Biden and PM Barre Reinforce Their Commitment to Somalia’s Sovereignty and Stability

Mogadishu (AX) — In the midst of the UN General Assembly, Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre had a face-to-face with President Joe Biden. Through a combined declaration, both bigwigs reasserted their unwavering dedication to safeguarding Somalia's independence and territorial unity, key to nurturing peace and stability in the area. Discussions zeroed in on amplifying U.S. support to Somalia’s battle against the Al-Shabaab militants and upgrading governance. Both highlighted the significance of their alliance in…

Minneapolis Seeks Guidance from Elders to Address Somali Youth Crime Concerns

Somali Youth Link, backed financially by the government, brings in Somali elders to steer young folks away from mischief around the Twin Cities. Farhio Khalif launched this initiative in the midst of the pandemic when there was a noticeable uptick in troublesome behavior among Somali teens, including run-ins with the law for actions like launching fireworks at cops. Today, the group collaborates hand in glove with local police. --- Farhio Khalif started Somali Youth Link during the pandemic to curb youth mischief in…

Somali Security Forces Thwart al-Shabab Assault in Mogadishu’s Kahda District

Mogadishu (AX) — Late Friday night, Somali security personnel successfully thwarted an al-Shabab onslaught at a security checkpoint in the Kahda district, according to the accounts of local residents. The incursion commenced with a pair of blasts, leading to almost an hour of ferocious combat. As of now, the number of casualties is still undetermined, with district authorities yet to disclose any specifics. In response to the assault, security forces initiated operations across multiple localities in Kahda early Saturday…

Somali PM’s Address at the UN: A Plea for Global Unity and Alarming Concerns Over Ethiopia’s Border Breaches

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly, rallying global leaders for a united front on the world's most urgent crises. In his stirring address, Barre tackled everything from ongoing conflicts to climate change, explicitly calling out Ethiopia for infringing on Somalia's borders, and appealed for swift international intervention.

Norway to discontinue automatic asylum for Ukrainian refugees

The Norwegian government has announced a significant shift in its approach to Ukrainian asylum seekers, stating that not all applicants from western Ukraine will be automatically granted asylum. Instead, these cases will now undergo individual assessments. Following Russia's aggression against Ukraine that began in February 2022, Norway had opted for a policy of "collective protection," which allowed Ukrainian refugees to receive asylum rights automatically. This decision was driven by a solidarity response to the crisis.…

Explosions Rock Beirut Amid Israeli Strikes on Hezbollah

Beirut Trembles: Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah The serene streets of Beirut shattered under the thunderous roar of explosions as Israeli forces unleashed a barrage of airstrikes on Hezbollah positions within Lebanon. Residents reported a night filled with palpable fear, their homes rattling with each detonation echoing through the city. "It felt like the ground was alive, quaking beneath us," one local recounted, expressing the collective dread permeating the atmosphere on that fateful night. This latest…

Hassan Nasrallah: The Charismatic and Cunning Leader of Hezbollah Through the Years

BEIRUT (AP) — For three decades, Hassan Nasrallah has steered the helm of Hezbollah, transforming it into one of the Middle East's most formidable militant forces. On Friday, Israeli airstrikes hammered six buildings in Beirut's southern burb of Harek Hreik, the fiercest attack on the Lebanese capital in nearly 12 months of ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed the strike, which left numerous casualties, targeted Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut. While three major Israeli broadcasters…

Somalia’s Path: A Celebration of Resilience and Independence

Over the last few decades, Somalia has waded through turbulent waters, moving from chaos to reclaiming its independence and self-reliance. The collapse of its central government in 1991 unleashed a wave of domestic disputes, with numerous factions unable to find common ground. This era of chaos was further complicated by external meddling, particularly from Ethiopia, which saw Somalia’s instability as an opportunity for influence, often fueling conflicts by supplying arms to various groups. Some Somali politicians courted…

Soup Splash on Van Gogh Artwork Just Hours After Duo Sentenced

Activists from Just Stop Oil have targeted two Vincent Van Gogh masterpieces, tossing soup over them just hours after fellow members of their group received prison sentences for vandalizing the ornate frame of the renowned piece, Sunflowers. In a post shared on X, previously known as Twitter, Just Stop Oil proclaimed: "Breaking: Two Van Gogh paintings drenched in soup just hours after Phoebe and Anna's sentencing." "In a bold move, three Just Stop Oil advocates unleashed soup on Van Gogh's artworks at the 'Poets and…