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

President Donald Trump on Friday condemned but declined to apologize for a video posted from his social media account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes — a dehumanizing trope that drew swift, bipartisan backlash and forced the White House into an unusual retreat. The minute-long clip, shared late Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social account, amplified false claims that his 2020 defeat stemmed from election fraud. Near its end, the video spliced in what appeared to be an…

Trump condemns but won’t apologize after White House deletes racist video depicting Obamas as apes President Donald Trump on Friday condemned but declined to apologize for a video posted to his Truth Social account that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes — an AI-style clip that drew swift, bipartisan outrage before the White House deleted it roughly 12 hours after it appeared. The minute-long video, shared late Thursday, amplified false claims that Trump’s 2020 defeat was the result of election fraud. Near its end, a…

Somalia warns against foreign pressure on North Western State of Somalia talks, alleges interference MOGADISHU — Somalia will pursue dialogue to resolve differences with North Western State of Somalia but will reject any pressure or foreign interference that threatens its unity and territorial integrity, the country’s minister of state for foreign affairs said. In an interview aired Saturday on Al Jazeera’s Al-Masaaiya program, Ali Mohamed Omar Balcad said Mogadishu’s policy toward North Western State of Somalia is anchored…

Savannah Guthrie pleads for mother’s return as Arizona kidnapping probe widens U.S. television news host Savannah Guthrie said in a social media video that her family is willing to pay to secure the return of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, after authorities concluded the 84-year-old was kidnapped in Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said investigators have determined that Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will but have not identified any suspects or persons of interest. The FBI and the Sheriff’s Department said…

Somalia’s president vows to block any Israeli base in North Western State of Somalia, calls recognition ‘illegal’ MOGADISHU — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia and vowed to prevent any Israeli military footprint in the breakaway region, warning the move threatens regional stability and international norms. In an interview with Al Jazeera broadcast Saturday, Mohamud said Somalia “will never allow” an Israeli base in North Western State of Somalia…

Europe’s scramble to police teen social media use is accelerating, and Ireland is under pressure to decide how far it will go. As Spain, France, Denmark, Greece and Portugal push national age limits — and Australia touts the impact of its world-first under-16s ban — Dublin is drafting a PPS-based age verification system that has already triggered sharp privacy and legal pushback. Spain became the latest EU country to propose restrictions this month. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to “ban access to social media for minors…

WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Risch warned this week that continued instability in Somalia poses a direct threat to U.S. national security, pressing for tighter oversight to ensure American counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance advances U.S. interests and is shielded from corruption. “The United States faces real security threats from the instability in Somalia,” said Risch, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “It is essential that our counterterrorism and humanitarian efforts primarily serve…

Analysis: The UN’s budget math has turned existential The United Nations is navigating its most acute cash crunch in decades. In a letter to the 193 member states, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the organisation faces “the very real prospect of financial collapse,” with cash potentially running out as early as July. Senior UN officials now acknowledge that shuttering the Secretariat’s Manhattan headquarters this summer is a “distinct possibility.” This is not rhetorical brinkmanship. It is the cumulative…

Kismayo, Somalia — The Jubbaland regional administration on Saturday accused Somalia’s federal government of unconstitutional interference in the affairs of federal member states, warning that the moves threaten the country’s federal system and national unity as Parliament debates sweeping constitutional changes. In a statement issued by the Jubbaland presidency, the regional authority said Mogadishu lacks the mandate to unilaterally amend the Provisional Constitution or restructure the system of governance. Somalia’s…

Jubaland Raises Alarm Over Federal Government’s Threat to Somali Federalism KISMAYO, Somalia — Somalia’s Jubaland regional administration on Saturday accused the federal government of overstepping its constitutional authority, warning that efforts to impose unilateral changes on the country’s federal system risk destabilizing political order and undermining national unity. In a statement issued by the office of the Jubaland presidency, the regional state said Mogadishu’s recent actions “would not change the status” of…