Secretary

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has recently highlighted alarming developments regarding China's military ambitions, asserting that the nation is "credibly preparing" to use force to disrupt the balance of power in Asia. He emphasized that the United States is "here to stay" in the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth shared these insights during an annual security forum in Singapore, amidst ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Beijing over trade, technology, and geopolitical influence. Since taking office,…

Mogadishu (AX) — It seems that the winds of change might soon be sweeping through the diplomatic corridors of the United States as Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, has hinted at reassessing America’s relationship with North Western State of Somalia, a region of intriguing complexity and burgeoning potential. The nugget of this information sparked public interest when Landau, responding on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), engaged with a fervent plea from a supporter of North Western State…

The US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, recently reignited controversy by labeling Ireland as his preferred "tax scam." This remark was made during an appearance on the business and technology podcast, All-In, where he passionately stated, "We're going to try and fix a whole bunch of these tax scams. Ireland is my favourite." Lutnick went on to express concerns about the significant presence of US multinational corporations in Ireland, particularly in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. He claimed, "They have…

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, has voiced strong objections to the nomination of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Ahead of his confirmation hearing scheduled for tomorrow, she dispatched a pointed letter to US senators, in which she characterized him as "completely unqualified" for the role. “He is a predator,” she boldly asserted, underlining her concern that his controversial anti-vaccine rhetoric has resulted in tragic…

In a showdown that felt reminiscent of political dramas played out on the silver screen, Pete Hegseth just eked out a victory in his quest to become the next Secretary of Defense. For President Donald Trump, this wasn't just another appointment; it was a significant triumph over a wave of opposition from Democrats and even a few skeptical Republicans regarding his polarizing nominee. The drama unfolded in the Senate, where votes were cast like confetti on New Year’s Eve, culminating in a 50-50 tie. Vice President JD Vance,…

In an unexpected move, Donald Trump has nominated Sean Duffy, a former congressman from Wisconsin, to take on the role of transportation secretary. This key position entails overseeing a vast federal budget dedicated to infrastructure projects and transit rules. As the newly minted Republican administration gears up to implement sweeping cuts to federal spending, Trump took a moment to commend Duffy for his track record in Congress, emphasizing his commitment to "fiscal responsibility." Yet, there's more at play here; under…

In a striking move, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental advocate known for spreading dubious claims about vaccines, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the preeminent health agency in the United States. Kennedy, who once pursued the presidency as an independent candidate earlier this year, withdrew from the race in August. He subsequently threw his support behind Trump, looking to secure a position within the Republican administration as part of the…

Controversy Surrounds Appointment of Somalia's U.S. Ambassador MOGADISHU, Somalia – The mid-2024 designation of Dahir Hassan Arab as Somalia's envoy to America has stirred the pot, with whispers of favoritism and questionable conduct in the mix. Arab, who previously led SIMAD University, landed this gig courtesy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, despite lacking credentials in diplomacy or foreign management. He's got a Master’s in Education Management from the Islamic University in Uganda. Alongside him, Mohamed Muse,…

Mogadishu (AX) – Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), declared that Somalia has zero interest in picking sides between Ethiopia and Egypt in their heated clash over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).During a recent IGAD delegation's visit to Mogadishu, Ware underscored that the rift between Ethiopia and Egypt spells looming danger for the Horn of Africa’s stability and threatens the very survival of the Somali government."Ethiopia and Egypt aren't…

Mogadishu (AX) – Monday saw Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the big cheese at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), touch down in Mogadishu for a chinwag with Somali bigwigs, aiming to boost ties between Somalia and IGAD. In a sit-down with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, they chewed over burning regional issues like security hurdles, economic hook-ups, and IGAD's ongoing projects in Somalia. President Hassan doubled down on Somalia's resolve to tighten bonds with IGAD and to play a pivotal role in the…