Kerala’s Ayurvedic medical tourism earns ₹13,500 crore in 2024

V. K. C. Razak, Chairman of CII Kerala and Managing Director of VKC Footgear Pvt. Ltd., addressing the press meet; P. M. Varier, Convenor of the CII Kerala Ayurveda Panel and Chief Physician & Managing Trustee of Arya Vaidyasala, Kottakkal; Saji...

Spike in Vehicle Hijackings Raises Security Fears in Somalia’s Central Regions

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Armed groups have intensified attacks on passenger vehicles in Somalia’s central regions of Hirshabelle and Galmudug regional states over the past month, raising serious security concerns for travelers. Two vehicles were...

Trump’s Claims: A Stitch in Time

Nigeria, as an independent and sovereign nation, prioritizes its territorial integrity and international agreements in addressing security concerns. Any potential military assistance from the United States or other countries would need to respect...

Mystery Surrounds Fate of ISIS Leader in Somalia as Al-Miskaad Offensive Drags On

Somalia: Drone Strike Hits Lower Shabelle region; Civilian Casualties reported MOGADISHU, Somalia - A drone strike was reported in Lower Shabelle, in the latest crackdown that may have left civilian casualties, but authorities in Somalia have yet...

Zohran Mamdani’s Rise: From Queens Lawmaker to New York City Mayor 

In the Libyan city of Sabha, known as the “Bride of the South,” authorities dismantled three terrorist networks in August, revealing links stretching across and back to the African coast. Five months earlier, in March 2025, security forces in...

UAE suspends Work, Tourist Visas for These Countries; Is Pakistan on the List?

DUBAI – United Arab Emirates (UAE) suspended all new work and tourist visa applications for citizens of several countries, including Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Cameroon, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Bangladesh. The ban leaves many...

Visa-free travel: Kenya and Senegal just made visiting each other easier

The agreement between the two countries signifies a major step towards fostering stronger diplomatic ties and facilitating greater mobility for their citizens. This landmark deal will permit visa-free travel for a duration of 90 days, offering...

World’s 9 weakest passports in 2025: Countries with the least travel freedom

The 2025 Henley Passport Index reveals Afghanistan holds the weakest passport, granting visa-free access to only 25 countries. This ranking, shared by Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, and Libya, highlights how...

9 Weakest Passports in the World 2025: Complete List, Rankings & Travel Access

18Travel between countries is a completely different experience depending on where you were born. The newly released Henley Passport Index for 2025 shows a stark picture of international mobility and describes how holders of the Weakest passports...

Real risk of famine in Somalia due to aid cuts: ‘We don’t know where support will come from’

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

South Africa, Somalia ‘kingmakers’ as geopolitical strategies play out in Africa

While the Trump administration’s tariff hikes have dominated headlines this year, a significant powerplay is quietly unfolding in Africa. Deteriorating relations between Taiwan and economic powerhouse South Africa and the Federal Republic of...

Pakistani national in US sentenced to 40 years for smuggling Iran-made weapons

A Pakistani national in the US has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for charges relating to transporting Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. Muhammad Pahlawan was convicted in June this year by a federal jury for conspiring to provide...

Kano Hisbah arrest man over alleged attempt to traffic two women to Somalia

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested a 43-year-old man, Abubakar Adodo, for allegedly attempting to traffic two women from Katsina State to Somalia through Benin Republic. Deputy Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Mujahid Aminudeen...

Tanzania to name national bird to boost eco-tourism

Arusha. Tanzania will soon join the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan, in selecting a national bird. While the giraffe serves as the country’s national wildlife symbol, Tanzania has never officially...

Ukrainian teenager, 17, who was stabbed to death 'by a Somalian migrant' in Ireland 'had fled his war-torn country for a better life'

The family of a Ukrainian teenager killed in an attack at a Dublin refugee centre have paid tribute to the 'kind, intelligent and well mannered' person he was. Vadym Davydenko, 17, died last week following what authorities described as a 'serious...

Somalia Repatriates 148 Citizens from Yemen Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct 10, 2025 – Somalia on Thursday repatriated 148 of its citizens from Yemen, as part of a coordinated humanitarian effort with international agencies, authorities said. The group — including men, women and children — arrived...

Somalia: authorities must end crackdown on independent journalism as arrests spike in Somaliland

Increase in the number of journalists arrested by the police Since January 2025, the administration of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, in power since December 2024, has drastically silenced dissenting voices, particularly...

Ireland Just Sealed Its Fate on Mass Migration

On Oct. 24, 2025, Ireland did not so much elect a president as confirm a pattern. Catherine Connolly’s quiet victory completed a national loop: the country that once exported its people in search of survival now imports new populations in search...

Somalia denies secret deportation deal with Sweden amid growing diplomatic tensions

Somalia has rejected reports claiming it entered into a covert agreement with Sweden to receive Somali nationals facing deportation, calling the allegations politically motivated. “The Federal Government of Somalia has no secret or conditional...

'I was love-bombed by a Somalia doctor on Facebook - then forced into sick blood oath'

Looking for romance, Mary Chater was pulled into a cruel love scam(Image: Mary Chater) A woman who fell foul of a cruel romance scam has opened up about how she was charmed by a fraudster who presented himself as a dashing doctor. Mary Chater, 67,...