launches

Namibia’s president reaches across the aisle — but will words turn into action? President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is sitting down with leaders of the opposition this week in a gesture she said was promised during her State of the Nation address in March: an exchange of views intended to “move the country forward.” The meeting, part of a series of conversations with political rivals, is both plainly practical and highly symbolic in a country where the politics of cooperation have often been fragile. "We may belong to…

U.S. carries out airstrike on ISIS in Puntland State amid broader campaign in Somalia MOGADISHU — The U.S. military said Tuesday that it conducted an airstrike on Islamic State militants in Somalia’s rugged Al‑Miskaad mountains, continuing a pattern of remote strikes aimed at degrading extremist groups in the Horn of Africa. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the late‑September operation occurred on Sept. 26 in a remote area roughly 60 kilometres (37 miles) southeast of Bossaso, the bustling port city at the heart of…

U.S. launches fresh strike against ISIS-Somalia in Cal-Miskaad mountains MOGADISHU — The U.S. military carried out a precision airstrike late last week in the Cal-Miskaad mountain range near Bosaso, targeting fighters from the Islamic State in Somalia (ISIS-Somalia), U.S. Africa Command said Monday. The operation is the latest in a sustained campaign of air attacks that U.S. officials say are aimed at degrading the group’s ability to threaten American interests, Somali forces and regional allies. The strike, conducted in…

Ancient gold bracelet disappears from Cairo museum days before landmark opening What happened Egyptian authorities launched an urgent search this week after a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet vanished from a restoration laboratory at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The artifact — a delicate cuff studded with lapis lazuli beads dating to the reign of King Amenemope of the 21st Dynasty (circa 993–984 BC) — was reported missing while conservators were preparing items for an exhibition in Rome, the Ministry of Tourism and…

New airstrip in Buur Hakaba offers hope — and a test of resilience — in Somalia’s restless south BUUR HAKABA, Somalia — In the sun-baked plains between Baidoa and the coast, a strip of compacted earth has suddenly become more than a patch of ground. On a warm Sunday morning this week, local leaders and residents cut a ribbon on Buur Hakaba’s first-phase airport — a modest airfield that community members and the Southwest state government say will be a lifeline for trade, education and elections in a part of Somalia long…

Somalia's Ambitious Step into the Cosmos: A New Era or Overambition? In an unexpected announcement that has captured imaginations globally, Somalia is exploring plans to become the world’s next satellite launching pad. While this may seem like a bold step for a nation grappling with reconstruction, the possibility hints at broader aspirations and potential implications for Somalia and the global stage. Exploring a New Frontier Mohamed Mahmud Allaale, a seasoned communications strategist and advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of…

Amid Rising Tensions, U.S. Intensifies Its Air Campaign in Somalia In a remote area of Middle Shabelle, Somalia, a recent U.S. airstrike highlights the ongoing battle against the resilient al-Shabab militant group. The strike, conducted on August 22, targeted the al-Qaida affiliate, aiming to disrupt its activities both domestically and internationally. While details remain sparse due to operational security, this event underscores a broader, escalating campaign led by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Shifting Tactics…

"In Mykolaiv, Ukraine, November 17, 2024, a firefighter is in the thick of a catastrophic scene—another grim chapter in Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine, marked by a residential house engulfed in turmoil after a drone strike," reported via a handout from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, circulated by REUTERS. It's crucial to comprehend the relentless nature of the conflict to grasp the physical and psychological toll it is taking on the population. Russia launched a substantial offensive, the fiercest in nearly…

Rescue teams have resumed their somber search for the deceased as Spain scrambles to provide assistance to its citizens devastated by catastrophic floods that have claimed over 200 lives. With each passing day, the hope of discovering survivors dwindles. More than three days have elapsed since torrential mud-laden waters engulfed towns and devastated infrastructure, marking this as Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in a televised statement that an additional 10,000 troops…

Mogadishu (AX) — Someday in a sprawling Mogadishu neighborhood, the wheels are already in motion for a bold endeavor — a dazzling residential development sprouting 50,000 homes in the Kaaraan zone. This isn't just an architectural venture; it's a mission to breathe life into the heart of Somalia's beachside cityscape. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stirred the initial beat of the project drum at this delightfully dubbed "Pearl Beach" initiative, heralding an era of rejuvenation where Mogadishu meets the sea.Bankrolled…