welcomes

In a resolute stride toward equity in public service, President William Ruto inaugurated Kenya's 10th immigration office on Thursday, nestled in the heart of Garissa County. This significant move aims to streamline the passport application process for the residents of Northern Kenya. But why is this such a momentous occasion? Picture a resident from Mandera, Wajir, or Tana River, trekking arduous journeys to Nairobi, Mombasa, or Nakuru merely to procure a passport. The inconvenience and costs add up, don't they? Now, with a…

Mogadishu (AX) – Is it truly feasible or ethical to propose relocating individuals from one troubled land to another? A recent initiative, put forth by U.S. President Donald Trump, suggests resettling Palestinians from the embattled strip of Gaza to the distant lands of Northeastern State, a self-governing region in northeastern Somalia, and the self-proclaimed autonomous state of North Western State of Somalia. Phrased with enticing adjectives as "far safer and more beautiful," this proposal has sparked considerable debate…

Spain has cemented its status as a global tourism heavyweight, attracting a staggering 94 million foreign visitors in 2024 alone. This remarkable surge is no minor detail; it's a powerful driver of the national economy, as the country's tourism minister recently revealed. The numbers tell a compelling story that underscores the resilience and appeal of this sun-soaked Mediterranean paradise. Tourism accounts for roughly 13% of Spain's GDP, making it the lifeblood of the economy for the world's second most-visited nation.…

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the outgoing president of Ghana, has just given the green light for visa-free travel for all African citizens. This landmark decision stands to reshape the way Africans connect and explore one another’s countries. Historically, Ghana had already extended a warm welcome to travelers from 26 African nations, allowing them to enter without the hassle of a visa. However, citizens from another 25 countries had to jump through hoops to secure a visa upon arrival. Only a select few, specifically…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a fine Sunday in the heart of Somalia’s capital, Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Somali Foreign Minister, welcomed Manuel Marques Pereira, the newly appointed Chief of Mission from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to Somalia. Amid the meet-and-greet, they dived into talking shop about ramping up their joint efforts to fuel Somalia’s developmental strides. It seems the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is busier than ever with its ambitious plan to set up a Diaspora Centre. What's the buzz…

Israel has welcomed its new defense minister, Israel Katz, who recently took his oath before the parliament. This swearing-in followed the surprising removal of his predecessor, Yoav Gallant, at the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a move attributed to a significant erosion of trust during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Mr. Netanyahu made headlines on Tuesday when he dismissed Gallant, a decision fueled by persistent disagreements over Israel's military response to Hamas. This response came after a devastating…

In a recent encounter that brought together minds from opposite ends of the global spectrum, Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, sat down with Mathieu Briens, the European Union's Deputy Managing Director for Africa. This wasn't just a meeting of suits and ties but a convergence of ideas and aspirations aimed at putting Somalia on a robust path to a brighter future. The Somali national news agency, SONNA, was right on the scene, painting a picture of diplomatic engagement. Amidst the backdrop of this high-profile…

Hamza Abdi Barre, the Prime Minister of Somalia, recently welcomed Tanja Fajon, Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister, for an important dialogue. During their meeting, they delved into strengthening ties between Somalia and Slovenia, with a keen focus on pivotal issues such as climate change, social welfare, security, and human rights. This dialogue gains significance as Somalia embarks on its new role within the UN Security Council, as highlighted by the Somali National News Agency (SONNA). Prime Minister Hamza took the…

On November 1, 2024, in a ceremonial event brimming with significance, President William Ruto entrusted the Kenyan constitution to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki following Kindiki's oath of office. Nairobi — Kithure Kindiki stepped into his role as Kenya’s deputy president on a Friday, mere hours after a judicial verdict lifted restrictions that had been preventing his nomination. He was chosen to succeed the impeached Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who is currently pursuing legal avenues to reclaim his former…

Saudi’s top diplomat, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, welcomed Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi to the bustling city of Riyadh this Sunday, as reported by SPA.In a friendly gathering in Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Ahmed Moalim Fiqi took time to explore the continuing partnership between Saudi Arabia and Somalia.They tossed around ideas on strengthening ties across a range of sectors. Plus, they chewed over the latest regional and global happenings, alongside issues of mutual concern.