ban

Hargeisa (AX) — What would a city like Hargeisa be without the rhythm of its music echoing through its vibrant streets? For a fleeting moment, it seemed we might find out. The regional administration of Maroodi Jeeh stirred quite the cacophony when it initially issued a decree aimed at silencing the melodies of live music in Hargeisa. Yet, just as swiftly as the silence descended, it was uplifted. How did we get here? Let's explore. The initial announcement, unveiled by Governor Ahmed Mohamed Adaad on February 19, 2025,…

In the sprawling and untamed landscapes of Somalia, livestock isn't just a commodity—it's the lifeblood of the economy. Picture this: a whopping 70% of the country's exports are tied to camels, goats, cattle, and sheep. It's a pastoral symphony harmonized around the rhythm of animal trade. But as serene as it sounds, this melodious arrangement hit a discordant note in 2023, when nearly $1 billion flowed primarily into Saudi Arabia's coffers from Somali livestock exports. However, this paradise of pastoral profits faces a…

Imagine, if you will, the heartfelt tale spun by Ilhan Omar, a congresswoman whose past dances through the tapestry of her narrative. Having sought refuge and sanctuary herself, Omar solemnly unveils the unique shade this issue paints her life. She observes with a melancholy timbre, "My kin and I lucked out with a golden ticket to these United States. Now, countless souls in teeming refugee camps won't be graced with that same twist of fate." What stories lie behind each weary face, yearning for a place called home? This…

US President-elect Donald Trump, eyeing the clock, is pondering an extension for TikTok amid a looming ban deadline. In a surprising twilight twist, TikTok is back online in the United States. The wildly popular video-sharing app had briefly vanished like a magician's trick, thanks to a federal directive. Trump, with his characteristic flair, hinted at reversing the ban with a simple gesture of his presidential pen as soon as he crosses the White House threshold. On a fine Sunday morning, the partly cloudy news rolled out…

Emmalee Reed/CNN In a twist worthy of a Hollywood suspense thriller, TikTok momentarily vanished from cyberspace throughout the United States on Saturday night, setting off a digital shockwave as the clock ticked toward a fast-approaching ban deadline. Just what is a nation that thrives on byte-sized entertainment supposed to do? Instead of the usual dance moves and viral challenges, users encountered a disheartening message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.…

 (CNN) — The week took an unexpected tumble when the nation’s highest court, dressed in its traditional garb of mystery, decided TikTok’s days on American soil might be numbered. In an enigmatic move, the Supreme Court cleared the path for a contentious prohibition on the app, nodding along the lines of "Seize the day, TikTok," much to the dismay of its lively community of creators and dancers. Despite effervescent protestations from the app's ownership, which framed the impending ban as a thumbing at the nose of the First…

The U.S. Supreme Court has commenced deliberations regarding a contentious law that could enforce a ban on TikTok or mandate its sale by January 19, casting a spotlight on the delicate balance between free speech rights and national security issues surrounding the popular short-video application created by the Chinese firm ByteDance. TikTok, alongside its parent company ByteDance and a handful of content creators, is fighting against a piece of legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last year, which was…

FILE - On May 31, 2024, observers noted temporary shelters near Awlala Camp in Ethiopia's Amhara region. UNICEF announced on January 7, 2025, that a staggering 4.4 million children in Amhara are out of school, a consequence of disasters and unrest. (Photo by Alfatih Alsemari via Reuters) Across Ethiopia, an unsettling reality unfolds: over nine million young ones are absent from classrooms due to violence, conflicts, and the havoc wreaked by Mother Nature. The United Nations reveals that more than 6,000 institutions for…

New Delhi, the bustling heart of India, finds itself shrouded in a thick cloak of noxious smog, with air quality deteriorating sharply after a fireworks ban was largely ignored during the vibrant festivities of Diwali, the festival of lights. Home to over 30 million residents, New Delhi's choked thoroughfares rank it as one of the planet's most polluted metropolitan areas, a title it is all too familiar with. Each year, the city succumbs to a choking haze filled with harmful pollutants, primarily attributed to the practice…

Iqra Ismail, the former leader of Somalia’s women's squad in 2019, was barred from participating due to her choice of attire aligning with her spiritual convictions. (Instagram: coachiqra) LONDON, UK (AX) — A heartfelt apology has been issued by the Football Association of England to Iqra Ismail, a British-Somali footballer, after she was denied the chance to play in a Greater London Women’s Football League (GLWFL) match. The reason? Her decision to don tracksuit bottoms instead of the league-mandated shorts, as a reflection…