reports

Somalia's Press Under Siege: A Six-Month Reflection The landscape of media freedom in Somalia paints a troubling picture—a stark rise in attacks against journalists has caught the attention of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). During just the first half of 2025, 41 documented violations directly related to their journalistic endeavors emerged. These were not random acts or misunderstandings. Rather, they were deliberate attempts to threaten and stifle those courageous enough to report independently. This…

In a shocking turn of events, Roman Starovoyt, the former transport minister of Russia, passed away just hours after being officially dismissed by President Vladimir Putin, according to statements from the country's investigative committee. Authorities discovered Mr. Starovoyt's body in a Moscow suburb, where preliminary investigations suggest a gunshot wound may have been the cause of death. The committee is treating this incident as a likely suicide. At 53 years old, Mr. Starovoyt had been serving as Russia's transport…

Immigration Updates: The Trump Administration's Controversial Deportations The Impact of Recent Deportations on Migrants and Their Future In a significant and controversial move, the Trump administration has deported eight migrants to South Sudan, a nation rife with political instability and safety concerns. This action followed their over month-long detention at a U.S. military base in Djibouti, a situation that has drawn both attention and criticism from various corners. The Department of Homeland…

Burkina Faso's Bold Gamble on Gold: A Nation Looks Inward OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — In a remarkable turn of events since the 2022 military takeover, Burkina Faso’s interim government proudly reports revenues of $18 billion stemming from its gold mining sector. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the figure at the helm of this transformation, took power with a mission to reclaim the nation’s substantial natural wealth for its people. Gold, often romanticized and fraught with stories of both triumph and tragedy, is now…

A protester stands resolutely in front of a barricade engulfed in flames in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya, on June 25, 2025. The scene, captured by Luis Tato for AFP, encapsulates both the fervor and the despair that has engulfed the nation during a time of profound unrest. The recent anti-government protests in Kenya resulted in a tragic toll, with reports indicating that sixteen individuals lost their lives, most notably at the hands of police according to Irungu Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty Kenya. This…

Uganda Confirms Death of 7 Soldiers in Somalia Clash With Al-Shabaab KAMPALA, Uganda - The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has solemnly announced the death of seven of its soldiers who were part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This tragic incident unfolded amidst intense conflict with the notorious al-Shabaab fighters. For close to 20 years, Uganda has played a pivotal role in the mission, deploying approximately 3,000 troops in a bid to bring peace to…

The Situation in Al Udeid: Understanding the Recent Iranian Missile Strikes On a tense afternoon, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Business Insider that Iran had launched ballistic missiles targeting Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. A wave of unease rippled through military circles. As of now, there are no reported American casualties, and the Pentagon is keeping a vigilant eye on the evolving situation. But what does this escalation signify for U.S.-Iran relations? In a display of defiance, Iranian state…

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has announced the successful evacuation of 15 Irish citizens from Israel, amid ongoing tensions in the region. Mr. Harris stated in a recent press release that these individuals were evacuated through operations coordinated by Austria, and they are expected to return to Ireland shortly. The situation intensified as the United States joined Israel in military actions against Iran, targeting three critical nuclear facilities overnight. Israel launched these attacks…

Approximately 10,000 Russian soldiers are engaged in combat within Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that Ukraine currently holds around 90 square kilometers of territory in the Hlushkov district, stating, "These are our preemptive actions in response to a possible enemy attack." According to the Ukrainian military, this strategic presence in the Kursk region is crucial for inhibiting Russia from deploying significant forces to the eastern Donetsk region, an area…

In a sobering report, the United Nations has revealed that violence against children in conflict zones has reached "unprecedented levels" in 2024, spanning areas from Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, "In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict surged by a staggering 25 percent compared to 2023." This alarming statistic highlights the gravity of the situation. The report identified a total of 41,370 grave violations against children, with 36,221…