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ISTANBUL — Istanbul’s jailed mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, went on trial Monday in a sweeping corruption case that opposition leaders and rights groups call a politically motivated effort to block his path to the presidency. The hearing in Silivri, on the outskirts of Istanbul, was suspended after roughly 15 minutes amid chaos and procedural disputes. Arrested on March 19 last year — the day he was named the presidential candidate of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) — Imamoglu has been held ever since. He is…

G7 weighs release of strategic oil reserves as IEA signals no immediate action G7 finance ministers are expected to discuss a possible coordinated release of strategic oil reserves as the war in the Middle East rattles energy markets, a French government source said today. The International Energy Agency, which coordinates emergency actions among major importers, said there is “plenty of oil in the market” and no collective action is planned for now, even as it keeps “all options” open. The debate comes as U.S. benchmark…

MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday signed a revised federal constitution into law, replacing the 2012 provisional charter and setting five-year terms for federal institutions in a move billed as a milestone for state-building but denounced by opposition figures as an overreach. The signing at the Presidential Palace capped a contentious review that culminated last week when both chambers of the Federal Parliament approved the overhaul in a joint session. The new document completes a long-stalled…

Devastating Rains and Flooding in Kenya: Death Toll Rises In a tragic turn of events, Kenya has been hit hard by relentless rains, resulting in fatal flooding across the nation. The death toll has increased significantly, pointing to the severe impact on communities. The government reports at least 42 fatalities, nearly doubling previous numbers. Flooding caused major disruptions, including drowning incidents and traffic chaos. Relief efforts are ongoing, with search and rescue operations prioritized. Extent…

European shares fell further Monday as oil prices surged toward $120 a barrel, deepening inflation fears and rattling risk appetite amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, which shows no sign of easing. The latest bout of volatility underscored the market’s sensitivity to energy shocks and supply disruptions tied to the conflict in the Middle East. London’s benchmark slipped 1% in afternoon trade, while the Paris CAC 40 lost 1.7% and Frankfurt’s DAX dropped 1.4%. Dublin’s market fell 1.3%, with Kingspan, Cairn Homes and Ryanair…

Somalia: Somali Future Council warns of ‘instability’ over 2026 election delays MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali Future Council on Monday warned that any delay to the country’s 2026 federal elections risks triggering renewed instability, urging authorities to adhere to constitutional timelines and avoid a repeat of the 2021 political crisis. In a formal statement, the Council voiced “deep concern” about a potential leadership vacuum or term extensions as mandates for federal institutions approach their expiry. It said holding…

Monday, March 9, 2026 Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as Iran’s new supreme leader following his father’s killing in U.S.-Israeli strikes, positioning a low-profile but long-rumored power broker at the apex of the Islamic Republic. The selection cements a potentially dynastic handover at the heart of a system founded in 1979 on religious authority and revolutionary legitimacy rather than hereditary succession. Mojtaba Khamenei has never held public office, rarely appeared in…

EU ready to bolster Middle East maritime missions as Hormuz traffic stalls, oil nears $120 European Union leaders said the bloc is prepared to strengthen its naval operations in the Middle East to protect critical shipping lanes, as the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran disrupts maritime traffic and sends energy prices surging. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “expressed their openness to further tailor and enhance these operations in order to better…

Glasgow Central, Scotland’s biggest and busiest train station, has been closed after a major fire tore through a building by the station on Sunday afternoon, triggering widespread rail disruption that will last into the new week. Britain’s National Rail said the station will remain closed today and is likely to stay shut tomorrow following the blaze at a vape shop within a four-story building in Glasgow city center. No trains will run to or from the high-level platforms, and services using the low-level line will pass…

Ghana's Ambassador to Liberia Promises Justice Amid Escalating Tensions The Ghanaian Ambassador to Liberia, Godwin Baletum Amonzem, has offered reassurance that justice will be served in the brutal murder of a Liberian national in Ghana, an incident that has strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. During Ghana's 69th Independence Day celebrations in Monrovia, Amonzem addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of patience and trust in the security and legal frameworks of both nations.…