Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

South Africa’s World Cup journey began under the bright lights of the Estadio Azteca with an early setback, as Bafana Bafana slipped to a 2-0 defeat against tournament co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City. The tone was set almost immediately: within the opening nine minutes, Mexican striker Julián Quiñones punished a defensive error, pouncing on a blunder to drive home the first goal. Mexico continued to look the more dangerous side, led by a lively Raúl Jiménez who repeatedly tested South Africa’s back line and emerged as the…

A long-awaited link between the US and Canada has hit an unexpected pause: the two countries have agreed to delay the opening of the new $4.7 billion bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, just days before it was due to welcome traffic, after US President Donald Trump earlier this year threatened to block the crossing. Invitations reviewed by Reuters showed a formal ribbon-cutting for the Gordie Howe International Bridge had been scheduled for today. "Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the…

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.

A draft memorandum aimed at stopping the Gulf war appears to hand Tehran many of the gains it has long sought, according to Western, Pakistani and Iranian sources — a prospect that quickly drew fire from US President Donald Trump, who dismissed the reports as wrong. Reuters reviewed multiple versions and descriptions of the ⁠memorandum from Western officials, Pakistani mediators and senior Iranian sources. Iranian media also carried accounts of the proposal. All of the sources cautioned that the text remains unfinished. A…

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…

Vast mineral riches were supposed to lift Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, but a new report argues they instead helped light the fuse of an insurgency. The study, Mozambique Exposed, details how resentment tied to natural resources became a potent recruitment message for militants, as residents watched the area’s wealth extracted amid allegations of corruption and abuses by security forces. According to the report, the discovery of ruby deposits in Cabo Delgado in 2009 transformed the province into the source of…

Sudan's North Kordofan capital, El-Obeid, has been rattled by a series of devastating drone attacks attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The two-day onslaught has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread chaos, with strikes targeting homes, a funeral, and essential supply routes, as reported by a Sudanese rights group and healthcare officials. According to the Emergency Lawyers group, RSF operated drones launched relentless assaults on Wednesday and Thursday, killing at least 23 civilians and…

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…