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Somali Woman Sentenced Over $1.2 Million Transfers: A Case That Raises Hard Questions About Remittances, Terror Finance and Justice Mogadishu — A rare court ruling and the broader stakes A Mogadishu court on Monday handed a 15-year prison sentence to Nadiifo Hassan Abdulkadir Abdulle after prosecutors said she routed $1,237,010 through her bank account to finance Al-Shabaab, launder money and support terrorist activities. The Banaadir Regional Court also fined her $20,000, ordered the closure of the account and ordered…

Youth Awakening: The New Face of Resistance in Togo As the sun set over the streets of Lomé, Togo's capital, the air buzzed with defiance. Young people carrying banners took to the streets, chanting for change and demanding political accountability from a regime that has ruled for nearly six decades. This wave of protests marks a significant generational shift in Togo’s political landscape—one that is uniquely vibrant and unfettered by the constraints of their parents' memories. A New Generation Takes the Lead Unlike…

Celebrating Dual Identity: The North Western State of Somalia-Welsh Community in Cardiff Hargeisa (AX) — In a modest community hall in Grangetown, Cardiff, the flags of Wales and North Western State of Somalia fluttered side by side. It was a quiet yet powerful testament to the dual identities embraced by the city's North Western State of Somalia-Welsh community. This week marked the 65th anniversary of North Western State of Somalia's independence from Britain, a momentous occasion celebrated by around 50 attendees,…

Chad’s Political Landscape: The Sentencing of Succes Masra and Its Implications On a sweltering afternoon in Ndjamena, the atmosphere turned heavy as a court sentenced opposition leader Succes Masra to 20 years in prison, a verdict that reverberated across the heart of Chad's already tenuous political landscape. Observers, international voices, and local citizens alike are questioning the motivations behind this charge, which the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has branded as politically motivated. The ruling has generated a sense…

The Alec Baldwin film “Rust” is set to make its world debut at a Polish film festival, marking a significant moment nearly three years after the tragic onset shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In the aftermath of Hutchins' untimely death in 2021, Baldwin faced accusations of breaching critical gun safety protocols. However, earlier this year, his involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed due to evidence being withheld. Olga Solovey, Hutchins' mother, expressed her disappointment this…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken aim at Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, claiming that Scholz is unwittingly aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin by reaching out to him in a phone conversation—his first in nearly two years. During their recent talk, Scholz “denounced Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and urged President Putin to cease hostilities and pull back his forces,” as relayed by the chancellor's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit. Further, Scholz emphasized “Germany’s steadfast commitment to…

What's cooking in the Tigray region two years after peace was declared? Back in the day, the Pretoria agreements were supposed to put a lid on the Tigray conflict, which had claimed close to 600,000 lives. Ethiopian troops, alongside their Eritrean buddies, had faced off against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Eritrea didn't sign the peace deal, though, and its soldiers are still hanging around like uninvited guests. Folks in these border areas feel like they've been hung out to dry. That's what Clothilde Hazard, our…

This year, Germany celebrates a significant milestone—the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Under the spirited theme "Preserve Freedom!", celebrations commenced today, resonating deeply against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and growing concerns that democracy itself is under siege. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, navigating a turbulent week as his coalition faced a dramatic collapse, released a heartfelt message addressing the nation. He reflected, "The liberal ideals of 1989 are not to be…

On a noteworthy Wednesday, the UN Security Council decided to kick off a two-year plan for phasing out its political mission in Somalia, a task that's been rolling for a decade-plus in East Africa. Back in 2013, the Security Council launched UNSOM to aid Somali leaders in steering toward democracy after over 20 years locked in battles with militias and chaotic elements. Adroitly weaving through Somalia's endemic chaos, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud aims to lead the nation toward a brighter, stable tomorrow. This May,…

Nestled just beyond the bustling edges of Somalia's capital city, the Darus Salam Zoo provides locals with a rare opportunity to witness the wonders of the wild right in their backyard. "We began with a single croc, but now we've got over a century's worth of diverse critters," remarked Muhammad Abd Rahman, the zoo's custodian. "From majestic lions to cunning foxes, prickly porcupines to quick-footed hares—our zoo is a jungle in its own right, albeit sans leopards and cheetahs." Rahman, who nurtures many animals from birth,…