signs

UN probe: RSF’s El-Fasher assault bears ‘hallmarks of genocide,’ as rights mission urges urgent civilian protection The United Nations’ independent fact-finding mission on Sudan has concluded that the Rapid Support Forces’ siege and October capture of El-Fasher in Darfur bore the “hallmarks of genocide,” documenting ethnic massacres, widespread rape and mass detentions over what survivors called “three days of absolute horror.” In findings presented to the UN Security Council, the mission said the scale, coordination and…

President Donald Trump signed a short-term spending bill to end a four-day partial government shutdown, hours after the Republican-controlled House approved the measure 217-214 amid a bruising fight over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the administration’s immigration crackdown. The closure, which began Saturday, halted or disrupted nonessential federal services until Congress sent the measure to the White House on Wednesday. Twenty-one Democrats joined Republicans to push the bill through, while an equal…

Trump threatens 100% tariff on Canada if Ottawa seals China trade deal, escalating feud with Prime Minister Mark Carney U.S. President Donald Trump warned he will impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States if Canada signs a trade deal with China, an ultimatum that sharply raises the stakes in already fraying U.S.-Canada relations. “China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” Trump wrote on his Truth…

Trump signs order to fast-track marijuana to Schedule III, says move is not legalization Friday December 19, 2025 US President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order easing restrictions on marijuana in the Oval Office on December 18 WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to expedite the federal reclassification of marijuana, setting in motion a shift from the most restrictive category of controlled substances to a less stringent tier. The…

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has signed a $311 million agreement with pan-African infrastructure fund Africa50 and PowerGrid Corporation of India to design, finance, build and operate two high-voltage electricity transmission lines under a public-private partnership, the finance ministry said Monday. The deal marks one of the East African nation’s largest power-grid concessions to date and is intended to ease chronic constraints on the network as demand grows. The project company will manage the full life cycle of the assets —…

Thursday December 11, 2025 MOGADISHU (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed into law the establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, capping a legislative process completed by both houses of the Federal Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The presidential assent came Tuesday and coincided with the country’s observance of International Human Rights Day. Mohamud said the commission’s creation reflects Somalia’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens. He…

Somalia establishes Independent National Human Rights Commission as president signs law MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday signed into law the establishment of Somalia’s Independent National Human Rights Commission, finalizing a measure approved by both houses of the Federal Parliament and hailed by officials as a milestone for rights protection and institutional reform. The presidency framed the move as a clear signal of Somalia’s intent to safeguard the rights and dignity of its citizens.…

Kenya signs $2.5 billion health pact with U.S., first under Trump-era overhaul; data privacy questions follow NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has signed a five-year, $2.5 billion health agreement with the United States, the first such government-to-government pact since President Donald Trump overhauled U.S. foreign aid, U.S. and Kenyan officials said Saturday. Washington cast the deal as a model for a series of agreements with developing countries, signaling a deeper pivot to direct funding of public sectors over traditional aid…

US government reopens after 43-day shutdown as Trump signs funding bill President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday to end the 43-day federal government shutdown, roughly two hours after the House of Representatives voted to restore disrupted food assistance, resume pay for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and revive parts of the air traffic control system. The House approved the measure 222 to 209. The bill had already cleared the Senate earlier in the week. Mr Trump signed it in the Oval Office, telling…

FILE - Inside the Parliament House in Mogadishu, Somali Federal Parliament members gather. Parliament plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance, accountability, and democratic ideals in Somalia.  Introduction When envisioning good governance, images of democracy, the rule of law, and visionary leadership come to mind. The term “governance” takes its roots from ancient Greek ideas, picked up from Latin origins meaning “to steer,” and passed along by the French. John Locke, back in the 17th century, dished out…