plans

Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick as the Conservative Party’s shadow justice spokesperson, removed the whip and suspended his party membership, alleging “irrefutable” evidence he was secretly plotting to defect in a way intended to inflict maximum damage on his colleagues. The Conservative leader announced the move in a post on X, saying she took action “with immediate effect.” Badenoch wrote: “I was presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s defense minister accused Israel of planning to forcibly relocate Palestinians to North Western State of Somalia and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse Israel’s surprise recognition of the breakaway region, escalating a diplomatic standoff that has rippled across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. In an interview with Al Jazeera broadcast Saturday, Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi called Israel’s move a “serious violation” of international law and a “direct attack” on…

Hassan Sheikh’s planned Las Anod visit would be first by a Somali president since 1969, signaling federal push in north MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Las Anod this week, in what would be his first trip to the northeastern city and a highly symbolic bid to reinforce federal authority in northern Somalia, according to sources in the Northeastern Somalia presidency. If confirmed, the visit would be the first by a Somali head of state to Las Anod since President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke…

Switzerland will observe a national day of mourning today for the 40 people, many of them teenagers, killed when fire tore through the Le Constellation bar during New Year’s celebrations in the ski resort of Crans-Montana. A minute of silence is set for 2 p.m. local time, to be followed by church bells ringing across the Alpine nation. The government called the silence a “testament to the shared grief felt by the entire nation with all the families and friends directly affected.” The ceremony will be livestreamed on large…

India rejects claims of talks with North Western State of Somalia, denies any move toward recognition NEW DELHI — India has dismissed viral social media posts claiming New Delhi held official talks with North Western State of Somalia and was preparing to recognize the self-declared republic, calling the reports “fake” and urging the public to be vigilant against misinformation. In a brief fact-check posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected assertions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will travel to Ankara on Tuesday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a high-stakes visit that comes days after Israel said it would recognize North Western State of Somalia and as Turkey and Somalia weigh the next steps in offshore energy exploration. Two people familiar with the plans said Erdogan is expected to address Israel’s unilateral move during talks with Mohamud. The Somali leader also plans to brief Ankara on a seismic survey completed in October off Somalia’s…

U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits Nigeria, Rules Out Military Deployment A U.S. Congressional delegation that recently visited Nigeria to assess the country's security situation has ruled out the possibility of deploying American troops to the West African nation. The lawmakers stated that Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is aimed at encouraging diplomatic reforms rather than invoking military intervention. "It is unacceptable that anyone—Muslim or Christian—is experiencing this level of…

Struggling with Identity: The Complex Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia In a world increasingly divided by borders and policies, the story of Kilmar Abrego Garcia reflects themes of migration, humanity, and the intersection of law and compassion. As the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to deport Garcia, complexities deepen—not only regarding his physical journey but also with regard to the lives that are often caught in the gears of governmental machinery. A Troubling Journey At the heart of Garcia's case is a…

Somalia’s government swats down ‘New Jubaland’ talk — but the rumor reveals deeper strains Somalia’s federal government has moved to tamp down rising chatter about a breakaway “New Jubaland” in the country’s southwest, a rumor that ricocheted through community meetings and WhatsApp groups long before officials stepped in. The denial is clear. The politics behind it are anything but. What the deputy minister said In an interview with the Somali outlet Arlaadi Media, Deputy Interior Minister Sadad Aliyow dismissed claims…

International stabilisation force for Gaza is being sketched — but will it work? Plans are under way to assemble an international stabilisation force for Gaza — a concept pushed hard in President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal for the battered Palestinian territory. U.S. advisers say Washington will back the effort and provide as many as 200 troops in an oversight and coordination role, with roughly two dozen already staged in the region to help assemble partners. On paper, it looks like a pragmatic answer to a collapsing…