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

Italy Justifies Visa Suspension in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia - Italy has staunchly defended its recent decision to cease issuing visas in Somalia, attributing the hold-up to 'administrative issues' that are currently being sorted out by officials in an effort to bring stability back to the process. Pier Mario Dacco Coppi, Italy's ambassador to Somalia, dismissed rumors that the visa halt was linked to the shifting political scene in Somalia—a country building new alliances amid sovereignty concerns related to Ethiopia.…

A recent airstrike by Israel targeting the municipal headquarters in Nabatiyeh, a significant town in southern Lebanon which serves as the provincial capital, resulted in the tragic deaths of Mayor Ahmed Kahil and at least five other individuals, according to two security sources. This strike occurred amid escalating worries from the United States regarding the increasing casualties and the looming specter of a wider conflict in the region. Tensions are high as Israel confronts Iran-aligned Hezbollah forces in southern…

Baku (AX) — Anar Najafli, who leads the State Protocol Department at Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, met with Somalia's non-resident ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, earlier this week to officially receive his credentials.Ambassador Fathudin, doubling up as Somalia's representative to Turkey, engaged in discussions with Najafli to explore avenues for boosting ties between the two nations, focusing particularly on trade, education, and development partnerships. Interestingly, Fathudin's journey to Azerbaijan…

There's a diet that's getting a lot of attention on social media, and it's called the "30-30-30." What is so special about it? Well, Gary Brecka, human biologist and co-founder of 10X Health Systems, explains in a TikTok video"I've never seen anything in my life remove fat from a human faster than this." Needless to say, it caught our attention and made us want to know all the details. There are so many weight loss diets popping up on social media, but this one combines protein and exercise and has TikTokers sharing their…

The government has announced an ambitious 25-year development strategy designed to enhance competitiveness, promote sustainable resource management, and uphold exemplary governance, establishing a foundation for economic autonomy. Dubbed "Senegal 2050," this initiative aspires to raise per capita income by an impressive 50% over the next five years. There’s also a goal to extend the average life expectancy by three years and to mitigate national debt and fiscal deficits. The overarching intention is to diminish reliance on…

In the wake of a catastrophic blaze at Mbare Musika, Zimbabwe’s largest informal retail hub, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has instituted a State of Emergency. This decision comes as a response to the widespread devastation that impacted roughly 4,000 vendors, leaving many grappling with the loss of merchandise valued in the thousands. The flames, which raged through the market, not only destroyed goods but also disrupted the livelihood of countless traders. “This unfortunate incident has turned many lives upside down,”…

Mogadishu (AX) — Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, and a posse of Egyptian business folks are gearing up for a jaunt to Somalia soon. Their mission? To suss out promising chances for investment. Mahmoud Abdirahman Farah Benebene, the big cheese over at Somalia’s Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, mentioned the crew’s visit is a springboard for yakking about and kicking off big infrastructure ventures. They’re especially keen on eyeing the nation’s ports for investments. Minister…

Yet again, Nigeria's national electricity grid has taken a nosedive, leaving citizens in the dark just a day after power was reinstated. Numerous distribution companies, such as the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, have alerted their customers about the latest outage. Although these power firms are reportedly scrambling to restore electricity, the exasperation among the populace and local businesses is palpable, stemming from a…

FARGO — First-time voters need to catch on to the basics, but picking up scoops on candidates seems daunting when English ain't your native lingo. It's like deciphering a secret code buried in the news or on the web. Tackling these language barriers, the League of Women Voters in Red River Valley joined forces with local champs, rolling out digital voting tools in English, Somali, and Arabic. These resources center on North Dakota's House and Senate hopefuls. "Folks will be stunned by our community's linguistic diversity,"…

Whether you're looking for a spiritual connection, a meditative escape, or a toned physique, yoga has something to offer everyone. And if you haven't tried yoga for weight loss, you're missing out. We chatted with a fitness pro who shares five of the best yoga exercises to lose belly fat and sculpt a stronger, leaner body. Why yoga? Well, a 2022 meta review published in Obesity science and practice concluded that a regular yoga practice can help significantly reduce your body mass index (BMI). Among yoga's many health…