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

Trump says Zelensky is obstacle to Russia deal, calls Putin ‘cooperative’ in Politico interview President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is the obstacle to a settlement with Russia and described Russian President Vladimir Putin as cooperative, sharpening his pressure on Kyiv as the war grinds on. “Zelensky, he has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal done,” Trump said in an interview with Politico. Returning to language he used during a tense White House meeting a year ago — when he and Vice…

TEHRAN, Iran — Israel launched fresh air strikes across Iran on Thursday, the fifth day of a U.S.-Israeli offensive that has killed more than 1,000 people, damaged security installations and residential buildings, and forced the postponement of funeral rites for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli strikes hit targets in Tehran, the holy city of Qom, western Iran and multiple sites in central Isfahan province, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported. Israel said it targeted buildings used by the Basij, a volunteer…

Iran war enters seventh day as Israel expands strikes to Beirut and Tehran The regional war involving Iran, Israel and the United States entered its seventh day after Israel announced a “next phase” of operations and bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs, while blasts were heard in Tehran following what Israel said were strikes on “regime infrastructure” in the Iranian capital. Residents in Beirut’s southern districts fled after the Israeli military issued an unprecedented warning to evacuate “immediately.” In Tehran, AFP…

Thursday, March 5, 2026 KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Thursday launched Tamini General Insurance, billed as Uganda’s first Islamic insurance firm, at Millennium Park–Lugogo in Kampala during an iftar dinner hosted by Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo. Tamini General Insurance, part of Salaam Group, will offer Sharia-compliant insurance services built on mutual risk-sharing and oversight. Company executives said the model is designed to broaden financial inclusion…

Ireland tracks 24,400 citizens in Gulf as charter flight readies departure from Oman; Middle East flight disruptions persist Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said 24,400 Irish citizens have registered their presence in the Gulf region as the government accelerates repatriation efforts amid a sixth straight day of air travel disruption linked to the war involving Iran. Speaking in the Dáil and to RTÉ News, McEntee said registrations are rising daily and that about 80% of travelers on direct Dubai–Dublin flights last…

Museveni joins Salaam Bank to launch Uganda’s first Islamic insurance company KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday inaugurated Tamini General Insurance alongside Salaam Bank, unveiling Uganda’s first Shari’ah-compliant insurer and marking a new chapter for Islamic finance in the country. The launch at Millennium Park in Kampala coincided with an iftar dinner attended by senior government officials and leaders of the Muslim community. Tamini General Insurance, a subsidiary of Salaam Group, will operate on…

Suspected drone strike kills at least four children in southern Djibouti Thursday March 5, 2026 DJIBOUTI — At least four children were killed in a suspected drone strike in southern Djibouti, authorities and a local human rights group said Tuesday. The explosion occurred in the Dikhil region of Afar, according to Public Prosecutor Hassan Mohamed Hassan. In a statement, Hassan said a team has been dispatched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast and determine its cause. The Djiboutian League for Human Rights…

Trump replaces Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin amid fallout over immigration crackdown President Donald Trump said he will replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a major staffing shift that roils the administration’s hardline immigration agenda after a year of public backlash and political blowback. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, “Highly Respected” and said he will become secretary of the Department of Homeland…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has named Zakariye Yusuf Hussein deputy director general of the Presidential Palace, a senior Villa Somalia post the government cast as part of a wider push to modernize public administration and elevate youth participation in decision-making. The appointment was announced Thursday in a presidential decree. The move follows a recent reshuffle at the presidency after Mohamed Amin Sheikh Osman, who previously held the deputy director general role, was appointed Somalia’s…

Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appoints Zakariye Yusuf Hussein deputy director general at Villa Somalia in youth-focused reform move MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday appointed Zakariye Yusuf Hussein as deputy director general of the Presidential Palace, known as Villa Somalia, in a decree presented by the presidency as part of efforts to promote youth participation in governance and modernize public administration. The leadership change follows the reassignment of Mohamed Amin Sheikh Osman,…