Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Opposition to Israel’s Recognition of North Western State of Somalia at OIC

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia and fellow members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning the move risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa. Representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji told an extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah that the kingdom “categorically rejects” what he described as a…

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Rejection of Israel’s North Western State of Somalia Recognition at OIC Meeting

Saudi Arabia leads OIC rebuke of Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, backs Somalia’s unity JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia on Saturday led a forceful pushback within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation against Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, urging a unified response that reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at an extraordinary OIC session in Jeddah, said…

Have the Paris talks strengthened Ukraine’s long-term security outlook?

Paris summit yields a framework for Ukraine’s security — but not the forces to back it The Paris gathering of the Coalition of the Willing promised “concrete commitments to protect Ukraine.” What emerged was a sharper framework for security guarantees and a clearer alignment between Europe and the United States — without the hard numbers of troops or the operational blueprint that would turn ambition into deterrence. The 35-nation coalition, convened by France and Britain last year to prepare for a post-ceasefire…

New Business Park at Mogadishu Airport Eases Congestion, Expands Services

Mogadishu opens DARMAD Business Park to ease congestion at Aden Adde International Airport MOGADISHU — Authorities on Saturday inaugurated a new commercial and parking complex inside Aden Adde International Airport, a project designed to curb traffic chaos and modernize services at Somalia’s busiest gateway. The DARMAD Business Park, funded by Amana Bank, introduces organized parking, banking services, business centers and passenger facilities within the airport perimeter. The development was formally opened by Banadir…

Iran warns United States: Any attack will be met with retaliation

Tehran — Iran warned that any U.S. attack would trigger strikes on Israel and American military sites across the region, escalating tensions as nationwide protests and an internet blackout grip the country and regional capitals brace for potential spillover. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told lawmakers that Israel and U.S. bases would be “legitimate targets” if President Donald Trump orders military action, state media reported Sunday. Israel is on high alert for possible U.S. intervention in support of the…

Somalia’s president plans historic Las Anod visit as northern politics shift

Hassan Sheikh’s planned Las Anod visit would be first by a Somali president since 1969, signaling federal push in north MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Las Anod this week, in what would be his first trip to the northeastern city and a highly symbolic bid to reinforce federal authority in northern Somalia, according to sources in the Northeastern Somalia presidency. If confirmed, the visit would be the first by a Somali head of state to Las Anod since President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke…

U.S. Announces Major Strikes Targeting ISIS Positions Across Syria

U.S., allies launch “large-scale” strikes on Islamic State targets across Syria after Palmyra attack U.S. and allied forces carried out large-scale strikes against the Islamic State group across Syria today, the U.S. military said, describing the operation as a direct response to last month’s attack that killed three Americans in the ancient city of Palmyra. U.S. Central Command said in a statement on X that “the strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria” as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched after a Dec. 13…

U.S. announces major airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria

U.S., allied forces launch large-scale strikes on ISIS in Syria after deadly Palmyra attack U.S. and allied forces carried out large-scale strikes against the Islamic State group across Syria on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said, the latest response to a Dec. 13 assault in Palmyra that killed three Americans. “The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria” and were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which CENTCOM said was launched “in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra.” The…

Protests sweep U.S. after ICE agent shoots woman, sparking outrage

Thousands march nationwide after ICE agent fatally shoots Minneapolis woman Renee Good MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of demonstrators chanting the name of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by a federal immigration agent, flooded Minneapolis streets on Saturday, the latest flashpoint in anger over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Organizers said more than 1,000 actions were planned across the United States under the slogan “ICE, Out for Good,” a nod to…

Elon Musk says Grok deepfake backlash is a pretext for censorship

X faces threat of being effectively blocked in the United Kingdom as regulators probe its AI chatbot Grok over reports it generated sexualized deepfake images — including of children — at users’ request. Owner Elon Musk has denounced the backlash, saying critics “want any excuse for censorship.” The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, said it has launched an expedited assessment following urgent contact with X and is weighing enforcement under the Online Safety Act. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would support…