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(ERGO) – Aweys Maye Mohamed, a hands-on craftsman and the patriarch of a family of four in the heart of Mogadishu, has found it nearly impossible to scrounge up even a single meal each day since he hit the unemployment wall in July. His fate mirrors the plight of countless skilled tradesmen now out of work as the scramble for Somali scrap metal has turned it into a prized commodity for export, fetching a price tag beyond the reach of neighborhood metal shops. "Losing my job shook the very foundation of our household,"…

In a significant development, a Los Angeles prosecutor announced plans to ask a judge for the parole of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who have spent almost 35 years behind bars following their parents' murder. This request is gathering momentum due to recently uncovered evidence suggesting they suffered years of sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Now in their mid-50s, the Menendez brothers gained nationwide attention during two sensational trials in the 1990s. The media spotlight was largely fueled by their affluent…

IDP families in need of assistance/File photo/Ergo (ERGO) – Nasteho Mohamud Hashi, a determined single mother, has been facing a formidable challenge. The assistance she once received from the World Food Programme came to a halt in June, leaving her in a tight spot as she tries to feed her nine children. The $85 monthly support from WFP was a lifeline for Nasteho's family at the Hilac IDP camp in Dusamareb, located in Somalia's Galmudug state. Their circumstances changed drastically when conflict forced them to flee their…

MSF counselors gather women at a nutrition center inside Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa. © Alberto Macin/MSF Meet Alberto Macin, the spirited maestro of mental health initiatives with MSF for the better part of a decade. His globe-trotting missions span Mexico, El Salvador, and South Sudan, right through to Ukraine, the perilous routes from Libya to the Mediterranean, not to forget Mozambique, Kenya, and his latest haunt, Somalia. Macin’s gig? Crafting mental health blueprints, embedding vital services into MSF’s action…

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that a recent airstrike in southern Lebanon, which claimed the lives of three journalists, is currently under examination. The military asserts that its operation aimed at eradicating Hezbollah combatants. "In the early hours, based on intelligence, our forces targeted a Hezbollah military installation in the Hasbaya region," the IDF shared in a communiqué to AFP. "The operation took place while the militants were present inside the facility," the statement elaborated. "Only…

Out of 197 delegates from 57 different nations attending the event, only 21 were men. Earlier this week, the event's group photo sparked a wave of skepticism online from Somalis. Many argued that women's issues aren't prioritized by the government. Social media brimmed with snapshots from the conference: General Jama appeared alongside his adviser, former MP Abdullahi Godah Barre, and in another image, they conversed with another gentleman, identified by the BBC as an aide. "He wasn't the sole male minister; the…

“If the Somali language were to vanish, we would lose its vibrant culture and profound oral history," she remarked earnestly. "The initiative, Sing-Again, represents my hope for relishing and rejoicing in the language. The narrative isn't solely about somber displacement or becoming a refugee; that’s not a tale we wish to dwell on constantly." Hassan secured a notable Minnesota Legacy Cultural Heritage Grant amounting to $121,394. She mentioned that a significant portion will fuel the book's publication, while some funds…

This evening, in a Spanish courtroom, Gerard Hutch, infamously dubbed 'the Monk,' found himself embroiled in serious legal troubles connected to suspected money laundering activities. At a bustling judicial facility in Lanzarote, the 61-year-old Hutch was one of nine individuals summoned before a judge by Spanish law enforcement officials. Among this group, two individuals have been denied bail and will remain behind bars, while the remaining seven have been granted provisional release under stringent conditions.…

WATCH: American Somalis Vote Early by Mail in U.S. Election On Africa 54: Somali-based Americans send their absentee votes while keeping a close watch on the presidential race back home. Meanwhile, Mozambique's electoral board announced Daniel Chapo from the ruling party as the victor of their presidential election. Over in Sierra Leone, hip-hop artist Kao Denero sat down with VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi to chat about his tunes. Tune in for these stories and more on today's Africa 54.

CREDIT / SONNA Mogadishu Celebrates Turkish Partnership In a show of camaraderie, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside military brass, greets an honor guard in Mogadishu. This ceremony shines a spotlight on Turkey's steadfast partnership with Somalia, particularly with recent strides in defense and energy collaboration. Agreement Spurs Energy Exploration Mogadishu (AX) - In a leap towards bolstering economic partnership, Turkey and Somalia ink a landmark agreement targeting onshore oil and gas pursuits,…