ongoing

When Sofia Patel, the head of operations for the Labour Party, shared an update on her LinkedIn about campaign opportunities with U.S. presidential aspirant Kamala Harris, she likely didn't foresee the uproar it would provoke. The now-removed post stated: "I have nearly 100 Labour Party staff members (both past and present) set to head to the U.S. shortly, targeting North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Virginia." She continued, "I have ten spots open for anyone willing to travel to the critical battleground state of…

Somalia's Leader Responds to Critics in Face of Governance and Security Struggles MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has addressed his detractors at a time when the nation is grappling with external threats. He found himself in the hot seat, emphasizing that defending the reputation of the Horn of Africa is a collective duty. Clearly, Hassan Sheikh is battling external tensions with Ethiopia, while struggling to build bridges within the federal member states. Meanwhile, the…

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen has branded the UNIFIL peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon as "ineffectual," arguing they have utterly failed to shield Israelis from assaults by Hezbollah. As tensions escalate, he urged the United Nations to withdraw these forces from the combat zones. "Israel will spare no effort in safeguarding its citizens. If the UN is unable to assist, it should at least refrain from meddling and relocate its personnel away from the danger zones," Cohen remarked on social media platform X.…

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a global force combating piracy, has expressed the ongoing necessity for alertness. Even with the notable downturn in piracy incidents along the Somali coast during 2024's initial nine months, vigilance remains key. As per the latest dossier shared with Xinhua, the IMB recounted that three ships ended up hijacked, two were commandeered or shot at, and there was an attempt to accost another vessel around the Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden during this period.…

The government of Burkina Faso is sharpening its focus on a nationalistic approach to news and information dissemination, as noted by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Recently, the Superior Council for Communication (CSC), which oversees media regulations in Burkina Faso, imposed a ban on the rebroadcast of foreign radio programs effective immediately. This decision follows a three-month suspension of the Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts in the country. This move highlights a growing trend in which the government seeks…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that a ceasefire with Russia is not on the table during discussions with European partners. Instead, he is advocating for increased Western support as Ukraine braces for a harsh winter amid his whirlwind visit to four European capitals. During a short 48-hour jaunt to London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin, Zelensky was on a mission to secure both military and financial aid. Escalating concerns hover over the possibility of waning support if Donald Trump assumes the presidency in…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the latest offensive by the Somali National Army (SNA), a whopping 59 fighters from Al-Shabaab were taken out, underscoring the military’s capability to navigate threats even after the peacekeepers have hit the road. The authorities divulged that this operation resulted in significant militant casualties in Gerile and Awsweyne located in the Galgudud region, while another sweep took place in Hawadley, Middle Shabelle. Sadly, the mission also saw the loss of four brave soldiers in eastern Galgudud.…

The tragic drowning of tech magnate Mike Lynch, alongside three other British individuals, is under scrutiny following the unfortunate sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off Sicily's coastline. This revelation surfaced during a series of newly initiated inquests in the UK. The ill-fated adventure involved Lynch, a 59-year-old billionaire entrepreneur, his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah Lynch, as well as Jonathan Bloomer, the 70-year-old chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his 71-year-old wife, Judy Bloomer. All four…

Somalia: MPs Still Battling Travel Bans at Mogadishu Airport En Route to Baidoa MOGADISHU, Somalia — Federal parliamentarians from the Southwest State of Somalia continue to face hurdles at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport, particularly when trying to fly to Baidoa. Today, MP Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi Osman (known as Iiro) was the latest to be blocked from boarding his plane. These travel impediments have ignited a firestorm of anger and criticism from regional leaders and MPs. They argue that these actions…

The North African state didn't detail their aid, but it's geared towards bolstering the Somali army, honoring Egypt's commitments under a military collaboration agreement from August. That deal surfaced after Ethiopia, a landlocked country, planned to officially acknowledge North Western State of Somalia's independence from Somalia, declared 30 years ago, in exchange for port access and a military base on the Gulf of Aden. Somalia, viewing North Western State of Somalia as its own, rejected the offer. Last month, Egypt…