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Somalis displaced by the relentless drought gather at the Ladan camp in Dolow, a scene painted with stark reality as of May 1, 2023. (AFP file) UNITED NATIONS: This year, the United Nations has rung the alarm bells for Somalia, revealing that almost six million souls, roughly one-third of the country’s population, are in dire straits and require humanitarian assistance. In a bid to alleviate this plight, they've put forth a funding call, seeking a staggering $1.43 billion. Spare some sympathy for Somalia, a land locked in…

Mogadishu (AX) – Change is afoot in Somalia's livestock sector, and it's not just the grass that's greener. On a bright Thursday morning, the Somali government teamed up with the World Bank under the HoA DRIVE Project to unveil the $10 million Livestock Value Chain Fund (LVCF). This initiative is set to steer the livestock industry onto a lucrative path of transformation. Against the backdrop of the elegant Jazeera Palace in Mogadishu, Gargaara Company Limited hosted this momentous signing ceremony. It was more than just…

Mogadishu (AX) — A startling revelation has emerged from ENACT Africa, an EU-initiated program focused on thwarting the scourge of transnational organized crime within the continent. The fresh data paints a grim picture, spotlighting how illicit fishing activities are wreaking havoc on Somalia's aquatic bounty, endangering the much-coveted yellowfin tuna, and unearthing glaring gaps in maritime management. It's a real fishy business, if you ask me! Could you imagine a more tantalizing prospect? Somalia, boasting the…

Spain has cemented its status as a global tourism heavyweight, attracting a staggering 94 million foreign visitors in 2024 alone. This remarkable surge is no minor detail; it's a powerful driver of the national economy, as the country's tourism minister recently revealed. The numbers tell a compelling story that underscores the resilience and appeal of this sun-soaked Mediterranean paradise. Tourism accounts for roughly 13% of Spain's GDP, making it the lifeblood of the economy for the world's second most-visited nation.…

The Kumbh Mela, a monumental gathering of Hindu faith, has once again swept through India, drawing an expected 400 million pilgrims over the next six weeks. It's not just another event on the calendar; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of devotion, culture, and sheer human spirit—a congregation unparalleled in size and significance. This ancient festival, which has its roots planted deep in the soil of Hindu mythology, unfolds at the sacred confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the elusive…

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…

The education crisis in Ethiopia is strikingly grim, with over 9 million children unable to attend school, a staggering figure revealed by UNICEF, a respected global advocate for children's welfare.ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- UNICEF has taken the spotlight by disclosing that throughout Ethiopia, a disturbing number of over 9 million children find themselves out of the educational fold. This alarming development is attributed to both human-induced conflicts and Mother Nature's unpredictable actions.A recent report from…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The folks over in the United States are gearing up to fork out a whopping $28 million for the people of Somalia. The focus here is squarely on beefing up security and making sure food is getting to where it's needed the most. It’s all part of a grand vision to ease the burden on families that are grappling with tough economic times and Mother Nature acting up. This cash infusion aims to lend a helping hand to more than 80,000 homes, which translates to a potential boon for a whopping half a…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a revelation that can ruffle some feathers, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) brought to light that a hefty $950 million of airline moolah is stuck in African nations. This chunk represents a whopping 57% of the world’s aviation money that’s caught in a web due to scarce foreign exchanges. During a pow-wow at the African Airlines Association's big annual shindig in Cairo, IATA's head honcho, Willie Walsh, sounded the alarm, pleading for someone to get a move on and fix this jam!—astating…

In a significant move, Resolute Mining, an Australian-based company, has agreed to pay a hefty sum of $160 million to the Malian government in a bid to settle an ongoing tax dispute. This decision comes on the heels of a troubling incident where Mali's authorities detained the company’s CEO, Terence Holohan, along with two other staff members during their trip to Bamako for what was supposed to be routine negotiations with the current regime. As tensions rise, the spotlight on foreign mining operations in Mali grows ever…