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MOGADISHU, Somalia — The first phase of high-stakes talks between Somalia’s Future Council and the federal government concluded Thursday in Mogadishu, signaling a cautious push toward election consensus as negotiators seek to reduce political uncertainty ahead of the country’s next polls. Held at Villa Somalia, the meeting centered on the structure and scope of upcoming elections — a critical question that has shaped political negotiations for months. Officials said both sides recognized the urgency of striking a…

Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Rising Tensions Gabon’s media regulator has announced a sweeping suspension of all social media platforms, a drastic measure attributed to the escalating conflict and deepening societal divisions within the country. This decision reflects the government's increasing scrutiny of online content, deemed damaging to public order. In a televised statement, the High Authority for Communication highlighted several factors leading to the suspension, citing the pervasive spread of false…

Major cinema chains in South Africa have pulled a documentary about Melania Trump just before its scheduled release, citing concerns over "the current climate," the exhibitors said Friday. The film, which follows Melania Trump in the weeks leading up to her husband Donald Trump's second inauguration, was withdrawn from listings by multiple theatres only days before it was to premiere, according to distribution notices and exhibitor statements. Organisers did not provide further detail on specific security or diplomatic…

Israel wary of Egypt’s expanding role in Somalia and Horn of Africa TEL AVIV — Israel is watching with growing unease as Egypt deepens its political and security footprint in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa, a volatile corridor that funnels global trade through the Red Sea and toward the Suez Canal. Israeli broadcaster i24 News, citing Israeli security sources, reported that Cairo has intensified its backing for Somalia’s federal government and is closely scrutinizing Israel’s reported move to recognize North Western…

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — Swiss authorities said they have identified all 40 people killed in a New Year’s Day bar fire at this Alpine ski resort, intensifying pressure for answers as prosecutors investigate potential lapses in safety at the popular nightlife spot. Most of the victims were teenagers. Prosecutors in the canton of Valais said the blaze, which spread rapidly in the early hours of Jan. 1 in the basement of Le Constellation bar, was likely ignited by sparkling “fountain” candles that caught the ceiling alight.…

Somalia’s child-protection reckoning after a teenager’s killing — and a rare death sentence The killing of 14-year-old orphan Saabirin Saylaan in Galkayo has jolted Somalia into a painful examination of how the state, communities and families protect — and fail — their children. A court in Puntland State convicted caregiver Hodan Mohamud Diiriye, 34, of murder and sentenced her to death, an exceptional punishment in a child-abuse case that underscores both the scale of public outrage and the fragility of Somalia’s protective…

Turkey’s Expanding Influence in Somalia Draws Sharp Criticism AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State’s State Minister of Information, Mohamud Aided Dirir, has sharply criticized Turkey’s growing footprint in Somalia, alleging the engagement is driven by self-interest, corruption and exploitation rather than the country’s long-term stability, security or good governance. Dirir said Ankara’s presence undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and misappropriates local resources, arguing that foreign assistance should reinforce Somali…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Tuesday with a high-level Swedish delegation led by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, signaling an effort by both governments to deepen ties on economic development, trade and institution-building amid heightened debate over migration policy. The closed-door talks at Villa Somalia focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation to support Somalia’s reconstruction and governance reforms, according to a statement…

Human Rights Watch said Monday that thousands of civilians displaced by recent attacks by an Islamist armed group in northeastern Mozambique are sheltering in overcrowded, inadequate conditions and urgently need food, health care and protection. Between Nov. 10 and 23, 2025, attacks in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces killed 33 people and forced about 108,000 people from their homes, the rights group reported. Among the displaced are an estimated 70,000 children, HRW said. "Displaced people in northern Mozambique,…

BOSASO, Somalia — The U.S. Africa Command has sharply escalated airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia in the country’s northeast this year, conducting 59 strikes on Islamic State-aligned targets in Puntland State’s Bari region as part of a broader campaign that has reached 101 airstrikes across Somalia in 2025, compared with just 10 in all of 2024, according to statements shared with Fox News Digital. 101 U.S. airstrikes in Somalia so far this year, targeting ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab 59 strikes specifically against…