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Tuesday March 24, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — A coalition of 136 lawmakers from both chambers of Somalia’s Federal Parliament has thrown its weight behind Southwest State’s move to press ahead with elections and establish an electoral commission, setting up a fresh flashpoint in the widening dispute between regional leaders and Mogadishu. In a joint statement issued Monday, the MPs said Southwest’s election process should move forward transparently and inclusively, and must be conducted in line with the state constitution as well…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A former NISA chief has urged the government to lift travel restrictions on lawmakers seeking to reach Baidoa, adding another layer of controversy to the political crisis in South West State. The appeal also carries implications for members of the House of the People, whose access to the region now intersects with wider questions about security power, parliamentary oversight, and political legitimacy. Sanbaloolshe called on the government to lift restrictions affecting federal lawmakers, naming MP…

Sunday March 22, 2026 United States President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he travels to his Mar-a-Lago resort on March 20, 2026 With airport lines swelling and thousands of screeners still working without pay, United States President Donald Trump is escalating pressure on Congress — and now says he is prepared to send federal immigration agents into the nation’s terminals to “do Security like no one has ever seen”. “I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY,'” Trump wrote…

A sudden policy shift from Washington is sending ripples through global energy markets, as the Trump administration moves to counter surging oil prices amid escalating conflict with Iran. The United States on Friday issued a 30-day waiver allowing the purchase of Iranian oil at sea, a step officials say is aimed at easing supply pressures driven by nearly three weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure could release roughly 140 million barrels of oil into global…

Friday March 20, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Confronting soaring prices and a deepening hunger crisis, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday urged business leaders, religious scholars and charitable organizations to rally support for drought-stricken families, with a special emphasis on orphans and other vulnerable groups. Delivering an Eid address to the nation, the president called for solidarity as nearly 6.5 million people in Somalia are projected to face crisis-level or worse food insecurity by the end of March,…

Thursday March 19, 2026 Barcelona blitzed Newcastle United 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday, charging into the Champions League quarterfinals with an 8-3 aggregate triumph. A week after a 1-1 stalemate on Tyneside, the hosts tore the tie apart after the interval, with Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha spearheading a merciless onslaught. Before that surge, the opening 45 minutes were frantic before 60,000 fans, producing five goals and opportunities at both ends. In the sixth minute Raphinha slotted Barcelona ahead…

Wednesday March 18, 2026 Iran confirmed Tuesday that Ali Larijani — a senior security power broker and a pillar of conservative politics within the Islamic Republic — was killed in an Israeli strike. He was 67. After U.S. and Israeli strikes late last month that killed Iran’s supreme leader and broadened the conflict, Larijani was widely viewed as the de facto manager of state affairs. Israel announced earlier Tuesday that it had killed Larijani; Tehran waited several hours before acknowledging his death. He had been tapped…

The Southwest State officials accused unnamed federal government figures of maintaining links with al-Shabab and arming militias in Buur Hakaba and that deepening tensions with Mogadishu. Authorities in Baidoa said in statements and public remarks that some federal ministers and lawmakers were involved in organizing and supplying armed groups actively in Buur Hakaba district of Bay region. Southwest Security Minister Hassan Abdulkadir asserted that the fighters operating there are not part of recognized state forces…

Southwest State senators back suspension of ties with Mogadishu Senators from Somalia’s Southwest State on Tuesday endorsed their administration’s decision to suspend cooperation with the federal government, accusing Mogadishu of interference in regional political and security affairs. By Ali MusaAxadle Times international–Monitoring Wednesday March 18, 2026 In a joint statement, the Upper House lawmakers said the move by the Southwest administration responds to actions by federal authorities that they say have undermined…

Iran asks FIFA to shift 2026 World Cup matches to Mexico Iran’s football federation is discussing with FIFA about moving its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico over player safety concerns, federation president Mehdi Taj said. Taj said on Monday that Iran is seeking to relocate its group fixtures from U.S. venues to Mexico, citing security risks for the team. He posted the comments on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account. “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the…