highlights

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…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed Somalia’s ties with China as “historic” and “steady,” saying the relationship is rooted in mutual respect and sustained cooperation as the two countries marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Mohamud described China as a consistent and reliable partner since Somalia’s early days of independence, noting that Chinese-funded infrastructure remains central to daily life and economic activity. “China has supported…

Girls’ basketball game in Mogadishu doubles as rally against gender-based violence MOGADISHU, Somalia — A girls’ basketball match in Mogadishu’s Shibis district became a platform for visibility and protection on Thursday as the Somalia Sisterhood initiative used sport to spotlight the fight against gender-based violence during the global 16 Days of Activism campaign. Two teams, Somalia Sisterhood and Super Sign, faced off in an energetic game attended by officials from the Benadir Regional Administration, the Somali Police…

A new front in the climate battle: defending truth at COP30 Belem’s humid air this week carried more than the tang of the Amazon. At the UN Pavilion during COP30, delegates and activists gathered to talk emissions, finance and loss and damage — but one of the loudest pleas came from an unexpected corner: the newsroom. Omar Faruk Osman, secretary general of the National Union of Somali Journalists, used a high-level UNESCO panel to argue that the integrity of information is now a frontline issue for climate action. The…

Shadows at the Edge of Europe: The Plight of Migrants in Mauritania In the heart of the Mauritanian desert, a silent crisis unfolds—a crisis that echoes the haunting sounds of desperation and seeks to cross the Mediterranean's turbulent waters. Reports from Human Rights Watch (HRW) reveal a staggering picture of abuse against migrants and asylum seekers, primarily hailing from West and Central Africa, underscoring the complexities and harrowing realities of migration in a world governed by borders and policies. A Detailed…

The current United States presidential election campaign has unfolded in an unprecedented manner, brimming with captivating episodes that have kept everyone on their toes. As the globe eagerly anticipates the outcome of the fierce competition between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for the coveted seat in the White House, let’s rewind and reflect on some of the most striking developments from the past four months—all encapsulated in under two minutes. Video: Philip Bromwell This election season has truly been a…

FILE - Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin (right) and Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi (left) proudly hoist the Ethiopian flag during the opening ceremony of the revamped Ethiopian Embassy in Mogadishu, dated May 27, 2007. Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia plans to shift the Ethiopian Embassy from its hallowed presidential precinct, signaling a widening chasm in diplomatic relations, primarily triggered by Ethiopia's contentious port arrangement with North Western State of Somalia—a deal Somalia perceives as an affront…

World Bank's Climate Finance Faces Scrutiny: Oxfam Rings the Alarm Bell November 2024 – Nairobi — Oxfam International is sounding the alarm over the World Bank’s climate finance, pointing out murky waters in the Bank's transparency and accountability. Their latest doc, "Climate Finance Unchecked," pulls back the curtain on some dodgy discrepancies between budgeted and real spending in climate projects, hinting at shaky foundations in the fight against global warming. Drilling into data from 2017 to 2023, Oxfam spotlights…

On a Monday rendezvous in Nairobi, Kenya's President William Ruto held discussions with William Burns, the CIA Director, while joined by Noordin Haji, Ruto's African counterpart. Fast-forward two years since the Ethiopian Tigray conflict reached a resolution on October 28, 2022. Although the peace pact supposedly ended hostilities, experts contend that thorny issues still linger unresolved. Tune into today's VOA 60 for more updates on developments across Africa.

A recent study conducted by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education sounds the alarm on how climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena. This escalation is placing the world’s aging network of dams—more than 70,000 in total—under increased threat, particularly in regions marred by conflict where some structures lie neglected and abandoned. Take, for instance, the catastrophic failure of the Arbaat Dam in Port Sudan last August. The region experienced an unprecedented…