U.S. Airstrikes Force ISIS Leadership Underground in Somalia, AFRICOM Says

US defends increased Somalia airstrikes as ‘critical support’ backing ISIS pressure in Puntland State Thursday, February 5, 2026 The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has defended a rise in airstrikes in Somalia, calling them “critical support” that has helped Somali partner forces weaken ISIS-linked militants and hold strategic ground in the country’s northeast. In a digital press briefing, AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson said the operations are coordinated with Somali forces and designed to deliver…

Namibians Outraged After Journalist Ejected From State House

The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday urged Namibian authorities to protect press freedom after two recent incidents it said reveal a worrying reluctance by officials to face public scrutiny. The CPJ named the expulsion of reporter Jemima Beukes from President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah’s official residence and online threats against journalist Tracy Tafirenyika as examples that threaten Namibia’s reputation for independent journalism. During a photo session outside a Cabinet meeting at State House on Feb. 2, Beukes…

Ghana’s Presidency Investigates Allegations of Cash-for-Scholarship Scams

Investigation Ordered into Alleged Bribery of Foreign Scholarship Recipients In a decisive move to address corruption, President John Mahama has mandated a "full-scale" investigation into allegations that officials are soliciting bribes from recipients of foreign scholarships. This probe has been initiated in response to claims made during a recent radio panel discussion featuring Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, the former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme. Nkansah's revelations raised serious concerns…

5 Nutritionist-Recommended Snacks to Support Weight Loss

The content you've provided fits best into the Healthy Eating format. It discusses dietitian-approved snack choices for weight loss, emphasizing science-informed nutrition, habits, and practical tips for wellness. The article involves specific recommendations, dietary guidelines, and the benefits of healthy eating, aligning perfectly with the focus of this format. By Ali Musa Axadle Wellness Desk – Health & Nutrition Monitoring.

At least 10 injured as Baidoa, Somalia security forces clash with armed group

BAIDOA, Somalia — At least 10 people were wounded after two days of heavy fighting between Southwest state security forces and armed militia groups rocked Baidoa, shuttering businesses, snarling transport and cutting communications in parts of the city, residents and local officials said. The clashes erupted Wednesday and continued into Thursday, beginning as a land dispute before spiraling into broader unrest with political undertones, according to witnesses. Residents reported the use of heavy weapons in several…

Heavy gunfire, mortar explosions hit Baidoa, Somalia for second straight day

BAIDOA, Somalia — Heavy gunfire and mortar blasts rocked Baidoa for a second straight day on Thursday as Southwest State security forces clashed with armed militias in the city, an escalation regional authorities allege is being fueled by the federal government in Mogadishu. Residents and local officials said the fighting has centered around the residence of Hassan Eelay, Somalia’s federal minister for Livestock, Forestry and Range, in a densely populated neighborhood of the interim state capital. Southwest security…

Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Back Somalia’s Unity, Address Regional Challenges

RIYADH — Türkiye and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s one-day visit to the kingdom, rejecting what they called separatist moves and parallel structures that threaten the Horn of Africa nation’s unity. In a statement released Wednesday by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate following Erdogan’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, the leaders stressed their “unwavering support” for the Federal Republic of Somalia and…

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance leader will not seek re-election

John Steenhuisen, the leader of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance since 2019, has stepped aside from the party’s leadership race and will devote his attention to managing a severe foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has drawn heavy criticism of his handling of the crisis, the party and his office said Friday. Steenhuisen — who, according to party sources, also served as agriculture minister — had been expected to run unopposed for another term but withdrew amid internal disputes and lingering controversies that party…

Storm Leonardo slams Spain and Portugal, killing one person

Storm Leonardo unleashed more than 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) of rain in 24 hours across parts of the Iberian Peninsula, killing one person in Portugal, forcing thousands from their homes in southern Spain, shutting schools and canceling trains. In Portugal’s Alentejo region, a man in his 60s died after being swept away as he tried to drive through floodwaters near a dam in the municipality of Serpa, a spokesman for the national civil protection authority said. “A vehicle was found with one occupant, so there is one…

Deadly Assault on Nigerian Villages Claims Dozens of Lives

Tragedy Strikes in Nigeria: Death Toll Surges in Village Attacks In a brutal assault that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, armed attackers raided the villages of Nuku and Woro in Kwara State, resulting in a staggering loss of life. Initial reports estimated at least 35 fatalities; however, human rights organizations later revised this figure to over 170, revealing the grim reality of the violence. Witnesses recounted horrifying scenes, with victims reportedly shot at close range or burned in the flames of their own…