Wednesday May 20, 2026 In a notable diplomatic breakthrough, North Western State of Somalia says it will open an embassy in Jerusalem while Israel prepares to establish its own representation in Hargeisa “soon,” according to Mohamed Hagi, the envoy from Somalia’s breakaway region to Israel. Hagi said the move follows Israel’s formal recognition of North Western State of Somalia’s independence several months ago, describing it on X on Tuesday as evidence of “growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation…

In a groundbreaking move, the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia announced plans on Tuesday to launch an embassy in Jerusalem following Israel's historic decision to recognize the self-declared republic. This unprecedented step marks a significant shift in North Western State of Somalia's diplomatic journey. Ambassador Mohamed Hagi shared the news on social media platform X, revealing that Israel would reciprocate by establishing an embassy in Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia's capital. Since…

At least six Irish citizens, including Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, were aboard an aid flotilla detained by Israel, according to organisers. They said the vessels were intercepted about 70 nautical miles off Cyprus. The Global Sumud Flotilla said contact has been lost with the boats that were stopped. The group has shared videos of Dr Connolly and five others that appear to have been recorded before their detention. "I am deeply honoured to be part of this flotilla - the largest one so far."…

Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon on Thursday, jolting a fragile pause in hostilities just one day after Israel and Lebanon agreed in Washington to prolong their truce. "The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in several areas in southern Lebanon," the Israeli military said. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said at least five villages in the south were struck, after residents fled toward the southern city of Sidon and the capital, Beirut. Earlier, the Israeli military had warned…

A fragile pause in the fighting between Israel and Lebanon is set to last a little longer after the two sides agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days, according to the US State Department. "The 16 April cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said. US officials described Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington over the past two days as "highly productive", saying the two countries will return to the table for further negotiations on 2 June and…

With the latest Lebanon-Israel ceasefire nearing its expiry, officials from both countries returned to Washington today for fresh peace talks, even as Israeli strikes that have killed hundreds during the truce underscored how fragile the calm remains. Israel's military said it was carrying out strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon after ordering residents in several towns and villages there, as well as in the country's east, to evacuate. It also said a Hezbollah drone crashed inside Israeli territory, injuring…

Israel's parliament has approved a law creating a special military tribunal to prosecute hundreds of Palestinian militants involved in the 7 October 2023 attack on ⁠Israel, a move supporters say is intended to deliver justice and help the country confront its trauma. The assault, led by fighters from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, marked Israel's deadliest single day and was the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel, the majority of them civilians. Israel responded with…

Tuesday May 12, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia has named Greek national Dimitrios Tourikis as its special representative to Greece, a move that signals a fresh push to expand its diplomatic footprint in Europe. Tourikis said Monday in a post on X that he had accepted the appointment and was honored by the role, adding that he would work to strengthen ties between North Western State of Somalia and the Hellenic Republic. North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not released…

As Israeli airstrikes hit more than 30 sites across Lebanon despite a ceasefire, the country’s top leaders pressed the US ambassador in Beirut to intervene and push Israel to stop the attacks. Lebanese officials said the total number of people killed in Israeli strikes since 2 March has risen to 2,869. The toll includes dozens of deaths recorded after the truce took effect on 17 April. Israel’s military, meanwhile, said one of its soldiers was killed a day earlier in fighting near the Lebanese border, raising its losses…

Israel’s military has jailed two soldiers after a widely circulated image showed one of them appearing to place a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. The photograph, shared online last week, showed an Israeli soldier draping an arm around the statue of Christ’s mother while lifting a cigarette toward her mouth. The military said the episode happened several weeks ago in southern Lebanon and was later examined by commanders in the field. "At the conclusion of the investigation, the…