Trump's productive call with Zelenskiyy, eyes 30-day ceasefire deal
U.S. President Donald Trump had a "very good and productive" phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy on Thursday, according to the White House.
Al Shabaab attacks strategic Somali town as government forces struggle to contain insurgent gains.
Al Shabaab fighters launched an attack on the central Somali town of Adan Yabaal on Wednesday, a key military staging area for government operations against the militant group, according to local residents.
The assault comes as al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked group, has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, including briefly seizing villages within 50 kilometers of Mogadishu last month—stoking fears in the capital of a potential attack. Although government forces have since retaken those areas, the militants continue to advance through rural regions.
To bolster military efforts, the Somali government has deployed additional personnel, including police and prison guards, sources told Reuters. Adan Yabaal, located roughly 245 kilometers north of Mogadishu, has served as a launch point for raids on al Shabaab positions. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is from the region, visited the town last month to consult with military commanders on reinforcing defenses.
“After morning prayers, we heard a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire,” said Fatuma Nur, a mother of four, speaking by phone from the town. “They attacked from two directions. I’m still hiding indoors, and the fighting continues.”
Conflicting reports have emerged about the outcome. A military officer, Captain Hussein Olow, claimed government forces repelled the attackers. However, in a statement, al Shabaab claimed its fighters overran 10 military sites and seized control of the town.
The national government has not issued an official response.
The attack comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of international security support for Somalia, raising concerns about the country’s capacity to contain the insurgency.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump had a "very good and productive" phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy on Thursday, according to the White House.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil fresh sanctions targeting up to 100 Russian oil tankers used to evade international restrictions, in a bid to cut off funding for Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
China has agreed to send its top economic official for rare trade talks with the U.S. in Geneva, as deepening economic troubles and geopolitical frictions force Beijing back to the negotiating table.
The United States, along with its European allies, is finalizing a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with a strong warning that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia if the truce is not honored, according to a French diplomatic source on Friday.
Ten blasts were reported near Srinagar International Airport in India-administered Kashmir as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate, prompting global concern over a potential wider conflict.
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