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Thursday March 19, 2026 Barcelona blitzed Newcastle United 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday, charging into the Champions League quarterfinals with an 8-3 aggregate triumph. A week after a 1-1 stalemate on Tyneside, the hosts tore the tie apart after the interval, with Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha spearheading a merciless onslaught. Before that surge, the opening 45 minutes were frantic before 60,000 fans, producing five goals and opportunities at both ends. In the sixth minute Raphinha slotted Barcelona ahead…

A tanker loaded with Russian diesel is expected to reach crisis‑hit Cuba “in several days” after employing evasive tactics to get to the island, which is under a US fuel blockade, according to a maritime tracker. Maritime intelligence firm Windward said that if the vessel docks, it would mark the first confirmed delivery of refined products to the island since early January. Windward had earlier indicated the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse had “likely” discharged about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel in Cuba in early March,…

By GRAHAM DUNBARThursday March 19, 2026 On a fevered Champions League night Wednesday, Barcelona ran riot with seven goals and Liverpool powered in four, transforming knife-edge ties into emphatic victories and sealing places in the quarterfinals. Atletico Madrid withstood a ferocious Tottenham rally to complete a Spanish sweep over English opposition this week — Spain 3, England 0 — in the round of 16. Bayern Munich enjoyed the smoothest passage, brushing aside Atalanta 4-1 on Wednesday and 10-2 on aggregate to line up a…

Somalia: Regional Bloc Rallies Behind Southwest State as Clash with Federal Government Widens MOGADISHU, Somalia — A bloc of Somali regional states and political figures has thrown its support behind Southwest State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, further isolating the federal government as a constitutional confrontation gathers pace. The Somali Future Council, which includes the regional governments of Jubbaland and Puntland State alongside the Salvation Forum, issued a statement applauding Laftagareen’s move to challenge…

Thursday March 19, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Political friction between Baidoa and Mogadishu sharpened Thursday after the opposition-aligned Somali Future Council backed Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen’s decision to freeze relations with the federal government and press ahead with regional elections. In a statement, the council said it welcomed Southwest’s stance but voiced alarm over a deepening national impasse. It argued that disputes over regional leadership, the electoral framework and recent…

Thursday March 19, 2026 - Baidoa (AX) — Southwest State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen on Wednesday accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of stalling regional elections since 2022, sharpening an increasingly public split between Baidoa and Mogadishu. At a press conference in Baidoa, Laftagareen said leaders of federal member states had made repeated attempts to organize their own ballots but were blocked by the federal leadership. “In September 2022, all the regional state leaders were present…

In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Bola Tinubu has called for increased support from the United Kingdom to strengthen efforts against terrorism in Nigeria and the wider West African region. This appeal was made during his State visit at a State Banquet held at Windsor Castle, where he emphasized the shared "history and culture" that bind Nigeria and Britain, forming a robust basis for addressing security, economic, and social challenges together. Tinubu underscored Nigeria's critical role in ensuring regional…

Thursday March 19, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen on Wednesday reaffirmed a break in relations with Somalia’s federal government, accusing Mogadishu of undercutting federalism and destabilizing his region. “Starting today, there will be no contact between us and the federal government until something Somalis agree on is brought,” Laftagareen told reporters at a press conference in Baidoa. The regional leader said cooperation with the central government will not resume until…

Saudi Arabia warns Iran after attacks on world’s largest LNG hub RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat delivered a blunt ultimatum to Tehran on Thursday, saying the kingdom and fellow Gulf states have only "limited" patience for further Iranian attacks and urging Iran to immediately "recalculate" its regional strategy. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, speaking at a news conference following a summit of Arab and Islamic leaders, said Gulf nations possess "very significant capacities and…

Thursday March 19, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — In a sharp escalation with Somalia’s federal authorities, Southwest State on Wednesday halted all commercial and private air traffic into and out of airports across the region. The Southwest Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said in a statement the suspension took effect March 18, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice. The ministry said it imposed the measure to protect public safety and keep air traffic orderly “given the prevailing circumstances,” without…