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21 nations condemn Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, warn of destabilizing precedent Representatives of 21 Arab, Islamic and African countries have condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, calling the move a violation of international law that risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. In a joint statement released by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the foreign ministers said Israel’s decision sets a “serious precedent” and threatens…

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…

U.S. Diplomatic Recall Impacts Relations with Africa Amid Trump Administration's Policies In a sweeping diplomatic maneuver, the Trump administration has recalled dozens of U.S. diplomats from posts around the world, with significant ramifications for relationships in Africa. Among the envoys affected are diplomats from 13 African nations, including key countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, and Senegal. This directive mandates that these ambassadors vacate their posts by mid-January 2026, a move that raises eyebrows amid…

EU finance ministers have agreed to impose a €3 duty on every small parcel imported into the 27-nation bloc starting 1 July next year, a measure aimed at stemming a flood of ultra-cheap e-commerce shipments from platforms such as Shein and Temu. The flat levy follows the bloc’s move last month to scrap a duty exemption for direct-to-consumer packages valued at less than €150. An EU spokesperson said the €3 charge will be temporary and will remain in place until member states settle on a permanent approach to taxing the…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government has rejected allegations that weapons entering the country are being routed onward to armed actors in the region, insisting there is no evidence that Somali territory is used to funnel arms to Yemen’s Houthi movement. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar, known as Ali Balcad, told Al Jazeera Net in an interview published Wednesday that Mogadishu is intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit arms flows across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea corridor and to prevent…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s passport has climbed to 100th place on the 2025 Henley Passport Index, giving Somali travelers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 33 destinations, according to data released by Henley & Partners in October 2025. While labeled “2025,” the latest Henley ranking reflects travel-access conditions measured during 2024, a methodological detail that underscores how passport power often lags behind diplomatic change by a year. Even so, the new standing marks one of Somalia’s strongest positions in more…

Africa’s Historic Football Surge: Nine Nations Gear Up for 2026 FIFA World Cup The thrill of African football is poised to reach unprecedented heights as the continent prepares for a historic representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With nine African nations already securing their spots and one more potentially joining through a challenging intercontinental playoff, this upcoming tournament promises to showcase the rich talent and fervent passion that defines African soccer. Championing the Continent Among the nine…

Leaders from member nations of the Commonwealth are currently convening for a camaraderie-filled banquet in the picturesque setting of Samoa, nestled in the South Pacific. Significant topics such as climate change and reparations for Britain's historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade are shaping the discussions at this pivotal summit. This gathering, known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, has drawn delegates and officials from 56 nations linked to Britain’s former empire. Among the attendees…

Baking temps are on the docket for certain nations in the Horn of Africa, courtesy of alarming weather forecasts from the Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC), the brain of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional crew, as disclosed on a Wednesday. As of June 19, 2024, folks in Kakuma, located in the parched northwest corner of Kenya's Turkana county, scrape out groundwater from the dry riverbed. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) NAIROBI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The mercury's set to rise, amping up…

At the 2024 Paralympic Games, a remarkable accomplishment unfolded as ten African nations stood proudly on the podium, collectively clinching a total of 23 gold medals across eight countries. This achievement highlights the growing prowess of athletes from the continent in various sporting disciplines. On this grand stage, Morocco distinguished itself as the standout performer, amassing an impressive haul of 15 medals. Yet, it was Algeria that stole the spotlight with a remarkable six golds, marking its dominance in the…