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Friday April 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — After days of commercial strain in Somalia’s capital, authorities in Mogadishu moved on Thursday to enforce an order compelling traders to accept the Somali shilling. Banadir Regional Governor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab issued the directive in response to mounting complaints that refusal to take the national currency had disrupted everyday business and public transport across the city. Under the order, any trader who declines the Somali shilling will be regarded as violating the…

Friday April 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s decision to name a diplomatic representative to North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared region in northwestern Somalia. In a statement shared Thursday on social media platform X, the OIC said the move amounted to a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, while referring to Israel as the “occupying power.” The organization reaffirmed its full support for the Federal…

Friday April 17, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia and India have signaled a renewed push to deepen their ties after a meeting in Mogadishu between Somalia’s foreign minister and India’s newly appointed ambassador. Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Ali, received the copy of credentials of Dr. Adarsh Swaika, India’s ambassador to Somalia, who is resident in Nairobi, at a ceremony on Wednesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu. According to a statement from the ministry, the…

Friday April 17, 2026 Garowe (AX) — Puntland State’s Cabinet has called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to work toward a broad political settlement on Somalia’s elections, warning that a prolonged standoff could deepen the country’s instability. The appeal came after a Cabinet session chaired by Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni, during which ministers examined the national political climate following the official expiration of the federal parliament’s four-year mandate on April 14, 2026. “The Council calls on…

By  MOGOMOTSI MAGOMEThursday April 16, 2026 Julius Malema, one of South Africa’s most prominent and polarizing opposition figures, was handed a five-year prison sentence Thursday after being convicted of violating firearm laws for firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018. He was released while he awaits the outcome of an appeal, which will be heard at a later date. If the conviction and sentence are ultimately confirmed, Malema would lose his seat in Parliament. Under South African law, anyone sentenced to more than 12…

Thursday April 16, 2026 A tense standoff at one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors escalated sharply after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the United States and Iran ended without an agreement, prompting Washington to announce a blockade. A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province on April 12, 2026. / Reuters Tehran quickly responded with its own threat, warning that if the US naval blockade persists, Iran could move to choke trade routes through the Red Sea as well as the…

Thursday April 16, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s appointment of an ambassador to North Western State of Somalia, saying the decision infringes on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel’s move to name an ambassador to the self-declared breakaway region in northern Somalia amounted to “a direct breach of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” and ran counter to international law, including the…

Thursday April 16, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Israel has taken a significant new step in its outreach to North Western State of Somalia, naming its first ambassador to the self-governing territory after formally recognizing it as an independent state earlier this year. Israel’s public broadcaster reported Wednesday that Michael Lotem, an experienced diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Kenya, will represent Israel in North Western State of Somalia. His appointment comes after Israel’s December decision to recognize…

Wednesday April 15, 2026 Atletico Madrid held firm under heavy pressure from FC Barcelona on Wednesday night and advanced to the Champions League semifinals, sealing a 3-2 aggregate triumph despite a 2-1 home loss that was enough after their 2-0 first-leg advantage. Barcelona came out swinging and pulled the tie level on the night through goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, but Ademola Lookman’s finish and a commanding performance from goalkeeper Juan Musso kept Atletico’s nerve intact and the visitors at bay. There…

Monday April 13, 2026 A ship at the Strait of Hormuz Oil markets surged back above $100 a barrel on Monday as trading resumed in Asia, after US-Iran talks collapsed without a fresh agreement and President Donald Trump said he would blockade Iranian ports. Brent crude, the global benchmark, climbed 7.3% to $102.30 (£76.32), while US West Texas Intermediate rose 8.7% to $104.94. The breakdown in weekend negotiations has deepened fears that the worldwide energy crunch could worsen. Crude had fallen sharply below $100 last…