Armed Islamists have stormed a hotel in the city of Beledweyne in central Somalia, and a siege is ongoing, police and witnesses have said. The attack by al-Shabab began with a car bomb exploding, followed by gunmen entering the hotel, leading to intense clashes with security forces. Police said at least four people had been … Read more
Neyaz Farooquee BBC News, Delhi Getty Images Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has said he will not implement the education policy in his state A war of words has erupted between the chief minister of a southern Indian state and the federal government over an education policy that, among other things, also deals with … Read more
The Bigger Picture Project Thousands of Irish homes have crumbled in recent years because of defective bricks. Living in a crumbling home affected by defective concrete blocks in the Republic of Ireland has had a major impact on homeowners’ mental health, including increased suicidal thoughts, according to new research. The Ulster University study examined the … Read more
From his first inauguration to his second term in office, US President Donald Trump has commented consistently on the stock market as a sign of America’s economic success. His confidence in it, however, has shifted with the political tides. Video by Ottilie Mitchell
When US President Donald Trump wanted someone to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in February to open negotiations for a potential deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, he didn’t dispatch his secretary of state. The man he sent to the Kremlin to handle a titanic geopolitical challenge does not even have a diplomatic background. Instead … Read more
Construction workers started to dismantle the Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House on Monday following threats by Republicans to cut transportation funding if the plaza was not renamed. “You can dig up concrete but you cannot erase history,” said DC resident Dianne Bradley. Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser changed the name of the plaza … Read more
BBC A train carrying hundreds of passengers has been attacked and halted by armed militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan region. The Baloch Liberation Army confirmed it had attacked the Jaffar Express Train which was travelling from Quetta to Rawalpindi. The militant group has also claimed the the train is under their control. Pakistani police told local … Read more
A brief spell of sunny winter weather in California will come to an end this week with a series of storms cued up to bring snow and rain to parts of the state over the next few days. After a weak storm kicks off the week with light rain in Southern California, a stronger and … Read more
The media scene is dominated by state-owned and pro-government outlets. Most major outlets are controlled by the government directly or indirectly. Nearly all pro-opposition print titles have been closed or forced into exile. Those that remain are “collapsing under the impact of fines”, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). TV is the most popular medium. The … Read more
Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to help President Salva Kiir to “secure it”, Uganda’s military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has said. The move comes as tensions escalate between Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, raising fears that their fragile peace deal could collapse and a conflict could resume. Gen Kainerugaba … Read more