Browsing Tag

obstacles

How the G20 Can Deliver Results Despite Global Obstacles

Newsroom
Southern Africa
G20 in Johannesburg: A test of multilateralism as Africa’s priorities meet fracturing diplomacy The historic 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg (November 22–23) arrives with symbolic weight — the first time the grouping meets on African soil — and with urgent expectations. Under South Africa’s presidency theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” hosts have signalled a push to center issues that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries: debt sustainability, climate finance, and rising inequality. Yet the…

Overcoming Language Obstacles: Fargo’s New Americans Offered Voting Assistance in Somali and Arabic

axadle
West Africa
FARGO — First-time voters need to catch on to the basics, but picking up scoops on candidates seems daunting when English ain't your native lingo. It's like deciphering a secret code buried in the news or on the web. Tackling these language barriers, the League of Women Voters in Red River Valley joined forces with local champs, rolling out digital voting tools in English, Somali, and Arabic. These resources center on North Dakota's House and Senate hopefuls. "Folks will be stunned by our community's linguistic diversity,"…

VIDEO: Somalia’s $2 Billion Banking Industry Confronts Obstacles in Embracing Cryptocurrency

axadle
Somalia
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s banking industry, worth a cool $2 billion, is gearing up for some serious expansion. This growth spurt is fueled by new rules and a rising wave of interest in fintech. But there's a hitch with bringing cryptocurrencies into the mix, as the sector grapples with syncing up international financial norms and Islamic banking values. While people are starting to buzz about cryptocurrency in Somalia, the chatter is still pretty nascent. Local banks are dipping their toes into figuring out how to weave…

Language Obstacles Hinder Somali Voters in Minnesota from Receiving Polling Assistance

axadle
West Africa
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — In Stearns County, language barriers continue to thwart Somali-speaking residents from exercising their voting rights, despite Minnesota's efforts to promote accessible voting. With no legal stipulations for Somali interpreters at polling stations, many potential voters struggle with English proficiency, hindering their ability to cast votes. Minnesota legislation mandates voting materials in Somali, Spanish, and Hmong to reflect prevalent non-English languages in the state. However, these…