years

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…

In the heart of bustling Mogadishu, cobbled together in a meeting room buzzing with ideas and caffeine chatter, a significant decision was stitched into the fabric of Somalia’s forward-looking initiatives. The weekly conclave of the Somali Council of Ministers—a gathering often flavored with a dash of formality and purpose—saw the spotlight fall squarely on the National Disability Agency Board. This esteemed body, tasked with championing the rights and inclusivity of the nation’s diverse community of individuals with…

In a startling turn of events that has sent shockwaves rippling through the community of Southport, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana has received a staggering sentence of 52 years behind bars for the heinous murders of three young girls during a dance class. The verdict was delivered in Liverpool Crown Court, with Rudakubana notably absent, as he had made it clear he would be "disruptive" if he were present. For him, it seems, court decorum was not on the agenda. On the fateful day of July 29th, 2024, just as children reveled in…

In an unexpected turn of events that reads like a Hollywood script, the family of Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim, who had been believed to have vanished from this mortal coil during an Al-Shabaab incursion nine years ago, is now elated beyond words. It's the kind of news you don't expect. Photo: Citizen TV/Cornelius Ronoh. Source: Twitter. Hidden away in the serene locality of Maili Nne, Eldoret, a family that had long mourned is now celebrating the miraculous news that their beloved relative, Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim—a Kenya Defence…

Mogadishu (AX) - Making headlines once more, entrepreneur Mohamed Abdi Afweyne, known for his infamous involvement in piracy, has finally returned to Mogadishu. After enduring over ten years behind bars in Belgium, following piracy-related charges brought by Belgium's government, his homecoming was monumental. Described as the 'mastermind' behind Somali piracy, Afweyne was caught up in a high-profile arrest in 2013. Belgian authorities orchestrated a cunning sting operation, enticing him under the guise of a documentary…