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Venezuelans in Ireland welcome Maduro’s removal but question U.S. role and path ahead as Dublin protest targets raid DUBLIN — Venezuelans living in Ireland have greeted the removal of Nicolas Maduro with relief and unease, celebrating the end of a regime they say crushed civic life while warning that a U.S.-led transition risks paternalism and confusion. Maduro, described by U.S. officials as Venezuela’s toppled leader, is in a New York detention center awaiting drug charges after President Donald Trump ordered an audacious…

Olmo and Lewandowski strike late as Barcelona win derby; Villarreal rise to third; Celta routs Valencia BARCELONA — La Liga leader Barcelona left it late but left Cornellà with the points, beating Espanyol 2-0 in the city derby on Saturday behind an 86th-minute stunner from Dani Olmo and a stoppage-time clincher from Robert Lewandowski. Former Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, jeered throughout by the home crowd after his summer switch across the city, was Barcelona’s other match-winner with a string of saves that frustrated…

Deadly landmine blast kills at least 7 civilians near Ceeldheer in central Somalia CEELDHEER, Somalia — At least seven civilians were killed and several others were wounded Sunday when a vehicle traveling in a convoy struck a landmine on the outskirts of Ceeldheer district in central Somalia’s Galgaduud region, local officials said. Authorities said the injured were evacuated to Mogadishu for treatment. Details on the number of wounded and the extent of their injuries were not immediately available. Security officials blamed…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali National Army Danab special forces killed 15 al-Shabab militants and captured eight others in a targeted raid late Saturday in Jilib district, a long-held stronghold of the extremist group in southern Somalia, the Defense Ministry said. The overnight operation zeroed in on militant positions inside the strategic town, part of a continuing campaign to degrade al-Shabab’s leadership, logistics and capacity to launch attacks. Casualties: 15 militants killed, eight captured, according to the Defense…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali pirates hijacked a Chinese fishing vessel off Puntland State on New Year’s Day, seizing the Liao Dong Yu 578 near the coastal town of Bandarbeyla in what authorities say appears to be a ransom-driven attack. The European Union Naval Force, which monitors shipping in the region, confirmed the incident as Puntland State security forces launched an operation to track the ship and secure the crew’s release. The crew’s number and condition were not immediately known, and local officials provided no…

Luke Littler polished off a dominant title defense at Alexandra Palace with a 7-1 demolition of Gian van Veen, cementing his status as darts’ unstoppable new force and pocketing a record £1 million winner’s check at the World Darts Championship. The 18-year-old joins Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson as the only players to win back-to-back PDC world crowns. A year after a breakout run announced him to the wider sporting world, Littler returned to the sport’s biggest stage and left no doubt he intends to stay there.…

Who is Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim leader after Maduro’s capture? CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s leadership shifted abruptly after President Nicolás Maduro was captured during a U.S. military operation, placing Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez in charge on an interim basis under the country’s constitution, according to Venezuelan authorities. Rodríguez formally assumed presidential duties on Saturday under Articles 233 and 234, which mandate that the vice president takes over when the head of state is…

MOGADISHU — Federal ministers and lawmakers from North Western State of Somalia’s regions of Sool, Sanaag and Awdal on Saturday condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, pledging full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. Speaking at a news conference in Mogadishu, the officials called the move unacceptable and an attempt to divide Somalia, aligning themselves with the federal government’s position rejecting any action they said undermines the country’s…

Myanmar’s ruling junta said it will free more than 6,000 prisoners in an Independence Day amnesty, a rare concession amid a sweeping post-coup crackdown and a tightly managed election widely dismissed by critics as a sham. The National Defence and Security Council said junta chief Min Aung Hlaing pardoned 6,134 imprisoned Myanmar nationals. In a separate statement, authorities said 52 foreign prisoners would also be released and deported. The military has arrested thousands of protesters, activists and political figures…

Sunday January 4, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — Two members of North Western State of Somalia’s House of Representatives on Saturday accused the government of intimidation and repression in the Awdal region after reports that a young man in Borama was arrested for raising a Palestinian flag during street celebrations marking Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia. MP Mohamed Abiib and MP Maydhane said the youth was detained in Borama, the regional capital of Awdal, after displaying the Palestinian flag while other…