Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

Many of my clients focus exclusively on crunches and abdominal exercises to burn belly fat, but that is only part of the solution. For real fat loss, especially around the midsection, it's important to engage large muscle groups that require more energy and burn more calories. That's why I've compiled the five best lower body workouts to lose belly fat, so all you have to do is lace up your sneakers and get going. Your lower body—the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves—holds some of the largest…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a bold announcement, Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre announced that Jubbaland's leader, Ahmed Madobe, cannot stand for another term. Barre referenced Article 70 of the Jubbaland Constitution, which sets a two-term limit for the presidency. This declaration comes amidst a growing tension in the region, as Madobe seeks to hold onto power. On Monday in Mogadishu, Barre pulled no punches, accusing Madobe of prioritizing his own interests above the national agenda of Somalia. Barre alleges that Madobe…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Recently, whispers fluttered about on social media like a misinformed breeze, suggesting a military helicopter had met its demise in Bahir Dar. The Ethiopian Ministry of Defense quickly stepped in, waving away these tales as "groundless and misleading," according to a statement shared with the public. Apparently, the hullabaloo was nothing but a misunderstanding about routine maneuvers. The Ministry clarified that it was the Western Air Command just going about their regular training shenanigans on…

Recent reports reveal that a significant number of Gabon’s 860,000 registered voters have chosen to support a new Constitution, which might mark an end to military governance, as disclosed by State Television. This important referendum has the potential to dismantle a political dynasty that the Bongo family has held onto for nearly six decades. The proposed Constitution is not just a piece of legislation; it embodies one of the key promises made by General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema following his seizure of power during…

In a rare and violent escalation, an Israeli strike in the heart of Beirut claimed the life of Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, Hezbollah's chief spokesperson, on Sunday. Meanwhile, tensions also flared in northern Gaza, where an airstrike in Beit Lahiya left at least 30 dead, according to the local hospital director speaking to The Associated Press. Hezbollah acknowledged al-Naboulsi's death in a statement, noting that he was killed at the Arab Socialist Baath Party's headquarters. Al-Naboulsi had gained prominence when tensions…

High-ranking Russian officials are expressing outrage over claims that President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to utilize long-range missiles, specifically provided by the U.S., to target locations deep within Russian territory. This marks a potential pivot in U.S. policy regarding the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, although no official confirmation of such a decision has been made. Maria Butina, a member of the Russian parliament, warned that this move could catapult us toward World War III. "I genuinely…

U.S. House Speaker Johnson Applauds Trump's Unconventional Cabinet Choices for Shifting Washington's Gear WASHINGTON - As the winds of change blow through the capital, House Speaker Mike Johnson has given a thumbs-up to President-elect Donald Trump's bold cabinet choices. Describing them as "disruptors," Johnson believes they are crucial for shaking up the status quo in the heart of the nation. Johnson, now the chief Republican spokesperson in Congress, shared his thoughts on CNN's "State of the Union," where he defended…

There's growing concern in Somali society about how online displays of bravado might teeter dangerously close to hate speech, stirring up long-standing clan rivalries. In Somalia, "The Big Tribal Game" isn't just a pastime—it's practically a cultural phenomenon. This so-called game draws in massive audiences without linking its participants to any form of clan violence. Everywhere you look, thousands of phones light up with this spectacle, not just in Somalia, but across the globe. The typical participants? Enthusiastic…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a fine Sunday in the heart of Somalia’s capital, Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Somali Foreign Minister, welcomed Manuel Marques Pereira, the newly appointed Chief of Mission from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to Somalia. Amid the meet-and-greet, they dived into talking shop about ramping up their joint efforts to fuel Somalia’s developmental strides. It seems the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is busier than ever with its ambitious plan to set up a Diaspora Centre. What's the buzz…

As nations find themselves in a stalemate at the ongoing UN climate talks, there are rising hopes that the G20 leaders gathering thousands of miles away may spark vital support for a resolution aimed at aiding developing nations. Stranded halfway through a two-week-long negotiation period housed in a vast arena in Azerbaijan, diplomats are struggling to inch closer to an agreement that could ultimately decide the fate of COP29. The government ministers diving into discussions in Baku are racing against the clock, with a…