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Geneva — The United States and Iran are set to open a new round of indirect talks in Switzerland aimed at averting a fresh spiral of conflict and ending weeks of threats, according to officials on both sides. The Geneva negotiations follow a U.S. military buildup across the region and repeated warnings from President Donald Trump that he is prepared to strike Iran if diplomacy fails. The agenda remains contested. Washington wants the talks to cover Iran’s nuclear activities, its ballistic missile program and its support for…

Iran on Tuesday dismissed as “big lies” U.S. claims that Tehran is advancing a missile program capable of striking the United States, pushing back hours after President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to accuse the Islamic Republic of pursuing “sinister nuclear ambitions.” The volley of accusations and denials comes on the eve of a new round of diplomacy. After two Oman-mediated sessions, U.S. and Iranian officials are due to meet for a third round of talks Wednesday in Geneva aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear…

Netanyahu to press Trump on tougher Iran deal as White House weighs second carrier deployment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push U.S. President Donald Trump to harden Washington’s stance in nuclear talks with Iran during a hastily arranged White House meeting today, as the president signals he may send a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. The talks, set to begin at 11 a.m. local time (4 p.m. Irish time), come days after Iran resumed negotiations with the United States in Oman…

Australia will launch a sweeping national gun buyback in response to the Bondi Beach mass shooting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, as hundreds of residents returned to the surf Saturday to honor the victims with a solemn ocean gathering. Albanese vowed to “get guns off our streets” and to tighten firearms laws that allowed the suspected gunman, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, to legally own six high-powered rifles. The prime minister said it would be the largest buyback since 1996, when Australia overhauled gun laws after…

IMF approves additional $40 million for Somalia, releases $30 million in immediate budget support MOGADISHU — The International Monetary Fund has approved an additional $40 million for Somalia after completing the fourth review of the country’s Extended Credit Facility, authorizing an immediate $30 million disbursement for budget support. The decision lifts Somalia’s total access under the program to about $140 million and brings cumulative disbursements to roughly $100 million under the arrangement approved in December…

Minnesota charges eight in alleged Medicaid housing fraud as state moves to reboot troubled program Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged eight people with orchestrating more than $8 million in alleged wire fraud tied to the state’s Housing Stabilization Services program, a Medicaid benefit intended to keep disabled and elderly residents housed. The indictments, announced Thursday in Minneapolis, mark what prosecutors called the “first wave” in a widening probe into a program that ballooned far beyond its original…

Mogadishu, Somalia – In a landmark effort to uplift displaced populations, Somalia's government has teamed up with the Hormuud Salaam Foundation to roll out a new initiative aimed at 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Announced by the Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, this endeavor is a leap forward under the National Solutions Pathways Action Plan. The collaboration was officially introduced during the High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Forum in Geneva, an event backed by the…

BELGRADE, Serbia (AX) — The Embassy of Somalia in Serbia cheerfully embraced a batch of Somali scholars freshly chosen for the World in Serbia initiative's scholarship program. This generous program covers an entire spectrum of tuition, lodgings, and a monthly allowance, permitting these ambitious learners to pursue their academic dreams at the esteemed University of Belgrade.The scholarships reflect Serbia's commitment to fostering growth in burgeoning regions, with intentions to boost knowledge and expertise in societies…

A glimpse of the International Monetary Fund's HQ in D.C., U.S., captured on April 8, 2019. Photo credits © REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo. Inquiries for rights, contact us. Good news from the IMF! The Ethiopian government gets a green light for the $3.4 billion aid package, with $340.7 million unlocked. The folks at the IMF board gave a thumbs-up last Friday for the initial review of the deal. This backing stems from Ethiopia's summer deal, culminating in a four-year financial arrangement. The country's journey towards…

Hormuud Salaam Foundation Unveils New Scholarship Winners for 2024 MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Hormuud Salaam Foundation is elated to introduce its 2024 scholarship champions. These esteemed awards are the fruits of a fierce competition created by a scheme dedicated to nurturing academic stars. Thirty brilliant minds have secured full scholarships, rising to the top of an extensive application process marked by fairness and thorough assessment. The fortunate recipients will enjoy full backing, including coverage for tuition,…