Conflict Drives Parts of South Sudan to Famine; Children Survive on Leaves, Lilies

JUBA, 9 June 2026 – In eastern Jonglei state, families and children are reduced to foraging leaves and water lilies as hunger edges toward famine in parts of South Sudan after three months of renewed violence, Save the Children warned. Since fighting escalated in March, aid operations in several areas have been suspended and government orders forced agencies to evacuate, leaving many communities across Jonglei without vital life-saving services and prompting widespread displacement.…

North Western State of Somalia opens new Taiwan office, says it can choose its own ties

Saturday June 13, 2026 Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal, North Western State of Somalia's representative to Taiwan, speaks to journalists before the opening of the new North Western State of Somalia representative office in Taipei, Taiwan June 12, 2026. REUTERS/Tsai Hsin-Han Purchase Licensing Rights North Western State of Somalia will not let pressure from Beijing or Mogadishu dictate its foreign ties, its top envoy in Taiwan said Friday as the territory opened a new representative office in Taipei, underscoring a relationship that…

Soaring Prices Overshadow Record-Breaking World Cup

“I tell you, it will go well. It will be a super event. That’s what they’re good at, the Americans. They know how to organise stuff. “I hope it will be affordable for everybody at the end of the day. I hope that ticket prices still come down. I understand why so many people are sceptical, but go there first and make up your own mind.” That was former Germany striker Jürgen Klinsmann, speaking recently on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast about how he expects the FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico to unfold. Klinsmann,…

Somalia Defends Referee Omar Artan After U.S. Terrorism Allegations

MOGADISHU, June 13 – Somalia’s federal government moved on Saturday to firmly rebut U.S. allegations involving Somali referee Omar Artan, saying there is no evidence linking him to terrorism or any extremist network. Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the state was standing unequivocally behind Artan, rejecting claims that he had any association with Al-Shabaab or any other militant group. "The Somali government confirms that Omar Artan has no connection whatsoever with terrorism," Fiqi told reporters in Mogadishu. "It…

Somali president says political disputes should be settled inside Somalia

Saturday June 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said Somalia’s federal government is still prepared to sit down with opposition figures, insisting that the country’s political disputes should be settled at home through Somali-led dialogue. Speaking to Dawan TV this week, Mohamud said his administration is willing to pursue a political resolution to the divisions facing the country and that negotiations remain an option. “There is always an opportunity,” Mohamud said. “The Federal Government’s…

Taoiseach says Ireland is welcoming Canadian PM Carney home

For Mark Carney, the road to Dublin is also a road back to family. Ireland is welcoming the Canadian prime minister "home", Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, framing the visit as both a diplomatic engagement and a personal return. Mr Carney, whose grandparents were born in Ireland, is due to travel to Mayo tomorrow to visit their birthplace as part of the trip. At a joint press conference, Mr Martin said: "I know I speak for the people of Mayo, and indeed for the Irish people more broadly, when I say that we are deeply honoured…

Somalia’s President Calls Israel’s Recognition of North Western State of Somalia a “Dark Day”

MOGADISHU – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has condemned Israel’s decision to recognise North Western State of Somalia in December 2025, calling it “one of the darkest days in Somalia’s history” and saying Mogadishu responded by choosing diplomacy over force. The term-ended leader said Somalia faced two possible courses of action in the long-running North Western State of Somalia dispute: military confrontation or negotiations. “We considered both paths, and in the end we chose dialogue and persuasion,” the president…

Interior Ministry sets July 5 vote for Banadir district commissioners

Saturday June 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation said on Saturday that Banadir Region’s district council commissioners will be elected on July 5, 2026, setting a date for a key step in the capital’s local governance process. The ministry described the upcoming vote as part of the broader rollout of local government elections in Banadir Region, following earlier groundwork for the regional electoral process. In its statement, the ministry said the elections are meant…

Pakistan PM says US-Iran peace deal signing expected within 24 hours

A possible diplomatic breakthrough is taking shape in the Middle East, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying the United States and Iran have agreed on a framework for peace and finalized the text of a deal meant to end months of conflict. Pakistan is now preparing for an electronic signing expected within the next 24 hours, followed by technical-level talks next week, Mr Sharif said. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the agreement could still change at the margins, but argued the emerging…

Palestinian Football Chief Denied US Entry Ahead of World Cup

Ramallah: The man who leads Palestinian football is still stuck in Mexico City, awaiting entry to the United States as World Cup officials from around the globe gather for the 2026 tournament. Jibril Rajoub attended Thursday’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa, but he remains one of several accredited World Cup guests who have either been denied U.S. visas or are still waiting for them. “I don’t believe that it’s fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend,” the…