Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Australia advances national gun buy-back, tighter checks after Bondi mass shooting Australia is poised to pass sweeping new gun-control measures, including a national firearm buy-back and tougher background checks, following last month’s mass shooting at a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the country’s deadliest in decades. The legislation cleared the House of Representatives by a vote of 96-45 despite opposition from conservative lawmakers. It now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with support from…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has invited the Somali Future Council, a leading opposition alliance, to a multi-day national conference in Mogadishu beginning Feb. 1, aiming to speed up talks on the country’s political direction with a particular focus on the electoral roadmap. The invitation, issued late Monday by the Office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, signals a tentative step toward dialogue amid rising tensions over electoral rules and the broader governance framework. The move follows President…

Karachi mall inferno leaves at least 21 dead, dozens missing as firefighters comb ruins of Gul Plaza KARACHI, Pakistan — Pakistani firefighters on Monday pulled bodies from the smoldering remains of Gul Plaza, a sprawling shopping complex in Karachi, as anguished families waited for word of more than 60 people still missing after the city’s deadliest blaze in more than a decade. The fire erupted late Saturday, racing through the multi‑story mall that housed some 1,200 shops across a footprint larger than a football field.…

TEHRAN — Iran’s top police commander issued a three-day ultimatum to demonstrators on Monday, warning those who joined what authorities call “riots” to surrender or face the full force of the law, as the government simultaneously pledged to tackle the economic pain that helped spark the unrest. National police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan urged young people “deceived” into joining the turmoil to turn themselves in and receive lighter punishment. Officials maintain protests were initially peaceful but descended into chaos stoked by…

Israel wary of Egypt’s expanding role in Somalia and Horn of Africa TEL AVIV — Israel is watching with growing unease as Egypt deepens its political and security footprint in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa, a volatile corridor that funnels global trade through the Red Sea and toward the Suez Canal. Israeli broadcaster i24 News, citing Israeli security sources, reported that Cairo has intensified its backing for Somalia’s federal government and is closely scrutinizing Israel’s reported move to recognize North Western…

Tuesday January 20, 2026 DOHA, Qatar — Somalia and Qatar on Monday signed a defense cooperation agreement aimed at deepening military ties and expanding security collaboration, days after Mogadishu formally ended its security and ports partnerships with the United Arab Emirates. Officials from both governments said the pact focuses on military training, exchange of expertise, development of defense capabilities and broader security cooperation. They said the agreement is intended to strengthen Somalia’s armed forces and…

Trump threatens 200% tariff on French wine to pressure Macron into joining ‘Board of Peace’ as Europe braces for wider rift U.S. President Donald Trump said he will impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagne, a bid to pressure President Emmanuel Macron to join his proposed “Board of Peace,” as tensions with Europe deepened over the initiative and Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland. “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon,” Trump said when told Macron would not…

Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact as Mogadishu pivots from UAE ties Agreement signed in Doha by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani Pact covers military training, exchange of expertise, capability development and broader security cooperation Deal follows Somalia’s termination of defense and ports agreements with the United Arab Emirates Somali officials say move strengthens federal control over…

Confidence among Irish chief executives has fallen to a five-year low as geopolitical tensions and the struggle to convert artificial intelligence investment into growth weigh on sentiment, according to PwC’s annual Global CEO Survey unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Just over a quarter of Irish CEOs say they are confident about their own revenue growth in 2026, with optimism more than halving since 2022. Globally, 30% of CEOs expect annual growth, the survey shows. Despite muted confidence at the company level,…

European leaders took the stage ahead of Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, seeking to present a united front as the U.S. president dangled tariff threats in a bid to pressure the European Union over Greenland. Trump is set to dominate the week at the Swiss ski resort, with a large U.S. delegation already promoting an “America First” agenda that runs against the grain of the global order cherished by the WEF. He will deliver a speech tomorrow and participate in other events on Thursday. European Commission…