Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, angering international powers who bemoaned the move at the United Nations Security Council. Somalia’s claim that Somaliland traded recognition from Israel in exchange for accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza is false, Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry asserted on Thursday, denying rumors that the newly recognized state would accept Palestinians or become a hub for a military base.

One Kent farmer says that the cost of fertiliser has doubled overnight following the war in Iran.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has attributed a controversial statement that 80% of the more than 900,000 Syrians in Germany should go back home within three years to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz made the announcement during al-Sharaa's visit to Germany on Monday, and clarified a day later that "the figure of 80% returnees within three years was cited by the Syrian president.