United

Sunday April 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s music community is mourning the death of Shankaroon Ahmed Yusuf, better known as Sagal, one of the best-known voices of the celebrated Waaberi band. She died Saturday in the United States, where she had lived for several years, after reportedly being ill. Shankaroon first gained national recognition in the 1970s, during a period when Somalia’s state-backed arts scene was flourishing. She went on to become a key member of the Somali National Army band, which later joined with…

Thursday April 9, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as a meaningful step toward lowering tensions and protecting regional and international stability. In a statement released in Mogadishu, the Federal Government said that, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, Somalia considers the ceasefire a timely and significant move toward de-escalation, confidence-building and the preservation of peace and security. The government…

Anger at President Donald Trump erupted into massive demonstrations across the United States and overseas, with millions turning out to denounce what they describe as authoritarian rule and a pattern of harsh, law-defying governance. The mobilization marks the third nationwide surge in less than a year under the grassroots banner "No Kings," which has become the most visible and forceful outlet for resistance to Trump since the start of his second term in January 2025. Protesters now have a fresh target for their outrage:…

Zimbabwe civic group urges international bodies to block bid to extend presidency and Parliament terms The Defend the Constitution Platform called on international organisations to stop proposed constitutional changes that would extend the tenure of Zimbabwe’s presidency and Parliament, citing reports of intimidation and violence around the debate. The Defend the Constitution Platform has urged international organisations to block planned amendments to Zimbabwe’s constitution that would lengthen the terms of the presidency…

Bruno Fernandes closed in on the Premier League single-season assists record as Manchester United tightened its grip on Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday, while Tottenham halted a damaging losing run by snatching a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Fernandes set up two of United’s goals at Villa Park to move to 16 assists this league campaign, four shy of the record of 20 jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. The Portugal playmaker, who now has 100 assists as a United player in all…

Gulf Powers Call for Unified Front Against Rising Iranian ‘Aggression’ RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a joint warning Monday, condemning continued Iranian attacks against Gulf states as a “dangerous escalation” that threatens the stability of the region. In a high-level phone call, the two leaders said member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council would “spare no effort” to defend their sovereign territories. They pledged to mobilize all…

Gulf Powers Call for Unified Front Against Rising Iranian ‘Aggression’ RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a joint warning Monday, condemning continued Iranian attacks against Gulf states as a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional stability, and vowing that Gulf Cooperation Council member states would “spare no effort” to defend their territories. In a high-level call, the leaders pledged to mobilize “all available capabilities” to…

Iran, Israel and the United States struck defiant tones as the Middle East war neared the two-week mark, with leaders vowing to press on despite a mounting death toll, widening regional attacks and fresh aftershocks in global energy and financial markets. Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message since taking power, vowing to keep fighting and to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut. In remarks read out by a state television presenter, he urged neighboring countries to close U.S. bases on their…

Russia says ‘productive’ Florida talks with U.S. envoys as oil sanctions ease; Ukraine reports teen killed in strike Florida — A top envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin said he took part in a “productive meeting” with U.S. negotiators in Florida, in what he described as the first talks between Moscow and Washington since the start of the Iran war. The engagement comes days after the United States lifted some sanctions on Russian oil imposed after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a move framed as an effort to ease…

Ukraine to dispatch counter-drone teams to Middle East as demand surges after ‘Operation Epic Fury’ Ukraine is sending drone defense specialists to the Middle East this week after 11 countries requested help countering Iranian-made drones fired in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes launched under Operation Epic Fury, Ukrainian officials said. Speaking at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna said Kyiv’s response is designed to provide immediate, practical support rather than “concern or…