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Thursday, February 19, 2026 MOGADISHU — Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir will launch the first direct Muscat-to-Mogadishu flights on Sept. 3, 2026, establishing a new nonstop air link between the Gulf and the Horn of Africa via Aden Adde International Airport. The airline said it will operate two weekly services between Muscat International Airport and Mogadishu, positioning the route as an affordable short-haul option for travelers across the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Somali diaspora. One-way Lite fares will start…

WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead at last-place Wolves and were pegged back to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, a result that hands Manchester City a significant opening in a finely poised Premier League title race. Teenage debutant Tom Edozie crashed in a dramatic equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Molineux to complete Wolves’ comeback, after Arsenal had led 2-0 through Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie. The league leaders have now dropped points in back-to-back matches and see their advantage…

Liberal Party roiled by leaked plan to ban migration from parts of 13 countries Australia’s Liberal Party is scrambling to contain internal fallout after a hardline migration proposal, developed in former leader Sussan Ley’s office after the Bondi terror attack and never taken to shadow cabinet, was leaked to media. New opposition leader Angus Taylor moved quickly to distance himself from the plan on Monday night, as senior figures said they were blindsided by its contents and the way it was crafted. Guardian Australia…

Somalia opens high-level talks with opposition Future Council on elections and constitution MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Future Council formally opened high-level talks in Mogadishu on Wednesday, launching a long-anticipated push to resolve deep disputes over elections and constitutional reform amid weeks of rising political tension. The meeting marked the first structured engagement in recent weeks between Villa Somalia and the opposition alliance, following a conciliatory luncheon hosted…

Somalia cleared to issue East African Community passports, boosting regional mobility Wednesday February 18, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has received formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports, a key step in the country’s regional integration and a move officials say will ease cross-border travel for Somali citizens across the bloc. The authorization was conveyed in an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. He handed…

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — A district court in Hargeisa on Tuesday sentenced musician Mubaarik Ahmed Yusuf, known professionally as Mubaarik Oktoober, to one year and four months in prison after finding him guilty of assault and bodily harm against his wife, fellow singer Farhiya Ahmed Addaawe Geedi, widely known as Farhiya Fiska. In a written ruling dated Feb. 17, 2026, the Hargeisa District Court convicted Mubaarik under Article 440(1) of the Penal Code, which covers offenses causing bodily injury. The…

Muslims across the world are scanning the skies for the slim crescent that marks the start of Ramadan, with a growing list of countries setting Thursday as the first day of fasting while others await final moon-sighting results. As of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, authorities from Oman to Indonesia and Malaysia have confirmed a Thursday start, while Saudi Arabia — whose decision influences millions — is expected to announce later in the day. Oman became the first Gulf Cooperation Council state to set Thursday as the beginning of…

Turkey sends Cagri Bey drilling ship to Somalia in first offshore mission abroad MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey has dispatched its deep-sea drilling vessel Cagri Bey to Somali waters, launching Ankara’s first offshore energy exploration campaign outside its own maritime zone, officials from both countries said Sunday. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar called the deployment a “historic moment” for Turkey’s oil and gas strategy as the ship departed Tasucu port in the southern province of Mersin. The vessel is expected to reach…

Somalia, Tanzania sign migration and travel pact to ease visas, bolster border security Monday February 16, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia and Tanzania have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on migration management and make travel easier between the two countries, officials said. The agreement was signed by Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, known as Fartaag, and Tanzania’s Minister of Home Affairs, Patrobas Paschal Katambi. Senior immigration officials from both governments…

Erdogan heads to UAE, Ethiopia as Turkey presses Gaza cease-fire and backs Somalia’s unity Turkey sharpens Gulf trade push while asserting influence in the Horn of Africa amid tensions over North Western State of Somalia recognition Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 MOGADISHU — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit the United Arab Emirates on Monday before traveling to Ethiopia on Tuesday, with Gaza and Somalia’s territorial integrity expected to anchor a two-stop tour aimed at entwining economic outreach with…