Nears

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s drive to build a 100,000-strong national army gained fresh momentum as a new unit trained in Qatar was deployed across Mogadishu, part of a broader, multinational effort to professionalize the country’s security forces after years of conflict. About 600 Somali soldiers returned from long-term training in Doha and have been placed under the National Intelligence and Security Agency’s Banadir command, according to multiple security sources. Turkey is supplying weapons and gear to the unit as…

Ceasefire’s fragile calm: a pause that forces questions about Gaza’s future The quiet that fell over Gaza for a third day was not the deep silence of peace so much as the cautious hush of people catching their breath. A US-mediated truce has created a narrow corridor for the release of hostages, the return of displaced families and a summit in Egypt billed as the moment to “end the war.” But beneath the immediate relief — and the carefully choreographed optimism in Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh — lie hard political choices…

Kenya’s administration is on the cusp of securing a hefty $1.5 billion loan from the United Arab Emirates at an 8.2% interest rate, aiming to address the financial shortfall plaguing the East African nation, a source in the know told Reuters. "Kenya is broadening its budget support sources," noted the insider, hinting that "the deal is practically in the bag." The finance ministry and central bank of the UAE didn't immediately respond to requests for a statement. Kenya's Finance Minister John Mbadi and top ministry…