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U.S. clears $9 billion sale of Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Saudi Arabia The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia valued at an estimated $9 billion, the Pentagon said Friday. The package centers on 730 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors, known as PAC-3 MSE, with Lockheed Martin named as the principal contractor. In its announcement, the Pentagon said the proposed sale will not alter the military balance…

Jigjiga, Ethiopia (AX) — The leaders of Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti on Saturday jointly inaugurated Shabeely Resort, a 385-hectare tourism and development project in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, positioning it as a flagship for regional integration and economic cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh presided over the ceremony, which Ethiopian officials framed as a catalytic moment for cross-border tourism, trade…

WASHINGTON — The United States has approved $6.67 billion in arms sales to Israel, including 30 Apache attack helicopters and infantry assault vehicles, as a fragile cease-fire in the Gaza Strip faces repeated violations and international scrutiny. The State Department said Friday the package would bolster Israel’s “strong and ready self-defense capability,” a core U.S. policy priority. The approvals come as rights groups and United Nations experts intensify calls for Washington to halt military transfers they say risk…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali National University has accused authorities of illegally demolishing parts of its land in Mogadishu’s Hodan district and says it is taking legal action to stop any further seizures and reclassification of its property. In a statement issued Thursday, the state university said demolitions in the Banadir region have affected facilities used for student services as well as the residence of the university’s chairperson. The administration said no competent authority had granted permission for the…

Somalia court lifts arrest warrant for Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe, clearing path to Mogadishu talks MOGADISHU — A court in Mogadishu has annulled an arrest warrant for Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, removing a key legal barrier ahead of a national political dialogue that the federal government plans to open on Feb. 1. In a decision finalized Jan. 29 and communicated in an official letter released Thursday, the Banadir Regional Court revoked all arrest and production orders tied to a criminal case…

Arkia awaits renewal to fly over Somalia, warns of possible reroute for Thailand flights MOGADISHU — Israeli carrier Arkia says it has not yet received renewed authorization to cross Somali airspace for February, a delay that could force the airline to reroute its Thailand services if approval does not arrive in time. In a statement Thursday, Arkia said the matter stems from routine international aviation procedures that require periodic renewal of overflight permits. “As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the…

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…

Somalia hosts Horn of Africa finance ministers in Mogadishu, with energy trade at center of agenda MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday closed the 27th Horn of Africa Initiative Forum of finance ministers, the first time the high-level regional meeting has been held in Mogadishu, in a session that put regional energy trade at the heart of economic integration efforts. Officials said convening the forum in the Somali capital signaled growing international confidence in Somalia’s security and…

Lamine Yamal’s star turn powered Barcelona past Copenhagen 4-1 on Wednesday, clinching a top-eight finish in the Champions League’s new league phase and an automatic berth in the round of 16. The 18-year-old winger set up Robert Lewandowski’s equalizer and then struck the go-ahead goal before Raphinha and Marcus Rashford added late finishes to cap a dominant second half. Barcelona, winners in 14 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, finished fifth in the 36-team table to avoid February’s playoff round. Final:…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia replaced its army chief on Thursday as the government prepares a new phase of operations against al-Shabab in central and southern regions, naming Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud to lead the Somali National Army. The shake-up was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to the prime minister’s office. Maj. Gen. Odawaa Yusuf Rageh was removed from the post, the statement said, in a move officials framed as part of a broader effort to modernize the…