Israel’s Recognition of North Western State of Somalia: What Changes and What’s Next for Somalia

Israel recognizes North Western State of Somalia, setting up diplomatic ties and testing Horn of Africa alignments Israel has become the first country to formally recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, a diplomatic breakthrough that immediately raises questions about how the move will be implemented and how Somalia’s federal government will respond. The recognition was announced Friday after a videoconference between North Western State of Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi “Cirro” and Israeli…

Three killed as torrential rains and flash flooding batter California

LOS ANGELES — California braced for further downpours and high winds after a series of powerful Pacific storms drenched the state, unleashing flash floods, mud and debris flows, and prompting emergency declarations from Los Angeles County to the San Francisco Bay Area. Fueled by an atmospheric river known as the Pineapple Express — a plume that channels deep tropical moisture from near Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast — the storms were forecast to drop roughly a month’s worth of rain on parts of the state, according to the…

Lavrov Promotes ‘Ubuntu’ Philosophy for Strengthening Russia-Africa Media Partnerships

Russia's Media Quandary in Africa: A Call for Partnership This article examines the challenges and opportunities faced by Russia in establishing a stronger media presence in Africa, highlighting insights from key figures at the recent Ministerial Conference in Cairo, Egypt. Overview of Lavrov's remarks on media absence Comparison with Chinese media strategies in Africa Calls for improved cooperation between Russian and African media Lavrov's Critique of Media Representation During a plenary session in Cairo,…

Israel’s Netanyahu Recognizes North Western State of Somalia as an Independent State

Israel on Friday formally recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent and sovereign state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, in a move that could reshape diplomacy and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Netanyahu said Israel and North Western State of Somalia signed a joint declaration formalizing the recognition. “Together with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the President of the Republic of North Western State of Somalia, we signed a joint and mutual declaration,” he said in a statement.…

Blast at mosque in Syria’s Homs leaves six dead

HOMS, Syria — A deadly explosion struck the Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque in the predominantly Alawite Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs during Friday prayers, killing six people and wounding 21, Syria’s Interior Ministry said Friday. “A terrorist explosion targeted the Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque during Friday prayers in Al-Khadri Street in the Wadi al-Dahab neighbourhood of Homs,” the ministry said in a statement carried by state media, adding that six people were killed and 21 others wounded. Syria’s state news agency, SANA,…

Vote Count Underway in Mogadishu After First Direct Elections in 50 Years

Somalia begins counting votes after Mogadishu’s landmark one-person, one-vote poll Mogadishu — Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Thursday night said ballot counting is underway after polls closed across the capital for the Banadir Regional Council elections, the city’s first one-person, one-vote ballot in more than five decades. Commission Chairperson Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan told national media that voting ran from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time and proceeded calmly and in an orderly manner…

Israel condemns countries denouncing new West Bank settlements as immoral

Israel has condemned a joint statement by 14 countries — including Ireland, France and Britain — that denounced its approval of new settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal under international law, with senior officials calling the criticism discriminatory and vowing to press ahead. “Foreign governments will not restrict the right of Jews to live in the land of Israel, and any such call is morally wrong and discriminatory against Jews,” Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said. “The cabinet decision to establish…

Israel says it assassinated Iranian Quds Force member in Lebanon

Israel says its forces have killed a member of Iran’s Quds Force in Lebanon, identifying the man as Hussein Mahmoud Marshad al-Jawhari and alleging he helped plan attacks from Syria and Lebanon. In a statement, the Israeli military described al-Jawhari as a key operative in the Quds Force’s Unit 840 and said he “operated under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)” in terrorist activities directed by Iran against Israel and its security forces. The military said he was killed in the area of Ansariyeh, without…

The 5 Worst Quality Burgers from Popular Fast Food Chains

Based on the content of the source text, the appropriate format is: Healthy Eating The text discusses the nutritional quality of hamburgers from various fast-food chains, critiques the ingredients, and provides expert opinions on which burgers are the least healthy. This aligns closely with the focus on evidence-based nutrition and practical tips regarding eating habits. The article can be structured as follows while adhering to the specified formatting guidelines: 5 Low-Quality Burgers at Popular Chain Restaurants While…

Arab Parliament praises Somalia’s first direct elections in decades as historic milestone

MOGADISHU — The Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi, has welcomed the direct elections for the Banadir Regional Council, calling the vote a historic milestone and the first of its kind in Somalia since 1969. In a statement issued Thursday, Al-Yamahi said the Mogadishu ballot represents a significant step in Somalia’s state-building process, strengthening democratic governance and citizenship while widening public participation in decision-making. He said the direct elections are expected to deliver…