Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

MOGADISHU — North Western State of Somalia has instructed Air Djibouti to suspend all flights to its territory starting Jan. 7, deepening a diplomatic rift with neighboring Djibouti amid tensions tied to Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, according to BBC Somali. Neither North Western State of Somalia officials nor Djibouti’s state-owned carrier immediately commented on the reported directive, and BBC Somali said the airline is expected to issue a statement. Air Djibouti has been operating several…

Skiers in Crans-Montana formed a heart on a snowy slope in a powerful tribute to the victims of the New Year’s Eve blaze at the “Le Constellation” bar, where 40 people were killed and 119 others were injured, many of them severely. The heart-shaped formation, captured on video, became a focal symbol of collective mourning in the ski community after the deadliest nightclub fire in years. Organizers and participants aligned themselves across the piste, their tracks drawing a clear, white outline visible from above — a quiet…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — A woman, her sister and three young girls were killed early Monday when a fire ripped through their corrugated-iron home in Hargeisa’s 26 June district, authorities said. The blaze, which broke out in neighborhood 150 before dawn on Jan. 5, quickly engulfed the modest structure and nearby tin-walled huts packed closely together, leaving the family little chance to escape, according to the Hargeisa Fire Department. Fire officials said the children who died were girls ages 12, 7 and…

BEIJING — Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to hold in-depth talks on trade with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a five-day visit to China, pressing for progress on Irish beef exports and relief from tariffs on dairy products as EU-China trade tensions simmer. The meeting with Li follows Martin’s summit with President Xi Jinping, where the Irish leader raised sector-specific barriers facing Irish agri-food exporters and broader questions about how Europe and China manage an increasingly fraught economic relationship. “I…

Somalia Cabinet reviews security, lauds Mogadishu vote, approves Uganda, Saudi pacts MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting Monday to review the national security situation, assess recent operations against extremist groups and mark the completion of one-person, one-vote local council elections in the Banadir region, government officials said. Chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and attended by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the session signaled the political weight the…

Greenland warns ‘that’s enough’ as Trump renews push to bring Arctic territory into U.S. Greenland and Denmark condemned fresh calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for the autonomous Arctic territory to become part of the United States, as European leaders lined up to reject any prospect of annexation and insisted Greenland’s future rests solely with Copenhagen and Nuuk. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, Trump reiterated his goal. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is…

Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty in New York after U.S. raid; judge orders ex-Venezuelan leader held without bail Toppled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges in a federal courtroom in Manhattan, days after he was taken into U.S. custody during a predawn raid in Caracas that officials said involved air and naval support. Maduro, 63, spoke softly through a Spanish interpreter but struck a defiant tone. “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty,” he told the judge. He said he is the…

Manchester City’s grip on the Premier League title race loosened on Sunday as a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad left Pep Guardiola’s side six points behind leaders Arsenal. Across the league, late goals defined the day: Liverpool and Fulham traded stoppage-time strikes in a 2-2 thriller, while Tottenham Hotspur were pegged back at home by Sunderland. Brentford surged with a statement win at Everton, and Newcastle United finished strong to see off Crystal Palace. Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea Fulham 2-2 Liverpool Leeds…

Somali president holds unannounced talks with ex-leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, signaling push for national dialogue MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met behind closed doors late Sunday with former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu, an unannounced encounter that signals a possible easing of political tensions as the country grapples with overlapping security, governance and constitutional challenges. The meeting brought together two of Somalia’s most influential political figures after months…

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United have sacked head coach Ruben Amorim after 14 months in charge, ending a turbulent tenure marked by tactical rigidity, a power struggle over recruitment and underwhelming results despite significant spending. Darren Fletcher will take charge for Wednesday’s Premier League match against Burnley as the club begins the search for its seventh permanent leader since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. United announced the decision Monday, citing league position and the need for a reset over the…