Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned that the widespread availability of inexpensive sugary drinks and alcohol is driving avoidable illness and deaths and straining health systems around the world, with low- and middle-income countries in Africa among the most exposed. In two new reports accompanying the agency’s statement, WHO officials said weak tax systems that fail to raise prices on harmful products leave them affordable and fuel a growing tide of noncommunicable diseases. "By increasing taxes on products…

New Leadership in U.S. Africa Bureau Faces Complex Challenges Nick Checker, who stepped into the role of head of the State Department's Africa Bureau earlier this month, brings a unique perspective to the position after spending most of the past decade at the CIA. Unlike his two predecessors—career diplomats who served under President Trump—Checker has only four months of experience at the State Department. As the 'Senior Bureau Official,' a title currently used for acting positions across numerous agencies, Checker is…

Hamas backs technocratic committee for post-war Gaza as ceasefire advances to second stage A senior Hamas official has welcomed the creation of a technocratic committee to administer post-war Gaza, framing the step as vital to consolidating the fragile ceasefire and preventing a slide back into fighting. Egypt, a mediator in indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, announced the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee. The body would operate under the overall supervision of a so-called “Board of…

Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick as the Conservative Party’s shadow justice spokesperson, removed the whip and suspended his party membership, alleging “irrefutable” evidence he was secretly plotting to defect in a way intended to inflict maximum damage on his colleagues. The Conservative leader announced the move in a post on X, saying she took action “with immediate effect.” Badenoch wrote: “I was presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging…

Somalia deploys former Puntland State forces to Sool front lines as president plans landmark Las Anod visit Units from Danab Brigade and Puntland State Security Force bolster positions near Gumays as Mogadishu consolidates authority in newly recognized Northeastern Regional State. LAS ANOD, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has deployed former Puntland State regional forces — including units of the elite Danab Brigade and the Puntland State Security Force — to front-line positions in the Sool region, regional officials…

DUBAI (AX) — DP World said Tuesday its operations at Berbera Port are continuing as normal, brushing aside immediate disruption concerns after Somalia’s federal government declared it was canceling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port, defense and security deals. The Dubai-based ports operator said it remains bound by its existing agreements with North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared republic that Somalia considers part of its territory. The company declined to comment on what it…

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X will restrict its AI chatbot Grok from generating or editing sexualized images of real people, moving to geoblock “bikinis, underwear and similar attire” content where such activity is illegal, after a global backlash over the creation of deepfakes of women and children and mounting pressure from regulators. “We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis,” X’s safety team said. “This restriction applies to all…

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AX) — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency, working with international security partners, carried out an airstrike on a high-level meeting of al-Shabab commanders in the Middle Juba region on Wednesday, targeting a safe house in the Bu’aale district, security officials said. Authorities described the mission as intelligence-led and designed to fracture the al-Qaida-linked group’s senior leadership. The compound, identified as a venue for strategic consultations among senior figures, was…

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey accused federal immigration agents of “creating chaos” after a Venezuelan man pursued during a targeted traffic stop was shot in the leg by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security officer, sparking a night of clashes between protesters and law enforcement. “We cannot counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos,” Frey said, calling the federal presence “not sustainable” and urging calm as tensions flared citywide. DHS, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the…