorities did not immediately provide details on the nature of their injuries or whether there were any fatalities. “The police operation is ongoing and we…