Sparks

Mogadishu (AX) — Donald Trump's return to the presidency has sent shivers through immigrant groups across America, especially among Somali communities now wrestling with fresh anxieties over deportation. His campaign emphasized a stringent approach toward undocumented migrants, pledging historic levels of deportation. This has stirred alarm particularly among Somali families who view North America as a sanctuary and now fear their settled lives might face upheaval. Many are considering the possibility of relocating to…

Athens, Greece (AX) — A young Somali, who landed in Greece all by his lonesome as a minor seeking asylum, has just been given a clean slate by the Juvenile Court of Kos on October 24, 2024. This judgment wipes away serious accusations against him—such as being involved in a sketchy criminal crew and sneaking in illegally—while shining a light on the thorny issue of how Greece treats folks in search of sanctuary. Imagine this: M.A., the young man in question, found himself in hot water after simply sharing his cell phone with…

Mogadishu (AX) — The resurgence of pirate activity in the Indian Ocean alongside a surge of armed robberies in the Singapore Strait has reignited international apprehension regarding maritime safety. These notorious acts now pose a renewed threat to crucial global shipping avenues. Alerts from the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC) have startled ship operators. They advised boosting ship defenses in these…

In a significant gathering at the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 26, 2024, in Geneva, delegates from various nations convened to deliberate on pressing global human rights dilemmas. Amidst this backdrop, Kenya's election to the council for the 2025–2027 tenure stirred the pot, faced with heavy criticisms from civil society groups due to alleged human rights transgressions. Photo by Janine Schmitz/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Kenya's leap onto the United Nations Human Rights Council…

Somalia: Dahabshiil's Walk Back on 'North Western State of Somalia' Spurs Outrage — Dahabshiil, a major player in Somali money transfers, has acquiesced to a directive from Somalia's Federal Government, removing any mention of "North Western State of Somalia" from its platforms. This decision has sparked considerable backlash in the self-declared independent region of North Western State of Somalia. To many in North Western State of Somalia, this decision feels like a deep betrayal. It follows the path taken by…

Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Taye Atske Selassie, voiced apprehension over the meddling of "external forces" potentially destabilizing an already tenuous security scenario, and feared that weapons could land in the hands of terrorists. Ali Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, took to X to express surprise at Ethiopia's reservations regarding Somalia's procurement of arms for defending sovereignty and combatting terror. Amid a protracted clash with Ethiopia over a significant dam project on the Blue…

In a sweeping view, the Mogadishu Sea Port stands with an Egyptian warship having recently docked, unloading a significant cache of weapons. This event took place in Mogadishu, Somalia, on September 23, 2024. © REUTERS/Feisal Omar. For licensing, visit Purchase Licensing Rights. On Tuesday, Somalia angrily pointed fingers at Ethiopia, accusing it of secretly smuggling arms. The backdrop of this accusation involves fears that these weapons might fall into the hands of Islamist militants amid the turmoil in the Horn of…

A recent parliamentary investigation has revealed a troubling lack of dam inspectors within the Department of Water and Sanitation. This alarming situation comes on the heels of the catastrophic failure of three dams in the Western Cape back in August. The aftermath of the collapse was devastating, as it displaced over a hundred individuals, wreaking havoc on their livelihoods and communities. To put things into perspective, dam owners are legally obligated to provide safety evaluations conducted by certified inspectors.…

Minneapolis, MN (AX) — Indian Congress heavyweight Rahul Gandhi's chat with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) while he was in Washington has sparked a barrage of backlash from India, notably from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP harshly criticized Gandhi, accusing him of siding with folks deemed "anti-India," pointing to Omar's vocal stance against India's Kashmir policies, religious intolerance, and human rights offenses. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American legislator representing Minnesota's 5th District,…