response

Vermont school district deluged with threats after raising Somali flag in show of support WINOOSKI, Vt. — A small Vermont school district has been hit with racist and threatening calls and messages after flying a Somali flag on campus to support Somali American students following President Donald Trump’s remarks referring to Minnesota’s Somali community as “garbage.” The Winooski School District began displaying the Somali flag on Dec. 5 outside its K-12 building, placing it beneath the U.S. flag and alongside Vermont’s…

Mogadishu (AX) — China has donated $1 million to the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to bolster drought relief as seasonal rains falter and food insecurity deepens across the country, Somali and Chinese officials said Monday. Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu formally handed over the contribution during a high-level meeting hosted by SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle in Mogadishu. Wang said the aid reflects Beijing’s commitment to stand by Somalia “during these difficult times,” citing the “principle…

EU ministers push for a “drone wall” after airspace incursions rattle eastern members Brussels — European Union defence ministers have moved rapidly from talk to planning after a wave of drone incursions and airspace violations raised alarm among eastern member states, agreeing on the urgent need to create a so‑called "drone wall" to protect the bloc's borders. The call for action was sharpened this week after a series of incidents that included Denmark temporarily closing some airports following unidentified drone…

Somalia's Jubaland Tightens Security in Kismayo Amid Mogadishu Tensions KISMAYO, Somalia - As Axadle reports, Jubaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, is ramping up watchful eyes at Kismayo Airport following rattlesnake-like threats from the federal bigwigs who want to squash the state’s indirect election shindig. Whispers have it that Mogadishu dispatched a gaggle of security personnel toward Kismayo, allegedly prepping the runway for Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to swoop in and steer the electoral ship. Yet, Madobe, as…

Rescue teams dove into flooded garages in a desperate attempt to locate victims of the worst flooding Spain has witnessed in a generation. Heavy rainfall once again wreaked havoc across the northeastern Catalonia region, triggering a transportation nightmare. Currently, the death toll has reached 217, predominantly in the eastern Valencia region. Authorities are anxiously bracing themselves for the grim discovery of additional bodies, as a significant number of individuals remain unaccounted for. Spain’s national weather…

Hurricanes Milton and Helene are intensifying the strain on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the government's emergency response outfit. This agency is grappling with budget shortages, navigating a politically charged disinformation landscape, and trying to shake off the shadows of its past inadequacies in managing large-scale storms. Hurricane Milton, growing in strength, is moving past Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, setting its sights on Florida's bustling Tampa Bay region, which is still recovering from the…

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un asserted that his nation would not hesitate to deploy nuclear weapons if provoked by South Korea and its ally, the United States, as reported by state media. The relationship between the Koreas has plunged to a remarkably low ebb, with South Korea recently showcasing its military prowess in a parade that featured the formidable "monster" missile designed for penetrating bunkers. During this event, President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a stark warning to Kim, suggesting that any nuclear…

The catastrophic storm that recently lashed the southeastern United States has tragically claimed the lives of at least 130 individuals. As recovery efforts unfold, the disaster has ignited heated discussions amidst an already contentious election season. The White House has fiercely dismissed allegations regarding a delayed federal response. With hundreds still missing across various states, President Joe Biden declared his intention to visit North Carolina tomorrow to oversee ongoing rescue initiatives. Biden openly…

Mogadishu (AX) – Djibouti's intriguing suggestion as a potential remedy for the ongoing diplomatic rift between Somalia and Ethiopia remains unanswered by Ethiopia, Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf disclosed. In a tête-à-tête with VOA, Youssouf shared that the ball is still in Ethiopia’s court regarding the management and use of the Tojorah port, nestled in Djibouti's northern expanse. This port has been proposed by Djibouti as an alternate maritime gateway for landlocked Ethiopia, heavily dependent on…

NAIROBI, Kenya — In a dramatic twist, Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi mentioned supporting Ethiopian insurgents if Ethiopia advances with a contentious deal involving Somaliland. These comments, shared on Universal TV on September 12, represent a spike in regional tension. This tension stems from an agreement penned earlier this year where Ethiopia gains access to the Red Sea via Somaliland’s shores, potentially acknowledging Somaliland's plea for independence. Naturally, Somalia, viewing…