June 29, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Kenyan town near Somali border hit by blast after fire at market

28 Jun- Source: Bloomberg -144 words

An explosion rocked a market in the northeastern Kenyan town of Wajir near the border with Somalia, a district official said.

The “very large” blast occurred today after waste at a dump site in the market caught fire, District Officer John Kihara said in a phone interview from the town, 500 kilometers (311 miles) northeast of Nairobi, the capital. Five women were treated for shock at the scene, Halima Hassan, a trader at the market, said in a separate phone interview.

Key Headlines

Somali president and president of Somaliland administration meet in Dubai (Radio Mogadishu)
Historic agreement paves way for end to Somali bloodshed ( National)
Al Shabaab to lose Jowhar without fight (Bar-Kulan)
TFG impounds 11 suspected militants and a battle-wagon near Bal’ad town (Bar-Kulan)
Former Somali Foreign Minister: There are special interests in Somalia-Somaliland talks (Hadhwanaag Times)
Ugandan PM Mbabazi Somalia’s premier discuss regional security ( New Vision)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president and president of Somaliland administration meet in Dubai

28 Jun- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA/SNTV/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Risaala- 166 words

TFG president Sharif Sh. Ahmed and president of Somaliland Administration, Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo on Thursday met in Dubai city in the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting between both presidents of Somali Republic and Somaliland Administration was hosted by the Emirates following last week’s negotiations that started for Somaliland and TFG in London, UK.

Al Shabaab to lose Jowhar without fight

28 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 153 words

Al Shabaab militant group has revealed that it will not defend Jowhar town, Middle Shabelle, from the advancing Somali and AU forces, just two days after the allied forces wrested control of Bal’ad town.
The area’s rebel leader Yussuf Isse alias Kaba-kutukade on Wednesday evening reportedly called together local elders in Jowhar and told them that his militants will pull out of the town without engaging in any fight with the allied forces.

Casualties reported as “powerful” blast rocks central Somali town

28 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle-122 words

A powerful explosion targeted Somali and Ethiopian forces in Beled Weyne, the provincial capital of Hiiraan Region in central Somalia.
Reports say the blast resulted in casualties although the exact number remains unclear. Somalia and Ethiopian troops opened fire after the explosion.
Eyewitnesses said that the blast was powerful and was heard across a number of neighbourhoods in the east of Beledweyne.

TFG impounds 11 suspected militants and a battle-wagon near Bal’ad town

28 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 127 words

Somali forces on Wednesday afternoon reportedly impounded 11 suspected militants and their battle-wagon near the recently captured Bal’ad town.
Area regional governor Abdi Jinow said the vehicle and the suspected militants onboard were taken into custody. He said the suspect will soon appear in court once investigations are complete.
There are conflicting reports emerging from the area, with some alleging that the vehicle belongs to the pro-government Ahlu Sunna militia group while others say it belongs to al Shabaab.

Former Somali Foreign Minister: There are special interests in Somalia-Somaliland talks

28 Jun- Source: Hadhwanaag Times- 89 words

Somalia’s former foreign minister Ismail Hurre Buba on Thursday said there are special interests in Somalia-Somaliland talks.
The former minister went on to say that the talks between Somaliland and the Somali government were not held in the suitable time.
He said that the two parties leaders want to use the talks as an opportunity to persuade people to reelect them after their mandated tenure expires in August 20.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Ugandan PM Mbabazi, Somalia’s premier discuss regional security

28 Jun- Source: New Vision- 248 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has met his Ugandan counterpart, Amama Mbabazi to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.
Dr. Abdiweli who is on State visit, arrived in Uganda Thursday morning. He said at the meeting with Mbabazi that Somalia’s clan chiefs will elect 225 Member of Parliament next month. The two also discussed Al- Shabaab, an organisation linked to terror group, Al Qaeda.

Historic agreement paves way for end to Somali bloodshed

28 Jun- Source: National- 506 words

An historic meeting between the presidents of Somalia and Somaliland in Dubai may be the first step towards ending years of bloodshed there.
The meeting, facilitated by the UAE, was the first in 21 years. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the president of Somalia’s transitional federal government, and Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the president of the Republic of Somaliland, signed a declaration that paves the way for future talks and cooperation between the nations.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenyan town near Somali border hit by blast after fire at market

28 Jun- Source: Bloomberg -144 words

An explosion rocked a market in the northeastern Kenyan town of Wajir near the border with Somalia, a district official said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

International Showcase Somalia – Mogadishu – Forgotten Pasts and Distant Futures

28 June- Source: .London Festival Architecture 2012 Blog-99 Words

In the course of its history, Mogadishu has been influenced by the various cultures of its diverse inhabitants, traders and rulers, which came to strongly inform its subsequent social, cultural and physical characteristics.

Mogadishu – Forgotten Pasts and Distant Futures is an image and sound installation that charts the urban transformation of Mogadishu, from the late 19th century through to the first few decades of the 20th century. It is a platform for a broader audience to for the first time, engage with this particular aspect of the city’s cultural history, by presenting it in a unique, site-specific architectural environment.