Somali Mail https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html A wet and windy week, but less impactful than of late Amber warning issued with heavy and persistent rain for parts of Scotland Rain, wind and wintry hazards before turning much milder 2025 continues series of world’s three warmest years Is the rain’s reign coming to an end? New study identifies warning signs for extreme flash flooding Amber warnings issued for Storm Goretti Severe heatwaves and droughts are making extreme wildfires more frequent and intense worldwide Staying safe at the beach is now within easier reach Amber warning issued as cold weather continues Halloween forecast plus, will hurricane Melissa affect our weather? Laundry and outfit planning among the leading motivations behind checking the forecast, research reveals President Laftagar‍een I‌ns⁠p​ects Ongoin‍g Const​ruction of New President‌ial Pal⁠ace​ Buildings in South West State Somalia and Egypt discuss strengthening trade cooperation and AUSSOM at Aswan forum What are the effects of an Arctic ‘tug-of-war’ on Britain and Ireland’s winter weather? Deep emission cuts before mid-century decisive to reduce long-term sea-level rise legacy Met Office transforms meteorologist training for a changing world Prime Minister Keir Starmer Criticises Decision to Ban Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans from Aston Villa Europa League Match Alum Rock Councillor Claims Food Trailer Park Petition Was ‘Politicized’ as ‘Political Tool’ to Undermine Councillors Somalia’s Ambassador to Tanzania and the East Africa Community undertakes high-level visit to Kinshasa With wetter winters becoming the norm, the UK transport sector needs to prepare for increasing hazards in a changing climate Somalia Elects Nine Representatives to East African Legislative Assembly Energy access, renewable transition top the agenda at Somalia Success Stories Forum Somali Parliament Ratifies African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child Wet September to start meteorological autumn Professor Stephen Belcher awarded CBE in New Years Honours 2026 outlook: likely another year above 1.4°C Ethiopia’s Somali Region to Receive 50% Share of Oil Revenues, President Announces Somalia Reaffirms Global Stance at Key Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala Galmudug State Arrests Three Suspects in Gruesome Murder of Mother and Three Daughters Egypt’s President Al-Sisi Issues Stern Warning to Ethiopia Over Nile Dam Dispute, Vows to Protect Water Security Somali Businessman Gunned Down in South Africa’s Cape Town Somali Government Issues Warning Over Opposition Protest Mogadishu Police Warn Youth Against Dangerous Acts at Football Stadiums Somalia bets on Swahili to lock itself into East Africa’s future Sharif’s Political Gamble to Undermine Hassan Sheikh Backfires Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – October 9, 2025 When former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed publicly donated money to a woman who claimed to be the aunt of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, recently evicted from public land, it appeared at first glance to be a simple act of charity. But in reality, it was a well-calculated political move. Sharif’s intention was clear: to highlight what opposition leaders call the two greatest failures of the current administration — forced evictions in Mogadishu and nepotistic corruption within the presidency. Yet, the plan seems to have spectacularly backfired. Instead of painting President Hassan as a heartless ruler, the episode unexpectedly boosted the government’s image — showing, at least temporarily, a leadership willing to apply the law equally, regardless of personal ties. A Political Performance Disguised as Charity The woman, Mama Fowsiya, who said she was displaced from government land earmarked for public use, appeared emotionally before an audience organized by Sharif’s opposition party, Himilo Qaran. Tearfully, she told the crowd: “I am Fowsiya. I’m President Hassan’s aunt — his mother and I are sisters. I’ve never spoken about clan, but tonight I’m speaking from pain.” Her emotional speech went viral on social media, striking a chord with frustrated citizens and giving Sharif’s team the perfect opportunity to score political points. Taking the microphone, Sharif responded with calm gravitas: “You can all see her pain. The injustice in this country has reached intolerable levels. Our party has decided to give this family $1,000 in cash, another $1,000 for their daughter’s education, and to cover their monthly rent of $150.” He concluded: “You are not alone. Your rights will be restored, Insha’Allah.” The event, crafted as both a humanitarian gesture and a political statement, was meant to go viral — and it did. Videos of the scene spread rapidly, portraying Sharif as a compassionate elder statesman stepping in where the sitting president, once his ally, had allegedly failed. A Calculated Strike at a Sensitive Moment Sharif’s timing was no accident. Forced evictions in Mogadishu have become one of the city’s most politically charged issues. As the capital expands, entire communities — often poor families or internally displaced people — have been cleared from informal settlements to make way for development projects. The opposition has leveraged these evictions to argue that the government prioritizes concrete over compassion. Sharif’s gesture was meant to amplify that narrative, depicting the administration as cold, elitist, and disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens. But the move triggered an unexpected twist. Hassan Sheikh’s Calm Counter and a Reversal of Optics President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud publicly addressed the controversy on October 3, distancing his office from the eviction operations. He clarified that land management in Mogadishu falls under the city government, not the presidency: “The land in Mogadishu is under the municipality’s authority — just like in Baidoa, Dhusamareb, Garowe, or Kismayo. If there’s wrongdoing, we correct it. But the president doesn’t allocate land.” He went on to frame the issue in broader urban terms: “Mogadishu will no longer be a disaster zone — a place where Al-Shabaab hides, or where firefighters can’t reach, or where bodies are trapped in rubble. We’re rebuilding, opening roads, and enforcing order.” And, in a striking statement, he added: “I’m not afraid of people protesting. They have that right. Change is never easy, but it’s necessary.” His measured, non-defensive tone flipped the public narrative — turning what could have been a scandal into an example of governance and discipline. When a Political Trap Turns into a Moral Lesson Ironically, the very case that the opposition hoped would expose Hassan Sheikh’s cruelty ended up undermining their moral high ground. For many Somalis, the fact that even someone claiming to be the president’s aunt could be evicted reinforced an unfamiliar but powerful message: no one is above the law. In a political culture where clan loyalty often defines power and privilege, the idea that family ties don’t guarantee immunity felt revolutionary — even refreshing. Whether intentional or not, the outcome strengthened the perception that the president is serious about state discipline, not favoritism. A New Chapter in an Old Rivalry This episode adds another layer to the long-standing rivalry between Hassan Sheikh and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. The two men — former allies turned adversaries — first clashed in the 2012 presidential race, where Hassan defeated Sharif. They briefly reunited against Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo during the last political transition, only for their alliance to collapse after Hassan’s 2022 victory. Since then, Sharif and his allies have accused the president of consolidating power and sidelining former partners — echoing the very grievances that now underpin their opposition movement. The eviction issue has become the latest battlefield in that ongoing chess game — one where Sharif’s move to expose moral failure instead gifted Hassan a fleeting moment of moral authority. The Takeaway: Politics, Power, and Perception The story of “Aunt Fowsiya”, as Somalis now call her, exposes the deeply entangled nature of Somali politics — where human suffering, public emotion, and political rivalry often merge into one. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed succeeded in highlighting a real humanitarian problem: the plight of Mogadishu’s displaced poor. But his attempt to use that pain for political leverage boomeranged, momentarily elevating Hassan Sheikh as a leader who enforces rules — even against family. The broader issues — land rights, corruption, and governance — remain unresolved. Yet in this round of Somalia’s never-ending political chess match, a move meant to wound ended up proving the opponent’s strength. Somali-Origin Activist Shifa Abdi Among Gaza Flotilla Passengers Detained by Israeli Forces Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla, Detains Activists Including Greta Thunberg Somali Prime Minister Launches Plan to Reopen 52 Major Roads in Mogadishu Talks Between Somali President Hassan Sheikh and Jubaland Leader Ahmed Madobe End Without Agreement Somali President Hassan Sheikh and Jubbaland Leader Ahmed Madobe in High-Stakes Mediation Talks in Kismayo, Backed by Foreign Powers Armed Attack Frees Prisoners from Mogadishu Police Station, Somali Police Say Somalia’s Stand for the Right to Strike Before the UN’s Principal Judicial Body Applauded by Trade Unions Somali Army Commander Orders Immediate Offensive to Retake Awdheegle from Al-Shabaab Satellite Images Show Iran Rebuilding Nuclear Facilities After Israeli Strikes By [Your Name], September 27, 2025 What happened? New satellite imagery has revealed reconstruction activity at key Iranian nuclear facilities just three months after coordinated airstrikes by Israel and the United States. The images, taken by Maxar Technologies on September 18 and 23, show visible construction, excavation, and site expansion at Natanz and Fordow—two of Iran’s most sensitive uranium enrichment sites. Who was involved? The strikes, carried out on June 12, targeted Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure. Israel and the U.S. claimed the operation was necessary to prevent Tehran from advancing its nuclear program. In response, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, led by its chief Mohammad Eslami, vowed to rebuild the damaged facilities. Where is the activity taking place? Natanz: Iran’s largest uranium enrichment complex, housing hundreds of centrifuges. Satellite images show new excavation work and heavy construction equipment near the southern underground tunnel system. Additional expansion is visible in nearby areas. Fordow: Located deep beneath a mountain range, Fordow is one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites. Recent images captured on September 23 indicate that six previously bomb-damaged underground shafts now appear sealed or covered, suggesting repair or reconstruction efforts. When did it happen? The satellite images were taken in mid-to-late September 2025, highlighting that Iran’s rebuilding activities began within months of the June strikes. Why is this significant? The rapid reconstruction underscores Tehran’s determination to maintain and restore its nuclear infrastructure despite international pressure and military setbacks. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of military strikes as a long-term deterrent, as well as the resilience of Iran’s nuclear program. Israel and the U.S. have repeatedly warned that Iran’s uranium enrichment poses an existential security threat, while Tehran insists its program is for peaceful purposes. How has Iran responded? In an interview with Sky News earlier this week, Mohammad Eslami declared that Tehran remains fully committed to rebuilding its nuclear facilities. He accused Israel and the U.S. of “aggression” and maintained that Iran’s program operates within its sovereign rights. Background context Iran’s nuclear program has long been at the center of international tensions. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) placed limits on Tehran’s enrichment capacity, but the deal unraveled in 2018 after the U.S. withdrawal under President Donald Trump. Since then, Iran has gradually expanded its enrichment activities, enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade. The June strikes represented the most significant direct attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in years, highlighting escalating tensions in the region. Conclusion The new satellite evidence signals that Iran is pressing ahead with efforts to restore its nuclear capabilities despite devastating airstrikes. For Washington, Tel Aviv, and other global powers, the developments pose a renewed challenge: whether to pursue further military pressure, re-engage in negotiations, or brace for a new escalation in the Middle East’s nuclear standoff. President Hassan Sheikh Opens 7th Session of Federal Parliament, Calls for Unity and Constitutional Completion Research reveals changing hail risks in a warming Europe Jubaland Strongly Condemns Forced Evictions and Alleged Abuses in Mogadishu France Formally Recognizes State of Palestine Ceasefire Holds Amid Prisoner Exchange and Tensions Following Egypt Summit