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PARIS — The head of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, has resigned after months of mounting crises at the world’s largest museum, including a high-profile robbery of French crown jewels, the French presidency announced. President Emmanuel Macron accepted Des Cars’ resignation, with the Elysee hailing it as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs appeasement and a new strong impetus to carry out major security projects.” Macron appointed Des Cars to lead the Louvre in 2021. Des Cars had come…

Sheinbaum says Mexico has ‘all the guarantees’ for 2026 World Cup after cartel leader’s death sparks unrest MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said there is “no risk” to visitors and “all the guarantees” for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to proceed in the country, after the capture and death of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader triggered roadblocks, arson and security clashes, notably in Jalisco state. Sheinbaum, speaking at a morning news conference, said the situation was continuing to normalize even as…

Puntland State accuses Somali president of fueling tensions over election plan AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State on Tuesday accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of stoking political tensions after the federal government rejected a proposed timetable for local council elections as “illegal,” escalating a long-running rift over power-sharing and control of the electoral process. In a sharply worded statement, Puntland State’s interior ministry said the schedule issued by Somalia’s federal electoral and boundaries…

Hargeisa — Former North Western State of Somalia President Muse Bihi Abdi has urged the current administration to publicly release the full text of its agreement with Israel, warning that any pact must be balanced and protect religious sensitivities as diplomatic tensions surge across the Horn of Africa. In remarks delivered this week in the North Western State of Somalia capital, Bihi said the government has not clarified the legal nature of its arrangement with Israel — whether it is a treaty, a memorandum of understanding…

Sunday February 22, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Former North Western State of Somalia President Muse Bihi Abdi has urged the current administration to publicly disclose the terms of its agreement with Israel, pressing for transparency and caution over any provisions that could affect religion. Speaking in Hargeisa this week, Bihi said the government has yet to clarify the nature of the arrangement — whether it is a treaty, a memorandum of understanding or another form of legal agreement. “The government…

South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life in prison for insurrection over 2024 martial law move SEOUL — A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection when he declared martial law in December 2024, a dramatic coda to a crisis that rattled the country’s democracy and revived memories of past military rule. Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon said Yoon deployed troops to the National Assembly in an effort to silence political opponents who had…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday rejected Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, warning that the move risks escalating tensions in an already volatile Horn of Africa. “The Horn of Africa should not be the battlefield of foreign forces,” Erdogan said during a joint news conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa. “We believe that countries of the region should address their problems by themselves.” North Western State…

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at the Presidential Palace that formally opened a consultative conference with leaders of the Somali Future Council, launching talks aimed at resolving disputes over elections and constitutional reform. The government-opposition dialogue — expected to run several days — begins amid rising political tension and with fewer than three months left in the government’s term, a compressed timeline that has…

Erdogan says Israel’s North Western State of Somalia recognition would not benefit region as Türkiye, Ethiopia expand ties ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that Israel’s move to recognize North Western State of Somalia would not benefit North Western State of Somalia or the wider Horn of Africa, urging regional governments to resolve disputes without opening the door to foreign power rivalries. “I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of North Western State of…

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday hosted opposition leaders, including members of the Somali Future Council, for a luncheon in Mogadishu, signaling a renewed push to break a political deadlock over elections and constitutional reforms. The talks follow a federal invitation to a National Consultation Conference intended to ease rifts between Villa Somalia and opposition-aligned regional leaders. Discussions centered on the electoral process, disputed constitutional…