Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud:

Three issues — the information that we have is that Israel agreed with Somaliland on three pillars: bringing Palestinians to Somalia, having a base in Somaliland, and Somaliland signing the Abraham Accord.

These were the three pillars of the agreement that Israel has with the secessionist group of Somaliland.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud:

The issue is the base that Israel wanted to have there — why? That’s the question.

A base is not a tourist center; it’s not a Riviera of tourism. This base is military, and military means attacking or defending.

There is no place to defend Israel in Somalia, so what we are seeing is that Israel is preparing or positioning itself to attack someone else.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud:

We don’t have Israeli security forces in Somalia yet, and we don’t see them coming in the near future as well.

But if that were to happen, that would be another day and another discussion.

We will fight in our capacity — of course, we will defend ourselves. We are against that and we will never allow that.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi:

The Lion and Sun emblem belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran, but others are using it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

We neither trust them nor rule out the possibility of deception and trickery; in fact, we fully anticipate it.

In all the meetings, I have said: this might be a deception—please let no one be deceived.

Everyone should go about their work as if we are not negotiating at all—whether in the armed forces, the government, or anywhere else.

The country must be managed without reliance on these negotiations and agreements, and, thank God, it is currently being managed that way.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

The presence of the CENTCOM commander makes no difference to the essence of the matter.

We were told that he had arrived there in order to visit one of their own ships.

There was a request from the American side for him to be present during what I mentioned—that customary, polite encounter that usually takes place—but we categorically opposed it.

We stated that we do not accept the presence of a military official in our negotiation process.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

A direct meeting did not take place, but we had an encounter—let’s see what we should call it—out of diplomatic courtesy.

When delegations enter, there was at least a handshake and an initial courtesy. Yes. This used to happen in the past as well.

In all past rounds, negotiations were conducted indirectly, but regardless, either upon entry or exit, the two delegations would encounter each other.

It is not something strange at all. We have said it many times before; this is a common practice in observing diplomatic courtesies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

I believe that if our conclusion is that this seriousness exists on the opposing side, these negotiations will continue.

There are signs that this seriousness exists, but there are also signs that this seriousness is faint.

The continuation of certain sanctions and some activities in the military sphere, well, create doubt regarding the degree of seriousness and the readiness of the other side for genuine negotiations.

We are monitoring all of these; we will evaluate all the signs together and then make a decision regarding the continuation of the negotiations.

Italy cannot take part in the Gaza “Board of Peace” because of constitutional constraints, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.

WATCH: One soldier was killed and another wounded when a tank shell exploded during a Libyan Army live-fire exercise.

NEW: Japan’s snap election is set to deliver a landslide for the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the LDP.

— Exit polls (led by NHK) project the LDP alone winning ~274–328 seats, far above the 233-seat majority threshold.

— Together with the Japan Innovation Party, the coalition is set to secure 300–366 seats, potentially achieving a two-thirds supermajority in the House of Representatives.

The Washington Post CEO and publisher Will Lewis has resigned after two turbulent years, days after the paper cut roughly a third of its staff.

NEW: Tensions are rising fast between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with Ethiopia accusing Eritrea of crossing the border and escalating militarily.

Ethiopia says Eritrean troop movements are “not just provocations but acts of outright aggression.”

Addis Ababa accuses Eritrea of “incursion… further into Ethiopian territory” and “joint military manoeuvres… with rebel groups.”

Ethiopia warns Eritrea has “chosen the path of further escalation.”

Eritrea rejects the claims, accusing Ethiopia of “floating false flags to justify the war.”

Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Keir Starmer’s Chief of Staff, taking responsibility for advising the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

His exit follows backlash over emails revealing Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, which McSweeney said damaged trust in Labour and public life.

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Algeria’s President Tebboune blasts the UAE:

Let's not call it a mini-state. They wanted to interfere in our first and second elections.

And they threaten, "We will impoverish them with international arbitration." Go ahead, arbitrate. Go, go.

Don't make us regret the day we knew you.

And whoever is digging a pit for us will surely fall into it. No doubt about it.

Because we mean well, and whoever intends evil for us will fall into it.

Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal:

Today, the world has begun to realize that Israel has become a burden—a moral burden, a political burden, and an economic burden.

We are witnessing a real transformation, particularly among young people in Europe and the United States.

There are visible shifts at the level of elites, in the streets, among youth, within universities, and across social media platforms.

Zelensky:

Ukraine already has agreements for the supply of 50-100 Gripen fighter jets and 100 Rafale aircraft. The best aircraft in the world, in our view.

On the Ukrainian Air Force inventory today are F-16s.

And the 250 aircraft I mentioned. Those are new.

Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal:

What should we do as Arabs, Muslims, and friends of justice? Do we remain trapped in defensive policies? Defense alone is no longer sufficient.

Today, Israel must be pursued. We must work to firmly establish that Israel is a pariah entity—a burden on international security, stability, and global interests.

We must pursue it politically, legally, and morally, until it completely loses its international legitimacy, just as happened with the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Zelensky:

Despite the war, Ukraine has no slavery. People who are not of mobilization age have the right to leave.

You cannot force people to return. People return when they truly love Ukraine — without pathos.

People return because of conditions — because they see a future, see prospects, see work and dignity.

Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal:

With persistence and collective effort, the world eventually submits to reality.

In the same way the world turned the page on the apartheid regime in South Africa and a free South African republic emerged, the page of occupation will also be turned, and the page of Palestine will come.

Zelensky:

Ten export centers in Europe will be operating already in 2026 for Ukrainian drone exports.

In February, we will already see Ukrainian drone production lines working in Germany.

We will gain 300-500 billion from drones in about 10 years.