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Each year, a spiritual journey beckons millions, calling on the faithful like a siren with promises of divine grace and fulfillment. The pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, isn’t merely a travel undertaking; for Muslims, it stands as a sacred duty among the five pillars of Islam. This year, the journey comes with an unexpected twist that’s left pockets lighter and hearts heavier in Somalia's Somali Regional State. "Having to foot the bill in foreign currency really doesn't help anyone sleep soundly," chuckled Mohamed…

Mogadishu (AFP) – A scene straight out of a Western flick unfolds on the bustling streets of Mogadishu. Among the chorus of honking tuk-tuks and revved-up motorbikes, emerges an enigmatic figure. Clad entirely in ebony, with a cowboy hat perched confidently atop her head, a horseman—nay, a horsewoman—rides with intention.The kicker? The mysterious equestrian, challenging cultural norms with each hoofbeat, is none other than a woman parading through conservative Somali society.Shukri Osman Muse, lighting up like a kid on Eid…

As the ceasefire extends into its seventh day, the residents of Gaza are grappling with the grim aftermath of a staggering 15 months drenched in tragedy and chaos. This week, the health ministry—operating under Hamas—reported a staggering death toll of 47,283, a figure that is grimly expected to climb higher as the debris is sifted and more bodies are discovered beneath the ruins. The erasure of Gaza's infrastructure is nothing short of catastrophic: approximately two-thirds of buildings that once stood have either…

OSLO, Norway (AX) — two sisters, originally from Somalia, now facing the music in the land of fjords and trolls. Nearly a decade ago, these young women vanished into the shadows, embarking on a dangerous voyage to Syria at an age when most teenagers are just learning to drive. Their destination? The notorious ranks of the Islamic State, where their future was anything but a fairy tale. Their journey reached a pivotal juncture last Friday, January 24, when the Oslo District Court unrolled its verdict: guilty of membership in…

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AX) — In a turn of events that left many shaking their heads in disbelief, a resident of Savage, Minnesota, confessed on Friday to participating in a swindle of grandiose proportions. This scam siphoned $250 million from a federally funded initiative meant to nourish less fortunate children during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oh, the irony of it all – a saga wrought with intrigue and greed! The protagonist of this sordid tale is Ayan Farah Abukar, a 43-year-old who founded the…

Purdue Pharma, along with its controlling Sackler family, has recently hammered out a staggering $7.4 billion agreement aimed at settling a tidal wave of lawsuits. These cases allege that the painkiller OxyContin played a significant role in igniting the opioid addiction catastrophe gripping the United States, as affirmed by several state attorneys general. This settlement comes nearly seven months after the U.S. Supreme Court upended Purdue’s earlier bid for resolution via a bankruptcy settlement. At that time, Purdue…

Northeastern State, Somalia — A Fateful Victory Awaits: Northeastern State Forces Closing the Curtain on ISIS In the shimmering heat of Somalia's Bari region, Northeastern State's military forces are poised on the cusp of an extraordinary achievement against ISIS militants. Their formidable offensive, poignantly named "Cal-Miskaad," is gracefully marching towards its culmination. The relentless drive against the insurgents has strategically dismantled their…

Having spent the larger part of her existence within the confines of an Ethiopian refugee camp, Fardowsa Abdi Aden found herself stepping onto Minnesota soil last Friday, her heart brimming with anticipation. The long-awaited family reunion with her sister and mother was finally within arm's reach. Meanwhile, Neima Mohamed Yusuf, just 2 years old and with a flair for melodrama, burst into tears as her aunt Shun Adan drenched her with affectionate kisses. Her arrival in Minnesota on January 17, 2025, was just the beginning…

In the labyrinthine streets of Mogadishu, a recent incident echoed with the grim aftermath of desperation and miscalculation when two individuals were claimed by the very danger they sought to wield. On a day like any other, the Somali police reported an unintentional yet deadly commotion—a bomb detonated prematurely, implicating the two men who were assembling it. Eyewitnesses recounted the chilling scene: the chaos as emergency responders rushed to the site, discovering the men gravely injured, clinging to life mere…