dismisses

India rejects claims of talks with North Western State of Somalia, denies any move toward recognition NEW DELHI — India has dismissed viral social media posts claiming New Delhi held official talks with North Western State of Somalia and was preparing to recognize the self-declared republic, calling the reports “fake” and urging the public to be vigilant against misinformation. In a brief fact-check posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected assertions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi…

Gabon National Football Team Suspended Following Disappointing AFCON Exit Gabon's government has announced sweeping changes to its national football setup following the team's dismal performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The measures include suspending the national team, dismissing head coach Thierry Mouyouma, and imposing a ban on star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The decision was conveyed by Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Gabon's early exit from the tournament, culminating in a 3-2 loss…

Somalia defense minister rebukes ex-president’s warning on Mogadishu security, says critics undermine reforms MOGADISHU — Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, on Thursday rejected former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s assertion that Mogadishu remains unsafe, accusing the opposition figure of eroding confidence in security gains and obstructing the country’s political transition. In a statement posted on Facebook, Fiqi said Sheikh Sharif and allies in the Council of National Salvation have consistently…

Kenya will not share citizens’ personal medical records with the United States under the new Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Sunday, moving to quell public concern over data privacy provisions in the seven-year deal. In a statement, Duale said the agreement permits only the exchange of aggregated health data. He emphasized that no unique personal identifiers or individual medical files will be accessible to U.S. authorities, and that Kenya retains full control over what…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s prime minister on Wednesday defended his government’s decision to stay silent in the face of recent inflammatory remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has escalated attacks on Somali immigrants living in the United States. Speaking at the Sixth Youth Leadership and Innovation Summit 2025, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Mogadishu had no interest in turning Trump’s comments into a political confrontation that could amplify his rhetoric. “It is easier to ignore President Donald…

A federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the cases was unlawfully appointed. Judge Currie concluded that Lindsey Halligan, named interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September, “had no legal authority” to seek the indictments. The judge threw out both cases on that ground but dismissed them without prejudice, allowing the Justice Department to refile under a properly…

Rwanda Rebuts Macron's Claims on Goma Airport's Reopening The Rwandan government has publicly challenged French President Emmanuel Macron's recent remarks concerning the resumption of flights at Goma Airport. Macron suggested that both the M23 rebel group and those controlling the airport had not made sufficient efforts to allow flights to resume while asserting that "all the administrative conditions have nevertheless been met by DR Congo." In a pointed response, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe criticized…

What happened The BBC has apologised to US President Donald Trump after editing his 6 January 2021 speech in a Panorama episode in a way the broadcaster says was an "error of judgement." The programme — Trump: A Second Chance? — has been removed from the BBC website and a retraction published on its page. The BBC said excerpts from different parts of the speech were shown together in one sequence and apologised to President Trump for that editing. The Panorama episode will not be rebroadcast "in this form" on any BBC…

Somalia’s government swats down ‘New Jubaland’ talk — but the rumor reveals deeper strains Somalia’s federal government has moved to tamp down rising chatter about a breakaway “New Jubaland” in the country’s southwest, a rumor that ricocheted through community meetings and WhatsApp groups long before officials stepped in. The denial is clear. The politics behind it are anything but. What the deputy minister said In an interview with the Somali outlet Arlaadi Media, Deputy Interior Minister Sadad Aliyow dismissed claims…

Lesotho court forces five displaced families to share compensation with host community — a ruling that raises bigger questions about justice for the uprooted In a decision that closed a six-year legal fight, a Lesotho court has upheld a controversial policy requiring five families uprooted by the construction of the Mohale Dam to share their lump-sum compensation with the broader community that now houses them. Justice Kopo ruled this week that the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority’s (LHDA) distinction between rural…