Turkish President Erdogan to Participate in Send-off Ceremony for Vessel Commencing Oil and Gas Exploration Near Somalia

Here's a snapshot of Türkiye's seismic research vessel, Oruç Reis, cruising through Türkiye on October 3, 2024. (AA Photo) Mogadishu (AX) – A grand send-off awaits Turkey’s cutting-edge Oruc Reis research ship this Saturday in Istanbul. Alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, key officials from Somalia will grace the farewell event. The Oruc Reis is embarking on a mission to explore seabeds off Somalia's shores, searching for hidden oil and gas. Somalia's Petroleum Minister, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed, Somali…

UN Decries Civilian Impact in Lebanon as ‘Completely Unacceptable’

Israel has announced that it carried out strikes targeting the intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in Lebanon, evaluating the aftermath of these assaults after a series of actions aimed at high-ranking members of the group. Iran's Supreme Leader condemned these operations, calling them counterproductive. The air raid on Beirut formed part of a broader offensive that has displaced over 1.2 million people within Lebanon. Reports indicate that the attack focused on a potential successor to the Hezbollah leader, who was…

Turkish Oil Exploration Ship Set to Arrive Along Somalia’s Coastline

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Anticipation builds as the Turkish ship Oruc Reis heads to Somalia soon, kicking off vital oil exploration along the 3,333 kilometers of coastline, officials relay. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar mentioned the vessel's weekend departure after securing necessary approvals for this East African mission. During an October 2 conference in Ankara, the minister revealed the deployment. Turkey, a significant player in Somalia's security and development, aims to aid the nation grappling with…

Rivalry Escalates Between Nigeria’s Music Legends Wizkid and Davido

Renowned musician Ayodeji Balogun, more famously known as Wizkid, has recently set his sights on fellow artist David Adeleke, or as many call him, Davido, igniting yet another round of verbal sparring across social media platforms. There's been talk that Wizkid intended to drop the inaugural track from his eagerly awaited album, "Morayo," on the same day Davido teased his first single for the upcoming 2024 calendar. In a bold move, Wizkid took to his X account, unleashing a stinging critique against Davido. He described…

Kenya Welcomes Global Travel Expo to Boost Tourist Arrivals

On a bustling Wednesday, Kenyan President William Ruto presided over the launch of a global travel exposition in Nairobi. His goal? To amplify tourist numbers by spreading marketing wings into untapped, fresh markets.Amidst this splendid event, visitors admired the breathtaking views from a vantage point overlooking Kenya’s legendary Great Rift Valley in Kiambu County, captured in a photo on September 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu)During this vibrant gathering, President Ruto reiterated his vision for diversifying Kenya's allure…

Tragedy Strikes: Fatalities Reported After Boat Capsizes in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Tragically, at least 78 individuals have lost their lives, with many more unaccounted for, following a boat capsizing incident on Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This calamity unfolded as a heavily overloaded vessel, packed with over 300 passengers, approached the shoreline of Goma after departing from the town of Minova in South Kivu. Unfortunately, this incident is just one of many that have occurred on Lake Kivu. Earlier this year, specifically in February 2024, another boat tragedy struck near Bahimba,…

The Himilo Qaran Party calls on leaders to steer clear of extending terms while the NCC meeting is underway.

Mogadishu (AX) – Somalia's Himilo Qaran party is sending out a clarion call to the country's leaders: steer clear of political maneuvers that could deepen the ongoing turmoil, especially when it comes to extending governmental terms.Helmed by former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the opposition faction laid out a seven-point statement this Thursday during a gathering in Mogadishu. This declaration emerges as the National Consultative Council (NCC) continues its powwow with top brass from federal and regional…

Chimamanda Adichie of Nigeria Makes a Comeback with Her First Novel in Ten Years

The celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced her forthcoming novel, titled *Dream Count*. This captivating tale follows Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer grappling with the complexities of life in the United States. Readers can mark their calendars for the official release on March 4, 2025. Adichie is not a stranger to literary acclaim. Her debut novel, *Purple Hibiscus*, earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Following that success, *Half of a Yellow Sun* garnered the Orange Prize…

Somalia’s Foreign Minister Accuses Ethiopia of Exploiting Counterterrorism Efforts to Seize Somali Land

Mogadishu (AX) – Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, sounded a sharp critique, pointing fingers at the Ethiopian government. He claimed they are masking a land grab under the guise of fighting terrorism. At a United Nations Security Council gathering on Friday, Fiqi revealed that Somali authorities had thwarted attempts of Ethiopian-origin arms sneaking into Somalia. They believed these weapons were meant to stir the local pot, which he labeled as a "shameless breach" of…

Thousands in North Carolina Left Without Water Days After Helene’s Devastation

A staggering number of North Carolina inhabitants found themselves grappling with the absence of running water—an unfortunate impact of Hurricane Helene, which unleashed its fury on Florida and subsequently carved a path of devastation across the southeastern USA. Tragically, this calamity has claimed the lives of more than 180 individuals. The storm's relentless rains led to catastrophic flooding in the western region of the state, ripping apart water lines, crippling water treatment facilities, and causing widespread…