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Under the shadow of possible Ukrainian strikes, Russia staged its most stripped-down Victory Day parade in years, a stark departure from the grand military spectacles that once defined 9 May as Moscow still struggles to secure the triumph it promised in the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. The parade on Red Square marks Russia’s most important national holiday, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany and honoring the 27 million Soviet citizens who died in the war, including many from Ukraine. Long…

Saturday May 9, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has urged the country’s leaders to use the final days of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term to build an inclusive electoral process that all political stakeholders can accept, warning that failure to do so could deepen instability. In remarks on Friday, Farmaajo said Friday, May 15, 2026, will mark the end of President Hassan Sheikh’s constitutional term, and he emphasized that Somalia now needs broad agreement on the path ahead for…

Thursday May 7, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia authorities on Thursday appealed for calm in the Carmale area of Erigavo district in Sanaag, where fierce inter-clan fighting has left dozens dead, according to local reports. Interior Minister Abdalle Mohamed Arab “Sandheere” said the clashes have inflicted heavy losses and pushed the government to hold an emergency meeting focused on stopping the violence. He said security forces and local administrations in the area had been instructed to take part in…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s already fraught political climate sharpened further this week as an opposition alliance urged mass street protests in Mogadishu, even as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud prepared to convene a national dialogue conference on May 10. Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, along with other figures in the opposition-backed Council for Somalia’s Future, said they would take part in demonstrations scheduled for next Sunday. They called on residents uprooted by recent evictions to join the…

As Vienna readies for the Eurovision Song Contest's provocative songs and glittering spectacle next week, the festival's 70th edition is unfolding under heavy security and an intensifying row over Israel's participation. The world's biggest live televised music event will feature contestants from 35 countries — the lowest total since participation widened in 2004 — after several countries, including Ireland, withdrew over Israel's war in Gaza. The semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday will narrow the field before Saturday's…

With tensions still simmering in the Middle East, China's top diplomat Wang Yi urged an immediate halt to the fighting on Tuesday and pressed the United States and Iran to restore access through the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible" during talks in Beijing with his Iranian counterpart. "China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential," he said, according to a statement from…

Mounting concern over disruptive travelers has prompted Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary to call for a curb on alcohol sales in airport bars before morning departures, arguing that the move is needed to reduce incidents involving drunken and aggressive passengers. Speaking to The Times in an interview published today, the airline chief said the issue had been intensifying. He said Ryanair, which operates primarily across Europe, was now forced to divert nearly one plane every day because of passenger misconduct linked…

Tuesday May 5, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia on Tuesday flatly denied reports that it had expelled the United Arab Emirates ambassador, calling the claims false and misleading. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was alarmed by the spread of what it described as baseless allegations across several media outlets and social media platforms. “The Ministry firmly rejects these claims and urges all media institutions and social media users to exercise accuracy, professionalism,…

Saturday May 2, 2026 The Kenya African National Union (KANU) has appealed for calm and restraint after a surge of insecurity along the Mwingi–Garissa Road corridor in Kitui County. KANU chairman Gideon Moi said the recent violence was a matter of serious national concern and sent condolences to the families who have lost relatives. “Resource-based disputes must never be allowed to descend into violence, senseless killings, or wanton looting,” Moi said. “The loss of life and destruction of property only deepen divisions and…

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has called on Iran to stop meddling in Bahrain and the wider Gulf, issuing a blunt warning after weeks of escalating military tension in the region. In remarks published by the state-run Bahrain News Agency, the king condemned the recent strikes as “heinous aggression” that he said was aimed squarely at the safety and stability of the Bahraini people. He added that the strain the kingdom has endured had “exposed many faces” that had previously concealed their real…