Minnesota governor blasts U.S. response to ICE shooting as propaganda

Minneapolis leaders condemned the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by a federal immigration officer during a sweeping enforcement surge, as Washington officials defended the agent’s actions and labeled the incident “domestic terrorism.” The killing, captured on video and shared widely online, has intensified protests and political recriminations across Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz called the Trump administration a “propaganda machine” over its characterization of the encounter and pledged a “full, fair and expeditious”…

EU slams U.S. exit from UN climate treaty as regrettable

The European Union will press ahead with global climate cooperation despite the United States moving to withdraw from the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the EU’s climate chief said, a day after President Donald Trump announced plans to exit dozens of international bodies. “The decision by the world’s largest economy and second-largest emitter to retreat from it is regrettable and unfortunate,” Wopke Hoekstra said in a post on LinkedIn, referring to the UNFCCC, widely described as the bedrock treaty underpinning…

U.S. Suspends Assistance to Somali Government Over Alleged Aid Seizure

U.S. suspends assistance to Somali government, alleging destruction of WFP warehouse and seizure of 76 metric tons of food aid WASHINGTON — The United States has suspended all assistance to Somalia’s federal government, alleging Somali officials destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and illegally seized 76 metric tons of food aid meant for vulnerable people, according to a State Department announcement Wednesday. The State Department cited the destruction of a WFP warehouse and seizure of aid as the…

Minneapolis mayor urges ICE to leave city after deadly shooting

MINNEAPOLIS — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on Thursday during a clash tied to immigration enforcement, a fatal encounter federal officials say followed an attempt to ram agents with a vehicle — a claim the city’s mayor denounced as false and inflammatory. Authorities have not released the woman’s name. Mayor Jacob Frey said she was 37 and called the federal government’s assertion that the officer acted in self-defense “bull----,” demanding that ICE “get out of…

United States freezes all Somalia aid over corruption, food aid theft

U.S. suspends all aid programs to Somalia over corruption, theft of food relief MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States has suspended all ongoing aid programs benefiting the Somali people, citing systemic corruption and “unacceptable behavior” by Federal Government officials, including interference with international relief operations, U.S. officials said. The decision follows specific allegations that Somali authorities destroyed a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse funded by the U.S. and illegally seized 76 tons of food…

Saudi-led coalition claims Yemen separatist leader fled through North Western State of Somalia to UAE

MOGADISHU — A Saudi Arabia-led military coalition fighting in Yemen said Thursday that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the head of the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council, slipped out of the country via North Western State of Somalia after skipping planned peace talks in Riyadh — a development that could deepen a widening rift between the coalition’s two most powerful members. In a statement, the coalition said al-Zubaidi departed the southern port city of Aden late Wednesday aboard a vessel bound for Berbera in…

Deadly cold snap paralyzes European travel, leaving seven people dead

Snow, ice and high winds battered Europe for a third straight day Thursday, snarling transport networks from Paris to Stockholm, canceling hundreds of flights and stranding passengers as authorities warned of more dangerous weather ahead. At least seven people have died in weather-related incidents. Air travel bore the brunt of the disruption. Airports in Paris and Amsterdam were among the worst affected, with Dutch authorities saying more than 1,000 travelers spent the night at Schiphol, one of the continent’s busiest hubs.…

Australian government announces inquiry into Bondi Beach shooting

Australia will establish a royal commission — the country’s highest form of public inquiry — into the Bondi Beach mass shooting that killed 15 people, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, bowing to mounting public pressure for answers about an ISIS-inspired attack and the rise of anti-Semitism. “I’ve repeatedly said that our government’s priority is to promote unity and social cohesion. And this is what Australia needs to heal,” Albanese told reporters, adding that the decision followed community calls for a comprehensive,…

Saudi-led coalition claims Yemen’s STC chief al-Zubaidi escaped Yemen via North Western State of Somalia to UAE

Saudi-led coalition says STC chief al-Zubaidi fled Yemen via North Western State of Somalia to UAE, skipping Riyadh talks ADEN, Yemen — The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said the head of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, slipped out of the country overnight after skipping planned peace talks in Riyadh, traveling by sea to North Western State of Somalia before flying on to the United Arab Emirates. In a statement, the coalition said al-Zubaidi abruptly disappeared ahead of the talks and left late…

Somalia Graduates Gorgor Special Forces to Bolster Fight Against al-Shabab

Somalia graduates new Gorgor Special Forces at TURKSOM as push against al-Shabab builds MOGADISHU — Somalia on Thursday graduated new units of its elite Gorgor Special Forces after completing training at the TURKSOM Military Training Academy, a milestone officials framed as pivotal to intensifying military operations against al-Shabab in the south. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, speaking at the ceremony, praised Somali National Army (SNA) leadership for sustained efforts to professionalize the force and strengthen…