Adaptation of Hassan Ghedi Santur’s The Youth of God Explores Migration, Faith, and Radicalization

Sabrina Dhowre Elba’s casting in Nuur signals a major moment for Somali cinema. Directed by Lula Ali Ismaïl, Djibouti’s first female filmmaker, the adaptation of Hassan Ghedi Santur’s novel The Youth of God brings a powerful, deeply personal narrative to the big screen.

The Youth of God is a critically acclaimed novel by Somali-Canadian writer Hassan Ghedi Santur (pictured). Photo: Courtesy Mawenzi House

Elba plays Haawo, a Somali mother navigating single parenthood and cultural displacement in Toronto, forced into a desperate search when her teenage son vanishes. The story confronts radicalization, identity crises, and the tension between faith and Western aspirations—a theme rarely explored with this depth in mainstream cinema.

With a stellar cast including Omar Abdi and Hamza Fouad, Nuur is poised to redefine Somali storytelling. Santur’s source material, longlisted for Canada Reads 2020, offers an unflinching look at the alienation faced by Somali youth caught between traditional values and the pressures of Western life.

Lula Ali Ismaïl, known for Dhalinyaro, has cemented her reputation as a director who elevates African diaspora narratives. With Nuur, she steps into even more ambitious territory, blending a thriller-like urgency with deeply emotional storytelling.

Actors Hamza Fouad (Riverdale) (far left) and Omar Abdi (The Gravedigger’s Wife) (center) join director Lula Ali Ismaïl (far right) in the upcoming feature film Nuur.

This film arrives at a critical time, as discussions around migration, identity, and extremism remain highly relevant. Backed by Telefilm Canada and produced by Scythia Films, Nuur has the potential to break new ground in African and diaspora cinema.

Filming begins later this year—expect Nuur to be a must-watch.

U.S. airstrikes in Puntland killed 16 ISIS militants, including top bomb-makers. The operation, backed by UAE forces, targeted key hideouts in Somalia’s Cal Miskaad mountains. 

The U.S. just tightened the noose on ISIS-Somalia, launching a devastating airstrike that killed 16 militants, including two senior bomb-makers. In a region where ISIS has dug into mountainous strongholds, this precision strike in Puntland’s Cal Miskaad range sends a clear message: the U.S. and its allies aren’t backing down.

The United Arab Emirates’ involvement in the operation signals a wider regional effort to eliminate ISIS footholds in Puntland, a critical staging ground for terrorist expansion into Somalia and beyond. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed the strike as proof of a strong U.S.-Somalia partnership, emphasizing that Mogadishu is fully aligned with Washington’s counterterrorism strategy.

This isn’t an isolated hit—just weeks ago, a similar U.S. assault wiped out 14 ISIS operatives, including Ahmed Maeleninine, a key ISIS recruiter funneling foreign fighters into the U.S. and Europe. These strikes are part of a relentless campaign aimed at eradicating ISIS leadership, disrupting its supply chains, and neutralizing its drone capabilities—a growing threat evident from the seven drones launched by militants during Sunday’s raid.

Puntland has declared all-out war on extremist groups, claiming to have eliminated over 200 ISIS fighters since launching its military offensive. But ISIS isn’t going down quietly—if its drone warfare and fortified mountain bases are any indication, the battle for Puntland is far from over.

With the U.S. stepping up its direct involvement, and regional players like UAE actively participating, ISIS-Somalia’s days are numbered—but the question remains: how deep is the terror network’s resilience, and can Puntland’s forces maintain the pressure without sustained U.S. air support?

European Leaders Scramble for Security Strategy Amid Trump’s Shift on NATO and Ukraine

Europe is on its own—at least, that’s the new reality unfolding after Washington’s drastic shift on Ukraine and NATO. In Paris, British PM Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO’s Mark Rutte met in an emergency security summit, confronting the cold truth: America’s commitment to European security is fading.

The biggest shock? Trump’s direct talks with Putin—set to begin in Saudi Arabia—without Ukraine or European nations at the table. For the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Moscow is no longer isolated, and the fate of Ukraine is being decided behind closed doors.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered another blow, telling NATO allies that Ukraine is unlikely to reclaim pre-2014 borders, won’t join NATO, and won’t receive U.S. troops. Europe, long reliant on American military backing, is now being forced into a crash course in self-reliance.

France and Germany now face a defining moment: increase defense spending, commit troops, and take responsibility—or risk irrelevance. Starmer even hinted at deploying British peacekeepers in Ukraine, but only if the U.S. provides security guarantees—a clear sign that Europe still doesn’t trust its own power.

Meanwhile, Trump’s Vice President JD Vance took a swipe at European democracy, calling mass migration and political censorship bigger threats than Russia or China. His comments rattled European leaders, showing just how deep the transatlantic fracture has become.

With only 23 out of 32 NATO members meeting defense spending targets, Europe is racing against time to prepare for a world where the U.S. no longer plays the role of guardian. As Putin tightens his grip on the battlefield, European leaders are waking up to the harshest geopolitical reality in decades.

The era of American-led European security is ending—and Europe has no choice but to fight for its own future.

As Trump’s administration considers recognizing Somaliland, Turkey strengthens ties with Hargeisa to challenge UAE’s expanding influence. 

For the first time in years, Turkey’s Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, visited Somaliland, signaling a major geopolitical shift. The timing of the visit is no coincidence—it comes as Somaliland’s growing ties with the UAE and the U.S. have raised concerns in Ankara, which has long positioned itself as a key player in the Horn of Africa.

Turkey’s deepening engagement in Somaliland is a calculated move to curb Dubai’s increasing influence over Somaliland’s ports, economy, and regional alliances. The Berbera Port, controlled by UAE’s DP World, has become a critical asset, fueling economic expansion and potential U.S. military interest. Turkey, which has a strong alliance with Mogadishu, sees UAE’s rise in Somaliland as a direct challenge.

The Trump administration’s ongoing deliberations over formal recognition of Somaliland add another layer of urgency to Turkey’s engagement. If Washington grants Somaliland official recognition, it would not only solidify Somaliland’s autonomy but also create a new U.S. strategic outpost in the region—an alternative to Djibouti, where China has expanded military influence.

Turkey, which has historically mediated between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, is now stepping into Somaliland more directly. Is Ankara preparing to play both sides, or is it realigning its regional ambitions? With Ethiopia seeking maritime access, the UAE expanding its economic grip, and the U.S. weighing a game-changing diplomatic shift, Somaliland has become a flashpoint for global power competition.

What’s next? If Turkey succeeds in counterbalancing the UAE, it could push for a greater role in regional security and trade agreements. However, if the U.S. recognizes Somaliland, Ankara may be forced to choose between its Somali ally and a rising strategic power in Hargeisa.

Sweden’s immigrant community is reeling after a mass shooting in Örebro left 10 dead. Investigators are probing potential racial motives.

Sweden’s immigrant communities are on edge after the country’s worst mass shooting in decades, with 10 foreign-background victims gunned down inside a Swedish language school. Rickard Andersson, a 35-year-old Swedish national, carried out the cold-blooded massacre before turning the gun on himself, leaving more questions than answers.

Authorities insist there’s no clear ideological motive, yet the targeting of immigrants cannot be ignored. Victims from Syria, Iran, Eritrea, Lebanon, Somalia, and Bosnia had come to Sweden to build better lives. Instead, they were gunned down while studying Swedish and training for jobs—the very definition of integration under attack.

Somali Mother Among Victims in Sweden’s Deadliest School Massacre

Public outrage is growing as many suspect a hate crime, especially in a nation where far-right rhetoric has increasingly blamed immigrants for crime and economic struggles. The government, backed by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has tightened migration policies, fueling division.

Authorities warn that Andersson was a loner, an unemployed man with legal firearms but no criminal record. Yet, the immigrant community is not convinced. Social worker Annie Boroian says foreigners already feel excluded, and this tragedy deepens that alienation.

The investigation could take a year, but for many, the fear is immediate. Sweden’s immigrant communities feel vulnerable, caught between rising nationalism, tightening policies, and now, deadly violence. The real question is—was this a lone act, or a symptom of something much darker brewing in Sweden?

Trump administration faces lawsuits over secretive migrant transfers to Guantanamo Bay, as rights groups warn of constitutional violations.

The Trump administration’s mass deportation blitz has taken a drastic and unprecedented turn—migrants detained on U.S. soil are now being shipped to Guantanamo Bay. With at least 30,000 beds being prepared at the offshore prison, Trump calls it a necessary step to remove “violent criminals”, but rights groups are calling it an unconstitutional detention scheme.

The ACLU and advocacy organizations have filed a lawsuit against the administration, demanding access to detainees who have been cut off from legal counsel. The case of Eucaris Carolina Gomez Lugo, who recognized her brother in handcuffs at Guantanamo after being accused of gang affiliations without trial, is a chilling example of how due process is vanishing under Trump’s immigration policies.

Trump’s crackdown aims to deport over a million migrants in a year, requiring 2,700 removals daily—but Guantanamo’s expansion suggests an even harsher playbook. Critics say it’s political theater, meant to showcase brute force over immigration policy, while sidestepping U.S. legal protections.

Historically, Guantanamo was used for Haitian and Cuban migrants stopped at sea—never for those detained on U.S. soil. But Trump is rewriting that rulebook, deploying a militarized solution to an immigration crisis that past presidents handled differently.

Obama and Biden, despite their “Deporter-in-Chief” reputations, never resorted to offshore detention facilities. Trump’s move mirrors Guantanamo’s dark history, where detainees were held for years without trial, subjected to torture, and stripped of basic rights.

With mass deportations underway and constitutional challenges mounting, Trump’s immigration war is reaching new extremes—and Guantanamo is once again a battleground in America’s fight over human rights, security, and the rule of law.

Algerian diplomat Selma Haddadi secures the AU Commission deputy chair, solidifying North Africa’s influence in the continental body.

Algeria has cemented its grip on African diplomacy as Selma Haddadi—the country’s ambassador to Ethiopia—secures the African Union Commission’s deputy chairmanship. Elected during the 38th AU Summit, Haddadi triumphed over five contenders from North Africa, reinforcing Algeria’s growing clout in continental affairs.

With a bold vision for Africa, Haddadi promises to infuse fresh energy into AU leadership, unlocking the continent’s human capital and advancing the African solutions to African problems agenda. Her victory signals a strategic shift, as Algeria strengthens its position in the AU alongside Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, who clinched the chairperson seat.

This election reshapes AU leadership dynamics, with North and East Africa now wielding unprecedented influence. Haddadi’s challenge? Turning AU ambitions into reality—where bureaucratic inertia often stalls progress. With her diplomatic experience and Algeria’s backing, she could be the powerbroker Africa needs to push forward urgent reforms and assert continental autonomy.

Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf elected as AU Commission Chairperson with 33 votes, marking a major political victory for President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Minister Ilyas M. Dawaleh.

Djibouti has officially seized the reins of African diplomacy as Mahamoud Ali Youssouf clinched the African Union Commission chairmanship with a commanding 33-vote victory. This is not just a personal triumph for Youssouf but a strategic masterstroke orchestrated by President Ismail Omar Guelleh and his closest political tacticians.

Behind the scenes, Ilyas M. Dawaleh—Djibouti’s Economy Minister—played a decisive role, securing critical endorsements from French-speaking African nations and leveraging Djibouti’s influence with key power players. His cryptic yet celebratory post on X summed it up: “We made it! Thank you to all African leaders who made this happen. Above all, thankful to Allah. History is made.”

This victory shifts the balance of power in the African Union, placing Djibouti at the center of the continent’s political agenda. With Guelleh’s steady leadership, Dawaleh’s strategic maneuvering, and Youssouf’s diplomatic prowess, Djibouti is now positioned to steer the AU through an era of transformation. The next moves of this powerhouse trio will define Africa’s future—and waryatv.com will be tracking every step.

Why Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Will Win the AU Chairmanship