Friday June 12, 2026 Denied entry to the United States, FIFA World Cup referee Omar Artan returned to Somalia to a hero’s welcome, underscoring how quickly a sports setback can turn into a moment of national pride. In the meantime, B.C. Premier David Eby and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have both said they would like to see Artan officiate matches in Canada.

NAIROBI – Kenyan security forces repelled a suspected Al-Shabaab assault on a military base in Mandera County near the Somalia border, officials said on Thursday, after armed men opened fire on the camp during the night. Security officials said the attack took place on Wednesday evening when a group believed to number about 10 militants targeted a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camp in Lafey district. The assailants are said to have fired from roughly 600 metres away from the military position. Troops inside the base reacted…

Friday June 12, 2026 Raul Jimenez (up C) and Jesus Gallardo (up L) of Mexico vie for a header during the match. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez struck in either half as co-host Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday. Quinones pounced on a turnover to put Mexico ahead early in the Group A contest, and South Africa’s task grew tougher when Sphephelo Sithole was shown a red card for dragging down Brian Gutierrez. Jimenez later headed in…

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia on Thursday warned that the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) is preparing a major assault on Ethiopian National Defence Force (EDF) bases in the country’s north, a development that has revived fears of another war only years after a brutal conflict ended. The alert came from Ethiopia’s intelligence chief and was reinforced by a former president of Tigray, both of whom said they had information showing TPLF fighters were mobilising for a large-scale attack on federal military positions. Officials…

Friday June 12, 2026 Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - South Korea v Czech Republic - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - June 11, 2026 Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci in action REUTERS/Paul Childs Purchase Licensing Rights South Korea roared back from an early deficit to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening World Cup Group A match on Thursday, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu striking the decisive goal in the 80th minute. The Koreans had already squandered several…

Friday June 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Thursday that it had intercepted a major haul of explosive chemical materials allegedly destined for al-Shabab during an operation in Lower Shabelle region. NISA said security forces uncovered more than 100 yellow jerrycans packed with volatile chemical precursors that had been buried in the Jilib Marka area. The agency said al-Shabab operatives concealed the materials after realizing that security forces had identified their…

Friday June 12, 2026 Jowhar (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe marked a major milestone on Thursday with the inauguration of Villa Hirshabelle and newly completed buildings for the regional ministries of education and finance. Mohamud said the developments underscored Hirshabelle’s leadership’s push to improve government services, strengthen economic infrastructure and widen access to public services for residents. He also laid the foundation stone for the…

Friday June 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Banadir Regional Administration has moved to clear cattle from Mogadishu’s streets, announcing a ban on animals being let onto roads and citing public health, traffic safety and environmental concerns. Banadir spokesman Saleh Dheere said Thursday the decision came after consultations with livestock-owning families and repeated complaints from residents who have long objected to cattle roaming through the capital. He said the practice has created multiple problems, including…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s federal government on Wednesday voiced strong regret after the United States refused entry to Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been set to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Somali officials had worked through diplomatic channels with U.S. authorities to secure Artan’s travel, but those efforts failed to yield a positive result. “The Government of Somalia remains…

Thursday June 11, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia took another step toward modernizing its internet infrastructure on Wednesday as the National Communications Authority and the National IPv6 Center launched a national workshop in Mogadishu aimed at advancing the country’s adoption of next-generation internet technology. The National IPv6 Workshop was co-hosted by the NCA and the National IPv6 Center, which operates under Jamhuuriya University of Science and Technology. The event drew internet service providers, universities,…