Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

ICC opens Duterte ‘war on drugs’ case with claims he authorized murders, hand-picked victims THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court began week-long confirmation of charges hearings against former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, with prosecutors alleging he personally authorized murders and selected some targets in his anti-narcotics campaign. Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told judges the proceedings were “a reminder that those in power are not above the law,” as the court weighs whether to move…

At least 50 killed, women and children abducted in overnight attack on Zamfara village, authorities say ABUJA, Nigeria — Gunmen killed at least 50 people and abducted an unknown number of residents, including women and children, during an overnight attack on a village in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara State, authorities and residents said Friday. The assault began late Thursday and continued into Friday morning in Tungan Dutse village in the Bukkuyum area, where armed men on motorcycles set homes ablaze and seized residents…

U.S. Embassy Urges Compromise as Somalia Faces Critical Electoral Stalemate MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States Embassy in Somalia on Monday urged the country’s political leaders to pursue “dialogue and compromise,” warning that only a unified approach can avert a deeper crisis as Somalia’s electoral impasse hardens ahead of a 2026 deadline. In a statement posted to X, the embassy framed political consensus as essential to safeguarding gains made in state-building and security. “Dialogue and compromise are difficult but…

Monday, February 23, 2026 Eberechi Eze tormented Tottenham yet again, striking twice as Arsenal crushed its North London rival 4-1 away to restore a five-point cushion atop the Premier League and reignite a title charge that had stuttered with back-to-back draws. Three months after a hat trick against Spurs, Eze’s brace — bookended by two finishes from Viktor Gyokeres — underlined Arsenal’s authority in a high-stakes derby and reset the tone of the title race. The leaders rebounded emphatically after dropping four points in…

Premier League: Eze and Gyokeres fire Arsenal to derby rout at Spurs as Mac Allister snatches late Liverpool winner LONDON — Eberechi Eze tormented Tottenham again, striking twice as Arsenal stormed back to winning form with a 4-1 victory in the north London derby that restored a five-point Premier League lead and steadied a title bid wobbling after two straight draws. Three months after a hat trick against Spurs, Eze reprised the role of derby scourge with a brace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while Viktor Gyokeres matched…

Rescuers in California have recovered the ninth and final victim of the Castle Peak avalanche in the Sierra Nevada, bringing closure to a dayslong search after one of the deadliest avalanches in modern U.S. history. The slide struck Tuesday near Lake Tahoe, engulfing a guided backcountry group and leaving nine dead and six survivors, authorities said. “Nine individuals who lost their lives in the Castle Peak avalanche on 17 February have been safely recovered from the mountain,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a…

Russian strikes kill at least 3 in Ukraine as Hungary threatens EU sanctions veto over Druzhba pipeline Russian drone and missile attacks overnight killed at least three people and wounded several others in Ukraine, regional officials said today, as European Union ministers clashed over a fresh package of sanctions targeting Moscow. In the Odesa region, two people were killed when drones struck, and three others were wounded, regional governor Oleg Kiper said. In Zaporizhzhia, a drone attack on industrial facilities killed a…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government on Monday condemned deadly attacks in Nigeria’s Zamfara state that killed more than 50 civilians and led to the abduction of women and children, expressing solidarity with Abuja and urging the “immediate and unconditional” release of all captives. More than 50 civilians were killed in Tungan Dutse, Bukkuyum area of Zamfara state, according to local authorities and residents. Armed men on motorcycles reportedly torched homes and abducted women and children. Somalia called for the…

Mexico’s most wanted drug lord, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, was killed in a military raid on the Pacific coast, triggering sweeping retaliation by his cartel across multiple states and prompting urgent travel warnings from the United States and Canada. Oseguera, 60, the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, died in custody after being wounded in a special forces operation in the town of Tampalpa in Jalisco state, Mexico’s Defense Ministry said. His body was flown to Mexico City under heavy National…

Mexico’s security forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, the elusive boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in a military raid that set off sweeping retaliatory violence across multiple states, disrupted travel and put the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum under intense pressure at home and from the United States. Oseguera, 60, died in custody after being injured during an operation by Mexican special forces in the town of Tampalpa on the Pacific coast of Jalisco, according to Mexico’s defense ministry. His…