2026

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey’s effort to mediate Somalia’s political deadlock has run into fresh resistance, with technical disputes and widening foreign pressure slowing progress in the talks, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The discussions had been expected to move forward this week with a meeting of technical committees drawn from the opposition and the federal government, after both sides had already reached a preliminary understanding. But disagreement over which political actors should be officially…

Tuesday June 9, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports voiced deep regret Tuesday after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering the United States just as he was expected to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement, the ministry said the Somali government is closely following Artan’s case and is pursuing diplomatic channels in search of a swift resolution. The ministry said it is working with relevant agencies, describing Artan as a symbol of the progress made by Somali…

A recent analysis highlights that Nigerians have invested tens of millions of dollars in U.S. visa fees over a two-year span, even as the number of visas granted has significantly decreased. According to the data, over 200,000 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians in the period between 2023 and 2024, with a majority attributed to business and tourism purposes. Former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Susan Akporiaye, pointed to cultural influences as a key driver behind…

Tuesday June 9, 2026 The United States has denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, blocking him from traveling to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. / AFP The Somali Football Federation said on Tuesday it was deeply disappointed after international referee Omar Artan was refused entry to the US, preventing him from taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The federation said it had not been given any formal explanation for the decision, but urged restraint until the full circumstances are known. “We acknowledge the…

Behind a glass barrier and in handcuffs, five pro-Palestinian activists accused of attacking the offices of a major defence contractor in Ulm are being tried under conditions their lawyer says breach European human rights law. The defendants — among them Daniel Tatlow‑Devally, a 32-year-old from Dublin — are accused of smashing property and spray-painting walls at the German premises of Elbit Systems last September. The company is headquartered in Israel and supplies weapons systems to the Israeli Defence Forces. "Our…

The Liberian government has officially lodged a complaint with Nigeria, taking issue with contentious predictions made by Nigerian cleric Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele. The pastor has frequently cautioned of an imminent economic and governance crisis looming over President Joseph Boakai’s administration. In its formal grievance, the Liberian government deemed Ayodele's statements as an inappropriate interference in the country's sovereign matters. They have urged Nigerian officials to reconsider the situation and enact…

Tuesday June 9, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — Concerns over secrecy at the ballot box and outside interference surfaced on Monday as two candidates in the Southwest State presidential race formally complained to the electoral commission about the conduct of the upcoming vote. Former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Dr. Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari said they had received reports that some lawmakers were being told to take photographs of their ballot papers and show how they voted. The pair said such an…

MOGADISHU, June 9 — Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has broken his silence after being refused entry to the United States, saying the rejection wiped out the biggest ambition of his career and denied Somalia a landmark role at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking to The New York Times, Artan said taking part in football’s premier tournament would have meant more than a personal victory; in his view, it would have been a moment of pride for an entire nation. “I had the right papers and everything required for…

Tuesday June 9, 2026 Violence hit two World Cup host cities just days before kickoff, leaving six people stabbed in New York and nine others injured in Kansas City and sharpening questions about security for the tournament’s opening weekend. Blood and used medical items remain at the scene of a stabbing in Penn Station on June 7, 2026 in New York City The separate attacks, both in the United States, have added to growing unease as fans prepare to descend on venues across the country for the World Cup, which begins in three…

Emergency response efforts are being jeopardized as aid officials report a troubling surge in prank calls and the spread of counterfeit flood videos. These disruptions are deterring essential rescue operations and misallocating critical resources needed for those genuinely affected by the floods. The alarming announcement was made by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, highlighting the severe implications of such irresponsible behavior during a crisis. The regional minister underscored that this situation hinders the work…