Brussels has moved to tighten the screws on Moscow again, unveiling the European Commission’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia more than four years after the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Under the latest measures, Russian combatants would be barred from entering the European Union, 30 more ships will be added to a sanctions list that already covers 632 vessels, and a further 31 Russian banks will also come under restrictions. EU member states will now have several weeks to examine the measures…

MOGADISHU – Somalia said on Friday it had been unable to secure the reversal of a U.S. decision that blocked Somali international referee Omar Artan from entering the country to take part in the FIFA World Cup, despite a coordinated diplomatic push involving several government offices. In a statement, the Ministry of Youth and Sports said it regretted the circumstances that kept Artan out of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The ministry said it moved quickly after Artan was…

In a significant twist to a long-running legal saga, Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi said Home Affairs would lift the five-year entry ban on Nigerian evangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso if the National Prosecuting Authority succeeds in its attempt to appeal his acquittal on sexual offences charges. Omotoso was declared an undesirable person in South Africa and handed a five-year ban in May 2025, after which he left the country voluntarily. The move came on the heels of his acquittal following a seven-year trial on…

Mounting concern over disruptive travelers has prompted Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary to call for a curb on alcohol sales in airport bars before morning departures, arguing that the move is needed to reduce incidents involving drunken and aggressive passengers. Speaking to The Times in an interview published today, the airline chief said the issue had been intensifying. He said Ryanair, which operates primarily across Europe, was now forced to divert nearly one plane every day because of passenger misconduct linked…

Norway is moving to tighten children’s access to social media, with the government saying it will propose a ban for users under 16 and place the burden of age verification on technology companies. "We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement. "Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens. "This is an important measure to safeguard children's digital lives," Mr Stoere said. The…

Wednesday April 22, 2026 Baidoa (AX) — In a move aimed at reinforcing security after recent political shifts in Southwest state, authorities in Baidoa have prohibited the carrying of heavy weapons inside the city. Bay Regional Police Commander Sadiiq Doodishe announced the restriction on Tuesday, saying machine guns and other heavy weapons would no longer be allowed within Baidoa’s limits. He said the order covers everyone, including government officials. “No one is allowed to carry or use heavy weapons in Baidoa,” Doodishe…

Thursday April 9, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — In a move aimed at keeping children in class, the Banadir Regional Administration has outlawed the practice of locking school gates to punish late arrivals, saying the policy protects students’ right to education and helps curb dropout rates. The announcement came after a meeting between the Banadir Regional Education Directorate and principals from 48 public schools in Mogadishu. The talks centered on raising education standards and tackling the problems that continue to affect…

Greece will block children under 15 from accessing social media starting 1 January next year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced today, unveiling what he described as a tough but necessary step. "We have decided to proceed with a difficult yet necessary measure: ban access to social media for children under 15 years old," he said in a video posted on TikTok. "Greece is one of the first countries in the world to adopt such a measure," the prime minister said, adding that he intends to press the European Union to…

BAIDOA, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has introduced a nighttime curfew in Baidoa and barred civilians from carrying weapons in the city after dark, allowing only security personnel to do so, officials said. The restrictions were announced amid heightened security concerns tied to recent political shifts in South West State, where tensions have escalated in the wake of changes in the regional administration. Somali Police Commissioner Asad Osman Abdullahi, who has met with police officers in Baidoa over the past…

The US Supreme Court has struck down a Colorado ban on "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ minors, handing a major victory to a Christian therapist who argued the restriction violated her free speech rights. The case centred on a 2019 Colorado law barring licensed practitioners from providing "conversion therapy" to patients under 18. Supporters of the practice say it can alter the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ people. Major medical groups, including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical…