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Monday March 23, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s next elections are now being pitched as a pivotal test of inclusion and public confidence, with the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation saying Sunday that the country is moving into an “inclusive electoral phase” and that the federal government intends to press ahead under national law. In a press statement, the ministry described voting as a constitutional right for every Somali citizen and cast the election process as central to bolstering trust in…

Bernd Debusmann Jr & Anthony ZurcherMonday March 23, 2026 Trump said that both the US and Iran were looking to make a deal, although Tehran has denied talks took place In a sudden shift in tone amid Operation Epic Fury, US President Donald Trump has held out the prospect of “good” and “productive” talks with Iran — language that stands out as his most conciliatory since the campaign began, even as it raises fresh doubts about what, if anything, is actually being negotiated. Before dawn on Monday, and only hours before US…

Serdar DincelSunday March 22, 2026 Iran fired what Israel described as its first long-range missile since the latest round of regional escalation erupted on Feb. 28, a launch the Israeli army said on Saturday carried a range of about 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). In a post on the US social media company X, Israel’s army said Iran’s missile capabilities extend far beyond the Middle East, asserting that Tehran has weapons able to reach major European capitals including Berlin, Paris, and London. Tehran "has carried out…

Thursday March 19, 2026 QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas production facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City Iranian missile strikes on Qatar’s flagship Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country’s main gas hub, left “significant damage,” authorities said. “The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Iranian attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City, which caused fires resulting in significant damage to the facility,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on…

US has spent $12bn on Iran war, White House economic chief says, as Pentagon signals escalation Kevin Hassett gives latest cost since Feb. 28 joint US-Israel strikes; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says bombing of Iran is “about to surge dramatically” Standfirst: The Trump administration faces growing questions over the war’s price tag and purpose. Markets remain on edge over possible Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while Senate Democrats warn of “mission creep.” The United States has spent $12bn on its war against Iran since…

Taiwan reports return of large-scale Chinese air force activity after two-week lull TAIPEI — Taiwan on Sunday said Chinese military flights around the island have resumed at scale after an unexplained pause of more than two weeks, with 26 People’s Liberation Army aircraft detected in the previous 24 hours, the defense ministry reported. The sorties — concentrated in the Taiwan Strait — mark the largest single-day tally since Feb. 25, when Taipei tracked 30 aircraft as Beijing carried out what it called a “joint combat…

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…

Fujairah resumes oil loading after drone interception and fire at key UAE export hub FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates — Oil loading operations at the United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah emirate have resumed after a drone attack and fire on Saturday, an industry source based in Fujairah said, restoring activity at one of the world’s most important energy logistics hubs. Fujairah’s media office said smoke seen rising over the oil industry zone was caused by debris after air defenses intercepted a drone. The incident unfolded amid…

Mogadishu — Somalia’s intelligence agency says at least 22 al-Shabab militants killed in coordinated strikes in Mudug and Hiiraan Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Saturday it killed at least 22 al-Shabab fighters, including several senior figures, in coordinated operations in the country’s central Mudug and Hiiraan regions. In a statement, the agency, known as NISA, said the operations were conducted with international partners and targeted militants allegedly planning attacks against civilians and…

Friday March 13, 2026 Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates on March 11, 2026 The U.S. military is “not ready” to escort oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday, as Iran keeps the strategic waterway largely shut and global oil prices whipsaw. Wright told CNBC that the market shock is a “short-term disruption,” predicting the war would last “weeks, not months.” He cast the current squeeze as “short-term…