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Somalia's national army has taken control of the strategic city of Baidoa, the largest in Southwest state, prompting the regional leader to resign. The city's takeover comes two weeks after the Southwest state administration announced it was severing ties with the federal government.The city of Baidoa, located about 245 km northwest of the capital Mogadishu, is home to international peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies in an area affected by drought, conflict, and displacement.Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the President of Southwest State, announced his resignation on Facebook, stating that he had been in office for more than seven years. His resignation comes days after he was re-elected for another five-year term, an election the federal government deemed illegal.Earlier on Monday, Somalia's federal forces entered Baidoa, taking full control of the city and marking the start of a political transition. A local elder described the city as calm but a ghost town.The Southwest state's transition began with the appointment of its finance minister, Ahmed Mohamed Hussein, as acting president through a formal decree. The central government in Mogadishu hailed the state's transition and urged calm and unity.The federal government emphasized that no acts of retaliation will be tolerated, underscoring its commitment to protecting lives and property during this sensitive political transition.The dispute with Southwest is the latest sign of strain in Somalia's fragile federal system, where disputes over elections and the balance of power between Mogadishu and regional administrations repeatedly open up political fault lines.

Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged during an "acute human‑rights crisis" that endangers travelling supporters, local residents and tournament staff across the three host nations.The rights group released its report on Monday, highlighting the dangers facing millions of fans who will journey to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the six‑week event.The United States, which will host three‑quarters of the matches (78 of 104 fixtures), is described as undergoing a "human‑rights emergency" marked by a pattern of authoritarian practices. Amnesty points to recent immigration crackdowns, restrictive protest laws and a series of deaths at the hands of U.S. law‑enforcement officials.According to the report, at least six detainees died in ICE custody in 2026, with a seventh person fatally shot by an off‑duty ICE officer. The agency recorded 32 deaths in ICE custody the previous year, many attributed to health complications but accompanied by allegations of abuse and medical neglect.Although FIFA classified the tournament as a "medium‑risk" event, Amnesty warns it could become "a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices" if host governments fail to safeguard basic freedoms.Key concerns raised include:Forced shutdowns of protests, gender bias, indiscriminate raids, ethnic profiling and mass detentions.U.S. visa bans targeting nationals from 12 countries—four of which have qualified for the World Cup—deemed racial discrimination under international law.Mexico’s internal security challenges following a wave of violence triggered by the killing of a major drug‑lord, and planned peaceful demonstrations by women’s groups seeking justice for the country’s 133,500 disappeared persons.Canada’s looming housing crisis that could displace homeless individuals, alongside reported violence and harassment directed at the LGBTQ community.Amnesty also criticised President Donald Trump, who received FIFA’s newly created Peace Prize in December 2025, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino for praising the award. The report accuses the Trump administration of dismantling international cooperation mechanisms, engaging in aggression in Venezuela, conducting extrajudicial air strikes in Latin America and collaborating with Israel on attacks against Iran.Despite the criticism, FIFA projects to generate $11 billion in revenue from the World Cup cycle. Amnesty’s head of economic and social justice, Steve Cockburn, stressed that “fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price” and that their rights must be central to the tournament’s planning.The tournament is set to kick off on June 11 at Mexico City’s stadium, with the final slated for July 19 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Airport security lines across the United States are significantly shortening following President Donald Trump's emergency directive to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers. This development comes after weeks of lengthy delays at security checkpoints nationwide. At major airports such as New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, wait times have dropped to under 30 minutes. Similar improvements have been observed at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Baltimore's Thurgood Marshall Airport. Despite this temporary relief, over 500 TSA officers have left the agency since the recent government shutdown, according to data shared by the TSA. This exodus highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the agency due to recurrent funding lapses. “The bigger issue is that this is the third time in six months that TSA has gone through a funding lapse,” noted Eric Chaffee, a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. “Every time this happens, the agency loses experienced staff, and it becomes harder to attract new ones.” While TSA workers are set to receive their back pay, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stating that payments would begin as early as Monday, the sector still faces instability. On Friday, 10.59% of TSA agents called out on Saturday and 12.35% on Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The ongoing partial US government shutdown, now in its 45th day, continues to impact negotiations in Congress. Despite House Republicans voting to fully fund DHS for 60 days, the bill was met with resistance from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who deemed it “dead on arrival.” In the financial markets, US airline stocks continue to decline, with United Airlines down 2.4%, Delta down 1.5%, American Airlines down 0.4%, and Southwest down 1.9% in midday trading.

The United States Department of Defense has strongly denied allegations that a broker for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to make a large investment in weapons companies in the run-up to the war on Iran. The denial comes after a report by The Financial Times claimed that a wealth manager for Hegseth contacted BlackRock about making a multimillion-dollar investment in a defence-related fund.Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell demanded the immediate retraction of the report, stating that the allegations were 'entirely false and fabricated.' He emphasized that neither Secretary Hegseth nor any of his representatives approached BlackRock about any such investment.The proposed investment was reportedly in an exchange-traded fund whose holdings include Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. However, according to The Financial Times, the investment did not go ahead because the fund was not yet available for purchase at the time.The report has sparked scrutiny of well-timed trades in financial and prediction markets, fueling speculation that figures with insider knowledge may be profiting from US President Donald Trump's war plans.Despite the denial, the incident has raised concerns about the integrity of defence-related investments and the potential for insider trading.

Dame Carole Jordan, who has died aged 84, was a prominent figure in astrophysics, celebrated for her groundbreaking research on the outer atmosphere of the sun and other cool stars. Her contributions to the field have left a lasting impact, and her legacy extends beyond her scientific achievements as a champion for women in science.Jordan's fascination with astronomy began at a young age, inspired by books from authors like Arthur Eddington and Fred Hoyle. She pursued her passion for astronomy at University College London, where she was interviewed by CW Allen, professor of astronomy, and offered a place. Her academic journey led her to become a leading expert in ultraviolet spectroscopy of the sun and other stars.In 1962, a rocket-borne experiment led by US astronomer Richard Tousey measured the EUV spectrum of the sun, discovering a dozen unidentified emission lines. Jordan dedicated her research to understanding these lines, eventually becoming the world expert on the subject. Her 1965 PhD thesis, Analysis of the Solar Ultraviolet Spectrum, concluded that several lines were due to transitions in highly ionized iron.Jordan's most-cited paper, The Ionization Equilibrium of Elements Between Carbon and Nickel, published in 1969, laid out the ionization equilibrium as a function of temperature for the main ionized states of common heavy elements. This work became a definitive guide to EUV spectroscopy. The launch of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) in 1978 enabled her to extend her analyses to other stars, solidifying her position as an expert on the chromospheres of cool stars.Jordan's achievements extended beyond her scientific contributions. In 1994, she became the first female president of the Royal Astronomical Society, a testament to her dedication to promoting women in science. She was also a staunch supporter of the Royal Astronomical Society, serving as secretary and vice-president of the Institute of Physics.Throughout her career, Jordan received numerous accolades, including the RAS's gold medal in 2005 and being made a dame in 2006. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to future generations of scientists, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM fields.

President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account on Tuesday to lambaste several European governments for declining to support the United States’ military campaign against Iran. He told nations struggling with fuel shortages to “go get your own oil” by force, a statement that immediately pushed global oil markets higher. European leaders pushed back. France barred Israeli aircraft carrying weapons from traversing French airspace, while Italy reportedly denied a last‑minute request for U.S. bombers to land in Sicily. Spain’s defence minister announced that Madrid would no longer tolerate “lectures” from any foreign power after refusing U.S. use of its bases and airspace. The United Kingdom, despite allowing U.S. forces to operate from its bases, faced a public rebuke from Trump, who singled out the UK for its inability to secure jet fuel through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s hard‑line stance, suggesting that allied navies should be ready to intervene in the strategic waterway. Analysts warn that any attempt to seize the Strait of Hormuz by force would be highly risky and likely unrealistic. Nonetheless, the rhetoric has already contributed to a surge in fuel costs: U.S. gasoline prices have crossed the $4‑per‑gallon threshold for the first time in four years, and Brent crude slipped below $104 a barrel after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hinted at a possible de‑escalation. The conflict, now in its fourth week, has claimed more than 3,000 lives and triggered a worldwide economic shock. Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the oil‑supply disruption as “probably the worst ever,” reflecting growing anxiety over inflation, stagnant growth, and a cost‑of‑living crisis that many nations are already grappling with. In a parallel diplomatic development, Pakistan and China unveiled a joint five‑part proposal aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though it remains unclear how this aligns with recent U.S. diplomatic overtures through Islamabad. Meanwhile, the war’s regional dimensions have intensified. Israel announced plans to permanently occupy a swath of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, a move that would cement its military presence well beyond the current confrontation with Hezbollah. Even the Vatican entered the fray. Pope Francis expressed hope that the fighting would cease by the upcoming Easter weekend, urging world leaders to find “ways to reduce the amount of violence.” His comments were widely interpreted as a subtle rebuke of the Trump administration’s aggressive posture. Overall, Trump’s incendiary remarks have highlighted a widening fissure between Washington and its traditional European partners, while the escalating oil price volatility underscores the broader economic ramifications of the Iran conflict.

Pakistan and China have jointly released a five-part proposal aimed at bringing peace to the Middle East, as the conflict between Iran and the US shows no signs of abating. The plan, which was agreed upon during a meeting between Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, calls for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.The proposal is part of Pakistan's broader efforts to position itself as a peacemaker in the region, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Syed Asim Munir engaging in diplomatic communications with global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Islamabad has also hosted talks with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt in an attempt to find a regional solution to the conflict.China, which has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, has emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the crisis. The joint statement from Pakistan and China highlighted that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable options to resolve conflicts, although there appears to be little substantive progress in bringing key participants to the negotiating table.Pakistan's push for peace is driven by both geopolitical and domestic concerns. The country shares a 560-mile land border with Iran and has significant stakes in ending the conflict, including economic concerns related to the blockade on fuel and gas through the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Pakistan is home to the world's largest population of Shia Muslims outside Iran, and there are fears that the conflict could stir up sectarian tensions.Rafiullah Kakar, a Pakistani columnist and political analyst, noted that Islamabad seeks to reinforce its standing as a consequential middle power within the broader Muslim world and to signal continued geopolitical importance to external partners, particularly Washington and the Gulf states. However, with serious instability in Iran having direct implications for Pakistan's security, Islamabad is keen to avoid being dragged into the conflict.

Speaking at halftime of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP that Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup and will play its group games on U.S. soil as originally planned. He emphasized his confidence after meeting the team and its coach, describing Iran as a "very, very strong" side. Infantino added that the tournament’s schedule will be respected "according to the draw," dismissing recent talks by the Iranian Football Federation about relocating its matches to Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly offered to host Iran’s first‑round fixtures if required. Iran, which secured its spot by topping the Asian qualifying group, is set to open Group G against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, followed by matches versus Belgium (21 June, Los Angeles) and Egypt (26 June, Seattle). The nation has qualified for four straight men’s World Cups but has yet to advance beyond the group stage in the last three editions. The certainty of Iran’s participation comes amid the ongoing war that erupted on 28 February between the United States, Israel, and Iran. While Infantino initially cited assurances from former President Donald Trump that the Iranian team would be welcome, Trump later warned that traveling to the tournament could endanger the players’ lives and safety. Responding to the diplomatic tension, Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to a "fair‑play" tournament, stating that the organization cannot resolve geopolitical disputes but will use football’s global reach to foster dialogue and peace. In a symbolic gesture during a recent friendly against Nigeria in Turkey, Iranian players wore black armbands and carried school rucksacks to honor the victims of a devastating airstrike on a primary school in Minab, which killed at least 170 civilians, including children and teachers. U.S. military investigators have preliminarily concluded that a mis‑targeted Tomahawk cruise missile caused the strike. Infantino’s assurance that "all teams" will compete as scheduled underscores FIFA’s determination to keep the World Cup on track despite the broader geopolitical turmoil surrounding the event.

Dozens of professional clowns paraded through the streets of La Paz on Monday, demanding the repeal of a government decree that would restrict extracurricular activities in schools and jeopardise their earnings.Clad in full face paint and their trademark red noses, the performers gathered outside the Ministry of Education to denounce a February‑issued mandate that obliges schools to deliver 200 days of instruction annually. The rule effectively bans holiday parties and other special events—the primary venues where clowns are hired to entertain children.“This decree will economically affect all of us who work with children,” warned Wilder Ramírez, a union leader known as Zapallito. He added that “children need to laugh,” questioning whether the education minister had ever experienced a childhood.The decree, signed by President Rodrigo Paz, stipulates that celebrations may no longer be authorised on regular school days, though they could be organised voluntarily on weekends. Officials said they would consider the clowns’ feedback when drafting the 2027 school‑year regulations, but the promise offered little consolation to the protesters.Elías Gutiérrez, spokesperson for the Confederation of Artisanal Workers of Bolivia, stressed that the measure will shrink their income at a time when the country faces its worst economic crisis in decades. Revenues from natural‑gas exports have plummeted, and a shortage of US dollars has driven up import costs, deepening the financial strain on informal workers.Joining the clowns were tailors who create costumes for children’s events, photographers who cover school festivities, and other artisans dependent on the seasonal market. The demonstrators marched through central La Paz, blowing whistles and setting off small fireworks, while one participant brandished a sign accusing the government of “taking away smiles, and taking work away.”