Turkish drillship arrives in Somalia for first overseas deep-sea mission

Mucahithan AvciogluFriday April 10, 2026 A Turkish deep-sea drilling vessel has reached Somalia, setting in motion what Ankara is calling a “historic mission” and marking Türkiye’s first overseas deep-sea drilling operation, the energy and natural resources minister announced Thursday. “The Cagri Bey (ship) has arrived in Somalia for its historic mission,” Alparslan Bayraktar said on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, saying the effort would usher in “a brand-new chapter in the energy history of both Türkiye and…

Police arrest multimillion-dollar human trafficker who smuggled thousands, including Somali migrants

Friday April 10, 2026 Ethiopian police say Yetbarek Dawit, who is yet to comment on the allegations, was wanted in various countries Mogadishu (AX) — Ethiopian authorities say they have arrested a man accused of running a trafficking ring that moved thousands of migrants, including Somalis, into Libya over a number of years, where many were allegedly tortured, abused and held for ransom. Federal police named the suspect as Yetbarek Dawit, saying he directed a cross-border operation that smuggled more than 3,000 people from…

Americans turned to Al Jazeera instead of CNN, Fox during Iran war

By ZVIKA KLEINFriday April 10, 2026 Qatar is now underwriting the most-watched English-language news channel covering the Middle East, a development that should alarm Israeli planners more than many of the military lessons drawn from the 40-day war. The reason is simple: the battlefield has expanded, and the fight for attention is being lost online. AL JAZEERA headquarters in Doha, Qatar. (photo credit: Imad Creidi/Reuters) One statistic, unrelated to missiles or airstrikes, may prove more consequential than much of what…

Somalia, Italy sign health agreement to expand basic medical services

Friday April 10, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia and Italy on Thursday sealed an agreement to launch the QEPHS-SOM project, a new effort intended to bolster the country’s primary health services and broaden access to care. The deal was signed in Mogadishu by Somali Minister of Health Dr. Ali Haji Aden and Italy’s Ambassador to Somalia, Pier Mario Daccò Coppi, with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) involved in the partnership. The signing ceremony was attended by AICS Head Fabio Minniti and agency official…

Atletico defeats 10-man Barcelona in Champions League quarterfinal first leg

Thursday April 9, 2026 FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal (2nd L) competes during the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, April 8, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua) Atletico Madrid left Barcelona with a commanding Champions League quarterfinal advantage on Wednesday, as goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth delivered a 2-0 first-leg victory away from home. The outcome gives Atletico firm control of the tie and comes as a…

Oil prices rise as traders monitor fragile US-Iran ceasefire

Osmond ChiaBusiness reporterThursday April 9, 2026 Oil prices climbed in Asian trading on Thursday as markets tracked the increasingly shaky US-Iran ceasefire and what it could mean for shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The two-week truce, already described as conditional, came under fresh pressure after Israel carried out a series of deadly strikes in Lebanon, drawing a warning from Tehran of a "regret‑inducing response" if the attacks go on. Oil prices plunged on Wednesday after the announcement of the agreement…

UK man charged over alleged links to al-Shabab militants

Thursday April 9, 2026 London (AX) — A British man has been charged in connection with directing terrorist activity tied to the Somali militant group al-Shabab, as he prepares to appear before a court, the Metropolitan Police said Thursday. Jermaine Grant, 43, who has no fixed address, was charged after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London. Prosecutors say he directed the activities of al-Shabab, the al-Qaida-linked group that has long operated in Somalia. Grant faces three counts of attending an al-Shabab…

Leader of Change: Driving Transformation and Innovation in Modern Leadership

Change is never simple. It comes with pressure, risk, and uncertainty. But for any country seeking real progress, it is often the only way forward. In Somalia, President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has chosen to face that reality head-on. Since returning to office, he has taken a series of bold and, at times, difficult decisions aimed at reshaping the country’s direction. Drawing on his previous experience, he quickly identified key areas that needed urgent attention to deliver visible results. Now, after years of effort,…

City names new Lord Mayor, calling appointment a ‘deep honour’

Bea SwallowThursday April 9, 2026 Yassin Mohamud said he intended to "use this platform to bring people together" Bristol’s incoming Lord Mayor has called the appointment a "deep honour", saying he wants to help "ensure that every community feels recognised and valued" in the city. Yassin Mohamud, elected as Green councillor for Lawrence Hill in 2021, is set to take up Bristol City Council’s ceremonial mayoral post in May. The position rotates between the council's four largest political groups. He will take over from…

Somalia President Moves to Consolidate Control in Southwest Amid Leadership Contest

BAIDOA, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has wrapped up a several-day visit to Baidoa, a trip aimed at solidifying his political base and steering a tense leadership transition after federal forces seized the capital of South West State. Mohamud’s visit came after the March 29 resignation of regional leader Abdiasis Laftagareen, who fled to Kenya following the takeover of the city by heavily armed Somali National Army (SNA) troops backed by allied clan militias. The power shift has set off a fierce scramble…