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

Djiboutian AUSSOM battalion arrives in Beledweyne to take over security in Hiiraan 13th Battalion replaces 11th in routine rotation; elements deploy to Bulo Burde as command transfers at Ugaas Khalif Airport Newly deployed Djiboutian troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia arrived Monday in Beledweyne to assume security responsibilities in parts of the Hiiraan region, including Beledweyne and Bulo Burde. Beledweyne — Djiboutian forces serving with the African Union Support and…

Bolsonaro moved out of ICU as pneumonia improves, hospital says Former Brazilian president, 70, was rushed from Papuda prison to a Brasília clinic on Friday; doctors report kidney function improving and good response to antibiotics Standfirst: Jair Bolsonaro has been transferred from intensive care to a step-down unit after showing improvement from bilateral bacterial pneumonia that developed in custody, his wife said. DF Star Hospital reported continuing recovery and said the infection was likely caused by…

Trump rebukes allies over Hormuz escorts as Iran strikes Gulf oil targets; oil prices rise Several European partners decline immediate naval deployments as Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed; strikes hit UAE, Israel and Iraq amid third week of US-Israel war with Iran Standfirst: President Donald Trump criticized some Western allies for hesitating to send warships to protect tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran launched drone and missile attacks across the region. Dubai’s main airport and energy facilities in the UAE…

WFP Somalia advertises multiple national vacancies across key hubs ahead of 28 May deadline The UN World Food Programme is recruiting Somali nationals for roles in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dollow/Dolow, Garowe, Beletweyne and Galkayo; women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must apply via WFP’s Workday platform. Application links were referenced in the source notice but not provided here. The World Food Programme (WFP) has opened applications for several Somalia-based positions with a stated deadline of…

Nicolas Sarkozy faces retrial over alleged Libyan financing of 2007 campaign Ex-French president appeals five-year sentence; hearing at Paris Appeal Court runs to June 3 Standfirst: A lower court in September convicted Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy in a scheme prosecutors say sought funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya. He served 20 days in jail after the ruling and denies wrongdoing. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy returned to court for a retrial at the Paris Appeal Court over allegations he sought Libyan financing…

US has spent $12bn on Iran war, White House economic chief says, as Pentagon signals escalation Kevin Hassett gives latest cost since Feb. 28 joint US-Israel strikes; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says bombing of Iran is “about to surge dramatically” Standfirst: The Trump administration faces growing questions over the war’s price tag and purpose. Markets remain on edge over possible Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while Senate Democrats warn of “mission creep.” The United States has spent $12bn on its war against Iran since…

Raphinha hat-trick powers Barcelona past Sevilla to keep La Liga lead Leaders win 5-2 at Montjuïc; Cancelo and Olmo on target as Sevilla concede two early penalties Raphinha scored three times — including two first-half penalties — as Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-2 at home on Sunday to maintain a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. The Brazil winger converted spot-kicks seven minutes apart in the opening period after João Cancelo twice drew fouls in the area. Dani Olmo added a third before halftime, and…

Bruno Fernandes closed in on the Premier League single-season assists record as Manchester United tightened its grip on Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday, while Tottenham halted a damaging losing run by snatching a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Fernandes set up two of United’s goals at Villa Park to move to 16 assists this league campaign, four shy of the record of 20 jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. The Portugal playmaker, who now has 100 assists as a United player in all…

Intense Clashes Erupt in Sudan's Kordofan Region The Sudanese Kordofan region has become a focal point of intense conflict as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched coordinated attacks on strategic locations. This escalation aims to isolate el-Obeid, a vital hub in the ongoing conflict. RSF targeted North Kordofan city of Bara and South Kordofan city of Dilling. The conflict marks a pivotal phase in the three-year war between the army and RSF. Tens of thousands have been displaced, exacerbating humanitarian…

Oil prices climb past $106 as Hormuz standstill chokes global energy flows Oil prices extended gains at the start of the week as markets saw little prospect of a swift end to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose as much as 3% on Sunday to top $106 a barrel before easing slightly. It traded at $104.63 as of 04:30 GMT Monday, up nearly 1.5%. Brent crude: $104.63 at 04:30 GMT, after briefly topping $106…