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Somali forces kill more than 130 Al-Shabaab militants to repel major attack on Kudhaa, ministry says MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali special forces and allied regional troops repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault on the strategic town of Kudhaa in the country’s south, killing more than 130 militants in a daylong battle, the Ministry of Defence said Thursday. The 24-hour operation unfolded in Kudhaa, about 70 kilometers southwest of the port city of Kismayo, and drew in the Somali National Army’s U.S.-trained Danab Special Forces,…

Ghana's Multidimensional Poverty Rate Declines but Disparities Remain A recent report indicates that Ghana's multidimensional poverty rate has steadily decreased from 23.9% in the first quarter of 2025 to 21.9% by the third quarter. This report assesses poverty through four key indicators: health, living conditions, education, and employment, offering a more comprehensive view of poverty beyond mere income levels. At the report's launch in Accra this week, Senior Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu emphasized the…

The United States and Denmark plan to renegotiate the 1951 defense agreement that underpins the U.S. military presence in Greenland, according to a person familiar with the matter, a move that reflects shifting security realities in the Arctic and Greenland’s expanded autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark. The discussions are expected to focus on updating the legal framework governing operations at Pituffik Space Base — the longtime U.S. facility formerly known as Thule Air Base — and clarifying the role of Greenland’s…

The United States and Denmark plan to renegotiate the 1951 defense agreement governing the U.S. military presence in Greenland, according to a source familiar with the matter. The move would update a foundational pact that has underpinned North Atlantic security for more than seven decades and comes as the Arctic’s strategic importance accelerates. The 1951 Agreement Relating to the Defense of Greenland, struck under the NATO framework, allows the United States to operate defense installations on the island, most notably…

Somalia says its forces killed more than 130 al-Shabab fighters and repelled a major assault on the strategic coastal town of Kudhaa in the Lower Juba region after a prolonged battle that stretched beyond 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. The joint operation, led by Somali National Army units and Jubbaland regional security forces with backing from international partners, broke an attempted overrun by the al-Qaida-linked group in one of its most active southern strongholds, according to the ministry. The Defense…

Ghislaine Maxwell is set to appear virtually before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 9, with her lawyers indicating she plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination as lawmakers probe Jeffrey Epstein’s network and the government’s handling of records tied to his case. Committee Chairman James Comer said Maxwell’s legal team has repeatedly signaled she will refuse to answer questions. “I agree we need to hear from Ghislaine Maxwell,” Comer said, noting the panel has been seeking her deposition for…

Somali forces retake coastal town of Kudhaa after heavy fighting with al-Shabab KUDHAA, Somalia — Somali government troops backed by the elite Danab commandos and Jubbaland regional forces have retaken the coastal town of Kudhaa after heavy fighting with al-Shabab, officials said Thursday. Military officials said the clashes began before dawn a day earlier when al-Shabab fighters launched an attack on the area in Somalia’s Lower Juba region. The battle ended early Thursday after government-aligned units surrounded the…

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Texas jury on Wednesday acquitted a former Uvalde school district police officer of all criminal child-endangerment charges stemming from the botched law enforcement response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School massacre that left 19 students and two teachers dead. Adrian Gonzales, 52, faced 29 counts of felony child endangerment over what prosecutors said was his failure to act against the gunman in the first minutes of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Each count carried a…

In a stunning display of skill and strategy, the global football landscape shifted dramatically on January 22, 2026. Major matches across different leagues provided fans with electrifying moments, altering league standings and igniting discussions about upcoming tournaments. At the heart of these matches was the highly anticipated clash between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga. As is tradition, the infamous El Clásico was more than just a battle for points but also a clash of iconic legacies. Barcelona secured a…

UK declines to attend Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ signing in Davos, citing Putin’s involvement Britain will not take part in the signing ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Wednesday in Davos, citing “concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace,” Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said. Trump is hosting the launch of the new forum on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, pitching it as a vehicle to resolve international conflicts. The White House says about 35…