rejects

Airstrikes flew between Israel and Iran as Tehran’s unified military command dismissed President Donald Trump’s assertion that Washington was negotiating an end to the conflict, bluntly saying the United States was “negotiating with itself.” The rebuke — issued by the joint command dominated by the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — came amid reports that the US had transmitted a 15-point proposal to Tehran for discussion. “Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you (Trump) negotiating with…

Monday March 23, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — A fresh rupture in Somalia’s fragile federal balance erupted in Bakool on Monday after Southwest State’s interior minister abruptly dissolved the Hudur district administration, sharpening an already tense standoff between Baidoa and Mogadishu over who holds legitimate authority at the local level and how elections should be managed. Southwest State’s Minister of Interior, Local Government and Reconciliation, Mohamed Isaq Osman Fanah, announced the dissolution in a letter dated March 21,…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government has rejected claims that Chinese fishing vessels are operating illegally in its waters, insisting the ships hold valid licenses and comply with Somali law and international maritime rules. The Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy framed the arrangement as part of a longstanding partnership with Beijing and said licensed activity falls within Somalia’s maritime governance framework. “All licensed vessels operate legally under official permits issued by the Federal Government of…

Turkey denies reports of deploying S-400 air defenses to Somalia ANKARA — Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense on Thursday rejected reports that Russian-made S-400 air defense systems had been transported to Somalia, framing the claims as unfounded and reiterating that the systems remain on Turkish soil under national control. The ministry said there are no plans to position S-400 batteries outside Turkey and emphasized the systems are fully operational and available for use by the Turkish Armed Forces as required. It…

Iran on Tuesday dismissed as “big lies” U.S. claims that Tehran is advancing a missile program capable of striking the United States, pushing back hours after President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to accuse the Islamic Republic of pursuing “sinister nuclear ambitions.” The volley of accusations and denials comes on the eve of a new round of diplomacy. After two Oman-mediated sessions, U.S. and Iranian officials are due to meet for a third round of talks Wednesday in Geneva aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear…

Nigeria Denies Ransom Payments to Boko Haram for School Abductions The Nigerian government has categorically rejected claims that it paid a significant ransom to the Islamist group Boko Haram in connection to the abduction of more than 200 pupils and staff from St. Mary's School in Papiri in November 2024. Information Minister Mohammed Idris described the allegations, which emerged from a report by AFP citing unnamed intelligence sources, as "false and baseless reporting," asserting that such claims undermine the…

U.S. Supreme Court curbs Trump’s tariff powers, teeing up potential $175 billion in refunds The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a decision that curbs the White House’s latitude on trade and could trigger tens of billions of dollars in refunds to importers. Writing for the conservative-majority court, the justices concluded that IEEPA “does not authorize the president to…

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…

Egypt backs Somalia’s unity, rejects unilateral recognition at AU summit Friday February 13, 2026 Photo courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Egypt reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and rejected any unilateral steps that could fragment the country, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during talks with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Abdelatty “categorically” rejected any unilateral…

China Responds to US Lawmakers’ Allegations of Illegal Mining in Nigeria The Chinese government has vehemently rejected allegations made by five US lawmakers claiming that it sponsored illegal mining activities in Nigeria and provided financial support to militias for protection. The embassy in Nigeria characterized the accusations as baseless and unfounded. In a statement, the Chinese embassy expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed as false claims, underscoring that Chinese nationals are required to adhere to…