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MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State authorities on Tuesday executed a woman convicted of murdering a 14-year-old girl after the victim’s family chose retributive justice under Islamic law, a rare application of the death penalty against a woman in the semi-autonomous region. Officials said the execution was carried out in Galkacyo, a divided city in central Somalia, after courts found Hodan Mohamud guilty of killing Sabirin Saylaan Abdille, a minor who had been working as a domestic helper. Judges ruled that Sabirin died as…

Ghana Pauses Citizenship Applications to Enhance Accessibility for Diaspora Ghana has announced a temporary pause on citizenship applications for members of the African diaspora, aiming to simplify and make the process more user-friendly for applicants. Since 2016, individuals able to demonstrate African ancestry, particularly descendants of those impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, have been eligible to apply for Ghanaian nationality. This initiative has seen over 1,000 individuals, including notable figures like…

The government declared a polio outbreak Friday after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus in sewage samples taken in Blantyre, the Health and Sanitation Ministry said, marking what officials described as a second wave of the disease in recent years. Health authorities said the detection followed World Health Organization guidelines and prompted immediate activation of emergency response systems, intensified disease surveillance and planning for nationwide vaccination campaigns. The ministry warned the virus…

Trump announces U.S.-India trade deal slashing tariffs to 18%, tied to cuts in Russian oil purchases President Donald Trump said he has agreed to a trade deal with India that will cut U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, in exchange for New Delhi lowering trade barriers, curbing purchases of Russian oil and increasing energy buys from the United States — and potentially Venezuela. In a social media post after a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said the United States would reduce its “reciprocal”…

Barcelona beats Elche 3-1 to stay four points clear in La Liga as Torres and Rashford score Barcelona retained its lead at the top of La Liga with a 3-1 win away to Elche on Saturday night, a result built on early incision from Lamine Yamal and finished off by Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford. The victory lifts Barcelona to 55 points, four ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, which plays Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Yamal opened the scoring early, settling Barcelona into a rhythm that soon produced a flurry of chances.…

Somalia, EU sign €102 million budget-support deal to sustain reforms MOGADISHU — Somalia and the European Union on Friday signed a €102 million ($110 million) financing agreement that provides direct budget support and development funding to help stabilize public finances and keep reforms on track, Somali officials said. The deal, finalized in Mogadishu after high-level talks, signals continued European confidence in the government’s state-building agenda after decades of conflict and institutional collapse. EU officials…

Assessing the Destruction of El-Fasher El-Fasher has been devastated and mostly evacuated following its seizure by the Rapid Support Forces. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently conducted a limited assessment of the city's status. The city was overtaken after months of siege by the RSF. MSF's findings highlight massive destruction and depopulation. The visit marked MSF's first entry since suspending operations in August 2024. A Ghost Town MSF described El-Fasher as resembling a ghost town, with only a few…

Puntland State executes woman for torture-murder of 14-year-old domestic worker in Galkayo GALKAYO, Somalia — Authorities in Somalia’s Puntland State state on Tuesday executed Hodan Mohamud by firing squad after a court convicted her of the prolonged torture and murder of 14-year-old domestic worker Sabirin Saylaan Abdille. The court enforced Qisas — retributive justice under Islamic law — at the request of the victim’s family, who rejected offers of Diyo, or blood compensation. Prosecutors said Abdille, a minor from a poor…

Russian missile and drone strikes hammered Kyiv, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities early Tuesday, injuring at least four people and igniting new fires at energy facilities as a deep freeze gripped the country, officials said. The barrage came on the eve of planned trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates involving envoys from Kyiv, Moscow and Washington on efforts to halt the war. Air raid alerts sounded after midnight in the capital, where night temperatures fell below minus 20 C. Witnesses reported loud explosions as…

Escalating Crisis in Sudan's Kordofan Region The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the deteriorating situation in Sudan's Kordofan region. Recent conflicts have forced over 88,000 individuals to flee, as humanitarian access remains limited. The urgency of the situation demands international attention and aid. Over 88,000 people displaced since late October. Severe restrictions on humanitarian access exacerbate conditions. Critical shortages of food, healthcare, and basic services persist.…