by Quincy Thomas Thursday May 28, 2026 Shamso Ahmed Hassan and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf Federal prosecutors say two Minnesota women played a central role in a sprawling fraud tied to the state’s autism Medicaid program, in a case they describe as one of the largest of its kind. Shamso Ahmed Hassan, 55, and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf, 25, allegedly submitted more than $46 million in fraudulent claims and laundered $21 million of those proceeds, according to court filings and statements from prosecutors. Authorities allege that from May…

By Anthony Bettin, Adam DuxterThursday May 28, 2026 Muhammad Omar U.S. Attorney's Office A Minnesota man facing charges in what federal officials describe as a sprawling Medicaid fraud case has been ordered held as a flight risk, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the alleged scheme that siphoned more than $90 million from taxpayers. At an arraignment and detention hearing Wednesday, a judge ruled that Muhammad Omar, 32, of Roseville, Minnesota, must remain in custody while his case moves forward. Omar and a partner,…

Somalia sits on a strategically important stretch of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, close to one of the world’s busiest chokepoints. The country’s maritime space influences how goods move between Europe, Asia and Africa—and how shipping security in the region is managed. This explainer outlines why Somalia matters to global trade routes, what has shaped maritime activity over time, and key facts that help explain the geography of shipping in the Horn of Africa. Somalia’s location: a gateway to major sea lanes…

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is bracing for what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls a "catastrophic collision of disease and conflict," as a rapidly advancing Ebola outbreak outstrips efforts to contain it in a region already scarred by armed groups, displacement and severe hunger. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Ituri province is unfolding in conditions that undermine basic public health measures, with insecurity, assaults on clinics and…

Despite significant advancements, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) continue to fly under the radar of global health initiatives. To date, 61 nations have successfully eradicated at least one NTD, showcasing what sustained dedication can achieve. However, the fallout from neglecting these diseases is dire: children lose vital educational opportunities, while adults struggle to maintain employment, directly impacting household income and overall quality of life. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination thrust individuals into…

Thursday May 28, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has accused Somalia and Djibouti of meddling in North Western State of Somalia’s internal affairs, saying Hargeisa will stand firm in defending its security and political choices as tensions mount over its ties with Israel. In Eid al-Adha remarks on Wednesday, Irro said North Western State of Somalia’s foreign policy is rooted in peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual respect. He added that some neighboring states had taken a hostile…

Uganda has shut its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as officials race to contain an Ebola outbreak attributed to the Bundibugyo strain, a move that has triggered stepped-up regional surveillance and emergency health measures. The closure, effective "with immediate effect," was ordered by the national Ebola task force chaired by Vice President Jesca Alupo after a rise in infections among Ugandan health workers who had treated patients from DR Congo. All authorised entrants will be screened, and travellers from…

Tuesday May 26, 2026 Dabbasa Dambi and Gurracha Dambala Addis Abeba – Two Borana elders from Kenya’s Marsabit County, held for nearly two weeks on suspicion of ties to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), have been freed after a court accepted a property bail totaling 14 million Kenyan shillings, or about 17.3 million Ethiopian Birr, their defense lawyer told Addis Standard. The men — Dabbasa Dambi, a former administrator of Gololle village, and Gurracha Dambala, a respected elder from Sololo — walked out of custody yesterday…

The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm over a rapidly deteriorating Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, warning that relentless violence and a deepening humanitarian emergency are undermining efforts to contain the virus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the epicenter lies in Ituri Province, a conflict-hit area where nearly five million people live amid persistent insecurity and a severe humanitarian crisis. Ongoing attacks are forcing civilians to flee alongside health…

Vast stretches of Mozambique’s farmland remain untouched, and a new Agriculture and Livestock census is putting hard numbers on just how much potential lies idle. According to the survey, only 18% of the country’s 36 million hectares of arable land is currently under cultivation, underscoring both the scale of opportunity and the obstacles farming families face in boosting crop production. Speaking at the launch of the report, Minister of Planning and Development Salim Vala said the findings point to a central reality for…