Somali piracy threatens ships rerouted from Middle East

Nik MartinTuesday May 12, 2026 Somali pirates have turned large dhows into floating bases, extending their reach and giving them a platform from which to target commercial vesselsImage: EU NAVFOR/Handout/dpa/picture alliance With ships already diverting around Africa to steer clear of conflict zones in the Middle East, piracy off Somalia is surging again. The comeback is adding pressure across global supply chains, driving up insurance bills, lengthening voyages and forcing operators to spend more on security. For the…

Greenland PM says no deal reached yet in talks with the United States

Talks over Greenland’s future are moving forward, but the three-way negotiations involving Denmark, Greenland and the United States have not yet produced a final agreement, Greenland’s prime minister said. The mineral-rich Arctic territory has drawn intense interest from US President Donald Trump, who is reportedly seeking to establish three military bases in southern Greenland in addition to the existing US Pituffik base in the north. "We are negotiating but we don't have an agreement," Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen…

Hargeisa council elects new mayor after removing Mooge

Tuesday May 12, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Hargeisa’s city council installed Abdirisaq Mohamed Farah Wiwaa as the city’s new mayor on Tuesday, just hours after members moved to oust former Mayor Abdikarin Ahmed Mooge and his deputy from office. In the same extraordinary session at Hargeisa City Hall, councilors also chose Aden Jamaac Haddi Mideeye to serve as deputy mayor. Speaking after the vote, Wiwaa said the meeting had concluded calmly and vowed to focus on improving services in North Western State of Somalia’s capital.…

Somalia’s President and Opposition Set for Talks at Mogadishu’s Halane Compound

Somalia’s President, Opposition Leaders Head for Crucial Talks in Mogadishu’s Halane Compound MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s political deadlock is set to move behind the walls of Mogadishu’s fortified Halane compound, where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and opposition leaders are expected to meet in high-level talks aimed at easing a widening dispute over delayed elections and constitutional revisions. The discussions, anticipated in the coming days, will bring together officials from the federal government and members of…

Turkish Airlines plane evacuated in Nepal after smoke seen from landing gear

By Gopal SharmaTuesday May 12, 2026 A Turkish Airlines aircraft was evacuated after smoke was seen near its landing gear as it rolled after touchdown in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, prompting authorities to shut the airport for about an hour, the carrier said. An airbus belonging to Turkish Airlines is parked at Tribhuvan International Airport after a minor fire broke out while landing in Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar Purchase Licensing Rights The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had earlier said a fire…

Uganda’s Museveni sworn in for seventh term as president

Tuesday May 12, 2026 Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at the swearing-in ceremony in Kampala. / others Uganda’s long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni was inaugurated for another term on Tuesday in the capital, Kampala, at a ceremony drawing regional heads of state, diplomats and senior officials from around Africa. Museveni won a seventh term after the January 15 presidential election, taking 71 percent of the vote. His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, finished with 24 percent. Speaking to…

Liberians Express Divided Opinions on Acquittal of Former Finance Minister Tweah

The acquittal of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, who faced a $6 million corruption investigation, has ignited discussions surrounding the integrity of the judicial system. A civil society organization, the Independent Societal Watch Advocates, has characterized the verdict as a testament to judicial independence, asserting that justice should not be confined to mere convictions. This perspective comes in the wake of significant backlash from the ruling Unity Party, particularly from its Youth Chairperson, Melvin…

Democratic Republic of Congo Sees Rising Repression Amid Tshisekedi Third-Term Debate

Human Rights Watch has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to safeguard free speech and ensure people can voice dissent without intimidation or harassment, following fresh accounts of journalists, activists, and opposition figures being arbitrarily detained. In a statement, the organization said the tightening grip on critics comes amid mounting political friction over a potential constitutional revision. Opponents warn that such a change could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to sidestep the country’s…

Kremlin says there are no specifics on ending Ukraine war, despite Putin’s words

The Kremlin has poured cold water on any expectation of a breakthrough in Ukraine, saying there is still no detailed roadmap to end the war just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II might be nearing its conclusion. Overnight, Moscow and Kyiv traded fresh strikes after a three-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump expired, with both sides blaming the other for breaching the pause. Speaking at the weekend after criticizing NATO and voicing hope…