response

U.S. House Committees Urge Action on Religious Persecution in Nigeria U.S. House committees investigating the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria have formally submitted their findings to President Donald Trump. The report proposes a roadmap for curbing religious violence, enforcing accountability, and bolstering security cooperation between Washington and Abuja. The inquiry was ignited by Trump's decision to redesignate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) due to reports of rampant religious…

Obama decries ‘clown show’ politics after racist Trump social post depicts Obamas as monkeys Former President Barack Obama criticized what he called a collapse of “decorum” and “respect for the office” in American politics, responding for the first time to a video shared on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account that briefly depicted Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys. The video, posted Feb. 5, drew censure across the political spectrum. The White House initially dismissed criticism as “fake outrage,” then…

MOGADISHU — The United Kingdom has announced £6 million in additional humanitarian funding to help drought-affected communities in Somalia, as escalating climate pressures deepen food insecurity across the country. The pledge came during the first official visit to Somalia by the UK Minister for International Development and Africa, Baroness Jenny Chapman. Chapman held high-level talks in Mogadishu with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and senior officials, and met humanitarian and security partners. She outlined the UK’s…

California opens probe into delayed wildfire warnings in West Altadena Black neighborhoods California’s attorney general has opened a civil rights investigation into whether delayed evacuation warnings during last year’s Los Angeles wildfires contributed to a higher death toll in historically Black neighborhoods in Altadena. Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will examine whether race, age or disability discrimination played a role in the emergency response on the west side of Altadena, where most residents are…

DOHA, Qatar — Somalia’s defense minister vowed a firm response to any threats against the country’s sovereignty, saying Mogadishu will not accept military or diplomatic actions that undermine its territorial integrity or national dignity. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, speaking to Al Jazeera Net during a visit to the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026, said the federal government has suspended all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after what he described as…

U.S. President Donald Trump warned the United States would take “very strong action” if Iranian authorities begin hanging people as part of their crackdown on a nationwide uprising, escalating a war of words over the spiraling unrest and its toll. In an interview with CBS News, Trump was asked about reports that executions could begin as soon as today. “We will take very strong action if they do such a thing,” he said, adding in a video clip released online: “When they start killing thousands of people — and now you’re…

Puntland State president vows measured response amid Somalia’s political uncertainty AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni pledged a restrained, experience-driven response to political shifts at home and abroad, warning that unilateral constitutional changes by Somalia’s Federal Government risk deepening divisions at a critical moment for the country’s statehood. Speaking to a youth forum in Garowe, the regional capital, Deni said Puntland State’s record since its formation will continue to guide…

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”…

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…