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MOGADISHU, Somalia - There's a powerful human story that, once again, calls for our attention. A German nurse, whose life took an unexpected and harrowing turn over seven years ago, is reaching out for help. A recently surfaced video shows her making a heartfelt plea for her freedom from the clutches of assumed Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. Sonja Nientiet, dedicated to her work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was abducted in 2018 under…

After an astonishing wait of 70 years, Newcastle United has finally quenched its thirst for triumph. This historic moment arrived when the club, buoyed by Saudi backing, emerged victorious in the English League Cup by edging out Liverpool with a 2-1 win on Sunday. This triumph not only signifies the breaking of a lengthy trophy drought for the club but also rekindles the spirit and dreams of an entire city. The game unfolded at Wembley, where Dan Burn and Alexander Isak made their mark in the score sheet on either side of…

Guinea's military junta plans to end its rule with general elections set to take place this year The international community, including ECOWAS, has been pushing for a return to civilian rule in Guinea The return to constitutional order in Guinea is expected to be effective in 2025

In a thought-provoking social media commentary, one man dared to ask the necessary—yet frequently avoided—questions regarding the Northeastern State authorities' delayed action against the ISIS threat. The question still resonates: "Why was there hesitation in addressing a menace that could have erupted?" He drew a vivid comparison to historical echoes of peril in the region: "Did they just appear overnight as if by magic, arriving in boats as Al-Shabaab fighters once did near Garacad and Eyl?" His inquiry raises an…

And the Oscar for the fastest twelve months in recent memory undoubtedly goes to... well, this time it's not the dramatic, sweeping epics that have captured our imaginations but rather a more subdued yet pivotal year in cinema. It appears 2025 has taken a different path compared to its predecessors, especially for Irish talent at the Academy Awards. The spotlight, however, is still shining brightly on the biopic The Apprentice, co-produced by the Dublin-based Tailored Films. With nominations for Best Actor (Sebastian Stan)…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a pivotal twist of regional dynamics, Burundi has commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia. This move marks the end of an 18-year era of military involvement under the auspices of the African Union's peacekeeping initiatives. But what's driving this significant change? The roots trace back to a contention over troop contributions to the recently minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, which took the baton from the African Union Transition Mission in…

An Ambitious Quest: Zimbabwe's Journey Beyond the Stars In a world that constantly craves seamless communication, the Southern African country of Zimbabwe is setting its sights on the heavens. Not only is the nation launching its new satellite, but it is simultaneously delving into the creation of several communication satellites. The reason? To bolster ground-based communications, aiming for a network as expansive and robust as the horizon itself. If you’re imagining that launching a…

Binti Ali Wardhere’s story begins with a quiet loss: irreparable, yet all too common amid Mogadishu’s wartime tumult. The tragedies she faced on an otherwise unremarkable October day in 1993 echo through her every thought, a reminder of the events tied to the notorious moniker "Black Hawk Down." Surprisingly, this phrase—popularized by a Hollywood blockbuster—synonymizes with the infamous 1993 U.S. military catastrophe in Somalia. On October 3rd, eighteen American soldiers perished, accompanied by the anguished…

An ex-British soldier has received an astonishing sentence of over 14 years for allegedly collecting sensitive intelligence for Iran and identifying special forces personnel. This case not only reveals issues of national security but also evokes questions about the motivations behind such betrayals. Daniel Abed Khalife was found guilty last November of amassing military and classified information for Iran between 2019 and 2022. His actions included gathering data that could potentially aid terrorist activities. The…

As the clock struck 11 pm on 31 January 2020, a significant chapter in British history closed when the United Kingdom formally parted ways with the European Union. This momentous decision made the UK the first—and so far only—member state to exit the bloc, reshaping the political landscape of Europe. The departure initiated a "transition period" lasting 11 months, during which the UK continued to participate in the single market and customs union. Yet, it was no longer a voice in the EU's political chambers. The…