A fragile pause, a political gamble: what the new Gaza ceasefire really means Israel’s cabinet has approved a deal that, if implemented, would halt fighting in Gaza within 24 hours and set in motion the release of hostages held by Hamas over the last two years. For U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped shepherd the talks, it is a diplomatic trophy he says he will celebrate in person. For families who have spent nights in Hostages Square and displaced Palestinians sheltering under tarpaulin, it is a moment of raw,…

French prime minister resigns hours after naming new cabinet, deepening political turmoil What happened France's newly appointed prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, abruptly resigned on Thursday morning just hours after unveiling his cabinet, throwing President Emmanuel Macron's government into fresh and immediate uncertainty. The Élysée confirmed the move in a brief statement: "Mr Sébastien Lecornu has submitted the resignation of his Government to the President of the Republic, who has accepted it." Lecornu, a close ally…

Strengthening Somalia: Defense Partnerships Pave New Paths In a noteworthy development, Somalia is forging forward with strategic defense agreements that promise to reshape its national security landscape. During a critical meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Somalia's cabinet approved several international defense agreements aimed at bolstering the country's armed forces. Forging Global Partnerships The spotlight of this diplomatic maneuvering falls on the newly signed memorandums of understanding…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a noteworthy move, the Somali Council of Ministers has appointed Dr. Abdisalam Abdirahman Mohamed as the Director General of the Somali National Bureau of Statistics. The decision was made during their regular weekly rendezvous in Mogadishu last Thursday. At this meeting, the Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development threw their weight behind Dr. Abdisalam’s nomination, aiming to supercharge the nation's prowess in number-crunching and data analysis. Minister of Planning Mahmoud…

U.S. House Speaker Johnson Applauds Trump's Unconventional Cabinet Choices for Shifting Washington's Gear WASHINGTON - As the winds of change blow through the capital, House Speaker Mike Johnson has given a thumbs-up to President-elect Donald Trump's bold cabinet choices. Describing them as "disruptors," Johnson believes they are crucial for shaking up the status quo in the heart of the nation. Johnson, now the chief Republican spokesperson in Congress, shared his thoughts on CNN's "State of the Union," where he defended…

Somalia shook things up this Saturday, swapping out their top military brass in a dramatic reshuffle. The cabinet decided to retire Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow from his position as the chief of the armed forces, handing the reins over to Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh. The mood in Mogadishu was tense during the emergency meeting when this decision was made, reflecting the swirling political unrest in the Horn of Africa. It’s a big callback for Rageh, who’s no stranger to the role, having previously served as the army chief…

Mogadishu (AX) — Masterminding a move towards renewed governance, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre unveiled fresh appointments on Monday. A new state minister for the Ministry of Planning and Investment and a deputy for the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education took the stage, replacing their predecessors who recently bowed out of the political scene. Stepping up as the freshly minted state minister for Planning is Ahmed Nor Sheikh Mohamed Loxox, while Abdirashid Mohamed Du'ale slides into the Deputy…

President Bola Tinubu has undertaken a significant reshuffle of his 45-member cabinet, introducing seven fresh faces, dismissing five officials, and assigning new roles to another ten. This strategic move is intended to bolster the effectiveness of his administration as it strives to fulfill its commitments to the Nigerian populace. The shake-up saw the departure of key figures including the ministers of education, tourism, women's affairs, and youth development. Additionally, the junior minister responsible for housing was…

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AX) — On the brisk morning of Friday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unveiled a revamped cabinet lineup, entrusting Dr. Gedion Timothewos with steering the Foreign Ministry. His task: healing Ethiopia's battered global relations post a storm of internal upheaval and regional skirmishes. Transitioning from his prior roles as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Timothewos was a pivotal mediator during the Tigray fracas. Analysts speculate that his blueprint revolves around mending bridges with Western…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a fresh fiscal launch, the Somali government nodded to a $1.3 billion budget for the year 2025. This allocation marks a modest uptick from last year's financial forecast, putting the onus on the Treasury to scrounge up funds by revamping the nation’s economic systems. Lending their spirits to this financial framework, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s cabinet gave the green light shortly after the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting wrapped up. This gathering converged the brains from…