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Israeli Strike Obliterates Iranian Consulate in Damascus – Shockwaves Rock Middle East

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In a brazen move that has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, Israel has launched a devastating airstrike targeting the Iranian consulate located in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus, Syria. The strike, carried out with precision by Israeli F-35 fighter jets, has resulted in significant casualties and sparked immediate condemnation from several nations, including Russia.

According to reports, the Israeli airstrike occurred on Monday afternoon, around 2 p.m. GMT, targeting the Mezzeh quarter in western Damascus, where the Iranian embassy and consulate are situated. The attack, executed with six projectiles, resulted in the complete destruction of the consulate building and surrounding structures.

Tragically, at least 11 individuals lost their lives in the attack, including two high-ranking generals from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi. Additionally, five military officers serving as advisers in Damascus were among the casualties.

Despite the destruction wrought by the airstrike, Iranian Ambassador Hossein Akbari escaped unharmed, having been present at the consulate during the attack. However, the compound, which also housed IRGC officials and facilities for meetings with Lebanese and Palestinian organizations, bore the brunt of the assault.

In response to the attack, Iran has vehemently condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as a violation of international law and accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of losing his “mental composure.” Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate against the aggressors, with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian holding the United States accountable for supporting Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel has maintained a conspicuous silence regarding the strike, neither confirming nor denying its involvement. However, security measures within Israel have been visibly bolstered, indicating a heightened state of alert.

The United States, for its part, has refrained from commenting on the incident, with NBC News reporting that the Biden administration was unaware of plans for the attack on Damascus.

The global response to the Israeli strike has been swift and condemnatory. Russia, in particular, has strongly denounced the attack and has called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the matter. Scheduled for April 2 at 7 p.m. GMT, the session will deliberate on Iran’s request to condemn Israel’s actions.

Amid escalating tensions in the region, the international community remains on edge, awaiting further developments and hoping to avert a broader conflict. As diplomatic efforts intensify and tempers flare, the repercussions of this audacious airstrike reverberate far beyond the borders of Damascus, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the volatile landscape of the Middle East.

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Mogadishu Police Raid Mothers’ House: Women’s Leaders Arrested Amid Property Dispute

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Somali police seize Mothers’ House, detain women’s association leaders as PM Barre faces allegations of selling the historic building to private interests.

Mogadishu witnessed a dramatic escalation on Saturday as Somali police stormed the Mothers’ House compound, forcibly evicting the Somali National Women’s Association (SNWA) and arresting its deputy leaders. The crackdown, allegedly ordered by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, has ignited a political firestorm, with accusations that the government is handing over the historic property to private business interests.

The operation—conducted under the cover of dawn—has sparked outrage. Why the urgency? Why now? SNWA leaders claim Barre’s administration has sold out to well-connected elites, eager to commercialize the site for profit. If true, this move exposes the government’s willingness to dismantle national institutions for economic gain, with little regard for historical and social significance.

The raid raises disturbing questions about Somalia’s governance. If the Prime Minister can override due process, seize property, and jail respected female leaders at will, what does that mean for civil society? Is this the future of Somalia’s democracy?

A legal battle is now underway at the Banadir Regional Court, but given Somalia’s notorious corruption, will justice prevail? Or will power and money decide the fate of Mothers’ House?

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Ruto’s 2027 Conspiracy: Is Kenya’s Security Being Traded for Somali Votes?

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As President Ruto courts Somali votes ahead of 2027, fears rise over national security, Al-Shabaab threats, and the Kenyan passport’s credibility.

Kenya’s President William Ruto is taking an unprecedented gamble—securing his 2027 re-election bid at any cost. His latest move? Removing security vetting for Somali Kenyans seeking identification, a long-standing safeguard against foreign infiltration, terrorism, and electoral fraud.

By lifting vetting requirements, Ruto has thrown open the floodgates to undocumented individuals who can now seamlessly acquire Kenyan IDs and passports—without scrutiny. Who will be holding these documents? Al-Shabaab operatives? Foreign voters? Somali nationalists reviving the irredentist dream of a “Greater Somalia”?

The 1963–1967 Shifta War may have ended, but Somali nationalism never died. For decades, regional governments have resisted the push to unify all Somali people into one nation—yet Ruto’s move breathes new life into this dangerous ambition. Will Kenya’s northeastern frontier become the next flashpoint?

Even more alarming, Kenya’s global counterterrorism reputation is at stake. With the Kenyan passport now more easily accessible, expect stricter travel restrictions from Western allies wary of compromised security. Will Kenya trade its credibility for ballot numbers?

The 2027 elections are still three years away, but Ruto’s reckless pursuit of votes could rewrite Kenya’s national identity. If security concerns are sidelined for political convenience, Kenya may find itself paying a catastrophic price—long after the ballots are counted.

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Trump’s Stargate and China’s AI Breakthrough Leave Macron’s Europe Scrambling

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Europe reels as Trump’s $500B AI push and China’s DeepSeek breakthrough expose EU’s struggle to compete in the global AI race.

In just 15 days, Trump’s Stargate megafund and China’s AI shockwave have shattered Macron’s European AI vision. While France’s tech elite dined with the president, urging him to wake up to AI dominance, Washington and Beijing obliterated any illusions of Europe leading the race.

Trump’s Stargate plan, a $500 billion nuclear bomb dropped on the AI world, proved America’s willingness to crush any competitors with raw economic muscle. The sheer scale of U.S. investment dwarfs anything Paris or Brussels could dream of. And before Europe could even process the impact, China’s DeepSeek hit with a precision strike, demonstrating that brute force alone won’t win this war. With cost-efficient breakthroughs, Beijing just rewrote the AI playbook.

Macron’s showpiece AI Summit now risks looking embarrassingly small-time. His “startup nation” dream is crumbling under the weight of geopolitical reality. Even his massive €30 billion UAE-backed data center feels like a band-aid on an amputated limb. France and the EU are scrambling for an answer—any answer—to stay relevant in this cutthroat AI battleground.

Regulatory overreach is Europe’s Achilles’ heel. While Washington rips up restrictions and Beijing builds faster than ever, Brussels ties its own hands with suffocating AI laws. Can Europe even survive in this AI arms race? Some argue it should retreat to niche markets, but that means surrendering strategic control of the future to China and the U.S..

Macron’s dream of a European AI empire is now hanging by a thread. Without radical change, Europe risks becoming a peripheral player in an AI world ruled by Trump’s capitalist juggernaut and China’s relentless efficiency. The next 12 months will determine whether Europe adapts—or fades into irrelevance.

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Israel Condemns Hostage Treatment as Ceasefire Hangs in the Balance

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Three Israeli hostages freed in fragile truce, appearing frail and malnourished. Israel slams Hamas as uncertainty looms over ceasefire and future exchanges.

Israel’s patience is wearing thin. As Hamas released three more Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners, the images of the frail, pale captives sparked outrage in Jerusalem. The Israeli government wasted no time condemning Hamas’ brutal treatment, calling the men’s condition “shocking”—a stark reminder of the horrors inflicted since October 7. The release, while welcomed, has only fueled calls for a more aggressive military approach, as Netanyahu’s war cabinet faces increasing pressure to end this cycle once and for all.

The exchange reveals more than just the physical toll. The hostages were paraded before cameras in a choreographed Hamas spectacle—another psychological weapon in the terror group’s arsenal. But this propaganda stunt did little to shift Israeli resolve. If anything, it has hardened national sentiment. Calls for an uncompromising military response are growing louder, especially as reports emerge of the inhumane conditions in which hostages are being held. The IDF has vowed that no stone will be left unturned in its mission to bring every hostage home—by force if necessary.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu walks a political tightrope. His far-right allies threaten to collapse the government if Israel agrees to extend the ceasefire in exchange for more hostage releases. On the other side, international pressure mounts, with Western allies urging restraint. The March 1 deadline looms like a ticking time bomb, with the next phase of the war hanging in the balance.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump’s boldest declaration yet—that the U.S. should take over Gaza and permanently relocate its residents—has sent shockwaves through the region. The idea, dismissed as “ethnic cleansing” by critics, has been cheered by Israeli hardliners who see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the Middle East permanently.

The war isn’t over. It’s evolving. With Hamas still holding 73 hostages and ceasefire negotiations on the brink of collapse, Israel’s next move could redefine the battlefield. One thing is certain: Hamas’ days are numbered, and Israel will not stop until every last hostage is accounted for—by diplomacy or by fire.

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Puntland Would be Happy to Host Gazan Refugees: Puntland Deputy Minister

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Puntland’s deputy minister of information, told The Telegraph the state would be happy to host Gazan refugees, as long as they came voluntarily.

Israel is considering plans to send Gazans to Puntland, an autonomous region of Somalia, after Donald Trump’s pledge to resettle them in “far safer and more beautiful” communities.

On Thursday, Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, ordered the IDF to prepare for the “voluntary” emigration of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, including “special arrangements” for sea and air departures. Mr Trump doubled down on his proposal for the United States to occupy and rebuild Gaza, despite White House officials attempting to soften the move.

The president said no US soldiers would be needed to turn Gaza into “one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on earth”, while Palestinians would move to “new and modern homes in the region”.

Despite fierce international resistance, Mr Trump’s remarks have galvanised long-standing Israeli hopes to remove Gazans from the stretch of coastal land they have occupied for centuries.

Neighbouring Egypt and Jordan have refused to host any of the two million citizens left in the devastated Strip, saying the move would fatally undermine the creation of a Palestinian state.

But on Wednesday night, Israel Bachar, Israel’s consul general to the Pacific Southwest, said that alternative destinations were being considered.

“From what I’m hearing, we’re talking about three different states,” Mr Bachar told CBS News. “And now you’re going to get your newsworthy piece.

“We’re talking about one [in] Morocco, two [in] Somalia and adjacent to Somalia there is another area; it’s called Puntland, and that’s what they’re looking at, maybe, to relocate them to these three places.”

Gazans told The Telegraph they had no intention of leaving their homes for Somalia, or anywhere else, describing the move as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was “extremely premature” to discuss potential destinations for voluntary emigration.

“That being said, there’s of course high-level co-operation between president Trump and our prime minister on the issue.”

Yacob Mohamed Abdalla, Puntland’s deputy minister of information, told The Telegraph the state would be happy to host Gazan refugees, as long as they came voluntarily.

“To start, I can tell you that Puntland is located in the corner of Africa and Palestine is in the Middle East. There is no reason to deport someone from his country to another country without that person choosing to move.”

But he welcomed free movement. “That is no problem,” he said. “We welcome at that time and it is for the sake of international law.”

An arid region on the northern tip of the Horn of Africa, Puntland was a hub for piracy in the early 2000s but has stabilised to become the wealthiest, most stable state in a nation wracked by conflict.

Puntland remains bitterly poor, with GDP per capita estimated at $507 in 2022, and Islamic State operates in the remote hills.

On Saturday, Donald Trump ordered the first military strikes of his new administration on one Puntland hide-out, saying a “senior Isis attack planner” and other terrorists “hiding in caves” were killed.

In a post on Facebook, Abdulahi Mohamed Jama, a former spokesman for the Puntland state government, said taking in Palestinians would benefit the region and help it gain support from the international community.

Gazans are “Islamic people”, like Puntlanders, and would contribute to the “modernising and development” of the state. The roughly 10,000 refugees who fled the war in Yemen brought “technological expertise” when they arrived.

If it were to accept Gazans, Puntland’s status in the world would improve and it would receive “security and economic development” in return, Mr Jaha said.

“It’s best to take advantage of the unplanned opportunities that sometimes arise,” he added.

Amit Segal, a well-connected Israel journalist seen as close to Benjamin Netanyahu, also said Israel was investigating moves to send Palestinians to Puntland, Somaliland – not Somalia – and Morocco.

“The first two seek international recognition, the third is concerned with maintaining recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara, and all three are countries with an overwhelming Sunni Muslim majority,” he said.

Somaliland declared complete independence but has not received international recognition of its status, except from Ethiopia.

Riven by poverty and unemployment, Puntland, home to around 4.5 million people, was the launchpad for dozens of hijackings of cargo ships, tankers and private yachts between 2005 and 2012.

Colin Freeman, The Telegraph’s correspondent, was kidnapped by Somali pirates based in the region for 40 days in 2008.

The leader of Somalia’s Islamic State branch is Puntland-born Abdul Qadir Mumin, a fiery cleric who settled in England and gained British citizenship, preaching in favour of jihad in mosques in London and Leicester. He burned his British passport on returning to Somalia in 2015.

In March last year, Puntland withdrew its recognition of the federal government amid a dispute over constitutional amendments, in particular a shift from indirect clan-based voting to individual suffrage. Relations with Mogadishu remain tense.

Will Brown, an Africa expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said discussing sending potentially hundreds of thousands of Gazans to Somalia was “insane”.

“Somalia is a failed state plagued by jihadist violence. The idea of dumping deeply traumatised people there is hellish,” he said.

Under Joe Biden, the US State Department condemned talk of resettling Gazans abroad as “inflammatory and irresponsible,” amid reports the government was investigating relocating Palestinians to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Some Israeli officials believe Mr Trump’s whole-hearted support for the idea, and the diplomatic muscle it brings, could unlock a deal.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, reportedly told a meeting of his Likud party last year: “Our problem is [finding] countries that are willing to absorb Gazans, and we are working on it.”

On Thursday, Mr Katz said Norway, Spain and Ireland are “legally obliged to allow any Gazan resident to enter their territories” following their recognition of a Palestinian state.

‘Gazans’ land is Gaza’

Madrid and Dublin immediately dismissed the claims, with Spain’s foreign minister on Thursday saying “Gazans’ land is Gaza and Gaza must be part of the future Palestinian state”.

In the dying days of his first administration, Mr Trump recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, where it has long fought a pro-independence insurgency.

Mr Biden did not reverse the decision but offered no further support, and Morocco’s claim has languished amid a lack of further international backing.

The Moroccan government did not respond to requests for comment. Its support for a two-state solution meant it was unlikely to accept any resettlement proposal, even with concessions on Western Sahara, said Abdallah Naicha, a political analyst.

“Even if Morocco is officially asked by the US administration or Israel to receive displaced people from Gaza, its stance will not be different,” he said.

Inside Gaza, residents told The Telegraph efforts to remove them from the Strip would “never succeed”.

“I do not know why they chose Somalia and Morocco, and whether these countries agreed to our emigration from Gaza, but Israel wants to occupy Gaza and expand and build settlements,” said Ahmed al-Hato, 50, from Gaza City.

“We will establish a Palestinian state and we will never emigrate from Gaza.”

“I apologise for what I am going to say,” added Samia al-Faqawi, 27, from Khan Younis, but “choosing Somalia as a country to leave our land and seek refuge in is ridiculous”.

He said: “Somalia is a very poor and barren area… I advise those who talk about our displacement to understand the nature of our lives and to know how much we love and are attached to Gaza.”

Muhammad al-Batniji, a 55-year-old displaced from Gaza City, agreed with Mr Trump’s views on the beauty and development potential of the coast.

“A year-and-a-half ago I lived in a new house in one of the high-end buildings next to the sea and near the Corniche and the Gaza Port.

“It is a very beautiful, calm place,” he said. “I was spending long hours sitting by the sea and could see it from my window.”

Addressing Mr Trump, he said: “Do not say you will try and make Gaza a tourist destination for people from abroad. This Gaza is for us and we will not leave it to anyone else.”

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Nigeria Scrambles to Counter USAID Aid Freeze

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With U.S. aid in limbo, Nigeria launches an emergency health funding plan to sustain critical programs.

Trump’s aggressive foreign policy reset is shaking the foundations of Nigeria’s healthcare system. With USAID funding frozen for 90 days, Nigerian officials are racing against time to prevent a healthcare disaster. The government has activated an emergency response team tasked with securing alternative funding and keeping life-saving programs afloat.

Despite Trump’s last-minute waiver for humanitarian aid, the uncertainty casts a long shadow over Nigeria’s ability to sustain crucial treatment for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. The country relies heavily on U.S. support, with over 1.8 million people living with HIV and the world’s highest malaria death toll. Without sustained U.S. backing, experts warn, Nigeria’s fragile health system could spiral into a full-blown crisis.

The government is scrambling to plug the gap. A $1 billion healthcare reform plan has been approved, with an additional $3.2 million allocated for emergency HIV treatment packs. But officials acknowledge that domestic funding won’t fully replace USAID’s billion-dollar contributions anytime soon. Even under the best circumstances, it could take years.

Nigeria’s Health Sector Reforms Coalition warns that the damage may already be done. “This isn’t just about money—it’s about partnerships, infrastructure, and supply chains that USAID helped build. Losing that support means setbacks that will be felt for years,” said General Secretary Ndeayo Iwot.

The bigger question is what comes after the 90-day freeze. Trump’s administration is reviewing whether these aid programs align with “America First” policies—a clear signal that some funding may never return. Analysts predict that unless Nigeria diversifies its global partnerships, it could be caught in a geopolitical storm that leaves its most vulnerable populations at risk.

For now, the government is buying time, but if Washington fully pulls the plug, Nigeria could face a healthcare disaster on an unprecedented scale.

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Puntland Sentences Social Media Influencers for ISIS Propaganda

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Court issues prison terms for two men convicted of spreading ISIS propaganda online from Europe.

Puntland’s Military Court has sentenced Mohamed Yacqub Siyad and Ali Ahmed Ali, two social media influencers, to 10 and 5 years in prison, respectively, for promoting ISIS propaganda online. The court found both men guilty of spreading disinformation aimed at discrediting Puntland’s military operations in the Calmiskaad Mountains, a key militant stronghold.

According to the ruling, Siyad resides in Germany, while Ali is based in Sweden. The trial in absentia raises enforcement challenges, as extradition from Europe remains unlikely. However, Puntland authorities emphasize that the verdict signals a broader commitment to combating terrorism in the digital sphere.

ISIS has relied heavily on social media for recruitment and propaganda, utilizing platforms such as Telegram and Twitter to disseminate high-quality videos and real-time updates. Puntland, a key player in Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts, has intensified military campaigns against militants in the region, particularly in the rugged Calmiskaad Mountains.

The verdict reflects growing efforts to curb online extremism, setting a potential precedent for how Somali regional administrations handle digital threats from abroad. While enforcing the sentences remains uncertain, Puntland’s message is clear: those who spread extremist propaganda, even from overseas, will be held accountable.

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UN Envoy to Zambia to Assess Freedom of Expression

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Special Rapporteur Irene Khan examines freedom of expression amid accusations of arrests, censorship, and restrictions.

United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan has begun a 10-day visit to Zambia to investigate allegations that the government is suppressing dissent and restricting freedom of expression. Her visit will focus on Zambia’s legal framework, the safety of journalists and activists, and broader human rights concerns.

The timing of Khan’s visit comes amid mounting accusations against the Zambian government for arbitrary arrests and censorship. Last year, opposition lawmakers and activists faced espionage charges after implicating the government in the alleged abduction of an independent MP. Additionally, journalist Thomas Zgambo, known for his government-critical articles, has been repeatedly arrested on sedition charges.

In response to criticism, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mulambo Haimbe, emphasized the government’s commitment to constitutional freedoms, citing Articles 11 and 20, which guarantee the right to expression and opinion. However, opposition leader Chishala Kateka of the New Heritage Party contends that opposition members face targeted arrests and selective application of the law.

Human rights groups have also raised concerns about attempts to tighten cybersecurity laws, which were withdrawn after public outcry. Activists see Khan’s visit as an opportunity for independent scrutiny and a chance to provide recommendations that could safeguard fundamental freedoms.

The U.N.’s examination could cast a spotlight on Zambia’s political and human rights trajectory, particularly as the rapporteur gathers input from multiple stakeholders. As Khan conducts her evaluation, Zambians await her findings, which could influence both domestic reforms and international perceptions of the country’s commitment to democracy.

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