Wednesday 2,July ,2025 {HMC} Kenya and the United Kingdom have agreed to introduce six additional Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi and London every week in a move which President William Ruto says is aimed at addressing persistent cargo and passenger challenges.

The deal was made after President Ruto met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where they signed a renewed Kenya-UK strategic partnership set to unlock major investments, create jobs, and boost Kenya’s global competitiveness in trade, climate, technology, and security.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, in a statement on Tuesday, announced that the expanded air connectivity, set to begin this week, marks a deepening of commercial and tourism links between the two nations.

In addition to aviation ties, the two leaders committed to bolstering cooperation between their security and defence agencies through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and joint operations.

A Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is expected to be signed, anchored on mutual respect for each country’s legal framework.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

“They agreed on the need to establish legal, regulatory, and policy mechanisms that ensure rights guaranteed by the Constitution are fully enjoyed in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others guaranteed by the same Constitution, laying the foundation for a society anchored in harmony, justice, and mutual respect,” read the statement.

On the regional front, the leaders committed to supporting peace and security initiatives, including the stabilisation of South Sudan, the development of a new framework to resolve the crisis in Sudan, and enhanced support for Somalia.

They further welcomed the continued engagement of the United States in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

They underlined the need to harmonise regional responses through the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The meeting likewise reaffirmed Kenya’s role in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, with both leaders agreeing to support the country’s leadership in the mission.

Source Hiiraan online

Wednesday 2,July ,2025 {HMC} Iran-linked hackers have threatened to disclose more emails stolen from U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle, after distributing a prior batch to the media ahead of the 2024 U.S. election.

In online chats with Reuters on Sunday and Monday, the hackers, who go by the pseudonym Robert, said they had roughly 100 gigabytes of emails from the accounts of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, Trump adviser Roger Stone and porn star-turned-Trump antagonist Stormy Daniels.

Robert raised the possibility of selling the material but otherwise did not provide details of their plans. The hackers did not describe the content of the emails.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the intrusion as “an unconscionable cyber-attack.”

The White House and the FBI responded with a statement from FBI Director Kash Patel, who said: “Anyone associated with any kind of breach of national security will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This so-called cyber ‘attack’ is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence. This is a calculated smear campaign meant to damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants who serve our country with distinction,” cyberdefense agency CISA said in a post on X.

Halligan, Stone and a representative for Daniels did not respond to requests for comment. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not return a message seeking comment. Tehran has in the past denied committing cyberespionage.

Robert materialized in the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign, when they claimed to have breached the email accounts of several Trump allies, including Wiles.

The hackers then distributed emails to journalists.

Reuters previously authenticated some of the leaked material, including an email that appeared to document a financial arrangement between Trump and lawyers representing former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – now Trump’s health secretary.

Other material included Trump campaign communication about Republican office-seekers and discussion of settlement negotiations with Daniels.

Although the leaked documents did garner some coverage last year, they did not fundamentally alter the presidential race, which Trump won.

The U.S. Justice Department in a September 2024 indictment alleged that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ran the Robert hacking operation. In conversations with Reuters, the hackers declined to address the allegation.

After Trump’s election, Robert told Reuters that no more leaks were planned. As recently as May, the hackers told Reuters, “I am retired, man.” But the group resumed communication after this month’s 12-day air war between Israel and Iran, which was capped by U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites.

In messages this week, Robert said they were organizing a sale of stolen emails and wanted Reuters to “broadcast this matter.”
American Enterprise Institute scholar Frederick Kagan, who has written about Iranian cyberespionage, said Tehran suffered serious damage in the conflict and its spies were likely trying to retaliate in ways that did not draw more U.S. or Israeli action.

“A default explanation is that everyone’s been ordered to use all the asymmetric stuff that they can that’s not likely to trigger a resumption of major Israeli/U.S. military activity,” he said. “Leaking a bunch more emails is not likely to do that.”

Despite worries that Tehran could unleash digital havoc, Iran’s hackers took a low profile during the conflict. U.S. cyber officials warned on Monday that American companies and critical infrastructure operators might still be in Tehran’s crosshairs.

Reporting by Raphael Satter; Additional reporting by Gram Slattery and Kanjyik Ghosh; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Michael Perry

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Wednesday 2,July ,2025 {HMC} The Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, has extended warm congratulations to the leadership, government, parliament, and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, celebrated on Tuesday.

In his congratulatory message, Speaker Al Yamahi described the anniversary as a pivotal moment in Somalia’s history, marking the nation’s enduring journey toward freedom and sovereignty.

“I wish the brotherly Somali people continued stability, prosperity, and progress under the wise leadership of His Excellency Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia—may God protect him,” Al Yamahi stated.
He also reaffirmed the Arab Parliament’s commitment to strengthening coordination and cooperation with Somalia’s Federal Parliament across various fields of mutual interest.

Somalia’s road to independence began on June 26, 1960, when the northern region, then British Somaliland, gained independence from British rule. Days later, on July 1, 1960, it unified with the southern territories—formerly Italian Somaliland—to form the Somali Republic.

The Arab Parliament’s message comes amid nationwide celebrations in Somalia, marking six and a half decades of sovereignty, unity, and the nation’s aspirations for peace and development.

Source Hiiaan online

Wednesday 2,July ,2025 {HMC}  Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi has ruled out a quick resumption of talks with the United States after President Donald Trump said US negotiations with Tehran could restart as early as this week.

Araghchi’s comments on CBS Evening News on Monday came as the foreign ministers of the G7 issued a statement calling for dialogue on a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran and the US were holding talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme when Israel launched attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. The US later joined in Israel’s attacks, by bombing the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites on June 21.

Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, but the US and Israel say they want to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.

Araghchi said negotiations would not start as quickly as Trump had indicated, and that Iran first needs assurances against further attacks.

“In order for us to decide to reengage, we would have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations,” the minister said.

“I think with all these considerations, we still need more time,” he said, although “the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut”.

The Trump administration is seeking talks with Iran after the US president, during his first term, abandoned an agreement his predecessor signed with Tehran in 2015, which curbed the nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Under that deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium below 3.67 percent purity for fuel used in commercial nuclear power plants.

After Trump ditched the deal, Iran responded by producing uranium enriched to 60 percent, above levels for civilian usage but still below weapons grade.

Trump has said the US attacks had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites, and senior officials said it would be almost impossible for the country to resurrect its atomic programme.

Araghchi pushed back against that assertion, however.

“One cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings,” he told CBS. “If there is this will on our part, and the will exists in order to once again make progress in this industry, we will be able to expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time.”

Since the US and Israeli attacks, and the ensuing ceasefire, Iran has put on hold its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) due to what Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday called the the agency chief’s “destructive” behaviour towards the country.

Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, said tensions are growing between Iran and the IAEA.

“They [Iranians] are saying that they will only allow the inspectors to return once they secure the nuclear sites” that have been bombed by the US and Israel, Serdar said.

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations, meanwhile, said they supported the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, and urged for negotiations between Tehran and Washington to resume.

“We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear program,” the G7 foreign ministers said on Monday.

The ministers also urged “all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilise the region”.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

Wednesday 2,July ,2025 {HMC} The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, have extended their heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a statement released Tuesday, the UN envoy praised Somalia’s resilience and progress.

“Somalia has much to be rightfully proud of, including achievements in advancing peace, prosperity, and governance despite facing great challenges,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
“On behalf of the United Nations family in Somalia, I wish all Somalis ‘hambalyo,’ on this significant day, and reaffirm the UN’s commitment to supporting Somalia as it strives for even greater progress in the years to come,” he added.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf echoed similar sentiments, recalling the historical significance of July 1, 1960.

“This historic day stands as a proud testament to the unity, resilience, and determination of the Somali people, who came together in pursuit of sovereignty, dignity, and self-determination,” he stated.

“As you commemorate this important milestone, I pay tribute to the generations of Somalis whose sacrifices made this day possible. I reaffirm the African Union’s enduring solidarity with Somalia as you continue to advance your national priorities.”

Somalia’s path to independence began on June 26, 1960, when the northern region—then British Somaliland—gained independence from British rule. Days later, on July 1, it united with the southern territory of the Trust Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian Somaliland), forming the Somali Republic.

The country marks its 65th Independence Anniversary with parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and renewed calls for peace, unity, and democratic progress.

Source Hiiraan online