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

Somalia welcomes Turkish naval vessels as offshore oil exploration nears start MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s deputy defense minister, Omar Abdi Ali, alongside the Somali National Army chief, on Tuesday formally welcomed Turkish naval vessels to Mogadishu, officials said, marking a visible step in the country’s effort to strengthen maritime security as offshore oil exploration moves closer to execution. Port officials said one of the ships is an oil exploration and drilling vessel, accompanied by a security support ship. The…

Norway’s Laegreid wins Olympic biathlon bronze, then stuns Games by admitting he cheated on partner Fresh off the podium with a Winter Olympics bronze medal, Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid stunned the biathlon world by publicly admitting he cheated on his girlfriend and pleading for forgiveness in an emotional interview that quickly eclipsed his result. The 28-year-old biathlete made the revelation to Norway’s state broadcaster shortly after finishing third in a race won by compatriot Johan-Olav Botn, with Eric Perrot of…

DOHA, Qatar — Qatar’s emir spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss de-escalation and regional security as tensions between Washington and Tehran sharpen, the royal court said Wednesday. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Trump reviewed “the current situation in the region and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and strengthening regional security and peace,” according to a statement from the emir’s office. The two leaders also discussed “supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving crises…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Wednesday set April 2026 for state-level local council elections, a timetable that places the vote about a month before President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s current term ends and intensifies pressure on leaders to settle the country’s electoral rules. Elections slated for April 2026, weeks before President Mohamud’s term expires Voter registration to resume in Baidoa, Jowhar and Dhusamareb; 12 new districts added, bringing total to 35 Talks…

Every year since 2013, Africa Check has fact-checked South Africa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) — the speech President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers to mark the start of the political calendar, officially open Parliament, recap the year gone by and outline the government's aims for the year ahead. After more than a decade of scrutiny, the organisation's researchers say they can often guess what the president is going to say before he opens his mouth. That observation, simple on its face, raises deeper questions about…

Former Irish ambassador to the United States Dan Mulhall has urged the Taoiseach to raise the case of Irish detainee Seamus Culleton directly with U.S. President Donald Trump on St. Patrick’s Day if Culleton has not been released by then, saying the episode underscores how “uncompromising” immigration enforcement has become. Mulhall told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland he remains hopeful Culleton will be freed sooner, but said the length of his detention is “surprising” and that the Irish embassy is “doing all it can” on his behalf.…

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show draws 128.2 million U.S. viewers, ranks fourth all time Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl halftime show averaged 128.2 million viewers across television and streaming in the United States, making it the fourth most-watched halftime performance on record, according to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel system. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican star, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, delivered a 15-minute set performed almost entirely in Spanish in tribute to his heritage and culture. The audience total…

Somali President Condemns Israel's Recognition of North Western State of Somalia Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has harshly criticized Israel for recognizing North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, arguing it endangers Somalia's unity and stability. Mohamud's comments come in response to a landmark decision by Israel. Israel is the first country to formally acknowledge North Western State of Somalia's independence. Mohamud labels the move as unlawful interference in Somalia's territorial…

Erdogan replaces justice, interior ministers in surprise Cabinet reshuffle ANKARA, Turkey — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan carried out a surprise mini Cabinet reshuffle Wednesday, replacing Turkey’s justice and interior ministers as the country debates constitutional reforms and pursues a peace initiative with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, aimed at ending a decades-long conflict. The Official Gazette announced the changes late Wednesday, elevating two figures from the judiciary and provincial administration…

All 55 survive after Somali passenger plane overruns runway, crash-lands on Mogadishu shoreline MOGADISHU, Somalia — An airliner carrying 55 people crash-landed on the shoreline beside Mogadishu’s international airport after overrunning the runway Tuesday, with all passengers and crew surviving, authorities and the carrier said. Starsky Aviation said a technical issue emerged shortly after the Fokker 50 turboprop departed Mogadishu for Puntland State. The crew requested an immediate return, but the aircraft failed to stop…