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MOGADISHU — Israeli carrier Arkia says it has not yet received renewed authorization to fly over Somali airspace when its current permit expires at the end of January, a delay that could force the airline to reroute Tel Aviv–Thailand services if clearance is not granted in time. In a statement Thursday, Arkia linked the issue to routine international procedures requiring periodic renewal of overflight permits. “As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the periodic permit for air transit over Somalia for…

Tuesday January 27, 2026 DAVOS, Switzerland — Eric Trump has denied holding talks or discussing port investments with North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi after reports and a widely shared photo suggested the pair met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. A spokesperson for Trump said Abdullahi attended a dinner reception where the U.S. president’s son was present, but emphasized there was no private meeting. “At no point did Eric Trump ever have a meeting with the North…

Trump aide denies claims of Davos meeting with North Western State of Somalia president WASHINGTON — A spokesperson for Eric Trump, the son of U.S. President Donald Trump, has denied reports that he met Abdirahman Cirro — identified by some accounts as the president of Somalia’s northwestern regional administration — during a dinner event on the sidelines of the Davos meetings in Switzerland. Kimberly Benza, a spokesperson for Eric Trump, said no talks took place and no political or economic topics were discussed at the…

Tokyo court orders North Korea to pay €440,000 to victims of ‘paradise on Earth’ repatriation scheme Tokyo — A Japanese court has ordered North Korea to pay €440,000 in damages to four plaintiffs who say they were lured to the country by a propaganda campaign promising a “paradise on Earth,” in a rare legal rebuke that rights advocates called historic. The Tokyo District Court ruled Monday that the four had “most of their lives taken away” and awarded each at least 20 million yen (about €110,000) in compensation. The case…

Prominent Somali cleric warns North Western State of Somalia against engagement with Israel HARGEISA, Somalia — One of Somalia’s leading religious scholars, Sheikh Mustafa Haji Ismail Harun, has sharply criticized reported steps by North Western State of Somalia toward engagement with Israel, warning that any move linked to a bid for recognition would be both morally and politically misguided. Speaking at a mosque in Hargeisa, the cleric urged the public and political leaders in North Western State of Somalia to distance…

North Western State of Somalia’s Irro meets Israel’s Herzog in Davos as sides tout new diplomatic ties DAVOS, Switzerland — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the highest-level public engagement since Israel recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, according to statements from both sides. Herzog confirmed the encounter in a social media post, welcoming what he…

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 HARGEISA — North Western State of Somalia security forces killed two suspected gunmen and arrested several others in a planned operation in the Salal region on Wednesday, days after the killing of two civilians triggered a manhunt and heightened security measures, the military said. Two suspected attackers were killed; four others were wounded in the clash Several suspects arrested and illegal weapons, including AK-47 rifles, seized Operation conducted in the Indho-Biraale area of Salal following…

North Western State of Somalia police arrest suspects in Salal double killing; manhunt underway Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — North Western State of Somalia police have arrested several suspects in the killing of two men in the Salal region and launched a manhunt for others believed to be involved, authorities said Tuesday. The victims, identified as Yusuf Abdillaahi Hussein and Mustafa Jama Farah, were shot dead on Jan. 18 in the Indho-Biraale area of Salal. Police said preliminary…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Police in North Western State of Somalia have arrested several suspects in connection with the killing of two men in the Salal region and launched a manhunt for others believed to be involved, authorities said Tuesday. The victims, identified as Yusuf Abdillaahi Hussein and Mustafa Jama Farah, were shot and killed Jan. 18 in the Indho-Biraale area of Salal, according to the North Western State of Somalia Police Force. Preliminary reports indicate that armed men opened fire on the…

Somali president offers talks with North Western State of Somalia but rules out secession LAS ANOD, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday reaffirmed that the country’s territorial unity is not open to negotiation, saying the federal government is ready for dialogue with all Somali parties but will not entertain discussions on secession. Speaking at the inauguration of the leadership of a newly established administration in the city of Las Anod, Mohamud said Mogadishu is prepared for “dialogue at all…